Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

A/N A-ah… I'm sorry for the wait. School and all… Anyways, here's the chapter! Enjoy you guys! Oh and to Answer Fire Inu Princess, Inuyasha is learning how to touch things like other spirits, he isn't turning into flesh and bone.

Awakened Dead

Chapter 9. November 23rd

.

.

.

.

.

The next couple of weeks had been very quiet, and for sometime Kagome believed that her life had finally gone back to normal. Well, as normal as can be anyways. Inuyasha was definitely still around and if anything, more attached to her than ever. There have been a couple of times when he would speak to her in-class while she would be trying to pay attention to her teacher, each small conversation ending with her muttering a sit command.

Honestly, he was beginning to suffocate her. 'It's not like it's his fault though, what else is a spirit supposed to do when no one else can see it?' She thought as she walked home in company of Sango-chan and Miroku-san. And as usual, Inuyasha kept to one side of Kagome while her school friends were on her other.

"Kagome-chan who are you going to bring to the winter formal this year? I hear that Houjo-kun could be a potential again, or even that guy you danced with at Halloween, what was his name again… Ano…" Sango-chan thought for a moment, completely oblivious to the growling hanyou next to Kagome.

"Ah, you mean Bankotsu-san," Miroku filled in for her with a small chuckled.

"Hai! That's the name," Sango smiled and nudged Kagome playfully, "You were all gaga for him last I checked."

"Nani?!" Inuyasha shouted, "The hell is she talking about going 'gaga', wench?!"

Kagome's eyebrow twitched, 'Oh my freaking god… I will loose it soon, I swear it!' She thought. Forcing a smile, Kagome had laughed lightly, "N-no, I don't think that'll happen Sango-chan. I haven't spoken to him in a while…"

Sango had blinked, "Oh, that's too bad. You two could have made a cute couple." She teased.

Laughing sheepishly, Kagome had brushed her off and soon separated from the group to start walking up the shrine steps. With a small wave goodbye she had continued her way up with a hanyou hot on her heels. She could just hear him seething behind her, and she fought the urge to just tell him to chill out. 'How did he become so possessive? Then again, he was pretty much always like this..' She thought, remembering the time when she had actually taken a moment to look up the word mate on the online dictionary at school.

She had blushed so badly when she looked up at all the different meanings behind the word. She figured it didn't mean friendship, but wife? Spouse? Then it could be used as a verb, to mate. That made her go beat red and shut down the website. When Miroku told her that Inuyasha was just concerned about his intended mate, what he meant was that Inuyasha was concerned for his fiancé.

When the hell had she become his fiancé!?

Naturally, she had cornered Miroku and forced him to spill beans about what he meant and eventually found out that in Inuyasha's hanyou-twisted-sort-of-way, Kagome was a potential mate. And probably the potential mate. However, could he not see the obvious problem of um… Ahem..

The whole dead thing!!

He was a spirit, she was flesh and bones.

No possible way to... Uh, mate.

Miroku had then told her that maybe things could change, or maybe there was some weird demon thing that allowed them to—before he could finish, she had screeched at him and given him a harsh slap to his cheek before stomping off.

Now looking up that the sky, Kagome remembered that day quite clearly. She had been really flustered for the rest of the day to the point where Inuyasha was worried about her. But she could hardly look at him without blushing and squeaking out mild responses of "I'm okay," and "It's nothing, really."

She laughed to herself and continued to walk across the shrine grounds, stopping briefly to look up at the Goshinboku. Almost all the leafs had fallen, meaning winter was going to be here very soon. Yet despite the lack of leafs, the tree still looked glorious, and still felt just as spiritually strong.

"This tree looks exactly like it did five hundred years ago," Inuyasha remarked next to her. With his constant hovering around her, she had become use to him and had regarded him with a questioning look.

"This tree was around when you were alive?"

He had turned his golden gaze to her and smirked, "Hard to believe is it?" He snorted, "Silly girl, this tree was a very powerful symbol back when I was alive. See that branch up there?" He pointed to a flat branch in the centre of the tree, "That's where I would sleep most nights. It had the perfect amount of coverage during the summer months so I could stay hidden from annoying humans."

Kagome smiled softly, "Souta and I would try climbing this tree, but we'd never get further than the first few branches."

The hanyou chuckled, "Yeah, that's why I hid in the middle, they'd never know I was there." His gaze washed over the rest of the tree until it landed to the centre of the trunk, "And that scar… where the bark is missing and the hole…" He whispered. "I…"

Kagome looked over at him worriedly, and she shyly grabbed one of his clawed hands for comfort, "Are you alright?" She asked.

Inuyasha shook his head, "Feh, it's nothin', I'm fine."

Kagome rolled her eyes, men and their egos. Simply hopeless. 'He's lying again.. And I get this feeling though that maybe he was involved in that? Judging by that hole, it could have been made with an arrow. I always wondered how the tree had gotten that scar.' She thought, giving Inuyasha's hand another squeeze of comfort, "Hey, mind taking me up to that middle branch? I'd like to see what the view is like."

Inuyasha had looked at her in surprise, "Really?" He then grinned toothily and tugged the girl into his arms before leaping up into the tree quickly.

Kagome had yelped at the sudden woosh of air, but then settled down when they stopped. Without all the foliage disrupting their view, Kagome could see most of Tokyo from within the tree. And during the sunset no less, "It's beautiful Inuyasha."

The hanyou nodded, "I admit, it is a sight to see. Even in this time." He had grudgingly dropped his hands from her waist in favour of remaining on the girl's good side. Though he craved to touch her more, he was still just as satisfied with inhaling her scent as the breeze tousled her hair.

'Damn, I can feel the youkai getting agitated inside me…' He thought, raising a clawed hand to clutch his head, 'Wh-what the hell! Why am I feeling like this? She's just a girl.' The hanyou thought, shifting his gaze to look around the sky quickly. He had targeted the source of his problem soon after, a frown forming on his lips, 'There, it's going to be a full moon this week. But even then, I've never had my demon blood become so anxious before because of the lunar cycle.'

"Inuyasha?"

The hanyou had shaken his thoughts away and looked down at Kagome quickly, "Huh, yeah?"

"We better get inside before you get lock out again," She told him, slightly worried about the faded purple stripes that had forms along his cheeks. 'I wonder if he's upset about something?'

The hanyou had focused back on the sun and nodded, it was almost completely set, just enough time to get into the house. "I'll take you down and meet you in the house," He said, grabbing her gently before leaping out of the tree and landing softly on the ground. With that, he had dematerialized and entered her house right before the final rays of sun had lit the horizon.

Looking around quickly, Kagome had sighed in relief that no one had seen her mysteriously float out of a tree and land unharmed on the pavement. Boy would that be a story to tell. 'At least I'm being careful about it though,' She thought as she continued her walk home. She had slid open the front door and closed it loudly behind herself, removing her shoes and bag quickly, "Tadaima!" She shouted, walking into the kitchen only to find her mother beginning dinner.

"Welcome home dear, dinner will be ready shortly. Why don't you go ahead and get cleaned up?" She smiled.

"Sure," Kagome waved and was off to her room. Once she was in, she closed the door behind herself and sighed loudly, "Man am I glad to be home…" She crashed on her bed sloppily. That's when an irritating voice that could only belong to her little brother, had shouted through her door and opened it. "Souta! What did I say about—"

"A-ah!! I got permission from mom! Some guy is on the phone for you. His name is Mi-roku," The boy sounded out, "Is he your boooyfriend?" He taunted.

Kagome shot him glares and jumped off her bed to swipe the cordless phone from her little brother. It had been easy enough considering how scared he looked when she shot him her evilest of glares, and had then slammed her door shut once more with a huff. She grumbled under her breath about annoying brothers and ignored Inuyasha's soft chuckles, indicating that he had been watching.

"Hello?" Kagome finally said when she placed the phone against her ear.

"Ah Kagome, we have a problem."

Great, just when things were looking up for her, some new supernatural being just had to march over and ruin it for her. "What's wrong Miroku-san? And please don't tell me we have a ghost problem."

"Well no, not a ghost problem per say.."

"Then what?" Kagome muttered suspiciously.

"I'd say about four ghost problems…" She heard him nervously say. In the background she could hear complaining and small arguments gradually getting louder.

Kagome groaned, "Wonderful, I'll be over after dinner."

"Alright, see you then."

"Bye," She clicked off the phone. In front of her, Inuyasha had materialized with a worried look plastered on his face.

"Wench, I could here 'em arguing about not being dead. They're pretty pissed off."

Kagome nodded, "I'll be careful, but for now, mind getting out of here so I can change?" She asked timidly.

"Ya sure you don't want me stickin' around? I don't mind the show," He grinned.

Kagome glared, "Out."

He dematerialized as she tossed her pillow at him, his chuckles filling her room.

"Jerk."

-X-

On her way to Miroku's home, dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and a fall jacket, the miko mentally prepared herself for the four teenage ghosts. During dinner, her mother had told her about the newspaper article she had read earlier today. Apparently there was an awful car accident involving four teenagers Saturday night. The police think it was a hit and run deal since the car clearly showed dents where it was hit and shoved off the highway into a tree.

All the passengers in the car didn't survive.

Kagome put two and two together and figured that they were the issue Miroku was so nervously telling her about. She had sent Inuyasha ahead to help Miroku keep them calm, but she figured she would be regretting that decision very soon. If anything, she'd walk in on the hanyou chewing them out for being idiots. Naturally, it was much worse than that. In fact, she had walked in on the half demon beating up the three boys while the girl stood on the side lines screeching her head off at them.

Hurray for Mondays!

"Sit boy," Kagome mumbled dryly under her breath.

The boys had managed to separate themselves from the hanyou on the floor to sit back with their female friend who now eyed Kagome with a dark look. The miko could only describe it as a look of jealousy, but was confused as to why this little twit would be jealous of her. 'Thank god we're home alone here, otherwise I'm sure Miroku's guardian would have a drunken fit!' She thought to herself as she observed the dead teens wearily.

They all stood, safe for Inuyasha, in the living room where Kagome guessed they had bombarded Miroku while he was watching TV. "They surprised me, that's for sure." Miroku grunted, crashing on his couch with a small groan. "They said that they were directed to me by some ragged woman."

"She like, wore a weird torn dress and had a long, wrinkly face…" The girl said.

"Yeah, she was saying something about going into the light and bull like that," One of the boys said, as a scratch that had torn up his cheek had slowly started to stitch itself back together. "So we told the hag to fuck off and then got sent here."

"His name is Mamoru," Miroku pointed out, "The girl is Toko, that red haired guy is Allen, and the black haired one is Sosuke. They're from East Shikon High, our sister school."

As soon as the sit command had worn off, Inuyasha had stood next to Kagome and placed his hands in either of his red sleeves, "You dumbasses better be happy now! You just pissed off a Reaper."

"A Reaper? As is in the Grim Reaper?" Allen asked nervously, earning an elbow in the stomach from Sosuke.

"No you baka, Reaper's don't exist, and we're not dead! This is all just some weird high we must be on together," He reasoned. "And you," Sosuke pointed to Inuyasha with a chuckle, "Are just some weird dude with long hair and fake dog ears. What a loser."

The hanyou cracked his knuckles warningly, "Monk, send these idiots packing before I tears 'em apart." He growled, his anger barely being held back now. Even within Kagome's presence it seemed that instead of having the usual calming effect, he was getting that much more restless. If he had to guess as to why he was feeling this way, he'd blame it all on his territorial demon side that was just itching to come out and play.

Kagome nervously glanced at Inuyasha and bit her lip, 'His demon stripes are starting to form again,' She thought worriedly. "Miroku-san, what would be the best way to approach this? They just died, so their funerals probably haven't happened yet, so we can't burn anything."

"Whoa, whoa," Mamoru said, "What the hell are you talking about? Are you trying to kill us lady?"

"You're already dead! Get that through your damn skulls already!" Inuyasha snarled.

Miroku sighed, this had been the whole argument that had started the brawl earlier. He had already sacrificed a coffee table to this mess no thanks to the temperamental hanyou, and he'd rather nothing else be broken in his home. Rubbing his temples, the monk tried to think of any solution that could help them, "Ah, Kagome-chan mind if we speak elsewhere?"

Kagome nodded, "Sure." She placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and smiled, "Watch them okay? Don't break out into a fight."

"Keh, I make no promises to that wench," He replied.

Rolling her eyes, the miko had followed after Miroku into another room that she assumed was the study. Once inside, Miroku had closed the doors behind her and walked up to the desk that sat further away, leaning against it. Taking his example, she had made herself comfortable on the leather couch and cocked her head to the side, "So…?"

"I had a thought," He merely said.

Kagome narrowed her eyes again in suspicion, "You were thinking about that book again, weren't you?" When he didn't reply she had growled at him, "We can't depend on that book for everything! I already told you, it's way too powerful. And we don't know what can happen if we recite these spells."

"But you have been reading it, haven't you?"

The young girl fidgeted, "…When Inuyasha isn't around…"

Nodding he continued, "Did you go over the section about exorcisms?"

"Look, there is no way we can do it! The incantation is written in Latin and it calls for candles and chicken blood Miroku-san. Chicken blood. This book is twisted, and there's no way we are doing this," Kagome hurriedly defended.

The monk pushed himself off the desk and approached her, "Kagome-chan these spirits are confused and on the brink of becoming demonic. They told off a Reaper and got sent here, still believing their alive mind you, so what exactly can we do? Our hands are tied unless they voluntarily move on, however I doubt they will because they can't seem to get passed the dead part. Not to mention they strongly believe that they were purposefully killed, which has fuelled them even more to remain here until their murder is resolved." He breathed in deeply and stepped back from the mildly shocked girl.

She never knew Miroku-san to be serious with anything. He would always joke about so much and shrug everything off so easily, not mention was the biggest pervert of life. 'But he's right. These guys are getting anxious, maybe.. No, it's too dangerous.' "Why can't you send their spirits off? Aren't you able to do that?"

"No, I can only send those who have come to terms with their death, and are ready to leave. These ones are confused and wish to remain here."

"Then, how about we find their killer? Would that bring them peace?"

Miroku stuffed his hands in his pockets and thought for a moment, "It's possible. But we don't even know where to start."

"I think I do," Kagome grinned.

-X-

Kagome had taken over the monk's computer while questioning the ghost about the last thing they remembered before the accident. She had come to learn that they were the party kinds of people and jocks to boot, meaning they had a long list of potentials that could want them dead. She had then furthered her investigation by looking up their high school and website, sifting through the school news. That's when she found the lead suspect for this case.

Some guy named Kageshi Noegi, the head of tech club, had just lost his little sister in an accident two weeks earlier. Apparently the junior had attended a seniors-only party and gotten herself so smashed that she had fallen into the pool in Mamoru's backyard. Since everyone was very inebriated, they didn't really notice her struggling until it was too late. The poor girl had drowned that night.

So without mentioning this to the group, Kagome had printed off the address of this kid and pocketed the information. The last thing she wanted to do was send four hostile poltergeist to the house of the guy who potentially could have killed them. Yeah, that'd end real well.

Shutting down the computer, Kagome had gotten up and huffed, "Well you guys, I'll go and check on some suspects tomorrow. For now though, you should just make yourselves comfortable and wait."

At this, Miroku had stood up and protested, "Wait, you aren't suggesting they stay here, are you?" He asked, almost afraid. She could see why though since he had already lost a coffee table in this whole ordeal. But, them's the breaks.

"Yup!" Kagome smiled all too brightly, "And Inuyasha too."

"Wait what?! What do you mean Inuyasha too?!" The hanyou loudly protested.

Jeez, were all men this whinny?

"Someone needs to watch them. Preferably someone who doesn't need sleep and who can handle them. You are a ghost, and a demon. Now what do you know, a perfect solution to the problem!" Kagome told him, "Besides, it's not like you can get back into my house tonight anyways, so you might as well be put to good use."

He grunted under his breath something that sounded vaguely like 'controlling bitch', but the miko had ignored it. She figured he'd get pissed at her, so oh well. "Now that this is settled, I'm going home. Good luck." Kagome gave the monk a thumbs up before slyly making her escape.

She was happy to be outside again, and in the fresh air. It generally did her some good and—She stopped mid walk when she noticed someone at the end Miroku's driveway. He seemed equally shocked to see her, which led her to believe that maybe this was just another coincidence. But could that really be? "Bankotsu-san, what are you doing out so late?" 'And here, of all places?' She mentally added in thought.

"Ah," Bankotsu-san scratched the back of his neck nervously, "I live around here, so I was just taking a walk to clear my head about some stuff." He had pocketed his hands in his jeans, looking quite handsome in his button down blue and white shirt and brown leather jacket.

Raising an eyebrow, the miko spoke, "Is that so?" 'Is he a stalker or something?'

"Yeah, but I should head back now," Bankotsu grinned proudly. "Would you like a chaperone home?"

Hell, with the way he looked, she'd let him stalk her any day, "Ha, why not? You never know when some creep can pop out of nowhere," She teased, beginning her walk home with him. His company was actually comforting, and she hardly felt nervous around him anymore. Maybe tonight really was just a coincidence, and he was just walking by Miroku's house.

"Ch, I'm just as surprised to see you as you are," Bankotsu defended.

Yup, just a normal coincidence, for once! "Oh, I'm sure you—"

"If you think for one minute I'm gunna babysit those idiots you got another thing—" Inuyasha's form had materialized right in front of Kagome and Bankotsu, however he had frozen mid-sentence when his gaze had fallen on the boy next to his miko.

'Oh crap,' Kagome mentally panicked, 'Oh no no no nooooo.' She had glanced over at Bankotsu nervously, who in return regarded her with a confused look. Jeez, now she had a rampaging-foaming-at-the-mouth hanyou to deal with.

"Is there any reason why we stopped walking?" He asked.

"Kagome, get behind me." Inuyasha growled, "Now."

"Ah…"Kagome looked back at Inuyasha and tried to make a motion for him to get lost, but he just didn't get it. Instead, he had actually crouched into a fighting stance and bared his fangs threateningly at Bankotsu, 'That's weird, why is he getting so worked up about this?' She knew he had been acting strange all day, but this? He was starting to cross a line now, threatening humans of all things!

"Hunter, you better step away from that girl before I rip you open for even standing next to her," Inuyasha snarled in the most dangerous, deadliest voice Kagome had ever heard him use. What even made him more frightening was his eye's flashing red and blue, and those jagged purple stripes returning on his cheeks.

And wait, did he say hunter?

Bankotsu had finally looked back at Inuyasha and acknowledge him with a cocky grin, "You're much too serious, mutt. Though I have to disagree about your claims you have on this girl, seeing as you're nothing but a floating spirit… I personally think this relationship isn't going to work out."

In seconds, Inuyasha had Bankotsu by the neck and raised off the ground. Something that would be painful to a normal human was tolerable for a hunter, "You have no right to challenge my claims, hunter." He sneered in his deep, demonic voice. "I outrank you by far."

Bankotsu chuckle, "I doubt that, and besides you're a ghost now.. So you're ranking is as lowly as dirt."

"Inu-Inuyasha!" Kagome said in alarm, "Calm down." 'What can I do?'

"Keh! I dare you to repeat that, this time with the knowledge that you're speaking with the Prince of the Western Lands." The hanyou spat, tightening his hold around the hunter's neck painfully.

Bankotsu choked on his words, but managed to curse Inuyasha. Grabbing the hanyou's wrist with both hands, Bankotsu had managed to lessen the tension on his throat to croak out, "There's no way you're the brother of that damn Sesshoumaru-sama."

Inuyasha had growled and tossed Bankotsu to the side like a rag doll, his youki flaming even more with anger, "How do you know about him!" He barked, his eyes solid red and blue, his fangs now extending bellowing his lips.

'Sesshoumaru-sama? Inuyasha has a brother? And he's a prince?' Kagome thought as she watched the argument press on.

Bankotsu cleared his throat and shot the furious demon a glare, "Besides the fact that he owns practically all of western Japan with his company you mean?" He snorted, "He's been giving my family trouble for generations, and now I can see why. He's been looking for the sword Tessaiga, and has ripped through my family to get it, but never found it."

"Tessaiga, the sword you were trapped in," Kagome voiced worriedly.

"Sesshou…maru…" Inuyasha grunted out, "Bastard… I'll kill him… and you!" He roared.

Bankotsu lifted himself up, and prepared for Inuyasha's attack until Kagome had so kindly stepped in between the boys, flickers of spiritual powers surrounding her. The hunter had never seen anything like it before, especially from a miko. Her powers encircled her as opposed to solely coming from within her. He had never heard of a miko being this spiritually powerful except for once, a long time ago.

"Kagome, don't! You'll get killed!" Bankotsu yelled.

Obviously she ignored him, "Inuyasha," Kagome began in a threatening voice.

At that moment, said half demon knew what was coming. His youki had died down, though his appearance hadn't changed. He was slightly fearful, but still really pissed off. "Don't."

She had actually contemplated it, "Don't force me, and I won't." She replied angrily.

He had to give her credit for knowing just how to tame his beast, but it didn't make him like it anymore, "K-keh," he tried to will himself to calm down, but that hunter was just there. He was right there, threatening his position and claims he had on Kagome. That lowly human hunter thought he could take what was his. So naturally, the only thoughts that circle non-stop in the half demons head were, 'Kill, kill… Kill him--!' Gradually his youki flared again with a dark chuckle.

Kagome sighed and walked up to him, ignoring his back steps as he tried to get away from her. She assumed it was because of her spiritual powers that he was avoiding her, but paid no mind to it. Instead she continued, "Inuyasha," She cooed gently, nearing him enough to place a hand on his cheek. "Inuyasha?"

He had leaned into her touch, his clawed hands twitching and aching to grab her. "Mate," He growled protectively.

"Kagome-san.." Bankotsu mumbled in amazement.

"Calm down, and come back, please," Kagome pleaded softly.

Inuyasha tugged her towards him, and embraced her gently. He nuzzled her neck while he took in her scent, soft growls rumbling through his chest in satisfaction. When he pulled away from her, he was blinking his golden orbs calmly and inquisitively, completely ignoring Bankotsu, "Ka-gome? The hell just happened?" A tinge of pink coated his cheeks. 'Did I just loose myself?'

She smiled warmly, "We'll talk later." She promised.

Somehow, he knew something was terribly wrong if his demon blood had been able to take over his body, even if it was just for a couple minutes.

This had bad news bears written all over it.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

A/N Sorry for the late update! SOOOOOOO sorry! But here it is! I hope you guys liked it! Let me know what you think! R&R!!