Disclaimer: I do not, for the umteenth time, own InuYasha, nor any of the trademark characters. The plot and characters I have added are mine.

[Authors Note:] Hey guys. It's been a long time. Between graduating high school and starting college, I've been so stressed/busy I haven't had time for much. I don't think I've had any time for myself. Lol. As my readers, you have the right to know what will be influencing much of my writings, my attitude, my everything. February, the man I had been with for exactly two proposed at my favorite Italian restuarant. . :) So yes, I'm a Freshman in college engaged to be married. But hey, life is short and fleeting. I'm happy where I am, therefore, I'm stickin like this. The catch is, he's a soldier in the military. He looks so good in uniform..*sigh*..but anyways, his unit is due to deploy in the next year or two, so I'll be somewhat stressed about that. Somewhat? What am I saying? I'm worried, stressed I'll lose him, everything. My reader, if you know someone in the military or are in it yourself, you can understand my anxieties. Anyhoo, I'm going to try my hardest to stick with this. I finally got my own laptop, so I won't have to worry about losing any of my work. One more thing before thanks are in order: I was rereading my chapters to get myself caught up on where I was. Do you have any idea how close I was to pairing Kagome up with Kouga? Sooo close. I may still swing that way. I really want her to end up with Sesshoumaru but we'll let my fingers and imagination take this story where it needs to go. And warning: my characters may be OOC, but it's my story!

To those of you who have stuck by me and waited for my next chapter, I'm sorry I took so long and I thank you for keeping with me. I've never had dedicated followers and it means more than I think I could ever express.

To the newbies, I hope you enjoy my story. Positive criticism is always welcome! I make mistakes, maybe not as much as the next person ;) but I do mess up.

ENJOY!

Stay with me, don't let me go,

Cause I can't be without you,

Stay with me, and hold me close

Cause I built my world around you

And I don't wanna know what it's like without you

So stay with me, just stay with me

Chapter 5: Things Left Undone

Winds from the great sea danced ontop of the waves, rushing over them and over the cliff overlooking it. Kagome sat overlooking the waves, listening as they crashed upon the jagged rocks at the bottom of the cliff.

So peaceful, she thought, watching the waves dance and the sun dip below the horizon.

It would be night soon, but she had no intention of moving from this spot. How long had she been here? She didn't know, but long enough for her legs to lose feeling. Kagome hadn't had this much peace in a long time. Back at the den, something was always going on. The only quiet time was when she begged Kouga for some peace and he threatened the clan with dismemberment. It had been like that for weeks. Kagome had been with the clan for quite some time.

Kouga.

His name sent a smile to her face. Where would she be without him? Dead, more than likely, but he gave her something to look forward to. His undying devotion was sweet. Could she ever return to InuYasha when she knew something so much better was waiting for her so close.

"I could never go back to InuYasha," she whispered, clenching her fingers and staring out further, possibly looking for something passed the horizon.

Kouga would protect me. He loves me. Something I don't know InuYasha ever achieved with me. He would never endanger me, not intentionally. He would never abandon me for the past.

Unaware, a single tear slipped down her cheek.

Safe, yes, but would she ever be happy? You see, there are many types of love. Those that burn bright and intensely and last a lifetime. Ones that, no matter the time or distance, can never be extinguished. On the other hand,there are those that are just as intense, but on a different scale. These you give to your friends, those that you care just as deeply for as you do your spouse, just not in the same exact way. Which slot did Kouga fit in? A debt was owed to him, one that would never be repaid unless she saved his life. He nursed her back to health, somewhat physically, but mainly emotionally.

Before her near death experience, things between her and InuYasha were not good. Oh, they had their times, but mainly, InuYasha disappeared for long lengths of time. Kikyo was around, he could sense her, and he went to her. It was an addiction he couldn't rid himself of. In his own way, he loved her. Kagome doubted he wanted to get out.

With love, the types of love that burn bright and forever can be unrequited. These horribly tragic. You give them everything: your soul, your time, your heart. your mind, everything. They either don't realize it and move on, or they do and don't feel the same for you. It is the most crushing of all blows dealt.

More tragic: when they use it to their advantage.

When they lead you to believe you actually mean something and you believe them, you may not realize it, but you're trapped in a dance they've danced many times. So many times, in fact, that they could do it in their sleep. They keep you so close to the edge, every now and again pushing your feet off so your hanging by only a thread, that you become dependant to them. They pull you up just before you fall and the cycle starts all over again.

If you've never been in this situation before, you don't understand how hard it is to let go. It's like stopping your heart, like stopping breathing. How do you do it? Simply saying, 'Just walk away,' is easier said than done. If this ever happens to you, and hope with everything you have you avoid this before it does, you will understand why the battered women go back to their abusive husbands, why women who seem so smart or too good for someone goes back into the very thing that nearly destroys them the first time around. Or the second time around. Or third. Some never make it out to try again.

If you ever pull yourself from this hell, you are one of the lucky ones.

"Do I love Kouga?" she whispered so quietly it nearly sounded like a part of the wind.

Did she? Was it the kind of fiery loves that last a lifetime? Or was it the love that people share with friends? She owed a debt to him. He brought her back to reality at a time where nothing made sense and life was spinning constantly.

But InuYasha needed saving too. He was trapped in a game of merry-go-round. Did Kikyo love him? Probably not. He was her tool, something she could use to achieve her goals. Kagome needed to save him. If she didn't, he would be torn apart.

Could she make it through it though or would she be torn apart trying to prevent his undoing?

Many miles away, Sesshoumaru sat pondering, just as Kagome was.

His castle, so magnificent, had become a place of endless roamings. Since his meeting with the miko, the Lord had done nothing but fight the memories of her. Seeing her terror, feeling it, sent shivers of protection surging through him.

Did he want to protect her? Hell no. She was his half-brother's toy. Let him rescue her. Well, when he's not trying to kill her he can rescue her.

When had all this protectiveness and claiming come from? A fortnight ago, he could have cared less what happened to her. Let her die. Maybe his brother would follow her. When she first defied him, though, not too recently, she stuck out. Most women tended to bow to his wishes. Well, everyone did. It was...irritatingly refreshing to find someone to speak at him like they were his equal and not his insubordinate. Even if they weren't.

'Instincts are your most powerful weapon, son,' his father had once said, 'Trust them and they'll never give you reason not to trust them.'

What did his father know? He was dead.

Kagome stood up, long after the sun had set and left her with a chill.

Kouga had promised to be back the next day after he and his comrades returned from defending their borders from demons.

Just as a measure of precaution, she unsheathed an arrow and strung it in her bow. She gripped low and walked back to the den.

She didn't know how much longer she could stay there. Kouga made his feelings for her clear before he left with a declaration of love followed by, "You should seriously become my woman, Kagome. Well, more than you already are."

Sweet as that was, she knew he was serious and before she let him continue on, she had to do something. Either choose to settle down and be safe and as happy as she could be in that situation, or leave and go who knows where. But she would go with a clear conscience. Obviously, settling was easier than leaving though.

Her situation was this: one on hand, you had InuYasha. Someone she had been with for so long. Someone she had loved and not been loved back by for so long, it never changed, although the pain never ceased to be present. He could, figuratively, leave for months upon months and when he returned, it felt like he never left. Possibly, he would be part of her forever.

On the other hand, you had Kouga. Sweet and loving, he never failed to brighten up her day at least a little bit. He could always care for her. He would never let her down, never leave her hanging. But isn't it always the one you can't have that you want? She wanted InuYasha, do doubt about that, but he was no good for her. He would always have someone else on his mind. He would do nothing but bring her down, tear her apart, and leave her to bleed like he did the last time she depended on him.

But when did you have to have someone? Couldn't she be happy alone?

The wind hadn't settled down since dusk and it helped set a scary setting. Trees rustled and swayed. Leaves scattered to the ground. Twigs were occasionally thrown from their trees. Tonight was definately not a night to be out and about. A storm was brewing out at sea, probably close to coming in, and it felt like a mean one. Another blast of cold air and the sweet smell of rain drafted through the air.

Before she could comprehend what needed to be done, the bottom fell out from the sky. Forgetting logic, she ran, following the path before her. A flash of lightening, a roar of thunder, and Kagome darted through the trees, dodging trees and trying to somehow escape the fury of Kami. One bright flash of lightening and everything around her became visible. Where was she?

After slipping in puddles, getting cut by thorns and brambles, and slipping on rocks, she finally found a cave carved out in the side of a mountain. What lived in there, she didn't know, but it would suffice and prevent her from catching pneumonia.

Running passed more slippery rocks, she finally managed to climb her way into the cave. Listening for any sounds of inhabitants, she slowly made her way slightly deeper. She wanted protection from the rain, but she had no intention of trying to explore and discover what may call this place home.

Kagome sat her bow beside her, ran her fingers through her hair to untangle it and settled back against a wall, hidden from view, and prepared for a sleepless night. She was terrified no doubt, but with her bow inches from her, it was a small comfort to know she could try to defend herself. She'd probably do well, depending on her opponent.

In the morning, she'd return to Kouga. They'd talk, and she'd either be leaving or staying.

Birds singing merrily awoke Kagome from her dreamless sleep. Opening her eyes, she silently surveyed her surroundings. When had she fallen asleep?

Kagome began to stand up when a pain ripped through her back and down her legs. Damn! She was going to regret last night's sleep for a while. Carefully standing, she moved slowly to avoid moving her back wrong. Looking down, she realized she forgot her bow and had to squat, not moving her back, to retrieve it. After she had stood, she walked outside to survey the damage.

Last night's storm had been sudden and fierce. Branches were tossed around, although the storm hadn't been strom enough to tear down trees. Stepping on rocks slowly to avoid pain and falling, she made her way down to the line of trees. Looking around to see which way she needed to go, she saw no landmarks, nothing she remembered passing yesterday.

"Where am I?" she cried, panic starting to set in. Maybe if she walked the way she ran last night, she would find her way.

'Kouga, where are you?' If she wasn't there when he returned, Kouga would come looking for her. The key was to get back to the cliff. If she still didn't recognize anything when she found the cliff, maybe he could catch up on her scent.

Hanging on to that hopeful little thought, Kagome made her way through the trees.

[A/N] Hey people. I decided, since it's so late here, I'd upload this chapter for you. I've been really anxious to give you guys something to read and digest while I write another chapter. The point of this one was to give some light on Kagome's situation. I know there wasn't much dialoge but who cares? :)

Review! Tell me what you think!