Disclaimer: I do not own Inu-Yasha or any of the characters from the show. (All hail Rumiko Takahashi)! But I do own Serena!

OMG! I am SOOOOOOOO sorry for the wait! I just had so much trouble writing lately…I had finals at school and then MASSIVE writer's block…I really can't apologize enough.

I even feel this chapter is a tad rushed, but its pretty much as good as it's gonna get so…

Chapter 2 – The Argument

Why does he bug me so much? Serena thought as she trailed behind the once again arguing Kagome and Inu-Yasha. They were walking through the forest, heading away from the well and towards Kaede's village where the others were anxiously awaiting their return. Inu-Yasha had angrily informed her as she climbed out of the well that Koga was waiting for them too. Startled by this unexpected news, she had lost her grip and nearly fell backwards. Only Inu-Yasha's quick reflexes had saved her from breaking her neck, but now she couldn't stop thinking about the dog demon. In the house he was acting nice…until I said "thank you". Maybe he's one of those guys that hates being thanked…or maybe he's just a bitter, annoying puppy! Oh well… She let out a low sigh as she stared at the back of his head, but no one heard her. Why can't I stop looking at him?

"You're being unreasonable, Inu-Yasha!" Kagome shouted, stopping suddenly and stamping her foot in frustration.

"How am I being unreasonable! You're the unreasonable one!" She watched his mouth move as he yelled, not paying much attention to the words he was saying. She only noticed the subtle turn of his jaw line, the masculine curve of his chin, and the straining of his throat. Why can't I stop staring at him? It's like I'm mesmerized or something…

"You didn't have to drag us out of the house this early! I honestly don't know why you do it! Have you even heard of being considerate!"

"I don't have time for that because I actually care about finding the blasted jewel before Naraku does!" Serena's gaze traveled to the pale silver locks that flowed down his back, noticing the beautiful way the mid-morning sunlight sparkled off the strands; his hair seemed to almost glow. It's so pretty…and it looks so soft…I just want to reach out and touch it…

"But we didn't even get to finish our breakfast!"

"Who cares if you didn't finish eating! We have to find the shards you damn wench!" Suddenly Serena caught sight of his eyes; gold orbs shining vibrantly and flashing in anger as he screamed. They seemed to be filled with a passionate fire that burned just beneath the surface and she thought she could see just a hint of red within them. His eyes are so captivating…why did I never notice before?

"Don't call me a wench! Sit boy!" Immediately after the words left Kagome's mouth, he slammed face first into the ground, moaning in pain. Kagome huffed angrily, turning away and continuing her slow march towards the village, leaving the two of them behind. Serena chuckled a bit as Inu-Yasha kept moaning, his head still imbedded in the ground. She strolled over to where he lay and grasped his left arm with both her hands, pulling him to his feet. He shot her a look, obviously confused at her helpfulness.

"Thanks…I guess…Why did you do that?" He asked, standing in front of her when she started walking away. She grinned slyly and moved in close to his face, leaning up to stare in his eyes.

"Feh," she said slowly, reveling in the shocked look that filled his face as he remembered his earlier response to her gratitude. Then she withdrew and shoved past him.

"Wait up, Kagome!" She called, running after her cousin.

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"Serena!" A voice called out just as she reached Kaede's hut, but she did not have time to figure out where it came from before Koga's strong arms wrapped around her from behind. She glanced upward at him, grinning wildly.

"Hi, Koga," she said, happy to see that he was still there, even though Inu-Yasha had said he was. Koga grinned back down at her, and kissed her forehead gently.

"I'm glad you're back. The mutt was starting to get on my nerves." She giggled lightly, then heard Inu-Yasha growl angrily, and she laughed even harder. God, Inu-Yasha is so sensitive! He can't even take a little joke! Koga seemed to find her laughter infectious and joined in, glancing over at Inu-Yasha while he did.

"You better shut your mouth, you damned wolf!" Inu-Yasha snarled, marching towards them, his hand going for his sword hilt. Koga released Serena just as Inu-Yasha drew the Tetsusaiga and Koga started running towards him.

"Stop it!" Serena shrieked as Kagome simultaneously yelled "Sit!"

Inu-Yasha yelped as he slammed into the ground for the second time that day while Koga turned to Serena, an angry expression etched on his masculine face.

"Why did you interfere? I was going to kill that mutt…"

"And that's why. I don't want the two of you trying to kill each other. He's my friend, annoying though he may be and you're my…" She hesitated. Boyfriend…he's your boyfriend!

"And I'm your mate!" Koga finished joyously as he suddenly dashed towards her, picking her up bridal-style and spinning her around. She laughed nervously.

"No. You're my boyfriend…we talked about that," she whispered the last part and he nodded, pouting a bit before he solemnly put her back down.

Finally looking at Kaede's doorway, she saw that the occupants had come out to see what the shouting and laughter was about. The red-headed Shippo ran up to her, hugging her legs tight and she wobbled, trying not to fall over.

"I'm glad you're back, Serena!" The young fox shouted, a happy smile on his face as he looked up at her. She bent down and ruffled his hair. He's so cute!

"I'm glad I'm back too, Shippo." I am…I missed this time. It's so much more fun than the present…I wonder why I'm more comfortable here than in my own time… Sango and Miroku came up to her, avoiding the fight that had sprung up between Inu-Yasha and Kagome yet again. Sango hugged Serena while Koga laughed at Inu-Yasha and Miroku eyed her hungrily. Serena wagged her finger at the monk.

"We talked about this…Do you want me to sic Koga on you?" Miroku grinned and shook his head, sidling closer to her.

"Well…you don't have to tell him everything, do you?" He asked and she rolled her eyes. Then she yelped loudly as he stoked her butt. Damn monk!

"Hey!" She said angrily, then giggled when Sango came to her rescue and whacked Miroku with her Boomerang Bone. He flew backwards through the air, joining Inu-Yasha in the crater caused by the "sit" command given only moments earlier by Kagome. They all laughed as the two of them moaned, and even Kaede cracked a smile from the doorway.

"You'd think he'd have learned by now," Serena said to Sango, who just shrugged in response.

"I guess he's just too perverted to understand…" She seemed oddly sad about something, as if what he'd done to Serena was a surprise. What's wrong with her? She thought, putting a hand on Sango's shoulder.

"Are you all right? Is something wrong, Sango?" The demon-slayer shook her head.

"No…I'm fine." She said before turning back towards the hut. I could've sworn it looked like she was fighting back tears…I wonder what's wrong, what would make her want to cry?

"Koga! Koga, we found you!" The sound of shouting voices snapped Serena from her thoughts and she found herself gazing at the approaching forms of two wolf-demons.

"Ginta! Hakkaku! I was wondering when you two would catch up!" Koga laughed loudly, greeting the two. They must be some of his tribe…

"Well maybe if you didn't run so fast…" The one with a blonde Mohawk she thought was Hakkaku said, shuffling his feet. The wolves talked in hushed voices for a few moments, leaving the group staring at them in confusion. I think they're arguing…But what about? The wolf called Ginta looked over at her briefly before continuing to talk. I think they're talking about me…But why? Kagome seemed to sense her confusion, and put a comforting hand on her cousin's shoulder.

Koga let out an aggravated sigh and hung his head momentarily. I think he lost…But he's their chief, isn't he? So how could he lose an argument?

"You're right, I guess." He turned away and approached Serena, taking her hands in his. She instantly grew worried and Kagome's hand tightened on her shoulder, anticipating what was about to happen.

"I'm sorry, my beautiful mate, but I must leave you for awhile," He said matter-of-factly and she gaped at him in shock.

"What?"

"My wolves and I must continue our search for Naraku so we may avenge our fallen comrades…So I must leave you in the mutt's hands, as much as I despise him, because you'll be safer where you're not facing Naraku."

"What the hell are you talking about!" Inu-Yasha interjected. "We're the ones who are gonna find and kill Naraku!" The two of them started to argue, each saying that they were gonna slaughter their foe, until Serena held up a hand to silence them.

"Inu-Yasha…shut up." She turned back to Koga. "I don't care if I'll be facing Naraku…I want to go with you." He shook his head.

"It's too dangerous and Hakkaku and Ginta agree with me."

"I don't care what your puny wolves think! I want to go with you!" She spoke each word carefully, emphasizing them. Koga sighed and opened his mouth to speak, but Inu-Yasha jumped in before he could.

"You should take her with you, Koga." Everyone gaped at him, surprised that he was on Serena's side.

"What?" Koga and her asked at the same time. Inu-Yasha nodded slowly.

"She wants to go, so you should take her and get her out of our hair." He forced back a laugh at his own statement. He just wants to get rid of me… Serena thought dejectedly. Kagome sighed and grabbed Inu-Yasha by his ear, dragging him into the hut, kicking and screaming. Miroku, Kaede, Sango, and Shippo followed, giving Koga and Serena some privacy aside from his wolves, who were looking around the forest, impatiently waiting for their leader.

"Koga, why don't you want me with you?" She said sadly.

"It's not that," He sighed. "I just can't stand the thought of you in danger."

"And you think I won't be in danger here!" She shouted angrily. "We get attacked almost on a daily basis! I mean, my second day here, I got possessed by a demon!" Koga sighed again.

"Maybe, but I don't want to be the one putting you in danger."

"But you'd rather me be in danger without you around to protect me?" She asked. He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn't wait for his answer. "I guess you don't really love me."

Koga's eyes went wide and he opened his mouth to deny it, but thought better. He looked downward, thinking about how to convince her that he really did love her. But she mistook his silence for her answer.

Serena turned her back to him, trying to keep the tears forming in her eyes from falling.

"Just go," She said, standing perfectly still. Koga turned to leave, then looked back at her stoic form.

"Goodbye then." And then he was gone, his wolves chasing after him yet again. I can't believe it…he really left! She couldn't hold back her tears anymore and they started to flow down her face. She sunk to her knees and pressed her palms to her eyes, sobbing so hard that she didn't even notice her friends watching her cry.

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Again, I am SOO sorry…In fact, I give you all cookies for being so patient with me! (Passes out cookies).

Now, I can't promise anything, but I HOPE to have the next chapter in about a week (maybe less, maybe more)…..and I really am VERY sorry.