When their lips parted his heart was racing. "I can smell your desire for me," he breathed out, eyes closed as she nuzzled his face. He couldn't keep the shock from his voice. Vaguely he felt wonderment at the idea of someone wanting him. Someone like her.
She was surprised at her actions. This wasn't supposed to happen. This feeling was so strong, so demanding–she had no choice but to embrace it. "Let's go find that dragon."
His mind was playing tricks on him. His heart would be shattered. "Don't." He looked away heatedly, the words choking in his throat.
She brushed his soft bangs from his eyes absently, drawing his gaze back to her sincere face.
"Don't torment me," he managed to whisper, his voice strangled only slightly from the emotional weight.
He was met with silence. She seemed to consider her previous words deeply. Already, his chest ached and his face burned. He couldn't bring himself to look at her. How could a human wound him so? If only he was stronger this rejection would be meaningless.
She reached down gently and began to pull the chains away from his ankles.
"Kagome-chan?" Sango's voice rang out questioningly, causing the girl to halt her current actions, her mouth parted in a startled cry.
She stood stiffly, immediately dropping her hold on the chains. "Sango-chan." Her guilt was obvious, and she would not lie to her friend.
Kagome considered what her actions would have meant for her friend. Inuyasha wouldn't have hurt Sango, right? But could they have reasoned with Sango? No, she knew her friend would never let a youkai live after what had happened to their village–not even a half-youkai. How could she think that Inuyasha could simply go free? She cursed her impertinence.
The two girls stood facing off silently, neither willing to immediately reach for their weapons. Inuyasha's heart froze. He knew Sango was the better fighter, and he was unable to protect Kagome. There was no question concerning the outcome of a battle between the two.
"You stupid bitch. I almost had you," he cursed violently at Kagome. "If she hadn't of woken up you'd be dead by now." His voice taunted her mercilessly as willed himself to look smug and not terrified. The ferocity of it surprised him. Surely, she knew he didn't mean it. He choked back any thoughts of otherwise. He had to convince Sango. He knew this was Kagome's only hope, and yet it pained him to finish. "I'll enjoy fucking your lifeless body after I rip your heart out."
The hurt on her face was enough to kill him.
"Sango-chan," her voice wobbled with emotion, "you must not trust me. I endangered you."
Sango ran to her friend, swallowing her up in a hug. "I should have known this one would be cunning." She laughed nervously, raking her fingers through her hair. "God, you're too innocent for this stuff; I shouldn't have dragged you into this."
Kagome steeled herself, willing the painful emotions from her body. "No, I will avenge my family as well. I have failed you this time, my friend." She let the sentence go unfinished, but the look on her face said clearly that it wouldn't happen again.
Inuyasha let out a gargled cry as Sango unsheathed her katana and slashed through the white fabric of his under-kimono in one fluid movement. He flinched as he felt the cold steel rest lightly against his neck, and he looked up in response, waiting for her to finish the move.
"Sango-chan!" Kagome cried, placing a cautious hand on her friend's shoulder. "Do not forget our commission. It is more than we could hope to make in a year." Her voice was soft yet pleading.
"Is it worth our lives?" she said, letting the blade linger.
She then sheathed the sword abruptly and walked away. After one concerned glance at him, Kagome followed silently. He groaned loudly despite his efforts and sank against the wall as the blood seeped out slowly from the wound. The cut wasn't fatal, but it served as a reminder of his subjugation and in some ways, his foolishness.