Chapter Seven: Afraid

Kagome pulled herself off the ground and onto the saddle. The Horse beneath her let out a whinny at the added weight. She pulled back on the harness gently as she adjusted herself. She was preparing to gallop at full speed when her grandmother's voice stopped her.

"Kagome! Get down from that horse." Kagome shook her head as she looked down at Kaede. Her brother was behind them trying to calm the panicked villagers.

"He's got her, the demon has Rin! I need to go after them!"

"Nay child. Ye can not venture out into the forest alone at night. A wounded Priestess is a dead Priestess."

Kagome grumbled at the comment. Her sides ached as did her throat, but she couldn't just sit back. "My wounds aren't serious and besides I'm still the strongest one at the Shrine, I have to go to her or Rin will be lost to us. The longer we wait the harder it'll be to track them down!"

Sota overheard the argument, he left the crowd mid-rant and said "Grandmother's right, this demon is too strong for you to fight alone...let me come too."

Both women were shocked at Sota's request. In all his days as a Priest he had always been timid and shied away from confrontation, but he was offering himself now of all times?

"It's my fault." He said, reading their expressions "I was suppose to protect Rin and I let her run off...It's my responsibility to bring her back."

Kagome let out a sharp sigh as she said "No Sota. I need you here, as long as the barrier is down the whole village is at risk. Keep them calm and hidden. I will be back before sunrise.

This is foolish child, do ye wish to meet an early grave?" Kaede shot back, leaning forward as though to grab Kagome and yank her down to the ground. Kagome looked back at her grandmother, agitation laced her features as she barked "We don't have time for this!"

Before her loved ones could respond, Kagome kicked the horse's side harshly and it took off at full speed. She didn't flinch at the sounds of Sota's calls or the panicked cries of the villagers.

All she could focus on was the demonic energy that was fleeting.

Kagome gripped the reigns and whipped them to the back of the horse's neck, indicating that it should move faster. The horse complied as it continued to run, moving faster and faster at each whip, but Kagome couldn't let up from the boorish whipping, she was too frazzled.

Sesshomaru took Rin, and she went with him freely, happily! She'd never want to return to the Shrine as long as Sesshomaru wanted her with him...and the expression on his face, he was so relieved to see her safe.

"He cares for her, but really cares.

There was also the fact that she was discovered. Her scent was mixed with Inuyasha's. How does he even know Inuyasha?!

So many questions and complications all woven into one massive event. All she knew was that Rin was her only chance, she couldn't give her away...even if she forces two people to loose their own happiness.

She frustratingly whipped the horse, begging him to move faster. The animal was now running at top speed, its breaths were taken in sharp pants as it galloped through the forest's path.

Then suddenly, a flash of red appeared along side them. Instantly the horse released a fearful cry and before Kagome could slow it down or calm it, the horse began roughly bucking.

All at once she was flung from the saddle. She was prepared to hit the ground and the pain that would follow...but it never came. Kagome found herself wrapped in a warm embrace of red. She landed softly against a muscular chest, her cheek pressing firmly to a broad shoulder as they skidded to a stop, safely on the ground.

"Hesitantly she opened her eyes and found both beautiful and startled gold. The hands placed on her hip and shoulder tightened and brought her forward. Her face was only inches from his.

"Kagome..." her name was spoken though shaking lips, for the name alone was spoken with such untrained worry. Her daze was slowly subsiding, and after a brief moment she was able to mutter "...I-Inuyasha."

He was relieved at her response, but instantly asked "Where are you hurt?" His hands frantically roamed her body in search of any and all injuries she could have. But Kagome couldn't speak, she merely stared at him in disbelief. The shock of it all seemed to etch deeper and deeper into her mind.

In sheer worry, Inuyasha took in a deep inhale of her scent. He found no source of blood but the stench of his damned brother all over her skin. The demon within him stirred in pure untrained rage.

The bastard had the audacity to touch his woman...his mate! The one living person in this world he loved and would protect with his life, was touched by another demon. A demon that he hated with every fibre of his being.

Kagome, unaware of Inuyasha's inner turmoil, took in her sudden surroundings. Slowly, tears began to form in her eyes. Her breath began to quicken and she gripped the robe of the fire-rat that covered Inuyasha's chest.

"Kagome?" He asked again from his concert, but that was all he managed to say before Kagome let out a mournful cry.

"I-Inuyasha...I'm s-so...so s-sorry." She hiccuped between her harsh cries "I-I couldn't...I couldn't protect her." Inuyasha sat back, stunned. Kagome, his strong and unbreakable Priestess was crumbling in his arms. He had seen her cry, but only three times.

"He took Rin...she w-was our only...only chance. I-I failed you!"

Her cries came to a halt as Inuyasha crushed her against his broad chest. A deep growl rumbled from his throat as his arms caged tightly around her. Kagome laid limply in his arms, but as she was pulled back she found Inuyasha's eyes intensely staring into her.

"Kagome..." He growled out "This was not your fault." Kagome huffed and pulled her eyes to the ground. "I should have been prepared. That demon..."

She paused when she felt Inuyasha's hands gently brush over her injured throat. The skin was still tender as it turned from her pale coloured skin to a dark and ugly blueish-purple. Kagome couldn't hold back the wince that escaped her lips. When she looked back, her breath was stolen from her.

Inuyasha's eyes burned ed at the sight of her bruised neck. Kagome inwardly cringed. She loved that he was protective of her, but at times he could be dangerously possessive.

He barred his fangs as he growled "I'm going to KILL that bastard!"

Kagome only gulped and returned his embrace, nuzzling her way into his neck. Inuyasha turned into her and gently kissed her temple. Her shoulders began to shake as the tears quickly returned.

"I don't think you can...I've never come across such a powerful being." Inuyasha huffed and replied still growling "Sesshomaru might be totally ruthless, but that won't stop me from taring him to shreds."

"Kagome let out a soft gasp at the sound of the demon's name. Her cries came to a stop and Inuyasha thought he was out of the woods. That was until Kagome pulled back and showed the fury within her brown depths.
"You emknow/em him!" He shrunk two full sizes at the nearly demonic voice Kagome imitated "He took one whiff of me and caught your scent! Who is he?!"

"Inuyasha's ears were pinned to his scull at her close ranged shrieks. He took a hesitant breath before mumbling "Well...we're kind of related."

Kagome gapped and asked, totally deadpanned "What?"

"Yeah...we shared a father." He said a bit sheepishly. Kagome was silent for a millisecond before shouting "That maniac is you BROTHER?!"

Inuyasha groaned and clarified "Half, half brother."

"Are you seriously telling me that I was almost killed by my future brother-in-law?! You never told me you had a brother! I-I thought you didn't have any family."

Inuyasha sighed, turning his gaze away from her. Kagome was still positioned in his lap as he pulled her just a bit closer. "Well I don't. I don't consider that ass-hole as my family...he was never there for me. I've lost count at how many times he's tried to kill me for Tetsusaiga.

Kagome blinked as she repeated "Tetsusaiga?" He nodded, absently grabbing the hilt of the sword. "When father died he bequeathed it to me. Sesshomaru was pissed cause all he got was Tenseiga. It brings your loved ones back from the dead...but he doesn't love anything.

Kagome chewed her lip, somehow knowing that those words weren't true. She took her anger back a bit, she couldn't say she was surprised that Inuyasha hadn't told her about his so called half-brother. Inuyasha was always holding back and he never told her the whole truth. There was still so much about his past that she didn't know.

Bringing her soft hands to the side of his face, she gently brushed his bangs from his eyes, forcing them back to her. They shared a tender look before Inuyasha said "Tell me what he did to you."

"Kagome gently pressed her palm to Inuyasha's cheek and rubbed her thumb over his tanned skin. He was always very concerned for her, but that was only half of their problem.

"He knows Inuyasha..." she said, effectively dodging his question. "He knows everything. Even if we do manage to get Rin back he could expose us!"

Inuyasha scuffed and said "Like the villagers would trust the words of a demon over their own Priestess. Besides, I'll cut out his tongue before I let that happen.

Well, he had a pain there. Demons weren't even allowed in the village. Still, Kagome couldn't help but worry. The tension and the fear racked through her body, she closed her eyes to try and calm herself.

If her family ever found out, then Inuyasha would be killed, all because she couldn't abandon her post. The guilt would eat her alive if that ever happened.

At this point she wasn't even upset at the fact that Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were brothers, nor the fact that she was so useless in her fight with Sesshomaru. What really overwhelmed her was that Rin was so far out of reach.

That sweet, innocent girl was holding hands with a deal creature. She had no idea how to get Rin away from such a demon. The stress was about to boil over, Kagome could hardly keep herself together. She always had to be strong, never being allowed to make mistakes or even fumble cause the lives of her people would be at stack is she had...and now every last one of them were all in danger.

But all at once, every negative emotion and frightening thought faded away as soft lips covered her own.

Inuyasha could see what was happening. She was mortified at everything that was happening, so to keep her calm he did the one thing he knew would distract and please her.

With great care, Inuyasha laid Kagome onto the ground. Carefully maneuvering her so that she was lying directly beneath him. Their mouths were still connected as Kagome held his shoulders tightly.

Slowly, he lifted from her lips and looked down at her sweetly flushed face. He leaned against her forehead and whispered "I promise...I'll get her back to you.

Her lips began quivering as she whispered "I'm afraid..." And she was.

Throughout all the hardships of her life, the events of that night all weighed down on her shoulders and it made her feel as weak as glass. As though her life, her love, her very being could shatter upon the impact.

Inuyasha said nothing, his eyes spoke for him. Gazing down at her, he soothed her every fear and worry by silently telling her that he'd never let such a thing happen. He was her mate, and he vowed to keep her, protect her and love her.

"Stupid...you should know that I'd take care of you." Small tears entered her eyes as she pulled him back down and took his lips again.

Returning her kiss, Kagome knew that she would be strong enough to rescue Rin and face Sesshomaru a second time. Only by having Inuyasha by her side could she even think such a thing were even possible. With him, she would never be afraid.

"Wow! That took forever!

I am so sorry that it took me so long to post this, but the website wouldn't let me update my chapter for about a month of trying I finally broke through and I present this to you, don't worry I'll be much more determined to complete this, we're just beginning ;)

Thanks so much for all of you support!

~InuKaglover15~