Chapter Ten: An Uneasy Night

A/N: Oh crap. I think I'm doing the days ALL WRONG. The previous chapter…where it said "day two"…can't possibly be right. This is like…day three now or something? Ugh! Sorry about this everyone! It's been a while. (It's all my fault anyways!) Squeeeeeee! I'd best be getting' this fixed, neh? Also. Thanx again for the comments!

Also, I want to clear something up. In chapter seven in this paragraph:

"I do love you, more than anything, but I wouldn't try anything that would make you unhappy, Kagome," Kouga had explained. Kouga remembered those words as if she were born with them plastered to her heart. She pulled back from Inuyasha. "He didn't hurt me."

The bold Kouga is supposed to say "Kagome." Yes. That's a big, weird oops.

Story start! -

Kagome lifted her head when she saw Kouga returning from the hot spring. She stood up to show that she was ready to head back. The moon hung over the forest, it's milky glow blanketing the trees and reflecting in the water. Kouga smiled when he saw Kagome. "Did I take too long?" he asked.

Kagome shook her head. "No. Not at all." After returning a smile, she turned to leave. As she walked, she felt a hand wrap around her own. It was Kouga, his eyes looking side to side and his ears listening. Kagome only smiled and gripped Kouga's hand. He was certainly protective.

When the two made it back to the den, Kagome pulled away from Kouga. With a tired smile she said, "Good night…and thanks."

"Um. Don't you want to sleep with me?" Kouga asked with a hopeful expression.

"I think I need to be alone for a while. I'm sorry." With that, Kagome turned and went to her bed at a quicker pace than usual. Kouga cocked an eyebrow, a symbol of curiosity. Was Kagome feeling okay?

Kagome plopped down on her bed of furs and sighed deeply. She finally realized that it didn't feel right being with Kouga…it didn't feel right being away from…Inuyasha. Well, Kouga was loving and protective and…funny…but…Kagome rolled onto her back. "But what Kagome?" she asked to herself in a low whisper. But what?

Kouga sat on his furs with his legs crossed and head resting in the palm of his hand. His eyes were shut tightly, indicating that he was in deep thought. Why had Kagome acted that way? Was she thinking about…

"Inuyasha." Kagome closed her eyes, trying to push the image of the hanyou out of her head. But it was hard. "Does this make me a two timer?"

"Stupid mutt-face. If only Kagome had met me first." Kouga's eyebrow twitched at the thought of Inuyasha. "For some time there I actually believed that Kagome had forgotten about him." He rose to his feet and quietly made his way to the part of the den where Kagome would be. He entered Kagome's little room, cave place, thing, and found her asleep. In fact, she was out like a rock. Should Kouga take advantage of this moment? Kouga lowered himself to Kagome and…he quickly retreated back to his room.

Again, he sat on his bed cross-legged with his head resting in the palm of his hand; eyes shut tightly indicating that he was in deep thought. 'Damnit! Why did I run away?' "Of course I ran away! I promised Kagome that I wouldn't try anything that might hurt her! I would never do something like that to Kagome without her permission! Okay Kouga. Just lie down, go to sleep, and forget about the existence of that no good mutt!"

Kagome opened her eyes slowly, and sat up. It was still nightfall, and much later than before. She looked around her, sadly realizing that she was alone. Isolated…isolated from all of her friends that used to sleep under the stars with her. All of her friends and…Inuyasha. With loneliness taking over, she involuntarily stood to her feet and wobbled through the den.

As soon as Kagome entered Kouga's room, she stopped herself. 'What am I doing?' But her legs moved again and she quickly found herself lying beside Kouga. He was asleep, of course. He was on his side facing the opposite direction of Kagome. Kagome scooted close to his back and tried to sleep. Unfortunately, she struggled with that plan. No matter how hard she tried and no matter how comfortable she tired to get, she couldn't get to sleep. What was wrong with her? Finally, all of her struggling made Kouga stir in his sleep. Then he opened his eyes. Then he sniffed the air. Then he turned over. Then he saw Kagome.

Kagome was staring up at the cavern ceiling, unmoving and deathly silent. Kouga touched her shoulder. "Are you alright?" the wolf asked with great concern.

Kagome's lifeless eyes suddenly blinked and she quickly shot up. "Kouga?" She looked around quickly. "What am I…?" 'Oh yeah…I came in here because I…I don't know why!'

"Kagome?" Kouga rested his hand on her shoulder.

"It's nothing. I'm sorry." Kagome stood and started to leave.

"Wait Kagome. You can stay in here if you want. I don't mind." Kouga also stood. 'Hell. I don't mind at all!'

Kagome just stared at him for a while. She was unsure of what to do. 'What if he tries something…? I can't let my guard down.' But why would Kouga "try something?" Didn't the two of them already make it clear that Kouga wouldn't try anything?

Kouga's expression changed and the tone of his deep voice became serious. "It's about Inu…that mutt, isn't it?"

Kagome caught her breath. So he knew. There was no point in lying to him. She nodded slowly and looked away, not able to face him any longer. What would he say or do now? When it came to Inuyasha, Kouga was quick to anger. No doubt about that. And after agreeing to stay with Kouga…after all the young girl and wolf demon have been through together in these past few days…

Kouga grabbed Kagome's arm and spun her to face him. "Why?"

Kagome could only stare into those beautiful blue orbs. Not a word left her mouth. Why did she want to go back to Inuyasha after everything? Wasn't it supposed to feel right being with Kouga? Pulling away, Kagome stammered, "I-I don't know."

Kouga was at a loss for words now. He couldn't just say "fine" of "then just go back to that mutt." That would be like selling away his soul to the devil! Because of Inuyasha running after that "other woman" and hurting Kagome he would be glad to unleash his full fury on the stupid dog. But Kagome wouldn't want that. Ugh! Why is this so difficult?

Kouga swallowed. "So…does this mean that you're leaving me?" Kagome didn't reply. She only stared at her feet. "Well…at least stay with me for the next few days like agreed! Then…then…" Then she could leave him. 'At least I can have her for a little time. That's good enough…better…than…nothing.'

"I think I'm in love with you, Kouga," came Kagome's voice, quiet and unsure. "But…I also think a part of my love for Inuyasha still lingers in my heart, too." Kagome turned to look Kouga in the eyes. "I just don't know. Does this make me a two timer?"

The question wasn't meant to be funny in any way. Kouga could clearly tell that. "No Kagome! You're…not." Kagome's heart was so closer to Kouga…yet so far away all at once.

Love is a fragile thing and a strong thing all at once. It can be broken just as easily as it could be built upon.

Kouga's love for Kagome was definitely very strong. But the wrong words, the wrong actions, could ruin it all and break his heart…the hidden weakness buried deep within Kouga…the fragility of his love which doesn't even seem to exist because his love is so strong. It could all be ruined, destroyed, wiped out from existence.

What will you do now Kagome?