Trying really to keep this story on a constant track of update but school is literally snowing me in. I survived a blizzard the other day. Same cant be said for my house shoes…May they rest in peace.

Anyways really hope you guys are enjoying the story so far and I really am looking forward to some reviews!

Thanks so much for the constant flow of support!

Enjoy The Update!

Chapter Three

Boundaries


Light spring air rustled the lush greenery of the large oak tree branches hanging overhead. Tussling raven locks swayed with the leaves as Kagome stared up from the concrete bench she currently sat on top. Her hazel eyes taking in the warming sight of the bright green leaves being pierced by the high noon sun and endless blue sky.

Today was so beautiful, it was such a shame that weather like this came so rarely and all of it was being wasted on the bitter sadness Kagome currently felt herself enduring.

Earlier this morning she had awoken with such a promise of an unforgettable moment in her life, all with the help of Kouga of course.

Via telephone the blue eyed wolf had arranged her transport to this 'doctor' he had mentioned earlier all to check on the growing condition of her pregnancy.

Everything had gone perfectly. A little too perfectly to be honest. She had learned so much. The most important being her pregnancy was most definitely different than that of a normal humans.

Apparently her and every other woman carrying the child of a demon was an unpredictable science at best. The growth rates were completely incapable of being tracked normally.

There was no such thing as a nine month pregnancy. At least not in her range of demon breed. Canine demons like Inuyasha and even Kouga could impregnate a female and the time of conception to birth could be as little as two and a half months.

Kagome could only image the look of utter shock that had spread across her face while she had been in the clinic and heard such life altering news.

She had at least partially been grateful for what she thought would be her drawn out condition it would have given her the chance to get her life together and things in order before her child was born. But now. She didn't even know where to begin.

Thankfully though the female doctor had assured her that her pregnancy wouldn't be in that short of time being that she was human and Inuyasha had been half demon.

The closest she could estimate was about four to five months.

It was a bit of a relief but not by much.

Especially after what had happened next. What most couples who are expecting dreamed about and impatiently waited to experience.

The sonogram.

It had taken only a few moments of that fuzzy black and white screen to clear and give a glimpse to the actual little person growing inside her womb.

It had looked so small, so frail but its little heart had beat strongly and Kagome could still remember the feeling of the hot tears she cried at the sight of her un-named little joy.

She never thought she could love anyone so much, especially someone she hadn't even met. But she did, she loved him or her with all her heart.

And it was that enormous amount of love, that currently led to her almost devastated state.

She felt so guilty having experienced such a wonderful thing alone. Knowing the little boy or girl that she would call her own would never know their father. Never see his handsome face or hear his slightly intimidating voice.

It really did leave her head spinning and her heart aching. How could something be so wonderful and at the same time hurt her so badly?

With a defeated tearless cry Kagome bowed her head running her thumb lightly over the small laminated picture of her child the doctor had provided her with before leaving.

She hadn't really let herself experience Inuyasha's loss like this before. She missed him every second of every day, but now it was slowly becoming a reality that the future she had wanted so badly with the half demon really was gone.

Kagome fought back tears. She didn't want to get upset. That had been one of the dozens of things the doctor had informed her to avoid.

Taking a calming breath Kagome tried to compose herself. There would be time for tears, but not right now. She had to much to drive herself forward.

The most important, to begin preparing for her bundle of joy that apparently would be arriving sooner rather then later.

Thanks to Kouga and his over zealous shopping habits she was sure she would pretty much have all material things she would ever need. The only issue was having a place to put said things.

Her families shrine was loving and extremely spacious but it wasn't her own. Raising her child was now her sole responsibility and she couldn't do that under her parents roof.

She would have to start searching for a place to live and work. She wasn't about to rely on Kouga's generosity more than she had too. She appreciated it more than words could express, but it was her job to provide for her child.

She just really didn't know where to start.

"I think the rumors are true. Pregnant people really do glow." A husky and slightly sarcastic voice called from the other side of the concrete yard.

Kagome peered up from her cupped hands to see the exact demon she had just been pondering about.

Kouga strolled forward his cropped raven locks damp from an apparent shower his bronze skin unusually visible since his thick leather coat was no where in sight, replaced only be a tight fitted navy t-shirt and torn denim jeans.

"K-Kouga?" Kagome blinked. What was he doing here? She hadn't spoken to him since this morning when he informed her a taxi would arrive within the hour to deliver her to and from her doctors appointment.

She had thought that was just his way of distancing himself from this slightly touchy situation. But, seeing as he was now here dismissed that idea instantly.

"Sorry to just show up. I called you didn't answer." Kouga admitted taking an uninvited seat at Kagome's side under the shade of the massive oak tree.

"Oh I've been out here for awhile. I didn't hear the phone." Kagome confessed, she had lost track of just how long she had been trying to sort our her scattered thoughts and emotions.

"How the appointment go? Everything um normal?" Kouga asked crossing his thick arms over his chest before rocking backwards to rest his broad shoulders on the wooden fence post at their backs.

"Everything went fine." Kagome forced a smile. She might not have been in the most social of moods right now but she was grateful for Kouga's concern. Even though it was clearly a little uncomfortable to him.

"Mr. Shizuna was very professional." Kagome added thinking back to the fiery haired and crimson lipped female doctor she had been introduced too.

It honestly had been a little surprising seeing such a visually young and attractive medic specializing in such things as demons.

"Yeah she's something alright." Kouga smirked thinking back on the dozens of occasions he had enjoyed the doctors company both in and outside of the clinic.

Kagome innocently missed the hidden trace of mischief in his tone before peering down at her still clutched sonogram photo. Should she show Kouga? Would he want to see?

"Kagome-" Kouga's voice suddenly sounded dried and instantly forced causing Kagome to meet his now slightly more intense gaze.

"Why do you smell like tears?" He asked bluntly "Have you been crying?"

Kagome hesitated. As amazing as it was, demons senses of smell were sometimes intrusive. Even if they couldn't help it.

"I-It's nothing." Kagome assured cupping a hand over her flushed cheeks to try and hide the evidence of her earlier sobs.

Kouga felt his soften. He had hoped giving Kagome time alone would have helped her deal with her clearly unchecked emotions. He wasn't expecting her to just shake off the mutts death, but he had partially hoped the no doubt overwhelming joy of seeing her child would overweigh the hurt.

Clearly it hadn't.

"You don't have to hide it from me Kagome. It's alright." Kouga began as tenderly as he could.

"If you want to talk- you know I'm here." Kouga stated confidentially.

Kagome could see the sincerity in his eyes and the intention to comfort in his voice. Talking with Kouga really had helped her the past few days.

She had wanted this friendship after all, and this is what friendships were built on top of. The ability to confide in one another.

She smiled lightly, appreciatively.

"Things were just a little harder to take in then I thought they would be." Kagome breathed eyeing her balled palms in her lap.

Kouga nodded in understanding, he knew this wouldn't be easy. Especially on her.

"I just-" Kagome hesitated searching for the right words to go on.

"I really miss him." Kagome looked away from Kouga's lingering gaze afraid it might reduce her to broken cries all over again.

"I know you do." Kouga whispered. It didn't take a genius to see how much Kagome was suffering without her mate, even though she did have something left to partially fill the void.

"But you know-" Kouga began in a soft tone

"You'll always have someone to help keep him close." Kouga reassured her. His azure eyes falling to the clutched photo Kagome still held tightly too.

Kagome looked down to her to sonogram picture lifting it from its resting place on her lap to bring to her chest.

Kouga was right. The pain wasn't going to go away, but even though Inuyasha wasn't here. A piece of him still was.

Kagome smiled before brushing the back of her palm against her cheeks to rid herself of her lone escaped tear, her bleary hazel eyes never leaving the perfect little ball of black and white staring back at her.

"Do you want to see?" Kagome asked enthusiastically inching herself a little closer towards Kouga. Her hand outstretching to place the small laminated square in the wolf demons line of sight.

Kouga fought the urge to look away. Seeing the mutts child wasn't something exactly ideal for him. But, his caring nature towards Kagome outweighed his reluctance.

Forcefully he stared down at the darken picture with an arched brow.

It wasn't entirely what he expected. It didn't look like a baby, or really anything at all. Just a grayish little blob.

Then again maybe he didn't have the nurturing eye for what he was really staring at. But Kagome obviously did. The look of total adoreance and love practically beaming from her beautiful face.

His earlier realization when he had first arrived to spot Kagome sitting here alone under the shade of this tree was apparently true.

Pregnancy was something that definitely agreed with her. From the almost radiate light of her cream colored skin or the gleaming of her deep hazel eyes. Or hell maybe it was just the off yellow sun dress she currently wore. Either way when she smiled like this. She was absolutely beautiful.

"So-" Kouga began clearing his throat and slightly pulling away from the darken picture.

"Any name ideas yet?" He asked almost teasingly.

Kagome smiled half heartedly. Leave it to Kouga to temporally drive away her sorrow then replace it with tolerance and sarcasm.

But his question though mocking, had brought a new realization to the surface.

What was she going to name her child? She couldn't possibly choose yet, she didn't even know the right sex? What if she picked a boys name and she came out a girl? Or vise versa?

"I-I better get to work on that." Kagome said admittedly.

Kouga chuckled to himself. That was one conversation he actually wanted to be apart of. He thought 'the mutt' had a nice ring to it. Then again, he wasn't sure he had the energy to sell Kagome on the idea.

He was about to hint towards that very thing when the low grumbling of Kagome's stomach interrupted his train of thought.

Kouga snorted under his breath.

Kagome's hand instinctively flattened into her stomach in embarrassment as her cheeks flamed.

"Not even born yet and already barking orders." Kouga smirked.

"Well don't want to make the little tyke angry. Better get him some lunch pronto." Kouga grinned a wolfish smile before reached down his hand towards Kagome's still sitting form.

Kagome rolled her eyes before taking hold of his hand letting him pull her to her feet before they both began towards the shrine steps.

"Let me guess? I cant talk you into just letting me cook?" Kagome asked reluctantly.

Kouga ran a tired hand through his cropped raven locks.

"Sorry." He winked an azure eyes.

Kagome sighed heavily before looping an arm under Kouga's shoulder as he began to guide them both down the concrete path.

She might as well not put up a fight. A quick lunch that she didn't have to make did actually sound tempting.

"Besides, I have somewhere I want to take you afterwards. If you're up to it?" Kouga asked his azure eyes peering at the priestess at his side in questioning.

"Where are we going?" Kagome asked curiously.

"It's a surprise." Kouga admitted causing Kagome to hesitate in her stepping motions.

She had plenty of surprises for the time being. She honestly didn't think she could handle more, good or bad.

But the look in Kouga's azure eyes told her protest aside, she wasn't going to have much of a choice.


The towering skyscraper gleaming back at Kagome's ant like size was immaculate. Polished unstained plate-glass as far as the eye could see.

Kagome widen hazel eyes peered down at her comfortable sandal covered feet and flowing sundress. She felt underdressed to even be standing in the shadow of such a high end building. Not to mention the almost brilliantly polished neighborhood it currently centered itself.

Not a moving figure that darted by Kagome on the busy sidewalk wore anything less then what she assumed was a thousand dollar wardrobe.

Except for Kouga of course who remained rooted at her side.

Kagome peeked up at the casually dressed wolf demon at her side in clear confusion. What were the two of them doing in a place like this?

Sure after leaving the shrine this afternoon had gone on without a hitch. Eating a wonderful lunch at a familiar restaurant Kagome had once visited years ago, and then walking around exploring the wonderfully busy streets of Tokyo.

Which had led them here. To a place Kouga reassured her contained this 'surprise' he had been so tight lipped about.

But Kagome was at a loss for words. What could possibly be relevant to her in a place like this? If her misunderstanding wasn't clear enough.

The purpose of this building was even more confusing.

Kagome stared awestruck at the brilliant red letters hanging over the revolving glass door entrance.

"Kitsune Training Center."

What could a high class gym like this possibly have to do with her? Was Kouga suggesting she get into shape?

Kagome felt her disbelief flare at the mere thought of it! But before the no doubt heated words could leave her lips she watched as a seemingly out of place trio of children brushed past her and towards the building entrance.

They were young no doubt too young to be out by themselves but the moment they pushed inside the spinning doors Kagome caught an all to brief glimpse of their altered refection in the brilliant glass.

Pointed ears and puffed slightly bushy tails flashed across the entrance mirrors but before Kagome could look further they were out of sight and hidden away inside the tower like structure.

Kagome's felt her heart skip a beat in her chest. Had those kids been what she thought they were?

Kouga apparently picked up on Kagome's utter shock breaking the silence before she had the opportunity too.

"Come on." He smirked gesturing towards the spinning doors.

Kagome followed him step for step. Her curiosity had definitely been peaked.

Once over the threshold Kagome's eyes instinctively narrowed to adjust to the almost blinding shine. The building was even more impressive then it was outside.

Dozens of mirrors lined on every visible side of the shimmering walls. Polished marble floors that illuminated Kagome's reflection almost as brilliantly.

That was the most distracting until Kagome peered upwards to the countless floor balconies that loomed overhead. She couldn't believe how absolutely colossal this building was. Inside and out.

She would have hesitated to gawk further but the flurry of dozens of children rampaging in and out of the centered room caught her full attention.

Their ages and heights ranging from small no doubt single digit aged children to others who looked most likely in their early teens.

All eagerly dashing forward to the elevators and staircases to the seemingly endless other floors built further up.

Kagome was completely speechless. What she had seen outside hadn't been her mind playing tricks with her sight. These children, though well disguised. Were demons.

The building was almost alive with their combined demonic aura. And though Kagome hid it well such a gathering made her skin tingle with familiarity and nervousness.

What were so many demons doing in this place? So many young unattended demons at that?

Then a horrible thought crossed Kagome's already bewildered train of thought.

Almost fearfully she turned to Kouga who remained speechless at her side, this entire time watching as she took in the almost indescribable surroundings she found herself lost in.

"Kouga this isn't another? You know, fighting-?" She questioned in dread. This place visually was nothing like the arena she had stumbled upon Kouga in but that didn't mean it couldn't be just as brutal hidden behind all this glamour.

Luckily she didn't need to verbalize further before Kouga caught her meaning.

"No. No-" Kouga reassured honestly with a light smirk.

"This is a training center for younger demons. You know to get a handle on their powers. No fighting involved." Kouga promised shoving his calloused hands into his jean pockets.

"Well, excluding the sparring rink." He smirked wolfishly.

Kagome felt her shoulders slump as she breathed out her much needed relief. Thank goodness she had been proven wrong, and been shown such an interesting place.

From her understanding demons were certainly more common now a days but they weren't out of the closet as of yet. It made sense for a place like this to exist.

How else would young demons train? Become accustomed to their growing and changing abilities?

Still she didn't see an operation like this being run by just anyone. Especially someone human. Which lead her to her last unanswered question.

"Who teaches them all?" Kagome asked curiously.

She watched Kouga's handsome lips part in order to answer her but before he uttered a word his azure eyes suddenly diverted toward the main entrance just at Kagome's back.

Then an unfamiliar voice, answered in his stead.

"I do." A confidante and deep tone responded causing Kagome to spin in the direction the sound emerged from.

Instantly Kagome's hazel eyes widen at the sight of the towering demon standing over her. A slender frame was the first thing to hold her attention, that and the casual clothing that seemed out of place right along side her in such a polished palace like structure.

Darken auburn hair was the next, short but complimenting to the face of the apparent male starring back down at her.

Kagome swallowed visibly a nerved by this apparent demons arrival. Like every other in this building his demonic appearance was hidden but his abnormally strong aura was unmistakable.

But what kept her motionless and staring more than anything else were his sharp and incredibly bright turquoise eyes. That instantly confirmed her prior realization.

He was a demon.

"Ah 'bout time you showed up." Kouga said roughly turning to face the unknown demon right along side Kagome. Though it was clear she was alone in her not knowing of this man.

Kagome expected the auburn haired demon to respond but he didn't. He only stood silently staring directly at Kagome's smaller frame.

Kagome felt herself bite timidly into her lower lip. Was there a reason this person was staring at her so intensely? She halfway felt tempted to avert her eyes, but she didn't want to seem rude.

He after all wasn't that hard to look at. His face was smooth and pale, and honestly rather handsome in a naïve boyish sort of way.

Unable to take much more of the lingering silence Kagome out reached her hand politely.

"Nice to meet you-" She chimed with a forced smile.

She thought the unknown demon would return her gesture but instead he ignored it altogether. And instead brushed past her hand to charge inhumanly fast towards her.

Before Kagome could react she was locked in the slender though clearly well muscled demons arms being lifted from the ground in a much too intimate embrace.

She squeaked loudly in surprise as her arms were forcefully locked at her side.

"U-Um-" She began nervously as her cheeks flamed in embarrassment.

"C-Couldn't we have just shaken hands?" She thought out loud causing the slightly suffocating demon to set her back down on the polished marble floor.

But unfortunately his arms didn't fall away, at least not far. She was uncoiled from his embrace but instantly his hands found hers cupping them together affectionately before placing them onto his t-shirt covered chest.

Much in a fashion Kouga use to do hundred of years ago, whenever he would confessed his shallow and vein love for her.

Thinking of the overly protective wolf demon Kagome gazed in his direction silently hoping he would come to her rescue but he only peered away uncaring and what looked like slight annoyance written on his face.

Surrendering to her trapped state Kagome peered back up at her captor. Who was this demon? W-Why was he so…pushy?

She was about to ask in what most likely wouldn't have been an extremely polite tone when she peered back up into his exuberant eyes.

They were glossy, hazed over with Kagome instantly recognized as undeveloped tears.

"Kagome-" The auburn haired stranger whispered, almost lovingly.

Kagome couldn't explain it but something suddenly felt…familiar.

"D-Do I know you?" Kagome asked reluctantly.

"You don't recognize me?" The young demon asked with a timid smile allowing the tip of his pearl fangs to over hang his bottom lip.

Kagome was at a total loss.

Until momentary as it was his humanized façade melted away giving Kagome an all to brief glimpse into his true appearance.

His pointed ears and much more fiercely defined eyes, almost as if they were animalistic. Cat like, but also a combination of canine.

Like…like…a fox.

Kagome blinked in utter disbelief.

Unable to stop herself Kagome pulled her hands free only to cup the youthful demons face in her heated palms eager to feel and reassure herself she wasn't dreaming.

This couldn't be real. This demon, this man-

"S-Shippo?" Kagome whispered.

The turquoise eyed kitsune smiled widely before once again coiling his arms around Kagome's waist and shoulder holding her tightly.

Kagome felt her heart begin to pound inside her chest. But, unlike before, she retuned his embrace full force!


Ignoring the slightly uncomfortable way the thick leather couch stuck to her thighs Kagome adjusted in her seat. Her nimble fingers thumbing the golden frame of the picture she had been handed what seemed like hours ago.

Sitting here in Shippo's office just made the situation she had found herself in that much more unbelievable.

Since realizing she had been led to what she thought was one of her long lost companions Shippo had taken both her and Kouga to his even more impressive office where they still remained having gone over what felt like a thousand lifetimes of questions and answers.

Until here they were, on the verge of sun set. An easy enough thing to see since Shippo's workplace was almost at the pentacle of this tower like building.

Circling her finger around the huddled group of unfamiliar faces staring back at her through the photo glass she held Kagome smiled brightly.

"I cant wait to meet them." Kagome confirmed sweetly.

In the over hour long conversation so much had been revealed to Kagome. Including Shippo had not only matured into a full fledged demon, but had also mated. And even had children. Four to be exact.

Three what looked like rambunctious boys, and a single little girl. All with auburn hair that matched their fathers in perfect hue.

"Their gonna love you." Shippo promised securely from his seat on the opposite matching couch facing Kagome.

The two of them separated only by the small wooden coffee table at their feet.

"I still cant believe you're a father." Kagome confessed setting the lovely family photo Shippo had handed her back onto the polished surface of the small table between them.

"The last time I saw you-" Kagome began softly, a hint of sadness laced through her tone.

"I was a kid?" Shippo finished with a slight chuckle.

"That was five hundred years ago Kagome. I had to grow up eventually." He smiled sympathetically.

Kagome nodded in agreement.

"I know. Its just-" She hesitated. "I miss the little you." Kagome admitted, thinking back to the child fox kitsune she had partially raised.

His round boyish face and small unclawed fingers. He had been so adorable, and now he was a completely different person. Sure pieces of him appeared the same, but he was nothing like the tiny ball of trouble that use to fall asleep in her lap.

"I'm the same person Kagome. Just taller." Shippo reassured lightly.

"A lot taller." Kagome admitted.

Shippo sighed. He couldn't blame Kagome for being slightly shocked by his growth rate. But as aged as he looked he was still considered a runt by most demons standards.

But that stereotype aside hadn't stopped him from taking full charge of his future and securing his place in the modern world.

It hadn't been easy, but he had monumented his skill and dedication into this place. This training center was who he had always wanted to be at his deepest core. A mentor and a provider for those who needed his guidance.

Much like Inuyasha had unintentionally been to him all those years ago. The half demon had passed but his memory had fueled Shippo to carve a bright future for all demons. Especially the young who needed help to gain control over their abilities.

Through gritting work and determination. His dream had been realized and he now owned and operated dozens of facilities just like this one throughout the country.

Still all his success and personal triumphs aside, one phone call was all it took to shake him to his absolute center.

A call that had come from the most unlikely of places.

The blue eyed wolf himself, who on any other occasion Shippo would have tired to avoid. That was until the first things out of his lips had been about a priestess Shippo had thought was lost to him forever.

Not a soul could imagine his shock at the realization Kagome was not only alive, but she was carrying Inuyasha's child.

He hadn't wasted anytime. Demanding Kouga tell him where he could find and aid Kagome! But, instead the wolf demon had only promised to deliver her soon enough. The time and place unknown.

Shippo could have sworn he had seen pure red at the mere memory of it all. But, his rage aside he was far to ecstatic to have the priestess back in his life to be bound down by such heartless actions.

"Do you even like candy anymore?" Kagome asked, an unavoidable urge to reconnect to her now no doubt matured companion.

Shippo couldn't help but laugh out loud at her surprisingly sincere question.

"Yes," He promised. "Suckers are still my favorite."

Kagome couldn't help but smile lightly. At least some things stayed the same.

"Kagome, don't think so hard about all this?" Shippo asked caringly.

"Sure, I look different. But, I'm the exact same. More importantly-" The auburn haired fox began before getting to his feet

"My memories of you haven't changed a bit. I still love you as much as I did back then." Shippo vowed taking a seat at Kagome's side and tenderly grabbing her now smaller hand.

Kagome smiled whole heartedly at his gesture. Looking over at him, he was different in almost every way possible. But, those eyes. Those sweet child like eyes still gleamed as sincerely as they ever did.

It was such a tender moment between the two of them, that quickly came to an end at the blunt sound of Kouga clearing his throat.

Snapped from her appreciative trance Kagome glanced at the wolf demon leaning back first and arms crossed on nearest wall to the office exit.

"Look's like you two still have some bonding to do." Kouga said callously before straightening up and reaching for the door handle.

"I'm gonna check out the sparing rink. I might find some new talent." He smirked mischievously in Shippo's direction.

"Ha ha." Shippo said humorlessly retracting his hand from Kagome's all to suddenly.

"Keep your eyes floor level if you know what's good for you." He threatened harshly.

But Kouga brushed off his heated words, his only response being a coy smirk before shutting the office door closed behind him.

The charge of animosity in the air was undeniable and Kagome quickly became suspicious.

"Something wrong?" She asked instinctively.

"No." Shippo replied flatly, not bothering to even look at Kagome.

Beyond intrigued the priestess turned to face the kitsune more directly.

"You might be all grown up Shippo. But, I can still tell when you're lying." Kagome confirmed, noting the avoidance of eye contact between the two of them.

Shippo sighed heavily before forcing himself to meet Kagome's unchanged disapproving stare.

He never could lie to her.

"Why are you with Kouga?" He asked directly. The root of his annoyance finally coming to the surface.

"He drove me here." Kagome blinked. That was an odd question.

Shippo shook his head tensely before continuing.

"No. I mean why are you with him? Kagome he's-" The auburn haired kitsune hesitated, rolling over his next word a little too carefully.

"Trouble." He stated.

Kagome smiled appreciatively.

"Of course he is. He's Kouga." She reassured. When had Kouga ever been anything else? Even five hundred years ago. The wolf demon was either stirring up annoyance between her and Inuyasha or leading them into battle.

"I'm serious Kagome. I don't like you being around him, alone." Shippo admitted bluntly and in a tone that honestly took Kagome by surprise.

He actually sounded worried.

But, why? It wasn't like she was spending her days with some random demon. He was Kouga, the same Kouga Shippo himself had known centuries ago.

Had he forgotten that?

"Shippo. I appreciate the concern. But Kouga is our friend. He might look a little different, but he's the same demon." Kagome smiled reassuringly. Thinking that Kouga's heavily scarred self could be a little alarming if you didn't know him personally.

"No. He's not." Shippo said coldly.

Kagome's smile melted away and she was left sitting there silently and surprised. Shippo looked so serious, more so then she thought him capable of.

Something really was upsetting to him.

"Kagome-" Shippo began cautiously.

"Things have happened to Kouga. Things I know he probably wont ever talk about. But, he most definitely is not the same man you once knew. He has changed." Shippo said his tone beyond sharp.

Any response Kagome might have had died in her throat. What could she possibly say after something like that? Shippo obviously knew something she didn't.

Something she might actually been afraid to find out.

Shippo could see the unease he had caused to stir in the priestess at his side, and he was fast to try and better the situation.

"Kagome. I'm not telling you this to try and scare you. I just want you to be careful." The auburn haired fox began.

"I would never forgive myself if anything ever happened to you." He admitted fearfully. He had lost Kagome once already, he couldn't stand the idea of going through something like that again.

He loved her so much. She had been his mother, his companion, his friend.

Kagome wanted to reassure him, to let him know Kouga had been nothing but caring towards her. But before she could muster the words a knock at the door silenced her.

The office door pried open and an unfamiliar face of a young female poked through.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. Shippo, we need you in arena seven?" The apparent office aid asked timidly.

Shippo sighed heavily.

"I'll be right there." He confirmed sending the shy unknown girl away with a flick of his wrist.

Kagome took the interruption as her hint to leave. She had after all been her for several hours and wanted to get home before nightfall.

As soon as she climbed to her feet Shippo stood up along side her.

"I should let you get back to work." Kagome smiled politely.

Shippo wanted to protest but he knew he couldn't keep Kagome here forever, and he had postponed his duties for the evening as long as possible just to be with her.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't stop everything once again if the priestess at his side just gestured towards needing his assistance.

"If you ever need anything don't hesitate to call. I'll be right there." Shippo vowed. Knowing full well he had already loaded Kagome with every single possible means of getting in touch with him.

"I know." Kagome smiled flattening the soft surface of her dress.

"I'll be in touch soon. I want to meet this family of yours after all." She added with a wink of hazel eyes.

Shippo smiled in return closing the small distance between them in a tight and deeply loving hug.

It was only a moment or so before Kagome pulled away. She knew if she didn't leave now she might be tempted to never go.

After all, what had been given to her today was beyond words. Yet again her world seemed brighter having leaned another link to past was once again reconnected.

And warnings aside. Kagome knew it had all been made possible thanks to the efforts of one person.

Or in all accuracy, one azure eyed demon.


The cool night air reeked with the threat of rain. Adding even more undeniable proof that a storm was indeed coming the low building rumble of thunder could be heard just off in the distance.

Looked like Kouga's judgment on when to leave the restaurant he had taken Kagome for dinner had been timed perfectly. Seeing as they were just now walking along the concrete sidewalk leading to her families shrine steps.

Though the evening hadn't gone quite as he had planned. Dinner had been tolerable to say the least. Kagome had barely spoken a word since leaving the fox's gym.

Just ate her meal in almost total silence and stared down at her twiddling fingers. He had halfway expected her to be speechless having been stunned by her old kitsune friends arrival. But apparently conversation hadn't been to difficult with the baby faced runt.

She had spent literal hours talking back and forth with him after all.

So why did she seem so distracted now? Kouga peered down to the priestess walking silently at his side.

Her hazel eyes were fixed ahead, clearly in deep concentration. Yet, again.

Kouga groaned under his breath. At least she didn't seem to be physically distant. After all she had let him drape her in his leather coat just a few moments ago.

Looking down at her now the broad frame of his coat hung heavily on her slender shoulders. Apparently she was well protected from the chill in the air even without her arms being tucked into the thick sleeves.

Edgily Kouga ran a hand through his short raven locks. God, he wanted a cigarette. If for no other reason to fill the silence between them with the heavy huffs of his clouded breath.

Knowing full well that was no longer an option. Kouga dropped his barely maintained understanding demeanor with one hard thought crossing his mind.

Screw it.

"Kagome. What's wrong?" Kouga asked bluntly. There at least the unbearable silence had finally been broken.

Kagome resisted the urge to pause mid-step at the sound of Kouga's clearly edgy voice. All she had really heard from the wolf demon the past few hours were gesturing prompts to try and pull her into deeper conversation.

Prompts she had unintentionally avoided.

"Nothing." Kagome responded lightly, a surprisingly honest gleam radiating from her hazel eyes.

Kouga swallowed his immediate response. Bull shit.

He shook the thought away. He wasn't looking for a fight. He just wanted to know what had pulled Kagome so far away into 'lala' land.

Burying his hands into his torn jean pockets he took a deep calming breath.

"You're just-" He began evenly. "Really quiet."

Kagome's bright eyes fell to her still marching feet. Well, this was to be expected. Of course Kouga would noticed her constant lost in the thought state.

She couldn't help it. She wasn't trying to be reserved, but what she had experience and heard of today had given her so much to process.

Shippo was back in her life. A completely different version of the Shippo she remembered. But, him all the same.

And apparently this new Shippo he had come with much concern about her current company. She had tried to take the grown kitsune's words from an open and outside prospective but she just hadn't been able too.

Nothing about what he had attempted to warn her about, made sense.

Kouga wasn't dangerous or untrustworthy. Look what he had done for her up until this point.

Yet a gnawing feeling of unease remained. And in all to sudden realization Kagome knew exactly why.

The past few days aside. If she was really honest with herself and her current situation. She didn't really know the Kouga she was allowing so easily into her life.

Sure he looked almost exactly the same, and even acted as he had five hundred years ago. Well, for the most part.

But she didn't know anything about him. Aside from what she had witnessed unintentionally at that darken part of the city.

The brutality and the violence, of that pit. It wasn't something she liked to think about.

But it had given her a glimpse into the life Kouga so cautiously kept from her.

And today, Shippo's words had only fanned the flames of her growing curiosity.

"I know." Kagome admitted with a heavy sigh.

"I'm just thinking to much is all." She added tiredly.

"About what?" Kouga asked curiously. Apparently something important judging by the way she had been concentrating.

Kagome looked up to Kouga's handsome face. His sharp azure eyes and his suddenly deeply intrigued expression. He really did seemed concerned.

She couldn't help but smile lightly. She could be honest with Kouga. He wouldn't be judgmental. But, the real question was. Would he mind her curiosity? Surely not. After all hadn't she seen the worst aspects of his life by now?

"You." She replied openly.

Kouga's darken brows reflexively arched in surprise.

All this time Kagome had been thinking about him? Any other time he might have been flattered but the lingering look of questioning written on her face warned him of a hidden agenda.

"What about me?" He asked behind a suddenly expressionless mask.

Kagome felt her pearl teeth sink into her bottom lip timidly. She didn't want to come right out and ask her unrelenting questions but what other choice did she have? She couldn't tip toe around the subject forever.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she forced the words to come forth.

"Kouga. You know everything about me, and my past." She began in a tone that sounded much more nervous then she intended.

"Even something's- I'd rather forget." Kagome's voice trailed as she struggled not to lose her nerve.

Kouga felt his jaw tighten. This conversation immediately sounded more serious then he had originally been prepared for.

"But, I cant really say the same thing about you." She recovered bravely. Even finding the daring to meet Kouga's lingering stare.

"I hardly know anything about you anymore." Kagome continued determinedly.

"I have no idea what your life is like. I've only seen pieces. Pieces, that kind of scare me-" She hesitated having an unwanted memory flash of Kouga's battle scarred form centered in that dirt floored arena.

"Where is all this coming from?" Kouga interrupted sharply. He had been all for Kagome coming out of her silent shell of contemplating.

But not if this is what she re-emerged too. Why was she suddenly so curious about him of all things? Didn't she have better things to focus her energy on?

"I thought we were doing okay." He stated almost defensively. It had been ideal that Kagome had accepted him back into her life without prying.

She had treated him like the friend she always had. Honestly it was nice to have someone like that. Someone who didn't judge him by the endless parade of mistakes he had made in the past.

Granted she didn't even know about any of them. But that is exactly what he liked. That she remembered him for the demon he was, not the one he was now.

"We were- We are!" Kagome corrected almost apologetically. Halting in her constant footsteps for the first time.

"Then why are you digging? Do you really care what happened five hundred years ago? It's in the past. It's over." Kouga stated harshly.

His somewhat intimidating size shadowing over Kagome's as he stood motionless in front of her on the cracked pavement.

"It's not over!" Kagome protested

"That person- You. In the past, you were my friend. And now-" She hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

"You might look the same. But, Kouga your almost like a stranger to me?" She whispered worriedly.

She didn't want to start an argument between them. She just wanted an idea of who Kouga was now. Who he really was? Was she asking too much?

"You haven't told me anything about yourself! Who you are? What you do? I don't even know where you live?" Kagome questioned boldly.

"So that's what this is about? My address!?" Kouga growled in disbelief.

"No!" Kagome shouted. Why couldn't Kouga see she just wanted to be closer to him? She wanted to deepen their friendship. How else could she if Kouga wouldn't be honest with her in return?

He knew some of her most intimate secrets. Her deepest insecurities and fears, yet she knew absolutely nothing about him.

How was that fair?

Kouga swore out loud running his calloused fingers through his cropped raven locks. Grabbing handfuls stressfully and trying to regulate his suddenly heavier breathing.

Kagome gripped hold of her shoulders reluctantly. This conversation was going nothing like she had hoped. Kouga was so defensive.

It was like his past, even the very mention of it was forbidden.

She hadn't meant to push him. Most of all she hadn't meant to upset him. Kouga was one of two friends she held onto from the past.

She didn't want to jeopardize that connection at any cost.

Maybe she didn't know every little thing about Kouga's past. But, that was okay.

She still knew him. The good side of him.

"I don't want to fight Kouga. Not with you-" She whispered apologetically. This entire conversation had been blow out of proportion.

And her curiosity wasn't worth making any of this worse.

"Could've fooled me." Kouga growled lowly averting his harden stare from Kagome's soften expression.

Kagome took a daring step closer towards the visibly tense wolf demon before her.

"I just wanted-" She began remorsefully.

"Wanted what? In? Is that it?" Kouga snapped hatefully while spinning to face her. His sharp eyes extremely focused and intense in a way that made Kagome freeze in place.

"You want to hold me close while I break down on my knees and sob? Cry, about the big bad things that have happened to poor Kouga!?" He roared viscously and sarcastic.

A tone that until this point Kagome thought Kouga incapable of maintaining. Especially at her.

"Are you gonna fix me Kagome? You're gonna make it all better?" Kouga boomed maliciously.

Kagome felt the color drain from her face at the unbelievable venomous nature of Kouga's voice. He was so angry, so down right furious.

He looked like a completely different person. A person, to be honest that scared her.

Kouga could see the fear and disbelief that spread over Kagome's face. Something inside him told him to stop while he was ahead. That she had heard enough, but his sudden jolt of fuming rage outweighed his conscience

He was so damn angry that the only thing that suddenly built in his throat was humorless and dry laughter.

Uncaring he let it out watching as Kagome watched him speechless and silently worried.

"You know what? You might be right. I am a stranger." Kouga confessed coldly.

"I'm not that whipped little pup you remember. The one who would have bent over backwards for you the moment you batted an eyelash." He growled furiously.

"You might not like it Kagome. But, I've grown a pair since then! Which means I don't answer to anyone! Including you!" He growled hatefully stepping forward until his face was literal inches away from Kagome's visibly hurt expression.

Kagome stared up into Kouga's fury filled eyes. She was beyond the point of disbelief. She thought she had known Kouga for who he really was. But, apparently she had been wrong.

This person, this monster. Wasn't the demon she cared for. He was someone else entirely.

The wolf she knew would have never spoken to her this way. And as painful as it was to admit, she was glad his mask had fallen away.

At least this way she could sever their ties without a second thought.

Still, her harden ambition aside thick tears hazed over her hazel eyes. For no other reason then the loss of the person she thought she could always count on.

Shippo had been right. Kouga wasn't the person he once was.

Determined not to look away from Kouga's seemingly heartless glare she stood strongly in her place.

"Leave." She demanded bitterly. Ignoring the way his image began to blur behind her tear filled eyes.
Kouga absorbed her fearless words without a single reaction.

"Gladly." Was his only response before he stepped away.

Unwavering in her inner commitment Kagome didn't give him the satisfaction of a second glance as he turned from her and began trudging down the pavement leading away from her.

Eager to put much needed distance between them Kagome spun the opposite direction marching forward uncaring.

She made it halfway down the street before the tears began to escape her glossed hazel eyes. Drop after drop trailing down her heated cheek and falling from her clenched jaw.

Thunder boomed in the distance and steadying the tapping of heavy raindrops began to fall down around her.

All her misery aside Kagome was grateful for the rumbling sound. It was the only thing that drowned out her uneven and absolutely broken sobs.


On to the next one! That's me. Busy, busy, busy.