Authors note: I do not own Inu-Yasha

Man, today I've had so many things to inspire me. But had nothing to do with anything I was planning for this chapter  so anyways, Ill start writing. Oh and Anime-Devil-101 I understand that Inu-Yasha seriously would never cry. But I've noticed that when it came to things concerning his mother he used to get emotional. And anyways, notice that Kagome is also having an effect on him. Oh and the surprises thing –smile- you'll love this story because they keep on coming. Even in this chapter. Enjoy. Oh and I'll try and make them longer. –Wink-

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Chapter 10: For the Love of Kouga

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When they finished Kagome went into the woods to look around. Miroku and Sango stayed in the castle as Inu-Yasha followed Kagome to make sure she'd be all right. Of course, he couldn't let her know he cared about her so he did this secretly. All of a sudden Inu-Yasha sensed something coming towards them, fast. But he couldn't move fast enough because whoever or whatever it was now by Kagome.

"What the hell?"

Kagome looked up and saw a man smiling down at her, his at her waist.

"Hey Kagome. I didn't know I'd ever see you here! Man, you're looking hotter then ever! How about an offer you can't refuse. Be my women?"

Kagome rolled her eyes and pushed the man away.

"God, you haven't changed have you Kouga?"

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Sesshomaru growled from the bush he was hiding in. He had followed Kouga here and saw him put a move on his Kagome. It wasn't fair. Sesshomaru couldn't help her because he couldn't be seen. But he was intrigued that she knew Kouga.

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Inu-Yasha jumped down from his hiding spot and squinted. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was Kouga, his long time buddy.

"Kouga, what the hell are you doing with Kagome?"

"Inu-Yasha? Oh you know Kagome too? Wow this is awkward..."

Kagome rolled her eyes and crossed her arms impatiently. Kouga blushed.

"You two seem to know each other? Inu-Yasha Kouga is another one of my ex's. He was too possessive."

Kouga looked hurt. He put an arm on Kagome's shoulder but she brushed it off.

"To possessive? I just asked you to be my woman!"

"Yah, on the first date. Wait, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Oh, ah, I have to talk to Sesshomaru. Is he around?"

Inu-Yasha stepped forward.

"He's away on business. But maybe we can help?"

Kouga nodded and the three of them headed back to the castle, Kagome telling about how possessive Kouga was on the way and Kouga protesting. They finally got in and went to the living room where Inu-Yasha motioned to the sofa.

"So why are you here?"

Kouga sighed and took a deep breath. Kagome rolled her eyes, its something she was used to doing around Kouga. He was also dramatic.

"I needed to talk to Sesshomaru about help. You see I have become the leader of my clan. But then some man named Naraku claimed the land and killed my whole clan. I was wondering..."

Kouga didn't get to finish considering Kagome who was sitting beside Inu-Yasha had gone pale and then fainted at Naraku's name. Inu-Yasha caught her and yelled to the maid to get some cold water. Kouga gave Inu-Yasha a look of confusion. Inu-Yasha looked at him

"She was attacked by a man named Naraku last night."

Kouga was confused. How would his Kagome get caught up with someone like Naraku? But he took his attention back to Kagome who was now coming to. When Kagome noticed what had happened she blushed and sat upright. She had been lying on Inu-Yasha's lap.

"uhhh, I'm sorry go on."

"I don't know how you know Naraku, though I am very interested."

Kagome blushed even more.

"It doesn't matter, please go on with it."

Kouga nodded and continued.

"And so I was wondering if Sesshomaru could help me?"

Kagome looked at the ground and Inu-Yasha looked at Kouga. Kagome was the first to speak next.

"Sesshomaru is doing business with Naraku. So I don't think he'll be able to help you."

Kouga nodded sadly and started to leave. Kagome didn't know what to do next she was really board. Once Kouga was finally gone Kagome turned to Inu-Yasha.

"Inu-Yasha, I'm board. What do you do here?"

Inu-Yasha looked at her from the corner of his eye. He was board too but he wasn't going to let her know it.

"I do what I want, you find something to do on your own."

Inu-Yasha got up and left. Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes. There was her same old Inu-Yasha again. She guessed that his worry had worn out and she left with the same egotistical and mean Inu-Yasha. She decided to just follow him. She followed Inu-Yasha through the forest until they stopped at a beautiful waterfall. Kagome gazed starry eyed at the beautiful site. Inu-Yasha had noticed Kagome following him and was going to confront her now. He jumped back so swiftly that Kagome nearly fell over, but Inu-Yasha caught her. It looked like the two were tangoing and Inu-Yasha had dipped her. Inu-Yasha grinned but Kagome was really surprised.

"What are you doing here?"

Kagome blushed.

"I was board, so I followed you here. Its really pretty!"

Inu-Yasha shrugged and helped Kagome back up. Inu-Yasha grinned.

"I'm going to make you pay for spying."

Inu-Yasha picked Kagome up and through her into the stream. Kagome got up half grinning half frowning though she had a playful look on her face. Her tube top and jeans soaking. She went back to land and took off her shoes and socks. It was hot anyway and she didn't know what else to do. Inu-Yasha was thinking the same thing and took off the top of his Kimono and his shirt so all he was wearing was his pants. Kagome crept behind him and pushed him in. She laughed. Inu-Yasha got up, grabbed her waist and pulled her in too. Kagome giggled. They splashed around a bit until Inu-Yasha got out and started to climb up to the top of the waterfall...it was pretty high up. Kagome frowned with concern as she watched.

"What are you doing Inu-Yasha? If you jump you might hurt yourself."

Inu-Yasha looked at her when he got to the top and grinned. He jumped.

"INU-YASHA!"

Inu-Yasha finally hit the water but all Kagome could see were bubbles around her. She started to panic because she though he had drowned or something until she felt a pair of arms around her waist and whatever it was pulled her under. She opened her eyes and saw it was Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha pulled them both up for air and Kagome looked at Inu-Yasha. He wasn't SO bad. While she was thinking she felt her hair fall to her shoulders and she noticed Inu-Yasha had her ribbon. Inu-Yasha grinned. Kagome blushed.

"Hey, give that back!"

Inu-Yasha held it in the air and played keep away a bit before throwing the ribbon into the water. He held her closer.

"Your hair looks better down, if you care about my interest..."

Kagome and Inu-Yasha were now blushing. They went closer and BOOM. Something exploded behind them. The two ran up to the side of the river and looked around to see what had happened. They saw a girl with a feather in her hand. She was staring at the two. Kagome was now hiding behind Inu-Yasha, hoping he would save her.

"Your Sesshomaru has gone missing and Naraku wants to figure out why. Has he been here?"

Kagome's eyes grew wide. It was Kagura, Naraku's ex. Kagome guessed that they got together again after Kagome dumped him. Inu-Yasha glared at Kagura.

"He's not here."

Kagura narrowed her eyes into slits.

"You're lying. You deserve to die. Especially that bitch Kagome for taking my Naraku away."

Inu-Yasha stared at Kaogme with confusion. Kagome shrugged.

"Naraku's ex girlfriend before me. He dumped her for me. Her name is Kagura and she really loved him. Pretty sad."

"That's right you little bitch. It's your entire fault. If I kill you, Naraku will have to take me back!"

"If you want him, you can have him."

"But he won't take anyone else. He keeps saying he loves Kagome. So you must die."

Kagome's eyes grew wide. He still loved her? Wow, this was too much. She could have fainted right there but chose not to. Instead she clung onto Inu-Yasha.

"Leave Kagome alone. Or I'll slit your throat."

Seeing he was serious and that if she did kill Kagome she'd be in even more trouble with Naraku she retreated. Flying away on a feather. Inu-Yasha turned around and looked at Kagome.

"You are one, special girl. And your going to faint..."

Kagome grinned and as Inu-Yasha had predicted she fainted. Inu-Yasha caught her and rolled his eyes. She was always fainting lately. But she had a good reason too. Kagome finally woke up and looked at Inu-Yasha. He was sleeping. She was tired too so she just crept over and cuddled close to Inu-Yasha and fell asleep. At least if she was near Inu-Yasha no one would be able to kill her. Inu-Yasha woke up and saw that it was sunset. He moved a bit but felt something heavy on his chest. He looked down at the curled up Kagome on his chest.

"Awww Kagome."

He sounded annoyed. He tried to gently push her away but in her sleep she cuddled closer. He rolled his eyes. He didn't want to wake her up but he didn't know what else to do. He picked her up bridal style and started heading to the castle.

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Kagome's eyes fluttered open at the change of scenery. She looked up and saw Inu-Yasha was carrying her. She smiled.

"Thanks, but I think I can walk from here."

Inu-Yasha was startled and nearly dropped Kagome but he had a firm grip on her. He gently placed her on the ground and they started to walk together.

"You know Kagome, you are a special girl. I was going to say that but you fainted."

Kagome laughed. She noticed she'd been doing that lately.

"Yah, well it isn't easy being beautiful."

Inu-Yasha was about to rebuttal that quote but thought that what would come next would be far more interesting.

"Ever since I was little, I was adored. When I was small I was cute. When I got older I was hot. No one really cared about my feelings or me. It was just that I was beautiful. Everyone's trophy girl. Ya know? That's why I had so many suitors. It's a curse and a blessing. Though lately it's more of a curse. I never meant' to end up with people like Naraku and stuff but they were powerful and attracted to me. I had no choice. And then I made so many enemies. I never really got any friends who were girls because I was supposal a whore, even though I had hardly even kissed a guy. Years went by, and I learnt every dirty name in the book. Every pickup-line ever invented. I had to learn how to stand up for myself."

Inu-Yasha watched as a few tears rolled down Kagomes' cheeks. He would have never guessed such a perfect girl lived such a sad life. He and she had so much in common. As a child he too never made many friends, because of his dirty blood. Just because he was a hanyou. A half demon. And then being left alone when his parent's death. He grinned remembering his comment earlier. Everyone had their secrets. Just some have more then most. They were all in danger and there were so many more secrets not known. It was only a matter of time before they were all uncovered, even though these secrets might kill them all.

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Authors note: VERY LONG CHAPTER! Whoot. A lot of materiel for you guys. 2,000 words. And I noticed you are all loving the surprises. Maybe I should call the rest of the story project DNA, Project do not assume. (Big brother lol) and anyways. Its serious. A lot of surprises. And about the comment on the biting the bottom lip. THANK YOU for telling me! I wouldn't have known it was annoying so yah. I'm going to post this chapter now. After spellcheck –hours and hours of spell check-