Author's note: Sorry for this delay, I've had many problems this week! Ses- chan, Inu-chan and the other's aren't mine but of Rumiko Takahashi, but Anna is really mine. Good reading! CHAPTER 20 I'VE TRIED "WHAAAAAAT??!!!- Kagome exclaimed, smiling and looking at the girl with shining eyes- Finally, Sango!!" Sango, embarrassed, smiled nervously and made her deed to lower her voice. "And when it's happened? And how?- Kagome went on, excited- Oh, Sango-chan, you don't know how much I'm happy for you!" Sango smiled and blushed. "Well, it's happened while he escorted me to home, last night." Sango murmured, forced to tell the entire story. Anna looked at the two and smiled. Finally, Miroku had confessed his love and Sango had made the same. Anna shook her head, while Kagome forced Sango to tell everything, and went away, walking to the forest. Kaede-sama needed firewood and Anna had offered herself to go on that errand. After all, she was inactive from time. "Anna!" The youkai girl went out from her thought and looked in front of her, while she walked through the rice field. Miroku was greeting her with a waving hand, while near him Inuyasha had a dark face. "Good morning." Anna greeted, smiling. "Godd morning to you, Anna!- Miroku replied- The sunlight makes you radiant." Anna laughed lightly and Inuyasha made a face. "Miroku, you're pretty disgusting." he said. "You'd have to learn how to pay compliments, if you don't want that Kagome- sama goes in search of a gentleman like me." the monk said laconically. "Oi! What do you mean?" Inuyasha asked, half aggressive, half worried. "Where are you going?" Miroku asked to Anna, ignoring the annoyed youkai. "I'm going to take some firewood. I'll be away for some minutes, not more.- Anna answered- By the way, Miroku, it's better you'll deserve such compliments to Sango, from now on." Inuyasha looked at the two with a puzzled face, while Miroku's calm face was replaced by a surprised and embarrassed one. "Ehm.do you already know it?" Miroku asked, laughing nervously and caressing his neck with one hand. Anna nodded with a smile. "You know what?- Inuyasha asked, annoyed to be the only one ignoring the topic of conversation- What's happened with Sango? I don't." He stopped, than pointed a finger against Miroku. "I've understand! What have you done this time?- he said, with an arrogant air- You are the same pervert as always!" "No, you haven't understand." Anna said. "Don't you see my face has the same form as ever?- Miroku asked, sighing with resignation- You've a poor spirit of observation, my friend." "And what's happened, then?" Inuyasha asked, puzzled. "I would keep the secret, because you're a group of intruder,- Miroku said, resigned, rolling the staff in his hands- but.well.Me and Sango have declared to each other, last night." "You have done what?" Inuyasha asked. Miroku looked at him very badly. "Must I to spell it out to you?" he growled. Anna noticed the monk was really embarrassed. Inuyasha hit his palm with his fist, understanding. "Ah, I've understand! You two.- he opened his eyes wide- Kagome had reason about you two! Congratulations!" He gave a slap over Miroku's shoulders, making him almost turning over. Inuyasha became serious and started to thinking. "But I really can't understand why Sango wants to marry a lecherous monk like you." he said after one moment. "How do you dare?!" Miroku said. Anna laughed and the guy remembered from where all that was started. "By the way, Anna, how have you known it?- he asked- Sango." "Kagome has forced her to tell everything." Anna admitted, smiling in front of the evident discouragement of Miroku. She didn't mention the fact she and Shippou had watched the scene directly the last night. Inuyasha tried to not laugh and Miroku sighed again. Anna passed through them, started again to walk. "See you later. I go for the firewood." she said, waving an hand. Inuyasha and Miroku returned serious when she was far from them. "She seems.normal." Inuyasha said, corrugating his forehead. "She has talked about me and Sango with naturalness, she doesn't seem a girl with a love's delusion.- Miroku said- I wonder what she really thinks." "If only I'd have here Sesshoumaru, I'd surely break his head with my hands.- Inuyasha said, squeezing his fists and giving his back to Anna's distant figure- He's been so blind and fool to make her run away from him." "Inuyasha, you." Miroku said, watching the youkai's anger. "Don't misunderstand me.- Inuyasha advised him, annoyed, pointing a finger to him- I don't care about my brother. I'm only sorry because my father's wish can't be realized." "I haven't said anything, yet." Miroku defended himself, walking to the village. "Do you really think I don't know what pass through your mind?- Inuyasha replied, following him- But Now I've a weapon against you! I may tell to Sango about the day you've spied her." "No, Inuyasha! Please, I don't want to die." Miroku groaned. "Mmh, we'll see." the youkai laughed. "Well, in this case I'll say to Kagome-sama about." "Ehi, I'm not like you! What are you insinuating?!" The argue went on for more time. ** The evening after, the friends organized an 'outside dinner'. There wasn't official reasons.but they all knew it was a Kagome's idea to celebrate the new couple. They ate and drunk, joking and remembering the time they started the search of Shikon no Tama. Anna was very interested about their stories and she confronted them with the story she had read, adding something when they tried to give a very partial version of facts, especially Inuyasha. "Anna know it better than us, it seems." Miroku said, impressed. "I know even your deepest thoughts." Anna said, with a prophetic voice. They stood in silence, thinking with terror what compromising they could have thought, and Anna started to laugh. "You'd to see your faces!" she said, giggling. "You'd have the same faces." Inuyasha grumbled, while the others started to laugh, too. He smiled against his will. Finally a spontaneous laugh from that ' Sesshoumaru in feminine form'. When they ended to eat, Inuyasha and Miroku laid down, satiated, while Anna, Sango and Kagome started to sing a song. "It's really nice. What's it?" Miroku asked to Shippou, who was murmuring the song to himself while the girls sang the first refrain. "It's a song from Anna's world. It's called Mai Wiri or something like that (My Will, Shippou-chan ^ ^;;;; NoA)- Shippou explained- She has taught it to the girls this afternoon, and they are been very happy to learn it." Shippou made a mischievous smile to Inuyasha and Miroku. "You've a weird face to be a child, Shippou." Miroku said, perplexed. "Speak it loud, brat." Inuyasha said, too much calm for being really aggressive. "Don't you hear how all consuming is this love-song?- Shippou asked, with puppet eyes, joining his hands in a very feminine way- Anna has said it's composed for something concerning our story, in particular the relationship through you and the girls." Miroku and Inuyasha stood. The song ended. Kirara yawned. "IN this case." Miroku murmured. He stood up from the ground and approached Sango, whispering something to her ear. The girl blushed and nodded. "You forgive us, don't you?" Miroku said, helping her to raise up with gallantry. Kagome and Anna nodded and smiled at them. Miroku went away with Sango arm in arm. Passing near Inuyasha, he winked to him. "Take advantage you too." he murmured. Inuyasha stood for one second, then he had a vision of what could mean 'take advantage' in Miroku's slang and reddened (Inu-chan, Miroku didn't want to mean that.^ ^;;; NoA). Shippou yawned. "I go to sleep.- he said, while Kirara stretched, ready to follow him- Anna, Kagome, don't you come with me?" "Soon, Shippou-chan." Anna answered. "Goodnight, Shippou-chan." Kagome said. Shippou went away with Kirara and around the campfire stood only three of them. Anna raised up pretty soon, preferring to avoid to play gooseberry. "Well, it's better I go to sleep too." she said, even if she wasn't tired. It was better to leave the couple alone. Inuyasha panicked. His heart bet two thousand time at minute and he felt Kagome's presence in a very painful way. There was only a way to suffocate that pain.but Inuyasha didn't want to force Kagome, not even for only one moment. Better do not risk to lose his control.and damn to Miroku and his allusive words! So, sighing sadly inside, Inuyasha said: "It's better you go to sleep too, Kagome. I want to carry you in one beautiful place, tomorrow, and we'll have to leave soon in the morning." "Really, Inuyasha?- Kagome asked, excited, do not understanding his tribulation- Oh, thanks! In this case, I go with Anna." She approached the youkai and kissed him on a cheek, hugging him for one moment. "Goodnight." she said again, with that sweet voice that made him going crazy. "Night." Inuyasha replied, with hoarse voice. He caught Anna's glance, that seemed to say: "Sooner or later, you'd have to find the guts to face the matter." The youkai turned his face and Anna walked away with Kagome. Inuyasha stood near the campfire for a while, then he put it out and went jumping to the forest, stopping over a Goshinboku's branch. He landed his head over the trunk, leaving to the fresh air of the evening the work to put out his hot- temper. Recently, Kagome's kisses weren't enough, but Inuyasha had too much fear to hurt her. He was a full youkai, now, but he had still his hanyou's appearance. Inuyasha knew that his youkai's appearance was different, but he hadn't transformed himself. He didn't want. He didn't want to do anything that could estrange him from Kagome.or could make him more similar to Sesshoumaru. Thinking about the way Sesshoumaru had treated Anna, and about the fact he had his same blood inside his veins, Inuyasha shivered. Kagome would never had to bear such things from him. Caught by his thoughts, he didn't notice the presence of someone else till this someone went out from the trees and approached the Goshinboku. He bowed his eyes, disturbed. "Anna." he said, recognizing the girl. "Do I disturb you?" she asked. Inuyasha shook his shoulder, indifferent. Anna smiled lightly. "You're a little cowardly, do you know?" she tensed him. Inuyasha made a face. "You don't know my reasons, so shut up." he said, annoyed, folding his arms. Anna shrugged her shoulders. "I've an idea about them.- she murmured- But you and he are different, Inuyasha. Don't torment yourself. Kagome loves you for what you are. For ALL what you are." Inuyasha stood silent, thinking. "I wanted to say you that I'm sorry, Inuyasha." Anna said. Inuyasha looked again at her, surprised. "You're sorry? For what?!" he asked, puzzled. Anna caressed distractedly Goshinboku's bark. "I've disappointed your father, but I've not a chance to say him that I'm sorry. I wanted to say it to you, at least." she whispered. She raised her eyes to him. "I'm sorry, I am not been able to reach his heart. I've tried, but I'm not been able." Inuyasha opened his eyes wide. "Feh! Are you crazy or what?!- he asked, jumping out from the branch to look at her face- I'm not involved. For what I care, Sesshoumaru could drown himself just now! You are the one who loved him, and is hurt for this!" Anna made a strange smile. "I only wanted to say it. Now I feel better." Anna said, turning to go away. "Do you still love him?" Inuyasha asked. Anna turned again. "Kagome.Kagome believes that he is still inside your heart.- Inuyasha said- And she believes.that he too feels something for you, deeply inside of him. Maybe she has reason, because I've never seen him like he was when he stood with you." Anna stood silent for so much time that she seemed like another tree of the forest. "I've tried.- she said, with an empty voice- But now, all I want is forget him. I don't care about what he feels. Simply, I don't want to see him anymore." Her face softened. Anna raised one hand and caressed Inuyasha's face. "But I thank you. You're kind, Inuyasha." Said that, she turned and walked away, disappearing to the village. Inuyasha shook his head and raised his face to the sky, deciding he had thought enough for that evening. In that moment, his heart made a terrible jump. "What." he said, with one hand over his heart. He felt his blood pulsing in his veins, beating madly inside his temples. He felt himself.out of control. "What's happening?" he growled, frightened. For what reason his youkai's blood was reacting in that way? Inuyasha forced himself to calm down and analyze the situation from a rational point of view. His body needed to fight, he was extremely tensed. Why? He hadn't reasons, he was even melancholy some moments before! Inuyasha understood those sensations were caused by something his youkai's instincts had reached before his rational mind.something that was calling him and came from outside his own body. With two jumps he was on the top of Goshinboku, sharpening his senses. West. That feeling came from west. It run to him at an incredible speed. It was focused on him, but it didn't seem a desired effect, but a consequence because.someone was approaching. Inuyasha closed his eyes. his blood rumbled because someone was near.someone with his same smell.the same aura.he was near. "Kami-sama.He's Sesshoumaru." he murmured, astonished. Sesshoumaru was approaching the village. The feeling that pushed him were so intense that had found an echo in his brother's blood. Jealousy.anger.desperation.Inuyasha took the control over his body with difficulty. He didn't ever suspect Sesshoumaru could feel that kind of feelings. He hadn't ever felt anything coming from him, besides coldness. He hadn't ever wondered that Sesshoumaru's blood could be so strong to drive his one, in the case he had felt something intense. And now he felt, and how he felt! "You're a stupid.- Inuyasha whispered- Well, at least, big brother." He jumped down from the tree and run to the village. He had to take that situation in his hands. ** "Kagome." Kagome awoke with difficulty and opened her sleepy eyes on Inuyasha, who was stooped down in front of her. "Inu." she started to say, trying to stand up, but Inuyasha reduce her to silence putting a gentle hand over her mouth. "Sesshoumaru is coming here." Inuyasha murmured, looking nervously at the door. Anna wasn't there but she could return at any moment. Kagome opened her eyes wide. "You had reason, he feels something for her. He's searching her, I've felt it." Kagome asked him to go on with her eyes. "I go to him. I want to give another chance to those stubborn two, even if I'd have to break Sesshoumaru's head. Please, cover my absence." "And how?" Kagome asked, while Inuyasha took away his hand from her mouth. "I don't know, you'll think something.- he said, briefly, than he kissed her on her lips- I love you." Smiling, Inuyasha went out from Kaede's house. Kagome smiled, than laid down, searching a good excuse to justify Inuyasha's absence. ** Sesshoumaru felt the familiar presence much time before reach it. Inuyasha.he had the guts to face him, after all. At least, he wasn't a coward. He had to force him to tell where Anna was, then he'd rid himself from him and go to take her.but what would happen when they finally meet? Hell, better not to think about it. Anna, Anna, Anna! The thought of her was becoming unbearable. Her smile, her golden hair.her beautiful soul. Sesshoumaru couldn't believe he had called her a liar. She was so sweet and clean. He needed her, he couldn't stand without her. He had cursed himself innumerable times, but no one could forgive him besides her. And meanwhile the part most deep-rooted inside him, cold and sarcastic, flung underhanded to his face in what condition of prostration he had reduced himself, the great Sesshoumaru, in bale of incomprehensible feelings caused by a simple woman.but Anna was all besides a simple woman, for him. He had to have her at all costs. Even at cost of suffering. He was already suffering, wasn't he? He saw a flash of red through the green, than Inuyasha appeared in front of him. Sesshoumaru stopped his steps and the two looked at each other. "Tell me where she is and I'll let you live." Sesshoumaru said, snapping his poisoning fingers. "Feh! We were near to stop our wait of you, Sesshoumaru." Inuyasha said, tapping his fingernail over Tetsusaiga's scabbard. Sesshoumaru attacked him suddenly, but Inuyasha avoided. "Calm down.- Inuyasha said- It's better for you to listen, because when Anna will feel your presence, she'll run away another time." A flash of anger passed inside Sesshoumaru's eyes. "Give me my answer and this waste of time will end." "I'll give you your answer.- Inuyasha said, making a face- And with it another chance. But it's better for you to listen, or you'll lost Anna forever." Sesshoumaru started to reply coldly, then he noticed how serious was his brother. For the first time in decades, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha stood for some minutes looking at each other without attack or try to kill the other, than Sesshoumaru nodded. "Fine, speak.- he said- For a single time, I'll listen to you."