An epilogue will follow this chapter and that will be the end of my journey with this particular story and the nagging in the back of my mind can finally disappear.

/

I rushed over to Kouga's house finally realizing what I had been racking my brain for, for the last week.

I got to his place and texted him to come out. A few minutes later he emerged from his house looking confused.

"What's going on, Kagome? Everything okay?"

I paused to collect my racing thoughts. "Kouga, I spoke to Kikyou and she explained everything. It was her. She sent Megumi after you."

"Kikyou, huh? Yash's girl? That makes no sense. She's your cousin? I'm confused." I grabbed his hand and led him over to my bike. I leaned against it and looked up at the night sky. The Moon was a quarter full but it still lit up our surroundings enough to where I could see the blue of Kouga's eyes clearly. So piercing..

"Yeah. She wanted you. She expected you to run to her after everything between us went down."

He brought his hand up to his face with a thoughtful expression. "I didn't even know her yet.." I could tell something dawned on him and his posture straightened. "It was her."

Now I was confused. "Excuse me?"

"There was a girl messaging me over socials from the school I was looking into transferring to. Nothing too crazy, just random 'How are yous' and "Hope you're well" type things. Kind of like she was trying have a relationship with me."

I raised and eyebrow. "Why did you never mention it?"

"I guess I never thought anything of it." He shrugged. "It was definitely her though. After we had broken up and I made the final decision to transfer, Kikyou was the first person to find me at school and befriend me. Like she was expecting me." He shuddered. "Man Kags, I was so beaten up back then I didn't even give anyone a second glance. Eventually we met Inuyasha and they hit it off."

I chuckled darkly. "She knew you because of me. Yeah, you guys never met but it's not like she didn't know I had a boyfriend through other means."

"That's twisted, love." His hand cupped my cheek and I leaned into him. He smelt so good.

"I agree. Speaking of Inuyasha.." I remembered why I had gone there in the first place and I pulled away from Kouga's touch. "I just got back from his place."

"How did that go..?" He asked cautiously.

I took a deep breath in preparing for what I was about to say. "Kouga, when we broke up I can't even begin to explain how completely crushed I was. I thought I would never be able to move on. I was convinced I'd be heartbroken forever."

He grabbed my hand and rubbed it with his thumb and this time I didn't pull away. "Me too, Kagome."

"But we did, Kouga. We healed. Neither of us reached out to the other. We went on with our lives no matter how hard it was."

"But I tried-"

"I know and I wanted nothing of it. I was done." I sighed. "I love you, Kouga. I care for you so deeply but.. we proved to ourselves and to each other that we can live without the other person."

"Damn, so this is it?" He gripped my hand a little tighter. I squeezed back.

"I can't see myself without him.." I gently let go of his hand.

"I want to kill him." His blue eyes darkened a shade and before I could respond he cut me off. "But I respect your decision. I want you to be happy. With or without me."

I smiled sadly, tears beginning to form in my eyes. This really sucked. "Thank you for being so amazing." I got on my tip toes and planted one last kiss on his lips before he pulled me in an embrace.

/

As I sped on my motorcycle back to Inuyasha's I silently prayed he'd be waiting up for me. I got to his driveway and quickly turned off my bike and ran to his door. Before I even got to it the door opened. I smiled brightly at him.

"What was that all about?" He gave me an odd look. "Why are you smiling at me like that?"

"I just had to take care of something." I inched a little closer to him.

"Well? Did ya?"

I nodded. My smile still plastered on my face.

"Do.. you want to come inside?" He was starting to smile back.

I nodded again as he stepped back to make way. Before I crossed the threshold into his house I paused and look up at him.

"What is-" I cut him off by bringing my lips to his. I could tell he was in shock but a few seconds later he circled his arms around me and kissed back.

We finally broke apart for air and I beamed at him again.

"You love me, don't you?" He asked with a sly smirk. It was only about a week or so ago that he asked that question for the first time but it felt like a lifetime ago.

"A lot." I laughed.

We spent the rest of the night talking and laughing with one another. Taking in the moment and what could possibly be a new life together.

/

This chapter in particular was really difficult for me to write because after all these years, I wanted Kagome to end up with Kouga. In this story anyway. Ha. Anywho~ An epilogue will follow this chapter soon and I was pondering writing an alternate ending where she DOES end up with Kouga merely for my satisfaction. I might not even post it. I guess we'll see.