Disclaimer: I don't own anything……..
AN: Here we go with another chapter. Am I on a roll or what! I know that they are a little on the short side but I am doing my best. I hope I am putting enough detail into the scene so you can feel the mood I am trying to set. Thank you to every one who has reviewed, it is greatly appreciated. I forgot how much I enjoyed writing.
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Kagome could feel he muscles tightening as she made the trek to the village. She began to worry that her friends were there already. What would Inuyasha say. He blame himself that he wasn't there to keep his brother away from her. He was obviously unable to detect Sesshomaru through his keen sense of smell before. 'oh shit! I can't go into town like this! If Inuyasha is there he will definitely be able to pick up Sesshomaru's sent on me. Urug! I have to go to the spring and wash up. I hate this! It is getting late and no one knows where I am. I can't take the chance Inuyasha is back , otherwise I would be able to get Kaede. I am getting so sick of dealing with youkai and hanyou alike!' Kagome reset her aching body in resolution and turned around heading for the spring. Thankfully it wasn't too far from her current position.
As she walked she took in her surroundings. Twilight was fast fading into night as she finally reached her destination. She shed her cloths and made her way to the waters edge. Her muscles began to cramp from the injures of her body and the cold of the water. She gritted her teeth and sunk into the clear depths.
Kagome realized hw dark it was as night enveloped the area. Looking up to the sky she realized her luck. It was the new moon. Sighing with frustration she quickly scrubbed her skin and hair feeling some what refreshed she quickly dried herself off, with the towel her mother had packed in her back pack, and dressed. She should have been paying attention. If she was, she could be back at the village with her friends dry and warm. Then she realized Shippo still had a keen sense of smell and would have told Inuyasha as soon as dawn came.
Once again gathering up her things she started for the village for the third time that day. Kagome silently hoped nothing else would go wrong on her way but her prayers were not answered. She seen the ancient tree up ahead and knew she would still have to deal with Inuyasha tonight. Sighing with resignation she marched up to the tree and called out his name. "Inuyasha. I know you are there. Lets get this over with."
She could barely make out his form as he clumsily made his way down the tree only to stand inches away from her. It still never failed to amaze her when she seen him is his human form. "Where have you been!! We had to go after a shard today with out you. Do you know how difficult that is with out you to sense them?" He stood with his arms crossed defiantly across his chest.
"You know where I was. I told you I was going to go home for a little while. I do have obligations to my family you know." Kagome Mimicked his stance. Her eyes sparkling with repressed anger in the dim light of night. "Why would you go looking for me today if you knew I went home?"
"Feh! Didn't hear what I just said, bitch? We went after one of the shards today, that YOU created from the jewel. Why would you think I would go looking for you? Of course I knew where you were. Where you went without my permission!" Inuyasha growled deep in his throat, the sound distorted by his now fully human vocal cords.
"Don't you growl at me. It doesn't intimidate me mister!' She poked him in the chest startling him. Inuyasha took a few steps back trying to figure out what was wrong with Kagome. They went through this every time she wet home. Hell, he even looked forward to it over the last two years that they have been friends. For some reason this was different. It was like she was taking some frustration out on him. What could have happened while she was away?
" And, don't think, Inuyasha, I have to ever ask you for your permission to see my family!" Kagome finished her tirade and turned to walk into the village. As she did Inuyasha seen a shadow that ran from her left eyebrow to her smooth jaw line.
"STOP! Don't go any where! What the hell happened to you?" H grabbed her arm and pulled her into his chest. Gently grasping her chin he moved her face to try and get a better look. "Damn! I cant see a thing like this. Come on I want to see your face." He let go of her chin only to grab her wrist and drag her to the light of the village.
"Inuyasha, Don't. Please. Its nothing. It will be ok." She struggled to be free from his grasp, but he held tight. Her body protesting the short walk to the village. 'Haven't I taken enough abuse tonight?' Kagome thought to herself as Inuyasha turned her towards the light of a torch.
"What did this to you?" Inuyasha could hear the strain in his own voice. 'Didn't she know how dangerous it was for her to go off on her own? Why is her hair wet? Stupid girl.'
"I am ok. Just let me take care of this." Kagome prayed he would just let it go but knew he never would. He would insist on killing whatever had hurt her. She was not about to let that happen.
As he searched her features he could see the black, and purple of the side of her face. The swelling had already started. He gently probed her cheek bone to make sure nothing was broken. When she jumped in pain, he seen her eyes brimming with tears.
"Come with me Kagome. It looks as though you have a story to tell me. We have to get this fixed up before any of the others see this. Shippo would undoubtedly blame me. I don't want to have to kill him." He pulled her along with him back to the God Tree.
As they walked back to the tree Kagome wondered what was going on in Inuyasha's mind. 'Why isn't he screaming and yelling? Why is he being so nice and, dare I say it, understanding?' Kagome looked up at Inuyasha contemplating his actions until they reached the tree and settled down at the base.
"Why are you looking at me as if I've grown a second head? Now tell me… WHO DID THIS TO YOU?" He was trying to get control of his rage but the thought of anyone hurting what was his to protect angered him to no end.
Kagome was thinking fast when she just blurted out, "No one it was my fault. When I came through the well I landed wrong. It made my body ache. And when I went to climb out of the well my foot slipped and I hit my head on the ledge surrounding the well. I told you it was nothing. I was just clumsy."
Kagome looked over to Inuyasha to gauge his reaction to her so called confession. Apparently he bought it because she could faintly make out the smirk that graced his face. She lowered her head hoping that this would be the end of their discussion so she could go back to the village and maybe get a little sleep before she went to the spring.
" Why is your hair wet?" He asked as he ran his fingers over her damp tresses. " It seems a bit stupid to be taking a bath at night. You never know what will find you. I wasn't there to protect you. What if Sesshomaru had shown up? I have been smelling him off and on the last few days in this area. He could have killed you!" Inuyasha was working himself back up to a fine rage at that thought. His breathing became heavier and a low rumble was emanating from his chest at the thought of his worthless brother setting a hand on Kagome.
Kagome laid a resurging hand on Inuyasha's arm. "It's ok. He didn't find me. I was hoping that the cold water would help the swelling on my face, but it was to cold and I couldn't stay in long enough for it to help. I wonder if Kaede has anything that might help?" With that she stood up and made her way once again to the village and her bed. 'Am I ever going to make it. This is my fourth time trying to get to the stupid village!'
Inuyasha let her go. Wondering if she was telling him the truth. Finally deciding there was no reason for her to lie to him, he relaxed against his tree. Looking up at the moonless night he sighed waiting for dawn.
