(A/N) Woohoo! This is my second favorite chapter! Second only to the next one. I loved writing this one. (sorry to the Kouga fans out there!)Hope you enjoy!

NVP

Chapter 13

Dawn broke in the feudal era to find Tor'mac staring at the horizon, and he wasn't simply enjoying the view. There was an animal there on a hilltop that overlooked the village. He'd almost ignored it but it never moved, it just kept staring down at them. It wasn't very big from what he could see at this range, it would probably only come up to his knee. It was covered in fur and had a long bushy tail and a triangular head full of short, sharp teeth. It stared down at the village a while longer before throwing its head back and releasing a long, mournful howl. The call was answered a short time later by another howl further away. Then a pack of a dozen or more joined the one on the hill.

'A scout.' Tor'mac thought to himself, brandishing his spear.

Miroku and Sango came out of the hut in time to see him draw the weapon. They exchanged glances and walked to his side, "Trouble?"

Tor'mac didn't flinch. He kept his eyes on the pack, not wanting to lose sight of them. Then it hit the others and they stared wide eyed in the same direction. A strong demonic aura was approaching very quickly.

"You feel that?" Sango asked.

Miroku nodded. Sango rushed to gather her weapons and armor and returned just in time to see Kouga's telltale whirlwind come into the village. Miroku pushed the very tensed Tor'mac's spear downwards and smiled.

"It's okay. He's a friend…Sort of."

Kouga stopped short a few yards away from them, followed by his wolves and eventually Ginta and Hakkaku. Kouga regarded Tor'mac curiously for a moment before turning to the more familiar faces of Miroku and Sango.

"Where's Kagome," He growled.

At his aggressive tone, Tor'mac moved to stand between them and growled back at the much smaller fool in front of him. Kouga, obviously in an already foul mood, wasted no words on the strange giant. Instead he leapt into the air and side kicked, meaning to take off Tor'mac's head. It didn't go as planned though.

Tor'mac caught his outstreached leg by his shin and let him dangle upside down, growling to himself and sounding slightly amused to the others. Further angered by the embarrassing position, Kouga pulled back a fist to strike at his torso. Before he could connect though, Tor'mac let him drop rather unceremoniously to the dirt. Kouga retreated and rushed in again. Tor'mac took up a more serious fighting stance and snapped his wristblades forward. Kouga stopped in his tracks and Sango stepped between them.

"That's enough! Kagome and Inuyasha went to visit her family, they should be back soon." Sango said

"What, you mean we ran all this way for nothing?" Ginta said, sounding tired.

Kouga sat on a nearby rock and streached his legs, still trying to sound tough despite his hurt pride. He still kept a wary eye on Tor'mac though, who still looked ready to attack.

"We'll just wait then if she's gonna be back soon anyway."

Ginta and Hakkaku sunk to the ground too exhausted from their trek to be surprised at Kouga's defeat while Kouga himself examined Tor'mac from a distance. His unfamiliar scent kept him on edge-that and he now knew he was no one to trifle with. He looked at Sango and Miroku again.

"So what's his story?" Kouga asked, motioning to Tor'mac.

Sango straightened, growing tired of his attitude, "We found him fighting Naraku."

Kouga's lip curled into a snarl at the mention of the name and Tor'mac stiffened again, "You mean you let him get away again?"

"How many times have you fought him lately, mangy wolf?" Inuyasha called from down the path, Kagome in tow. She covered her nose, "Inuyasha, what's that awful smell?"

"Come to think of it, have you ever actually fought Naraku?" Inuyasha pressed, "We've already fought him several times and you can't even find him."

"Listen muttface, when I face Naraku he won't get away. I won't have to fight him more than once."

"Inuyasha…" Kagome said, now covering her nose and mouth with her sleeve.

"You're right," Inuyasha smiled, "cause after the first one you'll be dead."

Inuyasha finally took note of Kagome when she pulled on his sleeve as Kouga spouted off some more. He smelled the air and realized what she'd been complaining about.

"That would be the stench of filthy wolves," He said just loud enough that he was sure Kouga could hear him.

When no reply came from the demon, both of them put their attention on him again. If he had heard, he gave no sign. He stood stone still with a transfixed stare on Kagome, which she returned until he moved closer. He looked her up and down (more so than usual) and walked around her, sniffing the air as he did so. As he did the foul odor seemed to envelop her, nearly gagging her. How had she not noticed this before? It wasn't like she'd never gotten close enough to, that was for sure. He smelled like he hadn't had a bath in…well…EVER!

Inuyasha's hand went to Tetsusaiga's hilt. To him, Kouga seemed to be circling Kagome like some predator would it's next meal, looking for a right place to strike. With each step Kouga took, Inuyasha's grip tightened. He wasn't going to let him get anywhere near his Kagome if he could help it. Kouga, however, looked as though he were about to faint anyway though.

"K…Kagome? What happened?" He turned on Inuyasha, "What did you do to her?"

Kagome saw the flash in Inuyasha's eyes and stepped between the two rivals, "He saved my life, Kouga. This is just a side effect."

Kouga blinked, "One hell of a side effect…"

"Watch it wolf-boy," Inuyasha growled.

Kagome faced him, and away from Kouga, "Its alright, Inuyasha," She said quietly.

Before she could turn back to the young leader of the wolf tribe, his arms encircled her and he spoke softly into her ear. His voice was as calm and melodious as ever, but his breath reeked of carrion. Kagome was ready to gag.

"Kagome, I didn't think it was possible but now you're even more worthy of becoming my mate," Kouga said softly.

"Kouga, let go of me please," Kagome said as nicely as she could manage.

"Not a chance. I'm taking you with me, away from dog-face here."

Inuyasha normally would have sprung then, which is what Kouga was expecting, but Kagome moved first. Slowly, she placed her small hand over Kouga's on her stomach and locked fingers with him. Inuyasha stood in stunned silence. He could feel his blood begin to boil, as well as his heart shattering.

'NO! She wouldn't! She cant! Not after all this!'

He was about to say something he'd no doubt regret later when he heard Kouga let out a small grunt. His face no longer wore the smug smile he'd grown when she'd first held his hand. On the contrary, he looked to be angry as well as in pain as he looked over her shoulder at his hand. Inuyasha followed his gaze to the source of his growing frustration and agony.

Kagome was squeezing his hand hard and pulling it away from her body. He released her completely but she kept her grip, wanting to let her point sink in. She turned suddenly, still refusing to let go. This caused Kouga to turn away as well, and gain still more pain now that she was also twisting his arm around.

"Let…go!" Kouga groaned.

Inuyasha relaxed, suddenly wishing he had a bowl of ramen to go with the entertainment, "Maybe now you'll get the hint."

Ginta and Hakkaku were in shock at her strength, she was quite obviously overpowering him, but knew better than to interfere.

Kagome turned her hand a little, forcing Kouga's arm just a little farther in the wrong direction. Foolishly perhaps, Kouga dropped to his knees trying to find a release from her vice-like grip, only to realize too late that this only provided her with more leverage to work with if she chose. He was now completely at her mercy…and he was rapidly losing faith that it existed anymore.

Kagome leaned down next to his ear much as he had done. Her tone was like a mother scolding a child, "I told you to let go, didn't I? Besides, I already have a mate. Maybe you know him?"

Kagome released him and went to Inuyasha's side, resting her head on his shoulder for emphasis. Inuyasha might have been embarrassed, but the look on Kouga's face as he tucked up his sore arm and stood made it worth it.

Kouga, tried to salvage what little pride he had left as he stared back at the couple. His eyes were angry at first, but eventually gave way to a sadness that took everything he had to conceal. He stared hard at Kagome for a long while, longer than Inuyasha would have liked, then moved between Ginta and Hakkaku.

"Our business is done here."

Both of them actually looked surprised, "But Kouga…"

He ignored them and again turned to Kagome, "Don't think for one second that I've given up on you, Kagome."

Kagome sighed, 'Some people never learn.'

"And you," Kouga said to Inuyasha, his voice suddenly harsh, "If you ever hurt her you'll have to watch out for more than just Naraku."

Inuyasha pulled Kagome closer, "Save it."

Kouga nodded and sped off, his pack following as fast as they could but losing ground fast. When they were out of sight Miroku spoke up.

"He actually left without a fight?"

Sango shrugged, "Maybe it was too much for him to stick around."

Inuyasha smirked, "Feh, more likely his arm was too sore to fight with."

Kagome laughed and turned to him, "Why didn't you ever say anything about that awful smell?"

Inuyasha scrunched up his nose, "What are you talking about? I've called him a stinking wolf plenty of times."

"I guess so…"

"Its probably the way they eat mostly," Sango added, "All that raw meat."

Still talking, Sango, Miroku, and Tor'mac went back inside the hut. Kagome moved to follow but Inuyasha's voice cut her off

"Kagome…"

She stopped and turned around. Inuyasha's face seemed worried, or sad. "What's wrong, Inuyasha?"

"Did you really mean what you said about being my mate, or was that just to get rid of Kouga?"

Kagome gave him a wide grin and hugged him, "Isn't it the truth?"

Inuyasha smiled. A rare seen, honest smile, "Is that what you call a proposal? That's my job."

Kagome feigned offence, then laughed, "I got tired of waiting for you to get around to it."

Inuyasha smiled and pulled her even closer, into a long awaited kiss. He didn't care that their friends in the hut were all staring at them, or about the various villagers that stopped to admire the scene. All that mattered in that moment was Kagome and the lips he'd longed for since they'd first met.

Although Tor'mac didn't exactly understand the odd behavior of the two, he did understand the meaning behind it. They were bound to each other, a rare thing among his kind. When it did happen though, the two were inseperable. Despite his growing frustration and impatience of finding Naraku and his brother, he found he was happy for the new couple. He only wished he knew more of their language that he might understand them better.

They stayed in each others arms for a long time, both enjoying the closeness of the other. Eventually though, Inuyasha held Kagome at arms length and looked deep into her eyes with determination.

"Now there's something I have to take care of."

(a/n)dundunDun! Bet you can't guess what Inu has to take care of! What? How'd you know! Honestly if you dont you haven't seen any part of the series. Next chap. is my absolute fav but I'll undoubtedly make even more enemies than this chapter gets me. Oh well, BRING IT ON! I CAN TAKE IT! Please Review or I may never finish posting! Hey I need support too you know. This isn't easy to write.

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