Unexpected Love: Chapter 10; Moving Forward.

Inuyasha could stomach what he saw. The very thought of Kagome in the arms of Kouga brought bile to his throat, actually seeing her glow under his protection made his whole being shake with hatred. The way she looked at Kouga boiled his blood. Once upon a time she had looked at him with her trusting blue-gray eyes, such joy,admiration, and love shining from the depths of her soul.

Now, now those eyes looked to Kouga with the same looks of joy, admiration, and love. It was killing him, a little each time he thought about it but it was killing him none the less. Kouga didn't deserve a girl like Kagome. That he was sure of, but did he either? He had hurt her, far worse than any cut could. Then to add insult to injury he had been too stunned to stop Kikyo from slapping Kagome as if it was her wrong doing.

He had wanted to run after her, try to explain, talk to her, but the rain fell and her scent washed away. He had lost her, in more than one way. He had thought he'd made his choice, but the nagging thought of Kagome and Kouga together hadn't helped his once certain mind. Did he want to give up his claim to Kagome's heart?

No, no he didn't but he couldn't force Kagome to forgive him for his mistakes. If only he could talk to her alone, find out where they stood. But Kouga never left, and if he did it was because Kagome had gone back to her time. The well was never without a patrol that could pick up his scent and alert Kouga. He didn't want to fight the wolf, even though that's exactly what he wanted to do. Kagome wouldn't forgive him if he started a fight. He couldn't live with Kagome hating him.

Kikyo had gone off on her own to find Naraku, they had both decided splitting up would be more beneficial to finding the last jewel shards and Naraku's new hiding spot. Inuyasha didn't dare tell Kikyo the Kagome had hid the nearly complete jewel in her time. Even though he loved then dead woman, he didn't trust her with anything Kagome or jewel related. He was often slow on the uptake but Kikyo had double crossed him enough times to stay cautious around her.

"Be safe." he heard Kagome tell Kouga. He turned to view down at the young woman and wolf demon.

"I'll be back in a day." Kouga promised smiling.

Inuyasha wanted to vomit and rip the wolf's arms off when they hugged Kagome tight.

"It's okay if you don't come back for a few days. Just come back, okay?" Kagome asked worry glittering in her eyes. Inuyasha cringed at the sight, he had done that to her.

Kouga nodded his head. "I wouldn't leave if the elders hadn't summoned me. This is all my territory now," Kouga told her indicating to the village and surrounding area. "whatever they want from me, they can't force me to leave my territory without a war." Kouga added.

"No wars, no fighting." Kagome said worried now more than ever.

Kouga smiled, "I doubt it will come to that. I'm sure I know what the summons is about. I'm old, well, older than most leaders were when they took on their mate." Kouga said watching Kagome blush at the concept. "I've been able to stay them off, but with Ayame still insistent I take her as my mate, and the news that this," he motioned to her then back to him, "our relationship, they may try to make me take on a mate."

'Why is that important?" Kagome asked seriously. She didn't get why the leader needed to mate so badly.

"In the world of our wolves and demon wolves, the leader of the pack and his mate lead the way for the future of the group. When the leader, female or male finds a mate it gives permission for the others to find a mate." Kouga explained.

"But, I've seen the children running around." Kagome countered.

"True, but they aren't originally from our clan. Since we've been expanding and taking more territories we've accumulated new members who choose to join our clan or find a new clan to join or travel as a lone clan." Kouga explained smiling at her disbelieving look.

"How much territory do you have now?" Kagome asked.

"About two days of traveling to the south, three days to the west, two days to the north, and all the way to the sea." Kouga told her.

"And you stay here?" Kagome asked surprised at the amount of territory Kouga called his own.

"I have trusted alphas guarding different areas since it's such a large zone." Kagome nodded. Both turned to the west at the sound of a wolf's howl. "I have to go, the men are ready." Kouga said taking her hands into his own. He didn't want to leave Kagome alone, but he had duties to preform. He usually timed them with her visitations back to her time, but this time it had been sprung upon him when an elder from the north showed up.

Kagome nodded and looked at their hands. "Kaede's going to be teaching me some more herb and give me spiritual training." Kagome said looking back to the village. The moment dragged on longer then either liked. Saying goodbye, even for the short amount of time was hard.

"I'll bring you home a gift." Kouga offered with a smile.

"Home?" Kagome said feeling the weight of the word in her chest. He considered Kaede's village his home.

"Yes, where ever you are is my home, Kagome." Kouga said not realizing how cheesy it sounded.

"I like the sound of that." Kagome replied. "You better go, the faster you leave, the faster you'll get back home." Kagome told him letting go of his hands and nudged him towards his men. They exchanged smiles and a tender kiss before Kouga put his fast speed into action and disappeared in a traveling tornado his men were left to chase after.

Inuyasha wanted to throw up, the bile right there in his throat. Watching Kagome and Kouga act like love struck teens made his whole body tremble with anger. He watched Kagome turn and head back to Kaede's hut atop the neighboring crest. He wanted to call out to her, stop her to talk to her, but thought better. He needed her to come to him.

Leaving his perch in the tree, Inuyasha headed for the Tree of Ages. Everything always seemed to revolve around the ancient tree. He would wait for her there. He just hoped he wouldn't wait too long.

"Enough." Kaede called from her safe distance. She had been training Kagome to call upon her spiritual energy and create a barrier that protected her from demons attacks. Kaede used old remains of demons to test the strength and potency of the barrier. She had expected Kagome to do well, but the barriers she threw up were beyond anything a beginner should be able to do. "Ye never stop amazing me." Kaede said walking toward the worn out miko child.

Kagome smiled and breathlessly thanked Kaede. She sat down and took in deep breaths. Sango and Miroku had left to patrol the area now that most of the stronger fighters were gone with Kouga. "How did long did that last one last?" she asked looking the sky, they had been at the barrier training for at least a day and a half. Each time Kagome was able to kept the barrier constructed a little bit longer.

"Nearly an hour." Kaede replied handing the watch Kagome had gotten from her time back. "Ye time never stops amazing me either. Such wonderful and interesting inventions." Kaede added.

"Good," Kagome said getting her breath to come and go without gasping. Kagome felt her energy level balance out back to normal when she felt the faint tint of the Shikon no Tama. She located it near the Tree of Ages and paused, she could feel a familiar presence. 'Inuyasha?' Kagome thought wide eyed. She looked to Kaede who would also feel the familiar presence. Kagome stood, it was the first time in almost nine months. 'Has it really been that long?' Kagome asked herself. It might have been a along time, but she needed to see him, needed to face him and see if a life with Kouga was really possible.

"Be careful child." Kaede warned turning away to her home. "I think it's going to rain tonight." she added without looking at the sky.

Kagome could feel the slight shift in atmospheric pressure and agreed. She needed to be quick. Heading to the tree Kagome tried to mental prepare herself for what was to come.

Inuyasha could scene her the moment she stepped into the clearing. He turned to look at her, up close she looked more grown, but there were shadow that hadn't been in her eyes before. "Kagome." he whispered.

"Hey, it's been awhile." Kagome replied walking closer. Her heart clenched in her chest at the sight of him. "You look well." Kagome said noting he didn't look malnourished. Inuyasha nodded not having anything to say about his health to her.

"Kagome, I've wanted to see you, but I just didn't know how to come back." Inuyasha said and Kagome knew it was the truth.

"I know, I've wanted to see you too." Kagome admitted. 'Not at first, but now that I've had time to think things through and figure out how I feel about things now." she added not wanting to get his hopes up.

"Kagome, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you, or for you to see me... like that... with her." Inuyasha said obviously uncomfortable and truly sorry. Kagome didn't say anything, she didn't want to think about that night.

"I know." Kagome said again. She looked away from him. "Inuyasha, I'm sure you know that I've started to see Kouga." Kagome said not wanting to look at Inuyasha's face at the news.

"I know, I can't say I don't want to beat the cur into the ground," Inuyasha said biting his tongue as he spoke. He too had grown in the nine months, his actions forcing him to see the world in a new and disturbing light. "but I also know it's part my fault."

Kagome was stunned, she never would have thought he'd admit anything of the sort. "Wow, that was unexpected." she said trying to make sense of her own feelings. She still felt goofy and s little flustered being near Inuyasha like before, but it was different, not as overpowering as it once had been. The pain of what he had done to her sell those months ago seemed more like a distant memory.

Neither spoke for a short time, both unsure how to begin again.

"Are you happy?" they both asked.

"Not at first, but I am now." Kagome said when Inuyasha didn't offer up an answer. She was in all honesty happy. "I have my bad days, things are different and s

Things we used to do together don't feel the same, but I'm better." Kagome added. "I missed you, and I'll always miss you, just like I'll always have love for you."

Inuyasha understood what she meant. He found he could relate to her words. "I think I know what you mean." Inuyasha said honestly.

They shared an awkward smile.

"Do you think things will ever be the way they were?" Kagome asked honestly.

Inuyasha shrugged. "I don't think so." he said honestly. Kagome nodded her head. She didn't think so either.

"Inuyasha, I..I think want to stay with Kouga." Kagome said needing it to be out there, in the open for all to hear.

Inuyasha would be lying if he told her he didn't care, but he did. "Kagome, we may not be like we were before, but Kouga doesn't come as a first as a first choice." Inuyasha said feeling at odd with himself. He wanted to tell her to pick him, or anyone else but Kouga. "Seeing you with Kouga makes me angry. I don't know if it's because I don't think he can treat you right, or if its from all the fights we've had over you and now he's won in the end, but I just don't like it." Inuyasha said annoyed at the mention of Kouga.

"I wouldn't expect anything else from you." Kagome admitted smiling. "I know it doesn't sit well with you, but I'm happy with him, it's not the same as with you, but it's different and it feels right. You have Kikyo now, and I want you to be happy, and even though you don't like Kouga, I would hope you'd want me to be happy too." Kagome said catching Inuyasha in the spell of her eyes.

Inuyasha buckled. "Of course I want you happy. I'm just sorry I couldn't have been the one." he said.

"Me too." Kagome said looking to the ground. Silence stretched out uncomfortably. What else was there to say other than goodbye? But goodbyes hurt.

"Before I leave, here." Inuyasha said tossing a small drawstring bag to Kagome. She caught it and was surprised at its contents.

"These are.."

"The last remaining jewel shards. Kikyo and I found them. You take them." Inuyasha said watching Kagome's face.

"But,"

"Nothing. Put the jewel together and make your wish." Inuyasha told her.

Kagome looked lost. "But you.."

"Don't worry about me. I gave up on my wish not long after we began this journey." Inuyasha said.

"I, I won't wish for anything." Kagome said. "I want the jewel gone, forever. All it brings is pain and death." Kagome told him. Inuyasha nodded.

"Good." he agreed.

Kagome watched him turn to leave, a thought bubbled in her, a need to let him know he was welcomed back anytime. "Inuyasha! Wait, I...I want to ask you; if I ever have a kid, a son, would you...I mean would it be okay to... to, to give him your name? I presume that you and Kikyo can't have kids, but I...I can and.." Kagome faltered again tears rolling down her face. "I don't see Sesshomaru having kids, much less sharing your name, but I... its not to hold on to this love we'll never have." she added hesitantly. She had no clue how to properly ask and just the act of asking made her flustered and sad. It felt like the ultimate goodbye in a way. "If Kouga and I, you know, he'll be different, he'll be like you." Kagome said through nervous laughs. "I want to give him a strong name. For him to know it'll be okay because he's named after someone like him who changed minds, who did good when all he knew was pain." she babbled trying hard to keep her composure but knew she was failing horribly.

"Kagome." Inuyasha whispered walking back to her. He looked down at her, sad and blessed to have known someone like her, someone who loved him for everything he was and wasn't. "When, if you do, I'd like to meet him." Inuyasha said misty eyed.

Kagome nodded. "I'd like that." Kagome wiped away her tears and smiled up at him. Her hand cupped his face as she said, "I want you to be happy, don't remember just the pain. Remember how we were together, fought together and with each other. Smile." Inuyasha nodded pulling her into a hug.

"Do the same." he told her taking a deep breath before letting her go. "If Kouga gets too much, I'll come and knock him down a peg." Inuyasha said needing her to smile, to laugh just once more.

Kagome did laugh. Her eyes looked down to the beads that bound them together. "Do you want me to remove the beads?" she asked.

He touched the familiar beads and shook his head. "No, I've had them so long now, I don't know what I'd do without them." he laughed. Kagome nodded. She understood all to well. "I'll miss you." he finally admitted.

"I'll miss you too." she replied. All she really wanted to do was cry in his arms for all the things that should have been; but she held back knowing it was a line she dare not cross. So she stood with her hands crossed over her legs. "See the others before you go. Shippo missed you, so does Miroku. Sango's indifferent as always. But she'd be happy to know you'll be stopping by from time to time. This is your home too, after all." Kagome said letting her words soak.

"I will, I promise." he said letting the four words be his acceptance of her offer. He didn't want to go but stay would be worse. "Rain is coming, get inside before you catch a cold." he told her knowing that this time, he couldn't be there to see to her health, that was Kouga's job now and it hurt, bad.

Kagome nodded. "I will. See you later?" she hesitated for a moment, she didn't know who should leave first.

"Until then." he replied dipping down to kids her forehead. "Be safe." he whispered and ran off. He didn't leave a dusty tornado like Kouga but his speed still left her impressed.

"Goodbye, Inuyasha." tears fell from under her china just in time to mix with the rain. It was such a cliché, but it suited the mood. Kagome covered her face with her hands and cried. She had held back so much, knew it was for the best, because in the end he left her again.

The sound of crunching twigs brought her head swinging up. She didn't know who she hoped it would be but she felt relieve when she saw through the tears and rain. "Kouga." she breathed and hurried into his arms. Moving on was hard, especially from a first love. Part of her felt a great burden lifted from her shoulders, but mostly she felt was the was grief that a chapter on her life had closed shut.

Tightly.