Hey Everyone. Sorry that it took me SO long to get this chapter up. I was kind of in a depressed slump when my computer crashed. But now I'm better and ready to write again. So without any further adu, here is chapter...well 8 but it'll say 9. I hate it when it does that. Oops, sorry, NOW without any adu here is chapter 8.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, unfortunately. But I can proudly say I do own the Reiko you all know and love. She's me, sweet, caring, and she totally kicks ass!

Chapter 8 (er...9)

Protection of Friends

Last time...

"Koga let go. You're hurting my arm." She said timidly. He opened the door and dragged her outside. Inuyasha ran after them and down the stairs to try and sniff them out. Kagome's scent led to the door, not the dance floor.

"Koga! Let go! What's with you!" She yelled, finally able to yank her hand away. He turned to her and she could have sworn that flames were in his eyes.

"I don't get it! You act as if you like me at school but then you go on a cruise and find yourself a stupid half-breed! What does he have that I couldn't give you?" He yelled at her. Kagome glared at him, tears in her eyes.

"I do like you Koga! As a friend! I never liked you as a boyfriend! And how dare you call Inuyasha a stupid half-breed!"

"He is Kagome! He's worthless! A dirty product of a stupid demons choice in a mate! I don't see how you can stand to be around such a mistake!" Koga yelled at her. Without warning a slap rang throughout the still night air. Kagome had smacked Koga across the face so hard he was knocked back a few steps. Her anger was so thick you could physically see it eminating around her. Koga stared at her in disbelief.

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT KOGA! THIS IS WHY YOU AND I NEVER GOT TOGETHER! YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT INUYASHA HAS THAT YOU DON'T! HE HAS A HEART! HE DOESN'T CARE WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH! HE STAYS IN THE HERE AND NOW AND DOESN'T GIVE A RATS ASS IF YOU'RE DEMON OR HUMAN! YOU KOGA HAVE NO SUCH THING! YOU GO AROUND, FLOUNTING YOUR POWER AS HEAD OF YOUR FAMILY AND AS A FULL FLEDGED WOLF DEMON NEEDLESSLY! YOU BULLY PEOPLE, AND PICK ON DEMONS WEAKER THAN YOU AND THAT'S DISGRACEFUL! I WOULD NEVER DATE YOU EVEN IF YOU PAID ME TO!" She screamed at him. He stared at her with a glare and as she turned to go he grabbed her wrist and slammed her against the ground, pinning her there. Her eyes widened in fear as he growled threateningly.

"How dare you yell at me. I loved you, I would do anything for you, and you choose a filthy mutt over something greater! I'll make you mine, even if you refuse." He lowered his head to her throat, intending to mark her. Kagome screamed in fear as Koga's teeth just barely touched her skin.

'No! He's...'

Now...

Koga scraped his teeth against the vulnerable flesh of Kagome's neck. He chuckled at the thought of what he was about to do to her. Kagome cringed. He was really going to do it. He was really going to mark her! She wasn't all knowing of demon law, but she did know that what her grandmother, Kaede told her was true about marking. If he did mark her, no other demon, or half-demon could get near her. She would never be able to see Inuyasha again! She would never be able to talk to him, or feel his warm embrace, or his soft lips against her again!

"You're mine." He growled and brought his head down, his fangs exposed. She closed her eyes, waiting to feel his teeth sinking into her, but it never came. She heard growling, enraged growls all around her. She opened her eyes to have Koga 5 feet away from her and a red eyed, dangerous hanyou above her, his face hidden in his bangs and his knuckles cracking. She heard more footsteps rushing out of the door and she saw that it was her friends. She tried to sit up but Inuyasha growled in warning, don't get up. Kagome felt scared at first, but then with new courage she stood up. Sesshomaru, Sango, Miroku, and Reiko all ran over to them but Sesshomaru, upon smelling the danger eminating off his half brother, held out his hand to stop everyone. Reiko glared at him and turned her full body towards him.

"What's the big idea?! Kagome looks hurt!" Reiko yelled at him. Sesshomaru looked from Inuyasha, to the thrown Koga and then a cold stare attached itself to his face. He then cast that look on Reiko, surprising her.

"It's not safe. If you want to get yourself killed, do it when I'm not around." He told her in a dark voice. Even though his voice was threatening, the statement was sweet. She sighed and nodded.

Kagome then turned to Inuyasha, and he looked up at her, his crimson red eyes and teal pupils staring back at her chocolate brown ones. She gave him a look of determination and courage and he growled, baring his teeth at her. This was not ment to scare her, but to make her back down. Koga had threatened to take her away from him, which caused him to transform. Koga looked over at the scene and a chill ran down his spine at the look and smell of Inuyasha. He tried to get up without attracting any of Inuyasha's attention but failed miserably. Inuyasha's eyes darted to the wolf's rough movements and made to go after him but Kagome stood in the way, gaining a surprised look from everyone. She said no words, no explaination of any kind as to why she was trying to keep Inuyasha from killing Koga. She knew and that's all that mattered. Sesshomaru should know why, she thought, for he should have known since he discovered Inuyasha could transform into a full fledged demon. If she allowed him to kill. If his sharpened claws were allowed to take a life of any kind, his bloodlust would never be saited and everyone would be doomed. She started to make cautious movements towards him, her arms stretched out to touch him. He growled and stepped back, readying his claws and Sango gasped in fear.

"Inuyasha..." She breathed his name as she grew ever closer. Koga watched, in fear and in anger. He could not let a human woman save him. He would be the laughing stock of the demon world. This had gone on long enough and he could sense Kagome's life was in danger. Without even a sane thought he moved to run for Kagome, but Sesshomaru, with lightning fast speed, grabbed Koga by the arms and put him in a strangle hold while twisting Koga's arm to behind him.

"I don't think that would be smart of you, wolf." He breathed threateningly. Koga growled but didn't thrash as Inuyasha was glaring at him. A glare that marked him as his next target if Kagome were to fail to bring him back.

Kagome was now mear inches from him, her fingertips reached out and touched his cheeks. The growling ceased but he did not change back. Kagome looked at him now with worry and sadness, but still she wasn't afraid. This was what got him the most. She was not afraid of him at all, on the contrary, she was worried about him. How could she be worried about him? She was the one in danger yet she was worried about his well being instead of her own.

"Inuyasha, it's okay. You got here just in time, there is nothing to be afraid of anymore." She tilted her head to the left so he could get a good look at the right side of her neck. It was a little red, but there were no teeth marks. "See, no mark. So please Inuyasha, please calm down." She said and wrapped her arms around his waist, barrying her face into his clothed chest. He looked down at her, his face softer now, but the uneasiness and anxiousness to kill Koga still remained. When he tried to push her away to get to Koga, now seeing that he was making, feeble thought they were, attempts to flee, she wouldn't let go. His nails dug into her skin which caused her to cringe she looked up at him with tears in her eyes. The smell knocked him off his bloodlust path and caused him to look down at her in shock. He now felt that his claws were digging painfully into her arms and he removed them immediately. His eyes flased from gold to red several times, but his demon just wouldn't let it go.

"Inuyasha." She spoke his name in a soft whisper and she leaned up and kissed him gently. Sango's face went pink at this and Koga's blood boiled to the surface and he started thrashing again. Inuyasha's eyes fully turned their golden color again and he leaned into her kiss, accepting it as a half-demon, the way she wanted it to be.

Reiko had been waiting patiently for Inuyasha to turn half-demon again before she did what she wanted to do. Finally it was time. She stormed over to Koga, Sango and Miroku's eyes following her all the way there and then fixed on her extremely scary glare. Sesshomaru even backed off, letting Koga stand there, staring at her in confusion and anger. He, of course, had no idea what Reiko was like or what she was about to do. The other's did though, and that's why they all backed about 20 feet away from her. She was the embodiment of the bringer of pain and torment now and Koga had not a clue.

"Get out of my way you stupid human!" He yelled at her. This brought Kagome and Inuyasha's attention away from eachother. Upon seeing Reiko smirk at him Kagome pushed Inuyasha as far away from Reiko as she could. He being obviously confused, questioned her.

"What are you doing?" He asked sarcastically.

"Trust me, you don't want to be anywhere near her now."

"A stupid human am I? Koga, I don't think I ever got to warn you when we were in school. But I guess that that's passed it's limit now. YOU FILTHY BASTARD!" She screamed and slammed her fist into Koga's stomach. His eyes bulged in their sockets as he doubled over in pain. He managed to stay on his feet. Yet no one knew how. She then took a hold of his shoulders and brought her knee up into the same spot and then threw another thuderous punch into his jaw.

"KAGOME TOLD US TO BE NICE TO YOU EVEN THOUGH SANGO AND I KNEW YOU NEVER DESERVED IT!" She hit him again, sending him about three feet away from her. She slowly made her way towards him. Sesshomaru made to stop her but Sango threw him a warning glance to not even think about it.

"It's best just to let her get it out of her system." Sango said and sat down to enjoy the show.

"YOU TRIED TO MARK MY FRIEND YOU STUPID WOLF! SHE MIGHT NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE PEOPLE SHE TRUELY LOVED! THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE!" She picked him up by his arm and flung him down on the ground on her left side. He let out a gasp for air but was never given one since she immediately kicked him in the stomach again.

" I WARNED EVERYONE! I WARN EVERYONE NOW! IF YOU EVER TRY AND HURT ANY OF MY FRIENDS! I'LL KILL YOU AND USE YOUR GUTS AS DECORATIONS FOR YOUR GRAVES!" She threatened, screaming at the top of her lungs her threat and kicked the poor man in the one place it hurt the most. Koga coughed up blood after that one kick. She was about to kick him again when Sesshomaru intervined. He picked her up by her shirt and pulled her, kicking and screaming away from Koga, who was now too hurt to stand up. Kagome made to go to him to see if he was going to live, but Inuyasha's arms prevented her from going anywhere.

"Inuyasha, I have to see if he's alright." She said urgently.

"I almost lost you to him Kagome." He said in a low emotionless whisper. She looked back at him with nervousness in her eyes.

"But..."

"I almost didn't make it. If I was just a split second too late, you would have truely been his and I..." She turned around in his arms, to find his eyes hidden by his bangs. She gently placed her hand on his cheek and forced him to look at her. His eyes were glazed in so many mixed emotions. She sighed and stroked his cheek with her thumb.

"Inuyasha, stop beating yourself up. I'm fine, and I knew you would come and save me. I can't deny that for a split second, I thought that I would never be able to see you again and that was what scared me most. But you made it and you saved me like you've done all my life. I love you Inuyasha, and that's never going to change. No matter who tries to get in our way, that's not going to waver okay." She said softly and kissed him. He pulled her closer to him, but when someone cleared their throat (cough cough Sango cough cough) They jumped away and looked at their friends who were waiting for them to come along. Kagome smiled at them and then took Inuyasha's hand. Sesshomaru still had a flailing Reiko under his arm. She was screaming something about arrogant demons and that she wasn't finished with Koga yet. Kagome giggled and looked up at the sky and she giggled at the thought of what else could happen in her life.

The next day was when they all decided to go to the white sandy beach that was featured in the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie where the three way fight took place. Kagome was wearing her new swim suit that Inuyasha bought for her while in the market. It was a cerulean blue bikini with tropical palm trees and waves on it. Kagome gasped at the beauty of the beach and it seemed almost deserted since the tide was out. It was a vast beach filled with lots and lots of white beautiful sand. Kagome set down her stuff and ran towards the edge of the water and squealed as it splashed against her bare legs.

"OH! It's cold!" She cried. Rin and Reiko smiled at Kagome and followed suit, leaving Sesshomaru holding all their stuff. He grumbled about stupid girls and their carefree nature but smiled as he saw Reiko splash Kagome and Rin, laughing and smiled so happily. Inuyasha looked up at him and smirked.

"Having fun thoughts are we fluffy?" Inuyasha asked teasingly. Sesshomaru sent him a threatening glare and dropped all his stuff on Inuyasha. He fell to the ground in a heap and cried out. Kagome and the girls looked up and then laughed as Inuyasha yelled and shook his fist at Sesshomaru for dumping all their stuff on him.

Sango smacked Miroku for touching her bottom when she was distracted by Inuyasha and he smiled and sighed in bliss. He had won their bet for it was only made for that night alone. He was a thousand dollars richer and in bliss once again. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru shook their heads and sighed.

"Stupid lecher."

They played chicken in the water, and built extravagant castles in the sand, and even barried a sleeping Sesshomaru, which once they were done, he promptly jumped up and started chasing Reiko around the beach, for she was the one who built a mound on his stomach and placed a shell on it, claiming it in the name of Sir Flanahama.

"You should have claimed it in the name of Sir Flu---"

"Finish that sentence little brother and I'll make this beach your grave." Sesshomaru warned in a low growl.

Reiko looked over at Inuyasha and smiled with a curious air about her.

Later that day, when everyone except Rin was worn out, Inuyasha started a fire, for they all planned on spending their last night at the beach, away from civilization. They had to move back a lot when the tide came in but there was still enough beach to sit on and enjoy. The sand was still warm from the sun's rays and it produced some warmth for the gang.

Inuyasha sighed as he sat by the fire, looking out at the sunset. Kagome was asleep on the towel next to Sango and Miroku. Sesshomaru was chasing Rin, trying to get her before she got lost in the sea of trees now surrounding them. Reiko looked over at him and walked up next to him.

"I don't see how you can live with that man and still stay sane." Reiko said, throwing a pointed glance at Sesshomaru who was yelling at Rin to stop running. Inuyasha chuckled and gave her a toothy smirk.

"Yeah well, I have a secret way of getting him to stop pestering me." He said with satisfaction. Reiko looked up at him in curiosity and faced him once more.

"Oh, and what's that?"

Inuyasha turned to her with an even wider grin and spoke four simple words. "I call him Fluffy."

Well I hope you all liked it. I hope it was worth the wait. Cause I finally got my mojo back from all the reviews and emails I recieved. I was so happy that it gave me the push I needed to write the rest of this chapter. It was a little more serious than I had originally intended but I think it turned out magnificently! Well, I do have to go and start on Chapter 9 er...10, whichever cause yeah, anyway, till next time! Thank you all for waiting so very patiently! I LOVE YOU ALL! TTYL