~~Night Two~~

Kouga sat off against a side wall of the cave, eating part of a leg from the boar he had brought down. He was pleased to see Kagome interacting with his pack much easier than she had the night before. Right now she was talking to Ginta and Hakkaku, they were trying to convince her to let them teach her how to use the spear that was the typical weapon for them. Well, Ginta was trying to convince her anyway. Hakkaku was still stuffing his face with boar meat like he hadn't had a good meal in weeks.

A grey wolf had wandered over and started sniffing at the leg in Kouga's hand. He wasn't particularly hungry right then, so he let the dog take the bone from him. As it settled down to gnaw the meat off the bone, Kouga started to relax against the cave wall. He closed his eyes as the coolness of the rocks flowed into his body, listening to their conversation from afar.

"Come on Kagome! You would do well with a spear!"

"No, really, my bow and arrows are perfect for me…"

"Your bow is good, but what if someone gets really close to you?"

"Then it's less likely that I'll miss them."

"But you might run out of arrows sometime."

"I try to keep a good supply of arrows ready just in case."

"But that's the great thing about a spear! As long as you don't throw it you'll always have it!"

"I guess that's true, but I don't really have the strength to do much damage with a spear."

"That's not a problem! We can show you ways to defend yourself that don't take too much strength!"

"That would be nice, but when would I really need to defend myself that badly?"

"Well it doesn't seem like Inuyasha is going – OW!"

No one had actually seen him move, but in an instant Kouga had crossed the room and hit Ginta over the head. Ginta sat there rubbing the spot where he had been hit, giving his leader a resentful but confused look. Kouga answered his look with a slight jerk of his head towards Kagome. She had been quite cheerful a moment ago, even smiling, but her face fell and her hair hid her eyes when Inuyasha's name was brought up. 'Dammit…she was happy… Why'd he have to go and bring up the mutt?' Kouga thought in annoyance, but the only sign of his thoughts that he showed was a loud exhale.

"I think I'd like to go to bed now," Kagome said quietly, looking up at Kouga as if asking if that was alright with him.

Kouga gave her a nod to show his consent as he fought down the urge to hit his companion again. He patiently waited for Kagome to stand and bid her friends good-night before escorting her back to his sleeping area. Walking slightly behind Kagome, it was easy for the pack-leader to send a glare back at Ginta without her noticing.

Kagome had been dead silent on the short walk to Kouga's sleeping area. It made him uneasy. She was normally a very cheerful person. Kouga would even take a pissed off Kagome over the depressed one walking just in front of him. He wanted to try to break her silence but when he opened his mouth to say something his mind went blank. What could he possibly say to cheer her up?

They reached his sleeping area in a matter of seconds, although the silence made it feel like several minutes. Kagome mumbled something that vaguely sounded like 'good night' as she made for the pile of furs that had been left there from the previous night.

"Uhh…Kagome?" Kouga started hesitantly. Kagome turned to look at him, she seemed vaguely curious but there was no denying that sadness had settled into the brown eyes that were normally alight with laughter. He couldn't stand to see her like this, he had to do something, but even he was surprised by the words that left his mouth, "If it makes you feel better… I'll go have a look around in the morning…see if the mutt is somewhere nearby."

"Really? You mean it?" Kagome asked. Although her voice held some caution in it, Kouga's words instantly took away the sadness that plagued her. Her brown eyes were a little brighter, she seemed to stand straighter, and that smile everyone loved was almost back.

"Promise," Kouga said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as he held back a sigh. He didn't particularly want to go looking for Inuyasha, actually he would rather the mutt never showed his face again if he had survived the battle with Naruku, but as Kagome's smile finally truly appeared since he brought her here he knew he would be willing to do just about anything to keep it there. "Can't make any promises, but if I find him in one piece I'll drag him straight back here, whether he likes it or not."

"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much, Kouga!" Kagome's thanks were so genuine and she looked so happy just because he said he would try. It was the exact effect that Kouga had hoped his words would have.

Kouga felt a slight blush rising to his cheeks. He quickly clamped a lid on the blushing. He was a demon! Not to mention the leader of his pack! Claiming Kagome as a mate and defending that claim was one thing, but he shouldn't be openly displaying emotions like this. Still, as Kouga watched her turn and settle into the pelts she would sleep in, he had to admit that seeing Kagome happy pleased him.

Kouga patiently waited for Kagome to get comfortable, watching her as her face slowly relaxed into the beginnings of sleep. Once he was sure she going to sleep soundly, a look of annoyance crossed his face. He stalked back out to the main area of the cave, intent on giving Ginta a few lumps for making him promise to do something he certainly didn't want to. He would give Hakkaku some too, for stuffing his face when he should have been stopping Ginta from opening his mouth.