Chapter 4: The Demon Within

Hope you are enjoying my story so far.

Kagome sat on a large rock beside the road as they were taking a much needed break. Kagome was glad to be outside traveling with Inuyasha once again. Shippo was with them, they were traveling to meet up with Sango and Miroku. The monk and demon hunter had headed to Sango's old village together a few days ago. Kagome smiled to herself, hoping that Miroku and Sango were enjoying their time alone together. Kagome breathed in the sweet scent of the fall air. She really loved how bright the world seemed, considering the two weeks she had to stay inside to let her wound heal. Also, she mused, it might have something to do with the fact that I have Inuyasha's child growing within me. Kagome was happy; she knew it would be a hard for them, with one of the shards gone, and especially with Naraku possibly plotting his next attack while she rested in the warm sunlight. And still her heart was at peace here in the feudal era.

Kagome closed her eyes, reveling in the heat of the sun, basking in it. Inuyasha could hardly keep his eyes off her. Her side had healed remarkably well, Kaede thought that his mark was the reason for her unusually fast recovery. Inuyasha, unfortunately, knew nothing about what exactly happens when a demon uses the mark to claim a human as a mate. But his instincts, along with a healthy dose of his own desire, made the impulse impossible to refuse. They had discovered only afterwords that Kagome had experienced the same dreams as he had, which unnerved him a little, but he could not find even the slightest bit of regret inside himself. He loved his mate, and wanted to be with her. Mark or not, that fact would not have changed.

Watching Kagome, the niggling sensation of excitement bubbled inside him again. She was safe, her injury had healed, and she was even going to give him a family. Kaede had examined her many times while she was in the process of healing. He smiled with the memory of Kaede getting so fed up with his constant nagging that she had thrown a bowl of herbs at him. She even threatened to have Kagome 'sit' him if he did not stop pestering her. Actually thinking about it, Inuyasha remembered that Kagome had not used the 'S' word on him since before they had set out for Jinenji's farm. A wicked little grin crossed Inuyasha's face as he formulated his next plan of attack; his heart was light as he thought of a way to get into trouble, perhaps Shippo would be able to help. Kagome smiled brightly at him, and he returned her smile with his wicked grin making her smile falterer around the edges, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Inuyasha couldn't help but chuckle at her then, this is going to be fun.

Kagome watched as Inuyasha grinned in her direction, he had pulled Shippo off to the other side of the road and was whispering to the little fox. What are those two up to? She thought as Shippo began to giggle and Inuyasha shushed him once again. They kept glancing in her direction over their shoulders. Kagome couldn't help but smile while watching her mate and the adorable little fox demon.

Suddenly with a gust of wind, the young leader of wolf demon tribe appeared.

"Koga?" Kagome blinked with surprise. They had not seen him for at least six months.

"Kagome, I meant to come to see you sooner, but I have been busy tracking Naraku down for you." He smiled in what he must have thought was a charming way. Kagome smiled in return, but she unexpectedly felt very tired. Her smile did not quite reach her eyes, while she glanced in Inuyasha`s direction. She cocked one eyebrow, Are you going to be nice for once Inuyasha? She asked herself. His smile was all it took; she tried to suppress her giggle.

"Well if it isn't Koga. I have been choking on your stench for a while. I was wondering when you were going to show up." Inuyasha's spoke with disdain, grinning as he faced Koga. Kagome stifled her small giggle with her hand. I should have known better. Her inner voice laughed at her. Noticing that Koga was looking at her while she laughed at Inuyasha's comment made her blush, and she tried to hide the giggle with a cough.

"Dogface! You still alive? What a shame." Koga's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, he abruptly turned his back to Inuyasha and stalked towards Kagome. She sighed inwardly, knowing the ensuing verbal argument would most likely end in her having to 'sit' Inuyasha. I wish Koga would get the hint. I belong to Inuyasha and have the mark to prove – It suddenly dawned on her. Wait a second; if Koga touches me will he be able to tell? What will he do? Leave peacefully? She thought to herself hopefully but even her inner voice did not believe her. Ya right Kagome! He will probably try to kill Inuyasha, her brow raised, and most likely die in the attempt. She caught Inuyasha's eyes and his expression said that he had thought the same thing. Inuyasha's stance was tense; he was ready for the fight. Kagome's eyes widened a little as she felt the trickle of Inuyasha's anger; his demon side was there just under the surface. Kagome's heart was in her throat as she leaped up off the rock and gracefully danced out of Koga's reach just in time. He had almost touched her but she surprised him with her speed and dexterity. Glancing around her, she realized that she had surprised everyone, including herself. Inuyasha was suddenly behind her, gently pulling her so that her back rested firmly against his front. His arms came around her sides and he hugged her to himself, a soft growl rumbled in his chest as he glared at Koga.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome's voice was breathy; she was frightened of what she had just done. I have never been able to move like that before. Is it also because of the mark? What else is going to happen to me because of it? Having Inuyasha hold her felt very good, she watched Koga warily and she felt comfort from Inuyasha's smooth rumbling growl.

Koga was shocked. Kagome had effectively moved out of his reach almost faster than he could see. Even with his speed, he could not have maneuvered himself as gracefully as she had just done. Turning towards her he saw Inuyasha behind her, folding her beautiful form against his. He could hear the low growl reverberate through Inuyasha and Koga's eyes locked onto his. Inuyasha's eyes bored into his with unspeakable fury and Koga looked away suddenly as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end, warning him that he was in danger.

Shippo shivered as he felt a strange tingle in the air. He ran to his friends leaping up to land in Kagome's arms, she tightly held the kit to her.

"Koga's aura is strange. It feels all wrong." Shippo spoke quietly so that only Inuyasha and Kagome could hear.

"I should have taken her from you a long time ago." Koga snarled at Inuyasha while the woman he had intended to take for his own was pressed firmly against the hanyou's chest. Koga did not fail to notice how Inuyasha's touch had helped to steady her breathing. That should be me! An ugly voice echoed in his head. I will have Kagome no matter what! Koga did not notice that the voice inside his head was not his own. There was a flash of liquid pain as the rage filled his heart, the heat of it made it hard to breathe. Koga clenched his hands into fists. Glancing back at Inuyasha he growled as he watched Inuyasha suddenly closed his eyes and bury his face against Kagome`s neck.

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Inuyasha deeply breathed in Kagome`s scent, it helped him to force back the anger. The events just a moment before played in his head. He had been curious if Koga could sense his mark on her but just as Koga was about to touch her, he suddenly felt her fear and an unusual compulsion overcame him, a part of him suddenly wanted Koga to start that fight. He stepped forward when Kagome slipped off the rock and watched as she glided around Koga with unbelievable speed and grace to stop only a short distance away from him. Instinct told him his anger was not normal and that he needed his mate so he went to her. She whispered his name when he wrapped her in his arms, he could not contain the angry growl within him as he enveloped her. Her skin was pale again and Inuyasha rubbed her arms to help warm her cool skin.

She had managed to frighten herself with her unintentional movement. He felt a wave of anger from Koga and met the wolf demons gaze with his own. Again the strange anger washed over him, a nearly uncontrollable fury began to boil in him when he looked into Koga`s eyes. Inuyasha felt his demon blood stir, howling with the molten rage that bubbled inside. Just as Inuyasha was about to move, so that Kagome and Shippo would be behind him, Koga looked away. Once the gaze was broken Inuyasha felt the anger fade almost a quickly as it had risen.

Shippo's whispered warning prompted Inuyasha to look away from Koga and leaned down so he could breathe in Kagome`s scent, she smelled like the forest after a summer storm. He rolled the wild, clean scent on his tongue. The anger completely dissipated under the sensual scent of her, and the demon within crept back to the place it slept. His ear flicked as he heard a small 'crack' sound in the air. Inuyasha felt as if a weight had lifted off of his chest. What ever had been influencing his anger had been forced away by Kagome's presence.

"Something is tampering with Koga's anger." Inuyasha whispered just before he felt a sudden burst of movement. He opened his eyes just in time to feel Koga's claws sink into his shoulder and had barely enough time to let Kagome go before he was thrown backwards by the force of the attack.

"Kagome is mine!" Koga forced the words past his suffocating fury. He had enjoyed sinking his claws into Inuyasha's flesh, and smiled as the hanyou flew into the trees. Koga, in the same smooth movement, grabbed Kagome by the wrist and pulled her against his body. Kagome managed to twist her hip just in time to prevent Shippo from being hurt. She was rewarded for her effort by Shippo's muffled outrage from between their bodies. Koga's eye filled with a strange light as he held them firmly to his chest with his other hand, ignoring the little fox's curses, Kagome winced as Shippo accidentally ground his feet into her in an attempt to push Koga away. Kagome tried to pull her wrist free from him, but Koga only chuckled at her feeble attempt. She felt his whole body shiver in pleasure while he slowly leaned down to place his nose just below her ear, taking in her scent. His eyes suddenly flashed open and his grip on her wrist tightened making her cry out in pain.

"That half-breed marked you!" Koga growled furiously. His grip on her wrist felt as if he was trying to turn her bones to powder.

"Koga something is wrong with you! Let me go!" Kagome managed to speak past the cascading throb in her wrist.

"Koga! Let her go!" Shippo growl was still muffled as he continued to try and wriggle out from between them. Suddenly the air grew thick and the sky seemed to darken above them. Kagome and Shippo shivered as Inuyasha's demonic aura washed over them. The press of his power took Kagome's breath away. It was like being prickled by thousands of tiny red hot needles. Koga felt it as well and he tensed visibly when his gaze flicked to where Inuyasha had been thrown.

"KOGA!" Inuyasha's voice rang loudly as he burst out of the underbrush and landed in the middle of the road, his eyes found Koga just in time to see him draw back slightly from Kagome. The two males' eyes met, Koga's burning with fury, and Inuyasha's bleeding to red as he heard Kagome gasp in pain.

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