Note: AH! So many reviews. I'm so happy. So as promised I'm giving you a chapter. Sorry, I would have given it earlier in the day, but I had to baby-sit my sister's kids which resulted in me sleeping over there, then my whole family went to this thing that was all day long….I haven't even been home for a half hour and I already jumped for the computer to update. So here it is. Once again, looking forward to reviews. Damn believe it or not I was very tempted to put up the chapter on Wednesday, but sadly I didn't….OO people! Congratulate me, I got my learners yesterday! Wahooo! Now I can actually drive a car in the city….people beware. :D. Alright read and review people. Looking forward to reading them

Chapter sixteen- Inu vs. Sess

"SESSHOUMARU!" cried an angry voice.

Kagome was quick to recognize it and turned to see a white haired, dog-eared, and red clothed pissed off hanyou looking in their direction and she gasped "Inuyasha"

Inuyasha was relieved when he saw Kagome in one piece and not a single scratch on her, but just to make sure "Kagome, are you alright?"

Kagome was too shocked to respond verbally, but she nodded her head and moved a little close to Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru didn't fail to notice this and he looked down at her. He could tell by her expression and body language she was not ready to see the hanyou yet.

Inuyasha unsheathed tetsusaiga and glared at his brother "give me back Kagome"

Sesshoumaru only smirked "if only she were ready to go back Inuyasha, but I don't believe she is"

Inuyasha was very confused by his half-brother's words 'what the hell is he talking about now?' he wondered. He looked at Kagome who seemed to stunned to move 'he's been scaring her' he concluded and resumed glaring at his brother "you bastard"

Sesshoumaru watched as his brother came towards him, ready to attack 'what a fool' he thought as he pulled out toukijin. He then noticed he was very close to Kagome and he looked at his brother who was still charging 'the fool is going to endanger her life just to get her back'

Inuyasha watched as his brother suddenly disappeared from Kagome's side and he immediately stopped his charge and started looking around "where'd he go?"

"You're very predictable, Inuyasha" said a voice from behind.

Inuyasha went to turn around, but suddenly found himself on the ground "Chikusho!" he quickly stood back up and tried to lunge at where his brother was standing behind him, but was knocked back to the ground. He looked back up "give me Kagome, you bastard!"

"The question is brother; does she even want to come back?" Sesshoumaru taunted.

Inuyasha was quick to notice those were the same words Sesshoumaru had said when he had taken Shippo.

Sesshoumaru noticed his brother's movements slowed 'so predictable' he mused before attacking straight on.

Inuyasha saw the attack coming and quickly used tetsusaiga to force his brother back. He smirked when he saw that it had worked.

Kagome finally snapped out of her shocked state and saw what was happened 'oh no, they'll kill each other!' she worried. She had come to see Sesshoumaru as a kind man…well somewhat kind man and she did not want to see him get hurt, but she still had some feelings towards Inuyasha and didn't want him to get hurt either 'I have to stop this, but how?' she wondered. Then an idea came to mind, it was a dumb one, but an idea nonetheless. Without another thought she quickly ran in front of Sesshoumaru with her arms out stretched just as Inuyasha was about to use the final attack.

Inuyasha saw her, but it was too late and he had released the attack. He panicked "Kagome! Get out of the way!"

Sesshoumaru looked up to see Kagome standing in front of him 'she's trying to protect me?' he thought. He saw Inuyasha release the most powerful attack of tetsusaiga and Sesshoumaru noticed he stood a better chance of surviving it because he was a taiyoukai and he also had tenseiga to keep him safe. Without thinking he quickly stood up and pulled her behind him. He saw the attack coming, any minute it would hit. He glanced at Kagome "run!" he ordered.

Kagome gave a worried nod, but ran behind a tall nearby tree. She watched as tetsusaiga's most powerful attack hit Sesshoumaru directly. Dirt and dust flew up and covered up her view of what was happening. Kagome felt panic rush through her and she could only hope Sesshoumaru was all right. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Rin and Shippo running towards her oh no! her mind screamed. Shippo was used to seeing the fights, but she had learned Rin had never been subject to watch one and it wasn't a good idea for her first one to see be one with her fatherly figure getting killed. "Shippo!" she yelled "Don't let Rin see!"

Shippo stopped his running and nodded. He didn't know what going on, but it was obvious Sesshoumaru was fighting with someone and could possibly be losing. He quickly halted Rin by grabbing her hand "come on, we better do as Kagome says"

Rin frowned, but nodded "okay, but what is happening?"

Shippo shrugged "I don't know, but Kagome obviously doesn't want you to see and I guess that means me as well"

Rin nodded again "okay, where will we go?"

Shippo thought for a moment "let's go get Edoksu-sama"

Rin agreed "hai" and together they ran off into the castle as quickly as they could.

Kagome watched the kids run off and was relieved they wouldn't have to see. She then looked back to see the dust was settling. She didn't like the sight she saw though.

Sesshoumaru was badly wounded, just barely standing on his own, but looked like he'd fall over at any second. Inuyasha on the other hand, was smirking, seeming very proud of himself. Inuyasha looked at Kagome "come on, let's go"

Kagome looked at him for a moment before looking at the now very weak taiyoukai "I can't, I'm not ready"

Inuyasha blinked "nani?"

Kagome shook her head "I can't go with you"

"Kagome!" the hanyou yelled, "Sesshoumaru is weak and we can go, so let's hurry before people come to collect him"

"No!" She yelled back "I won't go"

Inuyasha sighed "Kagome, you're not his prisoner anymore"

Again, Kagome shook her head "I never was Inuyasha, I went with him willingly to help Rin who was sick after I…saw you busy with Kikyo"

Inuyasha blinked 'when did she see me with Kikyo?' he wondered, but quickly shook his head from the thought "Kagome, we have shards to find"

"I know" she replied "but I'm not ready yet"

Inuyasha took a few angry steps towards her, but was suddenly felt something collide with his face, the force knocked him back and he fell on the ground. He looked up to see Sesshoumaru with his fist balled up.

Sesshoumaru growled, "Leave if you value your life" he winced at the pain that he felt all over his body.

Kagome frowned and placed a hand on the taiyoukai to help keep him steady before looking up at the hanyou "I think you best go Inuyasha. Tell Sango and Miroku that I'll be back after the youkai ball and we'll start shard hunting again. Also Shippo is fine and with me"

Inuyasha blinked in amazement that Sesshoumaru was defending Kagome and was even letting her touch him. He looked at Kagome "he could be tricking you, ya know?"

Kagome gave a small smile "I know he isn't. Sesshoumaru-sama has been nothing, but nice to me during my stay with him"

Sesshoumaru growled at Kagome for complimenting him as a good guy instead of the murderous demon he was to his stupid half-breed brother, but he also could help, but feel enlightened that Kagome was sticking up for him even after he had tried to kill her all those times before.

Kagome quickly looked at him 'he doesn't want Inuyasha to know that he has developed a heart for humans' she figured. Kagome knew that he may not be showing it, but Sesshoumaru had come to care for humans. Though it was apparent that the only human he cared for was Rin. Kagome remembered him taking the force of tetsusaiga for her…and maybe now he had found that she wasn't all-bad either.

Inuyasha watched the display before him 'Sesshoumaru is acting different, but why?' he wondered. He shook his head and decided he would leave that question to think about later "Kagome, are you sure you won't come back with me?"

Kagome looked at him and nodded "yes, I promised I would stay at the youkai ball for it's the northern lord's wish"

Inuyasha blinked 'Naylor wanted to see Kagome? And have her stay at the youkai ball?' He wondered 'apparently I have missed a lot' again he mentally shook his head "alright, I'll tell Sango and Miroku, but I expect some answers when you come back"

Kagome smiled and nodded, but deep down she couldn't erase the image of him kissing Kikyo. She watched as he quickly left just as Edoksu came out with the children.

Rin saw Sesshoumaru all wounded at started to cry, "What happened to Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Kagome gave the child a comforting smile before walking over to her to pick her up "it's okay Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama is going to be okay. He just got into a fight is all, but don't worry, Sesshoumaru-sama is strong, remember?"

Rin slowly nodded "hai"

Edoksu looked Sesshoumaru up and down and smirked "you've only been outside for a short while, how could you have gotten this beaten up so quickly?"

Sesshoumaru growled at his cousin's teasing "watch yourself cousin, I'm in no mood for your antics"

Edoksu chuckled "you never are" he then helped Sesshoumaru up and took most of his weight "alright, let's get you to your room so we can bandage those wounds"

Once again Sesshoumaru growled, but said nothing. He noticed his vision was starting to blur and he knew that was a sign he was going to pass out.

Kagome followed closely behind Edoksu with the children. She held Rin in her arms, still trying to calm her down. Shippo sat on her shoulder trying to also comfort the upset Rin.

Edoksu was thankful that they had finally reached Sesshoumaru's room; the taiyoukai was starting to get heavier the longer the eastern lord carried his weight. He glanced at Kagome and saw her hands were full as well. He then glanced around and saw no servants 'just my luck' he thought. He then looked at the kitsune on Kagome's shoulder "Shippo, can you open the door for me?"

Shippo nodded "hai" he hopped down from Kagome's shoulder and quickly went to open the door. He watched as both lords went into the room.

Kagome placed Rin on her own feet "Rin, why don't you and Shippo wait in your room until I come get you okay?"

Rin looked back to where Sesshoumaru had disappeared into the room "what's going to happen?"

Kagome smiled "nothing, I'm going to bandage him up. I just think you might find it more upsetting if you watch, you might think it's much worse than it really is"

Rin nodded. Kagome had a point. There was a very good chance that when she saw how badly her guardian was wounded she might panic. She looked at Kagome "okay" she looked at Shippo "can you keep me company?"

Kagome glanced at Shippo "I think it would be a good idea if she wasn't left alone. I'll come and see you guys after I'm done"

Shippo nodded "okay then" he looked at Rin "let's go draw"

Rin nodded "okay"

Kagome watched as the two left to their room before she walked into Sesshoumaru's room. She saw that Edoksu had already laid Sesshoumaru down on his bed and that Sesshoumaru had finally passed out. She walked up to Edoksu "where are some materials to clean his wounds?"

Edoksu placed a hand on her shoulder "I'll get a servant to fetch them for you and anything else you need"

Kagome nodded "thank you"

Edoksu left the room and within a few minutes a servant came in with the stuff Kagome needed to clean and bandage the wounds.

Kagome worked many hours trying to clean up all the blood and then it took awhile to bandage him up. Once she was done she excused the servant. Kagome then left to check on the kids.

Rin looked up at Kagome when she walked into the room "is Sesshoumaru-sama going to be alright?"

Kagome smiled and nodded "he's going to be fine, he's just really tired. You'll probably be able to see him in the morning"

Rin didn't look so sure "promise?"

Kagome again nodded "promise, he just needs his sleep for tonight"

Edoksu then walked into the room "supper is just about ready, you might want to get cleaned up"

Kagome smiled "thank you, Edoksu-sama"

He smiled "you can just call me Edoksu when no one else is around"

Kagome nodded and then she felt a tug on her kimono. She looked down to see Rin's worried face "what's wrong?"

"What if something bad happens to Sesshoumaru-sama during the night?" she asked.

Kagome smiled and hugged the girl "it's alright Rin. Would it make you feel better if I were to keep watch over him during the night?"

Rin smiled and nodded "hai!"

Kagome nodded "alright then, I'll watch over him tonight and you can see him in the morning"

Edoksu smiled and the scene before him 'humans are an interesting species' he thought before leaving them.

After supper Kagome made sure Sesshoumaru was okay for Rin's sake before tucking the children in. She then went back to the lord's room and watched over him from a near by chair, but soon sleep came in and took her. Her head slipped to be on the bed near Sesshoumaru's arm while the rest of her body stayed in the chair.

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Hanyou- half demon

Chikusho- damn it

Taiyoukai- great demon

Hai- yes

Nani- what

Youkai- demon

Kitsune- fox demon