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!!!!!

Namida woke feeling weak. She tried to move but found that she couldn't. It was dark inside the cave, except for a few candles lit near them and further away near something red and blurry. Blurry? She pulled her hand up in front of her face, her fingers were blurred. She suddenly fell into a coughing fit. Warm arms tighten around her, dragging her closer to a warm body.

"Namida?" A concern voice whispered into her ear. Namida opened her mouth to reply then closed it finding it hard to talk as well.

"Kouga?" She asked her voice hoarse and raw. She coughed again, her throat feeling dry.

"Shh, don't try to speak." He shifted against her, his hands pulling away from her. Paniced Namida cried out, her hand weakly reaching for him. His hands gripped her's. "No, no. Don't worry. I'll be back, I promise. I'm just going to get you some water." His voice calmed her.

"K'gome?" She asked weakly having to close her eyes again.

"She's fine. Weak but she's resting better now." He paused. "According to both Inuyasha and Shichisa her baby is fine. Stressed, but fine." His footsteps echoed then fainted then disappeared. Namida lay there trying to reached out with her nose and ears to find out where people where. She could smell blood in the air. Afraid that they were being attacked by the silver kitsune tried to sit up. Her body jerked but other then that she didn't move.

"Woah. Calm down." Kouga's arms encircled her again, pulling her up against his chest. She sat there, her head resting back against his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"Blood." She whispered. Kouga got her to swollow some water first before he answered her.

"It was Himika." He paused to get her to sip a bit more water. "Inuyasha found out and took care of it." He nuzzled her cheek. "You're still warm. Maybe in the morning I'll take you to the lake." He wound his arm around her waist, his thumb lazily stroking her hips through her pants. "The pack will need a new alpha female, and no one wants to step up." She looked up startled at him. "They all agree that it should be you." She gasped.

"I want you to be the alpha female, perhaps even more." His voice was low as if he didn't want any of the others to hear.

"Kouga?" She croaked. He buried his face into her hair.

"Hmm?"

"I.I."She hesitated, her brows furrowing. He nugged her gently, signaling for her to continue. "I care deeply for you Kouga. I have for a while." She closed her eyes, dropping her head back against his shoulder. She could feel his deep throated chuckle. Opening an eye she found him smiling widely at her.

"Then don't worry." His breath tickled her ear. "I will make you my mate when you are well enough." The two stayed like that watching the flickering candlelight in the darkness.

Inuyasha woke, his first conscious thought was Kagome was alive. He went to curl against her but he couldn't find her. His eyes opened and looked around frantically for her. He found her no more then a few feet from him. She was curled around Shippo who was watching Inuyasha with wide glowing eyes.

"Kagome-okaasan is still asleep. She's not hot anymore." He sniffled rubbing his eye. He then flung himself over her laying on her side. Inuyasha looked around finding almost everyone asleep still. He crawled over to them and pulled Shippo into his embrace. The little kitsune couldn't hold it any longer, he brust into tears. Inuyasha patted Shippo lightly on the back.

"She's going to be okay now." He whispered.

"What about my brother?" Shippo asked cuasing Inuyasha to chuckle lightly.

"He, or she, will be just fine." He lay Shippo down between him and Kagome. "Now go back to sleep." Shippo turned over snuggling into Kagome's back. He paused then looked over his shoulder at Inuyasha.

"Thank you Inu-otoosan." With that he went right back to sleep. Smiling slightly Inuyasha curled losely around his family, however, he didn't go to sleep. Inuyasha looked around the cave. He had found that Himika woman had posioned his mate and Namida. His thoughts turned to his mate and the consent danger she would be in. No more then usual, he chided himself. But long ago, after Yura's attack, he had made a promise to himself that he would always protect her.

The next morning Kagome woke up feeling sick, but to tired to move. She wasn't sure if it was morning sickness or what was left of the posion. She turned slightly feeling Shippo snuggled close to her. Her eyes landed on Inuyasha next. He seemed to be asleep, althought she knew better then that. Reaching over the slightly snoring kitsune, Kagome poked Inuyasha in the ribs.

"For all you know I could very well be sleep." He grunted opening his eyes to look at her, worry still evident in his face. Kagome smiled at him.

"Give me credit. I do know you better then that." Her eyebrows riased high on her brow. Inuyasha chuckled and held his family close. Kagome leaned across Shippo and kissed Inuyasha lightly on the lips.

"As much as I'd like to just stay here all day with you, I need to go releave myself." And maybe throw up while I'm at it, she added silently to herself. Nodding Inuyasha released her, watching her stand. He sighed heavily once she exited the cave. He then looked down at the sleeping kitsune.

"Lucky brat." He muttered. After a few moments he decided that she had had enough time to do what she needed. He stood making sure not to disturb Shippo. He then walked out of the cave, noticing the way Kouga and Namida clung to each other. When her found Kagome she was taking a drink from the river. She had an acidy smell to her, but other then that she seemed fine. Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her.

"Ah! Inuyasha don't scare me like that." She chided, leaning back into his embrace. She felt much better since she had 'releaved' herself. She didn't feel any remaining effects from the posion, but she was starting to feel the morning sickness from being pregnant.

"Are you still sick?" He asked, worry in his voice. He tightened his arms around her scared for her and their pup's safety.

"I'm fine. I'm just back to morning sickness." She turned slightly to look up at him. "I'll have to get some herbs to help with that." Inuyasha bent down and nuzzled her, his fingers straying up her body to stroke her mark though her shirt. Kagome sighed in content leaning back against him again. His other hand then strayed to her stomach, his hand resting fanned out. A proud smile spread across his lips.

"Our pup grows steadily." He whispered into her ear. Smiling she leaned back softly kissing his lips.

Inside the cave Shippo woke up to find himself alone. He had a sudden, fleding thought that they were gone, but then he realized he should know better. They would neither die nor just leave him. He sat up to find most of the tribe was awake and about making breakfast and getting ready for the day. He found Namida struggling to get, but failing miserably. Kouga must have gone out with the first hunt of the day, so Shippo made his way over to her.

Coming up behind her half risen body, Shippo turned into a gaint pink bubble, helping to push Namida into a sitting postion. Only returned to his usual form he sat in front of her, watching her closely. Namida's eyes looked so tired, and her body heavy.

"Shippo." She whispered hoarsely, smiling weakly at him.

"Where's Kouga?" Shippo asked taking the two bowls of porridge handed to him. He quickly ate his while Namida explained.

"He went on hunt. He said they wouldn't be long." He huffed. Shippo then moved into her lap. He helped her to eat her bowl and they both laughed at the irony of the situation. Shippo looked around again.

"Have you seen, Kagome-okaansan, or Inu-otoosan?" He asked looking up at her. Namida reached out with her sense to find them. Smiling she looked down at him.

"They are at the river, most likely cleaning themselves for the day." Which reminded Namida that Kouga was supose to take her to wash. She hoped he would remember when he returned. She knew he would have a fit if he found her out there alone.

As it turned out Namida didn't have to wait very long for the hunting party to return. She and Shippo were playing a hand game that he said Kagome had taught him when Kouga knelt down with them.

"Been keepin' her safe, runt?" He asked playfully. Shippo raised his eyebrows high until they disappeared under his brangs.

"He has." Namida pipped up. "He's such great company." She smiled at Kouga. There was a moment of silence, then she raised her eyebrows expectingly. Kouga at first not understanding what she wanted looked dumbfounded at her. When he remembered he let out an 'oh' of rememberance.

"Kagome and Inuyasha are outside if you want to go see them Shippo." Kouga stated calmly. Yelling in joy Shippo made a b-line for the cave enterance. Kouga turned back to Namida, not noticing the curious glances sent their way. "Ready for that bath?" He asked a smirk rising to his lips. Namida knew she was in no condition to make it to the bathing falls by herself. So blushing she nodded.

"Okay, let me go get you a towl and a change of clothes." With that he disappeared but soon popped back up behind her. "Ready?" Namida nodded. She expected him to help, but instead he picked her up and cradled her to his chest. He carried her all the way out to the bath falls (the waterfalls where Inu and Kag where).

He set her down when they got there and took a moment to breath in the fresh air. Namida looked up at him expectingly. He looked back down at her. She had crossed her arms over her chest and was glaring at him. Surprised he knelt down next to her.

"What's wrong?"

"You're here." She muttered. Kouga looked surprised and hurt. "I'm going to take a bath." She made shooing movements with her hands.

"But I thought we were going to take a bath." He stated calmly. "Besides you can't even stand by yourself." He poked her in the side. She glared at him, her silver eyes narrowed.

"I'll be fine!" She wailed, blushing deeply. Kouga grunted ignoring her and began to strip down. This made Namida blush even more and she quickly bowed her head to hide it. Namida jumped when she felt his calloused hand bursh against her shoulder forcing her to look up at him.

"There's no need to be afraid." He rumbled quietly. He reached down and pulled on the tie that held her top closed, his eyes never leaving her's. Once free her haori fell losely open. Kouga, still looking into her eyes, reached out and pushed the haori from her shoulders exposing her upper body. Kouga couldn't help but let his eyes drop, his breath instently caught in his throat. She was beautiful, scared from battles, but beautiful none the less. He didn't know if he could wait, but he reasoned with himself, promising not to push her until she was healed completely.

Ripping his eyes away from her soft flesh, he looked back up into her eyes. He easily pulled her up and against his body, shedding her pants for her. Then with a quick hand he reached down and grabbed up the soap and coth.

He waded them out unlit they reached the 'resting rock'. He sat her there noting the way the water only made it just past her breast. He stood in front of her on a lower rock. Lathering u p the cloth he carefully washed her tired body, not missing one spot. Her eyes stayed closed the entire time, a light blush staining her cheeks. Kouga grinned leanign forward to press a light, loving kiss to her forehead.

"You'll be fine in a few days, if you rest." His voice was filled with mock accusation. Namida half opened her eyes to look at him. She had to admit he was well built. Although she had already known that, but here he was standing before her competely naked. Helpless to the affect he had on her, she let her eyes dirft over his well toned chest down to where the water obsured her vision. Cursing to herself, she let her eyes roam up his arms and back to his face. She could feel her eyes tearing up at the beauty of the body before her.

Concerned Kouga leaned close, pressing his forehead against her's, whispering, "Don't cry. Please, Namida, don't cry. Everything will be just fine." Namida couldn't help but cry at the tenderness he was showing her. Kouga took her into his arms pressing her tightly against his chest. Namida hid her face in his neck. He ran his hands up and down her back, trying to sooth her, but ended up fighting to keep from taking her in that moment. He would wait, he commaned himself, but her soft skin was pressed close to him, making him unusually hot. He jerked slightly as she tightened her hold on him, crushing her breast to his chest. Bitting his lip, Kouga's head bowed landing on her shoulder.

Neither noticed the grinning woman watching them. She had come back to take Namida again, but she had found something else entirerly. Something that she could use to advantage. Her whole plan was working out nicely. Her attacking the wolf tribed had driven the leader to seek out the girl with the shards. Now she could come and kill both the damn hanyou and his 'mate'. Then she would be free to take the shards. She had better be paid handsomely for all her troubles.

But this new development would prove interesting. She could definitely sue this to her advantage. With luck she could kill her hated half sister and prove her purity once and for all!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~laughs at the unfortinate readers~ oops.I guess I ended it to soon. But this will only make you come back and go 'is there more? Is there more?' besides you all know me. I LOVE cliffies! Okay I'll stop teasing you now..I guess..R+R!