I am seriously going to have some free time on my hand guys. Considering this will be one of the final chapters. That's right only a handful more to go and this loving story of mine will be coming to a close.

Soon but not yet, so for now just hang in there and savor it while you can.

Much love and undying appreciation!

Note For Review's :

So much love and undying appreciation to each and everyone of you. You guys are the reason I keep this story going and force myself to update. So really thank you all. Thank you all for making me keep my passion alive and continuous!

Chapter Seventeen

Linger

The world seemed to blur into a never ending cycle of hypnotic blues and blacken darkness riddled with the constant sparkling of the overhanging stars looming overhead.

It was breathtaking, yet like always did little to quell the rising uncertainty rooted inside the currently oblivious priestess chest.

Kagome stepped quietly over the barren hill side eyeing the village barely illuminated several miles on the horizon. Her usual midnight patrol had taken her a little further than expected this night.

Though she couldn't really be that surprised considered her feet kept wondering while her mind traveled to far off places of its own. She briefly wondered if the distant half demon was having this much trouble concentrating while he scanned the opposing area nearest to the village.

She wouldn't begrudge him a bit if that was the case. Knowing full well her actions the last few days had undoubtedly given him something to think about.

Kagome sighed to herself as the sting of hard guilt still radiated freshly in her chest.

The last several days with the half demon back at her side had been everything she had ever wanted. He had been sweet, attentive, intimate in all the ways she would allow.

It was almost cruel irony that now it was her that pushed him away from such a passionate direction. Solely out of fear of his reaction once he inevitably discovered the truth.

The reluctant priestess had every intention of telling the amber eyed dog demon the truth…but she just couldn't find the worlds.

How could she? Devastate him in such a way? He would hate her.

She was just so afraid of losing him the mere thought of actually confessing herself to him fully. It terrified her.

Though she didn't know how much longer she could endure this silently crushing burden of secrecy. Without a doubt she knew, it wouldn't be much longer before her resolve finally shattered and the truth came flooding out.

Kagome was so lost in her unbearable thoughts that she didn't even notice the overshadowing figure creeping closer towards her until it was to late.

A calloused hand coming to rest on her shoulder jilting her back to reality as she spun to face the unknown demon. Her body now flared with surprise she had been so easily approached without warning.

But the moment her widen hazel orbs met a sharpen pair of azure eyes she felt her shock rise to entirely new level!

"Kouga! What are you doing here!?" Kagome shouted before she could even realize how potentially dangerous this situation had become with the wolfs mere presences.

"I told you I'd be back." Kouga replied evenly retracting his hand from the clearly stand offish priestess currently glaring at him.

The journey hadn't been easy by any means. Especially having to evade Ayame's clansmen but he had made the trip all the same. Knowing more important things needed to be hammered out before he could return and face the northerners now temporarily residing in his home land.

Another 'hunting' trip had been his excuse coincided by Ginta and Hakkaku's dishonest support. But even now he wasn't entirely sure he had managed to trick everyone. Ayame especially.

But those thoughts quickly dissipated as a new and faintly familiar scent wafted under his heighten nose. A scent currently mixing with that of the sweet perfume Kagome naturally exuded.

"The mutts here." He thought out loud, partially thankful he had kept his scent down wind. But instantly forgetting such trivial things the moment Kagome's facial features shifted.

"He came home a few days ago." She whispered bowing her head a bit in reluctance. How could this be any worse? Kouga was here, again! Inuyasha was only a few miles away! This situation all but screamed hazardous to all involved!

"His scents all over you-" Kouga partially questioned hoping he was jumping to conclusions. That maybe she had just come into contact with the mutt in passing.

But one look at Kagome's hesitantly averting eyes told him, he wasn't.

"You let him touch you!?" Kouga snarled accusingly his blood already boiling at the mere thought of that mutt laying a single finger on the woman standing before him!

He had only been gone a few weeks if that and already the two of them had rekindled some type of physical intimacy?! The mere thought made him sick!

"Keep your voice down!" Kagome warned! Inuyasha might have been a partially safe distance away but that didn't mean the village wouldn't alert him to the slightest sign of danger!

And a rampaging wolf demon seemed to be willing to do just that!

"Answer me Kagome!" Kouga growled furiously. Did she not even have the decency to deny it!?

"No! Alright!? We've-" Kagome shouted but instantly stammered at the admittance of just what she and the absent half demon had shared.

His return to her had been the closest they had come to any form of intimacy. As of late all they had shared was the same bed, but only curling into each others arm for sleep and nothing more.

She hadn't allowed it to go any further than that.

But that didn't mean she was willing to admit a single detail of it to the unbelievably irrational wolf demon currently glaring at her through fiercely harden azure orbs.

"Its none of your business!" Kagome added heatedly.

It was bad enough the wolf demon had suddenly re-emerge without so much as a hint of warning. But to appear and start throwing accusations! It was an insult!

Kouga forced himself to take a steadying breath. Fighting with the obviously defensive priestess was the last thing he wanted.

She hadn't admitted to anything, and the scent wafting of her was that of physical contact. But not intimately. A distinction easily missed when faced with.

"Look, I'm sorry. The thought of the mutt touching you-" He stammered.

Running a calming hand through his bound raven locks Kouga took a reluctant step back. Well this reunion wasn't going exactly as planned. But then again when it came to Kagome. Nothing was ever simple.

"Is that the only reason you came back? To make sure Inuyasha and I hadn't-" Kagome demanded angrily. What she and Kouga shared was special, and it was important to her. But that did not mean he owned her!

"I came back to make sure you were alright! I knew the mutt wouldn't take the news about us well." Kouga admitted. His initial reasoning had just been to check up on the conflicted priestess. They hadn't exactly parted on the best circumstances.

But, now knowing that Inuyasha was indeed back in the picture. He knew thing were bound to take a step towards the unpredictable. He wanted to make sure Kagome was defended if it came down to it.

He knew full well how furious the mutt could become once provoked. He didn't want Kagome to face that alone.

Kagome bowed her head at Kouga's admittance. His appearance would have been welcomed support. If he had arrived at the appropriate time.

Kouga eyed the hesitant priestess and the truth was all to clearly written on her reluctant demeanor.

"You haven't told him. Have you?!" Kouga growled angrily. Was she kidding? All this time!? And still the mutt lingered around blind to what had happened just under his nose?

Could this night be any worse!?

"It's not something I could just blurt out! Besides how and when I tell him is again none of your business!" Kagome hissed.

Kouga felt his jaw flex and his eyes narrow. Why was she making this so damn difficult! He had given her plenty of time to iron things out in her own way.

Yet she hadn't.

Which also meant she hadn't put any mentality into the proposition he had left her with last time they had spoken either.

"So I take it you haven't thought about coming back to the east with me?" Kouga asked lowly. Not bothering to hide the disappointment thick in his voice.

"There is nothing to think about Kouga. I wont leave, this is my home." Kagome replied sharply. She had let her mind control her quite often lately. Creating what if scenarios constantly. But running away to the east with Kouga had not been one of them.

"Your home is with me!" Kouga growled angrily taking a hard step forward searing Kagome with his harden and devoted gaze.

Kagome peered up at the confidentially standing wolf demon without a word to reply. What could she possibly say in response to such a statement?

Kouga breathed deeply. He didn't want to upset her, or cause anymore unnecessary pain between the two of them. But he knew in his heart that what he had said was the truth.

Kagome belonged with him. She had to know that.

Kagome inhaled sharply. A question of her own now rising to mind at Kouga's sudden return. Had something changed in the east to allow him such free leave?

"D-Does Ayame know?" She whispered staring up at azure eyed wolf.

Kouga swallowed hard. The conversation now shifting in odds that no longer held his favor.

"No." He admitted.

Kagome felt her own temper flare at his confession. So he was no better than she was!?

"Why not!?" She shouted agitatedly.

"I couldn't tell her. Not yet!" Kouga defended! Things were beyond complicated back in the east! He couldn't just spew the truth, knowing all to well the chaos that would ensue.

"But you could tear into me about not telling Inuyasha?" Kagome snapped accusingly. The nerve of the wolf demon before her! Daring to scold her for the exact same crime he had yet to admit to himself!

"It's not that simple! Ayame's grandfather arrived in the east. It was sudden and unexpected and its complicated things!" Kouga defended!

"Complicated?" Kagome laughed humorlessly. This. This situation couldn't get any more complicated! Secrets on top of secrets! It was driving her insane and she had enough it all!

Kouga started at the recoiled priestess before him. He could see how frustrating all this was becoming. He shared the feeling all to well. But they had to endure it. They just had too.

This dishonestly wouldn't last forever. Eventually the truth would come out. And they would both be free. Hopefully free to finally be with one another.

"Kagome I don't want to fight-" Kouga whispered reaching out for the tensely standing priestess.

But Kagome wanted no part of his touch! Jerking away the moment his fingertips ghosted over her waist. She wasn't letting him pull her in! Not again!

Her callous action fueling the already agitated wolf demon further, until finally the anger he had withheld began flooding out. With a fury of its own accord.

"You just don't get it do you Kagome!? Do you have any idea what I've given up for you?! What I'm throwing away!?" The furious wolf demon challenged. She couldn't possibly have any idea! What all this sacrifice was truly going to cost him in the end. The misery. The pain.

"Enlighten me!" Kagome challenged. What the wolf demon was going through felt as though it dimmed in comparison to her own suffering!

He was throwing away a loveless relationship. And though she felt horrible for Ayame's plight. The selfish choices the azure eyed wolf was his alone!

It was nothing compared to her own sacrifice! She was losing the man she loved! The man she had always loved! One she had betrayed and wished with all her might she could undo the mistakes she had made in the past.

Inuyasha didn't deserve this! So yes, she felt as though she was losing more! More than the wolf standing before her could ever imagine.

Or so she thought.

"My entire life!" Kouga seethed his bared fangs flashing furiously as he growled down at the unsuspecting priestess.

"My tribe might be thrown into war because of what I've done!" Kouga confessed. Feeling the weight of his decisions more now than ever before.

Kagome froze in place at the wolf demons heated words.

"What?" She questioned disbelieving. That- That couldn't be true…

"Oh don't be so naïve Kagome! Did you honestly think this was just between the two of us!?" Kouga laughed sarcastically, angrily.

"I am leader ! An alpha! My decisions no matter how selfish effect every single demon under my rule!" Kouga snapped. The furious tone of his voice causing Kagome to still, her heart pounding in her chest at the passionate rage being unleashed before her.

"Families are going to be separated! The treaty between the north and east dissolved! My country could be ripped apart! All because why? Because I idiotically fell in love with you!" Kouga shouted bitterly!

He never wanted this! All this overwhelming misery! He didn't ask to love the woman standing before him! But god help him he did! He loved her so god damn much it was literally breaking him!

"Kouga-" Kagome whispered. She, never knew…

She had no idea that involving herself with Kouga in such a way would cause so much chaos in its wake. What had she done? What were they doing to each other?

If them being together was unleashing so much pure torment on those they held dearest. Why did they keep coming back to one another!?

Why did he-

Her consuming thoughts were cut all to quickly short as Kouga closed the minimal distance separating them. His calloused hands cupping her face in his hands as he captured her lips with his own.

A lone tear fell from the corner of Kagome's eyes as she surrendered herself to his touch. Realizing now she had missed it more than words could say.

Kouga ravaged her lips tasting them and breathing in her intoxicating scent until it replaced the very air in his lungs. Until the aching burn for air became to much and he was forced to pull away leaving them both flushed and panting.

"Kagome," He whispered against her lips forcing her to reopen her tear hazed eyes and stare into his hot searing gaze.

"I love you. Damn my soul to hell I do." He confessed knowing no words could have possibly been more true. Against every fiber of his being, every instinct that warned him against it. He loved the priestess in his arms so much it was crippling him!

"I've torn apart everything I've dedicated my life to build. Because, I cant let you go." Kouga whispered heatedly, feeling as Kagome gripped hold of his wrist squeezing tightly almost as if his admittance was painful to hear.

"I can watch it all crumble Kagome. Everything. My tribe, my comrades, Ayame, my very soul. But not you-" He kissed her again softer, sweetly before forcing himself to continue in a breathless whisper.

"I wont let you go, so don't ever ask me too." He demanded before kissing her again. This time hungry, already feeling the want for her body and soul begin to overwhelm every single one of his senses.

Kagome whimper against his hold as his hands fisted into her raven hair and against her waist pulling her to him aggressively. He was craving her, she could feel it radiate off him like a suffocating wave of sheer promising pleasure.

This was wrong.

But feeling him. Touching him…she wanted him…needed him like never before.

What was she becoming? What was the wolf demon currently ravaging her turning her into? She felt so lost, yet drawn to Kouga for guidance. As if his touch was the only thing that could ever lead her home again.

To which she all to willingly surrendered herself to, completely.

Brush burst apart as thin twig like sticks attached to the imploding undergrowth scratched against porcelain skin as a lone auburn haired figure sprinted through the midnight moon lit forest.

Fierce jade eyes scanning the winding path ahead as bare pumping feet hammered the leave scattered ground relentlessly and determined.

Ayame had finally reached her breaking her point. The day Kouga had excused himself from the tribe for another hunting expedition. She could feel the lie in his every word.

It was heartbreaking to think that Kouga even had the ability to be dishonest with her, but she had felt it with perfect clarity all the same.

That's when she knew what had to be done. She wouldn't wait idol back in the east for her mates return as she had done so many times before. To listen to his excuses and flat out refusal to discuss anything of importance with her, it would have been unbearable.

So it left her with only one alternative.

To trail him.

She didn't like going behind Kouga's wishes like this. But if this was the only way to finally shine light into the dark void of secrets their relationship had fallen into. She would do it.

Though that had been easier said then done. The first trial of her secretive journey had been ensuring someone undoubtedly trustworthy would keep her departure a secret.

Roiyaru had with out a doubt been her choice. Though the navy eyed wolf had put up a strong protest, he had inevitably succumb to her wishes and promised he would keep the others suspicions subsided until her return.

Then again she wasn't entirely sure when that would be. She had trialed Kouga's frenzied pace as fast a she could but she had to maintain a safe enough distance behind to ensure he didn't know he had been followed.

Added to the fact the azure eyed wolf demon was much faster than she could ever hope to be. It had left her quite a distance behind.

A few miles at least, though she was confidant she would catch up to him soon enough at the pace she pushed her body.

Despite the hard drops of sweat on her brow and the aching of her chest from such physical exertion she never let up. Even for a moment.

For all she knew, this obvious secret Kouga was keeping. Once it was discovered they might be able to salvage what they once had.

Maybe he would realize their was no deed he could commit that she wouldn't forgive, that she wouldn't understand.

She loved him. Needed him more than mere words could express.

Kouga, was her everything.

They could fix what had broken between them, she just knew they could. Once honestly remerged between them, it would be alright.

It just had to be.

At first he had been sweet, tender and loving with every touch with every lingering caress. But quickly passion had flared and the animalistic nature of the wolf demon ravaging the priestess pinned beneath him had overtaken him completely.

Kouga's tongue stroking Kagome's feverish nipping at her bottom lip in a way that always made her ache for him each and every time.

She was panting, made breathless by the intensity of his kiss. Her fingers grasping at the completely discarded pile of clothing they two of them now laid upon desperate to hold onto anything that anchored her down to earth.

Having Kouga touch her like this, having him so deep inside…it was kismet. A cosmic sensation hat had her floating from the plain of reality into the stars above.

So high she could feel the intensity of the sun itself radiate her skin and pulsate between her thighs.

Kouga groaned feeling Kagome arch against him her perfect breast molding to his chest as he held her hands tightly bound together above her head.

The slow thrusting but impossible deep seeded wolf demon beginning to plunder her mouth once more, unable to get his fill of her soft lips and heat of her body.

"Kouga-" Kagome rasped in a desperate tone that filled Kouga with pride. So reassuring to know the way she craved his touch couldn't possibly be forced.

She was craving him, him, and him alone.

Basket in the starlight Kouga glared at the priestess riving beneath him, she was exquisite. Something so god damn perfect he just couldn't believe real.

The way she moaned his name, trembled and squirmed as he pumped in and out of her agonizingly slowly.

He urged her to relax to simply take all of him and accept what he was so lovingly giving. He could feel her hot breath against his neck and her wrist flex in his iron grip.

Breathlessly she begged for him to move the way her body so desperately craved, the way she knew he was more than capable of providing in his demonic nature.

"I love you Kagome," Kouga rasped against her neck lovingly.

Gods she felt indescribably. The way her body welcomed him with its unrivaled tightness and perfect molten heat. Kouga couldn't help but think they fit perfectly, like her body had been made to fit his and no other.

In this moment he knew he could never love another. Not like this. No one could ever make him feel this way, beyond the passion, beyond the almost unworldly pleasure. There was something deeper between them.

The way he felt inside her, they way she ached for his every touch. He felt so whole. As if his very soul had been split in two the moment he had come into this world and only when he held Kagome in his arms did he feel that completeness once again.

She was his everything, she was his love, his life…his reason for even breathing.

Kouga pushed inside her deeper and deeper until he could physically go no further, filling her completely and feeling as her womanhood rippled and flexed around his length.

Her sweet breath washing over Kouga's cheek and neck as she clung to him. Her arms encircling his neck as he finally allowed her hands to escape his harden grip.

She trembled as he began to pull out before re-entering, establishing a slow, rocking rhythm with his hips. Kagome whimpered into Kouga's neck begging him to move faster insider her, to bare down harder.

However, Kouga was determined to prolong this sweet moment as long as he could, wanting to savor how incredible if felt to be inside her again after so long.

Whispering the depth of his devotion while simultaneously kissing her sweet heated skin letting her moans fill the hillside as he made love to her with slow steady strokes.

Every thrust into her accompanied by a wave of total euphoria. White hot pleasure flaring into every nerve making him groan into the darkness. She was so perfect, so god damn perfect…how had he ever found such a treasure? Such an undeserved jewel in his dark and dreary world.

From the sheer intensity of all the overwhelming sensations Kagome's nails began to dig into Kouga's sculpted back. The wolf demons only response being to slip a hand between their conjoined bodies to tease her swollen pearl, never ceasing to glide in and out of her at a pace that was almost painfully slow.

The added stimulation made her wild. Kagome sobbed as her womanhood instantly squeezed him so tight it was nearly painful. He could feel her throbbing velvet walls pulsate against his hardness. She was already so close to completion, so tight and scorching around him that Kouga realized he wouldn't be able to hold out as long as he originally thought.

He kept her teetering on the edge of release as long as he could while still stroking the sensitive bundle of nerves poised at her opening. Over and over again building her up while still slowly sheathing himself deep within her.

Nuzzling his nose into her neck he could smell salty tears there, her eyes hazing from the intensity of being so close to orgasm for so long.

Kagome cried his name begging for release, her whole body beginning to shake as she remained so unbearably close to the brink.

The pressure building in his groin was finally becoming to much to ignore, and he knew he was going to fall headlong into bliss. But refusing to do so until he took the wanting priestess right along side him.

His rhythm faltered as he put more power into his last few thrust. He clutched her more aggressively to him as he panted harshly against her neck. Telling her to come and come hard.

Her body too responsive to do anything but obey him, she convulsed around him forcing Kouga to let out a hoarse cry mixing beautifully with her passionate scream as she came completely undone.

Kagome's nails clawed at his shoulders before finally she went rigid beneath him.

Feeling her pulsate around him so intensely he felt her release in a new way entirely. Becoming aware of her harden nipples against his chest, the rapid pounding over her heart, her trembling body convulsing under his own.

Kouga's own release overwhelmed him. With erupting pulsations he emptied himself fully into Kagome's womb. Collapsing to his forearms, hovering just above her as his body drained itself until he ran dry.

Breathing deeply the two panting forms stared into each others eyes, only a moment or two of silence passing between the two of them before Kouga's fingers soothingly ran over her still trembling body.

His clawed fingertips stroking over her flushed rosy cheek ridding her damped skin of the cluster of raven locks that had gathered there.

Kagome leaning timidly into his touch as she ran a hesitant hand over the sculpt of his arm still placed on either side of her head.

Those eyes, his eyes…they were filled with so much love. So much devotion and undying commitment. Did her eyes mirror that haunting gaze?

She wasn't even sure what she felt at this exact moment. She wasn't reluctant, or frightened…but content. Even daring to say…happy?

How could she not feel this way? This. So untethered to any earthy concern? When locked in his arms, in Kouga's arms. He loved her so much, she could all but feel it pouring out of him with one lasting glance.

Dipping his head lowly Kouga kissed the center of Kagome's forehead sweetly, one hand brushing back the tresses of her raven bangs to feel warm skin beneath his lips.

He never wanted this moment to end. To ever return to the conscience plain of reality again. He would forsake it all, if he could spend all of eternity right here…with her.

Unfortunately, fate would not be so easily forgotten about.

The loving gaze Kouga felt his azure eyes absolutely flooded with didn't just go unhindered by Kagome alone. But a entirely painstakingly devastated pair of tear hazed jade orbs.

Ayame stood physically frozen in the shadow of the forest. Her inhuman eyes wide and glowing with almost feline characteristics as she took in the soul wrenching sight of her mate. Her love. Laying in the arms of another.

She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. This pain. This mortality, was crashing down upon her with all the merciless weight of a thousand universes.

With a certainty she could not explain, she knew. She knew. If she stared at this sickening union one more moment, it would be her end. Her last act on the face of this cruel unforgiving earth.

Against all other desires, he bodies only form of self-preservation flooded to the surface. And it told her to do one thing and one thing alone.

Run.

Leaving a trail of hot tears in her wake she fled. Her body pushing itself beyond the grip of physical pain to flee from the scene that had just ripped her very heart from her chest.

She was hollow, she was numb…she was…

Gone.

Restlessly a crimson draped figure shifted uneasily on the soften greenery cushioned under his back. It had been some time since he had slept under the stars, but strangely it wasn't as comforting as it once was.

Inuyasha swore under his breath as he adjusted his arms crossed behind his silver crown, his hands acting as his temporary pillow as he eyed the blacken sky above coldly.

Maybe it would have been a better idea to head back to the village after all. Instead of tough it out for the few remaining hours until sunrise.

He partially hope Kagome was fairing better. No doubt already tucked comfortably away in the confines of the hut under welcoming blankets and feathered bed.

A feeling he wish he could share, were it not for the reluctance slowly eating away at his resolve to do just that.

He didn't see the point anymore? Days he had been at the priestess side, yet everything had changed between them.

He didn't know how to explain it, but things were different and not in the sort of way that could be easily ignored. She was distracted, distant and constantly seemed to be lost in her own world of far away thoughts.

Thought that he was almost completely positive had nothing to do with him. He just didn't get it. What had a season apart done to them? They had never been overly open with one another, but Kagome had never been like this. Not ever.

Any uncertainty, any nagging complication in their relationship she had expressed it. But, now. It was like she didn't even care. Always distancing herself from him by any means necessary, not even able to meet his direct gaze from time to time.

He didn't know what was happing with the priestess he cared for. But, something had changed, and it wasn't for the better.

Exhaustedly Inuyasha sighed to himself. Maybe leaving things the way he had between them had further damaged what they had more so than he originally thought.

If that were the case he would move heaven and earth to set things right, too see things return to how they use to be.

But with a certainty he could not explain. He knew no matter how hard either of them tired, something had broken between them.

And he wasn't sure anything could ever piece it back together.

The barely rising sun began to radiate its warmth and brilliance over the sleeping landscape. The crimson and violet clouds lightening with every passing second as the darkness of night was chased away.

The mixture of such breathtaking colors and hues filling the azure eyes absorbing the scene playing out before them with mirror like clarity.

Kouga breathed deeply the morning air, letting the brisk scent fill his lungs. His lax posture staring out over the brightening horizon one knee pressed to his armor covered chest as he tried to brace himself for the events that were coming, and coming all to quickly.

Oblivious to the beauty filling the sky above her Kagome took a silent seat beside the off staring wolf demon. Just moments ago pulling herself from her slumber to partially cover herself with the top half of her priestess attire.

Her back turned to the direction the wolf demon currently gazed she eyed the village in the distance while he eyed the sweet open freedom laid out before them.

Breathing deeply the azure eyed wolf just admired what so enticingly called to him. What he wouldn't give to take the priestess at his side into his arms and fade away into the rising sun.

To be vanished from this place once and for all leaving nothing but the earth they had made love upon in their wake.

"You're leaving?" Kagome whispered tucking her knees tightly to her chest as she placed her chin upon the knob of her leg. Her hazel eyes darken and mournful for what she knew was transpiring.

It was obvious to her Kouga was departing. His completely armor dressed and re-attired self proving that much.

But that being seen only one question remained…would he return?

Kouga sighed deeply his usually so sharp azure eyes softening to an almost human like sphere. All the while not daring to gaze at the prissiest beside him for fear it might be his undoing.

"I've done all I can to convince you. I don't have anything else to give." Kouga whispered knowing every word was coated in the utmost truth.

All through the night he had taken Kagome, showered her with every possible ounce of love and devotion he had stored inside his entire body.

The way he had touched her, made her ache for him. He had tried so desperately to make her see, there was nothing. Nothing. He would not do for her.

Wolves were physical beings. To connect the way they had, it had put into words every feeling he didn't have the strength to express.

Now he was left with nothing but the hope. Hope, that it had been enough.

Kagome bowed her head lowly her trembling arms tightening around her clutched legs as she tired to reign in the sense of dread beginning to overwhelm her.

She wasn't ready for this. She was ready to say goodbye.

"I wont come back, Kagome." Kouga promised his glimmering orbs narrowing with the weight of such a crippling admittance.

Kagome couldn't help herself, her resolve finally began to break as she turned to face the still un-looking wolf demon to her side.

This was really it. He wasn't coming back to her…the last time they had…it really was the last time?

Wasn't that what she had wanted all this time? To finally separate this unbreakable connection between the two of them at last? If that was the truth…then why did it suddenly hurt so much?

This pain, it was blinding.

"The next time we meet. It will be because you chose to be with me. Forever." With that declaration Kouga finally turned to face the misty eyed priestess beside him.

Watching as tears began to fill her hazel orbs but not yet having the ability to fall.

"I cant promise that." Kagome whispered in response. If this was really Kouga's final words to her, she didn't want it to end on false hopes.

She didn't have it in her to let this end in such a bitter way.

Instead of react angrily or maybe partially hurt Kouga only stared at her with those same damn eyes. Eyes filled with nothing but understanding and complete devotion.

"I know." He breathed reaching out towards her. Cupping her face tenderly and thumbing away a tear that had escaped her blearing vision.

Kagome knew any more physical contact between the two of them would undoubtedly only make this parting harder. But she couldn't help it.

She needed him, she needed to feel him beside her.

Leaning into his touch she gripped his wrist tightly with both hands allowing the tears she had tried to restrain to finally come flooding forward.

Narrowing the distance between them Kouga inched forward until his forehead rested against Kagome's. His inhuman eyes burning into her own with such intensity until she was forced to close them from the sheer absolution pouring from them.

"But I can promise you something?" Kouga rasped against her causing Kagome to grip onto his arm impossibly tighter for fear he would slip away at any moment.

"I wont ever give up on you." He vowed.

A broken sob escaped Kagome lips as she clung to the wolf demon for dear life. Knowing with an unshakable certainty he meant every word.

Pressing a kiss to her top of her head and breathing in her rich unforgettable scent until he forced himself to replace the very breath in his lungs he whispered into her raven tresses.

"I love you," He breathed.

Kagome felt her body begin to quiver with fear, with uncertainty and with regret that this moment was actually falling upon them.

That this was their final farewell.

"I love you," Kagome mentally swore.

It had taken all this, all this heartache and pure dismay to finally break through to her. But it had.

She loved Kouga. In some way she had always know. She couldn't have survived all they had together, if she hadn't. It destroyed her, it hurt more than mere words could ever express. But it was the truth.

From the day he came to the village blinded by pain and needing her to mend him back together, the countless moments they had shared together through the harshness of winter.

It had all driven here to this moment, when she was finally able to admit to herself…

She loved him!

Kouga's hand began to tremble against Kagome's hold. The vast span of empty time that laid ahead of him meant absolutely nothing. He would wait forever. Until the sun fell from the very sky and the mountains of the east crumbled into nothing but dust.

He would love her.

"Goodbye," He whispered.

Then with one haunting gust of warm summer air. He was gone.

And her world…shattered.

I know what are you going to do with me? Cliffhangers all around! But, the next update should be up soon enough so hang tight guys!

Love!