**AN: Hey. Sorry about the wait on an update. (Ooh! That rhymed.) Anywho, here's chapter six. It's not as long, but in the disclaimer I warned that some chapters might not be long. I'm working on seven, so if it takes some time again, I'm sorry. I'll try to finish it as soon as I can. Please let me know what you think of the story so far. I love all reviews. And thanks to those who have been reviewing. I hope you're still interested in the story. Again, sorry for the wait. Okay, I'm done.**

Inuyasha reached the boundary of the village. He sniffed the chilly air. The scent of the demon was getting closer. His eyes searched the area for any movement. There was none. His ears twitched, as he listened carefully. Nothing; just silence. Everyone was still tucked away for the night. Or so he hoped.

His hand rested atop the handle of his sword. He knew the demon was near. He could almost feel its presence on top of him. He remained motionless, anticipating its attack. From within him, the low growl rumbled. The sound of his heart throbbing echoed in the dark.

That was when the attack came. The demon leapt out from behind him. His dog ears had picked up the sound of its movement long before, allowing him to jump out of danger.

The hanyou turned to face his attacker. It came as no surprise to see the demon was much bigger than he was. Its frame resembled that of a human, but its pasty white face, solid black eyes and pursed lips, told him otherwise. Its body was concealed by a dark blue, almost black, tattered and worn cloak. Through its holes, Inuyasha could see rotting flesh, just hanging off the bone, which would explain its rank stench.

"All right," the white haired, half demon bared his fangs. "Let's go."

The demon had no words. It just drew a long, blood tainted sword and moved in for an attack. Its speed was much slower than his, allowed the hanyou to leap out of its way, avoiding the blade. Inuyasha mocked with laughter, returning the Tetsusaiga back to its sheath.

"This is too easy," he leapt at the white face demon, claws bared.

His razor sharp claws sliced through quickly and easily. He took a step back to see his damage, but was astounded to see that he had merely shredded through the evil being's cloak. He just barely scraped the bone.

He took a step back, "What the hell?"

Inuyasha glanced down at his claws that somehow failed him. They were still as long and as sharp as before. Many a times they had inflicted a great deal of harm but the demon, other than the tear in its shroud, remained unscathed.

"Inuyasha!" Miroku called behind him.

He turned to see the monk running from the inner circle of the village. Alongside him, was the tiny kitsune. His eyes just barely scanned over both the males. They had quickly focused on the scantily dressed young female running close to amorous monk; very close. The sight received a deep growl from his already pulsating chest.

"Behind you!" The tiny kitsune looked beyond his half demon friend.

The hanyou spun around quickly to face his enemy. It would be the demon blood within him that would allow him to move out of death's grasp. But it would be his resentment at seeing the two, that would make his reaction time slower. The blade tore through his kimono, breaking the flesh of his left arm wide open and knocking him to his knees in pain.

Inuyasha clutched his arm with his right hand, "Damn it!"

"Are you all right?" Miroku reached his side.

He looked from the monk to the small fox, "Where's Kagome?"

As if to answer, she ran by the group of three without so much as a look their way. Their eyes followed her direction. She was headed right for the demon.

His amber orbs widened, "Kagome! No!"

Inuyasha rose, then dashed towards Kagome, stopping her before she reached the shrouded demon with the incredibly sharp blade.

She clenched her fists tightly, "What are you doing? Get out of the way!"

He looked at her in shock, "What do you think you're doing?!

"Apparently, something you can't!" She shot back.

"I'll handle this!"

"Like hell you will!"

"I can take care of this demon!"

"Oh, Like it did your arm!"

"That was your fault!"

"My fault?! How?!"

"If you didn't come running up here so close to him!" He pointed at the monk, who was looking in the other direction, blasé. "I would have been paying attention to that thing over there!"

She smirked, "What? Jealous?"

"Hardly," he crossed his arms.

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes at him. "Your eyes have been burning green since he joined us!"

"I am not jealous!" He shot back at her.

"Uh, guys!" The monk called from a distance. "You might want to save that fight for later!"

"What?!" The two of them simultaneously turned their heads to Miroku.

Miroku and Shippou were pointing past the bickering pair, "Demon first! Fight later!"

In unison the two turned away from their friends, to the threat that was approaching them. They were so engulfed in their own issues that they were unaware of the demon's close proximity. They just saw a blade head straight down, putting space between them.

The hot-tempered couple fell to the ground, as the blade slashed through the grass and soil, just inches from their feet. Their eyes met, relieved at the assurance of each other's well-being. The two pairs of eyes turned to their enemy. It had hopped a few traces back in defense. They turned to one another once more. There looks of concern faded into glares of annoyance.

Inuyasha was quicker to climb to his feet. Once again his claws attacked the pale faced demon, finding the same result. That disappointment made him reach for his father's fang, only he was stopped by a fierce shove.

"Out of the way wimp!" She growled.

"Wimp?" He stumbled back.

His snarl resembled hers, "I'll show you wimp!"

The pair ran full speed to the demon; the hanyou's feet much more swift than the human girl. Seeing him reach the evil being first, her steps faltered to a stop. Crossing her arms in disgust, she watched the half demon strike with his large sword to no avail. The cloaked demon had anticipated Inuyasha's move, jumping back, out of the blade's path in time. And in a counter maneuver, the youkai struck the other arm of the hanyou with its own blade, knocking him to the ground.

Inuyasha felt the dirt and rocks hammer roughly into his face as he hit the ground. He roared with anger, only to hear the sounds of laughter drowning him out. He looked over his shoulder to see Kagome laughing at him.

"Pathetic," she shook her head.

He sneered at her, "Oh yeah?! I didn't see you kill it!"

"Watch," she mocked him. "And learn."

Without another look at Inuyasha, the young girl made a quick dash for the ivory face, coal eyed demon. She leapt in the air, then dove at him, hands out in a clawed position. Before she could reach the demon, the youkai took hold of her exposed wrists and sent her plummeting, forcefully to the solid ground.

The human girl landed at the feet of a certain half demon, who was howling with laughter.

She looked up to see a sarcastic grin across his face, "Wow. You're an excellent teacher."

She growled once more, only it was much more vicious than before. She jumped to her feet, startling the dog demon, "I'm just getting warmed up."

He stepped in front of her, "That's enough Kagome."

She gritted her teeth at him, "Get out of my way."

"You're taking this too far!"

"Move!"

"No! I'll take care of this!"

"Guys!" Shippou called from a distance.

"WHAT?!" The two turned to the others again.

"Forget it," The monk began to undo his rosary that was wrapped around his right hand. "I'll-"

"No!" Kagome yelled at the monk. "I got it!"

"No you don't!" Inuyasha argued. "I do!"

"Why?! You eager to taste the ground again!"

"You really want to get your butt kicked!"

"I'm not the one who's bleeding!"

By now they were face to face, inches apart.

"Yeah," Inuyasha hollered at her. "Well, you will be! Now stand aside!"

"No!" She stood still. "You move!"

"Kagome! Get out of the way! You can't take him!"

That remark sparked another growl from the young girl, "Inuyasha! Get the hell out of the way!"

Before he could reply, Kagome gave him a violent shove. The demon with the black eyes just missed the half human, with the teenage girl jumping back. She too was nearly slashed by the blade.

"That's it!" She glared into its empty, black eyes. "You're dead!"

"Kagome!" Shippou called from behind.

"What?!" She glanced back, to see him tossing her bow and quiver of arrows in her directions. She sneered at the objects flying at her, then took one swing with her hand and split the bow in half.

The kitsune stepped back, stunned, "Kagome?"

With that out of the way, she returned her attention to her adversary standing before her. Though its features were empty and emotionless, the two pits of blackness that rested in its face, emitted an aura of pure wickedness. From its silent demeanor, her ears could almost hear the malevolent sound of laughter coming from within.

It all happened so quick. A sword swung in defense and assault; a small frame moved left to right, doing back flips and jumps, all in which to avoid each attack. Then, with a few swipes, her three companions, the kitsune, the monk and the hanyou, watched in awe and horror as she used her bare hands to penetrate the shroud. The raggedy cloth tore with ease. The rotting flesh dissolved and the bones crumbled, grinding to powder at her touch. With her last strike, she shattered the skull that was hidden beneath the dark hood.

She stood above the ash that was once a strong youkai and turned to her friends. Each of their faces holding a different emotion; fear; surprise; amazement.

Breathing heavily, blood rushing to her head, body on fire, she spoke, "Weak huh?"

She got no reply.

"I got your weak right here," she took a step towards them, before collapsing.

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Shortly after the demon had been disposed of, the three companions were back at the old woman's hut in the village. The hanyou ran ahead of the two, carrying an unconscious Kagome. Kaede set up a resting place for the young girl. She then ushered the impatient half demon outside, to join the other two. She wanted to speak with them, without disturbing the sleeping girl.

"What happened?" The old woman glanced at each of them.

"She just fainted," the tiny kitsune answered.

"Before that," she placed her hands behind her back.

"She killed a demon," Miroku spoke up.

"Really?" The old woman looked over at the monk. "But she has been able to stop a few demons on occasion."

"True," the monk nodded his head in agreement. "However, this fight was different."

"How?" She asked.

"She ripped that demon to shreds," Shippou's face was filled with shock. "Literally. With her bare hands."

Her eye moved from the small fox to the half demon, "Interesting."

"She appeared to be using her fingers like claws," Miroku continued for Shippou. "Her style resembled much of Inuyasha's, especially her temper."

"Yeah," the kitsune agreed. "It was like she had no control."

"She just barreled into the fight," Miroku added. "No thought."

"Hey!" He grumbled. "What are you guys saying? That I'm just some idiot who doesn't think first."

"Pretty much," Shippou answered him.

"That sounds about right," Miroku didn't bother to look over at the now pouting Inuyasha.

"I see," Kaede awaited more details. "Were there any other differences?"

"Now that you mention it," Miroku nodded his head in agreement. "Prior to the fight, Kagome approached me. There was something different about her manner. She was more insistent."

At the monk's words, the half youkai moved next to him, "And just what happened when she approached you?"

Miroku didn't even bother to look into the face of the half demon. He already knew what kind of expression he was receiving from him. He just replied dryly, "Oh we didn't talk much."

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed at the response, "What?"

"She told me that she just finished talking to you," Miroku continued. "In fact, she seemed rather troubled about something. Just what happened with you two?"

His cheeks flushed as his mind flashed a quick image of Kagome straddling his chest and kissing him, "N-nothing."

"Your face tells us otherwise," Kaede watched him.

He scanned the faces of the others. They were all giving him curious looks.

He didn't hesitate to turn from them, "That's not the issue. I mean, what we saw is proof enough."

"What I want to know is," Shippou looked up at the old priestess. "How was it Kagome was able to kill the demon? I mean, Inuyasha couldn't even hurt it?"

She thought about it a moment, "That I am not sure. I would have had to seen the fight alone. Was there anything else, out of the ordinary?"

"Kagome seemed more," Shippou continued. "Mean. It was kinda scary. She got mad when I tossed her, her bow and arrows. Then she broke them in half."

"That's right," Miroku remembered. "In fact, she appeared angered."

"Then again, who could blame her?" The kitsune crossed his arms. "She and Inuyasha had been fighting, again."


"She started it!" He growled in defense.

Kaede thought of their explanation, before replying, "Hmm, that would explain it."

"What?!" The hanyou glared at her. "Why could she kill it with her bare hands and I couldn't?"

Miroku listened carefully, then finished the old woman's thought, "Her anger."

"Aye," she nodded. "It made her stronger."

"Huh?" Inuyasha eyed the two of them with disbelief.

"It would make sense," Miroku nodded his head in agreement, then turned to the white haired half demon. "Inuyasha, haven't you ever, in a fit of rage and anger, just obliterated an opponent?"

"Sure. Lots of times." He crossed his arms. "But so what? I mean, I was mad during the fight, but my own claws couldn't do anything to it?"

The old woman spoke lightly, "Do not take a woman's anger lightly, Inuyasha."

"That is true Inuyasha," the monk continued. "It is said, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn.'"

"Yeah, yeah," the hanyou rolled his eyes.

Shippou glanced at the entrance to the hut, "Why did she faint?"

"It must have been too much for her," Kaede thought aloud. "The rush of blood flowing through her and her anger."

"She must have been really mad about something," Shippou glared at the tall hanyou. "What did you do to her Inuyasha?!"

"Aye," the old priestess turned to him. "Just what did happen with you two?"

His cheeks flared a bright red once more, "I told you, nothing happened." He glanced from each of the three. All their faces registered skepticism.

"Hey!" He jumped back. "Weren't you the one who was suppose to give her the potion that would stop the changes?"

"Aye," she sighed in dejection. "I had hoped the potion I made would stop the process, but Inuyasha, your blood was much too strong. It did save her life, but it also mixed itself with her blood."

"Which explains her behavior," Miroku added, looking in the hanyou's direction. "And her constant growling."

"That's right. Her and Inuyasha kept growling at each other," Shippou glanced from the monk to the priestess. "Did she get some of Inuyasha's attitude?"

"I don't think so," Kaede shook her head. "Not entirely."

"What do you mean?" The kitsune asked, confused.

"Well," she answered. "We all have our dark sides to us. I believe the presence of the blood, just brought it out. It brought out an animalistic side of Kagome."

The half demon touched his tongue to his lips. He could still taste her. He thought of her behavior at the tree shortly before the demon appeared. It nearly made him blush once more.

"With the mixing of their blood," the monk continued. "She acquired some of his abilities, such as Inuyasha's strength, speed and possibly smell. I suppose that was the reason she lead us towards the demon."

The fox child sighed, "So that means, Kagome is-"

"Part demon," Kaede nodded her head.

The group grew silent at the old woman's words. They had known of the possible consequences, but the idea of it being true was still shocking. It was difficult for them to imagine her being different in such a way. Neither of them were quite sure what to say next. It would be the monk who would break their quiet thoughts.

Miroku glanced from Kaede to Inuyasha, "How do we tell her?"

"I wouldn't worry about that," a voice called from behind the four.

They averted their attention to the young girl standing at the entrance to the hut. She was wrapped in Inuyasha's red kimono. The light of the moon glowed off her face. The shadows around her eyes spelled displeasure. Beneath that lied hurt.

"Then again," her voice was hard. "You four didn't seem to before."

"Kagome," Shippou jumped up and down, excitedly. "You're up."

"I've been," she glared at her three other companions.

The harsh tone in her response to the child, immediately stopped his enthusiastic jumping. He quickly retreated behind the thick cloths of the monk next to him.

"Kagome," Miroku spoke nervously. "Did you-"

"Hearing," she pointed to her ears. "You forgot about hearing."

Neither of them could find an answer for the young girl. She glanced into their faces, each avoiding her eyes. Her brown eyes rested upon the half demon standing across from her.

"You knew. All this time, you knew," she walked over to him. "How could you not tell me?" She then turned to the other four, "Any of you?"

Kaede spoke up, "We didn't want to scare you, child."

Her jaw dropped, "Well you did!" Her body began to shake, "The past few days have been agonizing for me. I'm being terrorized by my nightmares, while scaring the hell out of my friends and family. Oh, and I can't forget me throwing up blood. I've been going crazy wondering just what the hell is wrong with me!" She poked Inuyasha's chest with her index finger, "And all the while you knew!"

"We wanted to be sure," Kaede came to his defense. "You left, before we could…"

She didn't take her eyes off the hanyou standing before her. "You knew what this shit was doing to me."

Her brown eyes glared furiously at the one individual she had felt the closest to. He was the one person she felt she could trust. She could feel something within her crack, "You should have told me."

Inuyasha finally looked into Kagome's eyes, "I wanted to tell you. I was going to."

"Oh really," her brown eyes pierced his golden pair. "When?! Before or after I raped you?!"

As the words fell out of her mouth, the priestess, the monk and kitsune felt their jaws drop open. Each of them held onto the last breath they took in.

Kagome could see the horror in his face. The blood rushed to his cheeks. She could see him fighting to keep his eyes on hers. She knew that he wanted to look away, but knew he couldn't because the others all had their eyes on them.

"Kagome," Inuyasha approached her.

"You," she put up her hand. "Don't touch me."

He took a step back, "I..I.."

She began to walk away from the group, "Leave me alone."

"Kagome," Kaede reached for her arm as she walked by. "Please stay. Let us help."

"No thanks," she avoided the old woman's reach. "I think I've had enough help."

With that, she sprinted in the direction of the Bone Eater's Well.

Inuyasha watched her run. He took a few hesitant steps in her direction.

"Inuyasha," Kaede stopped him. "Let her be."

The hanyou stood a moment, but shrugged off her words and continued his short trek to the well. He sniffed the air, searching for her scent. It was faintly mixed with the smell of his own blood. She was still wrapped in his kimono, which had soaked up his blood during the battle with the white faced demon. After she had collapsed, he worried she might be cold. But in the back of his mind, he wanted to cover her up. He didn't want others looking at her exposed skin, especially the lecherous monk.

It took him just seconds to reach the well, when he found her standing just a few feet away.

"What do you want?" Her voice was still hard.

"I just came to see if you were all right," he stopped a few feet away from her.

"A bit late for that," she kept her back to him. "Don't you think?"

"I'm sorry," he spoke softly.

"Yeah," she replied in the same tone. "So is everyone else."

Their light, awkward conversation fell to a silence. He wanted to say more to her, but he couldn't find the right words. Everything he said came out wrong.

"Inuyasha," she finally spoke, her back still to him. "I'm sorry."

The white haired hanyou looked upon her, with confusion, "What?"

Not having to look at him, she could still see his face, "The shit comment. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

He tried to shrug it off, "I didn't even."

"No," she shook her head. "I shouldn't have said that. That was wrong. It's not shit. It saved my life. Thank you." She could see a light smile forming on his face, then continued, "But I meant what I said. You should have told me."

His frown returned, "You're right. Sorry."

Without another word, Kagome jumped into the deep stone well, leaving his red kimono at the base of the well. The half demon picked up his thick garment, letting his amber eyes move from the well's opening to the kimono in his hands. He inhaled her lasting scent from the cloth, then sighed.

"She'll be back," the monk joined the half demon at the well.

"Will she?" Inuyasha stared at well.

"It's a difficult time for her right now," Miroku told him. "She just found out what's inside her-"

"Shit," his tawny eyes fell to blue.

"She was frustrated," he placed his hand on the half demon's shoulder, in assurance. "Inuyasha, you did what you had to do. She was near death. Your blood saved her life. It's a great deal for her to take in. Give her time."

Inuyasha glanced over at the monk standing beside him. He became suspicious of the grin forming on the monk's lips. It was devilish. "Besides, she needs to change her clothing," Miroku closed his eyes, envisioning the young girl.

"Such a pity," the horns began to peek out of his dark hair. "I rather liked her knew garments. They were very pleasing to the eyes."

He opened his eyes and met Inuyasha's irate glare, "Wouldn't you agree?"

The question caught the hanyou off guard, "W-What are you talking about?"

Miroku smiled at the flush in his friend's face, "Right. And her forceful demeanor didn't appeal to you in the slightest, correct?"

Inuyasha crossed his arms and turned from the monk. As absurd as he tried to make the question appear, he thought of Kagome's aggressive behavior and of what the old woman had said. Was that really in Kagome? Was she acting on pure animalistic instincts? Was what happened, her true feelings?

"Okay," the half demon answered. "I admit it. I thought she was intriguing."

"Uh-huh," Miroku encouraged him to continued.

Inuyasha went on, "There was something about they way she came up to me. It was…"

"Alluring," he added for him. "Inviting. Enticing."

The hanyou could feel his cheeks flush. He hadn't realized just what he had said, "I mean, they way she fought. It was so raw and uninhibited."

"Wild?" The monk remembered. "Almost animalistic?"

"I suppose," Inuyasha nodded his head. "I think it was my youkai side that found it appealing."

"Are you sure about that?" Miroku raised an eyebrow at the hanyou.

"Well," Inuyasha shrugged. "Maybe my human side, a little." He turned to face Miroku, before he could reply, "But, I'd rather have the old Kagome."

"You prefer the defenseless Kagome?" Miroku asked, a little confused.

The hanyou nodded his head, "Yes. She's better off being-"

"Powerless," the monk finished for him.

"Yes."

"Why? You like being dominant?"

"No! It's just-"

"Is she hurting your pride?"

"I think-No!"

"Worried that she might not need you anymore?"

"Stop that!"

"I'm sorry Inuyasha," Miroku put his hand up to the quickly approaching, hot tempered hanyou. "I'm just trying to understand what you're saying."

"If you'd shut up for a second," Inuyasha stopped his approach. "I'll tell you!"

"Please," Miroku waved his hand to Inuyasha. "Continue."

"I'm talking about protecting her," the half demon went on.

"Judging from the slain demon," the monk replied. "It looks like she can take care of herself."

"No," he sighed in frustration. "I mean, when she's not fighting, I know she's not putting herself in danger. I know she's safe and I can protect her."

Miroku understood the hanyou and didn't press the subject anymore. He knew it was a struggle for Inuyasha to admit his concerns for the young girl. And with that, he lead them back to the village.