I know. I've been gone forever, and you all probably thought that I had abandon the story. I haven't. I'm just lazy, and preoccupied, and busy, and gosh darn it, I have a life!! *cough* Okay, well then… End that rant.

This chapter may offend some people, but I'm past the point of caring. . It's rated PG-13 for a reason, and I tried to not make it anything near R. So hopefully, this is good… Eh…I'm not totally happy with this chapter, but I really tried hard. Sorry for the long wait, I'll try to work harder on getting the next the next one up faster….And try to wrap this up…. Also, I'm going to try and stay away from review responses, sorry, but they've become too much hastle to type up…. I want to get the chapters up as fast as possible for you guys, and review responses take a while. I'll still put the life-threatening ones, ^.^ and thank-you's but no big ones unless I have to.

Ta-

-CD

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Her eyes slid down to her blood-coated shirt, and she touched it with a trembling hand, before she then looked up at the demon. The creature had no discernible limbs except for the long, jagged wings, which had bright silver feathers on them, the sunlight flashing off them, like a million of miniature mirrors. Gnarled and thick legs protruded just beneath the bottom of the wings. I-is that blood? Oh gods…Never mind, I don't want to know…Kagome hurriedly wiped the blood off of her hands, not noticing how it smeared across her hands. Her eyes continued their study of the monster. A bulging mass, which she supposed was his body, and a lopsided head with eyes that glowed an eerie green and a wicked looking beak coated in dry blood. The smell of decaying flesh reached her nose seconds after the demon's arrival, and she instinctively covered her nose.

With an arrogant smile, Inuyasha flicked the hilt of the Tetsusaiga with a single claw, and ignored the pinching in his side, he crouched, awaiting the attack. "You reek of Naraku…" He growled lowly, eyes glinting dangerously. "Is he still sending those weak little brats to do the dirty work he won't do?" Unnoticed by the demon who was preoccupied with the hanyou's taunting, Sango unstrapped her bone boomerang, and Miroku placed a cautious hand on his cursed one.

When Naraku's incarnation retorted, it took all of the self-control that the group had to not cover their ears, to block the horrible sound. "You dare to insult me, little hanyou?" It's wings flapped harder, and the demon rose in to the air. "I shall take great pleasure in ripping out your innards and feasting upon your still beating heart."

How are we supposed to stop this thing? All the other incarnations haven't had this much raw power…And it's making me sick…Stepping back, Kagome reached out a hand, signaling that she wanted her bow-which Sango still held. Feeling slightly better with the comforting weight of the weapon in her hands, she notched an arrow, and drew the string back so that it was taunt. Deep breath…Focusing, she aimed at the monstrosity, and then let the arrow loose with a sharp twang of the string. C'mon! Please hit! Pure pink energy hissed past, and struck the demon solidly in the right wing, with a sizzle of flesh and steel. A surprised scream of both pain and anger escaped the beaked mouth, as it turned sharply, facing the girl with hateful eyes.

"You…You are the one the Master warned me of….I shall remember this, and personally rip you to pieces soon enough. This I promise…" With that, it disappeared with out a trace.

Loss of blood was beginning to make the hanyou's mind sluggish and slow as he turned enough to glare at the group in anger. "W-why the hell'd you do that?! I could've taken him, it was just a wimpy-" Sheathing his sword, he swayed perilously, his all too apparent lack of cohesiveness making it hard to take him serious. He ducked his head down, and grappled for a protruding rock, gripping it tightly, as his head fell forward, inadvertently shadowing his eyes with his bangs. "Damn it…"

Dropping her bow and arrows from numb hands with a soft clatter, she rushed forward as his head dropped down, and he came perilously close to toppling over on to his face. Vaguely she could feel his weight being lifted off of her, and then Sango and Miroku each slipped their arms under him to support him. "W-we've got to get him-"

Trying to jerk away from his self-appointed helpers, he turned his head away. "Leave me alone…I'm fine."

Anger rushed through her, he dared to say that, when he had a gaping hole in his back, and he was bleeding all over the ground? "Shut up, Inuyasha…" She sighed, looking up in to his stormy amber eyes, jumping when he growled and his grip tightened on the rock that he was holding on to- cracking it loudly. "Gods, Inuyasha, stop it! You're going to hurt yourself even more!" She huffed in irritation. "Now turn around." The fire rat coat had protected him from some of the damage, but there were deep wounds in his lower back, showing where the odd feathers had hit him solidly. The white undershirt was a ripped and torn mess, stained with blood, barely enough material to call it a shirt. "C'mon." Tugging on his arm gently, she pulled him over to the backpack, totally unaware of the fact that she was also dragging Sango and Miroku who were still holding the wounded hanyou up.

Inuyasha cut her off, placing a clawed hand over her mouth, effectively stifling all her protests. "Woman, you worry too much. I'm fine- have been and always will be. Now lets go before Naraku sends any more of his idiotic incarnations after us, all right?"

\\

"Wow, your back must hurt so much…" Kagome breathed as she smoothed a healing balm over the deep wounds that had partially healed. She heard a derisive snort as she carefully made sure to get all the goop on the wounds, before placing some gauze on it. He winced almost unperceptive as she accidentally hit a tender spot, and she kissed his shoulder blade gently in apology. "Sorry, I didn't realize that spot was tender."

"Feh." Inuyasha let a wry grin cross his lips as he pushed himself up to sit cross-legged on the wooden planks of the small hut that they had found after the encounter with the youkai. Gently as was humanly possible, she wound the bandage around his toned stomach, slowly making her way up to the middle of his back, brushing back the long silver hair that threatened to get caught in the sticky bandage. "You worry way too much, ya know that wench?"

Miroku ducked in to the hut, a smile on his face, as he let the flap close. "I'm almost beginning to like the curse…"

Kagome rolled her eyes, and stretched as she sat there. "Let me guess…You got to peep on Sango while she was bathing, and not get caught?" Inuyasha and Miroku turned stunned eyes to the young miko, the same thought running through their minds, She's spent too much time around the monk.

And, I think that Kagome-sama is spending too much time around me… She yawned, not noticing the two men, and watched as he pulled the white undershirt up to examine. "It's a mess Inuyasha. You're going to have to wash it out…" He made a face, and pushed himself up with a small groan. "W-want me to come with you?" Kagome shyly raised her eyes to his, and a soft blush tinted her cheeks.

Inuyasha flashed her a fanged grin, full of promises and mischief, and she hurried after him, a bright smile on her face. Miroku rolled his eyes at the two, and let himself lean back on the rickety wall. Those two are going to be gone all night probably- even though it's his time to be human. It's a good thing that Inuyasha has finally come to his senses about the young girl. Now, if only I can get Sango to be released from the spell, maybe I have a chance with her.

\\ Late on the 5th night \\

"Are you sure you're all right?" Kagome turned her head to the origin of the voice, pushing herself up on a hand as she pulled the red over shirt closer around her body. Inuyasha looked up at her with his violet eyes, his head pillowed on her huge backpack, a small smile playing on his lips. {1}

"Oh yes…better then ever…"

He lifted up a human hand to stroke the bite mark, which had been placed at the juncture of her shoulder and neck. "Does it hurt much?" Kagome shook her head, and smiled sleepily, moving closer, snuggling up to his body. Slipping an arm around her waist, he idly let his fingers toy with the tips of her wavy dark hair, silent for a moment. "You do know what this means, right?"

Kagome nodded again, and wrapped an arm loosely around his bare chest. "Old Myouga told me about the marking, and the consequences- good and bad. He said that our souls are forever intertwined, and that even if I wanted to get away from you, I'm stuck with you…" Inuyasha laughed, and Kagome felt her eyes drift shut. "I kinda inferred that…trust me though, I'd not have it any other way…" Kagome relaxed against him, falling in to a deep sleep.

Shifting in to a more comfortable position, he wrapped both arms around her, and closed his own eyes. He wouldn't sleep this night, not when he was most vulnerable, but he would relish the few and far between moments that he got alone with Kagome…

\\

Something's wrong…Kagome rubbed her eyes and sat up; looking around in the dim light of the slowly rising sun. Where's Inuyasha? I thought I felt a surge of ki come through me, and-oh.

Pushing herself up, she tied the red hakema tight around her body, noticing how it fell almost past her knees. Walking carefully over the dew damp grass, she approached Inuyasha, gently laying a small hand on his arm. "Hey, are you alright?"

Inuyasha looked back at her, and slipped a human hand in to hers, intertwining their fingers. Turning his body to face hers, he looked down at her, silent for a moment, his violet eyes unreadable as he towered over her. Still silent, he slipped her other hand so it was intertwined like the first. Kagome glanced down at them, and then up at him, confusion plain on her face. Bending down, he stopped when their lips were barely a hairbreadth apart. "The sun's rising…" He murmured slowly, his face still expressionless. Lifting their hands up slightly, he felt the pinpricks though out his body that announced the returning of his demon blood. Bending down swiftly, he pressed his lips against hers, and closed his eyes.

Kagome gave a startled gasp, but didn't resist him as he tightened his grip on her hands.

His blood seemed to boil in his veins as he felt the changes in his human body. Nails lengthened to form sharp claws, and he could feel his demon powers returning. Kagome drew in a sharp breath, as she felt his youki burst out, and almost instantly mesh with her own miko energy. Her eyes flew open, and he kept their hands tightly clasped together, his mouth sealed over hers, still kissing her. Kagome let out a soft moan, feeling him slant his mouth over hers, and she rose up on her tiptoes to kiss him back.

Silver and raven hair swirled in a rush of power, both miko and youkai alike. Pulling back briefly for a breath, Kagome met the glowing amber eyes of the dog demon, and tilted her head to the side, inquisitively. "D-did I know we could do that?" She asked shakily, feeling the almost electric currents of power flow through her body, tingling oddly.

Inuyasha looked just as surprised, and he shrugged. "I don't know… I-…"

The wind still had not died down, and Kagome blinked. "It feels so weird…I can feel your powers, your energy-youki, whatever it's called. Its almost like it's a part of my miko powers." She leaned up, and brushed another kiss over his lips. "Do you know what that was?"

Inuyasha shook his head, and then sighed, "No, I don't, but it was…Interesting…" the hanyou glanced around, seemingly looking for something, and then focused on Kagome. "Let's head back to the others, and make sure Sango hasn't jumped that idiot yet…"

\\

"Am I the only one who is-"

"Shut up Miroku! Whine, whine, whine, all ya do is whine, and its pissin' me off!"

"Miroku- seriously, you're one of my best friends, but even I'm getting a headache. We all decided that we'd hurry and make it back to Kaede's tonight, and-"

"Fine…" A brief pause. "But wouldn't it be good if-"

"MIROKU!"

\\

Kagome, as soon as she stepped in to the village, was accosted by a russet ball of fluff. "Kagome!" Was the muffled cry, as Shippou buried his head in her chest, and snuggled close. Inuyasha silently cursed the little kitsune, and walked over, yanking him up by the tail. "Hey! Lemme go!"

"Back off brat. We just got here, and you'll have plenty of time to be obnoxious later." He tossed the kit down, and headed in to the village, ignoring the surprised stares he knew he was getting from his companions. "C'mon, lets get going."

Kagome laughed, and scooped up the kit, cradling him close. "I missed you too, Shippou-chan." Her voice was low and soothing to the young fox, and he pressed his ear close to her heart, listening to it contentedly. "Hey, lets go- oh no."

Miroku was staring straight in to the village, where there was a group of women gathering, each whispering and giggling excitedly. Snippets of the whispers reached their ears. "Look, a houshi…"

"Ohhhh, a handsome one…"

"I'd like to-"

Sango growled, a very impressive feat for a human woman. "Back off- he's mine!"

Um…Territorial? Not good. Miroku resisted the urge to slap his forehead, and settled for a soft sigh.

Kagome groaned, and saw the monk's eyes widen as the group of women advanced, not-so-nice looks on their faces. "N-now ladies, I'm sure that we can come to an agreement, and that-"

"Agreement," One of the women chuckled, and then said. "I have something-"

"-get away from my man!" A busty young woman, no more then fifteen, snapped irritably to the first. Eyes turned to her, and she stalked forward, ignoring the twitching eyebrow of the demon slayer. "Soo, how about you and I go and…mmm…do some-"

Sango whipped out her sword, and crouched defensively. "Back off girl, or I'll gladly slit your throat-"

Kagome nearly screamed in frustration, instead settling for the one thing that she hoped would stop this madness. "Inuyashaaaaaa!"

Inuyasha whirled around after hearing Kagome's cry, ears pricked up. Stupid pervert. I'm gonna kill him if he even leaves a single fingerprint on- Holy Kami in heaven. His ears swiveled as he tried to catch any sound of what was going on, and then he abruptly stopped at the scene before him. Kagome holding a hysterically giggling Shippou, while staring at Miroku and Sango, who both were being backed up against a tree. Even at his distance, he could catch the appreciative murmurs from the crowd of women, both young and old.

"Gods, this is all that idiots fault," Glaring dangerously, he pushed through the women, coming to a stop before all of them. "What the hell is going on?!"

All of the women stopped, staring at the annoyed demon, some in fear, and some in disgust. "Oi- what're you lookin' at?" He stalked forward, and grabbed Miroku by the front of his robes, growling threateningly. "C'mon, we're gonna talk now."

Miroku had little time to hiss out a, 'oh hell' before he was dragged by the half demon, in to Inuyasha's Forest. Sango gave a last death glare to all of the women left, and then followed the two men, vaguely of Kagome following.

Once the hanyou had deemed that they were far enough away from the women of the village, he slammed Miroku up against a tree, and barely aware of the beyond angry growl that trickled from his throat. "This is enough." He snarled. "At first I didn't care that you got your sorry ass cursed, but when it puts Kagome… and Sango in danger, it goes too far!"

Kagome grinned slightly at the possessive tone that her best friend, and lover, took as he spoke of her, and then she let the expression fall. "Inuyasha-be nice. It's not Miroku-sama's fault that he-"

"Yes, it sure as hell is!" He whirled to face her, hands still clenched in the monks robes. "Its his fault that he got cursed, and-"

"Sceeeew-Thwack!" {2}

Sango jumped up, and to the left as she felt the energy whiz past her, and hit a tree, exploding it in to thousands of splinters. Kagome let loose a cry of fear, and scrambled to get out of the way, feeling the sharp pieces of wood cut her skin.

Frantic, she looked around, and spotted the reason for the tree exploding. A girl with smoking fingertips stood there, Naraku behind her, the large demon bird from before, along with Kanna. "Oh no." Kagome breathed, freezing in her spot. Inuyasha growled again, as he let the monk go, and turned to face their new arrivals.

Kanna held the mirror out before her, and Sango let out a cross between a breathless squeak, and a startled scream. Violet eyes swept toward her, and Miroku cursed loudly, "Damn it- no! Sango!"

*End Chapter*

1 This idea was inspired by Dhruid who is one of my all time fav's when it come's to Kagome and Inuyasha fan art. I 3 her.

2 Yah… My sound effect up there… it sucked… badly.

Jeez, I really don't like myself. I tried and tried to revise the little bastard, but this didn't want to come out the way I wanted it to!!!!! *Sobs* Ghoul King- I know, I know, it's contrived. Or at least I think that it is. It's painful. Sorry all…more updates when I can get to them. Grr…

-CD