Heck of a start to the new year huh? Updating much faster than I usually would I guess you could thank my oh so brief semester break. Which I have dedicated fully to working on my stories!

Thank you winter! Oh and you all of course, reviews are my fuel! Hope you all like the chapter!

One more thing though, not trying to give spoilers but you all should be warned that this story is rated "M" for a reason! Especially this chapter! So ye have been warned!

Enjoy!

Note For Review's :

InuFan - No clichés here I swear! I don't personally see Inu as evil just misunderstood. (Aren't we all?) And the double standard thing agreed! But I'm kinda a hypocrite. Inuyasha cheats I want his head! Kagome cheats I'm practically seeing stars of happiness lol

Guest - The new year keeps on giving! Thanks so much for the support!

Naruto4Sakura - You know no one can stay mad at Kouga for long! He's just to sexy! Thanks for the support so far! I hope you like the update!

Lil Faf- Cliff hanger yes, snow hanger most definitely! But all is not lost! As for the misery thing, oh god your on to me! Lol Just kidding! I cant really see Kouga breaking Kagome's legs, now if we were talking about Inuyasha's oh yeah for sure! And all I can say about school that is "G" Rated is thank god for winter breaks lol!

Guest - Denial is a powerful thing. An annoying, stupid, frustrating thing. But the strong can overcome it! Or at least they better if it evolves Kouga lol Thanks so much for the review!

Kouga's Older Woman - Yeah! Get your butt moving wolfyman! Lol

Call. Me. Thal. - I'm back and better than ever! Thanks so much for the patience enjoy the update!

MadamScorpio - Oh the drama! Someone grab them a chill pill! Or wait its cold enough outside lol Thanks so much for the support! Enjoy the update!

WolfPrinceKouga- Yeah the site bugged up on me for awhile but it seems to be working fine now (Whew!) About the bandit thing you know I totally didn't have that scene planned out till last minute I was just gonna hint to it but I was like "You know? I want something different!" Glad it worked out in a good way! On the Mi and Sa thing oh yeah Kouga may not have cried but I sure did and I'm the one who wrote it! Lol Now onto the AyaXInu thing all I can say is…(spoiler) No! I'm not a fan of her at all, and just throwing her with Inuyasha randomly kinda seems like a convenient way to get her out of the story quick fast and in a hurry, and you know me I'm all about the hard route, its more drama filled that way lol

Thanks so much for the support so far! It means a lot, and I hope you like the update as much as I liked writing it! Enjoy!

Chapter 9

Devotion


Harsh bitter wind battered mercilessly over exposed and already numbing skin, nothing but blinding frost and shifting ice to fill the void of the seemingly empty space.

It was so frozen, so cold, the icy sting of the relentless blizzard so cruel it actually began to burn like freezing fire.

This pain it was just unbearable, it was the deepest agony that could possible be endured.

But over the deafening wind and beyond the inescapable hold of the raging storm, something else could be heard, something else could be felt…

It was something strong, something warm…

"Kagome!" A voice roared over the blistering gale.

Numbly the motionless priestess tried to speak but no words past her frozen lips. Nothing even flashed across her darken mind, nothing but the realization that the pain she felt was beginning to intensify.

"Kagome!" The voice cried again, this time closer than before. Almost like it was right against her, holding her.

"Can you hear me?" The unknown form demanded, but Kagome couldn't find the strength to speak, to react in any way.

"Don't you die on me! Hold on!" The voice demanded angrily, it was so close, but at the exact time so very far away.

Kagome tried to fight through the haziness that consumed her, but she was so tired, so very cold… she was afraid to wakeup. What if the pain only got worse.? She couldn't stand it?

"You're so god damn stupid! What were you thinking!?" This person was angry, furious, but at the exact moment dread and panic was clear in their voice. They were terrified.

Kagome wanted to open her eyes to see who began to hold her close, but the slumber she was helplessly trapped inside held her tighter.

"Kagome-" The voice whispered shaken, broken.

She couldn't speak, she couldn't see…only feel the cold.

"Please, wake up." He begged.

Then even drowning in the darkness of her exhaustion and incoherency Kagome finally knew who the voice belonged to.

It was him…it was…

Then slowly everything faded to black.


Damn the cold! Damn this village! And damn the new moon!

Those were the three things that kept repeating themselves in the head of the beyond frustrated half demon currently braced back first in the corner of the tiny dim lit hut.

As if it wasn't bad enough to be cooped up inside all day, the dead silence that hadn't wavered for even a moment it was maddening!

Add to the fact that tonight marked the annual transformation that Inuyasha lost his demon abilities and was rendered to the physical stature (not to mention appearance) of a mere human.

Just when he thought it couldn't get anymore miserable in this hellish place!

Aggravated at his down right helpless state Inuyasha threw his back hard against the wooden wall he huddled against making the entire structure tremble.

He couldn't take this! Being trapped in here! He was going insane!

When the isolation he currently endured seemed to be at its most agonizing the thin hanging mat separating him from the outside world shifted open and a certain snow coated monk came stumbling through.

Miroku shook his head forcibly trying to rid himself of the clumped together powered balls of ice that had decided to cling to his plum colored clothing.

"About damn time!" Inuyasha barked clawing his way to his feet, his newly hazel eyes hard and gleaming with disbelief it had taken his slightly trembling comrade as long as it had to return.

"Exactly what part of that was suppose to be quick?" Miroku shot back angrily.

"Are you kidding? I could have covered twice the distance in half the time!" Inuyasha barked, could the monk before him been any slower?

"You're part demon Inuyasha. I'm not, it was a lot of ground to cover!" Miroku defended remembering all to clearly the vast fields and dead wilds he had searched.

"So what'd you find?" The raven haired half demon asked, practically starving for information to distract himself from his weaken state.

Without saying a word the visibly exhausted monk shook his head in defeat. Out of the endless hours he had searched the wooded areas that surrounded the village he hadn't come across a single track of the creature they both sought.

But he had seen something that might aid their search in the end.

"Nothing! Are you kidding?" Inuyasha fumed! What the hell had been the point in him being trapped in here for so long then?

If there wasn't a hint of danger or demon then why had he hidden himself away all damn day!

"Would you calm down and let me finish?! I didn't find any sign of Yokobue because I saw something else!" Miroku tried to explain catching the humanized half demon off guard.

"On my way back, I saw wolves, just like the one you saw a few days ago. A whole pack, they were circling the village." Miroku expressed recalling his swift movement trying to avoid being seen by the allusive creatures.

"Wait. So their out there now?" Inuyasha asked sharply

"Yes, but I think-" Miroku began calmly. But, before he could even finish his statement the brash and hot headed half demon was sprinting past him towards the door!

"Inuyasha! You cant go outside! The new-" The monk protested.

"Shut up!" Inuyasha shot back over his shoulder, he was done waiting around. He was getting some answers, and he was getting them now!


Tenderly a soft hand reached forward stroking the soft matching faces of the soundlessly sleeping twin girls nestled tightly in their shared bed.

Sango stared down at her daughters with loving eyes making sure to tuck the thick blanket that covered their bundled forms loosely under their chins.

It had been such a long day for the two of them and it was such a relief to the demon slayer to know it was finally coming to an end even if the frigid weather outside raged on.

Thankful for the stock pile of firewood she had been able to gather days prior she wasn't concerned about the storm, they would sleep comfortably. All four of them.

Ignoring the still freshly throbbing soreness of her sides she rocked her son gently in her arms hoping he would sleep as soundly as he sisters.

Kaede had done her worlds of good today caring for her infant as she had tried her best to recover with much needed rest.

Now though that the aged priestess was no doubt safely curled into her own home, Sango still felt the urge to return the favor her companions had given her.

She hoped both Kaede and Kagome had previsions as she had, no real doubt though seeing as they had always caring for others rather than themselves they were just naturally prepared.

However she couldn't help but worry, she after all hadn't seen her best friend as much as she would have liked. There was so much she wanted to discuss, to air out between them.

Mostly about a certain wolf demon she had yet to see since the night the village had been set ablaze.

She was well aware of what had occurred while in her weaken state, the carnage her daughters had seen, but also the mends the absent wolf had tried to make.

She appreciated it and wished to express her gratitude not only for saving the lives of her children but letting them know it would all be alright in the end.

Sango thought it best to relay such messages through Kagome, but she unfortunately hadn't gotten the chance.

She would come morning though, tell each of them her appreciation face to face.

For now she would simply have her children close and hold them through the night.

That was until the sudden sound of mewing caught the demon slayers full attention. Surprised Sango gently laid her son to rest beside his older sisters, stepping lightly towards the doorway.

She didn't even make contact with the frame before Kilala's tiny cat like form came rushing in.

Sango stared down at her feline comrade in shock. Her usually plush like fur messed and damp from the heavy snow and her thin body trembling with the lasting effects of the storm she had just so narrowly escaped.

"Kilala! Are you alright?" Sango cried falling to her knees to scoop up her companion. She had thought her feline ally had went to sleep with Kagome or Kaede as she often did when not at home.

Unfortunately that didn't seem to be the case. Something had clearly happened, something terrible!

"It's okay. Just hang on!" Sango promised rushing towards the blazing fire in the center of her hut cradling Kilala's shrunken form to her chest tightly in effort to warm her.

Kilala meowed weakly her twin tails shaking in unison, the cold had battered her mercilessly and it showed.

"Oh Kilala" Sango whispered worriedly, "What happened?"


Snow crunched lightly under fur padded paws as dozens of slowly trotting wolves circled their master, their flawless white pelts matching the icy covered ground in perfect hue. All except, their sharp and gleaming yellow eyes.

Roiyaru stared down to his underlings in questioning as the lead and largest of the wolfs came to a halt before him settling down on the snow with a heavy whine.

"Nothing?" Roiyaru asked his slightly dulled and weary navy eyes gleaming with disappointment that his long and very draining trip down the mountain side had been in vain.

It had after all been several hours that he had sent his wolves to search the area for the half demon that Ayame had sent him for, but slowly one by one they had come back with nothing.

There was no scent trail or sign of this half demon to be found at all.

Tiredly Roiyaru cupped the back of his stiff neck before kneeling down to meet eye to eye with his main wolf patting the large beast head appreciatively.

"Maybe we just missed him is all." He reassured his companion hearing as the wolf gruffed back in response, an unsaid understanding forming between them.

Then suddenly the wolfs attention was averted sharply in the direction of the distant village, his muzzle along with all the other four legged members of his pack peeling back in a snarl.

Their pearl teeth gnashed and their fur stood sharply on end as their golden eyes took in the sight of the fast approaching crimson figure.

Roiyaru watched as the unknown form of a stranger came to jarring halt a few feet before him and his wolves.

His dark raven hair messing around his tan face as he skid to a stop.

Roiyaru sighed heavily before stepping beside his wide stanced wolf patting its large back in reassurance.

"Relax its just a human." The navy eyed wolf assured.

"Careful who you're calling human pal!" Inuyasha snapped boldly his hazel eyes narrow and intense on the unknown wolf demon standing before him.

"You have no business here villager! Go back to your home if you know what's good for you!" Roiyaru demanded sternly. Though inside he was a bit surprised a human of all things would dare approach him, usually the valley mortals cowered before his kind.

Inuyasha's unclawed hand flexed instinctively on the hilt of his sword, so he had been right to think twice about the wolf he had seen days ago. It had proven what he had briefly thought, that wolf demons were in the territory!

"A wolf demon?" Miroku thought out loud emerging from Inuyasha's shadow. He would say one good thing had come from Inuyasha being reduced to his human form. He was much easier to keep up with.

"Why in the hell are you and your pack of mongrels skulking around the village?" Inuyasha shouted, human or no his temper was still the same.

"No business that concerns you mortal!" Roiyaru called back, this human was something else entirely. He was either incredibly brave, or extremely foolish to speak to a demon in such a way.

"Listen here fleabag! If you've come looking for a fight you've picked the wrong village!" Inuyasha threatened resisting the urge to draw his rustic sword. Even though he knew full well it wouldn't transform in his current condition.

"Would you relax? If he wanted to attack us don't you think he would have done it by now?" Miroku interrupted taking a daring step forward casting the half demon in his shadow.

"I saw your wolves earlier, fanned out around the village. They seemed to be searching for something?" Miroku asked bracing his staff a bit more tightly. He wasn't looking for a fight with this demon but that didn't mean he wasn't prepared for one altogether.

After all he could remember quite clearly how rough natured wolf demons could be.

"And if they were?" Roiyaru asked, just who were this humans? They certainly didn't seem like they were ordinary villagers.

"Perhaps we can help?" Miroku suggested before continuing "We are looking for something as well. Or actually, someone. A demon-"

Before Miroku could finish his statement Inuyasha gripped hold of the monks shoulder in a forceful jerk stopping him cold mid-sentence.

"What the hell are you doing Miroku?" The raven haired half demon snapped angrily.

"Trying to help! We haven't had any luck searching for Yokobue on our own. Maybe this demon has some sort of information we can use!" Miroku explained agitatedly.

"Yokobue? What would two humans want with the flute user?" Roiyaru asked with a rise of his hazel brow.

Instantly both Inuyasha and Miroku locked eyes with the intrigued wolf demon standing ahead of them.

"Y-You know him?" Inuyasha asked in disbelief.

"Of course, he's a demon that use to dwell in the far side of my tribes mountain." Roiyaru began "Mostly he kept to himself, which is the only reason we tolerated him as long as we did."

"Use to dwell? He doesn't live among you anymore?" Miroku asked quickly.

"He was never among us." Roiyaru corrected sharply almost insulted his people would be grouped with such a lesser demon.

"He lived on a completely isolated part of the mountain. That was until he abandoned the territory altogether. I had hoped he had fled." Roiyaru confessed, suddenly frustrated in the knowledge that old thorn in his side had returned.

"You say he abandoned the territory? Do you have any idea why?" Miroku questioned, knowing the misery that had befall the village they currently dwelled in had only recently begun.

"We forced him out." The navy eyed wolf replied flatly and uncaring.

"You what?" Inuyasha snapped.

"As of late my tribe has been expanding, we needed the extra land." Roiyaru explained callously.

"So you just turned him loose on all these villages? Without any warning? Have you lost your damn mind?!" Inuyasha roared furiously. So all this chaos had been this wolf demons fault? Why wasn't he all that surprised?

"What Yokobue sees fit to do with the valley humans is no concern of mine or my tribes." Was Roiyaru's hard reply. What did human lives really matter in the end anyways?

Inuyasha was sure his eyes flashed red as he attempted to charge at the cold bastard only to be held back sharply by Miroku's staff cutting off his path.

"We are trying to stop Yokobue. Do you have any information that might help us? His appearance? His habits?" Miroku hoped remaining level headed in this situation would pay off in the long run. After all they hadn't gotten really anything concrete from this demon yet, they still needed him.

Roiyaru only stood there silently, debating back and forth whether or not to aid these persistent humans. In the long run he really couldn't see much fault in providing them information. The best outcome would be they were actually able to kill that menacing demon, doing him and his tribe a slight favor.

Inuyasha sighed frustrated, as badly as he wanted to pummel the strange wolf demon they did need his help, he would have to play nice, for now.

"What about this flute? You said he used one?" Inuyasha asked sharply.

"Yokobue himself is a mildly weak demon. Without that instrument he wouldn't have any real power at all." Roiyaru admitted deciding to let this scenario unfolding before him play out as it would.

"From what I've heard he uses it to lure in his prey, trapping their souls in that flute. It gives him power of some sort." Roiyaru confirmed with a slight shrug of his fur draped shoulders.

"If he is capable of hypnotizing in such a way why haven't you or your tribe been effected?" Miroku thought out loud.

"Demons are immune to his song." Roiyaru replied a bit matter of factly before going on. "As far as I know humans are the only one who seem to be effected by it."

"Where can we find him?" Inuyasha instantly responded.

"Like I said before, I don't know. If you really want to find out I suggests looking yourselves." Roiyaru shot back coolly.

"You think I haven't tired that!? I've been all over this damn place! He doesn't leave a track behind!" Inuyasha shouted in sheer aggravation at the mere memory of all the hours he had spent alone scanning the vast hills and forest.

"Then your not looking in the right places" Roiyaru stated plainly before turning his attention to his slightly more lazed wolves.

He whimpered and growled incoherently informing his small pack that the time had come for them to return back up the mountain.

Obediently the group of wolves gathered by their leader before in a haze of clouded ice he began to sprint away into the distance and out of sight.

"Hey wait a second! What the hell does that mean?" Inuyasha called after the unknown demon.

"Try digging!" Roiyaru shouted over his shoulder, and then along side the dying winter breeze. He was gone.

"Damn it!" Inuyasha swore loudly.

"Well that was useful." He snorted sarcastically.

"It's a start. At least we have new information." Miroku admitted a slight hint of relief laced through his tired voice.

"Yeah sure, the guys weak and use to live under a rock. Big help." Inuyasha snapped, that didn't do a damn thing to help them find him though.

"Under a rock-" Miroku whispered out loud processing the half demons words back and forth in his mind.

Then sharply the monks dark eyes fixed on the oblivious half demon in a piercing and determined glance.

"What's with the look?" Inuyasha asked with a visible raise of his raven brow.

"I have an idea!" Miroku stated firmly before turning into the direction of the village his feet much lighter than they had felt in days.

"Idea? What kind of idea?" Inuyasha asked watching the monk go without so much as a second glance.

"Hello Miroku!? Wait up!"

Then just like that, they were back at square one, but with a new start ahead of them. And the only thing running through the half demons mind now as he chased after his now determined comrade was…

It was about damn time.


Vaguely endless images of snow and shifting ice sailed across evanescent thoughts, remembering the sting of the cold more than anything else.

Steadily though through the clouded mind of the person reliving those bitter memories felt them begin to slowly melt away into something almost forgotten. Warmth.

Kagome could feel herself basket in it. The heat, the wondrous feeling of actually being comfortable in her own skin and not having to brace and tense for the onslaught the cold weather naturally brought.

It was wonderful, it was perfect, and at the same time so very…familiar.

Exhausted as she was, Kagome fought through the hard grip of sleep that had until now held her captive in its trance like state.

Her hazel eyes ever so slowly peeled open, only to be gently greeted by the dim glow of soft orange light radiating off cold black stone.

Kagome blinked in uncertainly, not really understanding what she was seeing until she forced her slightly bleary eyes to focus. Then it all came crystal clear.

A cave. She was lying in a cave? But why didn't she feel cold rock biting into her skin? Instead she felt wonderful, more so than she had in what seemed like years.

She stared down to her palm that rested beside her laying head. Under her slender fingers the soft unmistakable feeling of thick fur tickled her heated skin.

Now that she realized what she currently laid upon she actually could feel the same comfortable sensation all over her body.

Confused Kagome tried to sit up but a lingering soreness radiated its way through her body and she instantly lost the urge to lift up at all.

What on earth had happened? The last thing she could clearly remember was the fall she had suffered from her aerial search with Kilala. Then nothing but white snow, and pain.

And, something else. Something important…

Kagome closed her eyes tightly trying to piece together the scattered images and memories that were her thoughts.

Then it came to her without so much as a hint of remembrance.

Jarringly Kagome felt a calloused hand skim over her bare waist, attached to a thick and muscular arm that Kagome only now realized had been holding her all this time!

Almost panicked Kagome's enlarged hazel eyes peered over her shoulder to see the face of her no doubt savoir. The demon she had actually set out to save herself, Kouga.

Kagome turned fully to the sleeping wolf at her side in astonishment. It was actually him! S-She remember now! His voice. It had been his voice that had called to her in the dark, in the storm. The one who had held her close.

Kagome instantly felt tears sting the corners of her eyes cupping a soft hand over her mouth to stifle the gasp of absolute relief that threatened to burst from her lips.

He was okay. He was alive! Against all odds they had found each other again! She just couldn't have been more thankful.

Reaching out gently trying not to wake the wolf demon currently cradling her to him Kagome placed her soft hand on his chest. Feeling instantly the light thump of his heart that beat just beneath the surface.

"He's okay." Kagome thought feeling a lone tear seep from the corner of her eye.

She smiled to herself, she knew she probably looked pathetically weak at this point but she didn't care! Kouga was alive, and that was all that mattered to her.

Trying to collect herself Kagome took a light breath, she didn't want to wake Kouga he looked so peaceful, more so than she could ever remember but maybe she should? Just to let him know she was alright? He was undoubtedly worried.

The thought had barley crossed Kagome's mind when her hand currently placed on Kouga's chest skimmed just a bit lower to his sculpted pectoral.

Kagome started down at his bare and revealed bronze skin, dawning on her that he wasn't wearing his armor, or his furs for that matter…actually he wasn't wearing anything at all!

Kagome's hand retracted immediately but not before her eyes traveled to her own exposed form. Then with one hard glance she noticed what she should have from the moment she woke up.

She was completely naked!

Appalled Kagome shoved herself backwards basically ripping herself from the wolf demons unsuspecting arms and jolting him awake in an instant!

Fierce and widely alert azure eyes shot open as Kouga bolted upright!

Frantically Kagome gripped a hold of an end of the fur pelt she had been laying on! Holding the thick chestnut colored fur to her chest so tightly her knuckles turned a hard white.

Desperately she covered what she could of her exposed body, before turning from the suddenly awoken wolf demon altogether.

The cold of the cave tracing over her naked back and shoulders but Kagome knew there was little she could to about it.

"Kagome! You're awake!" Kouga gasped in shock finally collecting himself enough to form words.

Kagome glared over her naked shoulder to the wolf demon currently staring at her in disbelief. Her face was flushed and hot tears burned her eyes.

This was humiliating! K-Kouga had taken her cloths! He had even held her to him! Completely naked! How dare he!?

Kouga couldn't instantly see the unfallen tears gathering in Kagome's furious hazel eyes, though he didn't yet know the reason.

"What's wrong? Are you pain?" Kouga asked worriedly his hand extending outwards instinctively.

"Don't touch me!" Kagome hissed flinching from his intended touch before balling her fisted hands tighter around the fur that acted as her only shred of protection.

"Kagome? What is it?" Kouga asked climbing to his knees. The thick fur that had draped around his waist until this point falling off carelessly leaving his body totally exposed.

Kagome's eyes unintentionally fell lower getting a hard glance of the indented muscular lines that led down to Kouga's pelvis and the trail of thin raven hair that led down just below his navel.

Beyond embarrassed the widely blushing priestess tore her eyes away!

"W-Where are my cloths!?" She demanded not daring to peer in Kouga's direction again!

"Their drying! You were soaked to the bone when I brought you in!" Kouga replied sharply nodding in the direction of the opposite side of the fire at his back.

Where he had neatly placed out Kagome's priestess attire to soak up the warmth the flames he had built provided.

"You took them off!" Kagome snapped accusingly!

"What was I suppose to do? Let you freeze to death?!" Kouga shot back angrily. He had been out of his mind with worry for the past few hours of the human girl currently recoiled before him.

And instead of reassuring him that she was fine, she was tearing into him over cloths?

Kagome halfway turned to face the azure eyed wolf but not before almost catching an eye full of his most private assets again by accident.

"Would you please cover up!? I cant talk to you like this!" Kagome shouted sealing her eyes shut tight not wanting to risk another embarrassing slip again.

Kouga looked down to his exposed lower half and sighed heavily. Who gave a damn about modestly right now? Then again he was sure he wasn't going to get anywhere with Kagome bare assed.

Annoyed Kouga gripped a handful of the fur at his end before sitting down and tossing the thick pelt over his lap covering what he could.

"Better?" He asked frustrated.

Kagome peeked a solo eye open in Kouga's direction, his lap was covered at least partially, even though she could still see most of his muscular thighs, but it was better than nothing at all!

Hesitantly she worked up the nerve to face him, turning around fully but making sure to keep her hold of the fur to her chest tight.

"Where am I?" Kagome asked tensely.

Kouga glanced up to the high round ceiling of the cave they shared, seeing nothing but pointed spikes of extremely aged rock and black stone.

"Not really sure. I just found this place a few hours ago." Kouga admitted with a hard shrug of his broad shoulders.

Kagome glanced around to the dark surrounding walls of the cavern, it wasn't exactly cozy but it was far better than being out in the cold. And judging by the still slightly frigid chill in the air, the storm outside still raged on.

Kouga watched patiently as Kagome seemed to relax, not very much but a bit more than what had woken up to. It was then he decided he wanted answers, and he wanted them now.

"Kagome, what were you doing out there?" Kouga asked not bothering to hide the anger laced in his hard tone.

Kagome tugged on the fur pelt to chest for a bit of more coverage before she found the nerve to speak.

"I was looking for you." She openly admitted.

"For me? In a blizzard? Are you insane!?" Kouga growled in disbelief. Did she even realize the danger she had put herself in?

"I thought you were in trouble!" Kagome replied angrily. Remembering all to clearly the panic she had felt learning Kouga had run right into the center of the storm hammering outside.

"You should have known I would be fine! You think this is my first winter? I've seen more blizzards than most humans have in a lifetime!" Kouga roared, almost insulted Kagome thought so little of his survival skills.

He was raised in the mountains for god sake! They had some of the most brutal winters around, he was fully capable of handling himself through any storm!

"I didn't know okay?! I was worried!" Kagome shouted hurtfully, the tears she had managed to hold back until now beginning to spill over.

Aggravated she brushed them away with the back of her palm.

"I-I thought-" Her voice broke as she began to cry, so angry with herself and this entire situation that she knew could have been avoided!

"I thought you needed me." She whispered weakly cupping her eyes with a trembling hand trying to hide her falling tears away.

She had been so scared, so worried and it had all been for nothing! She had put both of their lives at risk! She could have gotten Kouga killed!

What if he had gotten lost out there in that storm, all because of her? She would have never be able to forgive herself!

She was so stupid, so weak!

Kouga ran a reluctant hand through his loose raven locks. Breathing away all his frustration in one hard sigh.

He couldn't stay mad at Kagome, not like this.

She might had made some poor decisions, but they had been from good intentions. She had done it for him.

"Hey-" He began apologetically, inching himself closer to the shivering priestess in front of him.

"I'm okay, we both are. Don't cry?" Kouga asked softly closing the distance between them before slowly taking Kagome's wrist in his hand.

Gently he pulled her fingers away from her face to hold to his chest. Kagome didn't fight against him only tried her best not to start completely sobbing.

"I cant help it." Kagome sniffed.

"I-I sent you away, you could've-" She cried unevenly, getting an unwanted image of the fight and the anger she had unleashed on Kouga right before he had left the village.

Kouga didn't let her finish her accusing sentence, reassuringly pulling her to him quickly until she was completely wrapped in his arms. Her heated face falling to lay on his bare shoulder as he cradled her body to his chest.

Protectively he maneuvered her between his legs, wrapping his muscular shins around her and holding her tightly in his grasp.

Kagome didn't care about her modesty anymore, she just wanted to be held. To know everything was really okay..

She cried against Kouga's chest watching as her tears rolled from her cheeks and down onto Kouga's bare chest, but the wolf demon embracing her didn't seem to care at all.

He just sat there holding her tightly then steadily beginning to rock with her back and forth in a soothing motion. His well defined arms coiled around her naked shoulders and waist squeezing her strongly.

Kagome tried her best to sniff away the remainder of her tears before finding her voice trying to keep her soft tone even.

"How," She sniffed "How did you find me?"

"I was coming back from a hunt." Kouga began to answer, briefly remembering the demon boar he had killed to receive the thick fur they currently were entangled in.

"I saw the fire cat flying off. That's when I caught your scent." Kouga stated firmly, it was to easy to recall how panicked he had felt the moment he picked up on the scent of cherry blossoms riving in the frigid wind.

A sent he knew belonged to one human woman alone.

"Kilala? Is she alright?" Kagome asked lifting her head slightly to meet Kouga's azure eyes, worry clear in her voice.

"She's fine. I saw her flying back towards the village." Kouga said reassuringly.

Kagome sighed in relief laying her head back down against Kouga's chest. She was just so tired, but at the same time sleep was the last thing she wanted.

She didn't want to close her eyes, she was almost afraid of knowing that when she woke up this moment would be over.

Kouga rested his head on top of Kagome's breathing in her rich scent and letting it chase the worry and terror he had felt all this time away.

There weren't words to describe how grateful he was Kagome was alright, that she was safe and in his arms again.

He sighed heavily cradling Kagome just a bit tighter to him as the words he had been keeping in for what seemed like forever finally began to escape him.

"You have no idea how scared I was." Kouga breathed his bright azure eyes flashing something dark and wounded..

"Why?" Kagome mouthed pulling back only enough to stare up at Kouga once more, able to hear the dread that had filled his usually so stable voice.

Kouga lifted the hand that had been resting on her naked shoulder to cup her cheek softly, skimming his thumb over her face and ridding her of her last falling tear.

All the while his eyes never leaving hers, almost as if he was frightened to look away.

"You need to ask?" He whispered unevenly.

Kagome reached up holding Kouga's hand gently in her own. Kouga was always so strong, so in control of his emotions but right now. He looked as if he was actually, afraid.

"I thought I was going to lose you." Kouga rasped down at her "You were so damn cold, and then I couldn't get you to wake up-"

Kouga hesitated an unwanted image of Kagome laying motionless and frozen in the snow flashing across his eyes. Her almost blue skin, her ice coated hair, and her closed eyes that he prayed would open.

Kouga felt his jaw tighten at the memory, he never wanted to see her like that again. Not ever.

"You cant do something like that to me again." Kouga whispered demandingly, he wasn't strong enough to handle it.

"I'm sorry." Kagome breathed holding his hand against her a bit more tightly.

She knew now that what she had felt when leaving the village, Kouga had felt just as bad. The panic, the fear of losing each other. It was almost beyond words how terrifying that feeling really was.

Kouga breathed in deeply his thumb tracing the corner of Kagome's mouth feeling the swell of her soft pink lips just beneath his finger tip.

He wanted to kiss her so badly. To taste her and make all the worry he had felt really melt away.

But he wasn't about to push her in a way that might make her want to distance herself, he had learned that the hard away and he wasn't about to risk it again.

Instead he forced himself to be content with this, holding her to him like he always craved too.

Exhausted in more ways than one Kouga laid his forehead against hers, their noses brushing against one another's as he closed his eyes tiredly.

"Are you sure your okay?" He asked softly.

Kagome closed her eyes feeling the sensation of Kouga's hot breath warming her now cool face and she sighed in complete ease.

"I promise." She whispered.

Kagome laid there for a few minutes listening to Kouga's steady breathing and feeling as her body began to tingle once more with the heat his hard body provided.

As much as she wanted this moment to last through the night, she couldn't let another moment pass between them without saying what had been burning on her tongue since the moment she had left the village behind.

"Kouga," Kagome began in a apologetic whisper. "What I said back in the village. I didn't mean a word of it, I was angry, and scared. I took it out on you and-"

Before Kagome could utter a word more Kouga pressed his thumb to her lips softly making her pause and stare up into those bright azure eyes that always made her quiver.

"Don't apologize." Kouga demanded, "I never should have left you."

Kagome felt her pulse race at the sheer look that burned through Kouga's inhuman orbs.

It was like he was looking through her, inside her. To the most darkest of places and burying himself deep down in her soul, setting fire to her from within.

It was the same look he had given her that night back on the hill side in the village. When he had kissed her, touched her, really felt her.

Just the memory of that night sent Kagome's heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt that alive, that carefree about the outside world.

She had lost herself in Kouga, and the passion he had ravaged her with.

And right now, after all the odds they had conquered over, she wanted that feeling again.

Kagome didn't speak. She didn't need to. As she lifted herself up and pressed Kouga's lips to her own.

The kiss was soft and hesitant at first but gradually grew deeper. Soon Kouga's tongue was caressing hers, his fangs nibbling her lips, making her dizzy and flushed until all she could do was gasp for air.

Kouga didn't waver, his hand finding it way to her bare breast, massaging the soft globe and flicking the sensitive nipple with his hard fingers.

The resolve he had so barely managed to cling to crumbling away the moment he felt her kiss him. It was all the reassurance he had needed to know Kagome wanted him, maybe just as badly as he desperately wanted her.

Kagome whimpered against his lips, making the wolf demon holding her growl darkly.

The will Kouga had managed to resist Kagome with had shattered. He was done denying what they clearly both wanted, and he would go until Kagome begged him to stop.

He finally released her lips from captivity, only to trail hot kisses down her neck as his calloused hand continued to squeeze and pluck at the pink bud of her breast.

She was here, she was with him and she was alive. Those thoughts consumed Kouga until there was nothing left but blind instinct to give Kagome all he had. To love her like he had always craved too.

All to soon Kagome was panting, moaning and arching into his touch and Kouga only fueled the burning fire erupting between them.

Whispering against the column of her neck, his hot breath making her skin shudder with delight.

Kagome moaned softly her eyes shut tight, feeling Kouga as he touched her again the way she had always wanted to be touched.

Her back arched against him the fur pelt she had so tightly clung to falling from her grasp and leaving her naked and bare for the wolf holding her to do whatever he chose.

She wasn't thinking about anything else, not anymore. This moment, that was all that consumed her. The pounding in her chest, the heat beginning to surge through her blood, and the overwhelming feeling of having Kouga take her in everyway he chose.

Kouga captured her opposite tightening nipple between his clawed thumb and forefinger tugging roughly and sending sparks of heated pleasure down Kagome's spine.

"Kouga," Kagome hissed, something unknown heating in her core and silently begging for more.

Then Kouga closed his mouth around her pink bud, Kagome cried out in response her slender fingers instantly fisting in Kouga's wild raven locks.

He sucked hungrily, first hard then soft, flicking her nipple with his tongue and pinching it between his fangs. Just as he did the night on the frozen hill side.

Kouga released her briefly only so he could give her other neglected breast the same treatment, the rosy pink pearl now swollen and aching.

He repeated the ministrations back and forth between her breast until Kagome's skin felt raw from the endless teasing and torturing, feeling as he crushed her to him when she tried to thrash in pleasure.

Kagome's nerves were on fire! Humming under the skin with a lasting tingle. But the unknown center of her core throbbed with a burning need like she had never experienced before.

"K-Kouga," Kagome pleaded even though she was unsure in her lust clouded state just what she was begging for.

Kouga released her no doubt pulsating bud before rasping against her absolutely radiant skin.

"Kagome," He whispered hoarsely "Let me touch you?"

Kouga was in no mood for restraint, that had fallen away like the crushing weight it was. He wanted to feel Kagome in the most erotic way. To let her experience just what real passion felt like.

But, he wouldn't push her in any direction she was not yet willing to go.

Kagome heard the pleading in Kouga's husky voice, the desire. Yes, was her immediate thought of response but she didn't dare whisper it out loud.

This, what they were doing now was a far as she had ever gone in the world of passion. Did she really want to go further?

One look into Kouga's harden azure eyes provided an answer immediately.

Bravely Kagome cupped her hand on the back of Kouga's neck before falling back and making sure to bring Kouga down on top of her.

The thick fur blanket they now laid upon swelled under Kagome's back pinning her naked body between the soft pelt and Kouga's hard bronze skin.

Kouga braced his weight from Kagome's smaller frame pushing himself up on his forearms before taking in the magnificent sight laid underneath him.

How many times had he fantasized this? Having Kagome tucked against him, her naked body pressed to his own. It was like he had died and gone to his own personal version of paradise.

And if this is what death really felt like, then he would gladly never wake up in the conscious world again.

"Trust me." Kouga whispered gauging Kagome's reaction before he dared to continue.

Her eyes were wide with uncertainty but at the same time clouded with a heavy gloss of want, turning her usual hazel orbs into a dark shade of melted chocolate.

That was all the silent permission he needed.

Gently Kouga ran his calloused hand down the flat plain of Kagome's stomach feeling her milky skin under his hard touch and watching as she sighed at the sensation.

He hesitated only for a moment when he reached the pearl between her thighs, making sure to keep Kagome's gaze looked into his own before ever so gently he stroked his thumb over her moisten silk.

Pleasure shot through Kagome as if she been stuck by a bolt of lightning. Her back bowed, her lips parted with a sob of pleasure and her small hands fisted in the furs above her head.

Was this what real intimacy felt like? She couldn't believe she was actually experiencing something so primal so raw and sensual! It was intoxicating and left her wanting more!

Kouga growled low and dangerous through his bared fangs. Gods she was just as perfect as he had imaged. He knew the moment he caressed her most sacred area she would love every moment of it! How could she not when her body had so long been deprived the passion it obviously craved?

Kouga would see she received her fill until she couldn't take anymore.

He repeated the action, tracing over her dampened lips, moving bottom to top barely grazing over her clit.

"Does this feel good?" Kouga whispered his voice dark and smooth like warm honey.

"Y-Yes-" Kagome panted, she wasn't coherent enough to form a solid sentence, to process anything other than the intense pleasure rampaging its way through her.

Kouga seared into her with his burning azure gaze, making Kagome's feminine walls actually contract, squeezing the breath from her lungs never before experiencing something so unknown.

Up and down, Kouga slid his clawed fingers, watching as the priestess beneath him shuddered and squirmed. Her arousal growing so thick he could actually feel it begin to coat his fingertips.

Without warning Kouga paused in his steady motions only to press his thumb to her swollen pearl. Kagome sobbed his name, her hips acting of their own accord and beginning a sensual grind forcing his lone digit to ground small circles against her.

Heavily a sigh escaped her lips, as his fingers continued their amazing friction, sending pulses of pleasure shooting up her spine.

Kouga took in the sight unfolding beneath him with pride. Kagome's back arched, her eyes shut tight and her shimmering pink lips parted to allow rich moans and cries to seep out.

But this wasn't enough, at least for him. He wanted to feel more, to feel all of Kagome's flawless body, from the inside out.

He wanted to take her, here and now.

"Kagome-" Kouga began in a broken rasp his fingers never ceasing their amazing assault on her sensitized bud.

"I want you to feel me." He whispered darkly.

Kagome was lost in the overwhelming ecstasy his clawed digits continued to provide, she didn't understand his hoarse words. That was until she felt him grip hold of her hand in his and gently lead her open palm downward between his thighs.

Obediently Kagome grasped hold of his length, feeling it pulse in her hand. Her cheeks flamed crimson instantly her pearl teeth digging into her bottom lip to stifle a gasp of surprise.

She had never even really seen a mans anatomy and yet here she was, feeling the full hard member of the wolf demon on top of her. It was just so erotic it made her squirm in embarrassment!

He was so hard, yet soft smooth like silk covered his shaft. Unintentionally her hand stroked him and Kouga's jaw clenched in pleasure. His hips beginning to shift restlessly against her thighs.

Kouga withdrew his dampened fingers from caressing Kagome's sex taking her small hand in his before positioning his head against her dripping entrance. Replacing the hard touch of his hand with the tip of his throbbing member.

Kouga didn't dare enter only watched as she arched and moaned as he ground his head against her pearl, her sweet arousal coating his shaft hotly.

She could feel the heat of him pulsating against her most intimate places her body was literally on fire from his touch. The way he rubbed her clit, the molten intensity of his gaze.

Kagome knew she was losing herself. A burning ball of aching bliss tightened in her abdomen and it was seconds away from exploding, something intense was happening and it was happening fast!

Almost frightened Kagome tore her hand away gripping hold of Kouga's shoulders instead for much needed support.

"K-Kouga-" She warned in a broken whisper.

Kouga never stopped the delicious sensation that surged through her, eager to watch her fall apart beneath him as he knew she quickly would.

"Its okay Kagome, let it happen." Kouga breathed in her ear hotly and Kagome instantly realized there was no stopping what was about to rock through her!

With one last hard push against her swollen pearl her womanhood contracted! Violently her inner muscles rippled over and over! Her vision tunneled black before exploding into a supernova of unrealistic colors! Her toes curled, her back arched and a deafening scream tore form her throat.

When her voice felt raw she collapsed back against the messed furs. Her glossed body illuminating with a thin sheen of sweat and her body tingling with the rich aftershock of what she had just experienced.

Laying there motionless and panting Kagome's mind raced with disbelief.

Ecstasy was real. It wasn't just some made up phantom that she had always heard of but never seen or felt. It was real, and Kouga had proven it a hundred times over.

He had shown her real, passion, real love. It was incredible, it was indescribable rapture!

Kouga leered over Kagome in confliction. He wanted her now more than ever, after watching her experience her first orgasm at his touch Kouga felt the overwhelming desire to give her one after another until she was left totally breathless.

He wanted that more than anything, and right now as achingly painful as his erection was becoming from unfulfillment he was sure he could make love to the priestess beneath him for days!

But, he wouldn't. He wouldn't push her one step more until he was absolutely sure this is what she wanted.

Did she want him? Did she want all of him?

Dipping his head lowly he kissed her neck affectionately tasting her naturally sweet skin and watching as once again she began to shiver beneath him.

"Kagome," He breathed heatedly. "Do you want me to stop?"

Kagome watched as Kouga pulled back his eyes meeting hers in a lingering stare that made her heart flutter in her chest.

She knew what her response she should be, it wasn't to late to stop. They hadn't consummated their bodies want past this intimate contact. They could stop, they should stop…but she didn't want too.

She wanted Kouga more than she could ever remember wanting anything! The thought of having him pull away from her even for a moment was just unbearable.

It was clear to Kagome what was about to happen from this moment. She couldn't fight it anymore, not after this.

She wanted Kouga, all of him.

Wordlessly Kagome took hold of Kouga's still throbbing member before guiding him towards her waiting silken entrance.

"Don't. Don't do this if your not ready-" He pleaded

He couldn't take being rejected after something like this. Once he was inside her, he knew he wouldn't be able to hold back. He had to know this is what she wanted!

"I-I wont be able to stop." He warned worriedly. Kouga had never mated with a human before. Making love to a demoness was undoubtedly a totally different experience altogether.

They could go for hours, and in the most punishing primal ways. Could Kagome? He couldn't stand the idea of hurting her! She was so fragile, so mortal…what if she couldn't handle it?

"Please…"Kagome whispered feeling as the blunt head of Kouga's shaft began to slip inside her.

With just that one simple word, Kouga's reserve had shattered.

He pushed his hips forward slowly, a dark animalistic growl forming in the back of his throat as he exhaled.

Her sex clamped down around him instantly stretching to accommodate his thick length almost painfully tight. Her wet silk like walls pulling him deeply inside her.

She was perfect around him, more perfect than he could ever remember feeling. Unable to stop himself as a soft groan escaped through his clenched fangs.

Then with one hard push he sheathed himself inside her fully, stretching her to her absolutely deepest point! Feeling as the thin layer of her virginity ripped in the process and coated Kouga's length with a light warm gush of blood.

Kagome gasped at the sudden throbbing pain shooting through her. An intense and uncomfortable jolt of pressure making her entire body tighten.

Kouga stilled as he buried his head in the crook of Kagome's neck and shoulder, kissing her apologetically.

He knew this pain would be unavoidable and he did his best not to move until she became accustomed to him inside her.

Kagome held Kouga tightly feeling as he covered her mouth with his, consoling her wordlessly with lingering kisses.

Then after a few moment he felt her relax slightly against him, as he began to move within her.

His clawed hands fell to her hips, his fingers digging into her pale skin as he struggled to keep his composure. It was killing him to be this soft, this restrained!

Kouga kissed her gently at first but soon their tongues twined passionately and his hands began to guide her hips against his own in a slow grind.

The pain Kagome had felt began to melt away into twinges of pleasure, and it wasn't long before she was moaning into his mouth.

The feeling of his shaft massaging her slick inner walls, adding to her harden nipples dragging sensually over his muscled chest made sent a rush of pleasure pulsating through her.

Kouga's panted raggedly against her lips his hands urging Kagome into a faster rhythm against him. A rich moan parted her shimmering lips as Kouga forced himself deeper within her!

He gathered her raven locks in one hand while the other began to squeeze her heaving breast. The sensation made her arch pushing the large orb of her breast more firmly into his calloused hand.

Her eyes never left his as he held her against him forcing her to grid so sensually against him. Her grip now on the furs above her head turning her knuckles white with strain.

Kouga's thick shaft was rubbing all the right places inside her and it wasn't long before the wonderful clenching in her abdomen began to return warning her of what was fast approaching.

Kouga cursed under his breath, feeling as Kagome's feminine walls clamped even more impossibly tight around him. He knew then what little control he had managed to cling to was slipping away all to quickly.

Kagome's concentration on the no doubt mind blowing orgasm that was about to ripple through her was cut short in an instant!

Without a word Kouga had pulled out of her, slipping a hard calloused hand under her shoulder blade to flip her onto her stomach in one smooth motion.

Kagome's gasp of surprise was muffled in the fur pelt, but her cry of pain mixed pleasure was clearly heard as Kouga slammed into her while she laid flat on her stomach.

Kouga had lost the battle of wills with his inner most savage self. It had taken everything in him to be so gentle and restrained with Kagome but now he was no longer in control. His inner wolf was.

He wanted Kagome in the position all wolf demons usually mated, it was primal and dominating and what he really was at his deepest core.

Kouga gripped her hips pulling her back roughly onto his length and forcing Kagome onto her hands and knees.

Kagome felt a blush of humiliation flare her cheeks. From this position she could feel herself spread wide and shameless. But she was still so caught in the sensation Kouga's shaft seeded inside her provided she couldn't verbalize her protest.

Her head still rested on the fur pelt that had acted as their barrier from the cold stone floor but it did little to muffle her moans and cries as Kouga began to pound inside her from behind.

He drove into her so deep! So hard and rough! The absolutely hammering of his hips bordering on painful!

Kouga squeezed his eyes shut pumping into her backside as fast as he physically could. His grip on her so hard he was sure she would bruise come the morning but he couldn't make himself release her.

Taking her like this, hearing her cry out made him blind, drunk on the absolute ecstasy of it all! She felt so damn incredible and he knew with a familiar tightening of his abdomen he was moment away from falling over the edge!

Kagome pushed up defiantly onto her hands arching her back impossibly curved as the familiar burn that had momentarily escaped her began to scorch in her belly even hotter!

Kouga was hurting her but at the same time giving her everything she had always wanted! She had never felt so desired! So down right craved! It numbed any discomfort she might have felt otherwise into nothing but searing bliss!

Then she felt it! A scream bubbled in her throat, her head falling back as her second orgasm began to tear through her!

Blinding Kouga felt as his fangs began to pulsate behind his lips and he knew this familiar warning all to well. He had done it once before.

He was preparing to mark. To make Kagome's his in every form of the word, he was going to claim her!

Kouga pushed his head forward his suddenly enlarged fangs pricking into Kagome's shoulder until he was one sharp bite away from leaving his scar permanently on her creamy skin.

Even burning alive with sheer ecstasy Kagome fought through her lustful trance her priestess senses flaring in danger and she knew instantly what was occurring.

"Kouga, please no…" Kagome cried in a broken whisper.

Kouga growled through barred fangs as he tore his lips away from her shoulder. Feeling as she clenched around him so tightly her hot velvet walls forcing him into absolute completion!

With one hard final thrust he spilled himself fully inside her!

The aching pulse of his fangs subsiding and he knew he managed to fight against his most primal urges, just this once.

Exhausted they both collapsed onto the fur pelt. Only their panting and uneven breaths filling the dark void of the cave between them.

It took a few moments but Kouga finally recovered his strength, rolling to his side and lopping a strong arm around Kagome's waist. Possessively he pulled her to him back first molding her to his chest as he intertwined their legs.

His head resting behind hers causing the heat from his breath to trace over her neck softly.

"Did I hurt you?" Kouga asked softly.

Kagome rested her arm over Kouga's in response. Shaking her head lightly.

Some of it had been painful, but the pleasure had overweighed the hurt ten times over.

Kouga held her to him more tightly nuzzling his nose in the back of her neck before kissing her sweet skin affectionately.

"I love you, Kagome." Kouga whispered, and Kagome felt the warmth and sincerity of those words sink inside her.

Kagome didn't reply, she couldn't. Anything she might have said would have shattered this moment, and she couldn't stand the idea of that happening. Not after something so perfect.

Instead she laid there quietly letting the humming of the freezing wind outside fill the cave. Then after awhile of few silent moments Kouga's relaxed breathing could be felt against her, and she knew the wolf demon still cradling her to his chest had fallen asleep.

Tiredly Kagome closed her eyes, turning to face Kouga but all the while careful to keep his arm coiled around her, almost afraid to let him slip away.

She looked at his handsome sleeping face like she wanted to burn the image of him like this into her memory forever.

He looked so peaceful, so content and whole.

She didn't know what she felt at this moment. She was so happy, but at the same time so scared that Kouga was the one who made her feel this way.

Maybe after all this, after enduring what they had together, maybe she really did love…

Kagome's thought was cut short when unintentionally her eyes fell to the meeting of Kouga's shoulder, a place where two twin scars remained.

It was something so small but at that moment Kagome felt her heart break in her chest. It didn't matter what she felt, or didn't feel for Kouga.

Because in the end. He was never truly hers. He belonged to someone else.

And so did she.


Just when you think their finally together this happens! Can you believe it!? Damn you Ayame! Even when your miles away your still in the way of real love!

Argh! Okay rant over, much appreciation for all the reviews so far! I hope you are all looking forward to the new upcoming chapters!

But if you need something to pass the time check out a few of the one-shots I've baked up! It might take the edge off you KougaXKagome Junkies!

See you soon!