Chapter 23

Inuyasha awoke when the first ray of morning sun peeked over the trees. He looked down and noticed Kagome was still asleep, her hair a fluffy mess over her back. A grin forming on his lips, he traced the back of his hand along her spine and kissed her neck. She smiled in her sleep and snuggled closer to him, her soft hand resting on his chest. He decided they had better get moving and licked his mate's face.

As he was about to wake her, he paused when he noticed something that made him cringe; the forest had gone silent. The sounds of the birds and frogs had disappeared; leaving only the sound of the wind blowing through the trees, bringing with it a scent. It smelled of dead human flesh and rotting mud, making him growl and cover his nose. He then picked up the sound of voices, cruel with malice and laughter, coming close to where he and his mate were concealed. He needed to keep Kagome away from other males until her heat cycle was over and he knew other demons would be able to smell her from a mile away.

"Kagome, wake up!" he said in a harsh whisper, shaking her shoulder gently.

She opened her eyes and looked up at his anxious face. "Inuyasha, what … what is it?"

He cupped his hand over her mouth. "Shhh, be quiet, we're in trouble."

She was about to ask him why but she wrinkled her nose and tried to keep herself from vomiting. "What is that smell?"

"Demons, not the nice kind either. Get dressed." He growled and tossed her clothes to her as he finished putting on his fire rat. He stood up and reached for his sword, his eyes scanning the trees for which way the voices were coming from. After Kagome pulled her shirt down and zipped her jeans, she started to string an arrow in her bow, but Inuyasha stopped her. She gave him a puzzled look as he pushed her behind him.

"Do not fight unless you have to. Remember what I told before? Stay behind me and do what I say." He growled menacingly. His voice was cold, but she saw love and protection in his red and blue eyes. He kissed her hard and she traced the purple scars on his cheeks. Feeling his aura dominate hers, she nodded and placed her weapon behind her back.

"Should we hide?" she asked, hiding behind him and placing her hands on his shoulders.

"No point, they can smell a female in heat from miles away." He growled.

She swallowed nervously and watched the bushes a few yards ahead of them shake. Three demons emerged from the leaves, cackling and yelling at one another. Their armor was dirty and in tatters, showing they had been the victors of many fights. One was a boar demon, his tusks dripping with blood and his snout covered in huge gashes. The demon beside him appeared to be some kind of bird, his talons like sharp razors and pieces of flesh hanging from his beak. The last, appearing to be their leader, was a badger demon. His beady yellow eyes locked on Inuyasha and herself, his black nose sniffing the air. Inuyasha hissed and showed his teeth at their visitors.

"What have we here?" he asked, his comrades snickering behind him. "A half dog demon and a bitch in heat."

"What a pretty little thing." The boar demon growled taking a step forward, his eyes locked on Kagome.

"Her smell, it is delectable." The badger replied, licking his lips.

Inuyasha hissed and drew Tetsusaiga, his fangs growing out from between his lips. "Watch what words you choose, vermin. They just might be your last."

"How dare you speak to us that way, you half breed?! You will do well hold your tongue!" the bird demon screeched.

"You are foolish to challenge us, you wretch. For we are Tenmashi, Gobenso and Okamara; The Bandits of Misery!" the boar demon said.

"I could care less who you are. Get lost!" Inuyasha seethed, his body shaking with rage.

"That little vixen should be at the side of a real warrior like me." The badger hissed. "I would bed her every night …" he trailed off, walking slowly toward them.

Inuyasha's shoulders rippled and Tetsusaiga dropped to the ground. His aura pulsed and blood seeped out of his clenched fists. As the badger darted forward, he hissed and slashed it across the snout. The beast faltered, but returned with a blow to Inuyasha's stomach. Not feeling the four long gashes on his torso, the hanyou charged and slit the badger's throat. It gagged and fell the ground, uttering a command to his followers.

"Don't just stand there you fools! Get the female!" he rasped as he leaped to his feet and punched Inuyasha in the face.

Inuyasha growled and lunged, digging his fangs into the badger's throat. The pair cringed as they heard Inuyasha break their leader's neck. As the demon fell the ground dead, his allies fled in to the bushes and back the way they came. As Inuyasha turned to chase them, Kagome hugged him hard and buried her face in his neck.

"Inuyasha, they're gone. Look at me, it's over, I'm alright." She said while licking his blood covered cheek. "I'm okay, you protected me."

Inuyasha nipped at her lip and a low rumble sounded in his chest. He kissed her hard and ran his hands down her sides, letting his scent cover her. Kagome watched as his eyes faded back to gold and his claws shrank. His fangs disappeared but the purple scars on his cheeks remained. She licked his chin, a sign of gratitude and placed her hands on his shoulders. He smiled down at her but stopped when he felt the four bleeding, claw marks on his stomach.

He winced as Kagome placed her hands over the flood of red from his abdomen. "C'mon, let's get to the village so I can wrap your stomach … this wouldn't exactly be the best place to dress a wound." She said, gathering up their belongings.

As she led him down the dirt path to the village, he glanced back at the crumpled body of the demon on the ground and growled. "Bastard … I doubt that's the last we've seen of his comrades. I could sense their fear, but also anger. They'll be back."

She kissed his cheek and nodded. "And when they do we'll be ready."