Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, or any of the other characters, though if I did, I'm sure my life would be much more exciting.

Chapter 8: Loving Affection

Kouga looked down at the ground, his fists clenching and unclenching, making his muscles ripple. "I'm sorry." Kagome moved a little closer to him and gently touched his arm. He looked at her small hand on his arm, then raised his eyes to meet hers. She looked peaceful; happy even. He smiled slightly, still looking at her glowing face, but something caught his attention.

Inuyasha was staring at him with an amused look in his eyes and a satisfied smirk on his lips. Kouga snapped; he gently shoved Kagome out of his way, knocking her to the ground, and stalked up to Inuyasha. "What are you staring at, you damn mongrel?!" Kouga yelled.

Inuyasha had sheathed Tetsusaiga a few minutes before Kouga pounded over and had his arms crossed over his muscular chest. "Well, what the hell is a matter with you, you shitty wolf? Whadya push Kagome for?" Inuyasha walked right past Kouga and over to Kagome.

He grabbed both her arms and pulled her off the ground then started dusting her off a little.

"Inuyasha, look out!" Kagome screamed as she snapped out of her slight trance. Inuyasha cocked his head in Kouga's direction just as a clenched fist landed on his cheek. He flew off his feet, slamming into his tree. Before he could slide even an inch off the tree, strong fingers curled and tightened around his neck.

Inuyasha slowly opened one of his eyes, struggling to breathe and saw Kouga's satisfied smirk about half a foot in front of him, and Kagome panicking behind him, trying vainly to pull Kouga off. Inuyasha reached his arms up to try to pry Kouga's hand away from his throat. He dug his nails into Kouga's wrist. Warm blood trickled from the wounds, but Kouga's grip didn't slacken at all.

He closed his eye again, his nails still embedded in Kouga, when he heard Kagome's voice. "Kouga! Put Inuyasha down." Inuyasha snapped them both back open, straining to see her, and desperately trying to breathe. Kouga's smirk was gone and in its place was a surprised, gaped mouth as he starred at her.

Kagome had picked up her bow and arrows, notched an arrow, and had it pointed at Kouga's back. "Don't make me have to shoot you. Now I said let him go!"

Inuyasha inwardly smiled at Kagome's bravery. Kouga looked back towards Inuyasha, chuckled and let go of him. Inuyasha fell instantly to the ground, coughing and gasping for air. Kagome kept her bow and arrow in hand but rushed immediately to Inuyasha's side.

"Inuyasha, are you alright?" she inquired, concern obvious in her shimmering brown eyes.

"Yeah, I'm okay!" Inuyasha replied, standing. He threw Kouga a furious glare and growled. Kouga was watching the two intently, before turning and stalking away. "Hey Wolf!" Kouga stopped and turned to gaze at Inuyasha with a look of pure hate in his eyes. "I'll see ya later, if you know what I mean."

Kouga smirked and saluted, before speeding off through the woods. Kagome was at a compete blank. "What do you mean?" she looked at him curiously and a little worriedly.

"Don't worry about it, Kagome. Let's head back, okay?" Inuyasha suggested, taking her hand in his and leading her in the opposite direction from which Kouga had headed. They walked in silence for some time, until Inuyasha couldn't stand it any longer. "Kagome?" Inuyasha looked at her and she turned her attention to him.

"Huh?" Inuyasha stayed silent. "What is it, Inuyasha?"

"I haven't asked you if you're okay." Inuyasha averted her eyes and looked straight ahead.

Kagome stopped abruptly and starred at the back of the hanyou's head. He stopped only a moment later, his clawed hand still dripping her small one. "Well, yeah I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" she gave him a confused and questioning look.

"I don't... well you're being... you're too damn quiet!" Inuyasha stammered. Kagome starred at him blankly and the young hanyou looked slightly nervous. Then suddenly, the girl's face broke into a bright smile.

"You could've just said something. I just have a lot on my mind, but you don't have to worry about me." Her smile diminished for a split second, then it appeared again. She tightened her grip on his hand and started to walk away. But she was stopped suddenly and pulled backwards, spinning gently into Inuyasha's waiting arms.

Kagome looked up at him and her brown gaze met his golden one. He leaned down and took her mouth in a passionate kiss. Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck, as he snaked his around her slim waist and lifted her off the ground, bringing her more conveniently to him.

They ended the kiss moments later, desperate for air. Kagome removed her arms from their place on his shoulders, and he placed her back on the ground. She then put her skinny arms around his waist and laid her head on his firm chest, his warmth bringing her comfort. He placed his right arm on her back and with the other began stroking her soft, raven-black hair. He embraced her lovingly and they just held each other, oblivious to w3hat was going on in any other place then this, for the longest time.

But, gradually, he felt her embrace becoming loose, and he quickly looked down to see what was wrong. He smiled softly when he saw her sleeping. He chuckled. "Kagome." he said quietly. The girl's eyes fluttered open.

"Sorry, Inuyasha." She replied, letting go of him unsteadily and shivering from the loss of his warmth. He walked over to her, picked her up, bridal style, and started off towards the village. "What are you doing?" Kagome asked, a surprised shimmer in her dropping eyes.

"I'm kidnapping you." He answered sarcastically. They shared a laugh. " Well, what does it look like I'm doing?" There was a playful smile on his lips. "I'm carrying you back to the village. You look like you're gonna pass out." Kagome flashed a smile and once again put her arms around his neck. Then, she nestled her head in his chest and fell asleep feeling warm and safe in his arms.

Ohh, I love this kinda scenes! My boyfriend doesn't though, and I know that. I asked him to read it... he got to the part where they're kissing passionately and he threw tyhe book back at me. lol He's still young and naive. It'll happen eventually, lol.

Sorry it took sooo long to update, but I've been extremely busy with an annoying thing called life! School... I hate it, it's the DEVIL!!! THE DEVIL I TELL YOU!!!!! deep breathes I'm, okay now. Well, sry again. Hope you enjoy the new addition and don't mind the chapter mistakes. I'm very.... mistake prone. Seriously mistake prone, everything hapens to me! WHY ARE YOU CRUEL TO ME?? . Bye