RELATIONS AGAIN

Writer: Ark Angel HFB

Beta-reader: MissKatt

A/N: Sorry for the long gap. I've always wanted there to be at least one good thing that came out Kagome and Inuyasha calling each other's names all the damn time... so I wrote this chapter with that I mind. XD

FYI: Toga is the name Inuyasha's father was given in production of the third Inuyasha movie... it never made it to the public but I really like the name so I'm using it.

CHAPTER 8: Second in Line...

"Yes it does shine rather brightly."

Everyone's head snapped to the same place. Only a few steps from Kagome stood a tall man, his dark red eyes fixed on the jewel. Light, straight, red hair reached the middle of his back and a dark blue cloak hung from his shoulders concealing his body. A hint of green encircled his eyes as they remained on the jewel.

Inuyasha's hand was on Tetsusaiga in a flash, a low growl already rumbling from his chest. "Get the hell away from Kagome!" Inuyasha took a short sniff of the air. He hadn't noticed the man, but as his scent reached him, Inuyasha's face paled slightly.

"Will people ever stop coming after the jewel?" Kagome began to back away slowly as Shippo ducked behind her neck, hiding in her hair.

Sango took a step forward, putting herself between Kagome and the man. He didn't move as he glared at the Jewel; his red eyes unblinking and his face a stoic mask.

Inuyasha shifted his legs, readying himself to jump in front of this threat if needed. His knuckles were white as he gripped the blade tighter. "Who the hell are you!"

"Kill him or run; no good comes from talking with dragons..." The words dropped from Haydin's clinched mouth.

"Hey I asked a question... answer!" Inuyasha pulled on Tetsusaiga loosening it in its scabbard. "Had to be a dragon..." Inuyasha let his thoughts trial off. "Dragons are always freaking hard to kill... he has a human form so he is probably freaking strong."

The youkai simply straitened his poster slightly, shifting his gaze to Inuyasha before he let it trail to Haydin, who sat at the bottom of a tree, blood covering his right side. "What are you doing this far north, moron? You are aware your kind is not welcomed in the northern lands."

"What would you know of my kind?" Haydin winched, his head still down and the sutra lightly blowing in the wind that swirled through the camp.

The youkai's eyes trialed over Haydin. "I know of a land that once belonged to the West. It now has no honor left. Humans and youkai over step their natural boundaries and they use a charm to conceal their... mistakes." The dragon's speech was slow and deliberate. His eyes shifted from Haydin to Inuyasha. "You carry no charm? Was your mother a poor youkai's whore?" The dragon's mouth curled into a faint smile as he saw anger spread across Inuyasha's face.

Inuyasha's growl erupted into a roar as he drew Tetsusaiga. His arms brought his sword over his head as he stepped forward, the ground cracking under his feet as he swung the sword down in a massive overhead slash.

The dragon's left arm whipped from under his cloak swatting the side of the sword as it reached him. The blade was diverted barely enough, crushing into the ground next to the youkai's foot. Before Inuyasha could react, the dragon's claws reached his chest. The strike connected far harder than he had expected. The claws ripped into him, his fire-rat robe giving little protection. Inuyasha was breathless as his grip on Tetsusaiga slipped. His feet lifted from the ground as he was pushed back by the attack.

The dragon shifted, sliding forward as his left hand grabbed Inuyasha by the neck. "If you wish to attack, do so with more speed hanyou!" The dragon easily lifted Inuyasha into the air, his claws sinking into the hanyou's neck. "Only a weak dragon would have fallen to such a slow attack."

"Bast-" Inuyasha's voice was cut off. In desperation he brought his hands up, taking hold of the dragon's arm.

"Get this damn thing off my face!" Haydin yelled as struggled against the binding sutra.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed as she saw blood begin to run from the wounds on his chest and neck.

The dragon snapped his head to look at Kagome. "What was that?" The youkai waited for Kagome to respond. He disregarded a kick from Inuyasha as he stared at the human woman. "What did you just call him?" Another moment passed as Inuyasha's claws dug into his wrist in an attempt to rip himself free. "ANSWER!"

"Why didn't I have Inuyasha restring my bow back at the village?" Kagome flinch at the dragon's order.

"Inuyasha... I called his name." Kagome meet the dragon's red gaze trying not to blink.

"The second in line to the West should act more restrained." The dragon's tone held annoyance in it. He examined the small cuts Inuyasha's claws were digging into his arm. "A mutt has not broken my skin in two hundred and fifty years." His eyes held a faith glow as a sly grin spread over his face. "Toga would be proud."

Inuyasha felt the grip on around his neck loosen. Confusion flashed across his face as the dragon dropped him to his feet. He instantly jumped back putting distance between him. "Who?"

The dragon frowned bringing his left arm back within his cloak. "Pup...do you not know your own father's name?"

Inuyasha's mouth opened and closed a few times. "Wh... what?"

A/N: Yeah ok it's is really freaking short but I'm having some writers block and the best way out is short chapters... expect another few chapters very soon.