............

Ok ok... you all caught me... that song was from the Lion King... (YES I watch Disney movies!! And I like it!!) But it did seem to fit the situation...

Hugs and Kisses go out to all reviewers!! My reviews are now 112!! And that's more than the first story!! I'm soo happy... thanks to everyone who has been reviewing!! You all rock soo much... and because you rock... I'm going to give you a special treat... another chapter!! Enjoy!!

Oh, before I forget... real quick...I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters associated with the story... :: deep sigh ::

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Chapter 10

..........................

Inuyasha awoke to Kagome stirring in his arms. His eyes opened instantly and he looked at her with concern.

She was gently tossing and turning, her hand clasped over her wound. A soft cry came from her lips.

Inuyasha couldn't tell if she was in pain or having a nightmare. Or perhaps both? He cuddled her closer to his chest. Leaning over her he spoke gently to her, "Kagome...Kagome wake up...wake up Kagome..."

Kagome's eyes jumped awake, her pupils pulsated in the bright light. She glanced wildly from side to side, but then she met Inuyasha's golden gaze.

She smiled weakly, but winced in pain. She grit her teeth and held onto her side, her breathing was heavy.

Inuyasha moved her off of him and let her lye flat on the sand. She continued to whine in pain and he felt hopeless to her aid.

"Don't try and move..." he told her. Kagome only managed a quick nod in reply.

Inuyasha reached over and placed his hand on top of hers that lay against her wound. He squeezed her fingers gently, causing Kagome to turn and look at him.

"I'm...I'm...fine..." she breathed.

"Don't lie..." Inuyasha teased.

Kagome flashed him a half smile, but shut her eyes again against the pain.

Inuyasha turned around to gaze at his friends who all still lay sleeping.

"Sango...Miroku...!!" He called over. Only Kirara stirred at the sound of his voice. The cat-youkai sat up and meowed at Sango until she woke up.

Kirara's sounds awakened Shippo who began to mumble about being allowed to sleep longer.

Sango sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Kirara...whats with the early wake up call...?" she asked her cute companion, petting her lovingly.

"Sango!" Inuyasha called to her.

Sango turned around to see Inuyasha sitting next to Kagome, who rocked in pain. Sango jumped up and hurried over to the pair. Kirara followed.

"You're both awake..." Sango said as she approached them.

"Never mind that," Inuyasha told her, "the pain in Kagome's side has returned to her! We need that old woman."

Sango nodded. "Come Kirara..." she told her pet cat-youkai. Kirara instantly transformed into her larger form.

"Wake Shippo and go!" Inuyasha called to Sango.

"Kirara remembers." Sango shouted back to him as she and Kirara disappeared into the gathering light.

The shouts and yells awoke Miroku, who rose and walked towards Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Her pain has returned?" Miroku asked.

"Yea, it seems the old hag only helped subside the pain...not heal it..." Inuyasha growled.

"No..." Kagome spoke weakly, "It doesn't hurt as bad as it did..."

Miroku kneeled down onto the sand on Kagome's other side. He bowed his head and shut his eyes. He raised his hand in a symbolic sign and began meditate silently to himself.

After a few seconds, he opened his eyes. "This wound was created by a demon." Miroku said. "I sense a strong darkness emitting from it."

Inuyasha cocked his head at Miroku, but didn't speak.

"Did you happen to see his face?" Miroku asked Inuyasha.

"No..." Inuyasha said sadly. "He was wearing some kind of pelt that covered his body and face..."

"I did..." Kagome whispered. "He was human."

"What did he look like?" Inuyasha asked.

Kagome paused for a few seconds to collect her thoughts and remember, "He...he had long, dark hair...vicious deep eyes...I don't remember anything else...only that he looked human...yet, there was something oddly...familiar ... about him..."

Miroku and Inuyasha exchanged glances.

Kagome winced again in pain and shut her eyes. Inuyasha placed a gentle hand on her cheek; Kagome opened her eyes half way at his touch and slowly smiled.

"Lady Mermaid," Miroku asked, "Do you know who attacked your people five years ago?"

"Miroku!" Inuyasha snapped.

Miroku waved his hand to silence him. "I have reason to believe that the person who attacked Kagome is the same being who killed all the merfolk five years ago."

"The same...person?" Kagome whispered.

"That is my hunch." Miroku stated.

"But what does he want with Kagome?" Inuyasha asked.

Miroku's face looked stern, "To finish the job."

Inuyasha drew back slightly at his words. His eyes flashed in hatred. "Well, he's never going to touch her! Never again! I...I won't allow it!!" Inuyasha roared.

"Oh...Inuyasha..." Kagome whispered.

Miroku smiled slightly, "I agree, Inuyasha. We must protect Lady Mermaid at all costs. But I dare say that the situation proves harder than expected..."

"How?!?" Inuyasha growled.

"Because, Lady Mermaid is indeed a mermaid. She cannot survive out of the water...and we certainly cannot survive in the water." Miroku finished.

Inuyasha bowed his head and seemed to be in deep thought.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of flying cat feet on air. His ears twitched and his gaze shifted.

Kirara landed on the sand a few feet away. Sango dismounted and helped the old woman off.

The old woman seemed to hold extra old age lines in her face this morning. Deep pockets of dark circles under her eyes made her look half into the grave.

She walked, this morning, with a cane made of a thick tree branch. Her feet trudged through the deep sand, with slow movements.

Nevertheless, she still kneeled down and examined Kagome's side, with her wrinkly fingers and dull eyes.

Kagome opened her eyes at the old woman's touch. The woman smiled slightly, "So, ye be awake this morning?" Kagome only blinked in reply.

"This time heal the wound, old hag." Inuyasha grumbled.

"My herbs and treatments will help subside the pain, Lord Inuyasha. Over time, the wound will heal itself." She spoke distantly.

Inuyasha frowned at the name she called him, but let it go.

The old woman began the same ritual she performed on her last visit. Rubbing colored gels over Kagome's wound and mumbling to herself.

"Princess of the Sea," the old woman asked Kagome, "do you not know the siren song of healing?"

Kagome's eyes flashed at her comment. "I do." She answered.

"Perhaps you should use its power, it will heal the wound quicker than nature will." The old woman said.

Kagome turned her head to the side and laid her cheek on the sand, "I dare not sing again." She answered.

"Has thou forgotten thine own power?" the woman asked.

"I choose to forget." Kagome told her.

The woman shook her old head, "Lost voices return over time."

Kagome was silent. Her eyes stared down the beach.

The old woman continued with her ointments; working in silence.

The others were confused at the women's conversation. Inuyasha moved closer and touched Kagome shoulder. Kagome turned her head and eyes and smiled up at him.

"Aye, strange pair..." the old woman spoke softly.

Inuyasha looked up and growled, "What the hell was that supposed to mean?"

The old woman's wrinkly lips smiled slightly, "Only the legend Lord Inuyasha."

"Harrumph, legend...stop living in the past you old hag." Inuyasha growled.

"Tis your heritage, Lord Inuyasha. And yours too, Princess of the Sea." The old woman spoke.

Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged glances.

"The legend is false." Kagome answered slowly.

"How so?" the woman asked.

"The demoness and merman were not murdered by their opposites...but by a secret shadowed assassin." Kagome told her.

The old woman's eyes widened. Inuyasha and the others gazed at Kagome.

Kagome shut her eyes, "Yet the attacker was a demon."

The old woman seemed dazed by Kagome's words, "How do you know this?"

Kagome's hand fell onto the Shikon Jewel still around her neck. "I was shown the truth." She answered.

The group stared at the object Kagome clutched in her hand. All of their eyes sparkled in wonderment.

"I'm confused..." a small voice piped up.

Kagome turned her eyes to see little Shippo scratching his head. She smiled at the kitsune.

"So demons did it..." Inuyasha practically whispered. "Demons did it all."

"A demon killed the star-crossed lovers...

A demon killed the Clear Water merfolk...

A demon tried to kill Kagome..."

"We don't know that for sure." Kagome told him. But it only made sense.

"A demon cursed my hand..." Miroku stated.

"A demon killed my family and enslaved my brother." Sango added.

"These demons have linked the lot of you together." The old woman said.

Kagome gazed at Sango and Miroku, "What demon attacked you both?" she asked.

"Naraku." Sango stated and Miroku nodded.

"Naraku..." Kagome repeated.

"We finally have a name." Inuyasha said.

"But is this the same demon?" the old woman asked.

"We want to believe so." Miroku said.

"But what is Naraku after?" Sango questioned. "Why bring us all together?"

"I don't think he planned that to happen." Kagome said. "But I know what he is after. It only makes sense...The demons of the past were after the same thing...and now Naraku seeks it as well..."

The others stared at her.

Kagome lifted the Jewel from around her neck and held it out to show them all. "The Skikon No Tama, or the Jewel of Four Souls."

Miroku nodded, "I censed that was the sacred Jewel. But I could not be certain."

"I have yet to figure out the true power of the Jewel." Kagome told them all. "My Father once told me that is was the Jewel's power that gave the merfolk the ability to travel on land for a sun and a moon during ever tide change. The Jewel was shattered years ago and the fragments thrown all over the ocean. The Jewel was powerless.

Until, the Jewel shards were all found and collected together. My father found the last of the shards. And he gave the Jewel to me. Telling me to keep it safe because I was destined too.

The Jewel has the power to grant wishes to anyone who controls it. So, that is probably why Naraku desires it."

"It can grant anything?" Sango said, wide eyed. Kagome nodded.

Kagome turned her eyes to stare at Inuyasha, who seemed in awe. "I wanted to give the Jewel to you Inuyasha."

"Me?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yes. I wanted you to be able to become a full demon...like you said you always wanted too...when we were young." Kagome said.

Inuyasha's mouth hung open slightly. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He now had a chance...a chance to be full demon! To no longer be weak...or have to worry about the new moon.

With full power, he could seek his revenge on Sesshomaru. And stand a chance at beating him.

He could have the power to also avenge Kagome; and kill her attacker.

Yet, he would forever be a full demon. There was no turning back.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha blinked and regained his thought, "I don't know..." he said honestly.

Kagome smiled slightly, "You don't have to decide now. But I just wanted you to know that you now have a chance to make your greatest wish come true."

'My greatest wish...' Inuyasha thought, 'my greatest wish...'

'Was that still my greatest wish?'

..........

The old woman had asked to be returned to her home and left soon afterwards.

The group gathered together and ate for the first time in a great while.

Kagome thought the food strange; it was dry and hard, and rather tasteless. Yet, her stomach didn't complain. She chewed and swallowed every bite she was allowed.

Conversation drifted away from the essential topic and was directed towards light hearted stories and tales.

Inuyasha sat very near Kagome as stories of his five year quest home were told. Stories of how he met Sango, Miroku, and Shippo.

Shippo was eager to ask Kagome what her watery world looked like. The others listened intently as Kagome told them all of the Coral Palace and the deep sea creatures.

She told them about the great old whales and their ancient songs that told wordless stories.

Finally, the topic arose of how Kagome had survived the attack from the demon.

Kagome shuttered, but revealed the story of the tragic day of death. She told them all about the flying insects that injected the poison into the warriors. She spoke of her father, and the last moment that she saw him.

She talked of the tunnel that carried her to safety. Excluding the amount of death that she had witnessed.

Her heart hardened as she spoke of Koga and the Shadow Merfolk she came in contact with.

She explained the markings on her face, and the outfit she adorned. She told them about how she had never expected to ever be able to see the sunshine again.

Next, she explained the five year quest that Koga performed to be able to wed Kagome and become King.

Kagome spoke about Tetsugaiga, the demon sword.

Inuyasha was very quiet during this tale, his eyes flashed anger, but his lips were still.

On a happier note, she told of her miraculous escape. And the power the Jewel gave her at the moment she exploded from the rock.

"Do you think Koga followed you?" Sango asked.

"I couldn't really say." Kagome answered. "He lacks his bride...so I don't think he would be able to proclaim himself King...but Koga is a master at influencing others. He is probably King of the Merfolk now."

Inuyasha suddenly spoke up, "How could you ever agreed to something like that?" he cried out.

Kagome lowered her head in shame, "I was only doing that I thought would help. As I said, I did not expect Koga to find Tetsugaiga. The sword was the most powerful weapon ever created, and it was hidden well. But I suppose, not well enough. Believe me when I say, Inuyasha, I did not love Koga, ever!"

Inuyasha knew Kagome was telling the truth, he couldn't blame her. But he still felt somehow hurt by her action.

"Where is Tetsugaiga now?" Inuyasha asked.

"I lost it." Kagome said softly. "When I was attacked, I dropped Tetsugaiga and watched as it fell down to the ocean floor."

Kagome looked up into Inuyasha's face, he smiled at her. "It can't be helped." He said.

"But I promised my father I would protect it and the Jewel...I have failed him..." Kagome said.

"Think Kagome," Miroku stated, "Did your father ever ask you to protect Tetsugaiga?"

Kagome's eyes questioned Miroku's statement; she tilted her head in thought.

...........Flashback................

"This sword right here," the King spoke pointing to an old rusted sword with a red handle. "Its blade is made out of a demon bone. It is perhaps the most dangerous sword of all..."

"Then why do you have it?" Kagome asked.

"I'm protecting it, Kagome."

"From what?" she asked.

"From anyone... anyone who wants to use it to rule over others." The King said.

"The demon royal family would give their first born to have this sword back in their possession. But they do not know where it lays, hidden." The King said his voice trailed off.

"How did you get this sword Father?" Kagome asked.

"I didn't get it. My great grandfather did. Back when merfolk and land creatures got into a war."

...................End Flashback.......................

Kagome drew a deep breath in. He hadn't asked her too! The blade was still in his care. The Jewel was the only thing Kagome was supposed to protect. Tetsugaiga was not hers to behold.

"He didn't ask me..." Kagome practically whispered.

Miroku nodded. "I didn't think the King of the Merfolk would entrust a demon weapon into the hands of his daughter."

Inuyasha spoke up, "That name...Tetsugaiga...it sounds so familiar to me. Like I used to hear it in my childhood."

"You probably did, Inuyasha." Kagome said to him. "The blade is made out of a demon bone; a demon my great great grandfather, King Hiead, slayed. The sword was fashioned by demons but captured by the merfolk before it was able to be used. The slayed demon might be a distant family member of yours Inuyasha."

Inuyasha cocked his head at her words, his mind drifted back to his childhood; thoughts of the demon blade echoed in his mind, memories he had long forgotten.

Kagome reached out with a soft hand and touched Inuyasha's arm. He turned and gazed at her, and slightly smiled.

Kagome sighed deeply, "I think I'm going to go for a quick swim..."

Inuyasha's eyes flashed in worry. "Kagome, I don't think..."

Kagome smiled, "I'll be careful, and I won't go far, I just miss the water. It is my home after all."

Inuyasha still held a look of uncertainty in his eyes, but he nodded.

Kagome leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek; before she pulled away she whispered to him, "You can come with me if you like."

Inuyasha's eyes widened, "I'd like that."

Kagome turned and looked at Miroku and Sango, who both nodded in turn.

Inuyasha waded into the water, up to his knees. With a gentle hand and eyes he helped pull Kagome out into the deeper water.

Once Kagome was deep enough she dropped below the water's surface. She watched from underwater as Inuyasha walked across the sand and out into the deep water.

Then he pulled his head underwater and sunk down. His eyes were shut and his mouth opened slightly. Kagome swam up and pressed her lips against his, she gently breathed her breath into his lungs, making him able to breathe the water.

She pulled away and watched as Inuyasha opened his eyes and blinked a bit. Kagome smiled at him and he smiled in return. They exchanged a warm hug.

Then, hand in hand, Kagome powered them both out into the ocean.

.........

They spent the entire afternoon together.

Kagome showed Inuyasha the beautiful coral and fishes that lived within the beds. She felt like she was showing him her world for the very first time.

This was a whole other world to Inuyasha, and Kagome talked about it with such power and enthusiasm.

Schools of fish parted as they swam through. Shadows of barracuda lurked in the crevices of the coral rock. Along with shy colored fishes and long, slimy eels.

A sea turtle slowly swam passed with his bright colored shell and lazy movements.

Kagome brought Inuyasha into the kelp forest. Where the great kelp plants rose up as tall as trees to the water's surface.

Silky otters swam amongst the clam beds. With their sweet white faces and large black eyes.

Suddenly, a large dark shadow spread over them. Inuyasha looked up and placed himself in front of Kagome. Kagome only laughed and pulled him up towards the surface and the source of the shadow.

They met with a pod of whales. Inuyasha was fearful of the gentle giants, but when Kagome petted the enormous beasts and hugged them lovingly, he knew it was alright.

They traveled with the whales, holding on to their gigantic flippers as the whales swam through the water.

The whales dove in and out of the water, blowing water out of their blowholes and then settling back into the water.

Inuyasha listened as the whales sung to one another. He watched Kagome as she sang back with them, even though her songs at words and the whale's songs didn't.

He hadn't laughed and smiled so much in the longest time. Kagome made him happy. It felt just like the old days.

Kagome and he rested on the ocean bottom and watched the whales swim away, they would be heading further south for their mating season.

Inuyasha stole side glances at Kagome. She sat on the ocean bottom with her fin curled under her and her hair standing up around her face. She was truly in her element.

Inuyasha couldn't believe that he felt this comfortable underwater. He sat cross-legged just as he would on land. The only difference was that his hair was always in his face and standing up around his head, and when he spoke, bubbles came out of his mouth.

"You ok Inuyasha?" Kagome asked him. "You have been very quiet."

"Feh, yeah I'm just thinking." He replied.

"About what?" Kagome asked.

"Mostly about you." Inuyasha said, with a little blush in his cheeks.

Kagome flashed him a loving smile and moved closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

They cuddled together for a few minutes. Inuyasha gently caressing her wound. Accidentally, his fingers brushed up against her scales and he jumped slightly.

"What's the matter?" Kagome asked at his sudden jump.

"I...I..." Inuyasha stuttered.

"Are you afraid to touch my scales?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry." He admitted.

Kagome had a puzzled look on her face. Then she realized... they were two very different creatures. No matter if Inuyasha was under the water with her, he was still a two-legged land creature.

"I understand." She said slowly, "It's an awkward feeling, to touch something so unfamiliar and unnatural."

"It's not that it's unnatural," Inuyasha explained, "It's just...not...what I'm used too."

Kagome pulled away from his embrace and moved away. Inuyasha could feel the magical aura the kept him breathing began to dissipate, as she moved farther away.

"Kagome!" He called in panic.

Kagome stopped moving away and turned back to him, "You see? I am only a small distance away, and already the presence is leaving. Inuyasha...this is not how things were meant to be..." She crossed her arms around her chest and ducked her head.

Inuyasha swam over to her and lightly touched her arm. Kagome looked up into his eyes.

He spoke no words, but his eyes sparkled with compassion and hope.

"Inuyasha..." Kagome asked, "What do you see happening between us?"

"I don't know." He answered honestly.

"Did it pain your horribly when we were separated?" Kagome asked slowly.

"Kagome, do not say such things. I don't want to leave you, why won't you let me protect you?" Inuyasha coaxed.

"Because...Inuyasha, you are not some warrior to just come up riding a white seahorse and rescue me." Kagome answered.

Inuyasha drew back at her comment, "I did not intend for things to seem that way...I just...I just...wanted you to be safe."

Kagome was quiet but then she said sharply, "What do you think would have happened if we never met before? If our lives never crossed paths?"

Inuyasha opened his mouth to answer, but shut it again.

"I'll tell you, we both wouldn't care if the other was dead or alive!" Kagome said coldly.

"But we did meet..." Inuyasha reminded her.

"Yes, yet I still wonder...I'm still afraid..." Kagome whimpered.

"Afraid?" Inuyasha questioned.

"Memories, stories, legends, tales... all telling me different things, different paths to choose. I even think of the MerPrince and the demoness...I compare myself and you to them..." Kagome said.

"You fear our relationship will start a war?" Inuyasha asked.

Kagome's eyes flashed at him, "Is that what we have? A relationship?" she cried out.

"Kagome," Inuyasha said dryly, "I don't know what to call what we have. But all I know is that I don't want it to end. I want you safe."

"Inuyasha..." Kagome breathed, tears dripping from her eyes.

Inuyasha saw her tears form and then disappear into the ocean water. He moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her into his chest and placed his face in the crook of her neck.

"Please, Kagome...don't cry..." he whispered to her.

"I want to feel safe..." Kagome said through her tears, "And in your arms I feel safe."

"I will never let anything happen to you Kagome. I promise." Inuyasha said.

Inuyasha felt Kagome want to pull away, he held her firm. "Feel safe Kagome, feel safe in my arms..." he whispered to her.

Kagome relaxed, "I want to stay forever..." she cried softly.

Inuyasha tucked his face closer to her neck. "As do I." he told her.

"Inuyasha..." Kagome asked under her emotions.

"Yes Kagome?" Inuyasha answered.

"I...I...I..." she stuttered.

Inuyasha let her go slightly so that he could see her face. Her brown eyes sparkled with tears, and her cheeks were puffy and red. She never looked more beautiful.

Inuyasha pushed her wild hair away from her face. He held her face in his hands as if she were a delicate object to be cherished. He laid his lips carefully over hers so they fit perfectly; then he breathed in and out, putting his breath into her mouth, taking her breath into his.

It was a brief kiss, but more than that. It was a kiss that promised so much. Forever. It was a forever kiss.

"I have missed you so much," he said. "There was a time, not so long ago, when I cherished my aloneness. I thought that I wanted nothing more than peace and quiet. But now...now I cannot imagine living in this cold, dark keep without you and all the turmoil that surrounds you. In truth, I cannot imagine living anywhere and being happy unless you are there..."

Kagome felt as if her heart were swelling and swelling. Inuyasha aroused so many emotions she could scarce breathe.

"There is only one thing I want to hear from you." Inuyasha told her.

Kagome knew exactly what that was. "I love you, Inuyasha."

He smiled then...a glorious Inuyasha smile...the kind only he could give...the kind that made Kagome think that she was the most important thing in the world to him.

"You are the most important thing in the world to me, Kagome. And I love you more than I can say. I do not know why or how it happened, but I suspect you had me from the first moment you taught me how to swim, or perhaps when you were saving my life."

Kagome blinked in long elegant strokes, all her emotions felt lighter than air. Inuyasha truly loved her...her...the mermaid.

Perhaps it was the legend of the demoness and the merman that brought them closer together; to realize that love was possible.

Yet, here they both stood, underwater, sharing an embrace. Two creatures from two totally different worlds; surrounded by dark pasts and questionable features.

Her love for him made him the King of the Merfolk. She dare not mention that to him now. The moment was too precious.

Inuyasha glared at the woman...err...mermaid, he loved. She was in every way, perfect for him. All besides the fact, that she possessed a fin.

"Kagome..." he breathed into her ear.

"Inuyasha..." she answered him.

"We can make it work." Kagome said.

"Huh, what?" Inuyasha asked, being pulled from the moment.

Kagome smiled at him, "The Shikon Jewel's power used to allow merfolk to walk the land for a sun and a moon every time the tides change. I think we should test if that power is still able to be called upon."

"You want to come on land?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yes I do. Why, can I not?" Kagome questioned.

"No No, you can, you can!" Inuyasha cried.

Kagome laughed, but then her voice grew serious, "I want to help you seek revenge on your brother." Kagome told him.

"First, we are going to find your attacker." Inuyasha argued. "I must make him pay."

"I can help." Kagome said. "I am a siren after all."

"No Kagome, you are a mermaid." Inuyasha told her.

"Still I possess siren blood, and I know the ancient siren songs..." Kagome answered.

"I thought you didn't want to use them?" Inuyasha asked.

"I've changed my mind." Kagome said. "They will prove to be helpful, they are my only weapon."

Inuyasha smirked, but nodded. He wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise.

"But don't you have to eventually return to the water?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yes," Kagome answered, "But we will worry about that when the time comes."

Inuyasha smiled and kissed her lightly. After the kiss, Kagome grabbed his hand and pulled him back towards the shore.

"Come on, Inuyasha, I want you to show me your world!" Kagome called to him.