Chapter Fourteen:
Naraku's Trap

InuYasha and Kagome both stayed in Kaede's hut that night. InuYasha had noticed how much better she'd been doing since her trip home, a good rest had obviously helped raise her spirits and put life back into her. He had been listening to her and Shippo talking for quite awhile, noticing how much they'd missed each other while she was away.

She then turned to him and began talking about how beautiful the wedding ceremony had been, and even he had to admit that it had been nice. Sango and Miroku were obviously very happy together; again he felt a small pain in his heart, thinking about Kikyo.

First thing the next morning, Miroku arrived at Kaede's hut.

"Where's Sango at? She too tired to get out of bed this morning?" InuYasha asked with a teasing tone in his voice. Miroku once again turned very bright red and explained that she would be along shortly.

Kagome rushed to their new home and found Sango. She showed Kagome the quaint little hut and then the two headed back to Kaede's hut. Sango was in a good mood and began to tell Kagome how excited she was. Her and Miroku had already began speaking of having children but would wait until they had finished their quest to reform the Shikon Jewel. Kagome hugged Sango before they went into to the hut where the others were having breakfast.

After eating, InuYasha decided he would go off and practice with the Tetsusaiga. Sango and Miroku decided to go for a quick walk, but Kagome suspected they had other plans, so she found herself walking in the direction of the well. Shippo and Kilala had come with and were both playing in the grass. After walking a ways, she stopped to pick some flowers. She began to sing to Shippo and the two them sat in the soft grass. The fox cub curled up on her lap, and began to fall asleep. As Kagome sat there she had the strangest feeling that someone was watching her. Though the feeling did not make her afraid.

Sesshoumaru could not stand the sight of Rin's sad face any longer. He had left her in the care of Jaken and sought out Kagome. He arrived at the village where the priestess Kikyo had come from. He could tell that Kagome was near by; her scent was easy for him to recognize. He found her walking happily through an open field full of wild flowers. She began to sing to the fox cub that was with her. She then sat on the ground allowing the fox cub climbed into her lap and cuddled him like a mother would. Watching her there almost made him wince in pain. The sight of her happy again made him realize that bringing her back with him was not something he could do. He watched her for a few more moments and then noticed that she began looking around. It was as though she could sense he was there watching her. He quickly turned and left her.
The next week was uneventful. Kagome spent most of her time with InuYasha or Shippo, while Sango and Miroku enjoyed spending their first few married days together. Kagome made a quick trip back home to return the dress and get a few of her school books, so that she wouldn't fall far behind in school.

Her mother inquired about the wedding and she described it to her in vivid detail. She ate dinner with her family and slept at home that night, but left for the well early in the morning. This time InuYasha was waiting for her and began to walk her back to the village, when he stopped suddenly. Something didn't seem right to him. After a few moments the two headed to the village. They had lunch with Sango and Miroku. The whole time InuYasha was very distracted, as though he was trying to figure something out.

Suddenly he smelled it, the blood of Kikyo. He rushed towards the woods, the others following behind him trying to figure out what was wrong. When they got there the scene before them was shocking. Kikyo was there and appeared to be wounded. Naraku, too, was there and appeared to be the one that caused the undead priestess's injuries. InuYasha instinctively ran towards Kikyo to protect her, leaving Kagome standing alone. InuYasha drew the Tetsusaiga and wielded it with almost no trouble. Miroku moved to protect his wife, and Shippo hid with Kirara.

Miroku watched the scene in horror as InuYasha ran to what appeared to be an injured Kikyo. Seconds before he reached her, her face broke out into a cold smile.

"You fool," she said to him. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked at the woman with an expression of pain and confusion. The monk then saw Naraku's true intentions. Kikyo was a decoy so that Kagome would be left alone. In an instant he was at Kagome.

Naraku began to laugh at the foolish half demon. He had been so easily tricked; Kikyo had done her job well. It took InuYasha a moment to realize what had happened. As soon as he did, he tried to get back to Kagome, but found that Naraku had erected some sort of barrier, so that none of them could get in to protect her. He then turned to Kagome and laid a hand on her shoulder. Instantly, her back arched and she cried out in pain. He removed his hand but Kagome still appeared to be in an excruciating amount of pain.

"Call to the one that can save you, girl," he said in a mocking voice. Kagome fell to her knees in obvious agony. InuYasha called to her, but it appeared she could hear nothing. Naraku continued to taunt her.

"Call out to the one who will protect you. Once you have called to him your pain will be gone and he will be allowed through the barrier." Seeing that she refused to call out, he became angry. They watched as Naraku seemed to intensify the pain Kagome was feeling. Kagome began to cry out in anguish, yet they watched as she refused to call out to InuYasha.

InuYasha was going mad. He yelled at Naraku to let her go, but his words fell on deaf ears. Naraku was watching Kagome intensely. He knew that she could not hold out forever. Kagome's pain had her on the brink of unconsciousness. She was no longer able to stop herself; she glanced up at InuYasha with a look of hurt in her eyes. He had left her there, to protect Kikyo.

"Ses-shoumaru!" Her voice quivered, though loud enough for everyone to hear.

Instantly the searing pain she had felt was nearly gone. She looked up to see looks of shock on the faces of her friends. She heard Naraku's evil laugh from beside her.

Sesshoumaru knew immediately that Kagome needed him, he could tell she was in an intense amount of pain.

"Jaken, remain with Rin and do not take her out of the castle." He was gone in an instant, his dust cloud taking him quickly to the spot where Kagome was. He saw her with Naraku and approached them; walking right through the barrier as though it weren't there.

"Well, well...if it isn't the Great Demon Lord," Naraku said menacingly. "Tell me Lord Sesshoumaru, did the human's pain bring you here?" He asked with a chuckle. Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome, who was on her knees. She looked at him and asked him to forgive her. He then turned his attention back to Naraku, who stood about twenty feet from her.

"Why have you not attacked me, Lord Sesshoumaru? Certainly, your demon instincts are demanding you to. Or perhaps you have let petty human emotions take control?" Naraku mocked. Sesshoumaru again glanced at Kagome, who had struggled to her feet. He didn't know what Naraku was up to, but he suspected that making a move towards Kagome could put her life in jeopardy. He stood contemplating his line of action. Naraku then became very sinister.

"Why is it you hesitate? Make your move. Will you follow your demon pride and strike me down, or will you allow yourself to protect a mere human?"

Just then Naraku had a look of absolute malevolence cross his face. "Perhaps I can help you make your decision."

With a flick of his hand, seven men surrounded Kagome. The screams that released from her, were far worse than the ones she had released while she was in pain. She became hysterical as one of them grabbed her arms and held them behind her back. Sesshoumaru was there in an instant, once again slaying the thieves. He grabbed Kagome as she went unconscious and set her softly onto the ground. He held her for a moment, making sure she was going to be ok...when he heard his brother's voice.

"Sesshoumaru! Get your hands off of Kagome!" He paid no heed to his brother but the next words uttered by Naraku caught his attention.

"Why is it that you care InuYasha? You chose to protect Kikyo and left the girl for me." Sesshoumaru's head jerked towards his brother, his eye's instantly bleeding red. Naraku then retreated, dropping the barrier. InuYasha pulled the Tetsusaiga with ease, intending to take Sesshoumaru on, when he felt his brother's claws at his throat. Sesshoumaru lifted him from the ground.

"You are a disgrace to our demon blood. How dare you leave her vulnerable to go after the dead priestess? For that I should kill you at this very moment." The urge to tear his brother limb from limb subsided when he heard Kagome moan.

He dropped InuYasha to the ground and returned to Kagome's side. He knelt beside her and cradled her with his arm. He began to speak her name, hoping to wake her.

Miroku went to InuYasha who was struggling to breathe, small amounts of blood trickling from the places where Sesshoumaru's claws had penetrated his skin. Sango walked towards Kagome, prepared to do battle with Sesshoumaru if necessary.

"Stand down, woman; I have no intention to harm Kagome," he said with a warning look in his eyes. Sango stared at him, believing what he said was the truth. She watched as he spoke softly to Kagome and she began to stir. She awoke in a frantic struggle. Sango watched in horror as Kagome's hand met the side of Sesshoumaru's face. Instantly, he was bleeding from the scratches, still he held her tightly. Finally, Kagome became coherent and began to calm down. Sango watched the Great Demon Lord pull Kagome close to him and she could swear he brought his lips to her forehead. But of course, she had to have imagined it.

Miroku helped InuYasha to his feet and they headed towards the others. Sango was standing there looking dumbfounded. In front of her, Sesshoumaru was knelt on the ground with Kagome clinging to him, while he spoke to her softly.

InuYasha felt an immense amount of pain and jealousy to see Kagome being held by Sesshoumaru. Kagome was trembling violently and only Sango understood what had happened to cause such a reaction. Naraku had brought up the images of the men who had attacked her. Sesshoumaru helped her to her feet and Sango immediately came to her side. After a moment Sesshoumaru again turned to InuYasha.

"I will not kill you now, because she cares for you and I do not wish her to witness such a thing. Your incompetence has brought her enough pain for one day." InuYasha looked ashamed about what had happened.

Sesshoumaru returned to Kagome. "I will take you back to my castle with me so that you can be protected, if you so wish." She glanced at InuYasha, again with hurt in her eyes. He had left here there helpless to go to Kikyo. As long as Kikyo were around she would always remain second, even if her safety were involved.

She looked to Sesshoumaru and gave him a nod. He then turned to Shippo and told the fox cub that he too, could come with him. Shippo looked frightened and gazed up at Kagome, whom he regarded as his mother. She knelt down and he came to her, and then she picked him up and hugged him close. Sesshoumaru then brought them both close to him and disappeared before anyone could protest.