Authors Notes: Again, so, so, so sorry about the Kiara thing. I'm so embarassed! Enjoy the short chapter! Read and review.

InuYasha's POV

"Damn it. Naraku just won't die, it's not even worth trying anymore. Every time we get close to defeating him, something happens. Someone gets hurt and then we waste time worrying about them and stop focusing on all the shit Naraku is conjuring up." Our battle isn't going anywhere and it's getting a little frustrating.

"Well.. You can't exactly blame Kagome or the rest of us. He's too powerful for his own good, so if we get hurt.. well, it's not intentional, InuYasha." Miroku had been trying to fall asleep for a few good hours now, but the excitement of the day was keeping him awake.

"Who the hell said I was blaming any of you? it's just.. ugh, I'm sick of that bastard." Kagome keeps getting hurt somehow, and it's painful to watch. There's nothing I can do after it happens, I feel so helpless.

"Just stop thinking about it for now and get some sleep." Miroku was finally tired, and his eyes seemed to be sinking further into his head. "We've done all that we can for now."

"Just shut up and close your eyes. Someone has to keep watch and it sure as hell won't be you, you can't even keep your eyes open." But he's right, we can't do anything.

Kouga's POV

"He's close by.." Damned mutt. I bet he got to Naraku first, and now he's hiding somewhere like a coward.

"Who? Naraku?" Shook Hakkaku, preparing himself for a fight.

"No, InuYasha. And Kagome's around here somewhere, too. The smell of human blood is fading away but I have to be sure, I've gotta see if Kagome's alright." I'd never let anything happen to her if she stayed by my side, I'd protect her with my life. That damned dog doesn't appreciate her like he should.

"Are we going.. again?" Ginta sighed, knowing full well that he'd have to chase after me for a good little while. But it couldn't be helped, maybe someday they'll find jewel shards of their own.

"Yep, follow me." A gust of wind circled me, and I took off sprinting into the forest. They're somewhere close, really close.

InuYasha's POV

"That stench.." I reached for my Tetsusaiga and stood up quickly, watching for swirling dust and an over confident wolf.

Sure enough, he swirled through the camp and over towards Kagome. The sudden gust of wind almost put our camp fire out, fueling my anger.

"You wimpy wolf! You almost put out our fire!" I was shaking with fury by now, especially after seeing him pull Kagome closer to him.

"Are you alright, Kagome? Why don't you come and join us, I'd never let this happen to you. I'm not weak like InuYasha." He held Kagome's hand tightly and brushed hair from her eyes with his other free hand.

"Hey, Kouga. GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER!"

"Wh-What's going on now?" Shippou awoke, scratching his head in confusion.

"Same old, Shippou." Miroku sighed, grabbing the little demon and holding him over his ears.

"HEY! LEMME GO!" Shippou squirmed through his exhaustion, giving up later on and falling back asleep.

"And what are you gonna do about it, mutt!"

Kagome's POV

Things were quickly getting out of hand, I had never seen Kouga so upset before. It was sweet, of course, but violence can't solve this problem.

"Knock it off, you two! We're just trying to get some sleep around here and you two woke everyone up!" How frustrating. It's not like I can choose between the two and end everything, I'm not strong enough for that. I can't stand the thought of hurting Kouga after all that he's done for me, but InuYasha..

"Tell him to let go of you and maybe I won't kill him!" InuYasha was still shaking with anger and his eyebrows, like they so often are, pointed stiffly at his golden eyes. This was the only time he really showed any affection towards me when other people were around, but I think it was just to make a point. He still loved Kikyo, afterall, and even if he does love me, like he said he did.. I'm just a back up plan, and he doesn't want anyone else to sneak up and steal me away from him.

"Thanks for caring Kouga, but I think I'll be alright in a few days." Kouga only stared deeper into my eyes, looking worried and determined.

"Is there anything I can get you that will help? I have to leave soon but I know that InuYasha won't do a damned thing for you, so it's left to me. Not that I mind, Kagome." His light eyes twinkled for a moment, then hardened back to their usual way.

"Heh.. I think I'm okay. Thanks though, Kouga. Where are you headed, after Naraku again?"

InuYasha sat leaned up against a tree, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited for us to wrap things up. It must have been two in the morning, because the stars glowed especially bright against the completely black sky. Night was always something to look forward to, the only time when we have any peace.

"Well, yeah. I'm not going to give up until I find him, and obviously I'll find him long before that mutt over there." Confident as usual, whenever he said something along those lines I sorta believed him. I guess he could easily persuade just about anyone.

"Be careful then, Kouga."

"Don't worry. I won't make you stay here forever with him." He winked and then took off with a blast, knocking a few close by tree's over.

"Ugh.. Damn it, he makes me so mad."

Mad?

How about jealous, impatient, worried, insecure, threatened.. And so on.

Kouga would probably give up if InuYasha just told everyone about how he felt, not just me.

But he's stubborn. And some things never change..

"And why did you let him touch you like that anyway, Kagome? Have a thing for a whimpy wolf like Kouga?" His eyes softened, "Well, why don't you just go and marry him then?"

"InuYasha.. SIT BOY!"