Disclaimer: I really, honestly don't own inuyasha. If I did, do you really think I'd be sitting here writing this stuff?

Night Terrors – Chapter 10

Sesshoumaru was reluctant to start this fight. For one thing, Matsu was Sesshoumaru's battle equal, maybe even his superior on a good day, and the last thing the taiyoukai needed was to get defeated when his pack was depending on him. For another, his pack was outnumbered at least three-to-one. No doubt Matsu would take advantage of the ensuing chaos to kill Kagome.

"What's the matter, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Matsu sneered, slowly approaching Kagome's barrier. "Are you afraid? Such an emotion is unfitting in a taiyoukai!" Matsu charged, claws raised to shred the barrier.

Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome around the waist and twisted around, breaking her concentration on the barrier and placing himself between her and Matsu. The dragon taiyoukai's claws tore through Sesshoumaru's back, making him grunt in pain. He fell to his knees, taking Kagome with him.

The young miko was panicking, trying to reform her barrier. Sesshoumaru had to stop her. He pulled her closer and nipped her ear, effectively getting her attention. "Whatever you do, don't raise the barrier!" he hissed. "Matsu will use it to kill you." He pushed her away from him, forcing her to go to her friends.

Matsu grinned. "How touching. You would risk your own life to save that of your mate's!"

"I seem to remember you doing such a thing yourself once." Sesshoumaru said dryly. He forced himself to his feet, turning to face Matsu and draw Tokijin in one fluid motion. "You saved her life when I would have killed her. Now it's my turn." Blue sparks danced across the blade as he swept it through the air. "Dragon Strike!"

"Hit the mark!"

A purifying arrow shot past them, blasting a few of the lower youkai into ashes. HE could hear Sango's battle cry as Hiraikotsu took down three of Matsu's warriors. No sound came from Miroku, but Sesshoumaru understood that he would hear nothing unless the houshi was forced to unleash the Wind Tunnel.

Another burst of purifying energy filled the air, and Sesshoumaru winced. The battle had begun.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Naraku chuckled as he watched the conflict in Kanna's mirror. "If you want to make your move, boy, you'd best do it now, while Sesshoumaru is distracted." he said in his usual malevolent tone.

The boy nodded. "I thank you for your help, Naraku-sama." he said quietly. "I will not fail."

With that he was gone, and Kagura shuddered. "That boy gives even me the creeps." she muttered. "I don't see how you stand him."

"He is much like Onigumo." Naraku said calmly. "One day he may make a fine body – if he can kill that blasted miko for me."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Kagome kept the pups behind her, unleashing arrow after arrow. They were winning; only a few more to go and only Matsu himself would remain standing.

True to their word, none but Sesshoumaru had attacked the taiyoukai directly. However, that hadn't stopped Kagome from blasting away anyone w ho tried to attack her pack leader from behind. Nothing he could say would stop her from defending him.

Matsu charged, swinging his katana in a wide arc. Sesshoumaru jumped over his opponent, bringing Tokijin down across his back. Matsu screamed in pain and fell to the ground, unable to stand – his spinal cord was severed.

"Kagome! Kagome, run!"

Shippou's cry rang out through the air, but the battle did not stop. Matsu was transforming, taking on his true dragon form. His human-like body may have been broken, but his youkai body was not. Sesshoumaru was forced to sheath Tokijin and transform into his inu youkai form. For a moment, there was a lull in the battle, and Sesshoumaru quickly glanced around to take note on the status of his pack.

Sango and Miroku were facing off against the last three youkai, exhaustion prolonging the battle. Rin and Shippou were standing behind a shocked and horrified Kagome. Kirara was standing in front of the miko, hissing and spitting at –

Sesshoumaru froze. It was him, the one who had thrown in his allegiance with Naraku.

The one who had murdered Kagome's family.

He smiled blandly and raised an odd looking device. Kirara snarled and threw herself at the boy. Kagome cried out a warning, but it was too late.

It sounded like an explosion, but Sesshoumaru couldn't be sure. A bloody hole appeared in Kirara's shoulder, and Matsu took to the air in fright. The other battle stopped, Sango crying out to Kirara.

Before anyone could react, Kagome snatched up a rock and threw it at the boy, striking him in the chest. "I'm the one you want!" she shouted. "Come and get me, you bastard!" She spun and ran as the boy gave chase.

Sesshoumaru changed back into his human form and went after them, following the scent of Kagome's anger and fear.

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AN: Ok, not the best chapter, and there's like, only two left. (sniff) Oh well, but there's always a sequel. And I'm planning on writing another Sess/Kag fic, so no worries! Oh, and tomorrow or Thursday I'll be updating Even Me, so that should make you people happy. You know the drill, read and review please!