INUYASHA'S POV

As the sun began to rise and my eyes fluttered open I inhaled the scent of kagome, I looked down at her peacefully sleeping and an uncontrollable smile came across my face. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity I slept without nightmares, i felt like nothing in the world could go wrong now that she was back by my side. I stood up trying to keep quiet so that she could rest, while getting dressed for the day my nose picked up on a familiar scent. It was faint, but I could sense it coming from the village. I gave Kagome a kiss on the forehead, holding on to the moment until I would see her again. I left her asleep running towards the village, as I got closer it became clear that my thoughts were correct, the smell was that of Kouga's. The villagers were scrambling around in a frenzy when I arrived and in the distance I could see him standing there, his pack of wolves behind him ready to pounce at his request.

"Kouga!" I began walking towards him, anxious to find out what business he had here. "Inuyasha." Kouga's tone was serious, and I was prepared for a fight.

"So what do you know, you still reek" I seethed.

Kouga seems unbothered by my insult and his eyes never averted from mine as he spoke "Inuyasha, I know she's home, I could smell her 100 miles away. Please take me to her, I beg of you." For a moment I thought Kouga's eyes were watering, but I felt no sympathy only confusion and anger. I wanted to rip him apart. After all this time, could he still harbor feelings for her?

"Like hell I'm gonna let you near her Kouga, I'll kill you if I have to. Besides, aren't you married now? Chief of your tribe? What business do you have with Kagome!" I had my hand on my sword ready to attack at any moment when a gust of wind blew, and I smelled her. Kouga and i both turned our heads to see Kagome standing there in all her glory, she wore Kikyo's kimono and her arrows on her back. She stood so powerful and graceful, the entire village became quiet as they watched her in awe. "Kagome what are you doing" I growled.

She came to stand by my side, grabbing my hand while giving me a slight eye roll at the same moment. I ignored her eye roll, still angry Kouga was in our presence. He looked pale, but his face remained stern and his eyes were now glued to Kagome instead of myself. Kagome squeezed my hand before letting it go, she then stepped towards Kouga causing a growl to form in my chest. I would never understand her kindness towards him, someone who so openly desired to take her from me. Kagome stood in front of Kouga, close enough to touch him, and a half smile formed on his pale face. Kouga shakily began to speak

"I am, I am so glad you are alright Kagome. I heard rumors that you were dead, I, I mourned you." Kouga looked down from Kagome's stare, his cheeks turning red.

"Don't worry anymore," she smiled "I am fine, everything is okay now my old friend." She let out a giggle, lightening the mood. "Don't be so down, I am alive and well! Besides I hear you have much to be happy about, congratulations on your marriage chief."

Kouga frowned, obviously not happy about his current situation "Yes, thank you Kagome. I came to make sure that you were truly alright, word has spread fast about your return, many people are seeking you out. They are all in need of your purification and healing powers, there have been many attacks in these parts." Kouga brought his hand to Kagome's face and I brought my hand to my sword again. "Kouga remove your hand before I slit your belly open." I felt my body trembling if Kagome wasn't in the way I would have already attacked.

Kouga removed his hand, turning his back to us. "Inuyasha, I came to see for myself that Kagome was alright now that I have it's important that you know that there is a war coming, Narraku is alive and well I saw him myself. That means that the Jewel was not destroyed, that much I'm sure you figured by now. This time around I have a tribe I am responsible for. Should you or any of your friends try and claim the jewel for yourself, my tribe is prepared to whoop you like the mutt you are. With the jewel my tribe would be the strongest in all the land, we'd never have to fear anything again." Kouga began to walk away never turning back towards us.

"Kouga!" Kagome yelled, as she shot her arrow next to his feet. Kouga stopped in his tracks surprised, but still not turning to face her. "Should you fall on the opposite side of my friends I won't hesitate to shoot you down. The Jewel of four souls, should it still exist, belongs to me and me alone. If a war is coming, it is a war consisting of myself vs. everyone who plans to use it for their own personal greed."

Kouga let out a dry chuckle, "To be slain by you, kagome, that is a death I will gladly wait for." Kouga disappeared in the blink of an eye, his wolves following him. The moment they vanished the villagers returned to their normal duties, and Kagome was back at my side. She was so much older, so much stronger than I remembered her being. I was proud of her, but I didn't want this life for her. This was the life Kikyo tried to escape, and I didn't want Kagome burdened the same way living a life unable to truly live in peace. "Kagome don't do that again, don't throw yourself in the middle of war that isn't yours to fight. I protect you. You have no need to worry about Kouga, or anyone else who dares to come after you."

Kagome looked angry, and I was sure she was about to begin an argument with me but her face suddenly went pale and she clutched onto my kimono to keep from falling. "Inuyasha." She gasped. "I'm, I'm hurting. Please take me to Kaede, I can't breathe." She cried. In a panic I picked her up into my arms racing to the other side of the village. Her white kimono suddenly became red with blood, "Kagome talk to me, what is going on! Kagome!"