Title: Bonded

By: Kiyoushi

Summary: Kagome comes to the Sengoku jidai with a black eye, causing InuYasha to wonder. Major secrets revealed! Will InuYasha accept her or push her away? If he accepts her, will she run or will she stay? I/K S/M ~pg-13 for language and suggestions of rape~

A/N: Whoo! Did you see all the reviews??? WOW! I'm so glad you guys like it! I'll keep writing if you guys keep reviewing!!!!!!!

Words: Hanyou- half demon (also half human in inu's case) Miko- priestess Tai-jiya- demon exterminator Houshi- monk, low rank priest Kawaii- cute Hai- yes Iie- no Kitsune- fox Neko- cat Inu- dog Usagi- rabbit Sakana- fish Tou- chan/-san/-sama- father, dad Sengoku jidai- warring states ear, 1470s to 1580s (or something like that anyway).

Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue (are they really?), me no own, so you no sue!!!

Chapter 2- Gold

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The young woman woke up in one of the oddest situations that you would ever imagine, considering the last thing she remembered was being rocked to sleep by InuYasha, the canine prince. It was then that she finally remembered that he actually was royalty. He sure didn't act like it.

She was shaken from her thoughts as the hanyou beside her rolled slightly to look at her, first looking right, left, making sure no intruders -or certain hentai houshis for that matter- didn't disturb them. He tiled her chin with a gentle clawed hand and smiled down upon her, greeting her with a warm face.

This was the first time in a really long time she had woken so. pleasantly. The last time being her own mother's grinning face as she woke her daughter up with a tender kiss on the forehead and playful scolding about missing the bus for school.

That was back when she was seven.

Such a long time that had been, and even now she longed for her mother's gentle touch as the sunlight spewed into her room through glass windows, making it glare into her eyes. She had taken for granted the way she did her early morning routine; walking groggily to the bathroom to most likely see her grandfather there, particularly worried about the balding spot on his head. Then having to push him out of the bathroom before she was balding herself. The thought had crossed her mind every morning of that school year that she hoped women didn't bald. She eventually found that they did and the next day had gotten her mother to buy her a wig- saying it was for the play at school.

She was never in a play.

She missed that and when her junior high school had started having plays each year, she wanted to be apart of the action. She had always dreamed of being an actor, of being a star, as all small children did but upon her sixth year of schooling, she didn't know she wouldn't have a chance to. All because she displeased her father so much.

His morning kiss woke her from her pondering. She looked at him, surprised, yet he returned her wide-eyed stare with a tender smile. He winked, so unlike him, and started to get up to go hunting. Nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, other than waking beside him- which wasn't as unusual as you might think- but that one gentle gesture had been icing on a very big cake.

There was many a time she had wakened with him at her side. She may have been hurt; he may have been hurt, it may have been cold, it may have been dangerous, but either way it was never for comfort. Did he even know the solace she felt around him?

Obviously not by the way he stared at her.

His face looked worried, as if he feared rejection. He was turned slightly away from her and looking at her from the corner of his golden eyes. "Ohayo to you too, InuYasha," she whispered. He smiled disdainfully down at her, not really sure how he should take her answer. She leaned up and returned his kiss, his gentle, caring, 'hello darling' type kiss, and trailed a finger over his cheek.

He frowned at her sad face. She was thinking about something she hadn't explained yet, obviously, and she looked sad as she returned his kiss. Her eyes were dimmed, as if all the happiness in them had vanished, and he knew that his girl's eyes were the way to seeing what was in her heart.

She watched him watch her, felt the way his gaze gently traced over her, the way they took in every part of his object of observation, which, at this time, was her.

She didn't expect him to speak so soon, and she jumped a little bit as his sweet voice crashed into her head. She heard, but didn't really listen. She didn't have any idea what he was talking about yet his soothing deep voice calmed her, she felt relaxed, as if she could snuggle up right there to him, curl against his chest like a small kitten and purr her happiness to him.

He repeated his question then looked at her oddly; she had this faraway look in her eyes, like her eyes were open during a pleasant dream. Looking around again, finding no one awake as of yet, he took her into his arms, starling her out of her happy daydream, and placed them in a tree, pulling her between his legs so she wouldn't fall. Her head rested on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"Kagome, I promise I will always be there for you," he said softly, this time she heard.

"You've always promised that, InuYasha, even from when we first met." She answered, not sure what he meant.

He shook his head. "Iie, I want to protect you with everything you have problems with, everything." She continued to stare at him strangely. "Even with your father. I'll never let him take advantage of you again."

She sighed, then snuggled more beneath his arms. "I can't see how you can do that."

"I will do whatever it takes to protect you, Kagome, I promise."

"I know, but I don't want you involved in this. This is my fight, this is my doing. it's my fault he treats me that way." She pulled out from his embrace and sat with her back to him, a little ways down the branch he sat them on. "If he hurts you or gets angry and takes it out on me."

He scooted closer to her, so he could pull her back to him, wrapping his strong arms protectively around her shoulders. "What? What will he do?"

"I- she chocked back a sob. "I don't think I'd make it back to alive this time. He's been hitting harder, he's been drinking more, and he's been getting angry over the slightest things." Tears fell down her paled cheeks as she turned back to InuYasha. "I don't want him to hurt you."

He smiled down at her, his eyes soft and shining as if he was to shed tears on her behalf. "As long as you're alive and well, I don't care what happens to me. If it came down to me or you, Kagome, I'd always choose you."

Her eyes couldn't hold the rivulet of tears that streamed over her pale cheeks. She quickly turned and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his hair. "No," she said, her voice muffled by his silver locks. "I won't let you do that on my behalf, I would cause you pain just because I'm too weak to defend myself."

"Oh, Kagome, don't say that! You are strong and beautiful and brave! You're caring and loving and the most loyal person I know!"

She shook her head, ruffling his hair but neither cared nor took notice of the change in the neatness of his hair.

"Kagome, you are worth more to me than anything in the world and I'd gladly give my own life to protect you! Just, please, you have to believe in me and trust me."

"But I do trust you! I trust you with all the fiber of my being and I care for you with even more than that! But I am useless, stupid."

"Don't talk about yourself like that!" he snapped and she pulled back to look at him. He sighed and smiled slightly; fingering the gold necklace he had given her for her seventeenth birthday. "I know there are beautiful woman out there Kagome, and there are women that may be kind and sweet but they, to me, are like this necklace." He turned the pendant over and scratched it for emphasis. Beneath was copper. "They are all like this necklace, you see, they are all gold on the outside but copper on the inside, But you, Kagome, you are entirely gold, no piece inside you that is any less than gold, nothing out of place. You are pure, beautiful, and priceless. Never let anyone tell you that you are less than that, because that is what you are."

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The whole group sat in a circle, except for the girl in the middle, Kagome, who was currently being treated for a few of her bruises on her body. Sango softly patted each with the modern ointment and apologized profusely when she saw the girl wince from her pressing too hard. Sango felt bad, even though she didn't know why, but she knew there wasn't something good about these contusions, they shouldn't be so frequent, they shouldn't be so painful, like someone have beaten her and she couldn't defend herself.

Sango almost laughed. Kagome, not be able to defend herself? That was absurd! The girl was one of the strongest mikos ever known! She was a wonderful person in every aspect of life, and was kind and loving, caring, and strong. What else could you ask in a friend?

Miroku watched Sango treat Kagome's many wounds and then glanced at InuYasha's face. He looked distressed, sad, pitiful, and his eyes showed sorrow and . should he daresay love? Was it possible that the hanyou had developed feelings for this young girl?

His eyes switched between her and InuYasha, the way she glanced at him, the way he stared at her, the way when their eyes met his would soften just enough for a friend to notice, and only a friend would notice. Then there was that silly grin he would get when thinking to himself and when asked, he'd snap back and bite you faster than a pit bull.

Yup, the boy was so in love, and he didn't even realize it himself. Miroku laughed softly and earned a glared from InuYasha.

"What the hell is so damn funny houshi?" InuYasha scuffed.

Miroku, not wanting to risk losing his head, shook his head with laughter in his usually calm voice, at least in these types of situations. He was usually quiet, impassive, painfully aware of the action going on in the forest around them.

No, not today, he was too fixed on irritating InuYasha, which he was managing a good job of.

InuYasha suddenly stood and whirled around, looking to face the man who approached them.

"Lord InuYasha, I have a message for you." The youkai bowed deeply and pulled a piece of paper from his sack. "I am to tell you, Lord, that the Lord of the East has some business with you and it needs to be then care of soon. He says to be prepared to fight." Then he bowed and left, leaving gawking people behind him.

~~~___~~~~____~~~~__End Chapter__~~~~____~~~~___~~~

Personal Responses:

Jammies20000- well, I am continuing and sorry about the icky daddy-ness, I just wanted some major drama, something that actually happens to people. I agree about anything not inu/kag, I don't like it. I won't read it. If you like it, please go check out my other fics. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. Luv ya much! And thanks for reviewing!! I like tea!!! Especially green tea. and black cherry. and vanilla., that's good too.

Wildrose: I'm happy you like it and took the time to review! Thanks for your encouragement and the whole reason I chose to write a story like this one is because it really does happen to kids all around the world, I thought it might make a good story and for those kids that it does apply to, they should know that they are beautiful, wonderful, and deserve better.

Crystal phoenix: I got too many reviews not to continue!! Continue I will!! WHOO!! ^__^ thanks for reviewing!!!

Ami- I kno, but it won't be too sad for too long. I'm updating asap! Thanks for reviewing!

Sarah: it'll be getting a little perkier through the story. hopefully ^___^' I'm not sure where I'm going with it!!! I'll EM u when I post it! Hey, try regeistering!

Kagome98: I don't know who your friend is but if you'll give me their pen name I'll be sure to read their stories!!! Thanks for putting me on your fave author list!!! Hope you like this chappie and continue to review!!!

Kikyou's Revenge: I'll try reading a few of your stories. If you would like, please read a few others of mine. I'm glad you like it and I'm glad the genres even out. Thanks for reviewing and please review again!

Vernie: thanks! Glad you like it!

Bookworm12- Don't cry!!! I know Kagome's daddy is a real big jerk but that's how the story goes! Don't fret! It'll all turn for the best (if you think Kagome getting with InuYasha is the best.*giggles*). Thanks for reviewing! Don't stop! I know your im! I'll get you!!!

Kick_butt_vixen- Thanks! I hope you like this chapter too!

Minako-chan4: Do you like Minako from Sailor Moon? She's cool. I like Makoto! ANYWAY... Well I'm continuing! *does her hapy dance* I'm gad you liked it! And as to inu/kag, well I only write inu/kag stories! So don't worry! ^___^ Thanks for reviewing! Hope you review agaiun and hope you liked this chapter!

Freaky_Chicky: Thanks for the cookie!!! I love cookies!!! *strtas munchingon cookie* I hope you liked this chapter and please review again! And bring more cookies!!!!

Well, that's all folks!!!