Notes:

As promised, here is the weekly chapter!

WARNING : This chapter will include attempted rape. If that is a trigger for you, I hope that you have heeded the story warnings, but throwing that out there again just in case because I don't want to upset anyone.

Chapter 4:

(Vitamin String Quartet - Loser – 3 Doors Down Version)

Kagome delicately sipped a glass of wine an hour later, resisting the impulse to hide in a darkened corner. Everyone was watching and whispering, but no one dared approach her. Koga had found her eyes a few times and smiled, but Kagome could no longer force herself to believe she'd ever find happiness.

"Would you like to take our leave, dearest?"

"No, mama." Kagome straightened her spine, "I refuse to let him win. I will be right back; I desire more refreshment."

Lady Higurashi merely nodded, fidgeting with her hands before her.

As Kagome wandered through the room, all the lords and ladies looked aside, lest they be trapped up in her scandal. She kept her head high and went straight to the hors d'oeuvre table, concealed behind large columns. Releasing a tremendous sigh, she refilled her drink, finally away from the scrutiny of prying eyes. She could make it through this night. Soon enough Inuyasha would tire of his games and leave her alone and she would be free to court Lord Koga. That was, if Naraku didn't propose first in the morning.

As she turned around a column, Kagome almost dropped her glass.

...

Inuyasha's blood was boiling. He had just seen Kagome spot that fool Hojo dancing with what he presumed was her friend Sango. Without thought, she had unwittingly run through the door behind her, and into the manor's private gardens.

And Lord Naraku had quietly followed her.

Inuyasha ground his teeth as he meandered across the room, lest he draw attention to himself. His heart began to pound faster and faster in his chest as he dug his claws into his hands. If anybody knew Kagome was alone with any man, her honor would be ruined permanently. Worse, Naraku didn't care about her honor, only taking what he desired.

He needed to get to her, and quickly.

Naraku hadn't sufficient sense to heed him. He was going to pay.

...

Kagome stared out into the clear night sky as the stars became blurry. She had struggled to recover her strength, but she had none left to give. Sagging her body against the archway to the center of the gardens, she gulped the full glass of wine. She knew Sango didn't truly have a choice. If Kagome couldn't have Hojo than he was an ideal match for-

"My lady."

Kagome wiped her tears on her gloves and stood, plastering a look on her face that she hoped resembled something other than despair.

"Yes, my lord?" She sniffled, then looked around. She was alone in the gardens – alone with a man - alone with Naraku. Her mind reeled from consuming the alcohol too quickly. "Would you like another dance? Come, let's go back inside." She offered him a timid smile as he got too close, "Your guests will miss your presence."

Kagome lifted her gown to leave, but without warning her body was battered back against the metal arch. Upon registering the sounds of her breath leaving her lungs and her glass shattering against the gravel pathway, a burning pain blossomed across her back and shoulders.

"No, my pet." He captured both her hands easily in his, gripping them mercilessly behind her back. "If we are to be wed, I wish to taste what has the duke so enamored with you."

After a momentary flutter of confusion at his words, Kagome stabbed the heel of her slipper into his foot, causing Naraku to free her hands and slap her viciously across the face. The stars swam for more than Kagome's tears as she sought once more to catch her breath.

One hand clutched her neck roughly, while the other raked its claws viciously across her collarbone and shoulder, causing Kagome to release a cry of agony. "Why struggle? You have nothing left to lose, my lady." His hands ripped at her bodice. "The sooner we start on the Hitomi heir, the better."

Kagome shut her eyes, trying in vain to recover her senses and block out everything Naraku said. She was more than what these men, these monsters, said of her.

She was not nothing.

And she would not take it anymore.

Kagome called upon the strength inside her as a comforting warmth spread throughout her entire body. Her now free hands moved towards Naraku's face, emitting a warm, brilliant white light. Promptly dropping her, he crumpled to the ground, clutching his face.

"You insolent bitch!" He swung as Kagome stepped away, realizing she had temporarily blinded him as the light extinguished from her palms as quickly as it came.

Kagome didn't have time to gawk at her hands in confusion. Rather, she turned to flee, but halted abruptly when she faced the stunned golden eyes blocking her escape.

"Your grace," Lord Naraku acknowledged, regaining his sight sufficiently enough to recognize the duke's silver hair as he peered up, "She lured me here like the temptress we both know her to be and then the wench tried to blind me. I demand retribution!"

Startled brown eyes stared straight into his as he regarded her face, her exposed, bleeding neck and shoulder, and her ripped indecent bodice. His eyes lingered on the crimson marks that would be bruises tomorrow on her collar and cheek. Briefly, she reminded him of Athena, the proud goddess of battle, who had just won her first fight.

Kagome would not drop her gaze. She had done nothing reprehensible.

Then his grace did something she did not expect. He removed his coat and draped it around her shoulders, sheltering her.

Mine. Only mine.

Inuyasha took a profound breath to keep his demon from ripping Naraku's heart from his rib cage. "So let me get this straight, Lord Naraku, the lady ripped her own dress?" His voice dripped venom, causing Kagome to shiver in the coat.

"I have known Lady Kagome to be many things," Inuyasha said glancing back at her, "but never improper." He spun back to Naraku, "You will do well to keep your hands, eyes, and any other slimy body part you possess off her. Do we have an understanding?"

All Naraku could do was nod.

"Answer me, Lord Naraku," Inuyasha snarled moving to stand over him, "do we have an understanding?"

"Yes, your grace." Naraku stood, brushing off his dark purple coat and black trousers. "Although I must say, I find your possessiveness of Miss Higurashi odd since rumor is you never deign to marry. If you hold her virtue in such high esteem, why is she not your wife?" Naraku dared. "Unless of course you have already had her."

Inuyasha's eyes flashed red as drew back his fist. Kagome shut her eyes as a sickening crunch and thud sounded as Naraku hit the ground again. "I do not concern myself with the notions of vermin such as yourself. Do not speak of what transpired here. Forget it on risk of losing your life."

Without another thought, he strode back to Kagome, his eyes turning back to their natural shade of gold. He wanted to end Naraku, but his absence from the ball would raise questions that could reveal the truth of what happened. He had much more important things on his mind.

Kagome awaited the duke's smart remarks, or for him to degrade her by asking for the coat back. No matter how proud she felt, it would all vanish as she entered the ballroom, forever dishonored.

Surprisingly, Inuyasha found his demon silent and his anger dissipating.

"With your permission," Inuyasha said thoughtfully, "I would like to take you home. The carriages are just through the gardens. Then a servant can call for your mother to inform her you are unwell. She can take my carriage back home so you can return and make yourself – suitable – before she arrives."

Kagome dared not inquire why he was suddenly so chivalrous. She merely desired to be away from Naraku with the least amount of spectators possible. She had to hope that he wouldn't hurt her; she had few options.

"Thank you, your grace." Kagome replied, struggling to stop shaking, "I would very much appreciate that."

Without asking, Inuyasha lifted her tenderly in his arms and carried her towards the front of the residence.

Naraku watched them depart, wiping his bloody nose and smirking. "Checkmate."

(Vitamin String Quartet - How to Save a Life)

His demon didn't have any smart remarks and Inuyasha wondered if it was because he had gained an appreciation for the strong-willed vixen in his arms who dared to fight Naraku. She clearly had more of a backbone than her father.

She is not her father, but she is the key to her father's complete demise. Don't get any crazy ideas in that human brain of yours.

"Did you see that light?" Kagome shook, "What does it mean?"

Inuyasha didn't care that she didn't properly address him; she was in distress, and was continuing to go into shock. Instinctively, he pulled her closer. He knew what the white light meant, she had miko blood. It was one of the reasons demons were so attracted to her. He silently pondered if that was why he himself was so fascinated by her. "Does your family have any connections to ancient priestesses, my lady?"

"None that I can recall. I just remember him all over me. I couldn't breathe. And suddenly - suddenly the light was there."

Inuyasha's anger quickly resurfaced upon remembering she was almost raped, "What were you thinking? Going on his private gardens alone...you should have known better."

Kagome stiffened, pushing at his hard chest, "I can take it from here, your grace." As soon as he gently set her down, she shrugged off his coat and shoved it at him, grimacing in pain as she did so.

A look of confusion passed over the hanyou's face as he caught his coat, but he couldn't stop staring at the angry claw marks on her chest that were exposed. The smell of her blood stirred a rage in his demon he had not thought feasible. "Have I said something to offend you?"

Kagome looked at him dumbfounded, struggling not to scream. She crossed her hands over her chest, fighting to keep her dignity without needing any assistance from him. "Offend me? Are you serious? You're the reason I'm in all this mess!" Kagome turned to find her coach.

"Keh, how did I force you to run to Naraku's private gardens?"

Kagome stopped and spun, "Did you think I meant all this to happen, your grace? That I wanted any of this? Had it not been for you, I would be dancing with Lord Hojo right now instead of my best friend. He would be marrying me. I wouldn't have even had to entertain being courted by a demon. Now no one else will have me, and my family-"

"What about your family?" Inuyasha should have been happier. This is what he craved, what he wanted for years. His strategy was working flawlessly. Why did he even care that she didn't want to be courted by a demon?

Not good enough for her, not good enough for her father. Finish our plan.

"It doesn't matter," Kagome said dismissing him. "Please inform my mama," she commanded the attendant, "that I felt exceedingly unwell and have returned home. The driver will return for her shortly."

And just like that, his princess was gone.

Notes: Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

I have already written most of the next chapter and Inuyasha will be meeting Lord Higurashi...needless to say it does not go well for anyone involved.