Hello

Here it is like I promised. Tell me what you think.

I went through and edited the rest of this story. Don't worry there were no major changes made but it would still be an enjoyable.

Changes : More readable, little more character insight, slightly more about Kouga, and a little more fluffiness

Tears in the Rain

~*~*~* Cave ~*~*~*

Dizziness washed over Kouga as the air left his lungs in a rush. Rolling out of the way he

tired to drag a quick breath into his burning lungs. He had to get to his feet if he stayed like he was right now there was no way he could keep avoiding Hitens blows. Raising up to a crouch he waited for Hiten to make his move. 'Kagome' her name played over and over in his mind. The room was alive with energy, it crackled between the two of them angry and nipping like it wanted to devour Kouga whole. It raked at his skin in angry outbursts which made sense because it was fueled by Hitens emotions. The blood bond spurred it on making his emotions a physical manifestation as well as magnifying Hitens body. Ducking and weaving he avoided Hitens fists.

Hiten's eyes were wild, they too appeared to be flashing with energy. Darting forward he made a swipe at his mid section his hands formed into claws, but the man in front of him was too fast. Growling in frustration he made attempt after attempt but it appeared Hiten was doing nothing but toying with him. The power of the blood bond could drive a person insane. The blood bond drove men insane because of how it had to be formed. Hiten had torn his own brothers heart from his chest and eaten it.

The bond could only be formed under certain conditions. It had to be a blood relative, a relative you cared deeply about. From there the reaction could only be maintained through the consumption of blood, Hiten would go for his heart. The longer he maintained the bond the less like himself he would become. The man in front of him was a monster.

Swinging his fist he felt Hitens hand close around his wrist. The next thing he knew he was being flung against the wall before he could recover Hiten was there his red ringed lips pulled back in a cruel smile.

"Is she your weak spot? How does it feel knowing that once I'm through with you I'm going to rip her heart out with my bare hand kind of like this."

The pain started as he felt Hitens nails start to sink into his chest. His hand clasping around Hitens wrist he tried to pull away but the man's arm didn't budge

"this is how she's going to die."

Kagome… he couldn't let this man get to her he couldn't. He brought his hand up again making it look like he was going to try and push away Hiten's arm again. But he knew better then to try that again at the last second he brought his hand up closing it around Hitens neck as his nails bit into the tender flesh he felt warm liquid pouring down out over his fingers. He would have to let go and bring up his other hand if he wanted to strangle him but strangling Hiten wasn't the aim he was going to rip his throat out.

"I wouldn't mind it if neither one of us left this cave. But you're never going to touch her"

His fingers sinking deeper into Hitens throat he felt a new pain blossom in his chest and knew Hitens fingers were doing the same. They were at a standstill. Kouga knew all it would take was for him to tighten his grip and pull, but it wasn't and instant kill and in the time it took for Hiten to bleed out he would lose his own life, but Kagome would be safe.

"What are you smiling for?" Hiten bit out looking down at the blood splattered man before him.

"Well your about to find out."

That was the last thing Hiten remembered before he felt a searing pain and his vision went back.

Watching Hitens body crumple to the ground Kouga put his hand to his chest thankful to feel the steady thrum of his heart.

"what took you guys so long?" he said looking at his men with a half smirk on his face.

~*~*~*~* Clearing ~*~*~*

Kagome's stomach did summer salts as they fell through the air the rain and wind tearing at the them from all sides. She wasn't a fool she knew what Yasha was doing. No matter how they twisted his body was always between her and the ground. Even now he was trying to save her…Not that it would matter and he knew it. Balling the material of his shirt in her hands she didn't know what she could do they were caught together in a free fall.

'its all my fault' the thought struck her like a ton a bricks she had fallen into a stupid situation and Yasha had come to rescue her. The thought made her bitter and sad. Why had he come? Yasha was her hero, he was always there. He defended her, it was his hand that reached out to pick her up when she hit the ground. He was always putting himself in dangers away because of her. They hit the tree line she could hear the small outer twigs breaking as they barreled into them, though they did nothing to slow them down. 'save him' The words pounded themselves in her brain. Just who she was talking to she had no idea there was only the desperation at the moment she could care less what happened to her she only needed him to be safe. 'Save him' the words repeated themselves with even more urgency. Her face was pressed into his neck tilting her head back she brushed her lips against his warm flesh.

"I'm sorry…" the words left her in nothing more then a whisper she was sure he hadn't been able to hear but that wasn't what mattered to her, what mattered is that they were said. 'please…save him…'

Yasha's eyes widened as he felt her soft lips brush the side of his neck heat spread through his body it was strange, a feeling that he couldn't describe. Safe he felt safe the feeling was short lived as he felt his back connect with a larger tree branch fallowed by his skull. Something was off, the blow should have hurt more, but he didn't have time to think about that as he started to twist in the air curling in on himself he made sure he shielded Kagome from the worst of the blows.

Kaguras eyes snapped open as she felt it. The short burst of power. It filled the air with a sweet singing pulse. 'The jewel' angling down she brought the feather down at a quick speed. As she approached the ground she could see they were laying in a heap on the ground the mans body was on the bottom it was obvious he had tried to shield her from the worst of it. Power it clung to them in a fine film licking her lips she could almost taste it in the air.

Kagome struggled to draw a breath as she sat up turning toward Yasha his arms still limply held her in place. Reaching up she put her hand on the side of his face he was breathing shallowly. Shifting her attention momentarily away she looked strait up at the trees they had fallen though marveling that they were still alive. In all reality she knew that the fall should have killed them both but here they were. She would think about that right now she was just so grateful. She couldn't explain what it was that caught her attention first turning to face the clearing that was at her back Kagura stood there. Her sharp ruby eyes taking in the scene in front of her. Scrambling to her feet Kagome placed herself between the youki and Yasha.

"It appears that we've come full circle."

Yasha's world spun as he tried to gracefully get to his feet.

"I suggest you leave." He bit out.

"You think that I'm afraid of someone that can barley stand?"

His vision was blurry as he reached for Kagome his hand closing around her slim wrist he pulled her behind him. It angered him to have her think she had to protect him. If anyone was going to be doing the protecting around here it was him. Swaying a little his free hand went the sword at his side.

Kagome stared strait ahead at the woman that was standing in front of them. She knew Yasha intended to go down fighting and she could commend him for that but who said things had to resort to fighting taking a step forward she felt Yashas hand tighten. Kagura was right he could barely stand how he supposed to fight?

"My turn to protect you…" her words trailed off they were light and airy they were meant for Yashas ears only but she knew the wind witch had probably heard anyway. Lifting her head high she took another step pulling her hand gently from his grasp.

Yasha felt the coldness envelope him as she stepped away. It was like she took everything that was keeping him up with her as his knees shook and he was forced to take a knee.

"I'm ready to go that's what you wanted right? I'm going to leave with you and neither of us are going to look back."

'no you little fool' He wanted to stand up but the slightest movement sent the world into a tilt, when was the last time he had felt this helpless? His hand clenched digging into the soggy earth.

Kagome hoped the wind witch couldn't see that she was shaking. She could practically feel Yasha's anger as he stared at her back but she had said she wouldn't look back and she had meant it. Besides if she looked back at him then her resolve might crumble.

Kagura stared at the girl. So this was the keeper of the Jewel she was nothing more then a girl. It was something about her eyes though that held her gaze that refused to back down that caught and held her attention. The girl had no idea the power she had that was apparent. The burst earlier was no doubt a survival instinct. Sinking to one of her knees she bowed her head.

"Lady Kagome…"

What was going on here? Lady Kagome? It was a trick that was it, this had to be a trick.

"What game do you play at now Kagura?"

"No game."

What struck Kagome was the sincerity of it as far as she could tell the woman in front of her was being honest.

"You expect me to believe you? Do I look like a fool to you." She did her best to pull herself to her full height even though it was slight. The rain pounded down around her plastering her hair to head and sides of her face. If anything she probably looked like a drowned animal.

Kagara lifted her eyes her head still down cast to take in the girl once more she looked nothing less then regal here eyes were flashing and commanding and her head was held high. She felt a small flick of respect fill her. Her new mistress was brave and caring.

"I was born to serve the jewel and as you are it's chosen keeper I serve you."

"Jewel?"

"The Shikon."

The word sparked in her memory it was something that she knew she hadn't heard before yet it still rang with a familiarity. "Keeper of the shikon." The phrase played through her mind.

"I see you know what I'm talking about."

"Not exactly… what are you talking about?"

Yasha watched his vision going in and out the Shikon.. Kagome? He had to be hearing things wrong, if she was the keeper of the shikon then someone would have found out by now, she would have probably been kept under lock and key from a young age.

"Right now the less you know the safer you will be."

'Isnt that that the story of my life' though thinking back some things she could wait to find out about.

"What matters now is that your kept safe. I know that you're all set to come with me but I'm afraid that, that would be very dangerous for you."

"Then why?"

"Why did I do what I just did? As you said earlier I must be pretty sure of myself but in this matter there was no room left for margin of error. If I placed all my bets on you and was wrong lots of people could die."

"And if it hadn't been me, if I hadn't been the person that you were looking for." The wind witch had said that she wasn't playing a game but it appeared that everything that had happened tonight had been one big game.

"If it hadn't been you." Her eyes shifting behind Kagome she looked at the man sprawled on the ground. "Then you would have both died here tonight. Will you tell me who that man is now? He intrigues me I hadn't expected him to dive after you. I watched you as you fell he was determined to put himself between you and the ground. That makes me feel better knowing that I'm leaving you in the care of someone who's willing to die for you."

"So that's what peoples lives are to you?" the muscels in her arms tightened as her body literally started to tremble with anger.

"What is going on here is bigger then two peoples lives. What I'm talking about is the fall of an empire. I do not have room to make mistakes. But you can rest assured that my loyalty is yours, it has always been yours since the day that I was born."

"I don't believe you."

"I wasn't always a bird in Naruku's cage, and it's now my job to make sure that he never puts you in one. I will trust you to their care for now but there will come a time when I will call you to palace."

With those words she got to her feet once again pulling a feather from her hair.

"Wait I still don't."

"remember this little witch you may hide what you are well but I know. There will be others who will seek you out as the new year dawns it will grow more and more dangerous for you, steer clear not everyone that will seek you will be as kind to you as I have been."

"I don't understand what would."

"You will little girl just enjoy what time you have."

~*~*~* Jinenjis house ~*~*

Sango walked out the small house dawn was quickly approaching but she couldn't stay in there any longer. Common sense told her that she should be taking advantage of this down time. Sitting under the over hang of the roof she stared out the damp country side around her the sun should be coming up soon, not that you could tell from the sky the rain was still coming down in steady sheets. She hated it the rain only added to her unease.

Closing her eyes her vision was soon filled with flames. Drawing in a quick breath her eyes snapped open. The events of the past few days had hit too close to home. Her hand going to rest on her chest she bowed her head, as if the gesture could still her scared heart. More like hold back the memories that were threatening to consume her. But her hand was a poor damn and could not hold back the flood of emotion that consumed her. Her memories were bathed in flames they consumed and licked at her consciousness clouding her vision even though her eyes were open. Rocking forward she tried to think of anything else.

There was no way she could keep herself completely out of the past so she didn't try instead she thought of a happier time when her parents and brother had lived together.

Karyuudo that is what she was, what she had been born into. How they had died should have come as no surprise to her. Their entire village after all was demon hunters, Youkai slayers. The thrill of the hunt was in her blood.

Happy, happy the thought supplied her with one of her favorite memories. When they were younger her father had often taken her with him. Be it on the hunt or on official business. She had been his shadow in those days following him around, always learning. One of the most important things she had learned was that not all yokai were bad. It had taken a meeting with sensitive little hanyou to teach her that

As they approached there older woman working in a garden outside the house she looked up calmly watching them as they came closer.

"Well what have we here? Taijiya you should get going hurry up your probably already late. Who is this nice young lady?" Kaede asked knowing perfectly well this was the Taijias daughter.

"This here is my Sango." The pride in his voice was obvious. His warm hand clasped down on her shoulder giving it the slightest squeeze before dropping back to his side.

"It is nice to meet you I have heard a lot about you from your father. You can go on into the house I'll be there shortly. Plus the boys are about causing mischief you can join them."

"Not too much mischief, be good."

"Yes father."

Sango stood there watching as her father walked away for a few moments before turning back to the woman beside her.

"Do you need any help?"

Kaede looked at the little girl standing in front of her. She had clear eyes and a look about her that was all too serious for someone her age.

"No why don't you go on a head."

"Are you sure?"

With a small smile Kaede changed her tactic a little.

"Go and tell the boys to get ready for supper and to bring in some water."

The house was small and sparsely furnished. Looking around she didn't see any sign of the boys, she had to deliver her message to. Walking further into the house she entered the hallway that lead the rooms in the back. Behind her there was a crashing sound. turning on her heel she walked cautiously into the next room. To her surprise it was a little boy. His back was turned to her but she had seen enough. His clothes were mussed and covered with dirt. More telling then that was the cascade of silvery hair and ears perched atop his head. Hanyou from the look of his clothes he probably was ducking in here to get away from a fight well he had chosen the wrong house to hide in. Rushing forward she tackled him to the ground.

Moving quickly she pinned his arms under her knees before bringing her fist back and hitting the boy in the face. It would have been enough to knock a human out but golden eyes started defiantly up at her. Reaching down she pulled the knife out from her boot drawing her hand back.

The next thing she knew she was being thrown against the wall and there was another little boy standing in the room.

"What are you doing here?"

Her eyes narrowing she looked back and forth between the two boys. Rolling to recover she held the knife ready to defend herself. It appeared this guy was a traitor that had sided with the filthy Youkai.

"You came into the wrong house Youkai. or should I call you Hanyou scum."

Rushing forward again she was surprised when the little boy didn't even bother to defend himself rather the dark haired boy once again came to his rescue. He was stronger than her but she was more skilled. Bringing her hand back she knew if she went for the throat then he would go down then not get in her way again. It was only when she went in for the blow that she felt a hand close around her wrist squeezing till she let go of the knife in her hand.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"you're quite right now that I'm un armed its un affective." Dropping down she swept his feet out from under him.

"Stop right now." Turning the three looked at very angry Kaede who was standing in the door way.

"don't worry I have this handled."

"I don't think you do young lady now back away from him."

"Just let me handle this I'll make sure you don't get hurt."

"Miroku." Kaede barked not bothering to turn and see if he followed her orders.

"Don't worry I'm on it." His eyes shifted from Kaede to the little girl. He hadn't wanted to hurt her but she appeared to be bent on tearing his friend apart. " I must apologize to you now."

The next thing she knew she was on the ground with the dark haired boy pinning her down.

"Are you ok?"

Turning her head she looked at the older woman now kneeling on the ground next to the abomination. Wiggling she tried to get the boy off of her but to her surprise he wasn't budging.

It started out soft the sound of crying turning her head she watched as the hanyou buried his face in the older woman's shoulder.

"they were all over him again today." Miroku said looking at the older woman.

All over him? Who was all over him?

"Its going to be ok...hopefully you at least defended yourself."

"He didn't." Miroku chimed in.

What was going on here? Were these the boys Kaede had been talking about?

"let me take a look at you."

When the boy pulled back she drew in a deep breath how had she missed the bruises on his face? How had he gotten those bruises he was a hanyou. Curious she watched the older woman interact with the boy. She was surprisingly gentle her hands brushing against the purple splotches on his face.

"Oh darling you can't just let them do this to you."

"Today when I found him they had rocks and they weren't throwing them they were bludgeoning him with them. Then I come back here and this psycho has a knife drawn on him."

"But mom always said if I do anything and someone gets hurt it will only get worse."

"You're such a nice little boy if only they knew you things would be better."

Sango could still hear him crying. She hadn't expected the little hanyou to react the way he had. He had told Kaede no one ever tried to get to know him they just looked at him and it was enough to judge him. It was the first time she had ever felt bad for acting out against a Youkai.

Yasha hadn't been one to hold a grudge, if anything Miroku had been the more begrudging of the two. She had learned a lot about Yasha as the years went on. He had been there to help her through the hard times.

Her good memories even of him blended into the bad ones. Before she could even stop it she was swept away into another memory that refused to stay buried.

It was the large plume of smoke that alerted her first there was a problem. It had been black smoke. Black smoke was bad it signaled that the fire was large. What worried her though was the direction it was coming from. Her village was maybe an hour away at a good walking pace but the dark wisps were already visible. She tried to reason with herself it couldn't be the village maybe they were burning something.

Her excuses were half hearted her village would never burn something on a scale big enough to cause this amount of smoke. They survived on their ability not to draw attention to themselves.

Tightening her grip on the leather strap holding the large boomerang against her back she picked up her pace, willing the panic raising away.

As she drew closer it wasn't just the smoke the entire place had a glow to it. Undoing the strap at her chest she let it fall her hand slipping through the loop at the top of the boomerang she crouched slightly and took off in a run at full speed.

"No…" the word broke her out of her thoughts. Bowing her head much to her displeasure she was crying again tears running down her cheeks and off her chin. She didn't want to go there she didn't want to remember… not that night. It had been filled only with fire and pain, but among all the heart ache she could still remember awkward arms wrapped around her, and gruff comforting words.

Pulling her knees to her chest to buried her face in her arms and silently wept.

~*~*~* the clearing~*~*~*

Kagome hadn't been able to pull Yasha very far so they sat under the cover of the trees. Looking out at the meadow she recognized it now it was where she had been taken from earlier in the day. Taking a deep breath she looked over to Yasha who was leaning against the tree trunk.

She would have to wait for him to wake up before they could go anywhere. Reaching out she pulled back his sleeve looking at the once jagged gash that had been seared together. His arm felt fevered and hot. Her gaze shifting to his face and the hood once more in place she tried to shake him awake. She could go and get help then everything would be fine, if she could get him to Jinenjis they would know how to treat him.

"Yasha…Yasha please I'm going to go get help ok…"

There was no response bringing her hand up she rested it against the side of his face.

"I'm going to go and get Miroku then everything will be fine." Out of desperation his name left her lips a couple more time.

Yasha It was his name. Someone was calling him no not just anyone Kagome. She was still here she hadn't left him, she was safe. Trying to open his eyes he found he couldn't quite manage they were so heavy. There was a slight tingle in his body and he knew the sun was starting to rise. Wait she wanted to leave? He could feel her pulling away from him reaching out he pulled her down to him feeling her settle against his chest.

"Don't leave…"

Don't leave how often had she wanted to hear those words from Yasha's lips? Now when she needed to leave he was getting clingy it just wasn't fair. A couple minutes couldn't hurt that bad though could they? She felt Yashas cloak drop around her and to her surprise it wasn't sopping wet, briefly she wondered what kind of material it was made out of to hold the moister out so well. Resting her head on his shoulder she took a deep breath.

Wrapping his arms around Kagome he enveloped her in his cloak feeling her cold body next to his. Her body was cold but the breath on his neck was hot sending shivers down his spine. Tilting his head to the side he rested it against hers.

"I knew it from the beginning. Your nothing but trouble."

It was those words that told her everything was going to be ok. Smiling she wiggled closer to Yasha surprised at her own upfrontness. She liked being close to him. Even in the state he was in he made feel safe.

He could feel the strength rushing into his body and with it the calm urge to be pulled into sleep. His body needed sleep even with the change the amount of blood he had lost would require some time to recover from. Normally it wouldn't have been a big deal but with last night being the new moon he was lucky to be alive.

Why did he make her feel this way? What was it about him that put her at ease but at the same time set her on edge. For once she chose not to argue with him. She was trouble, and she always pulled him into it. Your nothing but trouble those words were comforting those words she could understand it was when he had asked her to stay that she had gotten frightened it wasn't like Yasha to ask her something like that. Tears were slipping down her cheeks but she could do nothing to stem the flow.

It had been a long terrible night. Yasha was hurt she was confused. Kagura would call her to the castle… she didn't understand anything. The word had been turned upside down. She still felt like she was falling, but Yasha was here for her he was he rock. She l… no she didn't want to go there, where her mind was going was a dangerous place. But now that the thought had invaded her mind her heart wouldn't listen.

Yasha was rude, and gruff he wasn't good at expressing himself. He… was everything to her. Opening her mouth she wanted to tell him what she had just discovered but thought better of it clenching her lips closed she leaned closer to his bauring her face further into his neck. Yasha… how could she tell him she was in… tell him she had feelings for him. The entire time she had known him she had been nothing but a burden to him.

She was Higurashi Kagome, someone he hated. No the thought was silly he didn't hate her if he hated her he wouldn't have come for her. If he hated her he wouldn't be holding her like this.

She thought of the other day before he had left for Obin his arms had been around her his breath hot on her cheek. Why would he treat her like this if he didn't have some kind of feelings for her?

She was still crying but now her frustration poured into those tears. She wanted to tell him. She wanted him to know, but what if her feelings were just another burden to him. Kagome was in love. Not long ago they had been parading suitor after suitor in front of her. She had thought then if only she had been in love with one of them then everything would have been so much easier.

Love was supposed to set you free. In a way it had one word had cleared up all her confusion, but at the same time it had it felt like it had placed a weight upon her heart. She had the feeling she had just stumbled across something she knew nothing about. From the weight in her heart she had the sinking feeling that this new emotion wasn't going to make anything easier. Tightening her hold on Yasha she smiled, his chest rose ever so slightly with his breath and he felt warm and solid beneath her, just maybe it would make everything more bearable.

What did she do now? She couldn't tell him what if he pushed her away what if he… opening her mouth one more time she considered telling him but once again thought better of it. Clamping her mouth shut before she could say anything rash she was surprised at how close she was as she had accidently bitten down on Yasha neck.

All the blood rushing to her cheeks she was about to scramble away when she felt Yasha's arms pull tighter around her holding her in place. A small growl escaping his lips almost like a warning.

Fresh meat. Yasha's eyes snapped open, instead of their usual gold they were a deep crimson. Taking a deep breath he could smell the young woman in his arms. She smelt wonderful her fresh sent mingling with the intoxicating smell of blood. She tried to pull away from him not wanting to let her slip away he pulled her closer to him growling slightly to let her know he meant business.

Closing his eyes he relished the feel of her pressed close to him.

"I'm sorry I… you were closer than I thought." she muttered into his neck still surprised by the strange reaction.

fresh meat Yasha heard the feral words echo in his mind before his golden eyes snapped open. Staring vacantly out into the clearing he glanced down at the girl in his arms feeling his heart sink in his chest. I'm sorry…you were closer than I thought the stupid girl had no idea what she had just done.

Closing his eyes once more he frowned Kagome I'm sorry…

Well that all for right now. Please review ^.^