Disclaimer: -M mmm'm mmm Mmm Mmmmm.-translation: I don't own Inu Yasha.-
A/N: I'd like to apologize ahead of time for the possible vagueness of the surfing competition. I've never surfed myself. I know the mechanics by watching it on TV, but growing up on the Gulf of Mexico you don't get real good waves. Not that where I live, you'd even want to get in the water. It's as dark and murky as a puddle of mud. Anyway, I hope it's not too bad. Thanks!
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Chapter 15- Presents and Surprises
The whistle blew and the three competitors dashed into the waves. Kitto and Inu Yasha watched intently as the competitors took on a large wave. Kagome and Yuki watched their men with amusement. Kai was the first to fall from his board before they even reached the break point. Gin was the next to fall as the wave began to break beneath them. Fu made a show of trying to ride the wave all the way, but he finally lost his balance near the shore and hopped off gracefully in the waist deep water.
"It looks like we have a winner folks!" The crowd cheered and the announcer shook Fu's hand.
Yuka sighed dreamily. "I just knew he'd win."
Ayume snickered. "I think you've got a crush."
Yuka blushed. "Well, he is totally hot."
Kagome pulled a drink from the cooler. "Do you want something to drink, Inu Yasha?"
She went to take a sip of her canned tea and he took it from under her nose. "Yeah, thanks." He smirked mischievously.
"Hey, that's mine!" She tried to snatch it back, but he held it out of her reach and she ended up lying across his lap.
Inu Yasha's smirk widened and Kagome blushed deeply. "Hey, you two, there are children present." Kitto joked with a smirk of his own. Kagome scrambled back to a sitting position.
Sota chuckled at his sister's beat red face, while the announcer called the next three competitors. "This round will be Shinji, Chang, and Jake."
The three men stood and approached the water. Eri watched the one with blonde hair and sky blue eyes. "An American?"
"Mmm, he's not bad either." Yuka watched him as the three headed out on their boards.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Yuka, you're hopeless."
"Just because Eri and Ayume have guys their seeing, doesn't mean I can't find one for myself." Yuka pouted.
Kagome raised an eyebrow as Sota turned with a horrified expression. "I didn't know you were seeing someone Ayume. Who is he? Anyone I know?"
Ayume blushed. "Um, no, I doubt it. He stopped to help me with a flat tire and we kind of hit it off. He was such a gentleman. But we're just friends though." She smiled at the memory.
Kagome chuckled and turned her attention back to the water as the three men began their swim toward the crashing waves. The three did their best but in the end only Shinji remained. Kagome turned back to Yuka with a laugh. "I guess looks aren't everything."
Yuka snorted. "Hmph."
Kagome laughed again and turned back to look at the announcer at he began to speak. "We have one final round and then we're going to take an hour intermission. Right now, I'd like our final beginner level competitors to take their positions. Tsuki, Ryoku, and Inu Yasha." The man blinked at the last name.
Inu Yasha rose with Kagome beside him. "Good luck." She leaned up to plant a kiss on his cheek. "Not that you'll need it." She grinned proudly.
"Hang ten man!" Kitto shouted.
Inu Yasha looked at him for a moment before returning his baffled gaze to Kagome. She chuckled lightly and whispered softly. "It means good luck."
He nodded at Kitto. "Thanks." He smiled at Kagome while he took up the extra board. Then he shot Sota a pointed look before heading for the water. Sota got up from his place beside the sand castle and went to sit beside his sister. Kagome gave him a quizzical look, but didn't comment. Instead, she took out her binoculars and prepared for some Inu Yasha ogling. Beside her Yuka, Eri and Ayume sat up straighter and watched to see who'd win their bet.
In the water, Inu Yasha was praying that Kagome would be safe. He really didn't like leaving her. He paddled a little harder, taking his frustration out on the water. It wasn't long before he and his companions reached the point were the waves began to grow. He shifted his position and waited for a good wave. He sensed the wave before he saw it as it grew with every foot that it approached them. Readying himself, he waited for just the right moment to spring to his feet and catch it.
Kitto chuckled as he watched Inu Yasha between the two other men. He leaned closer to Yuki. "He gets better and better every time. Even if I win the intermediate level, I doubt I'll be able to beat him in the final round."
Yuki smiled and placed a kiss on her husband's cheek. "I'll be proud of you either way." He smiled and squeezed her hand. Then they turned their gaze back to the surf.
The wave was already reaching the break point and all three still held their ground. Inu Yasha glared over his shoulder at Tsuki, who was getting a little too close. He nimbly hopped on his board, changing his front foot from right to left, in order to avoid a collision.
On the shore line little gasps were heard. Kagome turned slightly red. 'He promised he'd behave!'
Ryoku suddenly tumbled from his board as it flipped upside down. Inu Yasha widened the gap between himself and Tsuki. He could tell the young man was having trouble controlling the board. As they neared the shore, Tsuki stumbled off the board onto the shore. Inu Yasha hopped off gracefully and popped the board up into his hands.
The announcer came to stand between the two. "Well, since you stayed on your boards for the same amount of time, we'll have to judge you on style and finesse. Let's let the audience decide the winner. All those in favor of Tsuki!" Only two or three people cheered. "All right, all those in favor of Inu Yasha!" The crowd erupted in cheers and whistles. "That's good enough for me. Congratulations sir, you're our winner." He slapped Inu Yasha on the back. The hanyou made a face, but nodded. Tsuki nodded as well, taking his defeat gracefully. "We'll take our intermission now. And when we come back we'll have Inu Yasha, Fu, and Shinji surf it out for beginner level champ!"
The crowd cheered once more as Inu Yasha started across the sand to Kagome. She stood to greet him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He felt every muscle in his body relax as her scent overtook him. He hugged her back and buried his nose in her neck. The salty smell of the water got to him after a while, but he could alleviate that with a few lungfuls of Kagome's scent. He felt her pull away just slightly after a moment, and he lifted his head to gaze at her.
"You promised you'd behave." She chastised.
"I did behave, wench."
She looked like she might argue as one of her eyebrows shot up into her hairline. Then she shook her head and smiled. "Okay." She leaned up and brushed a feathery warm kiss across his lips. It sent a shiver down his spine and made his stomach do flip-flops. "I'm glad you won."
"You mean, you had doubts?"
Kagome smiled up at him. "Nope, not in the least."
He grinned as she chuckled. They settled back down to have a snack, while Kagome's friends argued about who was going to win their bet.
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Several yards down the beach, Shina glared at Kagome as she kissed Inu Yasha. 'That slut! I don't see what he could possibly see in her!' She shifted her gaze to her two cousins. "You two are really useless, you know? I asked you to handle her, not him. If you'd ended up hurting him…"
Chi stared at her through his one good eye. The other was swollen shut. "Us hurt him! Are you crazy, look at us!" He waved a hand to encompass Gyou next to him.
Gyou sported a bandage over his swollen and severely broken nose. He glared at his cousin as well. "The guy didn't even break a sweat. And I swear I thought I was going to die." He rubbed a hand over the tiny claw marks on his throat.
Shina scowled. "You two really are pathetic. You had blades for crying out loud."
Gyou threw his hands in the air. "That's just it. He didn't even flinch when I popped my blade out. He wasn't scared at all, just angry." He frowned at his cousin. "That guy is dangerous. You should forget about him."
Shina's scowl deepened. "Just because he showed you two up doesn't mean he's dangerous." She grinned. "I like the idea of having a strong man." She frowned a little. 'He's loyal too, but I can fix that. I know what every man wants, and I know little Miss-Goodie-Two-Shoes isn't giving him that.' She sighed. "Next time we need to teach the tramp a lesson, we'll just have to be sure he's distracted."
"Next time?" Gyou and Chi echoed in disbelief.
"Yeah, you two must have been distracted last time. Next time you'll be ready for him. And remember don't hurt him. I'd like him in one piece."
Chi shook his head at his cousin with astonished incredulity. "You're sick, you know that?" Shina didn't answer. She merely rolled onto her stomach and began tanning her back.
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Kagome put away the empty food containers, as Inu Yasha stretched out beside her on the towel. She shot him a small smile, which he didn't catch with his eyes closed.
"You two can't back out of your bet! We made a pact!" Ayume objected.
"Well, he shouldn't even be in the beginner level then! They should have placed him with the intermediates or the experts. I think it was an unfair bet." Yuka crossed her arms over her chest in a stubborn fashion.
"Yeah, that's right! We were mislead! Kagome said it was his first time to surf!" Eri protested.
Kagome scowled. "It was. You were there." Beside her Inu Yasha cracked an eye to watch her back.
"Yeah, well, you had to have lied to us! There's no way he could get that good in a matter of two or three days!" Eri stated.
"Lie! I didn't lie!" Kagome fumed.
"Then maybe he lied to you." Yuka pointed out.
Kagome was now irate. "You take that back! Inu Yasha would never lie to me!"
Behind her the said hanyou sat up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Kagome…"
Ayume snorted. "Just ignore them. They're just mad, because I'm winning the bet."
Inu Yasha could scent Kagome's still present anger. He slipped an arm around her waist and drew her into his lap. She uttered a small gasp but didn't protest as he began to stroke her hair. He didn't like when she was upset, it tended to make him very angry and very protective. He shot Yuka and Eri a withering glare and growled low.
Kagome took a deep breath. "It's okay." She directed the statement at no one in particular, but they all relaxed. Inu Yasha continued his ministrations, until the announcer returned to begin the next event. He slowly moved her from his lap and frowned at her a little. She patted his cheek and smiled. "I'm fine. Go win this for me."
He smirked and kissed her brow before standing and once again approaching the water. The whistle blew and the three charged into the surf.
Eri, Yuka, and Ayume leaned close together to whisper. "She sure is protective of him." Eri admitted.
"He's protective of her too. Did you see the way he looked at us?" Yuka shivered.
"Yeah, and the way he growls, almost like an animal." Ayume added.
"He did that at the dance club too." Yuka remembered.
Ayume smiled a little. "I think it's great that he's so protective of her. It means he really cares about her. And Kagome obviously cares about him too. She wouldn't have stuck with him this long, if she didn't."
In the water, the three men were getting ready to catch their wave. Inu Yasha watched the perfect wave as it approached, growing foot by foot. At the right moment he sprang to his feet and began to move with the wave as it began to curl. Beside him the other two men did the same, but not nearly as gracefully. Shinji made a move to show off and when he did the tip of his board caught the water wrong and he went head over heels into the water.
Inu Yasha smirked and glanced over his shoulder at Fu.
Fu wasn't as foolish as Shinji, but he also knew that he had to show some style because he and his opponent were matched well as far as balance went. Fu maneuvered higher on the wave's curl and then rode it back down.
Inu Yasha scowled. 'Kagome asked to me to win this for her, so I will.' Inu Yasha performed the same stunt but lingered on the crest of the wave for a while longer before dropping back down to ride it.
Fu narrowed his eyes with determination and tried to show off another move, but the wave began to break. Caught off guard, Fu lost his balance and the board went flying as he fell backwards into the surf.
Inu Yasha grinned victoriously as he rode the wave the rest of the way to the shore. The crowd cheered and Kagome ran to him. He smirked once more as she threw her arms around his neck. 'I could get used to this.' He mused as the announcer shook his hand.
"You'll be in our finals in three days, good luck!" The man grinned and waved at the crowd. "See you tomorrow folks for the intermediate level, it begins at two o'clock!"
Kagome dragged Inu Yasha back to the group. Kitto rose and shook his hand. "Great job!"
Kagome turned to him. "I thought you were surfing too."
"I am tomorrow. I'm in the intermediate level." He glanced across the water at the sun. "Well, it's almost dark. We better head in. Will we see you two tomorrow?"
Inu Yasha nodded. "We'll be here."
Kitto nodded and helped Yuki gather their things and children and headed inside. Kagome turned to her friends with an arrogant smirk. "Yuka, Eri were you watching?"
Eri rolled her eyes. "Yes."
"Fine." Yuka added, folding her arms.
Ayume was grinning ear to ear. "Hey, I've got a great idea! Let's have a bonfire party to celebrate!"
"That's a great idea! Mom has plenty of snacks. I'll bet I can snag some stuff to make s'mores with." She turned hopeful eyes on her hanyou. "What do you say? Please?"
Inu Yasha made an annoyed face. "Whatever." Inside he was grinning. 'I can give Kagome her present tonight. It'll be perfect.'
Kagome squealed and bounced in place. "All right!"
"You go get the s'mores then and we'll grab some hot dogs. Meet you back here in a half-hour?" Ayume started gathering her things.
"Yeah." Kagome quickly did the same with their things. Ayume drug her two pouting friends away while Inu Yasha took the small cooler from Kagome. Sota trailed behind with a slightly depressed expression. Kagome noticed this as they entered the elevator. "What's wrong with you? Aren't you happy Inu Yasha won?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm glad you won, Inu Yasha." Sota plastered on the most fake smile Kagome had ever seen him use.
"What's wrong squirt? Oh, I get it! This is about Ayume's friend. She did say they were only friends. Are you jealous little bro?" Kagome couldn't help but tease him. Sota was so much younger than Ayume.
Sota crossed his arms and stuck his nose in the air in very good imitation of his hero. "I'm not jealous. So, just shut up."
Kagome coved her mouth with her hand to muffle the soft snicker that she couldn't prevent. She exchanged a look with Inu Yasha, who made a jester of rolling his eyes that was completely endearing on him.
They moved out of the elevator and along the hallway back to the suite. Inu Yasha set the cooler down in the kitchen. "I'll refill the cooler, while you clean up." Kagome pecked his cheek before pushing him toward the bedroom. Iki and Gramps were seated on the sofa.
"Where are you two off to again?" Iki asked as she headed for the kitchen.
"Oh, my friends decided we should have a beach party. Can I take the marshmallows, the gram-crackers and the chocolate bars?"
Iki chuckled. "I take it Inu Yasha won."
Kagome snorted indignantly. "Of course he did."
Iki's chuckle continued as she helped her daughter find the proper supplies. Kagome replaced the ice with a fresh batch and added a few drinks to the cooler. Inu Yasha appeared behind Kagome and nodded at Iki. "Oh, Inu Yasha could you help me with something? You can handle the rest, can't you, Kagome?"
Kagome nodded and Iki walked into her bedroom with Inu Yasha following. He made sure that Kagome didn't follow. Iki smiled as she slipped the velvet box into his hands. She smiled and tweaked his ears. "She'll love it. You two be careful, the beach can be dangerous at night."
"Feh, like I'd let any weak human lay a hand on her." He slipped the velvet box into the pocket of his jeans.
Iki smiled. "I know, but I'm a mother. I can't help but worry."
They headed back into the living room. "Are you ready, wench?" He handed Kagome his bandana.
Kagome shot Inu Yasha an annoyed gaze before nodding and fixing the bandana in place. "Let me just grab the beach bag." Kagome slung the bag over her shoulder and Inu Yasha noticed for the first time that something was sticking out of the bag with a thin towel around it.
"What's that?"
"Huh, what's what?" He pointed at the object in her bag. She chuckled. "Oh, that. It's Tetsusaiga."
"Tetsusaiga? You mean, you've been carrying that around all day?"
Kagome frowned. "Well, yes. You promised to keep it with you."
He sighed. "All right, but I'll carry it." He went to reach for and Kagome pushed his hand away.
"No, you can't walk around the beach with a sword. People will wonder. I'll carry it and if you need it, I'll have it. Okay?"
He sighed again. "Okay." He picked up the cooler. "Come on."
Kagome smiled again and followed him out the suite. It was already nearly dark by the time they arrived back at the place where they were to meet the others. The three girls weren't far behind. Yuka grouched. "And what are we going to burn for a bonfire?"
"Inu Yasha and I will go gather some wood." Kagome suggested. The couple went off to gather wood, while the three girls set out the towels. It wasn't long before Kagome and Inu Yasha returned, both with an arm load. Inu Yasha set to work arranging the wood.
"Did anyone think to bring something to light the fire with?" Eri asked. The four girls looked at one another. No one had thought to bring anything.
Inu Yasha snorted. "I got it." The fire sprung to life as he struck two rocks together. The sun had already set and the sky was growing dark. Ayume turned on the little boom-box she'd brought.
"I hope you guys don't mind. I invited some of the guys who were on the beach today." Yuka announced.
Eri and Ayume shrugged. "Whatever." As if on cue, three guys walked up to the now glowing fire.
Yuka smiled up at them. "You guys remember Jake and Fu, right? They were in the competition today. Eri, look what I found, while you were pouting in the room."
Eri looked up with a bored expression and then her eyes lit up as they landed on Kimaru. She smiled. "Hey, what are you doing here?"
He smiled and sat beside her. "Oh, I was in the neighborhood."
Jake and Fu sat down between Yuka and Ayume. The two boys looked across the fire at Inu Yasha. "You're pretty good. Are you sure, you're a beginner?" Fu asked.
"Yep, I learned three days ago." Inu Yasha had moved back from the fire and pulled Kagome into his lap. She leaned against him, devouring the warmth and protection he provided.
Jake watched them, his eyes lingering on Kagome a little too long for Inu Yasha's liking. "Three days, huh?"
"Yeah." He growled.
Jake wisely turned his attention to Ayume, who sat to his left. He began small talk with her. The radio played soft and low as the group began conversing. Kagome smiled as she rested quiet and content in her beloved's arms. His arms tightened around her. Her slight weight in his lap felt so right and her tiny frame cradled in his arms felt perfect. He dipped his head and pressed his nose against her neck.
'She smells so good. Kami, Kagome, you have no idea what you do to me.'
She sighed softly and let her head fall to the side, giving him more access to the skin of her neck. He rumbled softly at her action and placed warm kisses along her burning flesh. He could feel her pulse quicken under his lips and he nipped at her ear playfully with his fangs. Kagome took in a sharp breath and forced herself not to moan. He smelt the sharp spike in her scent and his rumbling grew. As he placed another series of kisses along her neck, he realized something was missing.
He sat up and Kagome looked up at him with a quizzical pout. "What's wrong?"
He glanced across the fire at their companions. Not one was paying them any attention. They all seemed deep in conversation. He looked back down at Kagome, who was still watching him. "Close your eyes." She blinked at him in confusion. "Just do it, okay?" She did as she was told and closed her eyes. Inu Yasha carefully pulled the velvet box from his pocket. He opened it and turned it so the light from the fire caught it just right, holding it before her. "Open your eyes, Kagome."
She did. The sharp intake of breath and the shiver that he felt go through her, told him without words how much she liked it. "Inu…Yasha….how did you….when did you….wow…"
"Do you like it?" His breath was warm in her ear.
She turned to stare at him. Unshed tears dampened her eyes. "Do I like it? Do I like it?" She threw her arms around his neck and they toppled backwards in the sand. She covered his lips with hers in a passionate kiss that sent his senses reeling. When she released his lips and pushed herself up just a little, he clutched her tightly to him. "I love it. But you know what? I'd love anything as long as it came from you."
He smirked. "Does that mean you don't want it? Your mom was eyeing it pretty hard."
She smiled. "You don't have to give me things. You're enough to make me happy."
He turned serious as he sat up and pulled her back into his lap. "You deserve beautiful things, Kagome. You deserve everything I can give you and more." He cupped her cheek and brushed away the single tear that escaped her eyes.
"Inu Yasha…"
"Shhh…" He pressed a finger to her lips and pulled the shimmering necklace from the box. He slipped the chain around her neck and fixed the clasp. He placed the ring on her left hand ring finger. "Call it a promise, a promise that I will always be here, that I will always protect you, always love you." Not familiar with the traditions of the modern day, he was surprised as more tears filled her eyes.
Kagome threw her arms around him and buried her face in his hair. "I love you too, with all my heart and soul."
The two were unaware of the small audience they'd acquired, since their tumble in the sand, until Ayume couldn't contain herself any longer. "Aw, that's so romantic."
Inu Yasha's cheeks blazed red as Kagome peeked shyly over her shoulder from her place on his shoulder. His arms unconsciously wrapped tighter around her.
Yuka rolled her eyes. "Ayume, you big-mouth. It was just getting interesting."
"That's sick!" Inu Yasha snapped.
The three girls giggled as Inu Yasha drug Kagome to her feet with him. "We're going for a walk." Taking her hand, he started to pull her away from the fire.
"Wait!" Kagome held her ground.
"What now?" He grumbled.
"The beach bag."
"Leave it."
"You promised."
He blinked then frowned before stomping over to the bag and snatching Tetsusaiga out of it. "Fine, let's go." He grabbed her wrist but this time she didn't protest as he pulled her from the fire light.
Jake blinked after them. "Did he just have a sword?"
"I think so." Fu agreed.
"What do you think he's going to do with that?" Eri asked.
"I seriously doubt he'll go after Kagome with that thing." Ayume assured her.
"I hope your right." Yuka interjected.
Inu Yasha stomped down the beach with Kagome in tow. She understood he was embarrassed, but did he have to get so angry. "Inu Yasha? Inu Yasha, stop!" He didn't stop, only continued to put distance between them and the fire. "Inu Yasha! You're hurting me!" He stopped abruptly and turned toward her as she jerked her wrist free. She rubbed it vigorously.
His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Had his ears been exposed they would have flattened against his skull. "Oh, kami, Kagome I'm sorry." Slipping Tetsusaiga into his belt, he took her hand gently to examine her wrist in the near pitch darkness.
"It's okay. It didn't hurt that bad. You just worried me." She tried to reassure him as he rubbed a gentle thumb over the slightly pink flesh.
He raised his sad and guilty gaze to hers. "I'm sorry. I guess they just got to me."
She slipped her arms around his waist. "Let's forget about them for now. Come on." He smiled down at her and stroked a hand through her midnight hair, before allowing her to lead him down the beach. He held her hand and continued to rub gently at her 'injured' wrist. After a while of walking, Kagome pointed into the sky. "Look. The new moon is tomorrow night."
He frowned at the sliver of moon that remained. "Do you mind if we stay in tomorrow night?"
Kagome frowned as well, but she nodded. "Okay."
Inu Yasha suddenly stopped and looked around as he began to growl. He sniffed the air. 'I know that scent.' He narrowed his gaze and tried to make out something moving in the darkness. It approached slowly and methodically. He pushed Kagome protectively behind him. "What do you want?"
The response came in the form of a shattering jar at his feet. The sea breeze whipped around them spreading the vapor that rose from it quickly. Inu Yasha stepped back and tried to cover his nose, but he didn't have his fire rat cloak on. Normally his hoari would prevent him from sucking in the poison, but without it he couldn't prevent it from seeping into his lungs. He held his breath and grabbed Kagome around the waist. With a powerful push off the ground he sprang free of the vapor.
As he landed, he fell to one knee and began to cough. The intruder approached them. And Kagome gasped as she recognized him. She wrapped a protective arm around Inu Yasha's shoulders as he coughed violently. "Inu Yasha!" She glared over his head at Hojo. "How dare you!" If looks could kill, Hojo would have died a thousand torturous and very ugly deaths right then and there.
Hojo glared back. "Do you see, now? Do you see what he is? That powder only affects demons!"
Inu Yasha finally coughed up a large black chunk. He growled and pushed himself off the ground. "Damn you."
Kagome clutched his arm as he stood. "It doesn't matter what he is, he's a better man than you'll ever be!"
Hojo took a step back in shock. "So he is a demon?"
Inu Yasha trembled in fury. "You idiot, you didn't know and you used that shit on me!" He snatched the bandana from his head, revealing his frustrated dog ears.
Hojo gasped and looked to Kagome. She made no reaction of surprise or horror, which shook him to his core. "You mean, you knew what he was and you're still with him?"
She continued to glare, anger boiling under the surface. "What is that suppose to mean! Of course, I'm with him! I love him!"
'I thought maybe he had some kind of control over her. Now I know he does.' Hojo tried to reason with her. "Kagome, what will your mother think when she discovers you're with a demon?"
Kagome and Inu Yasha snorted at the same time. Inu Yasha folded his arms. "You're a fool. She knows what I am."
"And she loves Inu Yasha, too." Kagome added.
Hojo narrowed his eyes and took a step forward. "Don't be stupid, demons are dangerous." He went to grab for her, but jerked his hand back when Inu yasha slashed at it with his claws.
The hanyou snarled and Kagome took a step behind him. "Don't touch her! And don't you dare call her stupid!" He smirked evilly. 'Only I can do that.'
Hojo stepped back and frowned. 'I don't get it. Why would she want to be with a demon, especially when she has me?' He locked eyes with the miko, who peeked around her hanyou. "Kagome…" His frown deepened and the sadness in his eyes struck her. "I'm trying to protect you, please."
Kagome gasped at the totally distraught look in his eyes, but she shook her head. "I appreciate the gesture, but I don't need your protection, especially not from Inu Yasha."
"Listen to me, Kagome." He took another hesitant step forward.
Inu Yasha snarled again and pushed Kagome further behind him. "Don't talk to her! Talk to me!"
Kagome rubbed her hand soothingly over the twitching muscles in his back. She stood on her toes to look over his shoulder. "You should go, Hojo. And don't come back. Next time, he may hurt you." Her voice held a matter-of-fact tone.
Hojo frowned. "Is that really what you want? He's not manipulating you, is he?"
"No, he's not! And yes this is exactly what I want!"
Hojo lowered his eyes and took a deep breath. "Now I know how he felt."
The couple looked at him strangely. Inu Yasha snorted. "Who?"
"My ancestor, he once found a beautiful maiden and fell in love with her, but she loved another-a demon. Now, I know how he must have felt." The couple stared at him, knowing exactly whom he spoke of. Hojo's head dropped another notch before he turned and walked away.
Kagome stepped out from behind Inu Yasha and sighed. "Maybe we were a bit hard on him."
"What! He just used poison powder on me!" His ears twitched furiously.
Kagome turned concerned eyes on him. "You're okay, right?"
"Feh." He turned his back on her and crossed his arms. "You don't seem to care."
Kagome stomped around to face him. "Of course, I care! Don't be ridiculous!" His ears flattened as she pulled him down to her face by his forelocks. She growled at him. "If you're hurt, you better tell me!"
"I ain't hurt, wench!" He grabbed her wrist to pry her hands away and winced when she flinched. 'Damn it, I forgot about her wrist!' His eyes softened. "I'm fine, okay?"
Kagome sighed and released his hair. "Okay." She turned away from him. "Let's go back."
"Kagome…" He caught her elbow and pulled her back to him. "I'm sorry." It sounded pathetic, but he wasn't able to find the words to reveal what he felt, so he dipped his head and captured her lips.
Kagome swooned as he pressed her against him. His lips were warm and soft, and the kiss was gentle and rough in the same moment. Kagome couldn't prevent the moan that escaped her. Slowly he pulled away and Kagome was sure her legs were too weak to hold her. The haze of passion slowly lifted from her eyes and she smiled. "I forgive you."
"Good, but I can do some more convincing if you want."
"Mmm, maybe I could use a little more."
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A/N: I hope you all liked this chapter. Come on, you guys knew Inu would win right? I wouldn't let him loose. Feh. And as I said I don't think Hojo's character is very developed so I tried to make him a little more realistic. It may be a little OCC for him. He was never meant to be a villain. He was only meant to show a little more emotion and roundedness than in the manga or anime. And by the way thanks for the great reviews!
