I do not own Inuyasha or any supporting characters.

I wrote this one in one sitting, I hope you all enjoy! I have more chapters coming soon, I am hoping to do a chapter or two every other day. Enjoy! Don't forget to leave a review!

Chapter 3

"Why do you do that?" Kagome asked Koga as they were a good distance from the Inuyasha's ability to hear.

"Eh, I don't know, I like to make the mutt suffer, plus it's fun. I've been doing it so long I can't imagine seeing him and not putting him through hell." Then giving her a sideways look he added, "but I noticed you were a bit more into it this time. Usually you are out of my arms immediately and we stay within the vicinity, what's different this time?"

"I told him I'm moving on, I'm not going to wait for him anymore," she said quietly.

"What?! What the hell Kagome?! You couldn't have done this before? You could have been my woman already!" But at her silence he added more seriously, "What's going on Kagome? I thought you two were each other's mate? At least unofficially. What gives?"

"I'm just tired of always coming second to him. For years I've put up with it, and now that we actually defeated Naraku, I thought things would be different, but things are still the same. And I'm not his mate, no matter how much I would have liked to be. I think Kikyo was his true mate, and since I'm just her reincarnation, maybe that's why he can't let me go."

He stopped their slow pace and turned her to face him directly. "You're wrong," he said with a firm voice. "Listen, you know I don't like the guy, but the thing about those mutts, once they have found their mate, nothing on this earth will separate them from them."

The words hurt for her to hear. "That proves my point even more, no wonder he is so devoted to her."

"That's where you're wrong. Them mutts can't mate a dead person. And even if he had mated her when she was alive, which they didn't, he would have died shortly after her. The thing about their breed is that once they mate, they share not only their bond with their mate, but their lifespan. When one of the mates dies, the other does too shortly after. The bond they share is too strong, not even death can keep them apart too long. And I hate to break it to you, but Kikyo and you have no connection. The thing about mating, your lives are intertwined through destiny, if you had been her incarnation, he would have been mated to her. Your destiny was linked to him from the moment you came into existence. Had you never come to the past, odds are you would have met him eventually."

As he spoke, her heart burst with happiness, sadness, and so many emotions all at once. What if she had never come here? Would she have ever met Inuyasha in the future? Would he have still been stuck in the tree? But then one question lingered in her mind above the what ifs, "what happens if a person never mates with the person they're meant to be with or never finds them? Can that happen?"

He thought about it for a minute, "I'm not sure, I've never really ever met anyone who hasn't accepted their mate. If you and the mutt are truly meant to be mates, your paths will continue to cross and you will always be drawn to each other. I don't know how to explain it, you just feel that pull towards them."

"Is that how you felt towards Ayame?" she asked as they resumed their walk.

"Nah, that one was more by accident. She kept nagging me about joining our packs, but I kept saying no. The more we met though, I guess she wore me down. Our bonds are strong once we mate, but the mutt's breed is stronger, that's an eternity kind of thing. They only have the one mate and that's it for them. Not that I'm rooting for him, but I do want you to be happy Kagome."

"So you all are able to have more than one mate if something happens to the other?" she asked out of curiosity.

"Eh, it depends. I've heard of some wolf pack leaders having more than one mate. Usually they do that when they have small numbers and they want to ensure their pack does not die down. But ours is a good size, and more so now that we have combined forces. I guess I'll be a one mate wolf" pausing mischievously he added with a side glance, "Unless you want to be my mate as well, just say the word and I will be a two woman man!"

Smacking his arm, she added, "No thank you, plus I doubt Ayame would like that, as it is, it took her a while to warm up to me."

"Eh, can't blame a guy for trying. So, you said you are giving up on the mutt, but what if he does end up choosing you, are you gonna say no?"

"If he were to choose me and actually walk away from Kikyo, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. I love him so much but I know he needs the space to make a choice. I can't constantly be that person that leads him to feel so guilty all the time. I want him to feel less of a burden. I will be there if he ever chooses, but I need him to think that I am moving on. If he knew I was still waiting, he'd still have that guilt and pressure. I need him to think I am open to being happy."

"Which is making him miserable. I think his reaction this time was one of his worst. Yeah he's hit me before, but this time it was just words, but the threat behind them was very real. His demonside was pushing to come out. That's his demon trying to lay claim to his mate, you." Getting a devilish smile he stops and takes her in his arms.

"What are you doing?!" she exclaimed while trying to push back.

"Just go with it Kagome, can you imagine how he is going to react the moment he smells me on you? I'm just giving him a bit of a push, this is me trying to help you too," he said as rubbed his cheek along the top of her head.

"I said I wanted to give him time to think, doesn't mean I want to torture him either," she said with a frown.

Stopping, but still keeping his arms around her waist, he said, "Listen, if it were me, and I was being stupid like the mutt, and I smelled another man on my woman, you can bet your ass that I'd be more motivated to make a move. His demon knows who his mate is and is ready to claim you, it's the human side of him that is adding guilt for the dead chick into the mix."

Frowning, she added, "I think that's enough, we should head back."

As they neared the village entrance, Koga turned to Kagome and said, "I'll let you go from here on your own, I can sense the mutt seething from here. Listen, he might be stupid right now, but in the end I know his demon instincts will kick in and take over. Just give it some time, don't lose hope." Smiling, he gave her a hug and said, "in the meantime, I'll help you make the idiot jealous." Stepping back from her, he said goodbye and walked away.

The sun was slowly starting to set as she slowly made her way in the village. She walked slowly while deep in thought. She had learned so much during her talk with Koga. What if what he said was true, what if she wasn't Kikyo's incarnation? If that were the case, she was her own person. She didn't have to worry about her being his mate. But then that would mean that his demon didn't choose Kikyo, only his human side chose her. Sighing, she shook her head. It was all so confusing! She was still here waiting and hoping that he would come to her.

As she continued to walk, she neared her hut. Entering the room was dark, Shippo must be over at Sango's or at Kaede's with Rin. She was about to start a fire when she heard a voice behind her that made her freeze.

"You reek of that damn wolf. What the hell did you do with him?" His voice was controlled and calm, but the anger and threat behind it made a chill pass through her.

"Inuyasha? What are you doing in my hut?" she asked as she went back to trying to light the fire. As she was about to get the fire started, she was yanked up to her feet and pushed against the wall with his body against hers. His hands were on her shoulders holding her to the wall.

He looked down at her, she could see his golden eyes through the moon that was shining through the window. He looked so handsome in the moon's natural lighting. His eyes were on her, frowning as he looked at every inch of her face. He got his head closer to her and took a deep breath along her neck, his nose tickling her behind her ear making her close her eyes for a second. He suddenly gave a slow deep growl, "You didn't answer my question, why the hell is his scent all over you? It's. Everywhere."

She suddenly understood what Koga meant when she said this anger was different. He wasn't yelling like he usually does, this was different. This was his demon coming out, his voice was controlled, but oh the emotion behind it was like nothing she had ever felt before.

Pulling back enough to look her in the eyes, "Well? Did you fuck him?"

Opening her eyes wide, she exclaimed, "What?! No! How could you even think that? He only hugged me, besides, I don't owe you any explanation. I never ask you what you do with Kikyo, why the hell should I tell you what I do with Koga?"

Growling louder he says, "You answer because you are mine! No man is ever going to have you, do you understand?! And as for Kikyo, I told you why I go to her, and I have never done anything with her, not like I'm about to do to you."

"What do you mea-" but her words were interrupted by his mouth on hers. It was an angry kiss, a kiss to stake claim on her. She tried to move away, this is not what she wanted, she didn't want a kiss from him only because of Koga. But as he felt her stiffen, he changed his tactic, his punishing kiss slowed down and became softer. His hold on her arms lessened in pressure, and suddenly she felt herself melting into him. She felt his tongue on her lips, beckoning her to open to him.

Slowly she allowed his tongue access into her mouth. She felt it slowly touch hers as they danced together. Tentatively she pushed her tongue into his mouth, meeting his fangs. As she ran her tongue along his fangs, she moaned as she felt him get closer to her. Suddenly he had one hand at her neck, keeping her head in place as they continued to explore each other's mouths, while his other hand went down to her waist, holding her against him. They had kissed once before, but this, this was different. This kiss was filled with passion, anger, and jealousy. She loved the feel of his lips along her, his tongue, his fangs, his body pressed against hers.

Her arms went around his shoulders as she both held him close and held on to keep from falling. She could feel how much he wanted her as he pressed himself against her. As he slowly thrust against her, she moaned as she felt his manhood. Turning her face away to catch her breath, his mouth went to her cheek and down her neck as he gave her open mouthed kisses. At her ear, she could hear his breathing and his voice deep with desire as he said, "Did he do this to you? Did he make you feel like I do? I can smell how aroused you are, how wet you are for me. You didn't smell like he gave you any satisfaction when you got here. That's because you are mine, Kagome. Your desire is for me alone. Understand?" With every word he said, he slowly thrust his hips against her, making her want him more and more. But as his words sank in, it was like cold water being splashed on her. He was only doing this to prove a point. He said her desire was for him alone, but what about his desire? Was it for her alone? Or was that something she had to share with Kikyo?

"I need you to leave, Inuyasha," she said as tried to push him away.

"No. You want me, you can't deny that. I'm going to make you mine, that way no fucking wolf or anyone else for that matter will get near you. They will know you are mine."

As he reached to kiss her again, she said, "Don't make me say it, Inuyasha."

Pulling back, he looked at her with skepticism. "You wouldn't. You know you want me."

Looking at him straight in the eye, she said, "I want you to stop, so yes, I will say it. And as for wanting you, I can't deny it. But I will deny you. I am not yours, not anymore. I told you I would not share you, and I meant it. Did you finally decide to stop seeing Kikyo?"

Taking a step back, she knew her answer before he said it. "You know I can't do that, at least not yet."

"Then you and I can't be together Inuyasha. I won't be the other woman. So please, leave my hut, and we'll pretend this never happened. And if I ever go with anyone, I don't want you lurking in my hut without my permission. I said we would be friends, but I will stop seeing you all together if you make this more difficult for me. Please leave."

He stood there looking at her. She could tell he was having an internal battle, but she refused to budge. She refused to be weak. She hated to see him like this, but she knew this was something he had to figure out on his own.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at her face, and said, "I'm sorry Kagome, I don't know what came over me. The moment I smelled him on you, I lost it. I respect what you said, but it doesn't make it any easier. I will make this right, I promise you, just don't give up on me yet, please."

She looked at him with a sad smile. "Goodnight, Inuyasha."

Looking down he walked out of her hut, "Goodnight, Kagome."