Author's Note: I can't believe it has been A YEAR AND A HALF since I last updated! I think about and work bit by bit on this story literally every day! This chapter has evolved A LOT since I started working on it, but I think that's good because I really like how it developed. And now maybe (?) Chapter 18 will be up a lot faster, since I didn't use half of the original stuff in this one. Anyways, I hope you all like it! I love you! Please read and review! It really guilts me into updating!

Kagome looked up from her spot on the ground, Koga's arm still wrapped around her like a shield. Her brown eyes widened as she took in the scene; the demon, quivering as it recovered from the sudden onslaught of diamond shards, and the red-robed figure whose image was becoming clearer in the dissipating smoke.

"InuYasha?!" Kagome exclaimed incredulously, her voice cracking slightly. She felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her, she was so surprised. Could it really be...?

Koga lifted his head as well, sharing a surprised glance with Kagome at the sight of his rival. Then his eyes widened. "Look out!"

For the demon had recovered from the attack, and was now slashing its tail through the air to turn on InuYasha. "YOU SHALL DIE FOR THAT!"

Kagome began to scramble to her feet, Koga following suit. Before either one could fully stand, however, they heard another familiar cry.

"Hiraikotsu!"

"AHH!" The demon hissed, crumpling as a giant boomerang slammed into its side.

The demon slayer Sango casually lifted a hand as her trusted weapon returned to her, catching it effortlessly as if it weighed no more than a pound.

The monk Miroku appeared at her side, brandishing his golden staff. "Looks like we got here just in time...whoa," he breathed, noticing for the first time the Kagome and Koga stood in the clearing before him. "Kagome?"

Before any of the friends could exchange greetings, the demon's tail thrashed once more. Koga pulled Kagome to his chest protectively as the barbs sliced through the air towards the couple, the dangerous spikes of his tail grazing Koga's arm as it whipped by. Koga bit his lip, masking any pain he was feeling.

InuYasha gritted his teeth, but whether it was at the sight of Koga and Kagome's embrace or his frustration with the demon, one could not tell. "Take this, you bastard. Wind Scar!"

As he lifted his sword high above his head, Miroku nodded, pulling a Sutra from his sleeve. "I'll gladly add to that."

As the two attacks hit the demon head-on, Kohaku arrived astride the demon Kilala, and with him the little fox-demon, Shippo.

Koga clenched his fist and readied his attack while Kagome drew her bow with a new arrow. "You're not getting away!" Koga threatened.

The demon's amber eyes narrowed as he scanned the area for a way out. He was surrounded; but he had to return to Lord Naraku to deliver his news. If he did not it would certainly spell sudden death. With an angry snarl, he suddenly hurled himself towards the earth, quickly creating an underground escape route.

"No!" Sango cried, racing forward with her hand on the hilt of her sword. As she surveyed the tunnel, she kicked a stray rock and sighed. "He got away."

Miroku put a hand to her shoulder. "We'll get him, Sango," he soothed. "Him and Naraku."

Kagome looked at all of her friends, tears of happiness pricking the corners of her eyes. "You guys!"

"Kagome!" Shippo cried, leaping from his spot on Kilala's back and racing to his friend. Kagome bent down and held out her arms, letting out a startled laugh as the tiny fox demon rammed into her.

She wrapped her arms around him comfortingly. "It's okay, Shippo," she whispered to him as she stroked his soft hair. "I'm here."

"Kagome, oh, we've missed you!" Sango exclaimed as she took her turn to hug her friend.

"Sango!" Kagome laughed as she hugged her best friend tight.

Koga stood next to Kagome in silence, feeling out of place and unsure how to react at the sudden reunion. He noticed Kohaku standing nearby, looking as if he too felt awkward, his head bent low, clutching his scythe with both hands. Then his blue eyes flicked to InuYasha, who also had yet to engage in this happy occasion, crouching with his back to the group, apparently inspecting the tunnel the demon had dug. What if this...changes everything? He wondered. What if Kagome...what if seeing InuYasha...upsets her? I know she saw him before, and she came back to me, but he'd made her angry, and the situation was dire. What if she...

"How have you been, Koga?"

The wolf demon was startled by the deep voice that was suddenly addressing him. He looked up to see the monk, Miroku, standing before him with his hand raised as a friendly sign of greeting, a smile upon his face. Koga cleared his throat. "I've been...better than I have in awhile," he responded cryptically, placing a tentative smile on his lips so as not to be rude.

"Miroku!" Kagome interrupted their conversation by pulling her next friend into a hug, a grin upon her features.

Sango kept a close eye on him to make sure he didn't try anything unseemly, for old time's sake. Judging from how she'd seen Koga and Kagome around each other in the short time so far, she doubted the wolf prince would have taken it well. Not that she would have, either. But, astoundingly, he was nothing but a gentlemen, and the hug soon ended. Sango smiled to herself. She supposed she was a good influence on him.

Kagome turned to Koga with a smile, then glanced at her friends. "Well, this was unexpected. I'm glad you guys showed up when you did. That demon was bad news."

Koga lifted a hand to the back of his neck, pensive. "And it'll only get worse if he makes his way back to Naraku..."

Kagome gasped, startling him from continuing. "Koga!" She breathed, placing her hands to his arm and gently turning it over, gasping again at the sight of the clear gashes on his tanned skin. "Your arm–you're bleeding! Here, let me get my bag."

As she started to search the area for her yellow backpack, Koga reached for her hand to stop her. "No, Kagome, seriously, I'm fine. It's just a little scratch."

Kagome pursed her lips and shook her head, making a move to take his arm again. "But it looked bad–what if the barbs had some kind of poison?"

Koga put his other hand on her shoulder, finding her concern unnecessary, yet flattered and happy all the same, particularly since InuYasha was in her reach and she hadn't even acknowledged him yet.

Sango nudged Miroku in the ribs. "They seem cozy," she whispered in his ear.

Miroku nodded his agreement. "What has been going on since she was away?" He wondered with a sly smile.

"You worry too much," Koga said with a laugh, lifting his hand to brush a stray hair from Kagome's face, smiling at the giggle he received.

"Get your hands OFF of her, you mangy WOLF!"

Kagome let out a startled cry as Koga reacted to the half-demon's onslaught, pushing her gently towards Sango and Miroku so he could take the attack head-on. He caught InuYasha's punch and twisted him around, feeling a growl in the back of his throat. Was this guy crazy? He could've hurt Kagome! Doesn't he supposedly care about her? Claim to even have feelings for her? That made him madder than anything, but he wasn't sure if it was jealously or just anger at InuYasha's lack of concern for Kagome. "What is wrong with you?" He demanded, pushing InuYasha's fist away from him, causing the half-demon to stumble backwards.

"What's wrong with me?" InuYasha snarled back, putting a hand to the hilt of the Tetsusaiga. "You have your hands all over her-"

"I don't think she minds," Miroku muttered to Sango, who stifled a laugh and nodded in agreement.

"You took her away from us...basically kidnapping her–again," InuYasha went on, his rage causing his voice to crack, "And you ask me what's wrong with me?!"

Koga set his jaw, his stomach tying up into knots. Because...he was right. Mutt-face was right. He'd let his grief and anger consume him, and had basically forced Kagome into that situation...threatening the young boy's life...when he wasn't at all to blame. Was that–was that the only reason he and Kagome were together now? Was it just because Kagome had no choice, nowhere to go, no one else to be with?

Before he could voice any of his depressed thoughts, however, Kagome leapt between the two, placing a hand to Koga's chest protectively. "InuYasha, stop!"

"Kagome, don't try to protect him," InuYasha urged as he took a step closer. "He needs to pay for what he's done!"

Kagome grit her teeth. "Sit, boy!" She commanded, the order instantly forcing InuYasha to the ground face-first. She shook her head. "Y'know, I didn't want to have to do that."

"Kagome," Koga whispered in her ear.

Kagome could hear the regret and hesitation in his voice, and so she turned to face him. "No," she whispered to him, placing a hand on his arm. "Don't let him get to you."

Miroku crouched beside InuYasha. "Your temper will get you every time," he said sagely.

InuYasha glared at his friend from his spot on the ground. "Who asked you?" he grumbled.

"M'lady?"

Kagome turned around, smiling at the sight of Kohaku, who was approaching them slowly. As she reached her arms to hug him, he backed away like a startled fawn, shaking his head. He then looked at Koga with wide eyes, and suddenly dropped to his knees before the wolf demon.

Koga's eyes widened in shock, and he shared a startled glance with Kagome, as if wondering how to react.

"Sir," Kohaku began, tears forming in his eyes as he stared at Koga's feet, not brave enough yet to look him in the eyes. "Please...my life is yours. I know that I cannot make up for the horrible things that I did, but, but please–if there is any way..."

Koga looked at the boy at his feet and slowly shook his head. "...Kid, please get up. Don't apologize. I realize that it's not your fault." He tried to word his apology so that it made sense, even though his thoughts were a jumbled mess. "I was just acting out of anger before. Naraku is a sick bastard who likes to get other people to do his dirty work for him." He paused, his eyes crinkling with pity. "He obviously chose you so that he could cause you and your sister even more pain. I'm sorry for taking it out on you at first, and seeking revenge. I know now that I was wrong."

Kagome sucked in her breath, surprised and touched by Koga's apology.

Kohaku lifted his eyes and stared at Koga, struggling to find the right words. The wolf demon forgave him, just like that? Kohaku wondered if it would be all right to accept this, and try to forgive himself.

Koga extended a hand, offering to help him stand. "We'll beat Naraku, kid. You can count on it."

Kohaku glanced at his sister, who was looking at Koga in surprise, a grateful smile forming on her face. Sango caught Kohaku's stare and nodded at him encouragingly. Kohaku then smiled hesitantly and took Koga's offered hand, rising to his feet.

InuYasha frowned at the sweet scene unfolding in front of him and snorted."Yeah, well if you realized you were so wrong," he began in a mocking tone, "Then why the hell are you still holding Kagome captive, probably having your way with her day and night, you scum-sucking..."

Koga looked at InuYasha in horror. He felt sickened at what the half-demon was insinuating. InuYasha was partially right, of course, that he had basically made Kagome feel like she had no choice but to stay with him, but the implication that he'd...had his way with her? Koga flushed, suddenly remembering how they'd been kissing only an hour before, but...he'd never made Kagome do any of those things. The mere idea made him sick. "Wha...I..." Koga began, red in the face and completely flustered, feeling like he had to defend his honor.

Kagome put her hands on her hips and stamped her foot, glaring at the half-demon. Why did he always have to be so difficult? Couldn't they just have a nice reunion? "First off, InuYasha, I decided to go, and I have decided to stay with Koga. He is not holding me captive."

InuYasha stood up, brushing of the sleeve of his robe. "Why the hell are you defending this guy, Kagome?" His amber eyes locked with hers, burning intensely with some emotion Kagome could not place, and she felt her chest squeeze.

Miroku and Sango shared a quick look before the monk strode swiftly over to InuYasha. "Let's not get into that right now," he said, grabbing InuYasha's arm and guiding him away.

"Hey, lemme go! What are you even talking about?" InuYasha wanted to know, trying to squirm out of Miroku's grasp.

Koga looked at Kagome, who was staring after InuYasha with a pensive look on her face. His stomach clenched. His mind began to flood once again with paranoid thoughts...and though he was grateful that she defended him, he wondered if it was only a matter of time before she realized all they'd had was a mistake.

His eyes widened in surprise when he felt a hand slip into his and give it a quick squeeze. He glanced at Kagome, who smiled reassuringly at him, and felt his uncertainty vanish for the moment. He was a little glad Inuyasha had his back to them at the moment, though. He didn't want another fight.

Sango stroked her chin thoughtfully, then turned to Kagome and said, "That demon...he was so powerful. He was clearly sent as a shard-hunter for Naraku."

"But he wanted them for himself," Koga added matter-of-factly, shaking his head in disgust. "I can't believe he got away! If only we could've gotten him. Now Naraku will know more."

InuYasha's ears twitched and he suddenly whirled on them. Luckily, they had let go of each other's hands before he saw. "Oh, yeah, speaking of that demon, where the hell did you get that other shard from, wolf? Did you take that, too?!"

Kagome bit her lip. She'd pretty much forgotten all about that shard. Yes, she had given it to him, but he hadn't taken it. She'd needed to give it to him–if a demon, or one of the wolf tribe had sensed it on her and gotten greedy, who knows what could have happened? Besides, Koga wasn't power-mad. He was only doing it to keep her safe. "He didn't take it, InuYasha," Kagome began, trying to explain things as calmly as possible. "I gave it to him for safe-keeping, so no one could steal it from me." As her eyes locked with the half-demon's, she felt her words falter. His amber eyes seemed full of so many things in that single moment...indignance and irritation, yes, but also passion, pleading...and something else... Her heartbeat quickened, and she felt an uncomfortable feeling settle in her chest.

InuYasha finally managed to break his gaze away from hers, and snorted to cover it up. He would never admit that the biggest reason he was so peevish was that he missed Kagome–God, how he'd missed her–and she had greeted every single other person there except him. And she seemed so...so lovey-dovey with that mangy wolf! Was she doing it on purpose? Was she trying to punish him? Was she still mad at him? Didn't she know...? "Yeah, right," he finally muttered, his voice dripping with bitterness. Then he turned, apparently done arguing.

Kagome inhaled sharply, staring after him. His eyes...he seemed angry now, but also...hurt. And what bothered her most was that familiar squeezing in her chest, the one she hadn't felt in a long time, thanks to Koga. His hurt expression hurt her, but she didn't know if it was because she felt guilty, or if just being around him hurt. She took a step forward, wanting to apologize...explain...have things go back to the way they used to be. But what was that? She'd remembered how cold and awkward he'd been when she saw him at her house...and she certainly didn't want the on-off, one-sided relationship again...did she? But things were different now. She just wanted them to get along...for the resentment reserved for her she was seeing in his eyes to go away...

"Kagome?" Shippo began tentatively, tugging on her pant leg and thus interrupting her pensive thoughts, "Do you...did you bring any...snacks?"

Kagome's tense face broke into a smile as she burst into a giggle. Shippo's serious expression was just too adorable for words. She knelt down and gave him a hug. "Well, I think my backpack is getting a little bare, but let's see what we've got, hm?"

Koga watched Kagome carry the little fox demon over to her pack. He'd noticed how her mood had changed as she spoke to InuYasha, though he was praying he had imagined it. She wasn't acting angry and annoyed with him anymore, her look, both of their looks just screamed how they were calling out for each other. He knew it. She still had feelings for him. Seeing mutt-face and all her friends again was gonna be an eye-opener, and pretty soon he was going to be pushed aside. He clenched his fist to keep his expression steady.

Shippo clapped his hands in glee as Kagome dug through her over-sized bag and presented him with a small pack of candy. She was grateful for the distraction. It kept her from being confused by other things. She glanced at InuYasha, whose back was to them, acting once again very interested in the hole the demon had left in the ground. Miroku walked over and joined him, and the two began to talk, their voices so low that she couldn't make them out from where she was.

He seemed so...upset. Last time she saw him, the emotion didn't shine through, all she'd seen was his usual snarkiness, his indifference. But this time, it was like a veil had fallen away, and she could see everything he was feeling with one glance into his eyes. And what she'd seen was...then she realized with a start she hadn't even given him a proper greeting, like she had everyone else. Was that why he was sulking? Well, she could just go give him a hug...she felt her heart squeeze again at the thought. The feeling confused her. She did want to hug him...and yet she didn't. Besides, InuYasha wasn't really a hugger, anyways, was he? The last time she'd hugged him...he'd clearly been uncomfortable with it. This time, he would probably just recoil and act all high and mighty. The thought sobered her. She pursed her lips. Why did he have to be such a jack ass anyways?

Then without thinking about it she glanced at Koga, who was standing there, every muscle in his body seeming rather tense. She wondered if something was amiss...no, surely he would have said something, or InuYasha would have...she rose to her feet and walked over to him, gently touching his elbow. "Koga?" she asked softly.

He jumped at her touch, his eyes widening slightly. She looked concerned. "What is it?" he asked simply.

She stifled a laugh, her heart doing a happy little skip as he locked eyes with her. "I was just going to ask you that. Is something wrong?"

Koga just continued to stare at her, knowing he couldn't voice what he was feeling, especially if it was just paranoia on his part. No, even if she decided she didn't want to be with him anymore...he would be strong. He would not break down in front of her. "No, I was just thinking, you probably want some alone time with–with your friends. Y'know, to catch up. Um–I'm–I'm just gonna go for a bit."

"Wha–go? Go where?" Kagome felt her breath hitch and quickly shook her head, not liking the look on his face or his tone one bit. How could his entire demeanor have changed from just a few minutes ago?

Kagome reached for Koga's hand to stop him, but he balled it into a fist and moved it out of her grasp. He took a big step away from her. "I'm just gonna–gonna check out the area really quick. See if I can catch any scents, any clues..." He saw the hurt and confused expression on her face, but he tried to ignore it. Besides, it was only a matter of time now, right? "I'll be back soon." He turned on his heel quickly and left the clearing.

"Koga-" Kagome called after him in dismay. Her heart twisted, and tears pricked at her eyes when she thought of how coolly he had just treated her. What was wrong? What had she done? Sulked about InuYasha, that's what. Her inner voice deduced. Kagome gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. Oh, no! Did Koga think...? And she had been staring at InuYasha, her heart wrenching when she looked at him...

Sango, who had been talking to her brother, approached Kagome, sensing that her friend was upset. "Kagome? What happened, where did Koga go?"

Kagome shook her head, trying to ignore how hot her face had become. She had an awful feeling she was going to start crying. Clearing her throat and trying not to sound off, she finally said, "Um, he said he was gonna check out the area. Y'know, for clues."

Sango nodded, not wanting to press. Unfortunately, InuYasha picked that precise moment to stomp over and say, "Hey, where's that mangy wolf? Oh, lemme guess, he's grown tired of his 'kidnap the princess act' and is now gone with the wind? That is so like him, taking off and leaving us to sort through his mess."

That did it. Kagome whirled on him, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Shut up, InuYasha! Just shut up!" She found herself screeching, before turning and running out of the clearing.

Sango exchanged a glance with Miroku, her face heavy with concern. Miroku nodded. "You go, I'll keep InuYasha here." Sango squeezed his hand gratefully, then turned and ran after her friend.

InuYasha was shocked at her outburst, staring after her retreating figure. Then he quickly covered his concern with a grunt. "Women."

Kagome knelt to the ground, letting the frustrated tears and sobs out. She knew she was overreacting, but she was just so...so...confused and angry and...it was all bottled up...

"Kagome?"

She turned and saw Sango approaching her tentatively, the demon slayer's eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Are you all right? Do–do you want to talk about it?" Sango asked carefully as she reached her friend, kneeling down beside her.

Kagome nodded, throwing her arms around her friend. That was just what she needed right now. Maybe then she'd stop feeling so confused.

Koga ran, his legs pumping faster and faster beneath him. After "surveying" the area–and finding absolutely nothing other than a faint scent of the demon, he started to run, finding his thoughts made him too agitated to stay still. He was technically running in circles, since he did not want to stray too far from Kagome...he didn't want to leave her at all, but he just felt like he didn't belong there. Not when Kagome clearly was thinking about InuYasha...

But was she? Koga's pace slowed until he was standing in the forest. After all, she didn't even acknowledge the half-demon at first...she seemed too concerned with Koga and his injury...but then...Koga felt his heart sink. Then when they were talking about the jewel shards, something changed. He knew it did. He could tell by her expression, the way they were looking at each other...Last time, when she'd run into him in her era, she'd seemed so sad, so heartbroken...but that didn't seem to be what she was feeling now. No, it seemed to be longing. Longing for what could have been...? No. He would not let Kagome fall into InuYasha's trap again, not when he knew damn well that InuYasha had no intention of treating her right. But then again, he couldn't exactly force her...there really was nothing he could do that he wasn't already doing. He put his hands to his head, grabbing chunks of his hair in frustration. Argh!

He decided to run another few laps.

"I see..." Sango said thoughtfully, pursing her lips as she thought about all that Kagome had told her.

Now sitting beside Sango on a log, Kagome, whose tears had finally dried, stared down at her hands, which she was wringing. "It just...I'm so confused...I didn't think seeing him again would be so hard...and then, Koga, I didn't want to hurt him. I think he thinks–I think he still thinks that I want to be with InuYasha instead of him."

Sango put her hand to her shoulder. "Do you?" she asked gently. Seeing Kagome's shocked expression, Sango continued, "I won't judge you, Kagome. I know you think you've already made this decision, but the circumstances were different. I think you need to search your heart, right here and now, in this moment, and answer yourself honestly."

Kagome nodded slowly, sighing heavily and closing her eyes. When she thought about it, really thought about what it was like to see InuYasha again...what was it like? She'd hoped that after the incident in her era that she'd never feel...anything about him again. She certainly hadn't thought about him much since she'd made the decision to be with Koga, not like she had before all that happened. Now, she was happy to see him...shocked that he was there...it felt surreal...but...she hadn't even thought about him again for a long while...her thoughts were centered on Koga, whether or not he was comfortable, whether or not InuYasha was attacking him, whether or not his injury was serious. She knew the answer to Sango's question; she didn't even have to think that hard about it. "No. I don't want to try again with InuYasha. I don't want that complicated relationship anymore, or ever again. I know that all it did was cause me heartache, and...and honestly...that's not what I want in a relationship." She sighed and blew a stray bang out of her eye. "But..."

Sango nodded, prodding her gently. "But...?"

Kagome shook her head. "I'm so confused! When I was looking at InuYasha just now, my heart...it sort of felt like it did all those months ago, almost like no time had passed at all...but when I look at Koga..."

"Does it feel different?" Sango asked, tilting her head to the side as she pondered it.

Kagome closed her eyes, imagining all the times in the past few weeks Koga had kissed her, held her hand, smiled at her, even just looked at her. Butterflies began to dance in her stomach at the mere thought of those moments, and her heart sped up giddily. A small smile crept upon her lips.

Sango watched her friend carefully, and she knew the answer already, even if Kagome herself didn't.

"Yeah..." Kagome said slowly, still smiling softly. "It's very different. When I think about Koga, I feel nothing but happy, and excited, and calm...well, except for the fact that now he's run off and seems upset and distant." She buried her face in her hands. "Argh! I am such an idiot! I've ruined everything..."

Sango shook her shoulders slightly. "No, no, Kagome! You haven't ruined anything! Koga loves you, and from the sounds of it, you feel the same way."

Kagome blushed, but she didn't deny it. She knew then that Sango was right.

"But you cared about InuYasha for so long...and it's been awhile since you saw each other...feelings like that just don't disappear." Sango reasoned.

Kagome nodded slowly, recalling the way her chest felt like it was being squeezed when she looked at InuYasha now. That wasn't happiness, or affection, or even regret over a love lost...it was something else. Then she realized what it was, and why she had felt it around InuYasha, but not Koga, many, many times before.

It was pain.

When she voiced this aloud to Sango, her friend nodded. "Yes, that makes a lot of sense. After all, your relationship with InuYasha was complicated. Even though we all know he has feelings for you, Kagome, he refuses to let himself express them. And then there's everything that happened with Kikyo, all the heartache he caused you...that's bound to linger for awhile. Even though you don't want him back, and even though you do still care about him, the fact is that he's been a hurtful person to you. That left scars."

Kagome nodded, her eyes widening. Because Sango hit the nail on the head. That was exactly how it felt when she looked at InuYasha. Last time she saw him, she wanted him to hold her in his arms, to prove to herself that he still loved her, and she hadn't been chasing after a fantasy all those months. When he'd been so stand-offish, and then so cruel in his attitude regarding Ginta's health, it had given her a heavy dose of reality. But she still had, in the back of her mind, wished that he hadn't acted that way. She'd wished, with a tiny part of her heart that refused to let go of him, that he'd stepped up, done the right thing. Because a part of her was still in love with him.

But now, when Kagome looked at him, she knew that it only hurt because he had hurt her, not because she had chosen someone else and was now regretting it. She no longer had romantic feelings for InuYasha. Now, her feelings for InuYasha and her feelings for Koga were as different as night and day. Seeing the half-demon again proved it. "That's exactly it, Sango! Oh, thank you!" She reached over and pulled her friend into a tight hug. Oh, how she had missed talking with her best friend.

Sango giggled and returned the hug. When she pulled back, she said, "I'm really glad you and Koga are together. I can tell he makes you happy. And I can see the influence you've had on him. The way he apologized to Kohaku, and made Kohaku finally feel like it's all right to forgive himself...it was amazing."

Kagome smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it was," she agreed softly. Then she felt a pang. She hoped Koga came back soon. She needed to explain...then she rose to her feet. "I need to go find him. I hope he's still here."

Sango stood up, too. "That's a good idea. Can you figure out where he is by sensing the shards? I'm sure he hasn't gone far."

Kagome bit her lip and nodded. She had so distracted with her raging emotions that she'd momentarily forgotten about her shard detecting abilities. She'd be able to find him quickly that way. "Thanks, Sango. See you in a bit?"

Sango smiled. "Of course. We'll be here. It's getting late–we may even want to set up camp here."

Kagome sighed. "I don't want to leave you guys again...but, Koga..."

Sango put a hand on Kagome's arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry. We won't be separated again." The demon slayer's eyes shone fiercely. "I'll make sure of it. We'll work something out. But don't worry about that now. You take your time and talk to Koga, all right?"

Kagome smiled gratefully at her friend.

Koga had finally stopped running, slumping dejectedly against a tree trunk. This was stupid. They needed to be focused on finding Naraku, on finding that demon. But...but who was "we"–? Was it still just him and Kagome, or...?

"There you are."

The Wolf Demon jumped at the voice. He honestly didn't expect her to tear herself away from her friends this soon...but wait, just how long had it been? Seeing the look on her face, her eyes shining bright, her worried brow, her lips slightly parted...he wanted to ask what was wrong, to pull her into his arms. But instead he balled his hands at his sides. He wouldn't do that. Not yet, anyways. He dropped his gaze. "Hey."

Kagome swallowed hard. She was so nervous, she was wringing her hands. Why was he not looking her in the eye? Why was he so tense? Did she really screw things up between them so badly? "Koga, I want to explain."

"There's no need, Kagome."

"Listen, I know you're upset-"

"No, really, it's fine. You saw InuYasha, and this time-"

"Stop–will you just look at me?" Kagome begged, angry at herself that tears were pricking at her eyes yet again. "Stop jumping to conclusions!"

At that he dared to look her in the eye. Did that mean...?

"I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just seeing InuYasha...it, well, it brought up a lot of feelings. Not the kind you're thinking!" She protested when she saw him open his mouth. "It just–it hurt. I was hoping that I was over it by now, but I guess it's still gonna cause a reaction in me. He's hurt me so much in the past that I guess it's still kind of painful to look at him, it reminds me of all the stuff he put me through." she wrapped her arms tightly around herself, her voice quavering with nerves. "I was hoping, if we ever ran into each other again, it would be easier. That we could just get past it all, and be friends." She sighed. "But on top of it all he seems to resent me for going with you, for being with you, so I can't even seem to be friends with him. So when I saw him again...it was hard to figure out how to react...I didn't mean to put you through that."

Koga felt a lot better at her words, but he still wasn't convinced, he'd heard it all before...he had to be sure. "Are you sure that you wouldn't rather it be him than me?" he mumbled quietly, unable to mask the pain in his voice. "Are you sure I'm–I'm not just...a substitute for what you can't have?" He couldn't believe that he'd said that, and judging by the look on her face, she apparently couldn't either.

"H-how could you think that?" she whispered harshly, taking several quick steps away from him, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"N-no, Kagome, I'm sorry, I-" Koga began, taking a step towards her, trying to make it right, but he was at a loss for words.

Kagome wrapped her arms tightly around herself, still backing away from him. "I'm not like that...you should know that by now. I'd never go back to InuYasha. I never loved him n-nearly as much as I love you..." she turned on her heel after her confession, and started to run.

But she only got one step in before his hand shot out and wrapped around her elbow, stopping her in her tracks. Turning her gently around to face him, he peered down into her face, still dumbfounded at what he'd just heard–or thought he had heard. "Y-you...you love me?" He asked breathlessly, not daring to believe it.

Feeling embarrassed at her outburst, and also by her tears, she nodded, staring into his deep blue eyes. Seeing how tense he was waiting for her answer she felt herself laugh, more tears spilling down her cheeks. She knew she must look awful. "Yes, you idiot."

Koga couldn't suppress the grin that burst across his features, unable to hold back his elation as he quickly pulled her close to him and kissed her. Kagome let out a small gasp of surprise, still a bit in crying mode, and brought one hand up behind his neck, standing on her tip toes as she closed the distance between them, resting her other hand on his chest.

She pulled away after a moment and wiped furiously at her eyes with her sleeve, trying to stop the tears. "Sorry," she said with an embarrassed laugh.

Koga laughed as well, his arms still tightly around her. He freed one hand to try to straighten out her hair, which was getting stuck to her face from the tears. Stroking her cheek, he grinned and kissed her again.

Kagome locked her arms around his neck, very pleased by his reaction. She'd been embarrassed to finally admit her feelings, especially when he'd seemed so distant, but it had been worth it.

It would be quite awhile before they re-joined the rest of the group at the campsite.

To be continued...