I'm glad that the last chapter was also pretty well received. I'm glad everyone is really liking the story so far.

Warning: Small amount of sexual content in this chapter, but not much. So, no worries.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the associated content. It all belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I WISH I owned it, but sadly I do not.

Chapter nine

Inuyasha's P.O.V.

Everything was hazy. The wound in my stomach was burning in agony, despite the fact that the wound had closed by now. I was weak, and my entire body was on fire with the fever. I turned my head to the side, gritting my teeth. It was the middle of the night, and everyone was asleep. I didn't dare wake Kagome up because I didn't want her fussing over me because I was hurting. It was too much hassle. There was nothing she could do, anyway.

I tossed my head to the other side, hoping it would alleviate the intense heat and restlessness within me. I could hear my pulse in my own ears, hear the blood rushing. I was breathing irregularly. My vision was blurred, and things were beginning to swirl.

Inuyasha . . .

My eyes opened. A voice. There was a voice, in my head. Talking to me. Saying my name. It sounded familiar. Very vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place it in my delirious state.

Inuyasha . . . awaken. Hear my voice.

"I hear ya all right." I muttered. "What is it?"

Hmm . . . it seems you've still got some sense to you. That won't do. Let your fever take over you . . .

I gasped as heat seared through me, and my vision turned red and white. I couldn't think straight, let alone remember my own name, but the voice continued.

Inuyasha, kill them.

"Kill . . . who?" I tossed my head back and forth, trying to shake the fever away. It was overwhelming. I could barely form words.

The monk. The demon slayer. The priestess. Kill them all.

"Kagome . . ." My eyes clenched shut. "What are you . . . crazy? I wouldn't . . . Aghn . . ." my head began to pound, and I began to question where I was. I couldn't really remember anything. I was losing my mind.

That's right. Kill her. The woman you love. And when she is dead, take the jewel from her cold, dead body. And bring it to me.

"I can't . . .I . . . I won't!"

I shall deal with no more resistance! The heat seared again, and I howled in agony, writhing on the floor. And then, my blood began to boil.

Yes, Inuyasha . . . let your demon blood take over. Let your bloodlust consume you. Kill them, develop a taste for human blood . . . so that you may slaughter the villagers for me. Let your demon blood take over . . . The voice was almost chanting. It was compelling and filled with malice, and I felt the demon blood, felt the poison, beginning to seep through me. I was beginning to lose sense of everything, and I couldn't stop it.

"No . . . no . . ." I was losing control. I felt as if I was sinking down, inside myself, watching through my eyes, but not being in control. I could hear the soft breathing of my companions. I could smell the distinctive, human scents. I could hear a faint growling, and I realized it was coming from me. My hands, trembling, raised, and my claws began to lengthen. I snarled, and felt my fangs lengthen further, sharpening drastically. My vision was tinged with red, and I could feel the power, rushing through me. Killing. Yes. That was what I wanted.

Now that you are fully demon, rise.

My body sat up, almost mechanically, and I felt no pain from my wounds. I knew nothing of pain. It didn't exist to me. I rose to my feet, and stepped back, looking down at the humans laying down in their beds, fast asleep.

Yes, see them . . . you don't even recognize them, do you? There was soft laughter. Good. This is pleasing. Inuyasha, slaughter them how you will. Save the priestess for last. I just want them dead. Then take the jewel from her dead body and bring it to me.

I growled, raising my hand, flexing my claws in anticipation. I wanted to kill them. I wanted to smell the scent of their blood on my claws. I wanted to taste it, and know I was the cause.

"You're mine." The voice that came from my mouth was demonic and evil, and not even recognizable. Kill. I had to kill them. All of them. No mercy.

I ran over to the monk, and seized him by his collar. He had just opened his eyes when I flung him with ease, and he flew through the air, slamming through the wall of the house to slam into the ground, wood splintering all about. I heard his sounds of pain and grinned to myself. I wanted to hear more.

I turned to the demon slayer, who was on her feet by this point, going for her boomerang. I wasn't going to give her the opportunity. I ran forward, and grabbed the boomerang from her hand, wrenching it from her grip and flinging it aside.

"Inuyasha, what's wrong with you?" she demanded, sounding desperate.

"You, die now!" I snarled, and slashed at her with my claws. Her brown eyes widened and she whipped out her sword from her side, barely blocking my attack. I didn't even register the blade cutting into my skin. I didn't even feel it.

"Sango, look at him! Something isn't right!" the monk called, rising weakly from his spot on the ground.

The priestess was also awake, and looking at me with disbelief. "Inuyasha? What are you doing? Why are you doing this?"

"Kagome, look at him!" The monk repeated. "His eyes are blood red! And look at those purple stripes!"

"Something's possessed him-" the demon slayer began, but I backhanded her, and she went flying with a cry.

"I'll kill you all!" I snarled, and leapt toward the priestess. I seized her by her neck with my claws, and her eyes were wide, before she relaxed in my grip.

"Inuyasha . . ." She whispered. "Do it. Kill me."

I raised my hand to do so, but something stopped me. Something about her face was familiar. I couldn't place it. My hand began to shake in the air.

"What are you waiting for?" she asked. "Isn't that what you want? To kill me?"

"Kagome! Put Kagome down, Inuyasha!" the monk shouted.

I ignored him. My eyes were on the eyes of the priestess. I bared my fangs at her, snarling, and tried to move my arm, to slaughter her, but I just couldn't. My arm wouldn't move.

What are you waiting for, Inuyasha? Kill her. The voice was back, and it didn't sound pleased.

"I . . . Get out . . . of my head . . ." I looked away from the woman. I couldn't look at her. She was just too familiar. My head was beginning to pound with pain. My hand had lowered, but I hadn't released her yet.

You do not know her! She is nothing to you! Kill her now! The voice commanded. You will obey me, Inuyasha!

"AGHN!" I dropped the priestess, and she stared up at me, as I gripped my head. I knew this woman. I knew who she was. She was important. So was the monk and the demon slayer. I knew all three of them. I didn't know why I was hurting them. I didn't want to slaughter them.

"Someone's controlling you, Inuyasha! You don't want to hurt us!" The priestess said. "You remember me, don't you? Kagome? And that's Sango, and Miroku! We're all your friends!"

I whimpered, and my knees buckled. The pain in my head was overwhelming, and my entire body was shaking. The voice was screaming in anger in my head. Kill them NOW! YOU WILL OBEY MY COMMANDS! BRING ME THE SACRED JEWEL, INUYASHA! YOU ARE MY SLAVE!

"I WON'T!" I shouted. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
"Miroku, you have to do something. It has to be Hakudoushi doing it!" The priestess looked to the monk.

"I will have to exorcise Hakudoushi's spirit from Inuyasha, but it might hurt Inuyasha in the process!" The monk shouted back.

"You have to do it! Before Hakudoushi forces him to kill us!"

The monk nodded, and raced forward, whipping a piece of paper from his robes. I rose to my feet to stop him, but he slapped it to my chest, and energy seared through me. I felt the pain, and I could hear the voice inside my head screaming in agony as well. And then, all was quiet.

I fell to the ground, too weak to stand up, returning to my senses. I knew them now. Kagome, Miroku, and Sango. But I couldn't remember much of the past few minutes. All I remembered before I passed out was seeing Kagome's face above mine.

Kagome's P.O.V.

"It had to be Hakudoushi . . ." I whispered, when we'd moved Inuyasha to another room of the house, since he's ruined the other one. "There's no other explanation for it."

"But why? Why would Hakudoushi stoop to something so low?" Sango whispered. There was a bruise forming on her cheek, and Miroku's arms were covered in many cuts. But other than that, he was fine. My neck was sore, but I was ok too.

During that state . . . Inuyasha had looked scary. His eyes had been blood red, with the pupils lightning blue and slitted. There had been purple stripes on his face, and his claws and fangs had been lengthened. He hadn't even seemed to recognize us, and pain had meant nothing. He had looked . . . like a demon. For the first time, I had seen him as a demon.

"It isn't something past Hakudoushi. He strikes me as the type that doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, but he also likes to play with emotions. He wanted to force Inuyasha to kill us, so Inuyasha wouldn't be able to live with himself." Miroku said quietly. "I highly doubt he would have been able to control Inuyasha like that if Inuyasha hadn't been weakened already. He couldn't even control him weakened, not completely. Luckily, Inuyasha was strong enough to resist."

I looked down at Inuyasha's face, so troubled in his sleep. His fever had vanished, thankfully, and I knew he'd be all right. I sighed, running my fingers over his cheek. Poor Inuyasha. How is he going to react when he wakes up and finds out what happened? The guilt will kill him . . . "Hakudoushi is so evil . . ." I said with hatred. "How can anyone be so evil?"

"He will apparently stoop to anything to get what he wants. We have to be on guard from now on. We lowered our guard, and Hakudoushi tried to possess Inuyasha, and nearly succeeded in killing all of us. Hakudoushi had to have been nearby to exercise so much control, and since Inuyasha's been injured, we haven't been able to count on him sniffing Hakudoushi out. Hakudoushi knew this." Sango said quietly. "If we had been more careful, we would have known he was around."

I felt a rush of guilt. It was true. All of us had been far too lax, relying on Inuyasha's superhuman senses to keep us safe. It wasn't enough, though. "Inuyasha does a lot." I said softly. "If it wasn't for him, we'd all be dead already." The others murmured in agreement.

Inuyasha stirred after that, his golden yellow eyes opening slowly. He looked up at me, and then his eyes widened. "Kagome! Kagome . . . tell me what happened, what happened to me . . . Something happened to me, and . . . I don't remember after that. There was a voice . . ."

"Hakudoushi possessed you. He did something to invoke your demon side, somehow. And he tried to make you kill all of us. Lucky for us, you had the will to fight him off. You didn't want to kill us." I said softly, looking down at Inuyasha fondly.

He closed his eyes. "I'm . . . sorry."

My eyes widened, along with Sango's and Miroku's. "Oh, don't be sorry, Inuyasha. We're just glad you're all right." Sango said softly.

"You have no need to apologize. It wasn't your doing." Miroku added.

Inuyasha looked between us, and though he would never admit it, I knew he was touched. He looked away from us then, and I smiled to myself. "Inuyasha, deep down, you didn't want to hurt us because we're your friends. And we know that. We know, when it comes down to it, you wouldn't ever really hurt us."

"But I . . . I think I . . . hurt you, Miroku." Inuyasha looked to the monk.

"No. I'm completely fine. Just a little scratch." Miroku shook his head.

"Sango?" Inuyasha looked guilty when he saw the bruise on her cheek.

"Oh, this is nothing. I bruise very easy. I barely even felt it." She reassured him, and I knew she was lying for his sake.

"And you, Kagome?" he winced when he saw the red marks on my neck.

"Oh, I'm fine. I don't even feel a thing." I replied, smiling. "We're all just worried about you. Just be happy that we're all alive, and you're back to normal."

"I could have killed all of you . . ." He said quietly, as he sat up. "I could have killed all of you and there wasn't a thing I could do about it."

"But you did. You stopped. And that's what matters." I repeated. "Stop worrying, Inuyasha." I scooted over to him, and gently slipped my arms around him, laying my head on his bare chest. After a moment, he sighed and wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm sorry." he whispered, and I knew he was really beating himself up.

"It's fine. I guess you stopped because you like all of us after all." I teased.

"Hmph. Don't be ridiculous. I don't like any of you." he replied, and I knew he was fine.

"So you two are engaged now?" I demanded the next day, as Sango and I gathered herbs in the fields of the village. Inuyasha was still resting at the house, recovering from his wounds, but only because we'd made him. It had taken a lot of wrestling, and even a sit command from me, but he was staying. Miroku was with him, to make sure he didn't leave.
"Yes, we are." Sango was blushing and practically beaming. It was cute. "He confessed to having feelings for me, and proposed to me."

"That's romantic." I admitted. "Well, it looks like both of us are set!"
We giggled together like little girls. "I wonder what Kaede would say." I murmured, as I picked herbs. "She'd probably fuss at me for breaking the rules."

"You know, I actually don't think so." Sango admitted. "I think Kaede would be understanding, even approving. I think she would be fine with you taking that path in life."

"You think so?"

"Of course." Sango replied. "Kaede is pretty understanding when she wants to be, though stubborn too."

"Hmph. You don't have to tell me that." I replied dryly. "Well, anyway, tell me. Did you and Miroku do anything that night after you got engaged?"

"Eh? No, of course not! You were asleep and so was Inuyasha! It was hardly appropriate!" Sango said, looking appalled and flushing red. "What about you, Kagome? Have you even done anything with Inuyasha?"

I flushed a little in return. "No, I haven't. Not since that night a few days ago. And you saw everything that happened then. Nothing more than a kiss."

"That was some kiss." Sango sighed, sounding dreamy. "I wonder if Miroku will kiss me like that?"

"What's this? You actually wishing for it?" I teased.

Sango looked embarrassed. "Of course not! Don't be silly, Kagome!"

I just giggled to myself.

Sango and I returned to the house with our herbs, finding the boys were bickering to each other. Miroku was busy changing Inuyasha's bandages, and apparently Inuyasha didn't like the way he was doing it.

Miroku looked relieved when he saw me and Sango walking in, and so did Inuyasha. "Good, now, get offa me and let Kagome do it!" Inuyasha complained.

"With pleasure. I don't quite enjoy the company of men, I must admit." Miroku quipped, as he stood and wrapped his arm around Sango. She looked rather pleased, until his hand drifted down, and began to rub her bottom. She growled and slapped him before stomping off.

"You know, you'd think that Sango wouldn't mind anymore, with how much Miroku does that." Inuyasha muttered, as I sat down behind him and began to wrap his bandages.

"It's all about sensitivity, Inuyasha." I commented. "Don't be so dense. There's a time and place for that type of thing."

"And that would be?"

I blushed. "Um, well . . . when . . . uh . . ."

Inuyasha scoffed. "You don't even know what you're talkin' about! Tryin' to teach me- OW!" I slapped his bandage on, and he glared at me over his shoulder.

"Can we lose some of the violence?" He snarled.

"Well, if you weren't so mean all the time, you wouldn't need it." I commented, but my hands drifted to his shoulders, and I began to rub, massaging my fingers into the muscles, feeling the tenseness there. Inuyasha sighed and slumped a little, and I smiled as I continued to work. I moved my hands down, to the middle of his back, and he made a contended sound, his ears twitching as I massaged his back. He still didn't wear anything on his upper torso, so now I could openly admire his muscles, which were smooth and firm and defined enough to be highly attractive.

"You two sure look cozy." Miroku commented slyly, and I flushed.

"Well they're engaged to be married. It's not like it's something taboo." Sango commented as she grabbed wood from our packs to make lunch.

"When you say it like that you make it sound as if we're jumping on each other." I said to Miroku, though I didn't stop my work on Inuyasha's back. I just loved touching him, for some reason. He was ignoring us all, his eyes closed, making the occasional sound of pleasure as I massaged, and his ears flicking back and forth. It was pretty adorable, and more than a little sexy.

"You know, I haven't ever thought of more than one partner at a time. But with you and Sango . . . I can't say I'm opposed to the idea-OW!" Sango hit him in the head with her fist, before she resumed her cooking. Miroku sighed.

And thus, our daily routine. I just shook my head and raised my hands, massaging Inuyasha's shoulders now, and then his neck. His skin was warm, and my own skin tingled in response to touching his. There was undeniable attraction between us, and I would be lying if I said that I wasn't thinking about dragging him off somewhere to be alone. I knew it was highly inappropriate and risque, but I couldn't help myself. I was a woman, and a young one, at that. And Inuyasha was a very handsome half demon. The fact that he was toned and well bulit did not hurt that factor, either.

I sighed, brushing these thoughts away. We didn't really have time for things like that right now, with our mission in mind, and especially with Sango and Miroku in the room. Those thoughts would have to wait for a better time.

Inuyasha's eyes opened, and he suddenly looked at me over his shoulder, and his face was bright red. "Kagome, are you-" he started, but stopped as Sango yelped, shaking her finger wildly. Obviously she'd burnt herself. Miroku attended to her, and I was about to ask Inuyasha what he was going to ask me, but he was scowling at the floor, and I knew he didn't look to be in the mood to be pestered.

After we all ate lunch, Sango and I decided we would go bathe. The boys said they would as well, so we went our separate ways in our pairs. I knew that Miroku would help Inuyasha if he needed it, but Inuyasha was recovering very nicely, so I knew he would be fine.

Sango and I talked mainly about trivial things as we bathed, but more than anything else, we just relaxed in silence, enjoying the luxury while we could. Neither of us knew how much longer we'd be able to just relax like this. There was no telling.

After a while, Sango said she was going to get out and go practice with her Hiraikotsu, and I told her goodbye. I sunk back down into the water after she left, enjoying the warmth of the water and letting it relax my body.

I didn't know how long I'd soaked there, in the bathing room, but I had started to stand up to get out of the water when the door was suddenly slid open, and Inuyasha entered.

Now, the scene that unfolded was not something that hadn't ever happened before. Inuyasha had seen me naked a few times already, so it wasn't really anything new, but the fact that our relationship was so different now made the experience completely different.

He stood there, for a second, staring at me, a blush burning on his face. A blush was burning on mine, and I didn't know what to say. Finally he looked away, and I raised my arms halfheartedly, folding them over my breasts.

"I was just . . . just comin' to ask you if you wanted to go for a walk. In the meadow, I mean." he muttered, looking embarrassed.

"You're acting as if you've never seen me naked before. You know, if we survive the battle with Hakudoushi and get rid of the jewel, you're going to be seeing this a lot more." I commented, after a moment.

He just flushed deeper. "Yeah, well . . . you don't have to remind me of that. So do you wanna come or not?" he still refused to look at me.

"Sure. Just let me get out and get dressed." I replied. He disappeared quickly and slid the door closed.

After I dressed, I left the room, and Inuyasha was waiting outside, wearing his red kimono now, red shirt and all, his arms tucked inside his sleeves, as usual. When he saw me, he flushed again, and I knew something was on his mind.

As we walked side by side, we walked in silence. I blushed a little upon remembering a moment ago, and I wondered, briefly, if he had been pleased by what he saw, or if he'd been unimpressed. It bothered me a bit.

Inuyasha guided me outside, past the village, and through a bit of the forest, to a large meadow. The grass was soft, green, and lush, and there were light yellow flowers everywhere. A sweet fragrance filled the air, and as I sat down on the meadow grass, Inuyasha followed suit.

"You know, I brought ya out here to take a walk, not sit down." He commented, but with no bite. He was looking off into the distance, and I knew he was still embarrassed.

"I know. But I just wanted to sit down and enjoy the weather. Isn't it lovely?" I looked up at the clear blue sky, feeling the warmth of the sun shining down on us.

Inuyasha glanced at me. "Kagome . . . I wanted to talk to you about somethin', actually."

"All right. What?" I looked at him. His expression was serious.

"Last night . . . with Hakudoushi . . . when he possessed me . . . it was as if I could barely even fight him. I was already injured. He just completely took over me. And, he used my demon blood to his advantage. When my blood took over me, it was all I had to fight it off." he looked up at the sky. "That's happened to me once before. The blood taking over, I mean. I don't know what triggered it the first time. It was when I was being attacked by demons, and . . . they had overpowered me."

"Maybe . . . it was a defense mechanism." I said thoughtfully.

"Maybe. But it just worries me. I could have killed all of you last night." he went on. "We have to be more careful. As much as I want to tell you to just go back to your village and stay there until this is over, I can't. You have to destroy the jewel. That's your fate. Not mine."

"Inuyasha . . ." My gaze softened as I looked at him.

"So, for my sake, Kagome . . . if something like this happens again . . . with Hakudoushi . . . run. Don't try to be a hero. Because you might not get so lucky next time." Inuyasha finally looked at me, and his brow was furrowed with determination.

I glared at him. "Are you serious? Inuyasha, don't be stupid. I won't ever leave you. Even if that happens. Because I can't just abandon you. I'm going to stay by your side, Inuyasha."

His golden eyes softened, and he looked at me with tenderness. "Kagome . . ."

"I know you won't hurt me." I said softly. "I trust you. And you need to trust yourself." I watched him for another moment, and holding his eyes, I knew what I wanted to do. I blushed a little, and moved a little closer to him. He blushed as well when I moved closer, but didn't look displeased.

"Inuyasha? I have something for you." I said softly.

"And what's that?"
"Close your eyes."

He looked at me suspiciously for a moment, before he did so. When his eyes had closed, I leaned forward, and then very gently kissed his lips. His eyes opened in surprise, but then they closed again, and he kissed me back. It was sweet, and so very warm, and it remained gentle and soft.

Inuyasha was the one to break the kiss, and when he did, he cupped the side of my neck, sliding his claws through my hair, and held my eyes. "You had me close my eyes just for that? I was expecting to be sat or something."

I made a face. "I can see you don't trust me."

"Hmph. Just shut up." he leaned down, and kissed me again, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning my body against his. His arms slipped down, and slid around my waist, pressing me against him. Then, for the first time, his tongue, warm and soft, parted my lips, and I shivered as it massaged mine. The taste of him like this was so much sweeter, so much more intense, and it felt wonderful. I sighed, my entire body tingling and warm as he kissed me.

Inuyasha slowly lowered me down as we kissed, until I was laying on my back, and he was laying beside me, leaning over me and kissing me. I ran my hands down his back and then around his front, and I could feel the muscles in his chest, even through his shirt.

"Inuyasha?" I pulled back, breaking the contact between our lips, and his eyes opened, and he looked at me. We were both breathing faster.

"Yeah?" his hand was resting on my waist, unmoving. I wanted it somewhere else. I wanted him to do something, to take the initiative, but I knew Inuyasha was as new to this as I was. He probably wasn't thinking that far ahead. And if he was, he wasn't acting on it.

"Here." I reached down and took his hand, and pulled it up, pressing it between my breasts. Inuyasha blushed, and I slid his hand underneath my white shirt, and inside, against my skin, before I slid it over my breast, skin to skin. My breath caught, and my breast tightened at the contact, and desire made me warm all over, but especially between my thighs. I had never desired a man so strongly before. My back arched slightly.

"Kagome . . ." his voice was filled with nervousness and also arousal, and I knew he wanted this too, but was hesitant. He held my eyes, and his blush wasn't fading. I pulled his face down, kissing him, and pressed his hand tighter to my breast. I think he got the idea, for his thumb began to circle my nipple, and I gasped a little at the sensation.

"There you two are! We thought we'd join you since you two were outside, and- Oh. Oh dear."

Inuyasha whipped his hand out from underneath my shirt and stopped kissing me immediately at the sound of Miroku's voice. He was as red as I tomato, and I could feel, from the burn in my cheeks, that I was as well. Miroku and Sango both stood there, eyes wide, obviously having seen what was going on.

"We're a little busy, Miroku." Inuyasha growled, though without looking at me or touching me. He was at least a good two foot away. I was flushed too, and I wouldn't look at Inuyasha. I couldn't believe we'd got caught making out like amorous teenagers. Though, technically we were, if you didn't want to count the fact that Inuyasha was about two hundred. He looked like a teenager, so I supposed it counted.

"Well, this is most awkward." Miroku stated, laughing a little nervously. Sango's eyes were still wide, and she was staring at me, as if unable to believe it.

"Well, if you want to join us, you can. It's not as if we're in the mood to continue now." I said weakly. Miroku laughed a little, and he and Sango moved to sit down beside us. There was another awkward silence. Inuyasha was glaring off into the distance, not looking at any of us. His face was still red.

"So . . ." Miroku was trying to lighten the air, but I had a feeling it wasn't going to work, as long as Inuyasha looked like that, humiliated and red faced. "I suppose we'll be leaving for the mountain tomorrow, to see Totosai, if you're feeling up to it, Inuyasha?"

"Huh!" Inuyasha snorted. "I'm more than ready to go see him. The faster we see this Totosai, the faster I can get a weapon. And the faster that happens, the faster I can take Hakudoushi down."

I shook my head. Ah, Inuyasha. In some things, you never change. "Like we said before, there's no guarantees that Totosai won't fight us, so we have to be ready."

No one else said anything, but they didn't need to. I knew that our minds were on what Inuyasha had said, about Hakudoushi. We were all thinking about the fight that was to come with him. I wondered, to myself, if we would get that far. If we could take him down . . . and make it out alive.

Bum bum bum. So, things are definitely getting more intense and suspenseful. Everyone let me know what you think so far!