Disclaimer: I own nothing. Only my own genius. Isn't that a contradiction?

A/N: I'll say in advance that this chapter is very, very short. Nevertheless, I will not apologize. Things have been hectic lately, and Mercury is about to begin its retrograde, which bodes badly for Gemini (That's Me!). I considered lengthening out the chapter, but I feel that the ending for this chapter was perfect. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the next one out soon.

Thanks as always for reading. As Elegant Paws says, "Reviews are Fuel."

Chapter Twenty One: Intention to Kill

The irony of the silences that occurred in Kagome's life was that they were all oxymoronic – not silent in the least. They were felt, both in the air and in the soul, and more than anything they were heard. Likewise, following Sesshoumaru's declaration the resulting silence was palpable, reverberating between all the camp members like the vibrations of a large ceremonial gong. Incredulous looks were exchanged, breaths were bated. Birds twittered in the distance, and a whimsical breeze played briefly with Inuyasha's forelock.

What neutralized the effects of the gong was a subtle chuckle, which turned in to a bout of hysterical laughter.

"That's funny!" Kouga exclaimed amidst the unbearable guffaws that shook his shoulders as he clutched his stomach. The Demon Lord of the West was so serious, so typically stoic, that he had almost believed it, were it not for the fact that such a courting pair was impossible due to the Inuyoukai's standards. Never mind that no one shared his mirth. "You and Kagome? What a joke, eh, Inubaka?"

The younger inu's chin tilted downward, a cascade of unruly silver bangs covering his eyes, and Kagome immediately felt a feeling of foreboding.

"What," the hanyou asked slowly in a low, gravely voice, "the fuck…did you just say?"

Kagome gulped, sensing that at any moment, all hell would break loose. She knew of Inuyasha's history with his brother, of the belittling he had been subjected to and the hatred he felt toward him. The tolerance Inuyasha showed for his brother's presence in the group had nothing to do with any rekindling of brotherly love or respect, but rather practicality. Though she and Inuyasha hadn't much of a romantic relationship to begin with, neither had there ever been a clear break. What mattered was that emotions had once been involved, and that by switching their loyalties to Sesshoumaru, she had just crossed a definitive line.

Kouga continued unfazed.

"You really are an idiot, dog-shit," was the insult sent at his long-time rival. "As if my woman would court Sesshoumaru to begin with!"

The hanyou was uncharacteristically silent.

"You will refrain from calling her your 'woman'" the Taiyoukai ordered of the Ookami, distaste seeping through his voice and his glare. Such reinforcement of the idea was enough to sober Kouga. Suddenly, things didn't seem so funny. He looked to Kagome, hoping she would negate the claim.

"Kagome…?"

Inuyasha interrupted the lingering question with one of his own. "Keh, I should have known. All that time you stayed away with him, all that time you spent together when he joined…" The anger that hardened his eyes turned them a deep gold, and she subconsciously backed up closer to the Taiyoukai. A mirthless, malicious chuckled escaped the hanyou as he observed the retreat.

"So, how long, Kagome?" he antagonized.

Kagome's voice quavered as the aura surrounding her good friend thickened and Sesshoumaru stiffened almost imperceptibly behind her. "H-how long…?"

"How long have you been screwin' around?"

The abrupt accusation was like a slap in the face for Kagome, and stung just as much. Instantly, Miroku was on his feet and joining Kouga in her defense.

"Inuyasha, that's going too far," the monk warned warily.

"Don't dare talk to her like that, mutt," growled the wolf, body rigid and prepping for a fight.

"I'm only sayin' the truth, right? Isn't that right?" He looked straight at Kagome, and she felt it more as a pointed finger than a bait to defy his assessment. Nevertheless, she would rise to the challenege.

"Inuyasha," she pleaded tentatively, desparately, "Please, let me explain –"

"Explain what?!" Inuyasha shouted with a force that made her shrink back. "Explain that you've been sneaking around with my bastard brother behind my back?!"

"No, please, just – " she refuted, tears beginning to sear her eyes.

"Explain what a lying bitch you've been?!"

Twin warning growls were let loose simultaneously. Upon sensing her increasing level of upset, Sesshoumaru positioned her half behind him and released more of his youki.

"Halfbreed, watch yourself," he rumbled ominously, but it did nothing to deter the raging hanyou.

"Explain how you've been whoring yourself –"

It crossed everyone's mind at that moment, as a fist intercepted Inuyasha's degrading tirade, that they had never before seen him flung further by an assault, and that perhaps Sesshoumaru had not intended to kill his brother at all in their previous battles. Inuyasha had been bruised and battered, taunted and belittled, but this time there was no resistance to Sesshoumaru's punch or the three trees Inuyasha's body had been forced to clear. There was no doubt that Sesshoumaru's increased force was used effortlessly as his fist collided with the younger inu's jaw in a show of power that had never before been displayed, and as the Taiyoukai advanced on the beat-up body of his brother, a new fear crept into them: that this time, Sesshoumaru might actually kill him.