I'm back again! Yay! Spring Break! Halleluiah! Well, lets get on with this chappy! Soon two MORE people will be arriving, and then two MORE, and then ONE more, but it may not be in that order. I'm confusing you aren't I? -_-; ^_________^ Good! Now I'll start typing! Yay! I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait! Whoo-hoo!

And no, I STILL don't own Inuyasha. *pout* = disclaimer.

Chapter five, although it seems like four.

A Demon Without Fangs

* ~ *What went on last time* ~ *

"What is it? What do you smell?" She asked, worry evident in her voice.

His eyes glowed red when he realized what it was he was smelling. He growled deep inside of his throat. "Wolves."

Ch.5

Kagome gulped, taking a step back. She remembered the wolves that attacked her, Inuyasha, and his father when she first arrived here, and when she was little she used to have nightmares about it. Now they were coming again, for reasons which she didn't know as of yet. She glanced over at a glowering Inuyasha, knowing what she would see. His eyes took on an eerie red glint to them as he snarled, hands clenched to his sides. He looked dangerously mad. No, he looked like he was about ready to rip the world apart, but he'd settle for demons instead. In this case, wolf demons.

"Inuyasha?" She asked quietly, but it came out in a squeak.

He blinked, then looked in her direction, just now noticing that she was here, and could get hurt, and seemed frightened not only for herself, but for him as well.

"Don't worry Kagome. They won't last for long."

A shiver ran up and down her spine. She couldn't tell if it was because of the threat of his words, or if it maybe contradicted what was about to happen. She thought fast. A huge dust-devil looking thing was coming directly toward them. Kagome clutched the shard around her neck. This demon, it had two…no three shards. Her eyes widened at the realization. He would be a formidable opponent, especially with the fact that he was also full demon.

"Inuyasha be careful," Kagome warned over her shoulder as she headed to the back of the hut where her bow and arrows were. "It has three of the jewel shards!"

He turned to stare at her, brow furrowed in confusion as she sprinted away. "Hey! Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back!" She yelled one last time as she turned the corner.

He growled. "You better be girl. You aren't leaving me by myself!" He focused towards the trees in the forest once again. The smell was getting stronger, the wolf was getting closer. He crouched, a low growl emitting from his lips. He would tear the flesh from these beasts until they begged for mercy! They almost killed his father. They would have succeeded if Kagome hadn't been there. She was to only reason his father could transform the Tetsusaiga. His eyes softened at the thought of the mere human, then they sharpened again. He wasn't getting soft now was he? He focused on a feeling he at least knew about, rage. He focused on the enemy, on the feeling of victory he would feel if he accomplished this.

It was then that they appeared. There were only four of them surprisingly, but one was their leader, the one that stood tall and slightly in front of the others. Inuyasha growled threateningly. "What are you doing here? This isn't your territory! Get out!" He snarled, barely controlling jumping the stupid wolves on the spot.

The one in the lead snorted, smirking slightly. "We don't need to hear this, mutt. You're only a half-breed! I can smell your weak human side. You don't have dirt on us dog-turd."

Inuyasha clenched his jaw, eyes angry slits. "Oh, yeah? I'll make you eat your words!" He leapt through the air, claws unsheathed, but the wolf demon was too fast. He easily sidestepped the attack before Inuyasha could utter a word. The hanyou turned, seething, to glare at this imposter. "Just who do you think you are?!?" He bellowed.

The wolf-demon smirked again. "I come from the western lands, dog-turd. My name is Kouga, but I'll only give you this information so you know who overpowered you and delivered your death blow."

"Bastard!" He yelled, launching himself at the guy named Kouga. "You'll pay for that!"

Kouga just lifted an eyebrow at that comment, sidestepping Inuyasha's swipes and attacks, just ahead of the hanyou by and inch every time. Kouga grinned, as if this was nothing. Inuyasha on the other hand was starting to become really pissed. He wanted this demon slayed and he wanted it done now! A growl rose in his throat and he yelled, "Soul shattering iron claw!" His claws slashed outward and Kouga jumped high up into the air, evading the attack that destroyed three trees near-by along with some rocks and boulders. He landed easily on a large gray boulder, Inuyasha having not once wiped that stupid grin off of his face.

"Face it dog-turd, you're just not strong enough. You only have half the strength I do, and you are still as slow as a turtle."

"Why you…" Inuyasha started to say through grit teeth. He hadn't noticed the other three wolves sitting idly while watching their leader fight the 'worthless pup.'

"Leave Inuyasha alone, you!" Came a feminine voice that nearly knocked Inuyasha off of his feet. She came back, but not only that, she stood up for him too! He looked over to his left, where Kagome stood with her feet planted firmly on the ground, bow raised pointed directly at Kouga, strung at the ready. Inuyasha continued to stare, surprise and shock crossing his features.

"Ka-Kagome?" He asked, not sure if it was a mirage of some sort.

"How dare you insult Inuyasha! Even if he is hanyou, he's still stronger than you!" She loosed the bow, sending the arrow flying free, directly at the wolf's heart. He looked shock, and barely avoided getting a full blast of Kagome's miko powers at work. She glared, frustrated at herself for missing, even though she couldn't have done anything about it. "The power you hold now isn't even your own! You're feeding off the power of the Shikon no Tama, three of the shards to be exact!"

Now Kouga glared. In an effortless hop he landed right in front of her, earning a little "eep" to escape her lips as she jumped, startled. "How do you know about the shards?" He asked slowly, dangerously. Kagome found it difficult to swallow. She stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes, face ashen. He looked her over, finding he liked what he saw. Again he smirked. "Can you… see these girl?" He asked, motioning to the shard in his wrist. Dumbly she nodded, and his smirk widened. "Than you are to be my mate!" He declared cheerily, yet forcefully.

Kagome's jaw dropped, "What?!?" She screeched.

A strong clawed hand tightly closed over Kouga's shoulder, squeezing hard. "I don't think so," Said a dangerous gruff voice.

Kagome blinked. "Inuyasha!"

Kouga growled, mood changing drastically. "Get your hand off of me, dog-turd!"

"What if I don't wanna?" came the snide reply.

Now it was Kouga's turn to seethe. "Then you…will…pay!!!" he growled, grabbing Inuyasha's wrist and throwing him over his shoulder.

Inuyasha flipped in the air and came lightly down on his feet, smirking. "Was that supposed to hurt?"

"Argh!" Kouga attacked Inuyasha with all he was worth, but the dog-demon was too fast. He hated to admit it, but something had changed the moment this girl entered the picture. The moment the words about her being his mate were out of his mouth. What was so special about a damn human? He could treat her better than any dog-turd could! He was full demon, therefore he was stronger! But if he was so strong, than how come he couldn't land a punch? What was the bond between these two? Were they already mates? No, that couldn't be it. She didn't have a mark on her anywhere, so she was obviously there for the taking! That sorted out the wolf-demon grinned once again, mind back on the fight before him. He noticed his companions edging toward the girl and smirked. This was already a done deal as far as he was concerned. The stupid mutt wouldn't know what hit him; or where the girl went to. This was definitely his day.

Inuyasha slashed out with his claws, leaving three red welts across Kouga's check, the middle one drawing blood. "Mind on the fight, bastard, or is this all the strength you got? Believe me, I've fought worse."

Kouga growled at that statement, then snickered. "Why are you fighting me, if it's to protect your wench. She isn't even here right now. You should have been keeping an eye on her." When Inuyasha froze, Kouga stopped backing away from him and crossed his arms over his chest, grinning smugly.

Inuyasha turned to see what he was talking about, the voice in the back of his yelled warning with full alert never to turn your back on an opponent. He didn't care at the moment, he just had to see that Kagome was safe.

But she was gone.

And so were the other three wolves that had accompanied Kouga.

Inuyasha snarled, grabbing Kouga by his fur, and bringing the demon nose to nose with his. Kouga was a little caught off-guard by the anger rolling of the hanyou's form in waves. He saked the wolf-demon. "Where is she? What did you do with her?!?"

Kouga glared defiantly at the half-breed. "I didn't do anything, and you know it. I was fighting you the whole time.

"Bastard!" He shook Kouga again, rougher this time. "Now tell me where they took her! You're their leader, I can tell by the way you hold your head, so answer my fucking question! You had to have given them some signal to take her away! Now answer me! You don't want to make me mad!"

Kouga snorted. "Who knows where they went. Probably off to hide her somewhere, since we obviously live in the opposite direction. I told you we came from the west. Or are your senses so dull you can't even—"

"Enough!" Inuyasha half-growled, half-shouted. "I'll kill you!"

Kouga raised an eyebrow. "You'll kill me and waste time looking for the girl you obviously want as a mate, when one of my men could be doing numerous things to her, or even claiming her for themselves?"

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed, a hand finding itself around Kouga's neck and tightening. "Then what do you propose I do?"

Kouga shrugged, trying not to look frightened at the hanyou's dark aura that embedded them both. "Look for her. They can't have gone far, and we don't know this place as we do our own land. You should know her scent if you have the nerve to fight for her."

It didn't take long for the grip on Kouga's neck to release, and a charging hanyou diving through underbrush and leaping through the air after his beloved Kagome.

His beloved Kagome?!?

Where did that come from? Maybe he thought of her as a…as a sister? Yeah, that's right!

Then why did he get a sinking feeling in his gut when Kouga proclaimed that she would be his mate? But was he worried over her, wondering if one of the numbskulls claimed her for their own. He picked up speed as her scent got nearer. He had to save her. He had to get her back.

His eyes glowed red. He would get her back!

[AN: Hmm…I could leave it off right here… but you would all be mad at me. *sigh* X he he he! I'll continue. ^_________^ Enjoy!]

Kagome yelped when she felt two pairs of hands wrap around her body. Two clamped over her mouth before she got a chance to yell for Inuyasha, and the other pair grasped her hands behind her back, causing her to drop her bow. Once her wrists were captured in one hand, the other went around her waist, causing her to stiffen. She paled. What were they going to do to her? Another wolf-demon yanked her feet off of the ground, lifting her body into the air. She gulped. Not only was she extremely vulnerable at the moment, but three guys were carrying her off as if she was a dead piece of raw meat. Her temper flared, and she began to struggle like never before, the shock of what they were doing haven worn off.

"Easy, easy, little one," the oldest of the group said once they were far enough away so none could hear. "We won't bite."

Kagome glared at him. 'Not yet you won't,' she thought angrily.

The others laughed. "You're a defiant one, aren't you? What did that half-breed put into that small head of yours? You should obey the alpha. Look at you, defiance is written all over your face! Kouga will have to put you in your place."

Kagome suddenly felt that it was hard to breathe. She paled. 'Kouga? The wolf demon that said I was to be his…to be his…" she gulped, "mate?" She struggled and kicked. No way were they taking her without a fight! No way!

"I don't see why he would want a mere human," one of the more gangly wolves commented. "She doesn't look that special, although she is pretty filled out." He gave her a predator's smile and Kagome wanted to punch him in the face.

The one who hadn't spoken shrugged, lost hold of Kagome's struggling foot, and got kicked in the face because of it. He growled, recapturing her leg and digging his claws into her flesh in warning. "Maybe it's only because she can see those shard thingies." Now Kagome was wriggling like a worm, causing them to stop walking and re-gather her in their arms. She kicked the guy holding her feet again, in an extremely private place she was pleased to find out. He doubled over, going cross-eyed and then menacingly looking at her through his bangs. His eyes glowed red. "I swear! If Master Kouga didn't want you for himself I'd kill you right now! Not after I took you for myself of course. That way you'd be shamed, and your little 'puppy' wouldn't want anything to do with you!"

Kagome subconsciously tightened her thighs together at the thought, eyes going wide in horror. 'Oh no you didn't!' she thought angrily. 'You did not just say what I think you said!' She growled and hissed, getting one of her hands free with her writhing and twisting and lashed out, coming in contact with the gangly guy's face. Angry red welts sprung up onto his face as he howled in pain, releasing her other hand. She punched the guy holding his hand over her mouth and caught herself on her hands before hitting her head. She yanked her feet free, kicking the wolf in the chest as she flipped up onto her feet, then spun around, readying herself for a fight. She was right, they came up all teeth and claws.

She evaded their swipes by a hair, and continued focusing on defense at the moment, looking for their weaknesses, yet keeping a watchful eye so they wouldn't corner her. When she kicked the already sore wolf in his most vulnerable spot once again he collapsed to the ground. She knew she wouldn't have to worry about him for a while. Arms wrapped firmly around her and she tensed. The gangly wolf charged after her, ready to take her out. She used the weight of the other wolf and leaned back, lifting her legs off the ground to kick the poor wolf under the chin right before he attacked. She smiled grimly. Couldn't they tell she was best with her feet yet? Not only did they give her an advantage with their swiftness while running, but her legs were much stronger than her arms.

She set one foot back on the ground and bent her other knee, ready for a back kick once again to a place where 'the sun doesn't shine.' The wolf-demon holding her quickly wrapped a leg around both of hers, holding both of her arms to her sides with one arm, his other moving to her neck. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she slowly began to realize that she was trapped, stuck in the mercy of a creature that despised her, she having just knocked out both of his buddies. She gulped, her head tilting upwards as a clawed finger traced not-so-gently over her throat. She gasped when she felt him prick through her soft skin. She felt the slowly gooey substance trickle down the side of her neck as he gave it even more pressure, knowing she was bleeding.

He leaned down to her ear, his breath hot on her neck, yet stuck up the air around her. "I could end it all right now," he threatened. "One swipe of my claw, and you're more vital vein would spill blood all over the earth. You'd die in a matter of minutes. How does that sound? You deserve it for what you did to my kin just now."

She winced as his grip around her neck tightened, obviously forgetting about his previous threat and now deciding he would much prefer to strangle her slowly, watching her eyes beg for help, mercy, pity. She wouldn't give him that pleasure. She wouldn't beg for anything, especially not from a low down scum bag like him.

"What do you say, wench?"

Kagome closed her eyes, giving one last struggle. It didn't work. His grip only tightened, cutting off even more of her air supply. He loosened on her throat just enough so he could hear her reply. She knew what he wanted, and she decided that since her life was about to end anyway, she might as well go down strongly. "I wouldn't beg mercy from you as long as I lived, asshole! You don't own me! A caterpillar is stronger and has more sense than you do!"

She knew she had signed her life away when those words were out of her mouth, but she couldn't help but grin defiantly, even if he couldn't see the expression on her face. His grip strengthened five times, causing her to gasp and her eyes to widen. Her neck would break at this rate!

"You have no idea what you just did!" He growled, his grip across her belly tightening as well.

'Oh, yes I do!' She wanted to scream, but couldn't. It was odd. Why wasn't she scared? It hurt, of course, but…she wasn't frightened in the least for once. Why was that? Was she waiting for something to happen? Did she expect him to drop dead right before sending the death blow? Did she not care if she lived or died? She was pretty sure she did. She definitely didn't want to die! But… why wasn't she crying? Why wasn't her heart threatening to beat out of her ribcage at an incredibly fast rate? What was going on here?!?

"Let her go!"

Three words; those three words filled with all of his suppressed rage, anger, and hatred brought her to a sudden realization in a matter of seconds. That was why she wasn't scared. She knew, she had known, that he would come for her. He would save her, just as he always had starting from the day she nearly fell into the river since she was little. She knew he wouldn't give up searching for her, and at the last second he would find her; rescue her.

Finally her pent up tears were able to flow free. He came, for her. He was angry, because of what they had done, to her. And now she was caught, trapped, and couldn't do anything about it. She stared into Inuyasha's golden eyes, seeing worry and concern in them. She wanted to tell him she was okay, that they didn't hurt her…too badly, and that strangely… she wasn't frightened. But her words came out muffled, and it seemed to only raise Inuyasha's anger. She knew that it would only be a moment before the wolf had to make up his mind whether or not he would kill her. All he had to do was slice a clawed finger across her neck, which he already had access to. Now she was scared. She didn't want to die! She really didn't want to die! Not after finally realizing how much she trusted Inuyasha! Not after finally naming that strange feeling in her heart whenever she was around him. It was love, she knew that now. And it had to be stronger than brother and sisterly love, it had to be!

Inuyasha stared at the demon that threatened him Kagome. How dare a wolf-demon touch her, or harm her in any way! He watched in dismay as tears tumbled down the length of her face. His hatred for all wolf-demons rose a hundred fold. He was helpless. One wrong move and Kagome could be dead. He stared at them in horror at the thought. Boy did he want to rip that wolf-demon's skin from his back and use his stomach for a scratching post!

"Let her go you bastard, or I'll make sure you regret it!" He yelled lowly, dangerously, threateningly. His claws lengthened, desperately wanting to come in contact with some sort of fleshly demon, the one holding onto Kagome specifically.

"Make me!" The wolf-demon spat, hand tightening further, causing her to choke and attempt to gasp. Her eyes widened, a pleading yet crazed look in them. She needed air, and she needed air fast!

"Let her go, damn you! Let her GO!!!"

There was silence as they stared at each other, Inuyasha in contempt, and the demon clamped onto Kagome in smug sureness. "Either way, you won't win," he stated, causing Inuyasha just about to go berserk.

"Let her go!"

The voice was strong and commanding, coming from somewhere to Inuyasha's right, the wolf-demon's left.

The wolf-demon blanched. "B-But Kouga!"

"Let her go Jitsu! I'll take care of you later! Did I say I wanted her dead, or did I say I wanted her for all times, as a mate?"

"She hurt the others!" He tried to defend. "I couldn't let her get away with it!"

"LET HER GO, DAMN YOU!" The wolf-demon named Kouga bellowed, surprising Inuyasha, who was still mad at the wolf yet relieved that he might just be able to save Kagome. After she was released, he'd take care of the rest.

Regretfully, the wolf-demon named Jitsu let go of the human girl and roughly threw her to the ground. She caught herself on her hands and knees, choking, coughing, and gasping for breath. At one point she thought she'd cough so much that she'd die since she couldn't get any air into her lungs! When she finally inhaled three long, deep breaths she, Inuyasha, and Kouga were all extremely relieved. She clutched just below her throat, at her collarbone. She never wanted anyone's hands there ever again!

"Now you'll pay!" Inuyasha shouted as he leapt into the air, fury written all over his face. "Soul shattering iron claw!" He yelled, attacking the evil spirit that ever dared to show his face to an angry hanyou. Let alone threaten Kagome. [AN: and Inuyasha's attack is the real translation, just so all of you know. ^-^ Not iron reaper soul stealer, or what-not.]

The attack struck the demon head on, causing him to collide into a semi-close by tree, knocking the wind out of his body, causing him to growl.

"You brought this upon yourself Jitsu," Inuyasha spat. "First for disobeying your leader, and second for messing with me!" He towered over the sorry-excuse for a wolf-demon and was about to deliver a death blow when Kouga suddenly 'appeared' in a swirl of dust, and grabbed the hanyou by the kimono and hurled him away, over his shoulder. Inuyasha rose to his feet, glowering. "What'd you do that for! He deserves to be dead!"

"Not by a dog-turd like you! I would never let a half-breed scoundrel like you kill one of my kind. It is for me to decide what happens to Jitsu, not a mutt like you."

"Why you…" Inuyasha started, cracking his knuckles.

"P-p-please, master Kouga! I was only doing what I thought was bast! S-s-she h-hurt our kind!" Jitsu groveled on his knees in front of Kouga, who seemed not to be paying attention. "She is the one who does not deserve to live!"

"No!" Kouga said sharply. He grabbed Jitsu's main as the other two wolves rose to their feet and came over to where Kouga stood, then he pulled back, yanking his neck at a deadly angle. Jitsu fell to the ground with the sickening thud and Kagome gulped, turning green, then pale, and then green again as the ground soaked up the wolf's blood. Kouga turned to his two remaining companions, a sadness in his eyes that Kagome and Inuyasha had never seen before.

"It had to be done," Kouga whispered almost harshly, his voice tight. "He disobeyed me, and not only that, but he did what he wanted to do. He didn't think, and therefore, this is the consequence. If he got off that easily, who knows what he'd do next." His buddies quickly nodded their heads, not wanting Kouga angry with them or sentencing them to death as well.

"Feh." Inuyasha snorted, "He deserved it."

Kouga was on him in an instant. "No one deserves that, dog-turd." He glowered. Then he moved away, walking directly for Kagome. He grasped Kagome's hands and Inuyasha let out a snarl that he couldn't seem to suppress. "I will see you again… Kagome is it?" She nodded dumbly, thoroughly confused. He grinned in response. "Until then." Then he motioned for his two remaining companions to follow and leave them. Inuyasha growled threateningly as he started to chase after them but Kagome stopped him with her hand.

"Don't Inuyasha. Let's just go."

"B-but, Kagome!" He looked shocked.

She shook her head. "I just want to go home. Please?"

He never could say no to her. "Fine, but they are going to pay one day for ever trying to hurt you!"

Kagome blinked, then a tiny smile caressed her lips. "Thank you."

He looked startled, then realized what he had said moments before, and a light blush covered his cheeks. They walked on in silence, heading back toward the hut. Inuyasha kept fidgeting, capturing Kagome's attention more than once. Something was bugging the hanyou. She tilted her head to the side, slightly confused by his antics. "Is something the matter?"

He froze, slowly turning to look at her almost guiltily, his white dog ears lowered to his head. "None of them…" he faltered, looking silly with embarrassment and curiosity. "None of them…claimed you… did they?"

Kagome couldn't help but to let out a sharp bark of laughter. "No, Inuyasha. None of them claimed me, and even if they did, I wouldn't have accepted. You don't have to worry."

For some strange reason, Inuyasha felt very relieved. He let out a long, slow breath that he finally realized he had been holding, glancing over at Kagome, a tiny almost non-existent smile gracing his lips. She smiled back, blushing slightly. What was it she felt towards him? What did he think of her in return?

"Inuyasha, Kagome! You're back!" Both looked over to see Aya with a worried expression on her face. "I was just about ready to send your father out after you two."

"Didn't you hear earlier everything that was going on?" Kagome asked. "Or at least Rikun…"

Aya smiled. "Yes, we heard, but we knew you two would be able to handle it. I did get a little worried there for a second though when none of you returned for quite a while. Rikun said he smelled blood, but was positive it was a wolf's—what happened to your neck?!?" She screeched. She ran over toward Kagome, inspecting her wound. Kagome pulled back when Aya's fingers grazed the wound. Aya froze. Kagome froze. Then Aya backed away, understanding evident in her eyes. "I'll give you something to put on that. It will help it heal in a few days and take the pain away. I'm glad you two are back."

Kagome nodded. Inuyasha's eyes had been on her the entire time. He looked at her with sorrow and pity. It would take a while for her to allow anyone near her neck, especially with all the warnings Rikun had given them as they grew older about how to never let anyone get to their belly or neck, since they were the most easy places for a kill. Inuyasha sighed. If only he had been paying more attention. Never again; he vowed to himself to never again get so caught up in a fight that he wasn't aware of what was going on in the background. Kagome came first. He would always protect her like never before now. He had learned his lesson, and for a demon… it only took once.

YAY!!!! I'm done! See y'all laterz! I'm HYPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^______________^ My friend's; Somebody's Soulmate and JadeWing; are all having a slumber party marathon and we're going to watch movies and spend THREE days together! Yippy! We'll watch the CCS movie, the Inuyasha movie *hopefully*… if I'm not evil and *if* I bring it… ::evil grin:: and we'll watch the Escaflowne movie that FINALLY came to Blockbuster! I'M SOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY! And I practically taped EVERY Inu-Yasha episode off of T.V. so..yeah. It's going to be MUCH fun! I'll try to up-date to this story again during Spring Break, but I can't make any promises. Sorry. I'm going to be VERY busy! And… I have to clean. @.@ *sigh* REVIEW!!!!! PLEASE?!?!?!?!?!? I luv all of ya! Ja ne! Byes!