Hey guys! Happy late Halloween!

Here's my next chapter, sorry it took so long, I had some things to take care of. Please R&R and tell me what you think. Things just keep getting more complicated for Kagome unfortunatly....

Attica-

Chapter Seven

Face to Face

Akemi stretched in her bed and waited. It was around eleven the night before when he had appeared at Kagome's window, Akemi felt it was a safe assumption that he would return around the same time that night. Moving her head slightly to see the clock, Akemi found it was only ten-thirty seven.

Kagome grimaced and muttered in unrest. She hadn't eaten anything all day and Akemi had caught her more than once looking nervously out the window. First what her friends said at school, and now it seems Kagome's even less at ease when she's home. Akemi couldn't help but worry about her, Kagome had been so tired that she went to bed around eight.

Akemi felt the nervous flight of butterflies in her stomach and caressed the reassuring metal of her dagger, finding its presence soothing during her wait. If Yuka and Eri are right, I'll be helping Kagome by doing this. If they're not... Akemi's thoughts were cut short when she heard movement beneath Kagome's window. Gripping the hilt of her dagger, Akemi's other hand found her pendent unconsciously. It was warm to the touch, emitting a small light from underneath her clothes.

"A demon is near..." A voice whispered into Akemi's ear. "Protect yourself..."

She felt her blood chill as she tried to pinpoint where the voice was coming from. There's no one here, it's just your overactive imagination. Akemi focused on the person below the window, she could hear him as he leapt off the ground.

Her heart began to race with adrenaline. I'm just going to figure out what the hell is going on, and then I'll send him on his way. I don't have to fight this guy. Akemi's hand clenched tighter around her pendent, feeling it begin to smolder against her palm.

"Demon! Protect yourself Akemi!" Akemi heard the voice hiss urgently into her ear just as a figure appeared in the window. Acting purely out of instinct, Akemi raised her hand and launched her dagger at the assailant. Though he seemed unprepared by the attack, the man caught the dagger in his hand before it hit his chest.

"Bitch..." He growled from deep in his throat as he threw Akemi's dagger out the window. His voice sounded primal and entirely out of place in Tokyo Japan. Akemi was thrown slightly off guard by it, of all the things she'd expected, this particular fact did not fit into any of them.

Her heart pounded and she felt sweat begin to bead onto her skin, the heat from her pendent becoming increasingly uncomfortable. She could feel and intense hostility emitting off of him. Well it figures, I did just try to throw a knife into his rib cage. She still wasn't sure why she had attacked him like that, it wasn't her intention. But when she had seen him in the window she was compelled to defend herself and Kagome from him however necessary. Demon...huh?

"You're gonna wish you hadn't done that." The mans voice snapped her back to reality.

Keep it together girl, this is no time to sleep. Akemi checked to see that Kagome was still sleeping out of the corner of her eye; she was. Good. Akemi turned and ran out of the room and down the stairs.

No choice now, I just need to get some distance from the family. Akemi ran out the front door barefoot, not bothering to stop for shoes.

Her lungs burned with the unusual exertion. I should have kept up with my workouts when dad left. Akemi berated herself silently as she ran aimlessly throughout the shrine. He's near...I can feel it... Akemi's hand still clutched her pendent tightly, even after her palm began to blister from the heat.

"Find a weapon and defend yourself...You don't have to be helpless..." The disembodied voice floated through Akemi's mind, causing her to jump slightly.

A weapon...where can I find a weapon? Akemi searched the area surrounding her and found a rake leaning against the side of one of the shrine buildings.

Grabbing the rake and twisting off the bottom, Akemi held it as a staff and turned back towards the house.

"So you decided to stop running, you crazy bitch." Her opponent stood a few yards away, bathed in the light of the moon. It was the first time Akemi had been able to see him properly, and the sight she beheld made her momentarily forget to breathe.

Clothed in the color of blood and framed with a mass of sliver hair topped with two white ears, this man was unlike anyone Akemi had ever seen. His golden eyes were framed in a strong face; he looked to have taken care of himself most of his life, the hardness and mistrust in his eyes evident. All in all he was a most impressive man, giving off almost otherworldly vibrations that Akemi had never encountered before. If she was in another situation, Akemi would have been fascinated.

On this occasion, however, the added mystery of this man only infuriated Akemi further. Since she had gotten there, no, even before she had left, Akemi's life was nothing but one mystery and conflict after another. She was sick of it all, just wanting things to make sense for once.

"At least I'm not sneaking around peoples homes like a cowardly thief." Akemi spat on the ground as she spread her legs into a fighting stance.

"Bitch what did you call me?" Inuyasha snarled. How dare she call me a thief! He couldn't believe the audacity of this strange girl. First throwing knives at him and running, and then insulting him. Inuyasha had made up his mind. He didn't like this girl and he didn't like Kagome around her.

Akemi chose to ignore the challenge and instead pointed at him with her staff and asked. "Are you Kagome's boyfriend?"

Inuyasha felt his face flush. What has Kagome been telling this girl? "W-What? Who told you that?"

Akemi's silver eyes narrowed with suspicion. He's not being honest about something. "The same people who told me what kind of person you are." Akemi watched as Inuyasha's eyebrows rose slightly.

"And what kind of person am I?" He snorted.

"Violent, rude, and selfish, by the way you've presented yourself I can only assume that it's true." Akemi's lip curled with contempt. "I can't stand your type."

"Well I'm so sorry you have to be here, but I'll knock you flat so you don't have to see me anymore!" Inuyasha was done dealing with weird girl. He didn't know who she was, but he knew he didn't like her.

Cracking his knuckles and displaying his claws, Inuyasha pounced at her with tremendous speed. Aiming for her head, Inuyasha raised his claws roaring, "SANKON-TETSU!"

What the hell is this guy? Akemi dropped to the ground in a split and cracked her staff into the back of his knees, throwing him momentarily off balance.

Arching herself backwards, Akemi flipped her body into a standing position.

"Hey!" Inuyasha shouted as he regained his footing. A growl forming in his throat, Inuyasha clenched his hand into a fist and brought his arm around in a right hook.

Akemi dodged low and whirled to the right, slamming her staff into Inuyasha's side. "With your pitiful techniques, your attacks won't last long against me." Akemi smirked as she felt her insult hit the mark and Inuyasha's face color with rage.

"Stupid girl, don't think it's over just because you tapped me with your stick. I was going easy on you because you're just a human. But if you're feeling suicidal I suppose I can grant your wish." Inuyasha snorted as he placed his hand on his swords hilt.

"SANKON-TETSU!"

Kagome's eyes flew open as Inuyasha's voice came through the window. Oh my god. Shooting up into a sitting position, Kagome turned to find Akemi's bed was empty. Oh my god!

Throwing her blankets aside, Kagome flew from her room, down the stairs and out the front door. Her heart firmly planted in her throat, Kagome ran towards the sounds of fighting.

As she rounded a corner, Kagome's eyes widened with horror as she watched Inuyasha reach for his sword.

"INUYASHA! SIT!" Kagome screamed with all her might as she skidded in between Inuyasha and Akemi.

"Argh!" Inuyasha hit the ground with a force that shook the buildings around them.

Akemi watched, speechless, as Inuyasha struggled to push himself out of the ground.

"Kagome...you..." Inuyasha grunted painfully.

"Don't hurt her Inuyasha! Akemi is a friend of mine." Kagome held her arms in front of her as if to block his way.

"Feh." Inuyasha crossed his arms and turned to the side. "You should tell her that."

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but what the hell is going on?" Akemi cleared her throat, her hand instinctively going back to her pendent.

Kagome shifted uncomfortably. "Akemi...this is Inuyasha. He's a... friend of mine."

Inuyasha twitched at the hesitation in Kagome's voice. "Feh."

"Kagome, is he the one your friends were talking about?" Akemi indicated at Inuyasha with her staff.

"Eh?" Inuyasha was incredulous.

Kagome flushed deeply as she avoided Inuyasha's gaze. "W-Well, I suppose it's possible...."

Akemi's eyebrow rose in skepticism. "If he's really such an obnoxious, selfish, two-timing loser why are you still with him? I mean honestly Kagome, the man was lurking in your window. And for Christ's sake, what's with the dog ears?"

Kagome's jaw went slack. I can't believe she just said that, and Inuyasha was listening to the whole thing! What did those guys say to her?

"H-Hey!" Inuyasha shouted. "Kagome, you, what the hell have you been saying about me?"

"Nothing!" Kagome shouted indignantly.

"Nothing?" Inuyasha snorted in disbelief.

Kagome glowered in anger. "Well it's not like you're perfect either! And what's wrong with needing to talk to someone sometimes?"

"So noisy! You're not the only one with stress you know!" Inuyasha stuck his lip up defiantly.

Akemi sighed in exasperation. "Whatever. It's looks as if I have been misinformed somewhat anyhow. I'm grabbing my dagger and going to bed. I'll see you later Kagome." Akemi looked sideways at Inuyasha. "Inuyasha." With that, she turned and left.

"Uh, goodnight, Akemi." Kagome stood in confusion and watched Akemi head back to the house. After all that, I wasn't expecting her to be so easily satisfied.

Inuyasha stood in silence for a moment and then turned to leave.

"Wait! Inuyasha!" Kagome held her hand up in protest.

Turning his head slightly, Inuyasha paused his walking. "If I'm really that troublesome to you Kagome, I won't bother you again. If you don't want to come back that's fine. I don't need you slowing me down anyway."

Kagome was shocked. "Inuyasha..." Her voice trailed off as he slammed the well door closed behind him.