A.N.: Oi! waves Well, I decided on posting another chapter and I hope you like it! I really wanted to thank my reviewers for the lovely support! Thank you guys, it means a lot to me!

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 2 – Best Friends with Benefits

The next morning, she arrived at the forest before Kouga did. She had woken up before sunrise and had done her chores before people on the village had woken up. Telling the person who gave her shelter – a very nice old lady who enjoyed being around young people – that she was going out that day, she added the fact that she didn't know when she would be coming back and told her not to worry. The woman accepted without questioning her and told her not to worry and have some fun. 'I thought she was going to be upset but she acted like she was my best friend. Once again, I've got luck. I'm staying with a woman ahead of her own time' she smiled as she thought about it.

But there she was, waiting for a youkai to pick her up. 'It sounds like a date – she grinned again – but I'm pretty sure that, as a prince, he must have something more important to do. Anyway, I have to be well aware today because those two little wolves are so cute but very, how can I say this? Well, very mischievous little ones'

Leaning on a tree, was the wolf youkai prince, Kouga. On the contrary of Kaoru thoughts, he had been waiting for her to appear since dawn. When he spotted her approaching he had decided on watching her for a little longer before made his presence known. For his surprise, she didn't even notice him and sat on a branch, totally unaware of anything or everything around her. She seemed to be thinking about something very important and, sometimes he could see her enchanting smile. So he stood silently behind her for awhile, and then asked in a soft and low voice:

"Why are you smiling?"

She widened her eyes and led her hand to her heart as if it was going to help her to calm down. Since she had spaced out completely, she had not even noticed where he had come from.

"Damn it Kouga!" she said with little anger in her voice as she stood and turned around to face him. "You scared me!" She softened her voice still with her hand upon her heart, "Don't do that!"

Kouga raised an eyebrow at her words but took advantage of the situation to tease her a little bit. "I apologize for that" he looked inside her eyes and took the hand she was holding above her heart and brought to his own heart. "Next time you're out of your senses, alone, in a not so safe forest... I'll leave you alone" he grinned showing some of his white pearly fangs.

Kaoru narrowed her eyes at his comment and jerked her hand back from his grasp, abruptly. "Are we leaving or what?" she asked in cold voice.

"Or what" he replied with a sly grin.

"Fine!" she hissed "I'd go alone if I knew where you live" she looked at him holding her fist tightly closed at her sides. But then she just tried and relaxed her body while thinking 'I'm not gonna let him take the best of me. I see he likes to tease so, what if I'm the one doing the teasing? Let's see some action here' She stepped toward Kouga with a serious façade but without any sign of anger.

"What are you planning woman?" he raised a disturbed eyebrow as she approached him. He thought she was acting extremely strange 'She was angry just a second ago and now I can't see or smell anything on her. Yet, she's starting to make me feel things... it's a good strange feeling though' Still, it confused him.

"Me?" she said in a low, smooth voice "I'm not planning on anything... Are you scared of me prince?" she stopped a feet away from him and asked in a fake innocent way.

'I see where this is going but... two can play this game – he grinned – let's see where it will lead us' he thought. "Why would I be scared of you, Kaoru?" he was talking smoothly as well, in a sexy way. He approached her, putting his clawed hands on her waist and pulling her flush against his body. 'How does she know how to mask her scent? I can't smell what she's feeling. I can't know if it's working. But... but she's definitely getting to me' Kouga thought as he inhaled her scent better, since they were holding each other in an intimate way.

'Fine! Wanna play this game? I'll play... and I'll play it well' Kaoru thought when he pulled her close. She could feel every inch of his muscular body touching hers, in a very good damn way. 'Shit! Why don't I fall in love with him? He's kind, although he likes to tease me, I can feel that. But still... those dreams I've been having since I've got here and even before... And it's not him. But I can enjoy this, can't I? – she grinned – well, I will make the best of it'

"I don't know Kouga" she whispered huskily while trailing her index finger up his chest, passing through his neck, jaw ending on his lips, where she slowly traced all her fingers on his soft lips "Perhaps... – she paused to lock her brown eyes with his blue ones – well, perhaps you're afraid of having me around you..."

He swallowed as her finger trailed her way 'this will be my last shot, I can't take it anymore ... she's really good at this' he was losing for his youkai instinct. "Or perhaps... – he paused the same way she did before – well, perhaps I want you around me..." he threw all his cards on the table as he tightened his hold on her with one hand and the other went straight to her face, sliding his claw lightly on her face from her forehead until her neck and then, resting his hand on her shoulders. 'Please, give up...' It was all he could think of by then.

'Man, he's hot... wow...' she was burning inside, although she didn't show a thing 'I still want to taste those lips but now... – she sighed mentally – now I need to put him on his place. And this is the farthest I can go. My last shot'

She slid her arms from his chest, shoulders, getting support as she leaned very close to his mouth. The only sign of their mutual attraction was their heavy breathing. She stayed a minute there, looking inside his eyes as their lips were almost touching themselves, as their breaths mixed with each other. So she moved, gliding her lips very close to his lips, cheeks, stopping on his ear, letting her warm breath reach his sensitive ear as her hand caressed the back of his neck. Then she spoke in a sexy, slow and low voice "Is that so?"

It reached him like fire. His instincts were almost taking over. He could feel her sweet voice sending fire throughout his body. And then, she did something that sealed her victory. As soon as she finished speaking, she nibbled the tip of his ear and sucked in an 'innocent' way, ending with a lightly kiss on it.

"Stop!" He said emotionless, trying to control himself.

"Are you going to take me there?" she whispered in a very sexy way, still in his ears.

He tightened his hold but didn't change his voice "Yes... you've won!"

She smirked at his ear and tried to drift away but he would not let her go "Kouga, let me go" she ordered in a soft voice.

He looked at her and grinned "You know," he paused while nuzzling her neck slightly "you've almost went too far"

She raised an eyebrow when he pulled back from her neck; letting the place tingling "The same goes for you" she grinned and said again "Now let me go"

"No"

"What?" she got a little worried by the way he was acting "Why?" she asked in a wary voice

He had calmed himself by then but didn't want to let her go. And since they were going to his home, he would have to carry her all the way to the mountains because it was a long way. So he decided to play with her a little bit more. And he was satisfied that she was falling into it.

"Why? Why? I don't know but..."

"Eep, Kouga!" he had taken her up in bridal style, catching her by surprise.

He laughed at her and she thought narrowing her eyes, 'How dare him? Laugh, obviously, at me. But... it was a beautiful laughter' She relaxed and decided to let him have his fun, not saying anything else.

"I'm gonna take you home Kaoru... – he paused and before she could say anything continued – to my home so you can visit those two little monsters. We're gonna get there faster this way" He barely finished his speaking and he and Kaoru disappeared in a twist of dust and leaves up to the mountains.

Not more than half an hour later, they reached the mountains and were received by Kouga's comrade, Ginta. "Kouga, you're back... – he paused and looked at the woman in Kouga's arms – Kouga? – He exclaimed in doubt - I thought we're not going to take humans anymore! Kagome-neechan will not like this..."

Before he could end it he was cut off by Kouga "Don't be that stupid! I'll never harm any human again and I've already told you that. She's the new friend of Musashi and Hideki. Bring them here, now!" He ordered with a stern tone that Ginta knew very well, and without further questions he went to do as he had been told to.

"You always treat your friends like that?" She said furrowing her eyebrows as he put her down.

"What you mean?" He asked not understanding why she seemed upset.

Kaoru sighed and was ready to respond when Musashi and Hideki threw themselves on top of Kaoru, without further notice, making her fall hard on the ground with the two above her, hugging her to death.

"Ok kids, I'm happy to see you both but..." she said while adjusting to a sitting position and giving a hurtful smile "but I'm not a youkai. And for a human, without fur, falling like this really hurts" she finished with a funny face while rubbing her hips on the side, which made them both laugh at her. "Oh so you're two are laughing huh?" she arched an eyebrow and gave them both a mischievous smirk "time for my rematch!" she jumped on them and started to tickle both of them at once "Now, you're going to have a reason to laugh about"

The kids were taking by surprise and didn't have any type of reaction to avoid her assault. They both started to laugh their lungs out. Kouga watched that scene with amusement and a surprised expression, all at once. 'She forgot about me... – he smiled inwardly – For now, I'll let her with them. But, I feel I need to know her better. Somehow my instincts are telling me that she's important' he thought as he sat not far from there, leaning on a tree and watching them playing or even better, watching her.

It was past noon already; they had stopped playing and were sitting, just like they were the day before, before Kouga had appeared. She was thinking how things were happening so fast. She had become friends with two little youkais and probably would befriend Kouga as well. Even though she hadn't talked to him that much (although they seemed really comfort at teasing each other), Kouga was already inside her heart, not as a lover but as friend. In addition, they were obviously attracted to each other and she felt she could trust him. There was a feeling of partial completion and even though she was not entirely complete she was glad that he was filling some of that hollow inside her heart. It was not enough but it was better than anything she had ever had.

On the other hand, Kouga, who could not take his eyes off of her, not even for a second, was thinking about the same things. Well, he loved Kagome. He was sure of that as well as he was sure that Kagome would never leave that 'dog face' and, although it hurt him to accept that, he knew that she loved him and he loved her. In the end, no matter what happened, he would end up alone and hurt. Nevertheless, he liked Inuyasha. He was like a younger brother who he could piss off all the time, and kicked his ass once and a while, although he would never admit it aloud. And then, all of the sudden, that woman appeared out of nowhere, so alike Kagome, and in less than two days had already won his respect and a piece of his heart. He could trust her and consider her to be a friend. And plus, her scent was very pleasant and... tantalizing.

She looked up to see Kouga staring at her, a stare that made her shiver so intense it was. She smiled sweetly and made up her mind that, after eating something, she was going to have a chat with him. Get to know him better. Perhaps, he would be able to help her. 'Those dreams... they are haunting me intensely since I've come to this place... even when I'm awake I can feel him... Damn it... Why don't I fall in love with Kouga? Damn heart. Fall for hands...' she mentally sighed and gave up on her thoughts.

"Boys, I think we should go get something to eat? What do you think about this?"

"I'm not hungry just sleepy..." Hideki said yawning.

"Me too..." Musashi said with sleepy eyes.

'For a moment I forgot they are youkais and don't need to eat like humans' she slapped herself mentally. Suddenly, Kouga was standing in front of her, taking the two boys up and handing the sleepy children to Ginta who took them away. Then, he extended his claw so she could stand up, without saying a word. She took it, stood up and began to stretch.

"Those two got me really tired" she blushed as her stomach made an embarrassing noise "and... hungry" she forced a smile. Kouga raised an amused eyebrow and before she could become redder he took her by her hand and led her to the edge of a hill with a wonderful waterfall and in the bottom of it, a clear lake. On the side of the lake was a beautiful garden, green grass in the middle, surrounded by flowers, beautiful and colorful flowers. On the grass, there was a towel extended, large enough for the two of them and a basket with fruits and some rice in it. She looked at him dumbfounded.

He smirked seeing her expression and stated "There we can talk without interruptions"

She looked down and saw no path to that beautiful garden "But how are we going to get there? There's no..." she didn't have the time to finish as Kouga took her up in bridal style and jumped down the hill "Ahhhhh--------re you out of your mind?" she yelled while they were falling and closed her eyes expecting the impact of the fall. But it never came. After a while, she slowly opened her eyes, still in Kouga's arms, and looked up to see him staring at her with concerned eyes. 'Beautiful eyes in deed... – she sighed dreamily in her mind – no! I'm angry! And I'll make sure he knows about that'

She jumped off of his arms, landing unbalanced on her feet. "What the hell were you thinking?" she yelled angrily at him "You scared the hell out of me! If it was not from the fall, I could have died of a heart attack. You had no right of doing this. And you didn't even give me a warning! You have no consideration for me? Or for what I might feel? Damn it Kouga! I thought..." she stopped yelling and refused to finish, turning her back at him and crossing her arms over her chest, trying to calm herself. 'Maybe not looking at him will help' she thought as she stared at her feet. She was trembling. For the first time she got scared in that world. Since that youkai had dragged her to that age she had a lot of feelings running through her mind and soul but she had never been scared. However, thinking about what had just happened and even though her anger was showing to be stronger, she could feel butterflies in her stomach and remember that she had always been afraid of heights, although she had always tried to face it. Maybe she had overreacted.

Kouga stood there, listening to her outburst and unable to say anything. For the first time he could smell something in her. 'She had lost control' he thought as a feeling of guilt filled his heart. 'For the first time I could feel her and I didn't like the feeling she showed me. I scared her somehow. It's not me but what I did, that I can feel. I have to make it up for her but how?' His mind was unable of thinking as his heart filled his spirit with guilt. He saw her turning away from him. It was painful. It was worse than when Kagome had slapped him right on his face, in front of his comrades. He had scared her. But he had never intended on doing that, especially to her. He thought she was going to be mad, but not scared.

Without even realize he found himself behind her, turning her to face him. He could see anger still in her eyes but he didn't know if it was all direct at him. It didn't seem like it was.

She felt him behind her and then he turned her to face him. She wasn't that mad at him anymore but she was mad at herself for acting that way. In fact, it was her fault she was scared of heights and he didn't hurt her in any way. She felt ashamed for a moment but she had more pride than a normal human, which normally would help her, though not that time. She just kept her angry stare on him.

"I'm sorry" he said in a soft, smooth, and pleading way. Then he made his final move, holding her tight in his embrace.

The warmth of his strong arms and the truth in the words that came out of his lips made her pride flee away from her. She hugged him back tightly and told in a low, ashamed voice, muffled through his chest "I... I'm sorry... It's not your fault... I should have controlled myself... I..."

"Shhh..." he said cupping her chin so she could face him. He smiled down at her and she smiled back "Let's eat" he suggest softly and she nodded in agreement.

However, before they drifted apart she reached up and kissed him on his cheek "Thank you" she whispered to a very flushed prince.

They sat down and began to eat. They talked about a lot of things. They were perfect to each other and then, again, there was that attraction pulling them together. But it was not love. It was comforting to have that feeling and receive the same feeling back but it was not love. The amazing thing was what they thought it would be the weirdest subject to talk about came out so naturally that it actually felt truly good to talk about it.

"So..." Kaoru tried not to use the wrong words "this Kagome is your woman?" she raised an eyebrow very suspiciously.

Kouga laughed, a forced laugh but it was definitely one "Well, I would say so but..." he paused.

"But she does not agree with you?"

"Yeah – he sighed – I will put it that way" he said with sadness in his voice.

"Does she like someone else?"

Kouga growled deep in his throat "Grrr... that dog face..."

"Yeah, I had imagined something like this..." she looked at his face of resignation "But Kouga, if you love her, you should be happy that she's happy. I know it's difficult but, sometimes it's better to let it go... I bet there's a lot of beautiful girls and female's youkais after you?" she asked trying to make him react.

The only reaction was a glance and an arched eyebrow. She sighed and they stayed quiet for a while. Then she had an idea 'not a good one I admit but, let me be miserable along with him...'

"You know Kouga" she started with a sigh "you're lucky you have loved someone once, even though she does not have the same feelings for you. At least, you know what love feels like" she stopped for a while to gather courage to talk about her own mistakes or lack of them. Somehow it worked; he was now looking at her, paying full attention to her words.

"Let's take a look at my love life for instance. There's none! I kissed someone once but it was not because I loved him or even liked him. Alcohol effects – she let out a half grin at the thought –, I have never seen him again. And to tell you the truth, I didn't want to. I felt ashamed. Well, we can't change what is done. Believe me, I would if I could." She laughed at her own words and paused again. "I've never found a real love. No one ever loved me and I have never loved anyone. There was always a void inside my heart" she inhaled the scent of the flowers and water that surrounded them. Kouga had moved really close to her, sitting right next to her. She could feel his breath tickling her skin, sending shivers down her spine but she was too entranced by her own words to actually react. "And now... I'm having these dreams" she sighed again.

Kaoru was sitting on the ground, upon that towel Kouga had put it there for them to sit. She was holding her knees up to her chin resting her head there. Looking at the waterfall, she ended up losing herself in her thoughts, feeling Kouga really close to her. He had one of his knees bent up to his chest and a hand resting upon that knee. His other hand was supporting his upper body as his other leg was folded on the ground and partially under his other leg.

Finally, Kouga asked "Dreams?"

She smiled to nowhere or no one really. "Since my arrival to this world" she had already told him about where she was from and how she ended up there in their previous conversation "I have been having the same dream every time I close my eyes. In my world, I had dreamed about it too, but not every night, so I didn't let myself worry about it. However, now..."

"What is this dream about?" he asked, trying to understand what was the connection between their previous conversation and those dreams.

She flushed for awhile and become still 'well, I have started this... now I've got to finish it' she sighed.

Kouga was amused by how much her emotions flowed through her features when she was not hiding it. 'Something to ask about later' Kouga made a mental note as he prepared to listen to her dream.

"Well, I don't remember it very well. I never do. All I remember is me – she closed her eyes as in an attempt of remembering it better – running away from someone, not in fear but in excitement. It was like he was someone close to me, someone I loved somehow." It was something really hard for her to talk about because she had fallen in love with someone in her dreams, someone that she didn't even remember or knew who it was. "Ok, he was hunting me, and I ran away from him laughing. Then, he cornered me on a tree. It was a beautiful place." Kouga was listening to every word she was saying with interest. And she had made it. With her sadness, she had made him forget about his own sadness and problems. All he could think about was of a way of comforting her.

She continued "Then, I smiled at him as he trailed the index finger of his... – she paused – claw down my jaw, but I can't remember... well, his face, I couldn't see his face, it was all a blur... All I could see was his claw."

Kouga found the claw part interesting 'Another question for later' he thought and asked something else instead "And what happened then?"

"Then...he asked me in a deep and husky voice 'Do you think you can hide from me?' and I responded – she flushed a little but continued – well, I responded 'What makes you think I want to hide from you? In fact' then I smiled and licked my lips 'I want to show you a few things' – she paused – even though I couldn't see him I felt his smile and then I pulled him closer and – she sighed again – the dream faded away" as she finished telling she lowered her face to the void between her knees and chest. But not a tear went down her face. She was too proud to do so. In fact, it had been a long time since she had last shed a tear. She didn't even remember it anymore.

Kouga put his arm around her frame pulling her close into his arms. She let him held her but didn't actually move. "So, you said claws? And you said you had this dream before arrive here? That must mean something. You didn't know about youkais in your world... can't you remember anything else?" he softly asked.

"It's funny... at first, I thought it could be... – she paused and lifted her head a little – well, you" Kouga looked at her through wide opened eyes but she could not see his expression since she wasn't looking at him. "But..." she took his hands on her own, looking at them "But, you're different from him. His hands had strips on its wrist. That I can remember clearly. They were white hands and in his wrists, there were two purple stripes."

Kouga embraced her once again when she let go of his hands feeling a little bit sad. 'If she had dreamed about me, maybe I would know that I would love again' he sighed holding her tight in his embrace. Kaoru held him back not wanting to let that moment passed by her. She was feeling so well with his warm body surrounding her. It was a good feeling. She was feeling safe in his arms. So she leaned against his shoulder with her head facing his neck, breathing upon his neck. He couldn't help but feel warmth overtaking him from inside out. Her breath on his neck was making him shiver slightly. But he managed to control himself and kept holding her.

It was still mid-afternoon, but they were tired of the morning events and of their somewhat stressful conversation. They had talked about everything and knew everything that they need to know about each other. They both in a way or another were suffering because of love problems. And they were comfortable enough to talk about it between them.

He lay on his back, bringing her with him; she was half over his chest, over him and half on her side. He took a deep breath and relaxed. They both slept. She was comfortable enough in his embrace and very tired also. Kaoru fell asleep before he laid them down. Then, he followed her lead and closed his eyes drifting into a peaceful nap.

They both didn't need that much sleep, only enough to recover. Only a nap, you would say. Two hours later, Kaoru had awoken in his arms. She looked up to see the caring wolf youkai prince who so fondly took care of her. 'He's still asleep. We're both condemned by love. It would be so easy if we fell for each other. However, we're not made to love each other; not in this way anyway.' She thought as she lightly traced the lines in his face with her finger. 'What the hell! But, at least I think he cares for me and... I care for him. Maybe...' she was cut out of her thought as he caught her hand in his.

He looked at her, straight into her eyes. 'She knows I don't love her and she doesn't love me either. But there's this feeling, this attraction I feel for her. And I know she feel it too. I just can't resist her when she touches me like this. My instincts... she's just too much for them. I wonder if...' as he held her hand and stared into her eyes he could see the desire in them as well as the reflection of his own desire in them.

"Kouga" she said in a low voice. The sun was starting to set at the horizon. The scenery was perfect. All the romance she needed and wanted; and a prince was holding her. It was not "her" prince charming but it was, in way, a prince charming. "I was wondering if..." she paused. She wanted to see his reaction and not play dumb around him.

"Yes..." It was all that he was able to say without kissing her.

"Since we're both – she grinned without breaking their eyes contact – cursed by the gods of love... maybe..."

"We can heal each others heart..." He tried in a soft voice.

"Yes and perhaps in the future... we'll be able to love again..."

"Or love for first time..." he added with a charming smile.

"Yes... perhaps... but now, all I want is... this..." she lifts her hand to his lips, trailing his lips. He kissed her fingers one by one. Then he pulled her close up, face to face. Her hair made a curtain of waves over him. He passed his claw on her hair, feeling it. 'So silky and different... like tornados and waves mixing together'. She put one lock of hair behind her ear and instantly he trailed his index finger upon her face, forehead, cheeks, lips... Then he put both of his hands on both sides of her face, pulling her face to his. She caressed his face and lowering her own to his; she softly licked his lower lip and gave butterflies kisses all over that imaginary trail. He felt his body heating up light a volcano and pulled her head down with both hands so he could fully kiss her, forcing his tongue to enter her mouth. He wanted to taste her. He found no difficulties in doing so. She allowed full entrance as she parted her lips for him. There they engaged in a battle between their tongues; a pleasurable one. Their kiss deepened as he removed his hand from her head to her waist, traveling through her body, all the way down her waist, pulling her closer to him.

He knew they wouldn't go beyond kisses but he was making sure that their kiss would be a pleasurable experience. Always. Every time. She also knew that. She was waiting for love. And that was not love. Close enough but not love. But she would enjoy that link for as long as it lasted.

They both didn't want to break the kiss but they had to. Due to lack of air in their lungs, they were obliged to break the kiss. Their faces drifted an inch apart from each other. Their mouths close enough that if there was someone looking from the outside, it seemed they were still kissing. The both of them were breathing heavily but with fire still running through their veins. They stayed like that for a long time, just staring at each other; straight into each other's eyes. She caressed his face and he did the same in the back of her waist, where his hand was placed.

She smiled down at him and finally broke that sexy silence "I see you have improved your seduction techniques".

He couldn't help but laugh "You know, I had forgotten about that" he said in a deep but content voice.

"I know..." she smiled again.

He tightened his hold as he brought them to a sitting position, then he stared at her as if wanting to say something but not having the courage to do so. She noticed and knew what it was. She also wanted to make things clear between them.

"I know Kouga, I feel the same way" she surprised him and he just nodded "But I know a solution to our situation, if you agree so" he raised an eyebrow at her evil grin but said nothing waiting for her to finish. "Well, since I have fall for an imaginary being and you are broken hearted and we are obviously attracted by each other..." she pause a little.

"And we both respect and care for each other" He completed her speech with a very warm smile.

She nodded "Yes," Kaoru agreed and continued "well, we could be together, helping each other heal... – she remembered their talk before the kiss and smiled, he smiled as well while thinking the same thing – while we don't find the one destined for us..." she sighed as the words left her mouth.

He looked at her, amazed by how good she looked under the moonlight and soon, he realized that she was important to him and he loved her as a friend. As his friend. As his new best friend. Best sexy friend. "And while that doesn't happened I can have you in my arms, my new best friend – he repeated his thoughts for her to hear – you know, that is a great deal" he gave her a malicious grin but she didn't care and actually liked it. She had never felt wanted before. At least now, she felt good about herself.

"Well, best friends with benefits, that's for sure" she grinned back at him as he leaned in to kiss her again slowly, tasting her. She delighted herself in the feel of his soft lips on her, making her forget about everything. They had even forget that it was already night.

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End of Chapter 2
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A.N.: Hey, so what did you think? Please let me know and review! puppy dog eyes

Review!

Love you all!

Ja ne!

Insane