Don't Leave Me Inuyasha!
Chapter One
By Brandi Parker Notes: Yeah yeah, before you chew me out, just listen. I know a lot of this stuff is irrational and probably wouldn't happen, but it's a fanfic right? So that means I can write it the way I want to neh? NEways, if you don't want to read a sad story, don't read this one. Just a warning, now on to my first fanfic ever. And I'm sorry too about the Sess thing, I couldn't think up of anything really original that would work. I apologize; please tell me what you think though.
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It was a beautiful sunny morning, the sun had just risen on the horizon, and its soft pink glow was quickly being replaced by the brighter rays of full day. The cheerful twitters and chirpings of birds and other forest creatures could be heard in the usually quiet woods. Inuyasha, the dog demon yokai, was lying high in the large and protective branches of the god tree, stretched out and splayed across the twig and bark in a ridiculous position that would seem impossible even for most of the best that did yoga. He was draped backwards over one branch, one leg was held up by another, and both hands were dangling in the crisp morning air.
On a hill nearby, sitting cross-legged in the soft green grass and admiring the colors that seem splattered across the sky, sat Sango, her pet Kirara curled up contentedly in her lap. Her slender hands traveled fondly through the small animal's white fur as she looked over to the young monk, Miroku, who was sleeping soundly, his staff beside him, and Shippo, the fox child she had become friends with. A gentle smile tugged at the edges of her lips and eyes as she set Kirara aside and stood gracefully, brushing herself off. Her dark eyes were traveling to the bone gobbler's well, as they had done before, searching for something. The dark orbs were drawn to the movement as something black rose above the inside edge of the well, and she waved at Kagome as she slowly emerged.
"Hello Kagome-san!" she called, and waved again enthusiastically when the girl looked her way, drawn by her call.
"Hi Sango!" Kagome responded in kind, waving back, and then looked around again, searching in the tree on the edge of the woods for the Inuyasha she knew should be lazing about somewhere.
"He's at the god tree. He, Miroku and Shippo-chan must be tired after that battle yesterday; none of them has woken yet." Sango provided, guessing what she must be doing and waving a hand explanatorily back to indicate those she spoke of.
"Thank you Sango-sama!" Kagome called with a nod of thanks and turned, walking into the edge of the forest's first trees. She looked about, hefting her yellow backpack, always amazed anew by the pristine beauty of the woods, and her thoughts traveled to Inuyasha, the half demon she had, it so recently seemed, come to know. She smiled and began to jog, her small feet hitting the soft soil of the forest floor with a gentle padding that melted in almost naturally with the background chorus of the wind blowing through the trees. She paused upon reaching the tree and looked up. Her brown eyes followed the curve of the trunk, up, up higher, to where Inuyasha lay cradled among the branches. Kagome thought it was odd that he sleep in the tree, but no matter. She giggled at the position he was in, thinking that he was the weirdest thing she had ever seen. She cupped her hands smooth around her mouth, knowing all the while that it wasn't necessary and called. "Inuyasha, wake up, come down from there!"
Inuyasha's golden right eye opened a crack as he looked down at the girl. He brushed a bit of white hair from it, not that there was much to brush seeing as it was all hanging down, tangled in the branched. His eye closed in thought for a moment before he opened it again and responded with a dismissive, "Nuh Uh. I'm sleeping Kagome, come back later."
Sango turned as soon as Kagome was out of sight and walked to Miroku, looking down at him for a moment before nudging him gently with her foot. "Kagome is here, Miroku wake up. You too Shippo. Time to go."
Shippo opened his eyes and jumped up, looking about eagerly for Kagome. Miroku continued to sleep peacefully, a small smile on his face as he wrapped his arm around the poking foot and ran his hand up the smooth calf. Sango froze the bent over and tapped him on the head. His eyes cracked open as she said with a warning smile, "Get your paw off of my leg."
Miroku stared at her for a moment, and then responded calmly, closing his eyes and dropping his arm "I do not have paws. That, would be Inuyasha." Stars exploded before his eyes as Sango smacked the top of his head with her fist.
"Ow. What'n the heck was that for, my cruel mistress?" he said with a pout, his hand traveling to the lump on his hurting head.
"You know exactly what that was for you goon. Now get your lazy butt off of the ground, or I'll do it again. It's time to go." Her sharp words were accompanied by a raised hand.
Even with her threat, Miroku was taking his time, and he stretched with a long yawn. He reached over, his calloused fingers wrapping loosely around the wooden shaft of his staff, before standing, and helping himself to another yawn. Sango rolled her eyes and said with a disgusted snort, "I don't know what you would be so tired for, Inuyasha's the one who beat that monster up." Miroku froze, staring at the woman briefly, and then laughed as he realized she was teasing him, at least he hoped, she was teasing him. Shippo had already scurried down the hill to find his friend. Sango flashed a charming and slightly teasing smile and hefted her boomerang, calling to Kirara, when she turned and made her way toward the place at the area of the woods where Kagome had disappeared, just seconds before. She made her way into the brush, pushing aside hanging vines with her hands. Miroku followed, scratching at his head with a grin, his fingers wrapped tightly around the staff. Once or twice, he had to duck as Sango sent a well aimed branch whipping back at him. As he walked the jingle of the golden rings on the staff fell upon his ears pleasantly.
Kagome lowered her hands and stamped a dainty foot on the ground, her dark brown eyes narrowed and burning with something akin to frustration.
"Inuyasha, come down here now!" She repeated, crossing her arms in front of her with a resolved and determined look. "If you don't come down now. I'll say it!"
Shippo burst from the underbrush and ran to her, yelling her name and latching himself onto her leg. She smiled and bent over, picking him up in her arms and rubbing the top of his furry head as Inuyasha responded with a derisive snort.
"Feh. I told you, I'm sleeping!" He said in an irritated tone, apparently not believing that she would. His ear left ear twitched, and he yawned, taking a deep breath and stretching in the sunlight, collapsing straight back into the same position.
Sango and Miroku pushed through the brush quietly, and Miroku grinned at the half demon's rebellious statement, cupping his mouth and saying to Sango in an undertone, "You would think he would have learned by now." Sango eyed the lump on his head and responded, "You think YOU would have learned by now too." Miroku gave her an evil look and stepped out into the clearing.
Kagome stamped her foot again and said "Inuyasha.SIT!" There was a rustle of branches and the snap of many twigs and a yell as Inuyasha fell through the large branches of the god tree to land on his face in the roots underneath. He pushed himself up slightly and looked at Kagome with narrowed eyes that showed his irritation.
"Would ya quit doing that woman!? I was sleeping!" Kagome turned her head away and lifted her nose into the air while retorting. "It was your tone of voice. I didn't like it. And you weren't sleeping. You were just being lazy, that's all." She turned, shifting Shippo to her other arm and grabbed the handles of the bright pink bike resting beneath the tree, leaning against the trunk. Shippo giggled at Inuyasha's prone form and said "Yeah, she didn't like that tone of voice." at which the half demon pushed himself the rest of the way up with a low growl.
"Shut up you stupid furball." Inuyasha said, making sure Tesseiga was secure in its sheath and brushing himself off, taking a few moments longer to pick some bark from his white hair. He saw Shippo stick out his tongue, and he raised his hand to bop the fox-child when his gaze was drawn sideways, to Miroku, who had a smug look that shimmered in his impish eyes, and Sango, whose hand was raised to her mouth to hide her smile of amusement. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed briefly as he turned to fully face them, preparing to say something smart. His fists clenched for a moment and then he stopped, his ears twitching slightly once more as he sniffed the air.
Kagome glanced at him out of the corner of her narrowed eye, and asked in a slightly haughty tone. "What is it now? I suppose you smell food? Well I didn't bring any for you this time, seeing as how rude you were to me the last time." She paused, her anger fading and swiftly becoming curiosity as he continued to sniff, his delicate nose stuck up in the air and his eyes narrowing slightly. "Well? What is it?"
"Blood. I smell fresh human blood, and a demon." He glanced at her as well, his golden eyes full of something that told her that there was more. He glanced about his circle of friends and continued. "I smell Sesshomaru. He's near." Inuyasha's quiet statement sent a chill up Kagome's spine. She knew of the rivalry between Inuyasha and his fully demon brother. Sesshomaru wanted Inuyasha's sword, the legendary Tesseiga, as well as wanting Inuyasha himself dead. Thank goodness he couldn't use it.
"Inuyasha, are you trying to scare me now?" Kagome asked, her eyes outraged as Shippo stared at the hanyou fearfully. Miroku and Sango both looked at Inuyasha in surprise as he launched into action, not bothering to answer, running and dodging through the closely growing trees of the forest with speed that none of the humans there possessed. Kagome blinked, and still hoping he was kidding, swung her leg over her bike and took off after him, after putting Shippo in the front basket.
"Kirara!" Sango cried, and she and her companion monk climbed quickly onto the beast that had followed them closely and had now grown quite large. The catlike beast launched into the air with a whirl of flames and a loud, shrill roar. Sango guided him higher with a light leg pressure and followed Inuyasha, keeping and eye on both him and Kagome from above the trees, until she saw what it was that he had smelled. So he had not lied about the blood. Miroku saw it at the same time and jumped off quickly as Sango guided Kirara low enough for him to do so without getting hurt. He gritted his teeth as he hurried closer to the small child, his staff still held tightly in his hand.
Pausing about ten feet from the child, he clenched his fists wondering what in the world had happened to the small girl. The blood was staining the ground on which she sat, and he looked her over quickly, trying to find the source of it. The girl, in turn, looked up at him, her wide brown eyes betraying the fear that she felt as she stared at him.
Miroku looked back as Sango dropped off Kirara and hurried past him.
The little girl raised a hand, as if to protect herself as Sango approached, and Sango stopped, then continued forward cautiously. "Why, hello there." She said in her most friendly tone of voice, inching closer. "How are you today?" She smiled comfortingly, hoping that the child wouldn't begin screaming.
The girl lowered her arm only slightly, staring at the woman and man over the edge of her yellow and orange checkered kimono sleeve. With the quiet innocence and acceptance only a child could possess, she answered, her voice soft from what the adults assumed was pain. "Hi. I hurt my leg." She shifted uncomfortably as Sango watched her, edging ever closer.
"Oh, really? If I could get a better look at it, I may be able to make it feel better. Can I see it? What's your name?" Sango said, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.
"Rin," The girl said and lifted the edge of the kimono. Both Sango and Miroku winced inwardly to see the ripped flesh of the girl's upper calf. Hurrying out of the edge of the woods bounced Inuyasha alert as always, followed closely, for all his speed, by Kagome who was fairly flying on her pink bike. Shippo, was sitting terrified in the basket and yelling at Kagome to slow down with all of the force of his tiny lungs. Inuyasha stopped at the edge of the small clearing and crossed his arms, sniffing around for the demon that was his brother. He couldn't help yelling at Kagome though, and the smug tone of his voice made her want to grind her teeth.
"Do you still not believe me?"
Kagome wasted no time in climbing off of her bike and hurrying over, setting her huge yellow backpack down and turning to get some antiseptics and bandages. She was followed closely by Shippo, whom the little girl stared at for a minute and then laughed. Miroku was content to let the women work on the small girl and turned, walking over to the half demon quietly and taking a spot near him.
"Do you think it was Sesshomaru?" he asked, crossing his arms and looking about suspiciously, after indicating the girl's wounded leg. "It's a bad tear. Ouch."
"No." Inuyasha's response was instant, with no hesitation. "It couldn't have been, Sesshomaru would have killed her. Not just crippled her." Inuyasha glanced at the monk out of the corner of his eye, then turned to fully look at the sky.
There was a long silence as Inuyasha and Miroku both stared out into the surrounding woods. The day was now quiet, and the silence was broken only by the comforting words of the two women and Shippo, who was doing handstands, much to the delight of Rin, who was clapping her own small hands and laughing. Miroku glanced over at them. Something was very confusing to him, if what Inuyasha had said was true.
"Then how do you explain the smell Inuyasha? Sesshomaru? If he did not do that, why is his scent on her?" He asked, cocking his head slightly to the side and idly straightening the blue beads on his right wrist.
"I don't know Miroku, you moron, If I knew I would have already told you." Inuyasha sniffed again, shifting to lean against the tree behind him, and his left hand traveled down to tap quietly on the sword hilt tied to his waist.
"Maybe he was using her for something? Could that be possible?" Miroku continued, studying the half demon's actions and arching a curious brow as he leaned against his staff, resting his head on it.
Inuyasha grunted slightly and shook his head, scratching one ear. "Once again, he would have killed her, If you weren't listening to me the first time monk. It's kinda strange, she smells as if she's been around him for some time." He straightened again and looked up at the sky, ever alert.
Miroku looked away again, not satisfied with the answers the half demon was offering. From Kagome came the quiet. "Hold on, this may sting a little bit, but it will feel better soon." This was echoed by both Sango and Shippo. After that, the morning lapsed into silence once more, with nothing but an occasional sniffle from the wounded child. But this silence seemed much more heavy somehow.
Suddenly, Inuyasha tensed, swinging around in a graceful movement and yelling, "Move! Get away from her now!"
Kagome looked over her shoulder in confusion at him and responded, "Now Inuyasha, Don't be silly. She's hurt, why do you want us to get away?" She shook her head and returned her attention to the child as Shippo stared at Inuyasha.
"He was not talking to you, you silly little human."
The voice emerged from the deep shadows in a tree above her, though quiet, it's tone was forbidding and had an unnatural calmness to it. It was smooth and quiet, like the slithering of a snake. Dropping easily from the tree, Sesshomaru looked down at the terrified Kagome with disdain. Sango's eyes widened as well. Miroku turned, taking a firmer grip on his staff and his own brown eyes narrowed as they flicked to the three of their party that were closest to the man.
"Get away from them now, Sesshomaru." Inuyasha said, motioning to Kagome and Sango to get away from the girl. Kagome backed up, her hand held up in front of her as if to block the attack she felt certain was coming.
The little girl, Rin, looked up to Sesshomaru, and amazed everyone by flashing him a charming child's smile and saying. "Sesso-sama!"
"I wasn't going to concern her, hanyou. But this does, I have come not only for Rin, but your Tesseiga as well." Sesshomaru's statement made Kagome shiver, she was frightened to death of the demon, and the way he had said it.
"Who woulda thought?" Inuyasha asked, rolling his eyes as his voice positively dripped with sarcasm. He paused for a moment, thinking about the statement he had made about the wounded Rin, who was still sitting on the ground and looking up with adoring eyes. "So, big brother, you still want to take my sword, how many times will it take for you to learn that you won't get it? You can't take it from me." Inuyasha's clawed hand wrapped firmly the hilt of the said sword as he spoke, taking a defensive stance with a confident smile.
"Yes.But this time, Inuyasha. I will have it!" with that, Sesshomaru sent his energy whip straight at Inuyasha's face. The half demon dodged swiftly to the side, and spun, turning to face the demon again as the whip cracked, splitting the ground where it had touched. Miroku, leaped to the side as well, rolling into the brush nearby.
Meanwhile Kagome had looked for, and found, the jewel shard. "Inuyasha! He's got the shard in his arm again! He's going to try what he did last time!" she called out, her soft voice carrying to Inuyasha's ears perked and pointed ears.
"Thanks Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, refraining himself from making the snide comment, 'Well that's the only place it would have been.' then launched himself forward. Drawing his legendary blade from it's sheath, he slashed at his half brother, who easily moved out of the way and sent his whip whistling back at him. Inuyasha deflected the whip with the blade of Tesseiga, but was forced back, having nothing to gain purchase on in midair. He landed on the ground and easily pushed off of it again, swinging his blade to the right and up in a deadly slash. The fierce joy that was in his eyes, revealed his love of battles, especially ones as challenging as this. Sesshomaru aimed for the hilt of Tesseiga with his whip, and this time his aim was true, Inuyasha grunted in pain as the whip slashed at his fingers, and the deadly blade went flying. He pushed off the nearest tree and flipped, reaching down and snatching the sword back a mere second before Sesshomaru would have grasped it.
"Too slow!" he called with a taunting smile, and watched as Kagome scrambled forward to drag the little girl into the woods and out of their way. Good. He spun and slashed wildly, blocking once more the whip of the demon. He rolled on the ground and leapt back up, loosing a savage yell and holding Tesseiga above his hear with both hands now.
"I'm getting tired of teaching you the same lesson over and over Sesshomaru! This time it ends!" Inuyasha said, slashing his blade at the whip that snaked through the air. Miroku waited for a time when he could use his Kazaana, as Sango prepared her Boomerang and Kagome got out her bow and arrows.
"Yes, maybe for you, weakling half-breed." Responded the other calmly, striking out at Inuyasha with his whip again. Inuyasha lifted an arm to ward of the blow and jumped back up into the air, renewing his attack with vigor.
"I may be half-breed, but I'm no weakling!" Inuyasha yelled, slashing downward with all the force in his arms. So engrossed was he in his fighting that he didn't hear the quiet whistle of the arrow as it flew through the air borne aloft on it's wings of swiftness. Inuyasha was struck, in the back of the right shoulder with an arrow that pierced through his chest. He grunted in pain and tumbled forward from the force of the arrow, hitting the ground with a low thump. He rolled over onto his back as Kagome screamed his name fearfully, and throwing caution to the wind, rushed forward.
At first, it seemed, that Kagome had accidentally shot him. Inuyasha winced, his eyes squinted almost shut with the stabbing pain. He barely had time to roll out of the way as Sesshomaru ripped his own sword from it's sheath and stabbed gracefully down at him, victory glinting in his eyes. Inuyasha kicked out with his clawed foot, trying to trip the demon up, but failed and was forced to roll again, breaking the shaft of the arrow with his weight. He cried out with the splintering pain and pushed himself up on one arm. Then he got his feet under him and bounced up, ripping the arrow by its head from his shoulder, the hilt of Tesseiga still clutched tightly in his hand. He froze, it seemed he was floating in midair for a lifetime, his eyes widening as he saw that it was not Kagome who had shot him, but Kikyo. She was a few feet further back in the woods, aiming a second deadly arrow at him.
He was stunned, and shocked. He hit the ground, landing on his feet, but stared at the woman he had loved so long ago. "Kikyo." He whispered, his eyes widening in surprise, then shoved himself out of the way of another angry sword slash aimed at him by Sesshomaru.
Miroku looked up as his friend released a cry of pain, and his hand traveled briefly to rest on the blue beads on his right wrist. No.. He couldn't, Inuyasha was in the way, and they were fighting too closely for him to use his Kazaana. Sango looked over to Miroku as she lifted her boomerang, and slung it at the enemy. Shippo, who had gone and fallen asleep in the basket of the bike, now awoke. He looked up and screamed, hopped out of the bike and ran to hide under a nearby bush.
Kagome was so worried for Inuyasha, she had come to love him, she had finally admitted to herself, and when he had been hit by the arrow, her heart had leapt into her throat.
It fluttered there now, like a trapped butterfly in a jar as she stared up at him. She saw his shock as he looked down at something in the woods and followed his gaze, her breath catching in a gasp as she looked in disbelief at the woman who was Kikyo. She stopped running forward as Inuyasha waved at her to stay back, his eyes still half closed in agony.
"Kikyo. Kikyo! No!!" She screamed as the woman launched another arrow, and without thinking, she whipped out an arrow of her own as Inuyasha swiped Kikyo's easily away with his blade. Kagome took aim carefully, not knowing if her arrow would or could harm the woman her half demon love had known. She loosed it, and the arrow struck the tree near Kikyo's head, devastating Kagome by her apparent lack of aim.
"I missed." Kagome whispered, as the woman turned to look at her calmly, drawing a third arrow. She pulled the bowstring tight, and spun, now aiming at Kagome. Her narrowed glassy brown eyes shone with hatred as she stared at her reincarnation, and when she loosed her arrow, her aim proved to be truer than Kagome's.
Miroku saw Kikyo shoot the arrow and stumbled forward, running across the clearing toward the archer Kikyo and seeing Sango approaching from the other side on Kirara. Shippo whimpered and covered his head, crouching in the brush next to Kagome, unaware that she had fallen. Miroku spun, and swung his staff at Kikyo, his teeth gritted in anger as Sango slung her weapon at the same target.
"Haraikotsu!"
Inuyasha leaped again, saw Kagome shoot and miss, saw Kikyo aim and shoot, hitting her target. He screamed, in rage and pain and pushed forward, though away from Sesshomaru, no longer worried about him, but the woman who was his best friend, his Kagome. He reached her and dropped to his knees beside her, sheathing Tesseiga. He looked down at her, the first tears of salty fear already running in cool streams down his flushed cheeks. The arrow was imbedded a little higher than her heart, and he could not tell how deep it was, blinded as he was by his grief. He wrapped his strong and tender arms around her, pulling her softly to his chest, careful not to hit the shaft or tail of the arrow, or do anything that may disturb the could-be mortal wound. She was completely conscious and looked up into his terrified golden eyes, slightly dazed by his unchecked tears. She was felt no pain, and she was aware and alert. "Inuyasha, don't get sidetracked, I'll be fine! Get Sesshomaru!" She said with an encouraging smile, not wanting him to be caught off guard. But it was too late..
Inuyasha looked into her deep brown eyes and saw that she may indeed, be fine. But he knew that if he moved her now, she would die. He smiled gently and laid her head back down, saying, "Hold on my Kagome." The whisper parting from his lips as he stood was almost like a final farewell, but she shook her head, and told herself to stop it.
Kagome's eyes widened, as he looked down at her, and for a moment, Inuyasha thought she was going into shock. Then he spun around, surprise evident in his eyes as Sesshomaru reached down and drew Tesseiga from it's sheath. Inuyasha gritted his teeth having no time to do anything else and spread out his arms, trying in vain to shield Kagome from Sesshomaru's cruel gaze, wanting above all else to protect the woman had been through so much with. Behind him, he heard Kagome's strangled whisper. "Inuyasha.." He paid her no heed, and lowered his head, staring up at his older brother his beautiful golden eyes flashing in angry defiance and challenge.
"You silly fool.. Did I not tell you once never to let yourself be distracted in battle?"
Sesshomaru's teeth flashed in a triumphant smile as he raised the fang over his head, his eyes narrowing in delight as he relished the thought of killing Inuyasha with his own sword. He spoke again, his voice taunting. "You are just like you're father, you love humans, and that may now be your downfall. For after I kill you, Inuyasha, I Sesshomaru, will hunt down and kill all of you friends."
Inuyasha managed to shove a bit of sarcasm in his next statement as he looked up at his brother, his thoughts raced unformed through his head as he quickly sifted through his mind for some way to get rid of Sesshomaru for good.
Miroku was surprised as Kikyo easily stepped out of the way of his staff and aimed a third arrow at Sango. "NO!" he cried, only to watch as Sango was struck in the shoulder and knocked off of her faithful friend Kirara, into the woods below. He could only hope, as he forgot Kikyo, dropped his staff and raced to find her, that her fall had been blocked by some of the limbs and foliage. She hadn't fallen that far, and he knew that Kikyo's arrow would probably be more life threatening then a few scratches from branches. He just hoped she hadn't turned it to acid or poison or something and was so relieved to find her in one piece without her arm melting off that he actually hugged her without trying to feel her butt. Shippo turned around hearing Kagome talk and darted toward her, looking up at Sesshomaru fiercely. His gaze traveled to Rin, who was also watching out of the edge of the bushes, her face with it's wide eyes framed by the dark green leaves.
"Now Inuyasha, it truly ends!" Sesshomaru said with an arrogant grin and slammed the sword downwards, the blade giving off a blinding flash as it caught the bright sun, almost as if in a defiant but soundless scream. He was already reveling in the feel of triumph, when his half brother stepped forward, into the attack, slamming his fist deep into Sesshomaru's chest. The half-demon smiled, even as his-own blade sunk deep into his chest and emerged out of his back, at Sesshomaru's confused and disbelieving look.
"I guess it does." Inuyasha said, falling to his knees, his voice was hoarse and full of pain with a hint of sorrow. His hand was stained a deep red, the blood from the heart of his half-brother running over his wrist. He raised it to his chest, and now his own blood was mixing with that of his brother. Tesseiga was drawn out of his chest and flung to the side. It hit the ground with a subtle clang as Sesshomaru's lifeless body fell back to the dark ground as well.
Inuyasha barely heard Kagome's quiet cry from behind him as he looked at her and Shippo over his shoulder. "Kagome, don't cry. Don't cry for me." He whispered, shuddering already from the loss of blood then fell forward, his limp hand falling across Tessiega's scratched and nicked blade.
Miroku looked back up in complete dread from Sango's wounded shoulder as he heard Kagome's heartbroken and anguished scream. "Inuyasha! Don't leave me!"
Chapter One
By Brandi Parker Notes: Yeah yeah, before you chew me out, just listen. I know a lot of this stuff is irrational and probably wouldn't happen, but it's a fanfic right? So that means I can write it the way I want to neh? NEways, if you don't want to read a sad story, don't read this one. Just a warning, now on to my first fanfic ever. And I'm sorry too about the Sess thing, I couldn't think up of anything really original that would work. I apologize; please tell me what you think though.
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It was a beautiful sunny morning, the sun had just risen on the horizon, and its soft pink glow was quickly being replaced by the brighter rays of full day. The cheerful twitters and chirpings of birds and other forest creatures could be heard in the usually quiet woods. Inuyasha, the dog demon yokai, was lying high in the large and protective branches of the god tree, stretched out and splayed across the twig and bark in a ridiculous position that would seem impossible even for most of the best that did yoga. He was draped backwards over one branch, one leg was held up by another, and both hands were dangling in the crisp morning air.
On a hill nearby, sitting cross-legged in the soft green grass and admiring the colors that seem splattered across the sky, sat Sango, her pet Kirara curled up contentedly in her lap. Her slender hands traveled fondly through the small animal's white fur as she looked over to the young monk, Miroku, who was sleeping soundly, his staff beside him, and Shippo, the fox child she had become friends with. A gentle smile tugged at the edges of her lips and eyes as she set Kirara aside and stood gracefully, brushing herself off. Her dark eyes were traveling to the bone gobbler's well, as they had done before, searching for something. The dark orbs were drawn to the movement as something black rose above the inside edge of the well, and she waved at Kagome as she slowly emerged.
"Hello Kagome-san!" she called, and waved again enthusiastically when the girl looked her way, drawn by her call.
"Hi Sango!" Kagome responded in kind, waving back, and then looked around again, searching in the tree on the edge of the woods for the Inuyasha she knew should be lazing about somewhere.
"He's at the god tree. He, Miroku and Shippo-chan must be tired after that battle yesterday; none of them has woken yet." Sango provided, guessing what she must be doing and waving a hand explanatorily back to indicate those she spoke of.
"Thank you Sango-sama!" Kagome called with a nod of thanks and turned, walking into the edge of the forest's first trees. She looked about, hefting her yellow backpack, always amazed anew by the pristine beauty of the woods, and her thoughts traveled to Inuyasha, the half demon she had, it so recently seemed, come to know. She smiled and began to jog, her small feet hitting the soft soil of the forest floor with a gentle padding that melted in almost naturally with the background chorus of the wind blowing through the trees. She paused upon reaching the tree and looked up. Her brown eyes followed the curve of the trunk, up, up higher, to where Inuyasha lay cradled among the branches. Kagome thought it was odd that he sleep in the tree, but no matter. She giggled at the position he was in, thinking that he was the weirdest thing she had ever seen. She cupped her hands smooth around her mouth, knowing all the while that it wasn't necessary and called. "Inuyasha, wake up, come down from there!"
Inuyasha's golden right eye opened a crack as he looked down at the girl. He brushed a bit of white hair from it, not that there was much to brush seeing as it was all hanging down, tangled in the branched. His eye closed in thought for a moment before he opened it again and responded with a dismissive, "Nuh Uh. I'm sleeping Kagome, come back later."
Sango turned as soon as Kagome was out of sight and walked to Miroku, looking down at him for a moment before nudging him gently with her foot. "Kagome is here, Miroku wake up. You too Shippo. Time to go."
Shippo opened his eyes and jumped up, looking about eagerly for Kagome. Miroku continued to sleep peacefully, a small smile on his face as he wrapped his arm around the poking foot and ran his hand up the smooth calf. Sango froze the bent over and tapped him on the head. His eyes cracked open as she said with a warning smile, "Get your paw off of my leg."
Miroku stared at her for a moment, and then responded calmly, closing his eyes and dropping his arm "I do not have paws. That, would be Inuyasha." Stars exploded before his eyes as Sango smacked the top of his head with her fist.
"Ow. What'n the heck was that for, my cruel mistress?" he said with a pout, his hand traveling to the lump on his hurting head.
"You know exactly what that was for you goon. Now get your lazy butt off of the ground, or I'll do it again. It's time to go." Her sharp words were accompanied by a raised hand.
Even with her threat, Miroku was taking his time, and he stretched with a long yawn. He reached over, his calloused fingers wrapping loosely around the wooden shaft of his staff, before standing, and helping himself to another yawn. Sango rolled her eyes and said with a disgusted snort, "I don't know what you would be so tired for, Inuyasha's the one who beat that monster up." Miroku froze, staring at the woman briefly, and then laughed as he realized she was teasing him, at least he hoped, she was teasing him. Shippo had already scurried down the hill to find his friend. Sango flashed a charming and slightly teasing smile and hefted her boomerang, calling to Kirara, when she turned and made her way toward the place at the area of the woods where Kagome had disappeared, just seconds before. She made her way into the brush, pushing aside hanging vines with her hands. Miroku followed, scratching at his head with a grin, his fingers wrapped tightly around the staff. Once or twice, he had to duck as Sango sent a well aimed branch whipping back at him. As he walked the jingle of the golden rings on the staff fell upon his ears pleasantly.
Kagome lowered her hands and stamped a dainty foot on the ground, her dark brown eyes narrowed and burning with something akin to frustration.
"Inuyasha, come down here now!" She repeated, crossing her arms in front of her with a resolved and determined look. "If you don't come down now. I'll say it!"
Shippo burst from the underbrush and ran to her, yelling her name and latching himself onto her leg. She smiled and bent over, picking him up in her arms and rubbing the top of his furry head as Inuyasha responded with a derisive snort.
"Feh. I told you, I'm sleeping!" He said in an irritated tone, apparently not believing that she would. His ear left ear twitched, and he yawned, taking a deep breath and stretching in the sunlight, collapsing straight back into the same position.
Sango and Miroku pushed through the brush quietly, and Miroku grinned at the half demon's rebellious statement, cupping his mouth and saying to Sango in an undertone, "You would think he would have learned by now." Sango eyed the lump on his head and responded, "You think YOU would have learned by now too." Miroku gave her an evil look and stepped out into the clearing.
Kagome stamped her foot again and said "Inuyasha.SIT!" There was a rustle of branches and the snap of many twigs and a yell as Inuyasha fell through the large branches of the god tree to land on his face in the roots underneath. He pushed himself up slightly and looked at Kagome with narrowed eyes that showed his irritation.
"Would ya quit doing that woman!? I was sleeping!" Kagome turned her head away and lifted her nose into the air while retorting. "It was your tone of voice. I didn't like it. And you weren't sleeping. You were just being lazy, that's all." She turned, shifting Shippo to her other arm and grabbed the handles of the bright pink bike resting beneath the tree, leaning against the trunk. Shippo giggled at Inuyasha's prone form and said "Yeah, she didn't like that tone of voice." at which the half demon pushed himself the rest of the way up with a low growl.
"Shut up you stupid furball." Inuyasha said, making sure Tesseiga was secure in its sheath and brushing himself off, taking a few moments longer to pick some bark from his white hair. He saw Shippo stick out his tongue, and he raised his hand to bop the fox-child when his gaze was drawn sideways, to Miroku, who had a smug look that shimmered in his impish eyes, and Sango, whose hand was raised to her mouth to hide her smile of amusement. Inuyasha's eyes narrowed briefly as he turned to fully face them, preparing to say something smart. His fists clenched for a moment and then he stopped, his ears twitching slightly once more as he sniffed the air.
Kagome glanced at him out of the corner of her narrowed eye, and asked in a slightly haughty tone. "What is it now? I suppose you smell food? Well I didn't bring any for you this time, seeing as how rude you were to me the last time." She paused, her anger fading and swiftly becoming curiosity as he continued to sniff, his delicate nose stuck up in the air and his eyes narrowing slightly. "Well? What is it?"
"Blood. I smell fresh human blood, and a demon." He glanced at her as well, his golden eyes full of something that told her that there was more. He glanced about his circle of friends and continued. "I smell Sesshomaru. He's near." Inuyasha's quiet statement sent a chill up Kagome's spine. She knew of the rivalry between Inuyasha and his fully demon brother. Sesshomaru wanted Inuyasha's sword, the legendary Tesseiga, as well as wanting Inuyasha himself dead. Thank goodness he couldn't use it.
"Inuyasha, are you trying to scare me now?" Kagome asked, her eyes outraged as Shippo stared at the hanyou fearfully. Miroku and Sango both looked at Inuyasha in surprise as he launched into action, not bothering to answer, running and dodging through the closely growing trees of the forest with speed that none of the humans there possessed. Kagome blinked, and still hoping he was kidding, swung her leg over her bike and took off after him, after putting Shippo in the front basket.
"Kirara!" Sango cried, and she and her companion monk climbed quickly onto the beast that had followed them closely and had now grown quite large. The catlike beast launched into the air with a whirl of flames and a loud, shrill roar. Sango guided him higher with a light leg pressure and followed Inuyasha, keeping and eye on both him and Kagome from above the trees, until she saw what it was that he had smelled. So he had not lied about the blood. Miroku saw it at the same time and jumped off quickly as Sango guided Kirara low enough for him to do so without getting hurt. He gritted his teeth as he hurried closer to the small child, his staff still held tightly in his hand.
Pausing about ten feet from the child, he clenched his fists wondering what in the world had happened to the small girl. The blood was staining the ground on which she sat, and he looked her over quickly, trying to find the source of it. The girl, in turn, looked up at him, her wide brown eyes betraying the fear that she felt as she stared at him.
Miroku looked back as Sango dropped off Kirara and hurried past him.
The little girl raised a hand, as if to protect herself as Sango approached, and Sango stopped, then continued forward cautiously. "Why, hello there." She said in her most friendly tone of voice, inching closer. "How are you today?" She smiled comfortingly, hoping that the child wouldn't begin screaming.
The girl lowered her arm only slightly, staring at the woman and man over the edge of her yellow and orange checkered kimono sleeve. With the quiet innocence and acceptance only a child could possess, she answered, her voice soft from what the adults assumed was pain. "Hi. I hurt my leg." She shifted uncomfortably as Sango watched her, edging ever closer.
"Oh, really? If I could get a better look at it, I may be able to make it feel better. Can I see it? What's your name?" Sango said, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief.
"Rin," The girl said and lifted the edge of the kimono. Both Sango and Miroku winced inwardly to see the ripped flesh of the girl's upper calf. Hurrying out of the edge of the woods bounced Inuyasha alert as always, followed closely, for all his speed, by Kagome who was fairly flying on her pink bike. Shippo, was sitting terrified in the basket and yelling at Kagome to slow down with all of the force of his tiny lungs. Inuyasha stopped at the edge of the small clearing and crossed his arms, sniffing around for the demon that was his brother. He couldn't help yelling at Kagome though, and the smug tone of his voice made her want to grind her teeth.
"Do you still not believe me?"
Kagome wasted no time in climbing off of her bike and hurrying over, setting her huge yellow backpack down and turning to get some antiseptics and bandages. She was followed closely by Shippo, whom the little girl stared at for a minute and then laughed. Miroku was content to let the women work on the small girl and turned, walking over to the half demon quietly and taking a spot near him.
"Do you think it was Sesshomaru?" he asked, crossing his arms and looking about suspiciously, after indicating the girl's wounded leg. "It's a bad tear. Ouch."
"No." Inuyasha's response was instant, with no hesitation. "It couldn't have been, Sesshomaru would have killed her. Not just crippled her." Inuyasha glanced at the monk out of the corner of his eye, then turned to fully look at the sky.
There was a long silence as Inuyasha and Miroku both stared out into the surrounding woods. The day was now quiet, and the silence was broken only by the comforting words of the two women and Shippo, who was doing handstands, much to the delight of Rin, who was clapping her own small hands and laughing. Miroku glanced over at them. Something was very confusing to him, if what Inuyasha had said was true.
"Then how do you explain the smell Inuyasha? Sesshomaru? If he did not do that, why is his scent on her?" He asked, cocking his head slightly to the side and idly straightening the blue beads on his right wrist.
"I don't know Miroku, you moron, If I knew I would have already told you." Inuyasha sniffed again, shifting to lean against the tree behind him, and his left hand traveled down to tap quietly on the sword hilt tied to his waist.
"Maybe he was using her for something? Could that be possible?" Miroku continued, studying the half demon's actions and arching a curious brow as he leaned against his staff, resting his head on it.
Inuyasha grunted slightly and shook his head, scratching one ear. "Once again, he would have killed her, If you weren't listening to me the first time monk. It's kinda strange, she smells as if she's been around him for some time." He straightened again and looked up at the sky, ever alert.
Miroku looked away again, not satisfied with the answers the half demon was offering. From Kagome came the quiet. "Hold on, this may sting a little bit, but it will feel better soon." This was echoed by both Sango and Shippo. After that, the morning lapsed into silence once more, with nothing but an occasional sniffle from the wounded child. But this silence seemed much more heavy somehow.
Suddenly, Inuyasha tensed, swinging around in a graceful movement and yelling, "Move! Get away from her now!"
Kagome looked over her shoulder in confusion at him and responded, "Now Inuyasha, Don't be silly. She's hurt, why do you want us to get away?" She shook her head and returned her attention to the child as Shippo stared at Inuyasha.
"He was not talking to you, you silly little human."
The voice emerged from the deep shadows in a tree above her, though quiet, it's tone was forbidding and had an unnatural calmness to it. It was smooth and quiet, like the slithering of a snake. Dropping easily from the tree, Sesshomaru looked down at the terrified Kagome with disdain. Sango's eyes widened as well. Miroku turned, taking a firmer grip on his staff and his own brown eyes narrowed as they flicked to the three of their party that were closest to the man.
"Get away from them now, Sesshomaru." Inuyasha said, motioning to Kagome and Sango to get away from the girl. Kagome backed up, her hand held up in front of her as if to block the attack she felt certain was coming.
The little girl, Rin, looked up to Sesshomaru, and amazed everyone by flashing him a charming child's smile and saying. "Sesso-sama!"
"I wasn't going to concern her, hanyou. But this does, I have come not only for Rin, but your Tesseiga as well." Sesshomaru's statement made Kagome shiver, she was frightened to death of the demon, and the way he had said it.
"Who woulda thought?" Inuyasha asked, rolling his eyes as his voice positively dripped with sarcasm. He paused for a moment, thinking about the statement he had made about the wounded Rin, who was still sitting on the ground and looking up with adoring eyes. "So, big brother, you still want to take my sword, how many times will it take for you to learn that you won't get it? You can't take it from me." Inuyasha's clawed hand wrapped firmly the hilt of the said sword as he spoke, taking a defensive stance with a confident smile.
"Yes.But this time, Inuyasha. I will have it!" with that, Sesshomaru sent his energy whip straight at Inuyasha's face. The half demon dodged swiftly to the side, and spun, turning to face the demon again as the whip cracked, splitting the ground where it had touched. Miroku, leaped to the side as well, rolling into the brush nearby.
Meanwhile Kagome had looked for, and found, the jewel shard. "Inuyasha! He's got the shard in his arm again! He's going to try what he did last time!" she called out, her soft voice carrying to Inuyasha's ears perked and pointed ears.
"Thanks Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, refraining himself from making the snide comment, 'Well that's the only place it would have been.' then launched himself forward. Drawing his legendary blade from it's sheath, he slashed at his half brother, who easily moved out of the way and sent his whip whistling back at him. Inuyasha deflected the whip with the blade of Tesseiga, but was forced back, having nothing to gain purchase on in midair. He landed on the ground and easily pushed off of it again, swinging his blade to the right and up in a deadly slash. The fierce joy that was in his eyes, revealed his love of battles, especially ones as challenging as this. Sesshomaru aimed for the hilt of Tesseiga with his whip, and this time his aim was true, Inuyasha grunted in pain as the whip slashed at his fingers, and the deadly blade went flying. He pushed off the nearest tree and flipped, reaching down and snatching the sword back a mere second before Sesshomaru would have grasped it.
"Too slow!" he called with a taunting smile, and watched as Kagome scrambled forward to drag the little girl into the woods and out of their way. Good. He spun and slashed wildly, blocking once more the whip of the demon. He rolled on the ground and leapt back up, loosing a savage yell and holding Tesseiga above his hear with both hands now.
"I'm getting tired of teaching you the same lesson over and over Sesshomaru! This time it ends!" Inuyasha said, slashing his blade at the whip that snaked through the air. Miroku waited for a time when he could use his Kazaana, as Sango prepared her Boomerang and Kagome got out her bow and arrows.
"Yes, maybe for you, weakling half-breed." Responded the other calmly, striking out at Inuyasha with his whip again. Inuyasha lifted an arm to ward of the blow and jumped back up into the air, renewing his attack with vigor.
"I may be half-breed, but I'm no weakling!" Inuyasha yelled, slashing downward with all the force in his arms. So engrossed was he in his fighting that he didn't hear the quiet whistle of the arrow as it flew through the air borne aloft on it's wings of swiftness. Inuyasha was struck, in the back of the right shoulder with an arrow that pierced through his chest. He grunted in pain and tumbled forward from the force of the arrow, hitting the ground with a low thump. He rolled over onto his back as Kagome screamed his name fearfully, and throwing caution to the wind, rushed forward.
At first, it seemed, that Kagome had accidentally shot him. Inuyasha winced, his eyes squinted almost shut with the stabbing pain. He barely had time to roll out of the way as Sesshomaru ripped his own sword from it's sheath and stabbed gracefully down at him, victory glinting in his eyes. Inuyasha kicked out with his clawed foot, trying to trip the demon up, but failed and was forced to roll again, breaking the shaft of the arrow with his weight. He cried out with the splintering pain and pushed himself up on one arm. Then he got his feet under him and bounced up, ripping the arrow by its head from his shoulder, the hilt of Tesseiga still clutched tightly in his hand. He froze, it seemed he was floating in midair for a lifetime, his eyes widening as he saw that it was not Kagome who had shot him, but Kikyo. She was a few feet further back in the woods, aiming a second deadly arrow at him.
He was stunned, and shocked. He hit the ground, landing on his feet, but stared at the woman he had loved so long ago. "Kikyo." He whispered, his eyes widening in surprise, then shoved himself out of the way of another angry sword slash aimed at him by Sesshomaru.
Miroku looked up as his friend released a cry of pain, and his hand traveled briefly to rest on the blue beads on his right wrist. No.. He couldn't, Inuyasha was in the way, and they were fighting too closely for him to use his Kazaana. Sango looked over to Miroku as she lifted her boomerang, and slung it at the enemy. Shippo, who had gone and fallen asleep in the basket of the bike, now awoke. He looked up and screamed, hopped out of the bike and ran to hide under a nearby bush.
Kagome was so worried for Inuyasha, she had come to love him, she had finally admitted to herself, and when he had been hit by the arrow, her heart had leapt into her throat.
It fluttered there now, like a trapped butterfly in a jar as she stared up at him. She saw his shock as he looked down at something in the woods and followed his gaze, her breath catching in a gasp as she looked in disbelief at the woman who was Kikyo. She stopped running forward as Inuyasha waved at her to stay back, his eyes still half closed in agony.
"Kikyo. Kikyo! No!!" She screamed as the woman launched another arrow, and without thinking, she whipped out an arrow of her own as Inuyasha swiped Kikyo's easily away with his blade. Kagome took aim carefully, not knowing if her arrow would or could harm the woman her half demon love had known. She loosed it, and the arrow struck the tree near Kikyo's head, devastating Kagome by her apparent lack of aim.
"I missed." Kagome whispered, as the woman turned to look at her calmly, drawing a third arrow. She pulled the bowstring tight, and spun, now aiming at Kagome. Her narrowed glassy brown eyes shone with hatred as she stared at her reincarnation, and when she loosed her arrow, her aim proved to be truer than Kagome's.
Miroku saw Kikyo shoot the arrow and stumbled forward, running across the clearing toward the archer Kikyo and seeing Sango approaching from the other side on Kirara. Shippo whimpered and covered his head, crouching in the brush next to Kagome, unaware that she had fallen. Miroku spun, and swung his staff at Kikyo, his teeth gritted in anger as Sango slung her weapon at the same target.
"Haraikotsu!"
Inuyasha leaped again, saw Kagome shoot and miss, saw Kikyo aim and shoot, hitting her target. He screamed, in rage and pain and pushed forward, though away from Sesshomaru, no longer worried about him, but the woman who was his best friend, his Kagome. He reached her and dropped to his knees beside her, sheathing Tesseiga. He looked down at her, the first tears of salty fear already running in cool streams down his flushed cheeks. The arrow was imbedded a little higher than her heart, and he could not tell how deep it was, blinded as he was by his grief. He wrapped his strong and tender arms around her, pulling her softly to his chest, careful not to hit the shaft or tail of the arrow, or do anything that may disturb the could-be mortal wound. She was completely conscious and looked up into his terrified golden eyes, slightly dazed by his unchecked tears. She was felt no pain, and she was aware and alert. "Inuyasha, don't get sidetracked, I'll be fine! Get Sesshomaru!" She said with an encouraging smile, not wanting him to be caught off guard. But it was too late..
Inuyasha looked into her deep brown eyes and saw that she may indeed, be fine. But he knew that if he moved her now, she would die. He smiled gently and laid her head back down, saying, "Hold on my Kagome." The whisper parting from his lips as he stood was almost like a final farewell, but she shook her head, and told herself to stop it.
Kagome's eyes widened, as he looked down at her, and for a moment, Inuyasha thought she was going into shock. Then he spun around, surprise evident in his eyes as Sesshomaru reached down and drew Tesseiga from it's sheath. Inuyasha gritted his teeth having no time to do anything else and spread out his arms, trying in vain to shield Kagome from Sesshomaru's cruel gaze, wanting above all else to protect the woman had been through so much with. Behind him, he heard Kagome's strangled whisper. "Inuyasha.." He paid her no heed, and lowered his head, staring up at his older brother his beautiful golden eyes flashing in angry defiance and challenge.
"You silly fool.. Did I not tell you once never to let yourself be distracted in battle?"
Sesshomaru's teeth flashed in a triumphant smile as he raised the fang over his head, his eyes narrowing in delight as he relished the thought of killing Inuyasha with his own sword. He spoke again, his voice taunting. "You are just like you're father, you love humans, and that may now be your downfall. For after I kill you, Inuyasha, I Sesshomaru, will hunt down and kill all of you friends."
Inuyasha managed to shove a bit of sarcasm in his next statement as he looked up at his brother, his thoughts raced unformed through his head as he quickly sifted through his mind for some way to get rid of Sesshomaru for good.
Miroku was surprised as Kikyo easily stepped out of the way of his staff and aimed a third arrow at Sango. "NO!" he cried, only to watch as Sango was struck in the shoulder and knocked off of her faithful friend Kirara, into the woods below. He could only hope, as he forgot Kikyo, dropped his staff and raced to find her, that her fall had been blocked by some of the limbs and foliage. She hadn't fallen that far, and he knew that Kikyo's arrow would probably be more life threatening then a few scratches from branches. He just hoped she hadn't turned it to acid or poison or something and was so relieved to find her in one piece without her arm melting off that he actually hugged her without trying to feel her butt. Shippo turned around hearing Kagome talk and darted toward her, looking up at Sesshomaru fiercely. His gaze traveled to Rin, who was also watching out of the edge of the bushes, her face with it's wide eyes framed by the dark green leaves.
"Now Inuyasha, it truly ends!" Sesshomaru said with an arrogant grin and slammed the sword downwards, the blade giving off a blinding flash as it caught the bright sun, almost as if in a defiant but soundless scream. He was already reveling in the feel of triumph, when his half brother stepped forward, into the attack, slamming his fist deep into Sesshomaru's chest. The half-demon smiled, even as his-own blade sunk deep into his chest and emerged out of his back, at Sesshomaru's confused and disbelieving look.
"I guess it does." Inuyasha said, falling to his knees, his voice was hoarse and full of pain with a hint of sorrow. His hand was stained a deep red, the blood from the heart of his half-brother running over his wrist. He raised it to his chest, and now his own blood was mixing with that of his brother. Tesseiga was drawn out of his chest and flung to the side. It hit the ground with a subtle clang as Sesshomaru's lifeless body fell back to the dark ground as well.
Inuyasha barely heard Kagome's quiet cry from behind him as he looked at her and Shippo over his shoulder. "Kagome, don't cry. Don't cry for me." He whispered, shuddering already from the loss of blood then fell forward, his limp hand falling across Tessiega's scratched and nicked blade.
Miroku looked back up in complete dread from Sango's wounded shoulder as he heard Kagome's heartbroken and anguished scream. "Inuyasha! Don't leave me!"
