It hadn't taken long for Sasuke to recover from his injuries. While they were on the road he would glance at Kagome and when their eyes would meet she would turn as red as a tomato. Sasuke just smirked and continued walking forward.

Jugo had given him information about where his brother might be and later that evening Sasukes brother had told him to meet them at the Uchiha hideout.

The only problem was that Naruto Sakura Kakashi and Sai had decided to show up to take Kagome back.

"Kagome! Your ok!" Sakura smiled at the girl who smiled back and looked down at the ground.

"Give her back Sasuke!" Naruto demanded. Sasuke smirked and slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him.

"And what if I don't want to?" He questioned his onyx eyes never leaving Narutos blue one.

Kagomes face was on fire from embarrassment. Karins was also red from the rage and jealousy she felt inside at seeing Kagome and Sasuke so close.

"We will ask once more... Return Kagome to us and we will leave peacefully," Kakashi stated in a more calmer tone than Narutos.

Sasuke looked down at Kagome but she wasn't looking at him. She had her attention focused on the ground.

++Flashback++
"I want you to be happy. I want you to laugh a lot. I don't know what exactly I'll be able to do for you, but I'll always be by your side,"
++End flashback++

Those words kept going through his mind. He looked at Naruto,Kakashi, Sai and Sakura and glared.

"...no," Sasuke narrowed his eyes and unsheathed his sword. He shoved Kagome into Suigetsu who caught her with ease. Suigetsu sighed and slung Kagome over his shoulded. He knew exactly what Sasuke wanted.

"Suigets, Karin, Jugo...leave...i'll catch up with you later," Sasuke said, his voice cold and emotionless. Naruto glared at him

"Suigetsu put me down right this instant!" Kagome yelled. Suigetsu just rolled his eyes and tightened his grip and took off leaving Sasuke with his old team members plus one.

"You leave us no choice then..." Kakashi sighed and pulled out his kunai.
_

Kagome had given up trying to escape Suigetsu grip and just hung there and talked to Jugo. After a couple more minutes, Suigetsu dropped Kagome.

"Hey what was that for!" She yelled and stood up. Suigetsu leaned closer to her and Kagome leaned back.

"Hmm what does Sasuke see in you?" He asked as he looked her over, "your rather rude and annoying, not that I don't mind. You are strong. You did save Sasukes life..."

"W-what are you talking about?" She asked him. He looked at her and backed away. She straightened up.

"You mean you haven't noticed?" He blinked when she shook her head,"its obvious he likes you. I don't even think he realizes it yet and I think thats why he didnt let you go back with those leaf ninjas!"

Her face turned red.

"Now that you mention it he does seem different when Kagome is around. Did something happen between you two?" Jugo watched her carefully.

Kagomes face went even more red as she remembered their almost kiss. (Karin had left a long time ago to blow off some steam.)

Suigetsu smirked,"So something did happen! What was it?"

"Nothing!" She defended. The two grinned and pressed on.

"Come on!" Suigetsu begged.

She scratched her cheek and looked away.

"He almost kissed me," she muttered. Suigetsu and Jugo's eyes widened.

"Sasuke did?" Suigetsu was shocked as was Jugo.

"Speaking of the Devil..." In walked Sasuke. He headed straight towards Kagome.

"Did you mean what you said the other day?" Sasuke asked grabbing her forearm

She looked puzzled for a moment and then it hit her, "Yes...I did,"

"Do you want to go back to the Hidden leaf?" He looked at her and she looked at him. Jugo nudged Suigetsu and the two left them alone.

She thought for a moment. She did have fun hanging out with Naruto and everyone but she felt as if she didn't belong there. She hadn't known where she belonged...

Sasuke let go of her arm and turned to leave.

Until now...

"No," she answered and grabbed the back of his shirt,"No I do not want to go back to the Hidden Leaf. I want to stay here...beside you."

He turned towards her and was pulled into a tight hug. She froze and tensed up but only for a moment before wrapping her arms around Sasuke.

"Thank you," he whispered before letting her go and heading towards where the others were at.

She smiled and ran after him and trailed happily beside him. This was where she belonged...right here beside Sasuke.

As they walked down the path their hands intertwined with one another. Kagome looked down at their hands and sneaked a peek at Sasuke. He had his emotionless Mask on bit she could tell he felt relieved on the inside knowing that someone would stand beside him until the end.