Wrong Side
Tip of the Iceberg
-@--@-
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and co. is not mine, but Reiana is so leave her alone! Thanks so much!
lostdreams: Okay, I know I said that I was going to have this one out sooner..I ended up revising a lot. The old version didn't quite fit into my story as well. I was also going to cut this one down as well, but there was just no place to do it effectively. So instead I'm giving you a rather long chapter. Hope everyone likes it..Don't really have too much more to say here..Let me know what you think!
-@--@-
Tip of the Iceberg
-@--@-
Hojo waited silently for Kagome to get close enough. Snapping out a hand, he had Kagome's wrist before she knew what hit her.
"What the?" Kagome struggled against Hojo's hold. "Hojo! What the hell are you doing?"
"You kept refusing me bitch," Hojo said softly, shooting out a hand to stroke the side of her face before pulling back and slapping her hard. "But you aren't going to refuse me anymore." he slurred. The stench of alcohol almost made Kagome gag.
"Hojo..you're drunk," Kagome coughed trying to pull away from him. Snarling Hojo twisted her wrist back, causing Kagome to cry out in pain.
"I am not drunk whore!" he said vehemently. His grip was surprisingly strong even for his current condition. As much as Kagome fought, she couldn't get away. Half pulling, half dragging Kagome off of the sidewalk, Hojo threw her roughly to the ground. Kagome let out a sharp cry as she hit the dirt hard. Before she could recover from the fall, Hojo's strong fist collided with her face. Gasping in pain, Kagome fell to the ground a second time. Stars winked before her eyes. Fighting to stay coherent, Kagome felt Hojo's powerful hands close tightly around her heck. Realizing just how dire her situation was, Kagome couldn't hold back her tears.
"Why are you crying wench?" Hojo asked cruelly. He shoved her hard into the ground. Moving, he straddled her trembling frame, pinning her small body beneath his. If Kagome had any doubt about his intentions they were confirmed when she felt his hand on her inner thigh and creeping upward. "You know..I was hoping that you'd realize just how much of a loser that Inuyasha is on your own."
"He's better than you. A thousand times better!" she rasped. Snarling Hojo brought a heavy fist back to her face.
"Shut up bitch!" he growled, but he calmed down quickly. "I can please you so much better than that asshole.." he told her softly. Despite his drunkenness, he deftly he caught her wrists with one hand and held them over her head. His other hand slithered down to work on the button of her jeans. Working up a scream, Kagome bucked her hips in an effort to throw him off. Brining his mouth down over hers; he silenced her scream with a bruising kiss. Sitting on her legs, Kagome's antics were soon put to rest.
"Save the rocking till I'm inside you," he said maliciously. "First I'm gonna.."
Kagome never heard what Hojo was planning. In a flash of red and silver, Hojo lay sprawled on the ground a good twenty feet away. Kagome stared up at her savior, not really surprised at who it was.
"Inuyasha.."
-@--@-
Inuyasha had followed Kagome's scent to an infuriating scene. Kagome was crying with her back on the ground with a plastered and dangerous Hojo on top of her. Rage blinded Inuyasha as he leapt into action. Forgetting to restrain his demon strength, Inuyasha's fist rammed into Hojo's head, sending the mortal boy flying. Standing protectively in front of Kagome, Inuyasha waited, almost hoping that Hojo would get up so he could lay him down again. It wasn't until Kagome said his name that he took his attention from the fallen Hojo back to Kagome. Turning to her, Inuyasha felt his blood boil at the sight of the darkening bruises on her face and finger marks on her neck. Tears were still falling frantically down her face making his heart wrench but it also caused to fuel his anger. Forcing himself to calm down, he knelt down beside her. He didn't make any move to touch or hold her just yet; the last thing he wanted was to frighten her more and inadvertently push her away.
"Kagome? Are you..?" Inuyasha bit his tongue to keep from asking 'are you okay'. Was he stupid? Of course she wasn't. "I'm so sorry.." he said softly. Kagome was on the ground in the fetal position, but at his words she threw herself into his arms. She didn't say a word, but merely held on to him, still crying freely. Tentatively Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her, very unsure of how to help. "It's okay Kagome," he whispered. "You're safe now."
"Well isn't this touching?" a cold voice sneered. "The great and ruthless Inuyasha comforting a simpering mortal." Hiten slowly faded into view, followed closely by Manten. "Never thought I'd see the day you went soft." Hiten's eye burned red. Kagome felt Inuyasha tense beside her at the sound of the newcomer's voice. Giving her an assuring look, Inuyasha stood and faced Hiten.
"You bastard. You better not of had anything to do with this!" Inuyasha snarled, standing in front of Kagome. Hiten let out a sinister chuckle.
"Unfortunately I can claim none of this work as my own," Hiten retorted, eyeing Kagome. "Though I assure you, I'd be glad to finish it." Kagome whimpered softly, cringing behind Inuyasha.
Hiten and Manten had wandered around the entire day. By now they had figured out who Kagome was by how much time Inuyasha had spent with her. They were, however, no closer to forming a plan on how to draw out Inuyasha. Finding Kagome being confronted by Hojo had been a stroke of luck for the brothers, especially when Inuyasha showed up.
"If you touch one hair on Kagome's head you won't be alive long enough to regret it," Inuyasha threatened, cracking his knuckles.
"Relax. Reiana doesn't want her yet. We're only here for you." Hiten grinned nastily, while Inuyasha clenched his fist in anger.
"Feh..you two aren't worth my time!" Inuyasha shot back. Kagome stood behind him, regarding Hiten and Manten fearfully. She had already begun to get over the Hojo incident the minute that Hiten and Manten had shown up. Unbeknownst to anyone other than Sango, Kagome could see demons in their true form (Though she didn't necessarily understand that's what she was seeing). Hiten and especially Manten's demon forms terrified her.
"What are those?" she whispered, not thinking that anyone could hear her. She had long ago straightened herself up and fixed her clothing.
"Come on Inuyasha. Are you just going to stand there?" Hiten challenged, pulling out a wicked looking scythe. Not waiting for a reply, Hiten sent a bolt of lightning at Inuyasha and Kagome. Without thinking, Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and leapt far out of the way. It all happened so fast that Kagome barely had time to marvel at Inuyasha's strength.
"Kagome head back to the dorms.." Inuyasha told her calmly once they had landed. Taking a step back, Kagome just stared at him, her eyes full of fear and confusion. She was shocked and scared by the energy blasts, but she didn't want to leave Inuyasha in apparent danger.
"What's going on?" she asked in return, making no move to leave. Inuyasha looked back at Hiten and Manten.
"I'll explain it later! Just please go! I promised to protect you and I will! I just need you to get out of here!" Kagome was shocked by his words and quickly backed away. Turning, Kagome sprinted in the direction of the dorms, but instead of going back, she hid in some bushes to watch the fight. Inuyasha, believing she was gone, smiled and turned to face Hiten.
"I was wondering when you two would show up," Inuyasha said with a cocky smile. "It's been kinda dull around here without a couple of punching bags." Inuyasha rolled his shoulders and loosened up some, while Hiten laughed and lowered into a fighting stance.
"We have full permission to destroy you," Hiten said with a sadistic smile. Manten laughed wickedly behind him. "And when we're done with you, the jewel will come with us."
"Sure sure sure..the jewel..whatever.." Inuyasha said loftily. Hiten gaped at him a moment before bursting out in cruel laughter.
"Are you implying that you do not know about the jewel? You do not even understand the purpose of your presence here?" Manten asked, laughing along with Hiten.
"Of course he doesn't Manten. He's only Onigumo's lackey," Hiten taunted.
"Well technically we are Reiana's lackeys.." Manten started thoughtfully.
"Shut up!" Hiten growled. Inuyasha smirked.
"So if you're so smart, what's the deal with this jewel?" Inuyasha baited.
"It's the girl you idiot!" Manten said triumphantly, earning a sharp smack from Hiten.
"Shut up!" Hiten told Manten again. "We don't need to tell him anything!" The brothers bickered for a moment, giving Inuyasha a chance to think for a minute.
[Kagome's a jewel? Are they talking about that Shikon jewel Una was telling me about?] Inuyasha's mind raced.
[What's going on? Those guys act like they know me, but I'm sure I've never met them! Inuyasha seems to know them though..] From her hiding spot, Kagome was far enough away to be safe, but close enough to hear everything that was going on.
"Are you read to die Inuyasha?" Hiten asked after finally shutting up Manten.
"If anyone dies today it will be the two of you!" Inuyasha sneered, charging Hiten. Hiten raised his Thunder Pike, forcing Inuyasha to alter his course. Hiten then sent a bristling bolt of lightning after Inuyasha. Drawing his sword to block the attack, Inuyasha was shocked to see the sword transform in a glowing light. Instead of the normal katana it was now a huge blade.
"What the?" Hiten exclaimed, stepping back slightly. Inuyasha looked surprised as well. He had been using this sword of his father's for over five hundred years and it had never done anything like this before. The energy radiating from the blade was incredible.
"Where did he learn such trickery as this?" Manten asked, all but cowering in fear. Inuyasha swung the sword around finding just as light and agile as before.
"Well this is new," Inuyasha muttered with a smile. The scales had just tipped in his favor. "Come on Hiten! Let's do this now!" Inuyasha snarled, leaping at the elder Thunder Brother. The clash was terrible. The power from Inuyasha's sword seemed evenly matched against Hiten's Thunder Pike. As the fight raged, it became very clear that Inuyasha's strength and experience would weigh Hiten down, that is until Manten joined the fight. Fighting both brothers simultaneously took its toll on Inuyasha and getting injured a few times dropped his speed considerably. Kagome noticed all this and began to get worried for Inuyasha's safety. She couldn't help thinking how strange it was that with all the noise and light from the energy attacks no one had come to investigate. She didn't realize that she was the only mortal who could see the blasts.
-@--@-
"Give it up you worthless hanyou! You don't stand a chance against two full demons!" Hiten goaded. Temporarily blinded by anger, Inuyasha fiercely attacked Hiten, not paying attention to Manten who was moving behind Inuyasha, getting ready to attack.
[Hey! That's not fair!] Kagome thought angrily noticing the trap. Grabbing a large stone, Kagome flung it at Manten's head, nailing him. Howling in surprise, Manten turned on Kagome.
"You little wench!" he snarled charging her angrily.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried. There wasn't enough time for him to stave off Manten's assault. Panicking slightly Inuyasha charged, in a desperate attempt to save Kagome. Crying out in fear, Kagome held up her hands to ward of Manten's assault. Just when Manten came within striking distance a violent pink light surrounded the two, completely encompassing their forms.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried, pushed back by the light. Hiten ran up as well, his eyes straining for a glimpse of his brother. When the light faded, only one figure was still standing.
"Kagome.." Inuyasha called out in a hushed tone. The girl was still standing in the same position, her eyes fearfully focused on her hand.
[What the hell was that? Did I do that?] Kagome's mind reeled as she looked down at the fallen Manten.
"Manten!" Hiten called rushing to his brother's side. In two leaps Inuyasha was beside Kagome. The blast seemed to have no effect on her at all. Manten however was severely stunned by the attack. After making sure that Manten was conscious and going to be all right, Hiten turned savagely on Inuyasha and Kagome.
"You bitch! You will pay for Manten's pain with your life!" Hiten raised up the Thunder Pike. Charging the two, Hiten suddenly stopped. As if hearing something that Inuyasha and Kagome couldn't, they watched Hiten's expression go from furious to outraged. Glaring menacingly at the hanyou and human, Hiten lowered his scythe and backed away. "We're done," he said curtly as he and Manten vanished.
"Oh no we're not!" Inuyasha bellowed leaping to where Hiten had been standing. Reaching the spot far too late, Inuyasha angrily slammed his fist into the ground.
-@--@-
"I-Inuyasha?" Kagome called softly. She had so many questions swarming through her head she didn't know where to start. Hojo was completely forgotten, as this seemed far more important. Hearing her voice, Inuyasha cursed mentally. Turning slowly he faced her, unsure of how much she had pieced together. By the conversations alone she could decipher he was in fact a demon.
[Will she hate me? Will she run in fear?] Inuyasha's mind raced. Upon looking at her, he instantly latched on to the bruises on her face. Anger coursed through him. [I should have been there sooner! She shouldn't have gotten hurt!] Glancing over, he noticed that Hojo was gone. The drunken boy had woken up during Inuyasha's scuffle with Hiten and had promptly run away.
[What just happened? Am I alive? What's going on?] Kagome tried to force herself to concentrate on one thing at a time. [Blood..] Looking around there was quite a bit of blood. For a split second Kagome thought she had been the one bleeding, but soon noticed the wounds still oozing on Inuyasha.
"Kagome..I.." Inuyasha began, but she silenced him with a finger.
"You're hurt," she said softly, motioning to a particularly nasty wound on his shoulder. Inuyasha all but face faulted. After all that had happened she was worried about his stupid shoulder.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha took her wrists to keep her from looking at his wounds. He frowned slightly at the girl. Shaking her head, Kagome looked up at him.
"Let's go back so I can clean those up for you.." she told him quietly with a gentle smile. Inuyasha was thrown for a loop. Kagome couldn't really be so dense could she?
"What's the matter with you?" Inuyasha lashed out, the tension getting to him. "You were almost rape, killed, and just found out the demons are real and I'm one of them and you're worried about my stupid injuries?" His grip tightened unconsciously on her wrist. "Don't you care? Doesn't it matter? You should be running in fear from me! I am a fucking demon!" Kagome pulled back and looked down. Inuyasha's sensitive nose could pick up the scent of her tears. Groaning inwardly he scolded himself. He had had no intention of making her cry.
"Inuyasha.." she said softly, trying hard to get a grip on her emotions. "I don't want to think about that right now. It's just too much to process. Please..let me help you. Save the explanations for later.." Inuyasha looked shocked a little hesitant to let the whole thing drop.
"But..demons.." Inuyasha sputtered. He couldn't believe that she was taking this so well..
"I think I already knew that," Kagome said softly, placing a hand on his good shoulder. "I mean..I've seen the ears and claws and fangs and tails..I really should have guessed.." she admitted softly.
"Y-you can see my ears?"
"Yes."
"Since when?"
"Since always," Kagome said indifferently. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at her.
"Are you telling me that you've been able to see my ears, claws and fangs since the day you met me and you still allowed yourself to be alone with me?" he asked incredulously. Kagome looked at him strangely and nodded.
[That can't be righ..she let me hold her hand without shying away from my claws. She never winced at my fangs..]
"Why should you having dog ears and whatnot determine whether I spend time with you or not?" Kagome asked, clearly not seeing why she should have a problem with this.
"Because it marks me as a demon! Aren't you afraid? Aren't you going to run away?" Inuyasha was at a complete loss of rational thought. Why wasn't she acting like everyone else? Why didn't his being a demon seem to bother her? Why did he have a strange floating feeling in his stomach? (Whoa..where did that one come from? ^_^) Kagome shocked him even further by throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.
"You saved my life Inuyasha. You've never tried to hurt me, and other than being a jerk when I first met you, you've never given me any reason to fear you. Do you honestly think I'd be so shallow as to spite the person that saved my life just because they're a demon?" Inuyasha opened his mouth to retort, but promptly shut it. He did not think that Kagome was going to be this understanding. "Now can we please go look at your wounds? You can tell me everything else afterwards." Inuyasha nodded, stunned into silence. Smiling, Kagome slipped her hand in his, and the two slowly made their way back to the dorms.
_-@--@-
lostdreams: Awww...so sweet! LOL! Anyway hoped you guys liked this one. Next chapter coming soon: Unanswered Questions!
Tip of the Iceberg
-@--@-
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and co. is not mine, but Reiana is so leave her alone! Thanks so much!
lostdreams: Okay, I know I said that I was going to have this one out sooner..I ended up revising a lot. The old version didn't quite fit into my story as well. I was also going to cut this one down as well, but there was just no place to do it effectively. So instead I'm giving you a rather long chapter. Hope everyone likes it..Don't really have too much more to say here..Let me know what you think!
-@--@-
Tip of the Iceberg
-@--@-
Hojo waited silently for Kagome to get close enough. Snapping out a hand, he had Kagome's wrist before she knew what hit her.
"What the?" Kagome struggled against Hojo's hold. "Hojo! What the hell are you doing?"
"You kept refusing me bitch," Hojo said softly, shooting out a hand to stroke the side of her face before pulling back and slapping her hard. "But you aren't going to refuse me anymore." he slurred. The stench of alcohol almost made Kagome gag.
"Hojo..you're drunk," Kagome coughed trying to pull away from him. Snarling Hojo twisted her wrist back, causing Kagome to cry out in pain.
"I am not drunk whore!" he said vehemently. His grip was surprisingly strong even for his current condition. As much as Kagome fought, she couldn't get away. Half pulling, half dragging Kagome off of the sidewalk, Hojo threw her roughly to the ground. Kagome let out a sharp cry as she hit the dirt hard. Before she could recover from the fall, Hojo's strong fist collided with her face. Gasping in pain, Kagome fell to the ground a second time. Stars winked before her eyes. Fighting to stay coherent, Kagome felt Hojo's powerful hands close tightly around her heck. Realizing just how dire her situation was, Kagome couldn't hold back her tears.
"Why are you crying wench?" Hojo asked cruelly. He shoved her hard into the ground. Moving, he straddled her trembling frame, pinning her small body beneath his. If Kagome had any doubt about his intentions they were confirmed when she felt his hand on her inner thigh and creeping upward. "You know..I was hoping that you'd realize just how much of a loser that Inuyasha is on your own."
"He's better than you. A thousand times better!" she rasped. Snarling Hojo brought a heavy fist back to her face.
"Shut up bitch!" he growled, but he calmed down quickly. "I can please you so much better than that asshole.." he told her softly. Despite his drunkenness, he deftly he caught her wrists with one hand and held them over her head. His other hand slithered down to work on the button of her jeans. Working up a scream, Kagome bucked her hips in an effort to throw him off. Brining his mouth down over hers; he silenced her scream with a bruising kiss. Sitting on her legs, Kagome's antics were soon put to rest.
"Save the rocking till I'm inside you," he said maliciously. "First I'm gonna.."
Kagome never heard what Hojo was planning. In a flash of red and silver, Hojo lay sprawled on the ground a good twenty feet away. Kagome stared up at her savior, not really surprised at who it was.
"Inuyasha.."
-@--@-
Inuyasha had followed Kagome's scent to an infuriating scene. Kagome was crying with her back on the ground with a plastered and dangerous Hojo on top of her. Rage blinded Inuyasha as he leapt into action. Forgetting to restrain his demon strength, Inuyasha's fist rammed into Hojo's head, sending the mortal boy flying. Standing protectively in front of Kagome, Inuyasha waited, almost hoping that Hojo would get up so he could lay him down again. It wasn't until Kagome said his name that he took his attention from the fallen Hojo back to Kagome. Turning to her, Inuyasha felt his blood boil at the sight of the darkening bruises on her face and finger marks on her neck. Tears were still falling frantically down her face making his heart wrench but it also caused to fuel his anger. Forcing himself to calm down, he knelt down beside her. He didn't make any move to touch or hold her just yet; the last thing he wanted was to frighten her more and inadvertently push her away.
"Kagome? Are you..?" Inuyasha bit his tongue to keep from asking 'are you okay'. Was he stupid? Of course she wasn't. "I'm so sorry.." he said softly. Kagome was on the ground in the fetal position, but at his words she threw herself into his arms. She didn't say a word, but merely held on to him, still crying freely. Tentatively Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her, very unsure of how to help. "It's okay Kagome," he whispered. "You're safe now."
"Well isn't this touching?" a cold voice sneered. "The great and ruthless Inuyasha comforting a simpering mortal." Hiten slowly faded into view, followed closely by Manten. "Never thought I'd see the day you went soft." Hiten's eye burned red. Kagome felt Inuyasha tense beside her at the sound of the newcomer's voice. Giving her an assuring look, Inuyasha stood and faced Hiten.
"You bastard. You better not of had anything to do with this!" Inuyasha snarled, standing in front of Kagome. Hiten let out a sinister chuckle.
"Unfortunately I can claim none of this work as my own," Hiten retorted, eyeing Kagome. "Though I assure you, I'd be glad to finish it." Kagome whimpered softly, cringing behind Inuyasha.
Hiten and Manten had wandered around the entire day. By now they had figured out who Kagome was by how much time Inuyasha had spent with her. They were, however, no closer to forming a plan on how to draw out Inuyasha. Finding Kagome being confronted by Hojo had been a stroke of luck for the brothers, especially when Inuyasha showed up.
"If you touch one hair on Kagome's head you won't be alive long enough to regret it," Inuyasha threatened, cracking his knuckles.
"Relax. Reiana doesn't want her yet. We're only here for you." Hiten grinned nastily, while Inuyasha clenched his fist in anger.
"Feh..you two aren't worth my time!" Inuyasha shot back. Kagome stood behind him, regarding Hiten and Manten fearfully. She had already begun to get over the Hojo incident the minute that Hiten and Manten had shown up. Unbeknownst to anyone other than Sango, Kagome could see demons in their true form (Though she didn't necessarily understand that's what she was seeing). Hiten and especially Manten's demon forms terrified her.
"What are those?" she whispered, not thinking that anyone could hear her. She had long ago straightened herself up and fixed her clothing.
"Come on Inuyasha. Are you just going to stand there?" Hiten challenged, pulling out a wicked looking scythe. Not waiting for a reply, Hiten sent a bolt of lightning at Inuyasha and Kagome. Without thinking, Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and leapt far out of the way. It all happened so fast that Kagome barely had time to marvel at Inuyasha's strength.
"Kagome head back to the dorms.." Inuyasha told her calmly once they had landed. Taking a step back, Kagome just stared at him, her eyes full of fear and confusion. She was shocked and scared by the energy blasts, but she didn't want to leave Inuyasha in apparent danger.
"What's going on?" she asked in return, making no move to leave. Inuyasha looked back at Hiten and Manten.
"I'll explain it later! Just please go! I promised to protect you and I will! I just need you to get out of here!" Kagome was shocked by his words and quickly backed away. Turning, Kagome sprinted in the direction of the dorms, but instead of going back, she hid in some bushes to watch the fight. Inuyasha, believing she was gone, smiled and turned to face Hiten.
"I was wondering when you two would show up," Inuyasha said with a cocky smile. "It's been kinda dull around here without a couple of punching bags." Inuyasha rolled his shoulders and loosened up some, while Hiten laughed and lowered into a fighting stance.
"We have full permission to destroy you," Hiten said with a sadistic smile. Manten laughed wickedly behind him. "And when we're done with you, the jewel will come with us."
"Sure sure sure..the jewel..whatever.." Inuyasha said loftily. Hiten gaped at him a moment before bursting out in cruel laughter.
"Are you implying that you do not know about the jewel? You do not even understand the purpose of your presence here?" Manten asked, laughing along with Hiten.
"Of course he doesn't Manten. He's only Onigumo's lackey," Hiten taunted.
"Well technically we are Reiana's lackeys.." Manten started thoughtfully.
"Shut up!" Hiten growled. Inuyasha smirked.
"So if you're so smart, what's the deal with this jewel?" Inuyasha baited.
"It's the girl you idiot!" Manten said triumphantly, earning a sharp smack from Hiten.
"Shut up!" Hiten told Manten again. "We don't need to tell him anything!" The brothers bickered for a moment, giving Inuyasha a chance to think for a minute.
[Kagome's a jewel? Are they talking about that Shikon jewel Una was telling me about?] Inuyasha's mind raced.
[What's going on? Those guys act like they know me, but I'm sure I've never met them! Inuyasha seems to know them though..] From her hiding spot, Kagome was far enough away to be safe, but close enough to hear everything that was going on.
"Are you read to die Inuyasha?" Hiten asked after finally shutting up Manten.
"If anyone dies today it will be the two of you!" Inuyasha sneered, charging Hiten. Hiten raised his Thunder Pike, forcing Inuyasha to alter his course. Hiten then sent a bristling bolt of lightning after Inuyasha. Drawing his sword to block the attack, Inuyasha was shocked to see the sword transform in a glowing light. Instead of the normal katana it was now a huge blade.
"What the?" Hiten exclaimed, stepping back slightly. Inuyasha looked surprised as well. He had been using this sword of his father's for over five hundred years and it had never done anything like this before. The energy radiating from the blade was incredible.
"Where did he learn such trickery as this?" Manten asked, all but cowering in fear. Inuyasha swung the sword around finding just as light and agile as before.
"Well this is new," Inuyasha muttered with a smile. The scales had just tipped in his favor. "Come on Hiten! Let's do this now!" Inuyasha snarled, leaping at the elder Thunder Brother. The clash was terrible. The power from Inuyasha's sword seemed evenly matched against Hiten's Thunder Pike. As the fight raged, it became very clear that Inuyasha's strength and experience would weigh Hiten down, that is until Manten joined the fight. Fighting both brothers simultaneously took its toll on Inuyasha and getting injured a few times dropped his speed considerably. Kagome noticed all this and began to get worried for Inuyasha's safety. She couldn't help thinking how strange it was that with all the noise and light from the energy attacks no one had come to investigate. She didn't realize that she was the only mortal who could see the blasts.
-@--@-
"Give it up you worthless hanyou! You don't stand a chance against two full demons!" Hiten goaded. Temporarily blinded by anger, Inuyasha fiercely attacked Hiten, not paying attention to Manten who was moving behind Inuyasha, getting ready to attack.
[Hey! That's not fair!] Kagome thought angrily noticing the trap. Grabbing a large stone, Kagome flung it at Manten's head, nailing him. Howling in surprise, Manten turned on Kagome.
"You little wench!" he snarled charging her angrily.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried. There wasn't enough time for him to stave off Manten's assault. Panicking slightly Inuyasha charged, in a desperate attempt to save Kagome. Crying out in fear, Kagome held up her hands to ward of Manten's assault. Just when Manten came within striking distance a violent pink light surrounded the two, completely encompassing their forms.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried, pushed back by the light. Hiten ran up as well, his eyes straining for a glimpse of his brother. When the light faded, only one figure was still standing.
"Kagome.." Inuyasha called out in a hushed tone. The girl was still standing in the same position, her eyes fearfully focused on her hand.
[What the hell was that? Did I do that?] Kagome's mind reeled as she looked down at the fallen Manten.
"Manten!" Hiten called rushing to his brother's side. In two leaps Inuyasha was beside Kagome. The blast seemed to have no effect on her at all. Manten however was severely stunned by the attack. After making sure that Manten was conscious and going to be all right, Hiten turned savagely on Inuyasha and Kagome.
"You bitch! You will pay for Manten's pain with your life!" Hiten raised up the Thunder Pike. Charging the two, Hiten suddenly stopped. As if hearing something that Inuyasha and Kagome couldn't, they watched Hiten's expression go from furious to outraged. Glaring menacingly at the hanyou and human, Hiten lowered his scythe and backed away. "We're done," he said curtly as he and Manten vanished.
"Oh no we're not!" Inuyasha bellowed leaping to where Hiten had been standing. Reaching the spot far too late, Inuyasha angrily slammed his fist into the ground.
-@--@-
"I-Inuyasha?" Kagome called softly. She had so many questions swarming through her head she didn't know where to start. Hojo was completely forgotten, as this seemed far more important. Hearing her voice, Inuyasha cursed mentally. Turning slowly he faced her, unsure of how much she had pieced together. By the conversations alone she could decipher he was in fact a demon.
[Will she hate me? Will she run in fear?] Inuyasha's mind raced. Upon looking at her, he instantly latched on to the bruises on her face. Anger coursed through him. [I should have been there sooner! She shouldn't have gotten hurt!] Glancing over, he noticed that Hojo was gone. The drunken boy had woken up during Inuyasha's scuffle with Hiten and had promptly run away.
[What just happened? Am I alive? What's going on?] Kagome tried to force herself to concentrate on one thing at a time. [Blood..] Looking around there was quite a bit of blood. For a split second Kagome thought she had been the one bleeding, but soon noticed the wounds still oozing on Inuyasha.
"Kagome..I.." Inuyasha began, but she silenced him with a finger.
"You're hurt," she said softly, motioning to a particularly nasty wound on his shoulder. Inuyasha all but face faulted. After all that had happened she was worried about his stupid shoulder.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha took her wrists to keep her from looking at his wounds. He frowned slightly at the girl. Shaking her head, Kagome looked up at him.
"Let's go back so I can clean those up for you.." she told him quietly with a gentle smile. Inuyasha was thrown for a loop. Kagome couldn't really be so dense could she?
"What's the matter with you?" Inuyasha lashed out, the tension getting to him. "You were almost rape, killed, and just found out the demons are real and I'm one of them and you're worried about my stupid injuries?" His grip tightened unconsciously on her wrist. "Don't you care? Doesn't it matter? You should be running in fear from me! I am a fucking demon!" Kagome pulled back and looked down. Inuyasha's sensitive nose could pick up the scent of her tears. Groaning inwardly he scolded himself. He had had no intention of making her cry.
"Inuyasha.." she said softly, trying hard to get a grip on her emotions. "I don't want to think about that right now. It's just too much to process. Please..let me help you. Save the explanations for later.." Inuyasha looked shocked a little hesitant to let the whole thing drop.
"But..demons.." Inuyasha sputtered. He couldn't believe that she was taking this so well..
"I think I already knew that," Kagome said softly, placing a hand on his good shoulder. "I mean..I've seen the ears and claws and fangs and tails..I really should have guessed.." she admitted softly.
"Y-you can see my ears?"
"Yes."
"Since when?"
"Since always," Kagome said indifferently. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at her.
"Are you telling me that you've been able to see my ears, claws and fangs since the day you met me and you still allowed yourself to be alone with me?" he asked incredulously. Kagome looked at him strangely and nodded.
[That can't be righ..she let me hold her hand without shying away from my claws. She never winced at my fangs..]
"Why should you having dog ears and whatnot determine whether I spend time with you or not?" Kagome asked, clearly not seeing why she should have a problem with this.
"Because it marks me as a demon! Aren't you afraid? Aren't you going to run away?" Inuyasha was at a complete loss of rational thought. Why wasn't she acting like everyone else? Why didn't his being a demon seem to bother her? Why did he have a strange floating feeling in his stomach? (Whoa..where did that one come from? ^_^) Kagome shocked him even further by throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.
"You saved my life Inuyasha. You've never tried to hurt me, and other than being a jerk when I first met you, you've never given me any reason to fear you. Do you honestly think I'd be so shallow as to spite the person that saved my life just because they're a demon?" Inuyasha opened his mouth to retort, but promptly shut it. He did not think that Kagome was going to be this understanding. "Now can we please go look at your wounds? You can tell me everything else afterwards." Inuyasha nodded, stunned into silence. Smiling, Kagome slipped her hand in his, and the two slowly made their way back to the dorms.
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lostdreams: Awww...so sweet! LOL! Anyway hoped you guys liked this one. Next chapter coming soon: Unanswered Questions!