I still do not own Inuyasha or its characters. We all know this... right, lol?

I do however own this story and Kibou, though I make no profit whatsoever even then, lol.


Ch 11: Trusting Her


Inuyasha moved toward the barrier.

"You can't go through, Inuyasha," Miroku insisted, his hand rising to grasp the half-demon's arm in an effort to restrain him. Kagome's reiki will fry you on contact."

"If that were true, Miroku, how is it that Kibou isn't sushi right now?" Inuyasha reasoned. "Kagome is protecting him, just as he's protecting her. She'll recognize me, too. I know she will."

"Are you certain, Inuyasha? Kagome would be devastated if you were killed because of her - you know that. It'll destroy her if you're wrong about this. Let me go instead. I can bring her out-"

"No!" Inuyasha snarled, his eyes narrowed in barely suppressed anger. Or was it jealousy? Miroku questioned silently.

"Of all the enemies we've fought together," Miroku pressed, "can you recall even one walking away from Kagome's reiki? I can't. If memory serves, they've always ended up an ash whirlwind."

"I trust her, Miroku. Kagome wouldn't hurt me willingly."

"I agree, Inuyasha. But 'willingly' is the key word here. As you can see, Kagome isn't exactly conscious at the moment. Her barrier is up to keep other youki out."

"Kibou is alive, Miroku. He wouldn't be if Kagome wasn't able to recognize friend from foe," Inuyasha reasoned.

"Just to be safe, Inuyasha, I'll retrieve her. I'll even keep my eyes closed if it'll make you feel better. Besides, I would never touch your woman in an indecent manner."

"She ain't my-"

Pushing Miroku's hand off his arm, Inuyasha let the statement go unfinished. Kagome needed him, and despite Miroku's valid concerns, he was determined to see to her himself.

"Just shut the hell up already and be ready to get Kibou. You can take the boy further downstream while I take care of Kagome," Inuyasha insisted.

Stripping off his haori and yukata, Inuyasha dropped the clothing beside Kibou's discarded hakama. "While you're at it, Miroku, take their clothes, too. Get them washed up when you bathe, and don't take your eyes off Kibou, either. Kagome will have both our hides if the kid ends up missing in action."

Brushing past Miroku, Inuyasha raised a claw to test Kagome's barrier. When nothing but stinging heat brushed over the appendage, Inuyasha pushed through the barrier, ignoring the furious growls Kibou issued in warning.

"It's just me, kid. I ain't gonna hurt you, or Kagome."

Silver eyes blinked warily in response before narrowing as Inuyasha made his way closer. Kibou's nostrils flared as the dragon scented the air, the water rippling gently when Kibou curled closer to Kagome's slender figure.

"You want to help her, kid?" Inuyasha asked softly. "How 'bout you let me help her, too. You've already done a great job keeping her safe, but we need to get Kagome out of the water. You're too small to do it alone, right?"

Kibou merely blinked as Inuyasha entered the spring; a moment later Inuyasha heard the boy grumble in what he thought was agreement.

"Let me take her now, okay Kibou?"


A/N: I am sorry for the long wait- as always I blame my health, because, as always, it SUCKS, lol.

I am trying to get back to a semi-normal writing schedual. My pain levels have severely limited me,

despite my every effort not to let it. I have several chapters put together for a new fic, though, and

several more ready for Color as well. Deserted is coming together, allbeit slower than anticipated.

I am writing, but at a much slower pace than I had hoped. I will be working on future chapters of Color

over the next few days, and also on Deserted.

I thank you all for your continued support, and for your wonderful reviews.

As always, they get me back to the computer, and keep me coming back to write more chapters

for you to (hopefully) enjoy.

Please, drop me a line or two if you have time as I'd love to hear from you all again.

It has been awile, but I am still here. I hope you guys are still here, too.

Hugs

Neisha