Author's Notes: Welcome back everyone, so happy to be able to bring you this chapter on schedule! I hope you enjoy it! Also, OMG 800 REVIEWS, I LOVE YOU ALL.

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to Intothenest13, who was my 800th reviewer! Thank you so much Intothenest13, I really appreciate you continuing to review my chapters! It really means a lot!

Betas: Not_Towa_Wakasa, Noir

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Chapter 46: Trust

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Kagome

If Kagome's room was the height of cave-apartment-chic, Kouga's enclave was like the palace version.

Large was not the correct word to describe it. It was huge. Massive. Multiple rooms ballooned out from the main one to create little seating areas, some small, some not-so-small, and each decorated to the tee with various colors and ornaments.

A fire pit, three times the size of her own and currently un-lit, was dug out of the very center, outlined with a spattering of leisure pelts and low-set tables, each with a torch that had been fashioned into a lamp to set the mood. The lamplight, along with the torches lining the walls, cast stark shadows, seemingly alive as they flickered across the floor. Kouga motioned for her to sit.

A few moments ago, as he had escorted her inside his chambers, he had pulled his hair back into a ponytail atop his head. He now sat across from her, his shoulders visibly relaxed, a change she'd noticed as soon as he'd crossed the threshold into his room.

It must be exhausting, being a king, Kagome thought, taking in the way he moved as he leaned back into his seat.

"I assume it's safe to say you got no rest," he said.

It was getting more difficult to keep her guard up. He was being so hospitable. "I'm… having trouble relaxing," she admitted.

"The bath didn't help? Were Ikue and Maho not useful?"

Useful isn't quite the word I'd use, she thought, pressing her lips together to refrain from speaking the words aloud. As hospitable as Kouga was being, she was still being careful not to offend him. "They were very helpful, thank you. It does feel nice to be clean again."

He snorted. "You certainly smell better, having washed that dog scent off of you."

"Hey-" she started, but stopped short at seeing his grin.

"Sorry, sorry," he chuckled, hands up as a request for forgiveness, "I can't help it. Dogs stink." His eyes shifted over her shoulder and he lifted his chin.

Curious, Kagome turned to see what had his attention. A smaller wolf youkai entered the room, followed by another, and then another, each with arms stacked with tableware and food. They busied themselves setting up the table. Platters of stews and finger foods, steamed veggies and warm bread were placed out in front of her, and in the center: a whole, roasted forest pig.

Oh no. It smelled so good. Kagome's mouth started to water. It had been so long since she'd eaten anything other than ramen and small forest creatures that she'd almost forgotten what well-cooked larger meat smelled like. Thankfully, Kouga insisted they eat before they talk, and she obliged, reaching for the pig immediately.

Heaven. It was heaven. It practically melted on her tongue. It was slightly different than she was used to, maybe it was cooked a different way? It made sense since she was pretty sure they didn't have modern ovens carved out into the walls of their cave. Still, it didn't matter. It was delicious, and she scarfed it down greedily.

She tried to block out the way Kouga looked at her as she scooped large portions of each platter onto her plate. He was curious and calculating, watching her movements as he slowly made his way through his meal.

Only minutes later did she sit back, satisfied and full.

"Now," he said, perking up a bit, "let's talk about that special ability of yours."

She knew it was coming. As hospitable as he was, it wasn't without a price, and she was expecting his question. She breathed in deep. "I think you've got the wrong idea about me."

His arms folded across his chest. "I don't."

She huffed. "I didn't come out here to be ordered around by more youkai, I already get enough demands from one. Inuyasha and I are working towards something. There are a lot of lives riding on us completing this goal."

"And what goal is that?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does."

"It doesn't," she argued, "but if you let him go, I promise we'll leave your territory, okay? I just… I can't go without him."

"No, you can't," he agreed, chewing up and swallowing the pig meat, "you can't go without him. But I also can't let you leave with him. You say this goal of yours has a lot of people riding on the outcome, but Inuyasha has murdered my people. And not just tonight either. I have grown up watching him rampage through my parent's territory quite a few times over the centuries. I have watched him kill with his hands. Always he comes, and always he destroys as many of us as he can." His eyes fixated on her. "So what about my people? Are they less worthy of life than yours are?"

...What could she possibly say to that? It was true. She was a total ass, pleading him to release Inuyasha. If she were in Kouga's shoes, she wouldn't let Inuyasha go, either.

"I'm assuming he didn't tell you anything about his history with us," he said when she didn't reply.

Kagome sat back, eyes locked onto her hands as they twisted in her lap. "No," she muttered under her breath, cheeks flushing with shame, "he told me."

"Has he?" Kouga's eyebrow shot up. "And you came back here with him? Why?"

"We didn't have a choice."

He placed his elbow on the table, his fist propping his head up as he studied her face. "There is always a choice."

Water filled her eyes. Was there a choice? Did she have a choice in the beginning, when she kissed Inuyasha out from his mirror the first time? Did she have a choice when she kissed him out a second time? A third? Was every step she made up until this point nothing but her own, devastating, destructive choices?

"You're crying?" he asked.

She blinked her tears back, wiping at the few traitorous ones that escaped and fell in fat droplets down her face. "Sorry," she said, because she couldn't think of what else to say.

"You can cry, I'm just surprised."

"Why?"

"I half expected you to rejoice at the death of my people."

She glared up at him through her tears. "I would never rejoice in the death of anyone," except Kikyou, she added as an afterthought.

"I don't mean to offend you. I assumed that you were here to help in the slaughter of my people. You're the dog's companion, and it's obvious that your goal is to collect the Shikon jewel shards."

Her eyes widened. "How-"

He smirked. "It was obvious as soon as you pointed out where I hid them in my body. Shouted it out to the world, really."

"Sorry," she said again, "but I thought you might kill Inuyasha, and I can't do this without him."

His features softened, "do what?"

She pressed her lips together and folded her arms.

"I wish you'd tell me, I might be able to help."

"That's ridiculous, why would you help me?"

He inhaled deeply, then reached into his pelt. As soon as he pulled his hand away, she knew. Pinched between his fingers was a small, white pouch, the cloth wrapped up tight and tied in a knot. Bits of dried blood droplets were splattered against the fabric. She knew that bundle. She could see the glow from its center.

Kagome couldn't stop the gasp that slipped from between her lips, her eyes widening in fear. No… when had he…?

"I can tell by your expression that you recognize this bundle."

"When…?" was all she managed to say.

"Ikue and Maho are very loyal. Maho found them in your clothing and brought them to me."

Dammit. When she was bathing Maho had been hustling around the room. Kagome had been so caught up in her amazing bath she hadn't thought to keep a close eye on her movements. Her heart squeezed in her chest. She brought her hand up to press against it, willing it to calm.

"I can hear it, detector," he said, "your heart is running wild." He sat back, getting comfortable in his pelt-chair. "I can understand why. This is a large portion of the jewel you've managed to collect for yourself. Or…" he added, "for your dog."

"Please give them back," she said through grit teeth. Shit. Shit. Inuyasha would kill her.

"I can't see him being very understanding about you losing them. And adding onto the ones I already possess would give me even more strength to fight against him."

Kagome felt her cheeks flush red. Her heart hammered in her chest and her fists squeezed in her lap. She narrowed her eyes at Kouga's cocky grin. What was he playing at? What was his game?

"Is that what you want them for?" she finally snapped, her anger getting the better of her. "To become stronger? To expand your territory? Rule over humans? Take over the world? What!?" The last word was harsher then she'd intended. So much for seeming calm and collected. Her chest rising and falling, she stared Kouga down.

The corners of his mouth quirked up into a smile. "We haven't known each other very long, detector, and you're human. I can't expect you to know anything about me. But I will tell you that I do not seek world domination. I don't have the time for it." His smile turned into a full-blown grin, which probably looked more menacing than he meant it to, what with his sharp fangs poking out and all. "I am not the same as your dog. I do not seek to oppress and murder, I seek to keep my tribesmen safe and my territory looked after. Unlike your friend, the only harm I wish on others are the ones who wish to harm us first."

"Inuyasha is not looking to oppress anyone, he just wants to get out of his curse!" As soon as the words left her mouth, Kagome knew it was a mistake. Her eyes widened and she brought her hand up to cover her mouth.

Kouga's smile wiped clear from his face. His eyebrow lifted quizzically towards his hairline, his eyes pinning her into place. "What curse?" he asked, the words drawn out slowly.

A weakness. It was a weakness of Inuyasha's that she'd just given away. The idea that the wolves might get their hands on the mirror and stuff him back inside and then do god-knew-what with him flashed through her head.

...But then again, the mirror was safely tucked away in the cave back down the mountain. At least, she hoped it was still safely tucked away in the cave. And as far as she knew, the only way to get Inuyasha back into the mirror was via the sun, or by him walking into it of his own volition, and she knew that was never going to happen. She was pretty confident that Kouga wouldn't risk moving Inuyasha from the spell that now bound him inside the cave, and there was no way sunlight could reach into its depths.

Kagome could try and free Inuyasha herself, but as he was now… What would he do once he was free? He obviously wasn't one for reason as a full youkai. She knew trying to get him to focus on completing the quest would be harder than it had been up until now. While hanyou Inuyasha had been overly confident and cocky, it wasn't even close to youkai Inuyasha.

"Detector," Kouga growled, pulling her out of her thoughts, "what curse?"

Kagome worked the muscle in her jaw. "What do you think he's been rampaging around your territory for? The fun of it?"

"It's no secret that dog and wolf youkai are not good friends."

"Yeah, but do you have any other dog youkai tearing through your territory?"

"No, although I don't trust that Sesshoumaru bastard to the west."

Who the heck was...

No. No, nevermind, I don't want to know, she thought. "I'll say that Inuyasha, as he is now, is not normally how he is. He's a-"

"Hanyou, yes."

She paused. "You know about hanyou?"

He wrinkled his nose. "Of course. There are a number of them. Companionship between our two species is not all that rare. We share a lot of the same history, humans and youkai. Inuyasha has been around for a very long time. Although I admit there have been no sightings of him in his hanyou form for the last few centuries." He paused, thoughtful. "Are you're telling me he's under a curse right now? Is that what keeps him in his full youkai form?"

Her teeth snapped shut. It was technically true, but… "Yes," she replied, her semi-lie twisting in her gut.

Kouga sat back in his seat again, his hand up to his chin, thoughtful. "And what do you plan on doing with the jewel once Inuyasha has broken the curse?"

The thought hadn't even occurred to her. Inuyasha wanted to make himself full youkai, sure, but the jewel… Say Inuyasha did achieve his goals, freeing himself from Kikyou and transforming himself permanently into what he was now? Would Kagome just continue to carry it around with her? Was that even possible?

"The jewel," he repeated. "What will you do with it?"

"Ah, I…" she scrambled to come up with a plausible answer - any plausible answer - but it was too late. He was on to her.

This time his smile was slow. Lazy. It spread across his face, his fangs glistening in the lamplight. He leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "I'm going to strike a deal with you, detector," he said. "You're being very tight-lipped about this curse Inuyasha is under, but that's fine, you will come to trust me yet, and I'm going to prove it to you. Hold out your hand."

She hesitated.

He chuckled. "I won't bite it off."

Slowly, she reached her hand out, palm up, her fingers curling open. She tried to calm the small quiver that ran through her and failed. Kouga's fingertips brushed against her palm as he dropped the bundle of jewels in her hand.

Her eyes met his.

"I am giving you back your jewel shards. Think of it as my trust placed in your hands."

Her tongue was thick and heavy in her throat. "But… why?"

"Because we are going to be working together, you and I, to find the rest of them. You may use the jewel to fulfill whatever desires you and the dog wish, but after that I will use it to protect my lands."

Kagome shook her head. "I… can't do that."

"Why not?"

"I…" Well, why couldn't she do that? What would it matter? Once Inuyasha broke his curse and became full youkai, he certainly wouldn't have any use for it anymore. There were other things that went along with his wishes, like ridding themselves of Kikyou, which she was sure Inuyasha would be able to handle as full youkai, and then of course, getting her family and Sango's brother back…

But was turning down Kouga's offer for help the smartest thing to do? It was hard to think that far ahead when she wasn't even sure if Inuyasha would be returning to normal anytime soon… And yet, the idea struck her as a good one. While Kouga's wolf youkai tribe had almost killed her themselves, now that she was of use to them it was obvious Kouga wouldn't let anything like that happen again. And yeah, Inuyasha was chained and probably feeling a bit tortured, but she couldn't blame the wolves for their actions, knowing what she knew of Inuyasha's history with them.

She couldn't see any other way out of this. And Kouga was staring at her as if he wanted to… eat her, kind of, but not in the way other youkai did, more in the way Inuyasha did.

Not good.

Her cheeks burned red, her eyes darting away. Oh god, even the thought of Inuyasha's gaze made her body go crazy. She could practically feel the change inside her, and by the half-choking sound that emerged between Kouga's lips - he could sense it too.

Well, shit.

Kouga shifted. It was subtle, his body leaning forward, his eyes raking over her.

"Hey, wait a second," she started, holding her hands up in between them. She almost jumped from her skin when he wrapped them up in between his own.

"Detector-"

She yanked her hands away from his. "Stop calling me that. My name is Kagome, not-"

"Kagome!" He whipped his hands faster than she could see and wrapped hers up again. "Thank you for giving me your name."

"Yes, but-"

"There is more to my offer. I do not just wish for you to collect the jewel shards for my people and my lands. I also want you in my furs."

It was a few seconds before Kagome realized the choking sounds she heard were coming from her own throat. "Wha- you can't-"

"It's okay, I can smell your lust for me."

"Okay, first of all, gross," she said, yanking her hands away for the second time, "and second of all, don't smell me like that, it's private!"

He frowned, "What's private?"

"Th-that!" Her voice raised an octave higher.

He waved her concern away, "Nothing about what your body is going through is private to youkai, Kagome, it's very obvious when females become aroused."

"Stop talking about my arousal."

"So you admit that you're aroused,"

"Not by what you think I am!" she scoffed.

"What, then?"

No way. No way would she say it. "Nothing! I'm not aroused, would you drop it already?"

"As you wish, but know that I don't just want you because of your ability to collect the jewel shards, as Inuyasha does. I also know of your strength and ability with a bow. You downed many of my men. You are fierce."

She jerked back. "What, it's okay if I kill your people, but not Inuyasha?"

"You have not rampaged through our village over all these years. For this battle, we attacked you first, and you were simply protecting yourself and the dog. I cannot fault you for such a thing. I would have done the same in your situation. It's one of the many reasons why you would be excellent at my side."

Oh god, her cheeks would not stop burning, they lit her face on fire, and she pressed her palms to her skin to cool them down. "I can't accept anything like that, Kouga. I don't want to be with someone I don't love."

"You will come to love me." His words left no room for anything but his own confidence.

"I won't," she said, her heart squeezing in her chest.

For a moment he said nothing, and when he sighed it was heavy and deep. "We'll have to wait and see, then. You don't have to answer me right away, but know that my offer stands. I've given you back your jewel shards. Please take it as a sign that I wish to work with you, not against you." He stood from his seat and reached out towards her, another invitation to take his hand. "Come on, let's get you back to your room. Daybreak will be here soon."

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Dawn rose bit by bit, creeping over the horizon, the first rays sliced to ribbons between the mountain peaks, casting a dusted, golden glow across the valley below. On the mesa, Kagome sat with legs tucked under as Kouga did. Ikue had been sent to her room, not Maho, thank god, because she still wanted nothing more than to slap the little thief across her pretty, perfect face.

Ikue had worked quietly, dressing her in dark blue, draping robes, piling her hair on top of her head and pinning into place with the same style of carved bone the female youkai wore. The billowy dress was tied and looped around her shoulders and waist, all held together with a thin, golden rope, tied in the back.

And now here she was, sitting on a pelt set to Kouga's right especially for her. Her clothing matched his in color, as did it match the other youkai who sat spread out in front of them. They all faced a large pyre, which had been stacked together with wood collected and constructed before dawn.

The wolf youkai who did not sit among them instead walked in a flowing, twisting line, each carrying bodies of their slain brethren, both youkai and their animal counterparts. The line of the dead slowly crept up towards the pyre, each body placed carefully on the raised platform, each given a modest offering of food and forest. Kagome kept her questions to herself as she watched them light the pyre, and thick, black smoke rose from the wood, engulfing the bodies.

The howling began as a rumble deep in the throat of each wolf, tails limp and still, ears flattened back. It grew in crescendo until the deep, sobering cry filled her ears. The youkai sitting around her began to rock in rhythm, arms raising to the sky as they joined the howling with a vocalized hum.

As the sky lit up, the humming intensified, as did the rocking, until it became a seated dance. Kagome glanced up at Kouga, whose body also followed the swaying. Tears spilled from his eyes, his gaze locked steady at the burning bodies as their ashes rose to the sky and fell down around them.

Mesmerized by the singular entity they had become, Kagome couldn't look away. She sat and watched, silent and mute as the wolf youkai around her mourned for their dead.

Dead that she had helped murder.

In what seemed like forever, and yet no time at all, the howling died down, the humming and rocking decreased, and left behind was nothing but mourning, achingly painful cries as the pyre collapsed in on itself.

Kouga glanced her way, his eyes widening slightly. He shook his head. "Again, you cry for my people."

She hadn't realized it, but at Kouga's words she brought her hand up to her face. They came away wet with her own tears.

"Now you have seen us as we are, Kagome. We are youkai, not human, but you are strong and useful. There is a place for you here, and I aim to see that you take it."

Over the past few hours Kagome had gotten a glimpse of Kouga she wouldn't have thought existed from the raging battle he'd fought against Inuyasha… and as hard as she might, she just didn't… feel like he was, well, evil. Or at least, that he had some sort of sinister plan that he was hiding.

How could someone like Kouga be evil, who so easily cried over the death of his own?

His words calmed her, and it was frustrating that she would have to disappoint him in the end, especially since he'd done his best to treat her so well.

It was hard to remember she'd thought only a few hours ago that he could hurt her. If he'd wanted to harm her, he would have chained her up like he had Inuyasha. He'd have eaten her by now. He'd have thrown her to the wolves. She reached into the folds of her ceremonial robes to feel the small pack of jewel shards he had handed over to her.

Why… Why would he do such a thing, unless he were sincere? She thought, moving the cloth bundle around with her fingertips. She glanced up at him again, but he hadn't waited for a reply from her. His attention was on one of his attendants, and he was nodding and speaking in solemn tones.

The youkai and wolves who had been sitting only moments before were now up and mingling, and it was hard not to notice the looks they sent her way. Kagome's eyes darted to her lap, trying to ignore the whispers that circled around her.

"Kagome, come," Kouga called to her, and willing to do anything to stop focusing on the glares and comments under-breath, Kagome stood and moved to him.

"This is Ginta, my attendant," he introduced.

Ginta was smaller than Kouga; he was lean and lanky while Kouga was tall and broad at the shoulders. His similar, yellow eyes regarded her thoughtfully, if not a bit wearily, and his thick hair grew tight and course from his scalp. Despite his young appearance, his hair was a light grey color, except for the shock of deep grey at the front of his hairline.

He dipped his head.

"He's going to take you to see your dog as you wished."

He's not 'my dog', Kagome thought, but it was better not to say it out loud. At least not yet. "Thank you," was all she settled for. She wanted to talk to Kouga more about the ceremony, but she wasn't going to miss her first chance of seeing Inuyasha for anything. So she stepped in behind Ginta as he motioned for her to follow him.

Down the winding tunnels they went, Kagome's heart thudding in her chest. Why was she so nervous? Sure, Inuyasha wasn't the same, but still… maybe if she could talk to him alone they could find a way to escape with his life? While Kouga was okay with working together with her, she doubted he would be okay working with Inuyasha, especially as he was now.

Maybe he'd return to his former self quickly?

If the light hit him, and he returned to the mirror, would he change back into who he was? Would he be the same Inuyasha she'd come to know so well?

The thoughts swirled around in her head as Ginta stopped in front of the cave. She could hear Inuyasha inside. His breath was heavy and wet, as if he'd just come up for air. She stepped forward to peek in, but Ginta blocked her way.

"There are a few rules Kouga would like you to abide by when speaking to the dog," he said.

Kagome clenched her jaw. "Oh yeah? Like what?"

"First, you are not to release him. Know that we're poised to attack until he is dead if he is freed. Kouga cannot guarantee your safety if this happens. Second, you are not to speak to him of the jewel shards Kouga has on him. You may discuss the jewel shards you possess as you wish. Third, you are not to touch him."

"But I-"

"Do not touch him. This is not because we worry that it will help the dog. Kouga does not wish to see you hurt. The dog will hurt you."

She couldn't stand it anymore. "His name is Inuyasha, and he won't hurt me."

Ginta raised his hands up. "These are instructions directly from Kouga. While you are a guest in our home we wish you to follow our rules."

"I'm a guest?"

"He gave you back your shards, didn't he?"

She unconsciously reached into the makeshift pocket and felt them between her fingers.

"You can have as long as you'd like, but please keep in mind that Kouga would like to show you around Wolf Territory today." With that, Ginta turned and walked a few feet away before leaning up against the wall.

Kagome watched him for a few moments, but he didn't budge. Of course he didn't. Kouga was nice enough, and maybe a little eager to please, but he wasn't stupid. He wouldn't let Kagome and Inuyasha have privacy to talk without a listening ear.

It couldn't be helped. She turned to the entrance and stepped inside.

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Hope you enjoyed! I'll see you in the next chapter!

~SugarRos