Stand my Ground

Kagome was pissed now.

Apparently Hakudoshi was planning on having company, otherwise this wouldn't be happening so soon. He was going to complete the mark, she knew. He was going to rape her, mark her again as his mate.

Yet she wasn't scared. Sesshoumaru had provided her with more than enough protection in that pack mark he left on her. The scar had yet to return, so it was still in effect. She would be protected from Hakudoshi's advances for the time being.

Right now she was just pissed. Inuyasha had her wrists bound behind her back, she was wearing a tank top that was only held together with a few threads, and she was still wet and cold. Not the best condition to be in. More than that, she could still feel the bruises Inuyasha had left on her. Only his crooked nose was any consolation on that matter. She had busted him up pretty good when she had fought back.

Hakudoshi glared at her. "I want to know something, witch." he hissed. "Why is it that I can't touch you? I would have taken you sooner, while you were still asleep, but I couldn't. What kind of charm do you use to protect yourself?"

Kagome shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know. Why don't you ask Sesshoumaru? I'm sure he'll be happy to tell you – after he kills you."

"You hold far too much faith in that insolent pup."

"You're not much more than a pup yourself, Hakudoshi." she spat. "And don't forget – I can take you. I'm strong enough to do it."

He chuckled darkly. "I have no doubt of that. If Kouga hadn't interfered when he had, I would have been the one dead. It doesn't matter though. I won't make the same mistake twice." With that he stepped closer and punched her in the stomach. Kagome doubled over, coughing as she fell to her knees. Inuyasha gave her ropes a sharp jerk, forcing her painfully to her feet. She gritted her teeth, determined not to cry out. She would not let them get the better of her. She was stronger than that.

She had to be.

"Inuyasha, put her back in the cellar. Fill it with water this time. After a few moments, she will be more willing to cooperate."

Kagome felt him jerk in surprise. "Hakudoshi, that's even crueler than something I would do!" he exclaimed. "You want to make Sesshoumaru madder at us than he already is?!"

Hakudoshi glared at him. "Don't question me, Inuyasha."

"Drop her."

That voice made Hakudoshi and Inuyasha jump, but Kagome just smiled as she looked up.

Sesshoumaru stood there, his markings ragged and his eyes blood red. His fangs had grown longer, as had his claws. It was clear he was ready for battle, and in that moment he had never looked so beautifully feral.

She stood straight once again. Now she had a reason to stand her ground.

/---/

It hadn't taken them long to reach Kaede's farm. Naraku had instructed the couple to stay inside. The last thing they needed was more demons involved in the fight. Bad enough that Sesshoumaru and Naraku, each who had an emotional tie to the girl, were going to be there. Kagura, at the very least, was female – while her instincts to protect her friend were just as strong, they manifested in a different way. She would not be a danger to anyone.

Sesshoumaru had unleashed his demonic side by the time they reached the farm. He needed to talk, to be able to tear Hakudoshi down like he hadn't been able to do the first time, and besides, there was no way he could rein in his anger and fear.

It was fuel to the fire, so to speak.

Hakudoshi had been shocked, but now he was starting to regain his footing. "She is mine, Sesshoumaru. I claimed her first." he bragged.

Crimson eyes narrowed in disgust. "Against her will." he spat out. "Let her choose who she will – besides, you cannot touch her."

"I've noticed." came the drawled response. "I don't suppose you had anything to do with this?"

"I protect my pack, Hakudoshi. My instincts aren't that weak."

Hakudoshi merely smiled. "You won't do anything, Sesshoumaru. If anything, you will submit to me peacefully. One wrong move – " he motioned towards Kagome – "and I'll kill her. Pure and simple."

"I hope I get to smear your guts across the sidewalk." Kagome muttered, adding on a few rather descriptive words to the statement. Sesshoumaru smirked at her, waiting to see where this one went. "I mean, seriously, I find out you're planning on raping me, so I run away. Now you've finally tracked me down, and I find out that you're planning on doing it AGAIN! Honestly, don't you have any decency at all?"

Inuyasha jerked on her ropes again. The smell of burned flesh stained the air as he screamed, stumbling away from the girl. Sango quickly darted forward, along with the rest of the group.

Sango and Miroku went to Kagome, the others unable to do anything at the moment. Her powers were flaring, out of her control, and it was all she could do to keep it away from her friends. "What's happening?"

"Your powers are reacting to the situation." Miroku said calmly, taking a small pocket knife and cutting through the ropes. "Don't worry about it – if you don't want it to harm someone, it won't."

Kagome looked up at the others. Sesshoumaru had taken on Hakudoshi, while Naraku and Kagura were facing off against Inuyasha. She took a deep, shuddering breath.

Stand my ground / I won't give in / no more denying / I got to face it

"Sesshoumaru, stand down!" she called out, staggering to her feet. Slowly, she stepped forward, drawing the attention of the two demons.

"Kagome, get back!"

"No, Sesshoumaru." she said quietly. "Not this time. This is my battle." She looked Hakudoshi dead in the eye, and everyone but him was surprised by what she said next.

"I will be the one to end this."

/---/

AN: Obviously not the last chapter. What happens next? Review, and I'll put up the next chapter.