Chapter 10: Journey Paused

After eating the next morning they set out north again. InuYasha, Kouga, and Miroku all thought it would be best to head more north west seeing as it was untouched by any demons and Naraku might have taken to it as a place of dominance.

"I should go home before we go anymore north. Supplies are running low and I think you guys could use a break." Kagome reasoned pointing out the gashes on all the demons. Even the ever reluctant InuYasha agreed, and so they went to Kaede's village to settle down for a bit.

"I'll walk you there Kagome," Kouga offered and no one disagreed.

"Mama if you go to another time will you please jump right back in?" Shippo asked and Kagome nodded not being able to say no to him. With that she and Kouga went to the well.

"I'll miss you my love." Kouga said as they stood in front of the well. Kagome blushed the wolf always did this to her, but today she really didn't know what to say they were a few miles away from anybody else and didn't want to say the wrong thing, so she just smiled and sat on the well ledge. "I love you." He whispered before she disappeared, but little did he know someone else was watching.

"My my for a wolf demon you sure do love that miko." Out of the shadows came Bankotsu. Kouga glared at the man with the huge sword. "I'm sorry did that hit the wrong nerve?"

"You don't know anything, I'm ready to kill you." With that a battle commenced each fighter getting strikes on one another. It was when Bankotsu got a swipe at Kouga's back that he fell to his knees.

…

Kagome was home the well didn't send her 50 years in the past, but back to her time. She knew she couldn't stay that she needed to get right back, so she ran right inside where she saw her mother and hugged her.

"Oh honey it's been way to long." Her mom whispered and Kagome smiled.

"I can't stay."

"I didn't think you could, I've been collecting supplies in a new bag for you." In the corner of the kitchen was a huge black back pack filled with things. "It has so much stuff in it including a few changes of clothes as it's going to start getting colder." Kagome hugged her mom one last time before heading back to the well. She quickly jumped back in and started to climb the well with her new back pack. When she raised herself over the ledge she saw Kouga on his knees bleeding from all over facing her and Bankotsu ready to take his head.

"No!" She screamed, and everything stopped both of them looking at her as her hands began to glow pink. "Don't!" With that she lifted her hand to Bankotsu and this energy came from it striking him into the tree. He wasn't dead but knocked unconscious. "Kouga."

"Kagome," he whispered struggling to smile. She helped him up and hooked an arm around his waist to help him walk back to the village. "Kagome I can't make it let me die." Kagome began to cry as she laid the wolf down. She wouldn't have it so she began to get out her new supplies.

"Kouga don't think you're going to have to stop dealing with me I won't let it." Kouga smiled at this. She began wrapping all of his wounds and all that was left was the scratch on his face that was already healing. It was turning to a scar though and Kagome ran her thumb over it. She then grabbed out some pain medicine and told Kouga to swallow not chew. He did as he was told and smiled at the miko before him taking in all of her beauty.

"Kagome I love you don't ever forget that."

"Stop sounding like you're going to die Kouga." Kagome let a tear stream down her face and Kouga reached for her chin to face him and wiped the tear away with his thumb. He turned his palm to her cheek and slowly brought her lips to his. It was a quick kiss, but she didn't deny it.

"C'mon Kagome let's head back they're probably getting the wrong idea." Kouga joked slowly getting up with Kagome's assistance. When they got back Kouga explained the fight and the fact Kagome saved him.

"I think this Bankotsu kid is pretty tough his sword can deflect wind scar and Kagome's arrow." Miroku said and the rest agreed.

"If we could get the rest of the band killed it'd be easier." InuYasha said and everyone nodded. Then in walked Kikyo from nowhere.

"I heard of the band of seven and Kaede told me of your fight with them and I felt the need to inform you of Suikotsu's death." That was all she said before handing over a jewel shard and leaving.

"That leaves four of them." Sango stated. "Probably the strongest four."

"I say let us head north west and try to find Naraku after Kouga is healed." Miroku said. Kouga then sent Hakkaku and Ginta back to the pack to make sure everything is alright.

"I'm sorry guys I let him hit me with my back turned." Kouga sighed InuYasha gave a wolf a light pat on the right shoulder where there were no hits.

"It's alright wolf, this kid might just out power us one on one, but if we work together it'll be okay." Everyone was shocked to hear of this, but sometime in the last few weeks InuYasha had matured and so they rested.

…..

"Naraku three of the seven are already gone." Kagura announced to her master.

"Is the leader still alive?"

"Yes he almost killed Kouga the prince of the eastern wolves." Kagura had watched the whole scene unfold.

"Why didn't he?"

"The miko blasted him with a purification glow." Naraku knew this was not Kikyo for she did not have the strength any longer.

"Hmm… I will let them live for now, but draw the InuYasha group here for I want them to face this mountain." Naraku smirked and Kagura nodded heading out on her mission.