[ That Magical Bullet ]

It's been oh so long since my last update! Gomen nasai!!!

Thank you, Diana, IllusionaryExistence, PeachesDani, RED HAT, kairinu, lalabeans, KillerSmurf, xo-Kagome-ox, fame'n'fortune, Jo-chan-ANIME, artic-snow-wolf, KatFay, animemistress419, ..., Palm*tree, Iolaus-16, ******, bonessasan, Draga, Robin, The Spiked Dragon, Hunters Of The Dusk, pup-lover, k.

Thanks to all who reviewed my latest chapter (chapter 3) I hope you guys enjoy this one!

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Inuyasha sat cross-legged in front of the well; he had been waiting nearly five hours for the arrival of Kagome. He peered off onto the rising sun, his kimono now slightly damp with morning dew.

"Damnit, what's taking her so long?" he said, impatiently.

He positioned his body to face the well, so he could stare deep into its darkness, the better to concentrate. Setting his elbows on the rigid wood, he allowed his eyes to glaze over in deep thought. He began tapping his sharp claws on the wood, subconsciously. Faster and faster, until he abruptly stopped, and carved his claws deep into the soft wood in frustration.

"What's taking that wench so long!" he repeated.

A distressed monk emerged from the forest, "Inuyasha, hurry the village!" Miroku called out from behind, interrupting Inuyasha's thought.

"What?" Inuyasha said, surprised.

"It's a youkai. He's almost made his way into the village."

"What do you need me for? Kill it."

"I can't."

"Use your hand."

"There are too many villagers and houses in the way. Sango is doing her best to maintain the beast, but I mustn't leave her for too long.

"Feh." Inuyasha rose from his spot and brushed quickly pass Miroku.

"He's at the front of the village, you can't miss him!" He called after the hanyou, trying his best to catch up.

Arriving at the village, he gave his eyes a second to take in the scene.

A youkai, whom looked like a human-only 30 times bigger-hovered over a few crushed homes. Many villagers shot arrows and tossed up ropes in an attempt to capture it, but failed. And Sango stood before them all, her oversized boomerang steady on her shoulder, ready for an opportune moment to attack.

"This'll be a cinch," he said cockily.

Running forward, now only feet away from the monster, he jumped high into the air, flexing his claws at the same time. He aimed for the arm, but the youkai pulled back just in time, making Inuyasha miss.

"Aim for the neck, he's weakest there!" Sango advised, from below.

Inuyasha dashed back up into the air, allowing the wind currents to steady him in front of his target. Taking Sango's advice he went to strike the youkai's neck, but only grazed him, as he dodged Inuyasha's claws once again.

The youkai turned around, facing Inuyasha. He took one hand and slapped it against Inuyasha's face, and the other he pounded against his chest sending him inches deep into the wet soil, far from the scene.

He waited a moment, to recover and catch his breath that had been knocked out of him.

"Inuyasha what's wrong? I thought you'd be able to get him in one hit, he doesn't even have a jewel-"

"Shut up, monk!" he said, rising up. "Listen, go to the well and check on Kagome."

"There'll be time for that later! We need to concentrate on the task at-"

"Just do it!" he interrupted again, "I smell her scent, along with another."

Miroku, finally understanding, nodded his head. The scent of Kagome was distracting him from his enemy because he couldn't go check on her.

"Just hurry it up!" Miroku said, dashing off into the forest.

"Same goes for you." Inuyasha called back.

Inuyasha stood up, now able to focus fully on the demon and destroy it.

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Kagome stood, shocked for a moment.

"You can't be here. How did…" she stuttered, at lose for words.

"Oh, but I am," he said, grinning broader. He began advancing on her.

"Then why are you here?" she managed to say, though too shocked to move, "And how did you know about the well?"

"Why does it matter? This era doesn't belong only to you," he said pointing at her, "I can be here if I want."

"No, no you can't!" she said, now having the courage to back away from him, "Inuyasha'll be here any minute!"

"Inuyasha?" he said throwing her jacket to the side and grabbing her wrists to pull her closer to his chest, "I don't see him anywhere."

"He isn't here yet, but he will be. So you better let me go," she said angrily, using all her might to try and push herself away from him.

His hands gripped tighter on her wrists, and he tossed her to the side, as if she were nothing more than a rag doll. "Well, I'm due for a good fight," he said cockily, pushing his sleeves up.

Kagome rose, and stood her ground. "Listen, I'm warning you! I'd get out of here before he arrives. If he gets upset I might not be able to stop him and he might kill you."

Hojo grabbed her hair roughly and pulled her closer to his face, he pulled his vacant hand back swiftly and brought it back against Kagome's face, blinding her with pain.

With such an impact, she could do nothing but rub her cheek. Her eyes were red and tears filled up in her eyes. Tears not only caused from the pain, but from Inuyasha's absence. 'Where is he? What if he doesn't come? Was that dream real? Is that why he isn't here?'

"Not so tough now are you? Now, where is this Inuyasha?"

Kagome drew in a deep breath and looked up at the young boy. 'I can take care of him myself. I don't need Inuyasha. Though, last time I thought that I winded up unconscious in my own home.' She shook her head and regained her balance.

Kagome noticed one of her old arrows laying on the ground, just beneath her foot. She picked it up, wishing she only had a bow to go along with it. However, making the best out of what she had, she dashed forward, catching him off guard. Holding the end tightly, she swung the sharper point against his face, leaving a bloody gash against his cheek.

"You bitch!" he said with rage, cupping the mark in his hand. "Try something like that again and see what-"

She raised the arrow again, ready for another attack, but Hojo caught her wrist in mid-air, "I warned you not to try it again." She tried to punch with her other hand, but he ducked downwards and in the process grabbed her waist and tossed her over his shoulder. He walked toward the well.

"Let me go! Inuyasha!" he tossed her down the well, allowing her voice to slowly trail off until she was gone.

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Bam.

She landed hard on the mucky floor of the well with a thud. Beginning to climb up the well she had intentions on going back down.

"I shouldn't go back, I keep trying to stick up for myself and I only wind up getting hurt. Maybe I should go tell Mama...Yeah that's it. I'll prove to her it's really him. Not Inuyasha."

Kagome threw the door open, "Mama!" she yelled, dashing through her home.

"Kagome? What's wrong?" Mrs. Higurashi asked, alarmed as she walked into the living room with Yukishi.

"It's Hojo! He went down the well," Kagome said, trying to catch her breath.

"What? Hojo can't go down the well, can he?" her mother asked.

"I don't know. But he did. Now, do you believe me?"

"He fell down a well?!" Yukishi interrupted, obviously confused.

"Kagome, you're supposed to be at school."

"I know. I'm sorry. I went down the well instead, and when I went there Hojo was right behind me."

"That is weird that he can go down the well. But he was just returning your jacket."

"No, he tried to hurt me!"

Mrs. Higurashi's eyes widened with fear. "Oh no, Kagome I told you not to go back there!"

"I said I was sorry, but that's not the point."

"That's exactly the point!" Mrs. Higurashi said, anger evident in her voice.

"Why are you getting upset about me going down the well, shouldn't you be focusing on Hojo?" Kagome said, beginning to get angry herself.

"Don't you see? You were attacked when you went down that well. It is Inuyasha that attacked you. Hojo can't go down the well!"

"What! Stop it with Inuyasha. It's not him. Just wait until Hojo gets back here, you'll see the cut on his face I made with my arrow." She turned toward the door, breathless from her sprint and screaming.

"I'm assuming you're going to school now." Yukishi asked, still oblivious to what just happened.

"No. I'm going back to the well. Hojo is still there and-"

Mrs. Higurashi darted toward her daughter, "Stop! You're not going back there."

Kagome's mouth gaped open at her mother's rejection, "I have to go back."

"Go to your room Kagome."

"No. I'm going back to the well," she said pushing open the door. Once again, she made her way toward the well, slower this time. She didn't want to defy her mother, it was the last thing she wanted to do. But she had to.

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Inuyasha looked at the dead youkai he had just killed, that lay before his feet, as the villagers began taking pieces of it away one at a time.

Sango walked up to him, "Good job. Let's go get cleaned up."

Miroku walked up behind the two.

Inuyasha turned around, "Is Kagome all right?"

"I don't know, she wasn't there when I arrived. All I found was this by the well," he said holding Kagome's coat out to Inuyasha.

"Shit!"

"She probably just got spooked and went back down the well, and left it."

"I don't care, I shouldn't of left the well," without a moment's hesitation he darted through the forest.

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Kagome opened the well house and searched around for any weapon that would help her defend the man waiting on the other side. Her eyes traveled on her bow that was resting in a dark corner, she tossed it over her shoulder and before she knew it she was down the well and in the Warring States Era.

She climbed up the well tiredly, and peered over the top of it. Looking around she saw no sign of anyone, only her arrow on the ground that she had used previously to defend herself. She jumped over the wood hastily and scooped up the arrow. She flew her bow off her shoulder and gripped it tightly in her hand, with the arrow in position to shoot. Looking around the forest that seemed to engulf her she steadied herself for any sign of movement. Then, walked toward the path to the village.

Then it happened. A rustle from behind a couple of trees sounded, beside the path she was longing to go. She gripped her bow tighter ready to let the arrow go at any given moment. Then Inuyasha appeared.

Inuyasha dug his foot into the ground, allowing it to help break his stop. The air in his lungs came rapidly, not from his much hasted sprint, but from worry. After seeing her safe he let out a huge sigh of relief. Though, he wondered what she was doing in the stance as if she was about to hurt someone. "Kagome..."

Kagome let her bow fall slowly to her side, "Oh Inuyasha, I'm so glad you're here. Where were you?"

"I-" he began to inform her on the unexpected attack on the village, but her heartbeat increased greatly and she stood shocked for a moment. His ears perched up, there was no one around.

Kagome took a small step backwards, she saw a cut on Inuyasha's face. The same cut, the same place that she had slashed Hojo with the arrow. "Why are you cut, where did you get that?"

Inuyasha didn't answer right away, he was confused at her sudden turn of emotion, and her suspicious question. He felt his face with his clawed hand and came across something cool and wet; he looked at his fingers and realized it was blood. "I...I don't know. It must of been from the fight I just had. What does that have to do with anything?" He walked toward Kagome but her eyes widened and she seemed to become immobile.

'He has the same cut that I gave Hojo, and Hojo was at the usual spot that Inuyasha meets me.' Snap out of it Kagome. What's wrong with you? It's only Inuyasha.'

"Kagome what is wrong with yo-?" Inuyasha stopped suddenly. He dashed toward Kagome. Kagome thought he was about to attack, she tried to raise her hands to guard herself but Inuyasha was too fast. He knocked her down on the ground and shielded her arms over her head. While at the same moment an arrow pierced the wind, where she had just been standing. Though, thanks to Inuyasha it missed and pelted deep into the bark of a nearby tree.

Kagome laid still on the ground, while Inuyasha peaked his head up. He then lifted himself from Kagome and grabbed her arm, helping her to regain balance.

"You alright?"

"Uh, yeah." She asked a bit stunned, not only from the almost being pierced by an arrow. But for the thought that had crossed her mind a few minutes ago. For a split second she had actually thought Inuyasha was going to attack her. 'It's just from all those stories my family keeps telling me about him.' She thought, trying to push off the guilt that then resided in her. Looking over at Inuyasha she saw he was sniffing the air louder than usual, as if he couldn't pick up a scent.

"Wha-what's wrong?"

Inuyasha turned around quickly, just in time to see a boy emerge from the forest. The boy, Hojo.

"Oh no," Kagome said worriedly, as she stepped back.

Inuyasha jumped up and placed himself in between Kagome and Hojo. He growled, and put one foot before the other, ready to attack.

Everything was happening so fast Kagome stood still, until she heard her name being called. It was Sango and Miroku from behind her.

"Kagome! What's going on?"

"Inuyasha don't kill him!" Kagome called ignoring her two confused friends. Even if she wanted Hojo dead, she knew she couldn't let Inuyasha do it. However, she wasn't going to stop him from hurting Hojo. Besides, he deserved it.

Inuyasha growled, and pretended not to hear Kagome's request. He wanted to kill the bastard; to stab his hand through his heart. Yet, he knew deep down he couldn't. The angered hanyou dashed toward Hojo, and unsheathed his sword. It didn't transform, he didn't need it to with such a simple task. He gripped the handle tightly and aimed for Hojo's abdomen. The sword went through his stomach, and he pulled it back out.

Inuyasha raised the sword back over his head, preparing to swing again. But he realized that the boy was already down on the ground, coughing up blood. "Oh right, I forgot. You're just a human."

"Heh," Hojo was down on his knees, blood dripping from his wound. But he looked up into Inuyasha eyes. He was laughing, with a broad grin on his face.

Inuyasha heard a cry from Sango, making him swiftly turn around. She had her hands cupped over her mouth. His gaze thus turned toward Kagome, who had a very surprised look on her face. Her arms were hung lifelessly by her side, and her front was stained with red. Inuyasha sniffed the air, realizing it was full of Kagome's blood-scent. She fell to her knees, and Sango took hold of her shoulder, stopping her from going any further to the ground.

Hojo began laughing harder as Inuyasha ran to Kagome's side, "The fuck did you do to her!" Inuyasha yelled.

"Heh, let's just say I've hit Kagome with one of my newly perfected potions," He stood up slowly, and painfully as he wiped blood from his mouth. "Don't tell me someone as yourself wouldn't know anything about magic?"

Miroku, whom was the most knowledgeable in magic left Kagome's side to confront the boy, "What are you talking about?"

Inuyasha could barely hear anything of what was going on between Miroku and Hojo's confrontation. He lifted up the now unconscious Kagome's shirt up a couple of inches to see where she had been struck. After seeing the wound, he quickly covered it back up. He couldn't stand to look at that type of wound on her frail body, especially one that looked identical to that of his sword's. "Damnit…" He turned his gaze toward Hojo.

"When I attacked Kagome that night, I placed a bullet inside of her. Anytime, you hurt me," he said pointing toward Inuyasha, "you hurt her." He finished, now pointing toward the almost lifeless body.

Miroku wasn't positive as to what he was talking about. Nonetheless, he was angry and disgusted by the magic he admitted to inflict on Kagome. He raised his golden staff above his head and came down with an unexpected, for Hojo's part, blow on his head. Knocking him unconscious.

He then walked back toward Kagome, to take a look at the size of the cut. Though he couldn't, the cut was now completely covered with a thick, red substance that now flew freely from her open wound.

Inuyasha scooped up Kagome into his arms, and pulled her tightly to her chest, "I'm taking her to Kaede's, you make sure he doesn't leave-" he stopped in mid-sentence as he noticed Hojo had left his spot. "Damnit he got away!"

"Should we track him down while you take Kagome back to the village?" Sango asked.

"No, his scent is gone. He must have went back down the well. I don't have time for that, we have to help Kagome," with that he quickly left his spot toward Kaede's.

Arriving at the small hut, he dashed in, knocking the hangings that were attached to the doorway off, sending them crashing to the ground.

"Oh no," Kaede stood up as fast as she her slow body would let her, and went to fetch a mat. She laid it down in front of Inuyasha's feet and waved her hand, signaling Inuyasha to set her down. "What happened?"

Inuyasha sat Kagome's small body on the mat, "I don't have time to explain. She'll be okay right?"

Kaede checked over her stomach and fetched a wet rag to wipe the cool, dry blood from her stomach. Looking over the shape of the cut for a minute she said confused, "Thiis the cut from a sword, a sword like Tetsusiaga's."

"Don't look at me like that you old hag, it's not like I tried to hurt her," he glared at Kaede. He had an indescribable anger toward himself, for letting her get hurt…for striking Hojo.

"I meant no offence," Kaede said, backing down.

Sango and Miroku entered the hut, breathless from their run, "How is she?" Sango asked anxiously.

"Hand me the bandages Miroku."

Inuyasha sat on the ground opposite of Kaede. "Why aren't you answering us? What's wrong with Kagome? Is she going to be okay?" Inuyasha asked, beginning to get worried. As Kagome's heart beat dropped his sped twice as fast.

"I know not. This cut seems to have reopened another wound she previously had."

Inuyasha looked down at Kagome's pale face. "Yeah, she was in bed the other day, someone had hurt her."

"I see." Kaede replied.

"Was it that same man?" Miroku asked as he helped Kaede bandage Kagome's stomach.

Inuyasha looked up at the monk. "Yeah. His name's Hojo," he said softly.

"Then that's what he was talking about. When he attacked her the first time, he inserted some type of potion into her, a bullet he called it. And he must have inserted the same into himself. Thus, anytime he endures pain so does she. Though, the same goes for her. If she gets hurt, so does he. It forms some type of bond between them, but I've never heard of such magic."

Inuyasha felt a low rumbling that formed in his chest, and made it's way to his throat. His lip rose revealing his teeth. He was pissed. He wanted to catch Hojo before he made it too far away from the well but he couldn't leave Kagome's side, not until he was sure she was okay.

"She has lost much blood," Kaede started, she finished wrapping the last bandage and stood up to wash her hands in a nearby bowl. "I think she will be fine as long as she doesn't loose anymore."

Inuyasha slowly nodded his head in agreement, though still keeping his gaze on Kagome. "Let her rest for the time being. When she wakes, ye must take her back to her era," She said, exiting the hut.

Hours had passed, nothing much happened. Miroku and Sango were out with the other villagers, helping to rebuild the recently destroyed homes. They'd walk in at least once an hour to see if Kagome had awakened. Inuyasha would give a simple shake of his head, and they'd leave. Kagome on the other hand, didn't even stir. She stayed in the same position since Inuyasha had first laid her down.

Inuyasha took his hands out from his kimono and reached over to Kagome. He placed it over Kagome's hand in order to check her body temperature. She was cold, so he took off his top haori and placed it over her. He placed himself back against the wall, resting slightly.

Night came, and then it happened. Kagome let out a low grunt, and her eyes twitched. She formed them into slits, hoping to figure out where she was. It was too dark to tell anything, but the familiar hard flooring against her back, and the cool night air informed her she was with Inuyasha and the others. She tried to lift herself up on her elbows, but failed.

Inuyasha ran to Kagome's side. "You're awake," he said, relieved.

"Inuyasha? What happened?" She asked, too tired to recall the recent encounter with Hojo.

Inuyasha filled her in on everything. She said nothing, only stared up into Inuyasha's amber eyes.

He became a little worried at the lack of her response to the situation. 'Was she thinking? Or was she mad at me for letting something like this happen?' His eyes traveled down to the cut. "Is it hurting?"

"It's okay. It's not that bad," she lied.

Kaede walked into the room. "Can you rise?" she said walking over to Kagome.

Kagome tried to lift herself once again, but couldn't. "Inuyasha, ye must help Kagome back to her era. She shall find better treatment there."

Kagome's eyes widened. 'He can't go over there. Mama would have a heart attack, there's no telling what Yukishi would do, and Inuyasha doesn't know Hojo has been living over there.'

"I can go by myself." Kagome offered, using all her strength to try and lift herself up.

"Kagome, you can't even get up." Inuyasha said, putting his hand on her shoulder to keep her from rising any further.

"Inuyasha, I told you about my mom. How she-"

"I don't care about that," Inuyasha scooped up Kagome gently into his arms.

"Inu- I- I really don't think…" It was too late. Inuyasha had already left the hut and was now dashing through the forest. He was eager to find help for her.

Inuyasha sensed the new grief and worry that settled inside of Kagome, and the increasing of her heart beat as they neared the well. "Kagome, I already know what your mom thinks about me. I don't care, I just want to make sure you get help. So, don't worry about it."

Despite the pain in her stomach, and the fatigue that threatened to engulf her, a slight smile broke on her face. "Thanks Inuyasha." She was happy to know Inuyasha cared. However, she was still unsettled to the fact that Inuyasha might be face-to-face with Hojo within minutes. Not to mention Inuyasha would be pissed with her for not letting him know that he was living in her house. She shifted uneasily in Inuyasha's arms and closed her eyes.

A slight blush streaked Inuyasha's cheeks upon realizing what he had just told Kagome and his speed quickened toward the well. Minutes later, he reached the it and stopped. He looked down to warn Kagome of the jump, but she was sleeping. Sleeping or unconscious, he wasn't sure. Either way, her heart beat was normal and breathing regular, and he was thankful.

'Damnit Hojo…' The same sentence repeated in his head the thousandth time since the incident. 'What would make him do something like this? And to Kagome no less. She'd never deserve anything this bad…nor this planned out. There's got to be something behind it.' His pondering continued as he approached the shrine and before he knew it he was standing on the hard cement only a foot from the door, as the cruel wind whipped his and Kagome's clothes roughly, almost mocking what he was dreading. He drew in a breath and touched the door, prepared to confront the antagonistic family on the other side.

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I know! I know! It's been forever since my last update. I'm extremely sorry but I have been spending my time studying for my GED test and I finally took it today so no more worries. And, my computer broke down and I recently bought myself a new one. So, I'll be updating often now. That is if I still have any viewers out there who haven't gave up on me!