Sango's foot steps were swift trying to catch up with the fleeing dog demon who used each available ledge on the mountain as a stepping stone away from the wolves den. He was too fast. She groaned as he hopped higher from her. Sango stopped to rethink her strategy. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kirara in kitten form dashing to match her pace before stopping at her heels. "Kirara, let's go up," she pointed to where Inuyasha had disappeared, "we need to reach him."

The cat demon's soft mew grew into a thunderous growl as she transformed into a much larger feline beast. She nodded in understanding as Sango climbed onto her back, and they leaped into the sky. It didn't take long until they spotted the hanyou sitting on a cliff. His gaze was set on the sun going down in the distance. Sango had Kirara land a few feet behind him. He probably already knew she was there but she needed to gather herself before approaching him. It wasn't like she often had a hard time communicating with him but here lately she found her frustration getting the best of her. Just where did the half demon get off at? Pushing and pulling Kagome around and when she finally had enough he thinks he's in the right to be angry with her? Not on my watch.

Inuyasha sensed the demon slayer's anger in her long strides as her feet collided with the rocky earth. Was he nervous? Why should he be? He had every right to be upset. His heart was broken into a million pieces! No Kagome, no Kikyo, no one left to mend his wounded pride. He glanced at Sango for a brief moment as she sat down next to him, draping her legs over the ledge. She had a determined look on her face, as did he, ready to shut her out. "What?" he barked.

"What? What do you mean "what"? You know exactly what!" she yelled.

He growled,"You're just staring at me! If you have something to say then say it and leave."

Sango noted the hurt in his voice and immediately regretted shouting at him. All she needed to do was talk some sense into him. In order to do so Sango knew she had to take it down a notch. She sighed, "Inuyasha, I'm sorry."

The hanyou's dog ears twitched at the sound of her apology catching him off guard. He shifted his body towards her, "Sorry?"

"Yeah, you see naturally I find myself taking Kagome's side but it's only because I've been seeing what you have failed to notice the entire time during our travels."

The two stared off into the distant scenery as Sango spoke calmly to him. "Inuyasha, Kagome loved you and in fact may still love you but your opportunity has come and gone. You were so tormented by your own past that you had been blinded, unable to see the present that offered you a possible future. I think you've realized that a life with Kikyo was never an option and I think that's why you're really hurting right now... Also because Kagome, who acted as your safety net is gone."

The truth in Sango's words struck him in the face harder than hitting the ground during one of Kagome's "Sit" commands. A moment of clarity was sinking in for the half demon as she spoke slowly, letting him register the honesty in her speech. "I've made it very clear to you that I never liked the way you treated Kagome Inuyasha, but I also can see how this whole romance that has blossomed with Kouga is quite unsettling for you."

"Ha!" He scoffed, "More like disguesting! I mean I get that she doesn't want to be with me but why him?" He glared at the human, "Why Kouga?!"

Sango let out a soft chuckle patting his shoulder, "Inuyasha, who else has been there for her when you haven't been? He has. Yeah, maybe he hasn't always been the most successful at it but damn, at least he tried! Of all the people to lose Kagome to you should be thankful it's Kouga."

"Thankful?! I will never be thankful to that flea bitten wolf!"

She shook her head, "Hear me out. Kouga is a very loyal, strong, and an honorable man who has risked his own life to save her on a number of occasions just as you have. Who knows for sure if this whole thing between them will work out? In the case that it doesn't you can be there for her because Inuyasha you are still a very dear to Kagome. What she needs right now is your acceptance of the current path she has chosen."

"Obviously my opinion means very little, she didn't even tell me about him being her "boyfriend" or whatever it's called!"

"Do you blame her? Look how you're reacting!"

Sango had him there. The hanyou was trying so desperately to cling to his stubborn nature but it was only proving to make a total ass of himself. He had been struggling sword to sword with his own inner demon of jealousy and it took an outside voice to make the two stop. Inuyasha sighed, "Well, when you're right, you're right."

"Don't give me that Inu- wait, what?" The demon slayer was ready to keep lecturing but was thrown off by his statement. She was right? Of course she was right.

He sighed a small smirk playing on his face, "I'm not giving up by any means but I'm just going to wait and see how this plays out."

"Inuyasha..." Sango blinked in surprise.

"Hey, you said so yourself, who knows what's going to happen but I'm going to be here for Kagome," he shook his head, "I've been a jerk."

"Uh, yeah, you have been." Sango stood up adjusting the weapon on her back and returning to Kirara who readied herself at her master's approach.

The dog demon followed her motions stopping at her side as she mounted her flying cat. "I guess I should probably say something to Kagome, huh?"

"Well," Sango thought about this, "it wouldn't hurt."

Both gave a firm nod in agreement before she left him alone. Inuyasha still felt sad but the sadness made more sense. Kagome deserved to be happy, even if it was with his adversary the Wolf Prince. It was annoying. He wanted nothing more than to pound his face in and tear him from limb to limb but if he knew the wolf demon's habits like he thought he did, then surely he'd screw up eventually and he'd be there to pick up Kagome and carry her away in his arms. He clenched his fists, and when that day comes I will kill him. In a matter of minutes Inuyasha was walking through the waterfall entrance of the wolf den and all eyes were on his arrival. Kagome stood in the corner talking to Kouga. He picked up on their hushed conversation with his sensitive hearing. The Youkai was attempting to comfort her, but was distracted by his sudden appearance. Kagome noticed that her boyfriend's gaze was no longer directed at her and turned to see what he was staring at as well.

Inuyasha, she couldn't stop the smile that replaced her worried expression. He came back, her heart felt happy at the sight of him. Walking up to them he connected with the wolf demon's stare. "Kagome, can I talk to you in private?" Even though the question was directed to Kagome he kept the link with Kouga's eyes daring him to object.

"Um, sure," she agreed nervously.

Taking her hand he broke the staring contest to lead her away to the nearest passage way. When he knew they were no longer in ear shot he stopped spinning her around to face him. She wasn't sure what to say, what there was left to talk about but at this point she was so worried about losing her nearest and dearest friend that she was willing to hear what he had to say. Inuyasha took in a deep breath as his golden orbs gazed into her dark brown ones. For the first time he noticed how warm they were and how much they reminded him of the trees he so fondly enjoyed sleeping in. They were homey feeling. He wanted nothing more than to linger in the forest of her eyes a little while longer but knew he wasn't welcomed. He cleared his throat as he looked away, "Um, so, I guess this whole thing with you and Kouga is well, serious?"

Kagome blushed and played with her hand that rested in her lap, "Um, well, yeah."

"I guess there's nothing I can do about it now," Inuyasha said in a disgusted tone but quickly gathered himself, "I mean I don't like it and I don't trust him but if he's what you want I guess I have to accept that."

She was taken back by the hanyou's sudden change of heart and wanted to question what all was said between him and Sango but stopped herself. Just be happy with his lame approval. Kagome smiled taking a step towards him and wrapping her arms around his middle. "Thank you, Inuyasha."

He huffed returning the hug, "Yeah, whatever."

A peircing scream echoed through the halls immediately pulling the two apart. Inuyasha flicked the hilt of tensuiga and scanned the area. "What in the hell was that?"

Back to back the human and half demon stood eyeing the caverns dark surroundings before the scream came again. It bounced off the walls and only took a moment for Inuyasha to register it came from the main gathering room.

"Something is wrong," Kagome said softly as an eerie feeling fell over them.