AUTHOR'S NOTE:Kagome says something in this chapter that might throw some of you through a loop. The thing is that this story goes along with a story I wrote earlier "An End and A Beginning". That story explains in full detail that small paragraph. But you don't have to read it to understand this story or the relationship between Kouga and Ayame. if you want to understand better what exactly happened to Inuyasha and Kagome, you are more than welcome to read the story I mentioned above. Thank You!

CHAPTER 3

KOUGA'S HEARTBREAK

Kouga could smell Kagome's scent everywhere. He took in one huge breath as he stood at he edge of the open area within the forest. He had left the mountains very early in the morning and had traveled as fast as he could to the small village that he knew Kagome frequented. He knew that where Kagome was, Inuyasha would be there, too. But her scent lead him past the village and into the forest. Finally ending at this clearing. A small house laid in the far corner and in the middle if the space stood a dried up old well. Kouga took a few steps forward before seeing Kagome walk out of the small house with a basket in her hands. She looked up and with pure surprise, yelled out, "KOUGA!"

A smile formed on his face as he watched her drop her basket, grab the bottom of her pink kimono, and run towards him. Her expression showed absolute happiness which made his heart skip.

"KAGOME!" He couldn't help himself, but to say her name. But all happiness dissipated as he saw Inuyasha come out of the same small enclosure. His arms crossed within his sleeves and a stern look on his face.

Kagome stopped a few feet from Kouga with a beaming smile on her face, "Kouga! You're alright! I'm so glad! We were all so worried about you. We hadn't had news about you for a very long time. What happened?" By this time, Inuyasha had reached the two and lodged himself in the gap between them.

"What do you want, baka", Inuyasha huffed at him. Kouga noticed that Inuyasha was different. He was human. And in the day. Something had happened that Kouga didn't understand yet. He needed to know what it was.

"What happened to you, mutt", he asked half laughing.

"Nun'ya business, you mangy wolf!" He got in Kouga's face.

"Ok, you two. Stop it!" Kagome jammed herself between the two snarling men. Finally separating them, she turned to Kouga and said, "Don't you know?"

"Know what? I've been up in the mountains recovering this whole time."

"Kouga, after your fight with Mouryoumaru, Kana took off with your shards. We tried to stop her, but she was gone before we knew it. It wasn't long after that, that Kohaku, Sango's brother who also had a shard in his back, fought Naraku and was killed. With Kohaku's death, Naraku had the complete Shikon no Tama. Many fought Naraku and by the time we got to him he had already been weakened. But Naraku finally fell; leaving the completed Jewel to us. I was able to purify it out of existence, but in doing so, Inuyasha lost his demon half."

"So the Jewel is gone?" Kagome nodded. "Is all this true, dog breath?" He turned to Inuyasha, hoping to stir up a fight. Inuyasha gave him a harsh look before starting, "Why you little-"

"INUYASHA!" Kagome interrupted. Kouga was satisfied with the information that he had received from Kagome and proceeded to take her hand to declare his love and appreciation to her one more time, but Inuyasha immediately turned bright red in anger and pushed him away from her.

"Take your dirty paws off my wife!" Kouga's mouth dropped to the floor.

"Your… Your WHAT!"

"My wife." Inuyasha began to grow a spiteful grin across his face. Seeing the pain those two little words cause Kouga, brought him so much pleasure. He could never stand the sight of this skinny wolf demon.

"Kagome, is this true!" Kouga looked up to the girl blushing behind Inuyasha. She couldn't look him in the eye, but she gave him a little nod.

"Just last week…" she said meekly. He fell back onto himself in utter shock. How could she marry this dog turd standing in front of him? How could she not even take his feelings in to consideration? Kouga heard something shatter. If it was the earth or his heart, he couldn't tell. He had to get out of there. His mind was racing with too many thoughts and he would be surprised if he would be able to make a complete sentence.

"Well, as long as you're happy, Kagome", he said with a slight smile; trying to hide the amazement and pain that he was in.

"Well, how does it feel, Kouga, to first be too weak to fight Naraku and then loose the girl?" Inuyasha teased him with laughter. Kouga said nothing. Only his serious expression made his feelings known.

"I get it, Inuyasha… You won…" Kouga said to him before turning to Kagome and bidding her farewell. Inuyasha felt a slight pang of guilt for his banter. He hadn't really realized just how much pain the wolf demon was in. He always figured that he was after Kagome just to spite him. I guess I was wrong, Inuyasha thought.

Neither one of them said anything as they watched Kouga run off in the direction he came from.