Sorry y'all. I lost my muse for this, but I watched a few episodes of Inuyasha and it's back again. :) Almost been two years, sorry for the wait. In my junior year of high school now. Thank you for the continuous love since i've been gone!

Kagome's P.O.V.

I frowned, my arrow swiftly burring itself into the wooden board and splintering it. It was about an inch off from the red dot I had painted on it. Usually, that would have been good for me, but it still irritated me for some reason.

Inuyasha looked at me scornfully as I stood there, not knowing what to do. Mr. Centipede looked at me hungrily.

"Why ya looking so dumb, Kikyo? Just kill that thing like ya did to me fifty years ago." Who was Kikyo? I sure didn't know. I picked up a nearby bow and arrow. It was covered it dirt, but I could at least try and protect myself. I clumsily readied the arrow, and loosed the arrow uneasily. It completely missed the demon.

"Jeez, Kikyo. What happened to your aim? You look like you don't know what you're doing. You sure as hell ain't hesitate like that when you bound me to this tree." I got a bit frustrated, backing up more as Mr. Centipede got closer. I threw down the bow, turning around and looking at Inuyasha.

"Kikyo, Kikyo, I don't know who she is, but she isn't me! My name is Kagome, get that through your skull, alright? Ka-go-me!"

Why was I so angry? Maybe it was just my mind telling me to get better, and that I was. I was way better than I was before I came with Koga. I'd like to think that I'd would be able to fight on my own, maybe, if I put my mind to it. I walked over to the wooden board, taking out the arrows and putting them into my quiver. I stuffed more arrows into my quiver, making sure it was full. Koga finally wanted to go out looking for jewel shards, and I was excited. I loved the lore that came with looking for the jewel shards. Maybe I'll finally get a version of this feudal story that doesn't constantly shove Inuyasha's and Kikyo's relationship into my face. Maybe this version will have a happy ending for me.

Before exiting the room, I made sure my hidden daggers were sheathed and sharp. I wasn't very good at hand to hand combat, but if the time came (which I doubt it would), I feel like I could manage myself with the skills Ginta and Hakkaku taught me. I was significantly better than I was before, which I was glad for. Everything was better ever since I decided to go with Koga.

I took the bow with me after slinging the quiver of arrows onto my left shoulder. I then made my way into the den. As soon as I entered the den, I saw Koga's face twisted in pain as he looked at his injured arm. His pretty blue eyes noticed me before he set a stern look on his face, to act as if his arm wasn't bothering him. I saw right through it. I stormed over to him to force him to let me wrap it up, but as soon as I was sitting next to him and opened my mouth, a pack of wolf demons came into the den, all holding formidable looking weapons. They were clad in black and wore longer furs than the wolves here in Koga's tribe. Who were they?

"Those are our brothers from the northern mountains," Hakkaku started. "But what are they doing here?"

The assumed leader of the pack stood in front of Koga. "Prince Koga, we would like to join forces." Koga looked mildly annoyed.

"And what's in it for me?"

"There's a jewel shard in a nearby castle. With our forces combined, we would have enough power to kill the lords, take the women, and the jewel shard as well!" I watched as Koga perked up a bit, but he averted his gaze and acted coldly.

"I don't need the stupid jewel shard. I'm powerful enough already." Koga turned his head to face his pack. "If any of you lot want to go after the shard, suit yourselves."

The northern tribe's leader looked at his right hand man, speaking quietly, but not so quietly that Koga couldn't hear. "He already has a pretty woman by his side," he glanced at me, looking me up and down slightly, "I bet she's fertile, too…" I bit my lip to keep myself for snapping. I hated being talked about as if I were a piece of meat. However, if I stood up for myself now, I doubt Koga would have enough fight in him to back up my quick tongue.

The leader's right hand man replied, "You see that?" He motioned to Koga's injured arm with a wave of his finger. "He's got an injury." I watched as Koga's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. The leader turned to Koga's tribe.

"We will storm the castle and take what rightfully belongs to the wolf demons! If you want a piece of the jewel shard, come with us!" The northern tribe stormed out of the den, along with about 75% of Koga's tribe. Their battle cries and heavy steps could be heard for a while after their departure. After it was quiet, I turned my head to Koga. My brow furrowed a little. I knew his arm must really be bothering him if he passed up the opportunity to claim a jewel shard, especially after the one in his arm was ripped away by the birds of paradise. He noticed my expression, his own softening. He was kind to me in the presence of his pack, but even more open towards me when we were alone.

"Kagome…" He shifted a little to face me. "What's wrong?" I felt myself melting under his sweet gaze. His beautiful blue eyes held me.

"Koga… I know it hurts you, you know… Your arm…" I looked down to avoid his gaze. "I know you really wanted to go with them to find the jewel shard. Why won't you let me help you?"

Koga sighed softly. "Kagome… I'm sorry. I didn't know my attitude about this would affect you so much. I just want to look strong in front of you." He bit his lip gently.

I looked up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. "I just want you to take care of yourself, Koga…" Was I falling in love? Koga nodded slightly. He then gently wrapped his uninjured arm around my shoulders. He gently pulled me against him to rest my head on his armored chest. My cheeks flushed red. I glanced up at him. He blushed a soft pink, looking away from me.

We sat like that for a few minutes, maybe 15 at the max, probably, but it felt like forever. Every now and then I heard whispers from the remaining members of the tribe that hadn't left in search of the jewel shard.

Ginta and Hakkaku walked back into the den with a basket of fruits. I heard them giggling childishly, and I felt them peek at us.

"Hey Ginta, it's finally happening! Sis and boss are ready to make this real!"

Ginta snickered, "This is what Koga's been wantin' all along!"

I rolled my eyes at those two, but Koga didn't say anything. He was comfortable being seen with me like this, and I felt needed in his warm embrace. I felt him shift a little. I looked at him with a questionable look on my face.

"Kagome… Let's go for a walk."