Chapter Five:

A Stranger Named Hiroshi

InuYasha sat with his friends as they all enjoyed the rabbit and rice balls for breakfast. As he ate his own food InuYasha kept his eyes on Kagome making sure that the meal he provided was to her liking. Though the hanyo was unaware of his actions he was acting as a male demon courting his chosen female which included proving that he was a good provider and of course protector.

As the group finished up breakfast InuYasha became aware of the sound of approaching footsteps. He sniffed the air curiously and was met with the scent of an unknown male.

This isn't good. Our female attracts suitors the way she attracts danger. Yokai InuYasha's comment made the half demon's insecurities rise to the surface. Deciding to meet the stranger mid way InuYasha stood and exited the hut.

As InuYasha took a territorial stance in front of the human dwelling a man limped into view.

Dressed in a black and yellow kosode and hakama the man looked as if he hadn't slept for days if the circles under his eyes were an indication. His black hair was tied up in a topknot and his murky brown eyes reminded InuYasha of a muddy swamp as apposed to his Kagome's rich chocolate eyes.

"Who are you and what do you want?" InuYasha demanded as his demon side began to rattle its cage. The man stopped and looked at InuYasha with disgust clear in his gaze. The sheer malice in the human man's eyes made the silver hairs on the back of InuYasha's neck stand up and put him on guard.

"A miko, I need a miko." The man answered as he stood just out of the hanyo's reach.

InuYasha crossed his arms into his kimono sleeves and acted as if he couldn't care less about the human's business in the village though his eyes never left the possible rival for his female.

"There is a priestess here in this village." InuYasha informed the man as he pointed to the hut behind him. "She lives here in this hut-"

Before InuYasha could finish his sentence the human tried to force his way past him only for the half demon to shove him away.

"Now hang on just a fucking minute!" InuYasha snapped as he bared his fangs in warning and a dangerous growl ripped from his throat as more of his demon nature emerged through his actions and words.

"My pack resides here and both mikos are apart of my pack now you have business with my pack then you have to go through me first!"

"Despicable creature!" the man shouted. "My business is with the miko and thus none of your concern! Stand aside!"

InuYasha was about to retort when a soft feminine voice interrupted the two men.

"InuYasha what's going on out here?" Kagome asked as she emerged from the hut to stand slightly behind her hanyo companion. She looked past InuYasha's red clad shoulder to see the man sitting in the dirt where said hanyo had thrown him.

"Whose this?"

InuYasha didn't like the man's eyes on his intended and though he had resigned himself to losing Kagome to a human man the half demon couldn't help the possessive anger that shot through him.

"Go back inside Kagome." He ordered, as he never took his eyes from the stranger.

"Are you the priestess?" the man asked desperately as he practically crawled toward the young woman. InuYasha instinctively stepped back pushing Kagome along with him.

Kagome blinked as she looked between her best friend and the stranger.

"Yes I am. Do you need help?"

InuYasha growled a reprimand as Kagome left his side and approached the man.

"Yes my village is being plagued by a foul demon that preys on virgins! Please help us!" the man begged as he grabbed Kagome's hand brought it to his forehead.

Kagome looked back at InuYasha and found his eyes locked angrily on the human man clinging to her. Even though she knew that it would probably not be the best move with InuYasha's current condition Kagome knelt down and helped the man up.

"Okay just calm down. Lets go inside and you can tell us what's going on okay?"

The man nodded and allowed the young girl to lead him past the seething half demon and into the house.

As InuYasha watched Kagome help the man into the hut his Yokai spoke up once more.

Damn woman doesn't she know she's suppose to listen to us?

Shut up will ya!

After silencing his demon side InuYasha entered the hut with the intentions to watch this human like a hawk.

As the half demon got comfortable the stranger was introducing himself and telling his story.

"My name is Hiroshi. I'm from a small village five days' journey to the East. We are being plagued by a demon that's taken our young virgins. No one knows what he does with them but they are never seen again."

Hiroshi then bowed to the group as he pleaded.

"I'm begging you please save my village!"

The group all looked to InuYasha causing the hanyo to tense up and become uncomfortable with the sudden responsibility. He looked to Hiroshi who was glaring at him, obviously not a fan of anything with demonic blood.

Send this bastard away! Yokai InuYasha growled as his possessive and hostile personality shined through the control the hanyo had on his demon blood.

If I do that Kagome would never forgive me. There are people being hurt here. InuYasha replied as he looked from his friends to his love to the human begging for salvation.

Oh and what if this demon goes after our woman? Huh? What then?

InuYasha could feel his Yokai's panic at the thought of his mate in danger but InuYasha knew that Kagome wouldn't be able to let this go. He could se it in her face as she waited for his decision.

No one and nothing will touch Kagome; if anyone tries you can have at them. How about that?

His Yokai was quiet as it thought over his half human counter part's words.

I guess I can live with that. Fine if it'll please Kagome.

His decision made the hanyo nodded then spoke,

"We'll leave in the morning so we better get our supplies together."

He stood and turned to the door. "We'll leave at dawn. Kagome come with me for a minute."

Kagome smiled softly and followed her half demon completely unaware of the lustful glare being thrown her way by their guest. Of course it was so subtle that no one noticed it except a very protective hanyo.

InuYasha growled softly at Hiroshi as he held the mat open for Kagome to leave the hut first.

Once they were out away from the humans InuYasha nodded toward the forest the bore his name and he began to walk toward the trees followed closely by the little woman that was everything to him.

Once they made it to the sacred tree he whirled around, grabbed Kagome by her shoulders, and forced her to look into his eyes.

"Kagome I have a bad feeling about this Hiroshi guy and this village we are going to tomorrow. I want you to stay close to me, do you understand?"

Kagome nodded as she lifted her hands and placed them on his shoulders. He looked deathly serious but Kagome could see the fear in his eyes.

So she smiled and nodded.

"Alright InuYasha, there's no where I'd rather be."

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed chapter Five. Now things are going to get interesting. Please review and let me know what you think. Have a question instant message me.

Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns InuYasha & Co. No profit is being made from this work of fiction.

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