Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and 'How to train your dragon' is owned by Cressida Cowell and DreamWorks Animation
CHAPTER 10
After Inuyasha's retreat, the whole camp was silent for a long time, everyone was busy thinking about the hanyou's threat. Later Kagome tried to lighten the mood, pulling her friends into the conversation, but the group knew she wasn't as bright as she tried to act. After another tense hour, Miroku sighed. "Let's get some rest. New day would provide us with lighter moods and clearer minds."
His proposition was taken to heart, and in next twenty minutes everyone was tucked in and asleep. 'Well, almost all,' thought Kagome, looking with slight jealousy at Nero and Shippou who snored curled to her side. If only she could fall asleep…
With a sigh, the girl rolled to her back, looking at the starry sky. Every other day she would be happy to have a quiet moment like this, when no sound interrupted her thoughts, but today this silence was rather a curse than a blessing. There was nothing to stop her mind from wandering to what occurred earlier.
"Inuyasha," she whispered, noticing that this name never sounded so heavy coming from her lips. She understood his disdain for Sesshoumaru. The brothers always had complicated relationships, and she was sure on Inuyasha's place she would behave the same way.
However, Inuyasha's behavior toward Nero was a very different matter. There was no way she could ignore his hate for the reptile. Of course, she was to some extent responsible for this since she didn't tell him earlier, but…
The girl bit her lip. Maybe, it all was happening for all different reason. After all, Inuyasha was rather possessive about her, and she might have made it worse when she promised him to stay with him. Perhaps the whole situation was an eye-opener. It might be the right time to show Inuyasha that, though she promised to stay with him, it didn't give him right to think about her as his possession.
A single tear slid down Kagome's cheek. Releasing herself from Inuyasha would also mean she had to let him go. No matter how long she thought about it, it still did hurt, but for once, she knew it was the right decision. The last weeks proved their relationships took a wrong course, and it was the last moment to stop the upcoming disaster.
With another sigh, Kagome rolled to the side, and her eyes fell on Sesshoumaru who was looking right back at her. Feeling the weight of his gaze, the young miko blushed before she sat up and taking her crutch walked to his side.
"Can we talk?" she said.
The daiyoukai said nothing, instead snorting and looking away. Not sure, whatever it meant yes or not, the girl shrugged and chose the option that was favorable for her. Trying to be delicate for her hurt leg, she arranged herself next to the silent man. She looked at him, but he was still turned away. This made her giggle a bit. "If you didn't want to talk with me, you should have said so. Now you had to indulge me."
"I can always kill you miko."
Kagome giggled again, though the sound was more nervous than before. "Wouldn't that be waste of your time?"
"Hnn."
"I won't say I'm not relieved. So… can we talk? I mean we are talking, but if I ask you something would you answer that?"
Sesshoumaru said nothing.
The girl snorted. "Okay, be that way. I am going to talk anyway." When after a moment there was no response, Kagome shrugged and continued. "Well, first I'm sorry for Inuyasha. I mean I don't know from where gets such crazy ideas like the one that I'm falling in love with you. That's just laughable."
To her surprise, Sesshoumaru made some sound that she assumed was agreement.
Hiding her smile behind her hand, she started to speak again. "Anyway, I didn't have time before, but there're some things I would like to ask you about Nero. For example, why did you say you would cut his wings if he didn't learn to fly? Did you want to force me to work harder?"
"No," Sesshoumaru said, looking up at the clear sky, "it's a common practice. The dragon has a certain amount of time to learn how to fly using his wings. If he's unable to master this skill his wings are cut, and he learns how to do so basing on his youki."
The miko bit her lip, looking at the sleeping two-headed reptile curled around Sesshoumaru's young charge. Her eyes seemed to sadden somewhat. "Is it the reason why Ah-Un…"
"No," Sesshoumaru interrupted, "He's a lowland breed. They don't possess wings."
"Oh," the girl breathed, a relieved smile blooming on her lips, "but I still don't understand. Even if he doesn't learn how to use it, why do you have to cut wings?"
"It can be cause of death."
The miko shoot him annoyed glare. Sesshoumaru arched his eyebrow.
When his silence continued to stretch in time the miko hissed. "Care to explain?"
"Hnn."
The girl groaned. "Please?"
"Since they remain unused the wings tend to degenerate in the most disgusting way, which often leads to blood infection and the dragon's death."
The miko's eyes widened. "It's a good thing Nero learnt to use them, then," she said, tapping her chin, her eyes moved to the dragon cuddling to Shippou on her sleeping bag. The youkai leaned on the tree.
They sat in silence for a moment before the girl once again turned to him. "Umm," she said, "another thing how is it possible my friends didn't found out about Nero earlier? I mean he slept all the time I was with them and never woke up. And he was asleep before we came back from the training. Now that I think about it seems a little… abnormal."
The man shrugged. "Dragons sleep a lot, and they're heavy sleepers."
"Well, I know about that, but still it's a lot of sleep," Kagome said, waving her hands to add a little more dramatic measure.
Not even one muscle on Sesshoumaru's face twitched, but she was once again graced with a reply. "Young reptiles spend whole days sleeping. The mothers wake them only for feeding. The training we give them makes them stronger, but exerts energy they're not used to use. That's why once it's over they fall asleep and don't wake until the next session."
"Wow, I didn't know. There's so much I should learn," Kagome said, before hiding a yawn.
The youkai Lord snorted. "Your mortality is taking hold of you miko. You should rest."
The girl beamed at him, pushing her wild hair behind her ear. "Yeah, I probably should. It was a stressful day. Even Miroku fell asleep, though he planned to guard the camp," she laughed a bit looking at the sleeping monk, who was mumbling something about bearing his children. "Oh well, I guess if there was a true need he would wake up immediately."
"Hnn."
Yawning, Kagome closed her eyes concentrating on her inner power then called it forth, before spreading it around their camp and the surrounding it woods. When she called it back, and opened her eyes, she noticed Sesshoumaru was once again staring at her. The girl blushed, not comfortable with such attention. "Is something wrong?"
"You said you're not able to control your power."
Kagome blinked, before understanding dawned on her. "You mean this trick?" the girl shrugged. "It's something Miroku taught me some time ago. He said that it would help to find me if I get lost, and it should ward of some dangers. I mastered it quite well, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm able to control my powers. Well, off I go," Kagome said trying to stand up. However, her hurt leg was making it rather difficult.
Before the miko could curse her fate, Sesshoumaru caught her arm, and stood up helping her into a standing position. Kagome smiled. "Thank you. Again."
"Hnn."
The girl walked to her sleeping bag, before looking back at the youkai Lord. "And thank you for protecting us."
Sesshoumaru arched his eyebrow.
"I could feel your power spread over the whole forest. I don't think anyone would decide to attack us after feeling it." Sesshoumaru opened his lips to reply, but Kagome cut in, waving her hand. "Even if it isn't for us, we're still protected by you. It deserves our thanks."
Sesshoumaru shrugged, before sitting back under his tree and looking up at the sky. Kagome smiled, looking at him for a moment before laying down and curling around Shippou and Nero, fell asleep.
#
Inuyasha ran through the silent forest, growling from time to time. His hand was fisted over Tetsusaiga's hilt, swinging it around and destroying the forest's plants. Rage swirled in his eyes as he looked around.
It looked as if from all sides was observing him golden eyes. Eyes that resembled eyes of his half-brother, or eyes of the dragon.
"Those bastards!" the young man growled, cutting a nearby tree. It was all their fault. His life was perfect before they came into a picture and clouded his Kagome's mind.
'Your Kagome?' asked his conscience.
"Damn straight!" the boy yelled. "Kagome's mine!"
'Then what about Kikyou?'
Inuyasha stopped millimeters from cutting some bush, his gaze absent as he thought about that. Kagome was his there was no denying to it, but Kikyou… it was a different matter with Kikyou. She was his too, and he was hers. He assured her about that many times.
'Then how can you claim Kagome is yours if you'll never be hers?' the quite voice in his head continued to ask.
The hanyou growled squishing the voice, and pushing away the twinge of guilt it produced. Kagome was his - it was all that mattered. That also led to the conclusion that she had no business even looking at his bastard brother, and not with such an admiration. He could almost see hearts fluttering around those two whenever they were close. Kagome shouldn't be doing this!
Yet she was doing it, and more, she was talking to that bastard and smiling. Those special, beaming smiles that should be reserved only for him. Him! Not for that asshole!
Of course, all of this wouldn't be happening now, if not for that good for nothing dragon. It was its fault Kagome was spending time with Sesshoumaru. It was its fault that bastard joined their group, and it was its fault that he, Inuyasha, was here right now and not with his friends enjoying pleasant evening.
It would be better if that thing was never born, or if Kagome threw it away. It would solve the conflict they had, and since that thing would be gone, there would be no reason for Sesshoumaru to stick with them. He would kill two birds with on stone.
'Kagome would be angry if you hurt the dragon.'
"Keh!" Inuyasha huffed, cutting another tree, "She'll get over that thing. She always forgives me. Always."
'There are things even she wouldn't forgive.'
The boy huffed, but didn't try to deny the truth behind that. Kagome was the most forgiving person, but he saw the way she protected the dragon. It was the same way she held Shippou whenever he got angry at the little fox. If he decided to hurt the dragon, it would be as if he touched Shippou. He doubted she would ever forgive him if he hurt any of them.
With a defeated sigh, the boy slumped on the ground, Tetsusaiga transformed back to its less impressive form. There was no way out of this. As much as he wanted to get rid of Sesshoumaru and the dragon, he knew he wouldn't be able to do it.
Kagome would never let him hurt the dragon, and Sesshoumaru… well, since the moment he managed to cut Sesshoumaru's arm, and discovered how to use Wind Scars he didn't come closer to hurting the bastard.
"It sucks," Inuyasha said, bending his knee and leaning on it. Everything was just wrong. So wrong, and he was so helpless, there was no strength in him to change it. Growling he hit back of his head on the tree, hoping beyond hope that it would clear his mind.
Two hours after sunrise, Inuyasha decided to return to his friends. He had managed to calm down and think over the whole situation. Though he was still unhappy with his brother's presence, there was no escaping it. Once the whole 'dragon training' thing would be over, he would just kill Sesshoumaru. Until then, he would act like Kagome asked him to, and ignore the daiyoukai.
On the other hand, the dragon was positive addition for the group, even if he was as annoying as Shippou. The more powerful allies they had, the easier it would be to get rid of Naraku. Of course, the killing blow would belong to him, there was a reason he inherited Tetsusaiga.
Snorting, Inuyasha stood up and tucking his hands in his sleeves looked for a moment at the sun. It was time to return and make peace. Just as he made a first step in the direction of the camp the air around got thicker, and his nose was assaulted with a familiar scent.
Inuyasha whirled around, his hands held already transformed sword. "Naraku! Come out bastard!" he yelled, glaring around.
"Tsk, tsk… you must be Inuyasha. Naraku said I'll find you here," said a strange voice. Its owner walked out of the woods, looking at the growling hanyou with unimpressed expression. He was tall, with long pinkish hair pulled into a high ponytail and violet eyes.
"Who the hell are you? Another Naraku's wicked creation?"
The youkai huffed, raising his hand to inspect his claws. His simple dark kimono swished with his moves. "I am."
"Well, what do you want?!"
The youkai lowered his hand, before looking at Inuyasha and smirking. "I'm here to kill you."
"You can only dream," said Inuyasha. Without waiting, he jumped to his opponent, ready to strike. The strange youkai dodged the attack, his smirk never leaving his face.
"Naraku told me everything about you. Say Inuyasha, is that true? Naraku said the miko you protect betrayed you."
The boy's eyes flashed in red, but the color disappeared almost at the same second. "Kikyou never betrayed me!" he said, moving his sword in an arc shape, hoping to slice the stranger in half. The other escaped the blow, jumping over Inuyasha's head.
"Kikyou? No, he didn't say Kikyou. I think he said she got tired with you and turned to your half-brother. I heard they bonded last night, right after you had left," Naraku's minion taunted.
For a second Inuyasha found it was hard to breathe. What the stranger said, no, it couldn't be true. Kagome would never betray him. "Liar!" he yelled, swinging Tetsusaiga over youkai's head. Few pink hair strands fell on the ground.
The man laughed. "Ah! I see it's true! Tell me, half-breed, how is it to be so easily replaced?"
"You tell me!" The boy growled, jumping into the air, before slamming the place the other youkai stood a moment ago. "You're the one who would be replaced once I kill you. Naraku wouldn't even bat an eye when you drop dead!"
The youkai's smile turned a little colder. "Foolish hanyou, love is weakness."
"No! Love gives you power beyond measure!" countered Inuyasha, remembering what Kagome told him once.
The youkai laughed harder. "Then you're double fool hanyou! Not only you chose love over power, you also let this 'love' slip through your fingers!"
Something snapped inside Inuyasha's heart. "Die!" he called, whirling out of sudden and cutting his opponent in half. Its body fell away, a cloud of dust erupting from inside and falling all over Inuyasha.
The boy coughed, trying to shake the dust of his clothes without much luck. Once the wind cleared the air, he poked the body with his foot, surprised to see it was made of clay. "Keh! Naraku's getting sloppy in his work," he said, with disgust.
Sheathing his sword, he turned around eager to return to his companions to make sure they were safe.
#
The morning found the group of the Shikon hunters in better moods. Since Inuyasha was absent, they decided to enjoy their free time. After eating breakfast, the children started to play tag, much to delight of both Nero and Kirara who often joined their game.
Kagome laughed looking at their antics, when Sango sat next to her. The miko smiled at her slayer friend. "I knew Shippou was playful child, but I don't think I saw him so happy before."
Sango smiled, looking for a brief moment at the playing group. "He didn't have companion his age."
"I think so too," the younger girl admitted with saddened expression.
Seeing this Sango patted her arm. "Don't think you didn't care enough for him Kagome. You did all you could to make Shippou happy. I think he looks up to you as if you were his mom."
Kagome laughed. "I hope not, I'm way too young and irresponsible to be a good mother figure. I'm rather the older sister type."
Sango frowned, looking at the children, then back at her friend before she shrugged. "If you say so, but I think you're good enough. After all, you manage to share your life between two worlds, between two families. I think it's pretty responsible."
Kagome felt tears in her eyes. "Thank you so much Sango," she said in a shaky voice. The slayer smiled punching her arm in a friendly way. Kagome laughed returning the gesture. The two girls started teasing each other, laughing all the time. Their laughter joined children's, creating beautiful symphony.
Kagome couldn't remember when she was so happy. Everyone on the clearing looked relaxed, even Sesshoumaru. If only Inuyasha returned and they could clear everything. Now that she thought about it, she should have done that earlier.
"Kagome are you still with me?"
The girl blinked, before looking back at Sango, before smiling. "I think so, but I admit I was spacing out. Did I miss a lot?"
The slayer giggled. "Yes, about two minutes of me calling your name."
The miko blushed, mumbling her apology much to Sango's amusement. The two started to joke again before they went silent instead watching how Miroku stood up and walked to Sesshoumaru. The monk sat next to the youkai lord, and though the girl's strained their ears to hear what the two were talking about, they couldn't hear anything.
Sango shook her head looking at her fiancée. "I just hope he wouldn't say anything stupid to get himself killed."
"I don't think you have to be worried," said Kagome looking at the monk and youkai. "Besides, though Sesshoumaru often said he can kill someone, somehow we're all alive, even Inuyasha though I'm quite certain he could have killed us many times."
"Maybe you're right, but it still feels awkward to have him with us."
The miko frowned. "Strange, but I don't think so. Maybe I got used to have him around on our dragon trainings."
"Right! I forgot about that. Well, you always had the gift to befriend the strangest people like us. I'm not surprised you added Sesshoumaru to that list," Sango said, tapping her chin.
Kagome punched her arm. "Strangest people? Are you counting yourself into that?"
The woman blinked. "Sure! Even in my village I was one of three girls who decided to become slayers. I mean, we all were trained, but only our trio was doing this as our work instead of getting married. So yes, I think I am a little strange."
"Aww Sango, you're not strange! You're amazing, and I'm sure Miroku thinks the same way."
"Well, he should."
"So, what—"
"Kagome!"
The girl looked to the side, just on time to see shivering Shippou jumping into her arms, followed by Nero. Once they were both in her arms she kissed their heads, but both the boy and the reptile were shaking. Kagome had exchanged worried glances with Sango before she looked to the side where Sesshoumaru told Jaken to escort Rin to safety.
Kagome looked back at the fox in her grasp. "Shippou tell me what's wrong?"
"N-Naraku."
"What?"
Sango stood up, running for her Hiraikotsu while Kagome scrambled to her feet, putting Shippou down since she wasn't able to hold him while walking with her crutch. The fox and the dragon followed behind her while she walked to her friends.
"Lady Kagome do you feel anything?" asked Miroku, meeting her half-way.
"No. But Shippou says he can smell Naraku. Maybe it's one of his off springs?"
"No," said Sesshoumaru standing next to her, "it's Inuyasha, he's carrying Naraku's scent."
The group sighed in relief, though Kagome became worried. "Do you think he was in a battle? Maybe he's wounded."
"No," youkai Lord said again, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the surrounding forest. "However, Inuyasha is in his transformed form."
The group gasped. "But how's that possible? Tetsusaiga should prevent it," said Sango.
"I don't know, but I suppose we'll find out soon," Miroku replied.
"I should go to him. Maybe I'll manage to calm him down," said Kagome, taking a step in the direction of the forest, but Miroku caught her arm, shaking his head.
"It's most unwise, remember he's unpredictable in this state. He might even hurt you, and you're still hurt. Besides, he'll be here any moment," he said.
Kagome scowled. "Inuyasha would never—"
"He's here."
As if answering a call Inuyasha landed on the clearing, his bloody red eyes looked straight into Kagome's blue ones before he turned and glared at his half-brother, growling in warning.
In reply, Sesshoumaru snorted. "Half-breed," he said, only worsening the boy's mood.
"Inuyasha what happened?" called Kagome, trying to break the tension and find the reason of her friend's transformation.
He looked at her, his brows drew together, before snarling at her. The girl took a step back, sending lost look to her friends, but their expressions were as lost as hers. They had stood in silence for a moment before Inuyasha growled again, taking step in Kagome's direction. Seeing this Nero jumped before his owner, growling in return.
"Keh! So you made your choice!" the boy snarled, taking out his sword and transforming it. "And I promised you something. Now I'm going to fulfill it!"
Kagome understood what he meant in a second. "Sit!" she yelled, "Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit!"
The hanyou hit the ground, digging a deep hole. Miroku and Sango walked to the crater, keeping their senses on alert. When they peered inside the hanyou wasn't moving, but when Miroku was trying to place sutra on him, the boy jumped out landing right before the miko and her dragon.
"Inuyasha, please no!"
"Die reptile!" the boy growled, swinging his sword and creating destructive wave of Wind Scars.
Kagome knew there was no way she could step out of the way of the attack, so she didn't even try. Nero jumped into her arms, and pain clenched her heart knowing she didn't have time to at least push him aside. In the last moment, she curled around him using her body as a shield.
However, before Wind Scars hit her she was taken from its way. She didn't need to guess who was her savior when silver hair covered her vision. Nero's happy gurgle only confirmed her suspicions. Holding the dragon, Kagome slackened in Sesshoumaru's grasp, trusting he would drop her in some safe place.
In the distance, she could see how Inuyasha turned to them, growling like crazy, before releasing another Wind Scars. Sesshoumaru leapt in the air again, avoiding another attack.
"Enough Inuyasha!" Miroku yelled.
'That's right,' thought Kagome, 'I can't cry now. I have to help them, help him!' "Inuyasha sit!"
The boy hit the ground just as Hiraikotsu flew over his head. Sesshoumaru landed on the ground dropping her in the process. Kagome rolled to the side so she wouldn't squish Nero. When she did that, the dragon crawled from under her gasping for breath in a very dramatic way. Kagome scowled, but didn't have time to ponder over a fact that her dragon was teasing her. At least, not now.
Sudden gust of wind from Sesshoumaru's departure was a good proof. Screaming another string of sits, the miko scrambled to her feet, making sure to avoid stepping on her hurt leg.
"Kagome," cried Shippou, running to her. "Are you okay?"
The miko smiled. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Shippou I need to get to Inuyasha, can you find me some stick?"
"I can transform into a balloon and—"
"No," the miko said, cutting him in a firm voice. "Miroku was right, Inuyasha is unpredictable. I don't want to endanger you."
"But—"
"No. Instead make sure you and Nero are close just in case I need you, okay?" Shippou nodded, and Kagome urged him to bring her some crutch. Meanwhile, her attention turned to her hanyou friend, who was busy with blocking Miroku's petrifying sutras.
"Inuyasha," the monk said, his tone stern, "you need to calm down."
The boy growled. "Don't but into it monk. You're not the one I want to fight with."
As if to answer it, a rock hit Inuyasha's head. Annoyed beyond measure the boy turned around to glare at his brother.
Sesshoumaru smirked. "Come Inuyasha, prove me how low did you fall hanyou."
The boy didn't need another invitation, focusing his whole attention on his half brother. A second later, first sword's clashes erupted on the clearing.
"You stole Kagome from me! I'll never forgive you bastard!" the boy yelled, swinging his sword and bringing it down hoping to cut the daiyoukai in half. The older male didn't seem concerned, pairing the blow with ease.
"Foolish. I have no use for human wench, especially yours hanyou."
"You're lying! You took her because you can't have Tetsusaiga! You can't stand the thought of it! That's why you stole Kagome!"
Sesshoumaru snorted. "If I wanted that wench, I wouldn't have to steal her. She would come to me on her own."
All eyes swung in her direction while Kagome chocked at the comment. Those two were so much alike! They treated her like a thing, without her own mind. Blushing from both embarrassment and anger, she yelled. "I can hear you, and I'm not a thing!" But as always both brothers ignored her, busy with their fight. Pushing her fury behind, she waited for Shippou to come back.
At the same time, Inuyasha felt strange nausea building in his stomach. Sesshoumaru's words only fueled his already burning anger. Wasn't it what Naraku's minion told him earlier? That Kagome came to Sesshoumaru on her own once he left the camp? That she betrayed him on the first occasion?
Tetsusaiga seemed to burn his hand, and he could feel first drops of blood sliding down his hands, but he was too blinded by his fury to think about it. Even the voice at the back of his mind screaming that Kagome never would betray his trust didn't manage to calm him, as it did few hours before.
However, Sesshoumaru felt something, for he sneered right into his brother's face. "Allowing Naraku to possess you, little brother? I never thought you can fall so low."
The people watching them gasped.
"Shut up!" replied Inuyasha sending another Wind Scars in Sesshoumaru's direction. He had to kill Sesshoumaru. He had to kill him. He had to! Rest of his sense was lost to the point when he missed the scent of his most hated enemy.
Kagome, however did not. She turned around, catching Sango's and Miroku's attention. "I-It's Naraku!"
"Ah ku ku ku Kagome, thank you for announcing my arrival," said Naraku materializing out of nowhere, looking form the fighting brothers to the rest of the Shikon hunters, and back to Kagome. "Now, since our Inuyasha is so busy, I think you might consider giving me the Shikon shards that hang around your neck."
The young priestess glared at him, her hand fisting around her necklace. "Keep dreaming. I'll rather die."
Miroku and Sango moved to their friend's side, ready to fight.
Naraku chuckled. "Now that can be arranged. For all of you." His tentacles shot from behind his back, aiming for the trio. Miroku and Sango moved to the fight, yelling to Kagome to leave everything to them. The miko pouted a bit, but did as they said staying away knowing that limping priestess would be of little help. A moment later Shippou and Nero joined her, carrying her stick.
The fox looked up at her, and Kagome could see the question shining in his emerald eyes.
The miko nodded. "We are going. Inuyasha is on our heads now."
Shippou was about to answer, when he was interrupted by Sango's warning shout. "Kagome!"
The girl looked up just in time to see another tentacle only meters away, heading to her in frightening speed. Shippou screamed, hiding behind Kagome leg while the priestess closed her eyes bringing her hands up in a weak hope for protection. However, it turned out to be enough, when the pink sphere that formed around the trio destroyed the upcoming tentacle.
Kagome blinked, Shippou stared, Nero growled.
Naraku sputtered, his expression betrayed he had problems with believing his eyes. "A barrier?" he said.
Kagome couldn't resist the urge to stick her tongue at him. "You don't own patent on that!"
Naraku blinked in confusion, and Sango used his lapse to throw Hiraikotsu at his back, cutting several tentacles. The evil hanyou once again focused on the attacking people, instead of a miko.
Knowing she had to do something, instead of staring at the fighters, Kagome called her powers back. "Lets go," she said, walking as quick as she could in the direction of the fighting brothers. Shippou and Nero followed her in a safe distance.
"Inuyasha!" called Kagome when she was close enough. Inuyasha didn't bother with sparing her a single glance.
The girl fumed. "Inuyasha listen to me, or I'll say it."
Sesshoumaru glared at her. "Miko."
Seeing that fleeting glance Inuyasha roared. "Your fight is with me Sesshoumaru!"
The older brother rolled his eyes, before moving away from Inuyasha's attack, and sheathing his sword, punched the boy into the jaw, knocking him unconscious. "Don't bother me you fool."
Kagome winced, looking at hanyou's body plastered on the ground.
Sesshoumaru landed next to her, looking at the hanyou with boredom. "Miko, fix him," he demanded.
The girl blinked, before nodding. "I will try."
"Hnn." Without bothering with another word, or look Sesshoumaru left the pair. Kagome looked after him for a few seconds before she heard a groan coming from Inuyasha-shaped crater, and did her best to prepare herself for what was about to come.
Red eyes looked up at her, and her breath was caught in her throat. "Inuyasha—"
A clawed hand caught her throat, squeezing. "You let him escape. You did betray me."
"Inuyasha, please, Sesshoumaru only cares about the dragon. I mean nothing."
"You're lying! You want to protect that bastard!"
Kagome gasped feeling tips of his claws pricking the skin on her neck. "Inuyasha Naraku is your enemy, not your brother!"
"Liar! You just told him to go ahead and wait for you while you try to feed me with your lies! But you now what? I won't let him steal you."
In that moment, Kagome understood Inuyasha wasn't possessed as Sesshoumaru said, but without a doubt there was something wrong with him. It was as if he lived in an illusion. 'No,' she scolded herself, 'he sees illusion! He feels it, hears it. Somehow, Naraku used his doubts and made them look real for him. But how? Can I reach him through that haze?'
The desperate need of air, brought her out of her thoughts and with the last bit of power Kagome looked into Inuyasha's eyes and whispered one word. "Kikyou."
Inuyasha gasped, his hold on her neck loosened a bit. "What?"
Kagome bit her lip, looking to the side where Miroku, Sango and Sesshoumaru were fighting against Naraku and other youkai he must have summoned at some point. They were doing well, but if Inuyasha got out of hand, they would have to fight on two fronts. She couldn't let that happen.
"Inuyasha," she rasped, "once upon a time Naraku made you turn against Kikyou. He's trying to do the same trick to make you hate me. Please, for Kikyou trust me one more time and believe it's all Naraku's plan."
The boy seemed conflicted. His hand clenched and unclenched on her throat, every time digging a little deeper into her skin. Kagome could feel thin lines of blood sliding down her skin before reaching her blouse. She knew that if Inuyasha's claws dig a little deeper he will kill her. Tears fell down her cheeks.
"Inuyasha, don't let the man who killed the only woman you loved control you."
"Naraku."
She was cut out of air once again. Her vision swirled , and the blackness started to creep in. "Fight! Inuyasha, fight for Kikyou!" she yelled before her world turned black. With a groan, the silver-haired boy released her, and she fell on the ground, gasping and coughing for so much needed oxygen.
When she was conscious, she looked to the side and saw Inuyasha fighting with Naraku with all his might. Even through the distance, she could see his eyes were golden once again. The girl sighed with relief and after taking few more breaths stood up.
The wound on her neck was burning as if it was on fire, but Kagome ignored it. She couldn't show weakness now, when they were in the middle of the battle. Just as she was going to stand up and search for her bow Naraku laughed and disappeared in the cloud of toxic cloud.
The girl blinked before leaning on the ground. She didn't feel like fighting anyway. But when she was about to give a sigh of relief she heard a roar that she recognized as Inuyasha's. When she looked back, her friend was once again attacking Sesshoumaru, his eyes in red color.
"That's it! Inuyasha sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit!"
The boy hit the ground cursing everyone and everything with her name being mentioned the most. Kagome stood up, limping to the place he laid, calling Shippou on her way.
"Yes?" the boy asked, jumping on her shoulder. "Kagome you're bleeding!'
The miko covered her wounds with her hand. "It's nothing. Can you put on Inuyasha one of your statues? You know so he wouldn't move for some time."
"No problem!" the boy jumped down pulling a little figurine from his sleeve. "Fox fire!" he called with glee dropping the statue on Inuyasha's still form.
"Now, can anyone tell me what can cause Inuyasha to see only illusions?"
The group looked at her with lost expressions.
"Hnn. His scent is covered with Naraku's," Sesshoumaru said with a shrug.
Shippou leaned closer to his hanyou's friend sniffing it closer. "It's all over him, but not on him. Isn't that crazy?"
Kagome looked at her hand. "Not at all! Shippou that's all I needed!" Frowning Kagome put her hands on Inuyasha's clothes and let her purifying powers flow over his body.
The boy struggled, growling some indistinct profanities, but she didn't care. However, after a moment, his struggles stopped, and he yelled "Kagome stop! You will turn me into human stupid wench!"
Kagome sighed. "Thank you would be more suited at this moment. I think you can release him Shippou."
"What a pity," the boy murmured, doing as she said.
Kagome giggled, looking how Inuyasha pulled himself of the ground. Shippou looked back at her. "What did you do Kagome?"
"Yeah, good question wench. Why did you try to kill me?"
"Well, I didn't notice that earlier, but Inuyasha was covered in that strange dust. I don't know how but I suspected it was what caused him to believe the illusion he saw was true."
Inuyasha blinked. "What illusion?"
Miroku stroked his chin, looking at the confused hanyou. "Inuyasha are you able to tell me what were you doing for the last few hours?"
"Sure I can, I was in the forest killed some latest Naraku's minion then came here, and that wench tried to purify me for no reason!"
Miroku nodded. "I see, you don't remember anything. Interesting."
Kagome sighed, shaking her head. "Miroku would you be so kind to fill him in?"
The monk nodded, ignoring his silver-haired friend. "Of course, Kagome. No need to worry."
"Good. Now if you excuse me I need to take care of my neck."
Inuyasha blinked. "What?"
The girl sighed and with Sango's help walked away, leaving the rest of the group on their own.
"What the hell is going on?" asked Inuyasha turning to the monk.
In reply, Miroku's staff hit him on the head. "What the hell?"
"I can't believe you could be so easy to manipulate Inuyasha. You should have known better."
"What? What was that for?"
"Think Inuyasha. You killed Naraku's minion and came here, and then you tried to kill Kagome and Sesshoumaru. Use that head of yours, and remember."
Inuyasha frowned, but then closed his eyes for a long time. When he opened them, his eyes were wide. "That bastard! He used me! Hell, I should have killed him! Keh! He's lucky that nothing serious happened. If he thought I would kill Kagome, he made a mistake of the day."
The staff hit his head once again. "No, Inuyasha," Miroku said, shaking his head," Naraku's plan was never to make you kill Kagome. It was to destroy the trust between you and Kagome, and from the look of that I can tell he succeeded."
When Inuyasha looked up and saw the miko's tearful blue eyes, the red, bloodied marks around her neck, he started to think Miroku might have been right.