Creatures of the Moon

Chapter Six

A Wednesday afternoon. Most definitely not everyone's favorite time of the week (beside those dreaded Mondays). Why? Because it was smack-dab in the middle of the week and when it was during school, it meant only half the school week was done before the students could get to the long awaited weekend.

Luckily, for some there was a relief period that day which went by the name of 'lunch' where the students could escape the droning on their teachers for a short period of time. A time to relax, unwind, talk to friends, and beat up the people that pissed you off. You know, the usual.

Kagome sighed as she leaned back on the bleachers just outside the school, uncomfortable as it was. They must be the most uncomfortable seats ever. No matter what level a person sat on, they were hunched over and it was very painful to sit like that for long.

She relayed so to Miroku, who was also sitting on the bleachers a level above her and to the side, and Ayumi, who sat a level below.

"That was random," Ayumi commented.

Miroku shook his head with a smile on his face. "You are such a mystery to me."

Kagome gave him a half-smile. "I do try," she said dryly.

Eri walked up to them and Kagome waved and she made her way over. She waved back, but stopped in front of the bleachers, turning to Ayumi. "I was looking for you—"

Miroku abruptly interrupted her for his usual flirting. "Ah, Eri, is that a new fragrance I smell?" he asked flirtatiously. No one seemed to wonder how he could smell the faint odor from nearly five or six feet away.

Eri began giggling like a schoolgirl, which she was, so Kagome guessed it was okay… it was still a pathetic display and Kagome hoped to god that she herself had never acted like that.

"Yes, it is actually…" Eri started but Kagome tuned her out in a manner of seconds. She so did not need to hear Miroku senseless flirting, especially with her friends. It couldn't be helped though, that was just how Miroku was.

The wind tousled her hair and Kagome brought her jacket closer to her as her eyes searched the area. There were actually quite a few kids outside, most of the kids with an off period now or cutting class outside, even though the weather was cold. Mostly because the outside usually didn't have any school employees out to watch the students. Their mistake.

She noticed one girl in particular glance their way for a second with a… longing look? But then she had turned away and began walking again.

Kagome frowned, abruptly standing up and without a word, jumped down from the bleachers before half-jogging over to Sango, who was still walking away from them.

"Sango!" Kagome called.

The wolf girl stopped and turned to Kagome, a question in her eyes.

Without a word, Kagome snatched up her friend's arm and began dragging her over to where Miroku and her friends were sitting. She didn't know why Sango always avoided her when she was with her two best guy friends, but she knew that her friend would have to get over her fear of talking with them sooner of later if she was going to stay friends with Kagome. It was awkward having to avoid one set of friends while with another.

Sango, seeing to where Kagome was about to drag her, began protesting immediately. "I—I don't think that's such a good idea…" she started, nervously.

"Come on. Don't worry, he doesn't bite," Kagome told her jokingly.

"We'll see about that," Sango muttered, but allowed herself to get hauled over. No use fighting it, she knew she'd have to meet one of them eventually if she was friends with Kagome. She only hope there wouldn't be too much blood as he tried to rip her throat out. But Sango guessed she could count herself lucky that the leader wasn't there.

"…But he is on the lecherous side…" Kagome continued.

So which should I be worried about? That he's going to attack me or grope me? Or both at the same time? Sango thought and shuttered at the mere thought.

Kagome only let go of her arm when they reached the bleachers. Since both Ayumi and Eri had disappeared, Kagome turned to Miroku, who eyed Sango with a curious gaze, tilting his head to the side just like a puppy.

"I don't think we've ever been officially introduced," Miroku said with a charming smile. He stepped down to a lower bleacher, offering a hand. "I'm Miroku."

Sango eyed the outstretched hand suspiciously as though it were a trick of some sort. She looked up into his blue eyes, showing her mistrust clearly, but his smile only widened.

The other woman in Kouga's pack would have tried to take me head off by now, they're too violent, but this girl… there's something about her… Miroku thought.

Finally, she took his hand, shaking it. "Sango," she told him. Glancing at Kagome for a second, she quickly growled softly, What do you think you're doing?

He raised an eyebrow. Being friendly, he responded just as quickly.

Not risking growling again, Sango only sent him another mistrustful glare, before sitting uneasily down on the bleachers in a way so that she could have both Kagome and Miroku in her sights.

Kagome only shook her head as she took her seat. They were growling at each other, was that a good thing?

A silence followed until Miroku tried to break it. "So, Sango, why did you move here to this poor pathetic town?"

"My dad thought it'd be best if us moved out here after—" she began telling him the truth and immediately stopped herself, "for… certain reasons."

Why had she almost told him the truth so willingly?

A newly turned, eh? That explains her attitude to Miroku. The other pack hadn't gotten to her completely yet and he found he didn't want them to change this girl and make her bitter with hate.

A silence again followed and Kagome sighed at how strained it felt. She leaned back her eyes going up to the sky, watching as the clouds drifted by. Why was there such tension between the two? Especially since they was their first time meeting… or was there something they weren't telling her…?

"Has Miroku ever groped you?" Kagome asked Sango suddenly.

"What!" Sango asked alarmed, her face turning bright red.

Miroku put a hand to his chin thoughtfully, "was that a suggestion on your part, Kagome? Well, I don't know her that well but…" Miroku stood up.

Kagome pushed him back down, her face now red too. "That came out wrong and Miroku, that's never stopped you before," Kagome said dryly.

"True," he agreed.

"Sorry, it's only that you guys are so tense and I couldn't think of why… so I thought, knowing Miroku's reputation, that maybe he did something to you…" Kagome trailed off there.

Miroku feigned being offended. "Kagome, I am hurt that you would ever think I'd…"

"Oh, be quiet, you're a lech and you know it," Sango said, surprising both of them, "don't think I haven't seen you in the hallway flirting with… oh, how about every girl that passes you by?"

Miroku grinned, not even trying to look modest. "Again, true. But I haven't had the pleasure of asking you a certain question yet…"

Miroku got up and walked to Sango, taking her hand and bringing her to her feet before Kagome could stop him. She mentally groaned, knowing what would happen.

"And what is that?" Sango asked warily.

Miroku closed his eyes and brought her hands to him, holding them against his chest. Sango tried very hard to hid her blush and was thankfully when her efforts succeeded. He opened his blue eyes again, staring intensively into her brown ones. Sango felt the heat creep up her neck and her heart began beating faster than normal. She cursed the fact that with his good hearing, he'd be able to tell.

A smirk tugged at his lips but he did his best to keep a serious face. "Will you bear my children?"

Sango yanked her hands back immediately and ended up slapping him hard across the face. "Jerk," she murmured, then realizing what she did she stammered, "I—I didn't mean..." What if what she had just done fueled the feud between the two packs?

Miroku only smiled kindly and said, "I understand."

"But—" she began, putting her hand to the red mark she made on his cheek.

They both froze and Sango's cheeks took on a pink tint. She tried to take a step back, not realizing that she was at the edge of the bleachers and almost fell backwards, if not for Miroku's quick reflexes. He wrapped his arms around Sango's waist and bringing her to him to stop her from falling, which didn't help Sango's embarrassment.

"I saved your life," Miroku teased.

Sango detached herself from the enemy wolf, pushing him lightly back. "Ah, yes, you saved me from my two foot fall of doom," she commented sarcastically.

"Hey, that's a deadly two feet," Miroku warned as he took his seat on the bleachers, though slightly closer the other wolf without making her feel uncomfortable.

Sango, too, took her seat. "Uh-huh, just keep telling yourself that," she told him, patting him on the head as though he were a puppy.

"And now that you're treating me like a dog, do I get a treat for saving you?" Miroku asked.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "And what kind of treat would she be giving you?"

"A very special treat," Miroku commented.

"With anyone else, that would have sounded normal. With you, it sounds dirty," Sango told him as she became totally relax. For the few minutes they talked, she had forgotten all about being a werewolf and him being the enemy. For a second, she was human again like she was not too long ago…

He shrugged and gave her a wicked grin. "What can I say, it's a gift."

Sango glanced at Kagome. "Does he make sexual-related jokes as well?"

"Always," Kagome answered.

"You're just a very excitable person, aren't you?" she said dryly.

He smirked and leaned in closer to her. "You have no idea, but I'm willing to show you."

"No thank you," she said, crossing her arms and turning away from him so he didn't see her smile.

Kagome smiled, definitely seeing the sparks between Sango and Miroku. …then again, she saw sparks between Miroku and everyone. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have Sango and Miroku meet. He could break her heart like he did so many before him.

As Sango turned away she noticed someone heading their way and she stood up abruptly, starting to back up as though she were scared. From a few feet up, she jumped backward off the bleachers, landing gracefully on the grass, her face still looking troubled.

Kagome looked to where she was looking curiously, and saw Inuyasha storming toward them. Not only was the fact that Inuyasha seemed so angry surprising, but also the fact that he was there at all. Kagome hadn't seen him, not even in school, since that Friday night, five days ago, she had slept over his house… that same day she had last seen Kouga.

…and she didn't realize how suspicious that sounded until right then.

Miroku looked as well and swore lightly under his breath as he saw Inuyasha heading there way.

He was there only moments later. "What the fuck are you doing here?" Inuyasha nearly yelled at Sango.

She face was turning pale, but she stood her ground. Miroku nearly winced when she didn't stand down. That will only infuriate him more… Miroku thought.

"I—" she started but Inuyasha cut her off.

"Leave," he said low and menacingly, all his anger contained in that one word.

Before Sango could do anything or answer, Kagome grabbed Inuyasha by the ear, dragging him down to face level. "What," she began, irritated, "do you think you're doing?"

His own anger turned into worry when he looked into Kagome's infuriated eyes. Shit, she was angry. Never a good sign for Inuyasha, especially when it's directed at him.

"You can't just yell at my friends like that!"

"Don't concern yourself with things you don't understand!" Inuyasha yelled back.

She twisted his ear painfully and he yelped, tilting his head to move with her twisting hand. "Maybe I'd understand if someone would tell me!"

Kagome abruptly let go of him, making him fall back and he rubbed his ear while he glared. The glare that Kagome gave him was ten times worse than his own and he fought the urge to cringe. One thing he knew very well, Kagome could be very scary when she's angry.

She took the slightly pale Sango by the arm and walked with her away from her other friends. They reached a tree, still on school property but barely, and sat down under it.

"I'm sorry, if I had known Inuyasha would act like that I wouldn't have brought you over," Kagome babbled, "I know Inuyasha can be a jerk sometimes, but I didn't think—"

"It's okay, Kagome," Sango interrupted, "if it's anyone's fault, it's mine. I could have walked away and refused your offer, but I didn't."

Hearing someone coming their way, Kagome turned to see Kouga, who looked from Sango to Kagome. "What happened?"

Kagome briefly explained what happened to Kouga, but without looking at him again. Kouga gave Sango a look Kagome couldn't identify, but Sango glanced away, unwilling to meet his gaze. He then looked at Kagome, but she seemed to avoid looking at him as well. What had he done to get her annoyed with him?

"But why would he…?" Kagome found herself wondering out loud and stopped when she realized what she was doing.

Kouga laughed sharply as he leaned against the tree. "Because we're different. Because he hates us. Because we hate them. Take your pick."

What Kagome wanted to know, was what he meant by all this "we" crap?

She opened her mouth to ask, when she heard the faint ringing of the bell, signaling the end of lunch. Kagome abruptly stood up, as did Sango, and without a word to Kouga, began walking toward the school.

Furrowing his brow at Kagome's indifference, Kouga caught Sango arm before she could follow Kagome. "I'll talk to you later," he told her firmly.

Great, now she was in trouble on top of getting yelled at. Sango only nodded somewhat, before catching up with Kagome, who was waiting for her.

Sango put her pen down and stretched her arms above her head as she finished her last bit of homework. After stretching, she threw her books to the floor and fell backwards, collapsing onto her bed with a content sigh. She glanced at the clock, seeing that it read eight fifteen. She had started her homework later than usual, trying to put it off as long as possible, but now she was finally free to do what she wanted.

A knock came on her door. "Sango?"

"Come in," she called from her spot on the bed.

Her father came in as she sat up on her bed. "One of you're… friend is here," he said hesitantly.

Puzzled, wondering who it could be, Sango stood up and passed her father in the doorway. She reached the front door, saw no one there, then went into the room next to the hall.

There was a wolf sitting on her living room couch.

Sango blinked slowly. It was definitely one of her own wolves and he seemed slightly familiar… Ginta, she remembered his name was.

The large gray wolf sat on the couch, looking at her brother, his head tilted slightly to the side. Sango's eleven-year-old brother, Kohaku, stood in front of the wolf at eye level, tilting his head the same exact way. They seemed to just be observing each other cautiously.

The wolf noticed Sango first, turning to look at her and barking a greeting. Noticing the wolf's gaze, Kohaku looked at his sister.

"Hey, sis, who is this?" Kohaku asked, nodding his head toward the gray wolf.

"That's… Ginta?" she said questionably.

The wolf nodded in a very humanlike way, which startled Kohaku, even though he already knew Ginta was a werewolf. Just to see an animal act so human…

Ginta jumped off the couch and padded over to Sango, stopping in front of her. His head reached nearly chest level and he looked up and he told her, The leader wants to see you.

Sango felt a surge of disappointment. She had been able to avoid Kouga all day and thought she was safe from whatever he would surely yell at her, but it turns out she wasn't.

She sighed before turning to her brother. "Tell dad I'll be back later."

With that, she left her house the wolf not too far behind, and both took off at a sprint toward their pack's den, Sango easily keeping up with her fellow werewolf.

Sango stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "You wanted to see me?" she asked grumpily, knowing what was coming.

Kouga looked up from where he was lying on his bed. He didn't even bother to get up. "What were you doing hanging around one of Inuyasha's wolves?" Kouga asked, saying the other leader's name with a certain level of disgust and hatred.

"I wasn't hanging out with his wolf, I was with Kagome," Sango corrected.

"I still don't want you near those mutts or anyone near them," he said in a way that left no room for argument. She argued anyway.

"So you're allowed around Kagome, but I'm not. That's fair," she said sarcastically.

"It's not the same and I can take care of myself," he told her as he sat up on the bed.

"So can I!" she exclaimed before sighing, throwing her hands up, "fine, but you can't keep me away from my friends."

"I can if they're the enemy."

Sango crossed her arms and met his eyes defiantly. "Kagome's not the enemy, so I won't break off the friendship." A small growl began in Kouga's throat and Sango knew she was in trouble if she didn't do something quick. "Besides," she continued, nonchalantly, "she still likes me."

Kouga took the bait. "What do you mean? She likes me."

"Ah, but see, you stood her up," she told him while trying not to smile. Her plan to get him off topic had worked.

"I didn't, I had a good reason damn it," he protested. He then narrowed his eyes at Sango. "Unless you said something."

Sango shook her head. "I gave her a good reason, but that doesn't stop her from thinking you stood her up." She sighed exaggeratedly. "Poor Kagome, you didn't even come to tell her yourself…"

She knew it was unfair to say, him being injured and all when it happened, but she needed to keep him turning on her. She walked closer to him.

"You," Sango said, poking him lightly in the chest, "still owe her a date."

"I do owe her a date, don't I…?" he said thoughtfully with a hand to his chin.

"Kouga…" Sango began warningly, "what are you going to do?"

He grinned impishly. "Giving Kagome that date."

Kouga abruptly stood up and grabbed his leather jacket from the back of a chair. He put it on before turning back to the other wolf. "Stay here. Or go home. You know what? Do whatever you want," he told her before he left the room.

Sango stood there for a second, stunned. I think that's the first time he's ever left a room without giving someone a command, Sango thought.

Clack.

Kagome turned her head sharply when an object hit her window.

Slowly she got off her bed and made her way to the window, sliding the glass upward to open it. She peered down into the dark night, only to see a familiar person lingering in her yard. Though she couldn't make out the face, she knew who it was immediately.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in a fierce whispering, looking down at Kouga's familiar form. She wasn't sure if her mother had any other windows open in the house to hear her by, but she wasn't taking any chances so she spoke to Kouga as softly as she could though loud enough to be heard.

He heard her just fine with his acute hearing. "Come out with me," he called up to her.

Even through the dark, he saw the incredulous look she gave him. "Are you insane? It's nine o'clock on a Wednesday night. I have to go to school tomorrow!" she told him. "And so do you."

"Just for awhile," he told her.

Kagome shook her head, a smile coming to her face despite of it. "You're crazy," she informed the wolf below.

Kouga watched as she abruptly turned her head to look inside her room and quickly shut the window and pulled the blinds down. He grew worried for a second, wondering if she would just ignore him now, when another window to the side abruptly opened and out stepped Kagome onto the roof of her house.

Both her and Souta's rooms were on the second floor, but Souta's happened to lead out onto the roof, one of her favorite places to be. Sad that she was jealous of her brother's room, wasn't it?

"So what do you say?" he asked her, moving closer to the roof where she was.

Kagome moved as far down the roof as she dared and crouched down as she met his eyes, narrowing her own, though slightly playful. "If I get in trouble for this I'm so blaming you," she informed him. She looked around her. "But how am I going to get down?" she asked, more to herself than to him.

"How about using a door," he told her dryly.

She glared at him. "And get caught by my mom? No thank you."

He grinned happily, just glad that she would go with him. Kouga could easily jump up onto the roof and jump down again with her in tow, but no human should be able to do that, so therefore he couldn't in her presence either. Instead, he told her simply, "jump."

"With each and every word you say, I think you're more crazy," Kagome let him know.

"Jump and I'll catch you," he told her. She gave him a skeptical look. "Trust me."

Could she trust him when his friends seemed to dislike him so much? But Kouga had never been anything but kind to her...

Besides the worst that could happen was she could break a limb… go to the hospital… get a cast to wear for a month or so…

Okay, wow, too much thinking.

Kagome still felt unsure until she met Kouga's blue eyes once more and somehow… she could trust him. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and jumping from the roof. Kagome closed her eyes once more on the way down until she felt strong arms wrap around her before placing her gently on her feet once more.

She looked up at Kouga. "Told you you could trust me," he told her.

Kagome smiled then looked down to her waist, where Kouga's hands still held her firmly. He followed her gaze, but didn't let go. If anything, his grip on her tightened, as though showing his claim of her. He finally did let go of her, but didn't move back at all. Whatever happened to the idea of personal space? But she wasn't sure she entirely minded….

"So where do you want to go?" Kouga asked her.

Kagome grinned. "I know a place," she told him before grabbing his hand and leading him away. Kouga was only happy that he was with her.

Sango considered what to do for a moment's time. She didn't want to go home and sleep yet, she was too awake to do that. So she decided to go out on a run to tire herself out before she returned home.

The change came quickly and painful, but she was soon in her chocolate brown wolf form. She ran through the halls of their pack's den, a few of the other wolves giving her a fleeting glance as she passed, but none seemed to care all that much. Why should they? Their pack wasn't that close and they didn't know her. They could care less if she was killed that night.

The moon shone high in the night's sky, surrounded by stars, some easier to see than others. There was a gibbous moon that night, a little more than three fourths full. The full moon was lingering nearby and would be upon them… showing their true form, what they really were. Animals… nothing more. Sure, they could hide by day and most nights, but the moon… it knew their secrets and gave them this curse.

A curse, a blessing, who was to decide? To most it was a crush and to Sango it most definitely was. If only she had not been out that night. If only she had not been attacked or bitten…. If only, if only.

Sango skidded to a stop and turned abruptly when she smelt the familiar scent of both Kagome and Kouga. Somehow she had managed to end up close to Kagome's house. An enemy scent suddenly filled the air and she quickly turned further, heading back the way she came and toward her den. She felt she had quite enough air for one day, thank you, as she rushed away, not feeling like getting into a fight with anyone.

However, she heard the wolf follow and he was gaining on her too, going faster than she had been. Sango began picking up the pace even more as the wolf got closer and closer…

…and did his scent smell familiar? How was that possible?

It all began to come clear though when the wolf suddenly made a jump for her, pouncing onto of her. The pounce wasn't hard or harmful at all; the only reason she had fallen over was from sheer surprise and lack of balance. She growled at snapped at the wolf's paw, who danced back. She rolled back onto her feet, the growl growing in her throat. If this enemy wolf wanted a fight, she'd give him a fight…

Sango faltered when she saw who it was. It only lasted a second before she jumped at him.

What, no hello? The gray and white wolf asked after he avoided her attack, tilting his head to the side as he regarded her. And might I add you do look wonderful in your wolf form.

Flattery will get you no where, the chocolate wolf informed the other before tackling Miroku

He fell to the floor, but quickly rolled back onto his feet. I've heard of woman being rough, but this is too much, he joked. Sango growled and attacked again, but he bumped his body against hers, making her move back for a second before she was back.

She swatted a paw at him, but he easily knocked it away with one of his own. Then in a second he leapt up on his hind legs and playfully put his front paws around Sango's neck. She twisted out of his grasp and pounced on him, getting him to the ground before trying to bite him.

He was able to avoid and counter each and every one of her attacks. She may have been stronger, but he had been a wolf longer and knew the maneuvers better. Although the entire time, Miroku had no intention of hurting her and was only mock fighting.

Sango wasn't.

Why so violent all the sudden? he asked of her.

Don't act like we're friends, Sango told Miroku, barring her teeth and crouching down, ready to attack at any moment

You were friendly enough this afternoon, he reminded her wickedly

I'd say you were the one being friendly, she informed him. Her tail pounded once, then twice on the ground, showing her irritation as she crouched down lower. And the only reason I was nice was for Kagome's sake.

youshe informed him. Her tail pounded once, then twice on the ground, showing her irritation as she crouched down lower.

He met his blue eyes with her brown ones and she sudden got up from her fighting stance, staying completely still, almost frozen. Are you so sure about that? Miroku questioned.

What do you care? You didn't seem to care at all when Inuyasha was nearly attacking me, Sango countered.

Miroku slowly took a step forward as though she were a frightened rabbit. He didn't want her to bolt at any moment. Sango didn't move, but his eyes warily followed her every movement.

I couldn't do anything, just like you wouldn't be able to do anything if I was in the same situation with Kouga breathing down my neck, Miroku explained slowly

Sango let out a small bark-like noise. Who says I would've wanted to stop him if he tried to break your neck? She scoffed.

Another step forward on his part. And I don't think that's true. I think you feel it like I do.

Curse her heart that sped up its pace. He would be able to hear it easily.

We're drawn to each other, dear Sango. You can't tell me you don't feel the pull between us?

Despite her racing heart, if she were in human form, she would have laughed bitterly. As she was, she snorted. I bet you say that to all the girls.

A toothy grin. Possibly.

Stay away from me, the brown wolf told him.

She meant in general and he knew it as well, but he took the few steps forward, closing the distance between them. How can I stand to be stay away from such a beauty?

He began circling her slowly, looking over every inch of her. He was measuring her up, which was usually done before a fight or… when a male wolf was trying to court a female….

Sango stiffened, not daring to move, but kept her resolve. You will if you know what's good for you.

A girl with some resilience, how could I resist? he replied teasingly

A rumbling began in her throat as she clenched her teeth. Then abruptly Miroku was rubbing his head against her neck and the noise in her throat died off as quickly as it began. He bumped his body lightly against hers, throwing his tail playfully over her back before he moved in front of her, nuzzling her neck once more.

His smell was intoxicating… a woodsy smell… and her knees felt weak…. She was giving in to his scent, his sexuality…. Her mind felt unclear and she couldn't think, but her body responded naturally to the male. If she was a feline, she'd surely be purring. As she was, a whimper escaped her, but hearing the sound, thankfully, snapped her out of it.

She yelped and leapt back, then rammed her body against his angrily, causing his to lose balance in surprise, startled by her sudden change in mood. He thought for sure he had had her….

You… jerk! Sango yipped before suddenly running from him, back toward her home. She couldn't stay there any longer, even if it were to fight him. Because if she stayed, her mind might become clouded again and could lead to and almost had….

Sango! he called after her, but she was long gone.

Wisely, he didn't chase her.

"Come on, what could be better than this?" Kagome asked him as they walked back toward her house.

Kouga looked down at the cold, frozen vanilla ice cream in his hand. Sure, it tasted good and he had to admit he did enjoy the cone part of it but…. He looked over at Kagome, who was happily eating her chocolate ice cream away. His gaze slid from her face down her body, taking in every curve as a feeling of possession filled him.

"A could name a few things…" he said absentmindedly.

Kagome glanced over at him and, seeing him looking at her hungrily, her face became tinted with pink. He smirked until he saw her look at him again, then past him, her eyes widening.

"Look over there!" Kagome cried out, pointing into the dark woods.

Kouga's head snapped around to look around, searching for what had alerted Kagome. Meanwhile, Kagome leaned closer and took a bite of his ice cream. He turned back just in time to see her lick the last bit of vanilla ice cream from her lips.

He playfully growled softly, then muttered, "I can't believe I fell for that." Considering he'd usually be able to sense danger if it was near and yet he still fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book, it was quite sad. Kagome only laughed at his 'dismay' while he contemplated a new scheme. "Well, if you want it so badly…"

He dipped his finger into the top of his ice cream, getting a good amount on his index finger. Then, before Kagome could figure our what he was doing, he had put it on the tip of her nose.

"Hey!" she exclaimed as she hit him (though lightly) on the arm.

Kouga put on a feigned shamed face. "You're right, I'm very sorry. Let me clean that up for you…"

He leaned closer, bringing their face closer together. Kagome could feel his warm breath on her face and put a hand to his chest to keep them apart.

"Kouga!" she exclaimed, blushing further.

He only grinned and closed the rest of the distance between them, his lips brushing against the tip of her nose. He tasted the sweet taste of vanilla and smiled against her skin before he flickered out his tongue, getting the last bit of ice cream off her. He drew back a bit to see her reaction.

Blushing furiously, Kagome said the first thing that came to mind. "My nose feels half-frozen," she murmured.

He slid his arms around her waist, being carefully not to get any of the ice cream he held in one hand on her. "I'll have to warm you up," Kouga told her.

He rubbed his nose against hers in an eskimo kiss while she was unsure how to respond once he finally drew back. Somehow 'thank you' wouldn't really work, but no other words came to mind, so she didn't say any. They walked the rest of the way in relative silence, though not uncomfortable.

Finally finishing their dessert, they reached sight of Kagome's home. Before she could continue forward, Kouga had hold on Kagome's reach bringing her back to face him.

"What's wrong? I have to get home, it's already late," Kagome told him.

"Kagome," he said, pushing a few strands of hair out of her face and tucked them behind her ear.

Then before she had time to responded, his lips were against hers in a rough kiss. The flavors of vanilla and chocolate mixed together as their mouths met, a pleasant touch that made Kagome eagerly return his passion. He softened the kiss, though none of the longing was gone and his arms around her brought Kagome forcefully to him, though she wasn't protesting. Her arms slid around his neck, bringing his face down, closer to her. His tongue pressed harshly and hungrily against her lips, giving her the options of opening her mouth, or being bruised. Though needing air, she picked the secret third option and drew back. She tried to move out of his arms but he held fast. His grip was like iron. There was no way she was getting away from him unless he let her.

He began nibbling on her ear, his warm breath feeling nice against her cold skin. "No one else can have you," he said low and roughly into her ear, nibbling on it. "You're mine."

Kagome froze while Kouga bit her ear lightly, either ignoring or not noticing her sudden stiffness. She struggled in his arms as she exclaimed, "you're just like him, you know!"

Kouga finally got the message and let Kagome go, though he wasn't thrilled about it. "Who?"

"Inuyasha!" she huffed.

He caught her arm as she began to turn. "Don't you ever compare me to that mutt," he said in a low, tensed voice.

She shook her head frantically, ignoring his words. "Possessive… and you're keeping something from me, just like him!" She yanked her arm back, but he let her go in reality.

Kagome stomped over to her house not even looking back once. Not trusting the front day that would might alarm her mother, she awkwardly climbed up a tree and made a small jump to the roof while Kouga watched.

"Kagome," he said lowly, but slightly worried.

She ignored him as she checked to see if her brother's window was open. Thankfully it was and Kagome slipped inside without a single word to Kouga. Souta was sleeping peacefully in his room and she silently crept past him and down the hallway, all the way to her room.

Her heart had been thumping wildly in her chest at the thought of getting caught, but once she was in her room, she closed her door and leaned against it, breathing a sigh of relief as her heart slowed down. She fumbled for her light switch and nearly jumped ten feet in the air when the light filled the room.

Her mother stood up from where she was waiting in her pajamas on Kagome's bed.

"You have a lot of explaining to do."

Oh, was she in so much trouble.

Eyes were boring holes into her back, she could just feel them. It was more than a little annoying… and kind of made her feel like she had an itch on her back. Don't ask.

Kagome turned to glare at Kouga. He was watching her as though she was a time bomb waiting to go off. Well, she supposed he had good reason to be wary. She had been extremely annoyed with him the night before and seeing as she hadn't had a chance to talk to him until now, he wasn't sure how she felt towards him at the moment.

"You still mad?" he asked.

Kagome put a finger to her chin, pretending to be in thought. "Hmm, I should be, considering you got me grounded for the weekend because you made me go out on a school night," she informed him, "but no, I'm not."

She had deliberately avoided the subject of why she had yelled at him that night, but he was fine with that. Bringing it up would only get them both angry again.

"I didn't make you," he told her and when she gave him a look he continued, "I asked. And nicely."

She waved her hand, dismissing his words, though smiling. The bell rang, ending French class and their last period of the day. Kagome grabbed her books, then turned back. "Bye, Kouga. I'll see you later, 'kay?"

He knew it was just an expression but it made him grin. "Later."

Sango trailed a little behind the three girls, Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka, as they talked and gossiped excitedly while heading home. The subject: boys, what else? Though Sango wasn't exactly thrilled by the topic. Sure, she had had her fair share of experience with guys, but not since she was bitten. Of course, there had been Miroku the other night… but she wasn't exactly happy about that, even though thinking about it made her blush. But now talking about guys wasn't her favorite thing.

As Eri began talking about her new crush, Sango suddenly felt someone grab her hand and she was pulled away from her friends. The place she was pulled to was somewhat dark, shadowed by a few trees and the shadow of the school building so that if anyone were to look where she was, they would only be able to see a dark outline and not know who she was.

She then looked to who had just grabbed her and sudden annoyance and slight anger grew in her.

"Hello, Sango," Miroku greeted, still bringing her closer to him.

She gritted her teeth, but as his scent became cleared as he moved her even closer she felt her anger slipping away like sand through her fingers. His male scent seemed to take over her, but she fought it nonetheless. "Let go of me," Sango ordered.

He ran one of his hands through her hair, feeling the soft, silky texture while the other had found its way to her waist. "I think not," he said huskily.

She had seen him fleetingly in the hallway a few times, always flirting with girls and making passes at them. But never had she seen him flirt like this.

Nonetheless, Sango removed herself from his arms. "You see this?" she told him, stretching her arms out and making an invisible circle with them, "this is my personal space. Mine. So that means you," she pushed him back, "should stay out of it."

He reached out his arm and his hand brushed against the palm of her hand. "But you're personal space seems to be overlapping mine." Miroku took her hands in his and brought her to him swiftly, so that her body was pushed up against his. "And now they're joined together…" He let go of her hands and seductively slid his arms around her waist, pushing her further against him. "…as one. Mine inside yours…" He smirked.

"Does everything have a double meaning with you?" she asked him, trying to push him away, but he held onto her tight. She kept one hand against his chest, keeping him as far away as possible, though it wasn't much.

"Yes," he told her.

He changed his grip and held her upper arms tightly, though not painfully so. They both knew if she really tried, she could easily get free of him. Miroku brought his head down, brushing his lips against her neck. She took in a shaky breath and his grip tightened further as he grazed his teeth against the sensitive skin of her throat. He drew his head back only slightly to meet her eyes.

"Stop it," Sango commanded weakly. She meant her voice to be firm and strong, but it came out breathy and soft, as though she didn't really mean it.

He brought his lips closer, his eyes were half-lidded by this point, filled with lust. "Make me," he whispered against her lips, closing his eyes.

So she did.

She pushed him back swiftly and with much force while he seemed stunned for a few seconds, as though he was still contemplating what she had just done. A woman, resist his charms? Never. Sango took those seconds of confusion and used them to suddenly spin and kick Miroku in the side, making him crash into the wall of the school building.

"What part of the fact that we're enemies don't you get?" Sango asked before spinning around and walking away.

Miroku sat down on the ground and carefully watched the female werewolf leave. But why do we have to be enemies in the first place? he thought. Why do we fight when we don't even know the reason?

Why indeed.

Kagura hung her legs over the side of a chair, Kouga's chair to be exact. But he wasn't there, so what did it matter? Still, she was bored as hell. Her nails drummed against the arm of the chair as her mind began thinking up a devious plan. She smirked when she finally thought of it.

Kagura jumped down from the chair and approached a group of wolves, a few of them lying down in their wolf form. "I feel like going on a hunt," she told the others, a cruel smile coming onto her face, "a hunt for wolves." She looked at them pointedly. "Care to join me?"

She knew this group well and knew they'd be thrilled at getting a chance to go after some of the enemy's wolves. Most of them were exceedingly loyal to her as well.

One, however, seemed nervous of the prospect and Kagura found she didn't know that particular werewolf that well. "B-but I thought t-that only K-Kouga could decide if we're allowed t-to do that o-or not."

Kagura growled menacingly and the wolf flinched, becoming silent. Next to Kouga, Kagura was probably the strongest wolf in their pack and at times more ruthless than him. None of the wolves wanted to get on her bad side.

A look of satisfaction crossed her face when Kagura saw the wolf's obvious submission. Then the group of six were out of the den and running out into the woods, searching for the enemy to have a little 'fun' with.

Shippo turned his head suddenly staring off into the woods with a nervous expression on his face.

"What's wrong, Shippo?" Souta asked. The rest of the boys walking from school with them gave him a curious look.

"N-nothing," Shippo responded, before putting a mocked happy expression on his face.

The rest shrugged and continued walking together until a few had to go their separate ways since they lived in different direction. All the while, Shippo would chance a few worried looks around him, sensing something very, very bad.