The trees really looked pretty as they blurred by. The wind singing nicely in her ear. It felt a bit like being underwater. Everything around you distorted but seeming to be in perfect clarity. You can't feel the coldness of the wind, because if you paid attention to that you'd miss out on everything else and that clarity would be lost.

It helped her to forget that she wasn't happy. It helped to push her despair back into the recesses of her mind. To find a little bit of that optimism that keep everyone content enough to ignore the fact that their lives were in constant danger. And it helps to build upon that small fragment of joy she had last time she was home and center herself once more.

For now it was enough.

Rest, should get some more rest.

The heat from Kouga's body and the surreal feeling of flying lulled her into sleep. It wasn't long though, before her eyes opened again and she found that they had reached Kouga's mountain. They beauty of it took her breath away and that small bit of joy grew some more.

Kouga carried Kagome towards the back of the den. He didn't want any of the wolves to interrupt them. He was beyond pissed at the hanyo. What did he do to his Kagome to put such despair into her eyes? He had better not have tried to claim what was his…

No, that would not have happened. Kagome wasn't some weakling that could be submissed. He tightened his arms around her. She had fallen asleep briefly on the way. When she opened her eyes the despair that had been choking the life from her eyes receded a bit. He smiled at her.

Her eyes closed slowly and when she opened them again she was smiling. "Thanks."

"Sure anytime. " he said. "You hungry? Thirsty?" he asked her. They had walked to the back of the den before she responded.

"Some water would be nice."

Kouga hollered to one of the wolf demon standing guard outside to get some water. They were quick to respond. They all saw him carrying her in and smelt despair on one of the two. They were afraid that she was injured beyond help and their alpha brought his mate home to die. But since there was no scent of blood, this feeling was quickly dismissed.

"Hello sister, how are you feeling?" Ginta asked as he brought Kagome her water.

"Hi Ginta. It's nice to see you again. I'm doing good how have you been?" She tried to smile for him, she really did, but that feeling of despair she barely managed to hold back was fighting its way to the surface again. Alarmed Kouga kicked Ginta out and gave word they were not to be disturbed.

"Kagome what's wrong." He said as gently and sincerely as he could. This behavior in her was strange. He didn't understand it and that bothered him. Cautiously he places his hand on her shoulder. "Kagome?" he asked again when she didn't respond. She took one small breath and her shoulders began to shake. His hand pulled back as he saw a tear fall from her face. "That mutt didn't let you get hurt did he? I don't smell any blood on you."

Get a grip girl you're scaring him. Breathe. Breathe.

No Kouga. I'm just tired. Maybe even a little bit lonely. I haven't been home in months and I'm starting to really miss my family. I'm starting to feel like I'm going crazy. Like I don't exist. Like I don't belong anywhere. Like a shadow.

She tried to say all this but nothing came out but a sob. He pulled her into his embrace and held her as she cried her misery out of her system. Not saying anything because she needed his presence not his voice. After a while she calmed.

He had his men bring food and together they ate. "You must be tired. You should get some sleep Kagome. You're safe here, I'll keep watch. Go to sleep."

"Kouga. I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten over me. I.."

"Don't worry about it. I'm here." He readjusted Kagome into a position that was more comfortable for both of them while not giving up his hold on her. "Whatever it is that hurt you I'll kill it. You don't have to fight it alone."

The heat his body gave off, combined with the food she just consumed was taking her back to dreamland whether she wanted to go or not. And she had to admit to herself. It felt good to be held. Without fighting it anymore she relaxed completely in his arms and fell asleep.

*~*~**~**~**~**~*~**~**~**~*~**~**~**~*~**~**~**~**~**~**~*~**~***~*~**~**~**~*~*~*~

Inuyasha quickly went back to camp to let the others know what had happen to Kagome. He knew where that wolf was taking his Kagome and didn't want to waste any time waiting for the others to catch up.

"He's probably gonna take her back to his mountain. I'm gonna go ahead. You slow pokes catch up!" And then he was gone not bothering to wait. The others were not far behind.

*~*~*~*~**~*~**~*~*~**~*~**~*~**~**~***~**~**~*~**~**~**~*~*~***~**~*~*~**~**~**~*~*

Kouga woke when he felt Kagome stirring. She began to wake a moment after he saw the shift in her eyes behind her lids. She smelled more like herself and he pulled her to him. Acting on impulse, he nuzzled her neck and gave it a quick small bite. She jumped a little in reflex but then snuggled against him once more. The scent Kagome was giving off was beginning to send his body into small spasms. His need to claim her as his mate growing stronger with every intoxicating inhalation of her scent.

His hand reached out and gently touched her arm. She turned to him ready to give a piece of her mind for being bit. No doubt she would want to separate herself from the circle of his arms as she fully woke. As she did begin to wake fully she noticed that she was indeed intimately wrapped in Kouga's arms. Her cheeks gaining color as her agitation was beginning to build.

Caught a bit off guard she did the first thing that came to mind. She began to scold him as she would have Inuyasha had it been him instead of Kouga holding her. After indulging a bit first. Her words were lost to him. Only the timbre of her voice was heard. And he began to see her lips form other words. Not of reparation but of invitation.

He wanted to touch her lips. The held him transfixed. He could easily see the space between them close. The world outside fading into nothingness. Only her lips existed. And he needed to touch them desperately.

Slowly his own eyes closed and he took another deep breath. His blood began to heat and his heart pumped faster. No, taking a breath was not a good idea. Electricity began to gather around them, making him aware that she was only a few inches away.

Touch her. Feel the softness of her lips. The warmth of her hands on your flesh.

"Kagome." he said.

She had stopped talking. He was beginning to make her uncomfortable. What was wrong with him? Why was he acting so strangely? Why hadn't she gotten out of his lap yet? "Kouga, are you okay?" Her hand went out and she laid it on his arm. His hand trailed up from her forearm and up to her elbow. The touch soft enough to get her to still, but with enough pressure to let her know it had happened.

"I need you Kagome. I want to make you happy with me. I want to see you smile and know that I'm the reason you do."

Funny, didn't I say something like that to Inuyasha not so long ago…

Kouga leaned into her. Slowly mustn't scare her off.

She looked up to him. "Kouga, I know you think you love me, but you don't really know me. How can you say…"

He gave in to his urges and ran his forefinger across her bottom lip. She jerked her head back slightly, caught off guard. Her eyes widened a bit as she continued to stare at him. His finger stayed upon her lips. The longer they stayed like that the more she became aware of him. Of how his eyes were a deep blue near the edges and lighter the closer they got to the center. How his skin looked so flawless and touchable. His hair pulled tightly back giving his already almond-shaped eyes an even more exotic look. Not that being demon wasn't exotic itself, but more in terms with human appeal.

Tingles. He made her lips tingle.

Get a grip Kagome. No biggie you can handle this. You want to let him off as gently as possible. Remember Inuyasha…

Her arm slowly lifted and her hand reached for his face. His eyes shot to her hand. He remained motionless and it appeared as if he forgot to breath, his attention was so concentrated on her hand before him. Her breathing got slightly faster and she could feel the heat coming off of his body increase. Her own body heat seemed to increase in reaction to his. She moved her hand up to his lips, she felt his breath across her fingers, and then she touched them. They were silky and firm. She saw his nostrils flare slightly. Her blood rushed through her body.

Remember Inuyasha..

She slowly trailed her fingers gently across his closed lips. The soft contact sending synapses popping throughout her. Her fingers moved from his lips to his cheeks. Not to encourage him, but to comfort, because she was about to cut him down. She would not lead him on. She had felt the bit of that particular whip too often herself to do it to anyone else.

Inuyasha….

Her eyes taking in the lines of his face. Her fingers running alone the line of his high cheek bones, to stop by the edge that marked the beginning of his jaw.

Inu who?

Feeling his arms going around her waist, she tried to turn away. I can't be feeling this. He can't be doing this to me.

"Stay here Kagome. You belong here with me. Just stay." He whispered into her ear.

Yes, I will stay with you Kouga. She thought as his breath sent another wave of desire through her body.

"I can't. I have to finish what I've started. Please don't confuse me anymore then what I already am."

Reluctantly he began to pull away from her. He wanted to keep holding her but if he pushed she would pull away on her own. Better that she think he would do what she asked of him.

Feeling a bit of a loss when he pulled away she tried to keep the feelings he invoked in her in her mind. He's so gorgeous. Why do I have to leave? Why can't I stay?

"Kagome, You can always come back to me. I understand you feel the need to finish your quest. But I want you to understand I need you. And I'll wait however long I have to, to get you to stay. I'm sorry if I lose it sometimes, but it's just that when I see you I just want …."

"Kagome are you in here?" came the shout.

Jumping at the sound Kagome bonked her head against Kouga's chin. "Sorry." she hastily said as she stood and stepped back, putting more distance between Kouga and herself. Inuyasha came into the enclosure.

No.

He looked at the two of them not wanting to believe this could happen again so soon.

This cannot be happening. How could that wimpy wolf ever be able to get her attention like that? She wants him. Almost as much as he wants her. I can smell them. I…don't want to believe this. She would betray me again. Got to stop this now before she leaves me. Before she wants to leave me.

"You okay Kagome?" He shoots daggers at the wolf prince. "Get away from her."

"Inuyasha, it's not what you think." Kagome starts.

"Listen flea bag I don't know what you did to my woman earlier. But she isn't going anywhere with you. I thought I could trust you to keep her safe while she finished her quest but obviously it was more than you could handle. She doesn't need you following at her heels anymore. She has a real hunter to help her now. Not just some domesticated mutt slobbering at her feet."

Oh no! Kagome thought. They're going to kill each other and it's my fault. I got to stop this now. She thought about yelling oswari but that would only subdue Inuyasha and most probably get him killed since it was unlikely Kouga would back off in the state of anger he quickly entered when Inuyasha came in.

Got to stop this. Got to stop this.

"Inuyasha! I was tired. I was only getting some rest. Stop it both of you!" She yelled but it seemed that her words wouldn't reach either one of them. A moment later the two jumped at one another trying their best to at least maim one another.

I can't let this happen.

Doing the only thing that would get both of their attention long enough to get them to stop she bent to pick up one of the bones Kouga had gnawed on from the meal earlier. Taking a deep breath and hoping it would work, she quickly drew the bone across her hand. Hard enough to break skin. Unfortunately not hard enough to draw blood.

Damn it!

Bracing herself once more she jabbed it into her palm, this time succeeded. She watched the two catch the scent of blood and would have laughed at their expressions if the situation weren't so serious.

"Inuyasha I want to stay with him. Please, why don't you have Kikyo help you find the shards. After all if we share the same soul, she should be able to find the shards as well. I am tired. Can you try to understand? I can't keep fighting like this it's draining. It's slowly killing me. I'm not giving up but I need to.. take a break. I'm sorry if this is inconvenient for you but I can't be near you right now."

The silence that followed was almost unbelievable.

"Feh! FINE THEN!" Inuyasha turned and walked back the way he came.