You know the saying guys. All good things must end. Sorry to say this will be the last and final chapter of this little story baby! But, not to fear I am working on several new plot lines for new material as we speak.
So feel free to fill the void after this completion with some new stories!

Note For Review's :

Guest - Thank you?

Wolflover235 - The snail finally slugs across the finish line for the update! Enjoy.

OptimusPrimegirl213 - Will do! Enjoy the update!

AmorFatiAhMi - So true. I really wanted to portray Ayame the way I always saw her in the series. A big feat considering I don't particularly like her lol. But I'm glad I did her character justice. As for Kouga and the elder, I just really wanted it to come across as respectable. Despite their differences they are both leaders and have to bite their tongues sometimes in face of conflict. I love the tenses of the situation really glad you did too! Thanks so much for a great review, and I really hope you enjoy the update!

Bertabee - Thank you my friend.

The Calling - As always…sorry. :D

Bluedragongirlhv - You know it actually was kind of like that lol. As for Kagome vs. Ayame I don't see that happening quite yet. But if it did all money would be on Kagome!

Sheyna - Thank you so much for an incredible and encouraging review! Its nice to know someone appreciates my slow pace self lol.

Kouga's Older Woman - We all do!

Yaoi4adollar - Don't we all! Enjoy!

Thebeastinsideusall - Depends. Do you have more Taco bell?

Inufan - Thank so much. Enjoy the update!

Guest - Updated!

Animepnk88 - Whenever you feel the need for them my friend. Whenever you feel the need. Enjoy the update!

Krazyomi - Now that would be a twist! I like the idea of a tie talk about catering to both sides. We will have to see. Thanks so much for the review!

The calling - Thanks so much! Enjoy!

Guest - Thanks so much for the detailed reviews! They really mean a lot ! I hope you enjoy the update and continue to leave me such encouraging feedback!

Mirage - Why thank you so much! You're reviews are really appreciated! They are really what encourage me to pick myself back up and write! I always get off a track a time or two and its reviews like yours that bring me back!

Chapter Nineteen

Choice

When the words began to fade into shameful and tear stained silence, that. That, is when the rage began to grow in biblical proportions in the eyes of the half demon who had absorbed them all.

His world was virtually a blur at this point. All he could see, all he could feel was red. Fury and hatred like he had never felt before pumped through his veins like a toxin. It clouded his senses and made his body tremble with the inability to contain such sheer unbelievable rage searing beneath the surface.

He had never felt true anger, true betrayal until the horrid truth had spilled forth from Kagome's quivering lips.

The reasoning behind her distant behavior, the gut wrenching events that had occurred in his absence while in the north.

Each truthful assault battering his mind and heart like no weapon had ever had the privilege to compare. He had watched the woman he loved, the woman he had one day hoped to call his own in every sense of the word. Rip his very heart from his chest and tear it apart before his very eyes with her confession.

Shoving the crippling agony of her sorrowful face away his feet hammered the ground in an unrelenting assault. His drive coursing through his entire being with only one purpose giving him the will to endure this sprinting barrage.

He wanted blood. And by all gods above and below. He would have it!

He would make that god damn animal responsible for this atrocity bleed! He would tear him apart bit by worthless bit! He would rip his skin from his flesh and then his flesh from his miserable back stabbing bones!

He wouldn't rest until he made that carnal fantasy a reality! Even if it took his very last breath to do it, he would see it through to the savage end!

Kouga, would never draw breath in this world, in Kagome's world, again!

"Don't drop your shoulder!" Kouga growled delivering a hard knee to his ill-equipped comrade sending him crumbling into the dry dirt of the training field.

Watching as the unknown wolf demons posture crumbled, Kouga with an agitated sigh turned from the obviously spent mound.

The next few days were going to be long indeed. It had been far to long since he had tested the stamina and endurance of his men's strength and agility. A mistake he aimed to see corrected by the next changing of the moon.

Tirelessly he had devoted himself to this. The hard dry arena carved just below the mountain peaks. An arena dedicated to the training and hard development of his under lengths.

Even now the football sized stadium swarmed with the masses of his tribe. Numbering in the hundreds each one sparring and aiming to appease their relentless leader who demanded nothing less of perfection from his tribesmen.

After the departure of Ayame and her kin back to the north. He had done nothing else but this, tirelessly assert his dominance over the slightly unstable mountain his once mate had left in her wake.

Northerners who had settled into these lands as their home had been uprooted family aside, while the very same was no doubt happening in the north with the desolation of the treaty.

It had come at a heavy cost to absolve himself of Ayame and his mateship. And all he could do now was weed out those who were still loyal to him despite his clear violation of a sacred pact and groom them to be that much stronger.

Besides, having this distraction kept his mind far removed from the absent priestess that even now he longed for more than his next breath.

"Next!" Kouga commanded waving the only now recovering wolf demon off to the next available sparing partner.

A slightly more motivated wolf stepped forward wielding a shield and spear in hand. Kouga eyed the confidence of his stance with an arched brow.

Taking a swig of water from the pouch that rested at his feet before bothering to speak to the eager opponent.

"Good form. Now attack!" He ordered and the wolf complied thrusting the pointed blade towards Kouga's armored chest.

Easily Kouga jilted to the side letting the spear strike past his shoulder, his bronze skin feeling the wind from the harshness of the assault before delivering a hard kick to the pole like structure.

The end jerking free from the nameless wolf demons hands before striking him in the jaw, a fresh spurt of blood escaping his now bitten into tongue as he stumbled back blinded by pain.

"You leave yourself to open when you strike. Why carry a shield if you don't know how to use it?" Kouga growled brushing past the hunched over demon carelessly.

"You need more practice. Next!" Kouga ordered dismissing the slightly wounded demon from his side.

As it had been for the last several hours a new contender stepped up eager to attempt and prove himself in the eyes of his leader. But before he could truly even analyze his newest opponent the very ground seemed to quake with the earth shattering thundering of a booming voice.

"You!"

Every single soul stilled on the dry ground of the arena all turning towards the direction the horrid sound had carried, Kouga counted amongst them.

Framed on the rim of the descending slope leading into the arena a crimson dressed figure stood, broad shoulder and absolutely trembling with the need for vengeance!

It took a mere moment for Kouga's inhuman eyes to adjust to the harden form standing over them all with the blinding sun at the assailants back.

But all it took was a wafting breeze to bring the unmistakable scent of spice and lower breeding, added with the almost feline like glow of sharp amber eyes searing down towards him and him alone. For it all to become alarmingly clear.

"Oh no." Were the only two words that escaped Kouga's now ceased breath.

That was all it took the break down the sliver of resolve Inuyasha had managed to keep in tack until this point. Seeing the source of his misery and heartache staring at him so shocked and obviously unprepared sent his madness spiraling to an entirely new level of total carnage!

Bursting forward in a height of speed Kouga honestly didn't think the half demon capable of until this point, he barreled through his men like a bullet. His molten eyes fixated on him like a ravenous dog staring at a wounded prey!

Kouga was to shocked at the half demons arrival to react before it was too late!

Inuyasha's fist slammed into the side of Kouga's face with such bone crushing ferocity he was certain his world collided into solid black from the sheer impact!

Kouga felt his body fly weightlessly for what felt like an eternity before finally his back made hard impact with the dry earth! The weight of his skid raking up a line and gorging the earth deeply where he fell and eventually slid to a stop.

Kouga lifted from the sand like ground coating his back with a hard gasp for air, feeling his mouth flood with hot fresh blood as he coughed out a single fang.

Spitting the crimson taste away he climbed to his feet, the lasting throb of pain radiating against his cheek where no doubt several bones had just been shattered.

Glaring ahead to the waiting half demon who hadn't moved from the very spot he had punched the living hell out of the recovering wolf demon. Kouga adjusted his stance solemnly.

"So. I take it you know?" Kouga asked sternly dusting the rubble that had collected on his fur armor shoulder pads off roughly.

"You unbelievable bastard! I'll kill you!" Inuyasha vowed lunging forward his clawed fingers wrapping around the hilt of the tetsusaiga in mid sprint!

Instantly the rusted blade transformed into its massive gleaming state as he unsheathed it! The enormous sword swinging towards the slightly stunned wolf demons head with intent to slaughter!

Kouga reacted quickly ducking under the blade with inhuman speed before leaping backwards desperate to get out of range from such a devastating weapon.

All the while realizing this really was the goal of what the half demon had come to carry out. He really was trying to annihilate him!

Kouga had barely managed to touch the ground before Inuyasha was planting himself mere feet away swinging the demonic blade with malicious intent!

"Wind Scar!" He roared and instantly row upon row of devastating pure demonic energy sprang from the sword all aimed in his direction!

Bolting to the side Kouga narrowly escaped the devastating attack, sensing the killing intent spewing from the half demon several yards away like never before. Knowing that this fight wasn't just a temper flare or with held feeling gone wrong. He truly wanted him dead!

Unfortunately though several of his comrades didn't share his heighten reflexes. The blow from the tetsusaiga massive assault sending them flying from the aftershock, their now battered bodies making heavy impact with the unforgiving ground below as they whaled out in pain!

Kouga turned to the unprepared bystanders of the crowd in fear. There were just to many of them! He couldn't fend off Inuyasha while guaranteeing his tribesmen safety. He had to get the hell away from them all otherwise the insane half breed was going to take them all down right along side him!

Not daring to second guess his decision Kouga spun before sprinting in the opposite direction of the rampaging half demon his bare feet hammering the ground like never before as he desperately tired to distance himself from the rest of the tribe!

"Stand and fight you coward!" Inuyasha roared in hot pursuit of the apparently retreating wolf demon!

The amber eyed dog was stepping in his shadow before Kouga knew it, the gleaming and deadly edge of his sword falling silently behind him as Inuyasha made a clear attempt to severe Kouga's head from his very shoulders!

In mid sprint Kouga ducked down feeling the wind of the devastating sword swoosh mere inches above his head! The blade even getting so close as to cut clean through several strands of his raven hair!

Taking full advantage of his narrowly gained achievement Kouga thrust his fist up slamming his balled knuckles into the half demons wrist.

Roaring out from the impact the tetsusaiga's handle went flying from his clawed fingers into the fading sun light sky.

Not daring to stop there seeing this as his only chance to break away from the enraged half demon Kouga delivered a hard unforgiving punch to Inuyasha's face sending him skidding backwards.

His hard feet digging into the dry earth of the now less inhabited part of the training arena as he finally slid to a hard stop. His fierce amber eyes never leaving the target even with the cloud of dry earth now erupted before him.

Kouga took a steadying step back to brace himself for what might come next. His breath heavy and his heart beginning to pound in his ears from avoiding the half demons attacks.

"Are you done!?" Kouga shouted. He knew full well there was no rational conversation to be had here, especially with Inuyasha being as blood thirsty as he clearly was. But he didn't want to turn the mountain into a war zone.

Killing the half demon would do no good and honestly as tempting as the enticement of wringing the life from his half breed neck sounded. He wasn't willing to do it.

Kagome cared for the dog too much. If he did succeed in killing him, it would only serve to hurt her in the end.

"Not even close!" Inuyasha swore stabbing his very claws into his palm coating his dagger like nails in his crimson essence before thrusting his hand forth in a new an unexpected attack!

"Blades of blood!" He seethed dozen of ruby red sharpen demonic energy blades springing from his fingertips to fly directly towards Kouga's unsuspecting form.

Crossing his arms over his chest and face in a last ditch effort to protect himself Kouga braced for the damage the half demon produce, and it came all to quickly.

Instantly the blades ripped into his arms and unguarded legs fresh blood spewing from his torn flesh as he was shoved backwards from the assault. Digging his heels in only serving to slow his descend but the earth beneath his feet beginning to give out roughly with the length of the attack.

Then finally the barrage ended and angrily Kouga tore his arms from their defensive posture, instantly assessing the damage the half demon has caused.

He was bleeding heavily, the unmistakable feeling of hot blood running down the length of his legs and forearms and the sickening metallic scent filling his nostrils with its thick aroma.

Kouga glared towards the uncaring half demon no emotion of joy or any sign of excitement of his slight achievement to finally draw much wanted blood.

He just stood their, fuming and practically convulsing with utter rage.

Kouga's breath was short and his eyes were slits of fury of his own. He didn't want to kill the mutt but what choice did he have when he was so clearly set on vengeance?

He wouldn't stand here and let the dog hack away at him until there was nothing left. He had to defend himself!

Still conflicted with his limited options Inuyasha made up the torn wolf demons mind for him as he once again lunged!

Their bodies collided like two stone boulders making brutal impact the unforgettable sound ringing throughout the mountain side as a vicious cycle of barraging fist and claws began to fly!

Kouga could feel his skin being torn, his muscles being ripped and his bones undoubtedly begin to break from the full force of the half demons assault and all though he tried to ward of the attacks they seemed endless! He couldn't defend himself when he was to busy worrying about whether or not he was going to kill the half demon in the process!

His clear reluctance was felt and quickly taken advantage of as Inuyasha swiped his claws towards Kouga's throat narrowly missing as he tired to duck down to avoid the attack. Only providing Inuyasha with the perfect exposure of his bronze face!

Kouga growled loudly at the feeling of Inuyasha's claws ripping into the side of his cheek goring up lines of cut flesh as it did so until finally he found the chance to shove away!

Kouga skid backwards fresh hot blood oozing from his now shredded right side, the thick liquid running from the gaping wound down his jaw and neck to trickle onto the cracked ground.

Kouga harshly brushed the back of his hand across the stinging wound smearing his fresh blood as he did so, his eyes never leaving the half demon who now stood before him with blood soaked hands.

That was it. What little reservation he had managed to hold onto until this point was completely shattered! If that god damn half breed was so intent on killing him he damn sure wasn't going to stand here and make it easy for him!

"Alright mutt! You want a fight!?" Kouga growled as Inuyasha once again flew at him with claws gleaming and hate filled eyes fixed!

Kouga instantly caught the half demons wrist in his hands before thrusting his head forward making direct contact between Inuyasha's face and his skull!

The breaking sound of bone beneath the surface ringing out as Inuyasha yelped out from the unknown assault!

"You're gonna get one!" Kouga vowed before lunging at the half demon again, this time with no intent what so ever of holding back.

There were plenty of emotions he felt at this point, dozens if not hundreds, but the one feeling out weighed all others, the one that didn't even think to cross his mind from this brutal point on.

Was mercy.

The wind swarmed in Kagome's ears as she flew through the heighten altitude of the rugged cliff side terrain at alarming speed. Her slender hands fisted in Kilala's blonde fur as the fire cat flew hard through the resistant air.

Kagome's heart pounded in her chest with such ferocity it was the only rivaling sound that she could bring herself to focus upon at such a terrifying time!

Inuyasha had an enormous huge start on her from leaving the village! After she had finally come clean to him, revealing every single detail of the events that had transpired while the half demon had been away. He had completely shifted from unknowing and slightly distrusting to raging in absolute malice as the depth of her betrayal finally came flooding to the surface!

He hadn't spoken a word to her, not a single one even after she begged him to give her any kind of reaction besides his utter no doubt fury filled silence.

But he hadn't, instead he had only brushed past her callously no goodbyes no explanations just began trudging forward in some sort of demonic trance.

She had gripped hold onto his crimson sleeve, begged him to say. To speak with her about what she had done to give her any sign that he knew and possibly understood her deception.

But the moment he had attempted to make him stay, he spun to face her. His eyes scorching with so much absolute hatred it had literally frozen her in fear.

He looked like a monster, a monster she had seen before but only when he was in his more demonic state of mind. His eyes were amber, but on the inside past their honey colored hue should could sense the killing intent. The unbelievable rage.

She had been to stunned to react from that point. She only stood there paralyzed on the hillside watching as Inuyasha faded away into the darkness of the forest.

She had only brought herself back to reality with the feeling of Kilala's miniature state brushing against her ankle in concern for her unmoving comrade. It had been the wake up she needed to follow the half demon in hot pursuit, knowing full well where he intended to go.

She only hoped, no. Prayed, she would make it in time!

Blood soaked the training arena and not in its usual incidental matter from a careless spear or arrow being released. This carnage was purposeful and brutal to its very core.

Kouga felt the stickiness of his own blood soak the right side of his face and long column of his neck. The feeling continuing from countless other places amongst his tattered body.

His bloodied knuckles dripping the most at this point from the vicious assault he had unleashed on the equally as drained half demon eyeing him from the small distance that separated the two of them.

Kouga braced uneasily on his inward turning legs, he had lost far to much blood and his weaken state was showing through. His vision blurring and his heart beat beginning to slow despite the rigors battle that still ensued.

Gripping his deeply gouged shoulder he tried to stop the ache that followed from such a deep wound, feeling the hot ooze of more blood coat his already soaked hand with the absence of his now torn and broken armor.

Inuyasha stepped forward on barely standing legs trying with all his might to ignore the radiating pain that followed within his chest as he did so. He was beyond positive several of his ribs were now broken no doubt from Kouga's delivering devastating blows to his abdomen and torso.

His ears ringing with the impact he had equally received to his skull, the thick coating of blood streaming over his eyes and face only to drizzle down to soak his shredded kimono.

"Had enough!?" Kouga warned watching the half demon grip hold of the limp arm that dangled at his side, he was fairly sure he had broken that bone as well. Not that the bastard didn't deserve it!

"Never!" Inuyasha swore but the venomous boast came at a price as he coughed out loudly, fresh blood pooling in his mouth as he desperately spit the bitter taste away.

His internal body organs had suffered far greater damage than he originally thought. Over the countless hours he and Kouga had been beating the living hell out of each other, it was finally beginning to break down.

But he wouldn't let it! Not until he took the arrogant son of a bitch down!

"I swear. I'll end you for this!" Inuyasha vowed ignoring the droplets of blood that escaped his lips as he spoke.

"You're a disgrace!" He spat hatefully taking a weaken step forward in utter determination to sink his fangs and claws into the wolf all over again!

Kouga could hear the roar of the crowd that incased him and the half demon. The mountain spewing with life like never before as hundreds of wolf demons watched their leader fight with everything he had in him.

But Kouga had ordered them to stand down, in no circumstance were they to interfere with he and Inuyasha's carnal battle. If he took the bastard down, it would be on his own strength and no one else's!

But hearing their leader being demeaned so caused them to surge and Kouga feared he might soon lose control of the masses if he didn't end this, and soon.

"Couldn't make it with your own mate? So you had to steal mine!?" Inuyasha seethed between clenched blood stained fangs!

Kouga felt fury fill his already rage focused eyes with disbelief at his arrogant statement.

"Kagome was never yours!" He shot back hatefully. How dare he make a claim on Kagome when he had never so much as touched her! He had absolutely no right to even speak her name and the promise of matehood in the same breath!

"Shut up!" Inuyasha demanded lunging forward despite his tattered state only for Kouga to dodge his sloppy and ill placed attempt to strike!

"I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask for any of this!" Kouga defended angrily punching Inuyasha's already no doubt fragmented skull once more sending the half demon stumbling back blindly.

"If you had been a man and claimed her from the beginning none of this would have ever happened!" Kouga shouted punching the half demon again this time more angrily than ever before!

It was nothing but the truth. If Kagome had been mated he never would have pursued her in the first place! She would have been unattainable! But no, the mutt had been to weak to see what was so clearly right in front of him!

And now both their worlds were crumbling down!

"I said shut up!" Inuyasha roared flying at Kouga wildly unthinking and not focused on anything else but drawing more blood, creating more carnage and brutality!

No words nothing could possibly describe the loathing he felt for such a damn creature! A blue eyed monster who had taken every thing from him! Ripped it all away with his own selfish desire to take what was clearly never his to have!

"Just die!" Kouga seethed delivering a series of kicks and hard unbelievably malicious strikes to the clearly spent half demon wobbling before him!

Blinded by the flurry of attacks Inuyasha was sent flying backwards, skidding into the dirt with one last hard impact to his head sending his entire world flashing black and red with the crimson sky flashing above his incoherent eye sight!

Kouga watched the half demon finally collapsed, and he struggled to keep himself from doing the same. His legs beginning to tremble and his ears ringing with a high pitched sound that just wasn't there.

He didn't have much left. He had to end this now while he still could!

Shoving her way through the massed crowd Kagome pushed like never before knowing full well what held all these demons attentions but finding their piled bodies like a sea of never ending boulders that she tried desperately to escape!

She was lost a drift in the roaring crowd and she knew if she didn't find a way out fast, she would surely drown!

Stumbling forward Kouga eyed the unconscious demon laying out so helplessly mere yards away. He had never hated someone so damn much, yet at the very same time wished he could be him!

Why? Why did Kagome love that sorry sack of nothing over him?! Why did she chose to walk beside him!? Why!?

The setting sun at his back, Kouga's usually so azure eyes were now illuminated with a darken crimson. A blood shot red from the blood stained sky above. Feeling his hatred coarse like the burning pits of the deepest parts of hell!

He had to kill him. He had too. Kagome would never be his otherwise. She would forgive him, he knew she would! He would end this! He hadn't sacrificed so much for it all to end here!

He had to have her…he wouldn't let this...this half breed take her from him!

Nearing Inuyasha's defenseless form Kouga scooped up a rusted blade that had been left behind when the training ground had been deserted. Grabbing the hilt and feeling as the sand and dry earth fell from the jagged sword as he neared the unmoving half demon.

Each step bringing with it a memory from the past.

The day he and Ayame had been separated on the pass. The horrid feeling of winter on his skin, the bitter cold and the warmth he thought long forgotten until he finally woke in Kagome's arms.

The twin human girls that he so often thought about, bringing him flowers and declaring themselves his friend.

Watching Kagome in the icy fields of her village, her beautiful smiling face. The taste of her lips the first time he traced her soft skin in the heated pool of the hot springs.

Feeling the life drain the bandits that had attacked the village when he had Kagome so securely in his lap on the frigid hill side.

That blizzard, that cave…the cave he had taken her. Made love to her like the mate she was destined to be.

His entire world had shifted from that cosmic moment, every long year of his life seemed more empty than the last when only one season had provided him everything he had ever wanted.

Everything he would ever want.

He needed her…he couldn't face this world without her…

And nothing…no one was going to get in his way!

Standing over the half demon pointing the blade down at his exposed and unprotected chest he glared with such malice he thought he might just molt the skin from the mongrels flesh with the heat his eyes exuded!

He hated him! Hated!

The crowd roared each wolf demon cheering more loudly than the next all in praise to eliminate the pathetic half demon. To end his worthless life once and for all!

Watching his reflection in the dented blade he could see monster he had become. The monster he always knew he truly was. His blood red eyes, the burning sky at his back.

This was a hell of his own creating, and he would make sure he ruled it so!

His hands trembling as he made his decision. He would drive this blade through the bastards very heart! He would end it all! It was over!

"Die!" He roared!

The blade driving down hard and merciless!

"No!" A voice shrilled as a raven haired figure dove over Inuyasha's body in a last attempt to shield him from Kouga's murderous action.

Kouga's blade froze no more than an inch from Kagome's back as he stilled in shear terror at the realization of what he had narrowly just done.

"Please…" Kagome cried hot tears steaming from her sealed hazel eyes as she pressed her face to Inuyasha's leaning over him as she cradled the half demon head in her soft lap.

"Please stop this-" She begged her soft hands fisting into Inuyasha's tattered kimono desperately clinging to the half demon as her body trembled.

"K-Kagome," Inuyasha whispered but his amber eyes remaining sealed tight as he tried to fight his way through the blackness that gripped him, but unable to do so.

Kagome stroked the half demons face lovingly, a lone tear rolling from her chin to land on his blood soaked cheek, her touch soft but with so much sorrow behind it as she peered up towards Kouga who stared down at her wide eyed and breathless.

"No more-" She pleaded meeting his azure eyes with so much fear, fear and hurt…

Kouga felt himself return, his true self clawing its way from the blackness that had imprisoned itself behind a wall of hate and deep longing. His entire hold on what little hope he had managed to cling to slip away with the way she held the half demon so protectively before him.

Being face to face with her again, under these circumstance providing him with every answer he would ever need to know who she truly loved more.

And it was clearly not him.

His raven bangs falling over his azure orbs and the blade he held slipping from his dry blood coated fingers to fall at his feet with a light clink.

He knew the weight of this decision, but he couldn't bring himself to see it through to the end. He hated the half demon, hated everything he clearly had and would always have over himself.

But his love for Kagome outweighed that malice.

No matter how much he wished otherwise…he couldn't hurt her…not like this.

"Get him out of here." He whispered.

The arena came to life wolf demons flooding to the priestess side in no way about to deny their leaders command despite the carnage they had just witnessed.

Several scooping up the bloodied pile that was Inuyasha to the fire cats waiting back that now flew to Kagome's side as she also loaded onto the felines back her hands never faltering in their firm grip upon Inuyasha's shoulders.

Kouga watched her go, feeling her hazel eyes upon him all the while as rose into the blacken sky, a lone tear streaming from her hazel orbs to descend to the blood soaked ground below.

It was only when Kouga felt her entirely dissipate did he collapse.

His quivering knees striking the ground hard with the dead weight of his now immobile form, every shred of his strength absolved from his body and mind.

"Kouga!" Ginta shouted fighting his way through the mass crowd to grip tightly onto his arm.

"We got you!" Hakkaku vowed grasping the other as both Kouga right and left hand men fastened his arms on either of their shoulders lifting him back to this feet.

Dragging him back towards the sanctity of the mountain to tend to his bloodied state. But each of them knowing full well even with his wounds attended.

The damage done in battle wasn't what brought this great wolf demon titan to his knees.

"I don't understand mommy. Why cant we see him?" Mi asked while her youthful eyes gleamed in confusion and disappointment.

Sango held her daughters tightly while she eyed Miroku in the far corner of their hut for support. The monk currently having his hands tied with the wriggling of their sun.

The chocolate eyed demon slayer sighed heavily. It appeared she would be on her own when facing this topic.

"Like I told you girls before. Inuyasha is hurt, he needs time to rest so he can get better." Sango replied to her the two matching faces currently peering up towards her.

"But how did he get hurt mommy?" Sa questioned. She and her sister had been asking for days now ever since they had seen Inuyasha come flying back to the village on Kilala's back.

They had never seen him look so beat up before.

No demon had ever been that hard to beat for their silver haired friend. It must have really been some kind of monster to do that to the Inuyasha they knew and loved.

Sango stroked Sa's head lovingly.

"A demon Sa. Like I said." Sango replied lowly. It had been so hard to keep the truth from her children. But it was absolutely for the best.

How could she ever explain to them that the demons they both cared for had savagely tried to kill one another? Kagome was already bearing enough on her shoulders right now. The demon slayer didn't want to add this to the mix of it all.

"Alright girls. I think its time for bed." Miroku interjected sensing the growing anguish in his conflicted wife.

"Ah daddy!" Mi wined matching her sister in perfect harmony as they were both pulled from Sango's lap into the strong arms of their father.

Sango lightly smiled up at her husband for the interference but it did little to distract her from the uncertainty circling their once so peaceful lives.

Sango herself had spent countless hours at her dear friends side since she returned from Kouga's mountain with Inuyasha bloody in her arms. Understandably the priestess was racked with guilt and utter confliction of what to do in this type of situation. And Sango had found herself at a loss as well.

All she could do was listen to her and try and make her understand that the choices Inuyasha had made were just that, his own. It hadn't been her fault that the half demon had charged to the east with intend to slaughter.

Though Kouga was no innocent party himself doing what he had to the half demon. The entire thing was utter chaos. And Kagome was directly in the center of its erupting spew of misery.

The poor thing hadn't even left Inuyasha bed side since returning to the village. Just say by him day and night waiting for him to recover from his heavy wounds.

It had only been a couple of days, but the weight of merely watching the half demon struggle to regain himself from the damage Kouga had left behind. Couldn't have been easy for her.

Sango sighed to herself watching as Miroku began to tuck their children into bed safe and sound. At least in such troubling times, she had this stability to always help her carry on.

She only wished, Kagome could find the same.

Soon.

The sun. Oh how the sun felt good after being confined for so long. Even though it was fading its warm and soft rays were much appreciated in this dark time. But one simple momentarily relief from the darkness that had become her life for the last several days, did little.

Even now Kagome could feel her dread and worry build with every step she took as she crossed the barren hillside just outside the village.

Her hazel orbs absorbing the orange glow that basked her as she sought the silver haired demon that had left her so suddenly and without warning.

It had just been a few moments she had closed her eyes in the depths of Kaede's hut only to awake and find the messed bed the half demon had come to occupy these last few days empty.

It hadn't taken long for her to track his disappearance though. It was clear he wasn't trying to make a getaway but merely distance himself from their home. Or possibly just from her.

But Kagome couldn't let him be. There was too much they needed to discuss to much that hadn't been talked through between them. She feared every second of its coming, but she knew it was long over due.

The fury he had felt towards her had obviously been let loose, her only hope was that he still didn't cling to such absolute rage even after all this time.

Maybe his time healing hadn't just managed to mend his broken body, but his mind as well. At this point all she could really do was hope.

Brining the moment she had dreaded for so long to its peak she watched as Inuyasha drew closer with ever step. His back turned towards her and his amber eyes facing the dying sun before him as he sat upon the hill side.

Kagome paused only momentary to take in his solemn form. His bare torso wrapped in nothing but the bandages she herself had changed, absent his robe of the fire rat besides the matching bottoms.

His silver hair gleaming with the fading light and what was visible of his olive skin doing the same.

Forcibly she took a steadying breath. It was so good to see him conscious but it did little to dull the worry and fear otherwise building up inside her.

Summoning what little courage she could she pressed forward, mentally commanding herself to take one step after the other even though each one she did filled her impossibly more with uncertainty.

Until finally she emerged at his side. Not daring to utter a word as she sat beside him on the lush greenery, deliberate in her attempt to leave a good enough distance of space between them as she did.

Tucking her knees securely to her chest she stared ahead to the burning sun beginning to hide itself on the horizon as the half demon did beside her.

"You should be resting." She whispered worriedly. Happy as she was to see him up and about after these last few days of mending his body, he shouldn't push himself.

He was clearly capable of moving around but his wounds could still re-open themselves if he strained to much.

He didn't speak a word. Didn't give her even a gesture that he had absorbed her advice that stemmed from caring. Instead he only stared ahead with those impossibly honey colored eyes, their roundness and hue illuminating every ray of the warm light turning his orbs into a harden gold.

Kagome tensed at his silence resting her head upon her secured knees as she too surrendered herself to the silence. She wouldn't make him speak to her if he wasn't ready.

What really was there to say between them anyways? She had already begged his forgiveness but he clearly had no intent on believing the sincerity of her words. He had made that clearly enough when he had shoved her aside to attempt and kill Kouga.

Was this his idea then? To punish her with his silence? She wouldn't say she blamed him if that was the case. Despite his brawl at the mountain, she could tell he wasn't just angry. He was hurt, obviously more than she could comprehend at a time like this.

"Why?" Inuyasha whispered.

Kagome felt her eye widen at the sound of the half demons voice. In all honestly she thought she had been so desperate for interaction between the two of them she thought she might have imagined him speaking.

But one look in his direction told her she hadn't.

Though he still stared off not daring to glance her direction, his stand off manner was slightly more lax. Though not by much, still it was enough to tell her he was ready to discuss the things that had built between them.

"I can live with everything else. All the questions, but I cant go on not knowing-" Inuyasha began solidly. Like his words were bricks slowly beginning to structure a bridge between the two of them.

"Why did you do this?" He asked, his eyes finally finding herself for the first time. His amber orbs glowing with clear hurt and confusion. But also, anger. Hard, unrelenting, anger.

"Why did you betray me?" He whispered his gaze shifting only momentarily into something so painful Kagome felt her chest tighten at the mere sight.

She felt her throat dry and her heart begin to pound in her ears. What could she say in response to him? There was no real explanation. It had all been a collective mountain of things that for a long time had built itself between the two of them.

What did he want her to say? To explain?

"I never wanted to hurt you Inuyasha-" Kagome began as truthfully as she could. Her words filled with undying sincerity and pleading. But it obviously did little to sway the still raging half demon at her side.

"Don't lie to me!" He snapped but as soon as she did a hand found his abdomen where his bones were still mending themselves. He snarled in pain as he tried to shove the annoyance aside.

"Please? We can talk later-" Kagome began worriedly a hand reaching out to aid him but he all to quickly swatted it away.

Unlike her he clearly didn't think his wounds were more important than this conversation.

"No. You are going to tell me now! You look me in the eye and tell me why you chose that mongrel over me?! Over what we had?!" Inuyasha demanded hatefully.

"What did we have Inuyasha?! Tell me!" Kagome shouted in response. Her own conflicting emotions beginning to manifest themselves as they always had when she was faced with them all at once.

She was far from perfect no one had to tell her that. But she had taken responsibility for her actions she had hidden away from them once they had come to light. She accepted everything she had done and the consequences that came along side it.

Which is more than Inuyasha had ever done. He might have been the wounded party here, but he was far beyond innocent! He had a part to play in everything that had happened, and she wanted to make damn sure he knew it!

"For years I've bided my time waiting for you to acknowledge me! To accept my feelings for you! But you never did! You just set me aside- like- like I was just something that could be stored away for later!" Kagome snapped angrily.

How many years had she remained faithful at his side? What all had she given up just to be with the half demon? But it never seemed to be enough! All this time, all these years and not a scrap of real affection! It had been a weight she had carried all alone, and inevitably it had changed her. Even if she never really knew how much.

"You acted like my feelings would always be there. No matter how much you neglected me!" Kagome defended her tongue burning with truth.

How long had she held this back? Sworn never to reveal how much his constant denial had truly hurt her?

"What was I suppose to do Inuyasha!?" She asked accusingly. Watching as the half demon absorbed her every bitter word.

"When you left the village. I was devastated. You just let me go!" She shouted hot tears blurring her eyes before beginning to roll down her flushed cheeks.

She had tried with all her might that night. The night before he departed the village to seal their relationship. To consummate the love she had always felt for him. But as always he had set her aside, stored her away like a keep sake that he might one day desire.

That amount of rejection, it had crushed her!

Angry for allowing her real anguish to show through Kagome swiped away her tears before forcing herself to continue. Inuyasha wanted to know why? Why she had done what she had. Then she would gladly tell him.

"I didn't plan on Kouga coming to the village, but it happened. He…he was there when I needed someone. When I really needed someone! You don't know how hard I fought it. How many times I wished it had been you making my feel that way-" Kagome admitted watching as Inuyasha's eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and fury at the mention of the absent wolf demon. The role the blue eyed beast had played in mending the hole the half demons own hands had created.

"I knew what was happening. What I was doing was wrong, but I couldn't stop it." Kagome admitted her mind replaying all the endless hours she had spent trying to distance herself from Kouga. Only for the connection they shared to pull her right back.

"You weren't here! And I needed you! You! And you weren't here!" Kagome shouted accusingly her tears falling even more feverishly no matter how hard she tired to hold them back.

How different their lives might have turned out if he just hadn't left the village. If he had just returned her feelings in the way she had always longed for him too.

But he hadn't, he had left her hurt, dejected and alone.

Inuyasha shook his head tearing his eyes away from Kagome hurtful gaze. He had known all along leaving Kagome had been a mistake. A mistake he would gladly give his life to take back!

But it was deeper than that and spanned long before he ever left for the north. What she said, as painful as it was to hear. It had been the truth.

He should have never made her want like this. The stream of constant rejection he had forced her endure, it hadn't been really clear to him until this moment.

The pain he had inflicted upon her time and time again. Why? Because he had been afraid if he actually opened himself up to her in such an intimate level. He would lose her. What they had.

He didn't want that to slip away. He wanted to keep Kagome and the love they had for one another exactly the way it always had been. But that hesitation, that unwillingness to commit. Had cost him. In the end no matter what he did. He had still lost her.

"I didn't choose Kouga over you. You chose you over me." Kagome whispered staring towards the swaying greenery at her feet. She knew why Inuyasha had reserved himself, why he feared real commitment. But in the end his self-preservation had only served to push her further and further away.

"I couldn't wait…not forever." Kagome whispered a lone tear rolling off her jaw to her priestess attire catching the dying light as it did.

She always thought she could. She really had. She thought no matter how much time went by she would always be there for Inuyasha when he was ready to have her.

But not after Kouga. Not after she had finally felt what it was like to actually have your feelings returned in every sense of the word.

And the idea of going back to that. That unknowing place of doubt it scared her, scared her so badly she knew she would rather be alone all her life than ever live that way again.

"I don't want to feel this way. But I do love Kouga. I cant deny it anymore." Kagome admitted with a defeated shrug of her shoulders, and empty smile on her tear stained lips.

This. This is what it took for her finally to muster the courage to say those words out loud? Almost losing him to another man she also still loved.

Inuyasha stared at her solemnly his eyes filled with deep hurt at her confession. He didn't think anything could hurt this badly, but it did all the same. To have the woman he loved more than life itself admit she cared for another. It was worse than any pain he could recall in all his long years of living.

"I know it hurts to hear it. But it's the truth." Kagome whispered forcing herself to meet Inuyasha's gleaming eyes with remorse.

"And he loves me." She breathed.

Inuyasha had enough! Enough about that god forsaken wolf! What he and Kagome had might have felt like love, but it wasn't what they built together! Years of companionship and loyalty between them! It couldn't be undone this easily! He wouldn't let it!

"I love you!" He declared forcing himself closer to Kagome upon the hill side until his eyes burned down into her own with the intensity of the sun itself.

"Even after all this. I want you." He stated with unshakable sincerity.

Kagome felt her breath hitch in her throat at the feeling of Inuyasha's hand coming to wrap itself around her wrist forcing her closer to him. So close she could feel the heat from his skin radiate its way into her clothing.

"I know leaving was a mistake. If I could take it all back I would! I swear to all the gods! I would do everything over! I would make you mine!" He vowed.

Seeing what he lost, what had been taken from him. No sense of reluctance for his own state had been worth it. Worth losing her like this.

She belonged with him! She had to know that! Had to feel it just as deeply as he still did!

"You know it's the truth. All I thought about when I was in the north was you! What I wanted to give you. We can still have that Kagome. We can still have a future! Don't throw everything we are away god damn it! Don't give up on us!" Inuyasha commanded a strong arm wrapping around Kagome's waist to pull her securely to his chest.

All the while his eyes never faltering in their merciless stare into her hazel orbs. She had to feel this. Despite what she felt for the wolf, she couldn't deny what they had was stronger! He knew, the wolf knew it, and so did she!

They belonged together! They always had!

"Inuyasha-" Kagome whispered her hand finding his as it came up to cup her tears stained cheek in utter devotion.

She could see it. The love, the real undeniable adoration he had for her. It was unlike anything she had ever seen pour from the half demon before. It was so intense, and raw. It made her heart pound in her chest and her breath shallow.

The amount of want radiating its way from him. It was just as intense as all those times Kouga had held her in equal manner. He really did love her…

"Kouga was your first and I cant change that. But, I will be your last. Because you are my mate!" Inuyasha declared as his lips came crashing down onto hers in a bruising kiss!

Kagome felt the passion pour from his lips onto her own. The sheer intensity of it all making her eyes seal closed and her mind flutter away towards the heaven.

Here and now in Inuyasha's arms she could see it. She could feel it. The future the two of them could have. Despite the many mistake both of them had made. It wasn't too late.

They could overcome this. Grow from it and become that much stronger. She could be his mate, give him children and never think about the past again.

She could see it…that life. That nirvana that she had always dreamt of someday having.

Finally when the need for oxygen became to much she tore away her lips breathless and panting as Inuyasha rested his forehead to her own. All the while holding her so tightly to himself she could feel his hard body quake with need.

He needed her, needed to be inside her, here and now he needed to make her his own in every single sense of the word. All she had to do was consent. Allow him to seal the destiny he had postponed for far to long and from this day on. She would never want again.

She would always have him, she would be the most precious part of him.

She just had to say it. Say that she wanted it just as badly as did and it would come true. Everything they had wanted for so long, it would be a reality.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha breathed his arms tightening around her slim waist.

Kagome stared up into that amber eyes with so much confusion and reluctance. She wanted this, wanted him.

But could she really let it all go. How easy it would be to say yes to let her past slip away and remain forever buried in nothing but her memory.

Kouga. To actually be able to let him go.

Everything, every single moment from the months past had led her to this point. To this ultimately cosmic decision. Despite its devastatingly kismet possibilities it took the form of one simple question.

Who did she want?

The world was dark. In far more ways than just the physical lack of lighting, no warmth what so ever able to penetrate itself into the dark void that Kouga called his home.

He sat exhausted and shut away from the remainder of the mountain as he laid staring up at the blacken dome like ceiling. It was so cold in this rock tomb, maybe from the total lack of any illuminating source. Or maybe it was from the total amount of blood loss he was still recovering from.

Either way. It wasn't worth the effort to escape the hole that had become his existence.

It had been this way ever since Kagome had flown from the mountain with Inuyasha safe in her arms. In that earth shattering moment it had never been more clear, who the priestess really loved above all others.

There really had been no competition. It had always been that mutt.

As much of a relief as finally knowing the truth should have been. It couldn't have been more bitter to swallow.

At least when Kagome was undecided he had hope. He had the ability to dream that someday the raven haired beauty would see what had been in front of her all along. That she would at long last take her place beside him.

But in one devastating moment she had thrown all those dream away.

Why couldn't he had just let Inuyasha kill him? It would have been so much easier than laying here wounded and eternally alone. Then again, this was exactly the fate he deserved.

After every selfish deed he had committed against Ayame was this what retribution felt like? To forever have the woman he truly loved be unattainable?

Kouga couldn't help but chuckle at the poetic justice of it all even though the action made his body radiate with lasting pain.

Groaning lowly he placed a calloused hand on his bandaged wrap torso. His wounds would heal soon enough and he would have no choice but to return to the outside pit of his existence.

To the day to day routine of ruling the mountain and try to forever burry what he still felt for the absent priestess somewhere away.

It all seemed to meaningless. Why be the leader of the east any more? Why not just allow some new upcoming demon to overthrow his rule and end his life.

At least in death he wouldn't have to yearn for Kagome the way he did. The hole that was building inside him it was unlike anything he had ever felt before.

With every passing day that Kagome was willingly away from it the blackness only served to grow and become that much more difficult to overcome. And honestly he didn't feel like fighting it anymore. He wanted it to stop…to just fade away into the nothingness he was slowly becoming.

Kouga's azure eyes narrowed at the thought. How could loving someone so damn much reduce him to this? To this shell without the will or want to carry on in life.

If this is all he had to hope for, he couldn't see himself bearing it.

But even in this dejected state, he couldn't help but want. Want to know that Kagome was happy, that she was confidant in her decision to leave him behind for the mutt.

If she was actually truly at peace with herself. Then in some small way, that gave him what he needed to endure the days to come.

Even though he knew with unshakable confidence the amber eyed dog would never love her, not the way she deserved to be.

Kouga closed his weary eyes. He wanted to sleep, but when he did there were only dreams of her. Of the future she had let slip away. With no relief in the realm of reality or in the depths of dreams what escape was there for him?

He was trapped here. Eternally broken from the hole his one true love had left behind.

Breathing deeply he tried to steady the slow ache building in his chest that the mere remembrance of her perfect face brought along side it.

But once he did, something came with it.

So faint it could have easily gone unnoticed. A familiar scent carried itself through the cave, tracing under Kouga's heighten nose and causing his illuminating azure eyes to part open.

Taking another hard intake of breath Kouga tired to assure himself that his isolation in the darken caverns hadn't begun to play with his senses. One more breath and he knew it hadn't.

Forcing himself to sit up instantly pushing past the radiating pain it caused to follow he began to claw his way to his feet.

He felt the tear of his only now partially closed wounds open and the hot flow of blood that followed. Instantly seeping through the bandages x'ed across his chest and legs as he shakily strained to stand up.

Grasping for support he gripped hold of the nearest stone wall taking a weary step as he began to inch his way forward towards the exit that he hadn't hoped to attempt escape for at least several more days.

But this scent…the source it drove him forward like never before.

Weaving through the dark tunnels he limped slowly droplets of his own blood tapping the ground as he did leaving a crimson trail and causing his azure eyes to blur.

Despite the agonizingly slow pace of his constant march he never ceased, not for a moment. Not until finally he felt the harsh burn of the setting sun bask his skin as he was welcomed onto the cliff side.

Losing what little balance he had managed to maintain until this point Kouga collapsed against the rock face the hard stone stabbing into his unprotected shoulder as he leaned desperately for support.

The world around him was spinning even though his bare feet never left the now slowly blood coated ground. Kouga stared down to his torn state behind emotionless eyes.

His body was failing him with the demands of his mind, but even now…he didn't care.

He had to keep going. He had to know if this was real.

And if it wasn't.

He would gladly embrace his demise.

Shoving off the ledge he felt the roar of the cliff heights below bellow upwards with its hot dry air as he stumbled forward weakly.

Each step leaving far more blood in its wake as he trudged ahead. The hot essence beginning to stream down his legs and torso. The red tide no longer be held back by what little protection his drenched bandages had provided.

Kouga tripped clumsily before recovering what little composure he could never once succumbing to the need to collapse to the ground for fear that if he did. He wouldn't have the strength to rise again.

He grasped the rock face roughly as he rounded the bend in the trail ahead feeling the cool stone bite his hand as the scent he had been following so recklessly finally revealed its source.

With the last rays of the blazing sun burning on the horizon the silhouette of what Kouga would have guessed was an angle come to claim his broken self framed the pathway from where he barely stood.

But with one weak blink and intake of breath he watched as the beautiful specter spoke with hazel eyes gleaming with love and tears.

"Kouga-"She whispered.

With the weight of the absolute word falling off his shoulders. He couldn't withstand the absences and his body gave way. Crumbling to his knees, the crippling weight of his decent softened only by Kagome's arms catching his bloodied form half way down.

Her own form falling to the her knees along side him, his head falling into her lap as her arms wrapped protectively around his shoulders and chest. Squeezing him so tightly and with so much adoration her entire body began to quake.

Kouga buried his hot face in the cool fabric of her priestess attire. Breathing in her sweet perfume like scent like never before until it replaced the very air in his lungs.

He breathed so deeply his body beginning to shake with disbelief. He was so afraid, so afraid this was a dream. That he really had died and had fallen into some sort of haunting illusion. If that was the case, he would gladly never wake again.

"I'm sorry." Kagome whispered while hot tears began to seep past her thick lashes.

"I'm so sorry." She vowed stroking his head pleadingly and desperate to actually feel him so close against her.

With what little strength Kouga had he grasped her hand. Holding it there against him, this had to be a dream. Nothing this perfect could possibly be real.

It was just like this…the first time he had fallen against her. When he had lost himself in the blizzard, lost everything he was or should be…only to find her. To collapse into her arms, and begin the cosmic chain of events that led the both of them to this place. To this nirvana.

Despite all the blood, all the pain, and agony the two of them had brought to one another's world. All it took was this...right at this moment to realize. It had all be worth it.

Every single second.

It had led them, here.

To each other.

Thanks for reading guys, see you soon.