To Protect the One I Love

Author's Notes: VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ: (hides her face in Inuyasha's haori embarrassed) Thankfully many of you were observant when it came to my little slip up of Inuyasha's rosary.  Yes, it was broken in the earlier chapters, but what I failed to write it, although I planned for it when Kagome and Inuyasha are in the tree and she makes her wish, was that Kagome fingers the new rosary around his neck.  If you wish, it's now fixed and you can go back and read the new paragraph.  When I wrote the scene, I totally spaced that little detail.  Basically, Inuyasha has Kaede make a new one as a gift for Kagome because he felt bad about breaking the last one.  Plus, it's kinda of his connection to Kagome and he couldn't live without it.  Thank you for those who caught that and I'll try to be more careful in the future.

Oh and OsuwariTetsusaiga? (scratches behind her ears)  Feel better?  Cause it's only going to get worse from here on out.  By the end of the next few chapters, you will all severally hate my villain.

Human Weakness- The Past

The village was peaceful and quiet as Inuyasha's friends awaited his return.  Sango held onto Kirara and stroked her with growing worry as the time passed. Shippo had switched shoulders, getting on top of Miroku, and watched the edge of the forest anxiously.  He was gritting his teeth more and more, until the tension was finally too much for him and he shouted, "Why won't they get back already!?"

It was only after he said this that Miroku pointed towards Inuyasha forest.  "Here they come!"

The kitsune cub's eyes lit up as he saw Inuyasha emerge from the forest, a sleeping Kagome in his arms.  He immediately jumped off the monk and ran towards the couple, leaping onto Inuyasha's shoulder excitedly.  "Kagome!"

With both of his hands holding the precious form in his arms, Inuyasha was unable to smack the noisy creature away like he wanted to and instead closed his eyes in annoyance.  "Oi, Shippo."

"Eh?"

"Speak that loud again and I'll rip your tongue right out of your mouth."  He said in a frighteningly calm voice.  There was no way he was going to let this brat awaken his sleeping angel.

Shippo immediately clamped his mouth shut and stared into the miko's sleeping face.  "With the way you're holding her, you'd think you were an item."  He teased like usual.

"So what if we are?"

Jumping back down to the ground before the hanyou entered the hut, everyone including the fox kid, was awed with shock.  ""They are?""

* * *

"Well, I was right about one thing."  Inuyasha said as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.  "She was hiding something."  He eyed everyone present.  "Someone, or more like something, made contact with Kagome through her mind."

"A demon?"  Miroku asked.

"We don't know." The hanyou admitted.

"What did it say?"  Sango asked.

Tightening his hands into fists, Inuyasha replied through gritted teeth and mounting anger, "It didn't say, more like it threatened.  You, me, and everyone else Kagome knows including her family."

"What does it want?"  The monk wondered.

Scoffing, Inuyasha rolled his eyes.  "What do they all want?"

Sango nodded.  "The jewel."

"And it knows it's in her, even before she knew."  Inuyasha's hand instinctively went to Tetsusaiga's hilt.  "She was ready to leave forever to protect us."

"Telepathy.  I've only heard of it but never actually encountered anyone who was capable of such feats."  Miroku looked up at the hanyou.  "What do we do?"

"Nothing we can do.  Until the bastard shows himself."  Pushing off the wall, Inuyasha stood up to his full height.  "Keep alert.  Any evil presence, odd feelings- anything.  Tell me or investigate it casually.  Just don't tell Kagome.  She's under enough stress as it is, I don't want her to be paranoid as well."

" "Understood.""  Sango and Miroku replied.

"What about me?"  Shippo asked.

Inuyasha knelt before the kitsune cub.  "You have the most important job.  You protect Kagome.  Never, and I mean never, let her leave your sights.  You've proven yourself resourceful while protecting your friends, so I trust you with this."  The hanyou put a hand on Shippo's shoulder and smiled.  "Don't let anything happen to her."

Shippo was speechless.  Inuyasha was trusting him with his most precious possession.  His love.  The cub nodded.  "I promise!  I'll keep a close watch on her!"

"Yosh!"  Standing up, Inuyasha gave one last look to everyone.  "Let's just hope we find this guy… before he finds us."

As everyone made their way out of the hut a small, almost invisible dart struck the side of the hut.  Sango was the only one to notice it as Miroku and Inuyasha walked away.

Her eyes widened as she raised a shaky hand to pull it free.  It can't be!

"Kirara!"  She called out.  The little kitten mewed from her side and looked up with wide orange eyes.  "Let's go."

* * *

The day went by slowly as Miroku spent his hours speaking matters over with Kaede.  The old miko poured some of the medicine she had been making with Inuyasha and handed him the cup.

Going into the back room, Inuyasha knelt next to his sleeping angel.  He hadn't been able to watch her sleep since the last time she'd gotten sick.  He had made her medicine back them, knowingly not telling her what was inside, and guarded her throughout the night, not leaving her side for a minute.

Now she looked just as beautiful, if not more so, than before.  What god did I please to be blessed with such a beauty?  He wondered.

Kagome turned onto her back when a lock of her hair fell in her eye.  Not wanting her to wake up, Inuyasha gently moved it out of the way, but the damage was done. 

Slowly, the miko opened her eyes and smiled when they came across the white haired hanyou.  "Hey."

"Hi, how are you feeling?"  He asked.

"Better now that you're here."  She blushed at her words.

Inuyasha helped her into a sitting position and handed her the cup.  "Here, this'll give you back some of your strength."

Remembering the last time she drank his medicine, Kagome hesitated.

This made Inuyasha roll his eyes with a smile.  "Don't worry.  Kaede added some spices and we used dry ingredients.  It tastes better."  He assured.

"O-okay."  She slowly accepted it and took a couple sips.  Amazed, she smiled.  "Wow!  You're right!  It tastes more like warm tea now."

"See?"  Suddenly, his sensitive ears picked up a howling deep in the woods.  Kagome didn't seem to hear it, so casually Inuyasha got to his feet.  "I'll be right back."

"Okay."  Kagome replied, sipping her tea and not even second-guessing the hanyou's motives.

Once outside the hut, Inuyasha spotted Shippo sorting through his toys.  "Shippo."  He called out.   The fox cub ran to his feet and looked up.  "I'm going to go out for a while.  Stay here with Kagome."

"Right!"  He gave a mini salute and ducked inside the hut.

As soon as he was gone, Inuyasha ran into the forest, towards the direction of the howl he heard.  It sounded almost like Sesshoumaru's howl while he's in his true form, but my brother almost never transforms.  (Except when he's trying to kill you, right Inuyasha?)

Whatever it was, Inuyasha was going to find out.

* * *

Sango dismounted Kirara just outside her village, which was just as abandoned as she remembered it.  She paused before heading into one of the few remaining buildings.  This one belonged to the village elder.  She raised the door flap and gasped as she beheld the figure inside.  "Elder."

Sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room, sat a man whom Sango long thought dead.  But of course, it was Miroku and Inuyasha who had buried the dead- not her- so it was possible that he had survived that day.

Slowly she sat down in front of the old man, Kirara taking post besides her.

"I see you got my message."  He began.

"Yes elder."  The dart Sango had found was a secret message amongst her people.  To either retreat back home during a battle-or summon them to the elder.  "I can't believe you're still alive."

He nodded.  "Hmm, yes, I'm sure being alone this whole time has been hard on you." 

Sango looked to the side guiltily.  "I haven't been entirely alone, elder.  I have friends."

The elder looked the taijiya right in the eye.  "I have a mission for you, Sango."  He said.  "Many of our people survived, but they are weak and need help."  Behind both Sango and Kirara, two pots of poisonous incense filled the room.  Neither noticed it, but it was slowly getting a hold on their minds.  "I can cure them, and bring them back to us, with the power of our people's hidden treasure."

"The Shikon no Tama?"  Sango asked.  Something didn't seem right, but her mind was so clouded she couldn't think straight.  It was almost like she hadn't slept in days.

"Yes.  And you know where it is don't you?"  He lowered his head as the spell began to take effect.  He could tell because the gloss of the woman's eyes faded into dullness. 

"Kagome-chan…" Sango replied in a monotonous voice.

"Yes.  Kill her and bring me the jewel.  If you do this, I will be able to bring back all of our people who were lost.  Now go."  He commanded.

Standing up, Sango turned and left, Kirara by her side.  The little demon was also in a trance like state and did as she was told.  Transforming into her large cat form, Kirara lowered herself so Sango could get on.  And as she pulled her wakizashi from its sheath, the taijiya completely fell to the power of the spell.  "Kagome…I will kill you."

* * *

In the forest, Inuyasha's nose led him the rest of the way to the possessor of that canine scream.  Standing next to the edge of the forest, far from the village, with his back to Inuyasha, a large dog demon-white in color addressed him.  "Inuyasha, how could you?"

"Eh?"  Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks.  "Who are you?"

Turning around, the demon stared at Inuyasha with glowing red eyes.  "Don't you even recognize me?"

Inuyasha gasped.  "Father?"

The great dog demon, standing on all fours, towered over Inuyasha much like his older brother did.  "Why do you dishonor me by traveling with such humans?"

"Dishonor?"  Inuyasha was caught off guard.  "How am I dishonoring our family by doing the same thing you did with mother?"  He asked.

"Your mother bewitched me.  You were never meant to come into existence."  With each word he spoke, the dog demon's large fangs were exposed through strong wet jaws.  "No son of mine would lower himself to wearing a collar and being ordered around by those below us."  He said with such venom, that Inuyasha's legs wanted to go out from under him.

Lifting the now dark blue and white rosary from under his haori, Inuyasha held it in shaking hands.  "T-this?"

"You disgust me!"  He snared.

Finally, Inuyasha fell to the ground on all fours, staring at the ground in shock.  "F-father…"

* * *

Kagome stood from her tatami mat and stretched out her arms.

Shippo jumped to his feet in worry.  "Kagome!  Are you sure you should be up yet?"

She looked down at the cub with a smile.  "Of course!  Inuyasha's medicine always does the trick!  Besides I need some fresh air."  She took a step towards the front room.

Shippo jumped onto her shoulder and sat down for the ride.  "Then I'll come with you!" 

Nodding, Kagome agreed and entered the other room.  Miroku looked up with smiled.  "Feeling better, Kagome-sama?"

"Un!" She assured.  "I'm just going to walk around the village for a while."  Looking around, she noticed Kaede was nowhere in sight.  "Where's Kaede-bachan?"

"She was called out to one of the village girl's house to check up on their daughter." 

"Oh, and she didn't take you along?"  Kagome teased with a smile.

Crossed his arms, the monk looked to the side.  "She didn't trust me enough to take me along."

Giggling, Kagome patted Miroku on the head the way she would Shippo or Kirara.  "Don't worry.  You'll always have Sango."  She told him before turning and going outside.

Sango…Where is she anyway?  I haven't seen her since earlier.  Standing up, Miroku joined Kagome outside, hoping to spot the well-developed demon exterminator.

"It's such a nice day out today!"  Shippo said happily.

"It sure is!  I wonder if the weather is this great back at home?"  She wondered aloud.

Shippo looked around and noticed Sango coming from over Inuyasha's forest aboard Kirara.  "Look! It's Sango and Kirara!"  He exclaimed.

This got both Miroku and Sango to turn their heads.

"Sango-chan!"  Kagome waved.

But Miroku took a step back and tightened his grip on his staff.  "Something's not right…"

"Eh?"  Kagome looked at the monk in shock.

"Hiraikotsu!"  Sango cried, throwing her youkai-bone boomerang straight towards Kagome.

* * *

            Blinking back his fear, Inuyasha looked at his father with growing anger.  "Something's not right here."  Inuyasha pulled Tetsusaiga from its sheath, but didn't make it transform.  "You created Tetsusaiga in order for me to learn to protect humans as well as myself.  I was left alone after mother died and have only now found companionship again."

            The giant dog scoffed.  " 'Companionship' more like leeches they are.  They only stand by you for your protection.  Without you, they would've long been killed off by the youkai."

            "Hey those are my friends you're talking about!"  Inuyasha retorted.  "They would die for me and have taken great strides to see me safe countless times!  I love Kagome, and would claim her for my life partner if I could, but they all mean the world to me and I don't know what I'd do without them!" 

            "You'd probably be better off!  Being with humans makes you weaker."

            Growling, Inuyasha finally realized that this wasn't his father.  By no means was this the great dog demon from ages ago.  No, he was a mere imitation.  "My friends give me strength when I need it and I am stronger than I ever was now!"  Tightening his grip on Tetsusaiga, the dog fang transformed into the mighty demon-killing blade.  "I'm strong enough to see through your scheme, demon.  And here's my answer!" 

            The winds of Kazu no Kizu began to form around the white demon fang as Inuyasha jumped into the air.  "EAT THIS!"  He shouted, slashing through the air with ease.  "Kazu no Kizu!"  The blast ripped apart the dog demon into nothing more than shredded paper.

            As he came down to the ground, Inuyasha caught some of the paper and froze.  It was the same paper from the demons back at the bay.  Which meant… "Kagome!"

* * *

            Unable to dodge it in time, Kagome covered her face in a vein attempt to protect herself from the coming projectile.

            "Kagome-sama!"  Miroku pushed Kagome out of the way and rolled to the side, just as hirakotsu rammed into the ground and skid to a stop. 

            Shippo picked himself up off the ground and shouted to his friends.  "Sango!  Kirara!  What's going on!?"

Instead of answering, Kirara swooped down with Sango and went in for another strike.  This time Miroku was ready and grabbed Sango by the arm before she could get to Kagome and pulled her from her mount.

Sango easily punched Miroku in the face to get him to release her and went back after Kagome.

"Kagome!"  Shippo ran to try and help, but Kirara blocked his path.  "Kirara!"

In response, the giant cat demon jumped in ready to pounce poor Shippo to death.

Thinking fast, Shippo jumped into the air.  "Kitsune bi!"  His foxfire got right in Kirara's eyes, making the cat paw its face in annoyance.

Kagome was already on her feet and managed to dodge Sango's first slash with her short sword, but the follow up attack landed a gash on her arm.

Kagome fell to the ground and would've fallen victim then, if Miroku hadn't intercepted once more with his staff.  "Sango!  Come to your senses!"  He urged.

Sango started slashing at him, but the monk managed to block everything, if only barely.

Kagome gasped as she saw the black aura surrounding Sango's entire body.  She's being controlled!

Miroku blocked an overhead swing and knocked the short sword from Sango's grip.  It landed a few feet away, but that didn't stop the taijiya.  She went to fists and kicks and began beating Miroku down to the ground.

"Miroku!"  Kagome shouted.

Miroku tried to subdue her, but she landed a quick chop to his neck and he was out cold.  Going back to her wakizashi, Sango looked over and saw Kirara had Shippo under her massive paw.  The kitsune cub would be of no more trouble to them.

Kagome got to her feet and was about to run away when Sango charged her.  Without thinking, Kagome saw hiraikotsu laying down on the ground over by Shippo and held out her hand.  The demon-bone boomerang was covered in a familiar pink aura and flew towards Kagome at lightning speed.

Just as Sango reached Kagome and struck with her sword, her own weapon blocked the strike, protecting Kagome as she held a hand to her bleeding wound.  There was a resounding clank as the two weapons ran into each other.

"K-Kagome!"  Shippo couldn't get free and was helpless to stop anything.  He closed his eyes shut against the pain.  Inuyasha, I'm sorry!  I let you down!

Just then, Inuyasha came bursting from the forest, Tetsusaiga still transformed in his hand.  "Shippo!"  He came down and hit the back of Kirara's head with the hilt of the sword, making her pass out.  She slumped to the side, Shippo still underneath her.

"Inuyasha!  Kagome!"  Was all the cub had to say.

Inuyasha looked over and saw Sango, her weapon drawn, facing off with Kagome.  The only thing that separated them was the enchanted hiraikotsu.  "Kagome!"

Kagome looked over, delighted to see the hanyou.  "Inuyasha!"  Her concentration gone, the boomerang fell over to the side, giving Sango a clear shot.

The taijiya took it and struck fast.  A blur of red came into view as Inuyasha jumped away with Kagome in his arms.  The blade was easily deflected by the strong fire rat armor.  "What's going on!?"  He asked.  He immediately noticed Kagome's wound but decided to worry about it later.

"Sango-chan's being controlled by something!  Miroku's already unconscious!"  The miko exclaimed.

Turning to face his friend, Inuyasha sheathed his sword and growled.  "He led me away so he could get Kagome alone and pull this off."  The hanyou said in a low voice.

Kagome's eyes widened in fear.

Sango came in fast, but Inuyasha – being the hanyou that he was, easily dodged it and caught her wrist as she turned.  "Sango, get a hold of yourself!  We're your friends!"

When she didn't show any signs of hearing him and continued trying to slash him with her sword arm, Inuyasha sighed and threw her down to the floor, hitting the back of her neck – very similar to the way she had to Miroku, and let her fall into unconsciousness.

Kagome went to Inuyasha's side and looked down sadly at Sango.  "Will she be okay when she wakes up?"

"Yeah I'm pretty sure.  The plan's success depended on me not being here, otherwise he wouldn't have tried leading me away like he did."

"Eh?"

"Nevermind."  He bent down and hefted Sango over his shoulder.  "Go inside and get that cut taken care of.  I'll see to these two."

"U-un."  Kagome nodded, watching him gather his friends.

Shippo was still trapped under Kirara, now blue from suffocation, when the cat demon finally reverted to her smaller form, releasing Shippo from his prison.  He gladly sucked in all the air he could until the color came back to his cheeks.

Kagome looked away and up into the sky.  She knew they were being watched and the feeling sent shivers down her spine.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  Knows our weaknesses and how best to use them against us…  How are we supposed to defeat something like that?

* * *

Smiling, the being she spoke of smiled as he set his next plan into motion.  "You can't defeat me.  I will get the Shikon no Tama and you're going to give it to me willingly.  Whether you know it now or not."

In his mind's eye he watched Inuyasha pick up Miroku the same way he had Sango and turned towards the hut.  As he walked, the man looked at Miroku with growing interest.  "I know your inner most desires as well and they will work well for me."  He finished writing on the paper in front of him and examined his work.  "Yes, she will do nicely."

Author's Notes:  One other thing I should mention.  Yes, Inuyasha's fire rat coat was shredding when he transformed for the first time.  But, if anyone's noticed, in the series when his haori gets cut or shredded he always manages to get it back brand new, no explanation offered.  Then there's the fact that as a child, he's seen wearing the same haori – except smaller.  So with all these mysterious, it's a minor detail I plan to overlook.

Oh yes, I finished another music video, this one the best of them all, in honor of this fanfic, it's called, "Keep Away" and it has all of Inuyasha's demon moments from the series.  If you've been unable to download my music videos yet, keep trying.  I post them every time I get time online, but it is sporadic, so it won't always be at the same time.  The more people get them, the easier it'll be to download them later.  Thanks everyone!

Oh and one last thing, I swear this is it.  "Un" means yeah or a lazy "yes" in Japanese.