Update Dates: Sundays and Thursdays

Undeniable Love
Chapter 9 - Home

By: Scaevola
Published 8/25/05
Updated 9/22/05

Several days had passed, and InuYasha showed no signs of reverting back to his hanyou form, nor did Kagome show any signs of regaining consciousness. Miroku and Shippo were worried about Kagome, but unfortunately they couldn't get close enough to her to tell anything other than that she was alive. InuYasha was still just as protective of Kagome as before, growling and flexing his claws when Miroku or Shippo stepped to close.

Sango was the only one he seemed to trust enough to allow her near Kagome. He'd even began allowing Sango to tend to her wounds and change her bandages, while he would either tend to his own wounds that he had received from Koga, or stay close by to make sure nobody came near Kagome.

The group had all been watching InuYasha closely as he protected Kagome day and night, and couldn't help but wonder if he would remember any of this afterwards. And if he did remember, how would he act towards Kagome now?

It was on the fourth day of traveling when InuYasha and the others finally reached InuYasha's forest. Miroku and Sango were relieved that they had not encountered any problems on the way home, and that now Kagome and InuYasha would get proper treatment at Kaede's village.

"Miroku." Sango taped the monk on the shoulder, trying to get his attention.

"Hmm?" he answered, keeping his eyes on the hanyou ahead of them. He'd been studying the hanyou constantly, both fascinated and slightly frightened by the behavior he saw in his friend.

"I need you to take Kirara to Kaede's hut and tell her about what happened. Have her meet us just outside of the village so that she can care for Kagome."

"Why do you want her to come out of the village?" asked Miroku.

Sango sighed. Why couldn't he just do what she asked and not ask questions for once? "Because I don't think InuYasha will take Kagome into the village willingly."

"Ah yes. You're probably right. I'll do what you ask Sango, but on one condition." His hand slowly started to drift over to Sango.

"Don't even think about it monk! Just GO!" she balled her hand up into a fist and raised it, ready to beat the monk into unconsciousness.

"Okay okay! I was only kidding, Sango!" he held his hands up in front of his face, hoping to block any blows that Sango would throw at him.

"Get going you pervert!"

Miroku nodded and got onto Kirara, who took off towards the village.

Shippo jumped onto Sango shoulder. "When do you think Kagome will wake up?"

Sango only sighed. "I don't know Shippo, but I hope it's soon."

When they finally neared the outskirts of the village, Kaede was already waiting for them with Miroku and Kirara. The old priestess told InuYasha to set the girl down so that she may care for her, but he ignored her and kept walking, carefully holding Kagome in his arms. Kaede made to follow him, but stopped when InuYasha growled at her showed her his claws.

Kaede's eyes widened as she realized how injured InuYasha was, but then she noticed his red eyes and the purple streaks across his face. She'd never seen InuYasha like this before. "InuYasha, what has happened to you?"

"He's in his full demon form Kaede-sama." explained Sango. "He's been that way ever since he fought with Koga, and refuses to let Kagome out of his sight. I was so relieved that we reached the village that I forgot that he probably wouldn't let you near her."

Kaede nodded slowly, watching as the hanyou turned and continued walking away. "So InuYasha has cared for her this whole time?"

Miroku spoke up from behind her. "Yes. Well...not entirely, he allows Sango near Kagome, but everyone else he tries to kill. I just can't see why he doesn't trust me." said

"Well it's obvious why he doesn't trust you, Miroku, you are a pervert!" Sango huffed and glared at the monk.

"I have Kagome's bests interests in mind!" exclaimed Miroku.

"Yes that and the idea of seeing her half naked when you bandage her up!" shouted Sango.

Miroku didn't answer. He actually hadn't been thinking of anything perverted, and was being completely serious before. He found it slightly insulting, and hurtful that Sango didn't believe he had the ability to not be perverted. Silently, he vowed to prove Sango wrong.

Suddenly Shippo, who had left before to follow InuYasha, ran back up to the others. "Sango! Miroku! InuYasha just jumped into the well with Kagome!"

Miroku looked thoughtful. "Hmm...perhaps InuYasha's demon side isn't the mindless killer we thought it was."

"No, I guess not." agreed Sango.

"After all, Kagome's time undoubtedly has better medicines and she'll also be more comfortable there. She'll heal much better in her time." said Miroku, absently playing with his prayer beads.

"Yes, and her family is there too, so they'll know what happened." added Kaede.

Unfortunately, things weren't about to turn out as well as they hoped.

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The sun had risen several hours ago, yet the clouds in the sky blocked it's bright rays from the battered blade that lay forgotten on the ground. A tall figured emerged from the mist, followed by smaller companions.

As the people came closer, their features became more clear. The taller one, a youkai, walked at a steady pace, his face giving off no emotion as he took in his surroundings. They were walking along a cliff side. High above them large birds circled, looking for a rabbit or mouse for their morning meal. The two behind the youkai were a small toad demon carrying a large wooden staff, and a young human girl, apparently of no importance.

They followed just behind the tall demon, arguing with each other loudly. The toad demon was so caught up in what he was saying that he didn't notice his lord stop and walked right into him.

"L-Lord Sesshomaru! Why did you stop?" he asked, slightly afraid that he had angered his lord in some way.

His lord said nothing, instead he swiftly walked over to a large rock at the base of the cliff. He reached down, as thought to grab something, before he quickly withdrew his hands.

"InuYasha..." Sesshomaru said it so quietly that it sounded as if he had only sighed. He then raised his voice so that the others could hear him clearly. "Rin." he called.

The young girl looked up, happy that her lord was speaking with her. "Yes, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Come here." He waited for the girl to skip over to him. "Take this. I can not carry it." Rin looked down to see an old sword at her lords feet. She smiled at the chance to be able to help her lord. "Hai, Sesshomaru-sama!" She picked up the sword and held it to her chest.

Behind her, the toad demon sputtered. "Isn't that the Tetsusaiga?"

Again, Sesshomaru ignored the toad demon. instead he merely began to walk away.

The human and the toad demon quickly fell in behind him and soon resumed their bickering.

'Why do you not have Tetsusaiga, InuYasha?' Thought Sesshomaru. Normally, he'd be glad that he had found Tetsusaiga, and had the chance to keep it. Instead, he was disturbed to find the sword simply laying there, as if forgotten. He would have to see his brother for answers.

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Koga eyed the miko in front of him as she led him away from his den, and his companions. He didn't entirely trust her, and began to grow nervous as he kept following her farther and farther away from the den.

He wouldn't let her know he was nervous though. Oh no, that would be humiliating. Instead, he grabbed on to her shoulder, pulling her to a stop.

"Where are we going?" he demanded.

"Just a bit further." she answered, immediately resuming her steady pace.

Koga growled, uneasy with the situation, but followed the miko anyway.

They soon came a densely wooded area when the miko stopped. She turned and regarded him with her searching gaze. Koga inwardly shivered. He'd never admit it, but the miko was frightening.

He'd been wondering for awhile about how InuYasha got away from the miko, and neither of them seemed to be harmed. That was the main reason he didn't trust the miko. If she had been harmed somehow, he would know that there had actually been a conflict. But at the moment, it only seemed as if she had backstabbed him.

He kept his eyes on her, making sure she didn't make any sudden movement. He tensed, ready to run just incase.

Finally, she spoke. "I have someone I want you to meet. He can help us get what we both want. However, he wants something in return."

"Who is he and what does he want? I don't want to wait all day." said Koga, growing very irritated with the over calm miko.

"Patience Koga." laughed a third voice from behind him. Koga spun around to come face to face with Naraku.

"You!" he snarled, readying to tear his claws through the evil demon.

"Yes, me." Naraku smirked. "But I wouldn't suggest attacking me Koga. At least, not until you have at least listened to the deal."

Koga said nothing, still ready for battle. He simply nodded his head, telling Naraku to go on.

Naraku and Kikyo began to explain what they had in mind. It could work. Koga could still have Kagome, Kikyo would have InuYasha, all for handing over the jewel shards that Kagome had. As Koga listened to the plan, he began to smile. There was no way this plan could fail.

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Mrs. Higurashi listened on while Hojo and her father talked during lunch. The two got along very well it seemed. Sota sighed as he sat at the table, looking slightly bored of the discussion.

Of course, Mrs. Higurashi couldn't complain. Hojo and her father were currently talking about herbal remedies and ancient cures that they were familiar with.

Mrs. Higurashi stood and excused herself from the kitchen. Silently thankful that she had managed to escape the torture of listening to her father go on about things from the past. She started to walk up the stairs, heading into Kagome's room.

She almost screamed when she saw a figured standing over Kagome, who was laying on her bed. It took Mrs. Higurashi a moment to realize that it was InuYasha. He looked different; he had blood red eyes and long fangs and claws, with markings across his face. She wouldn't have recognized him if it weren't for his long silver hair.

Then she remembered. Kagome had told her once about InuYasha's transformations; about how his appearance would change slightly and he would become a crazed demon, pleasuring himself by killing others.

The hanyou looked up at Mrs Higurashi, growling and baring his fangs at her. Suddenly, he stopped, his once threatening look changing into one of recognition. He sniffed the air slightly before taking a step towards Mrs. Higurashi, and sniffing her.

Mrs. Higurashi would have laughed while InuYasha sniffed her, but she was too scared. Finally, the hanyou stopped sniffing her and grabbed her hand, pulling her over to the bed and showing her Kagome.

Mrs. Higurashi gasped and knelt at the bed. "What happened InuYasha? What happened to my baby girl?"

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