Disclaimer: I do not, repeat DO NOT own Inuyasha. It's all Rumiko Takehashi's. But I can dream, can't I?
OtakuGirlEmi: Hello, all! I'm so glad that chapter 3 is done! It's the longest chapter so far and I hope everyone likes it. I must first thank darkmoonfang, kattygirl32132, White dragon Lady, punkskater, and BlueMoonDog for their reviews, they are always appreciated. I finally have a battle scene! It was hard to write because I've never written one before, so I felt intimidated. But I think it turned out pretty well. Anyway, as always, I hope you like chapter 3 and remember to review! Arigato! Emi.
Review Responses: (this is where I will respond to any reviews I get)
Darkmoonfang: As always, thank you for the review buddy. I used your idea forDarkmoon, so I hope you like it.
Kattygirl32132: Thanks for the support, I hope you like chapter 3.
White dragon Lady: I can't tell you what exactly happens regarding Kagome and Inuyasha, but I hope you will like it. And (I'm sorry) Kikyo does make an appearance later in the story. (I'm not too fond of her either) Also, if anyone is wondering, Koga and Sesshomaru both make appearances later too.
Punkskater: Thank you so much for the idea! I tried to work it in toward the end, so I hope you aren't disappointed. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but it makes things more dramatic and interesting. Plus, I had had no idea how to write a battle scene.
BlueMoonDog: I'm so happy that you like Darkmoon! He is such a fun character to write, even though he's arrogant, spoiled, and basically evil. I think he might appear in a later chapter too.
Flashback (just in case you forgot): Darkmoon raised his halberd and charged.
Chapter 3: Don't Make Kagome Mad
Though he was unprepared, Inuyasha jumped into the air and dodged Darkmoon's attack at the last second. 'Feh, this guy's no match for me. This'll be over quick.'
Inuyasha landed behind Darkmoon and swung Tetsusaiga at the wolf. But Darkmoon back flipped and caught Inuyasha's shoulder with the sharp blade of his halberd. Inuyasha silently flinched as blood tricked down his shoulder and made his inner robe stick. He spun around and blocked Darkmoon's follow-up attack.
For a few seconds they both stood there, their weapons clashing, each fighting to overpower the other. Sparks flew and they both jumped backwards and prepared to attack.
"I see that you are as strong as it is rumored. But since you are only a half demon, I supposed you only process half the power. And that that large chunk of metal will not help you against by speed, grace, and power." Darkmoon remarked cockily as he launched himself at Inuyasha again.
"I'm starting to like this guy less and less each time he opens his mouth," remarked Miroku dryly. He turned to Kagome and Sango and said longingly "I wish I could suck him up."
Sango kept her eyes on the battling demons (Inuyasha was punched into a tree and was forced to quickly duck as Darkmoon stabbed at him with the deadly blade of the halberd) as she replied, "I agree with you, but even if you still had your wind tunnel, you couldn't suck him up. Remember, Inuyasha still has to take the jewel shard out of Darkmoon's leg."
Inuyasha rolled away from the tree and jumped into the air. Darkmoon whirled around, looking for the hanyou. Inuyasha landed near him, swung Tetsusaiga, and gave Darkmoon a deep gash on his side. The wolf outwardly flinched and took a few steps backward, holding his side. His eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in anger. "How dare you mare my beautiful body! You will regret that dearly, half-breed!" Darkmoon dropped his halberd. His right leg glowed white from the jewel shard as he jumped at Inuyasha and kicked hard. His leg connected with an unprepared Inuyasha's cheek and sent him crashing headfirst into a tree. The tree split in half from the blow and Inuyasha was thrown into the one behind it.
Darkmoon threw his head back and laughed as Inuyasha groaned in pain and struggled to stand. Kagome felt a surge of panic rise in her chest and she resisted the urge to run to the hanyou and hold him in her arms. Inuyasha opened his eyes; they were unfocused and he was squinting to see. That blow really must've done something to him, thought Kagome as she commanded her legs not to move. He can't even see properly and Darkmoon's ready to attack again.
Taking a running start, Darkmoon jumped at the struggling hanyou. His leg connected with Inuyasha's chest, causing Inuyasha to slam back into the tree and fall tothe ground. Darkmoon jumped backwards and surveyed him, laughing. "Ha! Like I said, you are no match for me! Now I will make you regret threatening me, half-breed!" He once again took a running start and punched Inuyasha in the chest.
Kagome felt a stab of fear pierce her chest. Inuyasha, get up! She silently pleaded. You can beat him, don't let him humiliate you! You killed Naraku, this guy is nothing! But her pleas went unheard as Inuyasha lay there, struggling to get up between Darkmoon's constant, powerful attacks. Inuyasha was pounded with another attack, but he didn't try to get up. He lay there panting as he glared at Darkmoon.
Darkmoon walked over to the fallen hanyou and flexed his claws. He bent down, grabbed Inuyasha by his neck, and held him up in the air. Inuyasha struggled to break Darkmoon's grip with his free hand and left several gashes on Darkmoon's hand, but he couldn't break free.Darkmoonpressed on his neck harder, cutting off the struggling youth's oxygen. Blood tricked down Inuyasha's neck as the wold demon continued to press harder. Inuyasha gasped for breath and clawed at Darkmoon's hand, but to no avail. More time passed and Kagome watched in horror as Inuyasha's struggle became sluggish and Tetsusaiga slipped from his slackened grip. He can't fight anymore, she thought panicky. The lack of oxygen is affecting him.
"Say goodbye, Inuyasha. Your life ends now. How long can to stay alive without air? We shall see," said Darkmoon in satisfaction. An evil smile was on his face and he started to laugh. "Ahahahaha- AARGH!" Without thinking, Kagome threw herself at Darkmoon's injured side as hard as she could, knocking him over, and making him release his hold on Inuyasha.
Inuyasha fell to the ground and lay there, motionless.
Kagome quickly untangled herself from Darkmoon (groaning in disgust) and ran over to Inuyasha. She tried to suppress the panic in her voice as she whispered, "Inuyasha, can you hear me? Wake up." She shook his shoulder, and gently placed his head in her lap. "Inuyahsa, wake up now!" She looked down at the unconscious half-demon. As she watched him, his chest rose rhythmically. Kagome sighed in relief, he was still alive.
Of course, she tried to convinced herself as she smiled down at the hanyou she loved, I knew he was fine, Inuyahsa isso strong. And he's faced way worse than this before.
A groan interrupted her thoughts. Kagome looked over and saw Darkmoon sitting up, rubbing his head.
Anger burned within Kagome's chest as Darkmoon stood up, surveyed her and Inuyasha and laughed. "What's so funny?" she yelled angrily, glaring at the wolf as she absentmindedly placed her arms around Inuyahsa's unconscious form protectively.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry my dear Kagome." Darkmoon sounded like he meant nothing that he had just said about being sorry as he stopped laughing. "It's just than I never would have suspected this half-breed to be weak enough as to need help in battle from a human. He obviously is worthless, isn't he?" Darkmoon turned away, oblivious to the daggers Kagome was glaring through his back, and kept talking.
He's completely changed again, thought Kagome irritably. A second ago he was a savage, angry demon who was prepared to kill us all and now he's acting like a perfect gentleman. What's with this guy?
"You really would be better off with me. I could protect you, unlike some demons," Darkmoon remarked as he raised his eyebrows at Inuyasha.
Kagome thought for a moment that Inuyasha's ears had twitched at this comment, but she dismissed the thought and retorted, "How would I be better off with you? You're just a cowardly jerk with a personality problem that goes around like a spoiled brat demanding anything he wants! You stole from Koga and you were prepared to kill Inuyasha and the rest of us!"
Darkmoon looked appalled. "I would never kill you Kagome. I was merely trying to persuade the half-breed to hand you and the jewel over. If he would have willingly begged for mercy like a good dog, I wouldn't have been forced to hurt him. I suspect that when he awakes, he will beg for my forgiveness. And," Darkmoon added as he smiled at Kagome. "I'm sure that you will plead to be my mate."
Kagome could have sworn that Inuyasha's ears twitched again.
Kagome wanted to punch Darkmoon's smug, handsome face. Her face flushed in anger and she wanted to do everything she could to wipe that fake smile off his face. "Inuyahsa is not a dog. And he would never hand over the jewel, or me" she added through gritted teeth, "over to a worthless low-life like you."
Darkmoon appeared quite taken aback by her anger. But the look of surprise quickly left his face and he chuckled. "Oh, my dear Kagome." He said slowly, as if he were speaking to a two-year-old. "You just don't understand." He looked into Kagome's eyes, but his blue eyes held no warmth or humor. "I will get what I want. And I want you and the jewel. And you, nor your dog-boy, can stop me."
Darkmoon shrugged and added nonchalantly "Of course, a mere mortal girl like you wouldn't be able to stop me anyway. You mortals are almost all useless. Pretty, but usle-"
"TAKE THAT BACK YOU BASTARD-TAKE THAT BACK YOU JERK!"
Kagome and Inuyahsa had both jumped to their feet and yelled at Darkmoon simotaneously. Inuyahsa had regained consciousness and was shaking in fury. Kagome was infuriated that Darkmoon had called her useless.
Inuyahsa made a moveapproach the stunned wolf, but before he could move, a flash of raven hair had passed by him.
Kagome was walking over to Darkmoon, her face contorted in fury, and her hand balled into a fist. Darkmoon, (once again) taken aback by her outburst and anger, stood there stupidly as she approached.
When she reached him, Kagome stopped and looked up at him. "Darkmoon," she asked as she smiled sweetly. "Do you like pain?" The confused wolf shook his head no. Kagome kept smiling and replied, "Too bad."
She swung her leg back, brought it forward, and kicked Darkmoon as hard as she could in the spot where it hurts. (Any boys reading this are probably cringing)
For a moment, nothing happened, then… "That was unkind." Darkmoon whispered as he crumpled and fell to the ground, groaning and whimpering in pain.
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Kagome bent down and plucked a small jewel shard from Darkmoon's leg. "Thank you." She said as she turned around and smiled in satisfaction. Inuyahsa was gaping at her with his mouth open as his eye twitched, Miroku cringed, but smiled at Kagome, Sango gave her a thumbs-up and a large smile, and Shippo jumped around in glee. Kagome bowed dramatically and walked over to the group as Darkmoon still withered on the ground.
"Good job Kagome" said Miroku as she approached. "But please, please, don't ever do that to me." Kagome laughed and smiled evilly.
"Well, he deserved it, didn't he? He shouldn't have called me useless." She said.
Inuyahsa was still gaping at her as if she was some king of alien. She ignored his look and asked "Inuyasha, are you okay? You really had me worried."
Inuyasha closed his mouth and replied. "Feh, of course I'm okay, these wounds are nuthin." Kagome smiled, he was acting more like himself.
Inuyasha shrugged and continued, "But, of course, it's not like I needed your help." Out of the frying pan and into the fire, thought Miroku as he sighed inwardly and waited with Sango and Shippo for the inevitable.
"INUYASHA, SIT BOY!"
Inuyasha yelped as he flew face-first into the ground, creating a large crater. He lifted his head up as far as he could and yelled "What the hell was that for?"
Kagome glared down at him. "You were rude to me after I helped you, after I hurt Darkmoon and got the jewel shard! INUYASHA, YOU ARE SUCH A JERK!"
"Spoken wonderfully," chimed in an accented voice. Clapping met Kagome's ears as she whirled around. Darkmoon had managed to recover enough to stand and was back to his polite, fake self. "See, Kagome, you hate the half-breed, I hate the half-breed. We are truly meant for each other. This pathetic dog is not worth your time. Once again, I ask you to be my mate. Together we could both share in the power of the Shikon jewel and rule the land."
Inuyahsa (from his position on the ground) opened his mouth to respond, but was once again beat to the punch by a very pissed off Kagome. "Oh, will you please shut up! Why can't you get it through your head, I will never, ever be your mate! And you'll never have the jewel either. I'm not your property and I'm starting to really hate you! This so-called dog is actually way more powerful than you could ever be. Plus, he's really kind and sweet when he wants to be." Kagome was starting to get carried away, not even aware of what she was saying.
"In fact, if I was anyone's mate, I would be his!"
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It took Kagome a moment to register what she had just said. Her mouth fell open in horror; she had nearly said that she loved Inuyasha! She risked a quick glance at Inuyasha. Sure enough, his mouth was hanging open and he seemed unable to talk as he pulled hisself out of the crater. A look of absolute surprise shone on his face and crimson blush was creeping across his cheeks. Kagome felt a similar blush heat up her face. What had she just done? What was going to happen next?
Raucous (A/N: I love that word! It's my new vocabulary word…I sound like such a geek...awkward silence…sorry for the interruption, keep reading) laughter met Kagome's ears as her embarrassment was temporarily suppressed by anger. She looked over at Darkmoon who was standing a few feet away, laughing at the top of his lungs. "What's so funny?" she asked angrily, even though she had a good idea why he was laughing.
Darkmoon wiped tears from his eyes and said. "It's just that I never would have expected this half-breed to allow himself to fall in love with a human. I would have thought that his father was enough of an embarrassment to teach him a lesson. But apparently I was wrong, seeing as though you love Inuyasha."
"I don't love Inuyasha…" replied Kagome, half-heartedly. She figured no one would believe her.
Darkmoon wasn't convinced. "You must have some feelings toward him to want to be his mate."
Kagome didn't think it was possible to blush harder, but she felt her face heat up. She opened her mouth, but was cut off by a speech-capable Inuyasha. "She just doesn't want to be with you!" he insisted angrily as he once again glared daggers at the demon.
Thank you Inuyahsa, Kagome said silently. Whether he had believed Darkmoon's claim or not, now was not the time to discuss her true feelings toward the handsome hanyou.
Darkmoon looked unconcerned by Inuyasha's remark. "No, I'm sure thatyou have just corrupted her mind."
Inuyasha strood over to the demon, prepared to punch any part of Darkmoon he could reach. But soething whized by his head and made him stop.
Darkmoon's mouth fell open as an arrow grazed his face. Bloodtricked down his face from the cut. He and a stunned Inuyasha looked around, confused.
Standing a few feet near him, Kagome held her bow in her hand.It seemed that that had beenthe last straw, and Kagome was angry. "The next one won't miss." She warned as she narrowed her eyes. "I've had enough of you. So why don't you l-"
Kagome stopped dead in her tracks as Darkmoon burst out sobbing and clutching his face. "MY FACE!" he howled. "MY BEAUTIFUL FACE! YOU'VE RUINED IT! RUINED IT!" Kagome's mouth fell open. Darkmoon was crying like a two-year-old throwing a tantrum. If she wasn't so surprised she would have laughed.
Darkmoon took a few steps backwards, still howling. "Y-YOU CAN K-KEEP THE JEWEL SHARD! I DON"T WANT IT ANYMORE! JUST PLEASE DON'T MAR MY BEAUTIFUL FACE AGAIN, I BEG OF YOU!" and with that, he turned and ran into the trees and out of sight. His tail literally between his legs.
Shippo looked over at Kagome, who was looking down at the jewel shard in her hand and ignoring the fading sounds of Darkmoon's sobbing. "I think we all learned something important today," the small kitsune remarked in an awed voice.
"Feh, yeah," agreed a smug Inuyasha.
"Don't make Kagome mad."
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OtakuGirlEmi: Yep, spoken wisely Inuyasha. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It was very unplanned at first and I pretty much came up with things as I went. (With help from my reviewers, of course) I promise that the next chapter will have more Sango/Miroku stuff, I've been sorely lacking that, it's just hard to fit everything in. Chapter 4 might take a while because I'm in the middle of writing chapter 2 of my other fic. Anyway, as always, read and review, I love to hear from you people! And thanks for reading! Emi.