Chapter Four: The Mark

For once, Inu Yasha was happy that Kouga showed up. He watched the fight for a moment, and then tried listening and sniffing to see if Kagome was anywhere near him. After a minute he caught a whiff of her scent and yelled,

"Kagome!"

"Inu Yasha!" He kept yelling until she appeared in the clearing, huffing. She walked over to him and collapsed next to the tree.

"Jeez...what...is...going on?"

"I'll tell you if you let me go, it's another arrow." She glanced up to see an arrow sticking out in the same place.

"Well, you'd think she would try something new." Inu Yasha smiled slightly as she reached up and pulled out the arrow. Inu Yasha tore the vines to pieces, and then glanced at the mirror.

"Well at least your buddy Kouga's winning." Kagome looked at the mirror.

"Well, that's good."

"Bravo...nice job you two." Naraku emerged with Kikyo standing next to him. "I expected this to happen a little bit sooner, and I wasn't expecting the wolf demon, but no matter. It still turned out exactly as I thought it would." By the glowering look on Kikyo's face, he had obviously not told her how he thought it would turn out. Inu Yasha reached for the Tetsugia again as Naraku chuckled "No, no. I'll give you some time to recover. We'll meet again..." He hesitated a moment, looking at Kagome with surprised eyes, then shook his head and glided off. Though he did seem to have some trouble taking his eyes from Kagome. Kikyo following behind him dejectedly.

"Inu Yasha?"

"Yeah?"

"Remind me to never to do that again..."

"Uh...do what?"

"Not trust you." She looked at him, smiling.

"But you did, otherwise you would have thought that demon was me."

"Yes, but it took me longer than I would have wanted it to."

"And to think it was my complaining about being a human that gave it away."

"Yes, well." She looked back at the mirror. "Hey, Kouga's gone."

"He is?" Inu Yasha looked at the mirror. Sure enough, only the fake was there, looking pretty much...dead.

"Wonder where he went..." There was a breeze behind her.

"Looking for me Kagome? I bet you were worried...don't worry though, that demon was an idiot, all talk. I took care of him easily." He reached for her hands. "So now...now is when you declare your love for me and we walk off into the sunset." Kagome blushed.

"Uh..." Inu Yasha bashed him on the head.

"Only in your dreams, wolfy." Kouga frowned.

"Well, if it isn't the real idiot. And why was Kagome about to be killed by an image of you? Why weren't you protecting her!"

"I was a little...tied up. If you were in my place, you wouldn't have been able to do anything either. It was Naraku."

"That bastard? Well, at least she's okay. Where is the rest of your group?"

"We got...separated."

"Want me to help you find them?" Kagome and Inu Yasha replied at the same time,

"If you want."

"No."

Kouga smiled at the girl.

"Okay Kagome. Oh, and by the way, I grabbed this for you Kagome." Kouga offered her the large piece of jewel the demon had.
"Thought you might want it." Kagome smiled softly and took it "Thank you Kouga." Inu Yasha let out a growl of exasperation as they started walking. On the way, Kagome explain everything that had happened that day so far.

"So it's been a pretty weird day. Even by my standards."

"This potion...thing...how long will it last?"

"I don't know Kouga, but it doesn't seem to be very bothersome. Except for Miroku of course, but he's always perverted like that."

"Hmm...I can certainly tell something is different with you though, Kagome. You seem...more...intriguing. I feel more like I don't want to leave your side. What do you say? Be my mate?"

"Uh...no thanks Kouga...I don't think I want to be...tied down...at the moment. But I appreciate the offer..."

"No prob, I'll wait until you're ready." Inu Yasha growled again.

"Can we please change the subject?"

"What would you like to talk about Inu Yasha?" asked Kagome sweetly.

"Something not so...Kouga oriented." Kouga frowned.

"And what's wrong with me?"

"Stop pretending like Kagome's interested in you! Like she'll ever agree to be your mate!"

"She said she wants to wait!"

"Read between the lines stupid, she isn't interested in you!"

"Oh and your so much better, dog turd?" Kagome sighed.

"Hey guys?" They both stopped and looked at her "I think we're here." Sure enough, they had reached the campsite. Only Ayo, Rin, and Shippo were there though. Shippo immediately spotted Kagome and dashed over, jumping into her arms.

"Kagome! Where were you! Everyone was worried!" Then he whispered, "Sango and Ayo thought Inu Yasha kidnapped you."

"I heard that." Inu Yasha growled

"Oh hi Kouga!" Shippo said brightly, ignoring Inu Yasha "What brings you here?"

"I had to rescue Kagome because Inu Yasha was too busy being stuck to a tree." Shippo blinked.

"Wha-"

"Lady Kagome!" Miroku appeared next to her, his hand already wandering.

"Hentai!" Sango was right behind him, and gave him a sharp smack, sending him to the ground. "Hey Kagome! What happened?"

"Uh...why don't we all sit down and I'll tell what I know, and Inu Yasha can fill in the rest."

"What about me?"

"Oh, and you too, Kouga." As Sango and Ayo prepared some food, Kagome told everyone what happened, Inu Yasha cutting in occasionally and Kouga putting in some last words at the end. "And that's what happened. Wow, this stuff is really good." She took another bite of the food. Sango smiled.

"It was all Ayo." Ayo turned pink

"Oh...I just...learned to cook. It's nothing really." Miroku shook his head.

"No, it is really good. Will you cook for me forever and bear my-" Sango and Kagome both hit him on the head and he fell, knocked unconscious for a little while. Ayo blinked in confusion.

"What the..." Sango gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"Oh, don't worry about it." Ayo nodded.

"Okay then." After everyone finished eating, Kagome yawned.

"I think I'm going to bed..." Sango nodded.

"Me too...it's been an interesting day." Everyone started getting ready for bed, Rin and Ayo sleeping on the same blanket and Sango with Kirara, Shippo with Kagome, like usual. Inu Yasha settled against a tree and frowned when he saw Kouga standing near him.

"Why are you still here?"

"Because..." He was gazing at Kagome and Inu Yasha growled slightly.

"You are not staying here all night."

"Maybe I won't, maybe I will." The hanyou reached for the hilt of the Tetsugia.

"I'll make sure you don't..." Kouga sighed.

"Doesn't Kagome look so pretty and peaceful when she sleeps?" Inu Yasha frowned. That was his line...to himself of course, he would never say that aloud. "She isn't marked yet is she?" Inu Yasha snapped to attention.

"What?"

"I said she isn't fully marked yet...have you even started? Do you even know the seven steps?"

"Of course." he snarled, "All youkai are told soon after they're born."

"Well I wasn't sure if you knew, after all, you aren't full youkai."

"Shut up."

"So how far have you gone?"

"None of your business."

"Let's see...the first step is complimenting her or bringing an offering. Inu Yasha?"

"Second is protecting her...I know, I know!"

"And the third is...oh yeah, physical contact such as hugging...holding hands. Fourth is...kissing, of course. Fifth is exchanging some sort of vows. For example..."

"I love you..." whispered Inu Yasha, looking tenderly at the sleeping girl. Kouga didn't notice.

"Yeah that works. Agreeing to be mates does too. And sixth is..."

"Blood exchange." mumbled Inu Yasha "Seventh is actual mating, yes, I know Kouga, we all do."

"Not Kagome..." And with that, Kouga left in his familiar whirlwind. Inu Yasha kept watching Kagome, a soft look on his face.

"The third step...that's how far I've gotten...farther than that stupid wimpy wolf." He thought of the steps he had completed, the first, he offered her his fire rat outer kimono before fighting Yura. The second was when they were fighting Sesshomaru and he promised to protect her. The third, which was as far as he had gotten was the time they had held hands. He smiled slightly. "I wonder..." He closed his eyes a moment, imagining the rest of the steps. When he got to the sixth, his eyes flew open and he shook his head "What is wrong with me! Dammit...stupid potion probably..." He looked at Kagome again "At least...I think it's the potion..." But secretly, he hoped it wasn't...