Chapter Forty-One

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Onward!


Two days had passed, Inuyasha moving between consciousness and sleep constantly throughout the time. I was finally gaining back my own powers as well, to a point where I could heal him without draining myself too badly.

We had hardly spoken.

Not that there had been much of an opportunity for us to do so alone the past couple of days. Sango was still laying next to him in the hut, recovering from her own injuries from that night; a set of broken ribs from having her boomerang thrown back at her, I had learned. Whilst Kirara stayed in the hut with Inuyasha and Sango at all times, Miroku, Shippo, and I had taken it upon ourselves to take turns guarding the area, knowing that eventually someone would find us with the ever persistent draw of the few jewel shards that our group still possessed.

It was on the third morning that I knew I could finally be of use with my energy, and not become another liability for Miroku and Shippo to have to look after as well.

'I should heal Sango first. Being human, it's only logical. Her broken ribs would take far longer without my help to heal, and we need to be ready to move at any inclination of trouble.' I wasn't sure if I really was thinking logically, or trying to put off the inevitable. 'Maybe he won't even wake while I'm healing him.' I think to myself, feeling cowardly the moment I did. The tension between us had been so thick since Mayumi's soul had been taken by Naraku, that even Shippo had taken notice. Miroku had thankfully taken the fox demon under his wing the past few days, allowing me some respite from the boy's incessant questioning. I knew it all came from a good place of concern, but I hardly felt like talking about what had transpired that night, and since, between Inuyasha and I.

And so, with a heavy sigh, I gently pull aside the door covering and walk as quietly as I can into the hut. My eyes are instantly drawn to Inuyasha's prone form, laying in the same position on his back as he had been when I had last seen him. His entire muscled torso was bandaged from shoulder to waist, dried blood darkly coloring the white wrappings over his wounds. He had clearly moved sometime during the night, and had reopened his injuries. I feel myself filling with dread, knowing that I would no doubt wake him when I had to obviously change his bandages.

I turn back towards Sango then, walking over and kneeling down at her side. Her eyes open ever so slightly, wincing as she shifts to try and turn onto her back from where she currently laid on her side.

"Wait, don't move." I gently stop her, my one hand on her shoulder, the other on her hip. "I have enough energy to start healing you both." I inform her, my hand that had been on her hip now moving up to her ribs and ever so gently laying it there. "You're going to feel a warm sensation, but it won't hurt, I promise." I add, Sango having never had to feel my efforts in healing before. Not while she was conscious, at least. I bite down on my lower lip with concentration, closing my eyes.

My heart suddenly stings with loss when I, once again, don't feel Mayumi's familiar warmth mixing with my own energy.

'How could I have let her take the fall for me? Sacrifice her soul for me?' I think to myself, even as I envision healing Sango's ribs, forcing my healing energy out like a gentle wave to wash over her. 'I should have never gotten us into that situation to begin with. I should have been stronger.'

My energy slowly ebbs away, and opening my eyes I am met with Sango's concerned brown-eyed stare. I look away, knowing there was no point in denying that something was going on with me. She could read me too well by now for me to lie my way through it.

I just didn't want to talk about it. Not now…maybe not ever.

"You should try getting up and stretching. It'll be good for your muscles now that they're repaired." I offer to her, feeling my heart racing as the realization that I would be alone in this hut with Inuyasha, even if he was unconscious, if she agreed.

Which, of course, she did.

"Fresh air would feel nice too." Sango murmurs, Kirara transforming into her larger form beside Sango. The cat-demon kneels down on her two front legs, Sango wrapping her arms around her large, furry neck. Kirara stands slowly, easily pulling Sango up with her to stand. With a small smile of thanks, Sango gets Kirara to help her outside on her unsteady legs, where I don't doubt Miroku is waiting for her anxiously. Sighing heavily then, I turn towards my next patient.

My lover…

Maybe my ex-lover now?

'I don't know. I'm not sure where we stand now.' I think to myself, chewing on my lower lip as my eyes drift down to the steady rise and fall of his chest as he sleeps. 'I know how I feel. I still love him more than anything.'

But knowing that I was the cause for Mayumi's capture by the one man he hated most…knowing that there was a chance that Mayumi could be restored back to her physical form…that would obviously have to change things for him.

Wouldn't it?

'I guess I did put words into his mouth earlier.' I admit to myself, frowning as I thought back to our last exchange.

"You just told me that Naraku has Mayumi, that he's planning on bringing her back to life to use her, and you just expect me to lay here?!" Inuyasha snaps angrily then, clearly irrational at this point. "You're out of your fucking mind if you think that's what is going to happen!" He snaps, voice filled with venom. I lean back, unable to hide the shock at his tone with me.

He hadn't spoken to me like that since we first met, back in the forest after I had released him from the tree.

'He's still in love with her. It's just like I thought all along.' I can feel an intense wave of sadness washing over me, irrational and selfish thoughts quickly piling up in my mind. 'He's willing to risk his life to go after her…and if she's able to return to a physical form, and we can save her from Naraku…'

I was the only thing in the way of them living happily ever after.

My silence is apparently enough to bring him back to his senses, because suddenly I feel his hand pressing against my tear stained cheek. The moment our eyes meet I know he knows exactly what I'm thinking, we had become that close to one and other. He begins to shake his head, opening his lips to no doubt deny what was clearly now hanging awkwardly between the both of us.

"I'm sorry." I murmur, my voice hollow. "It's my fault. She risked herself for me. But we'll save her, just as we've saved others. We'll defeat Naraku, and Mayumi will be safe once and for all." I pull away from him.

"Yua, don't-"

"I need to go wash up at the creek. I'll be back to check on your bandages."

I wince, having to admit that my reaction might have come out of a selfish place to protect my heart. Maybe I was even a little petty, jealous of Mayumi, feeling resentment towards her even. Which is horrible. How could I feel resentment against someone who had been by my side, supported me, cared for me like family? Someone who deserved way better cards than she had been handed.

"I can hear you thinking." My gaze snapped back up in surprise towards Inuyasha's face, his own gaze looking upwards at the ceiling. I swallow thickly, shifting around on my knees to come and kneel beside him now. My heart raced, just like it normally did when we were near one and other, and I felt warmth spread through me at the sound of his voice, a voice I hadn't heard for three days and didn't realize how much I had missed until now.

"Sorry." I apologize, my voice cracking as I do. I had hardly used my own voice in the past few days either. His golden eyed gaze turns towards me, and for the first time in a long time I can't read him. I can't tell what he's feeling, or thinking. With a painful realization, I knew what was happening.

He was guarding himself too.

"Um, I can heal you. I have enough energy to do so now." I murmur to him, hands trembling even as they laid uselessly in my lap. Inuyasha frowns at that, his gaze raking over my form as he finally shows some emotion. My heart nearly bursts at what I can finally easily read.

It's concern.

"Are you sure?" He asks firmly, and I know the implications of his question. Nodding, I give a weak smile.

"Yes. I'll heal you as much as I can without completely draining my energy, I promise. We can't afford to have more members of our group incapacitated." I agree with everything his question said, and didn't outright say as well. He takes a long moment, the pause only creating even more tension between the two of us in that moment. Finally he nods. Without further hesitation, I move, placing my trembling hands on him, one at his bandaged shoulder, the other gently along the center of his body over the bandages there.

I set to work.

Frowning, I allow my concentration on his wounds to melt everything else away in that moment. All my fears, doubts, insecurities, and hurt. All of it was gone for a few blissful moments as I pictured his muscles and tensions slowly banding themselves back together. When I had done all that I could, the only evidence of his injuries left were small scabs that covered the still healing skin. His own demon healing would take care of that by the next day, so long as he didn't tear the skin open with too much movement.

"There." I murmur softly, moving to take my hands off of him, though I desperately wished to keep the contact. His skin was firm and warm under the bandages, and I missed touching him, being touched by him.

However…it may no longer be his wish for me to do so.

As I lean back, drawing my hands from his body, one of his own snaps out, quickly clasping around the wrist of my right hand. My gaze widens in surprise as I look from his firm but gentle hold on me, towards his face. It's stern, gaze determined as he slowly brings that hand towards his cheek, spreading my hand against the side of his face.

And then he turns his head ever so slightly, so his nose and brushing against my wrist, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath.

I nearly melt right then and there, tears pricking at my eyes at the first tender touch I had received from him in days.
"You've been avoiding me." Inuyasha lips brush against the skin of my wrist as he speaks, his eyes remaining closed as he just seems to want to bask in my touch, and drown in my natural scent. Womanly pride fills me at this, along with an overwhelming sense of happiness that I could still bring him comfort.

That he still wants to touch me.

Be near me.

I swallow thickly, trying not to let the tears escape from my eyes. "I know. I'm sorry." I murmur softly, not wanting to give excuses. So many came to mind, but as quickly as they did, they failed to seem justifiable. His eyes snap open at that, and I'm momentarily taken aback by how hard they looked, heart nearly stopping with dread.

"Don't ever think to presume you know how I feel. Not when it comes to you, or anything else." Inuyasha's words are as hard as his gaze as he stares up at me, before he lets go of my hand and sits up, coming to loom over me with his imposing presence. "That really pisses me off." The last bit he snarls out angrily, and suddenly his hand that had just let go of my wrist is wrapping around the back of my neck, dragging me forcefully inwards.

And I'm being utterly consumed.

His lips are hot and possessive as they take whatever I give, shock lending into the fact that I was so easily molding into his aggressive kiss. Once the shock had left, once I was in my own right mind, I finally start to give back just as much as I was being given. Mindful of his wounds I move, shifting until I'm boldly moving to straddle his lap, my own hands grabbing at what I can to anchor myself to him - one at the back of his head, threading my fingers through his silky silver hair, the other cupping his cheek in much the same manner he had guided me to do before. I can feel his strong arm wrapping around my waist, arching me into him so I was pressed firmly against his equally strong body.
Suddenly, with a sharp tug that was only mildly painful, he pulls my head back from his lips, holding it there as his mouth moves down my neck. I bite down hard on my lower lip as I feel his tongue trace along the side of it, down from under my ear and back up again where he growls lowly into it.

"You are my mate. You are not, and will never be, replaceable. Not by anyone."

A whimpered sob leaves me at that, his words hitting me hard. It was like he had known all along what I hadn't known myself.

I wasn't most afraid or hurt at the idea of him leaving me.

I was terrified of him easily replacing me.

I gasp then when I feel his teeth scrape against my pulse, hips jolting as I felt the electric shock all the way down to my core. Inuyasha lets out a pleased growl at my reaction, his hand loosening on my hair ever so slightly as his lips move back down to the juncture between my neck and shoulder. It's there that I feel his tongue swirl against my skin, another whimper torn from between my lips as my hips jolt again with the need of friction. He lets go of my hair completely, both of his large hands moving down to my hips and grabbing them firmly, shoving me down against his own hips.

My deep moan is cut off by his mouth as I feel him dragging against me, hard and ready.

"And you will never replace me." Inuyasha murmurs against my lips breathlessly, his teeth biting down on the sensitive and swollen flesh of my lower lip. "Got that?"

I nod wordlessly, unable to draw on any coherent words at the moment as he drags my center along his hard cock once more.

His lips are on the move again as he kisses down along my jaw, back down my neck. His hands leave my hips, grabbing at the collar of my top and roughly loosening it at the fold so that it draped open along my right shoulder. The newly revealed, freckled skin caused him to groan softly in delight, his lips quickly finding my shoulder and kissing along it as well, moving back towards that juncture between my neck and shoulder. I feel his tongue swirl there, my body arching further against him, before stilling when I felt the slide of his incisors in quick succession.

"Hold still."

That was my only warning before I felt his teeth puncture the tender skin there.

And it hurt.

His one hand came up to clasp over my mouth, muffling my surprised scream of pain as his other arm pinned me against his body, refraining me from pulling way like I was desperately, instinctively, trying to do. The sharp ache was flooding through my shoulder and down my back, and distantly I was aware of the warm feeling of fresh blood sliding down in small trails along my back, and down my front as well between my breasts.

What was he doing?!

Then…then I felt him.

I felt his energy wash over me like a tidal wave, starting at where his teeth were connected at my neck, and flowing outwards, overwhelming my own body and energy. My eyes widen as my breath catches, feeling the way that my energy was tangling with his own, a sharp pull deep in my core throbbing and pulsing in time with our heartbeats, both synced together with the twining of our auras. For a few magical moments the pain was gone, and he was all I could feel, our heartbeats beating together as one.

And just as suddenly as it had all began, it was over.

Inuyasha released me, drawing back as my wide eyes looked at him wordlessly, his hand still clasped over my mouth. I was breathing heavily through my nose, heart racing, mind befuddled.

"Don't freak out."

'Don't freak out?! You just bit me!' I mentally scream at my lover, eyes no doubt showing my disbelief at his words. 'You bit me and something freaky just happened!' Slowly, Inuyasha released my mouth, swallowing thickly, my blood still staining his lips. I smoothly shift backwards away from him, and he lets me, my whole body trembling as I right my top over my exposed shoulder. Bringing my right hand up, I feel for the mark that I knew was there.

Two puncture wounds…like a vampire, I think bemusedly.

"What just happened? Why did you bite me?" I finally find my ability to speak, heart slowly calming down as I clasp my entire hand over the bite, moving to heal it.

"Don't!" Inuyasha snaps, causing me to jump as he leans across quickly. The wince he makes as the sudden move no doubt pulls at his wounds isn't lost to me. He grabs my wrist, pulling it away from my still slowly bleeding wound. "Let me." He murmurs softly, leaning forward slowly, as if not to frighten me further. I swallow thickly, unable to step from tensing as his head buries itself back against my neck.

And then I feel his warm tongue lapping at the puncture wounds, cleaning them.

It was oddly…soothing.

"Inuyasha," I murmur, voice still shaking slightly as he slowly pulls away a moment later, "why did you bite me?" I ask once again, his lips pulled tight.

"I marked you."

Say what?

I blink in clear shock, swallowing thickly, and once again I'm hit profoundly by the realization that I can't reach out for Mayumi for help in clarifying this.

"Marked me? By leaving your bite mark?" I ask quizzically. Inuyasha swallows thickly, shaking his head.

"No, no it was much more than that. Yes, I've left you with a permanent mark to physically show other demons that you are mine…but I've also given you some of my energy, and you have given me some of yours." Inuyasha explains, his own expression slightly panicked, as if he hadn't planned to do this at all in the first place. "I've bound us together." There was clear disbelief in his voice now.

He had definitely not planned on marking me right at this moment.

"I-I have no idea what just came over me." Inuyasha muttered, pressing the heel of his hand to his forehead, as if he were fighting off a headache.

"Y-you didn't want to mark me?" I ask, still unsure exactly what this marking entailed. It was obviously something very important to Inuyasha, though, and his demon heritage. His gaze snaps towards me, hard once more.

"Of course I did, just not like that." He snaps at me, tone irritable. "And not in this moment, right now. Usually marking doesn't happen until…" He trails off, a light redness tinting at his cheeks. My lips for an 'o' of understanding.

Not until we had sex.

"S-so this was meant to happen…when you…you know," my voice comes out far meeker than I would have liked, "'claimed' me?" Inuyasha looks at me, nodding then before reaching forward and gently pulling my collar away from my new mark.

He swallows thickly as his eyes lock on it, gaze darkening with unmistakable heat.

"I've made you mine, Yua, and now, I'm yours as well." My eyes widen slightly at that.

Did…did I just get demon married?


After cleaning up as best I could in the hut, hoping, praying, nobody had been close enough to hear everything that had happened just now, I helped Inuyasha hobble outside for some fresh air. I had his one arm around my shoulders, supporting him, though he seemed to hardly need it. His arm was wrapped around me firmly, but he was barely leaning on me.

Maybe this was his way to keep me close, without the others bothering him or teasing him about it.

It seemed to have worked, as when we met with the others, who had thankfully been down at the small river this entire time, nobody said anything at all. The only words said were words of encouragement and happiness that Inuyasha was up and about, and clearly feeling better.

Sango, however, gave me a sly side-ways look that I chose to ignore.

Though I couldn't stop from self-consciously tugging up at the collar of my top, hoping it still hid the new mark from view.

Both Inuyasha and I had quickly come to an agreement that what had transpired in the hut would remain between us for now, until we've had time to settle into this new bond between us.

I take the time, as I'm helping Sango through some stretches to loosen her tight, healing muscles, and Miroku helps to re-bandage Inuyasha's wounds, to reflect on my feelings on the matter. I should have felt violated. I mean, he hadn't even asked me before he did it.

For some reason, however, I felt lighter than I ever had. No insecurities, or doubts, weighing me down.

I felt secure. Safe. Loved.

'Though I should be furious.' I frown at myself as I gently push against Sango's leg, bracing her foot against my thigh as she pushes back against me to stretch out her leg muscles. 'But…ultimately, it was what I wanted with him. One way or another, I would have said yes even if he had asked me.' I glance over towards Inuyasha, chewing softly on my lower lip as I do, his back still towards us.

"Alright, Yua, ease up a little, okay?" Sango states, her voice slightly strained. I gasp, instantly leaning backwards so I wasn't putting so much pressure on her leg.

"Sango, I'm so, so sorry." I blush furiously, feeling insanely guilty for causing her pain in my distraction. Sango leans up on her elbows, looking up towards me with sly brown eyes.

"A little distracted, are we?" She asks, her eyes shifting towards Inuyasha and Miroku. I huff, sitting down heavily on my knees and chancing a glance towards the men as well.

Only to find Inuyasha's smirking gaze looking back at me over his shoulder.

I glare at him, turning back towards Sango. 'Cocky asshole.'

"I see you lot survived your most recent encounter with Naraku."

Everyone stiffens at the familiar voice as Kikyo walks up to our group, her soul catchers in tow. I frown deeply as I stand, moving quickly to step between her and Inuyasha.

"No thanks to you, we've heard." I snap at the priestess, summoning my energy to create a bow and arrow. 'Why is she here? How did she find us?' Kikyo is looking at me in amusement then, her gaze drifting coldly from my form to that of Inuyasha behind me.

I feel his chest press up against my back, his protective warmth and aura surrounding me.

"What are you doing here, Kikyo?" Inuyasha asks, his voice filled with a level of venom that even has me surprised. Kikyo has the good sense to look slightly taken aback, but none the less her cool and collected expression returns as she surveys the both of us.

"I felt the disturbance in the air. Mayumi's soul is no longer with you, is it, Yua?" Kikyo asks, diverting her cold gaze towards me.

"Thanks to the shards that you stole form me and gave to Naraku, he can now create physical forms, extensions of himself." Miroku steps up to our left, Sango to our right, and Shippo comes to stand directly behind my right leg, glaring at the woman in front of us. "He's created an incarnation of Wind, named Kagura, and one of Void, named Kanna. Kanna was the one able to steal Mayumi's soul with her mirror."

"He's going to take Mayumi's soul and give her a physical form as well." Kikyo states with understanding, her cold facade breaking for a split second to show surprise. "If he succeeds, he could have another Sacred Jewel at his disposal."

"That's right." I murmur, voice hard. "Clearly judging by your actions, however, you would rather see Inuyasha dead than the survival of this world."

"No. I would see Naraku cast into an oblivion." Kikyo answers firmly, causing all of us to pause.

Suddenly the wind around us picks up, my spine straightening as the hairs on my arms stand on end.

I know the energy signature.

Kagura.

She appears at the edge of the forest, and I instead turn my aim towards her, letting my arrow fly. Her blood red eyes widen in surprise, clearly not having had expected me to react so quickly. My arrow misses, but it has the desired effect. Kagura looks to it with wide eyes, her wind quickly dispersing, before I create another arrow and take aim once more.

This time for her head.

Obviously sensing the threat, she quickly calls forth her large feather, leaping onto it and floating out of sight.

Breathing heavily, I turn my aim back towards Kikyo.

"You brought her here!" I accuse her, my arrow now slowly turning blood red from the fletching up towards the arrowhead.

"I assure you that I did not. I'd never allow Naraku or any of his subordinates to kill Inuyasha." Kikyo answers honestly. "Inuyasha's life is mine and mine alone to take when I so wish."

"You seriously do have a death wish." I glare at her, my red, glowing arrow pulsing with my pent-up energy.

"Naraku will only grow stronger and stronger." Kikyo goes on coldly. "Be wary of your every step." She warns, before her soul catchers surrender her, and the priestess disappears off into the afternoon sky. My muscles release their tension all at once, my bow and arrow disappearing as I release my energy.

I was more determined than ever to kill that woman.


"We're going to have to move out tomorrow." Miroku states as we sit in the hut for our last night. All of us knew he was speaking the truth. Kagura would only be deterred for so long, and who knew what else Naraku might send our way once she reported our whereabouts to him. Miroku was sat down close to Sango, the Demon Slayer feeling much better now that her ribs had been healed. Inuyasha was even looking better, his wounds for the most part sealed. Though I could tell he still was drained of energy.

However, we'd be vulnerable here if stayed to allow him the time to rest.

"I agree." Inuyasha states as he sits next to me, his white top back in place, though he had settled the top half of his fire-rat ensemble to the side for now. I didn't doubt I would have to change his bandages once again in the morning, so it made sense for him to just leave it off for now.

Suddenly Inuyasha's head shoots up, his entire body stiffening.

"What's the matter, Inuyasha?" Miroku asks sharply, having instantly noticed the change in the half-demon.

"The scent of a dead man." Inuyasha growls lowly, all of us tensing.

"A dead man?" Sango asks curiously, before Inuyasha and Miroku make their ways out of the hut. Sango and I are quick to follow, Shippo leaping up onto my shoulder.

We're greeted with a gruesome sight.

A man, near death, was shuffling up towards our hut, his breathing heavy and obviously in a tremendous amount of pain.

"A demon has come." The man before us gasped, stopping when he caught sight of Miroku and Inuyasha standing protectively in front of our hut. "He has devoured the entire village!" My hand raises to clasp over my mouth in horror.

Another village gone due to a demon?

'And my gut tells me that Naraku is no doubt behind this. Especially with Kagura showing up earlier.' I frown, glancing towards Sango. She nods in return, disappearing back into the hut to no doubt change and gather her weapons.

"On it's back was the mark of a spider." The man goes on, Inuyasha standing straighter despite the pull on his wounds as his dog ears perked up. My own thoughts were all but confirmed now, a sense of foreboding setting over our group. "Please, help!" He begs, before suddenly his body bursts into flames, and is incinerated right in front of us. Shippo whimpers on my shoulder, burying his little face against the side of my head, as Sango emerges from the hut dressed in her armor, a confused frown on her face as she sees what happened.

"Was he dead all along?" She asks in surprise, the foul smell of burning flesh wafting over towards our group. It nearly makes me double over and gag.

But the really scary thing was that I was so used to the smell now.

"Kagura must have been controlling his body with her Dance Of The Dead technique." Miroku states with clear suspicion, and it indeed makes sense. "It has to be a trap."

"A trap set to force us to meet the third demon." Inuyasha replies solemnly, a deep frown on his face.

"If we know that then we could have the advantage going in, right?" I ask, frowning as I glance towards Sango. Sango is frowning as well, her face looking less than convinced at my argument.

"If what she had that man say is true, then it's already too late for the village." Sango replies, her voice filled with regret. "We'd only be walking into the trap, and Inuyasha and I both need more time to rest. Neither of us would be fit to fight for long."

"I don't feel as if we have a choice." Miroku speaks up. "Either we go and face this demon now, or it follows us across the countryside, taking out more innocent villages as we go." Sango's face hardens at that, knowing the monk was right. I frown deeply myself, looking around the surrounding area as it all clicks together.

"Kagura knows where we are, that's why she sent the dead man here. She's no doubt watching for us, waiting for us if we flee. There is no escape that does not involve conflict, either from the third unknown demon, or Kagura herself." I state, looking towards Inuyasha then as he looks at me over his shoulder.

"I'll go after him." Inuyasha speaks up. "It's better that I go to meet him, rather than that demon getting the advantage by finding us here. You all stay put, while I deal with this."

"No." I frown at him then, narrowing my eyes. "You're still recovering yourself. Your wounds might be sealed, but it doesn't mean you've regained your full strength. You're taking me with you." I demand, standing straighter then as I use my aura to summon my bow and arrows to me along with Inuyasha's fire-rat kimono top. Inuyasha frowns, shaking his head.

"You need to stay here and help protect the others if Kagura shows up."

"We're all going." Miroku states, and I feel immensely grateful for his input. "We work better as a team, rather than split apart." I smile at the monk, knowing he was right.

We were a family, a pack, we did our best work as a unit.

We had each other's backs.

Inuyasha pauses for a moment, looking undecided still, before nodding with a solemn frown. Kirara transforms, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo climbing onto her back.

I turn towards Inuyasha.

He's already kneeling down with his back to me, his arms outstretched. I walk up to him, holding the kimono top over his shoulder for him to take.

"Keep it and wrap yourself in it." Inuyasha states softly, and I hesitate in surprise. "I can't allow myself to be distracted, Yua. I'll feel better knowing you're wearing it." I want to argue, I know I should argue, but I save it for now, slipping my arms through his large sleeves and shifting onto his back. His familiar, strong hands cup the underside of my thighs, squeezing them gently before we're off, Kirara soon falling into running beside us. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath, his familiar pine scent washing over me from his kimono. It had been one of the first things I had washed and repaired for him.

The sight that we come upon moments later is a horrific one.

The entire village was demolished, humans and animals alike laying in gruesome pieces throughout the streets.

And there, in the distance, was the large, terrifying demon hunched over two defenseless children.

It's skin was purple in color, and as we come in from behind, the spider scar was clearly visible against it's back. It stood at least thirty feet tall, with a giant tail, two great spikes for horns atop it's head, and a mane of silver hair flowing down it's back. Inuyasha grabs Tessaiga, the blade transforming the minute it leaves it's sheath as he charges forward towards the large, looming form of the demon. He easily cuts off the demon as it goes in for the kill, swiping with Tessaiga to dissuade it, before in quick succession launching an attack with his claws.

"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" He shouts, the combination of attacking with his sword, and attacking with his claws, enough to momentarily deter the demon from the children he had meant to eat. The demon jumps back a few yards, and now visible from the front it seems even more terrifying. Long lanky arms with large clawed hands attached to each, attached to it's forearms a long spike, clearly meant for stabbing and pinning it's victims. The demon had a long snout and a mouth filled with razor sharp teeth.

All completed by blood red eyes, much like Kagura's own.

I don't slide off of Inuyasha's back, clenching my legs against his sides for balance while notching an arrow in my bow and taking aim at it's head.

"Get out of here!" Inuyasha shouts to the kids behind us, the older brother picking his younger sister up without question and scrambling away. I frown deeply, keeping my eyes on the monster before us.

The only reason I don't shoot is because we needed some answers.

"You must be Naraku's third incarnation." Inuyasha states calmly as he walks us up to the demon. He takes his stance, and I could feel the way his muscles bunched and tensed under me as he held Tessaiga at the ready.

"You're thinking that I dodged the Tessaiga." The demon states instead of answering, its voice low and rumbling deep in it's chest. "You are surprised at my speed, despite my enormous size." The confusion only lasts so long, Inuyasha making a sound of disbelief that cues me in. My eyes widen.

This demon wasn't making statements…he was reading Inuyasha's mind.

The demon turns his red eyes up towards me now over Inuyasha's shoulder. "And you…Naraku warned me that I may not be able to read your thoughts, and he was right. Interesting." It chuckles low in his chest. "He's also asked me to ensure that I take you back to him alive once I'm finished eating your half demon lover." I tense at that, my bow's energy quickly changing from it's normal purple to red once more at the direct threat against Inuyasha.

"You won't get your filthy claws on her, not before a severe your giant head from your body." Inuyasha makes the deadly promise, a low growl of warning rumbling deep in his chest. The demon before us doesn't take it seriously, laughing with amusement instead. The demon looks over his shoulder, directly towards the others as they flanked behind him.

"Your threat is hardly an inspiration for fear. My sisters Kagura and Kanna were merely the opening acts, until I, Goshinki, made my debut!" The demon we now know as Goshinki proclaims, confidence oozing from every one of his slimy pores.

Inuyasha scoffs. "You're big speech is over, demon." He states, before leaping into the air. He raises Tessaiga over his head, mindful that I'm still on his back as I lean against him to better my own balance. "Time to take you off the stage!" He shouts as I release my arrow in time with him swinging down onto the beast. We land, my body bumping slightly against his back as I hold my breath, the dust cloud from our joint attack overwhelming us. When it clears it's revealed that Inuyasha's sword had merely hit the ground, Goshinki descending on us from above.

'He really is fast!' I inwardly gasp in shock. 'He not only dodged Tessaiga, but my arrow as well!' Inuyasha moves quickly, jumping out of harms way.

He can't hide his grunt of pain as he stumbles when landing this time, nearly toppling over with me on his back. I quickly slide off, frowning as I kneel beside him, hand on his shoulder and looking at where he was gripping at his chest.

My stomach twists painfully when I see blood slowly starting to seep through.

"I told you. I know every thought that crosses your mind." Goshinki states from behind us now, Inuyasha looking over his shoulder at him with annoyance. My eyes widen with realization.

Goshinki would always know what Inuyasha's next move would be.

But he couldn't read my mind.

"You seem to be suffering greatly." Goshinki cruelly observes. "Tell me, could this be the end of you?" Inuyasha snarls at that, quickly swinging around with Tessaiga and standing once more. I stand with him, mind racing.

"Not very likely." Inuyasha states with a grunt of effort as he heaves Tessagia back up. It says all too much that he was finding it difficult to even hold the great sword, let alone fight. "I'm getting tired of you."

"Inuyasha, wait!" I frown at him, but it's too late, and he's leaped blindly back into battle, driven by his ego and his frustration. He lands once more, a clear wince of pain as he does, Goshinki once again smoothly moving out of the way.

My heart stops as he appears directly behind Inuyasha.

Goshinki raises his arm, drawing it back and readying for the attack. "I can predict every move before you make it." I throw my hands in front of me, heels touching together as I force my energy outwards, rapidly forming it into a large ball of energy.

"Yeah?! Did you predict this?!" I shout at Goshinki's back, before letting the orb of energy fly with a shout. It grows in size as it races across the distance between myself and Goshinki, kicking up dust in it's wake. By the time it's nearly upon the surprised demon, it looked like it would envelop him completely. The light shone brightly as it came into contact with Goshinki, but whether or not it had been a direct hit, I couldn't tell.

When the light fades, and the dust settles, I'm given the answer.

It looked as if Goshinki had managed to dodge out of it's path, though not fast enough to remain entirely unscathed. On his left side there was a large gaping wound now, the meat and skin there sizzling with the heat from my energy hitting him.

His red eyes lock on me, and I know that nobody was going to be fast enough to help.

"RUN!" Inuyasha shouts, even as he starts racing towards me. He's no match for Goshinki, however, the thirty foot demon towering over me in the next instant. I throw my hands up over me, my barrier coming up just in time to stop his hand from coming down on me and crushing me. My entire body is trembling with the effort of holding him off.

"That's it, I'm stepping in!" I could hear Miroku in the distance, no doubt about to unleash his Wind Tunnel.

"Stop!" Sango shouts soon after, and the area around us is suddenly buzzing with noise.

'Typical.' I think with disgust as I grit my teeth, looking up to see Naraku's poisonous insects descending onto our battlefield from the sky. Miroku would be no use here now. With a last force of effort I manage to use my aura to shove his claw away, the hand drilling instead into the ground just short off where I stood. In the next instant I feel Inuyasha's strong arm around my waist, the wind rushing by my ears as he swoops in and pulls me off to safety.

"What were you thinking?!" He demands angrily, looking down at me with sharp eyes as I frown back at him.

"I'm the only one who's mind he can't read. I have the clear advantage here!" I insist, before movement just over his shoulder catches my eyes.

It's the children from before, and they're holding some bloody and torn clothing.

'Their Mother's and Father's clothing.' I realize, feeling sick. The children had come back for them.

Inuyasha, seeing my attention directed over his shoulder, turns to see what I'm looking at. His gaze widens with surprise, before his eyebrows furrow in annoyance. "What are you doing?! I told you to escape! What are you doing still-" He cuts himself off, no doubt seeing what they were each holding onto now as well. "Oh." He murmurs lowly in understanding. My throat constricts slightly with emotion as I rest my hand on Inuyasha's back, looking at the children sadly. "Those clothes, did they belong to your parents?" He asks lowly. The boy nods in affirmation, and I feel something deep in Inuyasha shift. The heavy footsteps of Goshinki could be heard as he approached us, Inuyasha turning to face him, moving to stand between the demon and the children. I do the same, allowing my energy to pool in my hands as I did.

This monster would not get away with what he did. Not to this village, not to these poor children.

"Stay with the children, protect them." Inuyasha murmurs to me lowly, and though I feel uneasy about us separating, I know it's for the best. A burning sensation erupts on my neck at the same time he gives the order, but I hardly have time to think on it before the demon is upon us.

"Unspeakable…I will kill this demon once and for all, that's what you were thinking, correct, Inuyasha?" Goshinki asks rhetorically. "Don't make me laugh. You are half-demon, are you not? You have demon blood coursing through your veins, yet you take pity on humans. Even take one as your mate! It's disgusting, really. You're a disgrace to any being with an ounce of demon blood in their veins."

"Get off my back!" Inuyasha shouts, his teeth grit tightly together in anger. "I'll slice you in half!" He promises, raising Tessaiga up with more fluid and controlled movements. I blink in surprise, able to feel his strength suddenly returning.

Had what happened to those children affected him so deeply?

Everything stills, before chaos erupts. I can feel it charging in the air as Inuyasha sniffs out the Wind Scar. Turn to the children kneeling on the ground behind me, I level them with my best stern look.

"Do not move, do not run. Stay behind me." I advise them then, before turning back towards the fight, hands glowing till with my energy and at the ready.

"You're trying to slice through the Wind Scar and blast me away, are you not?" The demon questions, but again he obviously knows the answer.

Knowing the Wind Scar was coming wouldn't save Goshinki, however. He couldn't run from this attack.

"If you can figure that out, you know you're going to die!" Inuyasha shouts, launching himself at the beast one more time, Tessaiga poised and ready.

But then all hell breaks loose as Goshinki breaks through the Wind Scar.

I gasp, unable to stop myself from doing so, as I watch on in shock. It's like everything is happening in slow motion as Goshinki's jaws clamp down onto Tessaiga's blade, Inuyasha not deviating from his course of action despite the turn of events. A bright light emits from Goshinki's mouth the minute it touches the blade, his teeth clearly digging in.

"You're precious Tessaiga is nothing more than a dog fang now." Goshinki snarls through his hold on the sword. We all watch, stunned and horrified, as stress cracks begin to spread over the blade where the pressure from Goshinki's hold was the strongest.

'I-it's going to break!' I inwardly shout in distress, before the inevitable happens.

Pieces of Inuyasha's Father's fang goes flying through the air, half of the sword still within Goshinki's jaw, the other pulling away with Inuyasha as he grips onto the hilt, clearly still in shock.

The demon spits out the larger half of the sword, throwing it to the ground with a clang as Inuyasha stares at the half he still held with utter disbelief. My own heart was racing now, shock slowly ebbing away to fear.

How can Inuyasha win this, come out alive, without Tessaiga?

"I guess that proves that my fangs are stronger than that of the Tessaiga." Goshinki goads, smirking down at the still stunned half demon before him. With that his claws descend on Inuyasha. Quickly I fire my orbs at him, one after the other, pushing him back before throwing a barrier up in front of Inuyasha. Looking over my shoulder towards the children, I know I wouldn't be able to protect both.

"Go! Go now!" I frown at the both of them, watching the brother heave his sister to her feet and scramble away. Goshinki was no longer interested in them, of that I was certain. I turn back towards our opponent, his blood red eyes narrowed at me in return.

My barrier began to flicker.

Goshinki chuckles, clearly seeing it as well. "You're own strength is wearing thin, isn't it? You won't be able to keep this barrier up for long. Once it fails, once you fail, I'll take the half demon's head as my trophy."

"Yua, let the barrier go and run!" Inuyasha shouts, throwing the now useless sword back into his scabbard. "I'll be fine!" I wanted to shout back at him that no, no I wouldn't stop, not until I knew he was safe too.

But my limitations had their own ideas.

My arms drop weakly to my sides as the barrier fails, and Inuyasha moves, digging his claws into his own arm.

"BLADES OF BLOOD!" He shouts, aiming his attack directly for Goshinki's chest. The large demon takes the hit, before delivering one of his own. Horrified, all I can do is watch as Goshinku's claws rip through Inuyasha's still healing torso, sending him rolling along the ground till he comes to a stop, unmoving. Goshinki laughs lowly. I'm running before Inuyasha's body even hits the ground, dropping down to my knees when I reach him and frantically checking for a pulse.

I find one, but it's weak.

"Inuyasha, it appears that your mind has now gone blank. Your sword is broke and so is your spirit." Goshinki goads. "Or are you dying, perhaps?" I feel my heart freeze in my chest.

Before it explodes with white hot anger.

"What's this? I can sense a spike in your energy." Goshinki clearly directs his attention towards me now as I slowly move to stand, turning to face him with the deadliest glare I could muster. He was right, I could feel a suddenly tidal wave of my energy roaring to life from deep within, the very air around me crackling and sizzling with the charge that it produced. "How can that be? You were completed depleted before." He was right, and even I didn't know where this energy was coming from.

Frankly, I was so pissed I didn't give enough fucks to question it.

"You messed with the wrong people Goshinki." I state darkly, barely even able to recognize the voice as my own. My vision was flooded with red, everything taking on a hue of that single colour. All I could feel was anger, tinged with an overpowering need for revenge.

And I could hear a dark voice echoing in my ear. Kill it.

I had never felt such overwhelming hate before.

"Even with your new-found strength, you're no match for me alone, little girl."

"Who said she was alone?" A gruff, deep voice asked from behind me. I look over my shoulder, and even in my blood-rage like state, I still felt surprise at what I saw.

Inuyasha was standing, looking directly back at me, but it wasn't him.

"Wh-what's happened? I can't read your mind!" Goshinki shows fear for the first time since this fight had started, and as I openly observe Inuyasha's transformed body, I can understand why.

In his place there stood a demon with blood red eyes, purple stripes much like his half brother's decorating his cheeks. His fangs were larger, much larger, and his voice deeper.

It was his eyes that shook me to the core, however. Not that they were red, rather than their usual warm gold, no.

They were emotionless, cold, distant.

A shudder of understanding rolls down my spine, something in my gut telling me that what I thought I was seeing was true.

Inuyasha had unleashed something deep within himself, something dark.

Just like I had.

Turning slowly back towards the demon in front of us, an uncharacteristically cruel smirk overcomes my lips. "You've pissed off the wrong people Goshinki."

"And now you're about to pay for it." Demon-Inuyasha agrees beside me, as he holds his right hand in front of him, show-casing his much larger claws as he cracks each knuckle for emphasis.

I felt my heart pulse, the charge echoing back to me from Inuyasha at my side.

We both move together.

I materialize my bow and arrow, the aura the brightest red I had seen it to date, as Inuyasha leaps into the air. He takes out the arm that Goshinki had been about to use to take me out with, my arrow firing during the chaos of the demon losing his limb. This time it meets it's target, directly at the centre of his chest. With an echoing cry, Goshinki's large body starts to disintegrate right there in in front of us into pieces as Inuyasha lands next to me once again.

Goshinki's severed head landing and rolling to his feet.

The threat now gone, my world wobbles and comes to a grinding halt, body swaying as I come back from whatever darkness I had just been enveloped in. The experience was unsettling, my stomach rolling and threatening to release it's contents onto the ground in front of me. Turning towards Inuyasha, I expect that he too would have morphed back to normal.

I'm proven wrong the minute his blood red eyes lock with my now green ones.

"I-Inuyasha?" I frown, a sense of unease forming as I step towards him. He shakes his head, taking another step back from me.

"Don't come any closer." He snarls at me viciously. "I'm not in control. I can still feel the blood lust thrumming in my veins. The need to kill is…it's…"

"Overpowering." I sympathize with a shaky breath. "But the enemy is gone, we're safe. You're safe." I reach out to him, and at first he still flinches away from my touch, but as I slowly brush my hand against his cheek, thumb tracing the purple marking there, he relaxes. As if by instinct I reach out to him through my pure aura, my hand glowing lightly purple.

The effect is immediate.

Inuyasha's body releases all it's tension, his blood red eyes slowly flooding back to the familiar golden irises that I had come to love. The purple marks begin to fade and disappear, his teeth shrinking back to their normal size. His hand comes up to cup my own over his cheek as he finally comes back to reality with us. With me.

"What was that?" He asks, his voice filled with confusion and wonder. I chew on my lower lip, stepping up closer to him now.

"I don't know." I answer honestly. "I just felt an overpowering need to…to…"

"Kill." Inuyasha murmurs in understanding, his gaze widening slightly. "We both…we…" I'm shaking by then, both from a mixture of physical and emotional exhaustion. I end up falling into him, his time as a nearly full-fledged demon healing his wounds almost completely from Goshinki's attack. Inuyasha easily catches me against his chest, and I can hear the worried calls of my name from Shippo, Sango, and Miroku.

"I never want to feel like that again." I whisper into his chest, keeping my face buried against him to block everything else out. His arms wrap around me, holding me protectively to him with his head resting on top of my own. I swear I hear him whisper to me before my own world goes dark.

"Neither do I."


Sooooo what do ya think?

I really look forward to seeing the responses to this chapter, so bring em on! Haha. Thanks so much for stopping by guys!

Until next time!

T.O.T.