Act Sixteen

Kagome stumbled back as Shitsuren started towards her.

"No! Stay away from me! Leave me alone!" She flailed out her hands, trying to ward him away. But Shitsuren simply grabbed both arms, pulling her towards him.

"Well," commented Shitsuren, "It appears that that vile half-breed is taking quite good care of you, little bitch."

Kagome couldn't speak. Fear had over-ridden every sense in her body. She was numb with trepidation as he lowered his face to hers. She could smell his breath, like rotting flesh, and see into his bright blue eyes.

"My cute little bitch, how does the pup?" Slowly his clawed hand snaked over her raised tummy. He felt the cloth before slitting it open to reveal the bare skin of her stretched stomach.

Kagome gasped as he ripped the dress further, placing his cold, clammy fingers on her warm abdomen.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!!!!" Screaming with all her might, she ripped her hand from his clawed grasp. Without thinking, she raised her hand and struck the wolf-youkai across the face.

Turning on her heel, she took off, fast as her feet could carry her, through the bramble and bushed.

Shitsuren, however, was faster.

In his true form, his wolf body broke free of the confining branches. Within three strides, he had caught up with her and came to a sliding halt in front of the miko, blocking her path.

Kagome gasped as she stopped. Slipping, her feet fell from underneath her and she landed heavily on her back. She cried in pain as Shitsuren reached for her hair, dragging her up by the roots.

"Damned bitch. How dare you strike me!" He snarled into her face. Raising his hand, he slapped it hard across her face. Kagome dare not cry. She bit her lip, as she looked daggers at Shitsuren's ugly face.

"Is the mortal not afraid of me?" He said with a sneer.

Kagome spit into his face, the saliva dripping from his nose.

Shitsuren snarled, wiping his face with his forearm.

"You whore. How DARE you spit on me! " He snarled. He glared into her eyes, but they didn't waver. She held her stern gaze as she breathed heavily.

"But, nonetheless, you are valuable to the survival of my clan. Therefore, I cannot hurt you."

Kagome coughed. "If I didn't have people who I loved do dearly, I would gladly die before having your baby."

Shitsuren chuckled. "Be that as it may, you are still pregnant with my pup. Such strength and will you posses, you shall bare many strong pups."

Slowly he lowered his head to her level, cocking it slightly as his lips traveled beeline for her own.

"But you forget, it's my will, and-"

Shitsuren silenced her as he smashed his lips against hers. Kagome struggled for her release, but it was like fighting a python; the harder you struggle the deeper the fangs sink.

"Get your filthy lips off my mate!"

Shitsuren pushed Kagome away as he dodged Tetsusaiga's deadly blade.

Inuyasha landed next to Kagome, brandishing Tetsusaiga in front of them. Wrapping his arms protectively, Kagome buried her face in his haori.

"Aw, isn't that precious? The filthy half-breed and his whore of a mate." Shitsuren laughed icily, his voice ringing through the trees.

Inuyasha stepped forward, still clutching Kagome. "Shut up! You have no reason to talk! You're the one who raped her, who just snuck up and attacked her!"

Shitsuren flashed Inuyasha a toothy smile. "That is how our clan reproduces. We raise at least eight pups, the strongest of the strong. And when there is a lack of youkai bitches-" He laughed demonically. "We resort to the human ones. All three of my current whelps are born of human mothers."

Kagome tightened her hold on Inuyasha. She looked up just enough to glance at the youkai before hiding her face again.

Inuyasha seemed to be frozen. "What do you mean by 'current'? And what happened to these humans that you raped?"

Shitsuren nodded. "Aw, I do believe that you do ought to have some answers, yes. I have sired eight litters. Only three I aloud to live. And as for the humans?"

Kagome lifted her face to look at Shitsuren. The youkai looked her in the eye, staring at her, trying to stare her. He smiled menacingly.

"I killed them."

Kagome gasped and balled Inuyasha's kimono in her fists, fitting her body against his.

Inuyasha snarled. "You what?"

Shitsuren nodded. "I killed them. All eight. They weren't strong enough to produce more strong pups, so I killed them, and let the pups I did have feast upon their carcasses.

Inuyasha held Kagome against him so tightly; he was in danger of crushing her. "I've had enough of you for a lifetime." He growled. Pushing Kagome behind him, he leapt into the air, bringing Tetsusaiga whistling through as he aimed for Shitsuren's head. However, Shitsuren evaded Inuyasha's attack swiftly.

Laughing manically, the youkai stood as Inuyasha took his spot beside Kagome.

"Petty hanyou, I have no time for the likes of you. My pups are hungry, I must go hunt for them." He turned to pierce Kagome with his stare. "I shall see you when your time to birth my pup is upon us."

Baring his fangs in a white flash of a smile, Shitsuren transformed into his real form before melting into the shadows of the forest. Inuyasha stepped forward, snarling. "You cant get away so easily, Shitsuren! Kaze No Kizu!"

Slamming Tetsusaiga against the ground, the foliage fell victim to the Fang's flames. But, behind the cover held no trace of the wolf-youkai.

"Fuck!" Inuyasha dropped Tetsusaiga into the scabbard as he walked back to Kagome, who was clearly shaken. She clutched her shoulders as involuntary shivers racked her body. Her cheek was slightly red from were Shitsuren had struck her, and her maternity kimono ripped, exposing the delicate skin of her stomach.

Opening his arms, he felt Kagome grip his haori as she snuggled against his chest. He breathed in her sweet scent as she breathed heavily. He could tell she was doing all she could to keep from crying, and how he sympathized with her. He held her closer before sweeping her off her feet and starting towards the hut at an easy pace.

"From now on, can we stay together, Inuyasha?"

The hanyou looked down from his path to gaze at her momentarily with his golden eyes. Looking back up, his expression was blank. "Yes, I wont let you leave my sight. Not until I gut and neuter that bastard."

Kagome rested her head against her mate's chest, against his heart. "I don't want him coming after me, especially when I'm in labor. I want you to be there with me, to help me and share my pain, happiness and sadness." She gently reached up to stroke the side of his face with her fingers. "Can you do that for me?"

Inuyasha slowed to a walk as they reached the outskirts of the village. "Always, my mate."

A/N: Short, sad chappie, I know. I don't know how many chapters I can get up for now. Until finals end, I'm gonna be up to my eyeballs in homework. Ah, the joys of being a freshman. So, if you would please bear with me, I'm gonna try to update as often as possible. Just to note, InuLvr7, your title as my best reviewer is quickly being challenged by a newcomer! Oh, and I'm starting a new hobby! For any Fullmetal Alchemist fans out there, I'm starting to study the real science of Alchemy! I'm so excited! And, believe it or not, there is an actual stone out there somewhere known as the Philosophers Stone. Go figure! And an update on my friend: She changed her mind and got an abortion. Yay!