Distant Moons

By: dolce-bebe

Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own Inuyasha or any other character. They all belong to Rumiko Takahashi (

Summary:"You are unfit to protect this miko, Inuyasha. She will remain under my protection, for I cannot let the hanyou, Naraku, get the upper hand in this war. But believe me when I say I will kill you if you are foolish enough to try and stop me."

A/N: First of all, thank you to the wonderful reviews people gave me! It really motivated me to write this chapter and to update faster So...thank you all! Arigatou! After this chapter however, I probably won't update as often. Final exams are coming up and I really need to hit the books to pass. I mean...it'd be horrible if I had to take summer school for science, which I'm doing really horrible in right now. If I took summer school then I'd probably update even less than I do. So wish me luck.

Soft footsteps could be heard as the young miko walked slowly back towards the small village. She could barely see the rooftops of the houses and rubbed her eyes to stay awake. The night had been long, and she had stayed out far too late. Looking up slightly, Kagome could see the faint colors of orange and yellow, knowing that the sun was rising faster than her feet could take her forward.

Yawning, the miko rubbed her eyes again, getting rid of the tears. She wondered if Inuyasha was still mad at her. Even if she had stayed out for the entire night, he hadn't gone on a raging rampage to come and get her. Did he even give one single thought about how she felt?

Kagome frowned, her eyebrows knitting together in deep thought. The hanyou was certainly overprotective of her, that she knew. Could he still be jealous about Sesshoumaru? Was that the reason he had yelled at her? Jealousy? Kagome remembered telling herself how she would take into consideration on his feelings as well knowing that Inuyasha greatly despised his older half-brother. She shouldn't have spoken out of term.

"I know you're a very kind person, but wake up! This is Sesshoumaru. He won't change for no one, do you hear me? No one. He hasn't changed at all. He still wants the Tetsusaiga and he still wants to kill me!"

"And how would you know that! I've spent more time with your brother than you have your entire life!—"

Looking down at her feet, Kagome sighed. She wished that she could take back those words. She, of all people, had no right to say such a thing--and not exactly knowing if he was hurt by it all, but although for a second, she had seen something flickering in his eyes. What Inuyasha had said about Sesshoumaru really upset her, but she couldn't blame the hanyou for saying so and behaving the way he did. The taiyoukai acted...differently around others than he did with her. She remembered the way he held her when they were near the lake...it soothed her and made her forget everything... However, within another's presence, especially Inuyasha's, Sesshoumaru was his cold ruthless self once again.

She rolled her eyes frowning softly. If the hanyou slept at all, which she doubted, maybe he would be in a better mood. Then she would talk to him.

Kagome made to take another step forward, but stopped. The wind blew her hair backwards slowly as if teasing her. Her body became stiff and her expression grew serious. Something was there... She could sense a presence of a powerful youkai. Trying as hard as she could not to move a muscle, Kagome nearly slumped. She was warned by Miroku before that few youkai loved a good chase, and if she dared to run that they would get a sickening blood pump of rush. What ever this youkai was, the miko did not want to take her chances.

A twig snapped and a gust of wind came hurling from the sky. Kagome shielded her face with her arms and winced as the impact pulled her back. After managing to regain her balance she looked to where the familiar youkai aura emitted from.

"Kagura!"

"So we meet again, miko," the wind witch said drawing her fan, "and without Inuyasha to defend you... How ever will you manage?" She smirked taking a step closer as Kagome took one back.

'This is bad. If I hadn't run out on Inuyasha before, I would have remembered to take my bow and arrows with me! Now Kagura's got me cornered!' Kagome glared at her opponent and slowly took another step back. 'And it's a long way back to Sesshoumaru...'

She opened her mouth to say something, but Kagura stepped up holding her fan in front of her.

"Spare me from your mindless games. I tend to do this quickly."

Kagome's eyes widened and she made to put her arms up for protection as the huge blades of wind flew towards her.

"I smell something..." Inuyasha gazed lazily around the room. With Kagome out, how could he sleep? Still, the argument they had plagued his mind and he succumbed to depression on how much he had hurt her. He dwelled on it, taking her words into consideration. No matter how long he thought about it, he just couldn't find any good in his half-brother. Who in their right mind would? Kagome, that's who. It was the steady conclusion that he had come to for hours on end. He frowned. Now however, there were more important matters.

"Get up!" he barked.

Miroku opened his bloodshot eyes as the hanyou pulled the sheets off his body. He closed his eyes and opened them again to find that Sango too was thrown out of her futon.

"Sunrise already, Inuyasha?" But the hanyou didn't answer him and kept sniffing the air wildly.

"This scent... It's Kagura's..."

The kitsune cowered. "B-But Inuyasha..." he managed to say before curling himself in the folds of Kagome's sleeping bag.

Sango moved to grab her Hiraikotsu. "Shippo, you stay here," she said and turned towards the houshi. "Why do you think Kagura would be here now? Another plot by Naraku?"

Inuyasha's eyes widened and he growled before dashing through the door, not caring that he broke the wood into scattered pieces.

'Will I get to her in time? Damnit Kagome, why'd you have to go running off by yourself!' He quickened his pace silently praying for once that his older brother might be near and would come to the miko's aid. Behind him the hanyou could hear his companions riding on Kirara's back and telling him to slow down to explain the situation, but he only ran faster. He wasn't going to make it...he wasn't... Though he had fought with her the day before, he couldn't stand it if anything happen to the miko. If she got hurt, what was he to do? He wasn't strong enough...

'Kagome...I won't let you die!'

There...he saw them-- and he was getting closer. It was indeed Kagura, the wind witch, looming over Kagome's limp form. She lay unmoving, her clothes ripped by the force of the wind. Inuyasha's eyes saw red and his hand drew out Tetsusaiga to begin his massacre.

"KAGURA!" The wind witch barely had the time to jump out of the way as the blade came crashing onto the ground at the very spot she had been standing. Her expression did not change but when she drew her fan a strange look came over her face. Kagura was seemingly distracted from her task.

"As if those old tricks can fool me! You'll pay for hurting Kagome!" Inuyasha dodged the witch's attack and held out his sword preparing to strike again.

Kagura smirked and withdrew her fan after seeing his confusion. "Fool. I am not your opponent today, Inuyasha," she declared.

The second Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak; something shot out from behind Kagura and appeared in front of her; a man wearing a white baboon pelt.

"Naraku..." he growled.

"Surprised to see me, Inuyasha? Really, I thought I would have had a better greeting," the hanyou looked over past the inu, and saw the darting figure of the neko youkai approach, carrying the taijiya and the houshi. "Ah, and here come the rest..."

"Naraku!" Sango drew her weapon. "Hiraikotsu!"

Kirara reeled backwards as the boomerang was hurled back at them by Kagura's wind. She let out a frustrated growl and trudged forward as Sango grasped her weapon and lifted it once more for another strike.

"You'll have to do better than that if you're going to pass me, human," Kagura's voice was silky smooth as she approached them, fan held tightly in her hand.

Miroku cursed under his breath and withdrew his hand as the noise of buzzing came within hearing range. Without his kazaana, he would be useless against Kagura. Quickly, he gathered Kagome's bow and arrows that Sango had suggested they take before departing, and hurried over to the fallen miko's side. If he would not be much use in battle, he should tend to the girl's aids instead.

The houshi was shocked to find that the wind had only ripped parts of her clothing, and none of her flesh. Though she was still unconscious he could tell that there was no actual damage done. How strange...

He leaned over her. "Kagome are you—" He wasn't able to finish the last words, before Kagura's blades hit full force, knocking him backwards deeper into the forest.

Sango cried his name and jumped off the neko-youkai, landing a few feet away from the fallen houshi. He grumbled and tried to stand up, his arms, legs and chest cut by the wind. How could he have not seen it before? While Inuyasha was preoccupied with the puppet, Kagura would attack them. Naraku knew fully well that the two humans would not stand a chance against the wind. As Sango's weapon was powered by the force of her throw and by the wind and air, it would be rendered useless in the witch's talent. His kazaana would be useless as well, thanks to the poisonous insects.

Miroku winced and tried to get up. He had to warn Inuyasha to switch foes, or they would not stand a chance at this new tactic. "Sango, we must—" The houshi stopped and his body froze at a sudden feeling. His arms, legs and body grew numb, his breathing became ragged.

"Miroku, what is it? What's wrong?" Miroku ignored the woman's cries, the chill not leaving from his body. 'Whatwas that?'

Inuyasha turned his head just in time to see Miroku's body flying across the air. "Miroku!" He dodged Naraku's tentacles and growled gripping his Tetsusaiga tighter. "This time, you won't get away from me, Naraku! Your head is mine!" he cried slashing more of the tentacles and coming closer to his goal.

The hanyou chuckled at the inu's attempts and used one of his tentacles to grab a hold on his left leg dragging him up into the air. Inuyasha snarled angrily and tried to hack his leg free with the blade, when another tentacle came to wrap itself around his right arm, restraining him. He roared and thrashed.

Naraku laughed at the futile attempt. "You are not my target, today Inuyasha..." he said. Though his face was hidden by the pelt, Inuyasha could almost feel the smirk and amusement on the hanyou's face and it irritated him further.

"I don't care who you're after! Just you wait till I get free of this--!" He struggled but the tentacles only tightened their grip on his arms and legs. There was a clanking sound as his weapon fell from his hand and hit the ground. Inuyasha let out a frustrated growl and struggled harder.

Suddenly his whole body became numb and his struggles ceased. Inuyasha's eyes widened. A very sick and twisted feeling... A feeling of dark despair and prolonged darkness. What was it? His body had become frozen and cold, the blood draining from his face. Never had he felt anything so chilling in his life. Certainly, it could not be Naraku. Even that loathsome creature could not possess such an effect; especially on youkai. However, the unpleasant feeling did not leave him. He shuddered and glanced down at the dirt where his sword lay. If only he could reach it!

Seeing Inuyasha's face turn white and feeling his body grow cold, the hanyou smirked, pleased. "So impatient... What will you do now, Inuyasha—?"

Naraku squinted as the tentacles binding the inu were destroyed by a blinding light. He opened his eyes and glared at the one who dared interrupt them.

Inuyasha landed on his feet and grasped his sword quickly. "Kagome! Get out of here!" Though he was relieved to find her safe, something in the back of his mind told him that something bad was going to happen. He couldn't risk that...not for Kagome's sake.

The miko remained still, gripping her bow tighter as Naraku's gaze fell towards her. "I'm not leaving you guys!" She fired another arrow just as the hanyou dodged.

"This isn't the time! Just get out of here!" There it was again. Thatfeeling. What ever it was...it was close, and it was powerful.

Snarling menacingly, Inuyasha gripped his weapon tighter. His hands were shaking. The unpleasant feeling was returning again and exhaled roughly. His body was frozen and cold. He shook and turned back towards his opponent. He aimed for Naraku once again, hacking away at the tentacles. Glancing back towards Kagome, he was glad to see that she had reunited with Sango and Miroku.

"Hiraikotsu!"

"Pathetic!" Kagura cried triumphantly as her blades changed the course of the boomerang. She smirked as she was fixated by a heated glare from the taijiya. "Was that all? Honestly...I would have thought that you were more of a challenge. Naraku didsay that you were the strongest of your clan. How... unfortunate that they cannot be of help to you now."

The sarcastic remark nearly tore Sango to bits and she gave an angry, frustrated cry. Climbing on the back of Kirara, she trudged forward; set on Kagura's death. Kagome swore under her breath when the taijiya ignored her and quickly tried to tend to Miroku's wounds. He was lying on the ground, sweat and dirt had mixed around his face and body. Desperately, he clutched his chest where most of the wind had cut him. "Hang in there, Miroku!" Kagome desperately tried to cover the wounds by the torn clothing to prevent infection, but the houshi would not stay still. He was in terrible pain.

"You will regret ever saying such a thing, Kagura!" Sango yelled grasping her weapon.

Smirking, the wind witch drew her fan.

'I must cut through her wind. My throw has to be fast so it can cut through! Can I do it...?' Sango gritted her teeth together as the neko youkai sped forward.

"More pathetic attempts?" The wind came hurling again, this time stronger.

Sango rode on and held on to her weapon tightly. "...NOW!" She cried and flung the boomerang with an incredible force. It spiraled and cut through the wind, changing its course. "I-I did it!"

Kagura swore under her breath, "You fool!" The redirected wind flew fast, hurling along the trees and finally cutting flesh. Blood squirted into the air.

"Kagome!"

The hanyou gave a startling cry, drawing everyone's attention to the fallen miko who gripped the side of her bloodied hip. Kagome winced and fell on one knee, her hand holding her side and the other clutching her bow. "Inuyasha..."

Inuyasha growled and made his way towards her, only to find his path blocked by tentacles. He didn't need this right now. Kagome needed him! Inuyasha raised his sword, preparing to attack. He stopped. His hands were shaking again. What was this? He could barely take hold of his sword. Turning his head towards the miko, he saw a shade of grey. It was looming along the darkness in the forest. Even as the sun rose, the dark aura around the bushes and trees remained clouded and dim. What was it? Another one of Naraku's incarnations?

"Kagome! Get out of there!" he shouted.

The girl's head shot up, finally feeling the uneasiness that ran through her body. Slowly she turned her head and froze. Something was coming at her at a very fast, alarming rate. She could see it, but why wasn't she moving? The miko shivered. She couldn't... Shecouldn't move!

It moved so fast, coming straight at her. Its figure shaped like a sphere, and the outer layer covered in a dark black aura. The youkai's appearance seemed not to be of any worry, yet the feeling the miko got was that of death. Around her she could hear her friends screaming for her to move, but her legs would not work. It was as if she was paralyzed by some kind of sudden fear. As the creature came closer, Kagome saw its form change, as if unraveling itself. She saw a pair of red eyes and then claws that came forward to grab her. She screamed.

Just as Kagome felt the creature's claws dig into her arms for capture, she heard the youkai give a pained cry and found herself thrown backwards, a bush cushioning her fall.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha blocked the tentacles with his sword and turned his head, his eyes searching for the girl. What ever the youkai was that attacked Kagome, it had vanished and in its place stood his half brother, claws dripping with poison. "Sesshoumaru!"

Getting over the shock, Inuyasha smirked triumphantly as he felt his energy returning to him. The grip on his Tetsusaiga tightened and he swung it towards the unprepared hanyou. "KAZE NO KIZU!" The blast cut through the pelt destroying the tentacles and everything else. A puppet lay broken in half on the hard dirt. Inuyasha turned his head and ran towards his group and his brother, who stood face to face with the wind witch.

Kagura frowned upon seeing the puppet destroyed and the dark youkai flee. Though she didn't seem at all alarmed facing off against the taiyoukai; she smirked instead. "Well it seems Naraku's plan has failed once again," she said coolly an odd look coming over her face.

"Leave," was Sesshoumaru's reply.

Kagura seemed to glare at him for the longest time, before grabbing her feather and taking off into the air. The taiyoukai merely stared after her as Inuyasha stopped in front of him, weapon held tightly in his hand.

As if he wasn't there at all however, Sesshoumaru simply turned around towards where the miko lay unconscious. He ignored Inuyasha's disapproving growl as he carried the girl in his arms and continued walking off, but stopped when the hanyou appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

"Get your hands off Kagome, Sesshoumaru!" He was beyond angry. Yes...Inuyasha had never felt like this before. Not only had harm come to Kagome, but it was Sesshoumaru who had saved her, while he was paralyzed with fear over the strange youkai. He was notweak. It should have been him to save her, not Sesshoumaru.

Hands shaking with uncontrollable anger, he brought himself to stare down at the girl in his brother's arms. ...Wait a minute...arms? Had Sesshoumaru not lost his left arm in the battle against him within their father's tomb? Inuyasha searched his memory. Yes, Sesshoumaru had attacked them several times with a youkai arm that was not his own. So how was it that he grew back his arm so quickly? And it was indeed his arm, the two purple stripes on his arm seeping out of his haori as he carried the girl.

"You're not taking her!" the hanyou said once again.

Sesshoumaru ignored him again and continued to stare at the miko with an unreadable expression. Her side was bleeding from the force of Kagura's wind. Silently he cursed himself for being so careless in throwing her towards safety—it had only worsen her condition. After another growl from Inuyasha, he looked up. The hanyou was indeed a bother.

"Do not be a fool, Inuyasha. This girl has suffered enough in your care." Inuyasha gritted his teeth in frustration, fighting the urge to not cut him in half. If only the miko was not held in his arms.

"Oh and I suppose you can do better? Just leave Kagome with me and go back to where ever you came from! I don't have the time to deal with you today!" The hanyou took a step closer. Perhaps if Sesshoumaru was caught off guard then he could make a grab for Kagome.

The taiyoukai's piercing glare never faltered. "Unfortunately foryou, dear brother," he began, "This Sesshoumaru would gladly take up on the offer." He smirked to himself, watching Inuyasha's eyes widen with disbelief, mouth slightly open.

"W-What?" he stammered, not believing his brother's words.

Sesshoumaru stared at him intently. "The youkai I fought off was working for Naraku," he drawled. "It seems that it was given orders not to harm the girl, but to merely take her and flee."

"Just what are you saying? That Naraku's devised this whole thing just to take Kagome hostage--?" Inuyasha's eyes widened at the sudden memory. 'You are not my target today, Inuyasha...'

"Only a fool would not see that coming, brother. We are at war, and it is clear now that Naraku desires this girl for her power," Sesshoumaru drawled out.

His fists were clenched for a moment. 'I don't care... I don't care what Naraku wants,' Inuyasha thought desperately as he lunged forward with his sword. 'I'm not letting Sesshoumaru take Kagome!' With an angered cry, he swung his sword towards Sesshoumaru. "I'll be the one to protect her!"

His brother dodged easily and whispered in the hanyou's ear as he passed by. "You lack power, Inuyasha..." Right before he sent his fist directly towards the hanyou's face. Inuyasha cried out as he was thrown into a tree. It shattered--the bark and wood cutting his back, drawing blood.

Inuyasha cursed and looked up, growling. He tried to ignore the pain as Sesshoumaru turned his back from him. "Sesshoumaru..." Inuyasha dug his blade deep within the ground to help him stand. He would not lose...

"Do not be a fool," the taiyoukai began and turned his head to the side, gazing at the hanyou through the corners of his eyes, "You are unfit to protect this miko, Inuyasha. She will be under my protection, for I cannot let the hanyou, Naraku, get the upper hand in this war... But believe me when I say I will kill you if you try and stop me." As soon as the words left his mouth, he continued walking off into the forest.

Inuyasha gave a feral cry and tried to stand once again. Sango and Miroku held him back, warning him of his injuries. The hanyou only struggled against their grip, his wounds cutting deeper. His face stung with a far worse pain. Sesshoumaru's poison must have leaked when his fist came in contact with his face. It stung him, his eyes watering and his vision blurring. It was hard to see, but he had to go save Kagome. He had to!

"Inuyasha, don't! Your injuries from the fight with Naraku have not healed," Miroku began "We cannot possibly chase after Sesshoumaru in our condition. Nor would we stand a chance at this point."

The hanyou blinked back the tears, and tried opening his eyes again. Miroku looked like a mess. The heavy scent of mud and earth reeked off him, his clothing was torn everywhere. The deep cuts of Kagura's wind doing much damage to the houshi. Sango had gashes on her arms and Kirara was sprawled on the ground, spent. The battle had taken a lot from them.

"Inuyasha!" The hanyou turned his head as the young kitsune sped on all fours towards them. "Sango! Miroku! Kirara! What happened? Where's Kagome?"

Inuyasha clung onto the two humans as they held him up, preparing to head back towards the village. He could barely make out Shippo's figure as his eyes were still some what blinded from the poison.

Sango grabbed her fallen weapon as they passed. "We'll explain later, Shippo. Right now Inuyasha and Miroku need medical attention," she assured the kitsune. "Go ahead and warn the villagers. Tell them to send help quickly."

The kit's head shot up and he ran in haste towards the direction of the village. "Do not worry Inuyasha, we'll find Kagome. The day is still long," the houshi pointed out, glancing at the rising sun.

Indeed. Inuyasha's blood boiled. As soon as his injuries were healed, he would go after Sesshoumaru. He would kill him for ever touching Kagome. He would end it once and for all. After that, he would slaughter Naraku and end his life. No harm would ever come to Kagome ever again. I will be the one to protect her...

---

A distant humming echoed throughout the forest as the little girl patiently waited for her master's return. She sang happily, ignoring the protests of the toad youkai, who groaned and yelled for her to stop. "I will wait alone until you come...Sesshoumaru-sama please return..."

"Cut that horrible racket, Rin!" Jaken crossed his arms over his chest in a stubborn manner when the human refused to obey his commands. She was quite a bundle to take care of. He wished desperately that their lord would return to them soon. Jaken did not understand why Sesshoumaru left them behind to go on ahead. Usually the taiyoukai would only leave at some nights; mostly to feed or to find something to relieve him of stress...

Where was he now? Oh how he wished they would return back to the safety of the Western Lands and the castle. If it were not for the filthy hanyou that Sesshoumaru wanted his revenge for, they would not have to spend nights out in the cold forest and endure the hot weather in the day. And he would not have to deal with the insufferable ranting of the human girl who would do nothing but ignore his commands.

"Rin! I said stop that insufferable noise!"

The young ward merely smiled and sang louder, petting the two headed dragon's heads. She would miss him at these times. Even though she never said much as to why her Sesshoumaru-sama would be gone, she would always be here waiting. Chuckling at Jaken's feudal attempts to make her stop singing, she hopped off the back of Ah Un, just as the sound of distant footsteps came within hearing range.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" she exclaimed a huge smile appearing on her face.

Jaken's head shot up and turned his head at the girl's sudden cry of joy. The taiyoukai's figure appeared from deep within the forest, his face baring the same emotionless expression. The sun's rays softly hit the side of his face as if marveling at his distinct features. In his arms he held a body too slender and petite to be a youkai, Jaken had realized.

As their approaching lord came nearer, the girl was revealed almost instantly; the light bouncing off her cheekbones. 'It is Inuyasha's wench! Why is Sesshoumaru-sama carrying this abomination?'

Hearing a gasp from the young girl beside him, he saw her dart forward towards the great taiyoukai and it was only then did the toad realize that the miko his lord was holding was covered in her own filthy blood. It had seeped onto Sesshoumaru's haori and had dripped onto his hakama as well. Jaken wanted to gag.

The girl was hesitant. "Sesshoumaru-sama...what's happened to Kagome-oneesan?" she asked. It seemed to Sesshoumaru that he had not seen her this way since she had been almost killed by the human who groveled at Naraku's feet. Her face was distressed and filled with worry, the happiness fading out.

"She will be fine, Rin," the taiyoukai said as the girl in his arms shifted. "Prepare to depart...we are leaving for the Western Lands." He saw the young one's eyes brighten. It had been a while since they left home. Far too long.

Jaken stepped up and seemed very hesitant as he approached. "S-Sesshoumaru-sama, if I could speak up...? But are we taking that human with us back to the castle?" he asked glancing at the bloodied girl.

The corners of Sesshoumaru's mouth twitched slightly, giving Jaken the sign that he was irritated. "This miko is under this Sesshoumaru's protection," he started, "I don't want another complaint, Jaken." He walked passed the two towards the dragon and motioned for Rin to get on.

In a matter of moments all of them were in the air and traveling at incredible speed towards the west; the ward and retainer clinging tightly to the dragon's neck, and Sesshoumaru, the girl held tightly in his embrace, flew on the clouded mist. They passed the great ocean and came upon many forests, youkai looking overhead, marveling at the beam of light in the sky that was the taiyoukai and his companions. Sceneries flew past them and it wasn't long before the great castle came into view.

Sesshoumaru landed with ease on the hard ground as did the dragon. He took a whiff of the air, the scent was mostly his own. Not admitting out loud, but he was glad to be back in his own domain. The taiyoukai heard the excited squeals of his ward and retainer as the servants came running down the steps to welcome their master. They all swarmed around him, asking questions and throwing compliments such as, "Oh, my lord, it is good to have you back," and, "Things have not been the same since you left my lord." Of course, none were true, as Sesshoumaru knew himself that he paid no attention and no respect towards anyone in the palace.

He walked passed them swiftly, not uttering a sound. The miko would need medical attention. Sesshoumaru knew that she had lost a fair amount of blood from the battle and on their long travel. She was filthy. Dry dirt covered her legs, her hair was tousled and a trickle of blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.

Sesshoumaru looked up as a servant passed by around the halls. "Call for the healer," he said suddenly alerting the young youkai servant. The boy gave a low bow to his lord before running in the opposite direction, set on fulfilling his task.

The taiyoukai stepped into the room and the torches lit up illuminating the large room. He walked over to the bed, and stopped when he felt the girl shift in his arms. Looking at her pained state made him angry, although he didn't know why.

It was no lie that he heard the girl's screams for his half brother just before their battle. She had sounded terrified and frightened of death, and yet, when he heard her terrified screams...he did not come. Sesshoumaru had told himself to stay put. The girl was none of his concern. She was his brother's wench, not his own. Even the thought was absolutely ludicrous. The miko was nothing to him. She was the one thing he despised the most; a human.

His lips twitched at the thought and his brows came together. No, he had urged himself not to go and heed her call. And she did not call for him, she called for his brother. The thought made Sesshoumaru want to slice open the hanyou's throat. Inuyasha was weak. Pathetic... He could not even see to the girl's safety, let alone his own.

Blood dripped onto the floor waking Sesshoumaru from his thoughts. The girl... Kagome, her side was still bleeding. It was her blood that called to him. Kagura's wind had cut her flesh and at that instant, his legs moved to the direction of the miko. The scent of her blood and painful cry had reached his nose and his ears. He felt angry at the thought of her blood being spilled. Her crying...her pained. The taiyoukai suppressed a growl. He had acted without thinking and it disturbed him. Sesshoumaru was one with great control over his mind, body and soul. How was it that a simple drop of blood from the miko made him come running?

Sesshoumaru stared at his claws. They still stung from when he took a swipe at the strange youkai. Was it...shadow? He couldn't quite tell what the element was and he didn't know much about them; elemental youkai. Only that they hold extremely rare abilities. Most shadow youkai however, stayed clear from humans and other youkai, so Sesshoumaru doubted that it was shadow. It moved in tremendous speed, perhaps it was an earth youkai then? It mattered not... The youkai's scales felt almost like a burning fire on his claws but the pain would cease soon enough. Sesshoumaru's eyes drifted from his hand to the girl. She had shifted again, showing signs of waking and incredible discomfort at the position she was in. Her body had been warm before, but now, as the taiyoukai took notice, her skin was burning. A fever perhaps? Sesshoumaru knew nothing of human sicknesses.

Kagome's eyes opened slowly, the color of blue hazed with a tint of grey.

"Inuyasha?..."

Well there's the third chapter. I'm not particularly good at writing battle scenes as you can see, so I'm hoping to improve as the fanfic progresses and I certainly hope this chapter wasn't a disappointment. There wasn't a lot of Kag/Sess moments, but it keeps the mind wondering about the next chapter, ne?