Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or anyone in this story. Poo.

Authors Note: Sheesh, talk about long awaited! I'm not sure if anyone is even watching this anymore. *Checks* This update is for those dedicated 5 who still have this story on alert. Thanks! Let me know what you guys think of it!

I know this is short and not extremely dramatic, but I did kind of like the way it went when I wrote it. End kinda makes me go Awwww. I'm usually not that sappy.

Worthy Protector

Chapter 3

Dawn's first light was in sight as Inuyasha and the others came in sight of the mountains. In those mountains was the Den of the Wolf Tribe and Kagome. Inuyasha stopped high on a branch of a tree, sniffing the wind. He had been following Kouga's sent all night. Now that they were close, he was searching for Kagome's unique smell as well. It would tell him exactly where she was and how she was fairing. Kilala stopped on a branch near-by, causing Miroku to wake. He and Sango had taken turns sleeping during the journey so they would be rested and ready to fight. Inuyasha, having slept all day, was fine. He was driven by desire; desire to take Kagome back and desire to beat Kouga into the ground.

Inuyasha sniffed the air again and turned to the others. "She's in there. And that's where we're going."

"Do you have a plan, Inuyasha?" Sango was dressed in her battle clothes, ready to fight for her friend.

"Yes. We will attack soon, when most of the wolves are asleep. You two, draw most of them off. I will find Kouga. Shippo, I want you to find Kagome. Use your magic to protect her and get her away."

Miroku nodded in agreement to the plan. "If all goes well, they won't notice Kagome's gone until it's too late."

"If all goes well, Kouga will be dead."

Sango and Miroku shared a look. There had always been competition between Inuyasha and Kouga, but this latest move had upped the ante, as they say. Before, they had fought to impress and woo Kagome; now it was to mate her.

The group moved slowly up the mountain, buying time. The nocturnal wolves would be bedding down for a mornings rest and most would be tired, if not asleep already. Only a few gaurs were out – Inuyasha could smell five. A well-thrown ball of sleep powder courtesy of Sango took care of two. She had made extras of the herb bombs while Inuyasha slept and healed. They would help take care of most of the wolves.

And help they did. Sango took out the lowest dens as they passed, working their way up the mountain trail. Two guards went down under Miroku's powerful sutras and the last fell to Inuyasha. They continued to move up the mountain, but soon ran into trouble.

Kagome had been awake when the wolves returned. She had adopted their sleeping schedule, as the howls woke her anyway. This morning saw Kagome out on the cliff, watching the early sun. This was where Kouga cornered her.

"Kagome, my woman, how are you this fine morning? Remember, tonight is the night. I trust you have adjusted well?"

Kagome scowled at him. "No I have not! I do not want to be here and I certainly do not want to be mated with you! I demand you return me to Inuyasha!"

Kouga growled and grabbed her wrist. "You will learn to control that mouth in my presence soon enough! If not…"

Whatever threat would follow, Kagome never heard. The sounds of fighting were carried up to them. Kouga turned sharply as one of the wolves howled in pain. Kagome, no longer the object of his focus, wretched her arm free of his grip. The force of it caused her to waver on the rocks edge, before toppling off with a scream.

Inuyahsa, with an extra powerful push, jumped up from below to meet her. Catching her in his arms, he drew her tight into his chest. However, they were still traveling up, toward an angry Kouga. Suddenly, Kouga wavered as powder blossomed around him, and toppled off the cliff himself, bouncing and falling down. He landed in a heap at the bottom.

Inuyasha turned. Shippo had grabbed his hair in one hand and one of Sango's knockout pouches in the other and had thrown it at Kouga when they were close enough. Shippo grinned over Inuyasha's shoulder, as Kagome threw her arms tight around them both.

With Kouga down for the count and Kagome in hand, it was time to go. Calling out to the others, Inuyasha bounded down the mountain, Kilala in tow. The group traveled for a few hours, putting a good distance between them and the wolf tribe. The group settled down for the night by a spring, where hugs and hot baths abounded. And that night, Inuyasha was never far from Kagome's side.