Please review. Danke!

Hanyou Against Hanyou

Chapter X

Accidents Happen

Inuyasha left rather abruptly; he felt a bit guilty, leaving Kagome to rest alone--but he didn't worry; he would see her in a while. Right now, Inuyasha was going to do what he was good at.

Sit in a tree and brood--well, think. Ponder, maybe.

So here he was, sitting in a tree outside. Pondering.

He kissed her. I kissed Kagome. He considered the complications, the obstacles that may entail now that their relationship had traveled up another step. But that was about it; he surprisingly wasn't second guessing himself, or wondering why on earth he reacted so quickly to Kagome's first move. How was he feeling? Confident, certain. What was he feeling? And for Kagome?

His eyebrows clenched. "Kagome…" It rolled off his tongue so well, and simply the sound of her name sent his stomach into flips.

All this concealment from the outside world is messing with my head, he though absent-mindedly. Well, that wasn't completely true. The barrier was definitely forcing him to look at Kagome differently.

No, he snapped, not differently…closely. Closer.

She had always been there with him through everything--her feelings toward him were normally evident. His…not so much.

He purposely made it so. The pair was under attack every day; facing dangers they'd never imagine would be real. He buried any thoughts leading to ideas of Kagome as more than his shard detector.

It was his way of protecting her. After all, having Naraku on their tails was always a problem. If Naraku was to find out Inuyasha had feelings for the petite little miko--he could use it to his advantage. And that would include harming her.

After all, Naraku had done this flawlessly with his first love. Kikyo…It hurt to think of her anymore. Of what could have been. But then again, was the 'could' what he really wanted? Sure, Kikyo loved him. But whole-heartedly? He was a hanyou, and Kikyo could never settle for that. She loved half of him, technically. His human side. It was a half-hearted love, he thought aimlessly.

And why had he loved her in the first place anyway? Because she loved me…she was the first…to love me.

Well, that theory of love was pretty much destroyed. She was graceful, cunning, brave…out-of-the-ordinary--especially because she held the jewel, of course. And that she seemed to care for him.

It was all just a big merry-go-round for the silver-heaired hanyou. He was content with his relationship with Kikyo…but not happy. Their relationship was built on falsehood; the foundation of it--which was supposed to be trust--was decimated.

Naraku played a role in their betrayals. But it would've happened eventually. Everything would have blown up in their faces. Inuyasha wasn't afraid to admit it. So she passed away and he was pinned to a tree for eternity.

Or so, everyone thought he'd be.

And then Kagome came.

She challenged him every day. She would scream in his face without any fear. She'd 'sit' him whenever she thought suitable. They bickered as if their lives were on the line. But she was loyal…courageous…beautiful; imperfect, yes, but attractively so. She was different. She still was, as far as Inuyasha was concerned. Everything about her drew him to her; he adored her spirit. Inuyasha smiled just thinking about the hanyou. Oh yes, and now she's hanyou.

He trusted her with his own life; after all, wasn't she going to be the mole in Naraku's castle? He was scared to death of allowing her to do such a thing; but faith in her kept his decision to allow her remain.

I'll always be thankful to Kikyo, for opening me up to the world…but Kagome…she's different. She accepts me…she trusts me with her life. I love Kikyo…but I'm in love with Kagome.

He knew he should explain himself to the female hanyou. How he loved her so much…but that was the problem, and therefore, he wouldn't be able to let her be with him.

He cared far too much to let her love him. If she were to do so, she'd be miserable…and in danger. Naraku would find her weakness and damage her. Break her spirit. He wouldn't be able to witness her grow pale with indifference like Kikyo. There's more to being a hanyou than Kagome knows. It may seem like she'll be accepted--because it wasn't her fault she's hanyou, people would act as if they understood…but if she were to be my mate…people would talk. She wouldn't care if they did, but I would.

Her innocence. It had to be preserved. And he couldn't let anyone--including himself--damage that. He'll lock up his feelings deep within. He'll protect her in the ultimate sense.

He'll protect her from himself.

Kagura grimaced at the sight ten feet in front of her.

Naraku was fuming.

His miasma came in puffs of smoke, creeping slowly into the atmosphere as he searched for Kagome--to no avail. Kagura was staying away. He would kill anything in his path at this point. He hadn't spoken one word since they went off into the western direction, when he was so positive he felt Kagome's huge aura.

This place looked awfully familiar to the wind sorceress. The tree formations below her…the bodies of water…and then a huge, vacant field that completely threw off her observations. How odd…nothing's growing there.

It came to her suddenly. Sesshomaru's palace! It was here. And it's gone…what is he up to?!

It couldn't have disappeared. She was mistaken. Right? She looked over the surroundings again. This is it…Sesshomaru's castle should be here.

She had a gut feeling the inu-brothers were working together to defeat her master together. She smiled as Naraku and she flew past the patch of barrenness.

Kagome sighed, shuffling her tired feet to her bed and crashing into the comfy pillows. Another sigh escaped her lips before she closed her eyes to try to catch some sleep.

She couldn't.

Inuyasha was plaguing her mind. Again. That kiss was amazing…

She knew he was all she wanted. Besides defeating Naraku, of course. She needed him. Hopefully he realized it by now. Kagome smiled, remembering the fierce look she received from Inuyasha. His golden eyes crazed in delight. Maybe there was some hope for the two of them after all…

That was the last thought the girl had before drifting off to sleep.

Inuyasha was almost asleep himself, as he stared lazily into the sky, watching the clouds float by him without a care in the world. Then a really dark cloud floated in front of the others. Inuyasha frowned. What an ugly clo--…Naraku!

Naraku was indeed right above him, past the barrier. And he can't see or hear me, huh? Well then…

Inuyasha jumped out of the tree, then running up to the edge of the barrier and taking a deep breath. "HEY! You! Ya ugly eight-legged freak! You wanna know something? You're weak! And I hope after all this is over you're on your knees begging for mercy! You wanna know something else? GOOD, cuz I'm agunna tell you anyway! You're going to be dragged down to hell when we're through with you, you sick bastard!"

By now, Naraku and Kagura had long drifted away. But Inuyasha still felt relieved he could say whatever he wanted--without losing an appendage for it. He nodded curtly towards the minimizing bodies, then slumping down under the tree to get some rest before dinner.

Dinner came quickly. Inuyasha kept his word and retrieved Kagome to escort her to the dining hall. The two acted normally, as if their 'encounter' in the hallway had never happened. Inuyasha was glad. Kagome was upset. What'd I do wrong? Is he mad? He didn't like it…he doesn't like me….

But they arrived in the spacious dining room, where Miroku and Sango were almost finished eating. It was eerily quiet until Sango caught sight of her friend. "Kagome!" She squealed.

And so the group ate together, Miroku and Inuyasha muttering a few words of conversation while the two girls chatted constantly. Shippo and Rin were missing; they probably had eaten earlier, with Sesshomaru, perhaps.

Kagome didn't realize how hungry she was. As she droned on with Sango, Inuyasha noticed, she was also eating remarkably fast. He shook his head. Strange girl…

As he did yesterday, Sesshomaru arrived to take Kagome to her training. Sesshomaru again took her outside, giving her a heavy sword. Ah, yes, the inhuman sword. I remember now.

Kagome realized her purification energy hadn't acted up lately. Sesshomaru seemed to notice, too. "Miko, if you blast me with that energy of yours, I will expect you to fix it."

She could've told him she had no control over them. But he knew that. So she kept her mouth shut and nodded.

He jumped right into battle, this time pulling out new moves and techniques that sent Kagome's concentration into overdrive. His aura was everywhere, but somehow she managed to at least keep up with the demon.

Needless to say, Kagome was still frustrated. How am I always a half-step off from him? I did fine yesterday! Now I can't get out of our dead-lock!

Her aura flared, and Sesshomaru felt it. But he pressed on, sending a slash of his sword down on her, where she caught it with her own. She growled, a wave of pink energy shooting up her sword and jumping to his. Sesshomaru jumped back, in contemptible shock, as his sword hissed from the blow. Meanwhile, Kagome hissed in pain.

"Dangit! That hurt!" She dropped her sword, rubbing her hands together to get rid of the tingling sensation. Sesshomaru was mildly amused, but it did give him a new idea.

"Miko, we are moving on to a new weapon."

"We are?" She looked up, momentarily forgetting to fuss with her hands.

"We will be using whips. And I am going to teach you to morph your purification energy into one."

Kagome's eyebrow raised. "Like yours?" She remembered his poison whip. It was lethal--a viable weapon to contend with. It would definitely help her defense, since Inuyasha was convinced she needed a way to defend herself when she didn't have any weapons. "Teach me."

"I would imagine you would use the same method as you use for the erection of your barriers. Simply imagine the whip in your hands, and shape in to your liking."

Her hand opened as she followed Sesshomaru's directions. She could imagine it growing from her hand, transforming into a lethal weapon. And soon she wasn't imagining it; the whip appeared in her hands--purple, not pink. "Must be more of a demon thing," she said distantly, keeping her arm firmly in front of her. She felt a little intimidated by the vibrant display of power.

Soon Sesshomaru's was also visible. "Let us practice your aim. My favorite tree over there…no, the one with the hole…yes. Hit it."

Kagome attempted the stunt--she drew her arm back with all her might and brought it around, sending the whip towards the tree. It smacked the tree with a small wave, then dropping to the ground. There was no crack of energy, and the move certainly wasn't damaging to her 'enemy,' the tree.

Sesshomaru's green whip was quickly in the air, the poisonous tool gracefully arching before snapping the tree. A branch fell, amputated. It was a perfect, clean cut. Kagome pursed her lips. "You must snap your wrist with the motion. It takes practice, and a few years, to really master the technique. But even if you only understand the basics, it is an important weapon." The miko-hanyou tried the move again, this time leaving a fizzle, followed by an ashy mark on the tree bark. She huffed, determined to slice the tree in half. She brought the whip dangerously back, slinging it with all her might towards the tree.

It snapped alright, and another hole appeared in the tree, above the first. And then the whip was sent reeling back, cutting Kagome cleanly across the stomach. She yelped, the whip disappearing as she moved to clasp the wound. Sesshomaru's whip vanished also as he strutted calmly over to the miko and kneeled to inspect the cut.

"Well, it was nice work. Next time, aim for the tree."

Kagome glared. Stupid dog-demon.

Blood pooled over her arms. "I liked this outfit," she growled, pulling the fabric away from the offended area. She hissed as more blood seeped out from the stretched skin. The hanyou didn't fear the scratch--she had seen worse in numerous battles, and Inuyasha always survived far worse. What worried her was Sesshomaru's sudden attentiveness to be sure she was okay. As she thought this he laid her down, then tearing a piece of his kimono from the bottom to lay it on Kagome's slice.

"Girl, can't your miko powers heal this?" She shook her head. Things were getting fuzzy due to her loss of blood.

"I could try, but…I'm losing my senses…" She blinked, laying a hand over her wound. Her eyes widened in sudden realization. "Sesshomaru, the baby! Oh my gosh, what about my baby?" Kagome made a valiant move to sit up, but Sesshomaru was way ahead of her. His strength kept her down, and the world felt as if it was spinning on its side.

"The pup will be fine. Lie or you will cause more bleeding. I will fetch aid." In a moment he was gone, leaving Kagome near tears.

"Inuyasha…" Her eyes drifted closed as Kagome welcomed the darkness.

--end--

Thanks. Please remember to review. At least five::puppy dog eyes::