Protector

Chapter Three: A Gift for a Time of Need

Kagome felt lost as those golden eyes, so similar to the amber ones she missed, focused right on her. For a moment, she felt so small, so inadequate – exactly like she had those long, long years ago, when Kikyou still walked the earth in an undead body. She recognized him instantly, of course. Who could forget him? It had been silly of her to mistake him for Inuyasha anyway – his hair was distinctly longer, down to his knees, and he wore white, not red. She blushed slightly for making such a stupid error.

Tearing her eyes away from the being who continued to glare at her, she scanned the clearing quickly. A scaled, double-headed dragon reclined on the ground, munching on a pile of grass that had been gathered for him. A short, ugly little creature that closely resembled a toad and algae bore a staff that was three times taller than him. A young human girl, dressed in a kimono of orange and yellow, was leaning against the dragon.

Aun growled a greeting to Kagome. The dragon was smarter than he looked, and his memory also went back a long time. Kagome nodded to him, biting back a smile when Ah laid his head down and closed his eyes while Un stared at her intently. After all, they hadn't met for a very, very long time.

Kagome looked closer at Jaken. The toad-like creature had visibly aged – there were now wrinkles lining his green face, and his eyes were slightly dimmed. The claws that clutched the smooth wood of the Nintoujyo were shaking a little. Time had not been very kind to the toad who followed Sesshoumaru.

The little girl stared at her, a crease on her brow. "Rin feels like Rin knows you," she said. "I feel like I know you too," Kagome replied. 'Maybe that's because I do know you,' she added to herself sarcastically. However, Rin should have died a long, long time ago. She was human – wasn't she? Then again, demons had ways to make things follow their wishes. It was more than likely that Sesshoumaru had just ordered some poor subordinate to make some weird little-known potion for Rin. Her hair was still done up in a messy side-ponytail that stuck out of her head awkwardly. A sakura blossom was clutched in her hand, the pink flower still retaining all its petals.

Seeing these four together, just like a family, almost brought tears to Kagome's eyes. She could remember those days so tangibly, when the three groups hunted for Naraku separately. That same stupid bard, Hatokiri – he had gotten things mixed up, saying that Shippou, Jaken, and Ginta had been the leaders of the three groups. What a joke that had been, the first time she had heard it… she had burst out laughing, and almost choked to death. How different things were now – her own group were apart, half of them dead and the others missing. And yet, Sesshoumaru's group was still together and going strong. She felt like a failure – like the group's separation was all her fault. So inadequate – so lonely.

"Well then, I'll be going now. Sorry for making a mistake, I thought you were someone else," Kagome smiled nervously. "Wait." Sesshoumaru held up a hand. A slight crease furrowed his brow.

"Oh! Are you the Protector? The one whom villagers like to sing about?" Rin chirped up. "That's right. How did you know?" Kagome blinked bemusedly. "They all say that you are the only miko who wears garments of blue and black. They think you're mourning for something, and that's why you don't wear red and white," Rin explained. Kagome blinked again. "Oh." She said, shifting in place uncomfortably.

"You are Inuyasha's wench," Sesshoumaru spoke up. "Not anymore," Kagome sighed. Stupid dog demons. Why was it that all of them seemed to have problems saying her name? "And I have a name, you know," she added in irritably. "You have not earned my respect yet. You don't deserve to have me call you by name," Sesshoumaru said coolly. "Whatever! I give up already," the annoyed miko growled out. Then, beneath her breath, she muttered, "Moron…"

"I heard that." Sesshoumaru interrupted her reverie. "I know. And if that's all you wanted to confirm, I'd like to leave. Do you mind?" she snapped out. "Yes, I mind. What are you doing in my lands?" he growled back. Kagome blinked bemusedly. "I'm in the Western Lands? Oops…" she laughed guiltily. She didn't know where she was… she just went in the direction that seemed right to her.

"How can you still be alive? You are a human! Your kind are filthy, and they live only for a short while! You cannot be Inuyasha's wench!" Jaken squawked. Kagome sent him an annoyed glare and pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Woman, answer me!" the arrogant little toad shrieked at her. "Man, a hundred years sure hasn't improved your disposition, huh?" she mumbled under her breath. Raising a hand, she snapped her fingers. Jaken screamed as the air tightened around him, locking his limbs in place. "What have you done to me, woman!" he shouted as he fell sideways, thudding to the ground. Kagome smiled. "Have fun with the Shackles of Air," she smirked.

"Jaken-sama looks funny!" Rin sang out, trotting over to the old toad demon and poking him with a finger inquisitively. "Ow! Rin! That's painful… stop!" he protested vehemently. Rin giggled and continued poking him. His pointed hat had fallen off beside him, and she accidentally squashed it flat. "Oh… gomenasai, Jaken-sama. Rin stepped on your hat." She picked it up and handed it to him. Jaken glared at her, and struggled to get up. He failed miserably – Kagome's spell held him immobile.

In a blink, five claws poked their tips into her neck and she froze in place. "Release my servant at once," Sesshoumaru ordered, digging his talons in deeper. "Fine, fine… you could've just asked," Kagome pouted. She made a throwing gesture, and Jaken sailed upwards, skimming over the tops of the trees and away. "Jaken-sama is learning how to fly!" Rin exclaimed joyfully, clapping her hands amongst gurgles of laughter.

"Ne, Rin-chan, do you want to have a way to contact me if you need to?" Kagome stepped over to the little child and knelt down, putting her on the same level as Rin. "Yes! Rin-chan would love to have a way to reach the Protector!" Rin giggled cheerfully. Kagome winced inwardly at Rin's use of her 'title', but didn't let it show on her face. She reached into her billowing sleeve, pulling out a pair of scissors. She tugged a portion of her hair forward, braiding it tightly. With a snip, she cut off the lock of silky hair, and handed it to Rin.

"When you need me, you can just throw that upwards into the air – the higher the better. If you've done it correctly, it will fly away and come back to me, and I'll know what to do. Okay? Also, you can call me Kagome," she ran a hand threw Rin's own hair, so much like her own… sort of. "Hai, Kagome-neechan," Rin nodded, throwing herself at the older girl. Kagome staggered back a little from Rin's energetic attack on her waist. "Ow…" she murmured.

All their heads turned upwards as a feline roar echoed across the vast azure sky. Kirara repeated her call, spiraling downwards to meet her friend. She landed with a thump, and nodded to Aun. The two creatures had spent a little time together while Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha fought in the past. Aun bared his teeth in greeting. Kirara shrank to her kitten form in a swirl of scorching flames, and jumped onto Rin's shoulder, using her as a stepping stone to get to the taller Kagome.

"Hello, Kirara. Back already, are you?" Kagome smiled and stroked the feline, her smile widening when Kirara's two tails waved cheerfully. A happy mew was her only reply. "Well then, see you next time, Rin-chan," Kagome backed away from the little girl.

"See you next time, Sesshoumaru," Kagome turned to the stoic taiyoukai. "There will be no next time," he replied coldly. Chilly golden eyes met warm cocoa orbs, and Kagome sighed. "Whatever," she waved a hand lazily.

Jaken, bruised and bloodied, stumbled back into the clearing, tottering like an old man. The Nintoujyo was still grasped in his grubby claw tightly, scraping the polished wood. "How dare you attack a youkai, you filthy ningen…" he gasped out, pulling himself upright with lots and lots of effort. The mouth of the guy doll's head on the staff snapped open, and a torrent of fire poured out, the heat nearly unbearable for Rin, who screamed and ran to hide behind Sesshoumaru, peeking out occasionally.

Kagome sighed, and she held up her bow. The dark wood sparkled with pink purification powers, and she reflected the fire easily, turning it back against its user. Jaken shrieked in agony as the flames left him black… and probably crispy. She glared at Sesshoumaru. "You have to train your servants more, Sesshoumaru. This idiot isn't too polite," with that, and a final wave to Rin, she disappeared into the woods, leaving an excited Rin, a sleepy Aun, a bored Sesshoumaru and a fried Jaken behind.

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A/N: Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this installment of 'Protector'. Yes, I am aware that it's been a while. Since the end of the year is approaching, the scary things called "final exams" have been sprung onto me. It's Saturday today, and I have a Chinese test on Monday. I had my Japanese written and oral final on Tuesday, and I fell sick on Thursday. I have had a horrible week, people. Sorry for not updating on Wednesday as usual. Anyway. On to reviewer replies! (My favorite part to do actually…)

Reviewer replies:

Inuyasha's hun: Sarcasm duly noted. Thanks for reviewing for both chapter one and two – at almost the same time. /smiles/ Please continue, ne?

Me: Nice name. Er, the soft, gentle, light, whipped part – is that meant to refer to 'Protector'? If it does, where does the whipped part come from? And yes – Inuyasha is still Sesshoumaru's half brother, as proven by the beginning of this chapter. Thanks for reviewing! Please continue.

CrazyPoet: I'm glad you think so. Hmm… I'm not too sure about the rebirth thing. I'll consider it, but I'll probably make this up as I go along. This is one reason why I take about a week to write. And this is the second version I've written! Grr… Okay, thanks for reviewing! Please continue, okay?

darkdemoness41791: Glad you think so. /smiles/ Here's your update. Thanks for reviewing! Please continue.

Kagome21: Well, about no one being able to touch Kagome – something is going to have to happen to change that… otherwise where will this story go? Where would the fun be? Heh. Here's your update! Thanks for reviewing. Please continue, ne?

Katana no Mizu Ryuu: Glad you think so… (have I repeated this phrase too many times or what?) Thanks for reviewing. Please continue!

ladylillyofraza: I'm glad. /smiles/ Here's your update. Er… am I really? Was that counted as a cliffie? I didn't realize… /sweatdrop/ Thanks for reviewing! Please continue.

AlwaysSearching: Do you really think so? Nice of you to say so… I fully intend to keep writing – don't worry about that, ne? Thanks for reviewing – please continue, all right?

i laugh at you: /blink blink/ Yay! You just gave me my longest review EVER! Yay! Thank you sooo much. I would make my chapters longer, but that would probably increase the wait to about a month – because I have an extremely short attention span. Can't help it. About the editor and/or beta-reader thing, I don't have one. There are a few reasons for that. Two of my friends have volunteered, but there are a few problems. For one of them, she doesn't read OR watch Inuyasha. Yet. I'm working on that. For the other, I'd like to read a sample of her work first – haven't got it yet. But I'm the beta-reader/editor for her upcoming CCS fic – right now it's still untitled. I am trying to find someone suitable though… I will do my best. Your update is here! Hope you enjoyed. Thank you for reviewing! Please continue, ne?

bubbles54379: I am definitely going to continue writing. Happy? I hope so. Thank you for reviewing! Please continue, okay?

1kenshinlover: Well, I myself think it's a little sad too – but they would HAVE to die after a hundred years have passed… it's either that, or make them be decrepit old people. I think that's even worse… right? I'm glad you think it's good. Thank you for reviewing! Please continue, ne?

Nomadgirl66: You are absolutely right- she saw Sesshy-sama, not Inuyasha. Hehe. Hmm… I like felines. If I could transform, I'd want to be one. Which is why I picked a tiger – when I was younger, I'd probably have picked a unicorn or a mythical creature. That's a bit more unbelievable, ne? Thanks for reviewing. Please continue, okay?

Traveler of the World: Definitely a huge mistake, ne? Here's the update. Thanks for reviewing! Please continue, all right?

Youkai99Angel: Yup, poor Kagome. As for the jewel, well… I've been trying to think about it, and ways to let Sesshoumaru touch her. As far as I'm concerned, the easiest way is to remove it, but then Kagome will die instantly because her lifespan has been extended far past the usual. So I'm still brainstorming – I'm sure I'll come up with something suitable soon. Update's here! Hope you enjoyed. And I also hope you'll update your fanfic soon – I need my fix of 'A Field of Flowers' /gazes at herself in mirror and shrieks when she looks like a madwoman/ Oh well. Thanks for reviewing! Please continue, okay?

sarah h: Update, served warm and on a bed of lettuce… okay, now that was lame. But whatever. Hehe… thanks for reviewing. Please continue, ne?

Kage Bi Koori: Here you go. Thanks for reviewing! Please continue, okay?

IYGURL: No need to thank me – I should be the one thanking you for reviewing. So… thanks for reviewing! Please continue, okay?

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And that finishes the reviewer replies. Thanks for reviewing, guys! Luv you all/Throws cookies and IY plushies to everyone/

From now on, I will ask an IY trivia question, and the first one who answers CORRECTLY gets the next chapter dedicated to them – and possibly a role inside 'Protector', if I get the chance to create more characters. Possibly as people in Sesshoumaru's castle – as advisors or whatever. Okay? This time's question is

What is the name of the lord who loved Sango in the episode "Aiming for Sango : Only You"?

Also, I'm looking for a beta-reader who can double as my editor. Those who want to try, please leave me your name, email address – but I'd also like to have a look at your best fanfic, okay? Thanks guys! I think I might need one sooner or later anyway – might as well be sooner. Thank you!

Well then, ja ne! 'Til the next update! I may not be able to update in a week, because of evil final exams… wish me luck, okay?

Signing off, kyasarinyume07