The Road of the Lover's Battle

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor the characters.

Chapter II: Inuyasha's worst fear

Kagome's tears nearly blurred her vision. She ran aimlessly into a dark forest, she kept running till she tripped over a branch. Kagome fell straight down to the dirt ground, scrapping her bare knee. If Kagome wasn't crying before, she sure as hell was crying now. Though she couldn't see very well, when she touched her wounded knee, she could feel the warm liquid emerging from her knee. Kagome sat down to give her knee some time to heal so she could walk back to the shelter. Alone she was left with her thoughts. 'What's wrong with me.. Inuyasha shouldn't feel guilty for not loving me..I came after Kikyo...he has every right to love her..I'm just taking my anger out on him..I just need to tell him that I'll put aside my feelings...for the sake of the group and dedicate all my efforts for the shards and defeating Naraku.'

The pep talk was giving Kagome the energy to be able to get up and walk back. As she got up she heard something rattle in the trees. She looked up and just was reminded that it must be the wind. She walked on, with a limp. Kagome was fairly close to the shelter till she heard something creeping behind her. She turned around and saw nothing. Her nerves and anxiety must be causing her to hear things. As soon as she turned her back, a claw of some sort of dark figure slashed it's way in her back. Kagome's mouth opened slightly and her eyes widened turning almost black from shock. Before she hit the ground she whispered out, "Inuyasha."

Inuyasha who was in deep sleep, eyes opened suddenly. His nose twitched 'Blood' he placed his hand on tessaiga and drew it. He got up and ran towards the smell. 'Kagome's blood'

The dark figure wore a cloak hiding his features. All that was visible was his black hair emerging from the hood of his cloak and his large metal claw hanging out of its sleeve, dripping with Kagome's blood. On the floor was an unconscious Kagome, surrounded in a small puddle of her own blood. The nameless figure laughed in satisfaction. He was about the pick up the young priestess until he heard the sound of a familiar growl, "Kagome!" The nameless figure cursed at his misfortune. He knew Inuyasha was near. The figure knew he didn't have his full strength yet and Inuyasha was a threat to him, so he quickly got to his senses and ran off leaving the priestess behind.

Inuyasha could smell demonic aura mixed with Kagome's blood, his heart beating faster with each step he took. Finally his nose lead him to a heart wrenching sight. On the ground was his beautiful priestess coveted in her own blood. Inuyasha stuck tessaiga in the ground in angst. He then kneeled down to Kagome. He placed a hand on her cheek. He felt her creamy skin. The only time Inuyasha cried was with the death of his mother, and that was only a few tears, but seeing Kagome dead right in front of his eyes sent him into a trembling phase. Tears were flooding his eyes. He cleared his throat and prepared his last words to Kagome,

"I failed you Kagome. I promised I'd protect you, I promised I'd never let a single bastard touch you, but I failed. I caused your death. I should have just kissed you and held you tightly in my arms..."

Inuyasha sniffed and wiped his tears on his fire rat coat. He started back up again,

"You're so beautiful Kagome..I want you to always know that...I never felt this way for...anyone.. Kagome you idiot..don't you know how much I love.."

Inuyasha paused at the slight movement coming from Kagome's body. Suddenly Kagome's brown eyes opened and as quiet as a mouse, "Inu..yasha.." Inuyasha quickly sat near Kagome, resting her head on his lap. Inuyasha couldn't stop his tears from falling, this time happy to learn that Kagome was alive. Kagome slightly moved her head up to look up at the dog demon's wet face.

"Are you crying..Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha still shaking, "Shut up." He said quietly, embarrassed to have Kagome see his vulnerable side.

It was sunrise and Kagome and Inuyasha were in the same place all night. Finally with the rising sun Inuyasha carefully picked up Kagome, cradling her in his arms. Kagome passed out shortly after seeing him cry, but that was okay with Inuyasha, he was just glad to know she was alive. Her blood was everywhere..he didn't want to trouble the gang so he rushed to find the nearest spring so she could wash up. Once he found said spring, he placed Kagome upon a rock, she soon woke up in extreme pain. She looked up at Inuyasha who was removing his red fire rat coat.

"What are you doing Inuyasha?" He looked at her, almost like he was embarrassed or something of the sort. He handed her the coat, "You're all bloody, it might be best for you to bathe. I don't have your spare clothes so take this. It will cover you till we can find other clothes."

She looked at him in awe, "Inuyasha.."

He looked at her, "Don't worry I won't look."

She nodded and he walked away to let Kagome bathe. Kagome looked around to make sure no one was watching as she slipped off her ripped skirt. She peeled off her top and took off the rest of her unmentionables. Her body ached, but she was a strong women. She reached her hands to feel her back, trying to examine her scars, she touched one and let out a yelp. Then became terrified when she saw the blood on her hands. She limped to the springs to try and clean up. She closed her eyes and let the running waters cleanse her body.

Although Inuyasha said he wouldn't look, he could not allow himself to keep his eyes off Kagome..never again. Naturally Inuyasha wasn't a pervert, not like Miroku, but he was protective. He couldn't let her be hurt again. Soon his priority became clouded when he fixated his eyes on Kagome's bare silk shoulders. He let a quiet growl out. The top of her breasts were on top of the water line, he looked away, feeling his cheeks redden. He tried clearing his mind, this was no time to be lusting. He focused his eyes upon Kagome again, luckily she wasn't moving around enough for her parts to be visible.

Kagome could feel her body relaxing, she felt a little refreshed except for the burning coming from her wounds on her back. She found herself ready to go back to the shelter so she can get a hold of her medical supplies. As she got out the water, a small snake brushed across her foot which caused Kagome to let out a blood curdling scream. To this Inuyasha rushed right to the very naked Kagome's aid.

"What is it Kagome?" After Kagome realizing it was just a snake she became unafraid but soon her cheeks redden at the fact she was naked.

"Inuyasha! Look away!" Inuyasha noticing for the first time Kagome's smooth and round breasts. He felt his face heat up and looked away, obviously blushing. He picked up his coat that was lying on a rock next to him and still without looking, handed it to Kagome.

"Put this on." Kagome took it and put it on quickly.

"Okay you can look." Inuyasha looked at her, she looked so completely alluring in his coat. It was long enough to cover past her parts. He looked her up and down till he noticed her hunching over in pain, to this he rushed over to catch her.

She placed her hands on his chest when she fell into him. She looked up at his golden eyes. He smiled at her. Kagome thought to herself, 'I need to control myself..I need to let him know that I'm going to set aside my feelings.'

Inuyasha carried Kagome to a spot under a tree so she could rest for a few minutes. Kagome could feel herself regaining her strength back. He let her down and never left his eyes off of her. Kagome's cheeks instantly blushed, as well as Inuyasha's. Suddenly Inuyasha stuck his hand behind Kagome and up the coat of his she was wearing, this obviously startled Kagome.

"Inuyasha what are you.." He cut her off.

"It's not like that, I want to know how deep you were cut."

Kagome didn't say another word and just let Inuyasha stroke her back. His touch was amazingly gentle, especially for a half-demon. Kagome winced when she felt him stroke the deeper parts of the wound. Inuyasha felt that tension and stopped stroking her, but didn't remove his hand from her bare back. He could feel her warmth and her heart beat. Kagome wanted so badly to give in to him, she wanted to just place her hands on his chest, look up into his golden eyes and kiss his soft lips. But she didn't. She didn't do anything but look away from him. With his hand still on her back, he ever so gently pushed her closer to him, let her cradle her head under his chin. Kagome finally placed a small fragile hand on his chest to imply for him to stop. She then pushed him away to give him the hint to not bother with whatever he was thinking.

"Kagome..I don't understand."

"I'm sorry, I can't."

It was both bittersweet for the two to hear those words spoken. Inuyasha snarled at the way she told him the same thing he told her the night before. Kagome looked in his eyes, unable to explain anymore, hoping for him to see in her eyes that she really didn't mean it and for him to silently understand that.