I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

Birth Rite ch 18...Territorial.

The forest shivered around her. Silence hung like a curtain of weight, the only sound the furious growl rumbling within the red demon crouched on all fours before her. Kagome stood motionless, her heart pounding erratically, the beat of the others' hearts echoing through her mind. The scent of blood coated the breeze; it was so heavy she could nearly taste it.

A whimper to her right brought her gaze to Kirara. She moved shakily to her feet, her legs barely strong enough to support her own weight. Her pale features pulled tight in pain, yet she never spoke; she simply watched in shock and awe what was happening around her. Somewhere in the distance Kagome made out the sounds of her pack, their angry growls echoing through the dead of night.

Naraku sneered from his place forty yards away, head lowered, hair wild about his shoulders. His crimson gaze focused on the beast before him, shoulders tense, hands brought slightly away from his sides. His claws reflected his intent, their sharp edges still covered in Kirara's blood.

Moving quietly, she watched Naraku's gaze shift swiftly to her, then return to the demon who held him at bay.

" Do you think you can save these women? You couldn't even save your own when it mattered. " Naraku hissed, his mouth twisting in a sinister sneer.

Shippo snarled, his body drawing closer to the ground. Green eyes narrowed dangerously, yet he stood his ground, his body ready to pounce.

" Yes, I remember you. I also remember the way your woman's blood tasted the night I ended her pathetic life. If you want me so badly, then come and get me!" Naraku snapped, his face twisting suddenly. His skin drew tight around the bones of his face, eyes sinking further into his skull until the whites of them were gone; only a bead of bloody red irises remained in their hollow depths.

Kagome watched Shippo's claws dig into the soft earthen floor. She could sense him struggling for control of the rage that coursed through him. Raising her arm she touched her tongue to the wound she'd inflicted. She could feel the edges of skin sealing together, the sting it caused making her wince.

Dropping her arm, Kagome stepped forward, her words soft. " Don't do it Shippo. He's trying to draw you away."

She watched his ear twitch in her direction; a second later it snapped back toward Naraku.

The forest groaned around them, its trees forced aside to accommodate the large wolves thundering through it. Miroku broke through first, his eyes darting quickly from Kagome and the young woman to Shippo standing between them and Naraku. Skidding to a stop in front of the woman Kagome had been so intent on saving, he waited. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were only minutes behind him. Inuyasha was on a rampage, his mate's blood dampening the forest floor, and coating the air. Miroku was certain the scene before him was about to become a bloodbath.

Kagome moved forward only to be stopped by Miroku's fur covered body, his eyes raised in warning. His low whine told her to stay back, that he wouldn't allow her to place herself in any more danger. Before she had the chance to answer she felt a change in the energy that surrounded her.

Naraku surged forward, his clawed hand swiping past Shippo knocking him sideways, his red body plowing into Miroku's. She watched as both bodies tumbled to her left, and before her eyes could return to the cause she heard two more wolves crashing through the tree line.

Sesshomaru skidded to a stop in front of her, the hair raised on his back, his lips curled back in a silent snarl. She screamed when Inuyasha's silver frame launched into Naraku, both bodies falling to the ground.

Inuyasha recovered first, his muscular body tense and crouched low to the ground, his fangs bared. A steady, angry growl resonated low on the breeze, his golden gaze rimmed in a haze of red. His ears rested low against his head, his body beginning to circle as Naraku made his way to his feet.

" She will belong to me Dog, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" Naraku hissed before lunging forward, his claws aimed at Inuyasha's throat.

What happened next was a blur of movement, a combination of snapping jaws, and tearing flesh. Kagome could feel her energy building, her worry over Inuyasha's well-being amplifying the need to protect her mate.

In the distance a new dawn began, the sun cresting the horizon in a brilliant display of blues and pinks. Shadows receded beneath the rays of another day, and yet the fight between Wolf and Vampire continued.

But it was the scent of Inuyasha's blood that triggered something deep and primal within her.

All fighting stopped the moment the sunlight spilled over Naraku. He stood motionless, his hand outstretched, the sun's rays touching his skin. What should have burned his flesh instead left the passing touch of its warmth. Naraku turned his hand over watching in fascination the miracle Kagome's blood could produce. Oh yes, he would have her, own her; her blood would sustain this new ability.

But how long would it last? Perhaps it was time to take his leave. The memory of darkened passageways and hidden rooms teased his memory. Blinking once he tried to hold on to the vision that assailed him. It was her memory, one lit in warm candlelight and soft touches, the barest hint of a guitar's melody whispering within it. A moment later the vision changed to the land she'd traveled over the moment her body shifted to mist. He could see the path she'd taken, the red demon running beneath her; her memories were a map, a guide to the place they'd been hiding. What better place to continue this battle than within the darkness of the caves she'd sought safety within; a place that held her most precious memory.

He snarled when the vision left him, angry that she'd mated the beast who stalked him. But it was the aura that surrounded him that had him backing away, not the threat held within Inuyasha's ferocious jaws. It sapped his energy, while it eased the wolves that guarded her. He watched Kagome take one step toward him, then another, a whitish glow beginning to spill from her pores. She walked slowly, her hand raising to brush against the wolf she'd mated before moving past him.

The wolves of her pack seemed dazed, their bodies rooted to the place they stood. It was then that Naraku noticed her face. Darkened eyes narrowed on him, their color enhanced by the white heat that radiated from within her. Her aura grew, her anger something he could feel. Her body began to shift with each touch her feet made on the ground, and she grew more breathtaking with each step. Her fangs lengthened, and her skin glowed with a radiance he had never seen before. Fear, pure and unbridled uncoiled within him, and in a second he transformed into the safety of the wind.

" Follow me angel, and I will lead you to Hell."

His voice whispered past her mind, and then he was gone. Kagome stopped, her body beginning to shake beneath the force of her own power. She felt weak. Closing her eyes her head fell back and a moment later she found herself on her knees.

A soft whine brought her head back up, her eyes falling into the deep red-gold of Inuyasha's demon, their eyes breaking contact when he moved forward. He nuzzled her with his nose, its cool wetness sniffing along her neck. She reached to steady herself, his silver fur gliding through her fingers for only an instant before it was replaced by the satin softness that was his human form.

She felt him pick up her arm, his tongue tracing over the wound she'd inflicted.

" You need to feed." he whispered, his eyes narrowed on the damage done to her wrist.

" I'm sorry Inuyasha. I had to save her. I had to." Kagome muttered, her head falling to rest in the curve of his neck.

" I know. But don't EVER leave me again. Not like that, not ever like that. I was worried Kagome. I was so worried." he growled, his voice lost to those standing only a few feet away.

Picking her up, Inuyasha turned toward his pack.

" Lets get back to the caves. I have a feeling that Naraku is far from finished." he hissed. " We have a pack to protect. Sesshomaru, Miroku- you should get back to your mates. Shippo and I will bring Kagome and Kirara once they can travel. "

With an answering growl, and a shake of their heads, Sesshomaru and Miroku disappeared into the tree line. Inuyasha carried Kagome a few feet before turning and sitting beneath a tree, Kagome curled contentedly in his lap.

" Kagome?" Kirara's voice was soft, shaken.

" Kirara. " It had been a few weeks, but she would recognize his voice anywhere. She sat down, her eyes closing. She was so tired, and she hurt everywhere.

" Shippo? Is Kagome all right? " Her eyes refused to open, and her body agreed with them as it wouldn't budge either. The accident had left her unable to protect herself, but given enough time she'd be fine. It wasn't the first time she'd been seriously injured, and judging from the mess she'd just become a part of- it wouldn't be the last. She welcomed the blackness that settled over her. Kagome was only a few feet away, and Shippo so near she could smell him.

" Kirara, talk to me. Are you all right?" Shippo urged, his voice wrought with worry, his gentle touch feathering over her injured skin.

" I'll be fine, Shippo. I'll be fine..."

He caught her when her body slumped over, her scent something he could easily drown in. Yes, they had a history. He known her all her life, knew things about her that no one else knew. She'd be fine, of that he was certain.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sorry this took so long to post. I tried to be easier on the end of this chapter as the last chapter was left so abruptly. I hope you all liked this. I had to take a different route to ease the end of this chapter, but rest assured that the drama is far from over. I do hope you all are enjoying this still. I'm far from happy with this chapter, but it'll have to do as things are incredibly hectic with work, and the remodeling of my house and I have very little time to rewrite this one. I hope you liked it. Please let me know?

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Neisha