Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha…

THANK YOU FOR WAITING SO PATIENTLY!!

CHAPTER TWELVE

I stood there like a dumb puppet and did not know how to react: millions emotions swirling around deep within my chest, only wanting to be poured out. Since I had not seen him in days, it was only normal that I felt somewhat happy to see my gladiator standing there in front of me. But the fact that Kouga had just introduced me as his bride only made me feel ashamed and guilty. Therefore, I did not know whether I should have left Kouga and ran blindly towards him or just have hidden away like a coward. Never had I been so disgusted with myself.

Cold knives stabbed my chest as my eyes locked with his penetrating gaze. The whole world could have screamed at that moment and my delicate ears would not have heard it. Not one word. The only thing I concentrated on was the man before me. It seemed that he as well did not know how to react for his eyes portrayed all kinds of emotions; anger being the dominant one.

Oh gods.

I could feel the warm tears threatening to fall down my cold pale cheeks but before I could do anything to show that I was deeply sorry, he turned his back on me as if he had decided to exclude me from his life forever. I wanted to jump and beg him to look at me. I wanted him to give me that warm smile that always made everything better. I wanted…needed…to hear his sweet, soothing voice that would always make my heart skip a beat.

Nothing. He gave me nothing.

It hurt.

The look he had given me, the way he turned and walked off to prepare him self for battle…it hurt.

"Are you planning on standing during the whole battle?" Kouga asked in a mocking tone.

I hated his stupid remarks and I loathed the way sarcasm seemed to seep out of his repulsive mouth. But I obeyed and sat down beside him where I was supposed to. Inuyasha was sarcastic at times, but he never meant to humiliate me like Kouga. And if he ever did he would apologize.

I heard Kouga's advisors tell him that Inuyasha was the best gladiator that ever existed. Kouga just chuckled, not believing a word of what the older man had told him. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes. He had probably betted on Inuyasha's opponent. You see, to those with royal blood running through their veins, this battle is a mere game of entertainment: nothing more. They see the gladiators as puppets and therefore manipulate them to amuse themselves. They are all pathetic mortals who like to see people suffering in order to feel superior. Whet they do not seem to realize is that these gladiators are fighting against death…fighting for today…fighting for tomorrow.

"No one has ever defeated Jakotsu," he smirked.

Jakotsu.

Inuyasha had mentioned his name once before…said that he had no ordinary sword. The way he was able to move the steel weapon almost made it seem like a snake. Was there really such a thing?

I took a good look at this Jakotsu and to be honest he looked nothing like a gladiator. But then again, one cannot judge on appearances. He was tall and pale, with dark brown eyes that portrayed no emotion; from far away, or at least from where I was standing, he looked more like a woman. When he turned to look at Inuyasha, a small smile appeared on his face as if he were happy to be battling him. Never had I seen someone smile before a battle.

"The two greatest gladiators stand before you in this arena," a man spoke, quieting the crowd.

Inuyasha and the other gladiator were given their sword. They stared at each other while the man gave his little speech.

"And so, let the battle begin."

The people got up from their seats and roared. The soft beating within my chest began hammering against its cage. I could not understand how people thought this was entertaining.

The minute the battle had begun Inuyasha began soaring over the ground while Jakotsu stood in place, watching Inuyasha's every move. Inuyasha jumped and before he could penetrate his shoulder with the tip of his sword, Jakotsu disappeared: he vanished into thin air before appearing on the other end of the arena.

Magic?

It could not be. Could it?

Was it even allowed in battle?

Shock was splattered all over Inuyasha's face, showing how that move was completely unexpected. Nonetheless, he landed on the ground and immediately turned around to attack again. No one knew where Inuyasha could pick up such speed and it was almost impossible to dodge one of his attacks. But then how was it that the gladiator he was battling could dodge them in one swift motion.

Again, Inuyasha jumped to pierce his opponent with his sword. And once more, Jakotsu disappeared. I looked at the crowd and they seemed to be enjoying themselves, unlike me. I could feel the adrenalin begin to rise from within me and the battle had barely started.

Inuyasha landed and turned to find Jakotsu standing in front of him. He plunged his weapon forward and was immediately blocked by Jakotsu's sword. His "snake" had been unleashed and while Inuyasha looked like he was having trouble, Jakotsu was grinning as if he were only playing a mere game.

They both jumped back and ran towards each other. The loud clash of the swords made the crowd yell for more. And then it happened. Jakotsu rotated his wrist, the sword following in accord with its owner, and grazed Inuyasha's arm with his weapon. My eyes widened in horror as blood trickled down his skin. It was just as Inuyasha had told me. That sword was not an ordinary sword.

Jakotsu backed away, watching Inuyasha grunt in pain. He smiled, moving the metallic blade up to his face and licking off the scarlet liquid. When he finished, he raised the sword to show the audience that he had cleaned his weapon. I found it disgusting while the people cried out in excitement.

When he saw that Inuyasha was beginning to run towards him, Jakotsu plunged his sword forward to defend himself. When Jakotsu rotated his wrist to move his blade just as he had before, Inuyasha jumped. That is when I understood. Inuyasha wanted Jakotsu to attack him so he could see up close how Jakotsu moved his sword. By memorizing his steps and his movements, Inuyasha was able to dodge the attack.

I sighed in relief and heard Kouga scoff in displeasure and annoyance.

Jakotsu joined him in the air and tried to stab him. Inuyasha raised his sword to defend himself. Gravity pulled them down with great speed and before we could see what had happened, dust surrounded the arena. Anxiety washed over me. I needed to see what was happening. I needed to know if Inuyasha was still alive.

When the arena was cleared, I saw Jakotsu standing over Inuyasha with his sword placed vertically over his body. Inuyasha had positioned his sword horizontally to protect himself. I saw how Inuyasha was having trouble breathing and deduced that he had broken a rib when he landed. Jakotsu's eyes widened in amusement as Inuyasha began to push him off.

When they stood up, Jakotsu grabbed Inuyasha's neck and ran forward. He pounded him against a wall and began choking him. As the people roared, Jakotsu started laughing hysterically. He was enjoying himself, he was having fun, and he was going to kill Inuyasha.

I could not watch. This could not be the end. Inuyasha was supposed to live. He was supposed to save me from this monstrous hell. He was supposed to take me away. He could not just leave me here…alone. Was this payback for the lies that I had lived? Was this karma?

"Finish him," Kouga whispered.

No.

Please.

Inuyasha gripped his sword tightly and thrust it forward. The crowd quieted down as they saw Jakotsu spit out blood. He pulled the sword out slowly and smiled as he saw his blood on the cold steel. He touched the coppery liquid and brought his finger towards his mouth. Smiling at the taste of his own blood, he let darkness consume him and allowed his body to fall freely towards the ground. Immediately I stood up and ran towards the edge to see if Inuyasha was alright. His head was rolled back against the wall and his breathing was slow but heavy.

He was hurt…but he had won.

My Inuyasha had won.

Guards walked out into the arena and carefully carried him away. He was to be bandaged and healed. The other guards came with a sack. I assumed it was for Jakotsu.

I saw Kouga stand up quickly but before he could go anywhere, I stopped him. My small hand gripped his arm tightly. He would not leave without answering my question.

"Where are you going?"

He turned to look at me with mischief in his ocean blue eyes and brought up a cold hand to hold my cheek. I retaliated from his so called "caresses" and ordered him to give me a response.

He only stared at me and smirked.

"It was decided that the victor of this battle would be invited to the wedding. And a proper invitation should be done in person."