"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin yelled as she ran into the field where Sesshomaru stood. It was almost noon, the summer sun almost directly above them. The field where the mating would be held was filled with almost every person from the village, come to witness the union of their beloved miko from the future and the half-demon who was once feared but was now a protector of sorts to the villagers. The villagers gave Sesshomaru and Jaken a wide berth of space despite Inuyasha explaining that Sesshomaru would not harm them while he was hear. Sesshomaru watched as the eyes of the villagers nearly fell out of their head as Rin came running up to him. "Sesshomaru-sama, look at the pretty kimono Rin gets to wear," she said happily.
"Very nice," Sesshomaru said in a voice that seemed cool to others but Rin knew was warmer than normal. Sesshomaru's eyes shifted from the village road where Kagome would enter from to where his half brother stood next to an old miko and a less than holy monk.
"What's taking her so long?" Inuyasha said annoyed. He tugged at the sleeves of the black robe he wore, almost identical to his fire rat robe. He knew he had to dress presentably for the mating, but he still felt nervous about being in the open unprotected although he had his Tetsuaiga strapped to his hip.
"Patience Inuyasha," Kaede said, looking up at the half-demon. "A bride needs time to prepare."
"Keh, wench always takes forever to get ready."
"Don't worry Inuyasha; Kagome should be here soon. Rin is already here," Miroku said, pointing toward Sesshomaru. "Kagome, Sango, and Shippo must be on their way soon." As much as Miroku was trying to calm his brother-in-arms, he was just as anxious as he was. Only he wanted to see Sango, not Kagome. The thought of seeing Sango look more beautiful than she normally did made Miroku smile, not his normal lecherous smile but a smile of a young man who's simply in love.
"Kagome's coming, Kagome's coming!" Shippo yelled as he ran into the field. "Everyone get ready! She's coming." Shippo went to stand by Inuyasha's side, next to Miroku. "Are you ready?"
"Of course I am," Inuyasha replied, tugging at the neck of his robe. Even though he was already married to Kagome, he was just as nervous as he was yesterday. Inuyasha stiffened suddenly, his hand instinctively going to his sword. He noticed out of the corner of his eye Sesshomaru did the same thing, pushing Rin behind him as he drew the Tokijin. 'Wolf,' Inuyasha thought as his nose picked up on Koga's scent. Purple streaks began to appear across Inuyasha's cheeks, growling unconsciously.
"Inuyasha?" Miroku said softly, wondering what brought on the sudden change in his friend.
"Koga is headed this way," Inuyasha snarled, his eyes slowly changing from amber to red. Miroku's eyes hardened at Inuyasha's words, his anger flaring at the memory of what Kagome suffered. To harm someone as pure and kind as Kagome was utterly inexcusable.
The whirlwind of Koga approached the field, stopping as Sesshomaru appeared in his path. "What the hell do you think you're doing dog?" Koga said, standing toe to toe with Sesshomaru. "Get out of my way!"
"You are not welcome here wolf. Leave now," Sesshomaru said coldly, glaring at Koga. "I will not allow you to interrupt the mating."
"You're going to let your half-breed mutt of a brother mate someone as innocent as Kagome?" Koga yelled.
Inuyasha moved so quickly that Sesshomaru almost missed him. One second Koga was standing not two inches in front of him, the next second Inuyasha was gripping Koga by his neck, slamming him into a tree and nearly toppling it over. "You will never speak Kagome's name again. Her name will never pass your lips again," Inuyasha snarled, his hand tightening on Koga's windpipe.
"You're going to taint her half-breed," Koga gasped, struggling to get the words out as he felt Inuyasha's claws dig into his neck.
"I will taint her?" Inuyasha hissed. "You almost stole her purity in your mating lust! Do you know what you've done to her? Do you know the nightmares you've given her! You made her afraid Koga. You will never come near my mate again." Inuyasha pulled Koga forward before slamming him into the tree again, causing the tree to snap in half. His demon side roared for vengeance against the demon who had harmed his mate.
Sesshomaru watched as his brother began to pummel the wolf demon, his hold on the wolf never loosening. He could not blame Inuyasha nor would he stop him from injuring the wolf. From what he understood Inuyasha was fully within his rights as a inu-demon to seek vengeance.
Miroku watched nervously as Inuyasha beat Koga to a bloody pulp. 'Kagome is going to be here soon and this is not something she'll want to see,' Miroku thought worriedly. "Inuyasha stop," Miroku said, grabbing onto his friend's shoulder. "This is not what you want Kagome to see on your mating day, is it?"
Inuyasha paused, his fist held above an unconscious Koga. He knew Miroku was right but that did not quell the anger stirred in him at the sight of Koga. Koga deserved so much pain. He deserved to be beaten within an inch of his life for what he did to Kagome. But he couldn't let Kagome see this. Inuyasha stood up, standing above Koga's body as he wiped his blood on the inside of his robes. "What am I supposed to do with his body?" Inuyash wondered aloud.
"I will handle it," Sesshomaru said, stepping forward. "Rin, stay with Inuyasha," he said as he picked Koga up, flying away from the village.
Inuyasha turned back toward the field, meeting the shocked and slightly scared eyes of the villagers. "What!" Inuyasha yelled as they continued to stare at him approaching Kaede.
"I-it is good t-that you protect Kagome-sama," a villager said, his eye nervous. "She is worthy of protection."
Inuyasha's remaining anger dissolved at the villager's words. It was his mating day; it would upset Kagome to see him so angry and then she would ask question and he really didn't want to tell her Koga ad showed up. That would only upset her anyway. He adjusted his robes as he saw Sango walk quickly into the field, wearing a beautiful yellow kimono.
"She's coming," Sango said with a smile, standing on the other side of Kaede. Miroku and Sango stood across from her, next to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha turned back toward the path, his eyes widening as Kagome came into sight. "She's beautiful," he said softly, not aware of the words leaving his lips