~Kagome POV – Unit base camp – 2 years later~

"Kagome get your head out of the clouds and get your ass up that wall!" yelled my uncle as I gritted my teeth as I fought the urge to snap back at him.

I pulled myself up the training wall and landed on my feet on the other side; I took off in a run over the jungle floor. I breathed evenly as I leapt over fallen trees and avoided rain puddles, staying close to the forest floor; stealth was my advantage for my small size. This morning I was doing endurance runs and I was soaked in sweat from doing this ever since 5 am this morning, I looked up and saw that the sun was right over head, it was noon already. I put more strength in my legs as I caught a vine that was hanging low on a tree and used to flung myself up and over to another tree landing on a low branch where I retraced my compound bow and arrows. I peered thought the sniper cam and sent a practice arrow racing though the forest and landed on a sand dummy that was perched on a tree a mile away from where I was. I secured my bow around my back and leaped off the branch catching another vine so stop my fall. I landed in a crouch and took off running again towards to practice ring where my uncle was timing me.

"Ten minutes, Twenty-Seven seconds. Good job, you beat your old time" he said smiling at me. I rolled my eyes at him then took the water canteen he handed to me.

"Tonight is your free night…where are you heading?" he asked folding his arms to glare at me.

"Alex is taking me to a night club in Rio Uncle Ri-Ri"

"I noticed that he's been hanging around you more, what's going on there? You do know he's 7 years older than you right? He is already a man and if I know his type, he's not one to just have flings Kagome, he's looking for a permanent thing"

I already knew that of course. Alex told me this himself that he was looking for a real relationship, someone to share his life with. I told him in return that I was trying to forget someone and the reason I didn't want to date him was because it would be unfair to him. He really was a great guy once I got to really know him; he was courageous, honorable, smart, protective and a bit over zealous of me. He didn't like Santiago's advances and I had to break up a few scuffles between them in these last few months. He told me that he understood me and that it was another thing that he liked about me…I was honest in my answer when he asked why I didn't date.

"I would still like to take you out" he said when he asked me on the date "I don't want you to lock your heart away. Let me show you what life with me would be like; give me a chance to win you over. You said he was your fist love, there is a reason they are called first loves, it's because there are others to come. Give me a chance meu minunat"

His lovely one, he always called me that in Romanian, and it always managed to send butterflies in my stomach. He really was a very handsome man, with golden wavy hair, bright green eyes that reminded me of emeralds, tall scalped body that towered over me and skin the color of light caramel. He was a fine male specimen and his accent was drop dead sexy as well. But all of that was not enough to make me forget InuYasha.

"He knows that I'm not ready for a serious relationship and that I'm still hung up on my other guy..the only thing that I didn't tell him is that the other guy also happens to be half demon" I said to my Uncle as I walked over to grab my towel and undergarments once we were in our bunker.

"Well be careful. Alex is a good man and it looks like he's serious about you munchkin…I wouldn't want to send you back home engaged…or pregnant"

"It's not like that; we are just going to hang out tonight. I told him that this is not a real date" I said walking over to the bathroom.

As I washed up I couldn't help but think that maybe this wasn't a good idea. I was feeling strangely guilty, but for what? I thought of InuYasha and felt the guilt almost choke me. Why would I feel guilty about having fun with another male? He had Kikyo and they are no doubt happy together now, why shouldn't I seek out someone who saw me and wasn't comparing me with another? I was talking myself out of my funk while blow drying my hair letting the thick mass fall down to my butt in shiny waves. I never let my hair down since I've been here and I was betting that Alex would like it. My dress was a one shoulder royal blue mini dress. I slipped on some black heels and applied some light make up. I looked at the woman in the mirror and couldn't recognize myself. My face was much more mature, my body formed and toned. I shook my head at my silliness; I was still Kagome despite of it all. I walked out of the bath and grabbed my purse and walked out of my bunker. I looked around and saw that no one around, they must of all gone into town. Today was one of our rare days off of training or preparing for a mission.

"Holy shit!" I turned to see Diego and Santiago standing a few feet away from me. They were dressed in night clothes, no doubt also going clubbing.

"Hey guys" I said smiling at them.

"Kagome?" said Santiago walking close to me "Is that really you?"

I frowned at him "Yeah…who did you think I was? The Easter Bunny?" I asked in confusion. Really sometimes I wondered about him.

"I don't know…but fuck…is this what you really look like? I mean…damn..I always knew you were pretty but now, shit you're gorgeous!"

"Arigato Santi" I said smiling at him.

"Where are you going dressed like that? With us I hope" he said switching over to his signature playboy smirk that has won him many one night stands.

I was about to open my mouth when I felt an arm snake around my waist pulling me to a hard warm body. I looked up to see Alexander glaring at Santi, his green eyes where light up in fury and the way he was holding my body was one of pure possessiveness.

"She's with me" He said his accent always more noticeable when he was angry. He looked down at me and his eyes softened "Are you ready frumos?"

I smiled when he called me beautiful. I didn't know many words in Romanian but he was trying to teach me.

"So you're choosing HIM?" said Santiago in anger as he looked at way Alex was holding me.

"Santi, not that it's any of your business but you are a good friend so I will tell you the truth. Yes I choose him because he cares for me, and makes me feel special. I don't know if things will develop into something else and he is not pushing me….I really appreciate that about him" I said trying to make him understand I did not want to loose Santi as a friend.

Santi nodded then looked at Alex.

"You hurt her and I will kick your ass from here to Ecuador..got it?"

Alex scoffed but nodded to him "You have my word, I will not force myself on Kagome, but I will do everything I can to win her heart"

Ugh! Men.

The night was busy and the club was filled with people dancing and drinking. Everyone was having fun and not thinking about all the bad shit out in the world. Alex was holding on to me as he twirled me around to a fast moving song making me laugh as I held on for dear life. He knew I couldn't dance salsa that well but wanted to teach me…. I was pretty sure he didn't have any more feeling in his toes by now.

"Wow you suck at this" he said laughing as I bumped into a couple who giggled at my attempt at dancing.

"Perdon!" I said cried out laughing to them saying sorry in spanish. Finally the music changed into a slow one.

As he pulled me into his arms I felt like I could finally catch my breath. He was still chuckling as he moved to the slow song making my body sway with his. I felt him lean down and place his cheek on my head inhaling a bit. My heartbeat sped up a bit as he tightened his hold on me making me very aware of his strong muscular arms and how good it felt to be held.

"How can someone so small raise such strong emotions from a man?" he muttered against my hair.

"Just lucky I guess" I said chuckling into his chest.

"I'm serious Kagome, why are you here? You are the last thing I expected when the Colonel said that his god daughter was coming aboard and that she had the same powers he did. When I saw you get off of the jeep I was floored on how small and young you where, you look like a fragile…like little doll" he tilted my face up so that I could gaze into his eyes "I found myself consonantly looking at you from afar, I felt myself being pulled in by your innocence and purity. You don't belong in this world Kagome. Let me protect you" he said as he moved so that his forehead was touching mine.

His words reminded me so much of InuYasha that I felt myself recoil at his touch. I felt like I was betraying my love of him. I pulled back from Alex and shook my head.

"You can't protect me…the reason I came here is to become stronger so that I can protect myself. If I allow you to protect me, then I would be betraying the real reason I felt my home in the first place…I would be betraying him" I said a little harsher that I wanted. I felt bad immediately when I saw the pain in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Alex" I said then walked away and towards the exit. He deserved someone who could love him completely, someone who didn't have her past in the way of her happiness like I did.

I as walked out and tried to hall a taxi I felt strong arms wrap them self's around me as Alex's body molded into mine.

"I don't care Kagome, he is a fool for letting you go in the first place…don't think I haven't noticed that his memory pains you more than comforts you. If I were to take a bullet for you, then it is because I think you are worth it" He turned me around so suddenly that I didn't have time to get my baring together before I felt his mouth crashing down on mine in a an urgent kiss. I was so surpassed by it that I froze, then slowly closed my eyes and let myself live in the moment for once. I kissed him back and was surprised on how soft his lips here, his mouth explored mine has he cupped my face in his hands. When we broke apart he was looking down at me with a strange light in his green eyes.

"I won't give up on you Kagome, I do believe you can protect and defend yourself, hell you are the best marksman I have ever met, but I also believe that there are some things that a man should do to protect the woman he cares for…would you deny me that?"

"Alex…I think it's time I told you the whole story as to why I'm here…and why in two years I will be going back to Japan" I said.

What he said was true and if I didn't at least make the attempt to forget InuYasha then I will never know love again. For him I made myself stronger, for him I put myself thought seven kinds of hell so that he could be happy with Kikyo….didn't I deserve happiness as well? Was it wrong to look at another man the same way I looked at him?

~InuYasha POV – 4 years later –

I glared down at the well.

"It's no longer sealed InuYasha" said Kikyo softly as she stood beside me "it's been 2 weeks since it has reopened"

"Then why can't I get thought?" I said harshly as I remembered the feeling of relief turn into rage when the well wouldn't transport me where my mate was.

"When Kagome took off the beads she also severed the link between the two of you. She must have felt it reopen. The spell made it so that she would be aware that it was time to come back, why she is still not here is something I cannot answer. Sorry InuYasha" she turned and walked off to where her sister and the others where.

I clenched my hand in to a fist until I felt blood coat my hand. There was something else not right here. Two years ago my demon raged and vented that his mate was slipping away from him. Her heart no longer belonged only to him. It was a strange feeling, it was almost like they were connected but it was a faint trace. It was the link that made her his lifemate. She was born his lifemate, it wasn't something he decided, but fate made it so that he would find her and fall in love with her. Two years ago his demon hissed at him and said that she was slipping away from him.

There was another male.

The realization that she was falling for another man had his demon seething in hate and anger. It took both Kikyos and Miroku's spiritual powers to subdue him.

He looked down at his sharp claws and strong arm. The other man must be a formidable male for him to over go a change this drastic. His body was well over 6 feet 5 inches now; his body was heavy with muscles and his senses far more acute and sharper.

He was as a deadly half demon now. Most demons stayed clear of him out of fear, even Naraku has been oddly calm in these last two years. His demon made the necessary changes in him saying that he needed to transformation or be defeated by his competition. He would have to show Kagome that he was the stronger male; he would have to fight for her. He didn't like it but he understood it, another male was trying to take his mate away from him and in the rules of the wild, he had to be bigger and stronger to win the female.

I turned and walked towards the others. Kagome would come to him and when she did, he was going to show her just who she belonged to. He would not give in to the other man, he will rip him to shreds and once he was out of the way he would take Kagome for his own.

"I sense a jewel shard InuYasha, it's coming faint but it's there, it's that way" said Kikyo as I stood in front of the others. She was pointing west from where we were.

"Alright, let's get this over with, I want to be here for when Kagome shows up" I said looking to the others.

"Do you really think she'll come back?" asked Sango

"Yeah" I said looking towards the forest "I get the feeling she will show up soon"

~Kagome POV- Present – Japan~

"Wow, it feels weird being back" I said looking up at the steps that lead to my family shrine.

"I can image" said Alex getting out and got my duffel bag out along with his "Did you tell your mom that I was coming along?"

"Yeah, she's dying to meet you" I took off my sunglasses and looked at him "Are you sure you want to do this? It's going to be strange and I don't even know if you would be able to pass thought the well"

I had told Alex everything, my powers, my time travel, and about InuYasha. I told him about Naraku and about my mission in the feudal era. I had thought that he would say I was crazy but it turned out that his bloodline also held…..secrets. Alexander Nica came from and ancient and powerful Carpathian bloodline that held power of its own. There was a reason he was so strong and powerful, his warrior blood made it so that he relied on instinct and his skin was difficult to pierce. He was a human walking shield.

"I'm sure meu minunat, besides, you are going to need me if it gets too difficult for you for when you see your half demon"

I grimaced.

"I understand Kagome, I don't expect you to change your feelings for him, but tell me something" he said wrapping his arms around my waist then bend down to kiss me lightly on the lips "You do feel something for me right?"

"Of course Alex! I love you in my own way; I don't know just how deep those feelings are at the moment. I'm sorry for saying it but I will never lie to you on how I am feeling"

"One of the many things I love about you. Now let's go. Did your Uncle deliver the equipment like he said he was going to?"

"I sure hope so. It will be pretty useless to go back without all my toys" I said giving him a wink then pulled my glasses back on and started walking up the steps to my home letting my hips sway just a little more than necessary making him groan then chuckle.

"Cochetă" he said calling me a minx.

"You know it buddy now move your butt, Naraku isn't killing himself anytime soon"

By the time I induced Alex to my mom and got the crate that my uncle sent opened and sorted through it was close to night fall.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until tomorrow honey?" said my mom looking at me with wide eyes.

I understood how she felt. I was no longer her little girl. It's been 4 years and 4 months since I left home at the tender age of 16. Now at 20 years old I had developed in to a strong and seductive woman. My hair was still long but pulled up in a ponytail with a long braid falling all the way to my waist. I had wanted to cut it but Alex had a hissy fit. He loved my hair; he would ask me leave it loose every time he had our night outs. I was still just as short as ever, barely toping 5 feet 2 inches but my body was toned with sculpted legs, a firm bottom and an endowed bust line. Inger Mic de Deces is what Alex called me, little angel of death. I had earned that name and so I had a pair of small black angle wings tattooed on my right shoulder with Unit 38 right below it.

I was lethal now; I trained myself to be so. I was no longer the little frightened girl who stood frozen in the face of danger, in her place was a woman who has seen far too many deaths and who had delivered many of those blows.

"I'm sure mom. I will be back once everything done on that side. It was my mess, I'm going to clean house and once I do I will seal the well permanently and come back"

"I missed you so much and now you're leaving again" said my mother crying softy.

"I missed you too mom, don't worry. I'll be back okay?" I said smiling at her.

"Do you have everything you need? Do you want me to pack some ramen?" said my mom.

Alex frowned at her words.

"Ramen? Like the soup?" he said giving my mom an odd look "That is a strange thing to take back"

"It would be for InuYasha, and no mom, no ramen this time" I felt Alex stiffen a bit but went back to packing our duffel bag.

"Oh okay. Be careful over there honey" I nodded to her and kissed her cheek.

I looked at the duffel bag to make sure I had everything we needed. Arrows…lots of arrows and the tips in case I had to improvise, extra gun clips and ammunition power bars, extra clothing, first aid kits and some other essentials. On me I had my two Ruger 45 p90 pistols where strapped to each of my thighs, my lightweight bulletproof vest was in place and I took my two long blade hunting knives and concealed them under my vest. My favorite bow was retracted and on my hip. I strapped my self- revolving quiver and I was all set.

I looked over to Alex who was in his combat gear, his high boots where laced, his guns on the holsters around his hip, his long cured blade was secured to his front, and his rifle on his back. He hosted our duffel and nodded to me then grinned.

"Is it wrong that I find you incredibly sexy and scary as shit right now?" he said smirking at me.

"No…I think a healthy dose of fear is good for when you're dealing with me" I said laughing "come on, let's get this over with. Hold on tight" I said as we jumped into the well and let it transport us back in time.