Hello, everyone. I know I've been going a bit slow, but I'm recovering from school-induced writer's block. Hopefully the next chapters will be better. Thanks for the reviews!

Disclaimer: I've challenged Rumiko Takahashi to a duel, but she hasn't responded. All I got were these scary bodyguards, and they can't draw anime. So I still don't own Inu Yasha.

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"Kouga, what am I going to do with you?"

Kagome was staring down at the unconscious wolf prince, her brows drawn in thought. "You've done so much for me, but I don't know if I can ever repay you the way you deserve."

"Why not?" the youkai asked curiously, opening one eye to glance at her.

Kagome gasped and blushed. "Kouga-kun, I didn't realize you were awake."

Kouga sat up slowly. He had to bite his tongue to keep from yelping when the pain from his wounds ran through him. He waved Kagome away when she tried to help him, and finally managed to prop himself up against the wall.

He stayed quiet after that, and the miko inched closer. "Kouga-kun, you shouldn't be up yet. Your injury is really bad; you need to rest so you can heal faster."

"Kagome, listen," he murmured, turning to look at her with half-lidded eyes. He reached down and took her hand in his, silently delighting in the fact that he could make her blush so prettily.

"You don't have to repay me," he began. "Everything that I do for you is because you're my woman, you know that. A mate has to look out for what's his."

"What?" Kagome huffed indignantly. "Is that all I am to you? Property that has to be protected from damage?"

Her sudden temper caught him off guard, and he only stared back at her stupidly. She shook her hand free from his grasp and spun away from him. "Honestly, Kouga, you're no better than Inuyasha! You don't really see me for who I am!"

She stood up and marched out of the hut in a fury, leaving a very bewildered Kouga behind. She nearly crashed headfirst into Kaede and Shippo, who were returning with a basket full of herbs. Kirara was padding along behind them.

"Gomen, Kaede-sama," she apologized quickly. "Could you please tell Inuyasha that I'm going back home for a day? I'm not in the mood to argue with anyone right now."

The old miko looked between the girl and the hut, but decided against any remarks. "Are ye certain that it is wise for ye to leave in your condition, Kagome?"

The girl nodded vehemently. "I'm fine, Kaede-sama. Besides, I lost all of my supplies when Naraku took me, so I have to go back and get a few things." When Kaede looked skeptical, she smiled. "I was also going to get you some of the medicines from my era, to help against infection," she added quickly, and the old miko's expression changed instantly.

"Aye, that would be useful," she consented sagely. "I will tell Inuyasha, though I do not look forward to it. Hurry back, child."

"Thanks, Kaede-sama," the young miko said softly. She turned her gaze to the firecat, who was licking her paw lazily. "Kirara, do you think you could give me a ride?"

The neko youkai mewed and transformed. Soon, they were off. Kaede shook her head as she watched them disappear into the woods. "Come, Shippo, we must tend to the young wolf prince now."

"I'm coming," Shippo said, tearing his eyes from the trees his foster mother had disappeared into. "Kaede, do you think she's really okay?"

"Do not worry, Shippo," she reassured him. "Kagome has a strong spirit. The poison that Naraku killed her with seems to have completely left her body, and her other injuries are not serious."

"Okay, then." With a sigh, the little kitsune followed her into the hut.

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"Thanks, Kirara," Kagome chirped as she slid off the neko's back. Her feet touched solidly on the soft grass, and the contact made her sore body vibrate.

"Ow!"

She steadied herself against Kirara, and the firecat meowed with concern.

"I'll be fine, Kirara," she soothed, standing up straight. "I'm just a little sore. I'll take care of the pain once I get back home, okay?"

Kirara didn't look convinced, but she didn't object again. With a sigh, Kagome turned to face the well. Suddenly, she wanted very much to see her family.

Without another word, she sprinted toward it, as if afraid it would disappear if she didn't get there fast enough.

"Where do you think you're going?"

She groaned as a familiar red-robed figure blocked her path. *Oh, Kami, I thought I'd avoided this!*

"Inuyasha, I'm going home for a little while," she stated, crossing her arms. "Please get out of the way."

"No way, Kagome. I've gotta talk to you." His command was just as final as hers, and it only fed her frustration. Still, the look in his eyes forced her to relax.

"What is it, Inuyasha?"

The hanyou looked up nervously. "I'd rather talk to you alone, though," he said, his eyes landing on the neko youkai that had resumed its grooming. "Kirara, would you mind?"

The firecat purred indifferently, and bounded away without protest. As soon as she was out of hearing range, Inuyasha turned his golden gaze on Kagome.

"Kagome, why did you come back?"

The miko paled visibly, and her face fell. "Is that what's been bothering you, Inuyasha?" When he nodded, she turned away. *So, it really did hurt him that Kikyo died, instead of me.*

The hanyou sighed. "Kagome, everything that happened yesterday…it confuses me," he said softly. "I mean, I'm glad that you're alive. Very glad. But-,"

"You would have preferred that Kikyo lived," Kagome finished sadly.

"No, Kagome-," he started, but she held up her hand to silence him.

"I know, Inuyasha. I really wanted to give you that, but I couldn't. Not after I thought about everyone that would need me here."

Inuyasha's expression suddenly went from pleading to angry. "Like that stupid wolf?"

Kagome sighed. "Inuyasha, I really wish you'd stop calling each other names. It would be so much better if you two got along. Kouga-kun's not so bad."

Inuyasha growled. "There you go again! You're always on his side!" he cried. "The guy's all over you half the time! Doesn't that bother you?"

"What are you talking about? How can you say he's a bad guy just because he's nice to me?"

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. "Are you telling me you like it?"

"Of course I do! What kind of girl doesn't appreciate a little attention now and then?"

"Feh!" Inuyasha crossed his arms. "I didn't have you figured for that sort of girl, Kagome," he said bluntly. His ears twitched when she let her breath out in a hiss, but he couldn't stop himself. "You probably liked it when he kissed you, didn't you? It makes me sick just thinking about it!"

"It bothers you that I'm not the perfect maiden that Kikyo was, right?" Kagome's voice shook. "Well, I don't care anymore, Inuyasha! SIT!"

The hanyou crashed to the ground, and Kagome stepped around him toward the well. She threw her legs over the side and paused.

"And for your information," she said slowly, "I did like it."

With a soft grunt, she pushed herself into the depths of the well and disappeared.

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There you go, minna-san. Another chapter down. Enjoy and review! Arigato!