InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mark ❯ New Beginnings? ( Chapter 6 )

Inuyasha watched as they returned to camp. He felt a growl at the state of Kagome's kimono. It was obvious her obi had been ripped, and her hair was damp. She smelled of Sesshomaru, and Sesshomaru bore her scent as well. They had been gone for hours, but there was no scent of sex on either of them, or even arousal. Everyone seemed to have settled in for a day of rest. Rin and Shippou were playing under Ah-Un's watchful eyes while Jaken caught up on sleep. Kouga and Sango were talking and Gingitsune and Miroku had vanished into the forest. Kouga watched Kagome and Sesshomaru for a moment before rising. He bowed to Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru-sama, may I have a word?"

Kagome and Sango went to play with the children, giving the youkai some privacy. "How may I help you Kouga-san?"

"Kagome is special to me. If you hurt her…she doesn't deserve pain in any form, do not be the cause of her pain."

Sesshomaru's first reaction was to tell Kouga to mind his own business, however he saw the genuine concern in the wolf's eyes. "Kagome has been hurt in the past, and hurt badly. It will take a long time before the pain fades, but I will try not to be the source of new pain for her."

Kouga nodded slowly. "Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama."

Inuyasha watched as his older brother took a seat and watched Kagome play with Rin and Shippou. He felt anger begin to burn in the pit of his stomach. Sesshomaru had come and stolen what was his. He felt a snarl begin to worm its way up his throat. A hand on his shoulder brought him out of his self-delusions. He looked up to see Kouga looking at him with…with sympathy?

"Do not hate him because she loves him as she could not love you."

Inuyasha jerked himself free of Kouga's grip. "She used to love me like that."

"Yes, until you betrayed her trust."

"She betrayed me!"

"She ran for her life from her best and most trusted friend."

"Feh!"

He jumped up into a tree and sat with his back facing them all. Kouga shook his head slightly then took a seat. It was rare that he stayed so long from his pack, but this was important. If nothing else she was a pack sister and he had to make sure that she was happy and safe. Rin ran over to Sesshomaru and presented him with a flower before returning to her game. Sesshomaru set the flower down in a place where it would remain safe then turned his eyes back to them. Kouga was no fool. He could see the way he watched the two human girls. He cared deeply for both of them. Sango wandered over and sat down. Kouga was a little surprised she would come so close to him.

"He really does love Kagome, doesn't he?"

"Hai."

"You love her too."

"Hai. I am happy she is happy."

Sango wrapped an arm around his shoulders and gave him a gentle squeeze. "I'm happy for her too. She's lucky to have a friend like you."

Kouga couldn't help the blush that stained his face. He reached down and pulled out the two jewel shards in his legs and handed them to Sango. "Would you give these to her?"

She looked down at them for a moment then shook her head, handing them back. "No. You can't get rid of us that easily."

"Nani?"

"We're your friends, that means that just giving us the jewel shards and disappearing isn't going to be enough to get rid of us."

"But I thought…I mean…"

"You thought we put up with you for Kagome and the jewel shards?" He ducked his head and nodded. "Then why did Kagome help you when you had the false jewel shard in your arm? Why didn't we steal the other two while you were defenseless?"

"I…I don't know."

She gripped his chin and forced him to look at her. "When it comes time to fight Naraku, fight with us, as a part of this group. Alone we will not be able to defeat this enemy, but together we are stronger than any force."

Kouga finally relaxed. He rested his head on her shoulder. "You know, I never thought I'd have friends like this outside my pack."

"Well technically Shippou, Kagome, and I are pack, since your pack seems think she's their sister."

He chuckled softly. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being a good sister to her."

"I should be thanking her." She pushed herself to her feet and stretched. "I should probably hunt up some dinner."

He rose as well. "I'll help."

"I don't need help."

"I never said you did, I just said I would."