Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I profit from this work of fan fiction. =)

Caution: Kouga lovers, I've made Kouga slightly out of character this chapter. I hope this doesn't offend anyone. I really value my readers.

Chapter 10

Inuyasha squatted down on his haunches as he attempted to start a fire. He glanced around for Kagome's backpack in desperation. I wonder if I could use that instant-flame contraption without anyone noticing he thought. Suddenly the memorable stench of wolf wafted past his nose. A small growl escaped him immediately as Kagome came to mind. For a moment Inuyasha's stubborn pride almost preventing him from moving, but as thoughts of the two together played in his mind his jealously won out and he took off running.

"Kagome" Kouga grinned. "You look well"

"Hi….Kouga" she answered timidly. "Thanks, what are you doing out here?"

"I just happened to be passing through and I caught your sweet scent on the wind. So I figured I'd check in on my future mate" he answered bluntly.

"I see….Kouga, I'm sorry but we really should discuss this future mate business."

"No discussion needed Kagome, I've claimed you as my own." he answered taking a step towards her.

Kagome instinctually took a step back. "Kouga, I've told you before, I'm not property, and you can't claim me."

"I can and I have" he answered back smiling but obviously trying to intimidate her.

"Kouga….." she replied trying to steady her quaking voice "my place is beside Inuyasha, I really am sorry, but that's where I want to be….I need to be."

"With a mutt!" he answered back heatedly. "You're rejecting me for dog-breath!?" Kouga's face began to redden "After all I've done for you and your friends" he glared at her unbelieving.

Kagome took another step back. "I really am sorry Kouga……I should have told you sooner." She replied quietly as she edged herself away from the fuming wolf and closer to camp.

"It wouldn't have mattered" he answered menacingly.

Kagome began to back up less discreetly. This was a side of Kouga she had not seen before and she was beginning to feel truly frightened. Inuyasha…. she thought, how will Kouga respond if I call out to him? She felt herself stumble as her foot caught on a root as she stepped back, and a throbbing pain shot up her foot. She slammed onto her backside as Kouga continued to advance.

"I could just claim you now" Kouga threatened "Doesn't look like mutt-face is around to stop me"

Kagome gasped and attempted to scoot back, only to feel the solid form of a tree behind her.

It was then Kouga made his move, quickly lunging at her. He unexpectedly felt his body slam up against something. He stared down in disbelief at Kagome whose arms were now outstretched in front of her, emitting a powerful blue barrier. Kouga growled and threw himself against it but to no avail. He stood back up and growled angrily.

Kagome stared up in amazement. Am I really doing this? Can I really create a barrier she thought. This was a feat she had never accomplished and didn't believe she ever could. She watched as Kouga threw himself against it, and closed her eyes hoping he wouldn't be able to break through. She thought of Inuyasha, and it was as if she willed it so, as she saw a flash of red and sliver come barreling out of the trees. She breathed a sigh of relief as she met his astonished gaze.

Inuyasha broke through the tree line and looked in disbelief as his mind tried to process what was happening before him. Kagome had projected a barrier and Kouga was trying to break through it. Inuyasha could smell Kagome's fear in the air, that's all he needed to know. His demon blood reacted, surging through his veins. He charged forward and wrapped his hand around Kouga's neck slamming him against a nearby tree. Several punches made contact before Kouga managed to kick Inuyasha back. Inuyasha felt his demon blood begin to boil with anger as he quickly pulled out his tetsusaiga.

"Go away puppy, my future mate and I were just talking, this doesn't concern you" Kouga taunted.

"The hell it doesn't, you mangy wolf" Inuyasha spat back "and she's not your mate."

"Not yet at least" Kouga replied.

"Over my dead body!" Inuyasha said raising his tetsusaiga. "Wind Scar" he shouted blasting several streams of energy at Kouga. The wolf prince moved quickly barely missing the attack. He sprung at Inuyasha foot first, hitting him in the stomach, the effect of which hurled Inuyasha back several feet.

"What's wrong Inuyasha, can't fight me like a real man, without that big sword of yours" he sneered.

Nooooo thought Kagome hearing Kouga's jeers. If he puts down tetsusaiga he could transform and then there's no telling what would happen.

Inuyasha stood his ground facing Kouga. His lip pulled up slightly revealing his canine- like fangs. He growled and plunged the transformed tetsusaiga into the ground in front of him.

Kouga smiled back arrogantly; in his mind he was sure he would be the victor. Inuyasha cracked his knuckles and pounced at Kouga. His claws ripped against the side of Kouga's arm as he jumped out of the way.

"You got lucky there mutt, it won't happen again" he shouted holding his arm in pain.

"Feh" Inuyasha replied throwing himself at Kouga again. The battle continued on for several minutes while Kagome watched in horror as the warriors began to bloody. Kagome gasped as Kouga somehow managed to pin Inuyasha to the ground. Noticeably weakened Inuyasha struggled to regain control. It was then Kouga leaned down and whispered mockingly "Don't worry Inuyasha, I'll make sure to bed Kagome once for you, after I kill you."

Kouga could have sworn in that moment, he saw Inuyasha's eyes flash red. Then with a sudden burst of unexpected strength Inuyasha flipped Kouga off of him and onto the ground where he had once been. He proceeded to punch him in the face repeatedly until Kouga's face was blood-spattered, unrecognizable, and he was rendered unconscious. Inuyasha slowly stood up and took a deep a breath. He turned and cautiously stumbled towards Kagome. She was still sitting in the barrier, her eyes wide and filled with unmistakable relief. He kneeled down in front of her. She looked scared and tired.

"Kagome……..it's okay. I'm here now….you can take down the barrier" he soothed.

Kagome smiled slightly and gradually lowered her hands. The blue barrier protecting her suddenly faded and Kagome slumped forward into Inuyasha's arms.

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Thanks you guys rock =) HeidiBax