I do not won Inuyasha, enjoy the story.

Kouga paced outside the hut for the remainder of that day and half way into the night. He refused to eat anything that was offered by the group members.

Two more days passed until any signs of recovery were seen, just when everyone was about to give up hope.

Kouga was the first to hear, since he turn downed any offer to stay in a near by hut. Kaede told him she was very drained, and when he entered the dimly lit room, he could see that she was still pale, and had a green-like color to her skin. Her eyes, that were barely opened, seemed to be weak and empty of all previous light. Even her hair looked like it lost its shine.

She followed him with her eyes as he walked towards her. Kagome smiled the best she could when he kneeled in front of her form, placing a cool hand on her cheek.

"Kagome, I'm so glad you're finally awake. I was beginning to think…"

His unspoken words hung in the air as she gazed up to him.

"You….saved me……the herbs."

He nodded and looked up at Kaede who walked up behind him.

"She needs her rest. Ye must leave now."

Kouga went to argue, but stopped when Kagome took a shaky breath, letting him know that she really didn't need them fighting right now. He turned back to her, and stroked her cheek with his thumb.

After that, he stood and walked to the straw curtain that hug over the doorway. Looking back, he saw her look at him with gratitude. Unknowingly a small, sad smile settled onto his face before walking out into the cold night air.

It was true, what she had said before, winter was coming, and coming fast it was. A breeze blew past him, making a few chill bumps rise before his nostrils flared. At once his senses were on high alert as he glanced around him in a slight panic.

He started into a full out run towards the scent that was all to familiar and sickening.

Once he arrived in the clearing he stared up into the Sacred Tree, finding his target laying on one of its many strong branches.

"Kouga, so you finally found me, huh? Took ya long enough."

Kouga snarled at him from the ground below, flexing his claws.

"Kagome, she's in pain because of you. I'll kill you!"

Inuyasha, who seemed quite dazed and calm finally looked at him. The look on his face was not its usual annoyed or angry dirty look. Instead, it was one of sadness and hurt.

"I know, I've been keeping away the weak demons for days. You can smell her all the way out here, and the demons are trying to take advantage of her weakened state. No doubt the work of Naraku offering them jewel shards in trade for her head."

Kouga stood from his defensive crouch and decided it would be best to listen to the mutt before he killed him.

"I understand now, why she did what she did. And I'm really sorry for what I did, I shouldn't have gone so crazy over you being there. She was right, you had as much right to be in that village as I did…. You know, I've been thinking the past couple of days. I realize that I haven't been all that nice to Kagome the past couple of years we've known each other. I mean, all the names I've called her, and the way I treated her, running off to Kikyo all the time when I knew it hurt her. No wonder Kagome protected you."

Kouga just listened, not really understanding what brought this on in the dog.

"And I wanna thank you for what you did, grabbing the arrow like that. You could've been killed. Plus, in all the commotion that was caused by me, Kagome ended up getting hurt."

"She is, badly." Kouga bit out.

"That is why…I want to ask a favor of you."

Kouga was surprised by Inuyasha's behavior. First being civil, then apologizing, and now asking a favor of him? What was wrong with him?! Was he under Naraku's curse?

"What do you want? For me to tell Kagome you said hi? Or maybe get out so you can have you place back in her life?"

Inuyasha shook his head, looking up to the crescent moon.

"No. I wanted to ask you to take her back to your den." he said with some difficulty, "So that she may heal in peace. Most demons cant make it up your mountain, and I now know that you wont allow harm to befall her. I don't want her to worry about me, or be stressed by my absence, because I know, even though she's furious with me, and says she hates me, she'll still be concerned. That's just how Kagome is," he said with a humorless chuckle, "stubborn and so blatant about her feelings. She wears her heart on her sleeve. So that makes me fret about her safety even more."

"You want me to take her to my den?"

"Yes. Naraku is getting stronger, and I also still owe Kikyo my protection, as well as Kagome. I would still like to keep that promise, to both of them, but as of right now, I see that duty suited best for you."

Kouga looked at his hands, clenching them into tight fists, and then back up to Inuyasha, a deep set determination in his blue eyes.

"I see. Well then, I promise you, I will protect Kagome with my life."

Inuyasha smiled softly, "Believe it or not, I completely trust you to keep that promise. But just in case something does happen, remember that I'll kill you if she comes back with one injury, even if it's one you cant see."

He understood what Inuyasha was trying to say, and nodded.

Kouga didn't reply, instead he turned and walked back to the village, taking to his bed that he finally accepted from Kaede.

***Next Morning***

Kouga woke with the sun and hunted himself a wild hare. He didn't have to worry about providing for his men, since he sent them back to the den after hearing Inuyasha's news. He planned to take Kagome back to his home that day, no matter what the old Grandma said.

There wasn't much to do in the little village, you either worked in the fields as a farmer, in your hut as a house-wife, or played outside as a kid. So, he laid on top of his hut roof, wondering about all the things Inuyasha had said the night before.

'An injury that you cant see. He must be talking about her heart.'

A loud snap was heard below him, making him sit up rather quickly. He leaned over the edge of the house, spotting the young fox-kit standing there, a box of colored sticks in his hands.

"Oh, Kouga, I didn't know you were up there."

He transformed and flew up to Kouga, still holding the box of waxy-smelling sticks.

"What are those weird smelling things?"

Shippou looked at the bow in his hands, noticing that Kouga was giving them a rather odd look.

"These," he stated proudly while picking up the purple one, "are what Kagome calls cray-ons."

"Cray-ons? What do they do?"

Shippou took a small piece of paper from the inside of his kimono and unfolded it. He sat down by Kouga and rubbed the purple stick across the paper, transforming it into an indigo sheet.

Kouga was amazed by the sticks, and began rubbing all of them across the paper. Soon there was no room left, and a few broken crayons.

"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to break them," he said holding up the orange, green, and brown crayons.

Shippou simply placed them back in the box shrugging, "Kagome got me a new box from her home when she went back. I'm just using these up so they wont be a waste, that's what Kagome said to do."

Kouga watched as the young boy jumped from the roof, returning minutes later with a white stick hanging out of his mouth.

"You know, Inuyasha's gonna be pretty ticked for a while. I'm surprised he hasn't tried to come back and kill you already. I thought for sure you were gonna be done for when he had Tetsusaiga to your throat. Good thing Kagome was there to save you."

Kouga let out a surprised yelp after hearing the young boys words.

"Whaaaa!?? You don't even know what you're talking about. If Kagome hadn't of been there, sure my neck woulda been sliced, but I wouldn't have died!! I'm stronger than that, ya runt!"

Shippou held his hands up in defense.

"I'm just saying that you would have been in trouble if not for Kagome."

Kouga snorted and sat with his arms crossed. It was silent for a short while.

"K-Kouga….do you think Kagome's gonna be alright??" the boy's voice quivered as he spoke, immediately telling Kouga he was afraid.

Kouga glanced at the boy, and then back up at the clouds. "Of course I do. And if she wasn't, do you think I'd be resting up here while she's sick? Hell no. My Kagome's stronger than you think, she can handle a lot. So, she'll be fine.."

Shippou hid his face so he could wipe away the tears that gathered at the corners of his eyes. Kouga had to force himself not to tease him about it, but he wasn't so sure how Kagome would feel about that, so he held off.

A sound of a broom falling against the wooden floor in Kaede's hut let Kouga know Kagome was awake, since the old woman had left long ago to go gather eggs. He quickly jumped off the rooftop and raced into the hut to find Kagome sitting up against the wall, breathing heavily as she did. A layer of sweat gathered on her forehead, gluing her hair to her face. She looked up at him, a somewhat embarrassed look on her pale face.

"You know, you're never gonna get better if you don't listen to instructions." Kouga half-teased as he kneeled down beside her.

She tried to put on her regular smile, but failed when a shiver rocked her body.

Kouga put a hand to her head, pulling away after a few seconds.

"Well, you still have a fever."

She rubbed her arms in a feeble attempt at generating heat. "I'm so cold though."

He pulled a blanket from behind him, where it laid uselessly on the floor.

"Here," he said placing her between his legs, and then laying the blanket on top of her.

Kagome froze at first, not really expecting him to do that, but then settled into his chest after she realized that he meant nothing perverted by it.

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Kagome?"

"Hmm?" she responded lazily.

He hesitated for a moment, "Would you…would you like to….come back to my den with me? I think it would be better for you, so you could get away from all the drama here."

At that time, Tama decided to walk in, spotting her owner right away. The young cat ran to her and curled up in Kagome's lap, purring loudly.

The girl stroked the kitten, pondering what Kouga had just asked her. It was true, his den was much more peaceful, in more ways than just being drama-free. She would need time to rest, and with all the space they had in the cave, she was sure to get some. Then she wouldn't be bothering Kaede by taking up so much room in her hut.

As she weighed out her pros and cons, Kouga sat behind her anxiously, almost driven to the point of biting his not-so-clean finger nails while he waited.

Eventually, after what seemed to be a year, she turned around the best she could in the awkward position to look at him.

Kagome studied his features, and then finally nodded.

"Yes, Kouga, I'll go home with you."

He had expected her to refuse, and imagined he would have to take her back kicking and screaming all the way.

But this, this made it much easier for the both of them.

"Good. We leave at sundown then."

She jumped, "Sundown!? Kouga do you not see me? I'm sick, I cant travel all that way."

"That's why I plan to carry you there."

Tama lifted her head from her owners lap and gave an insulted hiss. Kagome heard it and gave her a sheepish grin.

"Oh, sorry Tama, I forget you transform now. You can fly."

The cat then proceeded to lick her paws, obviously happy with her masters apology and admiration.

Turning her attention back to the wolf, she sighed.

"I guess we leave then."

Kouga nodded, allowing her to resume her resting position.

***Ayame*** (Yeah I know its been a while since we heard from her, huh?"

The red haired wolf ran through the forest at leisurely speed, her wolves following close behind.

Thoughts of Kouga swam in her head as she followed Naraku's instructions.

'Go down the mountain and to the west. In about a days travel there will be a small village, one that is located in Inuyasha's Forest. Kagome is there, and has become powerless, so now is the time to strike. Attack the village and take her away from Kouga. Then bring her here, after that is done, you will finally get to make Kouga yours….till death do you part.'

She wasn't sure what he meant about the last part, but all she needed to know was that Kagome was with Kouga, she was weak, and now was her time to strike back!

Ayame giggled at herself, it was perfect! Joining forces with Naraku might not have been such a bad idea. Sure he was creepy, but hey, at least she was getting what was rightfully hers.

***Kaede's Village***

Kagome and Kouga had spent the rest of their time in the village packing her things and saying goodbye to her friends.

Shippou, being the stubborn child he was, latch onto her leg defiantly.

"Kagooommmmeee! Don't leave meeeeee!"

The weak girl pulled him from her leg, which was hard to do since she was sitting on Tama's back.

"Oh, Shippou, I told you coming to the den with me wouldn't be safe for you. Plus, I'm only going there rest, it wont be any fun for you."

She tried her best soothing voice, but the child would have nothing of it.

"B-but, Inuyasha will come back, and he'll bully me and be a jerk just like every other time!"

Kouga took him from Kagome's grasp and held in by the neck of his kimono.

"Ok, look kid, Inuyasha might come back, but I promise ya he wont be layin' a finger on ya. So no worries. Now run along, Kagome is in no condition to be dealing with you."

He gently threw him on his rear and turned back to Kagome.

"You got everything?"

She nodded, looking behind him to the teary eyed Shippou.

"You sure I cant take him? He looks so sad."

He scoffed, "He'll be fine. Like I said, the dens no place for kids, and there wouldn't be anything for him to do there. He'd be bored out of his mind."

Kagome sighed and then pulled her sleeves down, "Its getting chilly."

Kouga rubbed her arm, "We'll be there before you know it, and then you can warm up by the fire."

A breeze blew through the trees, rustling their leaves and playing with Kagome's hair.

Kouga stopped suddenly, and took a long draw of the air, closing his eyes.

'Ayame.'

A long even growl escaped his lips, causing Kagome to gasp.

"What's the matter? Is it Naraku!?"

"No," he shook his head, "worse. Its Ayame!"

Sango and Miroku looked at each other, and then grabbed their weapons.

"I thought she was a friend!?" the monk swiftly armed himself with his staff.

"Well, she used to be less than a friend, but now she's got Naraku's scent all of her! He must've tricked her into joining him!"

Tama flew high into the air, following after her mother and Sango.

"Demon Slayer! Keep Kagome safe, I know she's after her."

Sango nodded and ordered Kirara to move in front of the two.

Shippou perched himself on Miroku's shoulder, "Here she comes!"

Everyone's attention went to the tree line, and in moments, the red-headed wolf girl stepped from the woods.

"Why, hello there, everyone."

Her voice was sweet. To sweet.

"Ayame! What are you doing here!?"

She pranced around a little, and then batted her eyelashes.

"Why, I came for you, Fiancé! You and I will finally be together! And that dreadful witch will be gone."

Kouga backed away a few steps, trying to comprehend what she just said.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I love Kagome, not you, she's my woman!!"

Ayame chuckled and put her index finger up, shaking it.

"Ah, ah, ah, now don't worry about all that, I'll break that nasty girl's curse over you. And then we'll go back to the mountains to Grandpa."

Kagome had smoke coming out of her ears by then.

"Hey! Whadya mean, curse!?"

Ayame sneered at the girl above her, "You heard me! You put a spell on my Kouga!"

Kagome reached for her bow, clenching her teeth.

"I did no such thing! Now get out of my village!"Ayame snickered. There was no way she was leaving without her man.

"Don't even try it! I know you're to weak to-"

An arrow zoomed past her head with a deafening whistle.

Ayame froze, and a tiny piece of her pigtail fell to the ground.

"B-but, Naraku, he said you were helpless."

Kagome notched another arrow, "Well Naraku lied. I am in no way helpless. So leave!"

Ayame fell to her knees, staring at Kagome's arrow that pointed at her head.

By then, Kouga had jumped to a nearby tree to stand by Kagome in the air.

"I wont leave without Kouga! He's m-mine."

"Why don't you stop trying to get what you cant have, and ask Kouga if he even wants to be with you, because acting the way you are is getting you nowhere!"

Ayame gave Kouga a longing stare, "I already know he wants to be with me, you just put a curse on him so he couldn't come to me!"

Kouga sighed, pointing to Kagome.

"Kagome did not, never has, and never will put a curse on me. She doesn't have to, my heart already belongs to her without the help of some magic!"

Sango frowned, 'To bad they don't know what's happening. There has been a curse set on him, but not by Kagome.'

Tears swelled in the wolf-girl's green eyes.

"Naraku wouldn't have lied!"

"Ayame, yes he would."

"You promised!"

"That was a long time ago, when both you and I were young. You were just a child, and I was trying to make you feel better because the Birds of Paradise had attacked you."

Ayame violently shook her head, "It cant be!!"

She stood wobbling, and ran into the forest, blindly stumbling until she tripped over a fallen tree. She laid there with a bleeding knee and a broken heart.

Everything she had known, just got turned upside down.

And nothing seemed right in the world anymore.

***Back at the Village***

Kagome's arms began to shake, making her place her bow back behind her.

She slowly began to lean, and within a matter of seconds, she was slipping off Tama's back, and falling into the crisp night air.

Kouga caught it out of the corner of his eye and jumped to catch her, but Kirara beat him to it.

The large cat landed on the ground, with Kagome with the collar.

Kouga took Kagome's unconscious body from her mouth and jostled her lightly.

"Kagome, Kagome!"

Brown eyes slowly opened to meet Kouga's.

"Is she gone?"

Kouga nodded, "Yeah, she ran off into the woods. Are you okay?"

She moaned, "I think so, my head just hurts."

"That's because you used your spiritual powers. You're never gonna get better doing that."

"Well she wouldn't leave."

"I could've handled it. I'm the one supposed to be protecting you."

She tried to argue, but he placed a finger over her mouth.

"No more, you already have done too much today. Sleep, I'll take you to the den."

She smiled softly and rested her head against his chest.

Kouga took her bag from Tama's back and then let the cat hop on to his shoulder.

"Kouga, take this, it'll be colder once you start running."

Sango placed a blanket over Kagome.

"Thank you all for the hospitality, but I have to go now if I want to make it there before high-moon." (aka midnight)

"Okay, take good care of Kagome." Miroku laid a hand on Kouga's shoulder.

"I will. Tell the runt that after she gets better he can come visit."

The both watched as he turned and ran until his tornado formed, disappearing into the forest.

"You think everything will turn out okay?" Sango questioned in a worried tone.

"I cant say. But all we can do is hope for the best."

They entered Kaede's hut, falling asleep with worry on their minds.

Okay, so I know its shorter than most the chapters but, I'm sick and tired and just really wanna go get some ice-cream so this is what you're getting for right now. Review please:]