Five's a party, six is a crowd. This was Inuyasha's take on the Wolf Prince joining their traveling group, even if it was just for a couple of days. An hour in the presence of Kouga felt like an eternity. He wanted nothing more than to lash out on the Youkai and tear him limb from limb! Of course, if he were to do that, Kagome would surely dispose of him as well. She had to be the first human the infamous half demon, Inuyasha, feared. As the pack of misfits traveled down the barren dirt path, surrounded by fields and distant trees, this gave Inuyasha time to reflect. He sensed a change in Kagome. She wasn't kidding, she really doesn't want me anymore! Glancing between her and the wolf demon he felt a strange jolt of awareness, a sense he wasn't familiar with, but he was certain it wasn't something he should ignore. Remembering on his conversation the day before with the priestess he recalled her saying Kouga had made it into her world, and although she claimed that it was her need to resolve their conflict that brought her back, he was certain it had something to do with his foe.

How did he make it through to her time to begin with? He wondered. On second thought, how was it that he, Inuyasha, passed over to the human's unusual territory? So many questions, yet he managed to answer none of them alone. The sun hovering over head was warm and the smell of sweat from the humans made his nose cringe, all that was but Kagome's pungent aroma. The smell of perspiration radiating from her was somewhat arousing. A small tinge of pink colored the hanyou's cheeks as focused on the bead of sweat that trickled down from her hair line to the side of her face. She wiped it away. Inuyasha's heart began to beat rapidly in his chest as he watched her breathe heavily. It would be his misfortune that he was now longing for the human girl who no longer wanted anything to do with him. Inuyasha was now but a friend, the same ranking as Sango, Miroku, and Shippo. This made his insides boil with anger, and a tinge of jealousy was beginning to cloud his better judgment.

Kouga noticed the modern day priestess was struggling with the giant yellow bag upon her back. Her steps had become staggered, her face lit with concentration that desperately was trying to hide the fact it had become, quite the challenge to carry. My woman is so strong and hard working, he smiled. Placing a hand on her shoulder Kagome came to a stop and stared up at him curiously.

"You want me to carry your sack Kagome?" he offered.

She shook her head, "That's okay, I can manage it."

She would say that, he grinned. "How about just for a little bit then you can have it back, so you can have a break, you'll need your strength if we have to battle anyone," he suggested.

Wrong move wolf boy, Inuyasha sneered. No way was Kagome going to take lightly to that idea. Whenever he offered to carry her back pack she became flustered and thought this was a form of name calling, as if she couldn't handle a bag because she was just a modern day human girl who couldn't pull her own weight. The half demon anticipated her shrieks and grew excited at the idea of his enemy getting the back hand of Kagome's wrath.

"Actually, it is getting kind of heavy," she admitted.

Inuyasha blinked in surprise, "Really?"

"Not all of us have super human strength like ya' know!" she snapped at the half demon ahead.

"Hey it's okay Kagome, from time to time when we're on long hunting trips and I have to carry the kill back, I have to rest up," Kouga empathized, "your bag is about the size of three boars!"

The anger disappeared from the girl's face as she giggled, "You don't say? When you put it that way I could use a little break from this thing."

Inuyasha stopped in his tracks and glared at the scene in utter confusion. What the hell? I ask a simple question and she goes crazy on me but the minute that mangy wolf cuts in... what did I say?!

The monk patted Inuyasha's back knowingly, "Heed these words Inuyasha, a way to a woman's heart is with understanding, a perfect example of what Kouga just did."

"I offer to help her all the time! I don't get it!" Inuyasha growled.

Shippo shook his head from side to side, "Yelling at her and saying things like 'If you're so tired why don't you just let me carry the darn thing?' is not the right way to go about helping someone."

"See, a child can understand decency, what does that make you Inuyasha?" Sango huffed adjusting the weapon upon her back. Kirara in kitten form sat, perched, on the demon slayer's shoulder. She let out a soft "Mew!" in agreement.

Kagome and Kouga didn't pay any mind to the conversation ahead as she handed her bag over to him. She stared at him admirably and took in his charming smile that began to make her knees somewhat wobbly. No doubt, she wanted to blame the reaction on her tired body being affected by the heat, but thought better of it. Just ignore it Kagome, keep on walking! She urged herself forward tearing her gaze away from the Wolf Demon who followed but a step behind.

Inuyasha begrudgingly lead the way, his nose stuck to the ground for hours at a time, in hopes of catching Naraku's scent. The gang was but a few feet behind, relieved that Inuyasha wasn't darting forward and leaving them behind like he usually did in their search of evil Youkai. As the skies began to glow orange with the slow disappearance of the sun this is when they decided to halt their travels and set up camp for the night. Sango and Miroku claimed firewood duty and departed, no doubt to gossip about the interactions that occurred upon their journey thus far. The wolf demon propped Kagome's bag on the ground taking in his woman's beauty as she stood on a grassy knoll staring off into the sunset. From time to time he wondered what it would be like to hear her thoughts, to know how she truly felt about his presence among her friends. She called him a friend. Just a friend? He wondered, could he be more? Inuyasha cleared his throat loudly interrupting the youkai's train of thought.

"So mister boar hunter its your turn to scavenge for food, get to it," he grumbled.

Kouga glared at him, "Listen here mutt face, I don't take orders from anyone."

The tiny fox demon child jumped in the air to shout at the hanyou, "Why are you so bossy Inuyasha? Kouga doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to!"

"If you guys want to eat tonight, he will! I'm not doing it!" Inuyasha growled.

Kouga rolled his eyes, "What a cry baby! Go fly off or do what ever it is pups like you do, I'll make sure my woman is fed as well as your traveling companions."

Anger flashed in the eyes of the dog demon, "She's not your woman! Kagome will never pick a mangy wolf like you!"

The human girl stepped forward on cue, glaring at the scene. Who does he think he is?

"I can pick whoever I want Inuyasha, that is not for you to decide!" She yelled catching the trio of demon's off guard.

None of them were aware she had been listening. Her heart began to hammer loudly in her chest. She wasn't sure if it was adrenaline from the heated fight or possibly the worry of Kouga taking Inuyasha's words personally. Whatever the reason she'd stand by the feeling and defend her rights but more importantly protect Kouga's heart.

"What is with you Kagome? Why do you always defend him?"

Why did she defend him? Even before things weren't rocky between her and Inuyasha she stood by Kouga. She didn't know how to answer him. Was she in love with Kouga? No way! Then again... she wondered. No! No! Don't even think about it! Get that idea out of here! Inuyasha wasn't sure on how to take the silence coming from her. The intensity between the two had yet to falter.

"I... I..." The words! She couldn't find the words!

"Just forget it!" Inuyasha leaped away, disappearing before their very eyes.

Knowing the white haired hanyou he was without a doubt angry at her. She desperately tried to recall the conclusion she came to yesterday to avoid the heart ache. He wasn't hers anymore. Unfortunately this concept wasn't going to be an easy one to grasp but she had done what was necessary to make it clear to him that she is free to be with who ever she wanted. No longer was the dog demon allowed to be disgruntled over another man passes for she was not his. In his defense everything did just happen yesterday... maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on him.

"Don't worry Kagome, he always comes back," Shippo attempted to comfort her, "and when dinner is over I'm sure his sniffer will pick up on the scent and come running home."

As much as she wanted to believe this was true, come time for supper Inuyasha had yet to return. Out of sight, out of mind! She motivated herself to stop worrying about him and enjoy the camp fire with her friends. In order to strike up conversation Sango began to retell an adventure she had undergone with her clan of demon slayers, defending a village from an insect Youkai. Kouga took a interest to the slayer's story, especially when it came down to the combat. Kagome continued to roast her freshly caught fish over the fire where as others had already begun eating. She preferred her meat sometimes to be on the overcooked side, mostly when it came to the scaly water dwellers. In between listening to Sango and glancing at the priestess to his left the wolf demon found himself entertained. He spent minutes watching the embers of the fire reflect on Kagome's porcelain face and imagined what it'd be like to run his hands through her soft black hair as he did three nights ago when he held her in another time.

"My brother took the finishing blow," Sango smiled and closed her auburn eyes as if reliving the memory, "it was his first slay."

Miroku nodded in approval, "A proud moment for your family no doubt."

The fox child shook his head commenting with his mouth full, "No way would I be able to confront a demon like that."

This caught Kagome's attention, "Shippo, we face monstrous demons all the time."

He shuddered, "Yeah, but bugs are scary."

"Bugs?" Kouga grunted, "the birds of paradise were ten times worse than any bug in my opinion."

"They were quite repulsive," Sango added a disgruntled look flashing across her expression.

The youkai smirked, "My point exactly."

"Enough chatter about demons," Miroku tossed his barren stick into the fire after taking the last bite of the fish, "let me tell you a story about enemies that are far more fearsome."

Sango stared at the monk in wonder, "And that would be?"

"Evil spirits."

Shippo dropped his food and leaped into Kagome's lap, clinging to the front of her. "I hate ghost stories!"

The girl wrapped her arms around the child protectively like a mother would its offspring, nuzzling her nose into the top of the orange hair. She too found ghost stories to leave her restless before bed. Ignoring Shippo's cries of protest Miroku told tale of a shrine he had to purify and chase away evil entities that had been taking control of all who entered and forced them to commit Hannibal crimes. His description of the body-less being was enough to frighten Kagome and the fox demon in her arms but she tried her best to remain composed. She rocked the boy back and forth in her arms after the story had ended till he fell asleep. Kouga admired the image of his potential mate, the way she handled the child like it were her own. He had never seen this side of Kagome and hoped that in the future he'd get to often. The future, it held so many possibilities for him and the priestess but, he had to get her to return his feelings first. It was obvious to everyone that he was hopelessly in love with her and although she had shown him more to her than ever before in the past couple days it was nothing to prove that she was in love.

Sango stood up and wondered over next to Kagome. She bending down and holding out her arms. "Here Kagome, I'll put Shippo to bed, I'm going to retire for the night as well," her friend offered.

"Thanks Sango," carefully she placed him in her outstretched arms, "he was putting my arms to sleep."

The demon slayer chuckled softly, careful not to disturb the tiny sleeping demon. Watching her owner walk away from the warmth of the fire Kirara followed suit and Miroku took this as an opportunity to get his rest as well. He stood and stared at the human and youkai, side by side. Something was different. Kagome's civil behavior began to occur ever since her return from her time with Kouga. Sango and him spoke of the noticed change, she of course defended the priestess blaming their dog demon friend and he accepted this explanation not to stir up conflict but call it a monk's intuition... he knew something else was up. "I'm going to sleep as well, don't stay up too late you two," he smiled leaving them alone, so they thought. He took refuge behind a bush. Miroku planned on spying to figure out if his hunch was something to look further into.

Kouga took this as his moment even though Kagome seemed far more interested in the flames than the man sitting next to her. What is it your thinking about Kagome? He thought to himself, If only I knew. Her eyes were a glow from the light of the fire, and he saw a trace of sadness about the way they were lowered. Was she thinking about Inuyasha? He wondered. She had to be still fighting her old feelings for him.

Indeed, she had been thinking of the dog demon much to her own dislike. Once she was left alone with the wolf youkai next to her, she couldn't help but think about the argument she had earlier with Inuyasha. She stood up for Kouga... she wanted to protect his feelings. But why? Despite the hurt Inuyasha might have occurred, she almost didn't care and this was very unlike her. It's none of his business who I am with anyways, she sighed outwardly. Maybe he went to find the dead priestess?

Hearing her sigh, the wolf prince gulped nervously and followed his instincts. Gripping his hands on the grassy floor beneath him, he scooted closer to her. Feeling his presence close she looked up at him with wonder.

"I'm sorry," he said slowly.

"Why are you sorry?" she questioned, surprised by the sudden apology.

He crossed his legs and held his upper body up with his hands on his knees. "I've been over stepping my boundaries."

Where was this coming from? Did she say something earlier?

"Kouga, I'm confused."

Letting out a heavy sigh he met her quizzical gaze, "What you said to the mutt earlier, about you can choose whoever you want, the reason there was an argument in the first place was because I called you my woman."

Kagome took in the strange apology slowly, "But Kouga you say things that all the time," she explained, "I'm not Inuyasha's anymore. I requested that he didn't get jealous of other guys if we were to continue our journey together."

She said that to him? He gawked at her in surprise. He allowed his mind to wonder about this. The hanyou had aligned his allegiance with another woman so of course Kagome was free. Although he felt relieved it also angered him. "Kagome, I must respect you as well, so therefor I won't call you my woman anymore," he declared. As much as he wanted to deny it, she wasn't his yet. He needed to accept this. Only then would they move forward.

Kagome was bewildered. She didn't know whether to thank him or... be sad? Even though the first time he declared his love for her she felt as if this was over stepping his boundaries a little, she had grown to appreciate his verbal affection for her. She felt... loved. Something she needed because the man she wanted so badly at the time was terrible at showing an ounce of kindness to her. In fact, if he stopped calling her his woman, the feeling that would follow was almost too much to bare. Get a hold of yourself Kagome! Him calling you his woman makes you angry! She tried to convince herself. But if I'm not his woman does that mean I'm just his friend? She didn't want to be considered just his friend. Internally she didn't want to admit it but she liked the way he called her his.

"Um Kouga," she smiled nervously, "I um... well I..." Her heart skipped a beat. She admired his build, his pronounced d jaw-line and icy blue eyes. Kagome had the sudden urge to take down his hair from its high pony tail and watch his long black hair fall around his shoulders. "Kouga, I like it," her cheeks blushed even more furiously, "you don't have to stop."

The beating in his chest stopped for a moment before it started up again. She liked it? Kagome liked being called his woman? He wanted to cry out in victory. The Youkai desired to push her to the ground and kiss her, to show her how she meant to him far beyond the verbal affect. The idea played in his imagination instigating him. It wasn't time yet. He knew that if he were to kiss her, she'd take back her previous statement. Slow down lover boy, he grinned. "Okay, then I won't stop," he said simply, grabbing one of her delicate hands, "I'll continue to call you mine till the day I die. Not even Naraku himself could change the way I feel for you." Nothing else needed to be said. Both beings were content with these words.

In hiding, the monk felt himself losing a grip on reality. Was the bull headed girl lowering her defenses to let the wolf demon in? When Kouga crossed over to her time was that all Kagome needed to change her mind about their half demon companion? This made him wonder. If Inuyasha was the one to go after her first, would they have made up and he be in the wolf demon's place? No. After all she had done for Inuyasha, he claimed to love not just her but Kikyo and Kagome had decided that enough was enough. She had to let him go in order to pursue her own happiness. His dog demon friend might be learning a lesson from his mistakes. I wonder if Inuyasha had realized his fault? He thought before leaving the human girl and her prince's presence completely.