A/N: I received eight reviews for the last chapter and I thank everyone (Perminitely Lost In Thought, Inu'sgirl4ever, IchigoandInuyashaFan, foreveramuto98, ILoveInuyasha4Eva, starfire1994, xxdarienchibaloverxx, and LoVe23) for them. And thank you to those of you who've just added this story, or this author to your lists. Please, if any of you ever get confused about something that's happened in the story or chapter, don't hesitate to PM me and I'll try to clarify it for you. I think everyone is going to enjoy this.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.

Her Knight

Ch. 18

Not two minutes after the police had arrived at the scene, members of the task force showed up to take the gang members into custody. By the time all the bandits were rounded up, the half demon was able to pick himself out of the hole he'd made in the ground thanks to Kagome's "sits." They'd walked home in silence, his miko still angry at his earlier words. Inuyasha was contemplating the bottom of his ramen bowl twenty minutes later. Mama had taken one look at his dirt covered uniform and knew instantly what had happened.

"It'll be all right, dear. She'll get over her anger." Sitting down beside him, she placed an arm around his shoulders. The fact that he wasn't eating his favorite food worried her greatly.

"Higurashi-san, I said something that I shouldn't have, about how my demon half feels."

"And how is that?"

"It likes it when she obeys me. Most of the time when I tell her to do something, she ignores me, even if it's for her own safety. So this time when I told her to use the barrier Tetsusaiga's sheath can create, I was happy. She didn't get hurt and I was free to take down all those men without worrying about her."

Mama debated with herself about which way to take the conversation. She could sympathize with her daughter about the male chauvinism or explain things to a confused teenage boy. Ever the mother, she took the high road. "Well, dear, I believe Kagome's mad because it seems as if your demon half doesn't value her as an equal partner. By doing as she's told all the time, she's reduced to the role of a wife or girlfriend that doesn't have any say in what goes on in the relationship. If you two are really a team, your less civilized side is going to have to come to terms with the fact that she's not some weakling who has to sit on the side lines while the strong male protects her. You know Kagome is never going to stand to one side if someone she loves is in danger."

"I know. Demons are very traditional when it comes to the roles of males and females. Males are the leaders and alphas of their packs and expect obedience in order to maintain peace. It's an instinctual response. Normally my rational mind is well aware of how equal we are. And other times, when she's in danger, I don't see straight. Getting her out of trouble is the only thing that matters in that moment."

"I see. The only thing I can think of to suggest is to let time teach your more instinctual side that she doesn't have to obey you one hundred percent to show you that she respects you and your leadership." He seemed to perk up at this and took a bite of his ramen. The noodles had long since gone cold though so it wasn't a satisfactory taste. "Let me heat that up for you, dear. Afterwards, why don't you go explain things to Kagome? I'm sure she'll understand."

"Yeah, sure. Thanks, Higurashi-san."

"Anytime, Inuyasha. And dear, now might be the time to tell her you love her." His face heated with embarrassment but he nodded. Maybe if he led with that confession, explaining his demon half's views would be easier. Then again, it could just make things worse.


Kagome was still fuming in her room when Inuyasha tentatively knocked on the door. She glared at him but didn't tell him to get out. The miko pretended an overwhelming interest in her homework, hoping he would take the hint and leave her alone. When all he did was sit down behind her chair, she huffed and continued to stare sightlessly at the textbook. "Kagome, will you listen to me for a minute?"

"Why should I?"

"I want you to understand how my demon half thinks. It's not easy blending two different ways of seeing things. My rational mind and my blood beast often don't see eye to eye." He looked at the carpet the entire time he mumbled the words. Maybe if he didn't look directly at her she would hear him out.

"What do you mean?" Curious as to what he meant, Kagome turned in her chair and looked down at his bent head.

"One part of me knows better than to think you have to listen to me all the time. Ignoring people in need just isn't in your nature and I would never want you to stop helping even if I don't like it. The other part doesn't care about protecting or helping others if it means you're in danger. On an instinctual level I have a need to keep you safe. And most of that time, the way to do that is to listen to me when I tell you to stay out of the way or go hide." He met her gaze and saw understanding filter into grey-blue depths.

"I'm sorry, the demon half was just expressing itself, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, I was still in fight mode, I guess. You know I often say things without thinking them through first. That's not the only reason my demonic side prefers you to obey me." Kagome came to sit beside him, now interested in what he had to say. Inuyasha didn't often explain youkai culture to her and she craved the knowledge so as to understand him better. It was one of the reasons Kikyo could never have appreciated him for the way he was.

"Go on," she encouraged.

"Dog demons are pack youkai. They have an alpha who demands obedience in order to keep the peace. So if someone doesn't obey, it's either seen as disrespect or a challenge."

Kagome's eyes widened with horror. "I respect you!"

"I know, wench, but my blood beast likes to be in charge. And for a demon, in charge means being able to give any command and having it obeyed without question. If you countermand me, or object, that is seen as challenging my authority. And as male demons are the dominate gender…" he let the rest of the sentence hang, figuring she'd gotten the picture.

"It wants me to be docile?"

"You, docile? Hell no, Kagome. Both parts of me like you just the way you are. My demon half even likes it when you challenge me. Just not about your safety. It's going to take time for that part of me to accept that you'll do anything for a friend or even a stranger in need. That's just who you are and I never want you to change." Inuyasha picked up the hand closest to his knee and cradled it within his larger grasp. "You're a true miko, Kagome."

"I'm sorry for "s-i-t-t-i-n-g" you so many times." After the initial "sit boy," she had proceeded to add four more until he was in a five foot hole. Lucky for both of them that by the time the police officer arrived, Inuyasha had managed to crawl out of the large ditch.

"And I'm sorry for saying something so stupid. I'm probably going to keep doing it until the day I die."

"That long, huh?" Smiling, the young priestess rested her head on his shoulder and leaned into his side. "I guess I'm just going to have to stay by your side to correct you when you do."

"I wouldn't want you any place else." He placed his arms around her waist and carefully lifted her into his lap. He nuzzled her hair, making her giggle when his nose lightly brushed the skin behind her ear. His breath teased her neck, making her sigh. Kagome relaxed in his embrace, glad that he'd explained himself this time instead of sulking.

"I don't want to be any place else but with you, Inuyasha." Taking a breath, she gathered her courage. "Inuyasha, you said I didn't have to share your attention with anyone, not even Kikyo. Is that true?"

"Keh, of course, wench. I told her you were more important."

"Told her? When did you speak with her? We haven't been on the road in weeks." Kagome scrambled out of his lap, intent on staring him down until she got an answer. He rose quickly to his feet, not wanting to be at a disadvantage.

"Last night. She's been poking around the village every couple of days. I went to see her after you were asleep." Inuyasha saw the hurt blossom in his priestess' eyes and sought a way to clear it quickly. "I had to tell her goodbye before I could…"

"You could what? Why would you tell her goodbye?" Kagome narrowed her gaze, waiting for him to continue.

"I knew I had to or you'd never believe me when I finally told you…"

"Spit it out all ready! What is it that I'd never believe?"

"If you'd just shut up for a minute!" the half demon shouted, the grip on his temper loosening.

"Don't you tell me to shut up!" Hands fisted at her sides, Kagome wasn't prepared for what came out of Inuyasha's mouth next.

"Damn it, wench, I'm trying to tell you that I love you!"