Chapter 25

Greetings

(OMG! So sorry! I didn't realize that I hadn't posted this!)

The trip had been uneventful and the weather pleasant. Leaves rustled across the path and morning sunbeams streamed through the trees. Kagome and Kaiaela leisurely strolled together as Inuyasha scouted a short distance ahead.

Unfortunately, the wind changed directions, coming out of the West and an unpleasant smell wafted on the breeze.

Inuyasha drew Kagome's attention when his muscles tensed beneath the red fabric of his firerat. His eyes narrowed before he leapt atop a well-branched tree, nose sniffing the air. Reaching out with her senses for what had caused Inuyasha's unease, she scanned the area but didn't slow her pace. Then, Kaiaela's stride slowed, her legs bent slightly at the knees. Both hands produced daggers and like Inuyasha, her eyes were focused in the same direction.

Kagome grimaced when her search produced results. A dark aura corrupted by a jewel shard lay to the left of their position and it was heading toward the group.

Inuyasha took off, bounding from tree to tree, circling around behind the small group as he viewed the immediate area. Upon leaping down to stand beside Ginta, he gave the wolf a knowing look. Both males quickly caught up with Kagome and Ginta handed over her familiar bow and arrows.

"Thanks for carrying these for me." Kagome smiled, though her stomach had already tightened at the prospect of a bloody battle.

"You're welcome, little sister," Ginta replied, his voice quavering as his eyes flicked toward the oncoming threat. His knees began to quiver and he added, "We need to get to the den. It's not far now and we'll have backup."

"Come on, Kagome," Inuyasha growled, his voice low and gruff. "This ain't a good place for a fight."

He grabbed Kagome, tossed her up onto his back and took off. Ginta, Kaiaela and the rest of the wolf group sped behind them, heading for the safety of the wolf den.

The mouth of the cave gaped, dark and foreboding against the mountainside. Wolves yipped and whined while the youkai stood behind their leader, all of them facing West. In front of them stood a tall, lean figure bronzed from the sun, his feet planted wide apart and his arms crossed. His nostrils were flared and his eyes narrowed. The pack's nervousness had called Kouga out of his heartbroken depression and back into his role as leader.

'Kagome, Inuyasha, some of my wolves, and a piece of shit we'll have to fight. There's no blood scent, so they haven't been in a battle yet. They're just going to bring it to my den. Well, I can protect Kagome better than dog-shit anyway.'

Kagome. So many emotions swirled through his chest; sadness and hope, excitement and despair. He could always hope Kagome would change her mind, couldn't he? Or he could just kill Inuyasha. Then again, she would hate him if he killed her mate. There just wasn't a good way to get her without her hating him. What should he do besides mope around in his furs? Great, they were here and he hadn't figured out anything.

Inuyasha vaulted above the tree line then dropped and hit the ground running.

"Kouga!" he called, "Can you smell it?"

"My sense of smell is much better than your's, InuTrasha!"

Kouga could only stare coldly as the two reached the entrance of the cave. It was better than acting like a mewling, broken weakling. Kagome lit off Inuyasha's back and skipped gingerly toward him. Her smile was uncertain and she looked so different. What surprised him most was her scent. She didn't smell right. Frowning, he pushed her back and studied her face, wondering if this woman really was Kagome. Staring into her new violet irises, he immediately knew he was looking at the woman he loved.

Grabbing her tightly and holding her to his chest, Kouga cupped one side of her head and pressed her cheek into his. He had thought he would never lay eyes on her again. Screw the growl he heard, he would let her go when he was damn good and ready.

"Shit! How long am I supposed to put up with this crap?" Inuyasha grumbled under his breath then turned his face away and crossed his arms.

"It's not far now," Inuyasha growled at Kouga.

Kouga cleared his throat and his words came out gruff. "My pack is ready, let's go."

Kagome hitched her bow over her shoulder to follow the men and Inuyasha turned around to face her.

"I promised, Kagome. You stay here. We can handle this."

Kagome's eyes dropped. "But...I want to be with you, no matter what."

"I don't want you getting hurt again and you'll just distract me," he insisted. Though he sounded harsh, she could see the shadows of pain, memories of the past, of how his beast had hurt her.

Taking a step back, Inuyasha drew out the prayer beads. He grasped her hand and lifting the necklace, gazed intensely into her eyes.

Kagome's countenance dropped. Did he really think this fight would be bad enough that he might lose his sword and go berserk? And what about Kouga? Wouldn't this humiliate Inuyasha?

"I don't know if they will work, but just in case," he murmured.

Inuyasha lowered his head and she sighed deeply. It was his choice. The beads rattled as she slowly slid the necklace over his head and down his neck.

"I'll be back soon," he promised with a whisper.

"Kouga, can you leave some protection for Kagome? Naraku has a habit of sneaking up behind us when we battle his creations. I'm not letting him get away with it."

"Do you think I'm an idiot," Kouga asked and let out a sharp whistle.

Several pack members approached Kagome and surrounded her as Inuyasha, Kouga, and a few wolves headed down the jutting rocks and out into an open field to face their enemy.

*Disclaimer*

I do not own Inuyasha. Inuyasha and all associated characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I make no profit from this story, nor do I intend to. My only goal is to occupy my demented mind with delusions of actually owning a life-sized, anatomically correct Sesshoumaru SXandroid to use and abuse at will! The characters Kaiaela and Mr. Sesshou belong to me!