Finding the fox demon sitting on the porch he went out and sat beside him. His anxiety floated on the air, burning InuYasha's nose. Sighing he reached out and picked the kit up, under the arms for once instead of by the tail. He placed him on his knee and giving him a small comforting wuff felt the kit relax. "All right squirt. I need to talk to you. I know what happened today ain't your fault, in fact it's mine. I forgot to warn Kagome and assumed you'd know not to touch her mark. I ain't angry about that, keh, it was a mistake and I know you ain't going to repeat it." Reaching out he poked the kit in his little round belly, "She said you were a big help today keeping the other males away from her and I'm grateful. But I need to know if this Nobu guy is going to be a problem. What didn't she tell me Shippo?" He trusted the fox demon to tell him everything his mate had avoided because she knew how hard InuYasha's instincts were scraping at him. The other youkai wouldn't hold back.

Shippo felt his tail bristle as he thought about Nobu. "She really didn't like him InuYasha. Her scent got all weird and angry. He called her Kagome-kun like he had the right, and if she'd had fur it would have stood on end! She wouldn't even talk to him so when he sat in front of her and tried to take her hands, well, I jumped on him!" He was smugly proud of rescuing Kagome for once. "You could tell that his Haha-ue was mad at how he talked to her. She told Kagome she was sorry for his bad manners." He'd gone outside with Kaede after that. Head hanging he said "I went outside with Kaede-sama after that and he snuck up behind her and grabbed her arm. I'm sorry I didn't protect her like I promised InuYasha." The half demon only nudged him to continue. "I've never seen 'Gome move that fast or get that mad! She good have been an Inu when she snarled that he was never to touch her again" Snarled Shippo, imitating Kagome quite well. "I thought he might mess himself when she told him he would have to deal with you if he ever tried. Oh and his Haha-ue and ChiChi-ue were really angry! I could smell it." His nose was getting better all the time.

The demon was clawing at him, pushing him to teach the human not to touch something that wasn't his. Breathing hard through clenched teeth he slowly pushed back until he had control again. "Am I going to have to do something about this…human?" he finished with a growl.

"Nah, I don't think so. But a warning from an angry Inu… might not be a bad idea." Shippo gave him a wicked youkai grin that InuYasha couldn't help but return, fangs flashing in the late evening light.

"We'll pay a visit tomorrow." Shippo's surprise at his inclusion made him chuckle. "Yes you too. You protect her as much as I do. But tonight I need to be here so I need you to do something for me. Will you go get Kaede? Tell her I need her for Kagome." He didn't want to scare the kit. He knew Kagome was ok or at least getting closer to ok thanks to his Tetsusaiga, he just wanted Kaede to check and make sure. When the fox demon whimpered in worry he rumbled his assurance that she would be fine. Jumping up the fox ran for the village.

InuYasha went back inside to his mate. She was still sleeping, Tetsusaiga glowed still, but softer than before and she wasn't holding it so tightly. Reaching out he laid his hand over his sword, feeling the slow pulse of energy that drained into his mate. Already she looked better, the dark circles were fading and her skin color was back to normal. Sitting beside her he stroked her hair back from her face, caressed her cheek and allowed his mate call to roll around her, a steady rumbling purr. When the sword's glow finally dissipated he place it back into his obi. 'Thank you Tetsusaiga.' The sword was such a part of him he was only a slightly surprised that it would want to help his mate. Ear flicking he heard the running feet of Shippo and the quick steps of Kaede.

He met them at the door. "Kaede." He said nodding to her.

She studied the half demon. He wasn't reacting like a man whose mate was seriously sick or injured. "All right InuYasha. Tell me what's happened to Kagome." She felt her nerves settle a bit. Shippo had run through her door saying InuYasha needed her for Kagome and she should hurry. The old miko's heart had stuttered in fear.

"She's sleeping but…" he scrubbed his hands over his face. "She's exhausted and I ain't sure why." He led the older woman back to where his mate lay sleeping. "When Miroku and I made it back to their house she was asleep and Sango said she'd been that way for a couple of hours. Then when I tried to explain what happened with her mark…" Guilt ran through him again and he shook his head in shame. "Somehow we managed to loop the link. My…guilt and… pain at almost hurting you and Shippo, it magnified in Kagome until she couldn't breathe." He clamped down hard on his feelings, not closing their link but not letting them roll into her either. Walking into the bedroom he sat on the edge of the bed and held Kagome's hand, Shippo ran up beside him and looked at him in question. Jerking his head he gave the kit permission to jump onto the bed, even though it went against his instincts, he knew it would please his mate. Shippo sat down beside Kagome's shoulder.

Kaede, having been privy to the same tour that InuYasha had given Sango and Miroku, had never seen this room before and was impressed with what she saw. Until her eye fell on the girl sleeping in what InuYasha had called a 'king bed'. Moving quickly to Kagome's side she shooed InuYasha out of the way. He growled at her until she pinned him with a cold stare. "Ye called me remember?" Pulling the firs and sheet down she let her miko powers rise, hands slowly moving over the girl, she was finding changes in her that weren't unexpected for what she knew of a youkai mating but… . She tugged the blankets back up before stroking Kagome's hair once in affection. Motioning to the two youkai to follow her, she left the room.

Making herself at home she prepared tea for the three of them saying "InuYasha make yourself useful and relight the fire please." She had things to discuss with him and wanted tea. A soft knocking had them all turning towards the door.

"Come in Miroku." InuYasha called without moving away from where he was starting the fire.

Miroku shoved the door open with his foot, hands full of pots and baskets, Kagome's old back pack hanging off his shoulder. "Kami InuYasha! Did you have to buy out the entire market? This stuff is heavy!" Setting the pot and Kagome's basket down, he slung the pack off his shoulder. "Here, Sango sent rabbit stew in case Kagome was hungry. How is Lady Kagome doing?" As InuYasha wasn't snapping and snarling he assumed she was going to be ok.

"Ah Lord Miroku. Ye be just in time to hear what I have to say. Be there enough supper to feed four?" Kaede had been pulled away before she could eat and had sent Rin to Sango's for dinner instead. She handed the tea kettle to the hanyou.

"Yes Lady Kaede, she sent more than enough." Miroku place the pot of stew next to InuYasha so he could place it near the fire to reheat.

When everyone was seated, InuYasha's patience had worn thin. "All right baba! Out with it! What's wrong with Kagome?" He was getting a twitchy feeling and he didn't like it.

Rolling her one good eye Kaede rose to play hostess. Finding and filling bowls of stew and cups of teas. Siting back down she stared at the fidgety hanyou. "InuYasha your mate is fine and is going to be fine. Her body is changing as ye know. Your youkai is strong and combined with her reiki she is becoming the powerful mate she is meant to be for ye. But she is also human and the change is taking its toll on her human system. When I checked her with my reiki, she practically glowed with your youkai. What did ye do when ye got her here?" She'd been puzzled by how full of InuYasha's energy Kagome had been. It flowed through the young miko twisting and caressing Kagome's reiki, helping to strengthen the girl and rebuild her exhausted powers.

Surprised that Kaede had sensed something, InuYasha explained about his need to fill her with his youkai. It had been a driving instinct that his demon wouldn't let him ignore. He didn't tell them about Tetsusaiga. He wanted to talk to Kagome about it first. He had a hunch about her and the sword but wanted to see what she thought.

"I see. Ye did the right thing InuYasha. Your powers are helping to strengthen her. Kagome is changing faster than any mating I have ever heard of. Her accelerated change is what is weakening her so ye will need to do that every day and ye will need to feed her more. She is burning through her energy to quickly and I believe that is why ye looped the emotional bond, she was too weak to send her emotions back into ye like she should have." Kaede was making educated guesses as they were all learning about the soul bond as they went. "InuYasha, ye need to be… I hate to say it… more attentive with your mate. I think by ye being away from her today may have caused this to happen."

Eyes narrowed at the miko he let a low growl roll through the room. "Explain. Now!" His claws had elongated at the implied lack of care for his mate. He already felt guilty and Kaede's words sounded like a reprimand. He was alpha not her and wouldn't allow her accusations to go unchallenged.

"Breathe boy. I am not saying you have not taken excellent care of Kagome. Ye both are facing the unknown and I am trying to help!" She huffed and wagged her finger at him. "I have a question for ye. How much have ye been sleeping since ye mated with Kagome?"

Surprised, he thought about it and realized he'd slept every night since she'd returned. "Every night." He answered her softly.

"And how much sleep do ye usually need young hanyou?" She sipped her tea, watching him slowly work towards the answer she was leading him to.

"Feh, not this much. I just thought…" He blushed without finishing. He had thought their nights of passionate loving were what was draining his energy. "Are you saying that Kagome is draining my energy?" He hadn't felt any different during the day and had enjoyed holding and sleeping with her at night so he hadn't been concerned… until now.

"Ei, InuYasha. I think that when ye are together ye share your energy with Kagome. I noticed today after young Shippo stepped on her mark and ye filled her with your youkai she was more… vibrant and expressive. Then when she punched that baka Nobu, she put power behind her fist and I do not think she realized she channeled it. After, she started to fade. I though she was simply tired from meeting so many families. Now… I am not so sure." Kaede watched him contemplate what she'd said.

Miroku had been quietly listening up to this point. He'd been worried about the young miko when he and InuYasha had returned. She'd seemed weaker in her aura then he remembered and while listening to her speak about Nobu and then InuYasha's own explanation she had seemed to grow weaker, her colour becoming almost gray and dark circles forming under her eyes. "InuYasha, when you were speaking with Kagome earlier I watched you pull away from her. Then she threw herself against you and asked you for something but neither Sango nor I could hear what she'd asked. What was her request if you don't mind my asking?"

He sighed a little in exasperation. He knew they were trying to help them but it was hard to talk about what should be private matters between himself and his mate. "She wanted the mate call."

Eyebrow rising Miroku had a hunch. "Did you want to… call… to her before she asked?" He knew Sango and Kagome referred to it as 'purring' but he figured his friend would smack him if he did.

Surprised by the monk's insight he nodded. "Right before she started to rub at her chest but I thought it was cause I wanted her forgiveness. I didn't do it because I didn't want to influence her choice." He had a sinking feeling that he'd screwed up, badly.

Reaching out Miroku smacked the dog demon in the head. "You baka!" He hadn't been this mad at InuYasha in a long time. "You and Kagome are soul bonded! It's all about instinct because the only person who can help you know how to help her is your demon. Next time something scrapes at your instincts you will fucking pay attention!"

Snarling at his pack brother he bared his fangs. "Once monk will you get away with that. Once cause you're upset about my mate. Try that tone with me again and I'll kick your ass!" Rising he walked from the room to check on Kagome.

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Standing at the foot of their bed he watched her sleep for a moment before sliding into the bed beside her and gathering her close. He'd failed his mate today not once but twice. He failed to give her important information and then he'd failed to provide what she needed when she needed it. He was Inu, providing for your mate was the most important job you had! He couldn't keep doing this, failing her was slowly killing him.

"Stop… it…koibito." Kagome's soft voice washed over him. "You are…not a… failure. You… never… fail me." She was still tired but he needed her, his grief and despair pulling her out of her healing sleep. Turning towards him she worked to open heavy eyes and found concerned gold ones watching her struggle. "Can you… help me… up?"

Lifting her like she was made of glass he tucked her in his lap, pulling furs around them to keep her warm. She slid her hand in between layers of fabric until she felt warm flesh under the pads of her fingertips. "Tell me what Kaede said. I know she's here with Miroku and Shippo." Something they'd told him was bothering him and the only thing that usually concerned him was her. "It's the bond isn't it? Some thing's upset you I can feel it." She rested her head against his shoulder, letting her fingers stroke his strong muscles, lips wandering along his neck.

He told her everything. The words poured out like water, unending in there flow, until he felt empty. Like he'd been washed clean with his confession. All the grief he felt for hurting her, for not providing what she needed, the fear that he may have hurt someone with his stupidity, and his insecurity that he was failing as her mate. Sighing in relief he rested his cheek against her hair, cradling her to his chest, her calm scent flowing on the air around them.

"Feeling better my mate." She asked him quietly. He nodded, rubbing his cheek on her hair, he purred softly for her knowing how she liked it. Shifting her body she straddled his lap, linking her arms around his neck. "Me too." She smiled at him and kissed his mouth. "So with everything we've learned today, what are we going to do?" She knew what she wanted to do but she waited to see what he would come up with, letting him lead her like he needed as alpha.

Stroking her hair back from her face he searched her eyes. Leaning in, he ran his nose up her neck breathing her into his lungs. "I will need to take better care of you koibito. We will not be apart, not like today, at least until you're stronger. You will eat more and more often and I will infuse your youkai daily to keep your reiki strong until your human body strengthens enough to do it for you. I am going to listen better to what the demon is telling me and probably become even more overbearing than normal." He smirked at her, nibbling her bottom lip a little. "And you will let me do all these things because Kaede, Sango, Miroku and Shippo will not let you stop me any more than I will let you stop me." He expected her to argue some of his points but he wasn't going to budge. She needed this and he needed to see to her care.

Stroking his forelocks she leaned close to his mouth. "Ok koi. Whatever you say." Smirking her own cocky grin she kissed him hard, licking and nipping at his mouth, sliding her tongue along his lip and inside she poured out her love into his mouth, giving him exactly what he needed.

Groaning against her lips he cupped her cheeks and let his desire for her thunder through their link. He worshiped her mouth with his tongue, teeth and lips, making her cry out softly. She was trying to get his shirts apart when he grasped her hands gently. "I will love you later my mate. I give you my word but there are people in our home worried for you and I think we should let them know you're ok." He didn't want to stop her, really didn't want to but he'd been angry when he left them and figured he should talk to Miroku before he left.

Sighing she knew he was right. Standing proved a challenge as she found her legs were a bit shaky. He made her sit on the edge of the bed before pulling the fire rat haori off, he wrapped her up tight, knowing it would help to keep her warm. Picking her up he heard her stomach rumble making him chuckle. "Hungry wench? Sango sent rabbit stew." He added a couple of furs and a pillow to his bundle of mate.

"Oh thank kami! I wasn't looking forward to figuring out something to eat. I'm too hungry to wait!" She was starving, feeling like she hadn't eaten in days. Kagome felt him rumble against her side in amusement.

Shippo had heard Kagome when she woke up and warned the others. He'd wanted to run down to her room and make sure she was ok but when parts of her and InuYasha's conversation reached his ears he decided to stay put. He didn't want to be on the receiving end of InuYasha's anger like Miroku had been. Everyone waited to see how she was feeling.

InuYasha could smell their concern for Kagome before they even got close to the common room. It wasn't a pleasant scent and he noticed Kagome turn her face towards his neck, hand coming up to cover her nose at the odd smell. He shook his hair forward so it's mass gathered partly down her back and partially in her lap. Sending him her gratitude she pressed her face into the silky hair, smelling the musky, forest scent that he evoked.

Walking into the room he paused, eyes scanning for any threat to his still unwell mate, before crossing the floor and placing her near Kaede. He tucked the pillow under her, the furs around her legs, before rising to get her some dinner. The room was silent while he cared for her. When he returned with the bowl heaped with stew he handed it and chopsticks to Kagome before seating himself behind her, his legs to either side of her hips surrounding her with his body in protection. Propping her against him so she rested comfortably without expending any extra energy. "Eat wench." He breathed the words softly against her ear, his eyes glowing golden.

The rest of the room was happy when he sat down. Kaede, Miroku and Shippo exchanged glances. When InuYasha had walked in carrying Kagome they knew something had changed between them. She had her face pressed into his hair and hadn't argued when he'd fussed over her. He'd stalked around them, radiating danger and aggression, a predator on the prowl, watching over his unwell mate. It was one of the first times any of them had felt uncomfortable in InuYasha's presence. He sat in such a way as to protect her from all sides and his eyes glittered golden in the fire light, intense and piercing, always watching.

Shippo was watching Kagome as she ate like she was starving. He noticed that her eyes glittered strangely. He wasn't sure what it meant but he knew he wanted to get closer to her. She hadn't spoken to any of them and that in itself was weird. He shifted his gaze to InuYasha and gave a soft whine to catch his attention. He almost wished he hadn't when those cold golden eyes snapped to his, he shivered but gave a soft yip, asking to approach his mate. Kagome's eyes had snapped to him to. She watched him, neither encouraging nor denying him access, she waited calmly for InuYasha to decide, chopsticks still.

They'd kept their link open, a constant exchange of emotions. She knew he was feeling unsettled, dangerously protective. So she remained calm, submissive, letting him care and provide for her in whatever way he needed. She watched Shippo as he spoke canine to InuYasha. She knew through the link he was requesting access to her and distracted by the uniqueness of the conversation she stopped eating.

Eyes never leaving the fox demon, he brushed Kagome's hair away from her neck and over her shoulder. Leaning down he closed his fangs over the nape of her neck, a soft snarling reprimand to continue eating. Feeling her return to her food he released her. Still watching the kit he gave a soft wuff allowing him access followed by a low growl to be gentle. He let his eyes move to Miroku. The hentai monk was grinning at him, obviously pleased with how he was treating his mate. Turning his attention to Kaede who was watching him with her one good eye.

"Are ye well Kagome?" Kaede address the girl but continued to watch the hanyou.

"I am feeling much better Kaede-sama. Thank you for your concern. InuYasha and I have come to some decisions on what we will need to do to make sure today doesn't happen again." She smiled at the miko and continued eating. Her mate was calling to her with his purr, the vibration soothing against her back. She could tell he was happy with her answer. "Did you get to eat supper Shippo?" The kit nodded sitting carefully beside her on the fur. She smiled at him and stroked his hair.

Miroku was watching them, his brow furrowed. "Lady Kagome? Are you calling on your powers at all?" He could sense a rise in the energy around her and was concerned she was going to weaken herself again.

Focusing internally Kagome concentrate. Shaking her head she said "No Miroku it's not me." InuYasha's rumble picked up again. It had stilled at Miroku's question waiting to see if she was doing something foolish. She sent him her annoyance that he'd think she'd do something that stupid. His tongue ran up the back of her neck in apology making her shiver.

"Well someone is expending youkai." He stared at them in confusion. A sudden understanding dawned and his eyes widened. "InuYasha are you mate calling for Kagome?"

He felt Kagome stiffen. "Not that it's any of your business bozou but yes." His lip curled back over his fang.

Rolling his eyes at his friend, Miroku heaved a giant sigh of frustration. "InuYasha… you are a baka! You are releasing the youkai energy, probably into your mate with the mate call you bonehead!" The fool hadn't realized his 'purr' was what was helping keep Kagome healthy. Standing up he said "I'm going home to my wife." Bowing to the ladies he turned to leave having had enough of the hanyou's frustrating presence. He was heading down the stairs when a clawed hand landed on his shoulder.

Seeing Miroku leaving she gave her mate a hard 'go after him' nudge. He needed to fix things with Miroku before it got worse. She felt him sigh against her back, he knew she was right. He'd been a baka today more than once and it was up to him to make it right. He reached the monk just before the stairs.

"Miroku… I…" He desperately wanted to tuck his hands in his sleeves but Kagome was wearing his haori. "Ok, you're right. I'm a baka, I put my own pride before my mate's health, and I had no right to take my guilt out on you as anger." He scrubbed his hand over his face. "I'm feeling… unsure… about a lot of this." He felt Miroku's hand settle on his shoulder and looked into the monk's kind eyes.

"InuYasha, I know this is more difficult for you than just being married like Sango and I. But you need to stop hating yourself when you make a mistake. The Lady Kagome loves you and your bond is perfect. Truly, unimaginably perfect. You were meant to be together forever and nothing and no one can take that from you. Stop fighting yourself! Do what your demon is telling you and stop worrying so much that you're screwing this up. You can't! This kind of bonding is meant to be but only you will know what's right for Kagome. Be the alpha she needs. I can already tell she has made the choice to let you lead. She's no fool and knows only you know what to do for her, deep down, only you can keep her safe until she comes fully into her powers. Kaede and I can help with educated guesses but only you will know the right thing to do at any given time."

Crossing his arms over his chest he smirked at Miroku "No pressure at all there monk."

"Feh! You thrive under pressure!" Miroku waved his hand in dismissal of his concern.

"Alright monk. Go home to your family. And Miroku… thank you, you make a fine pack brother." He laughed at Miroku's stunned expression before going back to his mate.

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A/N: Because I love you all so much for your awesome and amazing comments... new chapter! Also I wrote two more today so that's a big old Woo! R&R as you will!