The wolf demon was anything but pleased with Inuyasha's return. It had been only an hour after they made camp and already the hanyou was hovering over Kagome. No doubt he was trying to make up for his absence. Kouga saw through his act. His woman wasn't exactly thrilled with his arrival either. She seemed relieved at first but now her usual soft facial features were clouded with frustration, her brows furrowed together. Kouga only wished that he knew what her thoughts were to console her and smooth out the look of annoyance but with Kagome it was hard to tell. She wasn't the easiest of humans to understand. He had a hunch however that it had to do with the dog demon. Inuyasha was rambling on and on about something glancing at the fire and back at Kagome every few seconds. The Wolf Prince was trying his hardest to restrain himself from tackling the half demon across the way. Every word Inuyasha uttered came out muffled. This was a sign that Kouga's anger was getting the better of him when he was unable to clearly make out what was being said.

Just when he was about to speak up for Kagome who also looked like she was having a hard time from restraining herself she barked at the dog. "Where were you Inuyasha?"

This caught the group off guard. Everyone was so tentatively listening to the half demon. They obviously didn't notice that Kagome was beginning to get upset with him like Kouga had been.

"What?" the dog demon blinked.

She glared at him turning her head in full to stare into his golden eyes, "You heard me, where have you been?"

"Sister is awfully mad at Inuyasha," Ginta mumbled to his brother.

Hakkau stared in wonder, "You think it's because he reeks of the dead?"

Ginta made a hand gesture as if waving away an awful smell from his nose. Their leader caught an earful of his warrior's conversation and sniffed the air curiously. Inuyasha's aroma was so awful that he nearly gagged. Humans can't pick up on scents like that, but for the wolf demons it was obvious where and who the half demon was with. Kouga's insides began to boil.

"Well, um, I," Inuyasha mumbled, "You see I was-"

"You were, where? Come out with it already!"

"Fine," Inuyasha shouted, "I was with Kikyo!"

"I knew it!" Kagome huffed.

Inuyasha stood up and crossed his arms, "What happened to the whole you wouldn't get jealous if I didn't get jealous thing?!"

The Priestess stood up in attempt to match his height pressing her index finger into his chest. "That whole deal was broken when you ran off after a little comment made by Kouga!"

"What did you expect Kagome?" he growled.

"What did you think I expected Inuyasha?" she retorted.

The dog demon looked as if he was about to say something but stopped himself. Kagome took this opportunity to finish her thought. "The reason all of this happened in the first place was because I caught you with her. I told you Inuyasha that I'd stand by your side even when I knew you still had feelings for her. The least you could have done was to try and stay away and be loyal to me but no, whenever she was around you took off without a moment's hesitation! Do you know how incredibly frustrating that was?" she didn't allow him to answer, "No, you didn't Inuyasha because I had never done that to you. I never ever betrayed you. Then you have the nerve to tell Kikyo that you would be with her if I wasn't in the way! That your love, for me, was keeping you two apart. Don't blame your loyalty issues on me!"

Kouga took this moment to stand up cracking his knuckles, "You're pathetic dog breath, I should have killed you the first time you had hurt Kagome!"

Inuyasha ignored the wolf demon's threats and shouted, "But I do love you Kagome!" Silence crept in among the group after the half demon's proclamation. "I have, and always will love you," he whispered stepping forward to grasp her hands, "That's why I always come back, why I can't be with Kikyo, because of you."

"Not to mention she's dead," Shippo whispered to himself.

Kagome continued to stare into the half demon's honest eyes. She didn't know how to respond. Was this good enough to forget everything that happened? How could she ever be with him knowing that there was a possibility that she was keeping Inuyasha away from the one he truly loved more than life itself? She decided days ago in her own time when Kouga appeared tapping at her bedroom window that she was done with Inuyasha. Kouga... Releasing the half demon's hands she turned her attention to the wolf demon who stared at the scene with the most painful expression she had ever seen. Kagome could tell that it was taking every ounce of Kouga's sanity to not pounce on her ex-boyfriend and tear him limb from limb. That was the kind of love she wanted. A love that was loyal and true. She wanted someone who would stand up for her and believe in her. She turned back to Inuyasha taking a deep breath in and out before finding the courage to finish everything. "Inuyasha, I'm sorry," she shook her head, "but I can't be with you knowing there's someone else you love as well."

He frowned reliving the heart broken memories she left behind days ago, and now this? What did he have to do? He didn't want to lose Kagome. Somehow, someway, he had to convince her that she was the one he truly wanted. He never wanted her more than that moment. "At least let me explain why I went to see Kikyo," he tried to convince her.

She sighed, "No Inuyasha, I can't, and I won't hear about it anymore. It'd be selfish of me to ask you to stop mentioning her name but that's how I'm feeling right now so please just let it go, and let me go."

Inuyasha plopped down on the ground trying his best to not let his hurt show. He was far from dropping it, he was just giving up for the time being. Kagome also sat back down and tried her hardest to remain calm while next to him. She wanted to keep yelling at him. I have to let him go, so he can let me go, she told herself. She met Kouga's gaze from across the way. His bright blue eyes gazing into hers melted away the frustration and sadness the hanyou caused her. The smirk on his face brought a genuine smile to hers. Was Kouga the one? All those things she told herself she wanted from Inuyasha she found in the Wolf Prince. Loyal, caring, supportive, he was all those things and more.

Kougs also wanted to keep yelling at Inuyasha but followed Kagome in dropping the argument and took his seat. If he were to even touch a hair on the half demon's head Kagome would most likely be upset with him as well.

Sango cleared her throat in attempts to recover from the scene that just took place. "So uh, Kouga being from a village of demon slayers we know a lot about a variety of demons."

Kouga tore away from Kagome's gaze just for a moment to meet Sango's nervous glance. "Yeah," he mumbled, "I'd imagine."

"Well, you see wolf demons were rare in parts and I heard tales of your customs but I was curious about one in particular, maybe you two can help me out with this as well," she smiled at the twins.

"Sure!" Ginta and Hakkuku chimed in unison.

"You guys mate for life correct?"

Again the two brothers answer in unison, "Yes!"

"How do you guys choose your mates?" she wondered.

Ginta placed his index finger on his chin, "Well, you see despite mating for life we can pick and choose whoever we want-"

"However," Hakkaku piped in, "if you're real lucky you'll run into your soul mate. Meeting your soul mate expands both of your life years."

"Ah, yes!" Ginta agreed.

Kouga grinned, "You know if it's your soul mate when she smells of spring flowers and the male will smell like the forest, much manlier of the two if you ask me."

Sango glanced at her friend from across the way that was turning a wild shade of red. Was the topic making her angry? The only reason she even brought it up was because Kagome was asking about it days ago after she returned with… Kouga! Sango stared wide eyed at the Priestess. Did she share the scent with Kouga?

Kouga chuckled, "You know funny you ask about that, I was just telling Kagome about this when we were in her time."

"You don't say," Sango laughed nervously, "what a coincidence!"

Inuyasha huffed, "Sounds stupid if you ask me."

The fox demon child hopped onto Kagome's lap and stuck his tongue out at the half demon, "No one was asking you!"

"Why you little," he growled and reached for the kitskune.

"SIT!"

The one word sent Inuyasha's body forcefully falling face first to the grassy earth beneath him. No one found the violent action out of the ordinary; even the wolf demons witnessed Kagome using the binding technique before. Miroku who was sitting rather quietly began stroking his chin eyeing the Prince and Priestess. He too was rather curious now. "So have any of your pack ever mated with humans before?"

Ginta shook his head, "Not from out pack but we have heard of others."

"Were the humans able to smell the strange aroma?" He asked slowly.

Sango glared at the monk, "Miroku…"

He shrugged casually whilst a sly smirk began to spread across his face, "What? You can ask questions but I'm not allowed?"

Hakkaku not catching on smiled reassuringly, "It's okay, really, we're not positive if humans share it because again it's never happened in our pack but next time we meet with neighboring tribes we can ask."

Was it all in her head? Kagome wondered and found the information hard to swallow. Even if it wasn't real, what she was feeling for Kouga was real. He wanted to talk about their relationship before the battle occurred. Maybe he was thinking about proposing to her? Oh no, not again. I DO like Kouga, she finally concluded, but I don't think I'm ready for ALL of Kouga. I haven't even graduated from high school yet! What would my Mom think about me becoming someone's life long mate?! Kouga noticed the topic had made Kagome quite embarrassed. "Hey Kagome," he stood up and dodged the camp fire to stand before her.

She looked up at him, "Yes?"

He extended his hand, "You wanna' go on a walk?"

Shippo leaped off her lap as she grasped the wolf demon's hand and he helped her to her feet. "A walk sounds lovely," she smiled.

"You're not going anywhere with that mangy wolf!" Inuyasha growled.

Kagome glared at the half demon on the ground, "I will be going where ever I want with whoever I want!"

Inuyasha flexed his claws, "I won't let you go without a fight Kagome."

"SIT!"

The dog demon again ate the earth with the Priestess's command. "I won," she huffed. Looping her arm in Kouga's she allowed him to take the lead her away from the camp.

He kept nervously glancing down at the human on his arm as they walked. The move he made was bold considering what just happened between her and the hanyou. He was beginning to wonder if he made the wrong decision. She wanted to come with you! Stop worrying! He told himself. Kagome met one of his glances and smiled at him.

He was so caring. Kouga knew that she needed a breather from the situation. It was obvious he was nervous. His actions reinforced all the good things she admired about him.

"So Kagome," he cleared his throat, "I was thinking that in the morning we should return to the mountains, just to inform the pack of our enemies defeat."

She gave a nod, "Sounds good to me, also my bag is there."

"Ah yes, the giant yellow monster you heave on your back," he grinned.

His statement about her massive school bag made her chuckle. He grinned and the joke between them lit a small fire of encouragement inside. I can do this, he coached himself. It was now or never. The chemistry between them was only going to make things more difficult if they avoided talking about it. "Kagome," he stopped grabbing both of her hands. He took this moment to admire her dark raven hair that fell past her shoulders and the way her big brown eyes stared at him with wonder. She was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Despite the difference in species, he knew what they had he'd never be able to find again. His tail wagged from side to side excitedly.

She also took in his handsome features. His long hair was resting in it's usual pony tail atop his head, pulled away to reveal his strong face and brilliant blue eyes, though she often wondered what he'd look like with his hair down and hanging around him wildly she was glad it didn't cloud his good looks. Days ago she wouldn't go as far as to even admitting how handsome he was, let alone allow him to hold her hands whenever he pleased. Was she ready for this? Was she ready to move on from Inuyasha?

"Once we return to the moutains I'd also like to announce to the pack of our engagment," he watched her closely after saying this.

Her face went from shocked, to happy, to scared. He frowned. This was a mistake, I've been moving way to fast! He scolded himself. It was so hard to take things slow when all he wanted to do was take her away from everyone and keep her all to himself. Not only emotionally was he attached to her but it was his instincts to want to claim her as his. She smelled of springtime. An aroma that he at times had to restrain himself from giving into. He wanted her, he needed her. She was his soul mate whether she smelt it on him with her dull human senses.

Kagome knew it was coming. He wanted to talk about the two of them and the romance blooming between them. Her first rational thought was to decline, she was barely seventeen-years-old! Then her thoughts traced back to the strange spell Kyoufu had her under. Kouga broke the spell. Her mind conjured a kiss between them. It was obvious why. She wanted him. They came close multiple times. Engagement though? Was she ready to get married at such a young age? "Um Kouga," she started nervously, "did you know back in my world we don't... um... get engaged that fast?"

He raised a brow, "Are you speaking of this boyfriend custom?"

She smiled nervously, "Yes, you see you start out like that then after awhile when the man and woman know it's time they get married." Kagome watched the wolf demon grow more confused and she quickly added, "Marriage is like a type of mating ceremony."

"Ah," he nodded slowly, "in that case, Kagome, let me tell you now that I'm ready to get serious and perform this "marriage" however, I understand if you need to take things slow. You're not use to it after all. So, Kagome, will you accept me as your boyfriend?"

It was every modern girl's dream to have a boyfriend at some point and she never had. Sure, there had been many attempts made from guys at her school like Hojo. She stood before a man who wanted to dedicate the rest of his life to her and was willing to wait on her. That's all she could ever ask for and more. Kouga wasn't like the other boys. "Yes," the words came out barely audible as her chest heaved excitedly. The butterflies that were once nestled inside cocoons in the pit of her stomach burst forth. It was an over whelming feeling that she wasn't entirely used to. She wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do, what with the ending between her and Inuyasha being so fresh, but it felt right. Kouga smiled the goofiest smile she had ever seen. He was happy.

"As your boyfriend, what are my duties?" he asked anxiously.

She giggled taking a small step closer to him, "Just be yourself, that's all I could ever ask."

Kouga took a step forward as well and placed one of his hands on her face urging their lips to be but inches apart. "I can do that and more."