Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. This story was written for the purposes of entertainment and I by no means will profit from the story other than the satisfaction of exercising my imagination and writing abilities.

Author's Note: This chapter took a lot longer than I expected in between postings. I probably would have let it lie for another month or so if it wasn't for Lizzie (a.k.a. Kagomefire) being very tenacious about where the next installment was. So I dedicate this chapter to her. If it wasn't for her persistence and pushing this would not have come to fruition. Thanks Lizzie for your boundless enthusiasm and feedback, and for being there to bounce ideas off of.


Chapter 23: Koga Returns

The sun hung high in the sky, the air was heavy with moisture, and despite the clear skies the smell of rain filled the air. A small tornado tore through the countryside oblivious to the chaos it caused in its wake, and to the cries of the two that followed it. Koga could feel the approaching storm despite the almost clear skies, and he did not miss the cries of his clansmen. Frustrated as he had spent the past eight days running in circles hoping to get a whiff of her scent again only to scent infrequent whiffs of the sweet smell that was hers alone, invariably each time he had it came from different direction than before. Wherever they were traveling he could not tell, almost as if they did not have a set destination.

He had to get to Kagome before that damn dog demon filled her mind with this nonsense about saving the world. Koga was not about to let him, or anyone else sacrifice her life to save everyone else. Nor would he give up the shards in his legs, they were the only way he could protect his clansmen… and her. Naraku was going to die at his hands… Koga skidded to a stop and sniffed the air in yet another vain attempt to catch her scent, or even a whiff of the mongrel mutt, Inuyasha. In the distance his keen ears could hear Ginta's futile pleas for him to stop.

Koga kicked a stone and a feral growl escaped his lips. Lately it seemed everyone was trying to hold him back, or at the very least dictate how he should act. As far as he was concerned right now he didn't need anyone.

He had left the council meeting that had been called by some ice demon from the North, a Lord Hikari. It had been the damnedest thing he had witnessed to date; an ice demon standing alongside a dragon demonness as if it were the most natural thing in the world. That should have been the tip-off that something was wrong. The two of them spoke with the heads of the different clans for hours trying to get their support. He remembered his initial anger at the tribes from the south and the west, how quickly they had forgotten what Naraku had done to the Northern clan. Koga had always known that they were cowards, but it never failed to stir his blood to see proof of it.

Koga now mentally kicked himself as he remembered his own easy acquiescence to the plan, anything to bring down Naraku. Impatient and impetuous as always he had given his support and pledged his assistance before he had heard their entire plan. Kagome was the key, and they were all willing to throw away her life to protect their own. He knew to the rest of these youkai that a human life, especially that of a miko's was nothing. However this particular human girl was not expendable, she was his woman.

A sneer of satisfaction graced his face as he remembered the look of horrified incredulity that graced the face of the dragon. "Damn bitch", he muttered to himself as he sat on a rock, loosing himself in the memory as he sniffed the wind again trying to catch any trace of Kagome or her group.

Koga could still hear Lord Hikari's voice, "Unfortunately, the odds of survival for this miko are slim."

His mind once more filled with the sounds of the sneers and jeers that this pronouncement had evoked from the others gathered at the table. He could still remember the feel of the table cracking under the force of his fist as he hit it. His throat still had that raw ache it held as the words spilled forth from his mouth; "What the hell do you think you're doing? You should be trying to find a real way to bring Naraku down. Or are you all cowards? Humph, sending a human girl to her death because none of you are brave enough to face Naraku on your own. Well count me out."

He could still see Lady Taikasei's eyes. The memory of the dangerous flame that had danced to life in them, the smoke that emanated dangerously from her nostrils still gave him satisfaction. He could still hear the tinge of disdain in her voice as she spoke.

"Silence you insolent whelp. Do not speak to us of cowardice, for you are a fool. What bravery is there in one who possesses shards of the jewel? An item we seek to destroy. You are part of the problem. Thankfully the miko is with someone who has a better understanding of what is at stake…"

She hadn't been able to finish that sentence, he hadn't allowed her to. Damn wench should know her place. Rage had taken hold. He looked to his hand he could still feel the rough scales of her neck as he held her fast against a wall of the cave where they had met. His sword gripped tightly in his other hand ready to send her to whatever hell she so rightfully deserved to go to. It was the feel of Lord Hikari's icy claws digging into his shoulder that prevented her death. Even now he could feel the icy breath around his ear as the ice youkai spoke, in that falsely sympathetic tone.

"Young Chieftain control yourself; we can not fight amongst ourselves. You have seen the destruction Naraku's treachery is capable of first hand. But you must understand that we are all on the same side; if we do not come together nothing will exist."

Koga snarled at the memory, but he had released the demoness from his grasp, and turned his wrath on Lord Hikari. "Damn you, where the hell were the rest of you when he killed our clansman from the North? Where were you when that bitch of his, Kagura, slaughtered many of my kin? You all think you're so damned smart. But I know you're scared. Because it's now, when there isn't anything left for Naraku to take but what is yours do you come here with this plan. You're only trying to save yourselves."

Koga remembered with empty satisfaction the immediate change of the tone in the taiyoukai's voice. The act was over. It was a hollow victory, but a victory none the less. The young wolf chieftain was not formed for the art of diplomacy. He said what he felt, and acted as he thought he should. He expected the same of others. He despised any sort of disguise. Over the years of fighting he had learned to distrust the words of others, only actions held the truth.

"Foolish mongrel you are fortunate that others requested your presence here. It was not our thought to include a foolhardy braggart such as you. Now hold your tongue and put your emotions in check or you shall no longer be welcome here. We do not need or even desire your compliance. Lady Taikasei spoke the truth. You do not know what you are about. In your quest for vengeance and your hunger for power that is beyond you, you have foolishly placed your trust in the fragments in your legs. You did not think to consider what the cost of doing so could mean, you only thought of what they could enable you to do."

The cave had gotten very quiet then. All eyes looked back and forth from the impetuous wolf to the ice youkai. The murmurs and original outcry at his outburst were at an end. Koga seethed as he looked into the impassive face of the demon before him. No sign of emotion, no sign of life flickered in the being before him. The ass that was only too ready to sacrifice Kagome's life.

"I will not be spoken to in such a way." Koga had countered breaking the silence in the cave. "Until today you haven't given a thought to what destruction has been caused, or to this miko you are so ready to let die. I have seen her fight. Have you? We can defeat Naraku without letting her face him. There must be a way to destroy the jewel without harming Kagome. I won't allow her to be used in such a way."

"Enough, Koga," Toshiue growled as the elder wolf rose to his feet. " I had thought you finished with this foolishness. Ayame told me of your fascination with this human. Now I see I was wrong to have discounted her information as that of a heartsick female who was tired of her lengthy engagement. Tell me I'm incorrect." Toshiue demanded as the elder wolf rose to his feet. The elder wolf's grey eyes were as hard as steel as looked into his, daring the younger wolf to defy him.

Koga felt for the first time a twinge of guilt in his choice, but he had gone too far to back down now. Nor would he allow any of them to hurt Kagome, not even this elder wolf. "Ayame spoke the truth. I intend to marry this human. As my intended she is under my protection and I will not allow her to be used in such a way. I'll see you all in hell before I let you use her."

"You have dishonored not only me and my granddaughter, but the entire collection of wolf tribes with this blasphemy. What sort of demon would willingly lie with a human? From this day forward you are no longer one of us. I was wrong to think that you had much promise, that you would be the one to finally unite all wolves under one leader. I see you know for what you truly are, lowly cur. The sight and smell of you sickens me." Toshiue had turned away from him then.

Stupefied, Koga had not anticipated the guards that were upon him before he could react. He was physically ejected from the cave, not that he had cared. Without a backwards glance he had taken off towards the Western Lands, leaving Ginta and Hakkaku behind. He had not spoken to them or allowed them to catch up as he pieced together what he could of Kagome's trail. He did not want to hear what they had to say about the matter. He didn't want to hear what anyone had to say about it.

He breathed in deeply, and this time he caught a hint of something familiar. It wasn't the sweet smell of milk and honey. It was the foul smell of wet dog… Inuyasha. Koga knew where the damn half breed was, Kagome was never far from his side. Without another thought Koga was off in the direction of the smell.

"Stop laughing!" Inuyasha yelled at Shippo who stood on the bank of the river. Wet, angry and embarrassed the hanyou stepped onto the muddy bank. Shippo was smart enough to hightail it out of arms reach. Inuyasha was in a foul mood, although that was nothing new these days.

This however did not stop the ever impetuous kitsune from commenting. "Don't be mad at me. It was your own fault you fell in. I could have told you the branch wasn't going to hold you. Why don't you just go over there and watch Kagome train instead of trying to spy on her and Sesshomaru? You really need to grow up."

Inuyasha lunged at Shippo who quickly jumped out of arms reach again. "Just shut up" he snarled sending the kitsune a withering glare.

"You really have been in a bad mood all week. Miroku says it's because you're upset Kagome is spending more time with Sesshomaru than you. Sango says it's because Sesshomaru is here. I think Sango's right all you ever did was make Kagome mad."

Inuyasha lunged this time and managed to catch the mouthy kitsune by the tail. "That's it." He said as he hurled the now shrieking kit into the river. "Humph, that should teach him to shut up when I tell him too."

Seconds later Shippo emerged from the water sputtering indignantly swimming to the opposite shore where the others were training. Inuyasha watched as the small fox shook himself off and scampered to where the little girl stood waiting for him, laughing.

"Serves him right" Inuyasha muttered to himself, before he caught a glimpse of a purple in some shrubs across the river. The monk was there. That meant that the taijiya was nearby as well. He picked up a rock and hurled it at the bush. The effect was immediate both Miroku and Sango appeared from their hiding spot. Before they could say anything he yelled out to them. "Serves you right for spying on me! Leave Me Alone!"

Thankfully the two of them took the hint and headed back to their training.

Once more Inuyasha was alone. Wet and angry he leapt back into the tree. Inuyasha knew it wasn't the fall he took into the river nor was it the fact that he was now wet that had him angry. He knew what it was and he found himself helpless to do anything about it other than sit and stew.

Amber eyes watched the young woman with concern. Ever keen especially when it came to the safety of this particular human he could not help but notice the beads of perspiration on her brow nor could he miss the red flush upon her cheeks. His sharp sense of smell could pick up the smell of it as well. His ears could pick up the labored sound of her breathing. Yet she continued on relentlessly without rest towards the brink of exhaustion. There was a fervor bordering on fanaticism about the way Kagome was pushing herself. To the hanyou this effort seemed a waste of time, but he couldn't help but appreciate the fact that it was for him that she was doing this.

The Kokoikomi, Kagome had told him, would allow Kikyo to keep the portion of the soul, to stay alive. Inuyasha knew that Kagome was not doing this for Kikyo. He knew it was for his sake that she was putting herself through this. Even if Kagome didn't want to be his mate, she was still unwilling to let him go to hell. It was her love for him that drove her to do this, that need she felt to keep him alive. Inuyasha had tried to make her understand that he was already dead, he had died over fifty years ago when Kikyo pinned him to that tree. Kagome stubbornly refused to understand.

Damn girl was too stubborn for her own good. At the rate she was going Naraku wasn't going to have to kill her; these damn 'training sessions' were going to do it. No matter what he said she just brushed it off with some little speech and then the two of them would continue until Kagome practically passed out from exhaustion, and from the looks of it she was fast approaching collapse now.

Impulsively his hand clenched and unclenched again as he fought the urge to confront the two of them regarding Kagome's training. A low growl formed in his throat as the memory of the previous afternoons came to mind. Every afternoon had been the same. Every afternoon he had voiced his objections and concerns that they were wasting time they could spend looking for the jewel only to end up in another argument with Kagome.

Crossing his arms in front of him he let out another growl and shook his head. Though he understood why she was pushing herself. Knowing only made it harder to watch. Was he the only person who realized he wasn't worth so much effort? Only one person had ever given this much effort for him, and that person was dead… his mother, Katsume. Inuyasha pushed the thought from his head. Now was not the time to let his thoughts wander there would be plenty of time to dwell on such things when this was over.

Inuyasha wished there was another way as he watched as Kagome let out another sigh of frustration indicating that once again she had not been able to hold onto the barrier. He could see that this was pointless. Kagome could barely hold onto the barrier when she attempted it without fatigue. He didn't know how the hell she expected to hold onto it after she summoned the jewel shards. The first time she had done it she had collapsed from the strain of using that much energy. It was true that she had been able to summon the shard from the demon that had come after Shippo and Rin. Inuyasha may not be a taiyoukai with the ability to sense the strength of a demon's power, but he'd been around long enough to know a weak demon when he saw one. Inuyasha sincerely doubted that summoning the shards from Naraku or any of his incarnations would be that easy. The hanyou felt that Kagome would be lucky to stand on her own after such a feat.

Inuyasha racked his brain trying to come up with a better solution than what was already planned. The thought of Kagome having to summon shards from Naraku still made him uneasy. They all knew that Naraku would figure out what was going on. And they all knew that there was no way in hell he was going to let Kagome follow through with it without a fight. Right now they were depending on the element of surprise. The longer they waited the more chance Naraku had of discovering what Kagome was capable of. Inuyasha knew that Naraku would waste no time in targeting her. He would never allow that bastard to get anywhere near her.

Protecting Kagome had always been the one thing that he had never lost sight of. The one thing that he knew he must do. Every instinct in him, every thought through every battle had been of her safety; even if the price of her safety was his life. Inuyasha didn't think he was meant to protect her from all the other demons so she could face this one on her own. If anyone was going to face Naraku it should be him, not Kagome. That was asking too much of her. Hell this whole thing was asking too much of her as far as he was concerned.

He turned his attention back to the two of them again. His eyes flicked from Kagome to Sesshomaru. The effort Kagome was putting forth wasn't the only thing that was bothering him. There was something about Sesshomaru's intensity regarding her training… almost as if Kagome's life depended on it. Amber eyes turned on his brother accusingly as the thought once more came into his mind. He could still hear the words his brother said to him by the river that morning he tried to run.

"I do not train her just to lead her to her death. I have no intention of sacrificing the miko. No harm will come to her while I am by her side."

It was rare to hear such raw emotion in his brother's voice; even if it was only anger. Inuyasha could probably count on one hand the number of times that Sesshomaru had let his feelings show. The last time had been when he had retrieved the sword from his father's grave. He could only guess at what had triggered his brother's reaction. But these guesses only served to fuel his growing suspicion that there was something Sesshomaru was keeping to himself; and whatever it was it had dire consequences for Kagome.

Inuyasha remembered training with his brother. He could still hear his brother issuing instructions in that commanding voice of his, similar to the tones that his brother used when talking to Kagome. Yet, Inuyasha wasn't sure if it was the passage of time, or his own emotions, but he didn't recall that underlying urgency in his training. There was something in the way that Sesshomaru spoke to Kagome, the way he watched her as if everything that she was doing held the utmost importance. But then again, his brother was convinced that the fate of the world depended on their success.

Inuyasha still didn't fully believe that his brother's theory was correct, nor did he trust his brother. He looked down at his brother, who stood there watching Kagome train with the same unreadable expression on his face that he always wore. Inuyasha always wondered how someone could look so cold, so unapproachable and so powerful all at once. Part of him envied his brother, and part of him despised his brother for it. It had never been easy to know how his brother felt, now it was damn near impossible to know what went on in his brother's head. Still the small voice of dissension spoke inside him, begging him to drop this, to give in.

A glint of sunlight glimmered off the hilts of two swords worn on his brother's hip… Tensaiga and Tokijin…

"Master Inuyasha." A familiar voice broke through his thoughts. "I came as soon as I heard about the Vendetta. What wonderful news… now we can be welcomed…."

The last part of his sentence was drowned out as Inuyasha quickly closed a palm around the flea and shook his hand vigorously. Myouga always had rotten timing. He should have known the damn flea would show up knowing about it. The last thing he needed was the damn flea to go blabbing to the rest of the group about the Vendetta. Bad enough Miroku and his big mouth had told them about it in the first place. Now the idiots were already warming up to his brother…even Sango seemed less frosty to the taiyoukai these past few days.

There were times despite himself he wanted to believe his brother had changed…like the other morning. He had seen his brother briefly and he had almost given into the desire to put everything aside, to forgive… but then he had caught sight of the swords his brother wore. One, the Tensaiga, a gift from his father; the other, Tokijin, forged from the fang of Goshinki; another reminder of his brother's treachery. It had been his brother who commissioned the sword from the fang of the demon whose hate was strong enough to crack the Tetsusiaga. Anger resolute in its righteous indignation at almost having been duped by his brother welled up within him.

"Whatever you heard is wrong." Inuyasha snarled as he held up his hand to look at the dazed parasite. "Sesshomaru may want to play games, but I'm not about to fall for it."

The flea disoriented and dazed by the rather unexpected and violent greeting he had received tried to steady himself. Ancient eyes rattled around trying to focus themselves, and rested on the familiar form of Kagome who appeared to be in deep concentration. A moment later, the figure of Sesshomaru came into view. Confusion filled the small demon as he turned his eyes back on his master.

"Then why is Kagome with Sesshomaru and you aren't doing anything about it?" Myouga's indignation was evident in every syllable he spoke making it plain that he was not at all pleased by the discourteous treatment he had just received. "Surely she knows about it."

Amber eyes narrowed in anger as the hanyou glared down at his vassal. "She doesn't know. None of them know. And you better keep quiet about it if you know what's good for you."

Myouga looked at the hanyou with a mixture of confusion and indignation. He was not certain what he had walked into or where Inuyasha's mind was at the moment but he knew better than to cross him when he was like this. Despite the things he had seen, and the ill treatment sometimes received at the hands of this particular hanyou, Myouga understood and sympathized…besides he wasn't in a position where he could truly do anything to the hanyou.

Inuyasha recognized the silent question in his old friend's eyes and was almost repentant for his harsh words and treatment. But he would not take them back. Kagome trusted Sesshomaru too much all ready. The only point of contention that she seemed to have with him was the fact that she believed the Brother's Vendetta still existed between them. For whatever reason Sesshomaru had not told her it didn't exist any longer, and for that small favor he was grateful.

Inuyasha sighed. The flea in his hand forgotten as his eyes once more followed the motions of the raven haired woman below him. He did not want to imagine her reaction if she ever found out that the both of them had kept it from her. Part of him wanted to tell her that it no longer existed just to prove to her that Sesshomaru was keeping things from her. However, he wasn't foolish enough to believe that he would leave that conversation unscathed. The hanyou was fairly certain there would be another crater shaped like him if he were to ever start such a conversation with Kagome. He just wished there was a way to stop them from being so close. It sickened him to watch the two of them every afternoon.

They trained for hours together, and then, when Kagome would collapse the two of them would just sit there talking like old friends. It took everything in him not to shove her forcibly away from his brother's side. Kagome was his friend, and Sesshomaru was his brother but he had never been able to talk to either of them the way they seemed to talk to each other. He knew he shouldn't be jealous, but he was…of both of them and he hated himself for his weakness.

Restless, his gaze once more wandered to his brother and rested upon the swords he wore. And once more he chastised himself for the silly wishes of his heart. Sesshomaru would use that weakness to destroy him once his guard was down. The hilt of that sword glinted once more in the sunlight, a silent reminder of just how deadly his brother truly was, no matter what it may appear to be.

Myouga let his gaze follow where Inuyasha's had strayed and he knew the reason for the hanyou's black mood. Years of living with the hanyou and his family had given him an insight into the hanyou that few could claim. The flea knew what warred within his master. He had been with him since the hanyou had fled the Castle of Sunset. He had seen the emotional turmoil that Inuyasha had gone through.

Ancient eyes looked upon the two training, and he was reminded of many familiar scenes within those castle walls, but instead of a young girl receiving instructions it was the hanyou sitting across from him. Those were the only times the hanyou had known peace since his mother's death. Not exactly the affection his mother had shown, but the attention of his elder brother would be the nearest thing to affection that he would receive from anyone for many years. When that was taken away, Inuyasha had changed, hardened in some ways, and he had never really recovered. Myouga could only begin to guess at the memories and emotions that watching the two of them would stir in Inuyasha.

Myouga was suddenly pulled from his thoughts as he watched in alarm as Kagome swayed unsteadily on her feet only to watch in surprise as Sesshomaru was instantly by her side helping guide her to the ground, letting her rest against him as he sat by her side. That was a sight he had never in all his many years had witnessed.

After gazing in astonishment at the taiyoukai before him, his eyes went back to the hanyou who sat beside him gauging his reaction. However, Inuyasha showed no astonishment to the scene, in fact his emotion had not changed, it became apparent to the flea that this was not something new, and he could not help but wonder at the situation. Much had happened in his absence.

Once more Sesshomaru found himself supporting the young woman as she lay against him, too exhausted to even sit on her own. The past five training sessions had all ended in the same way, but today the girl had pushed herself even harder, because not only was she leaning on him, but she had fallen asleep. This was a first and he felt a pang of guilt at having pushed her hard enough that she would fall unconscious from exhaustion. However in the end, he knew that unconscious was far better than dead.

Sesshomaru listened to the even pattern of her breathing, as she lay against him so trustingly. He hoped he deserved such confidence, and he knew he had not done much to earn the faith she had so generously given to him. That alone made her special. However, the taiyoukai knew it was much more than her ability to trust in her heart so implicitly that made her special. There were so many facets to this enigma that lay against him.

Kagome indeed was an enigma. She made him re-evaluate his definition of human. She challenged it at every turn. She challenged him at every turn. How many years have gone by since he had this kind of companionship with anyone else?

'Too long' the answer came immediately to his mind. Jaken and Rin were companions true, but they required nothing more than his presence there to make them happy. Almost as if on cue Rin's laughter rang out over the field. Amber eyes strayed to where she played with the young kitsune. The friendship formed easily between the two of them. He wondered if that would last as they got older.

Kagome's weak giggle caught him off guard. The sound of it pleased him, as it meant that she was getting stronger. Her recovery time was definitely improving. Hope swelled in him at this realization. He looked down upon the top of her head his face its usual mask of stoicism.

Kagome felt the movement of his body beside her. She knew he was probably wondering what she found so funny. Their friendship was new and tenuous at best that she didn't want him mistakenly believing that she was laughing at him. She thought it best to tell him what had her laughing.

"Jaken sure seems to be playful this afternoon. Maybe all this time around the children must be paying off." Kagome said in amazement as she watched Rin tag Jaken only to have him bolt after her.

Sesshomaru looked over his shoulder to where his retainer was standing close enough to see the children, but far enough away not to be included in their games. The sour look still firmly planted on his face. Jaken had made it abundantly clear that he did not like staying with these humans. And he was even more dissatisfied with the fact the children were often in his care. The taiyoukai knew that only reason Jaken stayed was his loyalty to him.

Sesshomaru didn't need looked back to Kagome to know that she was watching the children play. A frown creased his brow as he realized who she was talking about. She was relying on her sight instead of her miko perception. This is something that he would need to remedy. Tomorrow he would bring this to her attention.

Shippo turned then and his tail was exposed. "Oh," Kagome's voice still held amusement but realization as well. "I guess I should have known Jaken would never play tag with Rin."

Sesshomaru didn't comment on this. And the girl didn't seem to want one as she watched Shippo take his true form once again. They watched as Rin made a request of the kitsune. Shippo promptly turned into a mirror image of the young girl. This made the original clap her hands and squeal in delight. This time when the other Rin turned there was only a small hint of a tail behind him, barely noticeable.

"Shippo is getting better at changing forms. Soon we won't be able to tell the two of them apart." Kagome said obviously pleased with the kitsune's trick herself.

"The kitsune is improving. Fox illusory magic is a rather effective tool against humans. They rely too much on what they see with their eyes, that they have lost use of some of their other instincts." Sesshomaru replied. He stole a sideways glance watching her face for any indication that she understood his meaning.

She did not disappoint him. He knew when she had understood his meaning as a bewildered hurt expression crossed her face and Sesshomaru felt a brief pang of guilt for his words. He too had taken for granted that she used these powers of perception. How often could she sense how he was feeling? How often did she hear past the words that he said and found the hidden meaning? He had just assumed that she could spot the kitsune in whatever form he wore.

Before he could think further the words were coming out of his mouth. He turned to face her fully as he spoke. "Do not trouble yourself on that account. I too have overlooked this part of your training. Tomorrow, before we work with the barrier again we will train with the kitsune and Rin."

Amber eyes held midnight in silent apology. He was rewarded with a tentative smile before she spoke. "I told you I wasn't a miko."

"Hai, that you did." He replied giving her a smile of his own. An action he found himself becoming more and more comfortable with in her presence.

Kagome's only response was to smile more broadly back at him. Those smiles of his were becoming more and more frequent these days. The only thing that still bothered her about the taiyoukai was the Brother's Vendetta. She still hadn't been able to convince him to drop it. Maybe…

Her line of thought was interrupted by an all too familiar yet always overpowering feeling. Her entire body froze and midnight eyes widened in realization of what was coming her way.

Jewel Shards… she sensed them coming near them very fast that could only mean it was one demon… Koga.

Sesshomaru saw the girl stiffen. Midnight eyes opened wide as if she had been struck by a sudden feeling. Instinctively he sniffed the air, searching for anything that would explain the girl's behavior. Then he smelt it. Faint but growing stronger.

Wolf… the scent of the wolf named Koga filled his nostrils was carried on the new breeze that came from across the river. A quick glance at Rin and Shippo gave his mind ease. Rin's terror at seeing the bastard was not something he would soon forget. And though he would never admit it to anyone he would not like to see that terror on her face ever again.

"Kagome, I will deal with this wolf. Stay and rest. I will not allow you to exert yourself for this demon." Without giving her a chance to argue he was already striding to the bank of the river. He had no qualms about killing this particular demon if he was here to get in the way.

"Where the hell is he?" Koga demanded as he came to a stop at the base of the tree where Inuyasha sat watching as the unwanted visitor approached.

"Even if I knew who you were talking about I wouldn't tell you." Inuyasha snarled as he regarded Koga with a mixture of emotions varying from surprise to annoyance. The wolf was the last thing he needed right now. The gods were definitely against him. First the big mouth flea showed back up knowing all about his brother and the blasted vendetta, and now this.

"I don't have time for this dog shit. Where the hell are your brother and Kagome? Or am I going to have to beat it out of you?" Koga asked as he cracked his knuckles.

Inuyasha stared at the wolf demon, torn. On the one hand he didn't want to give into Koga's demands. On the other hand the wolf was more than ready for a fight. This might be an opportunity to show Kagome how stupid both these two demons really were. At the very least she'd have to choose at least one. He hated to admit it, but if he had to choose he'd choose Sesshomaru, at least his brother wasn't interested in Kagome that way. Whatever he needed her for, when this was over at least he'd never have to see his brother again.

"That will be unnecessary as I am here." Sesshomaru voice stated calmly, startling both demons. Cool amber eyes met cerulean blue eyes that blazed with a heated fervor reminiscent to what he had seen burning in his brother's eyes the morning Kagome returned from her time. Whatever it was had the wolf in a murderous temper and he could care less if he found out why or not. Sesshomaru knew only too well the wolf's fascination with Kagome and he was not going to allow any interruptions.

"Inuyasha, see to Kagome and the children" Sesshomaru commanded his brother, his eyes never leaving the wolf's gaze. "Koga and I have unfinished business to attend to."

Inuyasha debated with himself for an instant on whether or not to do as his brother asked, but as it got him away from the both of them he didn't hesitate and leapt from the tree, landed on the bank and was once again in the air crossing the small space between the two river banks and was by Kagome's side, for the moment Myouga was forgotten in the tree; silent and observant, two traits that had enabled him to live these many years.

"I should have told him what you are up to, I doubt if he knows what you're planning to do. Does he know it will kill her? That'd be the end of your little truce wouldn't it?" Koga sneered.

Sesshomaru regarded the wolf for a moment. It was obvious that the wolf knew more than he had thought. He had wondered if Hikari would inform the wolves, now he had his answer. That knowledge meant that he could not handle this as quickly as he would have liked.

"What is between my brother and I is none of your concern. As for the miko, I have no intention of letting any harm come to her." Sesshomaru replied cordially.

"Why the hell are you even using her at all? I thought you of all demons would understand that not all humans are expendable. Or will I have to carry through on my threat to the young girl that travels with you? Don't forget I know how you feel about her." Koga's voice was deadly serious and his blue eyes glinted with malice.

Sesshomaru didn't blink, his tone didn't change, but as always the taiyoukai didn't mince words. "What claim do you have? Obviously Lord Hikari and Lady Taikasei spoke of what we have planned. They must have told you that there is a chance of her survival."

"I'm not up to playing games. I've been tracking you for ten days now, and I'd as soon slit your throat." Koga continued to glare at the taiyoukai before him. Not in the least put off from his intentions by Sesshomaru's cool demeanor or his placating words.

Sesshomaru saw there was no dealing with this fool. Like his brother this demon was headstrong; unwilling or unable to see the truth when it was before him. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow and narrowed his eyes relaying his unspoken challenge. Koga lunged at him. Sesshomaru easily stepped out of the way. The wolf skidded to a stop and turned around, making another pass at him, which ended with the same effect.

"We can do this all night, and I assure you, that I do not tire as quickly as you will, or you can stop this foolishness and listen." Sesshomaru said impatiently.

Koga regarded the taiyoukai then and nodded indicating that Sesshomaru should continue. Seeing this Sesshomaru continued with his explanation, "Kagome holds pieces of two souls, both incomplete within her." At the vacant look in Koga's eyes Sesshomaru knew that the wolf had no idea what he was talking about. Deciding it was best to know what exactly the fool did know Sesshomaru's next question was blunt. "What do you know of Kagome and this affair?"

Koga was offended at being questioned as if he were a child. Mostly he hated being forced to admit that in truth he knew very little about Kagome other than the fact that he knew that she could see the jewel shards, and now it seemed she could summon them. That the taiyoukai meant to use her to summon the entire jewel and destroy it which would ultimately kill her. "I know enough. I know that destroying the jewel will kill Kagome."

"There is a chance she may survive, but she will have to be strong enough." Sesshomaru replied calmly to the heated response he was given by the wolf.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Koga demanded. "This better not be some sort of game. I've had enough of them at that joke of a tribunal."

Sesshomaru looked at the wolf with cool amber eyes. He definitely did not need another hot-tempered foul mouth fool hanging around. Especially one he was not related to and had no prior obligation to deal with. Inwardly Sesshomaru wished he could deal with this fool like he had originally intended to. At the moment he didn't have the time let alone the inclination to play this game any longer.

"I find it hard to believe Lord Hikari did not mention the details of what we intend to do. If he and Lady Taikasei thought the wolf tribes important enough to include in this, then I am certain they filled you in on all that we know."

Koga glared at the dog demon who stood before him, calm and unruffled. His fist clenched at his side. He hated this. He hated when someone tried to reason their way out of something, and he was certain that the demon who stood before him was trying to just that. "Stop the bullshit Sesshomaru. I know what you're about. I know her life means nothing to you…" his rage and anger were cut off effectively here as Sesshomaru grasped him by the throat. A move the wolf didn't anticipate. Now he struggled for breath as he looked into eyes that were no longer amber, eyes that now glowed a dangerous shade of red.

"Enough, you fool." Sesshomaru snarled. "I haven't time to waste explaining or arguing with the likes of you. If you wish her to live, you won't interfere."

Sesshomaru fought to control the rage that welled up inside him as he held Koga by the throat inches off the ground. The gasping sounds the demon made as he fought and tried to claw for some sort of ground gave the taiyoukai hollow satisfaction. Though it would have given him immense pleasure to end the wolf's troublesome existence right then and there, Sesshomaru was not foolish enough to believe that this at would not go unnoticed by the other wolf tribes. He could not jeopardize anything that Lord Hikari and Lady Taikasei had worked to put together.

Reluctantly Sesshomaru released the death grip he had on the wolf's neck and watched with no small amount of pleasure as the wolf fell unceremoniously to the ground in a heap. He looked down with evident disdain on Koga as he knelt gasping for breath as he struggled to regain his breath and his pride once more. The wolf's temper flared even hotter than before at this attack on his person.

Cerulean blue eyes lifted in defiance to stare into amber eyes that glittered like polished topaz. "Kagome is my woman. By the laws of our land I have every right to a say in whatever pertains to her safety. I was a fool to allow her to stay with that half wit brother of yours. I should have known the baka would get her killed."

Sesshomaru clenched his hand into a tight fist. Kagome's words floated into his mind. "I wanted to protect him. I pushed him away and I tried to do it again but he wouldn't let me." Could it be that Koga spoke the truth? He didn't know. It was possible for Koga to be alive in Kagome's time. He pushed the doubt away. Koga surely would have marked her if it were so.

"There are no markings on the girl. She bears no sign indicating that she belongs to you or is in any way affiliated with your clan. Furthermore, Kagome has never mentioned any such alliance with you. In fact she hasn't even spoken your name in the time that I have been with her."

"Are you calling me a liar?" Koga growled.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, and in the voice he reserved for dealing with difficult heads of state he said, "No, I am merely suggesting that you may be mistaken." Sesshomaru hoped that he was right.

Suddenly Sesshomaru felt a slight tingle at his neck. Reflexively he grasped the flea between his thumb and forefinger. "Aren't you supposed to be watching over my brother?" Sesshomaru asked the small parasite.

Myouga audibly gulped, knowing that the wrong answer would earn him some form of torture. "I was, he took off before I could jump on him. But perhaps I can be of some assistance here."

"A flea, what the hell are you doing talking to a flea?" Koga snarled angrily. The damn dog was trying his patience.

"Lord Koga, I am not merely a flea. I am Myouga, I serve Lord Inuyasha."

"Speak Myouga." Sesshomaru cut in. Time had not yet erased his memory of how valuable this particular flea's information had been to his father.

"Kagome is not pledged to Lord Koga." A snarl from the wolf was incentive enough for the small flea to continue. "But I can easily see his confusion. She has never declined or shied away from his advances. Nor has she asked him to stop."

Sesshomaru stared at the flea speechless. Could Koga be the man Kagome loved? The possibility of it overwhelmed him for a moment. He was pulled back into the moment once more by the sound of the wolf's voice.

"That's settled then. Out of my way. I'm going to see Kagome, it's time she knew about this."

"NO." Sesshomaru commanded. "I will allow you to see her after you understand everything." Once more Sesshomaru found himself laying his pride aside. He would talk to this fool. He would not allow him to corrupt Kagome or the others. He had come so far with them.

"And whose going to stop me?" Koga asked defiantly.

Sesshomaru's amber eyes glinted dangerously then in silent answer to the wolf's question. Koga saw the raw hatred glinting in those amber depths, and despite his outward bravado the wolf had a keen sense of self preservation. "I'll stay, but it better be worth my time. If it's not, I'm outta here and off to tell Kagome you're trying to kill her. Got it."

"Continue to waste my time, and I'll have a wolf skin to lay by my fire." Sesshomaru countered. This time crimson invaded the amber color of her eyes and his youkai flared momentarily, effectively silencing the wolf. Satisfied that he had the wolf's attention Sesshomaru went about the distasteful task of educating the fool. Part of him hoped Koga would be satisfied and leave without so much as a word to Kagome.

However, as much as he wanted to believe it possible Sesshomaru knew the wolf was likely to want to stay. He didn't know if he could take watching Kagome show affection for someone who was so obviously beneath her. But then again, maybe it wasn't him. He'd be able to see how they interacted first hand. Sesshomaru managed to keep the smile off his face as he reasoned Kagome could practice summoning the jewels from Koga's legs. The ass wouldn't be so cocky if he didn't possess them. Koga would be reduced to his regular powers and he was certain that Kagome would never love some fool who found it necessary to howl at the moon.

Sesshomaru suddenly remembered something. Tomorrow was the night of the new moon. He could not allow Koga to stay. From what he witnessed before there was animosity between the two. Sesshomaru knew that though Inuyasha was just a hanyou his brother could hold his own with Koga if not defeat him. To allow an enemy to know Inuyasha's weakness eradicate what little progress he had made with his brother.

Being a wolf, Koga was always in tune with the phases of the moon. He also knew that tomorrow marked the night of the new moon, the night when the hanyou would lose his demonic powers and become fully human. Koga had no intention of leaving Kagome unprotected against Sesshomaru during such a night and he had every intention of staying with the group now that he had found them.

No dog, no matter how powerful, was going to stand between him and the woman he loved. Kagome was his, and he would see her safe, now more than ever. He would not allow Sesshomaru to continue to have his way unchallenged. Inuyasha apparently wasn't up to the task, so it fell to him to see that it was done.


Everyone…. Just let me say thanks for reading, whether or not you left a review I hope you've enjoyed what I've written so far. As always any glaring mistakes, plot holes etc. please don't hesitate to point them out via email or in a review.

Thanks

Mary