Disclaimer: Get with the program already. SEREPHINA OF THE KAMIS DOES NOT OWN INUYASHA!
Last Time:
Hojo stood, his anger boiling. "Tell me who it is!"
"There's no one!" Kagome yelled back, trying to pull her wrist away.
And then Hojo swung.
CHAPTER 9: SESSHOUMARU, PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL
InuYasha and Sesshoumaru landed within the walls of the shrine at the same time. "Bastard." InuYasha muttered.
"Half breed." Sesshoumaru shot back. They'd been fighting all night, though they kept it low so Kagome wouldn't hear. Neither one wanted to face her wrath, though Sesshoumaru would rather die than admit it.
InuYasha growled as he waited for Kagome to show up, but she was taking too long. "Something's wrong." InuYasha growled. "Even she doesn't take this long to go up a flight of stairs. What's keeping her?"
He went to the steps, and Sesshoumaru smelt the sudden fear that radiated from him. He turned to see InuYasha jump down the steps faster than he'd ever seen before.
With a bit of curiosity, he went to the top of the stairs to see what had caused InuYasha to panic. The boy that Kagome had been with now straddled her unconscious form, beating her time after time. InuYasha's rage was a palpable force as he headed for Hojo, only to go through the offending boy.
"Damn it! Leave Kagome alone!" InuYasha snarled, trying desperately to move Hojo.
A blur of white stepped in front of him, and Hojo was sent flying into the street. He stood and stared in shock at the white giant that stood in his path. "Human, leave now."
Hojo stood and glared. "You're the one keeping Kagome from me!" He rushed forward, arms outstretched to attack.
Sesshoumaru merely lifted an eyebrow at the attacking human. Before he could even reach Sesshoumaru, a wave of his power knocked him on his butt. "Leave now, or you will regret the consequences."
Hojo stood. "Die, vermin!"
Sesshoumaru rushed forward, poison dripping from his claws. He raised a hand to slash-
A soft voice reached his ears. "Sesshoumaru, don't kill him."
The poison immediately vanished from his claws, and Sesshoumaru adjusted his arm. The blow came down across Hojo's chest, drawing blood, but missing any vital organs. The blow sent him flying backwards into the street.
Sesshoumaru whirled, and saw Kagome trying to sit up. After a moment, she managed to stand. She walked past Sesshoumaru, ignoring his warning growl. She just looked at him, then continued.
Sesshoumaru recognized the look on her face. It was one he understood more than anything else: a hunter closing in on its prey.
Kagome went to Hojo, who opened his arms. "Come to me, my Kagome. I'll save you from-"
With a swiftness Sesshoumaru hadn't known the miko possesed, Kagome swung her foot, landing in a certain sensitive area. "If you ever assault me like you just did, Hojo, I swear that I will prevent you from ever reproducing." Kagome shouted, fury stretched across her face. Bringing back her hand, she snapped it forward and connected with Hojo's nose. "And if you ever insult one of my friends like you did Sesshoumaru, I will let him devour you! And I can guarantee, it will not be quick and painless!"
With that she walked away, storming past the two silent men. She managed to make it to the Goshinboku before she collapsed, curling up into a ball. After a moment, she felt an arm wrap around her, gently lifting her off the ground. Kagome squirmed for a moment, before a familiar voice stoppedher. "Unless you wish to land in the dirt again miko, I suggest you restrain yourself."
Kagome stared up in surprise at the indifferent taiyoukai in surprise, then smiled. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru growled, not totally alright with what he was doing. He jumped up the stairs in one leap, making it to Kagome's window in a second. He laid her down on the bed as InuYasha entered the room. "Kagome! Are you alright?"
Kagome cleared her mind, and smiled up at InuYasha. "I'm fine, InuYasha. I just need to rest, and I'll be fine."
InuYasha growled. "I'm going to kill that Hobo-"
"Hojo."
"Whatever!" InuYasha snarled. "I'm going to hunt him down and rip out his heart!"
Kagome made a face. "As appreciated as that is, I'd prefer if you didn't. That's gross, and besides, he'll be taken care of."
Sesshoumaru lifted an eyebrow. "How so, miko?"
Kagome turned to him. "In this time, the keepers of the law are known as police. When I call them, they will arrest Hojo for assault. He will be tried and placed into a prison for harming me." She leaned back against her pillows, wincing as she hit a bruise.
InuYasha hovered by her side. "We can't just let this go! He could have killed you!"
Kagome smiled. "But he didn't. Next time, I'll be more on guard. I'll go to the police in the morning, and they will take care of it." A knock on her door, alerted her to the presence of her mother. "Oh no! Mom!" She sat up, gasping as pain shot through her side. As the knock came again, Kagome looked to Sesshoumaru. "Will you get the door please?"
Sesshoumaru stared at her, wondering where she got the idea he'd do that. With a sigh, she stood and hobbled over to the door. Taking a deep breath, she glowed a bright pink, and Sesshoumaru and InuYasha jumped back in case the power she called tried to purify them. When it faded, the bruises had disappeared. Kagome opened the door. "Hey Mom!"
"Oh, so it is you." Sakura exclaimed. "I was worried, since you didn't tell me you were home. How did it go?"
Kagome made a face. "Same as always. Though I finally got up my courage to tell him the truth."
Sakura nodded in approval. "How did he take it?"
Kagome shrugged. "I don't think it sunk in yet. We'll give it some time, and see what happens. Worse comes to worse, I can always get a restraining order against him."
Sakura sighed. "I hope that boy doesn't do something stupid. He really is sweet. Do you remember all those things he'd bring you when you were 'sick?'"
Kagome sighed. "Yes, I remember. I also remember grandpa using my 'illnesses' as a way to get the stuff he wanted for free."
The two of them laughed, though Kagome cut hers short when she discovered that the action was accompanied by pain. "Mom, I'm a little tired. I think I'm just going to go to bed tonight."
Sakura nodded. "Alright. Good night, Musume."
Kagome smiled. "Good night, Haha." She closed the door and went to her bed with a groan. "Ow." She whimpered, letting go of the illusion she'd used to hide her wounds.
InuYasha sat beside her on the bed. "Why don't you tell her that Hobo-"
"Hojo."
"I don't care! Why didn't you tell her that he attacked you?"
"Because she has enough to worry about between me going into the past on the weekends, paying the bills, taking care of grandpa, and getting Souta ready." Kagome sighed. "I don't need to add to her plate."
InuYasha cocked his head. "I thought you said that the money problems were getting better?"
Kaogme sighed. "They were. But then grandpa got sick. The hospital bills wiped us out. We're barely holding on as it is." She sighed as she rolled off the bed to stand. "I'm going to take a shower. Try not to kill each other while I'm gone." She hobbled out of the room to the bathroom, not letting her tears fall until she was fully immersed in the water.
ß The Next Afternoon à
Kagome sighed as she waited in the interrogation room. She'd come to the police department directly after school, telling her mother that she was with some friends studying. That had been an hour ago.
A woman entered the room with a glass of water for Kagome, which she accepted with a smile. "Thank you."
"I know what its like to sit for hours without getting anywhere." The detective said with a smile. "I'll try to make this as painless as possible for you."
"I appreciate that." Kagome said. She checked her watch, and turned back to the detective. "I don't suppose that my friend could come in with me? He doesn't really like crowds."
"I'm afraid not." The detective said, her smile turning apologetic. "He's giving his own statement to my partner. Making sure your stories match is part of the process."
Kagome nodded. "I understand."
The detective noticed her composure, and began.
ß Sesshoumaru à
Even though Kagome had explained that they were just doing their jobs, Sesshoumaru was still annoyed. "Are you quite finished?"
"Just a few more questions, dude." The policeman said. "How did you get into the house without the girl's mother knowing?"
"I came in through the window."
The policeman blinked. "You did what?"
Sesshoumaru sighed. "I carried her in through the window so that she would not disturb her mother."
The policeman looked through his notes. "How?"
"I climbed up the side of the building. It was not hard." Sesshoumaru watched as the man stared at him. He wasn't exactly sure he liked it. "Are you finished?"
The policeman shook his head. "Can you give me a description of the man?"
"Human. Short black hair. Rather scrawny. Calm face, until the girl upset him." Sesshoumaru glanced at the clock. "May I go?"
The policeman nodded. "Sure. Go ahead."
Sesshoumaru nodded his head and left, sniffing for Kagome. InuYasha appeared at his side. "She's in that room with a female." He pointed directly next door, and Sesshoumaru opened the door to see Kagome chatting amiably with the detective.
"I hate it when guys get like that." The detective commiserated. "The type that won't let go are the worst of all to deal with."
Kagome looked up and saw Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru, are you done?"
The detective turned, and quickly turned back when she saw him. Her face went red. Kami, he's hot!
Sesshoumaru smelt the arousal of the detective and held back a look of disgust. He turned to Kagome. "Woman, we must leave now."
The detective refocused at the woman comment. "Now listen here, mister. How dare you disrespect-"
"Please don't worry about it detective." Kagome soothed as she stood. "He's my friend's older brother, and he doesn't like me very much. Calling me woman is his way of letting me know that he doesn't like me."
She walked over to Sesshoumaru. "Yes, I'm ready. Thank you for coming with me." She turned to the detective. "Thank you for listening."
The detective sighed. "Ms. Higurashi, could you sit for a moment?" Kagome nodded and complied. "I like you, so I'll be honest. This case probably won't leave this room."
Kagome blinked. "What?"
The detective sighed again. "The Hojo familiy is very influential with the upper levels. They won't let one of their own get dragged through the mud. Even one from the branch families." The detective gave Kagome an apologetic look. "We probably won't get the chance to arrest him. It's all politics on the higher levels."
Kagome stood slowly. "I see. Thank you for your honesty." She walked out of the room before the detective could comment.
Sesshoumaru followed after her, keeping close to avoid getting lost. Normally, he'd have explored, but his senses were so blocked that he wasn't sure he could manage it. Besides, the woman's emotions were running high, and if she wasn't careful, she'd get killed. Then he'd die as well.
When they finally reached the shrine, Kagome went to the well. With a quick hop, she reentered the past and just sat by the well, breathing in the fresh air. Sesshoumaru was forced to follow, but he was curious anyway.
"Wench." Kagome didn't answer. "Woman." Kagome held her breath and mentally counted to ten. "Miko." He'll get there eventually.
Sesshoumaru growled. "Kagome."
Kagome opened her eyes and turned to him with a smile. "Yes?"
"What will happen to the boy now?" Sesshoumaru understood politics quite well. He'd been involved in them since birth. But he wished to know what would happen to the boy.
"Nothing." Kagome said with a sigh. "There will be a record of a complaint against him, but he won't be punished at all." Her hands tightened. "It'll be like it never happened."
Sesshoumaru watched as the woman forced herself to remain calm. She banished away the tears that threatened to form, and she kept her anger in check. After a few moments, she stood. "We should head back. Mom's probably worried about me."
Sesshoumaru picked the girl up and jumped down the well, landing on the other side neatly. InuYasha was bent over the well, and breathed a sigh of relief when Sesshoumaru dropped Kagome to the ground and left her to climb out. He was gone from sight in a mere moment.
"What's up with him?" InuYasha asked.
"No idea." Kagome grumped. "But he's lucky I didn't subdue him for that. It hurt!"
ß Sesshoumaru à
The scent of the boy was nearby. Sesshoumaru waited at the entrance as Hojo approached, thinking he was undetected. Sesshoumaru heard him mumble to himself as he got closer. ". . . Save Kagome. . . hero. . . dungeons. . . mine. . . newspaper. . . pudding. . ."
The boy snuck around to the back of the house and sat behind a bush, concealed from view. Perfect.
"You are trespassing." Hojo whirled to see Sesshoumaru directly behind him. "I suggest you leave while you still can."
"You are keeping my Kagome from me!" Hojo whispered harshly. "I will defend her no matter what! You will not keep me from her!"
Sesshoumaru growled at the thick headedness of the human. "She has rejected you. Why do you insist on repeating your claim?"
Hojo stood. "I will protect my Kagome!"
"Sesshoumaru!" Sesshoumaru winced as he felt the simple call of his name forcing him to move.
Hojo watched as Sesshoumaru left him to enter the house, seeing red. He would remove the threat to his Kagome, or die trying.
ß Kagome à
"Sesshouma-" A hand covered Kagome's mouth.
"Continue to summon this Sesshoumaru, and you will find yourself in a ditch surrounded by dirt." Kagome closed her mouth, and Sesshoumaru removed her hand.
"Where'd you go?" Kagome asked. "For that matter, why'd you dump me in the bottom of the well?"
Sesshoumaru ignored her questions. "Miko, you should not be outside after dark."
Kagome started to speak, then stopped. "Are you. . . worried about me?"
Sesshoumaru whipped his head back to her. "Miko, of all the things you could have said, there is nothing that could have been less true." He walked away, leaving a highly amused Kagome behind.
I wonder when he'll realize that he actually likes me. Kagome mused as she followed him inside.
InuYasha watched the two of them, but said nothing. He's starting to like her. Kind of hard not to, considering how she is. And of course, she accepted him the minute he was stuck with her. He growled slightly at Kagome's stupidity. They can't become friendly! He's Sesshoumaru! He must be using her for something!
Souta glared at Sesshoumaru as he passed him. He still didn't trust the glacier. He could see faint bruises on his sister, and he had a feeling he knew who caused them. Soon, you will be mine, dirtbag. Souta thought. And I'll make you pay for hurting my sister.
He turned to leave, and saw something moving. He froze. "Who's there?"
The thing moved again, and Souta back up quickly. "What are you?" He demanded, trying to sound tough.
The thing reached forward, and touched Souta's head. Souta! Can you hear me?
Souta froze. "InuYasha?"
Finally! Someone who can hear me! InuYasha crowed. Can you see me?
"Just an outline." Souta said, smiling at the outline of InuYasha. "What are you doing here? I thought you were dead."
I am dead. I'm a ghost, actually. Normally only demons and people with holy powers can see me. I can't believe you can!
Souta went to sit down, and InuYasha followed. "Hey, InuYasha. What's going on with Sesshoumaru?"
InuYasha opened his mouth to answer, when Kagome walked in. "Souta! Who are you talking to?"
"Inu-" Don't tell her you can see me! Not if you want to break up Sesshoumaru and Kagome. "Just myself."
"Okay?" Kagome gave InuYasha a look, and he shrugged, pretending he didn't understand. "Whatever." She went back upstairs.
"Now, how are we going to break them up?" Souta asked.
InuYasha grinned wickedly. Just listen closely.
-----------------------------Author's Rant-----------------------------
InuYasha: It's about time I did something. Geez, those two were getting way too nice.
Obsessive_Goddess: The only reason you and Souta are here is for comic relief. You are completely unimportant to the story at large.
InuYasha: I'll get you a demon head if you make us important.
Obsessive_Goddess: Okay. EW! I'll make you die for a second time if you give me a demon's head.
Souta: i'll buy you a new laptop if you make us important.
Obsessive_Goddes: a new laptop! gimme, gimme, gimme!
Souta: You know what you have to do.
Obsessive_Goddess: [pouts] Fine. But can your importance be funny?
Souta: Sure.
-----------------------------End of Author's Rant-----------------------------
*
Musume: Japanese term for "my daughter"
Haha: Japanese term for "mommy."
