My dearest readers,

I know I am a horrible writer... a horrible writer that GRADUATED! :D I am officially a nurse!

I'm really sorry for the long hiatus but I had exams and internship to concentrate in and a lot more things happening all at once!

I will be moving to work abroad and moving countries is as exciting as frightening as it seems! Meanwhile, since I have free time and the Muse has paid me a visit, I wanted to tell you guys that the next chapter is already being edited. ;) It should be up in the next weeks…

As for my other stories, I will try and update them as soon as I can - I haven't given up on them! ;)

I really have no words to thank you all for your encouragement, PM, favorites and reviews of this story! Thank you so much for keeping up with this story – it makes me really humble to have readers such as you guys! :')

Without more delay, here's chapter 22. Hope you enjoy it!

I'm sorry for any mistakes that may appear!

DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and his characters belong to his rightful owner, the brilliant genius that is Rumiko Takahashi! This story, once again, belongs only to me; Inuyasha's characters belong to me only in my dreams! ;)

Chapter 22 - Goodbye... For Now...

As soon as the door opened again, Kagome raised her eyes from the menu. It still wasn't him, she realized, as an older couple entered the coffee.

When they had agreed on the coffee shop, it had been Kouga's suggestion since Kagome had left that to his criteria. He had warned her that he could arrive a little bit later, since he was working and so far his prediction had been right. He was 30min late.

Kagome didn't mind waiting a little bit longer but she felt anxious. It wasn't that the shop was uncomfortable, quite the opposite; the bakery displayed a series of cookies and cakes that seemed to have come out of a culinary magazine. The aroma of freshly baked coffee permeated the air, along with other more subtle smells that came from, she realized, the several infusions served to the customers already in the shop. So the place wasn't the thing that was bothering her; she just wanted to talk to him… she needed to clarify their situation. She owned that to Kouga; no matter how hard she had tried, how much they tried, Kagome couldn't be more than friends with him.

Kouga was funny and witty, had a stable job and respected her and her decisions regarding Hiroyuki. He didn't force her in any way, except for that regrettable episode at the hospital. He was also quite good looking and would make someone very lucky to be his partner, someday. Yet, despite having thought about her speech since last night – Sango's warning echoing in her head – she still found herself lacking the courage to start the conversation.

"Sorry I'm so late! There was a lot of paperwork to fill today…"

She was so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn't heard him arrive.

"It's alright," - she said with a small smile – "I haven't been waiting that long…"

"Have you ordered?"

"No, I was checking the menu."

"Then perhaps we should talk first. I suspect that we might be quite less hungry when we finish…"

Kagome looked startled. Kouga was looking at her with a serious and decided expression on his face.

The waitress came by their table, a young demon girl that flashed a flirty smile at Kouga. They ordered drinks and asked for time to think about what to order. The girl left them with one last flirty smile in Kouga's direction, promising to return later.

They both seemed powerless to speak but ultimately Kouga sighed and said:

"I know that I should be prepared for this but still…"

"Kouga…"

"Let me finish, please." – he said, for the first time looking shaken about what was about to happen. – "Otherwise I don't know if I'll be able to say this…"

Kagome nodded, also looking sad.

"You could say that I saw this coming… the truth was that I was still hopeful. I was hoping that… even with his return, even with Hiroyuki and all the history that there is between you… I hoped that you wouldn't forgive him. That you would resist him… that you would look at him and hate him…"

Kouga shook his head from side to side.

"You deserve better, Kagome. I need to tell you that because you need to know that… you deserve better than someone that was so easily swayed by some story or rumor or whatever it was that separated you guys… you deserve better than some guy that can't make up his mind on who he loves… and I wanted to be that man. I wanted you to be happy… I still do."

"Kouga, I… I'm so sorry. You were always wonderful and patient with me and I… I will never be able to repay that… if only…"

"… Yeah." - he said noticing how devastated Kagome looked at hurting him. – "It might seem funny but, the way I see things, you and I were like a plane that never made it to take off… I always felt that something was holding you back… that you were never fully on board…"

Kagome looked down, ashamed. What Kouga was saying was completely true and that only made it that much worse.

"I'm sorry that I lead you on…"

"… I also need you to know that I'm not giving up." – he said after a few minutes, making Kagome look up startled. He gave a flirtatious grin. – "Who knows? Dog-breath might seriously mess up and you might come flying into my arms then…"

Kagome couldn't help the bubbling laugh that came out of her, amidst the tears that were escaping her eyes. She looked fondly at him, yet regretful; she didn't want to cause him any more pain. She grabbed his hand, over the table.

"You are a wonderful man and you deserve someone that can treasure and value that. I just… I feel that I am deceiving you as much as I have been deceiving myself… and I need to come clean with everything so that I can have some peace of mind… so that I can be happy…"

"… I understand…"

"Kouga, I… I know it might sound impossible but… the fact that we can't be together doesn't mean…"

"Kagome, I think that you and I can never be friends… well, not simple friends actually. I will be waiting for the mutt to blow things up between you two and once he does, you won't be able to resist me!" – he said, interrupting her and giving her a wink. He got a weak smile as an answer.

"You will probably not see me around for a few days. I will be in charge of several ops so I don't know when we'll meet again."

"Nothing too dangerous, I hope…?"

"Don't worry. I don't intend to be treated by anyone other than you. I can't die, either, I would only make it easier for fleabag!"

They ended up having a quick coffee after but he could barely remember what they talked about. Kagome was already running late for her shift so he stayed to settle the bill for them. He was still seated as he saw her leave, walking towards her car. The light had started to fade in the horizon.

"Appropriate. A light goes out…" he though, as he finished his coffee. The truth was that he wasn't late for their appointment. He had actually arrived earlier than scheduled but he had remained in his car, waiting. He had watched her arrive and move inside the shop and he noticed how nervous she had seemed, waiting for him.

To Kouga, those minutes he had spent watching her had been precious. In that small time, they had still been "together" and he could still fantasize about how she might be nervous to see him again, in a longing way… she could be anxious to meet him… this could go like a normal date should…

Now, everything was gone. Ended as soon as she walked out the door. Perhaps even sooner, when she had called for them to meet… or when he had returned…

"Girlfriend in a rush?" – asked a vibrant voice, beside him. He was still facing the window, so he hadn't heard or seen the waitress approach him. It was the same girl.

"Ex-girlfriend, actually…"

"She dumped you?" – the girl asked, surprising him with her bluntness.

"… We decided to go on different ways, for now…" - he said, noticing that there was almost no light outside. The lamps from the street would probably go up anytime now, to illuminate the night.

"… Her loss. Call me when you return from your tasks." – the girl said bluntly as she turned and walked away.

Flabbergasted, Kouga only then noticed how his white napkin had a series of numbers scribbled upon, in green ink. He looked once, then twice from the napkin to the back of the girl that was now leaving him.

"You do know that it is a tremendous lack of respect to listen in on other people's conversations..."

A pair of high ponytails, in a fiery red and brown color, turned around and Kouga noticed for the first time just how big and green the eyes staring him were. There was a strange sensation in the deep of his stomach, almost as an electric shock, as he realized that the girl smelled wolf, like him. Her nametag read "Ayame" and the smile on her face spelled trouble from miles away.

"So is stalking… or standing up a girl… but don't worry, your secret is safe with me." – she winked and Kouga realized she was indeed really, really sneaky. And beautiful…

"Somehow I doubt it…" - Kouga said, slightly grinning.

"If you're having doubts, there's a way to reassure yourself of my good character… you'll invite me to dinner once you come back and I don't tell a soul about your stalker side until then…"

"Are you trying to blackmail me?" – he asked, surprised at her audacity. – "I am a police officer, you know?"

Her eyes seemed to sparkle even more.

"And I have a perfect way to put your handcuffs to good use… you'll see…" - Ayame winked.

As she walked away, Kouga remained looking her over once until he turned around and left the shop, the napkin in his hand. Outside, the lamps were already glowing in the night.

I am curious to know what did you think?

Was it worth the wait?

Next chapter, we have serious conversation... or the start of one...

See ya next chapter!