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((Decisions))

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Kagome hissed in pain as the private doctor gently set her arm, a pained look on her face. Miroku sat beside her along with Sango, and her mother sat on her other side, a comforting hand stroking her hair as the doctor apologized quietly. "That was close," Miroku muttered furiously, "Too close. How did he get past security?"

"Who cares?" Kagome said tiredly, simply wanting sleep after the events of the day and the medication. "He got past them. He's still out there, looking for me. Did you guys release to the press that I'm okay now?" Only she would worry about the worried fans.

"Yeah," Sango reassured, smiling. "You should of seen the relief on some of the fans hanging out front- damn it, you bastard, would you mind not storming in as if hellhounds are on your heels?!"

Kagome rolled her eyes, recognizing the reference to Sango's current obsession and instead gave her growling boyfriend a reassuring look. "It's not so bad," she reassured, "It could have been worse, Inuyasha. I jumped out of a car for heaven's sake!"

He glared viciously, furious. "And that," he hissed, "Is supposed to make me feel better? I'm supposed to be your mate. I couldn't even protect you from something like that."

Kagome listened intently as her mother said something in Japanese, then translated quietly, "Oka-san says it's not your fault, you didn't know he would try something like that in front of that many people."

Inuyasha didn't listen, growling furiously at nobody in particular. As soon as the doctor had finished plastering her arm, Kagome stood and went to give him a gentle kiss to the cheek. She wasn't surprised when he tightly wrapped an arm around her, burying his face in her hair, more than just a little relieved that she was alive. "Damn it," he rasped. "I'll kill that bastard. I have the power to hunt him down now that he's done something like that."

"Don't you dare," Kagome hissed, reaching up to tug sharply on the side-locks on either side of his head. "Don't you dare go after him."

Inuyasha growled in response, glowering into her eyes. "I'll chase after him if I want, wench," he snapped. "He's out for blood and I'll give it to him."

"You do that," Kagome threatened, her eyes flashing furiously, "And you'll be lucky if I ever talk to you again, Inuyasha. I don't want you getting hurt because of me-"

"It isn't your fault, Kagome," Miroku said sharply, eyes narrowed. "Hiten has broken multiple demon laws now. He can be hunted down and dealt with so he doesn't bother either of you ever again. If you're worried about Inuyasha, he's strong enough to deal with the guy now."

"And I don't want Inuyasha to be the one with blood on his hands." Kagome shot Sango a desperate plea for help, and Sango bit her lip before looking away. She didn't want to become involved in this. Furious, Kagome returned her attention to the practically hissing half-demon. "Inuyasha, please! Just...let someone else get him."

He gave her an icy look that was near that of his brother's. "No."

Tears gathered in Kagome's eyes and she finally shoved away, ignoring the pain that raced up her arm. Though it must have shown on her face, because his expresion softened and he gently reached out to grab the arm now wrapped in a cast. But Kagome jerked away, refusing to let him touch her. "Leave me alone," was all she said before turning and disappearing out of a doorway.

Hikari stared after her then turned to Miroku and said something that nobody else understood. "She says that Kagome is stubborn and doesn't want to get anyone else in a problem she sees as her own. She blames herself for Hiten going after and doesn't want anyone to get hurt."

Inuyasha flattened his ears. "I have the right-"

Hikari held up a hand to interrupt. "She, err, Aunt Hikari says that you don't have any right though I'm not sure how she caught on to what you were saying..." Miroku frowned, listening, then translated again, "Aunt Hikari says that she likes you, but you need to back off for a bit. Do it in secret if you must, and she says-" He broke off cursing in Japanese and demanded something that Hikari answered with a smug smile.

"What?" Sango questioned curiously. "What did she say?"

"Kagome..." Miroku struggled to think of how to word what he'd just heard. "Hikari says that if you have to, lock Kagome up." A grin spread across his face, amused. "Lock her up, chain her down, and go get Hiten 'cause she's tired of worrying over Kagome."

"You're serious?" Inuyasha muttered, snickering.

"And if you do that, I swear on every sacred thing in the world that I will never speak to you again." Kagome had returned to grab something she'd forgotten and now glared furiously at everyone. Hikari blinked innocently at her daughter. Inuyasha gave her a challenging glare.

"I have to go after Hiten, Kagome," Inuyasha said, speaking softly in hopes that he could convince her, though they both knew he would go anyways.

"Fine," Kagome said suddenly, throwing her arms up in the air with a scowl on her face. "Go after Hiten. You're welcome to, but if you do you can forget about being anywhere near me again." He frowned and she narrowed her eyes. "I'm going to give you an ultimatum, Inuyasha." His eyes widened with surprise and she forced a smile onto her face. "You can listen to me or you can go after Hiten. But if you go after Hiten, you won't be seeing me, ever again."

"Kagome," Sango said quietly, standing now, "Don't be over dramatic, he just-"

"Nobody survives Hiten," Kagome said quietly, "And I don't want another one I love to die. Why can't you just let the officials get him?"

"Because there are no officials for demon laws," Inuyasha said simply. "Demons deal with their own problems." His gaze softened and he walked over to her to pull her to him, ignoring her attempts to get away. "Kagome, listen to me, wench." She fell silent, looking up at him, and he rested his forehead against hers. "I'll be fine. Hiten won't be able to touch me. Just keep yourself safe while I'm out, alright? I'll check in with you ever few hours. We don't need one of those stupid ultimatums."

"...you'll check in?" she said in a small voice.

"I'll check in," he confirmed, kissing her head. "I'll have a couple people come with me. That make you feel better?" She gave a muffled sigh, and he chuckled. "I'll come back before night falls, I promise." That said, he gave her forehead a kiss, then vanished out of the room, leaving the other occupants in silence.

Miroku cleared his throat awkwardly. "How about a game of non-betting poker?"

Sango rolled her eyes, Hikari giggled, as if understanding what he'd said, and Kagome simply stared at the door, counting down the minutes.

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A/N: I am so, SO sorry about the wait. o.o I didn't have any muse whatsoever, and this fanfiction isn't as fun anymore for me, so... I hope you enjoyed anyhow though. |D