{Disclaimer: For the last time in this fic, I do not own this damn show!! The only thing I own of it is a T-shirt with Sesshou, Naraku, Kikyou, Kagome, Kouga, and InuYasha on it, okay?!? LAY OFF!}

NL: I'm back, and with a new chapter of Namida no Ame to boot!

Reviewers: BOUT DAMN TIME!

NL: Yeah, yeah, I know. Anyway, skip all this b.s. and let's get on with the chapter!

--Last time--

The osprey demon shrugged. "If that is my only punishment, then I have no other choice..." And with that, the feathered fiend threw the girl into the air, his mouth turning to an enormously large beak. "Down the hatch!" Then, Rin was gone.

Chapter Eight

We're Coming

Kagome's eyes widened. "Rin... Rin... No, she can't be..."

Sesshoumaru sternly said, "Believe it, Kagome. It is the truth, and to believe in anything other than that is asinine. But her death will not be in vain..."

"Oh, I'm afraid it will be," the demon bird uttered darkly. "And she shall be next," he laughed as he pointed at Kagome. He started toward the duo, running with his wings held tightly to his body. He slashed at the trees around Kagome, missing as she sat still, fear and anger causing her body to tremble. 'Why can't I hit her? It is as if she dodges every swipe, yet she never moves!' His thought distracted him, causing him to miss the look of rage on Sesshoumaru's face.

"Die, you filthy scoundrel!" Sesshoumaru shouted as he took a swipe at the osprey's wings, shredding the left. As the startled bird demon turned, the taiyoukai took another chance to slash at his face, deep, oozing gashes forming across his visage. "You shall never attempt to ravage a woman again. Your fight is with me, not that human."

"Sesshoumaru..." Kagome said, tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry that I didn't get here in time to save-" The demon lord glared at her, silencing her immediately. The avis, however, was not so easily swayed.

"You fool! How dare you desecrate the face of Jironomaru, the prince of the Southern Lands?!" the fiend cried as he held his bleeding face. "You shall pay dearly!" With that declaration, Jironomaru charged.

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"Inuyasha! Slow down!" Sango called as she glared at the quickly moving red blur. "Damn that demon. Always trying too hard. He doesn't realize that the faster he goes, the slower his target will be reached."

"Don't judge him too harshly, Sango," Miroku spoke. "He does-"

"Did."

"Love her, after all."

Shippou decided to pipe up as well. "Besides, he needs his 'shard detector'," he stated sarcastically.

"I HEARD THAT, SHIPPOU! SHE'S NOT MY SHARD DETECTOR!"

The three sighed at the inuhanyou as Kouga spoke up. "Well, that's what you treat her like, after leaving her for that carcass."

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU TRASHY WOLF!"

"COME HERE AND SAY THAT TO MY FACE, DOG BREATH!"

"BRING IT ON, MANGY MUTT!!"

"YOU DID NOT JUST CALL ME A MUTT!!"

"OH, BE ASSURED, I DID, YOU WEAK-ASS WOLF!"

"WHY YOU LITTLE-"

"Guys, guys!! Just calm down! The more you fight, the longer it will be 'til we get to Kagome," Miroku pointed out. "Besides, we're all tired of you acting like chil-"

"I SEE THE CASTLE GATES!" Inuyasha shouted. "SESSHOUMARU, PREPARE YOURSELF!"

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A replacement wing sprouted from Jironomaru's back as he shed the frayed feathered appendage, giving him a slight speed boost. Fortunately, Sesshoumaru was quick enough to dodge the attack. With a quick spin, the taiyoukai landed a powerful blow on Jironomaru's back, knocking the wind out of the bird demon. "For a prince, Jironomaru, you're quite slow. Your father was faster than this..."

"You know nothing of my power!" Jironomaru smirked and suddenly disappeared.

"You cannot hide, Jironomaru..." Sesshoumaru stated as he sniffed. Suddenly, a scream pierced the forest. "Kagome!" Sesshoumaru whispered as he turned around. Nothing could have prepared him for the sight at hand.

"Ah, but it was not my goal to hide," Jironomaru smugly said, grabbing Kagome by her hair and pulling her up, wrapping his arm around her waist. "You see, I think I have found your weak point. I am convinced that you have an affinity with these female humans. Am I correct?"

"GET YOUR FILTHY CLAWS OFFA ME!" Kagome screamed as she began to purify his arm.

The bird sneered. "Purification will get you nowhere, my dear... Kagome..." he said as he stared Sesshoumaru right in the eye. 'Heh, I know just how to send that stupid mutt over the edge.'

'Do you, now?' Sesshoumaru transferred, a blazing fire building in his eyes while his face remained stoic.

'Great, you can read minds... Well, as for sending you over the edge, you've got a front row seat.' Without taking his eyes off the taiyoukai, he leaned over and licked Kagome's cheek, kissing her neck.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO ME?!?!" Kagome shrieked as she struggled to get out of the demon's arms. 'Only Sesshoumaru is supposed to do that! ....I cannot believe I just thought that....' She immediately turned her eyes to Sesshoumaru's, which were full of amusement. 'Don't even say it, Sesshoumaru...'

'Say what? I've no idea what you're talking about. But you are right, only I am to touch you in that way...' Smirking, he also disappeared, his chuckle resonating through the forest. "So, Second Son of Perfection, you think that if you touch... my woman, you will send me over the edge?" Mentally telling Kagome to get down, Sesshoumaru moved with the speed of lightning and slammed into Jironomaru's neck with the hilt of Toukijin. "You were right."

"SESSHOUMARU!!"

'I know that voice,' Kagome thought. Her eyes widened in recognition. 'Oh, no, please don't let it be him!'

"You bastard! Give her back!"

Kagome's face went blank. 'Of course... What does he want with me, now?'

"What is this? A hanyou?" Jironomaru asked, licking his lips. "They're quite tasty... Step forward, half-breed!"

"NO ONE CALLS ME HALF-BREED AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!" Inuyasha shouted as he jumped over a bush and charged Jironomaru. Pulling the Tetsusaiga from his sheath, he let it transform before beginning to use the Wind Scar.

"Inuyasha, STOP!" Kagome screamed as she stood and limped over to the hanyou. "Rin is still inside him! If you obliterate him, then there is no hope of reviving her!"

"Feh, what do I care? It's just another careless human."

"You'd better care, half-breed, if you wish for your shard detector back." Sesshoumaru stepped forward and sliced Jironomaru in half just above his stomach, watching as the top half fell with a sickening thud to the ground and Rin slid out with disgusting squelches onto the ground, unconscious.

"Rin!" Kagome cried as she kneeled beside the oblivious child. She put her hands on her, checking for a pulse. 'Oh, my God, there's no pulse and she's not breathing...' She began to go through the procedures for CPR but was interrupted as Sesshoumaru grabbed her arm.

"What are you doing, Kagome?"

Inuyasha mimicked his older brother. "Yeah, you mind explaining why you're hanging out with him willingly?" he demanded grasping her other arm.

"One question at a time! Sesshoumaru, I'm going to save her life, if you'll both let go of me, and Inuyasha, I'll answer your question after I resuscitate Rin." Simultaneously, the inu brothers let loose of her arms, and Kagome went to work. After a few minutes, Rin began coughing out Jironomaru's stomach juices and opened her eyes.

"Sess... Sesshoumaru... Wha..."

"Shhhh..." Sesshoumaru knelt beside his adopted child and soothed her. "It is all right, do not fret. I am here, Rin."

'SESSHOUMARU!!!'

"Kagome?" Sesshoumaru looked up and saw no Inuyasha or Kagome. 'That was one mistake that you will regret, half-breed...' He called for Jaken, who was right at his heels. "Take Rin and clean her up."

"Where are you going, milord?"

"To claim what is mine from that foul equidistant-blood."

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Kagome bit down on Inuyasha's hand, which was covering her mouth, but to no avail. 'Why won't he let go of me?!' She bit harder, grinding her teeth, until she drew blood. She could taste the irony zest, grimacing. Finally fed up with him, she used her miko abilities and broke free of his grasp. "What the hell is your problem?!"

"Sesshoumaru's just going to use you to get the shards, Kagome," Inuyasha replied, all the while coming up with a plan in his head. 'I'll get her to think that I've forgotten all about Kikyou, and make her believe that I'm actually in love with her this time.' He turned around, away from her face. "Kagome, I... I know this is going to sound so stupid so late, but... I finally realized that the old saying is true. You really don't know what you have until it's gone..."

Kagome's eyes narrowed when her former love accused Sesshoumaru of using her for the shards. 'Sounds like he's putting Sesshoumaru in his shoes...' When he turned and talked to her, she contemplated running. 'No, because then he'd hear me and catch me again...'

"Kagome?"

"What, Inuyasha?"

Taken aback, Inuyasha's eyes widened. "Didn't you hear everything I said?"

"Yeah, so what are you trying to do, hook back up with me?" Kagome stood right up before the hanyou. "You screwed up too many times for me to come crawling back to you, like you expect me to. I've grown stronger than I was the first time you went to Kikyou. Hell, I've grown stronger since you went to Kikyou."

"Kagome!"

The girl looked around and found Miroku standing in the brush behind them. He was soon joined by Sango, Kirara, Shippou, and Kouga. "Wait, what are you all doing here?"

"We came back to see our friend," Sango answered.

"Or... caretaker," Shippou whispered, glaring at Inuyasha's back.

"Or woman," Kouga stated proudly, crossing his arms over his chest.

Mentally rolling her eyes, Kagome smiled. "I'm glad you all care about me so much!" She limped past Inuyasha to Shippou and gave him a hug. "I missed you all so much... Well, some of you..." Glaring at the hanyou, Kagome turned back to all her friends. "But..."

"No, Kagome," Inuyasha spat out. "No buts. You are coming with us."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I have no choice but to take you by force." Walking over to the young miko, Inuyasha bent down slightly and scooped her up, hefting her over his shoulder and beginning to walk away. He caught glimpses of his "friends'" expressions. "What?"

'If I were you, Inuyasha, I would put the girl down and step away...' Sesshoumaru stepped forward in his full youkai form, looking into Kagome's eyes before Inuyasha turned around to face him.

"As Kagome said, and if I refuse?"

'And as you said, then I have no choice but to make you by force...' Sesshoumaru smirked as he stepped forward and Inuyasha stepped back.

"You know, you wouldn't want to attack me when I've got your woman-"

"She's my woman, dammit!" said a certain wolf.

"Dammit, Kouga, shut up! I'm trying to-- HEY!" Inuyasha shouted as Kagome was lifted off of his shoulder. "See what you did, you stupid wolf?!"

"What I did?! It's more like, what you did!"

"Don't even start that, you dumb ass pup."

Sesshoumaru watched with slightly amused eyes as Kagome's friends ran off with her, and the two continued to fight. Eventually, it came down to fist-fighting, and that's when Sesshoumaru decided to head back to the castle. 'Do not worry, Kagome. I am not like my half-wit brother. I shall return for you when I see the time is right. After all, you probably missed your friends immensely.'

'Thank you very much, Sesshoumaru...' Kagome thought as she smiled, riding on Kirara behind Sango and Miroku, with Shippou crying into her shoulder.

"Sesshoumaru, I'm not done with you, yet, so don't you go anywhere!"

'Oh, I do believe this little spat between you and I is over. And as you can see, it is not I who has Kagome, so you've no reason to fight with me.' He chuckled darkly as he transformed back into his humanoid form. "Though, I still do admire that sword..."

"You're never touching it again, Sesshoumaru!"

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"Kagome!" Shippou cried when they finally stopped to set up camp. "I've missed you so much!"

"Likewise, Shippou," Kagome replied, hugging the tiny kitsune.

"It's been awfully dull around here without you," Sango admitted, bemused. "I think it was because Inuyasha didn't have anyone to yell 'sit' at him when he acted childish."

"And you find that droll, Sango?"

"Of course! Nothing brightens her mood like a good 'sit' show," Miroku grinned.

It seemed that Sango read his mind. "Touch me, lecher-"

"Okay," Miroku remarked slyly as he moved his hand toward the taijiya.

"Uh, Miroku, I-" Kagome was cut off my the monk's cry of pain. "Don't think that all she had to say..."

"Of course... Silly me..."

Kagome and Shippou rolled their eyes and laughed lightly. A rustle from the bushes near by caught everyone's attention.

"So, I get into a fight, and you all desert me?"

Inuyasha walked through the shrubs and into the clearing, his arms crossed and shoved into his haori sleeves. "Well? What are you waiting for? Get some firewood!" When he saw Kagome start to leave, he shouted, "Kagome, you stay. I need to talk with you."

"What about?"

"Just do it."

Watching her friends leave, she turned to the hanyou before her. "What do you want?" she demanded more than asked.

"You never answered my question."

"What que-...Oh, the one about why I was hanging out with him willingly." She looked him in the eye. "Because I had no choice. I wouldn't purify someone as cunning as him-"

Inuyasha scoffed. "Him, cunning? Please..."

"Don't interrupt. As I was saying, I couldn't purify him because he was so smart and... because...he was kind to me."

"Kind to you?! C'mon, Kagome, he's a monster!"

"No, he's not! Didn't you see the way he was concerned about Rin? How he went into a rage? He even turned full youkai when he discovered that-" She cut herself short. Did she want to reveal that she thought the taiyoukai was concerned about her protection?

"When he discovered what?"

"We're back!" Shippou announced. "It was quite easy with Sango's hirakotsu and Miroku's Wind Tunnel." He tottered over, carrying three or four small pieces of wood. Sango and Miroku followed behind, each carrying a heavy load of kindling.

"Here, you guys. Let me help," Kagome said as she walked over to Sango, taking part of her load. Glaring at Inuyasha, she called, "Aren't you going to help Miroku?"

Turning his head away and his nose up, he snorted. "No."

"SIT!"

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"Kagome! We didn't expect you to be home," Mrs. Higurashi said as Kagome walked through the door.

"Hey, sis! How is everything?" Souta inquired cheerfully. He was standing beside their mother helping her with the dishes. "Did Inuyasha come with you?

He obviously missed the slight twitch on Kagome's face. "No," she answered flatly.

"Well, someone's in a bad mood again," Grandpa announced, walking into the room.

Rolling her eyes, Kagome ran upstairs and flopped down on her bed. Soon visited by Buyo, Kagome rolled over and looked at the obese orange cat. "Why is it that every time I come home, everyone's so interested in that half-bree-" The girl cut herself off with a gasp. "Did I just about say that?" Gazing out her window, Kagome stared at the brightest star. "If you all can hear me, I need your help. Tell me who I'm supposed to believe..." Setting her alarm, Kagome absent-mindedly stroked Buyo as she fell into a deep sleep, full of dreams.

Kagome was running though the woods, but she didn't know why. "Where am I going?" she asked herself. A figure clad in white stood before her. "Sesshoumaru!" she called out happily, smiling and waving. She saw him turn away. With wide eyes, she tried to run faster, to reach him before he started walking away. She was just about to touch him when he burst like a bubble.

Blinking, she turned and saw a familiar red haori. "Inuyasha, wait! I want to talk to you!" He turned to her, drew his Tetsusaiga, and held it out.

"Go home, Kagome! We don't need you here anymore!" he shouted as he drew the sword back.

"What are you talking about?" Kagome asked as she continued running, her legs seeming to be possessed. Glancing at her feet, she noticed that she was going faster. She tried as hard as she could to stop her legs, but at her resistance, she began traveling as fast as Inuyasha could-right into the blade.

Gagging and spitting blood, Kagome, with fear in her eyes, looked into the half-demon's cold, amber eyes. "Wh...Why, Inuyasha?" He kept his silence, withdrawing the sword from the girl's abdomen. With a soft grunt, Kagome fell to the ground, her forehead resting on the forest floor, holding her stomach and covering her mouth, her hand stained with her own blood. "Why?" she asked again. "Why, why, why?!"

The hanyou suddenly looked up, alerted by someone's presence. He hopped away, the red fading faster and faster as Kagome watched.

"Wha- Oof!!" Kagome cried out as she was rolled over onto her back. "Sesshoumaru?!" Kagome gasped as she spotted the taiyoukai, his golden eyes full of sadness and warmth. As she watched, Kouga, Shippou, Sango, Miroku, and Kaede appeared behind Sesshoumaru. 'What's going on?' She heard a twig snap behind her, and moving her head, she glanced behind her and saw Inuyasha. Walking up behind him were Goshinki, the demon who bit Tetsusaiga in half, Kagura, Kanna, and Naraku. Kikyou appeared at Inuyasha's side, her arms draped over his shoulders and around his waist.

"Come to me, Kagome," Inuyasha ordered.

"Come to me, Kagome," Sesshoumaru pleaded, and Kagome swore she saw tears in his eyes.

Suddenly, Tsubaki appeared beside her. "Die," she said as she stabbed Kagome's chest.

With a gasp, the young miko woke to a cold sweat and a furiously beating heart. Sitting up and glancing at her clock, she saw it was still very early in the morning. She laid back, snuggling her pillow. 'What was all that about, and what did it mean?'

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"Here, Shippou," Kagome said cheerfully as she reached in and pulled a lollipop out for the juvenile kitsune.

"Gee, thanks, Kagome!" he cried as he took the candy and licked it. "Yummy!"

Kagome looked into the fire wistfully. 'It's been one full week... Thanks for letting me spend time with my friends, Sesshoumaru. I even got to see my family, but... I need to see you again...'

'And see me you shall, koi. I must wait until all are asleep, however.'

'Heh, no you don't. I'll say that I'm going home one last time and you can pick me up by the well. Sound fair?'

'Yes, now, why did I not think of that?' He mentally laughed. 'You are quite keen, my dear Kagome.'

Kagome nodded and stood up. "I'm going back home. I'll be back, don't worry. I just can't guarantee when." She picked up her pack and walked over to the well. "See ya when I see ya!" She jumped in, and when she got to the other side, jumped back in and stood at the bottom of the well. 'Sesshoumaru, all clear!' She began climbing up the vines, only to be lifted by a clawed hand.

"No need to shout, I am right here."

The girl giggled. "It's so good to see you again, Sesshoumaru-kun." Her eyes widened at her own words.

"Likewise, Kagome-chan." Wrapping his arms around her, he drew her in for a tight, loving embrace before scooping her up bridal style and flying off toward the castle. 'I can't help but think we were being watched...'

Miroku had gotten the feeling that something wasn't completely true with Kagome's story, so just he and Sango followed the young miko to the well. "What do you think Sesshoumaru is doing with Kagome?" the monk asked quietly as they watched the couple hug.

"I dunno, but I don't think she minds any..." Sango replied. "Gugh?" Growling, the taijiya reached over and slapped Miroku. "Must you always do that?"

"Yes, I'm afraid..." the anahoushi replied while pulling his hand away to rub his burning cheek, noticing that the taiyoukai and Kagome were gone.

"What exactly are you two doing over there?" Inuyasha called.

"Nothing. Just..." Sango cut herself short with giggle.

"That's just sick," the hanyou stated, adding a gag to it.

"Good cover, Sango," Miroku whispered.

"Only in your dreams, lecher," she retorted, glaring.

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NL: Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. -glances at Inuyasha- What's wrong?

Inuyasha: I'm still kinda pissed, even though I got her back, but he took her in the end.

Sesshou: Half-breed, you need to go to anger management, and I don't mean the movie.

NL: Okay, enough. I'm SO tired of it! Anyway, I apologize, and hope you'll all forgive me for posting so friggin' late. Here's the preview, recommendation, and review responses.

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PREVIEW: Chapter Nine, My Gift

In this chapter, it's kinda weird. Sesshoumaru realizes how much advantage he'd have in battle with Kagome at his side, and also how wonderful she would be as Rin's mother. So, he presents her with a beautiful piece of jewelry that has a secret behind it. (I got this idea from Striking Falcon's fic. Just thought I'd give her the props that she deserves. Still lovin' Second Chance, A Light In Guiding Darkness, and The Breaking Point, SF!!)

Back with the Inu-tachi, Miroku is trying so hard to impress Sango by not groping her or any other woman. He succeeds for three days before he breaks down and gropes Sango. She gets fed up with his strange behavior before this happens and asks what the hell is up. It's a kawaii moment that I can't tell you about. There ya go!

RECOMMENDATION: Escape, by moonsilver

This is an awesome fic. Kagome is a lady who lives with her father since her mother died when she was young. She's sent to another mansion to marry the scum of all the earth, Naraku. Luckily, before the marriage, someone comes to get her. Before they skidattle, though, This mysterious person (giggle giggle teehee) gives her a jewel and tells her to make a wish. And to say anymore would spoil the entire thing. So there ya go!

REVIEW RESPONSES:

HiraikotsuSlinger: Spanx for the review! I know it was an uber-long time since I've updated this, and I'm SOOO sorry to you and the rest of my readers! cries I HATE school!! Anyway, I figured you wouldn't like the thing with the little kitsune girl. And I bet you're so happy that Rin is still alive. And that was a good idea, I'll keep it in mind.

the dark angel girls: Thanks for the praise and the review! I hope I pleased you with this chapter!

FluffyPrincess: Wow! I couldn't ask for more from you! Why do you waste your time reading my stuff when your life is so full! Jk! Thanks for the review! I hope you're still reading! I'll feel really angry at myself for not posting sooner if I lose some of my readers! Anyway, thanks again, and hope you enjoyed the chapter!

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NL: Well, that's all for now! Sorry if it seemed really short, but hey, I can't put too much in, and the reason it took me so friggin' long to get this up is because I was upset that I hadn't made it long enough. So I stuck the dream in. Hope you all enjoyed it. Latuhz!