He wanted it to happen. Kouga imagined their lips meeting for the first time and silently wondered if she was anticipating it as much as he was. Kagome was feeling eager. If she took a tiny step forward and craned her head just a bit more their fates were sealed yet she dared not move. Both were hesitant. The side of her face was still cupped by his course hand, urging their faces closer. He took the daring step forward and wrapped his free arm around her waist, pulling her in. "Kouga," she whispered softly.

The way she said his name. It wasn't a cry in protest, she wasn't stopping him. She yearned for him. Kouga picked up on this instantly. His lips came crashing down on hers. He drank in her scent, the way her lips tasted, sweet, divine, like a fresh peach. Finally, he achieved the moment he had been dreaming of since the moment he met the young human girl. Kagome responded to him by wrapping her arms around his neck deepening the kiss. Her heart was beating hard and fast, pumping her with a strange adrenaline. Kouga wanted more of her. So much more. No! He commanded himself. Pulling away abruptly she almost fell forward into his chest.

Kagome looked up at him. Her eyes were mixed with hurt and confusion. "Did I do something wrong?" She untangled her arms from around him, "I'm sorry, I've never really kissed a guy before-"

He shook his head grasping her hands, "No, no, no, I had to stop, I'm sorry."

"But, why?" she allowed her bottom lip to overlap her top in form of a pout.

Kouga grinned, "Kagome, if we carry on like this, there's no telling what I'd do."

She eyed him carefully, "What do you mean?"

"You have to understand that I'm not an ordinary man."

"I know that," she brushed his tail with her hand, "what's that have to do with kissing me?"

"You see, I want to go by your customs but there are some male wolf instincts that I have to fight in order to do so," he rubbed her cheek with his thumb, "understand now?"

He meant sex! Her face flushed a deep shade of red. She gave a firm nod, "Yes, I do, I'm sorry."

"It's okay Kagome, we just have to be careful." He stopped for a moment to register what she said before hand. She'd never kissed anyone else before? Not even his rival? Suddenly his cheeks became warm and he felt awkward, like a child walking in on a scene he wasn't supposed to see.

Kagome's eyes wondered off to the unmarked path they had taken to their secret clearing and frowned. The others will start to get suspicious if they hide any longer. She already had a hunch that Miroku was onto them and if Inuyasha were to find out... there's no telling how he'd react.

Kouga sighed picking up on the vibe, "We should probably head back."

Holding hands they made their way back to their comrades. The air was quiet up until they were a couple feet away, of course Kouga had been picking up on the conversation long before they were in ear shot. Inuyasha was bickering at someone, no telling who. Before making their presence known Kouga stopped Kagome and placed an index finger to his lips and pointed in the direction from which the half demon's voice rang loud and clear. She stayed by his side to listen in.

"We are not going to the mountains! That mangy wolf can get Kagome's things and bring them to us."

Kouga rolled his eyes, Of course the dog had something to say about that.

"Don't be silly Inuyasha. Us going back means time to rest and I get to play games with the wolf cubs!"

Kagome smiled recognizing the fox demon's voice.

"Not to mention our tribe will be preparing a feast for the defeat of the strange shadow beast," Hakkaku explained.

"Mmmmm yes, how could we possibly say no to that Inuyasha?" Miroku sighed dreamily, "and all of the beautiful ladies that are awaiting my return."

"Miroku!"

A loud smack echoed in the woods.

"No, no, and no! Besides, it would only delay our search for the sacred jewel shards!"

Another rebuttal from the half demon.

"Strange, I recall a certain dog demon running to another priestess because he was scared of a little competition," Sango added coldly, "yeah that definitely didn't hold up our search."

"That was then, this is now!"

"Well as of now, Kirara, Miroku, Shippo, Kagome, and I are going to return to the Wolf tribe's den with Kouga, and his men. You can return to your priestess made of clay or join us, it's up to you."

Kagome looked to her boyfriend helplessly who gave a nod in return. Surely with her there Inuyasha would seize his arguing. Stepping in from out of the array of trees everyone immediately turned their attention to them and the group fell silent. Just as she had expected Inuyasha closed his mouth. The shouting match was at its end. Besides what more could Inuyasha come back with after Sango's remark?

The trees that covered the group of weary warriors did well to hide them from the morning sun rising overhead. All slept peacefully except Kouga who began to stir. His eyes opened lazily and he went to do the usual routine of stretching to wake his limbs up when he noticed a soft, pale hand lingering on his bicep. He turned his head to find it was none other than Kagome's sleepy grasp. She was curled up next to him on her side, turned in to face him. Waking to see her next to him brought a smile to his face. He recalled after returning to camp she fell asleep on his shoulder by the fire. Inuyasha wasn't too thrilled about it but after being snapped at by the demon slayer he huffed and jumped into a near by tree to sulk.

Kouga admired the beautiful human sleeping next to him, from her face to the long black hair that draped around her shoulders. His gaze lingered down to her thigh that was being revealed by her dark green skirt. A pink tint rose to his cheeks as he carefully adjusted her clothing to smooth out the revealing ruffle. No way was he going to risk any part of her body being seen by the mutt, Inuyasha. Kouga glared at the hanyou who sat fast asleep in the same tree he was in last night. Thankfully, not awake, he thought to himself. Looking back down at Kagome a smile returned to his face. She finally accepted him. He was hers, and she was his. Well, he was her boyfriend. Definitely a mile stone in their relationship from when they first met. How was he going to explain to his pack the boyfriend concept? None of them even knew that much about Kagome other than her being the priestess of the shikon no tama. She is a being of this world, but not of this time. The concept was still hard for his mind to wrap around. If he had never been down the well, he probably would have never believed it.

Kouga let out a soft sigh, placing his free hand on his headband and letting it slide down his face. Everything with Kagome was complicated, but worth it if she was really interested in being his mate. If she denies him in the end... No, she can't, she won't, he reassured himself mentally. He came so close to sealing the deal with their kiss last night but he restrained himself. The first kiss almost initiated an animal he had trouble controlling. The part of him that wanted to mark her as his. His pointed ears twitched sensing a a moving presence near by. Immediately he looked up to meet Inuyasha's golden stare.

"What do you think you're doing Wolf?" he asked.

His tone held a hint of annoyance that Kouga picked up on instantly. "I'm not doing anything pup, mind your own," he warned.

"I am," Inuyasha retorted.

An angry fire lit inside the belly of the wolf prince. Carefully he removed Kagome's hand from his arm to not wake her as he stood up. "Look here Mutt, Kagome already told you, multiples times now, that she doesn't want anything to do with you," he growled, "you're lucky she still calls you a friend."

Inuyasha leaped down from the tree, one hand resting on the hilt of tensuiga. What right did this mangy wolf demon have? The scenes from the night before played in his mind like one of Kagome's magic picture box programs. He just couldn't let her go, not now, not ever. "God you're annoying! I'll kill you if I have to just to get rid of you," Inuyasha said withdrawing his sword.

Kouga scoffed crossing his arms, "Kill me? Was anything I just said wrong?" The Youkai wanted to say so much more. He wanted to tell Inuyasha that he was her boyfriend. Inuyasha had been to her time before, he'd understand the expression. In Kagome's terms, he had laid his claim. Kouga held his tongue though, creating more tension was not worth jeopardizing the progress made with her.

A tiny Shippo who was nuzzled into the side of the large cat demon Kirara stretched his tiny limbs before releasing a soft yawn. It took a lot of energy to pry his eyes open but when he did, it didn't take long to put together the scene before him. Inuyasha was threatening their new ally. He had to act fast. Quietly leaping over to the sleeping wolf demon brothers he shook them awake while the two feuding demons continued to yell at one another. "Wake up, please," he whispered urgently.

Ginta was the first to open his eyes and was surprised to see the child next to him. "What's up little brother?"

Shippo blinked, "Brother?" Then shook his head and pointed at the verbal fight happening a few feet away.

"Oh!" he exclaimed roughly shaking Hakkaku awake who became alert instantly. Racing to their feet they went and stood behind Kouga. "If it's a fight you want-" Hakkaku started to declared. "We'll take you on!"Ginta finished.

Kouga outstretched his arms to hold back his men, "There won't be a fight here."

"Like hell there won't be!" Inuyasha yelled.

The half demon's yelling finally woke up Kagome. She sat up shaking her head from side to side, not all that surprised that Inuyasha was already causing an uproar. "Inuyasha, what on earth is going on?" she groaned.

The sound of Kagome's voice made the half demon come to his senses. He glanced from the wolf youkai to his sword before sheathing it and turning his back on them. "I wasn't going to do anything!" he whined in defense.

"That's not what you were saying a few seconds ago," Kouga muttered softly.

"Shut it flea bag," Inuyasha warned in a hushed tone.

"I find that hard to believe," Kagome sighed placing her head in her hand, "I'm starting to get a major head ache and I just woke up."

"Probably from all the yelling," Shippo stated in a matter of fact tone running on all fours to Kagome's side, "where's the magic rocks you give us to help make pain go away?"

Kagome shook her head, "They're in my bag back at the den."

Miroku had been trying to go back to sleep but with all the ruckus he decided against it and finally sat up. "Well, sounds like we should head back," Miroku suggested,"if we get going here soon we can make it back by dinner time." Another feast with the wolf demon tribe made his stomach grumble with anticipation.

Sango who had been resting on the other side of Kirara began to wake up after hearing the voices of her friends. Nuzzling her face into the side of her pet and giving a loving scratch behind one of her big black ears she smiled. It was time to get moving. At the mention of food her tummy made a tiny rumble. None of them ate last night. It wasn't unheard of to miss a meal of two while traveling but she felt famished and a little spoiled by the wolf demon's meals. She glared at the half demon across the way. Now if only he doesn't cause us any grief, she thought silently to herself.

Most were delighted by the return of Kagome and her friends but some felt on edge with the hanyou staying in their home. Inuyasha's behavior surprised everyone. He followed them inside and sat in a corner. Not a word left him which was a nice change of pace in comparison to the moaning and complaining he had been doing all morning. Soon as Kagome sat down on the cold ground a number of wolves came and joined her. This is nice, she noted silently to herself. A long time ago the animals were uneasy with her presence and often growled at her. She earned her place however. Kagome fought along side them in a battle against one of their greatest enemies, the Birds of Paradise and she now again helped in removing another threat to their family. The other Youkai in the main cave also smiled at her and welcomed her back. Only a few females glared at her from the other side of the room. She didn't understand why but kept to herself.

"I'm going to go play!" Shippo declared running into the back of the cave with a small cluster of children and tiny wolf pups.

Sango shouted after him, "I'm not sure when we're leaving Shippo so don't venture too far!"

"Leaving? You can't possibly think of leaving now after we just got back?" Kouga questioned the demon slayer taking a seat next to Kagome.

Heaving the boomerang off her back she sat down a few feet away with it on her lap. She grasped a large rock a few feet away and started to grind the small boulder on the edges of the weapon made of demon bone and sighed heavily. "Well, I figure you didn't want a grumpy dog demon around," she glared at Inuyasha for a moment before returning to intently staring at her boomerang and waxing her weapon.

"Non-sense sister! You must stay!" Ginta grinned sitting on the other side of Kagome but his gaze still on the demon slayer.

She blushed, "Sister? You mean me?" Sango used her free hand to point her index finger at herself for further indication.

He nodded, "Yeah! You are Kagome's sister right? So that makes you family!"

"Well, I... um..." she stuttered glancing from the demons to her friend in confusion.

Kouga belted out a hearty laugh, "If it troubles you I'll correct their name calling. It is understood that you're not of blood relation."

Kagome smiled, "You are like a sister to me Sango, I say it often."

Sango was at a loss for words. Her suspicions may have been proving to be correct. Was there something going on between Kagome and the Wolf Prince? She shook the thought away physically with her head and forced a smile.

"If it's okay with you Kagome, it's alright with me," she agreed.

The monk, Miroku, wondered through the mouth of the cave. He stretched his arms in the air and let the staff in hand collide with the ground. Exhaling loudly a grin burst forth and he chuckled. "Feels so nice to urinate in peace!"

Sango and Kagome hid their head in shame as the other men laughed along with him.

"Must be a nice to relax instead of cowering in fear of demons constantly," Hakkaku added.

He winked, "Though I do not find most demons a threat, it is nice to just take it easy and not have to look over my shoulder... but I also fear the women I travel with may be peeping toms."

"You wish," Kagome rolled her eyes.

Ginta shook his head, "You couldn't possibly mean our sister, Kagome-"

"So you must be talking about sister Sango!" Hakkaku exclaimed.

It was Miroku's turn to stare in confusion at the two wolf demon brothers. "Sister?"

The monk appeared cross as he marched towards them bravely. He stopped before the standing Hakkaku. "Did one of you lay claim to her? I'm aware of your wolf customs. If this is the case I will fight you for her," he declared.

The wolf demon fell to his knees shaking his head back forth. "No, no, no! We only call her sister for she is Kagome's ken! As you are her brother!"

Kagome glared at the monk through slits, "I wouldn't go as far as to call him my brother."

Immediately the human man lowered his defenses. Letting out a laugh he stomped his staff on the ground once more. "I'm sorry for the confusion! If this is merely the circumstance I withdraw my proclamation of battle."

"So she is your woman?" Kouga asked slowly.

Sango blushed, "Don't be ridiculous!"

At the sound of his companion's rejection Miroku quickly recovered, "Ah, all I meant by this was that I wouldn't let just any man have her. Sango is a dear friend."

"Just a friend," she reiterated.

Kagome sighed softly to herself. They're in such denial.

"Now that you mention it, a strong demon slayer in our pack would be most helpful," Kouga commented with a sly smirk, "I wouldn't be surprised if one of my men didn't try to engage her."

Sango blushed at this and returned to toning her weapon in silence.

The Wolf Prince winked at the Priestess before grabbing the hand that was once petting a sleeping wolf. A huff escaped the animal but he didn't move and continued to lay there. Kouga scooted himself closer to her but was careful not to stir it. The two of them nestled around a fire in the den with his warriors huddled around, welcoming the human into their pack was a daydream he often conjured up. Now, it was a reality.

"You know Kagome now that I'm your boyfriend does that mean I can hold your hand whenever I want?" he asked to make sure it was alright.

The half demon who had been minding his own business heard this strange question and felt his ears perk up. Boyfriend? He was familiar with that term. Often the friends in Kagome's world would call him that. He never quite understood the meaning but in that context the gears began to turn in his head. Was he Kagome's lover and didn't even know? One thing was for certain he never stepped forward and outwardly expressed how he felt about her until yesterday and his enemy, Kouga, had been doing it this entire time. The flea bitten wolf has me there... He thought to himself. He, however, was there for her in her most dire need at all times. Though the Youkai did show up on occasion and tried to be the hero it was he, Inuyasha, who saved the day and the Priestess. Surely that meant something to Kagome. Did she finally accept his demon foe's proclamation of love?

"Well," she let out an airy chuckle, "I guess so."

Inuyasha's golden eyes grew to the size of ramen cups at the human girl's response. Baring his teeth he stood up clutching his sword. Everyone's attention fell on the now standing dog demon in fighting stance. Kagome's surprised eyes bore into his. If he created a ruckus here, not only would he have to fight the entire clan of wolves but he'd hurt Kagome's feelings. Dropping his guard he let out a "Heh!" before walking past them and out of the den.

Miroku started to follow but was stopped by a soft hand. He looked to the owner and was surprised to see Sango. "I'll talk to him," she volunteered. Using the monk's hand she steadied her balance before releasing him and heading out of the cave. The tiny Kirara ran after the demon slayer, following her masters foot steps. This was Sango's opportunity to tell Inuyasha what had been on her mind. If Kagome did love Kouga, then his huffing and puffing would have to stop.