A/N: Sorry this has taken so long guys, enjoy! And as always reviews are
always welcome.
Disclaimer: If I really owned Inuyasha do you really think I'd spend my time writing fanfics?
Chapter Three
They had departed from their camp the next day, following a rumor of a jewel shard. All of them were walking, Kagome having left her bike behind at Kaede's village. Shippo was in Kagome's arms and he was sucking on yet another lollypop. Inuyasha was a little bit ahead of them, grumbling about Kouga.
Songo and Miroku exchanged looks then Miroku sped up his pace to walk alongside Inuyasha. "Thinking deep thoughts?" He asked calmly.
Inuyasha snorted in disgust. "That stupid wolf, I'll cut off his tail!" He crossed his arms and Miroku sighed.
"Inuyasha, why do you hate Kouga so much?" He asked slyly sending Songo a wink.
"He kidnapped Kagome!" He said in disbelief, as if Miroku had just suggested that they go for a picnic with Naraku.
"But he didn't harm her, at all, in fact it's completely the opposite." Miroku argued.
"He still thinks she's his woman!" Inuyasha growled and Songo and Kagome exchanged looks.
"And why does that get you so upset?" Miroku asked with a smirk and Inuyasha glared at him.
"Listen here monk, unless you want to taste the dirt, shut up." He growled and Miroku fell back into step with Songo.
Shippo was in Kagome's arms and piped up. "Kagome, what do you think Kouga is going to do when he comes back? I mean there isn't any way to take break the rosary right?"
Inuyasha's ear's perked up. "No, the only way is for the caster of the spell to remove the rosary them self. Kouga won't be able to get it off."
"Hm, Kouga might try and force it off, we all know he can't stand the thought of Inuyasha being able to summon Kagome to his side." Miroku said thoughtfully and Inuyasha clenched his fits.
"Over my damn dead body will he force it off, stupid wolf." Songo and Kagome shared an exasperated look while Miroku looked slightly amused.
"Kagome, can you sense the shard?" He asked with the harsh tone gone from his voice.
She bit her lip and shook her head. "No Inuyasha... I'm not sensing one anywhere." He sighed and put his hands in his kimono.
"Well if you can't sense it then we might as well just make camp." Everyone was secretly relieved.
"Uh, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked tentatively and he glanced briefly at her.
"Yes Kagome, I can smell a hot spring nearby. But don't go alone, take Songo with you, you hear me?" He ordered her and she nodded.
"Thanks Inuyasha, c'mon Songo!" Kagome said happily tugging Songo behind her as they made for the hot springs.
"Humph, I don't know why they're so happy about a bath." Shippo chirped and Miroku grinned.
"Women have an urge for clenseleness. This is not a bad thing however, now if you'll excuse me, I wish to meditate." Miroku started to walk off when Inuyasha thumped him over the head.
"Stay away from that hot spring monk," He growled, warning in his voice. "I'll be watching and if you take one step towards it I'll cut you from head to toe!"
Miroku rubbed the back of his head where Inuyasha had struck. "My, my, awfully protective of your Kagome and her body." He grinned. "Now that we're alone you can admit it Inuyasha, you love Kagome."
The look on Inuyasha's face was perfectly priceless. "I don't know what you're talking about." He pointed his nose upward and snorted.
"Oh please Inuyasha, we are not fools. Even young Shippo can tell it's true." Miroku settled on the ground and crossed his arms.
"If you don't love her Inuyasha you're really doing a great job of pretending." Shippo spoke up as he played with a small top in the grass.
Inuyasha's eye twitched. "Shut up brat, it's none of your business."
"It is my business!" He said indigently and Miroku nodded.
"She is practically a mother to Shippo, it is as much his business as it is yours."
"Shut up monk," He pointed his nose once again in the air and Miroku sighed.
"Denial, denial..." Taking the top from Shippo he spun it faster than the small kitsune had been able to, making him gleefully give chase.
Meanwhile at the hot springs, Songo and Kagome were talking. "So what do you have to go back for this time, Kagome? Another test?"
"Yeah, on trigonometry! It's this kind of very hard math... I'll be gone for a few days."
"But a test only takes... an hour right?" Songo looked at her friend, still a little confused on all these things she has to take.
"But I need to study for it, c'mon, let's go and tell Inuyasha now." They both got out and dried off.
"I don't know Kagome... for one test, I doubt he'll let you be gone for several days." Songo said worriedly and Kagome sighed.
"Let's try anyway, I don't want to have to sit him."
Picking up their bathing articles they made their way back to where Inuyasha stood, watching with a frown as Miroku twirled the top again and again for Shippo. "Inuyasha?" He looked up, his frown gone and now replaced by a calm look.
"What is it Kagome?"
"I have to go home for a test... I'll be gone for several days."
"SEVERAL DAYS?!" Inuyasha shouted. "HOW MANY TESTS DO YOU HAVE?!"
"Er..." She looked at Songo who had a look on her face that resembled Souta's, I-told-you-so! look. "Just one..."
His ears flattened on his head. "No Kagome, you'll stay here where you belong."
"Oh no... I think lady Kagome is about to get a trifle upset..." Miroku picked up Shippo and stood next to Songo. "Perhaps we'd better retreat to a safe distance..."
"Inuyasha! I have to take this test! It's not up to you, I'm going." Kagome put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
He snorted. "Yes it is up to me. You won't get within fifty feet of that well. Come!" Kagome gasped as the rosary glowed and she was summoned to Inuyasha's side where he latched onto her wrist firmly.
"SIT BOY!"
Unfortunately for Kagome, she'd forgotten that Inuyasha was holding her wrist, and when he slammed face first in the dirt she was pulled down as well. She however got lucky, and just landed on her butt, instead of face first.
"Grrr... stupid girl! I told you your not going and that's the end of it!" He barked angrily from the dirt.
Kagome got to her feet, but Inuyasha still held onto her wrist. "Kagome chan, I'm afraid that he won't let you go..." Songo said and Miroku nodded.
"Oh no, I'm going home even if..."
"Oh what are you going to do? Face it Kagome, you're not going anywhere." Inuyasha finally got up and smirked at her.
"That's it! KOUGA! KOUGA! KOUGA!" Stomping her foot and screaming at the top of her lungs Kagome was furious.
Songo and Miroku exchanged looks of disbelief, and then, exasperation. This was going to get much worse before it got better.
She could sense two shards coming fast, and for once was very grateful that Kouga would come for her whenever she needed his help.
"What are you doing girl?!" Inuyasha for once, looked utterly, completely, totally surprised.
Kouga came to a stop right in front of Kagome, looking very concerned. "What is it Kagome?" He took her hands in his own and gave her a look of total adoration.
"I have to go to the Bone Eaters Well, and Inuyasha wouldn't let me go, will you help me get there?" She asked nicely and Inuyasha's jaw dropped.
"Humph, mutt face can't keep you here as his prisoner," He shot Inuyasha a look of loathing and then turned back to Kagome, "Of course Kagome," Bending his knees he scooped her up, bridal style.
"Oh no..." Songo moaned.
"Well... lady Songo, if you would hold young Shippo, I think it best I go restrain Inuyasha." Miroku handed her the young kitsune and hurried to Inuyasha's side to see his body shaking, his very aura, red with rage.
The words that came out of Inuyasha's mouth, were surprisingly low and quiet, but they were worse then his worst shout. "Kagome, no. Come." Once again, it was as if an invisible hand yanked her from Kouga's grasp and to Inuyasha's side where he grasped her hand firmly.
"You aren't the boss of her dog breath!" Kouga shouted.
"Let me go Inuyasha! I'm going home!" She tugged at his grasp but he wouldn't budge. Finally he turned his golden eyes to her and stared her directly in her own.
She could see the rage just beneath the surface, and waited for it to explode. "Kagome, if you go with him... don't come back. I'll find a new shard detector,"
Suddenly it was as if a bone chilling wind swept through her, and she was vaguely aware of Songo's gasp, Shippo's wail, and Miroku's sharp words. The only thing she truly heard was that last sentence, echoing through her head.
'I'll find a new shard detector....' She drew in a shuddering breath. 'Shard detector, that's all I am. That's all this thing is, this rosary... just a way to keep me here so he can hunt the shards. The shards are all he cares about...'
"Kouga..."
"Yes Kagome?"
"... please take me to the Bone Eaters Well. I'm..." Kagome had to swallow hard before she could continue, "I'm not needed... or wanted here."
He picked her up again and she didn't even have the heart to look up at Songo, Miroku, and Shippo. Kouga started to run and everything became a blur as he rushed to the small clearing.
Once they arrived he set her on her feet and she clutched her skirt in one hand while the other hung limp at her side. "Thank you."
"I'd do anything for you Kagome, all you need to do is ask." He said gently, aware she was hurting and pulled her into a gentle hug. "And if you want me to kill him I will, gladly."
Kagome laughed but she didn't smile. "No... thank you Kouga, it means a lot to me that I can always call you and you'll come help." With that she hugged him tight and kissed him on the cheek before letting to and with a small wave, jumped into the well.
When she felt the bottom of the well appear finally, she slowly pulled herself to the brim, and then climbed out. Resting her head against the side of it, she slid down and cried, deciding to wait until night before sneaking into her room.
Disclaimer: If I really owned Inuyasha do you really think I'd spend my time writing fanfics?
Chapter Three
They had departed from their camp the next day, following a rumor of a jewel shard. All of them were walking, Kagome having left her bike behind at Kaede's village. Shippo was in Kagome's arms and he was sucking on yet another lollypop. Inuyasha was a little bit ahead of them, grumbling about Kouga.
Songo and Miroku exchanged looks then Miroku sped up his pace to walk alongside Inuyasha. "Thinking deep thoughts?" He asked calmly.
Inuyasha snorted in disgust. "That stupid wolf, I'll cut off his tail!" He crossed his arms and Miroku sighed.
"Inuyasha, why do you hate Kouga so much?" He asked slyly sending Songo a wink.
"He kidnapped Kagome!" He said in disbelief, as if Miroku had just suggested that they go for a picnic with Naraku.
"But he didn't harm her, at all, in fact it's completely the opposite." Miroku argued.
"He still thinks she's his woman!" Inuyasha growled and Songo and Kagome exchanged looks.
"And why does that get you so upset?" Miroku asked with a smirk and Inuyasha glared at him.
"Listen here monk, unless you want to taste the dirt, shut up." He growled and Miroku fell back into step with Songo.
Shippo was in Kagome's arms and piped up. "Kagome, what do you think Kouga is going to do when he comes back? I mean there isn't any way to take break the rosary right?"
Inuyasha's ear's perked up. "No, the only way is for the caster of the spell to remove the rosary them self. Kouga won't be able to get it off."
"Hm, Kouga might try and force it off, we all know he can't stand the thought of Inuyasha being able to summon Kagome to his side." Miroku said thoughtfully and Inuyasha clenched his fits.
"Over my damn dead body will he force it off, stupid wolf." Songo and Kagome shared an exasperated look while Miroku looked slightly amused.
"Kagome, can you sense the shard?" He asked with the harsh tone gone from his voice.
She bit her lip and shook her head. "No Inuyasha... I'm not sensing one anywhere." He sighed and put his hands in his kimono.
"Well if you can't sense it then we might as well just make camp." Everyone was secretly relieved.
"Uh, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked tentatively and he glanced briefly at her.
"Yes Kagome, I can smell a hot spring nearby. But don't go alone, take Songo with you, you hear me?" He ordered her and she nodded.
"Thanks Inuyasha, c'mon Songo!" Kagome said happily tugging Songo behind her as they made for the hot springs.
"Humph, I don't know why they're so happy about a bath." Shippo chirped and Miroku grinned.
"Women have an urge for clenseleness. This is not a bad thing however, now if you'll excuse me, I wish to meditate." Miroku started to walk off when Inuyasha thumped him over the head.
"Stay away from that hot spring monk," He growled, warning in his voice. "I'll be watching and if you take one step towards it I'll cut you from head to toe!"
Miroku rubbed the back of his head where Inuyasha had struck. "My, my, awfully protective of your Kagome and her body." He grinned. "Now that we're alone you can admit it Inuyasha, you love Kagome."
The look on Inuyasha's face was perfectly priceless. "I don't know what you're talking about." He pointed his nose upward and snorted.
"Oh please Inuyasha, we are not fools. Even young Shippo can tell it's true." Miroku settled on the ground and crossed his arms.
"If you don't love her Inuyasha you're really doing a great job of pretending." Shippo spoke up as he played with a small top in the grass.
Inuyasha's eye twitched. "Shut up brat, it's none of your business."
"It is my business!" He said indigently and Miroku nodded.
"She is practically a mother to Shippo, it is as much his business as it is yours."
"Shut up monk," He pointed his nose once again in the air and Miroku sighed.
"Denial, denial..." Taking the top from Shippo he spun it faster than the small kitsune had been able to, making him gleefully give chase.
Meanwhile at the hot springs, Songo and Kagome were talking. "So what do you have to go back for this time, Kagome? Another test?"
"Yeah, on trigonometry! It's this kind of very hard math... I'll be gone for a few days."
"But a test only takes... an hour right?" Songo looked at her friend, still a little confused on all these things she has to take.
"But I need to study for it, c'mon, let's go and tell Inuyasha now." They both got out and dried off.
"I don't know Kagome... for one test, I doubt he'll let you be gone for several days." Songo said worriedly and Kagome sighed.
"Let's try anyway, I don't want to have to sit him."
Picking up their bathing articles they made their way back to where Inuyasha stood, watching with a frown as Miroku twirled the top again and again for Shippo. "Inuyasha?" He looked up, his frown gone and now replaced by a calm look.
"What is it Kagome?"
"I have to go home for a test... I'll be gone for several days."
"SEVERAL DAYS?!" Inuyasha shouted. "HOW MANY TESTS DO YOU HAVE?!"
"Er..." She looked at Songo who had a look on her face that resembled Souta's, I-told-you-so! look. "Just one..."
His ears flattened on his head. "No Kagome, you'll stay here where you belong."
"Oh no... I think lady Kagome is about to get a trifle upset..." Miroku picked up Shippo and stood next to Songo. "Perhaps we'd better retreat to a safe distance..."
"Inuyasha! I have to take this test! It's not up to you, I'm going." Kagome put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
He snorted. "Yes it is up to me. You won't get within fifty feet of that well. Come!" Kagome gasped as the rosary glowed and she was summoned to Inuyasha's side where he latched onto her wrist firmly.
"SIT BOY!"
Unfortunately for Kagome, she'd forgotten that Inuyasha was holding her wrist, and when he slammed face first in the dirt she was pulled down as well. She however got lucky, and just landed on her butt, instead of face first.
"Grrr... stupid girl! I told you your not going and that's the end of it!" He barked angrily from the dirt.
Kagome got to her feet, but Inuyasha still held onto her wrist. "Kagome chan, I'm afraid that he won't let you go..." Songo said and Miroku nodded.
"Oh no, I'm going home even if..."
"Oh what are you going to do? Face it Kagome, you're not going anywhere." Inuyasha finally got up and smirked at her.
"That's it! KOUGA! KOUGA! KOUGA!" Stomping her foot and screaming at the top of her lungs Kagome was furious.
Songo and Miroku exchanged looks of disbelief, and then, exasperation. This was going to get much worse before it got better.
She could sense two shards coming fast, and for once was very grateful that Kouga would come for her whenever she needed his help.
"What are you doing girl?!" Inuyasha for once, looked utterly, completely, totally surprised.
Kouga came to a stop right in front of Kagome, looking very concerned. "What is it Kagome?" He took her hands in his own and gave her a look of total adoration.
"I have to go to the Bone Eaters Well, and Inuyasha wouldn't let me go, will you help me get there?" She asked nicely and Inuyasha's jaw dropped.
"Humph, mutt face can't keep you here as his prisoner," He shot Inuyasha a look of loathing and then turned back to Kagome, "Of course Kagome," Bending his knees he scooped her up, bridal style.
"Oh no..." Songo moaned.
"Well... lady Songo, if you would hold young Shippo, I think it best I go restrain Inuyasha." Miroku handed her the young kitsune and hurried to Inuyasha's side to see his body shaking, his very aura, red with rage.
The words that came out of Inuyasha's mouth, were surprisingly low and quiet, but they were worse then his worst shout. "Kagome, no. Come." Once again, it was as if an invisible hand yanked her from Kouga's grasp and to Inuyasha's side where he grasped her hand firmly.
"You aren't the boss of her dog breath!" Kouga shouted.
"Let me go Inuyasha! I'm going home!" She tugged at his grasp but he wouldn't budge. Finally he turned his golden eyes to her and stared her directly in her own.
She could see the rage just beneath the surface, and waited for it to explode. "Kagome, if you go with him... don't come back. I'll find a new shard detector,"
Suddenly it was as if a bone chilling wind swept through her, and she was vaguely aware of Songo's gasp, Shippo's wail, and Miroku's sharp words. The only thing she truly heard was that last sentence, echoing through her head.
'I'll find a new shard detector....' She drew in a shuddering breath. 'Shard detector, that's all I am. That's all this thing is, this rosary... just a way to keep me here so he can hunt the shards. The shards are all he cares about...'
"Kouga..."
"Yes Kagome?"
"... please take me to the Bone Eaters Well. I'm..." Kagome had to swallow hard before she could continue, "I'm not needed... or wanted here."
He picked her up again and she didn't even have the heart to look up at Songo, Miroku, and Shippo. Kouga started to run and everything became a blur as he rushed to the small clearing.
Once they arrived he set her on her feet and she clutched her skirt in one hand while the other hung limp at her side. "Thank you."
"I'd do anything for you Kagome, all you need to do is ask." He said gently, aware she was hurting and pulled her into a gentle hug. "And if you want me to kill him I will, gladly."
Kagome laughed but she didn't smile. "No... thank you Kouga, it means a lot to me that I can always call you and you'll come help." With that she hugged him tight and kissed him on the cheek before letting to and with a small wave, jumped into the well.
When she felt the bottom of the well appear finally, she slowly pulled herself to the brim, and then climbed out. Resting her head against the side of it, she slid down and cried, deciding to wait until night before sneaking into her room.