Kagome stirred in the dead of night, waking to the soft call of an owl and the gentle melody the crickets sang. She plumped her pillow and was content to listen to the calming tune of nature lull her back into sleep.

Suddenly, she heard a noise. Sensing a familiar presence, she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "...Koga?" She murmured, yawning, "What are you doing up?" She cocked her head inquisitively, realizing that he had just entered the cave dwelling, meaning he hadn't been asleep in his bed. "Where have you been?"

Koga didn't answer. Swiftly and silently, he came over and knelt down to face her. Kagome felt herself inhale sharply when she saw the intense expression he was wearing, his sky blue eyes boring into her. "Um, Koga...?" She asked nervously.

The Wolf Demon firmly grasped her shoulders, his eyes never leaving her face. "Kagome," he whispered in a low tone, leaning closer still, "You know how much I love you." It was a statement, not a question.

Well, of course she did. How couldn't she? He reminded her of his feelings each and every day, not only with mere words, but in the respectful and loving way he regarded her. Her cheeks growing warm, she whispered in a dire attempt to divert the subject. "Koga, what are you...?"

"Ssh," He muttered, softly touching his forefinger to her mouth. Slowly, his fingers slid from her lips to her cheek, and he cradled it in the palm of his hand. "I love you more than my life," he said hoarsely, his face melting into an expression that Kagome was scared to admit she had never seen before. Not on Koga, not on anyone. It was a heart-wrenching blend of adoration...and longing.

"Koga.." Kagome tried again, desperately trying to push back her whirling thoughts, trying to subdue her pounding heart. This was so unlike him!

Koga ignored her, snaking his arms around her waist and bringing her closer to him, her face now mere centimeters from his. She could hear his heart beating now, feel his warm breath tickle her face. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, hypnotized by his presence. "Koga..." she whispered, but this time not out of fear.

Koga's fingers stroked her face, brushing softly against her ear as he tucked her hair back. Kagome opened her eyes slightly, raising her hand to clasp his, liking the way his touch made her very skin tingle. He's being so sweet...she thought with a smile and a blush. Maybe I've been too hard on him, pushing him away from me...

Koag leaned forward, murmuring her name as he fully embraced her, burying his face in her hair. He inhaled deeply the scent he was so intoxicated by. Kagome buried her face in his chest, closing her eyes. She tightened her arms around him, lulled by the slow rise and fall of his chest, the quick beating of his heart.

Koga pulled away, stroking her chin with his fingers and gently dipping her face upwards to memorize her features with his eyes. He smiled slightly before finally bringing his lips to hers.

Kagome was too stunned for a moment to react, sitting perfectly still as Koga's mouth pulled back, then crashed upon hers once again with more strength. Her mind couldn't process it; she was being kissed senseless by Koga, and she liked it!

Koga broke away, then began to kiss her all over her face; her cheeks, her nose, her temple. His lips brushed her skin softly, sweetly, burning like fire. Kagome felt herself raise both her hands and grip his face, initiating the kiss herself for the first time. Sliding one hand around to the back of his head, her fingers laced through his thick black hair. She pulled herself closer still in his embrace, slowly deepening the kiss she knew with all of her heart should never come to an end.

Kagome's brown eyes snapped open, and she sat up like a shot. Too stunned to think anything for a few seconds, she squeezed her eyes shut as the sunlight blinded them. That was when she realized, it was morning, not night. Breathing hard, she whipped her head around, trying to confirm whether or not what she had just felt was real. Did she...did she just make out with Koga? And...did she like it?

Kagome laughed nervously, slapping herself on the thigh. No...it was a dream, she told herself, Just a stupid, stupid dream. But...it felt so...real! She recalled just how real it had seemed, how solid and warm his lips had felt on hers. Her cheeks burned. It...it didn't seem like a dream.

She closed her eyes, savoring the memory for a moment. She raised her fingers slowly to her lips, the mere touch burning as she thought of the handsome Wolf Demon's kiss on her and how it had effected her.

Suddenly, she caught herself. Shaking her head swiftly, she forced a chuckle. Honestly, she thought, trying to muster up some form of disgust, as if the mere thought of kissing him was appalling, Me and Koga? No way! I must have been delirious. Besides, what about InuYasha? He's the one I'm in love with!

She forced herself to ignore the nagging thought that tugged at her mind: She had never even thought of InuYasha when she kissed Koga in the dream. Not once.

She flopped back onto the fur pelts and closed her eyes to calm herself. They immediately popped open when she began to imagine his rugged features, the way his sparkling blue eyes had entranced her.

"No," She ordered herself, sitting up, "Stop thinking about it. Stop being stupid!" She reached into her bag and pulled out fresh clothes. I'll go bathe and get dressed. That will cool me off, and finally put these ridiculous thoughts to rest. Even so, she crept out of the cave dwelling and to the springs carefully and quietly. She definitely did not want to run into Koga right then.

In the springs, Kagome leaned against the cave wall and let the water hit every sore spot on her body. As she began to finally relax, she closed her eyes.

"I love you more than my life," he had whispered before passionately kissing her.

When Kagome realized that she had once again let her mind wander and revel in the memory of the dream, she snapped her eyes open. "No–! It-it's ridiculous to even consider–!"

But, she found herself realizing, was it so ridiculous? After all, Koga loved her, truly and deeply, and often told her so. Was it so preposterous that he might one day get tired of waiting for her and try to show her how much he loved her without words?

It could happen. The real question that Kagome didn't want to admit that was haunting her was, if the time came when Koga did kiss her...would Kagome react like she did in her dream and get swept up in the moment?

Would it really be so wrong to fall in love with Koga?

A sick feeling in the pit of Kagome's stomach told her that a part of her was dying to know.

Kagome finally managed to pull herself from the refreshing waterfalls and head back to the main cave. Balling her hands into fists, she forced a smile upon her lips and tried to convince herself that everything was normal.

However, when she saw the familiar black ponytail ahead of her, standing at the cave entrance, and realized she couldn't avoid him any longer, she groaned.

Koga smiled as she approached. "Hi, Kagome," he said warmly, not noticing the antsy way she was fidgeting or the awkward way she held her gaze from him, "How do you feel today?" His hand began to creep out towards her shoulder, and Kagome leapt away from it as if it were a snake. Koga dropped his arm and frowned, shooting her a perplexed look.

Don't look at him. Don't look at him. Don't look at him! Kagome instructed herself. "Oh, I'm feeling great, Koga," she said, shrugging nonchalantly and avoiding his gaze, "Wonderful, in fact." She smiled to complete her lie, and inadvertently lifted her eyes to his. As she locked on to his blue stare, she felt her muscles tense and her heart rate speed up. Her mind flashed back to the way he had murmured her name, the way his strong arms had wrapped her in a tight embrace. Her face flushed; she prayed that he took no notice.

Koga scratched his head, smiling in a confused way as he studied her abnormal behavior. "Are you sure, Kagome? You look kinda...feverish." He lifted his hand to her forehead.

Kagome gulped, trying not to show a reaction to the way her skin burned at his touch. I'm only feeling this way because of that dream, She mused uncertainly, Koga doesn't usually have this effect on me...

Slowly, she stepped away. "I'm okay, Koga. I-I think I'll just...go lie down."

Koga cocked his head. "Okay..." What's with her? He wondered as she ran off.

Kagome raced into the cave, turning a dark corner before sinking to the floor. She pulled her knees into her chest and rested her chin upon her folded arms. "What am I getting so worked up over?" She mumbled, blowing a stray bang from her eyes in frustration. "I don't love Koga. I don't want to be with him. I don't!"

"Who are you talking to, sis?"

Kagome's heart leapt in her throat at the sound of a new voice. Looking up, she sighed with relief when she saw that it was Ginta, not Koga.

He peered at her kindly. "Are you okay, Kagome? Are you sure you should be out of bed?"

Kagome forced a smile. "I-I'm okay, Ginta. I've just been thinking."

Ginta furrowed his brow. "About what?"

Kagome shrugged, not entirely sure herself. "A lot of things. I'm just feeling kind of confused..."

Ginta lowered himself to the ground next to her and patted her on the shoulder. "Sometimes it's better to talk about your problems." After a thoughtful pause, he added, "I'm a very good listener, you know. Maybe I could help!"

Kagome forced back a laugh. She really didn't know if she felt comfortable talking about her feelings, especially when they concerned Koga. Still, Ginta was being so sweet by trying to help; Kagome felt that she couldn't just blow him off. "Well," she began, "It's complicated. I've been having trouble sorting out my feelings recently. I'm not sure where my heart lies anymore, and I feel like I'm alienating everyone around me because of it. I guess I'm scared about what the future holds."

Ginta frowned as he processed Kagome's problem. "You should follow your heart," He finally said sagely, "Listen to what your heart is telling you. Don't deny your feelings just because they're different than what you're used to. Confront your problems head-on, look them straight in the eye and deal with them."

Kagome's eyes widened. She had never pegged Ginta as being too bright, but here he was, telling her how to handle her problems! And, she had to admit, it was good advice. She smiled at him. "You're right Ginta." She leaned over and gave him a hug before pulling herself to her feet. "Thanks. I-I just need to talk to Koga. Do you know where he is?"

"Yeah, he's at the mouth of the cave."

"Okay, thanks!" Kagome said with a smile.

Ginta pumped a fist encouragingly. "Go get him, sis!"

Kagome blushed, throwing her hands up in protest. "It-it's not like that!"

Ginta smiled to placate her. "Whatever you say. Oh, when you see Koga, could you tell him that Hakkaku and I are going hunting?"

Kagome nodded. "Sure thing." With a wave, she went to see Koga.

When she reached the cave dwelling, she slowed her steps as she realized that Koga was holding some sort of meeting. She quietly stepped to the side and peeked around from behind one of the rocks.

Koga was standing in the middle of the room. Two demons approached him. Koga lifted his chin slightly, his eyes glinting with authority as he instructed them.

Kagome felt her heart pound as she watched him standing tall as he governed his people. He really is a great leader, she thought. He's so...strong and decisive. He's really got it together. When mostly everyone had gone on their way, Kagome cleared her throat and self-consciously smoothed her skirt. Taking a shaky breath, she began to walk towards Koga.

She stopped in her tracks when someone suddenly approached him. Kagome slid next to the cave wall to watch this new person. Her eyes widened when she realized that it was a female wolf demon who was talking to him.

A gorgeous, voluptuous female wolf demon.

Kagome held her breath, studying them closely and ignoring the feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Here's your new wrist band, Lord Koga," the demoness cooed, her dark lashes batting delicately over her baby blue eyes.

Koga smiled and took the band from her hands. "Oh, great. Thanks, Mayumi."

Mayumi suddenly seized his arm and placed a hand on his biceps. "Why, Lord Koga! You're so strong!"

Kagome's eyes narrowed. E-excuse me? What–what a hussie! She seethed. Even though she had pretty much been thinking the same thing a moment ago...

Koga ducked his head with an embarrassed laugh. He put a hand behind his head and shrugged. "Well, uh, y'know, I, uh, try..."

Mayumi formed her ruby lips into a smile. "Oh, I'm sure you do," she purred.

Kagome turned her head sharply, suddenly unable to watch their encounter anymore. She walked away, altogether abandoning her idea of talking to Koga about her feelings.

Once she reached a corner, she broke into a run, ignoring her limp which made her pace a bit hobbled. Once she reached her cave dwelling, she paced around for a few moments, seething and ranting under her breath about what she just witnessed. Once her anger passed, she began to feel a heavy weight settle on her chest, and she sighed brokenly as if to relieve it. When the sensation refused to pass, she sank to her knees in defeat.

Why? She asked herself. Why did it...bother me so much? When she closed her eyes, and a vision of Koga talking to Mayumi fluttered through her mind, the sick feeling only increased. Why does it hurt now to think about him? I-I don't love Koga. I don't have feelings for him!

Yeah, but you are supposed to be his "woman", after all, a little voice whispered. His intended. He shouldn't be going around and flirting up a storm with a little hussie like her.

Don't be ridiculous! Kagome snapped at herself. He wasn't flirting, she was! And why shouldn't she flirt with him? Kagome reasoned uncertainly, Koga's very...handsome.

It didn't seem like it was one-sided, the voice continued.

Kagome shook her head vehemently. Koga would never cheat on me! Kagome then gasped, comprehending what had just come to her mind. Wait a sec! Wouldn't...cheat on me? I'm acting like we're a couple! We're not! Koga...can do whatever he wants...

Still, no matter how long Kagome tried to convince herself otherwise, she didn't like the idea of Koga being with another girl.

Not one bit.

Kagome had to admit, she almost wanted to stake out her territory. Tell everyone that Koga was hers, and off limits to any other girl. Because, whether or not she knew that she had feelings for him, she was sure of one thing:

It would kill her to lose Koga to another girl the way she lost InuYasha to Kikyo. She had to face facts. Koga was the only one she had left.

"It's hopeless," Kagome murmured out loud to herself, "I'll never be able to stop thinking about it."

"Thinking about what?"

Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest at the sound of Koga's voice as he stood in the entryway.

"Everything okay?" Koga asked as he came towards her. Kagome, unable to muster anything, just shrugged. "Everything's...fine. What are you doing here? I thought you were busy with Mayumi," She muttered, not bothering to hide the bitter tone in her voice.

Koga blinked, cocking an eyebrow. "Mayumi? Oh, her? No, she just wanted to give me something." Something etched in Kagome's voice made Koga pause. "...Why?"

Kagome flushed, flipping a raven lock over her shoulder in what she hoped was a nonchalant manner. "O-oh, no reason. Just curious, I guess. Wondering what a pretty demoness was doing talking to you." Kagome's eyes widened, horrified that her voice had betrayed her confidence like that.

Koga furrowed his brow, puzzled by Kagome's odd and distant behavior, and even more so by the comment she had just made. Wait a minute...is Kagome...is she actually...jealous? Koga felt himself bubble with excitement at the mere thought. Oh, don't kid yourself, His voice of reason scolded. Still...it seemed mighty suspicious to Koga. He just had to find out.

Kagome shook her head, slowly backing away to be rid of this nightmarish situation. "I-I-mean, never mind..."

Before she could move one step further, however, Koga circled his arms around on either side of her, pinning her in place to the cave wall. Leaning in a little closer, he whispered with a half-smile, "Why Kagome...could you actually be feeling jealous?"

Unnerved by the way his closeness made her heart hammer, she forced herself to drop the gaze of his piercing blue eyes to instead stare at the floor. "Who, me?" She said with a false laugh.

Koga released one hand to cup around her chin. Lifting it slightly, so that she could not escape his stare, he smiled. "Yes, you."

Kagome tried to reply, but when she looked him in the eyes, the words dissolved in her throat. Once again, she was lost in his gaze. The gaze that had been entrancing her all morning...

Dream or not, she had liked it. It had somehow felt right. But should she really trust those instincts? She wasn't the kind of girl who fell for guys with no real emotional backing, no real feelings behind her attraction, so why would she be now? Why would she have these thoughts about Koga if some part of her didn't feel a real connection? But did she even have a chance? Did she want the chance?

Slowly, almost as if unconsciously, Kagome lifted her creamy hand to his tanned cheek, feeling the warmth of his blush on her fingertips. She could tell he was embarrassed, but pleased, and Kagome knew she was blushing, too.

"Kagome?" He whispered, taking her hand in his and stepping closer. As Kagome became lost in those pools of blue, she felt herself stepping closer to him, also. So close that she could feel his breath on her face. "Koga, I-" She murmured.

Just when they were mere inches from one another, a loud cry shattered the moment. Leaping apart, they turned to see that the voice belonged to Hakkaku.

"Koga! Koga! Please, you gotta come quick!" Hakkaku choked out, beads of sweat upon his forehead. "It's Ginta–something-something's wrong with him! You gotta help him!"

"What?" Koga stammered, casting one last glance at Kagome before racing through the cave to the woods after Hakkaku.

Kagome followed him, stopping once she reached the mouth of the cave. Oh, my gosh, Ginta! She thought in a panic. What could be wrong?

A few moments later, Koga slowly approached the cave dwelling, carrying an unconscious Ginta on his back. "Make room!" He cried out, sending the rest of the wolf demons in a frenzy searching for comfortable pelts to lay down for their injured comrade.

As Koga set him gently down on the makeshift bed, Kagome burst out in a frenzy, "What happened?"

Hakkaku, eying his good friend nervously, mumbled, "I-I'm not sure. We were hunting in the forest, when all of a sudden, he just collapsed! He started breathing really hard, and talking deliriously!"

Koga inhaled sharply, lifting his fallen friend's hand and gripping it tight. "What could have happened?" He whispered, a dark shadow passing over his sky blue eyes like a storm cloud.

Kagome didn't know exactly what it was. Maybe it was seeing everyone in a panic. Maybe it was the thought of Ginta, sweet, lovable Ginta, who had just given her such heartfelt advice, in such pain. Or maybe, just maybe, it was seeing the pained, suffering look on Koga's face as he watched one of his best friends writhe in agony. Whatever it was, Kagome immediately found herself kicking into first aid mode. "All right, everyone, give him some space! Someone, get some wet cloths to dab on his skin, he looks extremely feverish!" She ordered. Kneeling down next to Koga, she said, "Take a look at his skin."

Koga furrowed his eyebrows. "What?"

"His skin!" Kagome said more urgently, quickly lifting the fur top that covered Ginta's stomach. Everyone around them gasped once they noticed the many oddly discolored spots that flooded his skin. "Hives," Kagome grimaced. "He's had some sort of reaction to something..." She explained to the confused demons.

Koga shook his head. "But why? How? Can you cure him?"

Kagome snapped her head up. "Quick, someone bring me my bag!" Once she had the yellow backpack in her possession, she rummaged through it, panicked. Once she pulled out the desired bottle, her heart stopped in her chest.

It was empty.

What do we do? Ginta needs treatment! Kagome thought desperately. Suddenly, she gasped as a thought struck her. Unless...

"Koga, I need your help." Kagome said, unbelieving of what she was just about to suggest. But she had to! For Ginta's sake...

"What is it?" Koga asked, his voice cracking slightly, though he tried to mask it and be brave. "C-can you help him?"

Kagome nodded. "But we need more medicine from my era. You have to take me to the well. Now. It's his only chance! If we leave immediately, we should make it in time..."

Koga's eyes widened. He hesitated for only a moment, then cast a glance at Ginta and nodded. "Let's go." He scooped the priestess up into his arms. "We'll be back soon, Ginta," The Wolf Leader said steadily, "I promise you."

As they raced though the woods to the well, Kagome's mind was in a fog. Am I doing the right thing? Can I really cure him? Will we be in time?

Suddenly, Ginta's cheery voice rang through her head. "Go get him, sis!"

Kagome set her jaw tight with determination. Right! This has to work! Poor Ginta...

Finally, after what seemd like hours to the two travelers, they reached the sacred well. As Koga deposited her lightly on the grass beside it, Kagome put her hand on his shoulder. "I'll be right back, Koga. With the medicine. We'll make your friend better, I promise!"

Koga nodded, touched by her strong words. "Thank you, Kagome."

With a nod, Kagome leapt down the well, into her era. As the ever-familiar blue light faded, Kagome took a deep breath and used all her might to pull herself up the vines to the other side, struggling more than usual because of her wounded leg. Once she reached the temple grounds, she broke into a sprint to get to her house.

Flinging the door open, she began to call out to her family, but stopped in her tracks at whom she saw instead standing in her kitchen. Dropping her backpack to the floor, she stumbled and choked out, "I-InuYasha–?"