DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN INUYASHA OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS. WAAAAHHHH!!!!!

YAY!!! CHAPPIE!!!! YAY!!! ::JUMPS UP AND DOWN, SHAKES BOOTY::

A/N: I'M SORRY!!!! I know it's taking longer to get the chappies out but... but... I am trying!!! Grrrrrr... Too much to do and not enough time to do it!!! Amy and I are working together on a lot of stuff and I'm just not as fast as she is!!! lol!! I try though! We hope you enjoy the chappie and thanks for your patience!!! ::SMOOCHIES::

::HUGS & KISSES TO ALL WHO REVIEWED!!!:: Your reviews greatly appreciated!!

AND FOR THOSE THAT DIDN'T, THANK YOU ANYWAY FOR READING OUR FIC!!!

Funny by wyldwolfrose

Wyldwolfrose: "No funny today 'cause I really wanted to get chappie out NOW!!!"

Amyfushigiyugi: ::sweatdrop:: "wyld... you are sooo out of control..."

Wyldwolfrose: "Well, lookie here miss smarty pants... I used my last funny for you sooo..." ::sticks tongue out at amy:: "BITE ME"

Amyfushigiyugi: "No thank you. You tasted funny last time." ::scrunches up face::

Wyldwolfrose: "Oh, that's it! I'll show you who tastes funny..." ::chases amy out the door::

0-o "heh... don't ask... I in demented mode right now..."

Chapter 12 – Inuyasha's Heart & Sesshomaru's Decision

Kagome lay limp in Sess's arms as he held her close. His usual cold exterior dropped as his blood began to boil in anger. 'How dare he...' he mentally snarled when he recognized the aura of the evil that had attacked her previously. He had warned the malicious entity not to try to harm what was his and now it had blatantly defied him. The tai youkai of the western lands would not let this go unpunished.

Concern etched his features as his keen sense of hearing picked up Kagome's heartbeat as it slowed. It seemed as if she had been pulled into a physical state of a coma. Her aura was barely visible anymore and her skin was slightly cold compared to heat that raged within the club.

Moving swiftly using his youkai speed, and not caring if he was noticed, Sesshomaru carried her to the club office, away from the ruckus of the crowded club. 'I will not let him attempt to rape your mind again.' He mentally snarled. 'He will pay...'

Sango and Miroku rushed after Sesshomaru upon witnessing their friend's collapse followed by the disappearance of them both. They could both feel the familiar aura of the evil being that had attacked Kagome the night before. Fear flashed through both of them like a knife realizing what this could mean.

"SON OF BITCH!" Sango yelled as she forced her way to the club office. "She's not in any condition to fight that thing!" She never looked back, knowing Miroku was right behind her. "AND WHERE THE FUCK IS INUYASHA???"

"I don't know where that baka is!" Miroku glanced back to see if he could spot him. "Last time I saw him was when he was supposed to get Kouga away from Kag on the damn dance floor!"

"Let's worry about Kag right now and not that baka inu!" Sango threw over her should as she took the steps to the office two at a time with Miroku hot on her heels.

Sesshomaru laid Kagome's unmoving form down on a black leather sofa in the office, his gaze never leaving her now pale face. His eyes tinted pink as he fought to get his raging youkai blood under control. He would not be able to help her if his state of mind was in turmoil. He knew she would not be able defend herself against the evil entity that seemed intent on destroying her mind.

'Her alcohol consumption has hindered her greatly. She will not be able to hold it off with her senses so dull.' His anger rising yet again at her reckless behavior. He was angry. She seemed to have deliberately put herself in harms way and he there was nothing he could do stop it.

The door burst open as Sango and Miroku came into a sea of Sess's angry aura and the chill of the evil that surrounded Kagome's body. Both stopped short as their gazes locked on Kagome.

"What's going on? Is she okay? Can you help?" Sango practically whimpered wishing she hadn't let Kagome drink so much. Making her way over to her seemingly lifeless friend, she went to grab her hand but flinched when their hands made contact and jerked her hand back as if it had been burned.

"You can not touch her in this state." Sesshomaru's voice was colder than frost. "The spirit is overtaking the miko quickly and she can not fight back."

"What can we do?" Miroku asked as walked up beside Sango putting him arms around her trembling form to comfort her. He was extremely worried over Kagome's well being as well. He knew just as well as Sango that their Kag was defenseless right now.

"I will take her to my ancestral home. There are strong ancient wards ingrained within structure that have been there for centuries. That at least, will assist in weakening his hold on her. I will enter her mind as I did before and destroy it." The last part said as he moved to pick her up.

Even as powerful as he was, he felt the burning sensations where Kagome's body touched his. 'I will have to make haste. Stay strong just a little longer Kagome. I will not let him have you.' was his last thought as his concealment spell dropped and in a flash of light they disappeared.

Lost in a sea of darkness, Kagome floated in a haze of memories that had been locked away deep inside her heart. She hadn't visited most of these memories in many years and mentally curled within herself, whimpering in fear of the past. Some were ones that she never wanted to revisit but there were others she held close to her heart. Those memories kept her strong... helped her overcome the nightmares, that made her felt lost.

She could sense a presence hovering in the darkness. It was familiar but she could not place it. She ignored the lurking aura as she thought of the events that occurred over the last two days. Now tonight, because of her own foolishness, her strength and power had abandoned her, leaving her vulnerable. She cursed her own stupidity. She felt alone. She felt weak and she hated it. Closing her eyes in despair, she allowed the darkness to take her, not able to stop it this time, even if she tried.

Sesshomaru's form appeared before a massive stone castle that was well hidden on a mountain side. It stood tall and proud before him, the aura surrounding it glowed with intense energy, as if welcoming him home.

He had not visited his ancestral home in many years, but made sure it was still well maintained over the centuries. Holding Kagome's body tightly against him, he stalked forward, entering the now open castle doors. Her aura had seemed to stabilize somewhat on the trip, but her skin was still cold and her heart rate still slow. He could feel where his skin had been scorched from holding her, but the barrier-like shield that tried preventing others from physically touching her, had subsided upon entering the castle.

Moving swiftly to the West wing, he entered a room that was lavishly decorated with royal blues and shinning silver. A large mahogany bed sat in the center of the room covered with silvery silk sheets and overstuffed pillows.

Sesshomaru paid no attention to the warm feeling of being home again, his concern for Kagome overriding all other thoughts. He laid her on the cool sheets and stared down at her pale features. It angered him that the fiery spirit, he knew she possessed first hand, seemed to have been snuffed out.

Growling deep in his throat, he removed her shoes, placing his own at the foot of the bed with hers. He returned to her side and knew that this time, the entity that possessed her would be harder to locate within, without her assistance. Taking a steadying breath, his clawed hands moved swiftly, removing all of her clothes except for the black lacy undergarment that hugged her body.

Knowing now was not the time, he still couldn't help himself, as his amber eyes roved over her well toned and shapely form. She reminded him of a fallen angel, lying in her black lace that contrasted with the silver of the sheets.

Shaking his head, he mentally snarled, what the hell was he thinking? He focused on her aura trying to read the state her mind was currently in as he removed most of his clothing. Clad only in his blue silk boxers, he lay down next to her and gently rolled her body over his.

Laying her head on his shoulder, he wrapped his arms around her, hoping his warm body would soothe her cold flesh. The skin on skin contact would allow his aura to meld with hers more completely as he tapped into her mind. Closing his eyes he released his youki, surrounding them both in his essence, as he easily made his way through her mental barriers.

As he moved within the dark recesses of her mind, he felt her conflicting emotions and followed them to what seemed to be the source. A bright flash of white light engulfed him and he knew he had just entered a memory that she was now reliving.

-----Flashback-----

Kagome had been sitting under a sakura tree desperately trying to study for her next exam. Her brow furrowed as she tried to comprehend the words on the page that seemed to be in a foreign language to her. "I just don't understand this stuff!"

Sesshomaru's eyes lit on a younger version of the girl he now knew. Even then her beauty was amazing. Curious, his eyes searched their surroundings. 'A school?' He stretched his senses within the scene, only to find the one that had taken over her mind, was not there. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed when he heard the voice of his brother approach.

"Oi Kag!" Yash yelled as he made his way toward her. "Whatcha doin? You look like you just ate a prune!" he snickered at the twisted face she had made as sat next to her.

"Look who's talking dog boy. I'm trying to study for this stupid English Literature exam and... grrrrrr! I can't figure this out!" she whined slamming her book shut and smacking him in the head with it. "And I don't eat prunes you baka!"

"Hey! That hurt wench!" he growled as he held his injured head.

Sesshomaru smirked seeing even at a young age Kagome could put the hanyou in his place.

"Serves you right you slacker. Hey! Aren't you be in class right about now?" her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I thought you had Math during my lunch period."

"I do, just not today." he smirked with mischief dancing in his sun gold eyes. "I took time off just come and harass you my Queen of Catastrophe! Besides, Math is a breeze. I've never studied for that stupid class and still pass with flying colors. That's more than I can say for you. You're a poster child for the mentally challenged."

"Why you..." Kagome pounced on Inuyasha playfully as she mock tried to strangle him. Giggling as she tried to use her weight to pin him down knowing it was futile she challenged "I'll show you who's mentally challenged you freak of nature!"

"Awwww... You're hurting my feelings Kag!" he laughed as he tossed her effortlessly on the ground and straddled her waist. With a sadistic look in his eyes he smirked as he attacked her ribs, mercilessly tickling her.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she was tossed on her back, followed by the weight of a hard muscular body. Kagome squealed as she was bombarded with Yash's well known and avoid at all costs, tickle fingers. "YASH! Hahahaha! Please... stop! Hahahaha! Okay! I give! Hahahahaha!"

Yash smirked as he gave her one last "tickle" and finally halted his torturous assault. Thankful that her attacker had given her mercy, Kagome gasped for air as she lay under him trying to catch her breath. She still couldn't control the after affects of giggling that escaped her lips.

Sesshomaru watched the playful scene with interest, his expression never wavering from the emotionless mask he kept in place. She looked so young and carefree in this memory, so unlike the woman she had now become. The pure innocence and untainted aura, when she was young, reflected in shining sapphire eyes as he watched her and his brother interact. They couldn't have been more than fifteen at the time.

Inuyasha's laughter faded as he looked down at Kagome, finally noticing the position they were in. Her face was flushed from his tickle fest and she was breathing heavily with a radiant smile on her lips. Her hair lay fanned out in the grass and she looked like an angel that had fallen from heaven.

It was as if he was truly seeing her for the first time, not as his friend but as a young woman. The picture of it was mesmerizing and teased his senses, begging him make her his. The smirk slowly faded as he watched her pink tongue dart out and traced her bottom lip as her sapphire blue eyes locked with his.

Without thought to what he was doing it was as if a magnet was drawing him to her in slow motion. He had to know what that bottom lip tasted like, if it was as sweet as her honey laced scent. All he could hear was his own heartbeat growing louder the closer he moved to that pouty bottom lip.

Kagome watched in fascination as he drew closer, his hair falling around them blocking all others from view. He looked larger than life crouched over her, his hungry gaze focused solely on her mouth. Her lips parted and her eyes widened as his lips slashed across hers in a toe curling kiss. His lips were soft and silky feeling as they pressed against hers for a moment before he slowly drew her bottom lip into his mouth and suckled on it.

He had been right, her lips were sweeter honey and more intoxicating than wine. Yash found he could not pull away wanting to taste more and tentatively licked at her lips asking her permission to enter.

Sesshomaru knew it was only a memory before him but as soon as Inuyasha's lips connected with Kagome's, he felt a new hatred for his brother bubbling to the surface. On instinct, he took an angry swipe at his brother's image, only to snort in disgust as the deadly claws passed through the vision.

Kagome's breath caught as Yash licked at her lips silently asking her for entrance. Her eyes fluttered shut as she parted her lips for him, a soft moan escaping her at the feel of his tongue gently tasting her. She could feel all of his emotions in that one kiss and knew at that moment she was in love with her childhood friend.

Yash slowly pulled back from her as he gave her gentle, caressing kisses at the corners of her mouth. Raising up a couple inches, wanting see if the kiss affected her the way it did him, he stared down at her with a bewildered look in his eyes. His heart was still pounding and he felt lost as he gazed down into her flushed face wondering why he had done it. As if answering himself he whispered what his heart desired but his mind had not yet comprehended "Because I love you and you are mine. You have always been mine."

She could hear the possessiveness lacing his words and she smiled knowing he wasn't lying about his feelings for her. She could tell he loved her. Giving him a sweet, slightly smug smile that could rival his own, she placed her hand on the back of his neck as she pulled him back to her lips for her second kiss ever. Whispering softly her sapphire depths darkened with hidden passion. "I love you too, Inuyasha. I think I always have."

Sesshomaru heard a deadly growl and was startled to find it had come from his own body. His head jerked up as the scene rippled, then faded away only to be replaced by the image of Kagome as a young woman.

Sango & Miroku sat in the club office waiting for Inuyasha to show his face. They had searched the club after Sesshomaru left with Kagome and could not locate their absent friend.

Sango was furious that the hanyou had disappeared when he was needed. She paced the office furiously, ready to break him in half the moment he walked in.

"When I get my hands on him..." she shook with anger.

"Calm down wildcat. He'll turn up." Miroku tried calming his raging fiancé. He was glad that he wasn't in Yash's shoes at that moment. His wildcat could be vicious and right now... heaven help the baka inu when she gets her hands on him.

They trusted that Sesshomaru would keep his word and help Kagome. He had helped her last time and Sango had the distinct feeling that the tai youkai cared more than he would ever admit. "She better be okay..." her eyes flashed with hatred as her fingers itched to find the one that tormented her friend's soul.

Sesshomaru watched as an eighteen year old Kagome sat in what looked to be a classroom, a frown marring her face. 'I wonder what significance this memory will have to her.' Learning more of the miko's past had been a welcome surprise, for he knew she would not willing divulge this information willingly.

-----Flashback-----

Kagome hated staying after hours at the school, but she had no choice in the matter this time. When she had received her math test back today, she couldn't believe her score had been so low, she had studied so hard and still failed. As soon as the bell rang she made a bee line straight to the study group where tutoring was available to all students.

Considering she had stayed until the last couple of people were ready to leave, she now felt a little more confident that she would catch back up and pass the next test. Kagome gathered her books and walked down the now dimly lit hallway wanting to put her them back in her locker, instead of carrying them home.

Sesshomaru's form stayed close behind her, curious to what this vision would bring him. Still irritated by the last vision, he was relived to see his brother no where in sight.

She heard steps behind her and wondered who else could be there so late, she turned around to see who it was. Hiten, the captain of the football team, must have just gotten out of practice, since he was still clad in his gear. He was heading toward her with a smile on his face.

Hiten smiled when he spotted the girl, standing in the hall at her locker. Everyone had said she was off limits, labeled Inu Yasha's girlfriend. Glancing around the hall, he noted she was very alone. It made him kind of angry to think Inu Yasha had the hottest girl in the school, but then, maybe he could take her away from him. That would show the punk.

Kagome looked at her watch and felt like hitting her forehead repeatedly against her locker. Inu Yasha was going to kill her. She had been in such a hurry earlier that she hadn't told him what she was doing and he was supposed to be at her house an hour ago. Kagome looked up as a shadow crossed in front of her.

"Kagome, don't usually see you around school this late." Hiten towered over her, leaning against the locker beside hers.

Kagome took one more glance at her watch, then mentally slapping herself silly, she grinned "I stayed for tutoring but now I'm really late, so I have to go" she made a move to close the locker but Hiten stopped her.

"Wait just a minute, I was wondering if we could go out sometime" he leaned in closer to her, breathing in her scent.

Kagome leaned back a little, starting to feel a little jittery "I can't Hiten. I have a boyfriend."

Hiten narrowed his eyes a little but shrugged "What's the harm in going out with a friend? I won't tell if you won't..." his eyes locked on her lips hungrily.

Kagome's eyes lit angrily and she opened her mouth to tell him just what she thought of that idea, but before she could voice her opinion, his lips crashed into hers and her back hit the locker. Dropping her books so she could push him away, his hands grabbed hers and held them still.

Sesshomaru knew there was nothing he could do to help her against the punk but still felt the need to rip the boy's arms off. It was hard for him to keep in mind that the visions before him had already come to pass. As he continued to watch, he couldn't help himself as he mentally shredded the lecher for daring to touch what was his.

Inu Yasha had become worried when Kagome wasn't at home at the usual time. Luckily, he had run into her girlfriends Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka near the school and they had told him she had mumbled something about tutoring. Now rounding the corner and seeing her kissing one of the most popular guys in the school, he didn't think before opening his mouth. "So, this is what tutoring is like?!" he clenched his fist seeing red.

Hiten smiled smugly and took a step back from Kagome "Kagome, I thought you said you were braking up with that loser."

Kagome was so mad she couldn't see straight, but before she could defend herself again, Inu Yasha had thrown Hiten into the lockers on the other side of the hall. Towering over the football star, Inuyasha's eyes blazed, he was ready to cause serious damage the boy.

Hiten had already been knocked unconscious by the first blow and just as Inuyasha grabbed Hiten's shirt to haul him into the air, Kagome grabbed his arm "No, that's enough Inuyasha, put him down."

Sesshomaru watched intently to see what his brother would do. If it had been him the boy would already be dead and Kagome would be safe in his arms.

Inuyasha couldn't keep the snarl from his lips as he flung the boy effortlessly back into the lockers and watched in satisfaction as he slid to the floor. Turning on Kagome he growled menacingly "Taking up for you lover Kagome? That's just too fucking sweet."

Sesshomaru was taken back by the injustice of his brother's assumption that she had caused this. His eyes traveled back to the girl in question, only to see her anger rise. But underneath the layer of anger, he could feel the tears that threaten to spill. Inuyasha was hurting her, and again, Sesshomaru toyed with the thought of flaying the skin from the hanyou.

Kagome glared back at him "Watch it dog face, you're digging a hole you might not be able to climb out of!" it pissed her off that he would believe someone as stupid as Hiten over her and without even asking her for the truth.

Inu Yasha was livid. She wasn't even trying to deny it. He turned and slammed his fist into the nearest locker, completely destroying it in one punch "Fuck you Kagome, if that's what you want, you can have him!" he knew he had to leave before he did even more harm. He turned quickly and in a blur, disappeared.

Sesshomaru stepped in front of the miko. Watching the sadness pour from her in waves. His brother was a fool.

Kagome blinked as tears of anger, quickly turned to tears of hurt. He hadn't even asked her for the truth, he believed she was capable of cheating on him. "Fine" she sniffed, her bottom lip now trembling and tears fell freely down her face "If that's what you think of me, maybe we shouldn't have been boyfriend and girlfriend to begin with!"

She raised her quivering chin up a notch "and.. and.. I don't care!" she promptly burst into tears, the pain in her chest throbbed as her heart broke. Forgetting her books that still laid on the floor and the open locker they were supposed to be in. Forgetting the injured dickhead still on the floor, she didn't care about any of it as she ran down the hall, wanting to be home where she could be alone and no one could see.

Inu Yasha didn't stop until he was outside. On the other side of the school gym, he smacked his fist into the brick wall, unable to completely calm him self without her. He laid his forehead against the wall where the blood from his injured fist lie. His amber eyes stared at nothing as silent tears dripped from his heated face. "Why Kagome? Why did you betray me?"

Sesshomaru stood watching the image of his brother, for just a moment longer. 'You are not worthy of her' he spoke silently to the memory as it begun to fad. Without a second thought to the baka, he turned and walked away. He needed to find Kagome, the real Kagome, not the images of her memories that made his blood run hot with a protectiveness that was beyond his control.

'Kagome...' his instincts told him what he had tried to deny since he had met her. In such a short amount of time, he couldn't believe it was possible. No woman had ever affected him as she had. She openly defied him, challenged his strength, physically fought against him without fear, even pissed him off to the point of showing his true emotion. She made him feel, and that in itself, was practically beyond belief.

She had earned his respect, though he had chosen to ignore it. He could no longer deny the inevitable. He had no choice but follow the instincts that had been ingrained in him since he was pup. Ningen or not, it didn't matter anymore, she had proven to be his equal and he had decided, she would be his. He had found his future mate and nothing would stand in his way.

He would find the impudent fool that had defied him.

He would torture and execute the one that had the audacity to try and take from him, one he considered his.

His brother may have had her as his at one time, still felt as if she were his...

But soon... all would know that she belonged to him and no one... no one... would defy him...

Not even her...

Wyldwolfrose: ::evil laugh:: YES!!! IT WAS MY DOING FOR THE EVIL, NASTY CLIFFIE!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Amyfushigiyugi: ummm... wyld... they're gonna hurt you....

Wyldwolfrose: ::looks at readers, eyes widen:: ummmm... hehehe.... "BYE!!!" ::runs away::

Please review!!!!