The morning sun shone through the opening of Kagome's bedroom window that wasn't blocked by her ruffly pink curtains. Slowly her eyes fluttered open and she found herself resting her head on a firm smooth surface. Groggily she sat up and looked down to find a sleeping Kouga who hadn't stirred luckily. Memories of last night flashed across her mind and she blushed bringing a closed fist to her mouth. He had comforted her in her most desperate hour and she fell asleep in his arms. She was trying to reason with the feelings that arose from the pit of her stomach, the never ending butterfly affect the wolf demon gave her wouldn't disappear. From time to time she recalled on adventures she had with her friends when they would run into the handsome Youkai and he'd grab her hands and declare his love for her. She never fully welcomed it. Now she couldn't get enough. The scent of pine and oak still lingered around him, it made her want more than just an embrace. Were we meant to be? Is this the smell Kouga was talking about? She wasn't for certain but she didn't want to get his hopes up if it turned out to be just her silly human senses getting the best of her.

The Wolf Prince opened his sky blue eyes and gazed at her with immediate longing. He wanted nothing more than to pull her back down onto him and meet her lips with his. As hard as it was he managed to resist the urge, he didn't want to overwhelm her. Everything that she had with Inuyasha was still a part of her and he had to accept this and move slow which he decided to do with much difficulty.

Kagome smiled, "Good morning Kouga."

He smiled back, "Good morning Kagome, sorry I was asleep for so long."

She shook her head, "No, you're fine, I just woke up a few minutes ago."

He sat up and studied her bed, poking at one of her pillows.

"Your bed here is very comfy."

The priestess giggled, "Well, I'd say it beats sleeping on the ground."

"You've never slept on a nice fur haven, in my opinion my bed is just as warm and soft as yours," he grinned.

"I'll need proof of this," she pondered, "I do admit I sometimes prefer sleeping underneath the stars... I love the smell of fresh dewy grass... I mean don't get me wrong I like the smell of pine and oak, the forest in general-"

Kagome stopped herself, her speech coming to a halt. The Wolf demon stared at her curiously as he whispered "oak and pine?" Did the scent hold some significance? Would he confirm that this was indeed the smell the female registered when finding their soul mate? This made her nervous. But instead Kouga nodded in agreement."I like those smells too!"

She sighed in relief and climbed over him to stumble off her bed. From her bed side table she opened one of its many drawers to pull out her school uniform. Something told her before venturing further into these new feelings she needed to face her old ones head on. "I'm going to get dressed, I want to go back to the feudal era today," she looked to the demon on her bed who looked rather disappointed and gave him and encouraging smile, "not that I didn't have a lot of fun yesterday but I need to face my problems rather than run away from them."

Kouga raised a brow, "So you're going to go talk to him?"

She gave a firm nod, "Yes, I have to make things right so my friends don't become affected by this as well, and it's only right."

The wolf demon agreed, "Alright, I'll get ready as well." He watched the young priestess rush out of the room and stood up to put on his armor. A part of him didn't want her to face Inuyasha, afraid that everything they shared would disappear just as it had after the dog demon came to take her away the first time they met. This time it was different, Kagome felt something too and has acknowledged it even if she hadn't said out loud yet, so she couldn't just forget the night they shared right? Maybe he was reading too much into last night. Who am I kidding? That Inu-trasha will find a way to persuade her that her loyalties are tied to him... I don't stand a chance. Kagome returned fully dressed and ready to go. After packing her bag and saying good bye to her mother, brother, and grandfather they made their way to the well. Kouga stared down at the bottom of the well to see the dirt floor and glanced nervously at Kagome who adjusted the yellow back pack's straps.

"You ready?" she smiled.

Without warning the wolf demon swept her off her feet and jumped into the well. The feeling of flying through space returned and he felt strangely enlightened once they reached their destination. He hopped out of the feudal era well, Kagome still in his arms, to find themselves in the green scenic clearing of Inuyasha's forest. Letting her down gently, he held her till she regained her balance and let go. "Kagome, if you want I'll stay with you, like I said before I'm not in a hurry to continue my journey until Genta and Hakkaku are well rested," he offered. He also didn't want to hear them whine upon his return that he one, he came without their sister (which they have become accustomed to calling Kagome) and two, they have only rested for a day. He was the only one in his pack with the power of the sacred jewel shards, that alone only provided more power to his fast healing abilities.

"You can stay with me Kouga but I'm thinking when it comes down to being face to face with Inuyasha I should do it alone," she chuckled as she walked in the direction of Keade's village.

Kouga followed obediently matching her stride rather than rushing forward with his obscene running powers. He wanted to cherish the few precious minutes they would have alone together. No telling what's gonna' happen after she talks to him, he thought to himself as his hand reached down to find her swinging one. Kagome blushed but didn't pull away like he expected, instead she allowed him to hold her hand as they strolled through the woods.

"Kagome?" The sound of a high pitched child's voice caught her off guard. She dropped Kouga's hand and was surprised to see Shippo, her fox demon companion, a few feet away just as they were happening upon the village. Shippo stared at the odd couple in confusion. "Hey Kouga, you never came to join us yesterday," the fox demon crossed his arms.

Kagome laughed nervously, "Well, um, Shippo, I think he can explain himself once we get to Keade's... is Miroku and Sango still around the village?"

"Well of course, last I seen they're still there and it was only minutes ago."

She smiled, "What are you doing out and about?"

"I was actually heading to the well," he frowned, "I was worried about you Kagome after your fight with Inuyasha."

"I'm fine and here now so let's go make some lunch!" Kagome suggested.

Shippo's stomach growled in response and he laughed, "It is about that time!"

The trio wondered into the village, the humans didn't seem alarmed by the Wolf demon's presence. The moment they entered Keade's hut Sango was the first to leap from her seat and embrace Kagome. "It's so nice to see you back here Kagome! I was expecting you to be out longer," the demon slayer gushed.

Kagome grinned, "Well, you see its kind of a funny story."

Keade gave her a wrinkly smile, "Do sit down, I've been preparing a stew ye are welcome to."

Gathered around the small burning fire Kagome told the tale of how the wolf Prince traveled to the other side of the well to find her. Miroku stroked his chin staring at Kouga who looked down at his lap nervously. "It very well could be the jewel shards that brought him to your world Kagome but isn't Inuyasha able to get through because of the bond you two have? It seems logical to think your emotions allow him to pass freely through to your time," the monk contemplated.

"So, her will allowed Kouga to go through the well?" Sango wondered.

Miroku grunted, "I'm not sure. If it were her will maybe she was hoping anyone would come to her aid but again this just a theory, unless you two are connected another way, the jewel shard makes some sense."

Keade frowned, "If this be true then we must keep an eye to make sure no other demon with the jewel shards follows her through to her time."

"Chaos would ensue without a doubt," the wolf demon added thoughtfully, "in her world not a single demon threatens the human way of life."

Kagome shrugged, "We humans seem to cause enough damage on our own, the last thing we need is a scary demon getting through."

"Not fair! I want to go to your world Kagome! Let me through!" Shippo whined throwing himself face first on the floor of the hut and began kicking and pounding his fists in a temper tantrum.

The modern priestess sighed picking up the child and holding him close to her, "Oh Shippo, if I knew how it worked I'd take you with me in a heart beat."

"Really?" he whimpered.

She squeezed him tighter, "Really."

"Did you just return to bring Kouga back?" Sango asked curiously.

"Yes and no," she frowned freeing the fox demon who now sat on her lap, "I came to see Inuyasha as well."