12-16-09: Hurraayy for two chapters in one day :3 I got my obsession back.. but with revising I've noticed that I've forgotten some things.. people.. yeaah.. hopefully this chapter will clear up some of the confusion. Also sorry for posting this then taking it down.. I wanted to add more to the end.. also yeah action scenes are really not my area xP or at least i've forgotten how to do them properly.

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You're Kinda, Sorta, Basically, Pretty Much, Always On My Mind.

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I Don't Own Inuyasha

"Talking"

42. Nemesis

I sat on a broken roof top staring up at the moon. The stars glittered against the black sky and the cold bit at my ears and nose but I tried my best to ignore it. The effect caused by the humorous antics of the boys wore of just as everyone had fallen asleep and I was left alone once more. This village had been my last chance. How in the world was I going to find out who I was now? I guess I could just live my life, go with the flow, and just not worry about this any longer, but the idea seemed hard to accomplish. But I guess knowing who I am was just something I needed to learn how to live without.

I thought back over the last few months as I lowered myself onto my back and closed my eyes. I remembered when I first came here. When I first saw Inuyasha again, pinned to that tree. I had done a good job of burning that image into my mind. I still remember every bit of that. I still remembered how careful I was, how slowly I moved, and how my fingers tingled where it touched. I'd do anything just to be able to get that close innocently and do it all over again. We've been arguing so much, and then Kikyou coming back into the picture.. also me getting drunk and us.. k.. kissing.. seemed to have torn away all the innocent.

Maybe.. maybe I think the last time I had been able to get close to him innocently was when I was sick. Maybe I should get sick again..

I shook my head. Ugh, what was I thinking? What was my problem? Why did all these things matter to me so much? It was irritating! I wanted to go back to that innocent love and worship of something greater than I.. but going back to that seemed impossible. I sighed. I really wish life wasn't so complicated.

I ran my fingers over the shards around my neck. How many had we collected so far? I started off with one.. then we got Yura's shard.. But then after we got Yura's shard Naraku stole the two I had.. Koga has three but we never got any of those off him.. Hm, I wonder what happened to him.. but anyway we got one of the turkeys.. the spider heads didn't have one I don't think, Miroku had one... Ink boy had one, Toukajin.. yeah so we have collected about four.. Ugh so sad. Only four? Well we knew Koga had three and Naraku had two. But where the hell was Koga anyway? Didn't he say I was his woman or something? If this is how he treats his women then damn, I've lost so much respect for him now.. not that I had any to begin with.

I sighed and my thoughts drifted back to Inuyasha. I growled at myself, banishing them away. Stop thinking about it, Kaori! Ugh, why was I plagued with such miserable thoughts!? Why can't I just let things be?

His voice rang in my ears. "There hasn't been one since day where I've forgotten you!" Was he tormented with constant thoughts of her as I was of him? But that was acceptable.. He loved her, so it's only natural. The way I love him is different.. isn't it? I thought back over the shivers, the jealousy, the guilt, the tears.. fearing his death, blushing when our eyes met.. The constant need to know what we mean to each other...

"What are you doing?"

I yelped and my eyes snapped open. Inuyasha was bent over my head, watching me with the most curious expression on his face. His amber eyes seemed to be glowing and his silver hair reflected off the moon beams. Several strands fell over his shoulder and down to my face, tickling my nose. I blushed and sat up. Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear. Er.. well, think of him anyway.

"I was thinking." I admitted. He lowered himself down beside me, and I made sure that our eyes didn't meet. Why did he have to pop up right when I had been thinking something embarrassing? Why couldn't he have shown up before? "Err.. how long had you been watching me?"

He shrugged and I frowned. Well that's helpful.

"What were you thinking about?" He asked after a moment.

"Why are you asking this question again?" I sighed. Really? Why was this so important?

"You looked all frustrated and then your face went red. Anyone would be curious about that!"

"Why the hell have you been watching me!? No wait! How often do you do this!?"

He shrugged again. I growled and he looked down at me. "Your stupid sleep talking keeps me up all night!"

"I do not talk in my sleep!" I protested.

"Yes you do!"

"No I don't!"

"Yes you do!"

"No I don't!"

"Yes you do!"

"Okay fine!" I snapped. "Just for the sake of this argument, what exactly do I say in my sleep!?"

His eyes darked and he looked away grudgingly. I felt a smirk grow on my face. So he admits he's lying?

"You say that you love people a lot."

My smirk disappeared. "What?"

He exhaled sharply. "Ever since that night when we trained together, you've been saying 'aishiteru' a lot! It's almost every night! It's god damn annoying!"

"Saying it to who..?" I mumbled, my face growing red. Oh god this can't be good.. Usually my dreams are of him.. Damnit, damnit, damnit!!

"I don't know! You've never said any names!"

A sigh of relief escaped my lips. Thank god!

"But if you've been dreaming about that stupid wolf, I swear I'll kill him." He threatened.

"Oh yeah that reminds me.. Where has Koga been?" I asked, changing the subject. He seemed slightly relived but still aggravated. "He claims I'm his woman then takes off and never comes back! What kind of behaviour is that!?"

Inuyasha looked away from me again, glaring at the horizon. I looked where he was and saw nothing. "Helloo, I did ask a question.. It's helpful if you at least responded."

"That stupid mangy wolf can go burn in hell for all I care." He growled. There was something about this behaviour.. Something that seemed suspicious..

I gasped. "Oh god, wait! After I left to go home when we met up with him at the village, when you disappeared! You came back and did something didn't you?!"

He didn't respond.

"You did! What did you do!? Don't tell me you killed him!" I shouted.

"I didn't kill him!" He yelled back. "While you were gone and doing whatever, I did go back! I told him you ran away again because you weren't in 'your world'.. I haven't seen him since then! But damnit why do you care?! You haven't even noticed until now!"

"Oh so that's why? Damnit Inuyasha why did you have to go do that? He could be in Russia searching for me!"

"So!? The farther the way that bastard is the better!"

"Ugh, you may think that but I for one don't agree!"

"Why the fuck not!?"

"Because it's mean for one!"

"Who cares!?"

"I do!"

Our faces were inches apart. I flushed as I realized and pulled away. I remembered Kikyou's words. "Your behaviour so far these past few months is inexcusable." She must have meant things like this. Things like the awkward, affectionate, meaningless moments Inuyasha and I sometimes shared.

"What?" Inuyasha asked, the anger no longer in his tone.

"Nothing. I'm going to bed." I got to my feet and leaped from the roof. Inuyasha didn't follow.

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I pretty much hoped last night wouldn't have any effect on today's actions and I was pretty much right. Just as usual Inuyasha ignored the fact that anything had happened the day previous. For once I was thankful. We walked around the village toward a large limestone cave as Meoga explained to us as much as he knew about this place.

"This fort also served as a workshop." He said, tweaking my curiosity.

"Workshop?" I asked.

"The bones and shells of exterminated youkai were made into weapons and armor. Then their remains were taken to the edge of the village.."

We stopped in front at the mouth of the cavern.

"..and left inside this limestone cave.."

"This was where the Shikon No Tama was born?" I looked into the dark tunnel full of stalagmites and wetness.. Somehow it didn't feel right, I didn't want to go in.

"Come on, Kaori!" Inuyasha called his voice echoing around inside the cave.

"Wait a sec!" I shouted running in after them. "You want to go in!?"

"If your scared Kaori-sama, then cuddle up to me.." Miroku suggested, smirking at me from over his shoulder.

"Bastard, you're thinking dirty stuff again, aren't you?" Inuyasha growled, as he grabbed my hand and kept me close. My blush reached all the way down to my toes and my heart was racing, as I quickly became hyper aware of my own body next to his. Why was I reacting like this, it only just started happening a while ago!!!!

But my silent torments were quickly interrupted as we came upon a large dark figure. As we got closer I realized it was a corpse.. a mummy of some sort, merged into the bodies of surrounding dead youkai. A large hole was in the mummy's chest right where the heart should've been.

"What is this..?" Inuyasha asked has he and everyone else gazed upon it. "Tell me Myouga-jijii, this is.."

"..Just what it appears to be." The flea answered.

"I'm asking because I can't figure it out!" He glowered.

"You don't know do you?" Shippo questioned.

"A youkai mummy..?" I peeped, stepping out from behind Inuyasha to get a closer look.

"You think.. it's a youkai?" Miroku didn't look at me, his eyes were latched upon the womanly figure just as I. "It's become one with the youkai, but.. this is.. a human, I believe."

My eyes gazed over the hole in her chest as the words sunk in. A human, huh..

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"Hey, I'm talking to you Inuyasha!" Miroku said sternly as we stumbled through the forest. "Why don't we stop and take a rest, huh?"

"Hnnn?" Inuyasha stopped midstep and turned around to face us. "You're the one who wanted to go to the castle and talk to the guys there."

"I'm saying if we continue to walk like this, Kaori-sama wont be able to take it!"

At the mention of my name I pulled my head away from the tree and suppressed a yawn. No.. no I was alright..

"You tired, Kaori?" Inuyasha asked with a bit of concern in his tone. Well.. I guess that was to be expected, he did know that I didn't get much sleep last night.

"Well kinda.. I guess." I admitted, staring at the ground. Kinda was an understatement. I hadn't been sleeping well at all since I'd seen Kikyou.. "Also I'm kinda-" My stomach growled and I blushed, "hungry too."

"Wha..." Inuyasha stared at me for a moment then huffed. "Hmph you're such a selfish girl!"

"What the hell!? I've been putting up with it up till now! I haven't eaten in forever, and how can I sleep when I'm constantly bothered with Kikyou's voice saying over and over again how horrible of a sister I am!? While your off in your in your own little world, being all la-de-da, eating what ever it is your eating while you run off on your own in the middle of the night, yes I know!"

"Pay a little attention to other's needs." Miroku said, his voice firm as if scolding a child. "Don't try anything fancy, just say, 'I love you' or 'I'm in love with you'."

"Eh!?" Meoga gasped. "Inuyasha-sama! When did you say that!?"

"Shut up!" Inuyasha shouted a slight pinkish tinge to his cheeks.

I giggled nervously. Miroku's remark was embarrassing to me as well. Why as everyone so focused on forcing that upon us?

Kirara twitched in my arms and brought my attention back to reality. All of a sudden a large boomerang cut through the trees. Inuyasha grabbed the top of my head and pushed me to the ground, ducking just as everyone else had at the last second. The boomerang made a narrow U-turn and flew back the way it came.

A tall dark haired girl caught it with one hand. The thing was twice her size and I was amazing by her strength for just a human. Dark, almost black, brown hair was tied back into a high ponytail, and black and pink armour covered her body. Although a dark grey mask covered half of her face, and she had an enraged look in her brown eyes, I could tell that she was pretty but the scent of blood haunted her.

"So you're that bastard Inuyasha, huh!?" She hollered. "I'll exterminate you!"

"What the..!" Inuyasha gasped.

"Sa.. Sango!" Meoga yelped.

"She's someone from the town?!" I asked, looking to him then back to her.

"Hiraikotsu!" The girl shouted, throwing her boomerang at us once more.

"Inuyasha-sama don't fight with Sango!" Meoga pleaded as Inuyasha whipped out Tetsusaiga.

"This ain't the time for that!" Inuyasha snapped. Fang met boomerang with a loud clang and Inuyasha was forced back as the large weapon flew off in another direction.

"Doesn't look like we can talk things over, does it?" Inuyasha muttered under his breath. "Hey bitch, why are you attacking me!"

"Shut up, hanyou!" Sango snapped viciously. My ears pinned themselves against my head, and a low growl escaped my lips. Her eyes flickered to me but only for a moment before she whipped the boomerang at him once more. "This is revenge for all the villagers!"

"Hn!? Meoga-jijii what's she talking about!?" Inuyasha demanded, dodging the large bone weapon again by mere inches.

"I don't know! I have no clue!" Meoga squeaked.

"We've got to do something about that weapon!" I pulled out my katanas and gripped them firmly in my fists.

Miroku nodded and started pulling the beads from his arm. "Got it!" But just as the words were let out into the air, large yellow bees rose from the bushes. That only meant one thing.

"Naraku!" A vicious snarl escaped through my clenched teeth. The baboon clad man was standing behind Sango, the saimyoushou flying above protecting him. The last time I had seen him was when I was drunk and stupid, I should have helped with the attempt to kill him.. His pelt was a light grey and the face of the baboon was a pale blue. I took in a deep breath, forcing myself to memorize this scent. I could not forget it.

"Kukukuku. Inuyasha..." Naraku chuckled darkly. A shiver ran down my spine and I tightened my grip on the swords. "Resign yourself, and take your punishment from the taijiya."

"You bastard.." Inuyasha growled. "This ends here and now!" He swung Tetsusaiga over his shoulder and leaped toward the monkey menace.

"Finish him quickly, Sango." Naraku instructed. "The effect won't last much longer.."

"I know that." She snapped, and tossed her boomerang. Inuyasha dodged. But she was faster. A chain wrapped itself around his ankle and he came crashing down. It came from Sango. "Your opponent is me!"

"You bitch!" Inuyasha shouted. "Get out of the damn way or I'll kill you first!!"

"I.. Inuyasha-sama!" Meoga cried.

"Just you try!" Sango challenged catching her weapon again with one hand.

"She thinks Inuyasha attacked the village." Shippo said from my shoulder.

"Naraku's deceiving her." I muttered grudgingly. As Sango turned I noticed something glowing in the centre of her back. Shikon shard. I smirked and shook Shippo off, sprinting between the distance of Inuyasha and the advancing Sango.

She threw her weapon and I leaped right in front, crossing my katanas in an X. I was pushed back a little but it stopped the weapon. Her face changed from anger to shock and Inuyasha took this opportunity to chase after Naraku.

"Nice boomerang you go there." I smirked. Her face twisted back into fury. "Do you think you could make me one?"

She pulled back then tossed something I couldn't see. Suddenly they exploded with a miasma, at my feet and I leaped backwards covering my nose. The smell was almost worse than the demonic ink.

"Heh." Sango laughed from withing the giant cloud. "People with ears like yours are generally weak against scent attacks.."

"Damnit." I cursed. I looked at my swords. Hmm.. Change into a giant fan!? Nothing. Erg!

"Kaori-sama!" Miroku shouted. I spun around sensing danger. A bodiless hand wielding a thin sword was racing towards me. My wrist twitched and I shifted my weight to leap, but a flash of red and silver appeared before me and the hand was hacked to bits. I looked up. Boomerang.

"Shit!" Inuyasha grabbed me by the waist and leaped a few feet away. The bone had just grazed the bottom of my foot. Another hunk of flesh flew at me and grabbed the chain necklace right off my neck.

"NO!" I cried and watched as it flew then attached onto Naraku's body.

"Kukuku..." Naraku chuckled again, clutching my shikon shards in his hand. "This isn't something for the likes of you idiots. Now that the shikon fragments is in my hands, staying longer would be pointless."

"Naraku, you bastard!!" I hollered trying to struggle out of Inuyasha's iron hold.

"Farewell, Kaori." An explosion of miasma sent us fleeing in the opposite direction a couple of feet and he was already in the sky. "Sango.. I'll be waiting at the castle. Be sure to destroy Inuyasha."

Sango stared after him, silent and momentarily distracted. The cream coloured kitten took this as an opportunity and ran into her open lap.

"Kirara..You're.. alive.." Her voice was kind and gentle now.. Much prettier now that malice no longer coated her words. But she glanced swiftly over her shoulder and lowered her covered mouth to the neko's large black ear. "Kirara, follow that guy. If he does anything odd.. kill him."

Kirara blinked and hopped out of her arms. Once the onyx paws hit the ground flames engulfed her once more and she grew back into the monstrous beast we had first met her as. She ran off into the direction that Naraku had gone, and Miroku was hot on her heels.

Inuyasha finally let go of me, to join this hunting party. "Just you wait, Naraku!" But as he got across the rocky clearing Sango attacked again. Her boomerang crashed into the ground before him then spun around back into her waiting hands. That was starting to get annoying.

"I will exterminate you here!" Sango shouted, her voice no longer gentle and pretty as before.

"Bitch! Still going on about that!" Inuyasha growled turned around to face her. She lunched forward adding more power to this throw. I exhaled sharply and once more threw myself into it's path. I remembered the flash of crimson with the head tree and hopped it happened again as the weapon came speeding toward me. As bone hit metal my bright red light exploded and the 8 foot long bone was tossed into the dirt several yards away.

Sango radiated panic now.

Inuyasha chuckled and leaped over me. "Now that you've lost your weapon it's my turn!"

She threw more of the invisible scent bombs but just as she did his claws reached out and snapped the dark grey mask right off her face. Her dark eyes widened in surprise and her hands shot to her face, covering her nose. Inuyasha grabbed her arm and jumped out of the other side of the gas cloud.

As their feet touched the ground I started running towards them. Surely the fight would be over now that he'd saved her, right? Nope. Wrong. The scent of his blood hit my nose and my legs started moving faster. She'd thrust a katana right threw his arm and out the other side. He didn't seem the least bit fazed by it.. well except the irritated look.

"You bitch.." He spat. He grabbed her by the forearm and pulled the katana out of his own. "You've been deceived by Naraku, but you still don't get it? Besides.. Can't you tell me why you're covered with blood?"

"Wha..at!?" Sango looked down on her self, finally noticing the dark red puddle she was in. I stopped at Inuyasha's side and carefully grabbed his arm.

"Inuyasha are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He mumbled, holding the wound.

At that moment Sango decided to collapse.

"Ahh! She died!"

End Of Chapter 42

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