Ninja is here! After a few ideas tossed around, I finally came up with it! I, however, would like to thank sangoscourage for not only helping me out here, but thoughout this story, as well as all the others who have supported me. God Bless you all! (ironic, much?) Shut up, inner voice! (yes ma'am)

I own only Koneko, and this chapter is dedicated to sangoscourage for her wonderful help thus far...

Chapter Nine

Kagome and Koneko stood there, the silence thick in the air. Sighing, Koneko spoke up, her voice loud in the empty forest. "Umm, I was wondering why you were acting so-" Koneko started when she felt a sudden sting on her cheek, jerking her head to the side. She felt her anger bubble to the surface, and flattened her ears, slowly turning her head to face the school girl, glaring. Why that little-!

She saw that Kagome had her hand raised menacingly, yet was shocked at her own actions and had backed up a few steps. InuYasha, meanwhile, was hidden behind a nearby tree, shock and anger coming off him in waves. Kagome! Why I outta-! Before he could take action, he heard Koneko speak up, forcing herself to remain calm. "What in the world is your problem, Kagome?"

Koneko looked at her questioningly, but received no response. "I only came here because I was concerned. I was gonna ask why, until you slapped me." Koneko rubbed her hurt cheek, which was probably red by now. Now I know how Miroku feels… Koneko turned back to Kagome, her moment of sympathy long since forgotten. "Explain yourself. Now!" Koneko's growl sounded threatening, her anger rumbling deep inside her chest. Kagome, however, didn't seem fazed, and returned the glare, her dark eyes becoming pitch black. "Why? Because I'm sick and tired of all these girls coming between me and InuYasha!" She shouted, tears streaking from her shut eyes. Koneko felt her pain, knowing that she too has suffered due to this romantic dynamic. However, that still wasn't an excuse for Kagome's behavior, regardless of her upset.

"First it was Kikyo, and now you too! Why can't everyone just leave us alone?" Koneko walked towards Kagome, hand outstretched. She placed her hand on Kagome's shoulder, trying to comfort the angry and sobbing girl. "I know what you mean…" However, Kagome struck her again, rejecting Koneko's attempt at console her. "Get away from me, you filthy half-breed!"

Koneko jumped back, frightened for the first time by a human. "You don't know anything about me and InuYasha! You weren't the one there when he kissed Kikyo! And you weren't the one that almost killed him twice! What do you know?" Koneko felt something snap inside her, and she felt her anger boil over. "You haven't been through half of what I have…!" She hissed, her eyes dilating and her claws extracting.

Before Kagome could retaliate, InuYasha intervened, pushing Kagome away and holding Koneko back. Kagome looked up, fear and sadness lighting her features. "InuYasha, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-" "That's enough, Kagome!" She saw InuYasha wrap his arms protectively around Koneko, who was now looking downward, fighting back tears.

"Go home! I don't ever wanna see you again!" She stared at him, feeling like her very heart was breaking. Leave InuYasha… Forever? InuYasha and Koneko turned to leave, taking the scenic route back to camp. InuYasha look back, his eyes filled with spite and hurt. "You better be gone by the time we get back, Kagome…" He turned back, leading the girl away. "Or else…"

Kagome sighed, heading back to camp. She felt tears streak down her cheeks, letting her feelings pour out of her in a flood of emotion. I'm sorry, InuYasha… I don't know why I said what I did… She looked up, the sacred tree standing tall in the clearing. Emotion rose to an unbearable level, her heart beating frantically in her chest. But I can't take it back. Besides… I'm glad I said it…

Finally reaching the well, leaving her stuff behind, Kagome jumped, letting the river of time flow around her, yet the tears continued to flood her. She felt something in her hand, making her look down. In her palm lay the Sacred Jewel shard, one of the many fragments of the once whole crystal. She squeezed it tightly, hoping and praying that she may still return to this world…

When Koneko and InuYasha got back, the others seemed shocked to find that Kagome was not with them. But when they saw Koneko's shaking form, they could only wonder what had transpired between the three. Shippo, the bravest of the bunch, ran to InuYasha, glaring at him. "What'd you do now, InuYasha? Did you make Kagome leave and make Koneko cry?"

InuYasha, not in the mood to deal with the pup, lifted him up, snarling at him. "That's none of your dang business, Shippo!" With that, he threw Shippo to Miroku, both who seemed equally stunned. InuYasha returned to comforting Koneko, who seemed out of it. "Don't worry, Koneko. I'm here…" Koneko nodded, wiping away the tears. "Yeah. Sure…"

She looked up at InuYasha, trying to smile. "I'm fine, InuYasha. Really." She shoved him off softly, her eyes full of mixed emotion. "Just… Let me be. Okay?" He nodded, letting the girl sit down on a nearby tree stump. He felt a pain in his chest, but knew there was nothing he could do. Kagome betrayed us. And now Koneko is unsure of our relationship. How can this get any worse?

Suddenly, he felt a gust of wind come through, catching the scent of Koga. That wretched wolf… I had to ask… He stopped in front of InuYasha, glaring at him. "Well, mutt, long time no sniff." InuYasha clenched his teeth, growling in reply. "Koga, if you want to see Kagome, she's gone, so don't bother asking." He saw Koga's face fall, a speck of sadness in his eyes. "Oh, really?"

He looked around, spotting something behind them. "Hold it a minute!" He ran behind InuYasha, where he spotted Koga running towards Koneko. The neko-hanyos was climbing up the tree, trying to avoid the wolf demon. InuYasha felt his blood boil, and he quickly caught up to them, yelling at Koga. "What do you think you're doing, you skinny wolf?"

Koga turned around, his eyes still on Koneko. "That filthy mongrel was supposed to be my ticket to Kagome." InuYasha felt the anger fill his whole body, and he grabbed the wolf by his armor. "What did you say, wolf?" Koga didn't seem fazed, but he lost a bit of color in his face. "I was gonna use her to have-" "I know that!" Koga waved his hands towards InuYasha, trying to calm him down.

Meanwhile the other three just stood there, not believing what the were seeing. Even compared to the two's normal fracases, this was even more extreme than usual. However, they weren't going to intervene unless necessary. Koga gripped his throat, which InuYasha was crushing. "Until that cursed dog showed up…." InuYasha slackened his grip, eyeing him warily.

"Who showed up?" Koga looked down, nodding slowly. "It was him… Sesshomaru…" InuYasha felt something snap, and he let the wolf drop down, his thoughts at a standstill. Sesshomaru saved Koneko… Again? Koga looked once more at Koneko, the down at InuYasha. "I don't know what's going on, but if Kagome doesn't come back, I'll have it on your head!"

And with that Koga took off, leaving no trace of his presence. InuYasha heard Koneko drop from her tree, landing squarely on her feet. She smiled at InuYasha, but it fell as he looked at her, incredulous. "Why didn't you tell me, Koneko?" She sighed, not looking at him. "Like I said before… I know how much you two hate each other, so…" He nodded, understanding her reasoning.

"Still, don't keep stuff like that from me. Got it?" Koneko nodded, her eyes bright once more. Miroku walked up, the others close behind. "So, InuYasha, Lady Koneko, what did occur between you two?" Sango nodded, curiosity lighting her eyes. "Yeah. Kagome told us some, but I think we need the whole story." She looked straight at Koneko, sympathy in her eyes. "That is, if you're ready."

Koneko shook her head. "Sorry, guys, but not yet." The others looked down, sad yet understanding. Koneko spoke up, her tone light. "However…" They looked up, wondering what she was up to, as was InuYasha. "I think I wanna checkout the village." She turned to InuYasha, pleading in her eyes. "Can we, InuYasha?" He nodded, unable to say no to those forest green eyes. "Alright, Koneko…"

Yet another cliffhanger! (I must object-) Overuled! Anywasy, I once again want to tell you all about my FictionPress account. I will begin to publish some original poems and stories there soon, so look out for it. (I'm still the Ninja you all know and love!)

Next chapter will come up soon, so be on the lookout, okay? Reviews are appreciated, as are any of your comments, concerns, and PMs. I wanna know your inner thoughts! (really?) Well, not my inner thoughts... (awww...)

Ninja is out; Peace!