DIS: Hello, I have returned! At last, too. Now, you see, I had the chapter (which was ten pages long, sob!) done; yet I accidentally hit the switch on my laptop and the damn Microsoft Word didn't recover it. So, I sulked over it and I didn't want to write anything for maybe a little less than a week until I watched Inu Yasha. (shrug) So, anyway, I want to thank MM, HawkAngel XD, SweetyPieRin (yeah, I don't like Kikyo either), Danny'sGhostGirl, and Erika Darkmoon (-.-, Hey, I don't point out every small mistake in your fics! Sheesh!) Now, on to the chapter...(sniffs)

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Chapter Six, Sesshomaru's attack and Kagome's betrayal

It was obvious about Inu Yasha's depression. Kagome knew so. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were exchanging loud whispers like always and she knew that it was about her and Inu Yasha. She was thankful for Koga's humorous attitude. Despite it all, she knew that he was trying to cheer her up and was grateful for it. Sighing, she walked silently beside Koga, staring ahead at Inu Yasha's head, wondering just what he was thinking. Why wonder? She thought to herself. It's pretty obvious what it's about. Kikyo. Kagome was feeling bitter, angry, and hurt. Didn't Miroku know about Mount Fujiyama? If Miroku did and had told him, Inu Yasha might not be so silent and inactive. She missed him, even though he was right there in front of her.

Another question rose to her mind: why had Sesshomaru been so harsh towards the announcement of Kikyo's deception? He was, of course, normally cruel, but he had been uncharacteristically cold towards Inu Yasha and mostly to Kikyo. Did the demon know Kikyo? To Kagome's knowledge, he didn't. But then again, she didn't know anything about the feudal era until someone told her (mostly). However, the others hadn't said anything, so she was guessing that they didn't know about the "relationship" between Kikyo and the Lord Sesshomaru.

"It's time to rest," Inu Yasha suddenly spoke up. Koga eyed the half-demon, somber, before looking up at the sky. Daylight was becoming scarce, but that normally didn't stop Inu Yasha. Shrugging, the wolf demon headed towards the woods mutely. Kagome shuffled a bit uncertainly, then followed suit, along with the others. Inu Yasha stood stiff, staring down at the path. He heard the softest of footsteps and his ears perked up.

"Funny how deception can change one's perspective," Sesshomaru remarked as he paused behind his brother, before following the others towards the campsite that Koga had decided upon. Inu Yasha finally turned his head, watching as he disappeared into the thick brush of the trees. It was funny how deception had changed his perspective – mainly on Kikyo, but also on Kagome. He hadn't been able to look at her the whole way from the village. It was like looking at Kikyo...Kikyo, who had betrayed him. Kikyo, who had wanted to murder him. It would have been so easy, he realized. So easy to destroy him. And it was all because he trusted her. Trust. Trust was something he had never had until he met Kikyo. It would be his death one day, he guessed. Either that or he would die by the hands of someone he thought he loved or had faith in. What if Kagome turned on me like that? He thought, swallowing the lump in his throat. He refused to believe that. Kagome would never turn on him...Would she? No, he affirmed, never.

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Jaken had watched the demeanor of his reluctant companions carefully, noting each and every move, glance, and word they made or spoke. It might seem ridiculous, but if there was another traitor like the priestess, Kikyo, then he wanted to know beforehand. All he could come out with was that Kagome was leaning more in favor towards Koga (who leaned right back); Miroku, Sango, and Shippo had been whispering behind their hands about Inu Yasha and Kagome's relationship and how she may choose Koga over him (for surely Inu Yasha was still passionately in love with Kikyo); Inu Yasha had walked in a stupor, barely aware of his surroundings (no doubt he was still in shock from the deceit of his ex-lover); and his Lord Sesshomaru had most likely been gloating at the prize he had won (which was his brother's pain.)

Yet, despite the satisfaction his lord had gotten in the wound he had made, Jaken knew that Sesshomaru was hurting himself from the separation from Rin. The servant also betted his life that inside, Sesshomaru was raging with fury at the slow progress they were making and his temper was fouler than ever. That was why Jaken had kept quiet and had carefully avoided any eye contact with his lord. He also kept a wide range of space between the two, just as Sesshomaru did to himself and the others. Jaken didn't want to be in the line of fire of his lord's anger, especially when it was obvious that he was in no mood to amuse himself or others.

He glanced up, hearing a muffled shuffle and saw Inu Yasha slide through the trees next to the so-called campsite, vanishing into the dark depths of twilight. When Jaken thought of it, his lord could have been less vindictive (mean, cruel, nasty) towards his brother, even though he probably deserved it. Putting so much trust and faith in one person could cause karma to come back and bite you right in the ass, Jaken reflected. Especially when it's in a walking corpse that is filled with malice and is a woman. Women are always out to get the opposite sex. Sexists, that's what they are. And bitter creatures, especially that witch of priestess, Kikyo.

"Milord," Jaken greeted deftly as his lord came into view, giving a small inclination of his head to show for respect. Sesshomaru merely sat at the tree next to him, silent. Jaken wondered what was on his lord's mind. He could never tell with that blank expression that seemed to always occupy his face. The only feeling that Jaken could remember his lord expressing was anger...And quite frankly, Jaken was in no humor to deal with it – especially because the vibes he got from Lord Sesshomaru were not happy ones. More like a murderous anger that could lash out like a whip any moment if he didn't act correctly and cautiously.

"Where did Inu Yasha go?" Sesshomaru spoke up abruptly. He wanted to have a talk with his little brother. Even if he was in a temper that made him lust for blood, he wanted to provoke his brother further...And break him as well. When this certain demon was having a bad day, any of those caught in his path were doomed. And his target today had been picked by Naraku – his own half-demon brother, Inu Yasha.

"Ah!..." Jaken looked over to his right, curiously almost. "Well, that way, milord. I cannot be sure of what – " Sesshomaru shoved Jaken so that his face was embedded in soil. "...Nevermind." Jaken didn't mind too much of his lord's abuse. Most of all, he didn't mind it at the moment, understand the rage that was burning like a fire that oughtn't to be put out (mainly because it kept the demon alive.) Giving a sigh, he sat back up and leaned against the tree, loosing himself in his thoughts of the future.

X

Inu Yasha had been staring at the reflection of the moon in the stream's waters ever since he had gotten to the bank. He wasn't exactly feeling too pleased at ignoring Kagome and the others, but he just couldn't let them see him so miserable. Above all, Sesshomaru. Then he'd get the rant of his life and it'd be all about him and how he was weak. That, Inu Yasha knew, was going to be his downfall and all ready it was. He knew that when Sesshomaru had brought him down in the dirt like a dog. A dog...He thought without feeling. He was feeling too numb to be aware of anything else.

"Trusting is one's weakness," a dispassionate voice murmured to him from behind. "After awhile, the one who is trusted eventually feels rebellious and wants to have their day – and your head." The half-demon stiffened at the familiar voice, knowing who it was. He whipped around, his eyes narrowing into a glare that was directed at his brother.

"And how would you know, Sesshomaru?" Inu Yasha sneered with the anger that was bubbling inside the very core of him. How dare he advise him about something that he didn't even know! What would Sesshomaru know about trust? He's never trusted anyone; Inu Yasha didn't even think he trusted Jaken. "Since when did you ever trust anyone?"

Wouldn't you like to know, you fucking degenerated wanna-be demon, Sesshomaru thought maliciously. Inu Yasha certainly was in for a treat tonight, because his brother wasn't in any good humor. "I'm speaking from seeing mistakes. Such as, for example, your own trust that had been placed in that bitch of a priestess." Sesshomaru rarely swore, but he was feeling bloodthirsty...Or feeling more like a monster than usual.

"Don't you ever call her that, you heartless bastard!" He growled, clenching his fists tightly, his eyed beginning to narrow down into a glare. "I don't know what the hell was or is your problem, Sesshomaru, but what you did to Kikyo was unforgivable!" Bitch. The word was echoing in Inu Yasha's brain. It was a logical insult to his priestess, but it still made him furious.

"You idiot half-breed," the demon snapped. "Don't you get it yet? She hates you. She wants you dead as much as she had once been. Nothing can be made between you two, because she a corpse and that other stupid human is her reincarnation. You can't have the original and the reincarnation alive at the same time. That isn't how the life cycle works, you stupid fool."

"What about you and that kid, huh, Sesshomaru?" Inu Yasha demanded. "Looks like our family is naturally born with obsession of humans. Except that you're the only one who's after little virginal girls." Before the half-demon knew what was happening, his elder brother had him pinned underneath him and he was beating the shit out of him – without swords. Inu Yasha had been able to punch Sesshomaru only once, which made him pause in his assault and he slowly got off the other male, his eyes returning to their natural amber color. Rage flicked from every pore of his body, warning Inu Yasha and any other creature not to mess with him.

"...I expect," Sesshomaru hissed at him, venom lacing each letter thickly, "that we will arrive at the Yokohama mountains soon. If not..." he trailed off meaningfully and Inu Yasha understood the point plain and clear: he was going to attack him without warning just as he had a few minutes ago.

"Right," was all Inu Yasha said as he wiped blood from his split lip. Watching his brother move away back towards the campsite, Inu Yasha's hand twitched and he moved it to his Tetsuseiga, almost protectively. If Sesshomaru was going to attack him again, he wanted to be prepared. But, as he stared after him, blood running from his lip, he decided that Sesshomaru had no intention on turning back to finish him off. For that, he was grateful, because he wasn't in the mood for dying or fighting either. Though I do wonder why he didn't kill me right then...

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Kagome bent down, glancing around almost curiously. She turned back to the stream and gave a yawn, before splashing water onto her face. For awhile, she kept her hands pressed to her skin, before she moved them away, staring down at the water's reflection of her. Water droplets clung to her face, outlining every miserable line in her face.

"Are you all right, Kagome?" She jumped and turned around, wiping at her face. Koga had his arms crossed defensively over his chest, watching her with wary concern. "I know that you're worried about Inu Yasha...The mutt hasn't spoken to any of us since we left the village, as you very well know." Said Inu Yasha was just around the corner in the forest, and had paused to listen.

"...He must hate me because I look like Kikyo," Kagome murmured, turning her face from Koga. He eyed her, then sat next to her, slinging an arm on his knee, frowning. "He won't even look at me, Koga. How am I supposed to feel about that?" Kagome brought her knees up, encircling her arms around her legs, as though protecting herself from life's madness.

"It wasn't your fault," Koga pointed out both in words and with a finger. "Kikyo was the one that tricked Inu Yasha into believing her. You know," he slumped forward on his stomach, flicking the water casually, "I think that one day that will be almost everyone's downfall. You trust or love someone and they almost literally stab you in the back." Kagome looked startled at the declaration, but bit her tongue for a moment.

"...Maybe," she dropped down next to Koga and they both stared down at their reflections. "But that's a rather cynical way of looking at things, don't you think so Koga?" He shrugged noncommittally.

"It might be how Inu Yasha is looking at things..." He turned his face towards her, but she remained staring at the water. "I know I would feel that way if you deceived me. Though I doubt you would." He gave a boyish grin at that. Kagome blushed and managed a giggle. Inu Yasha, who was hiding in the trees, felt more anger simmer inside of him at the intimacy between the two, however small it was. "Kagome?"

"Yeah, Koga?" She trailed a finger in circles in the water thoughtfully, then felt his finger under her chin, turning her face to his. "...Um..." She shut up as his mouth closed over hers...

X

Miroku poked at the fire thoughtfully having finished his conversation with Shippo and Sango. Shippo and Kirara were playing tag near the campsite. He heard a crash that wasn't from either of the youngsters and his head jerked up, spotting Inu Yasha, who looked not only livid but probably feeling many other emotions. "Inu Yasha?"

"What?" The other male snarled, glaring at Miroku as though he was the start of all his problems. The poor monk put up his hands, his eyes widening. Inu Yasha gave a snort and threw himself at the side, his back to the fire. Miroku spotted one of Sesshomaru's eyes slide open, then close again like a cat inquiring who was making noise.

It was only a few minutes later after the half-demon's entrance when Miroku realized that Koga and Kagome weren't present. Had that been what had upset Inu Yasha? Did he see the two together? But that couldn't be the reason, he would have come back with Kagome and Koga on his heels. However, the monk had a strong feeling that it did have to do with the couple. Miroku stood up and walked calmly towards the way Inu Yasha had come from and his eyes slid along the banks of the stream and he spotted the upsetting occurrence that he had seen (though Miroku thought it was romantic.) Kagome and Koga were laying near the stream and her head was resting on his shoulder as they stared at the moon.

"Inu Yasha," he spoke up when he returned. Not even a grunt, snort, or movement like normal. "Inu Yasha, we need to talk."

"Go get yourself a wife," was the hostile response. Miroku, sensitive to such a thing, winced at the rebuke. It was expected, however, so he tried hard not to be offended to the reply he had been "blessed" with by Inu Yasha.

"I know what you're so upset about, but you have to expect Kagome to take comfort in Koga. After all, you've been ignoring her ever since the...incident with Kikyo. She feels shunned, no doubt and – "

"And that's a reason for kissing Koga?" Inu Yasha roared. It was as though every living thing froze because of the words. Only the fire flicked up and down, back and forth, crackling with vivacity (movement). It was Sesshomaru who made the first move. He gave a fake sneeze, then relaxed again into "sleep".

"What?" Sango whispered at last. Miroku was still in shock, his fingers barely holding his staff. None of them had seen Koga and Kagome close before, so the news was shocking.

"Yeah," he snorted. "My point exactly." Inu Yasha flopped down on his side, staring at the trees mutely, rage, hurt, and others emotions churning in his stomach. He had never felt so much pain in one day, let alone a year. Two women had betrayed him: one out for his life, the other hurting him by loving his enemy. How could his life get any worse?

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DIS: Poor Inu Yasha. First he's deceived by Kikyo, then attacked by Sesshomaru, and then Kagome kisses Koga. Poor thing...Well, please review and hope you all enjoyed – so tragic! Ciao.