She held his hand firmly in hers, and slowly they made their way back to the small campsite. It was obvious to her that there was something heavy weighting on his mind. His face held a far-off look as if he were many miles away. She stopped to examine his facial figures as if trying to assess any emotional damage. It was at that moment that Kagome noticed his eyes; they weren't that simmering shade of gold that they should have been. The mysteriously deep orbs seemed darkened with depressing thoughts and clouded in quiet misery.

'Why does he seem so sad all of the sudden-…Kikyou. That's the only logical answer. He is always thinking of her; running off to her; making excuses for her. That's why I didn't tell him. I just couldn't find the strength in my heart to tell him that she tried to kill me, for it would crush him; that would be like me hurting him myself! Every single part of my being loves him. He protects me and has never done anything to seriously hurt me intentionally. I know that he cares for me, but he can never love me like he loves her. It hurts… so much… but I can't be involved. I know this has nothing to do with me. I wish he knew how much I love him though right now it probably wouldn't do anything but make things awkward between us. Though it seems obvious that something is bothering him, he'll never truly open up to me enough so that I may be of any help. I guess all I can do is be a supportive… friend… how depressing. But I know that no matter what I do, she will always be better than me.'

That thought wounded her on the inside. It seemed as if she could actually feel the pain in her chest. She gasped slightly at the quickness of the sharp pain, but then let out a sigh as the worst of it passed. She allowed her muscles to lax a bit and loosened her grab on Inuyasha's hand while at the same time let her hand fall from her chest not even realizing that she had brought it up to feel the nonexistent knife in her heart.

Just before he was able to question her strange- and sudden- change in disposition, she said the one of only two phrases he did not need (or want) to hear.

"I sense two jewel shards, and their coming at us fast."

On reflex, Inuyasha covered Kagome's body with his own allowing her to use him as a shield to protect herself from the debris that was getting thrown around by the increasing wind. The only noise that could be heard above the quickly approaching whirl wind was Inuyasha's growling. 'Here we go again.'

Soon the winds from the unnatural tornado died down and left a wolf demon standing there, looking arrogant as ever with one hand on his hip. Cerulean eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What are you doing so close to my Kagome, mutt face."

It was obviously not a question; it was more of an implied demand: 'Get away from what's mine.'

Suddenly nervous, Kagome turned slightly to look at Inuyasha's face. She had the feeling that this quarrel would not be like their last ones; something was definitely different about them.

She gasped when Inuyasha looked at her, for his eyes flashed red and then back to gold while purple strips started to blaze across each of his cheeks. Even though they were faded, she could still just make them out.

'What happened?! He was perfectly fine just a second ago. Is this because of Kouga? Wait a minute… where's the Tetsiaga?'

She looked around briefly before her attention landed on his hip. There it was. The sword was pulsing as if it had a heartbeat of its very own and so was Inuyasha.

'He has the sword, why- no how is he changing… Are they battling each other?'

That was what it looked like. The sword pulsed, sending out its aura in response to the transformation, and Inuyasha pulsed back pushing the aura away.

Kouga had come to take Kagome away and claim her as his mate; he intended to do just that while Inuyasha seemed out of it. Kouga still hadn't noticed what was going on and –fast as lightening- he was behind them grabbing Kagome by her left arm. Just before she could tell him to let her go, a growl so strong it shock the ground a bit ripped through Inuyasha's chest. It was more like he roared with his mouth closed. Kouga stopped dead at the warning noise and seemed dazed for a second.

Inuyasha promptly whipped out his sword, pulled Kagome toward his own body and slashed through the air near Kouga's head. Kouga barely dodged it; Inuyasha was faster than usual. Inuyasha moved Kagome to the side got ready to fight. Though he was struggling to keep control of his body, he found that he and his demon blood were thinking along the same lines: 'protect Kagome… kill Kouga.'