"The way I smell?" Kagome blinked taking in the young wolf demon's explanation. An unfamiliar thumping pattern erupted in her heart. She easily compared the feeling to past memories of Inuyasha holding her. No matter how familiar it was, right then and there it felt different. Her cheeks flushed a bright pink and as much as she wanted to look away from Kouga she felt trapped in his summer eyes. She then wondered how she did smell, why was her scent different from any other human or demon for that matter to make him so attracted to her?

The Wolf Prince chuckled at the priestess and smiled giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "They say when a wolf demon has found their mate for life they have a scent, this scent sets them apart from any other being."

Kagome gulped, "What is it like?"

Kouga closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, as he exhaled his smile broadened and their gaze connected once more. "Like a spring day, in the forest, where wild flowers thrive," he continued to describe this aroma the priestess gave off, "sometimes its over whelming, so tempting... if I could I'd smell you for hours... I know that sounds strange but if you could smell it too, you would wish the same thing."

This raised a lot of questions. Is he for real? She wondered. If she smelt so great to him, this specific scent to depict her as his mate, would she not smell the same thing? Or was it because she was human? Her senses aren't as sharp as a demon's. Was he just saying this so she would give up on Inuyasha? The way he stared deeply in her chocolate brown eyes told her otherwise. He's too noble, way different than Inuyasha... he's not the type of person to hide his feelings. "Are you supposed to smell like that to me too?" she questioned.

Kouga shrugged, "I'm not sure, I know it's a Wolf Demon thing. Other members of my tribe talk about it."

Finally she managed to tear away from his intense stare as she thought about this. Was she meant to be Kouga's mate? This explanation was a good reason why Kouga the Wolf Demon Prince, Leader of his tribe, who could be with any demon wanted a measly human girl like herself. It also was a possibility that their connection may have been what got him through the well. He does have jewel shards, that could explain how he made it over to this world too. I'm not meant to be part of a demon tribe, am I?

"Well hello Kagome, Kouga, how was your walk?"

The two quickly regained themselves as Kagome's mother, Sota, and her grandfather walked towards them, pushing a small wooden kart and dressed in feudal era fashion. Kagome glared at her little brother who was dressed in an outfit similar to Kouga's wolf gear with his own stuff tail and then wondered what was going on.

Kouga admired the little boy with a smirk on his face, "Not bad kid, you look like one of my warriors."

Sota's eyes twinkled at the compliment, "Mom put it together for me last minute, I thought it was much cooler than your average kimono!"

"I'm impressed," he grinned.

"Why are you all dressed like that?" she asked slowly.

Her grandfather cleared his throat signaling the start of his lecture, "Kagome, its the yearly cultural festival and you know we play a big part in it every year having the only Shrine in Tokyo. It's also where we make extra earnings to keep up with the shrines repairs! Sota thought this year he'd dress as a demon and put on an act," he glanced between her and Kouga, "You and your friend should participate as well, it would be of great help."

Kagome sighed. I'm never going to get Kouga to leave now... "I don't know if Kouga would be interested in doing that, he may have to get back to his own time being the leader of a tribe and all. We can't be selfish and hog him when he might have things he has to take care of and the search for the evil demon Naraku and certainly-"

"Genta and Hokkaku have things under control back home, they needed some time to recuperate," Kouga interrupted her ramblings, giving a small bow to her grandfather, "I would be honored to help your family out with this Cul-tu-ral Festival."

Kagome gave the Youkai and helpless smile. Its not like he's causing as much trouble as Inuyasha has in the past... She could hear her Mom's voice in her mind from lunch earlier. He traveled across time just to see me, after all. "I guess let us go up to the house and change you back into a demon, we'll meet you downtown." She went to grab Kouga's hand to lead him into the entrance of shrine when she noticed they had still been holding hands the entire time. Her cheeks reddened as she yanked her hand away. "Let's go Kouga," she waved her arm gesturing him to follow her.

He stared at her as she walked away for a moment but then stumbled after her, obediently following her every command. Anything for you Kagome, he grinned.

Shinjuku Gyeon Park was decorated with lights and paper lanterns. Children dressed as small monsters and villagers played with sparklers and chased one another among the lawn of cherry blossom trees. The moon lit the vast pond with its reflection, outlining the bridge not far off from the shore. A sight to behold and so many delicious aromas wafted throughout the festivities. Kouga found himself drooling at all the stalls of food and the brightly lit scenery.

"Come on Kouga! Show me some moves!" Sota demanded, kicking off his sandals and entering a fighting stance.

The Wolf Demon turned to the ten year old and grinned, "Ah, so you wish to learn my tribe's secret moves?"

Sota jumped up and down excitedly, "Yes! Yes, please show me! I can do it!"

Hearing the demon and her brother exchange conversation Kagome thought it was her turn to cut in.

"Take it easy on him Kouga," she warned waving her finger in the air, "If you harm him in any way I will not hesitate to take matters into my own hands."

The three stood outside of a small wooden hut, a crowd circled them smiling and laughing at the unusual act. Inside Kagome's grandfather and mother were handling the transactions, selling good luck charms and talismans to ward off evil spirits. She held her bow and arrow, and presented herself in Priestess robes she had been but all to familiar with. In them she felt sort of like Kikyo and realized why so many at first found the resemblance undeniable. Many girls of all ages had been silently admiring the fake sacred jewel shard that hung loosely around her neck while the males silently admired her strong, beautiful presence. Kouga was only one of the many that night.

Kouga puffed out his chest and let out a deep bellowing laugh. "Do not worry Priestess, I think of this cub as if he were my own brother!"

These words melted Sota's heart, whether it were an act or not.

Kagome stifled back a giggle noticing the gleam in her brother's eyes, "Let us keep it that way, you are lucky I let you live among the humans Kouga, Leader of the Wolf Demon Tribe."

"Would any other brave warriors like to step forth and join me in defeating my enemies? Come join my tribe of wolves and fight along side us!" Kouga called out.

Other little boys stepped forward as Kouga began to teach the youngsters high kicks and punches, the crowd cheering at the spectacle. Kagome watched the demon suddenly in admiration. He stepped up to the plate and played along knowing he mustn't reveal his true nature. As far as she could tell, Kouga appeared to be actually enjoying himself. Of course, he must train real cubs... come to think of it, I never have asked him much about how things really worked in his pack.

"Priestess!"

Kagome was brought back from dream land as the Wolf Prince approached her. He placed his hand on the small of her back and pulled her in closer to him a mischievous grin plastered to his tan, handsome face.

"With my new found comrades we will protect your village and restore peace throughout the land," he wiggled his eye brows, "Wolves mate for life, and when the evil has been purged your duties as Protector of the Shikon no Tama will no longer be needed."

She blushed, "Uh, Kouga, where are you going with this?"

"You and I can then be together, forever."

The joking act disappeared from his face, his smile becoming more genuine as he inched his face closer to hers. He stopped inches away from their lips touching.

"Kouga," she said softly.

At this point she didn't know whether to continue on with the scene or if this had become real to Kouga. Did he think that after defeating Naraku and recovering the shards, they could potentially be together? The crowd whispered anxiously. Following the script Sota had made prior to their performance Kagome closed the gap between them with an embrace wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I cannot await for that day fine Wolf Prince! I'll wait for you as long as you may need!" she cried.

The audience cheered at the play's ending. Kouga was dumb struck, his eyes wide and cheeks flushed a deep fuchsia pink. If only this weren't an act made by her kid brother, if only it were real he wished. Kagome pulled away quickly taking a bow as so did Sota. Kouga followed suit, his face still holding his shocked expression.

"We will perform one more time after the fireworks, at ten!" Sota cried out as people began to move along, some going to the booth to purchase souvenirs, "my story attracted more people than I thought."

Kagome chuckled nervously, "Yes, great job involving other kids too."

He shrugged, "I think what really made it was the ending, Kouga was so sincere and you held up the seriousness on your end too."

"What?" she gasped, "Take it back, I was only acting!"

Sota sent his sister a coy grin, "I dunno' sis, maybe we should end the second time around with a kiss."

"No way!" she yelled tackling him to the ground and pinching his cheeks.

Kouga laughed at the two but felt his heart sink. "Take it Back I was only acting!" He sighed reflecting on these words. Too good to be true I guess... he shook his head doing a small fist pump, No, I will not give up! She will love me someday, I'm sure of it! She has to... we're meant to be mates for life. My nose has never steered me wrong!

"Everyone is about to gather by the pond to watch the fire works," Kagome's Mom stepped forward placing a hand on one of his furry shoulder pads, "why don't you and Kagome head over to the bridge, a lot of the grounds will be taken since your skit just ended."

"Fireworks?" the word was slightly foreign to him.

"You'll love them," she assured him.

Spotting the bridge off in the distance he gave a nod giving a "thank you" before pulling Kagome off her brother.

"What's the big idea?" she whined but then blushed feeling Kouga's strong arms around her waist.

"Your mother said the fire works are about to start so we should head to the bridge," he smiled down at her.

"Oh," she smiled, "let's go then, I love fireworks."

Still not quite sure what "fireworks" were Kouga followed his woman down the path passing more food vendors who were stationed out back of their karts and huts peering up into the sky. The thump of their feet on wood brought his attention to the conduit they now stood upon. Kagome propped her elbows up on the railing and turned her attention up to the sky like the other humans throughout the park. Kouga stood next to her, as close as he could bring himself without making her feel uncomfortable. Although he felt much more brave in his wolf attire and his tail was free from being bound in human clothes he felt a strange cowardice to the Priestess's world. His usual display of affection he tried to shower her with he had limited for today but not just for the fact he was in foreign land but because of the dispute she had with Inuyasha. It had been secretly eating away at him. When I find out what that mutt did to my Kagome, there will be hell to pay.

BOOM!

The loud explosion distracted him from his thoughts and his gaze focused on the bright light shooting in the air and exploding into a giant waterfall of cackling fire. Never in his life had he seen such a sight! No wonder Kagome loved them so much! She had turned to him and watched the Youkai stare in the night at the display. There were days when she used to imagine showing Inuyasha the amazing things her world had to offer but in that moment she was glad that it was Kouga there beside her. A man who truly loved her not because she was the reincarnation of an ex-lover but because she was Kagome, your average high school girl, even if he didn't know what high school was.

"Kagome," he whispered and looked to her pointing his index finger into the sky, "thank you for sharing this with me."

BOOM!

Another firework let off into the dark abyss above them.

"Anytime Kouga," she smiled.

"I hope you're not thinking about what that dog had done to you," he wrapped an arm around her resting his head on hers, "he doesn't deserve someone as special as you Kagome."

Kagome chuckled, "Actually, I was thinking about you."

"What about?" Kouga asked anxiously, his heart thumping a hundred times a minute underneath his armor.

"I'm just really glad you came Kouga, and I'm glad that even though most of the time I was thinking about how we were going to get you back, that you stayed this long and helped out my family."

"One day Kagome, your family will be my family," he smiled down at her, "it's important to help out each others families, I remember you saving mine from a pack of buzzard brains."

She shook her head, "I'm not your woman Kouga."

He grinned, "Not yet."