I do not own Inuyasha, enjoy the story my loyal fans!

The magical dust swirled silently into camp, and flew over to Kagome's sleeping form. The sun was just starting to rise as it settled into her hair and onto her body, soaking into her frame.

Inuyasha woke then, right as Sango was reentering camp with Kirara in her arms ad Kagome's bag on her shoulder.

"Oh, good morning Inuyasha," she said quickly.

"Hey Sango," he rubbed his eyes and then used Tetsusaiga to get up from the tree.

"Why you got Kagome's bag??"

Sango looked at the bag on her shoulder and smiled, "Oh I was uh…going to get…some water!! Yeah that's it, I was just about to go get some nice fresh water before we left again!!"

Inuyasha gave her a nod while yawning and then walked over to Miroku. He kicked him in the head a couple of times until he woke up and then yanked up Shippou by the tail.

"Yo Runt! Wake up!!"

The young fox demon opened his eyes and growled, "Hey Inuyasha lemme go, lemme go!!"

The half demon pulled Shippou closer and smirked, "And why should I??"

Shippou flailed about and tried to pull himself free, but it did no good.

"NEVERMIND!! HEART SCAR!!"

Shippou scratched Inuyasha's arm, and then crawled around his body until his teeth were firmly planted into his buttocks.

"GAHHHHH!!"

Inuyasha began bucking like a bull, trying to get him to get go.

By then, Kagome had been rattled awake by Sango.

"Hmm?"

"Kagome, could you get Shippou and Inuyasha to stop fighting??"

Kagome's eyes shot open.

She sat up and looked around, "Oh…yeah."

Her voice was soft as she stood up and stretched.

"Inuyasha, sit."

And automatically, Inuyasha went flying into the ground.

Kagome walked over and picked up Shippou.

"Good morning dear Kagome," Miroku said as he brought in some fresh fire wood.

"Good morning everyone," she replied in a sleep voice.

***

The dust flew for miles, heading towards the den.

It wouldn't be noticed. Especially not by demons, since its used on them. That's why its used on them, they aren't able to smell, sense, or see it.

So, as soon as it reached the den, it searched out Kouga.

Finally finding him keeping watch over the den from a high rock.

The dust flew to Kouga, covering his body and absorbing itself into his skin.

He didn't even notice though, he just kept staring out into the forest and over his pack mates. Keeping an eye out for danger.

Ginta walked up to him, carrying a spike and chuckled.

"Hey Kouga," hey smiled.

"Yeah?"

"Some of the wolves came up to me after there scouting just now."

He turned his head then, alert.

"And? Did something go wrong??!"

"No."

"Well spit it out!! What happened then!!"

Ginta swallowed hard and backed up a couple steps.

"They reported seeing Sister Kagome and Inuyasha nearby. They said that they were traveling along the border of our lands. Towards the valley."

Kouga jumped up, then, smirking.

"Well then, I'm going to go see my woman. I was just getting an urge to go see her anyway!! See ya later Ginta!!"

And with that, Kouga ran off in his tornado.

But what Kouga didn't know, is that the urge he felt wasn't just the love he felt for the young priestess, but the powder going to work.

***

Kagome was now walking down a lie of trees with her companions, every now and then talking with Shippou, or Sango.

But other than that, she was quiet, which wasn't like her.

It was just, ever since that morning when she woke up, she didn't feel like being there. She felt like going to the east. She didn't feel like being anywhere but there, and especially not with Inuyasha.

She even sat him when he offered to carry her, a very weird gesture of him.

Kagome gave a sigh of boredom.

But just as she was about to ask to stop and sit down, a twinge in her heart signaled a feeling of happiness inside of her.

'Why am I happy?'

"I uh, feel jewel shards. Two of them, probably Kouga."

Inuyasha growled and whirled around holding Tetsusaiga.

"Dam* wolf!! I'll slaughter him!!"

Kagome felt anger bubble inside of her as Inuyasha ranted on about killing the wolf.

But she held her tongue. She knew as soon as she said something, Inuyasha would want to kill him more, and then they would get into a fight, and then Kagome would end up going home.

And right now, for some odd reason, she didn't want to go home, she wanted to stay…and wait until Kouga came.

5 minutes later, Kouga appeared from his tornado in front of Kagome. He grabbed her hands and smirked, "Hey there Kagome. How's the mutt treatin ya??"

Kagome smiled, a real smile this time. Different from her regular smile she usually gave Kouga, and then shrugged.

"Hi Kouga! I'm fine, I was actually just about to sit down…would you like to join us."

Inuyasha's head slammed into the ground, making Kouga smile.

"Sure, thanks."

Inuyasha got in between them and pushed Kagome back, "NO! WHAT THE HE*L HE AINT SITTING WITH US!!! KEEP YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFFA HER YA MANGY WOLF!!"

Kouga pushed right past him to go sit down with Kagome and the others, who were laughing and snacking on some chips Kagome had brought.

"Hey Kagome, these are those things you gave me a while ago, the crunchy ones!"

Shippou nodded while he sucked on his lollipop.

"Yeah Kouga, they're called chips! You should try the rest of Kagome's ninja food!! Its all so good!!"

Kouga gave a nod and then passed the bag onto Miroku, "Hey, how do I get the stuff offa my fingers??"

"You suck them," answered Kagome sucking on hers as well.

He mirrored her and smiled as she giggled at him.

Sango watched the exchange of giggles and smiles. She couldn't help but smile herself, 'Its working. Kagome never used to act like this around him!! I'm so happy!'

"You should really try the ramen, Kouga, that is the best of the ninja food Kagome has."

"Ninja food?"

Shippou nodded while holding up a Styrofoam cup, "Yeah, its what we call it!! This ramen, you put hot water in it and then wait a minute and then eat it!! Its so good!!"

"HEY I THOUGHT ALL THE RAMEN WAS GONE!!"

Shippou jumped away from one of Inuyasha's fists and put away the cup.

"It is!! But I saved a cup for myself since you always eat it all!! YOU PIG!!"

Inuyasha growled, "YOU SQUIRT!! GIMME THAT RAMEN BEFORE I PULVERIZE YOU!!!"

Kagome sighed and sat her candy bar down, "Inuyasha, stop chasing him!"

"OR WHAT!!?"

"Or," she said while balling her fist, "I'll say the 's' word!"

Inuyasha was about to pull out his blade, but froze.

"You wouldn't," he said slowly.

Kagome gave him 'the look' and picked up her candy bar, "Oh yes I would. Now stop pestering Shippou!! It isn't his fault that you eat every cup of ramen I have! I would've hid a cup to if you hadn't raided my bag!!"

Inuyasha's ears flattened against his hair as he sat down cross-legged, "Jeez Kagome…"

She huffed and crumpled up her wrapper, stuffing it in her bag.

"Whatever, you know its true."

Kouga watched how she was acting and couldn't help but chuckle. Inuyasha was finally getting what he deserved, and Kouga was there to see it with his woman! How much better could it get??

Kagome took out a bottle of water and took a sip. She noticed Kouga licking his lips and offered him the bottle.

"What is it," he questioned eyeing the bottle.

"Its water. Just in a container from my home. Want some?"

He took the bottle and pressed it to his lips leaning his head back. Without even knowing it, he downed the bottle, and when no more water came out, he lifted it from his mouth.

"Oh, uh, sorry Kagome. Didn't mean to drink it all."

Kagome giggled and took the bottle from him and put it back in her bag.

"Don't worry bout it. I have a lot more. I offered it to you anyway so its fine."

He smirked and wiped his mouth on his wristband.

"Thanks for the food Kagome, it was really good."

She smiled at him while Inuyasha growled. His leg started bouncing in aggravation.

"No problem Kouga. It wouldn't have been right of me to eat and not offer you. So what will you do now??"

"Well," he said thinking, "Since Naraku's still alive, and the Mutt aint doin nothing to kill 'em, I guess I gotta go back to the den and get prepared to head out. I'm gonna track him down and kill him with my bare hands. And then I'm gonna get my jewel shard back!!!"

Kagome laughed at his actions while talking. He would punch the air and kick his legs around, putting on a real show.

"That's good Kouga."

"WHAT!!? NO IT AINT!! HE DON'T EVEN NEED THEM JEWEL SHARDS!! WE'RE GONNA GET 'EM ALL ANYWAY!! DON'T TELL HIM THAT KAGOME!!!"

Kagome's head spun around, "Inuyasha! I can say whatever I want!! Don't tell me what I cant do!! And it is a good thing that he has that determination and wants to get his jewel shard back!! Why are you being like that!?!!?"

Inuyasha stood up and stomped the ground, "WHAT'RE YOU TALKIN BOUT!!? ME ACTIN LIKE THAT?? WHY ARE YOU ACTIN LIKE YOU CARE ABOUT THAT STUPID WOLF!!?? AND I WILL TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO!! YOU'RE MYYYYYY SHARD DETECTOR AND I WILL DECIDE WHAT GOES ON AND WHAT'S SAID!! ESPECIALY IF ITS TO ME YOU STUPID WENCH!!"

Kagome stood up too, but was surprised when Kouga got in front of her.

"DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO KAGOME LIKE THAT!! YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF HER, AND I WONT LET YOU SCREAM AT MY WOMAN LIKE THAT!! YOU UNGRATEFUL MUTT!!"

"WHAT THE HE*L!! YOU STUPID WOLF!! I OUGHTA THROTTLE YOU'RE AS*!!"

Inuyasha went for the throat, but Kagome didn't want that. She had seen enough.

"INUYASHA, SIT BOY!!"

Kouga had his fist pulled back, but was surprised when Inuyasha's face went flying into ground at his feet.

"GAHH!! Kagome!!!"

"Inuyasha!! I'm sick of you always being so violent and angry with me! I'm not yours, and you don't boss me around!! I'm going home you big jerk!! And if you follow me, I wont ever talk to you, come back, or let you eat my ramen EVER AGAIN!!"

Inuyasha moaned as he felt Kagome stomp on his back like the day before.

She grabbed her bag and threw a bag of chips to Miroku and a sleeping bag to Sango.

"Bye, you guys."

Kagome kissed Shippou on the forehead and then started walking down the road.

"Wait Kagome, you can use Kirara!!"

Kagome looked back and saw Kirara flying towards her.

"Thanks Sango!"

Kagome jumped on and began flying down the road.

Kouga saw Kagome leaving and decided to follow. He waved off to Miroku and Sango and then started down the road after Kagome.

***

Kagome was riding on Kirara, muttering about Inuyasha and ramen and how he should be a pig demon instead of dog.

Kouga spotted her ahead and sped up with his shards, not even breaking a sweat.

She felt his shards and asked Kirara to slow down so he could catch up and smiled as he ran up beside her.

"Hey Kouga, what's up?"

He smirked and then shrugged, "Well, I figured you'd still be pretty pissed about the Inuyasha thing, and I didn't want you getting hurt, so…"

"So?" she asked in a hopeful voice, though she couldn't explain it to herself why she sounded that way.

"So, I was wonderin if you would like to come stay at the den for a while, until you wanna go back home. You know so you can cool down and visit?"

Kagome giggled and then thought about her answer.

If she didn't go, Kouga would be sad, and for some reason she couldn't say no.

And then if she said yes, Kouga would be happy, she would be happy, the tribe would be happy!! But….Inuyasha would come looking for her, and then threaten Kouga's life again. And for some reason, that made her really mad.

But the yes factor outweighed the no, so she had no choice.

"Yes Kouga, I'll come visit."

"Oh I understand, its ok if…wait! You said yes!!?"

She nodded, "Yup."

"So that means your comin to the den?!!"

She sighed and nodded. Sometimes Kouga could be a little dense, just a little.

"I guess if we don't stand here any longer."

Kouga nodded, "Right, follow me."

"Kirara, follow Kouga, please."

She groaned, meaning yes in Kirara language, and followed as Kouga made a sharp right turn and headed into the forest.

***

30 minutes later, they arrived at a tall cliff.

Kouga came to a stop followed by Kirara landing to the ground.

"This is it. I should probably take it from here since the rocks are booby trapped."

Kagome slid off of Kirara, "Booby trapped?"

He picked her up and nodded while jumping from rock to rock.

"Yeah, we booby trapped them to fall off if any weight is put on them. That way, if anyone that isn't from the wolf tribe wont know where to step, and then we will know if we are being attacked."

Kagome looked at where he was stepping and then down.

"But isn't showing me dangerous?"

He shook his head, "Psshh no! You are a part of the tribe. Plus, its not like you would do anything to hurt us."

"Hmmm. So how is everything??"

Kouga shifted her legs so they would be tucked into her side, that way they wouldn't hit any of the protruding rocks.

"Fine, Ginta and Hakakku keep watch over the tribe for me when I'm gone, and then children are growing healthily. And the food is pretty good, too. The boar are really big this year!"

She laughed at his child-like smile, "That's good, Kouga. I'm glad your pack is eating well, and the children are good. Though, I didn't know there were children."

"Oh yeah, there are lots of babies and kids, they just aren't allowed to fight, or hunt until the age of 13. We have them live in special places of the den, so they aren't hurt, along with the women."

"I guess that makes sense. Speaking of women…has Ayame been bothering you??"

She didn't know why she had asked the question, or why she had even thought of her when he said women. But for some reason, she didn't like his answer either. It kinda made her…jealous?

"Ayame? Yeah, she's been botherin me alright, sayin that I'm her mate, and that I wouldn't be leader anymore if I didn't come with her, or that the elder would make me marry her. It was really annoying. But, I told her that I already had a mate and that she would never be mine, and that she could go f…never mind."

Kagome knew what he was going to say, and had to agree with his unspoken words. Ayame needed to leave him alone and get a life!! What kind of person couldn't take a hint!! Kouga didn't want her, he wanted Kagome!

Not Ayame, Kagome! Why couldn't the wolf girl get that?

"Why wont she just get another mate?"

"I don't know. Something about an alliance with the southern tribe and royal bloodlines and powerful pups. All crap if you ask me!"

"Why is that," Kagome asked in a thoughtful tone.

"I mean, if you love someone, it doesn't matter how the pup turns out, or about bloodlines, or even if they're demon or not. You should be able to be with whoever you love. That's why I wont mate Ayame. I don't love her."

"But you're always yelling at Inuyasha for being a half demon, you call him a mutt."

They reached the top then, he sat her down, "Of course I do!! He's my rival and I do it to get on his nerves! I've met lots of half-breeds in my life and most of them were good people. I don't have a problem with half-demons, its just really fun to see his reaction!"

Kagome gave him a nod of understanding and then turned around to see Kirara had actually followed behind them. No doubt making sure that Kouga wasn't trying to hurt Kagome.

"Hey there Kirara! Thank you for bringing me here, here ya go," Kagome sat down her bag and rummaged through until she brought out a silvery can.

Kirara immediately recognized it and started purring uncontrollably.

"Yeah I know girl," said Kagome peeling back the lid.

She sat it on the ground and patted her while she happily ate.

The smell of salty fish soaking in its own juices assaulted Kouga's nose, making him cover it. The strong smell was to much for him, though he liked fish, that just smelled like…a sweaty…Inuyasha? Or at least, it did when he was your rival and you liked to make fun of him.

"WHAT IS THAT STUFF!!?"

Kagome looked over her shoulder and held up the now empty and spotless can.

"Its called sardines. They're Kirara's favorite!!"

She placed the can in her bag and lifted Kirara up, "Do you mind if Kirara stays here a little while so she can rest? I know she's probably tired after all that flying and all."

He uncovered his nose and wiggled it slightly, "Uh, no I don't, just don't bring out anymore of those sardine things. They stink like the mutt!!"

Kirara mewed while licking her chops. She laughed and nodded, "Sure, although I don't Kirara agreed with you!"

He rolled his eyes and started walking towards the waterfall that hid the den from the surrounding world.

***

Ginta and Hakakku were the first to realize Kagome's arrival.

They immediately left their lookout posts and rushed to her.

"SISTER!"

"Kagome!!!"

They scooped her up in a double hug, squeezing her effectively.

"Hey…guys," she managed to get out. They were squeezing the air right out of her.

Kouga saw her face beginning to change colors and decided to step in.

"Alright, alright you two! That's enough, cant you see she cant even breath??"

They looked at their leader and then put Kagome down to catch her breath.

"Sorry Kagome," apologized Hakakku.

"Yeah, its just we haven't seen you in a long time," explained Ginta.

Kagome leaned over, taking in deep breaths.

"Yeah, its fine," she waved it off, though the way her chest was going up and down, you could tell she was lying.

"Come on Kagome, lets go inside. There you can sit down."

She nodded and followed him in after saying a short goodbye to Ginta and Hakakku and entered the dimly lit cave. It had been cleaned considerably since her last visit, and it didn't smell like wet dog anymore. Plus all the bones and skeletons of dead animals were gone, making it look less like a Halloween Horror House, and more like a living area.

Kouga was surrounded by wolves instantly, all whimpering and yipping, almost as if they were talking. Kagome stared as Kouga mumbled and grumbled back to them, obviously giving out orders.

'Look at him, being such a strong leader, and still looking so hot while talking wolf. I wish I could rip off all of his…WAIT! WHAT'S UP WITH THESE THOUGHTS!! WHY AM I THINKING THIS WAY!!? WHY DID I EVEN COME HERE!?'

All of Kagome's antics and thoughts, were work of the potion/powder. Yes it was working marvelously. And soon, she wouldn't even question herself about things. The love she would feel for Kouga, would be natural. Like the way she used to feel about Inuyasha.

***

Kouga gave Kagome a sideways glance. He saw she was staring in his direction, but not looking at him. She was staring past him, off into space.

His wolves also noticed it, and they went to investigate.

One of them, the largest and meanest wolves of the pack, approached her. His nose went to her belly, poking her slightly.

She came back to reality, and looked down.

"Huh?"

She poked her again, and again, and soon he had poked her hard enough to push her to the ground, but not aggressively. Kagome yelped and fell back on her butt with an 'eep'.

Kouga saw it as him…playing?

The same wolf walked beside her and sat down, pushing his head under her hand so she was petting him.

The other wolves gathered around her and sat down, too.

"What the," mumbled the wolf leader as he watched his mighty and ferocious animals give in to such a small girl.

Kagome giggled and smiled up to him, "Hey Kouga, think they like me?!"

He gave an absentminded nod. "Sure, but…aren't you afraid? Last time you were here, you were scared outa your mind."

She patted the largest one on the head, "Nah. I don't have a reason to be scared. I mean, look at his face!! They're all so cute!! I don't believe they would hurt a hair on me! Well I guess they would if you ordered them to, but…"

He shrugged, "I guess you're right. But I would never order them to hurt you."

Kagome scratched a black wolves chewed ear and got up.

"Yeah."

Kouga grabbed her hand and brought her over to a bed of hay. The same one she had been thrown on when she was brought there to fight the Birds of Paradise. The same one she had been put upon when she found out that Kouga needed her. No one had ever truly needed her. They just wanted, or used her. But no, Kouga had asked her to help him, he needed her.

"You know that don't you??"

He looked straight into her eyes, with an intensity she had never seen there before.

Was that intensity the powder at work, or was it always there and she had never seen it before? Had it been there all along, and she had never taken a few seconds to look into his beautiful, electric blue eyes and see it?

Kagome felt his seriousness and looked away. Breaking the stare meant that she was embarrassed. Which was a good sign for Kouga but, he still needed his answer.

"Kagome," he grabbed her hand and let his face grow soft, "Answer, please?"

She still didn't look at him. But her face grew a pale pink, "Yes Kouga, I know that."

"Then why did you always stay with the mutt? You know you always had a home, and friends, and family here. And if you knew that I would never hurt you, then why wouldn't you come with me??"

She sighed and looked at him again. The intensity was still there, boring into her, digging deep into her eyes, trying to get her to answer.

"I…don't know."

"How do you not know? There had to be a reason! Was it me? My wolves? Was I smothering you? Did the mutt threaten you? Were you scared?…did you think I would hurt you?"

Kagome shook her head at his suggestions. They were all wrong! She was telling the truth! She really didn't know why she had ever stayed with Inuyasha! When she thought about it, there wasn't a reason to stay with him other than the jewel shards. And then again, he could get the remaining ones on his own if he wanted, they were all with Naraku after all.

"I don't know Kouga!! I really don't!! I was just being stupid!!"

Now Kouga had done it.

He made Kagome feel stupid.

He made her cry.

And…he didn't know how to make her feel better.

The first 20 minutes of her stay and she was already crying.

Yup he was SCREWED!

Kay, so now here's the Kouga/Kagome moment.