A/N: Again, sorry about leaving the update so late. My trip was extended a couple of days, meaning we had to leave the 26th. Anyway, the chapter's fluffy, to make up for it.

Chapter 12: Finally Together

Kouga finally made his way back to his den, his heart still full of sadness. It had been a while after Kagome had finally told him the truth, yet his heartache would not go away. He still wished that he could have been the one to fill her heart, instead of Inuyasha.

But…I guess I always knew…that it was mutt-face instead of me… He remembered, his eyes downcast.

As the den came in sight, he heard one of his companions calling. "Kouga!" Ginta called, spotting him. "You're finally back."

He slowed down to a stop in front of him. "Yeah," he muttered, after a small silence.

Ginta noticed that his leader was not his self. "Kouga, what's wrong?"

"Nothing." He said, walking towards the entrance of the cave.

"Oh, Kouga!" Ginta suddenly remembered. "The princess from the mountain den came by yesterday, she wishes to give a message sent by her grandfather."

"Whatever…" Kouga replied as walked into the den, greeted by the wolves sniffing around his legs. He walked deeper into the den, soon approached by the red-headed wolf princess.

Ayame smiled, she was always happy to see he betrothed, even if the feeling wasn't mutual. "Kouga! I'm glad you're back."

"Uh-huh." He sat down on a rock. He didn't want to talk about any marriage plans that had been set up years ago now. He just wanted to be alone.

But Ayame wouldn't leave him alone when she was concerned. She noticed his meloncholy behavior. "Kouga, are you all right?"

He sighed, he couldn't ignore her when she was so concerned. "I'm just…a bit down right now." The wolf youkai prince looked away towards the entrance of the den, out to the fields of green. Out there, to where Kagome was, probably happy with Inuyasha. Kagome and Inuyasha...

His heart ached to know that she had chosen Inuyasha over himself, but he knew mooning over it would do him no good. Kagome happy with Inuyasha. And whenever she was happy, Kouga was also happy...but...

Ayamekneeled down next to him. Her face covered in sympathy. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Kouga shook his head. "No, I just want to be alone right now."

Ayame nodded, "All right. But I'll be here if you need me, Kouga." She walked off, Kouga watching her as she went. Ayame would always be devoted to him, after all, she was supposed to be his betrothed, andhe knew shewasn't too horrible to be around.

Perhaps…he could teach his heart to love again. Not now, it was all too soon. But, he thought, his eyes following the redhead. Maybe someday…

Kagome bent over her open math notebook. Great…homework…she growled, racking her brains for the correct formulas for the problems. She tried to remember anything she had retained from the math class that day, but nothing came to mind. She had spent the day dreaming of one person. Inuyasha...

She growled in frustration as she put her pencil down and rested her head in her hands. That's it; I can't do this…maybe I should just move to the Sengoku Jidai, I don't have to study there.

As she remembered Inuyasha, she smiled. Actually, that's not a bad idea…

She and Inuyasha had been together for a few weeks, and they both knew, it was meant to be. Though Kagome had always doubted that Inuyasha could ever truly love to her, she was very, very wrong. Inuyasha obviously loved her as much as she loved him, showing it whenever he held her in his arms.

I always thought he'd be too embarrassed, but that's not it at all…Kagome thought. He's just shy until you open up to him…

She grinned, which only makes me love him more…

Just then, she heard her window slide open, to reveal a smiling Inuyasha. He was always smiling these days, around her, at least. Though he tried to hide it in front of the others, he was happier than Kagome had ever seen him. That's what she always wanted to do, put a smile on his face. And now, she had finally done it, not to mention given herself a little bit of happiness as well.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, getting up from her desk.

He jumped down from the window. "I came to get you."

She came into his open arms, smiling up at his face. Kagome let out a small giggle. "Already? You said you'd give me a few days at least."

"Keh! You know I can't stay away from you for too long." He said, kissing her lightly. They pulled away, and he asked. "So, you ready?"

Kagome rolled her eyes, and they parted, her sitting down on her bed. "Inuyasha, I didn't expect you here this early. You can't assume I'll be all packed by now!"

"But don't you want to come back now?" he asked. "I know you hate that 'school'. And I don't want to hang out here when your friends come over again." he grumbled. Kagome gave a small laugh at that memory. Only a week after they were officially together, her friends came over and wanted Kagome and him to go somewhere with them. Inuyasha had to put up with his ears being stuffed in that stupid hat once again, and being forced to hear their giggling the entire time.

"Don't worry, Inuyasha." Kagome said. "I can go back tomorrow. I mean, its nighttime right now, and I want to go to bed." She yawned, stretching her arms cramped from writing. "You can go back tonight, and I come back tomorrow—"

"No." he said, right away. "I'll stay here. Someone's got to make sure you're safe through the night."

A small smirk found her face. That's my hanyou. "Inuyasha, are you sure? I mean, to do that you'd have to stay awake all night—"

"Keh!" he muttered. "Nothing I haven't done before."

"All right then, if you want." She turned off the night and rolled into her bed. There was silence for a moment. Kagome kept her eyes open, waiting. Finally, she couldn't stand it. She turned around and faced him. "Well?"

"Well, what?" Inuyasha demanded.

She folded her arms, the image of a pouting child. "Aren't you going to give me a goodnight kiss?"

The hanyou stared at her for a moment, before a smirk slid on his face. He laughed out loud before coming over to oblige.

The next day, Kagome and Inuyasha went back through the well. More and more it felt as if instead of going away from her home in the modern world, she was coming home by going back to the Sengoku Jidai. She was closer to Sango, Miroku and Shippou than she was to her friends in her time. (She also couldn't deny that it was a nice break from school.) But she would never complain anymore when Inuyasha wanted her back, because it felt like home to her.

Inuyasha and Kagome walked into the village, their hands entwined. It was commonly known that they were a couple now, and they weren't going to hide it. Except, of course, in front of their friends. It would take someone with half a brain cell to not notice that the two of them were together, but Inuyasha didn't particularly fancy parading their relationship everywhere. Especially in front of Miroku.

"So, Inuyasha," Miroku asked at dinner, grinning. "You seem to be in a good mood."

The hanyou, who had been trying to hide his glance at Kagome, glared at the monk. "I am not."

The monk's smile widened. "Ah, always trying to deny it, aren't you, Inuyasha?"

"Deny what?" Inuyasha yelled, becoming annoyed with the baka of a monk. It was always the same thing—Miroku would always try to tease him about his relationship with Kagome. And if Inuyasha did not knock him over the head first, then it was Sango.

A small chuckle escaped Miroku. "You are always so embarrassed by these things. Come now, Inuyasha, its not like we don't know what you've been doing with Kagome."

The color drained from Inuyasha's face. "Wh-what I've been doing with what?" That comment also caught Kagome off guard, and made her choke on her rice while her eyes were as wide as dinner plates.

Miroku watched their responses to that remark. He leaned closer to Inuyasha, intrigued. "Oh, so you've gotten that far already? Not bad, Inuyasha."

That did it. Not just Inuyasha, but also Sango and Kagome pounced for the monk, screaming his name in fury. He had only a second to cringe and contemplate his face before he was administered a thorough punishment.

In the back of the hut, Kaede and Shippou watched the scene and listened to the yelps of pain amongst the yells and sounds of punches. Their eyes narrowed, and Shippou muttered, "Baka." Kaede nodded in agreement.

Kikyou walked towards the lone hut, in the middle of the woods. I have traveled long on nothing but stories and rumors, but perhaps I may be able to get some answers to this terrible feeling I have.

Her dark eyes darted around, checking to make sure no one was close, before opening the curtain flap into the hut. An old man with dirty peasant's clothes and white hair was sitting on a mat, halfway through his rice, when he noticed he had an intruder in his hut. He nearly jumped at the sight of her. "What do you want?" he demanded.

"Be at peace." Kikyou said, setting down her bow and arrows. "I mean you no harm. I am a miko, and I am looking for answers."

The old man watched her; curious as to why she was here. "And why would a miko come here to ask my help?"

Kikyou sat down on the floor as well, and tossed the man a coin. "Perhaps you can tell me about the miko who, as the tales from this region say, has extraordinary powers."

The man picked up the coin and inspected it. "Interested in local legends, miko?"

"It is vital that I hear about her." Kikyou replied. "If the stories are correct, they said she not only has an amazing power for healing," She paused, casting a sideways glance at the man. "But an amazing power of curses as well."

The man sighed. "If you wish, miko. Than I shall tell you about her."

"Thank you." She replied, as he began his tale. She thought, With this knowledge, I can learn the full truth of it, and prevent what I believe will happen before it does.

Before Inuyasha and that girl find themselves in a even greater danger than Naraku…

A/N: I am just too evil, aren't I? I give you a clue…but not enough to go on. However, I assure you, if you go back and read carefully you might be able to start putting it all together. But there isn't much left until I make it evil and I reveal what the hell this is all about, so have your tissues ready. (Bwa ha ha ha ha.)