Summary: Set a year and three months after the hot springs scene. As Kagome and Sesshoumaru prepare to get 'married', Kouga and Sango finally come to terms with their feelings for each other and their relationship.

Disclaimer: I do not own a thing in here, so don't sue me.

Be Without You

To say that InuYasha was mad was an understatement. He was furious.

As usual, he challenged his brother to a battle to decide Kagome's fate. Of course, the demon Lord was too honorable for that. He stated that she had made her decision, which was him.

They had kept their relationship a secret for over a year, until the jewel was complete and Naraku was gone. Now, she was carrying his pup and wanted a wedding like the ones from the future. Sesshoumaru allowed it. The village prepared for it.

What about me and Kouga? Oh, we're not together anymore. My slayer pride got the best of me after 3 months of 'seeing' the wolf prince. I slay demons, so there's no way I could be in love with one.

But I do miss him.

Terribly.

Kagome comes up to me and hands me an envelope.

"What's this?"

She smiles and rubs her stomach.

"Can you deliver that to Kouga for me?"

I turn to her to say no, but the face she's giving me says otherwise. I sigh in defeat.

"Alright."

I stand up and head out.

"Let's go Kirara."

XXXXX

My pack tried their best to cheer me up once Sango left. It didn't work. Here it is a whole year later and I'm still depressed over her.

I can't believe she left me. She left me simply because of what other people thought of our mating. Mating, damn. I hadn't even marked her before she left.

Sure, I mean, we mated plenty of times, but never really got to the marking part. I always put it off because I figured she'd always be here.

Boy was I wrong.

Turning onto my side in my den, I sigh and close my eyes.

"I wonder how Kagome and Sesshoumaru are doing."

"They're getting married."

Recognizing the voice, I turn over with wide eyes. There stood Sango, holding a white envelope. I sit up.

"Sango…?"

"Hey Kouga. Kagome asked me to bring you this."

She holds out the envelope and I get up to get it. Our fingers brush each other and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I look up at her, but she avoids my gaze. Opening the small invite, I smirk.

"Married? Why would they do that? Isn't she already marked?"

"Yes, but she wanted to do something that her family could witness."

"What? She didn't let her family witness the mating?"

Her eyes go wide.

"Are you crazy?! She couldn't do THAT in front of them!"

I starch my head and think.

"Why not?"

Regaining her composure, she clears her throat and plants one right upside my head. I grip it in pain.

"Ow! What the hell was that for?!"

"Sesshoumaru demands that you be his best man."

"What the hell is a best man?"

"Well…best demon. His first witness, his right hand ma…er demon."

"Sounds like fun."

She looks me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry Kouga."

"For what?"

"For leaving you like I did. I should've never got involved with a demon anyhow."

I pretend to wave her off like it doesn't hurt.

"Ah, don't worry about it Slayer. It was fun while it lasted, right?"

I laugh as she forces out a smile. With just one touch, she could cure my broken heart. She could put me back together. Damn her pride!

Then she did something unexpected.

She threw herself into my arms while crying.

"I'm so sorry Kouga! I miss you so much!"

And I smile, because I feel those old butterflies kick up again. Those good old butterflies.

Stroking her back, I whisper in her ear.

"I could never be without you Sango. No matter what."

XXXXX

I felt at ease when I woke up the next morning in Kouga's den. Maybe it was the morning sun, maybe it was the fresh air, or maybe it was his strong arm around me while his naked body encased mine. No matter how morally wrong this relationship was, I just couldn't walk away from it.

I've been a demon slayer for 21 years. Isn't it my turn to be happy? If I find happiness in the arms of a youkai, then so be it. I wanted to be happy; I wanted to be with Kouga. I wanted to have his pups. I wanted to be his…

Forever.

I wanted to be marked.

Turning over to face my chosen mate, I find him still sound asleep, one of his fangs showing to the world.

"Kouga…"

He stirs and opens his eyes.

"Sango? What's wrong?"

"We need to get going so we'll make it in time for the wedding."

"Oh yeah, that."

He chuckles and I sigh in contentment. I forgot how his deep voice ran through my body when he held me like this. I missed it.

"Well, let's get going I guess. Let's see Lord Sesshoumaru marry a miko."

We headed out shortly after that and made the half day's journey to the village. On our way, we played small games and chased each other around the forest, laughing at each other, just like the good old days.

Kirara loves Kouga to death. She's grown accustomed to his playful ways and smart mouth. She never disappoints him and makes his shoulder her home when sleeping.

Once, Kagome saw it and she took what she called a 'picture' of it with her 'camera'. She took two of them; one for me and one for her, which I kept dearly. Even after I broke things off with Kouga, I slept with his picture near me as a reminder.

A reminder of us.

So anyway, like I was saying, we played 'tag' along the way to the village and he was currently 'it'. I was riding on Kirara, successfully outrunning the wolf prince when suddenly I was yanked off my ride and swept into a tornado.

"Aaaahhhh!!! Kouga!!!!"

All I hear is a deep chuckle as the tornado continues to whirl me around.

"Tag, you're it!"

That's the last thing I heard before I was dropped from my high height and landed in the river.

XXXXX

I couldn't help but to laugh my ass off as I dropped a hysterically screaming Sango into the river. Just like that first time over a year ago, she came up sputtering while pointing an accusing finger at me.

"You tried to kill me!"

I shrug.

"I thought we were playing tag."

"That's not tag! That's near death!"

I smirk and show off one of my fangs.

"Well let's play something else."

As if reading my mind, her face turns seductive as she wiggles her finger at me.

"Come join me wolf."

I start to walk in, but then stop when I see her grin.

"Hold it. You must thinks I have 'stupid' written across my forehead or something. Come in there and let you attack me?"

I shake my head and cross my arms.

"Nope, don't think so Slayer."

"Kouga…"

Suddenly, I'm shoved into the water from behind and Sango wastes no time in trying to drown me.

"I'm going to kill you!"

"Sango…can't breath…"

"Oh, and I thought you liked playing in water?!"

A giggle cuts through our struggle, making us stop. She has her hands around my neck while I have her in my arms, ready to drop her again. Kagome giggles again while standing on shore next to the Demon Lord.

Forgetting for a moment that I have Sango in my arms, I drop her in favor of pointing at Sesshoumaru.

"Hey, you pushed me!"

He raises an eyebrow at me while keeping his face calm.

"Did I? Or are you just that clumsy?"

"Okay, so that's how you want to play it huh? You're gonna play dumb huh?"

His eyebrow comes back down.

"Are you accusing this Sesshoumaru of feigning ignorance wolf?"

"I sure as hell am dog!"

Kagome gasps.

"Kouga watch out!"

"What…"

In no time, Sango's on my back, beating me upside my head.

"Stop dropping me in the water you idiot!"

"Ow! Ow! I was wrong! I can so be without you!"

With that, I take off at top speed the rest of the way to the village with Sango following close behind.

Kagome smiles and shakes her head.

"Those two will never learn. They belong together."

Sesshoumaru picks her up bridal style and continues to the village.

"Yes, as much as a dog and a cat belong together."

XXXXX

Throughout the day, I had tightness in my stomach. Since returning, I hadn't had much alone time with Kouga to discuss our future and it was bothering me. I wanted him to know exactly how I felt and what I wanted.

And I wanted it soon.

Tonight.

As the day finally winded down and everyone headed off to bed early for the big day tomorrow, I sat awake in my home thinking. Kouga was off somewhere with Sesshoumaru, InuYasha and Miroku having a 'bachelor party'. Whatever that was. Come to think of it, it can't be good as long as Miroku's involved.

I was shocked that he even convinced InuYasha to go with the way he's be ranting about the wedding and all. It was a known fact that InuYasha was still upset about Kagome seeing his brother behind his back…and carrying his pup.

Nevertheless, things moved along as planned.

Sitting up on my knees, I sigh as I let my hair down and shake it out. I jump as strong arms encase me from behind.

"Did I scare my woman?"

"Kouga…don't do that. You almost gave me a heart attack."

His fangs graze my neck and I shiver at the contact.

"Well then I'd have a reason to give you mouth to mouth"

"You don't give mouth to mouth for a heart attack idiot."

"Well let's find out."

Turning my face to the side, he captures my lips in an intense kiss that takes my breath away. His hands start to caress my body in the most secret places and I can't help but to moan. Breaking the kiss in favor of nipping on my neck, he whispers against my skin while leaning me forward onto my hands.

"Be mine Sango."

"I am yours."

"No, let's go all the way this time. Mate with me. Be with me."

"Kouga…"

The cool night air hits my skin as he tosses my kimono away and I'm left in nothing at all. Placing himself behind me, he gives a thrust that sets my body on fire.

"Be my woman forever. Help me rebuild the pack."

Another thrust.

"Kouga…"

XXXXX

Sesshoumaru sat at the head of the table next to his new wife/mate while pretending to watch the entertainment in front of him. In actuality, he was trying to pinpoint a smell. Finally recognizing the source, he turns to Kagome.

"The slayer is with child."

Kagome whips her head to him.

"What?!"

A wet substance rushes down Kagome's legs as she gasps. Sesshoumaru looks down at her and smirks.

"And it seems that you are not anymore."

"You're in so much trouble for making my water break buddy!"

Sesshoumaru shrugs as the women start to make a fuss over Kagome's new condition.

Kouga waggles his eyebrows at Sango suggestively.

"Hey Sango, she's not gonna give birth for a while now. What's say me, you, the forest floor…?"

"…"

Sango promptly walks away from an unconscious wolf prince and heads over to her sister figure.

"Idiot."

Yet there was still a smile on her face that she couldn't hide.