Chapter 11

Yusuke's heart stopped before it dropped, falling hard into his twisting gut. His palms grew sweaty, and blood ran cold. Over the course of 24 hours, the amount of possessiveness he felt for Kagome had only multiplied, and seeing that jerk Inu-whatever holding her had him beyond furious. All he'd heard about the half-demon was of his foul temper and demeaning treatment of Kagome, sure there had been a couple good things thrown in there, but overall, Yusuke didn't like anyone that made Kagome cry: and that bastard had made her cry too many times.

Across from him, Inuyasha was cradling Kagome to his chest. His eyes closed and nose buried into her thick hair. He held her tenderly and close, almost like a lover would. And it was really starting to piss Yusuke off.

"Hey Kagome," Inuyasha whispered into her hair, his eyes opening to meet a pair in a brighter shade of gold than his own.

The tall demon had pushed his coat to the side to let his hand rest gingerly to a polished handle of a sword. The sight had Yusuke's hackles rising, a yell in the back of his throat that seemed stuck there. Kagome knew these demons; she wouldn't have thrown herself at them if she hadn't. It wasn't his place to intervene, and yet every part of him wanted nothing more than to pull her away.

The tall demon gave a slow solemn nod before his hand fell, his coat once more falling into place, hiding the weapon from sight.

"What does a fox gotta do to get some love around here?" The copper-haired boy shouted, a cocky grin in place.

Kagome pulled away before regarding the boy in an owlish fashion. "Fox?" She questioned slowly, stepping out of Inuyasha's arms to inspect the demon. Once close enough, he flashed a grin that had her let out a broken sob. "Shippo?"

He couldn't even get a word out before she was pulling him to her chest, the demon having to crouch, but complied. The fox nuzzled her, arms wrapping tight around her waist but being more gentle than Inuyasha. She was openly sobbing, speaking, but her words were so incoherent it seems even the demons didn't understand what she was trying to say.

Shippo nuzzled her cheek. "Mama, you need to calm down," she gave a sharp cry, her body visibly shaking. "Your wounds," his voice was strained, showing a level of care that was all the more heartbreaking to the girl.

"Kagome," Yusuke whispered brokenly, wanting to step forward and comfort her in any way.

"I don't deserve to be called that," she sobbed, hands coming to cradle his face. "I wasn't there; I wanted to be there," she rambled brokenly. Her knees gave out, and the kitsune fell with her, the two holding tight to one another.

She cried for awhile, nothing that was said seemed to calm her until.

"Come on, Kagome," the dark-haired demon was squatting next to them. "I hate to see my woman cry."

"She's not your woman!" Yusuke yelled out of reflex, another voice echoing his words in unison with matching anger and annoyance.

Gold and brown clashed, Inuyasha's annoyed, whereas Yusuke's were set in a deep glare.

Her laugh was sudden and started low before it rang out softly. She pulled away, still laughing to look over to the dark haired demon.

The demon smiled in a charming wolfish fashion. "That's better," he mused, gently wiping away her tears. "No use wasting tears on the past, or you'll forget to enjoy the present," he offered her a kind look.

"Kouga," she whispered the demon's name with such care it had Yusuke feeling uncomfortable. "When did you get so smart?" Kagome asked with a giggle.

Kouga's grin widened a chuckle in his throat. "Maybe it's that your finally noticing," offering her a hand. Kouga and Shippo helped Kagome to her feet. She looked at the demons with a teary smile.

"Sister!" The two demons behind Kouga cried, their voices watery. "We missed you!" The two threw themselves at Kagome, their obnoxious crying only making the young girl laugh harder as she was engulfed in a group hug minus the taller silver-haired demon.

Only after Kagome was released did she acknowledge the demon, choosing to bow at the waist. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Lord Sesshomaru."

He gave a gruff huff, the sound of his deep baritone making Yusuke shiver: even his voice was intimidating. "Likewise, miko."

"Well, isn't this a touching reunion, " Genkai snapped, her tone obviously annoyed. The group turned as if only now noticing them, pissing Yusuke off just that much more. "But you all are trespassing and currently interrupting my newest student's training," she all but growled, hinting at the uneasiness that had settled over them both. These demons varied in strength, but it went from two of whom were about as strong as a 'C' class demon, to the one about the same strength and then the three that ranged from strong, to super strong, to scary strong. And Yusuke wasn't interested in having to fight in front of Kagome.

"Student?" Inuyasha asked, scratching his head. "Your here for a day, and you're already back to the books?"

Kagome looked uncomfortable under the demon's pointed look, hugging her elbows and stepping away from the group and towards Yusuke. Their eyes briefly meeting; she looked scared but looking at him, she smiled softly as if taking comfort in the fact that he was there. Yusuke offered her a small smile in turn, and then she was looking at Inuyasha, her smile falling to show her uncertainty. "My powers have been quickly dwindling ever since I was forced back," Kagome started, her voice strained by emotion. "If it wasn't for Yusuke, I'd be dead. The jewel has also been acting weird, it's not affected by my presence, and it…" She trailed off, looking to the ground.

"It what?" Inuyasha pushed, his eyes dimming with a sad knowing look.

"It said I have to die,"

The silence was palpable, and then the hanyou spoke, and Yusuke's heart stopped.

"You do,"

wolfYLady: Hi guys! I know a short chapter, but since y'all had to wait so long for chapter 10, I thought I'd throw in a little extra for you.

I am so happy to be able to get back to writing and hope (finger-crossed) that I will be posting more often.

Thank you all for your patience, and in the meantime, stay safe, wash your hand and wear a mask.

Oh, and don't forget to feed the author! Please review!