Face off

Inu-Yasha escorted Kagome downstairs. Every now and then she would stumble and lean against Inu-Yasha for support. Inu-Yasha secretly liked it when she tripped; it meant she fell into his arms.

Kagome's friends were outside.

"Uh…Kagome's ill."

"Yeah. Really ill."

"Well… I just wanted to drop this off. It's suppose to…"

"We can give it to her!"

"YOU!" Hojou yelled out in anger storming passed the three friends.

Inu-Yasha froze at the voice. He casually turned his head allowing his fluffy mane to drift over his shoulder.

Kagome's eyes widened at the possible outcomes that flashed through her head.

"What are you doing here?" Hojou yelled in anger.

Inu-Yasha's eyes narrowed. "That's none of your damn business." He retorted.

Hojou reached out grabbing Kagome's arm. He jerked Kagome behind him.

Kagome stumbled into the wall.

"Get away from Kagome." Inu-Yasha demanded.

"You… stay away from her."

"What happened between us does not concern you, human."

"Inu-Yasha don't… Hojou, Stop it!" Kagome pleaded.

"Kagome let's go back upstairs." Inu-Yasha beckoned Kagome over to him with an outstretched hand.

"Kagome isn't going anywhere with you." Hojou stated blocking her path.

"Kagome isn't yours to keep." Inu-Yasha growled.

"I see your nose is healing. Maybe I should fix that for you." Hojou rolled up his right sleeve.

All four girls stood horrified.

Inu-Yasha knelt down into his fighting stance.

"I'd like to see you try."

Hojou took another step up.

Hojou and Inu-Yasha were practically standing on top of each other.

Kagome watched Inu-Yasha double over clutching his stomach.

Inu-Yasha quickly stood back up. The fight had begun.

"No…" Kagome uttered. She couldn't believe the two of them were fighting. Hojou wasn't a fighter and if Inu-Yasha wasn't careful he could kill his sparing partner.

Inu-Yasha threw Hojou into the wall.

Hojou rebounded off the wall catching Inu-Yasha in the stomach.

Inu-Yasha flew backward in a kneeling position before pursuing Hojou.

Hojou raced outside.

Inu-Yasha followed.

The girls screamed with every punch that was thrown.

Back and forth the two boys went.

Kagome couldn't believe that Hojou was able to hold his own against Inu-Yasha.

Inu-Yasha started moving at demon pace to get a hit in.

Hojou kept up swing for swing.

Hojou allowed Inu-Yasha to deck him. Then Hojou jumped and spun around kicking Inu-Yasha in the head.

Inu-Yasha fell to his knees. Blood trickled onto the ground beneath the white shield of hair. The other boy had caught him in the side of his face. Inu-Yasha growled lowly clutching at the ground to keep control.

Inu-Yasha's growling calmed and Inu-Yasha looked up.

Hojou took a defensive step back.

Two red eyes glowed beneath the bushy white bangs.

"SIT!" Kagome's voice echoed across the yard.

Hojou looked over realizing the girls had seen the entire thing.

"Kagome, you're safe now. He won't harm you…"

"Inu-Yasha?" Kagome asked sliding to a stop at his side and brushing her hand through his bangs.

Inu-Yasha twitched beneath the rosary's pull.

"Inu-Yasha?" Kagome questioned with tears in her eyes.

"Kagome you don't have to stay with him." Hojou said reaching down and grabbing hold of her arm.

"Yes I do." Kagome replied freeing her arm from his grasp.

"He needs help Kagome."

"He needs ME." Kagome yelled back. "Inu-Yasha. It's okay."

"Kagome, he's…evil."

"No. He's demonic. …And he's trying not to kill you."

"Demonic?" Hojou questioned under his breathe.

"Well…Half demon." Kagome corrected. "Inu-Yasha…"

Inu-Yasha raised his beaten, bloody face from the ground.

Kagome smiled and helped him sit up.

"Kagome!" Hojou exclaimed.

Inu-Yasha glared at him.

Kagome moved in front of Inu-Yasha. She locked eyes with him then rubbed her hand along his cheek. He smiled and she giggled happily wrapping her arms around his neck.