DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN INUYASHA

Chapter 21: Storm

Kagome couldn't sleep. Her mind would stop. She rolled from side to side trying to get rid of the terrifying red eyes that stared at her from the darkness. A noise sounded behind her and she sat bolt upright, ready to scream. A gentle clawed finger silenced her and she gazed into Sesshomaru's loving, golden eyes.

"Oh, Sesshomaru, you scared me. I can't sleep…I…" Sesshomaru silenced her again, but this time he leaned across her prone frame and placed his lips on her own. She sucked air in through her nose, surprise washing through her entire being. One moment of indecision was all she had before shutting her eyes and losing herself in his kiss. She felt his arm wrap around her, pulling her closer to himself, she didn't fight it. She allowed him to kiss her silently for a moment before he broke away, but when he pulled back she found herself deepening the kiss, keeping him close. She lifted her hands to rest on either side of his head, her thumbs tracing the lines of his markings, her fingers burrowing in his hair. They broke for air and his hand reached up to cup her cheek. He placed his forehead against hers, eyes closed, both of them breathing heavily. "Kagome….I…" She stopped him.

"It's ok, Sesshomaru, me too." His eyes lifted to meet hers, molten gold with vibrant yellow accents. He began to lean in, seeking her lips once more.

"Kagome!" The pained cry shattered the silence. Kagome's eyes snapped open and she was on her knees in a moment, her hand on the hilt of her katana. The semi-concious miko looked about for Sesshomaru, realization hitting her suddenly. She had been dreaming...about Sesshomaru. Kagome shook her head to clear the sleep from her mind.

"Ka...gome..." The cry cut through the silence once more, raspier and closer than before. Kagome unsheathed her weapon, stalking slowly towards the door. Danger or no, someone out there was injured and calling for her. She looked out her room and saw Sesshomaru standing in his own doorway, finger to his lips in warning. She nodded and followed as he walked silently towards the front door. A loud knock sounded, making Kagome jump.

"Kago…Kagome…" the sound was right outside the door, pain and fear coloring an otherwise familiar voice. Sesshomaru reached for the handle, his claws ready and dripping with poison.

"Wait," she placed her hand on his forearm, grasping the door before he could reach it, "I know that voice." Kagome threw the door open and a bloody body fell into the room, breath shallow and heartbeat irregular. "Koga!" Kagome knelt beside her friend, pulling his head into her lap. She looked up at Sesshomaru, tears already forming in her eyes. "Sesshomaru, water, please!" He nodded and disappeared into the night.

"Ka…Kago…" Koga opened his eyes slightly, lifting a shaking hand to touch her cheek.

"Shh shh shh," she whispered, holding his hand in place on her now bloodstained cheek. "Don't try to talk, Koga, I'm here. You're gonna be ok."

"I'm dead, Kags." He whispered softly, "I'm already dead. It was…it was a neko. She wiped us out. I had to…had to come warn you. She's coming…had to….warn you…" Koga's eyes slid shut and Kagome felt his hand go limp beneath hers. She dropped it, tears streaming down her face.

"Koga, Koga!" Kagome shook her friend's shoulders, head inches above his own. Koga's eyes opened a fraction and he smiled softly at her, catching a tear with a flick of his tail.

"Chear up…I can't…I can't have...my woman...crying…" Kagome smiled softly at him, he placed a gentle kiss on her hand, and he died. Kagome doubled over, clutching his bloodstained pelt in both hands. The tears flowed so heavily, and her sobs were so loud that she didn't even hear Sesshomaru return before his arms were around her, pulling her into his comforting embrace.

He held her in his arms for a few minutes before whispering in her ear, "Dry your tears, little miko, he is not lost."

Kagome looked up at him, eyes puffy and red. She wiped her runny nose on her arm before answering. "How can you say that? He's dead. His heart stopped, he isn't even breathing!"

Sesshomaru smiled softly at her, a sadness in his eyes that she hadn't expected. He brushed her hair from her face before standing. He disappeared into his room for a moment and returned a second later with Tensaiga, unsheathed. Kagome's eyes widened. She had heard him tell of the sword of heaven, forged from his father's fang. Now, when it mattered most, she recalled it's power; the power to bring the dead back to life. She watched with wide eyes as he focussed his power. His eyes scanning Koga's unmoving form, then narrowing as he assessed an unseen foe. With a single fluid motion, Sesshomaru sliced across the wolf's body, and for an extraordinarily painful moment, Kagome waited for something to happen. The moment didn't last long however as Koga sat up, ramrod straight, gasping air into his lungs. Kagome dashed forward, tears streaming once more down her face. She fell to her knees beside her friend, pulling his gasping body into a tight embrace.

"Don't you ever do that to me again, Koga." She managed between her sobs. "I'll kill you if you do." Koga smiled and hugged her back, nodding his thanks at the stoic youkai lord hovering above them.

"Eh," Koga leaned away from the miko, lifting her chin so their eyes met. "I knew if I left you for good, you'd miss me too much. Plus I had some information for the big guy." He pointed his thumb in Sesshomaru's direction, earning him a raised eyebrow.

Kagome released her grip on Koga as he tried to get to his feet. Sesshomaru offered a hand, surprising them both. "What was it you need to say to me, ookami?" Koga's lips broke into a wide grin as he clapped a hand against Sesshomaru's shoulder.

"That's the dog-face I know and love! I'm doing great, thanks for asking, well, for that matter, thanks for saving me." Koga's grin widened. "But, knowing you, you'll probably just kill me once I've told you anyways, so what's the point." Koga winked at Kagome who stared at him in disbelief. Was he trying to challenge Sesshomaru? Had Tensaiga made him crazy?

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. The youkai's tone was teasing, and he was a very very dear friend of Kagome's. He definitely couldn't kill him again, not that he actually wanted to. He hadn't actually saved him because he wanted information, he saved him for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, the ookami's death meant the loss of Kagome's smile, something he wasn't willing to lose. And secondly, much to his surprise, this unusual youkai had once-upon-a-time expressed a wish for friendship with himself, and that was a rarity indeed.

"Hnn. Tensaiga fixes all things, therefore you are perfectly fine without an inquiry. Also, killing you again would defeat the purpose of raising you, also waisting Tensaiga's efforts, and I will not see Kagome cry anymore. Now, what was it you needed to say to me…Koga-san."

Kagome's eyes widened. First he had called her by name, then he had called Koga by name and with an honorific!

"Aww, shucks, now I just feel bad. Well, I guess I could call you dog-face-sama…any better?" Koga nudged Sesshomaru's shoulder with his own.

Sesshomaru took a calming breath. Why was he bothering with such a foolish being. Childish antics were beneath him. He took in the wolf's expression, the way his youki swirled around him. His voice was playful and friendly, but his stance was appreciative, respectful even. After a moment's inspection Sesshomaru realized something. He would have this wolf's respect and devotion till the end of time. Sesshomaru allowed a partial smile to touch his lips. Kagome was definitely rubbing off on him. Smiling at her and Rin was one thing, to show such a weakness before another youkai was another.

"Hnn. Much, I thank you." Sesshomaru glanced between the wolf and the miko. Kagome's eyes were full of awe, happiness, and a tinge of fear. Whatever the youkai had to say to him, he didn't want to say in front of Kagome. "Come, we shall away to the springs where you can bathe and tell me your news." Sesshomaru turned abruptly, leaving the wolf to skitter after him, and Kagome standing alone.

Koga's head broke the surface of the pool and he gasped for air. Sesshomaru was impressed. The youkai, though lesser than himself, had managed to hold his breath for well over fifteen minutes. Sesshomaru's record was 38:27. He would have to test this newfound ally. Sesshomaru watched with disinterested boredom as Koga scrubbed blood off his scalp and away from his body.

"Hey, dog-fa…I mean, Sesshomaru…" Koga tilted his head to look at him. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "Thanks for saving me. Really, I mean it. I wasn't ready to die."

"What happened?"

"Some neko-youkai showed up outside my clan's cave one day. She demanded that we fight for her and I asked against who. She told us she meant to kill you, well, of course I said no, with us being friends and all…"

"Friends?" Sesshomaru raised both eyebrows now. The wolf had mentioned before that he wished to be friends, or at least thought they would make good friends, and perhaps he would be interested in such an endeavor. This statement however makes it out that they already were friends. Sesshomaru furrowed his brow, tasting the word and analyzing it. He never had friends. Not since he was a very small child. Kagome was his friend, but that was different. She had been an obligation that turned into a love. This...lesser youkai, this ookami, could he truly be a friend to the likes of the Lord of the West?

"Yeah…friends…you know what they are right? I certainly consider you a friend, especially for what you're doing for Kags." Koga had clambered out of the water and was sitting cross-legged on an outcropping of rocks picking dirt from his tail.

"Hnn…" Sesshomaru didn't know what to say. Of course he knew what friends were, and he couldn't argue with the wolf's logic. If someone were an ally and friend to someone that you held dear you would appreciate them too. Koga must have taken his utterance as a confirmation, because he continued.

"Well, anyways, I told her no; to flip off, but she got angry and lashed out. Her first attack injured Ayame, my mate…" Koga looked sheepish and rubbed the back of his neck, "Uh…so me and my closest guys took off after her, for payback. Well, she was faster than we expected, stronger than we anticipated. She killed Ginta and Hakkaku first. Took out Akio, Hisashi, and Kazuo in a second sweep, before I knew it I was the only one left. I caught Kagome's scent on the wind and ran for it with all my power." Koga frowned and Sesshomaru thought he caught a glimmer of a tear at the corner of his eye. "Well, the rest you know. She caught up with me, barely left me alive just so I could deliver you this message." Koga turned a surprisingly serious look onto Sesshomaru. "I'm coming, dog, I'm coming and you had better be ready." Koga looked back down at his hands. "I don't even know if my mate's still alive. I can't feel her. It's…well, it's terrifying."

Sesshomaru took an involuntary step forward. "How far are the bodies of your friends?"

Koga lifted his eyes and Sesshomaru tried very hard to look kind. "They aren't that far, why?"

"Tensaiga can heal them and my speed will take me to the quickly. Tell me where they are."

"Why…" Koga looked at him with skepticism and confusion, "…why would you save them? They are nothing to you…"

Sesshomaru blinked. Why indeed? Such an offer was unusual of him. Sesshomaru furrowed his brow. "You claim me as your ally. Therefore your allies are mine."

Koga's eyes narrowed. "Is that the only reason?"

"Hnn…" Sesshomaru weighed the pros and cons. "Perhaps…" Koga nodded for him to continue. "Perhaps I have heard Kagome speak of your friends. Perhaps it pains me to think of the hurt their deaths would cause her." Koga looked up at him with surprise. "She has already been through so much."

"You really care about her don't you." Koga offered a half smile, a smile that spoke of understanding and brotherhood. Sesshomaru was speechless. He had never showed any sign of weakness to anyone. He had always been so careful to maintain a stoic appearance, a lack of emotion. He had never needed anyone to confide in, why should he start now. Koga's expression broke his barriers. Never had a youkai looked at him with such commonality, such connection.

"Yes." Sesshomaru's voice shocked him. He hadn't decided to answer yet. How had this scrawny wolf gotten under his skin like only Rin and Kagome had before? "I care for her very very much."

Koga flashed him a rakish smile. "At-a-boy! Yeah, Kagome has that effect on 's so…" Sesshomaru flashed him a warning look. Friends now or no, he would not hear another male speak of his miko. "Anyways…My people are into the woods. Perhaps forty miles east of here. Should I come with you?"

"No." Sesshomaru turned away. "You would only slow me down." And he was gone.

Kagome paced nervously back and forth by the front door, supporting a protective barrier around her home and her beloved companions. Rin and Jaken slept on, however Ah-Un had awoken and was now standing just outside with one of his heads in the door, watching her. What could be taking them so long? They had been gone for hours. Kagome glanced outside, ducking around necks and giant jaws. Nothing. She hugged Ah, or was it Un? Either way, the dragon rubbed it's head against her and trilled comforting sounds.

"Aaagh! Hey! What's the idea! Isn't it enough to die once today! You trying to purify me too?" Koga's infectious voice carried across the dark clearing and Kagome dropped the barrier like a bowling ball, rushing towards the sounds. She literally ran into the wolf, wrapping both arms around him and nearly crying all over again out of relief. "Ok! Ok! You're gonna rumple my furs!" Kagome heard someone clear their throat and Koga giggled nervously before pushing her away.

"Rumpled furs….I'll rumple your furs and then you'll be sorry. You were gone for hours! What were you doing? I was so worried!"

"Sorry, sis, it's our fault." Ginta's voice caught Kagome's attention and she ran over to her wolfy friends excitement overflowing from her in a tangible wave.

"Yeah, we were…hurt…" Hakkaku shared a glance with Ginta before looking back at Kagome, "Koga stashed us somewhere safe and said he'd come back for us after he found you."

"Well that's a relief," Kagome felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Sesshomaru's face, blank and yet somehow managing to look annoyed. "And thank you for coming back too." Kagome threw both arms around Sesshomaru's waist, feeling him tense up in shock. She couldn't hug everyone in this circle and not him, it wouldn't feel right. She didn't care if he would be mad at her for making him look weak later, right now she was just glad he was safe. Sesshomaru's arm wrapped around her shoulders pulling her close to him for a moment then he moved, breaking the surprise hug. She smiled at him and his eyes twinkled something in response. She had seen that look so many times, reserved only for Rin, and now for her. Her heart skipped, her dream coming back to her. She could feel her face heating up, why did she have to think of that now?

In the distance a wolf howled. Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku listened before Koga leapt onto the roof of Kagome's house and howled back. Kagome watched her friends, curiosity coursing through her head. Koga must have noticed her confusion. "We sent the others back to my clan," he said. "That was a message to me saying that Ayame was alive and doing well." Kagome's eyes widened, Ayame was hurt? "I guess we have a few things to explain to you, Kags." Kagome somberly nodded and led her boys into the house.

Kagome stood in the doorway waving farewell to her wolf friends. A look of worry tinged her expression. Sadness and weariness tainting the usual brightness of her eyes. Sesshomaru stoked the fire beneath the kettle, readying two small cups of tea. He hated to see her looking like this. He wanted to make it better. He looked at her; leaning against the door frame, her arms wrapped around her chest as if she were holding together a fragile doll.

"So, you and Koga are friends now, huh?" She didn't even turn to look at him.

"Yes." Sesshomaru finished the tea and strode to her, handing her one of the cups. She smiled before taking it from him and sipping the contents.

"I like that. He's a great guy." Sesshomaru stiffened. Was she praising another? Was she reconsidering him? She looked back up at him and he tilted his head. "Not quite so great as you of course, but he's a wonderful friend." Her smile widened and he realized she was teasing him.

Kagome turned, placing her cup back by the fire, and walked to the corner. She sank to the ground, her knees to her chest, her head on her arms; the vision of defeat. Sesshomaru deposited his unfinished tea into the fire and walked to her, pulling her against his chest. He nuzzled her hair with his nose, taking in the delicate scents and aromas that was Kagome. To his surprise, she nuzzled back.

"The storm IS here little miko, but that does not mean all is lost. Mitsuye will not win without a fight and we are more than a match for that miserable neko." Sesshomaru lifted her face with his finger, leaning to place his forehead against hers. He traced his crescent into her temple and her eyes slid shut in contentment. "I will protect you always. That I swear."

Wow! Another chapter!

I'm just cranking them out lately!

I blame it on Miuko Shinahari. XD

Anyways, I had SOOOO much fun with this one

Hope you guys like it too!

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your reviews keep me going, so please keep them coming!