A/N: Hello! Sorry for taking such a long time to update! Here's the next chapter!

By the way, I've been wondering. Shippou said in that episode where he meets this girl in the poison gas and they are in a cave, (don't remember the name, or the episode in much detail for that matter) that demons are immortal. I think it had Kirara disappearing or something, but I'm not sure. PLEASE TELL ME! IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I KNOW!

Ahem.

Anyway, to answer MintyFresh's question:

(I couldn't frame the meaning exactly, so I cheated and copy-pasted from the dictionary)

Aphrodisiac:

1 : an agent (the muck, for example) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire

2 : something that excites

Hehehehhehe.

You know what? SANGO IS SO UNDERAPPRECIATED! She's too…er… (excuse the term) COOL to be ignored just like that! SHE'S MY FAVOURITE FEMALE IN INUYASHA AND SO THERE.

Sorry. You see, I don't have a website to rant on so y'all will have to bear the brunt of all this. I'm really sorry.

Discalimer I don't own Inuyasha. If I did, Sesshoumaru would run around naked, Kouga's pelt would fly up, Miroku's bow unties mysteriously, Inuyasha's pants will come crashing down, and… er… Kagura will lift up Naraku's clothes with her wind! Hehehehehe!

oOo

Newfound Feelings (If you thought that was bad, wait until you see the next chapter title. But then again, don't judge a fanfic by its title!)

oOo

"KAGOME!"

She opened her eyes slowly, and saw golden eyes and silvery hair swim into her vision. Fear coursed through her, and she felt like hot iron had been poured down her throat. She began choking, and turned away from him, curling into a fetal position. "Leave me alone Inuyasha…" she muttered weakly, each word making her take a deep breath. Tears dripped down the side of her face and she wiped them away.

oOo

"Leave me alone Inuyasha…"

Inuyasha froze. Was Kagome having a nightmare about him? As he watched her lying like a baby in her sleeping bag, crying and choking on her tears, he couldn't help but feel that Kagome was showing her real emotions now; that her guard was down. He extended his hands and touched her shoulders. She jerked and he pulled back his hands.

Even as he watched, Kagome suddenly straightened, and sat up. There was no hint of tears in her eyes, and a smile was on her lips. "It's okay, guys. I just had a nightmare. Go back to sleep," she said, smiling sweetly at everyone until Sango and Miroku went back to sleep. Shippou, Kouga and Inuyasha were still staring at her, however. They had woken up faster than the humans and had seen Kagome.

Kagome sighed and ruffled Shippou's hair. "You too, Shippou." Shippou looked like he was about to protest, but realizing that he wouldn't get anything out of it anyway, he went back to sleep.

Inuyasha was amazed. And by the looks of it, so was Kouga. He didn't know that Kagome was so good at hiding her emotions. As he looked into her eyes, he only saw blankness, a superficial layer hiding her true feelings inside. He started to wonder. She wasn't like this when he first met her. Had he done this to her?

He shook his head, and jumped up onto a tree. He was starting to think too much lately. It was night; and he was sleepy. Besides, everything will blow over in the morning, he thought. It always does.

oOo

Once he made sure Inuyasha had disappeared up the tree and had fallen asleep, Kouga got up and walked over to Kagome's sleeping bag. She had lied down again. Her breathing was irregular, as if she was sobbing quietly.

He knelt down beside her, and Kagome turned slowly to face him. Kouga saw that fresh tears had made her way down the side of her face and her eyes had become red. All this just for a nightmare? he thought, wondering why she was so upset.

Then he decided to take a risk and pulled her into a hug. He closed his eyes, expecting a slap. But to his surprise, Kagome melted into his arms, and sighed. She had stopped crying.

He stroked her hair, and debated whether he should ask her about the dream. "What's wrong, Kagome?" he ventured, not really sure how to comfort people.

Kagome trembled and answered. "It was Inuyasha, Kouga… Inuyasha he – he tried to…" Kouga held her tighter. "Kagome, it's all right. It's only a dream." He muttered. Kagome stopped trembling and relaxed into his arms again. "I know. It's just that – It was so real. It's okay, really. I know it's silly of me to fuss over something like this." She said, playing with Kouga's armour straps.

Kouga stopped stroking her hair, and looked into her face. She appeared happy now, the old Kagome he was used to seeing. "Why don't you go back to sleep?" he said, and started to lay her back. Kagome tightened her hold on him. "No. I'm not sleepy," she mumbled. Kouga nodded. He didn't really expect her to be.

Kagome got up, and they both walked a while, talking and laughing about all the things they had done before. Kouga was relieved; Kagome had forgotten about the dream and was now snickering at the story of how Ginta had fallen on pines and he couldn't sit and go to sleep on guard duty.

Suddenly, he stopped and sniffed the air; it was the dog. So he was following them. "What is it, Kouga?" Kagome asked, standing a few steps ahead of him. Kouga shook his head and started moving again.

Kagome followed him back to the camp. She looked around for the mutt, and when she saw he was not there, a look of relief was evident on her face. She turned to face, and she gave him a smile. Kouga's heartbeat speeded up when her face came close and she touched her lips lightly on his left cheek.

She immediately drew back and blushed furiously. Kouga smelt her arousal, and struggled to stand still and not do anything stupid. "Thanks," Kagome whispered softly, and walked to her sleeping bag.

Before sliding into the blankets, Kagome tucked in Shippou and kissed his forehead. Kouga grinned. Perfect mate material, that Kagome. He had really made an excellent choice.

But Kouga hadn't chosen Kagome just because she had extremely good mate material. No; from the moment Kouga had laid his eyes on her, he had fallen in love. Kouga grinned and slipped into dreamland where he did some really good things with his woman. And it wasn't about picking flowers in a meadow.

oOo

Kagome opened one eye slowly, and shut it again. It was morning. She groaned and turned to the other side, and felt a sharp pain in her side. She sat up slowly, and looked at the spot where she was sleeping. There was a lump there; probably a small stone. She had slept on it all night.

Last night, she thought. She turned a pale red when she remembered. The nightmare didn't seem very scary now, (in fact, the details of the dream were very sketchy in her mind) and she felt embarrassed at being so frightened about it. Hope the guys have forgotten, she thought hopefully. Making sure to avoid the lump, she lied down again and went off to sleep.

But the fates didn't seem to allow Kagome to enjoy a morning snooze today. Sango was standing over her, casting a long shadow across her stomach. "Wake up, Kagome. We have to eat," she said gently. Kagome turned to the side. "Five minutes…" she muttered.

Sango sighed and shook Kagome's shoulder. "Wake up, will you? We have to leave soon!" Kagome exhaled loudly and sat up. The others were already finishing their food.

Inuyasha glared at her. "About time, wench. We can't wait around all day for you." Kagome felt anger bubble inside of her, and she frowned. What a great way to start the day. She walked past Inuyasha, and sat down beside Kouga. He smiled at her. Kagome smiled back at him and started eating the food which Sango had handed to her.

oOo

Inuyasha was glaring at her in the morning when she was sleeping. He thought about last night. He snarled at the thought of Kouga and Kagome walking alone in the middle of the night. He had followed them when they were heading back to the campsite, so he didn't know what they were doing before he followed them.

Sango handed him his breakfast. "Cheer up Inuyasha," she said, not knowing what was irritating him in the morning. Probably something insignificant, she seemed to decide. Inuyasha snorted. If Kagome running off with Kouga was insignificant, then he'd eat the fur on his Tessaiga.

After a while, he saw Sango trying to wake Kagome up. About time, he thought. He threw a look at Kouga, who had already finished his breakfast. Kouga leered at him. Inuyasha knew that he was silently taunting him about last night. He felt like raking his claws through that crumpled up ball of paper Kouga called his face.

He looked at Kagome. She had sat up. "About time, wench. We can't wait around all day for you." He growled, his bad mood intensifying. He saw Kagome's eyed narrowing, and he stiffened. When he didn't hear what he expected to hear, he loosened up. Huh. Kagome wasn't that angry with him then.

He removed his hand on his right, expecting her to sit beside him as she always did, but she sailed right past him and settled down beside Kouga, and they exchanged fucking stretchy lips. Inuyasha couldn't help but growl as Sango handed Kagome her breakfast. Kouga looked at Inuyasha again and flashed him a cocky grin.

Inuyasha clenched his palms into fists, and imagined the happy day when they would bury themselves in Kouga's stomach. Before Kagome had finished her breakfast halfway, he stood up. It was too much. The way Kagome kept looking up and Kouga and blushing, and the way Kouga smiled at her every time was just making him barf.

He bounded into the forest to jump up on a tree – out of sight of Kagome, Kouga and Miroku's (who was looking at them with a smirk) sight – until everyone had packed up and ready to leave.

oOo

Kagome concentrated on her food. Something had made her sit near Kouga, she knew. Why? She always sat beside Inuyasha. Even when Kouga first arrived, she sat near Inuyasha. She looked up at Kouga, who was watching Shippou this time. She blushed again, and quickly turned her gaze to her food.

Great. Now she was starting to have feelings for Kouga. Am I starting to love him or something? she thought, but shook it off. It was hardly a topic to ponder on during breakfast. And love was too strong a word. But she couldn't get rid of the thought that this was the beginning of the love she was starting to feel for Kouga.

Suddenly Inuyasha got up and ran into the forest. Kagome ignored him. He'd probably be back when they'd leave anyway. She felt a hand on her arm. She looked up and saw Kouga. She flushed, and her arm felt detached from her body.

"Want to go for another walk?" Kouga flashed her a grin, emphasizing on "another". Kagome turned redder, remembering the peck on the cheek she had given him; but she nodded.

They both got up, and Shippou turned to them. "Hey where are you going? We have to go soon, ya know!" he called. "We'll be back before you know it, Shippou!" Kagome called back and continued walking.

Soon they found a path going into the forest. Kouga turned to it and Kagome hesitated a bit, but followed. Inuyasha was in there somewhere, and was a bit irritated with her. She didn't want to run into him. On the other hand, this is a forest, where chances of running into other people were slim.

They walked into a clearing, and Kagome sat down and leaned against a tree trunk. Kouga settled beside her, and both fell silent. Kagome knew they had to leave soon, but she didn't care right now.

Playing with a blade of grass, she attempted to make conversation. "So…" she began, but didn't get to finish. Kouga had jumped up, and was sniffing the air. "Demons," he said. Kagome also jumped up, and saw soul collectors. What perfect timing, she thought grimly. There had to be only one person who controlled them. Kikyou.

As they passed by them and disappeared deeper into the forest, Kagome sighed. "C'mon, let's go back." She tugged Kouga's arm. He threw one last look in the direction in which the soul collectors had gone in, and they both headed back.

About halfway back to the camp, a red-and-silver something flashed by their far left. Both stopped, and Kagome's stomach dropped. Inuyasha was going to Kikyou.

Kagome hurried up. She didn't want to watch Inuyasha and Kikyou together again. She had watched it enough times in her sleep. Kouga speeded up beside her. "What's wrong, Kagome?" he questioned, concern written all over his face as he saw beginnings of tears forming in Kagome's eyes.

Kagome shook her head and wiped the tears away as they reached the campsite. Sango, Miroku and Shippou were packing up. Kagome felt guilty for not helping them. She quickly strode forward and helped Sango tie her Hiraikotsu to Kirara.

After they were done, they sat around waiting for Inuyasha to return. If the dog demon didn't grace them with his presence by noon, they had decided to pick him up on the way. Kagome hadn't protested; but she didn't look too thrilled with the plan either.

The sun was beating down on their backs now, and they were all sweating. Inuyasha hadn't come back. No one made a move to put their plan in action. It was too hot.

At last, the half demon could be seen bounding out of the forest, looking really ticked off. He skidded to a stop near them. "What the hell are you sitting here for!" he yelled. Kagome went a decent shade of mauve and strode over to him. She pulled the two locks of his hair hanging over his shoulder and shouted at him. "Have you been seeing Kikyou again!" she didn't hold back on the pulling.

Inuyasha grunted and closed one eye, trying to pull his hair put of her grip. "No, wench! I didn't!" he yelled back at her, pulling his head backward. He didn't avoid her eyes, and Kagome suddenly felt guilty for railing on him. She let go suddenly, and he almost fell on his butt.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR, BITCH?" Inuyasha snapped, rubbing his temples. Kagome was going to apologize to him, but the last statement revived her anger.

"SIT BOY!"

oOo

Kouga snickered as Inuyasha dug his own grave with his face. How appropriate. He got on the bike, and motioned Kagome to sit in the front. Kagome strode over and scrambled on, still frowning.

As they set off, Kouga glanced back. Inuyasha seemed to hesitate, seeing the big yellow bag resting against the tree. Then he ignored it, and began to run after them. Kouga quickly looked in the front again.

Kagome didn't even look. "AND YOU BETTER NOT FORGET THE BAG, INUYASHA!" she yelled. Kouga grinned when he heard Inuyasha grumbling as he lifted the bag.

Sango, Miroku and Shippou had flown ahead on Kirara to scout the area. This conveniently left Kagome, Inuyasha and Kouga behind. Tension hung in the air as Inuyasha and Kouga tried to race with each other. Kouga eventually backed down however, as he was on a bike with precious cargo, as he put it.

Inuyasha bounded ahead of them and disappeared into the forest. Kouga caught a faint mixture of Sango, Miroku, Shippou and Kirara's scents, leading into the forest.

He rid the bike till the outskirts and stopped. Kagome looked at him, getting the answer to her unasked question when she saw a knobbly path through the trees. The bike wouldn't survive that.

"C'mon Kagome, I'll carry you on my back," Kouga said gruffly. Kagome got down from the bike and had a worried look on her face. "What about my bike?" she said.

Kouga thought for a moment. "I don't suppose mutt-face could carry it?" he asked, though he knew the bastard would never agree. "Not that I couldn't carry it, you know," he added. "But it'll be uncomfortable for you."

Kagome (surprisingly) agreed, and called out for Inuyasha. He stepped out from behind a tree. The mutt had been there all the while, listening to them. Kouga knew that. "I will not carry your contraption, wench!" he growled.

Kouga looked at Kagome, and blanched. He prayed that that look of pure evil would never be directed at him. Inuyasha seemed to have the same thing running through his mind as he meekly picked up the bike along with the bag and made himself scarce.

Kouga made sure that this time Inuyasha had gone for real, and knelt in front, sticking his hands out behind him. "Hop on," he grinned. Kagome started blushing furiously, and Kouga was surprised. After all, she never blushed when she was on Inuyasha's back.

As Kagome put her legs through the hoop he had made with his hands, Kouga's breath sped up. He memorized the feel of Kagome smooth legs and her arms on his shoulder. He got up slowly, and quickly ran after Inuyasha. "Are you okay back there?" he called out to her as the wind rushed by them.

Kouga couldn't see her face, but sensed that she was nodding. He sped up now, sprinting as fast as his legs could move while trying to keep the ride as smooth as possible.

oOo

Kagome her breath catching in her throat as Kouga ran at an impossible speed. She was feeling faint for the first few minutes, but got used to it. This was much faster than Inuyasha, but then again, speed was Kouga's specialty. I wonder what else his specialty is… no! What am I thinking!

Kagome hiccupped and wrapped her legs tighter around Kouga as he made an abrupt turn. She saw Inuyasha pass by, an incredulous look on his face as he tried to catch up in vain. He had stayed downwind of Kouga and had been following them.

Kagome hung on to Kouga as he dodged trees and bushes. She turned red when she realized how tight her legs were around his waist. She loosed up immediately. She felt hot in her abdomen again as her thoughts turned a bit on the tainted side.

She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to drive the thoughts away from her mind, but they persisted. At last, she gave up and let the thoughts take over. Something's different, she thought as she fantasized about Kouga in excruciating detail. Maybe it's because I'm fifteen now; yeah that must be it. But that didn't seem logical. Aw screw it.

She didn't know that Kouga's mind wasn't fully on running; that he too had other things on his mind, things that would complement with hers nicely.

oOo

It was nighttime by the time they reached their destination, a village where it was rumoured that Naraku had visited. They had doubted it at first; but when they saw one of Naraku's insects dead in a villager's hand, they quickly changed their mind.

Kouga and Kagome were the first ones to reach the village. He set her down, and smiled at her. She smiled back. They had saved so much time that the others weren't even visible, which was what Kouga wanted. He wanted to be alone with Kagome.

They sat down on a rock, and Kouga turned to face Kagome. "Tell me, Kagome." He said simply. Kagome cast her eyes down and pondered whether to answer him or not, then decided she could trust him. So she explained the whole deal about Inuyasha and Kikyou.

Kouga was seething by the time she had finished. She was trying to cover up for Inuyasha, he could make out, but her eyes told the whole story. He vowed to kill him someday, or at least wound him fatally.

He calmed himself down and patted her shoulder, offering her silent comfort. He could smell unshed tears forming in her eyes. "Kagome, whenever Inuyasha hurts you, I promise I'll be there for you. Give me a chance," his eyes were pleading now, as he lifted her face up. Kagome looked surprised, but smiled.

Kouga thought about it. Now was the perfect time. They were alone, and Inuyasha wasn't around. He bent down, and he saw Kagome close her eyes. He put his arms around her waist and she slowly raised hers to his neck, drawing him closer.

oOo

A/NALRIGHT! Another chapter up and runnin'! And I have no doubts that you must've already figured out what'll happen next. Ah well. At least I should keep some semblance to suspense. Anyway.

A KOUGILLION THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO REVIEW! I LOVE YOU ALL! Again, excuse the cheesiness. I've had too many chocolate wafers watching my new favourite, The Vision of Escaflowne. I dropped my box when I saw Allen. I really did. I swear, I SQUEAL EVERY TIME HE COMES ONTO THE SCREEN!

Yayness. I can finally say dare ni mo makenai anata ni sekai de along with the songHurrah for me!

Oh look. There's Sesshoumaru's armour and clothes flying outta nowhere. WHY IN FRIGGIN' HELL DO THESE DUMB PEOPLE KEEP LOSING THEIR STUFF! Must go and search for the Lord now. Excuse and good bye.