"K-k-kouga?" For the past year, whenever Kagome needed to return back to the feudal era, Inuyasha who was the only person to make it through the well to her time, would come retrieve her. How did Kouga get through? She wondered, He does have jewel shards in his legs, is that the key then? If so I'd be worried… Naraku or any other evil demon would jump at the chance to control humanity five hundred years in the future! The tap of his claw on the window made her snap back to the present situation at hand.

"Kagome?" came the muffled, husky, call of the wolf demon tapping the glass once more, "what kind of barrier is this?"

Barrier? Does he mean the window? This made her giggle. She was so used to how adept Inuyasha was to her home that she didn't consider Kouga's confusion. She opened the window allowing the demon entrance to her bedroom.

Soon as the barrier was lifted Kouga jumped into the middle of her small den landing with a soft thud. He had to restrain himself from smelling everything. It was almost like a personal heaven of sorts for him, the scent of his woman hanging thick in the air. He studied her face that although appeared to be under less stress than he had last seen her at the well, her eyes were still swollen. "Why have you been crying Kagome? What did he do to you?" he asked carefully. He stepped forward and grasped her hands in his.

She blinked, "What are you talking about Kouga?"

"Don't even try to play me Kagome," his strong blue eyes stared into her puffy brown ones, "I searched for you and it was your friends who told me you returned home. I know you Kagome, you're so strong. The only time you show weakness is when that shit faced dog does something to you."

"Kouga…" she whispered softly trying to understand his motives.

Motives! Come on Kagome this is Kouga we're talking about here, the one who proclaimed his love for you in front of his tribe of wolf demons. As she stared back into his gaze her heart fell to the pit of her stomach. He truly cared; he honestly wanted to know what had caused Kagome so much grief. She didn't want to cry in front of him, she wanted to forget the mess between her and Inuyasha and return days later with a clear head like she always did. It couldn't be like that this time though and in the presence of Kouga this reality made its self clear. Her happy facade faded as her lips drooped into a frown.

He had never seen a Kagome with her defenses lowered. Even when they first met and he kidnapped her to ask for assistance in defeating his pack's enemy, the birds of paradise, she didn't show an ounce of fear. Seeing her vulnerable and sad broke his heart. The brim of her eyes started to quiver as they glazed over, and the salty scent of tears made his nostrils flare. He released her hands, grasped her forearm, and pulled her into his chest gently. Surprisingly she didn't retract instead she burrowed her face into the crane of his neck, standing upon her tip toes. She took in his strong musk breathing in his heavy masculinity as she cried into him.

"Kouga," she sobbed as if she were beginning a sentence but couldn't continue.

He hushed her, "Shh, its okay Kagome, you don't have to say anything right now," and pulled her in even closer. Whatever what small gap may have been between them was nonexistent.

Something inside of her stirred, a feeling that she felt like she had been trying to ignore. The only time she would get this strange emotion was when the Wolf Demon leader was near. He was always bringing her flowers, announcing his love for her proudly despite there being a crowd or if it was just the two of them. Yet, she rejected Kouga, secretly wishing Inuyasha would be more like him. Why not Kouga? The minute she asked herself this she immediately pushed the question to the back of her mind as a number of factors came into play. You have Inuyasha… had Inuyasha, she corrected herself, Kouga has Ayame too. This wasn't entirely true. Ayame was the granddaughter of an elder from another tribe who swore Kouga had promised at a young age to marry her. Children are so impressionable; after she thought this her tears began to slow.

Kouga gently pulled away bringing one of his course hands to her cheek, holding her face inches away from her own.

K-k-kouga! Kagome's pale face began to transform into a light pink as his lips inched closer to hers.

"Kagome I brought you some tea!" The voice of her brother separated the two almost instantly but not soon enough. Sota gawked at his sister and the strange man who was not that of Inuyasha.

The wolf demon raised a questionable brow looking the small boy over. He looks like a tiny Kagome! Cautiously he stepped forward and sniffed at his hair, does he smell like Kagome?

"Uh, Sota! Meet Kouga! He helps us beat bad guys back in the feudal era," Kagome laughed nervously rubbing the back of her neck, "Kouga, this is my little brother Sota."

Sota smiled excitedly setting down the cup of tea on the floor to look over his sister's friend. Although he didn't have ears like his hero Inuyasha, his tail swished back and forth excitedly at the presence of the strangely dressed kid brother. He poked and prodded at the fur on his arms and legs, then reached for his tail. Kouga didn't seem to mind. "I like your dog tail, much cooler than ears! So are you Inuyasha's brother or something?" Sota questioned.

Kouga looked at the human boy appalled by the question, "I'm a wolf! Don't you dare compare me to that mutt Inu-trasha!"

Sota almost felt the need to defend the hanyou he had admired for so long but then his tiny brown eyes landed on Kagome who began to brush away her fallen tears. No way was he going to defend someone who made his older sister cry, even if she was a pain. Obviously Inuyasha wasn't who he thought he was or else he would be here in the wolf's place. "Sorry about that," he chuckled, "I didn't mean to offend you."

Kouga smirked patting him on the head, "You're okay, kid."

"Is he your new boyfriend Kagome?" Sota grinned pointing at the man dressed in furry pelts.

Boyfriend! She waved her hands about frantically. "Don't be silly! Kouga is just a friend!"

"Boyfriend?" Kouga raised a brow, "is that like a mate?"

Sota gave a nod, "Something like that."

Kouga laughed heartily, "In that case you're my woman Kagome, wouldn't that make me your boyfriend?"

Kagome glared at the two males, "I'm not your woman Kouga and he's not my boyfriend Sota!"

The little boy whispered to Kouga, "Don't worry she likes playing hard to get, she did the same thing with Inuyasha."

He wasn't quiet enough for Kagome caught wind of the small statement. "SOTA!" she screamed chasing her brother out of the room and down the steps to the first floor.