A/N: Wow you guys! If I get reviews like that whenever I speed update, I may have to pump out chapters faster! Once again I LOVE reviews! They are what keep me going...they are like my life support, without them...my writing skills perish a painful death. Anyways now that that is out of my system...On with the story!

When had Kagome become so brave? Had she always harbored such feelings for Kikyo? Inuyasha shook his head. No, the Kagome I know would never say such hateful things. Damned that Koga! He is nothing more than a bad influence. His thoughts flashed to the way Kagome clutched the wolf's hand. What does he have that I don't? I don't understand…Kagome…

The hanyou grumbled to himself from his perch in a tree that over looked the open field in which the Bone-Eaters well lay in ruins. He knew how much her family meant to her and how much it must have cost Kagome to destroy it. He couldn't help but smile. At least she can't use the well as a scapegoat whenever she gets mad. Maybe this can be used to my advantage.

He waited until Kagome and Koga were well out of sight before he jumped from the tree branch. Silently, he padded across the forest floor, following Kikyo. She was upset by this new development and he felt the need to comfort her. What Kagome had said to her had cut her deeply.

-oOoOo-

It was nightfall before Koga and Kagome arrived back at the wolf den. They tossed the bags in the back of the cave where Koga slept and slid to the floor, exhausted from their travels. Before they had a chance to catch their breath, three very excited youkai barged in.

"Kagome-niichan!" Ginta and Hakkaku exclaimed when they laid eyes on the young miko.

Shippo threw himself at his adoptive mother and wrapped his little arms around her neck. He buried his nose in her neck and inhaled her comforting scent. He gave pause when he caught Koga's scent on Kagome. He glanced up into his mother's eyes and studied her face. Something was different about her. What had happened while the two of them were away?

Kagome hugged Shippo close. I may have left my family back in my era, but I also have a family here. She glanced at Ginta, Hakkaku and Shippo. They were part of her family now and she would do everything in her power to protect them.

She placed Shippo back on his feet and began rummaging through her large yellow bag. "Here they are!" She exclaimed as she pulled out a bag of cookies. "These are for you guys. I hope you like them!" She tossed the bag to the wolves and went back to shuffling the contents of her bag around. She grinned as she pulled out a large box of crayons, a notebook and a coloring book.

Shippo's eyes widened at the luxurious gifts. He hugged his presents close to his chest the moment Kagome gave them to him. "Arigato!"

Koga glanced down at the young woman with a satisfied smile on his face. Kagome was always thinking about others before herself, making her the perfect addition to his pack. Wolves took care of each other and watching her hand out gifts to two of his wolves left him feeling proud.

"Wow Kagome! These are amazing, where did you get them?" Ginta asked as he licked his fingers clean of all the crumbs.

The flash of remorse didn't go unnoticed by Koga. She plastered a fake smile on her face before answering. "My mom and I made them."

"I think that was the best thing I have ever tasted." Hakkaku complimented.

"Thank you."

Deciding it would be best to deter the conversation, he stepped forward casting a glance that his friends knew all too well. Ginta and Hakkaku scooped Shippo off the floor and left the cave. All the while, Shippo was yelling to be put down.

Koga sat beside Kagome, taking note of the salty tears that coated her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to hold her to him, but he thought of a better way to get her mind off things.

"So, Onna, didn't get me anything?" He snorted.

"Huh?" Kagome wiped the dampness from her eyes and glanced over at Koga. His arms were crossed over his chest and his left eyebrow was raised into his bangs. She covered her mouth with her hand and she gasped. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I did get you something, I promise." She looked away, playing with the soft fibers of the fur beneath her. "I just wanted to wait until the right time…"

That definitely wasn't the response he was expecting, nevertheless, he was glad that she even considered buying him something. Feeling the need to continue with his charade of being put out, he spoke again. "Sure…you probably just forgot!"

What he didn't expect was her response. He fell backward as she shot to a standing position and towered over him pointing a very angry finger in his direction. "The nerve! I did too buy you something! So sue me for wanting to give it to you in a quieter atmosphere!" She gave a rather impressive growl before stomping over to her yellow bag.

He rushed to her side and pulled her angry figure away from the bag. He hadn't meant to upset her; he just wanted to get her mind off her family. Granted, he did succeed, but a little too well. He took note not to push her too far, for fear of her wrath. She was one scary woman when she was mad.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!" She struggled against him with little hope of actually escaping.

Koga chuckled. "Would you calm down? I was only teasing!"

Kagome stopped struggling and looked up at his eyes. There was no anger or hurt in his eyes just the exhilaration of executing a good joke. She narrowed her eyes, "Why I ought to…" she threatened.

Koga could only smirk down at the helpless woman in his arms. She was absolutely beautiful when she was angry. He bent down and kissed her on the lips, effectively shutting her up.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, a small kitsune child and two wolves stood at the entrance to the cave, poking their heads around the corner, watching. The moment their lips made contact, the older youkai grabbed Shippo and covered his eyes and mouth. He was too young to be watching something like that. Before the kit could start complaining, Ginta and Hakkaku peeled away from the entrance, taking the child to their sleeping area where they finally released the grip on his mouth.

"What was that for?" Shippo cried the moment the wolf released him.

"Children shouldn't watch stuff like that!" Ginta explained.

Shippo shook his head. He hated how the adults always treated him like some normal child. How many children went into battle almost every other day and watched as his friends destroyed hoards of demons that were trying to kill them? How many children lost both of their parents at such a young age? He was more mature than the average youkai child and he demanded to be treated as such. Besides, it wasn't the first time he saw Kagome kiss somebody. She had kissed Inuyasha during their fight with Kaguya.

"It wasn't like they weren't doing anything I haven't seen before." Shippo crossed his arms and turned his back on his new friends.

The wolves glanced at each other before looking back down at the kit. "But who knows how far it would have gone." Hakkaku pointed out.

Ginta chimed in. "Not to mention, Koga's scent was all over Kagome-niichan."

Shippo's ear twitched. He had noticed that as well, but he didn't know what it meant. "What do you mean?" He asked curiously.

"It means, Kagome just might become Koga's mate in the very near future." Ginta replied, hoping he didn't have to explain the terminology of being somebody's mate.

Shippo rubbed him chin. He understood what a mate was, but he still didn't get why he couldn't watch whatever it was they were doing. To him, it looked like Kagome was ready to purify Koga. It was always fun watching Kagome get mad at others, especially Inuyasha. That made him stop and think. What would Inuyasha think about Kagome and Koga becoming mates? I bet he'd be furious! Even though he was always two-timing her with Kikyo, I'm sure Inuyasha would have wanted her as a mate. I mean look at her. She's beautiful and powerful as well.

-oOoOo-

After calming Kagome down, Koga took her out of the cave system and was walking her through the rest of his territory. If she was going to be staying here permanently, she needed to learn the borders. Then again he didn't want her out here without at least him or one of wolves with her. These were dangerous times and Naraku has proven more than once, he deemed Kagome a threat.

Kagome veered away from the path they were walking on to stand on a ledge that over looked the waterfall and the cave system in which they lived. The bright full moon lingered overhead casting its silver light upon Kagome's raven hair. He couldn't help but stare at the beauty of her. Never in his long life had he laid eyes on a more prominent woman. He knew his pack looked down on him since Kagome was a mortal, but he didn't mind. He knew they would change their minds the moment they really took their time to get to know her. She was charming, kind, and loyal. There was far more to her than that, but he didn't want to stand all night listing off all of her good qualities. It all boiled down to one thing. She would be his, and this time, Mutt-Face wasn't here to get in the way. He burned his bridges long ago and there was no rebuilding. Inuyasha had hurt her for the last time; he would make sure of it.

He was drawn from his reflections when Kagome turned around to face him. She held her hand out, beckoning him to join her on the ledge. He took her hand in his and stood beside her, overlooking his territory. It felt right, standing here with her under the moonlight. His eyes traveled down Kagome's figure and came to rest on her other hand. He hadn't noticed it before, but she was holding something in her hand.

Feeling his gaze upon her, she looked up at him, meeting his cerulean eyes. She felt her heart beat faster at the sight of him. His ebony hair seemed to glow under the light of the moon and his eyes radiated love and happiness. How had she missed it before? Had he always been this gorgeous? She smiled up at him, and for the first time since she left her family behind, she felt truly happy. Kikyo was wrong; she could make a future here. Here with Koga, she felt as if she belonged. She didn't feel like the helpless damsel in distress, she felt like an equal.

She squeezed the necklace she purchased for Koga in the palm of her hand. The time couldn't be more perfect than here under the full moon. She pulled her hand from Koga's grasp and brushed his bangs from his eyes. She smiled when he leaned into her hand, taking in her scent.

"I have something for you." She whispered, afraid her voice would shatter this breathtaking moment. She held out the necklace and held it before his eyes.

Koga's fingers brushed over the pendant, admiring the intricacy of the artwork. He glanced at her, taking note of the nervousness mingling with her scent. She was nervous, afraid he may not like it. How he could not like should be the question running through her mind. "It's wonderful, Kagome."

Her eyes light up. "Really?"

Ne nodded his head. "Of course." He turned around and knelt before her, giving her access to his neck.

Taking the hint, she placed the necklace around Koga's neck. One it was clasped, she knelt behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck gently. "Thank you Koga. For everything. I couldn't have come this far without you." She whispered into his ear as she placed her chin on his shoulder.

He didn't respond right away. He turned his head to look down at her soft brown eyes. There was no lie in her eyes, only complete honesty. He shifted around so he was facing her. His fingers brushed her cheek. Her skin was soft and smooth; her scent sent him over the edge. In that moment he knew he truly loved Kagome. It was no longer the infatuation he felt before, but honest to kami love. He would give her the world and protect her with his life. She was his mate. Even though they had not shared their bodies, their hearts beat as one.