{Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, so don't sue me. College has a strict hold on my wallet anyway.}

Vengeance

By Striking Falcon

Chapter Ten: Two Faced

"What was that?" Miroku asked. A light rustling a few yards away caught his attention. He and Sango move in front of Kagome, while she dismounted her bike to see over their shoulders. A familiar voice shouted to them through the trees.

"Kagome! My love! How are you?"

Miroku and Sango sighed and stepped to the side, leaving Shippou in their place. Kagome groaned, her hand traveling to her neck. She had long since changed out of the blue tube top, a red halter replacing it. She decided to keep the white shirt over it. Now she was more than thankful for that little bit of prudence. Kouga burst through the trees, coming closer with every footstep.

"Kagome! I'm so pleased to see-"

One instant he was there, the next instant Kagome was yanked unceremoniously back and up, seeming to somersault in the air above her friends' heads. Kagome could see nothing but sky in front of her, but one glance sideways brought something interesting to her attention. Whoever it was had white hair, a familiar blue ribbon holding the strands together. She landed softly, but the arms around her waist refused to let go. Kagome felt something drop around her neck.

"Sorry I took it Kagome. Seems I didn't need it after all."

She spun around to berate her 'protector' when the sight of him froze the words in her throat.

"Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha smiled down at her, knowing full well what was keeping him from being sat.

"Impressed?"

Kagome could only stare in amazement as she took in his appearance. The white kimono was awe inspiring enough, but his face was a different kettle of fish. Sango and the others left Kouga standing where he was, choosing instead to get a good look at their changed companion.

Inuyasha allowed them to stare for a moment before speaking: "Well, is anyone going to say how much they missed me?"

Shippou launched at him, landing on his shoulders. He gave Inuyasha's head a fierce hug before settling behind his ears. Sango and Miroku made a move toward him, but were stopped by Kagome's ranting voice.

"How much we missed you? You jerk! We've worried about you for two weeks and you have the nerve to ask if we missed you! You could have told us where you were going!" Kagome yelled, the look she got before she hollered 'sit' etched across her face. Inuyasha cringed a little before finding his voice.

"I didn't have to tell you a damn thing! You aren't supposed to be here!" Inuyasha looked around. "Where is that stupid flea, any way?"

Myouga jumped from Kagome's shoulder to sit beside his favorite rosary bead. "My lord, I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen."

"She wouldn't have known the way here if it hadn't been for you!"

Myouga gulped.

"Excuse me," Kouga piped in. Everyone ignored him, waiting for the fight to get to the good part.

"Never mind Myouga, why didn't you tell us about this? We could have helped!"

Inuyasha snorted. "Yeah right, like I need help from some w…"

"If you say 'weak human' I swear I'll say the 's' word!"

"You wouldn't!"

"Excuse me."

"Oh yes I would! I heard that same speech from Jakken, and I didn't let him get away with it either."

"Excuse me."

"Jakken! You mean Sesshoumaru knew you were coming?!"

"I guess so. While I'm thinking about it, what is this mark you put on my neck, Inuyasha? I know its more than something for my protection!"

Inuyasha blushed. "It's nothing."

"Nothing my-"

"EXCUSE ME!!!!!" Kouga thundered. Everyone turned to look at him curiously.

"Yes Kouga?" Kagome said.

Kouga marched forward. "For one thing, get your arms off my woman, dog breath."

Inuyasha looked down and blushed again, taking a step back and releasing Kagome. Kagome blushed and looked down, choosing instead to look at the jewel shard.

"For another, what mark?" Kouga hollered, yanking Kagome's white shirt to her waist. Kagome gasped and Inuyasha growled in warning. Before Kouga could find what he was looking for, a flash of white appeared and Sesshoumaru landed between them. He knocked Kouga to the ground in front of him and Kagome back into Inuyasha's arms behind him.

"Starting trouble, Higher Mountains?" Sesshoumaru asked, glaring down at Kouga.

Kouga stood up and brushed himself off.

"What business is it of yours, Western Lands? If you must know, that dog turd has my woman."

Sesshoumaru fought the urge to laugh. "That is a Western Lord you are referring to, and the woman you speak of: Does she know she's yours?"

"Yes."

"Has she agreed with you?"

Kouga stopped to consider the question. "Well she doesn't-"

"I've heard enough. Be gone, Higher Mountain, or you'll have us both to deal with."

Kouga stared at Sesshoumaru then Kagome, who made no move to leave Inuyasha's arms. Inuyasha's right hand rested on the Tetsusaiga, waiting on Kouga's next move. Kouga sighed. He couldn't fight the both of them, not after the beating he took off Inuyasha earlier. Kouga turned around and sauntered off, making sure they knew he was leaving of his own accord. Sesshoumaru turned to look at Kagome.

"You hurt, human?"

Kagome stared at him in shock. 'Sesshoumaru…asking about my health?' She shook her head.

"No, I'm fine."

Sesshoumaru sighed regretfully, then looked at Inuyasha. "And you?"

Inuyasha snorted in answer. Sesshoumaru regarded him a moment, then burst into breathless laughter. Everyone but Inuyasha looked at him in amazement as the demon lord sank to both knees, his laughter swirling around them on the wind. Inuyasha growled slightly, grumbling something about killing him slowly…

"Sorry, Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru gasped, finally getting under control. Kagome hadn't left Inuyasha's side, Miroku had long joined Sesshoumaru's laughing fit (but for different reasons), Sango's jaw was still on the floor, and Shippou and Myouga stared as if some wind would come along any moment and blow this illusion away.

"You were right. He does call you 'dog turd'."

Inuyasha shook his head disapprovingly as Sesshoumaru's shoulders continued to shake.

"It's great you can take such pleasure in my misery."

Sesshoumaru smiled, taking the others surprise levels to a whole new high. "You should have killed him when you had the chance. Well, at least he's disqualified."

Kagome shot Inuyasha a horrid look 'Oh great, Fluffy. You just had to open your big mouth.'

"What is he talking about?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha stared in to the distance. "I don't have a clue."

"You'd better start talking before I say-"

"He and Kouga were about to finish a match when they both caught wind of you. Inuyasha won, and could have killed him." Sesshoumaru raised his head to stare at the clouds. "He didn't though. I would have."

Inuyasha cringed again. 'This is it. She's gonna be so mad.' However, her reaction wasn't what he expected at all.

"Inuyasha, you sweetheart!" she cooed as she reached up to kiss one of the stripes on his cheek. Inuyasha blushed as Sesshoumaru burst into another fit of giggles. This time his wasn't alone, as Sango, Miroku and the others laughed at Inuyasha's embarrassment. Kagome ignored them.

"Inuyasha, that was the nicest thing you've done in a long time! Sparing Kouga like that!" She kissed him again and he turned another shade darker. "Who would have guessed you were such a sweetie!"

"Yeah Inuyasha," Miroku said. "Who would have guessed?"

This earned another howl from the group as Kagome continued her admiration for Inuyasha's mercy. Sesshoumaru finally stood up, eying Inuyasha with obvious amusement.

"Well, if Kagome is through with her little outburst," giggles from Sango and Miroku "then I believe we can head to camp."

---------

Sesshou: SF is trying to comfort her muse at the moment. The little brat is crying, for some reason.

SF: {::offstage::} Watch what you call her, asswipe!

{Sesshou growls, then smiles wickedly at the audience.}

Sesshou: I love it when she does that. Excuse me.

{Disappears backstage. All is quiet until-}

SF: {::o/s::} GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!!!!!!!

{Some growling then}

SF: {::still o/s::} I said-

{All is quiet again. SF's muse comes onstage.}

SF's muse: The bad dog demon is trying to eat SF.

{All blink, then Inu goes backstage. He returns seconds later, blushing.}

Inuyasha: Um, SF's busy. Come back after chapter eleven. You can push the purple button now.