Inuyasha knew he was almost to them, and it gave him the strength to force his weary body on, then he heard it.

'Inuyasha!'

Hearing Kagome's voice, Inuyasha practically flew the rest of the way. He caught sight of them just as Kagome crashed into the ground. After letting out an inarticulate growl he screamed. "YOU FILTHY BASTARD!"

Too angry to waste time drawing his sword, Inuyasha dove for Koga's heart with his bare hands, but the Wolf managed to jump free. Inuyasha turned, intending to give chase, but Kagome let out a moan and he hesitated. Watching the wolf carefully Inuyasha ran to Kagome's side, there was still plenty of time to make Koga suffer. Kagome came first.

Crouching beside her, all the while keeping one eye on the wolf. Inuyasha tried to see how badly she was hurt. With a hand that trembled Inuyasha reached out and touched her shoulder. The warmth of her skin seeped into his flesh, fighting off the cold dread that had been his constant companion since the day she had been taken from him. Rolling her gently onto her back Inuyasha gasped when he saw her battered face and body.

Bruises covered nearly every inch of her skin, a rainbow of colors that spoke loudly about her time with Koga. Grinding his teeth to keep from whimpering, he noted the tattered remains of her uniform. Once he had teased her about wearing something as reveling as it had been... now it was almost nonexistent.

'What did I let him do to you Kagome?' He wondered, as he turned to look fully at Koga.

Fighting off blinding rage, a fury that was trying to call his demon out, Inuyasha reached for his sword. He planned to deal with the vermin his own way, there was no chance in hell he was going to let his demon have all the fun. Narrowing his eyes, lips curled up in a snarl Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga and pointed the blade directly at Koga.

Pausing to reach out with his free hand, Inuyasha trailed his finger tips over Kagome's cheek tenderly before standing. Shrugging Kagome's backpack off one arm at a time, Inuyasha kept the sword steadily trained on Koga, who was still being suspiciously quiet. Inuyasha dropped the bag in front of Kagome with a thump, it was nearly useless as protection but it was something at lest.

Stalking forward Inuyasha growled out in a voice as dark and dangerous as midnight thunder. "You shouldn't have touched Kagome. Nothing's gonna stop me from ripping you apart this time. You're dead." The last two words were spoken flatly, and with absolute conviction. It was a statement of fact.

Koga smirked. "I've told you before mutt face, Kagome is MY woman, I'll do as I please with her, again and again right after I kill you!" The moment he finished speaking Koga leap strait for Inuyasha, trying to use his speed against him, but he failed to take into account what effect his taunting words would have on the already seething half demon.

Inuyasha shot forward, eyes flashing red, a blur too fast for even Koga to dodge, and the wolf knew it. All of the demon, and most of the man in Inuyasha, relished the look of terror that filled Koga's face when he realized that his death was coming.

Inuyasha stretched out his free arm, the other still clung to the sword that dragged along the ground behind him forgotten, and aimed low with his claws. He had no intention, even in this state of rage, of letting Koga die too quickly. The wolf deserved to suffer first. Eyes boiling over with hatred, Inuyasha was just about to castrate the vermin when Kagome's voice rang out.

"Sit Boy!"

Stunned Inuyasha felt the beads around his neck activate, pulling him to the ground. He saw Koga's eyes fill with triumph, Kagome had saved him again.

'Kagome how could you...?' Inuyasha's thoughts were cut off as one of Kagome's sacred arrows flew by, inches above his head. 'Oh.'

Inuyasha hit the ground with a crash, face first, but he still caught the sound of Koga's voice when the cur cried out in surprise and pain as the arrow stuck.

Kagome would not hide from the sight of Koga's death and forced herself to watch as her purifying power spread to devour the wolf demon with it's deadly light. Meeting his eyes, she lifted her head high and defiantly stared him down. A moment before the power rushed over his face he cried out. "I'm sorry Kagome!" Then with a flash of light there was nothing left but ash and two jewel shards.

Dropping the bow, Kagome slumped forward, collapsing on top of her backpack. A faint tremble started deep in her bones, but it quickly grew until she shook violently with the force of it. A tiny sob slipped out, and Kagome felt something inside of her give. Suddenly she burst into tears, gasping, and sobbing so hard it hurt.

Inuyasha pushed himself up and looked over at Kagome filled with confusion as emotions clashed violently inside his chest. He was happy, no, elated that Kagome was safe now, and back with him, but also so angry that she had been hurt he still wanted to tear and rend Koga into tiny pieces. And there was so much pain, nothing had ever hurt this much before. Not even the moment Kikyo's arrow had pierced his chest. Kagome might never be the same again and he had failed her. Inuyasha wanted more then anything else in the world, to pull Kagome into his arms and never let her go, but he was too scared to touch her. Frightened that his touch would upset her worse.

Very slowly he stood and moved to her side, sitting cross-legged beside her. She just kept crying until Inuyasha thought he would go mad, he needed to do something!

"Kagome?" he whispered "What should I do? How can I help you? I don't know what to do." He choked out, his voice breaking with sorrow.

Kagome lifted her hand, reaching out in Inuyasha's direction. When his hand met hers she clung to it, rejoicing, through the weight of her grief, and tears, as his touch filled her with warmth. It gave her the sense of safety that she desperately needed. Using his arm as a guide she climbed up it blindly and into his lap, tucking herself into as tight a ball as she could.

For a very long time Inuyasha didn't move at all, then slowly he lifted one hand to stroke her hair hesitantly. He watched her carefully, alert for any sign that she wanted him to stop, but she didn't give him one. In fact she seemed to quiet under his touch, calming, and slowly he relaxed his tense body. Gently he moved his other arm up to support her back. Inuyasha was careful to not grab her, he just lay his arm along her back and let her move her weight back against it.

After a long time Kagome's tears slowed, then stopped. Inuyasha was just starting to wonder if she had fallen asleep when she suddenly spoke.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha.." She started to say, but when Inuyasha felt her words tear painfully through him, he cut her off.

"Don't you apologize! You didn't do ANYTHING wrong, I'm the one who messed up." For just a moment his arms tightened around her, then they loosened as he choked out. "I let him hurt you, I was supposed to protect you, but I failed. I'm so sorry Kagome, I'm more sorry then I can ever say."

When Kagome pulled back Inuyasha lifted his arms away from her instantly, dropping his head to watch her through his hair with a heavy heart, certain that she must blame him. So he was surprised when she merely shifted, moving her legs to drape them over his own, seeking a more comfortable position.

Once she was situated, Kagome reached out and cradled Inuyasha's face in her hands, urging it up to her gaze. A faint gasp slipped from her lips when she saw the condition he was in. Dark circles hung under eyes so filled with emotion it was heart rending to look into them, but Kagome didn't turn away. His robes were covered in blood, and ripped all over. Kagome realized that he must have done the damage himself while he fought to reach her.

"Thank you Inuyasha. Thank you, for coming for me and for," 'not hating me.' Kagome barely choked back the words that had almost spilled free. "wanting to help me." She finished lamely.

Stunned Inuyasha stared at Kagome, wondering how anyone could be so... so.. good. 'How could I let this happen to her?!'

Lowering her hands from his face, Kagome crossed her arms over her stomach leaning her side against Inuyasha's chest. Closing her eyes she listened to his heart as it pounded rapidly under her ear. When his arm moved to gingerly rest against her back she leaned part of her weight against it, comforted by his support.

"I have to finish what I started to say before and I'm asking you to let me this time. Ok?" She asked after a quiet moment.

Unable to deny her anything at that moment Inuyasha nodded his head with a soft, "Ok." of his own. Taking a deep breath he braced himself for whatever she was about to say.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha. I am so sorry I stopped you from fighting Koga all those times, using the S-word on you to protect him. I'm also sorry I used it on you again today, even though that was partly your fault, you did move in front of my arrow. But more then anything else I'm sorry that I always wait till things are at their very worst to tell you that..." Kagome curled in on herself slightly, her voice dropping so low that even Inuyasha had to strain his ears in order to hear her. "I love you." She whispered before looking up.

Seeing the flabbergasted look on Inuyasha's face Kagome realized that she should not have put such unfair pressure on him and rushed on. "You don't have to say anything, and we don't ever have to talk about it again." Dropping her head again she tried to explain. "I had to say it because while I... While he was..." Kagome's voice broke and she paused to regain her composure. "I made myself a promise, that I would tell you how I felt if I ever saw you again. I did that because when I thought I might never be able to say it, I felt regret."

Inuyasha's eyes flickered with thoughts, and Kagome, wanting to spare herself any gentle let down he was about to offer, said the first thing that popped into her head.

"I want a bath."

The moment the words left her mouth she winced and wished them back. They were far too telling. Looking up quickly she saw Inuyasha flinch at her statement.

He surprised her however by quickly schooling his face into a neutral expression. Looking away he stated in a controlled voice. "I passed a lake just a little while ago, but if you would rather there is a hot spring about an hour from here."

Kagome gave her choices some thought, she hated the idea of waiting any longer then she had to before getting clean, but she knew it would take her a very long time to scrub every inch of her body the way she wanted to. It would be much more comfortable to do that in warm water.

"I'd like to go to the hot spring if that's ok." She finally answered.

Inuyasha gave a sharp nod and stood up holding Kagome bridal style. After setting her on her feet just long enough to grab the jewel shards and put her backpack back on, he picked her back up gently. All the while watching her face closely for any signs of fear, but she simply rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Savoring the feeling of having her in his arms, Inuyasha ruthlessly beat back his weariness and set out at a gentle run not wanting to jostle her.

It would end up taking a little longer then he had thought to reach the spring, when Kagome dozed off he slowed down even more, determined to not wake her.

Ok everyone, I got them back together! I have the next chapter almost finished, but after that I am struggling a bit with the story... so chapters might be a little farther apart after this... also the next one is turning out to be rather long... longer then this one I think... I promise I will get them out as fast as I can, I hate waiting to read the end of stories to. Once again thank you to everyone who is reading this and an even bigger thanks to everyone who has reviewed, knowing that people out there want to read my story has made me get it out much faster then I had planned, Thanks.