Coming Home

Prologue

Author Note: At 15 years old, Kagome thought she knew what she wanted. The well closed up after her last trip and for 3 years, she was left to reflect on her relationship with InuYasha and everything that went wrong. She returns to the Feudal Era after graduation but a lot has happened since she was gone those three short years. She returns home broken hearted vowing to never return to the Feudal Era. You know what they say: Never say never. (Character Death)

"I don't care, I love you anyhow. It is too late to turn you out of my heart. Part of you lives here." –Anne Sexton

Ayame sat patiently as Kouga bathed in the lake surrounding them, washing the blood from the demon they had just killed from his hair. Ayame waited at the edge dipping a toe in the freezing water.

"She's not coming back," she said matter of factly.

She had repeated it over and over like a mantra.

It didn't matter.

Ayame tilted her head to the side watching him, the sun overhead causing her to strain her eyes. Just a little. She turned her attention to her leg swinging back and forth in the water.

"I know you don't want to talk about it, but you have to know she isn't going to come back."

Kouga gave her a low warning growl, before he ground out, "Leave it, Ayame."

Ayame chuckled cruelly before continuing. "It's pathetic really. Pining after a tiny, weak human who won't ever come back when you could have anyone you wanted."

Kouga rubbed his nails over his scalp, still rinsing in the lake. "You mean, I could have you, is that right?" His tone suggested he would rather anything but that.

She frowned. "Don't make it sound so awful. But yes."

Kouga rang the water from his long hair and had the sudden urge to run. Just to get away.

"Ayame." If she knew better – she didn't, or pretended not to – she would shut her trap and leave him to his bathing.

"Yes, Kouga?" Ayame answered, her voice sickly sweet.

"We have been over this. I will not mate with you," he said, his teeth baring in anger. "I would sooner mate with a fish."

Ayame stood, her fists clenched at her sides, shouting. "Why do you love her?!" she stomped, demanding to know. "You know what's really pathetic? She doesn't even love you. When she was here, she chose that dog demon and you still chased her! Why, Kouga?!" Again, "Why do you love her?! She's not coming back! Ever!"

Kouga felt his anger getting out of control, still waist deep in the murky water. It was too much. Ayame carrying on as she was. This wasn't the first time. He needed to get out of there.

"You know what's pathetic, Ayame?" Kouga said, his voice dangerously low. He kept his eyes closed, his fists clenched at his sides. "We aren't so different, you and I. I have told you that I don't want you and you still follow me like a sad puppy. Even if she never comes back, I will never be with you."

He opened his eyes to see Ayame's retreating form before he released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding.

I'm sorry, Ayame.

And he was. Kouga wanted to want Ayame. It wasn't like she was bad to look at. He just didn't want her. Love was never that simple and mating for the sake of honor would only hurt them both in the end.