Disclaimer is on the first chapter, bitches. :P

(Pardon our Japanese, k?)

Nightmare – Sanctifying the Hotspring Sanctuary!

Part 4

An uneasy calm had settled over one of the two rooms shared by Inuyasha and friends in the district's inn. After the chaotic events that had unfolded during the afternoon, some moments of peace were not only called for, they were essential. The peace that settled over this group, however, was not at all pleasant. A heavy air lay over their heads, filling their minds with puzzles and plans about what in the world they were going to do next. While Inuyasha had hastily retreated to hell-knows-where, most likely to sulk, the rest of the party had gathered in the center of their room to have a much needed discussion amongst themselves regarding what had just happened. Inuyasha, their powerhouse, had failed against this pathetic little opponent. Reason could only lead the group to believe that this meant the opponent was not quite as pathetic as they had thought. But what had he done to overthrow their hanyou companion? Why did he refuse to speak to anyone at all about it? He had hardly uttered a word before departing. Worried eyes shifted about the room as discussion carried on.

"Although it may seem unlikely, there is a possibility that Inuyasha is being mentally manipulated. He may not even be aware of it," Miroku calmly outlined a number of worst-case scenarios. "We have to start keeping a closer eye on him, and prepare ourselves to act against him if necessary."

"He'd better be possessed!" muttered a traumatized and vengeful Shippou in a high, scratchy voice. "I will never forgive him for making me suffer all of that for nothing!"

"Shippou-chan..." Kagome cajoled a little sadly. We might have to fight him...?

"But that could be just what the youkai wants us to do..." Sango tried rationalizing, taking exceptional notice to Kagome's feelings about the situation. "We'd waste all of our energy trying to take down Inuyasha, and we'll get nothing out of that other than a wounded ally. Isn't there another way?"

"There may well be. We don't even know if he is possessed. That is why we have to keep a closer eye on him and watch for unusual behavior." Miroku replied.

"Anou..." Kagome ventured, "I don't know if he's possessed...but I do think something strange is happening to him. He acted oddly this morning, but it wasn't the way I'd imagine somebody possessed would act...he was...very self-conscious, it seemed."

"What do you mean, Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked.

"I found him sitting in the koi pond," she replied to receive a number of stares. "When he noticed me, he freaked out and sent a number of fish flying, and then he got angry and defensive."

There was a little bit of silence.

"So-ka! The youkai hates fish!" Shippou exclaimed triumphantly.

"That actually doesn't sound too out of the ordinary..." Sango remarked a little sarcastically.

"Shippou-chan..." Kagome reprimanded lightly.

"What?" Shippou replied, shocked.

Kagome opted to continue the more important discussion. "I have a feeling that he's not being possessed...he doesn't act possessed. It seems more like he knows something that we don't, and he's trying to protect us from it."

"That may also be true. Perhaps you should try to talk to him, Kagome-sama," Miroku suggested.

"I could go with you, if you'd feel better about it..." Sango ventured.

Kagome smiled a little awkwardly, "Ah, I'll be fine." He'd be more likely to open up if the number of ears is minimized..."

"Alright." Sango agreed, still feeling a little uneasy about the potential danger of the situation.

"You may talk to him alone, but we would like to accompany you to a point, and remain nearby, just in case," Miroku consented with a final precaution.

"Wakata," Kagome agreed as she stood.

Inuyasha did not make himself easy to find. He was not to be found in the courtyard with the koi pond, or anywhere in the streets of the village. It took some sniffing out via Kirara and Shippou to figure out that he had perched himself atop the roof of a closed shop on the outskirts of town. Once the group had spotted the back of his silver hair glimmering in the moon's light, all but Kagome made a hasty retreat to a hidden, downwind location. Though the night was calm, warm and still, there was a certain coldness about the hanyou that was not at all approachable. This would not be so easy. Yet, it had been tougher in the past, so there was no doubt that it could or had to be done. Kagome made her way around to the side Inuyasha faced. He was already looking at her, having probably heard and smelt her. With a tentative smile, Kagome raised a hand in greeting. "Konban wa."

The hanyou looked as if he were considering giving her a response. The look on his face expressed that he really didn't want to, and that he really didn't even want to be near her or anyone else right now. He gave in, however, sighing and lifting a couple of fingers in her direction.

"I have some Ramen for you," she smiled, lifting a cup and shaking the dried noodles inside.

He looked down. It was tempting. He had refused food that night, and his stomach was not at all pleased with that decision. Inuyasha moved a little closer to the edge of the roof, inching closer to the girl. He put his hands out in front of him so that he was perched on the roof's very end, sitting almost like a European gargoyle meant to frighten off intruders. Golden eyes blinked expectantly down at Kagome. This was his way of communicating with her.

"If you come down, I can make it for you," she replied.

Brows lowered a little. Inuyasha was obviously displeased with the end of the bargain he had to keep up. Reluctantly, he launched himself forward with his legs. Hands hit the ground while claws dug in and feet met it after them. He stood for a moment on all fours, then rose to his full height. Somehow being able to retain dignity after behaving like an animal, Inuyasha crossed his arms through his sleeves and waited for Kagome to keep her end.

"Okay, just give me a couple of minutes," Kagome said amiably as she lowered her backpack to remove the portable boiler and water bottle.

Inuyasha waited and watched as Kagome went through the usual ritual of preparing instant food on the spot. His eyes stayed on her hands as they twisted the cap off of the bottle, peeled the lid off of the cup, and poured. She was nearly finished when the boy's mouth finally opened to speak a single, hoarse sentence.

"I'm sorry."

She hadn't been expecting that. Not in the least. It showed on her face as it looked from the ramen to him. "Nani?"

"I let that bastard escape today." He was not looking at her face.

"Ahn..." she acknowledged as she removed the cup from its place on the boiler and carefully handed it to him. "Did he threaten you...?"

"He won't do it again." The boy dodged answering as his hand reached for the food. "Next time I'll kill him."

Then he did threaten to do something to me...I'm sure of it. "That's good. Don't worry about me," she reassured him solemnly, putting a hand on his shoulder.

A small hint of blush rose to the hanyou's right cheek. His features became slightly defensive. "Wh-who said..." His sentence trailed. She must still be feeling afraid or ashamed after what the youkai had done to her... "I ain't worryin'. Because I know nothin's gonna go wrong next time."

Kagome smiled. It was one of those strikingly pretty ones. "I know."

Inuyasha was able to finish his late dinner in peace. Kagome was able to coax him back into spending the night with everyone else, and as they headed back to the inn, the rest of the group made a hasty retreat from their hiding places. With the aid of a little running, the four of them were able to make it back before Inuyasha and Kagome. Inuyasha did find it a little odd that Shippou appeared winded, though.

Though he agreed to stay at the inn, no one could really convince Inuyasha to sleep inside that night. He claimed that the air inside was too stuffed up for him to relax, and told anyone who questioned further to shut the hell up about it. Kagome made the antsy hanyou promise that he wouldn't go any further than the courtyard. He agreed to this with a roll of his eyes, pissed at how mindful and protective of him his friends seemed to be acting.

Kagome received a few near-silent congratulations for her accomplishment. Still feeling uncertain, the group did their best to guide themselves to sleep. Except for a certain delinquent monk. He emerged from his bed shortly after Kagome passed into slumber. He couldn't sleep. How could he when he had previously arranged engagements?

Meanwhile, Inuyasha was occupying his eyes by taking in the stars and moon above him. He had resolved that there would be absolutely no sleep for him tonight. The ardent boy would not even allow his lids to close for a rest that night. Who knew when that mysterious power would return to lull them shut for the night so that he might have another horrifically provocative dream? This all should have been no problem. He'd spent night after night wide awake many a time in the past, whether he was fighting to survive the night or just keeping a watch over his friends. A single night without sleep should not have been any sort of a challenge. Then why was this particular night so annoying? Sitting and watching the stars was not at all satisfactory. He could not concentrate his mind on a single important thing for more than a minute. Every other minute his subconscious was tugging at the rest of his mind, asking when there would be sleep. If he wasn't thinking about sleep, Inuyasha was puzzling over how to defeat this mind-reading demon who had taken advantage of him. This puzzling was constantly interfered with by his mind's returning to the awful memories of the past nights' dreams. When he thought about the way she had acted, the way he had lost control of his muscles, and the way he had felt his will slipping...he became very upset. Even more plaguing was the reason these dreams were occurring. What could be causing them? It was nothing he had ever thought about in such a way before...why in the hells would he dream about it like that? How could he possibly stop it from happening again? He would have to sleep again sooner or later...and then what? What would he do? Why was this happening? Poor Inuyasha's mind was a mess. If only something could tell him what to do about it all, give him an answer, anything...something...

Miroku was just slipping on his monkly monkly monkly sandals when his plan came crashing down about him with the simple shift of the door. No, he was not going to reach Nirvana tonight.

The sliding door rushed open with a clatter, just as the houshi had been reaching for it himself. And there was Inuyasha, directly in his face, wearing an expression of the sternest nature.

"Ah! Koban wa, Inuyasha." Miroku greeted him with the false sincerity he reserved for his customers. Shimatta...he suspects me...

For a moment Inuyasha seemed a little taken off-guard by having Miroku right there to greet him. Shit...does he suspect something? The hanyou wondered.

An awkward silence.

"Do you need something? " Miroku asked with a kitsune's smile.

"I...I...eh." Inuyasha stammered and then faded.

Miroku observed his friend's reaction and sighed on the inside. This probably had to do with Inuyasha's odd behavior, and he'd best look into it at least a little. Ah, the burdens of being a holy man. "Is there something wrong?"

"There's somethin' I gotta ask you." Inuyasha grumbled out.

Miroku was mildly surprised, but didn't show it. His expression mirrored the seriousness Inuyasha's held. "Yes?"

"D'you...do you...have you...did...?" This was going to take all night. Then Inuyasha gathered his courage and blurted "D'you ever have dreams?"

"Dreams...what kind of dreams?"

Long, agonizing pause.

"You know...weird dreams." The words cranked out like a thick paste.

"I'm sorry...please explain a little more."

"Damnit, I mean the kind that you would enjoy!" Inuyasha said a little too loudly after a build of frustration. Kagome shifted in her sleep.

"Oh!" Miroku said in realization. A pause. " Really?" He looked interested, and proud, even.

Inuyasha looked murderous. "I'm askin' the question, here..."

"Well, yes I have. Most men do," Miroku said with a matter-of-fact little smile. "It usually begins as a boy is emerging into manhood. For me--"

Miroku was cut short as the collar of his robes was snatched in the clawed hand of his flustered friend. "This ain't the place to be talkin' like that, kuso! Come with me!" Inuyasha demanded, not really giving the houshi much of a choice as he dragged him collar-first out of the room and outside to the courtyard.

Miroku sighed a little and straightened himself. Inuyasha threw his own arms into their crossed position and glared at his friend. His face burned with humiliation-induced fury. He knew that doing this had to require some stroke of insanity on his part, but desperation had started to take hold on the poor troubled boy. "Now, what were you sayin'?"

"I was saying that it is perfectly natural. The only unnatural thing is that you haven't had any dreams like that until now."

Inuyasha twitched.

"There is no reason to be concerned. You should be proud, really. You've finally--."

"I AIN'T ASKIN' YOU TO TELL ME THIS KINDA SHIT!" Inuyasha's head seemed to double in size as he screamed In Miroku's face. Said face was covered in spit. "I'm not like you, you damn pervert! I wanna know how to get them to stop!"

"...Why would you want to do that?"

"Because they're driving me insaaaaaaaaane...!" Inuyasha's last word dragged out with a painful gurgle as the last of his patience began to trickle away. Every muscle in his body would twitch every few seconds.

"That's because you're fighting them, aren't you?" Miroku said with a sigh. "Simply enjoy them when they come, and, if you'd rather, think nothing of them when you're awake."

"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!" Inuyasha burst once more. The trickle of patience had finally dripped dry. "I can't keep fighting if these things don't stop! Why the hell would I WANT to do THAT, or think about THAT, or HER--DAMNIT." He spun around in a flustered blur of red and huffed off indignantly. "I was an IDIOT for going to you in the first place!"

"You're afraid you'll act on your dreams about Kagome-sama?" he said quietly.

And of course, the dog ears picked that up. Inuyasha froze in place. For a moment the very fur on his robes seemed to be standing on end.

"I don't think that's something you should even begin to worry about," Miroku smiled. "Dreams don't always mean that you're about to act as you do in them. In dreams, you often do things you want to do, but won't yet. Just enjoy it for now, and don't worry."

Inuyasha looked over his shoulder for a moment. For about a second and a half he may have been considering the advice. Even if he had been, however, it was for no longer than that. "It ain't anythin' I want to do!"

"Of course not," Miroku patronized. "Perhaps once you've matured into a man like me, Kagome-sama will..."

The hanyou spun around, ready to blast another violent outburst in the smug little bastard's direction. Before his voice could begin rasping, however, another voice spoke up.

"...but...that is something I've always wanted to do!" the schoolgirl confessed emotionally as she emerged into the moonlight.

Miroku's eyebrows raised. I didn't think Kagome-sama was like that, but if she is, then maybe Sango...

"KAAAAAA--" was all Inuyasha got out before his form froze up and became as stone, hair standing up and everything. He was like an angular, horrified statue of himself. So great was the boy's shock that he didn't even notice the puffy yellow tail protruding from Kagome's rear end.

It was only a few more seconds before Miroku noticed, though. "Shippou..," he admonished, "You should probably take your leave...and perhaps hide," he added as a helpful afterthought.

'Kagome's' features twisted into uncharacteristic terror and cheekiness. There was a poof and 'she' was gone. However, there was a wobbly, simplified Jizo statue sweatdropping and shaking a few feet away.

Inuyasha's frozen muscles thawed and gave way to the blazing heat of fury in an instant. Shippou was pounded until only his head remained above the ground, and Miroku was given a firm whack for good measure. With that, the hanyou continued the furious storming off that he had started. "I'll kill BOTH of you if you ever talk about this again!" He bellowed without looking at them. Neither needed to see his face to know that he spoke the truth.

-----

"What a god damned waste of my time!" Inuyasha snarled under his breath as he stomped down the hall of the inn toward everyone's room. Despite his urge to fling the door off its sliding rails when he opened it, the boy had enough common sense about him to prevent either of the women from waking. He shut it behind him, pressed his back against it, and sighed with a lowered head. Why did he come back in here? Her scent would only irritate him. Normally it would be comforting, but...

Miroku would be out for a while. He knew that much and it was a relief. Shippou might stay out for a while too, but he might come back...whatever. He'd just wanted to get away from them. He wanted to get away from everything, but that seemed so maddeningly impossible. Keeping his back against the door, Inuyasha bent his knees and slid down to the floor. He folded his legs and arms, lifting Tessaiga from his sash and tucking it into the crook of his elbow. Though chin was lowered to the boy's chest, the pointed white ears remained pricked forward. Sleep was still not on the agenda for tonight. Perhaps the steady sounds of Kagome and Sango's breathing would be a decent enough ambience to sit and brood to. Brooding over his pissy feelings was always a perfect way to keep him from feeling tired. Plus, he was angry enough to bounce back at that little monster with a full heart tomorrow. He wouldn't need any plans. He would find that thing and put it to a painful death, and nothing would stop him. Just as soon as the night passed...

That little monster was softly coiled about the branches of a tree over the inn's doorstep. A soft chuckle was purring froth from his twisted little heart. "Sleep, little hanyou, slink off to sleep, and let me weave your dreams to fit my whim..."

Inuyasha felt a rustle beside him. His eyelids twitched, and fluttered open. There was a bit of sunlight falling around him, and he was no longer sitting…rather lying down on his stomach, head rested in his arms. Damnit, he had fallen asleep after all. Why had he wanted to stay awake in the first place? He couldn't really remember, oddly enough…everything he had been thinking about prior to drifting off was starting to blend together and fade away…

"Ko-ni-chi-waa" a musical voice chimed in gentle affection. Something equally soft was moving next to him, against him.

The groggy hanyou's eyes were no longer half-opened now. They were shot to full shape at the sound of that voice. Only then did he realize that he was not sleeping on the floor as he'd expected, but on a soft, comfortable futon. There was a mat covering everything from his waist down, as well as everything from the waist down on the person…next to…him….the shirtless person that was snuggling up against him.

"Did you sleep well?"

"I….wh….wh-what?" His poor voice shrank.

Kagome chuckled a little, "Sleep well, silly. Did you sleep well?"

"I slept…I-I can't remember when I fell asleep….." Fear flooded into his eyes.

"I guess that means you did," she concluded with a kiss on his lips.

"HMMP." He responded eloquently, aided by a loud gulp.

There was more giggling, and the girl half-rolled herself on top of him to shower him in good-morning kisses.

"GURK….oi!...st…..op…AH. WHAT'S GOING ON?" He finally demanded once sufficient air was provided.

"I'm expressing my love for you." Smiiile.

"N-NO!" Inuyasha flipped onto his back and tried pushing himself away. "How did I even get here?"

"Silly, don't play dumb. It's not as funny as you think it is. You know we consummated our marriage last night."

"….our what?"

"And it was wonderful."

"Our WHAT!" Inuyasha zoomed backward until his back hit a wall, which wasn't very far. His feet were still on the futon.

"Our MARRIAGE!" Glomp, boob-squish.

Inuyasha's face filled from chin to forehead with the color of a tomato. Steam just about poured from his dog ears. Apparently he'd fallen asleep last night, and now his naked wife Kagome was making some extreme claims that he couldn't even remember. Things started spinning in his head. Poor Inuyasha seemed ready to faint.

All the while he was being smothered in affection. Kisses, caresses, snuggles and giggles.

His golden eyes at once became black swirls. The hanyou's body went limp and his head fell back. He stared at the ceiling.

"You really don't remember? Wanna consummate it again, just to be on the safe side?" she winked at him with a smile.

"NO." He shot into a straight-up sit.

"Ooh, playing coy, are we?" She sat up with him, giving him a full-on view of her bare chest.

His eyes shut instantly, and tightly. "I ain't playin'!" His voice probably cracked three times in one sentence.

"I know for a fact that you are playing!" She replied as she tackled him.

Inuyasha inhaled sharply and suddenly, then choked on his own breath as he hit the floor. Peering over Kagome's shifting shoulder, the hanyou could see the corner of the room they were in. A pile of robes was discarded off in the corner, as was a multitude of soft, white colored robes…bridal robes. They were strewn everywhere. One was even torn in a few places. She wasn't lying…? They were really….?

As he observed his environment, she was observing the newlywed tradition of fawning all over her new husband. If affection were wet, he'd have been utterly soaked.

"GAH! NO!" Inuyasha shot up once more. "This can't be real!" He rasped out as Kagome ignored him and continued her fawning. "This is just TOO screwed up! I've gotta be dreamin'! I've gotta be---"

A distraught hanyou jerked to an upright position, silver hair and red fabric rustling in his wake. With eyes wide open, Inuyasha could see that he was still against the wall of the group's room. Kagome, Sango, Kirara and now Shippou were all asleep some feet away from him…just as he had been. With the horror from his last dream still lingering, a long moment of silence passed while the boy's heartbeat slowed. He stared wide-eyed at the opposite wall. Panicked thoughts began to settle into normal ones and breathing evened out. As all this happened, Inuyasha's emotions took a most expected turn. His fear dissolved into reality and made way for a seething, uncontrollable rage. He had fallen asleep again, and suffered another nightmare.

"That's it!" He hissed. "Screw waitin' around for anyone, I'm endin' this now!" Inuyasha rose to his feet and rushed out the door. Within seconds he was dashing toward the woods where the springs lied, all his senses to their highest level of alert. He'd made a decision and he was going to follow through with it. He would find that little monster no matter how much sniffing it took, and he would kill him while Kagome was too far away to be used as leverage. I can't stand this damn place for another minute…I'm gonna turn that bastard inside out and get the hells out of here! Now show yourself, coward! The sky was only beginning to leak out the darkness of night as the determined Inuyasha plunged into the forest.

:cue the music now:

"Next time, on Inuyasha!"

'Inuyasha, I don't know what's wrong—please let us help you!"

"Just shut up and let me handle this on my own! I won't let any rampagin' screamin' worms stop me!"

"But Inuyasha, at least let me come along! I can help!"

"I won't let you stop me either…"

"Oh? Osuwari."

"GYEAH….this is what I'm afraid of…"

"Next time, on Inuyasha, 'Nightmare! Sanctifying the Hotspring Sanctuary, part 4! O tanoshimi ni!"