Summer Heat
By: Arthia Maxwell

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. And because of the popular demand I'm writing more! So no complaining when I leave it off on a cliffhanger, that's just my way. There are a few character add-ons, and those are mine! MINE YOU HEAR ME!!!!! Anyway, I'm sorry this took so long to get out. I've been getting ready for college and trying to find a job. And Micheale's going to kill me when she finds I haven't posted on Backlash. Author runs away screaming in terror.

Kagome looked over the bandaged Hianta. She had done everything she could, seeing that she wasn't a doctor, but he looked better then when she had first seen him. Hakkaku was watching her closely; he had wanted to stay close to his friend. Kagome looked back up at him.

"He'll be fine, Hakkaku." She said as soothingly as she could. Hakkaku sighed and took Kagome's hand in his.

"Arigato, Nee-chan." He smiled. "Is it true that you're Inuyasha's mate now?" At her nod, she smiled. "That's good, but." His glance went to the cave entrance.

"He will be just fine." Hianta stirred but didn't wake. "Could you go get some water for Hianta for when he wakes up?"

"Yes, Nee-chan." He was off and Kouga entered shortly. He sat down next to her cross legged and folded his arms across his chest. He snorted but made no move to question how his friend was doing.

"He will be fine, Kouga." He turned and looked at her, his expression softening.

"Thank you." He said simply then looked down at Hianta again. "Your mate is coming. Along with your other friends."

"I'll explain to him what's going on and he WILL help." She gave her best impression of growling and Kouga couldn't help but laugh.

"You know, Kagome, Inuyasha is lucky to have you." She saw sorrow cross his features before he turned away. They sat in silence for a few more moments before Hakkaku returned with a water skin. He sat across from them; at about that time Hianta decided to wake up. He groaned looking up at first Kouga then Hakkaku, then finally Kagome.

"Nee-chan?" He asked weakly, closing his eyes again.

"Shh, Hianta, here drink some water." She nodded to Hakkaku, who picked up his weak friend and held the flask to his mouth. Once Hianta had drunk some water and was laid back down to rest, Kagome stood needing some fresh air. She walked out of the cave and down the small incline to the meadow and the shore of the small pond. She sat down heavily on a rock and stared into the water. She never felt the youkai coming until she was right behind her.

"Who are you?" Growled a low menacing voice. Kagome whipped around and gasped in surprise. Standing before her was a tall, elegant youkai. Her had long white hair pulled back in a braid that fell heavily down her back, her silver eyes were flecked with violet stared at her with an intensity of a territorial wolf. That's when Kagome realized that she must have been a wolf youkai; she had three navy strips on her left cheek and a vertical scar over her eye on the other.

"I said who are you, girl?" The voice was growing colder and more impatient. She watched the youkai's pointed ears twitch and her nose wrinkle as she sniffed Kagome out. Just how many times am I going to get sniffed by youkai's? Kagome wondered. "You smell like." Her voice faded not knowing how to describe it.

"That is Kagome and she is Inuyasha's mate." Kouga said from a few feet beyond them. The female youkai straightened up but didn't turn toward him.

"I was thinking more like pregnant." She replied smartly only then did Kagome notice the change in her. She seemed playful, almost as if she cared for Kouga or maybe she just liked to play with him. The youkai wore a forest green yukino tied with a black sash and matching pants that clanged closely to her shapely legs. Like most youkai she wore no shoes.

"Namida, leave Kagome be." He grinned at first one then the other. Knowing her place among the lower ranks of the pack she closed her mouth and looked away. Kouga knew she very well had the strength to beat Himika, the current dominant female, but she would never do so, and both women knew it. He knew she was scared, but of what she would never tell him, not matter how good of friends they were. "Where have you been?" He asked making Namida flush slightly. She was prone to wonder off for long periods of time with no explanation as to where or what she was doing. He had found as of late that he was missing her being around to argue with or even talk to. She knew everything about him and he still felt as if she kept him in the dark about a few things.

"Off." She said simply before storming off for the cave. She stopped a few yards away from them. "I heard that Hianta was hurt." Her question was silent but before Kouga could answer Kagome did.

"He'll be fine." Kagome's soft reply seemed to visible relax the female wolf youkai.

Once she was out of sight, Kouga turned to Kagome. "She's a white wolf youkai. They are very rare and very powerful."

"Where'd she come from?" Kagome asked looking slightly up at Kouga.

"She just showed up one day." He shrugged. "You must be hungry, come let's go get some of Shichisa's soup." He walked away expecting Kagome to follow. Kagome began to follow but stopped suddenly. She looked around the clearing to the woods, but she could neither see or hear anything. But she did sense a shard. Kouga called out to her and she quickly entered the cave.

Inuyasha grumbled the entire way to Kouga's cave. Miroku and Sango shared and knowing smile. Shippo, not wanting to risk another lump, rode on Miroku's shoulder. The two humans had to ride on Kirara because Inuyasha refused to slow down.

Once he got to the hidden den, he knocked the baffled guards out of the way and barged into the cave.

"KOUGA!!" He bellowed, his eyes twinge with red, his temper raising. Before he could yell any more something heavy and white crashed into him. The two wrestled around on the floor before Kouga's booming voice gave a sharp order.

"Namida, back off now!" The white figured jumped gracefully back from Inuyasha to stand slightly behind Kouga, and be yelled at by who Inuyasha recognized as the alpha female, Himika. The figure that had taken him down just stood there, head bent taking it. He was confused, for the woman was giving off awesome amounts of energy. She could take down Himika, yet here she was taking the abuse. Kouga spoke over his shoulder but didn't take his eyes from Inuyasha.

"Himika, leave Namida alone. She was just trying to protect the tribe." Instantly Himika shut her mouth but she sent a sharp glare to Namida. Kagome came up behind Kouga and Namida, she smiled widely upon seeing him.

"Inuyasha." She said running to him and embracing him tightly. "I'm sorry, but Hianta was dying, he needed my help." She pulled away enough to look up at him. His eyes soften and he leaned down leaning his forehead against her's.

"You weren't there." He whispered. "You weren't there and I thought I had lost you." His eyes shined but no tears fell down his face. Kouga watched him with interest as well as Namida. Her eyes saddened a bit at seeing them so close, but they quickly returned to their usual emotionless gaze.

Kagome reached up and stroked one of his ears. "But I knew you would smell Kouga and come find me. But right now is not the time to pick a fight. Kouga's tribe is in real danger." It had been quite some time since the birds of paradise incident. Inuyasha looked up at Kouga, who nodded.

"Well what is it?" He asked sharply, earning a poke in the ribs by Kagome. He loosen her from his embrace but kept a hold of her hand. Kouga only then looked over his shoulder at Himika, who was still glaring at Namida.

"Himika, go find some food for our guests." She instantly did as he said gathering some of the women youkai to help her. Miroku and Sango, Shippo now riding on her boomerang, walked up to the four. They stayed respectfully silent as Kouga explained what he knew. "We had been attacked several times now, by what we do not know. Each time all but a few were killed. It's usually our hunting parties that are attacked." He shook his head. "Whatever it is, it leaves no smell for us to trace, and there is no tracks to follow." Inuyasha could hear the slight break in his voice. Apparently so did Namida, for she placed a hand on his shoulder, stalling him from saying anything more.

"Look dog-boy, our tribe is dying and if something isn't done soon we will lose everyone! Some for the children have even been killed!" She saw that had stuck a cord with the hanyou's companions. Just then Himika had returned, the women behind her carrying trays of food. Her face was livid with anger.

"OUR tribe?! What do you mean OUR tribe?!" She stalked forward and backhanded Namida. Namida turned her face in the direction of slap, four red lines of blood welded up on her right cheek along with a light outline of a hand. "You are a loner! I still don't understand why Kouga hasn't run you off yet!" Namida's head stayed turned and bright crystalline tears welded up in her eyes.

"Please stop." Namida whispered in a low quiet voice. Himika reared with anger.

"STOP! If you have a problem why don't you do something about it?" Himika was a good head shorter then Namida and stood on the balls of her feet and jabbed her finger into Namida's shoulder. Just as Himika reached back to slap Namida again Kouga's hand wrapped around her wrist. Startled Himika turned to Kouga.

"Never touch Namida again." He growled in a low menacing voice. Himika stumbled backwards to avoid Kouga's wrath and quickly motioned for the other women to begin setting out the food. Kouga turned to the Inuyasha and the others. "I'm sure you all are hungry, please sit and have something to eat." Inuyasha dragged Kagome to the makeshift table and sat down, pulling her with him. Miroku followed suit, only to end up with a lump on his hand for trying to grope Sango while she tried to sit down. Other members of the tribe settled in whatever empty place there was, except for the place at the head, near where Inuyasha was seating.

He had to admit that this was a side of Kouga he had never seen before. He had to admit that Kouga had earned a bit of his respect, but he would never admit that out loud. He watched as Kouga went to Namida and turned her face gentle to inspect the wounds. Satisfied, Kouga whispered reassuringly into her ear and guided her to the head of the table where he sat her down next to him. After setting several items of food in front of her he turned back to Inuyasha. Inuyasha didn't fail to notice that Kouga kept her closer to him then necessary.

"Your mate saved Hianta's life. I know the whole tribe is thankful for that." Kouga saw several of the youkai seated with them nodding their heads. "However, it is now to dangerous for either Kagome or Shippo to be here. So we will put you up for the night, but I suggest that you leave in the morning and continue your search."

Inuyasha raised his eyebrow, ever well aware of his mates want to help. "And what makes you think that we don't want to help. You said it yourself that your tribe is in trouble. Kagome would never forgive me if I didn't do something to help." He said grudgingly, although there was sincerity in his voice. Inuyasha felt Kagome's hand tighten in his, showing him her thanks. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see Miroku and Sango nod their agreement. Kouga and Inuyasha might fight from time to time, but both knew that they were allies in the end.

"Pardon me for interrupting, but could perhaps the kitsune stay with the wolves left behind?" Namida muttered not looking up. All though out the meal she hadn't touched the food in front of her. Shippo looked sharply at her as if to say 'you-don't-think-I-can-help?' Kouga, however, knew that she was concerned for the kitsune.

"Maybe he would be willing to help protect the other children." Kouga muttered then shook his head. "But the real question is would he be willing enough, or strong enough?" Kouga's tacit wasn't lost on any of the other adults.

"I'm strong enough!" Shippo protected. He waved his little fist. Kouga raised his eyebrows at him. "But I don't want to leave Kagome." His little face contorted in fear and determination. Namida leaned forward to stare into his brown eyes with her silver ones.

"Shippo?" He nodded. "Shippo, how about the two of us make a deal?"

"What kind of deal?" He asked, his curiosity peaking.

"How about I go to protect Kagome and you stay here and help protect the youkai who will stay behind?" She smiled at him. Shippo watched her carefully to see if she was just trying to deceive him. She wasn't. He reached out his paw and lightly touched her unharmed cheek.

"Deal." He chirped, then said, "You need to eat then. You'll need your strength." With that he dug into his own plate. Namida looked down at her plate, then up at Inuyasha and Kagome, then to Miroku and Sango. She was sure they didn't need her help, but Inuyasha seemed to relax some, giving her a small smile. Kagome's whole face gleamed, radiating her assurance and happiness. She glanced to her side to look at Kouga. He was watching her as well. She quickly leaned over her plate and began to eat.

Kouga leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Thank you, Namida." She stiffened but said nothing and continued eating. The next morning would bring some changes to the tribe, but she wasn't sure if they would be good or bad. She looked over her shoulder at Himika. The woman was so obvious. Everyone knew she wanted to be Kouga's mate, but she was livid that he was infatuated with a human. Namida saw the small smile spread across her face and then the frown. Himika pined her with a glare. Namida's eyes widen as she realized what Himika was thinking, but in truth she only could guess at half of it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Finally I'm able to get another chapter out! I'm sorry it took so long, and I'm sorry that it's so short but hang in there there will be more. I won't bother you with my annoying questions, but please do R+R! Or suffer the wrath of the mighty bitch!..hehehehe