Hand in hand the power couple walked through the forest back to their sleeping companions. At least, Kagome hoped they were still sleeping, especially Inuyasha. A rough hand engulfed hers and she smiled nervously up at her mate. His hair was back in it's high pony tail yet in her mind's eye the image of him naked and flowing black locks around him as he leaned over her was all she was able to see. Kouga, the leader of the wolf demon tribe was her lover and soon to be husband. The thought burned her cheeks with embarrassment. He hadn't asked for her hand in marriage yet but it was surely to come since they already performed the act. What would she tell her mother? Oh man, Mom is going kill me!

The Youkai grinned down at her giving her fingers a reassuring squeeze. "It'll be alright Kagome."

"How can you be so sure?" She asked.

"Call it a wolf instinct," he winked.

She blushed and in no time at all they happened upon their group. A white haired demon glared at them from his tree he had been nestled in. His golden orbs were ablaze with jealousy. Everyone else was still away in dream land but surely not for long. He jumped down and landed in front of them. "Do you have any idea what you've done Kouga?" Inuyasha growled. Kagome as well as the wolf demon appeared to be taken aback by his lack of name calling.

The wolf Prince released her and stepped forward. "Yes. It was consensual. I'd never take that from Kagome without her permission."

Pain and fury flashed across the hanyou's face as he glanced at her neck where Kouga's fangs pierced her skin. Her usual aroma was clouded by his and this bothered him even more. He tried to hide his hurt but it was too hard. The sound of his heart breaking was almost audible. Inuyasha hid his face and turned his back on the two. He unsheathed his sword and allowed it to transform. The blade was trembling as Inuyasha's shoulders shook. A long moment passed between them before he managed to shout, "If you don't take care of her Kouga I'll slit your throat with tensiaga. That's a promise!"

This awoke Sango who stared at the scene in confusion, still half asleep. She rubbed her eyes before standing and walking towards Inuyasha. "What's going on?"

What is going on? Kagome wondered, Did Inuyasha just give us his consent? Not that they needed approval from him but it was nice to see that the scene didn't erupt into a blood bath.

"Hn. I'll leave that to Kagome to explain. I need to take a walk before I kill the flea bitten wolf." Inuyasha barked before putting away his sword and darting into the woods.

Sango turned to her friend the leader of the wolf demon tribe. "Kagome?" She sensed something different about the modern day priestess. A new glow surrounded her as she was being shielded by Kouga by what she surely thought was about to be an attack from Inuyasha.

"I'll give you two a minute alone," Kouga declared before exiting in the same direction the half demon had left.

Kagome tucked a strand of her raven hair behind her ear and shifted uncomfortably under the demon slayer's gaze. "Well, you see... um, Kouga and I... we um..."

She didn't have to finish. Sango's dark brown orbs widened as the whole picture was put together before. The tension. The love bite. They had mated. She was trying to register what emotion to feel. Happy? Confused? Maybe even angry on behalf of Inuyasha? No. She could never be angry with Kagome. Not after the hell Inuyasha had put her through with Kikyo. She absolutely deserved this. "I have to say I'm a little shocked. What made you decide to um, do that all the sudden?"

Kagome tried to find the right explanation but her word bank was coming up dry. She loved him. Was that too simple of an answer? "I wish I had a better reason Sango but the only thing I can tell you is that... I'm in love. It felt right."

Bubbles of happiness began to burst in Sango's stomach as her best friend said the words "I'm in love" aloud. It was written all over her face. Kagome was deeply, truly in love with the wolf demon. Not a bad suitor to choose in the end. She smiled at her. "I'm really happy for you Kagome."

A wash of relief flooded her face and the two humans embraced and started giggling obnoxiously.

Kouga followed the hanyou's scent. He had to be close. Why was he following him? His departure wasn't sitting right with him like it was some kind of ploy. Was he hoping that he'd track him down? As he contemplated that this might be a trap the words "WIND SCAR!" were screeched above the rising tree line. He quickly dodged the attack and skidded to a halt. Inuyasha dropped down in front of him, his sword raised ready for battle.

"What is your deal?!" The Youkai barked, "What's done is done!"

"You didn't even give me a chance to fight you for her! You bastard!" He slashed his sword which again missed Kouga.

Anger flooded the wolf demon's train of thought. He had to think of his mate otherwise he'd surely kill Inuyasha. "Kagome wanted to! She chose me! That's why you're really mad! Hurting me won't solve anything, it'll just hurt her!"

The spar continued Inuyasha's attacks flying and Kouga was trying to continue to dodge but was growing tired. He had to strike. His foot collided with the half demon's face sending him flying into a tree. The dog demon quickly recovered ready to continue as he took his stance. "Why did you have to take her from me?! I have nothing else!"

Kouga breathed heavily staring down his opponent and a pang of guilt hitting him hard. For the first time he felt something other than annoyance for the half breed. He watched him try to bite back his tears but was failing. He was in love with Kagome. Kouga for a minute believed his words. He took Kagome from him. He shook his head to throw away such a notion. Kagome picked him. The hanyou had to understand. "Inuyasha," he used his name to get the seriousness across, "in no way did I try to steal her. Maybe I wanted to the whole time but not really. I'd never force Kagome to pick a life she wouldn't be happy with. In the end if she would've been happier with you I'd be hurt but I'd let her be with you because it's not my decision. It was always her choice. I stood by while time and time again she chose you... you were just too blinded by your past to see the present. Kagome told me about Kikyo. The priestess made of clay. You still love her and she was hurt by your constant indecisiveness. I chased her back to her world to be the person she needed me to be... at that time it was just a friend but it turned into something more than that. I know this is hard for you Inuyasha but please, let her be happy. Be her friend."

Silence crept into the woods as the fighting seized. Inuyasha took in the speech. He snarled at the idea of Kouga having the woman he saved time after time. Friend. The word put him at ease. Friend. Could he be her friend? Who was he kidding? He had always been Kagome's friend. His sword shrank and he put it away at his side. "I will hold up to my promise. If you don't take care of her I will kill you."

Kouga chuckled, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you Inuyasha, you have my word. Kagome will always be happy."