"Hey Kouga!" One of the wolf-demon's called when they arrived at the cave. Shippou cringed at the voice and raced to hide on Sango's shoulder. The demon exterminator looked around with interest when their group entered the cave. Various wolf demons sat around the edges and wolves lay around further back in the cave. The wolf demons didn't break their stares from the woman in Kouga's arms and never bothered to look at them.
"So this is the wolf den." Miroku said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin as he looked around.
"Yea," Sango didn't hide her interest either.
Kouga walked ahead of them, his mind focused solely on the girl in his arms. Kagome leaned her head against the armor on his chest, her eyes fluttering open and shut erratically. She would have blushed had she any energy left. But in Kouga's arms, all Kagome could think of was the warmth his arms provided her and how utterly tired she was. She began to wonder if he would forgive her for being rude if she fell asleep right there.
"Kouga!" The heads turned when Ginta and Hakkaku came through the entrance of the cave. They waved their arms, relief washing over them when they realized they finally caught up with Kouga.
"These people are going to be staying with us tonight." Kouga suddenly spoke up in a firm tone. "Make them welcome."
"Oh, hi Sango, Miroku." Ginta nodded at them as he walked around them both. "Sango, we can take you to sleep with the women's den if you want. You might be more comfortable there."
Sango's mouth fell open and she glanced at her companions. "I'd be just as comfortable if I stayed with my friends." She admitted.
"Oh, what happened to Onii-san?" Hakkaku blurted out when his eyes fell on the still girl in Kouga's arms. The color almost drained from his face in alarm.
"Close your mouth before you catch flies." Kouga said, instinctively tightening his arms around the girl. He looked down at the girl who had gone completely still in his arms. Her breath came out gentle and steady, her cheeks getting a tint of pink.
"She's asleep so don't go yapping and wake her up." Kouga added but his voice remained low enough not to wake her.
An unfamiliar feeling had swept over him. He'd had to admit, he'd never been quite so close to the girl before. Especially not when she looked so…vulnerable.
Kouga's heart twitched thinking about it and he didn't want to put her down.
He kept walking back into the cave and the others took the unspoken direction and followed.
"Here," he said leading them into another corridor. Beds of fur sat around the corridor. "You can stay here for the night. None of the others will bother you."
Sango gratefully put down her boomerang and rubbed her shoulder where the strap had been.
"Thank you for your hospitality Kouga," Miroku nodded gratefully.
Kouga gave a look of understanding and moved to walk to the other room.
"Hey, what about Kagome!" Kouga almost growled when he heard the fox demon yelp.
Twisting around, he looked at the monk and demon slayer who'd readied themselves in the confusion.
"Leave Kagome here." Sango waved an absent hand toward one of the beds. Her brow furrowed as she watched the look of concentration had when Kouga looked at Kagome.
"As my women, she should be allowed to sleep in my room."
Sango jerked forward, reaching a hand out to stop him.
"Surely you don't expect us to allow you to take advantage of Kagome-sama in her sleep." Miroku added, moving to back up Sango. They studied him carefully, tensing their muscles, and reading into their options in an instant.
"I'm not going to touch her." Kouga almost growled in frustration. His arms refused to let the girl go. This new feeling that reached him wouldn't budge. "But as my woman she's allowed to have my bed. I'll sleep with the others in the back of the cave."
Sango couldn't stop the squeak of utter surprise that escaped her. The wolf prince shot his head up with narrowed eyes and she fell a step back.
"What do you think, Sango?" Miroku didn't shift but asked the girl behind him.
She let her eyes trail over the wolf prince over again. Relying on the instincts she'd developed over years of training, she reached out and touched Miroku's shoulder.
"Sango?" The monk asked confused.
"He'll do as he says. He knows if he hurts Kagome in any way, she'd never speak to him again."
Kouga heard all he needed to and turned to walk down the hall. He slid into his 'room' and kneeled down at the bed. Gently, he sat down the sleeping girl. His mind still racing with thoughts he pushed in the back of his mind. Ignoring them all, he pulled the blanket over her. When the girl unconsciously snuggled into the blanket, he breathed a bit. This room reeked of him and now Kagome's scent was mixed in.
His heart churned at the thought, and he went to reach out. Kouga paused, his hand still in the air. He hesitated, his heart still churning at the sight of her. His Kagome was asleep in his bed. Forcing a hard swallow, he gently ran his fingertips over her jaw line. Tracing his over her cheek, he brushed the stray hairs behind her air.
Kouga reluctantly forced himself to draw his hand away. Her smell was starting to get to him, and he could feel the familiar pressure in his head that told him his most basic youkai instincts wanted to take over. Shaking them off, he stood up and left the room.
~*~
A/N: Kouga/Kag supporters unite! And review
