This chapter is called "Pressure" after the song by Paramore.

Chapter 13: Pressure

Inuyasha's mood improved after talking to Kagome, and he was already feeling better.

Later that night on the day he finally told her the truth, she pulled him down to lay next to her on the ground before going to sleep, and Inuyasha didn't waste a moment in pulling her against his side, as close to him as possible.

As they lay there, gazes set on the stars above them, Kagome ran her hand over Inuyasha's chest. He could practically see the thoughts running through her head.

"Is there something on your mind?" he asked quietly. Kagome hummed.

"Kinda," she murmured. She sat up a bit so she could look down at Inuyasha.

"I was thinking about what you said earlier," she explained. "About how humans aren't welcome at the youkai castle, except for your mom." Kagome paused a moment. "Things are pretty peaceful between youkai and humans, though, right? Were the youkai hateful toward her?"

Inuyasha winced. "Even though it's relatively peaceful between youkai and humans, it's different when it's a place for only youkai. Humans aren't welcome there. And they weren't outright hateful. My father would have harshly punished anyone who spoke badly about my mother and me. It was mostly whispers or glares. Nothing crazy."

"Toward you, too?" Kagome pressed gently. "But you're a youkai."

"Only half," Inuyasha reminded her. "That was seen as almost worse than my mother being a human."

Kagome's eyes widened. "Really?" Inuyasha half-shrugged.

"Yeah. That's just how it was."

Kagome shook her head. "That's horrible. I'm so sorry, Inuyasha."

"It's not a big deal," he replied awkwardly. "So...it's fine."

"It's not fine," Kagome retorted.

"Stop," Inuyasha said, his voice coming out sharper than he'd intended. "It's over and done with. No point bringing it up anymore."

"I'm sorry," Kagome replied. "I just hate to think of you being treated that way. You're such a good person...I don't understand how some people can't see that."

Inuyasha looked up at her, his eyes wide.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," Inuyasha blurted. "I don't know what I did to end up with you in my life, but I sure as hell don't deserve it."

Kagome reached up to touch her hand to his cheek. Inuyasha leaned into her touch, gazing up at her and the small smile that came to her face.

"Stop it," she chided softly. "Stop thinking so low of yourself." She rubbed her thumb over his cheek. "Let me show you how I feel about you and how highly I think of you."

Inuyasha kept his eyes on her as she leaned down to kiss him, only allowing them to drift shut when her lips touched his.

He remembered when he'd asked if he could show her how he felt on the day they'd gone to Miroku's house. He thought about how he'd showered her with all the affection he could muster and how he could tell that it had meant so much to her.

Now Kagome was doing the same to him.

She moved to hover over him just as he'd done to her countless times.

She started at his chest, placing soft kisses over his heart that had quickly begun to pound at her touches.

"Inuyasha," she breathed right above his heart, placing her hand there. "This is mine." She took his hand and set it over her own heart. "Just like mine is yours. Remember?" She then moved to kiss the skin right above the collar of his shirt.

Her lips continued to trail up, slowly placing kisses against his neck.

Inuyasha's eyes drifted closed as she lingered in one spot, gently kissing him up and down his throat.

The hanyo's arms wrapped around her, silently encouraging her to continue.

Her hands ran over his chest, his sides, his arms, as she touched him everywhere she could reach.

"I love you," Kagome murmured again against his throat as she kept kissing him.

It was so different from what they were used to. Inuyasha was normally the one ravishing her, staying in control of their kisses and trying to drive her as crazy as possible.

But now it was the reverse: Kagome was now ravishing him, driving him as crazy as possible.

And he loved it.

He tilted his head back, submitting to her completely as she continued to kiss him up and down his neck.

Inuyasha gently pulled her onto him, and she wasted no time in pressing her body to his, making sure every inch of them was touching.

The moonlight illuminated her, making her look like an ethereal goddess in whose presence he felt unworthy to savor.

"I love you," she murmured again as she moved up to kiss his lips. "I love you so much. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, too."

"Kagome," Inuyasha whispered as he moved his head to kiss her cheeks, her nose, her forehead, everywhere he could reach from where she was trapping him beneath her.

"You're brave," she said as he trailed his lips over her skin. "And strong. You take care of me and protect me. You make me feel beautiful and wanted and loved.Your eyes are like the warmest and most amazing flame and they burn me every time you look at me, but it's in the best kind of way. You are-"

Inuyasha cut her off by kissing her, moving his hands up to bury his claws in her hair and kiss her like their lives were about to end.

He was feeling so much from her words, from the love she was raining down on him, so different from his heated kisses that night in the inn.

Kagome was the most precious thing in his life, the most wonderful and beautiful beacon of light and hope.

He felt so guilty that he couldn't tell her how much she meant to him like she so easily could, even though he knew she understood how he felt.

Kagome pulled away for a moment.

"I can feel how much you love me every time you touch me," she said breathlessly, as if she'd read his mind. "I never doubt how you feel about me. I don't have to." She smiled down at him and gently brushed the bangs from his forehead before she leaned down to kiss him there.

Oddly enough, Inuyasha felt a burning sensation in the back of his eyes.

He was overwhelmed by everything she was saying, and he felt his emotions rushing through him.

It was so intense, he almost wondered if he was turning human, but they were nowhere near the new moon.

It was just...Kagome.

And after the last two days, after he thought he would lose her after telling the truth, after she'd somehow remained by his side despite him nearly committing the ultimate betrayal...Inuyasha had no idea how he'd been fortunate enough to not only meet Kagome, but to be able to love her and be loved by her.

Another wave of emotion crashed into him, causing the ocean in his heart to intensify as his love for her crashed against the shore of his soul.

Kagome's eyes widened as she wiped away the single tear that escaped.

"Inuyasha," she whispered incredulously.

"The things you do to me, woman," he murmured. "It's hard to believe."

Kagome laughed lightly and leaned down to kiss the trail of the tear she'd wiped away.

"It's okay," she replied. "I don't mind."

He breathed a laugh and shook his head.

Kagome smiled before moving down to touch her lips to his again.

It was the best night of Inuyasha's life.

o.O.o

As they got closer to the castle, the dread of seeing Sesshomaru began to settle deep in the pit of Inuyasha's gut.

Every night, he clutched Kagome close to him, trying to breathe her in and ground himself with her scent. He barely slept, and he knew she was the same.

Their eyes would lock in the dead of night, and he would kiss her, trying to block out everything that might happen.

They couldn't get enough of each other in those wee hours of the night; Kagome's body was imprinted on him as his hands learned her every curve, memorizing every single part of her in his mind.

And she did the same.

They were each other's escape from everything, drawing strength from each other in the best of ways as they touched and murmured their quiet words of love to each other between their innumerous kisses and caresses.

When they reached a spot near enough to the castle for Kagome to wait behind for Inuyasha, he was hesitant to let her wander even a few feet away from him.

He was clingy and touchy and overall just annoying himself, but he couldn't help it, and Kagome didn't seem to mind.

The morning after they found Kagome's waiting place, Inuyasha woke up with Kagome already awake with her arms around him.

"Morning," he greeted quietly, pressing a kiss on her head.

"Hi," she replied, burying her face in his shirt. They'd decided he would leave that morning, and he could feel how nervous she was for him to go. He ran his hand up and down her back in a comforting gesture.

"It'll be okay," he soothed. "Don't worry."

"Easier said than done," Kagome replied as she lifted her head up.

She brought her arm up, settling it on Inuyasha's chest before she leaned her chin on it to look into his eyes.

Inuyasha smiled at her, the love in her eyes temporarily distracting him from the matter at hand.

"How long has it been since you've seen your brother?" Kagome asked a few moments later.

Inuyasha's smile faded. "Since I left the castle after my parents were killed. So...fifteen years."

He carefully sat up, wrapping his arms around Kagome to keep her close to him.

"He's going to be pissed when I get there," he warned Kagome. "I don't know what he'll do to me, but I don't think it's gonna be pretty."

Kagome winced. "Do you...do you think he'll kill you?" Inuyasha paused.

"No," he finally said. "I honestly don't. Regardless of me leaving, Sesshomaru doesn't have any children so I'm still technically next in line to be the daiyoukai."

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. I don't know what I'd do if you…" She shook her head. "I don't even want to think about it."

Inuyasha pulled her sideways into his lap, wrapping his arms tighter around her.

She tucked her head against him, keeping her face against his neck. He could feel her exhales against his neck, and the warmth of her breath on his skin soothed him.

"I'll always come back to you," he promised. "Nothing can ever keep me from you."

Kagome nodded against him before they fell into silence.

A little while later, after they'd gotten ready for the day, Inuyasha prepared to leave.

Kagome bit her lip as she took his bag from him; he didn't want to risk taking it to the castle.

She was tense and anxious, which was hard to see. He knew it was even harder for her...Inuyasha at least knew what to expect. He wasn't looking forward to the undoubtedly negative reaction from Sesshomaru, but Kagome…

Inuyasha took a deep breath and took his bag from her again, setting it on the ground so he could wrap his arms around her, hugging her close.

"I'll be back when I can," he murmured. Kagome nodded.

"Be careful," she said.

Inuyasha kissed the top of her head.

"I will," he replied. "I love you."

"I love you."

He bent down to kiss her, cupping her cheek to keep her close.

He allowed them a few extra moments to just hold each other in silence, realizing this would be the first time they would be so far apart from each other since they first met.

Inuyasha kissed her forehead a final time before they parted.

It was time to go.

o.O.o

Inuyasha grimaced as he approached the castle. He braced himself for anything, knowing that as soon as his presence was known, he would be attacked.

Sure enough, several youkai appeared with weapons drawn.

"Former Lord Inuyasha," one of them shouted. Former. "We have orders from Lord Sesshomaru to arrest you."

Inuyasha didn't fight them. Instead, he allowed them to grab him by the arms, pinning them behind his back as they yanked him toward the castle.

Despite the situation, Inuyasha couldn't help the overwhelming wave of nostalgia that came over him. He was back in his childhood home after fifteen years...and it only made him miss his parents more.

Would they be disappointed in me? he wondered as he was dragged along. Would they understand why I've been gone for so long?

Before he could ponder his looming thoughts, he was led down an old staircase into what he knew was the dungeon despite never having seen it before.

He was thrown in a cell with bars thick enough that he wouldn't be able to break through them.

Not that he would try. He needed to swallow his pride and do whatever they told him.

One of the youkai guards lingered in his cell, glaring harshly at Inuyasha.

"You are a disgrace," he spat. "You disgust all of us. We were never able to voice our hatred for you because of your father, may he rest in peace. But now he's gone, so…"

The youkai swung his arm and landed a hit on Inuyasha's cheek, causing a jolt of pain to run through his body. It had been awhile since he'd been hit so hard, and the shock of it stunned him more than the actual punch.

"Don't you dare faint on me," the youkai growled. "When Lord Sesshomaru is done with you, there will be hell to pay."

With that, the youkai left the cell and slammed the door behind him, locking it up loudly to seemingly remind Inuyasha of where he was.

As if he needed the reminder.

o.O.o

He was taken from his cell several hours later and brought to Sesshomaru's throne room, which was set up as more of an office.

When he looked up at his half-brother after not seeing him for fifteen years, he realized that Sesshomaru wasn't the same youkai as when Inuyasha had left.

He'd always been rather quiet and standoffish, much like Inuyasha had been after his parents were killed, but this was different.

Inuyasha's pain came off as anger and distrust, but Sesshomaru…

He looked like a walking dead man. He was only recognizable by the hair and eyes that were the same colors as Inuyasha's, as well as the unique moon on Sesshomaru's forehead and purple stripes on his cheeks.

But what his eyes said...that was different.

Inuyasha was thrown to his knees in front of Sesshomaru. The hanyo looked up, waiting for whatever punishment or harsh words his brother planned on giving him.

It was a silent staredown for a few moments before the daiyoukai finally spoke.

"Fifteen years," he said simply. "Fifteen years, Inuyasha. That is how long you've been a traitor to all youkai."

"Sesshomaru, let me explain what-"

"Silence!"

Inuyasha's mouth snapped shut at Sesshomaru's shout. As much as he wanted to yell back, he knew he needed to be as compliant as possible.

He waited patiently for Sesshomaru to speak again.

"You will be tried for treason," he said, his voice suddenly calm. "Also for abandoning your role as the current heir. You've been a disgrace to all youkai." He glared at him. "I can also smell the scent of a human woman all over you. Tell me: have you fallen in love with a human?"

Inuyasha frowned. "I have."

Sesshomaru growled. "I cannot believe how low you've become in-"

"Shut up!" Inuyasha shouted, his protectiveness for Kagome temporarily taking over his resolve.

Sesshomaru's eyes flashed and his fist collided with Inuyasha's cheek.

It was the same spot that the youkai guard had punched, and the second hit had Inuyasha groaning with pain, doubling over where he was kneeling.

"You filthy excuse for a youkai," Sesshomaru growled. "You will be tried tomorrow, but know this: the trial is a formality. You'll be punished to the full extent as soon as it's done."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. Sesshomaru was unmarried and had no children, which meant Inuyasha was the one who would take over as daiyoukai if something happened to Sesshomaru.

Regardless of status, that was still something none of them could take lightly. But Inuyasha couldn't help but wonder…

Would Sesshomaru put him to death?

Were his actions so unforgivable that Sesshomaru would seek that?

No, Inuyasha chided himself. I can't think like that. I won't think like that.

He looked up at the guards and nodded. "Take him back to his cell."

The guards grabbed him, and Inuyasha knew he had one chance to get through to Sesshomaru.

"I have information on Naraku!" he shouted.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened.

"Stop," he commanded the guards.

Inuyasha tensed, hoping that this was a good sign.

"What about Naraku?" Sesshomaru growled. "Have you seen him?"

Inuyasha shook his head. "No, but he's planning something. He's trying to get the Shikon Jewel so he can return here to kill you and take over as the daiyoukai."

Sesshomaru's eyes widened. "How did you find this out?"

Inuyasha took a deep breath and began to explain what had happened since meeting Kagome. He told Sesshomaru about the jewel and what Naraku once told Kagome about "finishing the job."

Sesshomaru's face was pinched in a displeased expression by the time Inuyasha finished speaking.

"Bring the woman to me," he said. "We will use her to lure out Naraku and kill him."

Well, at least we don't have to doubt that we're brothers. We have the same train of thought.

"No," Inuyasha replied firmly. "I'm not putting her in danger like that. We caught word of where Naraku might be, but that was a while ago so we're not sure if he's still there. I have a...uh, an acquaintance who might know his whereabouts if they've changed."

He figured "acquaintance" was an acceptable word for Miroku now...maybe.

Sesshomaru looked at him for a moment, the displeased expression still on his face.

"What do you expect me to do then?" Sesshomaru asked. Inuyasha shook his head.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I just knew that you needed to know what was happening." He looked away. "I'm sorry I left."

Sesshomaru scoffed. "You're sorry? Interesting."

He nodded at the guards again. "Take him back to his cell."

"Wait!" Inuyasha protested as the guards began to pull him away. "You're in danger, Sessshomaru! We have to-"

Sesshomaru glared at him. "Quiet! I will figure this out on my own."

"Just listen, please!" Inuyasha persisted. "You need-"

Sesshomaru's fist colliding with his face cut him off, and he felt his vision start to blur.

The daiyoukai delivered another blow to his stomach, and Inuyasha felt several of his ribs crack.

The last thing he saw was Sesshomaru's eyes glowing red before he lunged at him again, landing a hit to Inuyasha's jaw that made everything go black.

O.o.O.o.O

Kagome paced back and forth in the spot where Inuyasha had left her.

Her nerves were fried and she'd just about bitten all of her fingernails off in her worry. Inuyasha had told her he didn't know how long he'd be there, but...it had already been an entire day.

What if he was killed? What if his brother refused to listen to him? What if-

She shook her head and pushed the questions from her mind.

She needed to have faith in Inuyasha and believe that he could do it.

But that didn't stop her from worrying.

Kagome sat down and grabbed her knitting supplies, trying to occupy her mind from her worries.

She began to knit something for Inuyasha, hoping that the hope of giving it to him when he returned would help calm her nerves.

"He has a hat," she murmured to herself. "So maybe...a scarf? Gloves? Even though it's almost summer…" She groaned and put her knitting supplies back in her bag, giving up on the attempted distraction.

She was back to just worrying.

O.o.O.o.O

Inuyasha woke up with a start, jolting up from where he was lying on his side.

He groaned at his sudden motion, his body sore from where his hands were bound behind his back.

Inuyasha coughed painfully, wheezing a bit from Sesshomaru's punch to his torso. His head was buzzing, no doubt from the punches he'd received and based on the fact that he'd been unconscious, they probably weren't very gentle when returning him to the cell.

Whatever the hell had happened, he was sore from it.

He carefully righted himself and took as deep a breath as his body could manage.

There was no window in the cell, so he had no idea how long he'd been asleep or even if it were night or still daytime.

He growled quietly and half-crawled over to the cell door.

"Oi!" he shouted. "How long have I been here?"

"So you're awake."

A guard appeared at the door of his cell, a different guard than he'd seen, and Inuyasha wondered yet again how much time had passed.

"Lord Sesshomaru has made a decision," the guard said. "Get up. We're taking you to him."

Inuyasha winced as he attempted to rise to his knees.

He barely stifled a groan, the simple movement aggravating his injuries.

The youkai guard, along with another who had joined him, opened the door to the cell and roughly lifted Inuyasha up by the arms.

Inuyasha yelped; the pain intensified as they yanked him to his feet.

His vision started to blur, so he tried to focus on balancing himself enough to walk forward. It didn't help much, but he was at least able to make the trek out of his cell and toward wherever the guards were taking him.

They went straight to the throne room, and Inuyasha found that Sesshomaru was already there with a murderous expression on his face.

Inuyasha looked up at him, anxiously waiting for him to speak.

"I have made a decision, little brother," Sesshomaru announced. "I will...postpone your trial."

Inuyasha's eyes widened, but he didn't dare speak yet.

"The threat Naraku poses takes priority," he explained. "Once he is captured, then you will face the consequences of your desertion. I'm sending some of my best guards to search for more information on Naraku's whereabouts. Some will begin looking in Wakayama as you mentioned while others will focus on finding the monk. Are you certain he will have information?"

"Most likely," Inuyasha replied. "He's your best bet. I can find him pretty quickly when-"

"You are not leaving here," Sesshomaru interrupted coldly. "Do you take me as a fool? How am I to know that you won't disappear for another fifteen years?"

"But I can't stay here! I have to get back to my-"

"Your what?" Sesshomaru interrupted again. "Your human woman is waiting for you somewhere? Tell me where she is. She'll be of use."

"No!" Inuyasha shouted. "The jewel is inside of her. If Naraku catches her and takes the jewel, he'll kill her!"

"I will kill him first," Sesshomaru argued.

Inuyasha shook his head. "Sesshomaru, he killed Father and my mother. Naraku is stronger than we gave him credit for and he's had fifteen years to rebuild that strength. Kagome needs to get rid of the jewel before she can go anywhere near him."

"Kagome is her name?" Sesshomaru asked. "How odd."

Inuyasha grimaced. "Keh. It's a great name."

Sesshomaru scoffed. "You've inherited Father's worst quality. His affinity for humans was sickening. I care not for her safety if it means destroying Naraku."

"I'm not telling you where she is," Inuyasha said. "So don't bother asking."

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "Her scent is all over you, imbecile. I'll be able to track her easily."

Inuyasha's heart sank. If Sesshomaru got a hold of Kagome, he wouldn't hurt her, but he would do what Inuyasha had figured out he could never do: go through with using her as bait for Naraku.

"Please don't," Inuyasha pleaded. "You can do whatever the hell you want to me. Just...just don't go after her."

"You disgust me," Sesshomaru sneered. "Your pitiful love for that human has made you into a weak idiot."

Inuyasha knew he was right.

But Kagome was what mattered the most to him. Above all, he wanted her to be safe.

"Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said seriously. "Please."

Sesshomaru looked at him for a moment with a deep frown on his face.

Inuyasha was not the kind of man to plead, but when it came to Kagome, he felt and did things he'd never expected.

"Sesshomaru," he said, "she's a miko. She wouldn't be able to kill you, but she can fight you off."

"A miko?" Sesshomaru repeated. "It is hard for me to fathom how you could betray your youkai blood to such a magnitude." He paused. "But...I will let you go. However, when Naraku is taken down, you will return to the castle and face your trial, as well as any consequences we see fit. Understood?"

Inuyasha nodded. "Yes. Thank you." He recalled his protection of Kagome and realized he should mention the outcome of that protection.

"My sword transformed," Inuyasha said. "I'll be a stronger ally when we fight him."

Sesshomaru raised a brow. "The Tessaiga transformed?"

At Inuyasha's nod, Sesshomaru frowned.

"I see," he replied. "You must master it. If not, you are not just a fool; you are an incompetent fool. Now tell me more about Naraku and his desire for the jewel. His goal is to come here?"

Inuyasha nodded. "Yes. Kagome and I talked about it, and we think he wants it to destroy you and me. He told her that he wants to 'finish the job.' What else would he be talking about if not us? He would've killed us if it weren't for Father."

Inuyasha nearly shivered at the memory of Naraku ransacking the castle, killing every youkai he came across. Inuyasha's mother had nearly shoved Inuyasha into his quarters, telling him to bar the doors behind him with nothing more than a kiss on his forehead in parting.

He didn't get the chance to say goodbye to his father.

Inuyasha remembered finding his parents, slain, on the floor of the throne room.

He wondered how long it took to clean up all the blood. There was no trace of it now.

"You remember how bad it was the day he ransacked the castle," Inuyasha said quietly. "If Naraku gets the jewel, it'll be even worse. I know it's a lot to ask, but you have to trust me on this. I wouldn't have come here unless it were life or death, and you know that."

Sesshomaru's face pinched into a glare. "I believe I have no other choice. This takes precedence over your despicable actions. We will meet again soon."

The daiyoukai nodded at the guards. "Release him." With that, he left the room.

The guards looked more than displeased with their orders, but they approached Inuyasha nonetheless.

They didn't speak as they unbound the hanyo, and when Inuyasha was free, he rubbed his sore wrists, which had begun to trickle blood from being bound so tightly and handled so roughly.

Inuyasha winced as they yanked him up and beckoned him to follow them out of the room.

The walk to the front doors of the castle felt like an eternity, but when they finally reached them, Inuyasha breathed a sigh of relief.

But then he saw something that had his breath catching in his throat.

It was a painting.

It was hanging near the doors: a landscape portrait of one of the gardens on the castle grounds. It was the first painting he and his mother had done together. He could see the neat and talented strokes of his mother's hand, as well as the somewhat messy lines of his own attempts at painting flowers.

He remembered struggling to hold the paintbrush properly with his claws. He'd been so frustrated, but his mother was so patient…

"Mother, it's not working," Inuyasha grumbled. A young boy, his patience was unimpressive.

Izayoi smiled. "Darling, you just have to keep at it. Those flowers are lovely. You can only improve from here."

Inuyasha frowned, not believing her, but his mother's smile was so bright and sincere.

He found himself smiling back and resuming his attempts at painting the flowers.

It was one of his favorite memories with his mother.

And now, after fifteen years, seeing something his mother painted filled him with hope.

He didn't know how and he didn't know when, but his resolve to avenge her and his father's deaths was renewed.

And it felt like hope. It was a burst of hope that he didn't know he needed until it began to course through his veins.

I swear I'll avenge you...

Inuyasha gave the painting a final glance before the youkai guards shoved him outside.

The guards gave him final parting glares before he began to walk away, but he paid no mind to them.

It was time to find Kagome.

Inuyasha hurried toward where he left her, wincing at the lingering pain in his body. Being struck by Sesshomaru and the guards was taking a toll on him.

Soon enough, Inuyasha caught Kagome's scent and ran toward it, knowing she was nearby.

Then he found her.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha called.

She jumped and turned around, her eyes widening and the salty scent of tears beginning to permeate the air.

"Inuyasha," she said in a watery voice.

He didn't waste any time in pulling her into his arms and hugging her as tight as he could, ignoring the burning flames of pain erupting throughout his body.

He felt her shake with small sobs as she clutched him to her.

Concern flared in him at the sight of the tears she very rarely shed; he was surprised by such an intense reaction from her.

"Why are you crying?" he asked gently.

Kagome shook her head against him before pulling back enough to look up at him.

"You look awful," she said truthfully. "What did they do to you?"

Inuyasha grimaced. He hadn't looked in a mirror since receiving the first punch from the guard, so he had no way of knowing how bad it was.

Inuyasha buried his face in her hair. "It was...what I expected."

"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," he soothed. "I'm with you. I'm okay now. How long have I been gone?"

Kagome sniffled and pulled away again, reaching up to gently touch his face.

"Three days," she replied. "I wanted to come for you, but...I knew you wanted me to wait here." Inuyasha nodded, watching as she bit her lip, looking up at him.

"How bad is it?" he asked, gently pulling the lip from her teeth and gently running his thumb over it.

"It's really bad," she admitted. "There's a river nearby. We need to wash all this blood off. Some parts of the skin have split and your lip is bleeding."

Inuyasha licked his lips, and just as she'd said, he tasted blood, so he nodded and allowed her to lead him toward the water.

She kept her arm wrapped around his waist as they walked, and Inuyasha was grateful for the support. Running the whole way to her in his state probably hadn't been a good idea.

"Will you be up to talking about it later?" Kagome asked gently. "Maybe after you rest?"

Inuyasha nodded. "I can start telling you now."

"Not yet," Kagome replied. "I don't want to think about it right now. I just want to focus on getting you taken care of and then we'll worry about that mess."

"Okay," Inuyasha conceded.

When they reached the river, they stripped down to their undergarments and waded into the water.

Kagome helped him lean back in the water, wetting his hair and helping him float on his back.

He winced when Kagome began to carefully wipe the blood away from his face from where she was standing above him.

He could smell her tears, but none fell. She was keeping it in, trying to be strong for him, and he loved her all the more for it.

"Does it hurt?" she asked. Inuyasha half-shrugged.

"It's fine," he lied. "Just a little sore. I think I have a few broken ribs, but those will heal."

Kagome bit her lip as she continued to gently wipe the blood away.

"I'm almost done," she said. "But tell me if you want me to stop." Inuyasha nodded and closed his eyes as she went about her task.

"What's it look like?" he dared to ask a moment later.

Kagome took a deep breath. "A black eye. You've got a lot of bruising on your jaw, too. Some of the skin has split, which is where the blood is coming from. Someone must have punched you pretty hard. Any harder and your jaw would've been broken. I can't believe you haven't already healed from this."

Inuyasha winced. "My brother did most of it. He's the strongest youkai in existence, so...it's not gonna heal overnight."

Kagome's fingers soon shifted from wiping his face to gently stroking his cheek.

"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I should've come with you…"

"No," Inuyasha replied immediately as he opened his eyes to look at her. "You being there only would have made it worse. They wouldn't have hurt you like this, but…"

If he'd brought a human into the castle, like his father had with his mother, Inuyasha knew it would've been much worse.

Kagome didn't answer for a moment. Instead, she smoothed the bangs off his forehead and began running her fingers through the locks, smoothing them out in the water.

"The blood is gone," she said. "You've got some other bruises on your body; I guess from the broken ribs. Is the water helping?"

Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah. I'm sorry you're having to do this."

"Don't apologize," Kagome chided. "Just...don't ever apologize for anything like this."

Inuyasha half-smiled. "Thanks."

Kagome smiled and leaned down to kiss him, her lips gently trailing across his face as she kissed the bruises.

"I'll always be here to take care of you," she murmured before meeting him in a proper kiss.

Inuyasha closed his eyes and melted into her, reaching up to curl his hand around the back of her neck to keep her close.

O.o.O.o.O

Inuyasha looked like a mess. He looked like a walking bruise.

It had terrified Kagome when he found her in the forest. Guilt was consuming her, hating that he'd had to go through that alone.

All she could do now was be there for him and help him as best she could.

When they finished in the river, Kagome helped him back to where they'd left their bags. She helped Inuyasha sit down, being mindful of his sore body.

"Are you hungry?" she asked. Inuyasha shook his head.

"No," he replied. "Will you just sit with me?"

Kagome nodded and sat down beside him before she began rummaging around in her bag.

She pulled out a poultice, the same one Inuyasha had applied to her cheek after she'd been ambushed by thieves so long ago.

Once she'd gotten it out, she helped Inuyasha lay down so he could settle with his head in her lap.

She ran her fingers through his damp locks which were no doubt leaving a wet spot on her yukata, but she didn't care. Inuyasha's eyes closed as Kagome began to gently apply the remedy.

"Were you scared?" she asked softly.

Inuyasha sighed. "Yeah...but not for me. Sesshomaru threatened to come after you, but...I don't think that's going to happen. Let me just tell you about what happened now."

He opened his eyes and launched into his explanation, and Kagome was horrified at his treatment. Sesshomaru, at least, wouldn't be coming after them, and they were free to go find Miroku.

But then Inuyasha mentioned the condition of his trial, which made Kagome's eyes go wide.

"So you're going to be punished after we kill Naraku?" she asked, horrified. "No!"

"Kagome, relax," Inuyasha soothed. "That won't happen for a while. I don't want to think about it right now." Kagome bit her lip and tried to calm down.

"Maybe he'll go easy on you," she suggested, feigning optimism. "Maybe your role in destroying Naraku will help. That's gotta cancel something out, right?"

Inuyasha grimaced. "I don't know. Maybe, but I'm not holding my breath about it." He was quiet for a moment until the ghost of a smile began to play on his lips.

"I saw a painting," he said quietly. "It was one my mother and I did together. It was still on display in the castle."

Kagome smiled. "I bet that was nice to see, huh?"

"Yeah," Inuyasha agreed. His eyes narrowed in determination.

"We're gonna get Naraku," he said. "We're gonna kill him and be free of him. I swear, Kagome."

Kagome nodded and finished her task of treating his facial wounds. There wasn't anything she could do for the bruising on his torso; that would just need time to heal.

When she was finished, she began running her hands through his hair, getting an idea that would hopefully amuse him at the very least.

"Hey," she said, gently patting his cheek as she rummaged around in her bag. "Close your eyes for a minute, okay?"

Inuyasha looked at her, silently questioning her request, but when Kagome smiled at him, he closed them.

She set work grabbing what she needed from her bag before combing through his hair again.

Making sure his eyes were still closed, she put some hair oil throughout his locks and slowly began to work it through his locks.

She saw his nose twitch a little, most likely from the scent, but he didn't try to stop her.

He only took a deep breath and relaxed further against her lap.

Kagome smiled and placed a kiss on his forehead before continuing her motions in his hair.

When she'd worked the oil through his hair, she put her comb away and resumed running her fingers through it.

"You're gonna smell like me now," Kagome teased lightly.

Inuyasha chuckled quietly.

"I always smell like you nowadays," he murmured drowsily. "Nothin' to complain about."

Inuyasha's eyes drifted closed again, and Kagome could tell he was teetering on the edge of sleep.

"Get some rest," she said gently. "I'll protect you if something attacks."

Inuyasha chuckled. "Thanks."

He was asleep only a moment later.

To be continued...