Chapter 3: Love, Reluctance, and Jealousy
"Hi, Kagome, nice to see you again," Koga said holding Kagome's hands in his.
"Er… Nice to see you too, Koga," Kagome answered nervously, but Koga didn't seem to notice her reluctance.
"I figured I'd stop by to check up on you. Now, where's that Mutt-face?" Koga looked around for Inuyasha.
"Over here, puny!" Inuyasha said.
Koga turned his head and growled, revealing his fangs. Inuyasha was about to say more until he felt something tugging on his sleeve. He looked back and saw Karen hiding behind him. Inuyasha couldn't help but give her a sympathetic look. Koga noticed the small girl.
"Who's the kid?" Koga asked letting go of Kagome's hands.
"Well, it's kind of unclear to us, too, but… I guess she's me…." Kagome said rubbing her head.
"Hm?" Koga asked.
"Look, we don't understand either, but she has all of Kagome's spiritual powers," Inuyasha said, standing in between Koga and Karen.
Koga bent down to Karen's eye level, "So you're Kagome as a little girl?"
"M-my name's Karen…" Karen said in a very scared voice. Sango leaned over to Miroku.
"Do you see that? It looks like Karen is afraid of Koga," she whispered to Miroku.
"Yes… But wouldn't she be afraid of Inuyasha, as well? He also has a demonic appearance," Miroku said.
"Perhaps she trusts him. After all, she is Kagome… or at least that's how it seems…." Shippo joined in.
Kagome also realized Karen's shyness of Koga and faith in Inuyasha. 'She does look like I did when I was younger, she has my powers and above all, she has my character. Maybe she is me… me as a child, anyway. But how? How did she get here…? I mean how did I get here… I mean...!'
"Get away, you're scaring her!" Inuyasha said, but Koga ignored him.
"You shouldn't be scared of me," Koga said kindly.
Karen let her guard down and peered around Inuyasha. Inuyasha wasn't sure why, but he didn't want Karen putting her trust in Koga. He felt… protective of her. Koga gave off a smile to her. She couldn't help, but smile back at him. Inuyasha growled then sniffed the air, which was polluted with the smell of fresh blood. He looked down at Koga.
"Your leg is cut," Inuyasha said noticing the blood escaping from Koga's right leg. Karen gasped as Kagome ran over to observe Koga's injury.
"It's not that bad, really," Koga winced as Kagome felt around his bruises.
Kagome didn't take her eyes off of Koga's injuries, "Koga, these wounds are not as bad as the ones in your past, but they're still pretty threatening…. Sango, get my medicines from inside, please."
"Right," Sango nodded as she went off to the shelter. Miroku watched as Sango ran off.
"I think I'll go with her…" and with that, Miroku walked off, far behind Sango.
"Where did you attain these bruises and cuts?" Kagome said looking up at Koga.
Inuyasha scoffed and stuck his nose in the air, "The wolf was probably too careless and let some other pathetic demon pummel him around."
"Why you…!" Koga growled with a fist. Karen went back behind Inuyasha. Koga unclenched his fist and stared at the frightened girl with an expression of wonder.
"This girl is afraid of me… and she trusts that mutt! Hm… if this girl is truly Kagome as a child, I'll have to lighten up on dog-breath. I don't want to scare her."
Sango was walking back to the rest of the group with Kagome's yellow bag over her shoulder. Her eyes were shut and she was pouting a bit, and everyone could see the redness in her face.
She tossed the bag over to Kagome, "Here you go, Kagome."
"Sango, what happened?" Shippo asked jumping on Kagome's shoulder.
Sango sighed, "Do you need to ask?" Miroku appeared from the bushes. He had a red mark on his cheek in the shape of a human hand.
"Sango, I'm sorry! It's the hand! It's drawn to you!"
Sango's hands were clenched in tight fists, "Save it, monk!" Kagome went digging through her bag, searching for just the right medical care for Koga's gashes. She finally happened upon some ointments she picked up at a drugstore in her time.
"This'll sting a little, but it'll help you recover," Kagome said applying the medicine on Koga's injuries.
Koga watched Kagome with a thankful smile on his face, "Thanks, Kagome."
Kagome looked up at him with a bright smile, "No problem… but how did this happen?"
"Kagura attacked me. She wanted the jewel shards in my legs," Koga said staring up at the night sky as he began to grin, "I got away just in time though, before it got serious. I didn't want to worry you, Kagome."
Kagome was reminded of Naraku; how everyone, including Koga and Sesshomaru, did their part in his downfall. Kagura finally had her wish; she was free of Naraku's grasp. Why was she out for the sacred jewel shards? She had no interest in them before.
Inuyasha ran up behind Kagome, "What do you mean?! Kagome doesn't get worried over you!"
Koga was about to snap back, but then he saw Karen standing a few feet away. She looked a little worried.
"I have to keep my cool… Karen is Kagome's past…. If I gain her trust, I gain Kagome's heart. Mutt-face is lucky…."
"… You might have a point, Inuyasha," Koga said holding back the urge to growl at or threaten Inuyasha. Inuyasha was a little shocked. He had tried to pick a fight with Koga and expected him to respond, but not agree…!
"… Koga… don't listen to Inuyasha. I do care about your health," Kagome said after being struck with emotional guilt.
"Thank you, Kagome. I appreciate that," Koga said as they locked eyes. Inuyasha's body was beginning to grow even tenser. He couldn't stand letting that wolf flirt with Kagome any longer.
"What's wrong with that wolf, anyways?! He already knows he has no chance! Why does he even bother?!"
Karen took a moment to picture the scene before her. Koga seemed to love Kagome, Kagome appeared caring but reluctant, and Inuyasha was jealous and protective. Karen thought even deeper into the situation. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
"The human heart is so very complicated…."
Hope the chapter isn't too weird for you…! Now remember, Naraku is dead in this story. Meaning Miroku has no wind-tunnel, Kagura and Kanna are free, and so is Kohaku. I don't know what I'm gonna do with Kikyo yet… or do I? Haha! Please, please, please REVIEW!