A/N: Just for the sake of habit...I don't own Inuyasha...

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Kirara was on her feet, standing length wise against the entrance of the cave before Kagome even had a chance to gasp at the threatening noise. Slowly, Kagome turned her head towards the sound that was beginning to increase in volume just outside of the cave. As she peered, she could see dark red eyes looming at her from a distance. She marveled at how they glittered like rubies even on a night where there was no moon.

She shivered as she realized how truly tired her body was. She had been traveling nonstop since she had arrived this time; Inuyasha was intent to find more jewel shards. Of course, they had camped every night except one when they had come across the trail of a rather agressive tiger demon. She couldn't believe how territorial it had become at the mere scent of their arrival. She shuddered once again as she remembered its piercingly clear crimson eyes.

Kagome gasped in sudden realization that the tiger demon must've have followed them to their current shelter with the scent of Inuyasha's blood!

Oh no! I don't have my bow or any arrows!

Without warning, Kirara lunged into the dark of the night. Kagome leapt to her feet, searching the cave for anything she might be able to use as her own. She stumbled over the rocks that were scattered around the floor as the adrenaline in her system gave her fatigued body a new found strength. She tripped and shrieked loudly at the sound of roaring as well as what sounded like an injured demon just outside the cave. She could hear the pain dripping from the growls that were meant to intimidate. She staggered a bit, hoping that it wasn't Kirara that had taken the blow.

Rain continued to pound away at the ground as the fire cat stood before the tiger demon, growling and with a large gash in on her shoulder. With a sloppy dodge, Kirara had managed to make herself vulnerable to the tiger's abnormally long claws, signaling its demon heritage. She growled again, swiping with her wounded claw as the tiger demon tried to approach the cave. She was doing everything in her power to protect her friends inside.

Kagome reached the wall opposite Inuyasha in almost no time, scrambling to find anything in their current shelter that could help them. There was a disgusting crunch beneath the miko's feet as her eyes followed the path that she had been walking. She had stumbled upon the remains of a complete skeleton. She shrieked, not wanting to see the remains before her as a low growl and a distinct yelp was heard outside the cave.

"Kirara!"

Moments later, the firecat was hurled inside the cave, landing with a sickening thud beside Inuyasha. Her form was battered and bruised, but the only true blow that the tiger demon had seemed to land was the gash that remained on her shoulder even as she transformed back to her smaller house cat sized form.

No. NO! Now what do I do!? We're going to die!

Kagome turned her back to the wall as the tiger demon advanced into the cave. It had indeed followed the scent of fresh blood to where the companions now lay. It had hoped for an injured animal to feast upon, but it was greatly surprised when it found three large meals just begging to be slaughtered and eaten. Kagome shivered as the tiger took a deep whiff of air and slowly turned its attention to the very injured hanyou lying on the floor.

"No. STAY AWAY FROM INUYASHA!"

The tiger growled its disapproval, but took no heed of Kagome's words.

Panic grew deep inside Kagome's heart and mind, sending her body sagging to the floor very close to the same human skeleton that had sent her mind reeling before. She winced as a bit of wood embedded itself in her upper arm; it was then that she realized a spear was protruding from the ribcage of the bones beside her.

Maybe...just...maybe I can...

Saliva from the beast of the forest dripped upon the clammy flesh of the human boy in the corner. The scent of blood drove the tiger crazy with a need to gorge itself upon flesh and it knew that now that the fire cat was severely wounded and out of the way, nothing could stop it from its feast. It lowered its head so it was mere inches from the human boy's throat. It was so close that it could practically taste the blood as it poured down its throat and satiated its hunger.

"Leave him ALONE!"

Caught off guard with the miko's attack, the tiger demon was thrown off balance as the frail body of the girl slammed against its matted fur. There was the sound of dirt flying before Kagome realized that she had managed to physically push the beast, as well as herself, back outside into the storm of the night. She held the spear tight within her grip, knowing it was her only chance of saving any of their lives. She held it across her body, like a thin shield as the tiger rounded, with a glare more sinister than Naraku's within its eyes.

"You'll pay for that mortal," growled the tiger beast.

Once again, Kagome found herself shuddering as the words flew from its jowls. She knew it was a demon and no ordinary cat, but the sight of something very much wild speaking in the tongue of all humans was unsettling.

I won't let you down, Inuyasha.

"I will protect you, like you always protect me..."

She hadn't realized that she had spoken the last sentence out loud, but the tiger managed a cruel laugh before it licked its long claws casually.

"Are you prepared for your demise, girl?"

Kagome gulped and took a more forceful stance, holding the spear between her and the tiger as if the thin piece of aged wood could really protect her. She watched in horror as the tiger leaped at her, as if the entire thing were playing out in slow motion. She watched, frozen to the spot, as it cleared her head in a single bound. She turned her head slowly and her eyes shot open a the dagger like claws of the tiger came hurtling towards her fragile body.

Kirara looked up as the tiger demon effectively slashed Kagome's lower back and down her hip, feeling completely useless as she was too weak to assist the miko that was clearly in danger.

Kagome gasped loudly at the pain that flew through her system, but quickly shrugged it off, realizing the tiger had managed to get inside the cave walls once again. There was nothing more Kagome could do, however, as the tiger backhanded the fragile girl and sent her flying into a tree a few feet away, knocking the wind out of her.

No...I...will NOT...GIVE UP!

Once again, the tiger bent over the figure of Inuyasha, taking the girl he had used as a scratching post for dead, and Kagome watched on in horror. She forced her body, using all of her will power, to her feet fighting against the strain of her torn flesh and her aching muscles. She took a few steps forward, still clutching the spear tightly in her grasp as a crackling energy began to form around her.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

The tiger turned, startled by the power in the girl's voice, as the spear flew at it with inhuman speed. There was a rose light surrounding the spear and Kagome could feel her miko energies draining from the amount of concentration it took to purify the spear and hurl it with her physical body as well as her spiritual power.

She cringed as a sickening THWACK noise signaled the spear had met its target and the THUD that followed shortly thereafter signaled that the tiger had been pinned to the wall with the ancient spear embedded in a new resting place.

Fatigue overwhelmed her small frame as well as her mind and she collapsed to her knees. She marveled at the beautiful shade of blue, the hue somewhere between night and dawn, as she soon saw dark spots dancing before her eyes; they tainted the purity of the coming morning light.

"I...did it. I...saved...us..."

Kagome fell forward, leaving her body open to the still falling rain, as the sun peeked its head over the tops of the surrounding trees.

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A/N: Voila! I hope you all enjoy this! Let me know what you think, ok:0)