A/N: Before I forget, DO NOT OWN (sadly). Also, sorry if I misspell some of the more Japanese words- I'm kind of just guessing based on what I've seen in other writers' works; thank you for your patience! If I do misspell something like that, please let me know in a review! :)

This is so exciting! It's only the second chapter, and there are already kind reviewers! I didn't think I'd want to write today, but then I saw the nice reviews and got inspired again! Thank you guys! :) I appreciate it whether you just read or if you review! :) Y'all are great!

Brother Trouble

Chapter 2: Kagome POV

When Souta crashed into me, I was so stunned for awhile that it was like I had tunnel vision, and the only ones I could see or hear were Souta and Kouga. I will never be able to repay Kouga for keeping my brother safe. After I finally pull away, I finally actually listen to the rest of my group who are spluttering in the background.

I turn and see that Miroku is holding Inuyasha back; he probably tried to interrupt. I smile at them, and Sango smiles back. "So, this is your little brother?"

"Yeah, no idea how he got here, but yeah, he's my little brother." I feel Souta take my hand again and hide behind my legs once he notices my other friends. I put my hand on his head while I'm talking and ruffle his hair. "Hey, Souta, this is my friend, Sango. I told you about her, remember?" I feel him nod against me. "Come on out, no one's going to hurt you."

"In-Inuyasha looks pretty mad, 'Gome." He says shakily.

"I will s-i-t him until he's blue in the face if he tries to hurt you, my Otouto." He giggles and comes to stand next to me but refusing to let go of my hand.

"Hey!" Inuyasha shouts at us, glaring. He stops struggling against Miroku. "Why's Souta here?"

"I-I'm here because I kind of fell in the well when I was seeing if Kagome was there. I tripped.."

"Humph. We don't have time to take care of another little runt. We've already got Shippo!"

I glare at him and am about to speak when Kouga speaks up instead, "He's Kagome's little brother; you'd think you'd be more respectful to her than this. You really are an idiot." I ignore Inuyasha's outraged cries while Kouga turns to me, "If you'd like, I'll stay with you and your group until your able to take him home. Or, if you'd prefer, I can take him to the well for you. Or, I can take him to the caves until you are able to take him home. Whatever you choose, Kagome, I'll do it." He takes my hands in his.

"Err- thanks Kouga, I think I'd like to be the one to take him home, but I don't want him to be here without me for longer than necessary. I think I'd like to have the extra help protecting him, so thank you, I'd love it if you would stay with me to help."

"Yay! I like Kouga, nee-chan!" He runs forward and hugs Kouga, his face buried in his side. He's so small; it pains me that he's here in this dangerous world. I'm really glad that Kouga's here to help. Wait, I am? Huh, I guess I trust Kouga more than I thought I did. Not the time, Kagome!

"No way! No way are we keeping the runt and the wolves with us!"

"SIT, yes, they are going to stay with us until we take my Otouto home where he's safe." I glare heatedly at Inuyasha. I can see he's going to argue as he lifts his face out of the dirt. "Sit, do you really want to argue with me? They're all staying, and that's final."

Inuyasha decides to not fight with me for now, and once the spell wears off, he jumps up in a tree grumpily and is probably pouting. Once we finish setting up camp, Kouga comes up to me with a nervous Souta next to him. Kouga speaks up, "I'd like to continue his training." I snap my full attention to them. "I've been giving him basic fighting training every evening before his bath," at my angry look, he raises his hands, "He's a young boy; he needs to learn to protect himself. What if he falls here again and doesn't manage to be faster than whatever was chasing him next time? He could use every advantage we can give him." I shrink back and nod jerkily before pulling Souta to me in a firm embrace before letting go and looking him in the eye.

"You be alright, and make sure to stop if it's too much, okay? Promise me, Souta."

He looks relieved and is smiling when he says, "Of course! I promise 'Gome, Kouga knows to not push me too hard. He's a good trainer; I think I'm a little better already!" He grins at me.

"Alright, kiddo, but know that if I come home sometime and Mama tells me that you've started fights at school, I will get after you. Understand me?" He deflates a little but nods anyway. I chuckle and ruffle his hair again. "Have fun and be safe."

He looks back up in surprise, "You mean you're not going to come with to watch?"

"No, I trust Kouga to keep you safe." I pause, "Unless... do you want me to watch?"

"No! I'm fine! I-I just thought you'd demand to come, 'Gome."

"Nah, like I said," this time I make eye contact with Kouga from my position of sitting on my log, "I know Kouga will keep you safe. I trust him completely." Kouga breaks eye contact with a flush on his face. I can only guess how much that must mean to him considering how important family is to the both of us. Souta grins, kisses my cheek, takes Kouga's hand, and takes off into the woods with Kouga in tow.

I make a stew from some meat that Ginta had brought to the campsite and set out bowls for everyone. I set Kouga and Souta's to the side for when they get back and go clean the rest of the bowls while they train. By the time I get back from cleaning and drying everything, they are entering camp again. Souta looks exhilarated but exhausted. I pass them both a bowl, and they eat it gratefully. "Hey Sango, want to join me for a bath?"

"Yeah, let's go!" We share a grin as I take my smaller toiletry bag to the springs with us. "So... You're being oddly tolerant of Kouga now. Want to explain?" She asks as we sink into the hot, steamy water.

"Hmmm... Well, he took care of my brother when he didn't have to, even brought him to me! He's doing so much for us that I'm thinking that maybe..." I sink into the water so only my nose and eyes are above the water.

"Maybe... what? Maybe what?" She grins.

"Maybe... Kouga isn't faking liking me? Why would he do that otherwise?"

"Well, it would certainly seem that he more than likes you." She wriggles her eyebrows at me. I splash water at her laughing.

"Sango! You're taking too much from Miroku!"

She gasps mockingly loud and puts a hand to her mouth, "Why I never!" She manages before she starts cracking up. We both giggle for awhile. "But, seriously though, it's pretty obvious he likes you as more than a friend and has for awhile now."

I think about this for a moment, and Sango gives me the space to think as she washes her long hair. "I think that I've noticed him for awhile. I think I've known for awhile that he's for real, but it never really hit me until now. I think... given time, I could like him back. I've decided to give him a chance;" I huff and roll my eyes, "it's not like Inuyasha is ever getting over Kikyo anyway. What could it hurt?" Sango just grins at me. I blush at her knowing look before washing my own hair. We talk for awhile before getting out and letting Souta have his bath. We travel by day, and after the first day where Inuyasha refuses to be of any help, I give Kouga the reigns since I know he'll lead us back in a way that'll take us by hot springs. Every evening has pretty much the same routine. After over a week of travel, I recognize our surroundings and realize we're close. I step up next to Kouga, "Hey, so, can we go to the village first? That way I can ask Lady Kaede if she needs anything from my home before we go."

He looks at me, "No problem at all. We'll be there this evening."

"Thanks, Kouga." I smile before I continue slightly more hesitantly. "I think we should stay a team."

He quickly looks at me, "What?"

"Er- I think we should stay a team." I blush and look away. "We make a good team."

"Yo-you want me to stay around even after your brother is completely safe?" He looks bewildered but pleased.

I tug at the end of my skirt nervously while trying to fight off a harsh blush, "Yeah, if that's alright with you?" I look back up at him. He stops and pulls me into his arms.

Inuyasha screams from where he's belligerently trailing in the back, "What are you doing you flea bag?!" We ignore him.

"I'd love to stay a... team with you." It's a wonder that he hasn't claimed me as property since he's been back. I wonder why?

"G-great!" I stutter pulling away. I decide to move back to walk next to my brother listening to him chatter about anything and everything while I think. Kouga's really been so considerate; I wonder what's changed. I've got to say, I haven't regretted giving him a kind of chance. I think I'm going to ask him to join me to my home as I take Souta back. I hope the well will let him through; I want Mama to meet him. I wonder how he'll react when I ask? I look at him again and see that his gait is even more confident than it has been and have to stifle a giggle. Did I really give him that much of a male ego boost? I decide to sit next to him when we stop for lunch, and we talk softly and share smiles. He looks so content to just be with me, and he's no longer as pushy as he was. I really need to ask what made the change happen. When we start our trek again, I take hold of his hand and keep our conversation going, completely ignoring his stutter of surprise. After awhile, I look at him again and see that he's just smiling at me softly while I speak. He courteously ignores my stutter too. His smile broadens to be mischievous as he moves our hands to make our fingers interlock instead of just like a handshake. I grin back at him, and we each ignore the other's blush without missing a beat. When we come to village, I talk to Kaede and find out what she needs without letting go of his hand. I gather my bag and Souta with my free hand. I can tell he's confused, but I'm nervous to ask. He just goes along with me for now. We bid farewell to our friends, and when we get to the well, I feel him start to let go of my hand and squeeze his in response. He squeezes back confused. I sigh, turn to him with my eyes closed, and say, "Won't you come home with me?" He freezes, and I slowly, gingerly open my eyes to see his response.