Yes! I'm back for chapter one! xD

Since I forgot to do it in the "prologue"…DISCLAIMER!

I do not own InuYasha. If I did…well lets just say that there would be LOTS of MirokuSango fluff. :3

Chapter One: Admiration is not Love

Six Days Ago…

Emerald eyes gazed at the undisturbed rocky terrain before them and a sigh escaped from the eyes' owner. It was a troubled sigh that went quite well with the troubled orbs. Lips were pursed together and look of concentration crossed the girls' face, brows furrowed making some faint creases in her forehead. A slight breeze blew by, causing said persons' rust colored hair (up in pigtails) to sway lightly in the force.

She sat Indian style on a rather massive rock just outside of what seemed to be a cave at the top of a mountain. Rocks and jagged ground was before her for about twenty feet before it dropped suddenly. White wolves sat around her, one right beside her, head resting on her right leg. One slender arm was resting on the girls' left knee by her elbow, chin in the palm of said hand. The other arm, on the other hand, was resting on the soft, white fur of the wolf.

"What am I gonna do?" a mutter came from the barely parted lips and she closed her eyes for a moment before a frustrated groan emitted from her now parted lips. Opening her eyes, she was almost hopeful to see a different scenario in front of her, a different life. But nope, nothing was different; it was the same, same rugged terrain, same problems, and same life.

"If you want to tell him, Ayame, you'll have to get going. It's getting late." An elderly voice filled with wisdom and kindness spoke behind the female wolf demon from the edge of the cave that sat atop this mountain about ten or fifteen feet behind her.

Without looking back, the girl gave a nod. "I know, Gramps! I'll…" she trailed off, nibbling her lower lip softly, obviously in thought. "I'll go now to tell him of the news." She nudged the wolf's head off her knee and hoisted herself up onto the rock, eyes traveling the valley of forests and other terrains before and below her as she stood. "Might as well get going."

With scenes of how she was going to do what she was about to do running through her head, she suddenly disappeared in a whirl of wind and leaves, wolves close behind her, wherever she was headed.

Quite a few miles away and at the base of a whole nother mountain, a young male wolf demon walked through a river, water reaching to about his mid shins. His arms crossed across his chest and a rather stubborn look sat upon his features. Raven hair was pulled into a high ponytail swayed in the wind, azure gaze going from feature to feature about his surroundings. He was alone and trying to find some dinner for his clan so they could have a decent meat filled meal tonight instead of the normal meat that was practically meatless most of the time. Having a good portion of food sounded like an incredibly nice treat to the male and he was determined to have some tonight.

Dark grey clouds drifted across the darkening blue sky and the male hoped that it wouldn't take terribly long to find some dinner. Possibly some fish since he happened to be walking through a river.

Suddenly, though, something caught his attention and he spun around in the water, almost losing his balance. Moments ago he had heard a loud splash come from right behind him and knew it could mean a fight or something. And, well, let's just say that he was dead wrong…about it being a physical fight, that is.

Eyes widened and mouth fell open, staring at the figure in front of him with a somewhat shocked face, mouth agape. "Ayame…what are you doing here?" he asked, voice a bit lost and full of shock and confusion. "Don't tell me you're here about that promise you dreamed up again." He groaned and sighed heavily, shaking his head a little bit at her.

The female huffed at him, hands placed on her hips in a frustrated manner. Emerald eyes flashed and she scoffed some. "I didn't dream that promise up, Kouga! It happened. But right now, I honestly don't care if you remember it or not." She said stubbornly and crossed her arms across her chest as well, as if trying to say she was superior to Kouga. The news she had brought him would put their promise, whether he believed it or not, behind them and in their past forever so now it didn't matter.

Kouga blinked and watched her, tilting his head a bit and giving her an 'oh really?' look. "That's surprising, Ayame, seeing as how last time we met up you were breathing down my neck to get me to admit to that stupid promise, which is completely false and untrue, mind you." He stated matter-of-factly, giving her a superior look which topped hers.

Pressing her lips together hard and telling herself not to get upset just because he was immature and stupid, her eyes stared at the rippling water around her knees for a while. Swallowing hard and regaining her composure, she stared at him once more, eyes piercing into his this time. "You know what, Kouga? All you're doing is running from the past and hiding from it. You're afraid to admit what's true." She said, voice dripping with ice cold anger and her feet moving towards him with every word she rolled off her tongue. Soon she was close enough to him and jabbed her index finger into his chest hard to no advantage but held it there anyway. "Guess what, you sad excuse for a prince? This time…your past is leaving you. Yeah, that's right. You heard me. I'm leaving you."

It took a little time to process what she had said but it still had no affect on him. He stared down to her finger pressed up against his armor and then his eyes casually moved to her flushed face. "There's nothing to leave me with, Ayame. I don't care. You need to grow up and get out of your childhood fantasies. This is stupid and-" he was cut off by probably the most shocking news he'd get for a while.

"I'm getting married, Kouga! I'm done waiting for you! Gramps found a new tribe, a better tribe with a leader who will help us so much better than you could have ever imagined. And this leader is much more of a wolf than you'll ever be you….you pathetic, immature prince!" she shouted and in a flash she was gone, wolves at her heel.

Time had seemed to stop, everything seemed to stop. The breeze had suddenly dropped and temperature seemed nonexistent. The water rippling past Kouga's legs seem to have disappeared and life itself seemed to have hit the pause button. Suddenly, though, it felt as though blunt object and rammed itself into Kougas' chest and he let in a sharp intake of breath. Someone had hit the play button.

And now life rushed back to the raven haired wolf and he realized what exactly had happened. Ayame had come…and she told him that she was getting married. Well, to make things easier, she was to be mated with someone else. He was confused, though. Not with the news, no, but with his reaction. He should have been relieved that she was finally giving up, shouldn't he? Plus, he could have Kagome all to himself now as soon as he got that mutt-face out of his way. This should be good news to receive, right?

But for some reason, unknown to Kouga at this point in time, he didn't feel relieved. He felt a sense of loss.

Slowly turning his body around, he began to walk the way he had been coming, not caring too much about dinner now. And so he just returned to his den. He had been confused and lost ever since then, not knowing what to make of it and so far, he hadn't been able to figure it out at all.

Present Day

Lips gently pressed against her neck, causing her to stifle back a moan. It was sensual and sweet and gentle…everything she could ask for. Why then, did she feel like something was missing? His fingers traced soft circles on her arms, the touch lingering for a moment even after his hands had trailed away from the spot. Her arms hung loosely at her sides, letting him do his magic. He didn't mind, though, not at all. After all, he wanted her to be happy. In some ways, even in the weeks they'd known each other, he found himself attracted to her and, dare he say it, falling in love with her.

Her arms craned upwards and gently pushed him away, making him take a step backward and give her a questioning look. "It's getting late, Ken'ichi. I really should be going." She said and saw the disappointed look on her face and reached a hand up, cradling his cheek with it. "Just a few more days and we can be together." Her words had faltered some but she wasn't sure why so she just shook it away and gave him a smile. Their lips met briefly before she, with his begging her not to, left to her own den.

As she trudged up the rocky mountain path to the place she called home, a sigh passed through her barely open lips. Ken'ichi. The man she was to mate in just a few days and be with him forever. He was everything and more that she could ask for. A hazel gaze that any girl would be lost in and immediately in love. Brown locks which reached the base of his neck and perfected his always perfect face with high cheek bones and smooth skin. He stood a couple feet taller than her and had the perfect arms to embrace her in and whisper in her ear that he would always be there for her.

This man she was to be with was a gentleman, as well. He treated her like a princess and made her feel so loved and protected but even with all this happiness, her heart couldn't help but feel a little bit empty. It was like something was missing from her life, something that would forever leave an empty space in her heart. To make matters worse, she knew exactly what was causing this loss and pain. It hurt her to know and it hurt even more to know that she had purposely caused this pain and emptiness.

Gramps had found this tribe soon and everything was set up but he wouldn't move forward unless he got the okay from Ayame. She was his granddaughter and he loved her with all his heart. All he wanted from her was her happiness and he had to make sure this was what she wanted. So he had talked to her about it and after some thought, she agreed to it. Then she offered to go see the man she should have rightfully been with a long time ago to break the news.

All of this had happened six days ago and now, in three days, she would be mated and forever bound to this Ken'ichi. Even though the redhead had said she had given up on Kouga and told him it was over…it wasn't in her heart. She knew that she'd always love that jerk and no matter what, she would always feel lost without him. But she also knew that she needed to put him behind her and face her future and present. Ken'ichi was her future and present and she was happy with him. The man was a good leader and man and she knew he would be an amazing mate. This leader had so much more to offer than Kouga but even so, she found herself pining for Kouga once more.

You can keep doing this to yourself. It's for the best. Kouga's an idiotic asshole anyway and he doesn't deserve you. Ken'ichi is much better. He's a gentleman and he treats you way you should be treated.

Arguing with her conscious, she had been ignorant as to where she was going and before she knew she was in front of her den and blinked some, stopping right at the entrance. "Time flies, huh?" she muttered and stared the ground for several moments. Her emerald orbs jumped from rock to rock until she was interrupted and jumped slightly at a soft voice which had startled the silence and her for that matter.

"You're back earlier than normal. Is everything alright with you and Ken'ichi?" the eldest wolf padded up to the young female and sat in front of her, gazing up to her. He knew that she was happy with this new man but he also knew that his granddaughter still loved Kouga somewhere in her heart, despite all of her efforts to say that she didn't love him anymore. It was something that the elder learned after she had told Kouga of the news of her marriage.

The girls' face softened when she saw the old wolf and she nodded gently to him. "Yeah, everything's fine, Gramps. I wanted to get home early for some reason. I'm tired…" she mumbled as a weak smile could be traced on her features. Her features did give the hint of her being rather tired and drained. The emerald stare had become less alert than usual and her body seemed to sag a bit.

"Do you think you're awake enough to have a short talk with me?" he asked her, motioning to one of the many massive rocks that sat in front of their den. Complying with her grandfather, they both made their way over to the closest rock and both took a seat there. The older persons' eyes seemed to wander as if searching for something and then he shut his eyes for a few moments. "You do not have to go through with this if you're not happy. I know you still want Kouga and do not tell me that it's not true. I know it is. You still love him."

Her mouth opened slightly as if to speak but she closed it moments later. She wrung her hands in her lap somewhat nervously and swallowed roughly, shaking her head weakly. "Gramps, even if I were to admit that I still loved him it would only hurt me more. I know we can never be and I'm going to have to move on. B-Besides…Ken'ichi treats me good and I really do admire him and-"

"Admiration is not love. It is only a tiny branch of love."

Once again, the older man had caused her to go quiet and think about the situation. He had always seemed to do that to her. He was the wisest person she knew and whenever there was something bothering her, she went to said wise man. "I…I can grow to love him, Gramps. I just haven't known him that long. Th-These things take time." Stuttering had come about from the rusty haired girl and she grew worried that she was in fact making a mistake with this.

A paw was placed onto her knee in a matter of guidance and he nodded his head to her. "I know, I know. It hurts but you will heal. I promise you." He leaned over and gently nudged her, licking her hand softly before whispering to her once more. "Now go get some rest and don't worry about anything."

Her hands pushed off on the rock and she stumbled forward a few steps before catching her self-possession and letting her emerald orbs wander from tree-top to tree-top of the forest before her. Admitting defeat for the day she ambled her way to the entrance of the den. Once there, she curved her neck back and watched her Gramps for a couple of moments. He hadn't stirred from his spot and still looked like the content, wise elder the girl had grown to love and respect all her life.

Tugging at the corner of her lips, a smile demanded to be graced but Ayame refused it. She took several steps into her den and let out a deep breath, eyes wandering her home. Small groups of white, sleeping wolves dotted the den which made the place feel very homey to the female. She had known this to be home all of her life and would always consider this den her home. She loved this place and the wolves who resided here. Some areas were higher up than others due to rock formations which made the den spiced up and not too dull. Since there was a big entrance it never got too dark, the sun or moon or stars always illuminating light as guidance. It seemed darker than usual tonight, though, as if an ominous cloud hung over it.

Shaking her head, Ayame told herself that she was just being silly and it was fine and perfectly normal. Striding over to her make-shift bed she sat down on it and a yawn erupted from her mouth, causing her to feel sleepier than she already was. Grabbing her blanket of fur she laid down and shut her eyes, ready to have a nice, long, relaxing sleep. To make sleeping on rock more comfortable, her little make-shift bed had been made out of leaves and straw and other essentials which helped the sleep. Just moments later, though, she was disturbed from her rest. Opening one eye, she saw what had bothered her and a smile couldn't be kept back this time.

One of the younger wolves, just a mere pup, had trotted up to Ayame once he saw her get ready for some sleep and nudged his wet nose with her own dry one. His sleepy, puppy eyes made it impossible to resist him with anything and giving him a joking eye roll, the female lifted her blanket up a little. With a small, happy yip the pup padded in and did a few circles before curling up next to her. Seeing him sleep there made the smile only widen on Ayame's face and she gently placed the blanket back down, the pups' nose only visible from his tiny body. Now she was ready for some sleep and to clear her mind of all the things troubling her.

End of Chapter One.

So I have some ideas for Chapter Two, so hopefully that comes quickly as well. I hope you're all enjoying this story, especially you, Kirstie. I'm getting used to Ayame and Kouga but believe me, once I have the InuYasha-tachi come, there will be at least a sentence of some implied MiroSango. xD; Haha. As for the story itself? I'm happy with it so far.