Disclaimer: Nope, sorry, I don't own Inuyasha and co. Isn't that a crushing disappointment?

Author's Note: Hi everyone! In case you were wondering, the reason no one's heard a single word from me for the past four days is that I went to Tennessee on vacation! Did you all miss me? ^_^ Don't worry, I sacrificed my eyesight to my faithful readers and wrote the next three chapters all out while riding on a bumpy charter bus. I just have to type it all up, so be patient! Anyway, so here's chapter 19! Read and review, as always!

The Course of True Love Ne'er Did Run Smooth…

Chapter 19

Inuyasha watched as Kagome turned around and mouthed his name, her face a beautiful picture of welcome and happiness. The miko ran to the window and opened it, saying excitedly, "Inuyasha! I'm so glad that you're here!"

The dog demon's ears perked up, and his heart thumped with happiness. All he said aloud, though, was, "Feh! So didya miss me?" Kagome blushed and didn't reply, but her expressive azure eyes betrayed her overjoyed emotions. Inuyasha jumped in through the window and landed on the floor, then threw her a cokcy, sparkling grin that would have made any of Kagome's modern girl friends swoon. Kagome blushed an even deeper shade of red, and she let her long black eyelashes flutter down to touch her skin as she stared fixedly at the floor.

Inuyasha stared, as if entranced, at her ruby-colored lips, and shook his head to get his mind off Kagome. He swallowed a couple times to get his throat to work, and finally managed to say in a thick voice, "So…uh, where's Sesshoumaru?"

Kagome cleared her throat, and hurriedly answered, as if glad of the change of topic, "Well, I think he's out in the meadows picking flowers with Rin, but-"

Inuyasha cut off her words by picking her up gently yet swiftly and leaping out the window, causing the startled girl to squeak in surprise. When she regained her composure, she yelled, "Inuyasha," as she squirmed around in his arms, "put me down!"

The hanyou colored at the position they were in, but he said nothing and tightening his grasp upon her as he flew through the sky. "INUYASHA!" Kagome shouted into his sensitive ears, causing him to flinch, "Stop it! Will you please listen to me for once in your life before you go off and get yourself into a mess of trouble!" She desperately thumped her closed fists against the dog-demon's arm, twisting and turning in an effort to get him to let her go.

He growled at her in return, trying to stop the girl from wiggling against his chest before his lost control. "Sesshoumaru better prepare to die. That bastard kidnapped you, and I'm not going to forgive him until I rip him to pieces!" He claimed in a low, determined voice.

"He may have kidnapped me, Inuyasha, but he also saved my life." Kagome chided him gently. "He saved my life at the request of Rin, a little human girl whom he takes care of. I don't think he's really the bloodthirsty and cruel monster that everyone makes him out to be." Inuyasha frowned at Kagome's words, them shook his head fiercely, though he was now doubtful of his decision. Kagome continued thoughtfully, "And I think he actually cares for Rin as a father, or a brother. He didn't try to hurt the entire time I was there. In fact, Sesshoumaru was a very polite host and even provided me with food and a room to sleep in. He allowed me freedom to wander where I wished, treating me more like an honored guest than a prisoner. He wasn't trying to hurt me, Inuyasha. Seriously."

Inuyasha nodded, having finally absorbed Kagome's words, but he just said, "We'll see. I'll decide what to do when the time comes."

Kagome bit her lower lip thoughtfully, then settled with a nod of acceptance, and curled herself up against Inuyasha's chest, and smiled up at him. The hanyou blushed, but didn't speak as he headed toward a patch of green near the southern side of the castle, where there were acres and acres of well-maintained trees and meadows. His sharp golden eyes flicked about, scanning the ground for any signs of his half-brother. He restrengthened his resolve to fight his brother to the death, if need be. Of course, if his brother proved to display less animosity than usual, and acted as Kagome had described, then maybe… "No!" He thought to himself, "I don't care if he rescued Kagome or not. He probably has some evil plan to hurt her or something. He deserves to get punished for keeping Kaogme her against her will- "

The dog demon's thoughts were cut off abruptly as Kagome cried out, "There they are! Down there!" She pointed to two figures that were outlined against a field of white and yellow flowers below them. Inuyasha berated himself for almost missing such an obvious picture, and rushed down towards the ground.

Sesshoumaru was sitting on a large, flat stone, watching Rin run about and pick flowers. He was at ease, and let himself relax as he held a bunch of blue, violet, and white azaleas in his one hand. He sniffed appreciatively at the bouquet Rin had given him, then paused. A distinct, unmistakable scent was in the air. Dog hanyou. Inuyasha!! He leapt up, tense and ready to defend Rin. Sure enough, a few moments later, a red-clad, silver-haired hanyou landed gracefully on the grassy field, carrying a strangely clothed woman in his arms. Kagome climbed out of Inuyasha's arms, and brushed out the imaginary wrinkles in her school uniform, waiting uneasily for action. Much to her surprise, however, Inuyasha did not spring forward to attack the demon lord right way. Rather, he folded his arms and merely stood there, though his muscles were rigid and all his senses on alert for danger. Sesshoumaru, seeing the change of tactics from his usually impulsive brother, did not move from where he stood. The richly-dressed youkai spoke in a calm, pleasant, yet bland tone of voice, "Hello, brother."