Disclaimer - I do not nor have I ever claimed to own InuYasha

Hi all

juusan'ya was kind enough to let me know that I'd use the wrong word for son in the last chapter (it should of been musuko) - I wish to let everyone know that I'm sorry, as soon as I can I will change it. Thanks juusan'ya I appreicate the heads up.

WARNING - I use a few swear words of the strong nature in this chapter so consider yourself warned.

I'm not 100 happy with this chapter, I just can't seem to get it to play out right but hopefully it doesn't suck too badly and I will keep working on it till I get it perfect, but because of where the last chapter and this one have gone I'm struggling a bit with the next chapter. So it might take me a bit longer to update. SORRY - I'll try real hard not to make you wait too long.

Anyway thanks in advance for reading and please don't forget to tell me what you think

KittyKaiya

Chapter 26 – Fighting the one you love.

The serene peaceful air was shattered as InuYasha's rage exploded in a burst a pure utter rage. The savage anger in his voice was heard for miles around. Back at the village inside Lady Kaede's hut their friends exchanged nervous glances before grabbing their respective weapons and taking off towards the sacred tree.

"WHAT? THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I'M DOING THAT!"

"InuYasha please" Kagome tried to calm him to no avail.

"LIKE FUCK ARE WE FIGHTING"

InuYasha was fuming and trying desperately to come to terms with the fact that these powers, whatever they were, wanted him to fight Kagome. Wanted and required him to do so. What could they be thinking? What purpose would it serve? There was no way he would do it, no way he would willing hurt her.

"They didn't say it had to be a fight to the death" she offered but that only seemed to piss him off further.

He spun around sharply and punched a tree, splinting its trunk and sending it crashing into the forest floor. Kagome jumped in surprise, clutching her hand to her chest. In all the battles she had witnessed she had never seen him filled with this sort of rage before and it was a little frightening to say the least.

Kagome's neck burned with the conflicting and savage emotions InuYasha was feeling, it was beginning to make her light headed. She resisted the urge to 'sit' him, knowing full well that would serve to anger him further. She struggled to think of a way to make him calm down enough to listen.

InuYasha was swearing black and blue and taking his anger out on the trees of the forest when Miroku and the others finally reached them. Shaken and visibly distressed by InuYasha's behaviour Miroku dared not approach him or Kagome. Instead he nudged Sango gently towards the miko. Sango nodded her understanding of his actions; in the rage InuYasha was; he would likely attack Miroku or any other male for that matter who dared to approach his mate. Without intent, InuYasha would have acted on instinct.

Sango carefully made her way over to Kagome, keeping her eyes on the enraged hanyou at all times. She noticed that even though he had not acknowledged their presence, he did have one ear twitching in Miroku's direction.

"Kagome" Sango whispered.

Under the weight of InuYasha's raging emotions, Kagome had sunk onto her knees; she looked briefly up at Sango.

"What is going on Kagome?" she asked cautiously, her eyes flicking quickly over to InuYasha "What happened here?"

"They want us…they said we have to.." she began but was cut off as InuYasha let out another growl.

"They who?" Sango asked

"The presence within me" Kagome flinched as InuYasha tore down another tree.

Sango knelt beside Kagome.

"What did they say Kagome?"

Kagome looked over to InuYasha before answering, "They said we have to fight"

"LIKE HELL IS THAT HAPPENING" InuYasha roared as he turned back to face Kagome

Sango and Miroku both gasped at Kagome's answer and InuYasha's outburst. That can't be right thought Sango as she tried to processes what possible reason there could be for the two of them to fight.

InuYasha stood there starring at Kagome, he could barely contain the strength of the violent rage he was feeling. His body trembled from clenching his muscles so tightly and for the first time he felt his demon side rise even with the tetsusaiga by his side.

The voice rose in Kagome's mind as she returned InuYasha's stare.

This must be

But why

The vessel needs to learn

Learn what?

Control in battle

But why do I have to fight InuYasha

For him to learn

But he already knows how to fight what could he possibly need to learn

Our strength

He won't fight me

Make him

How?

Turn him

Turn him? I don't understand

You will

Kagome dragged her eyes from InuYasha and looked at Sango, then to Miroku. Her neck flared slightly as her eyes made contact with Miroku's. He's jealous she thought briefly maybe I can use that. A plan began to formulate in her mind.

That will work

The voice responded as she rose to her feet.

It had better

Kagome took a deep breathe to bolster her courage. Suddenly she embraced Sango, catching the demon slayer off guard.

"No matter what happens Sango, do not interfere" she whispered

"What? What do you mean? Kagome what's going on?" Sango didn't understand any of what was happening.

"Promise Sango, you won't interfere and keep Miroku out of it as well" Kagome begged her friend

"Kagome…I…I don't understand" Sango stuttered

"Please Sango, you have to promise" Kagome insisted, the urgency in her voice evident in every word.

Still unsure what had happened or what Kagome planned to do that required her to promise to stay out of it, Sango was reluctant to agree to anything. She felt Kagome squeeze her tighter and there was something in the embrace that seemed to be trying to settle her nerves.

"OK, Kagome, I promise"

"Thank you Sango"

Kagome squeezed Sango again for a brief second before releasing her. Sango watched her take a deep breath and heard her whisper "I hope this works".

Kagome glanced over at InuYasha, who at the present moment was punching other tree and growling. She then turned her focus on Miroku, straightening her shoulders she walked over to the monk. Miroku had been so focused on InuYasha that he was unaware of the fate that was about to befall him.

Kagome came to stand in front of Miroku breaking his line of sight on InuYasha. He blinked several times and then gave her his normal lop sided grin. He was about to say something when Kagome launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips against his.

Before he could return the unexpected kiss Kagome pulled away.

"Forgive me Miroku" she whispered.

Even in his current state, InuYasha had sensed Kagome leave Sango's side and he turned to watch her walk towards Miroku. The anger he felt over the idea that he was supposed to fight Kagome fell away as his jealousy rose at the sight of his mate going to another male. The emotion spiked as he watched her wrap her arms around Miroku's neck and when she kissed him, it exploded.

Miroku's eyes widen in shock, then pleasure as he realized that Kagome just kissed him but as his ears registered the threatening growl of InuYasha, he was filled with absolute terror.

"Ohh shit" he said plainly. He dared not look over Kagome's shoulder for fear he would be looking at the instrument of his death.

"You son of a bitch" InuYasha roared "Get your filthy dirty hands of my bitch" Clenching his fists InuYasha charged towards them.

Then things seemed to go in slow motion to everyone watching as the enraged hanyou approached his mate. In a move that seemed to defy belief Kagome turned around and using one hand she gripped InuYasha's waist and spun them both around, away from Miroku. With the other hand she grabbed the hilt of the tetsusaiga and removed both the sword and its sheath from his side. InuYasha was unaware that he had been disarmed. Kagome tossed the weapon at Miroku's feet.

As they completed the spin Kagome pressed both hands to his chest and using her strength she shoved InuYasha away. InuYasha staggered back and dropped to one knee. InuYasha stayed that way for a few moments, head down and his glorious silver hair covering his face. His breathing heavy and short as he tried to figure out what just happened.

"Ka..go..me" he said through clenched teeth "What the hell are you doing?"

"Huh…you dare to question us" she said, her voice uncharacteristically harsh.

"WHAT?" he growled

"What makes you think you can question us?"

InuYasha's growling increased "As my mate I'll ask you anything I damn want"

Kagome intentionally hardening her voice and her gaze before answering.

"That fact can be easily changed"

InuYasha's head snapped up, his eyes full of rage "WHAT"

His mind was swimming in confused thoughts and emotions. And the emotions he was feeling from Kagome weren't helping. Did his mate just challenge him? He wasn't sure but as he starred at her he felt the fragile grip he had on his control slipping. He tried to reach into her mind but found she had closed herself off to him, little bitch he thought.

Kagome watch the range of emotions play out on InuYasha's face and she could see that he was valiantly trying to control them. His breathing and slight trembling betrayed his inner battle. All he needs is a little push she thought. Straightening her shoulders, she returned his glare.

"Pathetic…you think you are demon enough to call us mate" she spat.

InuYasha's eyes blazed red at her words, his control snapped and he lunged at her. The change into his demon side complete as he reached her.

"You bitch" he snarled as his hand wrapped around her throat.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sango saw Miroku bend down to pick up the tetsusaiga. She would have yelled at him to put it down but she didn't want InuYasha's attention diverted to her. Although she couldn't believe that this is what Kagome truly wanted she had given her word not to interfere, so against her better judgment she would keep out of it.

Cautiously she made her way over to Miroku. Thankfully he had the presence of mind to not cry out to InuYasha as she thought he would; nor did he move from where he stood. Miiroku noticed Sango moving towards him, as she reached his side he instinctively wrapped arm around her waist so he could whisper in her ear.

"What is going on?"

"I'm not sure but it's what Kagome wants" she answered "We have to stay out of it" Sango lowered her head slightly as she felt her cheeks heat up from Miroku's warm breath.

Miroku merely nodded before his attention was once again consumed by the sight of InuYasha and Kagome. Without realizing it he left his arm protectively circling Sango waist.

Kagome clutched one hand around InuYasha wrist while the other pushed against his chest. InuYasha squeezed a little tighter around her neck and raised her up until the tips of her toes rested on the ground. His growled at her, she growled back. Curling her hand that was against his chest into a fist she slammed it into his stomach, causing him to double over but not enough to release her throat.

InuYasha stumbled forward as the air was driven out of his lungs. Kagome took a gulp of air as her feet touched the ground. InuYasha snarled at her. His mind was all over the place, all he knew in his current condition was that this female; his mate had challenged his dominance of her. He shook her roughly before slapping her with his free hand.

"Bitch will obey" he snarled

He threw Kagome to the ground. He stood over her flexing his claws waiting for her to make a move. And move she did. Leaping up and out of his reach Kagome bared her own fangs and claws.

"We will not obey" she snarled back at him.

The air around them had grown still and cold, nothing moved or made a sound. An eerie silence stretched between the two lovers as they glared at one another. Sango and Miroku watched with baited breath waiting for one of them to strike, fearful of what would happen when they did.

Suddenly InuYasha and Kagome charged at each, fangs bared and claws drawn. They came together in a heated clash. Striking each other with claws and fists, neither one was holding back. The ground shook as InuYasha drove Kagome's back into a tree before she savagely threw him to the side.

InuYasha drove his own claws into his chest to draw blood and roared "blades of blood" as he struck out at her. Kagome leapt to the side but not before her thigh received a nasty gash. She in turn summoned a blast of white energy and hurtled it at him, grazing his shoulder and drawing blood.

The fight dragged on and on, both giving as good as they were receiving. The ground around them steadily was becoming scarred by their deadly battle.

Somewhere on the other side of the forest, Sesshomaru stood up starring in the direction of the sacred tree. Something is his blood pulled at him. He fought the urge to give in to it but as his instincts grew stronger and stronger he could no longer fight it. He growled low and hard before taking off in a blur of white fur, leaving a stunned Rin and an opened mouth Jaken behind.

Sesshomaru could feel his blood pulsating through his body, urging him on, driving him faster and faster towards the sacred tree that had held InuYasha for so many years. The air brought not only the screams of battle but the stench of blood. He was easily able to determine the blood of his half brother, the other he believed to be Kagome and as the scent grew stronger his bodily reaction to it confirmed that it was her.

Damn, what the hell is going on? He thought. He knew that his honor would demand he protect Kagome as she would one day bare the heirs to the royal blood line but he had no idea that the urge to do so would be this strong. He was unable to fight it. His growl intensified the closer he got to Kagome, he would kill whoever was attacking her and he smiled wickedly as he realized he would enjoy it too.

Kagome struggled to stand but stand she did, breathing heavily and hard as she faced InuYasha. He too was having trouble remaining on his feet but even in his transformed state his instincts told him she was his mate and he could not nor would he bow down to her.

The trees and ground around them bore the evidence of their lengthy and savage battle. Trees were torn down and those that weren't were split, the ground scorched from Kagome's energy blasts and stain with both their blood.

InuYasha lunged at Kagome and struck her with his claws drawing even more blood. Kagome screamed as she hit back at him also drawing blood. InuYasha once again grabbed Kagome around the throat. It was at this moment that Sesshomaru burst through the trees. Without seeing who held Kagome off the ground, Sesshomaru crashed into InuYasha sending both him and Kagome sprawling onto the ground.

Sesshomaru stood over InuYasha, his cold eyes darting between his half brother and Kagome. He couldn't figure out what the hell was going, he had sensed Kagome in danger but he never expected to find this. He growled at InuYasha to an attempt to gain his attention and an answer. He was stunned to find him in his transformed state. His confusion at why InuYasha was attacking his mate and why he didn't have the tetsusaiga flashed in his usually expressionless eyes.

InuYasha returned Sesshomaru's growl. In his enraged condition he had failed to sense Sesshomaru's approach and that pissed him off further. He lunged at Sesshomaru.

Kagome dragged herself off the ground, her body screaming it's reluctance to do so. Everything ached. Her vision was slightly blurred with blood from the wound on her forehead but she could still make out that Sesshomaru and InuYasha were now fighting. InuYasha seemed to be fighting with a new sense of urgency and aggression. Both his and Sesshomaru's attacks were more lethal than normal.

Where did he come from? She asked herself. What the hell is he doing here?

Protecting the future

What future?

The future of their blood line

Keh…

We must stop them

No kidding, Sesshomaru will kill InuYasha

We will not allow it

Kagome felt a familiar warmth build within her core, growing stronger with every beat of her heart. Her tired and worn out muscles flexed with a new found strength, her blood surged through her with a force unlike anything she had felt before. Her breathing slowed in contradiction to her exhausted state. The air around her began to swirl and crack with an unseen charge. Her vision cleared even as her eyes blazed with the colour of blood.

The power emanating from Kagome's body pulsed with every beat of her heart and it lashed out like whips cracking, striking the ground around her with white flashes. As the power inside her increased so did the intensity of the flashes. The wind around her gathered strength ruffling her clothes and throwing her hair about her face in wild abandon.

Suddenly she threw her head back and screamed.

"ENOUGH"

The energy inside Kagome exploded in a massive burst that sent shock waves of blinding white light through the air, engulfing everyone and everything. The blast waves knocked those that were standing to the ground.

"What the…?" InuYasha grumbled as he dragged his head up to stare at Sesshomaru.

InuYasha struggled to remember what had happened. His mind was a little fuzzy on the details but he clearly remembered that the voices inside Kagome wanted him to fight her but he refused. Then the remembered Sango and Miroku showing up but he had no idea when or why Sesshomaru was here. He turned his head and saw Miroku rising from the ground clutching the tetsusaiga. What's he doing with tetsusaiga he thought briefly, then the memory of Kagome kissing Miroku came to him and he growled.

Miroku heard InuYasha growl and could feel his eyes on him. He made eye contact and wished for a second he hadn't. He mouthed the word 'sorry'. InuYasha vaguely remembered wanting to rip out the human's throat. He closed his eyes as he fought to remember what had happened next. Kagome, something to do with Kagome, the memory was right there; teasing him. InuYasha snorted before returning his gaze to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru was not looking at him but at someone else. From InuYasha's position on the ground he couldn't see what held his brother's attention. With great effort he maneuvered himself up onto his knees and as he raised his head he saw what held Sesshomaru's interest.

Kagome.

InuYasha breath caught in his throat. The woman he loved was standing several feet away from him, surrounded in a brilliant glowing light, the air around her swirling. Her body pulsating with energy and her eyes the colour of blood. She's magnificent he thought.

He then noticed that her clothes were torn and bloody. The scent of her blood was all around and it began to overpower him. His stomach twisted as he realized that the scent was strongest on him, on his clothes, his hands, his claws and in his mouth.

His mind became a tangle mess as he tried to comprehend how and why he was covered in her blood. His head throbbed and his chest tightened; he felt physically sick as the memory final hit him.

"I…I changed….I transformed" he stuttered, his voice low and barely a whisper. He brought his hands to face, shaking he starred at her blood. "Why? Why Kagome?"

"It was the only way" Kagome's voice echoed lightly through the air "We had no choice, we had to learn"

InuYasha looked up at Kagome, tears welling in his eyes. The shame he felt at attacking her evident on his face. She met his gaze without anger or pain.

"We needed to learn and so did you. The vessel will strengthen" Kagome slowly began to walk towards InuYasha. The energy flares coming from Kagome's body continued to strike the ground but now with less uncontrollable abandon.

As she knelt down in front of him she raised her hand and caressed his cheek. Warmth flooded from Kagome and surrounded him, embracing and comforting him. InuYasha leaned his face into her palm. He felt himself giving into the weariness that filled his entire body.

"Forgive me" his whispered in a gentle growl.

"Shhh….saiai, there is nothing to forgive it is as it should be" she murmured watching him fight against the tears he so desperately wanted to shed.

"How can you call me that now?"

"How can we not? You are the one that is vital to our survival"

InuYasha tried to respond but Kagome silenced him with a gentle kiss and whispered against his lips "Rest now, the final battle is fast approaching"

InuYasha struggled against the black escape offered by the sleep that entered his mind but his strength betrayed him. He collapsed forward into Kagome's arms; the last thing he felt was Kagome wrapping her arms around him.

"Sleep Saiai, greater challenges are still to be faced" Kagome whispered against his forehead.