To Protect the One I Love

Author's Notes:  Just to clear something up, Inuyasha's youryoku is kinda like his demon power.  It's the force that disappears when the new moon rises and he becomes a human.  I watched an episode when they were waiting for him to go back to being a hanyou and Kagome scolded him for pushing himself too hard before his youryoku returned.  I guess you could think of it as his youki as well, but I'm not sure.

            As for the story, a whole new world has opened up to Inuyasha.  He's not the hanyou everyone used to pick around, so the first place he's going, is where he was tormented the most…home.  And we all know who owns it…

Taking Back What's Mine

            Kagome was roughly thrown into a stone cell, immediately feeling the cold, wet granite beneath her fingers.  She grunted as she landed and turned to glare at her kidnapper.  "You have what you wanted!  Why keep me around!?"  She shouted.

            "I want everything!"  He growled as he towered over her, being the only thing between her and freedom.  "I want control, power, and everything that was denied to me for being what I was!  A hanyou!"

            Kagome gasped.  She felt bad now, because she remembered the last time Inuyasha transformed into a demon.  He had no control over his actions and in fact didn't remember anything he'd done until afterwards.  It was like a separate identity had taken over.

            But what could've driven him to do this?  Kagome thought.  Inuyasha didn't seem the kind of person to steal, although that was exactly what he'd done to Kikyo, Kagome always thought he'd changed since then.

            "I chose what I wanted within my heart.  The ability to keep what I had with me and to take what I didn't!"  Inuyasha read her thoughts and replied.

            Kagome narrowed her eyes.  He's gained some new abilities as well as looks.  She knew Inuyasha heard this, because his confident smirk grew.  Kagome tried to think back to the real reason why her Inuyasha choose this. 

            Before the ceremony, Miroku had pulled the miko aside and told him that Inuyasha was feeling guilty for not being able to protect her against not only the demon, but himself.  He berated himself for falling under the control of a weaker demon.

            Her eyes widened as she finally understood.  He'd done it for her.  But, what was she to do now?  Her fear and hatred were immediately replaced with worry and concern for her hanyou.  She knew he was in there somewhere.  If only she could contact him.

            "I don't want your pity!"  Inuyasha boomed, baring his claws to emphasize his point.

            "I'm not pitying you!"  Kagome shouted back.  "And I don't want to talk to you anymore!  I want to talk to Inuyasha!"

            "I am Inuyasha!"

            "I want to talk to the real Inuyasha!"  The miko persisted.

            Inside the demon, Inuyasha's consciousness gasped.  She's knows I'm here!  Kagome!  I'm sorry!  I never wanted this! 

            As the demon felt the pull of his weaker half on his mind, he raised his hand and savagely backhanded Kagome across the face, sending her reeling to the floor.  "Stop it!  You know nothing of what you're talking about!"

            Kagome struggled to get up off the floor, but the blow sufficiently kept her unbalanced and the throbbing pain made it hard for her to focus.  "I…know you're in there Inuyasha.  I'm…here for you."

            Kagome!  Kagome!!

            "Do you remember…when you held me in your arms…after coming back to me when Kaguya forced you to transform?  You…promised me you'd stay the way you were…a little longer just for me.  Cause I like you as a hanyou.  I always…liked you for you."  Kagome finally couldn't stand it anymore and let herself fall into unconsciousness.

            Inuyasha's inner mind was in turmoil, but his outside just grunted and left the cell, locking the gate behind him.  "You're my mate and you will stay here as long as I wish it!"

            He left her lying there and stormed down the passageway.

* * *

            Sesshoumaru, Jaken, and Rin were finally heading home after sensing Naraku's downfall.  The white-haired dog demon knew it was because of his little brother.  Him and his woman probably pulled it off together.

            "When we get home can Rin go fishing?"  The little human girl asked.

            "Of course you can do whatever you want!"  Jaken replied.  "We're going home!"  Obviously the little green demon who had followed Sesshoumaru so faithful through thick and thin was elated to finally go home and stop the fruitless search; although a part of him also wanted revenge for Naraku having stolen Rin and using her against his master.  At least he had the satisfaction of knowing the ugly hanyou was no longer alive.

            Sesshoumaru remained quiet.  There was an unnerving smell in the air.  One that sent fear through his body and fear was not something Sesshoumaru took lightly.  This smell…I've encountered it before, but when?  Then he remembered.  When he had first received his powerful sword Tokijin, Sesshoumaru had forced his little brother to transform, but was disappointed when the creature showed no intelligence and only an insane thirst for blood. Not a worthy challenge for the demon prince at all.

            Now that scent lingered here, faint on the wind and yet high above the ground.  What had happened?  As far as Sesshoumaru knew, Inuyasha couldn't fly nor jump this high.  But what he was sure about was that it was heading straight for his castle.

            Narrowing his eyes he began to descend towards the ground.  Jaken gasped and immediately lowered with his master on the giant two-headed lizard Aun, that he and Rin rode on.  Once on the ground, Sesshoumaru neither turned towards his awaiting followers nor gave reason for the unexplained halt.  He merely began walking away, thinking it best to approach from the ground, and said behind him, "Jaken, stay here with Rin.  I will return when I'm finished with my business."

            "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!"  Jaken said dutifully.

            Rin waved goodbye.  "Don't forget about us, Sesshoumaru-sama!!"

            Sesshoumaru was a man of few words, while little Rin seemed the exact opposite.  But even then, the demon prince never silenced her unless he thought danger was around.  Inside he preferred her voice to the constant jabbering of Jaken, or worse - pure silence.  Now, he would defend that voice and more, by leaving them here while he dealt with this nuisance.  Narrowing his eyes, Sesshoumaru thought: Inuyasha, if you have indeed trespassed on my lands, I will make sure you leave in a hurry.

* * *

            Inuyasha paced back and forth through the passageways, his inner mind remembering certain moments of his childhood here with his mother.  Even now he didn't have any memories of his father, although the dog demon's scent filled the entire castle.  Now it only held the stench of Inuyasha's stuck-up half brother.

            Inuyasha remembered when Sesshoumaru had used an image of his human mother to try and get him to admit where their father's grave was so he could get to Tetsusaiga.  The mighty demon fang was still sheathed at Inuyasha's hip, but the demon knew better than to try and wield it.  The barrier surrounding the sword would reject his hands. 

            Thinking back to the grave, Inuyasha thought of Kagome, back before everything got complicated.  She had pulled the sword from its place of rest by accident, but even when her life had been threatened, she refused to give it up.  She believed in Inuyasha and believed the sword was his by birthright.

            Her tears were also a part of the memory.  It was the first time he'd seen her almost cry and it made him mad, only because he didn't know what to do.  It was a problem that couldn't be fix with claws and steel.

            "You mean there's no hope of winning?"

            "Eh?  Is she crying?  Don't cry!"

            "What!?  You want me to laugh!?"

            "I'm just saying that I'll protect you!"

            "I'll protect you…" Inuyasha had said those words, and since then had done nothing but keep the girl from harm. 

            "I'm…here for you, Inuyasha…"

            Red eyes flashing, the dog demon once known as Inuyasha growl menacingly.  "Why does this body refuse to think anything bad of her!  She's mine! A simple possession!  That's all!"  But even then, he found himself returning to the dungeon, several levels under the castle, to check up on the girl.

            She lay unconscious on the floor, right where he left her.  Kneeling down besides her, he set her head in her lap and was reminded of another moment between the two.

* * *

            The darkness and pain around human Inuyasha subsided and he slowly opened his eyes.  The girl pulled her hand away from wiping his forehead.  "Did I wake you?"  She had asked him.

            "No…" He turned away, a gnawing sadness tearing him up inside.  "Why?  Why were you crying?"  No one ever cried for him except one person…his mother.

            "You mean back there?"  She asked.  "I thought you were going to die.  I was scared."

            "You were… crying for me?"  Was it possible there was someone in this world that cared for him?  Where everyone had shunned him and beat him away like a useless pest, here was someone who was not only choosing to be with him, but feared for his safety?  "Would you…lend me your lap?"

            "Eh?"  She questioned.  Had he asked the wrong thing?  "Sure."

She slowly pulled him into her lap and not did only the warmth comforted him, but her scent soothed his muscles and relaxed him.  "You…smell good."  He whispered.

"Eh?  I thought you hated my smell?"

"That was…" He snuggled closer to her.  "A lie."

            Bending down, Inuyasha caressed her hair and inhaled her scent.  Even now it had the same effect on him.  Making him calm and relaxed and for a moment, the gentle Inuyasha on the inside was able to come through.  His wings bent down and tried to wrap Kagome closer to him.

            The red eyes lost their glow, and beautiful golden irises took their place.  "Kagome…" He whispered.  "You've done so much for me, and I thought I was doing what was best for both of us.  Now, not only am I losing you but I'm losing to myself."

            Kagome winced in pain, but slowly, her eyes opened and looked up to see Inuyasha looking down.  "Inu…yasha?"

            "Kagome, I'm so sorry."  He gritted his teeth against the tears.

            "Don't worry.  I'm not mad.  I know why you did it."  She whispered.  She was still half asleep, but if her Inuyasha was here and able to talk with her, maybe she could win him back.  "Even knowing you were going to do it, I wasn't able to stop you.  I'm sorry."

            "Huh?"  She's blaming herself?  "Don't be sorry.  It's not your fault.  And I'll understand if you never want to see me again."  His ears lowered in sadness.

            "Inuyasha."  She got his attention.  "Your father was a great demon.  And your mother was a wonderful human.  What they made was even more beautiful.  They made you.  Now look into my heart and tell me if you think I'm going anywhere.  Tell me if you think for even a second that I'm going to leave your side when you need me the most."

            Inuyasha closed his eyes and stretch out his new senses, delving deep into Kagome's soul and finding nothing but a vibrant red feeling of love and passion for him.  Even after what he did.

            Putting her gently down, he turned away in shame.  "I can't be saved yet, Kagome.  There's nothing you can do."

            Kagome got up on one elbow and narrowed her eyes in determination.  "I'm not going to give up!  We've been through a lot together and we'll make it through this too!" 

            Anger welled up inside Inuyasha because Kagome was putting herself at risk in a situation that he couldn't control.  Turning around his eyes returned to their hellish glory.  "I might kill you and if that were to happen I don't know what I'd do!"

            Kagome gasped.  "Inuyasha…" His demon side was back, so she had only one option left.  "Osuwari."

            The rosary around his neck glowed and tried to force him into the floor.  This only angered him more.  He savagely grabbed a hold of it, preventing him from crashing into the floor.

            This had happened once before.  Inuyasha had been able to prevent the effects of the rosary when he had tried to cover the bone-eater's well with a giant boulder, therefore preventing Kagome from leaving.  She had been forced to say it several times before he had succumbed to the holy powers of the rosary.

            "Osuwari!  Osuwari!  Osuwari! Osuwari!"  The repeated word caused the necklace to resonate with even greater power each time.

            Inuyasha's anger rose and a red aura surrounded his body.  He roared as he pulled on the beads and string as it continued to pulsate.  "I'm am under NO one's control!!!"  He screamed as he pulled the necklace apart, beads and jewels scattering everywhere.

            As the beads fell to the ground, it seemed Inuyasha's former self dissolved and crashed like broken glass before Kagome's eyes.  She was in so much shock she couldn't say anything.  Gingerly picking up a single bead, she stared at it as if her salvation had been torn apart with it.

            Growling deep in his throat, Inuyasha left the cell once more, locking it shut behind him.  "You'd do well to learn who is the master of whom now.  Because if you don't, you will receive more than a slap to the face next time."  He warned and left her in silent misery.

            Tears fell from her eyes and Kagome pulled up her knees in the fetal position.  I can't save him.  He was there for a second, but now he's gone.  She hid her face in the crook of her arm and whimpered with fear.  Things were going so well too.  The jewel was completed and Naraku was destroyed.  Now it seems I have to face another problem here.  Whenever she felt overwhelmed, Kagome always wanted to go home, but this time she was torn.  I want to go home, but I can't leave him.  If he won't listen to me, who will he listen to?  Sango.  Miroku.  If you're on your way, stop and turn around!  Inuyasha isn't himself anymore and he might kill you!  She thought even though she knew her friends couldn't hear her. 

            I feel so alone…

* * *

            Inuyasha came out onto one of the balconies of the castle and looked up at the sky.  Opening his wings he took to the air and decided to fly around for a little bit.  The castle was too damp and smelly for his senses.

            While he was leaving, Miroku and Sango hid behind a tree and gasped as they saw him in the air.  "He came from that direction!"  Sango pointed to the East.

            "Kagome-sama wasn't with him, so maybe we'll find her there."  Miroku agreed.  The two jumped back on Kirara and retraced Inuyasha's path back towards the castle.

            Sango's eyes widened.  "It's completely abandoned."

            Miroku looked around confirming that the smaller huts nearby hadn't been lived in for a long time.  "This might be where Inuyasha's father ruled.  But if that's true, then this is Sesshoumaru's territory."

            They set down and ran inside, hoping to find Kagome and leave before Inuyasha returned.  If it came to a one on two fight, Sango and Miroku knew the dog demon would win.

            They ran through the passageways, following Kirara, since the cat seemed to have picked up on Kagome's scent.  It led down into the depths of the castle where Kagome remained huddled in the corner.

            "Kagome-chan!"  Sango exclaimed.

            The beaten girl looked up.  "Sango-chan?"

            Miroku grabbed the bars and said with determination.  "Don't worry!  We'll get you out of here!"

            Outside, Inuyasha had returned, deciding to simply keep Kagome locked up until he decided what he was going to do.  Before he entered the front gate, though, a familiar scent brought a feral growl from his throat and he turned to glare at his half brother.  "Sesshoumaru…"

            Sesshoumaru seemed unfazed by Inuyasha's new appearance.  The fact remained that his weaker half brother was on his land.  "What are you doing here, Inuyasha?"

            Inuyasha bared his claws and fangs menacingly.  "I'm here to take back what's mine, brother.  You always kept me from here because I was a hanyou, but now I am stronger that you and I will claim what's mine!"

            Sesshoumaru showed no reaction to the threat.  He didn't even bother to draw his sword.  He stood there as if he were watching a five year old throw a tantrum.

            "I will kill you!  Then everything you own will become mine!"  All around Inuyasha, his anger seemed to manifest itself as the same red aura from before. 

            Sesshoumaru saw this and his blue aura lit up as well.  Yellow strands of energy began twirling around the demon prince and wrap around his body in preparation.  The battle that followed would prove to be a ferocious one.  A battle to the death?  Who will win?

            Inuyasha?  Or Sesshoumaru?

Author's Notes:  Kagome hasn't been able to save Inuyasha yet, although the part of him she loves is still there.  Sesshoumaru has shown Inuyasha mercy before, but will he do so now?  The next chapter may take longer, but the battle scenes will prove to be worth it!