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

Kouga waved his hands around in a failing attempt to calm the distressed Kagome.

Kirara growled angrily at the wolf demon in front of her. He made the girl who was her masters best friend, and like a second master to her cry!! He would pay!

Kirara transformed and stood, blocking Kagome from him.

"Rawr!!"

Now, usually everyone in the tribe would've been all over Kirara for threatening their leader, but unfortunately for him, they were all out hunting for dinner.

So he was left to deal with this himself.

….great.

"YO, CAT, MOVE!!"

She shook her head and growled at him again, "RAAAWWRRR!!"

Kagome sat behind the fire-cat still, sobbing her eyes out. For some odd reason she wanted Kouga to come console her.

He growled in response at the cat, but held back his fisted hand. He knew that Kagome, and the demon slayer would be mad at him if he inured the cat.

Plus he figured that she was only trying to protect Kagome from being hurt.

Hurt by him.

He sighed and backed away a couple of steps.

"Listen here…Kirara?"

She cocked her head to the side and groaned. He obviously was trying to communicate.

"I didn't mean to make Kagome cry, I don't like making her cry. But…if you look at her, you'll see that she needs help, and I want to help make what I did better. Let me get to her?"

The fire-cat still didn't seem convinced though, she stood her ground, giving out a loud, throaty roar. She seemed to be saying 'I wont let you pass JERK!'

Kouga couldn't give up though. He had to find out a way to get on her good side, so she would let him see Kagome.

Then Kouga's foot hit Kagome's yellow bag. He looked down and saw the silver can sticking out of it, one that stunk of fish juice and salt.

He smirked and slowly kneeled down to pull out the can. Kouga held it up waving it around a little.

"Oh, kitty cat," he said in a taunting voice.

Her eyes snapped to the can. She instantly knew what it was, but still seemed reluctant to move.

Kouga figured that it wouldn't be enough just to show her, so he took a finger, and cut into the can's lid.

He resisted the urge to stomp the fowl smelling fish into the ground as once again, the odor drifted to his oh so sensitive nose. Kouga had his fair share of nasty smelling stuff in his life, from rotting human flesh, to baby wolf barf, but this topped it all. He didn't know what made these fish smell so bad! All other fish he had encountered, cooked or raw, had an almost appetizing scent. But these were just…ew.

Kirara's nose started twitching then. She moaned at the tempting aroma.

"You want 'em?"

She gave a slight nod as she took a hesitant step forward.

Kouga raised the can up, "Fine, GO GET 'EM!!"

He threw the can into the back of the cave, making Kirara jump to the air and chase after her beloved sardines.

"HA," Kouga ran to the bed of hay and skidded to a stop in front of Kagome.

"Kagome," he squatted down in front of her crying form.

Her sobs were silent now, but none the less, they were cries. And her cries made Kouga want to rip his heart out. It wouldn't do him any good though, because Kagome would still be left crying AND alone.

He laid a hand on her shoulder and moved closer to sit beside her.

She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her shirt and looked over at him.

Kouga only stared at her with a soft smile, and a warm hand.

And suddenly, she felt better.

Not only had he come to comfort her, but he had risked his like with Kirara to do it. Though, he did kinda cheat with the sardines.

"Kouga."

He squeezed her shoulder slightly, and then let his hand fall to lay on top of hers.

"I'm sorry Kagome. I shouldn't have tried to forced you like that."

"I-its ok," she replied, giving a good sniffle.

"No," he half-yelled, "I--I don't like it when you cry. And knowing that I was the reason made it worse!! I don't wanna be like the mutt, I don't wanna hurt you Kagome. I want to do something to make it better."

Kagome's smiled, one that reached her perfect brown eyes.

"You're not like him, Kouga."

"But I wanna make this better. I need to," his tone of voice was slightly higher pitched than his normal low raspy voice.

"I don't know how."

"Anything! I'll do anything to make it better! You name it!"

"Well," Kagome thought about something, anything to help clear his conscious.

"I could use a bath."

Kouga smiled and jumped up. He offered her his hand, and she took it after looking at him for a couple of seconds.

'Why is there this connection with our eyes every time I look at him? Why am I so…happy right now? My mind, its telling me to grab him right now and…oh god these thoughts are so Miroku-ish!!'

"Come on Kagome, I'll take you to the nearest hot springs!"

Kagome ran by her bag and grabbed it. She turned to walk outside, but was knocked off of her feet by a pair of strong, tanned arms.

She almost laughed at his actions. He was working so hard for her forgiveness, when he already had it from the minute he said he was sorry.

He looked down at her, "Hey Kagome?"

"Hmm?"

"I promise that I'll never act like that stupid Inuyasha again!"

"What do you mean?"

He shook his head, "Never mind, just remember that, okay?"

Kagome gave him a sarcastic grin before she nodded.

"Suuuuurrrrre…"

He winked at her and ran around the side of the mountain. To Kagome's surprise, there was a huge hot springs in front of them as Kouga came to a stop.

She could feel the steam rising into the air, and the comforting feel of the atmosphere.

"I never knew this place was here. Its huge!"

He sat her down and gave a quiet laugh.

"Yeah it is a pretty big one huh? Its only used by the pack, its kind of a rule."

Kagome walked over to the edge and looked over her shoulder.

"Sure I can use it? I don't mind going to a different one if-"

"Nope, its all yours!"

She sighed and shook her head, "Okaayyyy."

Kagome went to slip out of her cloths when she realized Kouga was still standing there…watching her…not looking away or anything!

She looked back at him. He looked at her. She gave an embarrassed smile, and he still didn't move.

"…Kouga?"

"Yeah," he replied in an absolutely clueless voice.

"I kinda gotta get undressed."

He sat there staring at her for a little while, and then understanding washed over his face.

A light blush rose into his cheeks as he turned and walked to a nearby tree. He sat down-facing away from her-and sighed, "Sorry, didn't mean to uh…yeah."

From his voice you could tell he was slightly embarrassed.

She smiled and slipped out of her usual school uniform and into the soothing water.

An unexpected sigh of relief escaped her lips as she leaned back.

Kouga couldn't help but smile as he heard her, "Enjoying yourself?"

Kagome scrubbed her arms with soap and giggled, "Yup. I haven't had a bath like this in ages. Inuyasha would only let the group stop every week to bathe in a hot springs. Other times me and Sango had to go in a river. It was freezing!"

He smiled and laid his head back against the bark of the tree.

Kagome ducked under water for a couple of seconds and came up. She scrubbed her hair and scalp with the Vanilla French Twist with Jade Extract (yep it's a real shampoo scent) shampoo and rinsed it thoroughly, loving he way the bubbles surrounded her.

A lovely scent drifted to Kouga's nose while he was drawing in the sand. He leaned into the source and almost fell over.

"Hey Kagome, what's that smell??"

She laid the bottles of bathing supplies in her bag and stepped out of the pool.

"Its called shampoo."

"What do you do with it? It doesn't smell like food, or anything I've ever smelled."

"Its used to keep your hair clean and healthy."

"Hmmm, it smells good."

She nodded, though he couldn't see her, while she slipped on a pair of underwear and yellow knee-knockers. She replaced her school blouse with a white tank top, and pulled her hair up into a high ponytail.

"Kay Kouga, you can come out now. I'm all dressed."

Kouga stood up and walked over. His tail swayed left and right as he walked, and he smirked at her outfit.

"Ready to go back to the den, love??"

Kagome picked up her bag, but Kouga's hand was on top of her in a second.

"Let me take it," he offered.

She almost said no, but couldn't, her mouth said 'yes' before she could even respond voluntarily.

"Umm, thank you?"

He nodded and picked her up in his arms.

"Actually," she said squirming free of his gentle grip, "I'd like to walk back to the den. Its not that far, and its such a nice night out."

Kouga didn't really get it. If he had somebody that wanted to carry him around everywhere, he would gladly let them. But she wanted to walk, even after all the traveling she had done that day with Inuyasha.

He really couldn't say no. Whatever made her happy, made him happy.

"Sure. Just…stay close to me. There's been this really big boar out here lately, and I don't want you gettin hurt."

She nodded and began walking down a barely visible pathway. The sun had set about an hour ago, and the moon was unseen do to clouds. So the only real guidance she had was the pathway…and the handsome wolf demon beside her.

***

They had been walking for a while now, and Kouga could smell the den getting closer and closer.

Kagome hummed softly as she walked along the now totally invisible path.

Her shoed feet dug into the soft dirt beneath them, and her hair was blowing in the warm summer breeze, though it hung supended by her scrunchee. It was a humid earlier that day, the air was thick and harder to breathe in, but the fresh night breeze that played with the fabric of Kagome's tanktop helped her relax, knowing that she was now clean and happy.

Just being here reminded her of the day when she was kidnapped. But now, they were good and funny memories. Instead of horrible and bad ones. Every time she thought about the reactions she got when she slapped Kouga, or about how the guy that threatened to kill her got squished by a boar thrown by none other than Kouga, she started smiling to herself.

"I never apologized for that," she said out loud.

"Huh?"

'Did I say that out loud?'

"Um," she said scratching the back of her head, "I was just thinkin, I never said I was sorry for slapping you that day."

He rubbed his cheek as if it still hurt and smirked, "You got one h*ll of a arm on you."

She smiled and playfully pushed him, "Whatever! Its not like you didn't deserve it! Sayin I was gonna be your mate and all that! Do you know how overwhelmed and freaked out I was!?"

"Sorry, didn't mean to freak you out. But I mean, honestly, if you were in my position, with a pretty young girl their, that could help you with the pack and be strong. What would you have done??"

Kagome laughed and shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe I would've asked her instead of claiming her as mine without even thinking about it and then wondering why I got slapped!!"

Kouga laughed and grabbed her hand, "Okay, I guess I deserved that!"

She giggled, "Yeah you did and- AHH!!"

Kagome fell forward after her-stupid-left foot caught on a very small, but still protruding, rock.

Kouga felt her suddenly jerk forward, so his grip on her hand tightened as he lunged right and caught her other wrist. He pulled back and inch just to make sure she wouldn't hit the ground.

So she sat there, suspended in air by her wrists.

Kagome's eyes were squished tightly together. And they stayed that way for a good 2 minutes until Kouga's voie broke through the silence, "Kagome, relax, I got you."

She twisted her head around and then slowly opened her left eye. When Kagome was sure that she really was okay, and wasn't imagining that Kouga had just caught her in his strong- muscled, tan, chiseled, hard, flexed, warm, sexy….well you get it- arms, she opened her other eye to stare at him.

"You okay? Almost took a bad spill there!"

Kagome blushed and quickly pushed herself up and out of his arms.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she stuttered while pushing a piece of hair behind her ear and looking at her worn shoes.

"I'm just clumsy, that's all…"

Kouga gave her a small smile and nodded, "I can tell."

"Hey," she countered while looking up, "Its dark out here! I cant see in pitch-blackness like you!"

He grabbed her arm and started walking again. Kouga chose to ignore her yelling and just enjoy their time together, alone.

"Ya know, I cant see in the dark," he said kind of plainly. Like it was obvious. He really was cocky sometimes. Like she was suppose to know that about him.

"Then how can you see where your going? And how did you catch me back then? I mean, you had to have done something that helped you see me."

He shrugged, though she couldn't see. The dim light of flickering fires behind cold rushing water could be seen just ahead.

"Its what happens when you live here for years. Being raised here, wandering these cliffs and surrounding forests day and night, winter or summer. Searching for food or defending your pack, the ones you love. You learn to not look at the mountain, but feel, hear, and smell it. You use your nose and ears. Not your eyes," by then they had reached the den, but he stopped outside, "because your eyes can lie to you. You can see a waterfall in the distance, but come to find that it was only a tiny trickle of water, merely a trick of the light and foliage. Being able to travel this place without sight is second nature to me. Especially since I am the leader. I have to know everything there is about this place. If not…the slightest thing could throw me off."

"Oh," was the only thing Kagome could say. She never knew Kouga could be so wise. It was like he was a whole new person. So caring and deep. And…it was kinda hot!

"Yeah. Plus there are some really amazing places here! Like the mud pit where Ginta and Hakakku were attacked by this huge bear," Kouga's smirk had returned. And his hands were placed on his hips firmly.

And there goes the hotness!

Kagome sighed, but felt the urge to smile. It was cute how he was so childish sometimes!

'He's so….hot, cute, handsome, buff, toned, tan, caring, dramatic and…wait…ehh! I did not just think those things! Why am I doing this! every time I look at him I get all blurry headed and then my mind strays to these thoughts of him and his hotness! See there I went again! He is so not…ugly. I mean look at his face! I just wanna….GAAHH!'

Kouga grabbed her arm, but let his hand slide down to find hers. It was clear that the pack had long since come back from hunting, and now were preparing for bed.

Most of the wolves had their own small mini-den. But Kagome learned that each family had their own cave, and when a new family was formed any unmated wolf that was seen least fitted, would give up their cave to that family in need. Or in some cases the male would let the female come live with him, then they could start their family in that cave.

"Kinda confusing. But you get used to it."

"I bet."

Kagome really didn't know what else to say. She had always heard from Inuyasha that the wolves were disgusting and foul demons. That they drank deer blood and only bathed once every two months.

But every now and then, Sango would tell her some stories she had heard from other demon slayers. About how the wolf demons were one of the more intelligent and clean species. They had an advanced medical treatment that had specially developed medicines and ways of healings, only known to the wolf tribes that had created them.

And sometimes, they would have a civil court. Like solving crimes or sentencing punishment. It was even said that the last leader, the one before Kouga, was a great hero. He saved all for tribes, north, south, east, and west from an epic war for power, just by offering the equal division of lands, and the promise of kindness.

She really didn't know how Inuyasha could say that these people were idiotic and stinky human eating mongrels.

It was just unreal how she had allowed herself to be lead on to believe that.

"Ginta was the one that came up with that system of cave assigning. Before it was a mess! Everyone would just fight each other for a cave. But he saw that it was causing more deaths and less mating so he figured out a way to fix it. Smart of him don't 'cha think?"

"Huh," Kagome looked up from biting her nail. She had been thinking the whole time they were suppose to be talking.

He gave her a smirk and shrugged before saying, "I dunno, I thought you said something."

Kagome thought about it. Had she said everything out loud?

"N-No, I didn't say anything…?"

Kouga almost had to hold in a laugh. She looked so cute when she was confused.

"Ya sure? Cuz it sounded like you did."

She gave a slight nod, "Mhm. But…"

They stopped walking then. They stopped right in front of a large crack in the cave wall, that was wide enough to fit at least two medium sized people through. Though you couldn't see all the way down the passage, for the light of the early lit fires were going out from lack of tending.

"But?"

"I was wondering…where am I sleeping tonight??"

The question itself hadn't really caught Kouga off guard. He would've wanted to know the same thing.

But what did surprise him was her straightforwardness!

Usually Kagome was sheepish and conserved around him. But for her to just ask out of nowhere like that, really got him to thinking. Maybe Kagome had changed a little bit.

Or…maybe it was the powder again?

After 2 minutes of thinking to himself, Kouga came back to the real world and glanced at the huge crack in the wall, and then at Kagome.

"My room, of course."

…?

She held in an eep as Kouga too her and started pushing her lightly down a passage. The passage of the large crack.

"Kouga! Where are you taking me?!! I cant see a thing!"

He smiled in the dark and then pulled her closer to them, still remaining in the close quarters of the passage way.

Her back was to him, but his hands were held firmly around her stomach, holding her there.

"Better? Now I can lead more…effectively."

His hot breath fluttered across her cheek and over shoulders.

Her mouth went dry, her hands got sweaty, and her mind went crazy.

But still, she couldn't bring herself to pull away from him.

There was a little voice in her head, an unfamiliar one. That kept telling her to stay with him, to never let him go.

All the visions of Inuyasha in her head were fading and becoming fuzzy. Then they were replaced by Kouga, showing up clear as the water that ran in the river outside.

"Kou-ga?"

He started walking forward then, guiding her down the dark crevasse.

"Where, are you t-taking me?"

Her voice was soft and fragile. Kagome obviously had never encountered anything like this before.

"To where you'll be staying tonight. You did want to know didn't you?"

His voice was so deep and warm, slightly mocking her. He was so comfortable like this, holding her from behind.

She nodded twice, and let her feet shuffle across the floor.

"Exactly."

"B-but why are you t-taking me to your room?"

They seemed to come out of the fissure then, and into an open area, though Kagome still couldn't see.

Kouga chuckled and then left Kagome standing all by her lonesome.

A small crack, almost like a weak fire cracker sounded, with a spark flying. Then a light flickered to life in the corner of the space.

Kouga reappeared in front of Kagome, smiling like a fool.

"This is where you'll be staying."

She gave a small smile before looking around.

It was definitely Kouga's room alright.

A large bed of hay lay in the corner, accompanied by a medium length, what looked to be deer skin blanket.

She couldn't tell with the dim light though.

Weapons such as spears and swords were thrown in a pile across the room, next to the opening where Kagome and Kouga stood.

And on the wall adjacent to the head of the bed, sat an enormous, beaten looking, black trunk, with a ragged towel laying on top.

Messy.

"This is your room?"

She started walking forward slowly as Kouga fiddled with his armor plating.

"Yeah, I know its not much. You're probably used to big mansions with fancy futons and stuff, but this is really all I have and I don't like to go over the top with decorations and stuff so-"

Kagome her hand over his mouth.

"Kouga, your rambling."

He took a deep breath and removed her hand, holding it in his.

"Your room is fine! I was just asking. I actually think its pretty comfy."

He took another deep breath and then let himself relax, "Good, I was afraid you wouldn't want to stay. But I mean I would understand if you wouldn't cuz it is a mess in here and it does kinda stink. I haven't got to clean up in a while since I've been out searching for Naraku and all-"

Kagome put her hand over his mouth again.

"Kouga!?"

He sighed, "Sorry," he said in a muffled voice.

Kagome smiled and shrugged, "Just stop rambling. Everything's fine, it smells fine, it looks…fine. Relax."

She felt the heat rising to Kouga's cheeks from under her fingertips.

'Idiot! Stop blushing! You're gonna look like a fool in front of Kagome!'

Kouga took Kagome's other hand and took it away from his mouth, holding both of her petite hands in his.

"Ya sure its okay Kagome?"

He stared into her eyes like she was the only person on the earth right then.

"Yeah," she replied with a small sigh.

Kouga's blush still hadn't left his cheeks, and now the two were closer than ever before, mere inches away in fact.

But just as their lips were about to touch, a soft mew reverberated in the room, making Kagome and Kouga stiffened and pull away.

Kirara padded over to her and hopped up to her shoulder.

"Mewww."

Kagome sighed and forced a smile for the fire-cat.

"Kirara, I guess you leaving?"

She was replied by a long nuzzle to the chin and a loud purr.

Then as quickly as she had come, Kirara trotted to the doorway, walked down the dark passage, and left the den to go back to her master.

Kagome glanced nervously at the fidgeting Kouga and blushed.

'We almost kissed!'

She cleared her throat, causing to look up at her, an even pinker blush dusted across his cheeks.

"I think I'll be getting off too bed now."

Kouga swallowed and then embarrassed replied, "Yeah."

Kagome quickly made her way over to the hay-bed and kneeled down in front of it.

"Good night, Kouga. Thank you."

He scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, night."

She crawled into the bed without another word and rolled over so she was facing the wall.

Kouga let out a silent sigh and walked over to the entryway, blowing out the candles on his way out.

'Goodnight, beautiful. I only wish that, that kiss hadn't been interrupted.'

Omg! Do you understand ho long this took me to write!!?

….

Forever that's how long!!

You better give me lot of reviews for this!!