The next few days went by smoothly as they continued on to Sesshomaru's castle. Until the third day of thier journey that is. The day had started out nice enough. Everyone was talking excitedly about the upcoming birth of Kagome's pups and wondering what Sesshomaru's castle looked like. Out of the blue Inuyasha froze and started growling.

"What's wrong Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Oh you'll see in about a minute and trust me, ya ain't gonna like it." He said. Sure enough a very unwanted visitor showed up in the form of a very familiar tornado.

"What do you want ya mangy wolf?" Inuyasha yelled at Kouga.

Kouga smiled. "I came to see my woman muttface. How are ya doin beautiful?" Kouga said walking up to Kagome. He didn't hear the low growl from behind him as he pulled Kagome into his arms.

Inuyasha smirked. "I wouldn't do that if I were you wolf."

Kouga snorted. "What are you gonna do about it? You gonna try and beat me up again? As if you could."

Inuyasha shook his head. "No, but he might." He said pointing to his brother.

Kouga lifted an eyebrow. "Who the hell are you? You smell like muttface. Are ya related or somthin?" He asked oblivious to the danger he was in.

"I am lord Sesshomaru and Inuyasha is my halfbrother. Now would you kindly release my mate before I rip you to shreds."

"WHAT! Kagome, is this true?" Kouga asked slowly losing his temper.

Kagome smiled. "Yes Kouga. Sesshomaru and I have been mates for about a week and a half now."

Kouga growled. "You traitorous bitch! You were supposed to be MY mate! Not anyone else's!" He yelled gripping her arms tightly.

"Kouga you know I never liked you like that!" She said trying to get away from the enraged wolf.

"I don't give a damn!" He yelled. Before anyone could stop him, Kouga punched Kagome in the face. He punched her so hard that she fell hard to the ground.

"Kagome! Damn you Kouga! She's fuckin pupped you asshole!" Inuyasha yelled running over to help her up. He was quickly pushed out of the way by his brother. Sesshomaru looked her over for any injuries. His eyes slowly bled red when he saw the bruise that was already starting to form on her beautiful face.

Kouga's eye's widened when he heard what Inuyasha said. His Kagome was pupped and he just hit her. When he heard a loud growl he looked up and saw Sesshomaru glaring at him with red eyes. He knew he was in deep shit now.

"You will pay for that wolf!" Sesshomaru snarled before charging at Kouga.

Kagome and everyone else watched on the sidelines as Sesshomaru and Kouga battled. They couldn't believe that Kouga had hit their friend.

Sango walked over to Kagome. "Are you alright Kagome?" She asked.

Kagome nodded. "My face just stings a little. I can't believe he hit me! I thought we were friends!" She said as she began to cry.

"I told you he was a good for nothin bastard." Inuyasha said shaking his head. Just then they heard a loud roar. They looked over and saw that Sesshomaru had rammed his fist through Kouga's stomache like he once did to Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha please stop them! I don't want him to kill Kouga! He's still my friend."

"I'll try." Inuyasha said. He sighed before making his way over to his brother. He just knew he was probably going to get his ass kicked for interfering.

"Sesshomaru you need to stop before you kill him." Inuyasha said.

"That would be the plan brother."

Inuyasha sighed. "Look, I hate the scrawny wolf just as much as you do but if you kill him Kagome will never forgive you. She considers this worthless flea bag her friend."

"He hit her!" Sesshomaru yelled furious that his brother was interfering.

"I know that but you know how Kagome is."

Sesshomaru growled. "Fine! You shall live for now. But know this you scum, if you EVER lay a hand on my mate again, I WILL kill you!" He spat dropping Kouga to the ground. He turned to glare at Kagome before storming off into the woods. Kagome watched him leave with sorrowful eyes. She knew he was probably angry at her for wanting him to spare Kouga.

"Don't worry about him Kagome. He just needs to blow off some might as well make camp here. He'll probably be gone for a while. In the meantime, I'll get rid of the scrawny wolf before he comes back." Inuyasha said.

"Alright." Kagome whispered. She still felt a little sad that Sesshomaru was upset with her. She watched as Inuyasha slung Kouga over his shoulder and bounded off.

It wasn't until after dark that Sesshomaru came back. Kagome was the only one that was still awake.

"You're back." Kagome said smiling. The smile left her face when she saw the look in his eyes.

"Come with me. We need to talk." He said coldly before turning his back to her and walking back into the forest.

Kagome sighed. "Well here goes nothing." She said before following him.

They walked for about an hour before he finally stopped next to a small stream. He kept his back to her and it sent a pang through her heart.

"Why?" He asked so softly she almost didn't hear him.

"Why what?" She asked although she was pretty sure she knew what he wanted to know.

"Why did you stop me from killing that damn wolf?"

"Because even though he's an idiot, Kouga is still my friend." Sesshomaru clenched his fists before spinning around to glare at her.

"Dammit Kagome! He hit you!" He yelled. She jumped. She'd never heard him yell before and it scared her.

"I know that but he doesn't deserve to die for something like that!" She said as she started to cry. She knew he was mad at her and it hurt her to know that she was the one who made him angry.

Sesshomaru sighed when she began crying. He hated it when she cried. He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms.

"I know you don't like it but it is my duty as your mate to protect you from anyone. Including those that you call friends." He said kissing her forehead.

"I know that." She said quietly.

"What if the pups would have been harmed when you fell? I just couldn't live with myself if you or the pups ever got hurt. I love you too much to allow anything to happen to you little one."

"I know and I love you too Sess." She said before giving him a quick kiss. They stood in silence for a few minutes just holding each other.

"Sesshomaru?"

"What is it?"

"Are you...are you mad at me?" She asked looking into his eyes.

"No I'm not angry at you love. I'm angry at that damn wolf." He said caressing her face.

She smiled. "I'm glad."

"We should go back to camp before the others wake up and wonder where we are."

"I don't want to go back just yet. Can we just sit here for a little bit and watch the stars?"

Sesshomaru smiled. "Whatever you desire little one." He sat down under a tree and rested his back against it while he held her in his lap. He had every intention of going back to camp that night but they were so comfortable that they both fell asleep.