Chapter 25 Trouble in Paradise

I felt like I was floating on a cloud in one of those cartoons. It was just so blissful, and I was so happy in the safety of Inuyasha's arms. I never wanted to leave. I felt Inuyasha's hand twitch on my side and cuddled closer to his warmth. Sadly, I knew that, when morning shined through, we would have to get dressed and do whatever is on today's agenda. The thought made me sigh.

Inuyasha's breath left him in a sigh as well as he adjusted. I frowned when my hand brushed against his thigh before he stood up. Was it morning already? I opened my eyes when I heard him open the bedroom door and blinked a couple times, turning over to look at the clock that read five thirty-five. Why was he getting up now?

I numbly pulled the covers out from under myself and quickly covered my bare body. I shivered at the cold sheets touching my skin but pulled it up to my neck and laid on my side, closing my eyes again. Dully, I could hear Inuyasha's hushed voice. Phone-call? This early?

I heard his footsteps come back seconds later and smiled, nuzzling the pillow under my head as he pulled back the covers only to slide himself in and hug me closer to his body. I felt his mouth brush against my cheek and opened my eyes, feigning just waking up. "Morning, Kagome," he murmured, smirking as he hoisted himself up on an elbow.

I smiled and rolled onto my back, adjusting the blankets to cover myself. "Inuyasha," I grinned before noticing the black markings on his body. I quickly sat up, ignoring the way Inuyasha's eyes followed the dropping blanket and tried to angle my body to view my own Mark.

Inuyasha chuckled and his arms slid under my body. "Don't try to hurt yourself, Mate." He slid off the bed with me tucked in his arms and walked out of the room. He let me down when he stepped into the bathroom and I quickly went to the mirror above the sink and my jaw nearly dropped.

I knew I would have some kind of Mark where he bit me and healed me but this was huge. Bold black lines shot across half my chest and the top of my breast in a jagged, but sure pattern. It continued over my shoulder where some Marks had curled half-way up my neck and some of my arm, and down my back, stopping along the small of my back. I brought my hand up and brushed it across the Marks.

Inuyasha was smiling down at me the whole time I checked out my Markings. I noticed smooth, thin, black lines racing and twining together and stopping at his collar bone. I wondered how big his would be and made him turn around, brushing his hair away to view his back. I gasped at the large, snarling dog that covered his whole back. It was crouched in a protective position, baring long fangs as it looked slightly to the side. Thicker lines radiated from it like powerful demonic power. Above it, a huge crescent moon covered the back of his neck with intricate, thinner lines curling around it and continuing over both his broad shoulders where it met at his collar bone.

"What is it?" He opened a small drawer and pulled out a smaller mirror. Turning so that his back faced the mirror over the sink, he positioned it to see his back and sucked in a quick breath. "Damn..."

I smiled sheepishly at him as he inspected my Mark for him. "Never expected that, huh?" I asked as he stared at the huge Mark in awe.

His eyes moved to me and my breath hitched with all the love he sent. He set the mirror down and hugged me tightly. "Kagome..."

I sighed contently before noticing we were still naked. Blushing, I grabbed the nearest towel and wrapped it around my body.

He growled deeply and pulled me back to him. He switched our position so that the counter dug into my back as he claimed my lips. He took off the towel so that his hands could touch my skin.

I shivered as heat ran though my veins. I thought back to Ayame as she explained the Needing Period and nearly laughed. We were going to stay indoors for a while.

Inuyasha seemed to read my thoughts and smirked. "Shower time?"

I grinned and confirmed it. "Shower time."

We never separated for more than a minute. When I decided to watch the television, (thinking that being stuck at home with the craving for his touch would be better than going out in public and having something happen) he had me sit in his lap with his arms around my waist. When he had to go on the computer for "Boss business" I sat by his side and traced his Mark with my hand lazily, smiling wickedly when he shuddered.

Unfortunately, Inuyasha wouldn't allow me to wear clothes during our Needing time unless I want it ruined at our feet. But thankfully, he did allow me to wear a robe so that I was somewhat covered when anybody would visit. I demanded that he should at least wear his jeans when we spoke clothes and he complied only if I would wear something easy and quick to take off.

I made a face at the memory of that horizontal conversation. It was what brought me where I was now, with my head resting on Inuyasha's chest and his hands clasped just underneath my breasts and his knees drawn up on either side of me. My own knees were drawn up near my body as I flipped through channels, trying to ignore the fact that the sides of my robe were drawn open and Inuyasha was nuzzling my hair and inhaling my scent. I don't think I've ever felt more desired in my life.

Finding nothing on, I sighed and tossed the remote away. "How long do you think the Needing Period will last?" I asked, looking over my shoulder at his face.

"Needing Period?" His brows drew together in confusion before comprehension came. "That's why you were hanging out with Ayame, isn't it?" He chuckled and kissed my neck, igniting more feelings in my temporary overly-sensitive body. My lips parted as my head fell back against his shoulder. "Which explains why you know much about demon mates. Sadly, it only last a couple days."

"Sadly," I repeated and relaxed further against his warm chest. I couldn't help the moan coming out when his hands cupped my breasts as he kissed my face. I began to notice that his skin was much warmer than it was before. "Were you always this hot?"

Inuyasha smirked against my cheek. "I like to think so."

I rolled my eyes and took his hands off of me, already missing the warmth as I tugged the robe tighter to my body. I turned half-way and placed a hand against his forehead. "You're burning up."

He sighed and brushed my hand away. "I'm fine, Kagome. It's just... a side-effect."

His frown told me he wasn't exactly sure. "Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine," he repeated, slightly annoyed. "Your touch cools me down anyways."

I gave him a skeptical look, "That sounds like you made it up."

"It does," he agreed before adding, "But it's true." His hands snaked around me again and I felt the heat through the fabric. "Besides, you're feeling a bit colder. So it might just be you."

"It might..." I said reluctantly. But what if the wound to your soul is causing this? Are you still hurting? I wanted to ask but something inside me told me not to.

"Hey," Inuyasha's hand came to my cheek and caught my attention. "It's alright, okay?" I nodded hesitantly. "If you're that worried, I'll check it up with the Base."

I slowly shook my head. "No. It doesn't really matter if..." I paused but kept my gaze steady, "If we stay together. We even each other out until the Needing Period is over."

I saw something then. A brief flash of emotion passed his face. He watched me with eyes that pleaded for something before hugging me tightly, tucking my head under his chin. "Yeah..." he murmured.

I felt my bottom lip quiver as I curled up as near him as I could get. Oh, Inuyasha... I want to heal your pain. I just wish I knew how. I listened to his heart beat as he held me, thinking of how to help him somehow. Naraku hurt you, but if I kill him, you will die too. He's the only one who knows how to fix it. I have to find him and get some information.

"Kagome," he whispered, "What are you-"

I started when I heard a knock on the door but stayed in his embrace. "What?"

He lifted his head and sniffed. "It's Shippo," he sighed and stood up.

I bit my lip and tightened the robe even further out of nervousness. If I want to find Naraku, I have no doubt that Naraku will show himself. The problem being that I would be willingly walking into his web. My latest dream came back to me and I shuddered. I told myself I'd bring my weapons as I walked into the bedroom and dug through my clothes. I picked out a long-sleeved, lavender shirt with skinny jeans. Hiding an automatic blade on each arm and Midoriko's sword tucked into my black boot.

Inuyasha was holding a blue demon talisman in his hand while explaining to Shippo how it worked when I walked to the door. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'll be right back. I have to run a few errands," I replied and opened the door, feeling something weighing down on my heart when I added, "I'll be back in a half-an-hour."

"Didn't you guys mate?" Shippo asked and I turned with burning cheeks as he added, "What about the time of attraction? Papa said that if I ever find a mate, I have to stay by her side to protect her at all times."

"I-I..." I stopped when I met Inuyasha's piercing gaze. Swallowing the sudden urge to tell him where I was actually going, I spoke again. "I'll be right back," I quickly broke eye contact and closed the door behind me, rushing out to the gate. My soul nearly made me turn back to stay with Inuyasha as I came onto the side walk and I felt colder with each step I took. The Needing Period must be more strict than I thought.

Miasma still hung around in the air as I power-walked in the direction I felt was right. My sacred sword might not be the best idea to use but thankfully, I didn't really need to add too much spiritual power to trigger my automatic swords.

The thin poisonous gas seemed to lure me in the right direction as I walked to a more isolated part of town. It beckoned me to come between two office buildings by manipulating the breeze. Hah, it would be just like Naraku to lure me somewhere where we could be private.

Demonic energies made me look up at the rooftops, barely catching a silhouette in the cloudy sky before it vanished. Great, I thought as I cautiously walked in the alley, He's brought some friends.

The miasma collected in front of me when I was a distance away from the streets and Naraku appeared.

"Nice entrance, Naraku," I said sarcastically as I stopped a few feet away from him.

He ignored my greeting. "You were seeking me out, Kagome?" It was a statement more than a question. "Pets always eventually return to their masters."

I sneered. "I'm not here to return to your hell-home."

Naraku's smile was sinister as he replied. "And I won't force you to come with me, either. You will come of your own accord when you have had enough of this ridiculous lifestyle. Or when Sesshomaru trades you for Rin."

"You've already interfered, Naraku," I growled, calling one blade and wincing when I heard the static of purifying miasma around my arm. "You hurt Inuyasha."

His smirk remained in place. "Careful, Kagome," he warned. My lungs started burning by inhaling the poison but I did nothing to reveal it. "My miasma is much thicker here."

"Figures you would hide behind this," I muttered, tightening my grip on my sword.

"As for Inuyasha. I hadn't harmed him since the demon slayers invaded my gathering."

"Liar! He's dying by something you did to him! But, you've been keeping him alive for some reason..."

"Souta cannot see straight facts when he understands that I am a part of it. His hatred for me overruns his reason."

I tensed. He knows about Souta's abilities!

Naraku chuckled, "I told you that I'm always watching you. Even when you mated with the filthy half-breed. Has your reason been overran as well? You don't even know half of who he really is."

I opened my mouth to retort but thought about it. Did I really know about Inuyasha? Sure he told me a brief story of his past but wouldn't he have told me if Naraku had hurt him? What if it really wasn't Naraku?

"If you follow Rin. She will tell you the answers. Until then."

I stood silently as Naraku vanished and the poison thinned. No answers and more questions, just what I didn't need. I took my time putting my blade safely away. I just need to find Rin now, hopefully she would have at least half the answers to my questions.

"Kagome!"

I sharply looked up and caught Shippo as he fell from the sky. "Shippo? What are you doing here?"

Shippo looked sheepishly away. "Well, you looked worried earlier and Inuyasha and I wanted to know-"

"Inuyasha?" I said in surprise.

Shippo nodded. "He had me transform and follow you in the air. We were up there," he pointed to the rooftops and I felt blood rush away from my face. "He looked so strange after that guy you were talking with disappeared and ran away. I tried to transform after him but it failed and I landed here."

I glanced up at the sky, hoping to see Inuyasha but saw nothing.

"Um, I think he went back home," Shippo offered.

"Great..." I whispered under my breath and started for the apartments, carrying Shippo like an infant to avoid stares for too long.

"Is something wrong?" Shippo asked but I didn't answer.

I let him go after we were safely in the apartments and led him into Miroku's and Sango's room in a pathetic way to waste time before slowly walking into my own. "Inuyasha?"

The microwave beeped and I walked into the small kitchen to watch him pull a steaming mug out. "I'm guessing Shippo told you that we followed you?" he asked without lifting his eyes.

I went around the island across from him. "Yeah, but I-"

"What did Naraku want?" he asked indifferently as he poured a light powder into the drink.

"Nothing really," I replied as I sat down, "Just the same B.S he always gives me."

"Uh-huh..."

"What's that?" I asked as he stirred the liquid.

"Just something my mother gave me when I went into a fit as a child. It really calms me down," he pushed the cup towards me, "Wanna try it? Tell me if it's too bitter or sweet."

I hesitantly accepted the cup. My nerves could calm down a bit. "Inuyasha. You know there's something-"

"Wrong? Yeah, I know. And I was kinda hoping I wouldn't have to tell you," Inuyasha closed the microwave door and sighed. "It doesn't hurt as much as you think, Kagome. I just have to have a certain medicine to fight it off. I had it for at least two hundred years."

My eyes widened in surprise.

"I should've known you would have found out sooner or later." He nodded to the coffee cup in my hands, "You gonna try that or can I have it back."

I looked down and smelled the sweet liquid as I brought it to my lips and drank. I closed my eyes as a wave of peace washed over me. I quickly set it down when I almost fell out of my chair. Inuyasha's hands rested on my shoulders as I tried fighting off a dizzy spell.

"Forgive me," I heard him murmur as he held me upright.

I cringed, already knowing I've been tricked. "What..." I drifted off as he picked me up, my body felt numb at his touch.

"A demon remedy. For humans, it has some aftereffects that will work to my advantage."

I squinted up at him, confused.

"You have some explaining to do, Kagome," He made me lounge on the sofa and he sat next to me with a hard expression.

I tried forming a response, "I should say so too." I closed my eyes against the dizziness before everything faded away.

I opened my eyes and blinked at the darkness of the room before turning my head to see the clock. Five thirty? I thought and slightly relaxed and pulled up the comforters, noticing I was dressed in my pajamas. Was it all a dream?

I heard someone else breath calmly next to me and my hands instantly went up to Inuyasha's dog ears before calming once figuring out that it was him. "Inuyasha..." I whispered, moving to wake him but thought better of it. If it was a dream... I pushed the blanket away and slowly stood up to avoid waking him up.

Buyo grumbled on the other side of the bedroom door, rubbing against my legs in appreciation when I let him in. I picked him up and he nuzzled my neck, sneezing.

"Hey Buyo," I whispered as I walked into the bathroom and looked at the mirror. "Did Inuyasha forget to let you in?"

"Myrrh-ow," he replied as I set him down on the counter to pull on my shirt.

"Seems it wasn't a dream. At least not all of it," I murmured as I stared at my Mark.

Buyo sat on his behind and started licking his paw.

"But when did I fall asleep?" I asked my reflection as I fixed my shirt. I went over the day, waking up with Inuyasha, finding our Marks, going out to see Naraku. My hand clenched tightly, "Inuyasha did something to me."

My cat grumbled low in his throat as I threw the door open and marched into the bedroom.

Inuyasha grunted, instantly awake when I pounced on him and held his wrists to the bed. "What-"

"What'd you do to me, Inuyasha?" I demanded with enough venom to make him cringe.

He sneered and fought against me, making me hold on with everything I have. When he tried to roll over, I called on my spiritual power to give him a bit of the shock. He cried out in pain and surprise as my power crackled around us before glaring at me. "What the fuck?"

"My question is simple, Mate," I smiled viciously down at him. "Answer or you'll get another little love zap."

Inuyasha growled, showing fangs as he fought against me again. I shocked him with my spiritual power again, only enough to sting and burn like a bitch. He arched against me, trying to throw me off as he yelped again. "Are you trying to kill me?" he panted incredulously.

"No, of course not," my brows rose, mockingly innocent as I leaned down to his face. "After taking advantage of me. I'm thinking of doing the same to you."

"You've gone crazy," he breathed as he focused on my eyes.

"Answer. What did you do to me?" My spiritual power crackled in the air as a warning.

He swallowed hard, the last shock taking some energy out of him. "I didn't do anything except ask some questions."

"And you couldn't ask me without drugging me?" I scowled as I brought my face away.

"I didn't drug you," he insisted, "It really was a demon remedy. Too strong for humans to take."

"You gave it to me anyways!"

"I felt that you were keeping something from me," his eyes narrowed, "And apparently you were."

"What? What can I be keeping away from you that was so damn important that you had to make me take a drink meant for demons?" I growled.

He paused before replying more gently, "You went to Sesshomaru behind my back. You've seen Rin a couple times before. You don't even trust that I can take care of you and myself just fine."

I slowly let go of his wrists, revealing small burn marks as I looked down on him. "I have my reasons to keep certain things away from you. Just like you do."

Inuyasha opened his mouth, closed it, and looked to the side. "Keh."

I sighed and pulled his hands close, closing my eyes and calling my spiritual power to heal the wound I made. "Is that all I told you?" I asked and opened my eyes to find him staring at me strangely. "What?"

"You can heal?" he asked.

I shrugged, getting off him. "Yeah, big deal. So can other priestesses too." I felt awkward as I shifted my weight from foot to foot before deciding to get out of there. "Sorry I woke you up. But that's all I'm sorry for, if you can understand."

I joined Buyo on the sofa and hugged him as I thought about what Inuyasha told me. He struggled to get more comfortable in my lap as I ran my fingers through his short fur.

"You are so infuriating, you know that?"

I turned and watched as Inuyasha strode through the door and plopped down next to me to glare at me. "How so?" I asked indifferently, returning to pet my cat.

Inuyasha growled low in his throat, "Besides jumping on me and threatening to purify me? I think you completely lost your mind!"

"You wouldn't have listened to me- or answered- if I didn't," I answered, watching Buyo watch Inuyasha with slitted eyes. "And you shouldn't of locked Buyo out. Now he hates you."

"I don't care about the cat," he grumbled and crossed his arms.

I edged away from him as he glared at the wall until my back rested against the arm of the sofa. "It isn't fair."

"What?"

"It isn't fair that you forced information out of me when I tried not to get much out of you," I answered softly, letting Buyo go and he ran to the kitchen. Inuyasha's low growling stopped as I waited for another reply.

Cushions adjusted as Inuyasha moved before he asked with a sigh, "What do you want to know...?"

I turned to see that he sat cross legged, facing me. I shook my head, "How do I know you're not going to lie? I don't exactly trust you now."

His ears twitched and drooped slightly as he frowned. His arms uncrossed and rested on his legs, "You'll sense it."

I rose a brow.

He sighed, "We're mates. Every mate can sense when something's wrong. It was why I grew suspicious of you earlier. You felt troubled and I wanted to know if I can take care of it."

"Okay..." I turned to him, "Let's start with an easy question. When did you get hurt?"

His brows drew together in confusion before he understood. "About two hundred years ago."

"Why?"

He snorted, "Half-demons were looked down upon in the past. Even then, the demon I fought with hated me personally."

"Was it Naraku?"

"...No. It was a witch. I didn't meet Naraku face to face 'til Blood Lust with you."

Lie. I noted when I felt something tell me it wasn't right. "But you heard of him before."

"How do you know?"

"Souta sees more than anybody else can see. He sees you with Naraku on mutual terms."

He tensed. "Yeah? Alright. I might have had a few run ins with him. But I swear I didn't know him then."

"Who gave you medicine for your pain?" I paused when he looked indecisive and reworded it. "Who's giving you medicine?"

"I don't need it that much when I'm with you. Seeing you heal told me why."

He didn't answer. I saved the question for later. "I don't know how to heal a wound to the soul."

"But, somehow, you do. What confuses me is that you're excelling in using your spiritual power for offense." He gave me a strange look as he tried seeing something he couldn't see within me.

"What do you mean?"

He blinked. "Well, priestesses usually are only good in one category out of three. That's what the Base found out a couple years ago. It's either offense, defense, or healing. But you've been fighting and healing."

"So?"

"It makes me wonder if you can erect strong barriers too," he said, "We might need to visit Totosai again. He might know something about this."

"Anyways... you didn't answer my question," I pointed out.

Inuyasha grimaced slightly. "Kikyou. She's saving me."

"Kikyou...? But she's human, how can she have saved you two hundred years ago?"

His grimace deepened like he didn't want to tell me. "Not exactly... she's not exactly human. The reason I hung around her was because she didn't mind my company for years. We need each other to live."

"How?" I asked. I felt a small pain in my heart hearing that Kikyou's been saving Inuyasha all this time.

"Well, she used to be completely human, and Naraku's past plaything." He scowled, "I saved her while my soul was injured and she repaid me by healing it. Unfortunately, it wouldn't go away completely and I visited her every time it got too bad."

"What happens if it does?" I asked.

"It's ugly," he shook his head in disgust, "My blood leaves my body until I'm drained and dead. And it hurts like hell too." He paused before continuing with the story, "Anyways, the medicine leaves some sort of effect on me. I can't figure out what's wrong but something is when I take it. Kikyou discovered a spell when I thought I was going to die when she was and she takes my demonic energy to sustain her life while I live mine."

"Black magic," I muttered. "It's always bad news. I'm warning you, Inuyasha, some day it's gonna backfire on the both of you."

"How do you know?"

I smiled slightly, "You sent me on missions before. I killed a few demons using black magic. It's actually surprising you don't know about it and I do."

"What exactly is it?"

I sighed, "Well, it's usually used when someone wishes to kill, steal, injure, and all kinds of bad destruction. When someone uses it, it's definitely for personal gain."

"But Kikyou isn't like that," he defended.

I have my doubts, I mentally replied. "If it isn't, it's going to be. It eventually corrupts the user to no return. But since Kikyou's a priestess too, I guess she knows what to do about it."

Inuyasha looked relieved, which made my jealous heart ache more.

"So..." I decided to quickly change the subject. "How long have you two been together?"

He was a bit confused but once again understood. "At least two months. Give or take a few days," he said reluctantly with a frown.

"...Right..." I said after a moment of trying to feel for lies.

His shoulders fell as he stared at me. "Hey, there's nothing between us now besides our link to survive."

"Uh-huh," I said, not exactly feeling well when I felt a twinge of a lie. "Who else knows?"

"Sesshomaru and his mate. They're the only people I know who knows."

I nodded, keeping my sight away from his face. It wasn't that hard when Buyo jumped up and rubbed against my head, meowing that he wants to be fed. I ignored the fact that he needed to go on a diet and followed him into the kitchen. I grabbed a bag of dry food and poured it into one of the bowls by the trash can and watched as Buyo reluctantly ate it.

I didn't even react when Inuyasha's arms pulled me back against his chest and held me. "Is there anything else you've been hiding from me?" I asked.

"I can ask the same question and I bet you won't answer, would you?" he muttered but I didn't sense any hatred in his voice.

I nodded hesitantly and felt his grip tighten when I tried to leave. Being in his arms right now didn't feel right, especially after our talk. "Inuyasha..."

"I don't want to fight over this. I don't want to say anything to make you distance yourself from me. Your presence makes me feel better than I have felt in a long time."

I turned around and relaxed against him. "I'm not distancing myself from you. I'm just a bit peeved that you didn't tell me about Kikyou sooner."

"You were jealous when you saw me and Kikyou together at the mall," he pointed out, "I think-"

I lifted my head to look up at him, "You better tell me everything that needs to be told now. I don't think I can deal with everything coming a piece at a time."

"I told you everything you need to know about Kikyou."

I nodded and allowed him to pick me up and carry me back to the bedroom. He laid next to me, holding himself up with an elbow. I smiled up at him. "You're quick to forgive me for shocking you," I commented as he kissed my forehead.

"You had your reasons. I had mine," he murmured. "And since we're mates for life, I don't think having a deep grudge against you would be smart."

I sighed. "How 'bout just saying that if you never use me again, I won't shock you in return?"

"Fair enough." He kissed my lips and his other arm rested on the other side of me.

I smirked against his mouth and brought my hand up to grab his neck, keeping him close as my lips moved against his.

Inuyasha growled in approval as one of his hands drifted down to my hips and came back up, bringing my shirt up with it.

I broke the kiss and he took that chance to whip off my shirt. "Is it me or are you sex-crazed?" I moaned as his lips fell on my breast.

"It's definitely you, Mate," he purred against my skin. "I never met anyone like you."

My fingers tangled in his hair as we showed how much we love each other for the rest of the morning.

"I'm gonna try to find Rin."

Inuyasha scowled slightly. The Needing Period was officially over when I realized that his touch wasn't as hot (literally. He can still make my blood boil when he wants to) and I didn't feel as cold to him. It was the perfect time to go out. "I can come with you, right?"

"That's the problem. Naraku says he's always watching me. If I don't come alone, he might not reveal Rin to me." I explained as I slipped on my shoes. "I have a feeling that he knew that you were hovering by when we met last time. Which was why he didn't give me that much information."

He frowned. "You're not gonna try to save her."

I looked up and grimaced. "Believe me when I say I want to, Inuyasha. But it's not time. In a month, you'll get her back."

"I know..." he muttered as he stood up from his spot on the sofa. "But then I'll lose you."

"Hopefully," I started, "It'll only be for a day."

"Hopefully." He sighed, "Well, be careful. I gotta get going too."

I tried hiding my disappointment. It was obvious he was going to see Kikyou again for the medicine. "Alright," I forced a cheerful note in my voice. "See you soon." I quickly left.

It wasn't hard to find Rin. When I heard music, I automatically assumed it was her and sure enough, she was playing her guitar.

She barely spared me a glance when I sat down next to her. "You've been Marked by Inuyasha?" she asked quietly, not taking her eyes off the ground.

"What does Naraku know that I don't?"

"Kikyou isn't safe for him," she explained, shaking her head. "I knew when I first met the two- back when I was taken in by Lord Sesshomaru- that there was something wrong with them."

"I know about them. Kikyou's using dark magic to live and save Inuyasha."

Rin shook her head again. "It's not that. She's using Inuyasha to live. That's all. The "medicine" she's giving him is making him her slave. It's numbing the pain in his soul. Not healing it."

My brows raised. "Why would she want him as her slave?"

Rin met my eyes solemnly. "If Inuyasha ever found out about the scam. He would definitely leave. Maybe reluctantly, but still... the second Kikyou stops taking his power, she will die, and she knows it."

Inuyasha's meeting with Kikyou today. "Do you know where she is?"

She smirked slightly, "Even better, I can give you her address. Just, please save Inuyasha from her. I'd rather he die without her." She dug in her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"I'll try." I stood up and nodded to her, "Thank you."

Rin nodded, finishing her song. "There's something else..." she said before I left, "Inuyasha might still be head over heels for her. With or without the spell."

A/N: Don't forget to review! The next chapter is sure to be twice as long as this one. Yay for you! ;D