Chapter 7 (Love and Anger)

Inu Yasha's wounds had healed, mentally and physically. He was sure Kagome loved him, and she would be his forever. But somewhere in the back of his mind he knew it wasn't true. Hanagushi would plan a revolt on him, and probably take Kagome away.

"Huh?" Kagome turned towards the valley, they had left the crevassed city, and were heading into a forest in the land above. But as she left she heard the sweet melody of Hanagushi's Dansai. She felt like running back, running back and finding him. But it was too late, the sweet boy she had wanted to so badly to touch, to hold, was gone. He had, into the Mountains of Ryusha, and would be back one day. When that day came, she would rejoice, she knew she would. But for now, Kagome was devoted to Inu Yasha, perhaps if she stayed with him long enough, she would forget about Hanagushi.

But then she realized something. Hanagushi was one of Naraku's followers. She understood it now. She had once heard Naraku talk about giving his, dead friends, son a weapon of music that could spread death upon the continent. He said that his friend was dead, because his Catall clan had banished him after he had fallen for a human maiden. The son, promised to follow Naraku, to help him with his evil doing. Even if it meant, leaving his friends behind. That was why Inu Yasha hated him, because Hanagushi had turned to evil's side. That was why he wanted Kagome, it was so that he could get the Tetusaiga for Naraku. Naraku must have possessed Hanagushi like he possessed Naraku, with a jewel shard.

Kagome, who was in shock, turn to Inu Yasha, "I understand now."

Sango and Miroku were ahead of them, silently staring at the road. Inu Yasha turned to her.

"What are you talking about?" he raised his brow, a what-the-hell-do-you-mean tone was hanging on his every word.

"Hanagushi joined Naraku, that's why you hate him," Inu Yasha frowned at her, "And he was your childhood friend, and he recently turned to the evil side. You just tried to make it sound like you guys were never friends. But, you've kept in touch with him all your life!"

"Don't talk about that moron!" Inu Yasha placed his hands behind his head as they walked. He frowned and turned away from Kagome. She wrapped her arm around his waist, knowing she was right.

She saw the gorge slowly become smaller and smaller behind her, and finally, the forest had drowned out any vision of the city. The woods were surprisingly cold for noon. Kagome buried herself in Inu Yasha's arm, hoping to find some warmth from the half demons body.

"Ah!" Sango cried out in pain, a demon had swung out of nowhere and knocked her to the ground. Miroku out of instinct, beat the demon senseless with his staff. Inu Yasha forced Kagome out of the demons way and unsheathed the Tetusaiga.

"Sango.." Kagome pulled the girl into her lap and clenched her, trying to get her to wake up.

The demon was fairly large. It had two monstrous heads, polluted with craters, and it's eyes were blood stricken. It's arms bulged with muscle, as did it's legs. It had a very wide torso, and a thick neck. With one swipe of the Tetusaiga, the monster was terminated.

"She'll be fine, she needs a little rest," Miroku said coolly.

"No! We're not stopping until we have good distance between us and tha- the entrance of the forest!" Inu Yasha growled. Miroku understood.

"Fine then," he pulled Sango onto his shoulder, and they treaded off into the dark of the forest. Kagome eyed Inu Yasha, who was frowning the whole way out of the forest. When he would hear the slight ruffle of a leaf, he would grab Kagome by the waist and pull him close, looking out.

"Inu Yasha, stop worrying, you're acting silly," she whispered softly in his ear.

"What if something hits you?" he whispered back harshly. He looked down at her, she was smirking.

"You don't think I can protect myself," she wondered.

"No- I didn't, I mean...no, of course not," Inu Yasha smiled and kissed her forehead. Kagome smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. They had decided not to make it a public relationship, just they would know. So as she was in his arms, she launched herself away as Miroku turned around.

"She's getting heavy, please, can we stop here? Evening will be here soon, and we will need to find safe sleeping grounds!" Miroku explained.

"Please Inu Yasha, I'm getting TIRED!" Kagome pleaded.

"Okay, Okay, since the wench is tired," said Inu Yasha, as Miroku laid Sango down, Kagome gave a shy grin to Inu Yasha who winked back.

Night fell quickly as the four settled in. Sango seemed to be in pain as she slept.

"Poor Sango," Kagome pouted, "I hope she wakes up soon!"

"I'm going to go scout out the area, if I'm not back in one hour, maybe you should start panicking," Miroku stood up.

"I'll go," Inu Yasha stood up.

"No, you stay here, you'll be able to protect Lady Sango and Lady Kagome better then I," Miroku objected.

"Ok," Inu Yasha nodded, "Call if you break a nail monk!"

"Ok," Miroku rolled his eyes and ran off into the darkness of the woods. Inu Yasha sat cross legged by the fire. When he couldn't here Miroku's foot steps any longer he grabbed Kagome by the waist.

"WHAT?" Kagome fought back as Inu Yasha played. He grinned and pulled her into his lap.

Kagome giggled and rested her head on his chest. Inu Yasha leaned back against a tree and wrapped his arms around Kagome, knowing she was his.

"You're such a mutt," Kagome teased.

"Shut up!" Inu Yasha said with sad eyes.

"I'm just kidding you know!" Kagome smiled. She reached back and scratched his ears. Inu Yasha's foot started tapping unwillingly against the ground. "I didn't know that happened when you were scratched behind the ears!"

"Me neither," he shrugged. Kagome sat in his lap, facing him now, scratching his ear furiously. "Quit it!" Inu Yasha growled as he purred viciously.

"No!" she teased as she scratched him.

"Stop!" he closed his eyes tight, and tried to forget she was scratching it, but it didn't work. His foot banged against the ground, and Kagome was laughing so hard tears came to her eyes. She didn't stop though, this time she took both his ears, caressing them wildly. Inu Yasha finally pounced on top of her, and stared down into her dark eyes. "Stop it," he whispered.

"No!" she mumbled back, as she reached up gently and scratched his ear. She felt his leg quivering against hers, knowing he was trying to stop himself.

"Please?" he said. Kagome raised both her eyebrows in shock, since when was he so polite?

"No," she whispered back. Inu Yasha's face was so close to hers now. She closed her eyes a little, and Inu Yasha leaned down, kissing her passionately. But as she felt his weight on top of her, she remembered Hanagushi. She remembered how Inu Yasha thought he was trying to rape Kagome, as he heard her shriek. They were in this exact same position.

"Inu Yasha, I can't," Kagome pulled away.

"Why not?" he whimpered.

"I can't stop thinking of Hanagushi when we kiss," she felt like pelting stones at herself. Inu Yasha's eyes were sad now, she could see the rage building up in him.

"Fine," he jumped angrily off of her and darted off into the woods.

"Damn it," she buried her face in her palms and cried softly.

"What was that about," Sango had been watching the whole thing.

"Sango?!" Kagome said in surprise.

"Yeah, I saw it all," Sango grinned.

"I can't kiss him," Kagome frowned.


"Why not?" Sango raised her brow.

"I can't stop thinking of Hanagushi where we kiss," Kagome pounded her fist on the ground.

"Just think about Hanagushi as an ex-boyfriend, then you shouldn't worry," Sango smiled.

"Ex-Boyfriend," Kagome thought about it and nodded. Miroku came back and sat down, close to Sango. She stared at him with disgust, even though it was obvious she enjoyed his presence.

"I'm going to go find Inu Yasha," Kagome stood up finally.

"Ok, these grounds seem safe, take your bow in case," Miroku commanded.

"Good thinking," Kagome hoisted her bow and arrows over her shoulder and ran off after Inu Yasha. 'He could be miles away' she thought. But she saw his foot prints in the mud and followed them carefully. She seem to be getting very far in the woods now, she could barely see her hands in front of her. She crept on the ground, to make sure she could see his footprints. But she couldn't, see or feel anything. Kagome's heart pounded against her rib cage, was she lost?