I don't own Inuyasha, and I'm sorry for lack of updating. Lack of motivation. If only that was the least of my worries.

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Chapter 8: Wet Dog

"WHAT!" Kagome shouted.

Kouga sweatdropped at Kagome's outburst.

"How could you think that he's my son! I'm too young to have a son! Let alone with Inuyasha, I haven't known him that long!" Kagome kept shouting at the poor wolf demon.

"So. . .he's not your son?" Kouga said with hope in his heart.

"No!"

Kouga sighed with relief, then stared at Inuyasha.

"If he's not your son, then who is he?"

Before Inuyasha could interrupt her, she blurted out, "Can't you tell, he's Inuyasha!"

There was a pause and Kouga and Inuyasha just stared at each other. . . .Then Kouga burst out laughing.

Inuyasha popped a vein. "Why'd you have to go and tell him. It's none of his business. Come on Kagome, let's go."

Kagome didn't have a chance to move when Kouga stopped laughing abruptly.

"I'm going with you."

Inuyasha glared at him.

"What?"

"You heard me mutt."

"And what makes you think you're coming with us?"

"Somebody has to protect Kagome. What happens when a demon attacks?"

"Then Sango and Kirara will fight it."

"Sango is a great fighter, there's no denying it, but she's still a human, no matter what her perfession. Even with the help of her demon pet, she's still no match against a real strong demon. And you know it."

As he spoke, Inuyasha was thinking. Kouga was right. Sango was a trained demon hunter, but she was still trained in working with a group. No way could she fight by just her and Kirara. Great, first Sesshomaru, now that damn wolf.

"Fine, but you're only allowed to accompany us for as long as we need you. And that shouldn't be too long."

Inuyasha turned and started walking toward where the rest of the group was. Kagome smiled after Inuyasha and started walking with Kouga bringing up the rear.

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Back by the lake, Sango was getting everything situated. It took a lot of convincing, but she was finally able for Sesshomaru to allow her to help him onto Ah-Un along with Rin. Kirara was ready to be ridden as well. When Inuyasha, Kagome, and Kouga came back, they were a little surprised. Inuyasha refused to talk to anyone, so Kagome explained that Kouga would be traveling with them as well for a little while.

"Where are we going to now?" Kagome asked Sango.

"There's a village near by that I know of. We can get rest there. It's a quiet village, so it should be safe for us."

With that said, Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha climbed on top of Kirara. The young males inbetween the two females. . .much to Miroku's delight. Sesshomaru and Rin were riding Ah-Un, though the two-headed dragon refused passage for Jaken, so he was stuck hanging on to the reigns as tight as he could when they took off. Kouga was just going to run, as usual.

The village that Sango talked about was rather small. On one side of it, down there was a big river. Since the village was so small, it wasn't bothered by things of the outside world. They had never had any trouble with demons, and were actually rescued by a few, so the group had no trouble finding a place to stay for the night.

"It looks like a storm is coming." Miroku stated looking at the skies.

"I think you're right. Good thing we found shelter, right Kagome?" Sango asked.

"You bet! This was a great idea of yours Sango!"

Meanwhile, Inuyasha was glaring at Sesshomaru, and vice versa. And with Kouga snickering quietly at him, Inuyasha's will finally broke.

"I'm going for a walk."

Kagome turned to look at him, "Don't be ridiculous. It's going to storm soon."

"Feh. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

Inuyasha left the hut, and started to walk in the light woods near the village.

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It had been an hour since Inuyasha had left, and he still hadn't returned. The storm clouds were now above them, with rain and soon thunder and lightening. Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and even Rin were worried. Sesshomaru and Kouga weren't so worried.

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Inuyasha was grumbling about the stupid rain, his stupid brother, and that stupid wolf demon. He was standing just outside the village and decided that it was time to return to the warm fire. It was getting dark fast, and the wind was picking up. Yeah, it was definantly time to go back.

He started to go through the small clearing that lead into the village, when the storm seemed to get ten times as worse. He could barely see where he was going. His ears and nose were freezing, and the rest of his body wasn't far off from doing so.

As he was walking, he didn't see the rock in front of him, so he tripped and fell. Now, it wouldn't have been so bad, if he wasn't close to the bank of the river. But he was, so it was bad. Instead of falling onto the wet grass, he fell down the bank, and into the river itself. And to make things worse, he had hit his head, so he wasn't even conscious when this happened.

So, without anyone's knowledge, not even his own, Inuyasha was swept down the roaring river.

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Kagome looked outside the small window. I hope he's okay.

Sango, reading her friend's face, "Don't worry Kagome. Inuyasha is smaller, but he's still Inuyasha. He'll be okay. He's probably sleeping under a tree, dry and okay. He just needs some alone time. And he'll be back in the morning."

Kagome smiled, "You're right. I guess I shouldn't worry so much."