Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay, it's always something haha! This time, my laptop battery died! I can only work when plugged into my charger and unfortunately I have cats that chew wires, so…. That was tricky at best, so most of this I typed on my phone x.x (Thank goodness for google docs) I also got my second dose of the Moderna vaccine and that kicked me on the….. for 4 days. I was in no shape to do anything. So after catching up on my work and home stuff I finally have time to get my next chapter up! Thank you for all the reviews on the last chapter, It is much appreciated! I love seeing the way everyone cares for the characters as much as I do. Hopefully you enjoy this one as well! And again, if I am ever taking a while to upload don't despair! I do not plan to give up on this story! It WILL have an ending! 3 Also if you're interested, I havea song reference for the fight scene depicted in this chapter.
Fight- Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Set it Off
Ironically there is an AMV with Kouga in it to this song on Youtube, and it possibly led to me writing this story haha!
-KKB
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"Let's do this."
Kagome stood in horror as she viewed the scene before her. The peaceful springs she and her friends had ventured to many times before, were becoming a battlefield as Kouga and Inuyasha fought.
She could hear the two spitting insults at each other, but she couldn't process what was being said, her brain locking down in turmoil. She wanted Inuyasha to get his ass beat. She really did, but her Miko powers were itching to draw an arrow and shoot at Kouga… What is wrong with me!
The single thought locking her in place, out of fear of doing something stupid to the one who is helping her.
He deserves it! He doesn't know how it feels to hurt like this! He chose someone else!
She was telling herself.
But he will choose me. Came the unexpected response.
The blood drained from her face as shock filled her mind.
Kikyo! You… No Way! How are you still here!
She called into the endless abyss of her thoughts….but never got another response. It had been years since the Priestess had passed on. Not to mention she NEVER heard her in her own thoughts before!
Kouga jumped to avoid a slash of Inuyasha's claws but he couldn't avoid the incoming kick to his ribs that the Hanyou successfully landed.
"HRGG!" he groaned as he felt his ribs crack upon impact, his armor denting.
Inuyasha let out a laugh as he taunted the wolf.
"Not so fast anymore without the jewel shards huh! Can't even avoid a little kick from a half demon!"
Kouga kept his calm, he knew he would win the fight, he knew Inuyasha. The mutt tended to lose focus when he got emotional. It was why Kagome always ended up being in danger with him in battle.
They always got out of it thankfully. His mind corrected him.
He shook the thoughts away. He wouldn't give credit to the damn mutt right now. Currently, he was overdue for an ass kicking for hurting Kagome.
Kouga stood and cracked his neck, he could feel his ribs repairing themselves already, his demon blood working fast with the adrenaline rushing through his body.
"I don't need to avoid your hits. I can take 'em and give you more in return." Kouga sneered.
"Just try it wolf." came the curt response as a flash of red moved before him.
Kouga blocked the hits, landing a blow of his own to the pale cheek of his attacker.
Damn Mutt… he has no right to attack me.
Every feeling in Kouga's bones was telling the clan leader to lash out, and tell him to fuck off while giving him the beating he deserved.
Maybe it would finally knock some sense into him. Make the pup grow up! he growled as he instinctively dodged a potentially harmful claw attack from the dog-demon.
Shit! Is this mutt really trying to kill me?!
Kouga was actively avoiding the attacks from the Hanyou, holding back for the benefit of Kagome. His heart, drawn to her emotions more than his youkai rage.
Stealing a glance at the goddess on the sidelines, curiosity piqued as he saw her standing so still it was concerning. He paused to move towards her, instinctive need to check on the one he loved.
The small distraction allowed for a damaging hit from Inuyasha- claws jamming into his shoulder spilling blood and pain over his chest.
"Grahhh!" he cried out, twisting away from his claws landing a kick to Inuyasha's face as he jumped back- his inner beast finally taking control.
I will not lose to some damn puppy! his youkai roared.
Releasing a cry, Kouga's power slammed into the field- his claws extending as his canines sharpened in his maw.
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Inuyasha couldn't control his actions as he attacked. He noted when the wolf glanced over at Kagome, causing his youkai to drip in anger.. filling his head with angry roars.
Mine! Mine! MINE!
The youkai blood drilled him forward, preparing to rip the heart from his opponent's chest. He extended his claws, ready to dive his hand deep into the chest of the wolf demon.
What are you doing! a part of him screamed. He realized the demon in him fully intended to kill Kouga.
At the last moment he regained control, jerking his hand to the opposite shoulder of the wolf demon, plunging instead into a different part of the clan leader's body...sparing his life.
He was met with a rough crack to the side of his head as Kouga escaped the harsh attack.
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Inuyasha was at a loss- unsure of why he was allowing his demon blood to take so much control.
Thoughts pulsed through him as he heard the roar escape from Kouga, bringing him back to the present.
He felt a pulse of energy, as Kouga drew on his ancient bloodline, causing the hair on his arm to stand stiff.
He then felt his own lineage pulse in response, his vision hazing in red as he was thrown behind the curtain of the youkai inside him. He knew the smell of blood only encouraged this side of him to take control.
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Kouga felt renewed- with his fighting instincts on high alert, he found himself itching to return the favor Inuyasha bestowed upon his shoulder, eyeing his prey across from him.
His skin vibrated as he watched the Hanyou shift in front of him, red eyes staring him back, a smirk marred his pale face as a thread of purple began to appear along his cheeks.
This is going to be a great fight.
Kouga lunged forward, with a demonic quickness, grabbing Inuyasha by the throat. He smiled in his face, as he felt the half demon struggle in his grasp. Slamming him to the ground he nailed a windmill kick to his chest, drilling him further into the dirt. He jumped back readying another attack as he heard a dark laugh come from the hole shrouded in dust. Effectively removing the smirk from Kouga's face.
A flash of red moved from the corner of his vision and Kouga's body moved before he had to think, avoiding the claws of his former friend once again, this time however, allowing Kouga to take a piece of him in return, the silver-haired demon's momentum carrying him into Kouga's claws.
Grinning the wolf ripped his claws from Inuyasha's side, growling with approval he let out a laugh of his own.
"Come on now, I know you're quicker than that!" he landed a punch to Inuyasha's form, throwing him across to the tree line.
His knuckles cracked as his power surged through his form. Watching as Inuyasha rose in front of him- he confidently glanced over at Kagome again.
Shit...
He saw tears streaming from her face as she now stood before her friend Sango. A solemn look of control was behind the falling tears, and she stared him down. Sango shifting behind her.
The demon slayer was on standby, her powerful boomerang at the ready.
Kouga realized Ayame too was standing at the side of Kagome, ready to fight.
The women presented themselves as a pack- their friend in front- staring down the wolf demon.
He could hear Inuyasha rise- and as he prepared to give his attention to the fight, he heard Kagome speak.
"Enough"
He knew she meant her words, and he looked towards his opponent, softly whining as he forced his powers to recede- not daring the wrath of Kagome. He was not a dumb fool that would ignore an alpha-woman at a time like this.
Besides, this was never his fight, it was her fight- and her fight alone, regardless of how he felt.
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Kagome was at a loss- she was confused at why Kikyo was in her head, hurt at the sudden appearance of Inuyasha, and embarrassed that so many people were involved in this issue. She wasn't a young girl anymore- who reveled in the gossip and drama similar to reality shows.
She knew now that these things needed their own space, that it doesn't always make sense the way things will end or move forward for that matter. But throw in some magical reincarnation crap and it was even MORE difficult.
She watched the men before her as they fought, wincing as they took pieces from each other. Her heart lurching each time either got hurt. When she saw Kouga bleed again, she had had enough. She cared for Inuyasha, but she would be damned if he was going to hurt the one trying to help her. The one who had been so kind, and supportive.
She knew he would stop fighting if she asked. Unlike Inuyasha who would need more persuading. Her emotions stilled as tears fell from her eyes. Ugh all this damn crying!
She got her opportunity when Kouga looked to her again, confidence radiating from the clan leader as he prepared to continue fighting.
She stared him down, shoulders squared and muttered a single word.
"Enough"
A look of shock crossed his face before he looked down and then towards Inuyasha, releasing a soft whine.
She saw his claws recede to normal and could feel his aura fade as he shook off the fighting stance.
He released a breath as he trotted towards Kagome, never turning his back to Inuyasha.
As he stood behind her they heard a snarl come from Inuyasha.
"Hiding behind Kagome now?" the angry words ripped through the springs.
Kagome shook her head and softly laughed.
"I said enough Inuyasha." she spoke firmly.
Her former love and best friend walked towards the group. Red rimming his eyes. A smirk filled his face and she could see he was struggling to control his blood lust. She wondered if she could still get him to calm down. Or if that power now belonged to someone else…..
"Inuyasha, what are you doing here?" she proceeded to ask anyway.
"Gonna take care of that mangy wolf you're protecting." came his curt response.
"And just how does that benefit you and Sinha?" she asked. The girl's name bit her as she spoke it.
Inuyasha seemed to falter in his steps. Shaking his head as his eyes cleared back to the golden orbs she knew so well.
She was lying to herself if she didn't feel satisfaction at being able to pull him back…
"I told you I needed time. But you couldn't let me decide when I was ready could you? Just like you chose for me when you picked someone new."
She couldn't help the anger that came as she spoke. She was seriously tired of being the one to cry. She didn't care if her words hurt him anymore.
"You have no idea what I am dealing with Inuyasha. My whole LIFE in my time was focused on coming back here. To my friends, to be with YOU, to start a family with you."
She could feel her heart pulsing behind her ears.
"I gave my heart to you, and what do you do with it?"
She took a step forward as his ears flattened.
"You were a part of my family. My FAMILY-" the sneered as she spoke the word, "think that I am happy and safe with YOU right now."
"They have NO idea what you have done, the path you have thrown me down. The path where I have to find my own way after the one I THOUGHT I had was torn to pieces."
She could see him struggling to form words.
"Please.. Kagome, I didn't mean to- it's not like I intentionally did this…" he faded in and out, looking around at the others.
"It just happened, I didn't know I would meet her, I-"
Kagome raised her hand.
"I asked you for more time. I told you I needed to figure this out on my own and I would let you know when I was ready."
She squared her shoulders.
"So WHY, did you come so soon Inuyasha?" her voice rang out.
Inuyasha was silent. He looked to the ground clenching his fists…
"Because…I...she…"
Kagomes' ears perked up at the sudden mention of the other girl.
"She said… that I needed to give you closure. That if she knew anything from my stories, that, you would need to see me…"
His response was met with silence.
He looked up from the ground and jumped back, wishing he had just kept staring at the ground.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME!"
The fire coming from Kagome's eyes was boring heat into him. Her miko powers crackling around the group, causing the female wolf-demon to shirk away as sparks bounded off her skin.
Inuyasha felt himself shrink as he faced the anger she was spewing.
"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME, THAT YOU! LISTENED TO HER! WHEN I ASKED YOU FOR SPACE!" her screams caused the remaining birds to fly away, and silenced all other life in the surrounding forest.
"YOU CARE FOR HER SO MUCH THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PUSH MY NEEDS TO THE SIDE ALL TO PLEASE HER!"
Kagome was tense with anger, she could feel power building up within as disbelief swarmed her. Sending thoughts of reason out of her brain.
"I seriously mean nothing to you?!" her voice lessened but still held anger behind her message.
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"NO! It's not like that! I told her you weren't ready! But I felt so horrible, I know I hurt you, and I don't know what to do!" he finally responded.
Kagome was shocked to hear the words come from his mouth.
Truthfully, she knew she needed closure, but she would be DAMNED if she let it be because another woman told him what to do.
"You didn't know what to do?" she repeated mockingly.
He shook his head.
"Kagome… I know you're angry with me, but I need you to understand… I don't want to lose you. I care about you- even if.. it's not in the same way as before.. I…. tell me what to do. How can I make this better?"
She could see his cheeks flush red as he opened himself up to her in front of them all. Most importantly in front of Kouga, who had remained silent this whole time.
The leader stood to the side, eyes closed, listening, but not saying a word.
Kagome felt a cold wash through her. Her energy for this encounter was gone.
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She sighed, turning to Sango.
She looked at the demon slayer, seeing sympathy and support in her eyes as she circled a hand over Kagome's arm.
"You can go back to Sinha." she spoke.
Surprise filled Inuyasha's face.
Turning back to her would-be friend, she continued.
"You can go back to Sinha, and let her know that I will call for you when I AM READY."
"I don't know how we will be moving forward. And honestly I don't know when I will be ready to face you."
"But I do know that I need time to figure this out. That was the whole idea behind today, and it's ruined." she looked towards Kouga.
Inuyasha followed her gaze and let out a soft growl of anger as he saw who it landed on.
Kagome stiffened at the sound.
"Inuyahsa, if I decide to be with Kouga, you have no power to tell me differently."
Both men looked at her in shock.
The women chose to swiftly share a glance, with Ayame hiding a smile.
Kagome blushed, realizing how her words sounded.
Well… I could mean it in both ways… she thought to herself. Not bothering to explain that she merely meant to spend time with him..
Kouga quickly regained his composure and returned to his pensive stance, ignoring the glances from the half-demon before him.
She could see the inner battle he was going through plainly on his face.
"Inuyasha, just go. I'll let you know when I am ready to talk. I'll let you know if we can still be friends...or whatever." she spoke truthfully.
"But not now, I need a break from….whatever this is." she motioned with her hands at the scene before them.
"If you ever want me to be ready to meet her, or even….TALK to her.. I need my own space. If you ever cared about our friendship...if you want me to do what I need to do, to get over this… to...to support your...new relationship...and not ruin it..." -she thought of Kikyo's voice in her head- "Then go back and give me some time."
Her throat choked on the last sentence she spoke, condemning herself for being so nice again.
He nodded in defeat.
Quickly he grabbed his sword and began to walk away.
Stopping next to Sango he spoke.
"Sango… don't blame Miroku. He was just being a good friend to me. I never should have asked him to keep this from you."
He bowed his head and Sango narrowed her gaze at him, watching him leave.
Kagome was looking at her friend with shock on her face.
"No way… Sango….Miroku-"
"Yes. He knew." Cutting the sentence short she met her shocked face.
"But that is something we can discuss during girl time right?" she smiled- attempting to clear the awkward aura filling the space.
Kagome nodded in agreement.
"I can also tell you about how close I came to hitting him with my Hiraikotsu…" she laughed.
Kagome's eyes widened, causing Sango to laugh harder.
"As long as the girl talks don't evoke your Miko powers, I'm all in." Ayame spoke up.
Kagome apologized to the she-wolf, reprimanding herself at letting her power run amuck as it had when her anger took control.
"Sounds to me like you ladies still intend to have a girls day then?" Kougas deep voice chimed in over the trio.
The girls had forgotten about the wolf-demon standing to the side and they all turned together with Kagome blushing while the other two rolled their eyes.
"I think that this has been an eventful morning...if I am being honest." Kagome spoke up.
"Is it totally lame if we reschedule for tomorrow?" she shrugged her shoulders as she asked.
They nodded in agreement. Understanding entirely with the situation at hand.
"Well- I'm not exactly ready to go home, do you mind if I stick with you as you go home?" Sango asked Kagome.
The demon slayer was anything but ready to talk to her husband waiting at home. She was still plenty angry at the Monk.
Kagome nodded, "Well that depends on if you want to come with me.." she said, turning to Kouga.
"Um Kouga?" his blue eyes landed on hers instantly.
"Yes Kagome?" he responded, moving to her and gently clasping her hands in his.
"I'm sorta in the same boat as Sango, I don't want to go back to the village just yet. Can we come back to the dens with you? I mean," she blushed.
"Can I stay with you tonight?" she asked.
Kouga's jaw dropped.
Kagome took in his shocked face and realized how her words came out. This isn't the future! Those words are taken differently here!
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"No! Ah, like can I stay at the dens with the whole clan, not like YOU in particular, I just meant, since I don't want to go home just yet, so...yea…" she finally cut her ramblings off- her face as red as Inuyasha's robes.
She stared wide eyed at the ground, her hands still clasped in his, reeling from her poor wording.
She felt him recover and begin to laugh.
"Kagome, you can stay with us forever if you wish! And of course, Sango is always a welcome guest too if you plan to stay the night." he continued to laugh at the woman before him.
"You know this works out." Ayame piped up.
"We can just leave from the den in the morning and have our girl time. WITHOUT any interruptions." she smiled, sticking her tongue out.
They all laugh and begin to head towards the Eastern Dens, the sun barely peeking overhead as their afternoon began.
A/N: Hello everyone, sorry this chapter is short and sorry it took so long. Small secondary update from the one at the start of this chapter, I lost a fur baby in the last few weeks unexpectedly and it has really taken a toll on me and my spouse. It was unexpected and we really miss him. He was a cat named Taco, and he lived an amazing life for 10 years with us. He will be missed. But it is why this took extra long. I'll be okay, but his presence is surely missed. Luckily my partner has another laptop and now that they have completed their classes I have more access to use it to write. Hoping to get the next chapter out to you guys within the next few weeks. Gonna have some spicy scenes in it so, the wait will be worth it. As usual, stay safe out there. Until next time!
-KKB