Chapter Seven: Kagome the Healer
"You were really good out there," Inuyasha said softly. He stood behind Kagome as she sat at the council table in the great hall. The meeting room she'd been in last time was an informal venue. Now they were in a large room with raised seating all around for clan members to fill. A large table had enough space for the clan leaders and their primary advisors. All of the seats were filled, save for those of the Hyoga clan. It left a gaping hole in the room, evidence of the trauma that had shaken the city just hours before.
Princess Abi glowered at Sesshomaru from down the table. Kagome sat at his left hand, and Myoga at his right. Inuyasha stood behind her, his presence a comfort in the face of a room of angry demons.
"Thank you," Kagome replied to Inuyasha, "So were you." He was silent for a moment.
"I didn't do anything," he said.
"You saved those kids."
"But I didn't...I wasn't with you," he said. Kagome felt her heart give a stupid little flutter. Damn her heart. There were more important things happening right now.
"I can take care of myself, Inuyasha," she said, annoyed both at him and herself. She expected him to scoff and give some snarky retort, but he didn't. He didn't say anything. She turned her head, catching him in her periphery just to make sure he was still there.
"Thank you for letting me take care of myself," she said, "For doing as I asked and getting those children to safety." She saw him shift a little on his feet.
"It was nothin'," he said. There was a warmth in his voice that made her smile. Down the table, Princess Abi spoke up.
"He's not coming! Let's just start this damn meeting," she said. Sesshomaru and the other council members looked to the Hyoga Clan's empty seats. Lord Taigokumaru spoke first.
"I also think we should begin. Considering his actions, it is unlikely Menomaru will accept the invitation to a council meeting."
"Very well," Sesshomaru said. He stood, chair scraping against the wooden floor as he moved.
"Fellow youkai. This meeting has been called to address the Hyoga Clan attack on the Bird Clan festival honoring Princess Abi. We are here to decide how to address Lord Menomaru's actions and those of his clan members. Council leaders may suggest actions to be taken by the united forces of our clans, and we will vote to decide how we proceed."
Princess Abi slammed a fist down on the table, standing.
"We kill him and his creed! Tonight! If you aren't with me, my clan will act on its own!" she shouted. In the stands behind her, Bird Clan demons surged to their feet and cheered. Abi turned to face them and raised a fist, a gesture many mimicked. The rest of the room watched on silently. After a couple long minutes, when the cheering had died down, Sesshomaru cleared his throat and spoke again.
"Princess Abi moves to exterminate the Hyoga Clan," he said, "Any second?" Abi looked around the table at the council members. None made a move or a sound. Several looked guiltily down at the table. With an yell, Abi hit the table again and walked away from the group. Arms crossed, she lingered by the stands with her people, too angry to hear any other suggestions.
"No second," Sesshomaru said, sitting down, "Anyone else?" Lady Toran stood. Her blue tail flicked back and forth, but her face betrayed none of the same restlessness.
"I move we capture the Hyoga fortress. We can wait them out, if need be. We don't know why the Hyoga Clan attacked Abi's people. To destroy an entire clan without more information would set a dangerous precedent."
Abi whirled back to the table at this.
"We know why he attacked!" she said nastily. Her gaze fell on Kagome and softened slightly. Then she glared at Sesshomaru.
"This all began when the House of the West started pursuing integration efforts. We should send the priestess and her friends home. They will be safer among their own kind."
No! The thought ran through Kagome's mind, and she nearly said it aloud before stopping herself. Sesshomaru leaned over the table. He watched Abi pointedly, as if daring her to object to what he said next.
"Lady Toran moves to arrest the Hyoga Clan. I second her motion. All in favor?" he said. A chorus of 'aye's echoed from the remaining three council members.
"Then it's settled," Sesshomaru said. Lord Taigokumaru cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the group.
"And, Lord Sesshomaru, Princess Abi moves to return Priestess Kagome and the other humans to the mainland. A fair suggestion, under the circumstances. Does anyone second this motion?"
Kagome saw Sesshomaru's hand clench into a fist at Taigokumaru's words. Her heart jumped as Shishinki raised a hand.
"I second," he said. Taigokumaru nodded.
"All in favor?" he asked. Only two demons would need to agree for Kagome to be sent home.
"Wait!" she called, before anyone could speak.
"Can't I say something before you all decide my fate?" she asked Taigokumaru. Blind eyes turned to her, he raised his eyebrows.
"Any objections?" he asked the table. No one seemed to have any. Then he nodded to Kagome.
"Thank you," she said, and stood. She bowed quickly, to Princess Abi.
"I'm sorry Princess Abi. I don't know if the Hyoga clan attacked your people because of me, but I do know that the Bird Clan is hurting. I will do whatever I can to help," Kagome said. Then she straightened, squaring her shoulders and addressing the entire room.
"Some of you saw my friends and I tonight. You saw us fight-you saw us kill Hyoga clan soldiers. If you are going to fight them again, the last thing you should do is send us away. We are here because we want to be, and we know the risks. Let us fight with you."
The room was silent in return. She wasn't sure if she expected cheering or booing, but some reaction would have been reassuring. She felt a firm hand on her shoulder-Inuyasha's.
"Thank you," she said again, and sat. She lifted her hand and rested her fingers on Inuyasha's. His hand was warm, and she could feel it through her miko robe. She couldn't see his face, but she imagined he was glaring at the demons around them defiantly.
"Very well," Taigokumaru said, "All in favor of Princess Abi's motion?" Abi, Shishinki, and Empress Kaguya 'aye'd.
"All opposed?" Taigokumaru asked. He, Sesshomaru, and Lady Toran 'nay'd. There was a collective moment of hesitation among the council members. It was a tie. They had never before experienced a tie. With an odd number of council leaders, it hadn't previously been possible. But now there were only six of them, and they were split down the middle.
"Well, what now?" Shishinki asked, annoyed.
"Perhaps," Lady Toran suggested, "We can compromise. I'm not sure it is the best idea for humans to fight alongside us in demon affairs. However, Lady Kagome's safety has been threatened among 'her own kind' before. Let her stay, but let her stay confined to Sesshomaru's home. He has security enough to keep her safe and out of trouble."
"All in favor of Lady Toran's amendment?" Sesshomaru asked. The decision was unanimous, all council leaders were in favor. Kagome slumped a little in her seat. The last thing she wanted to do was be locked up in Sesshomaru's mansion. Still, she didn't want to appear ungrateful.
"We begin the siege of Hyoga tomorrow," Sesshomaru said, "And the House of the West will host Lady Kagome gladly. Is there any more business?"
There was none, understandably.
Kagome, Inuyasha, Rokuro, and Sango tried to relax that night. They were in one of the house's many sitting rooms, curled up on leather furniture in front of a fireplace. Inuyasha leaned against the fireplace frame, seated on the floor. Kagome hugged her knees to her chest, sitting in a chair, and Sango and Rokuro shared a couch. Silence surrounded them. Kagome kept trying to think of something to say, but every possibility seemed too trivial.
"Maybe we should go home," Rokuro said suddenly.
"What the hell?" Sango immediately snapped. He leaned away from her on the couch.
"Well, considering we've started a civil war in less than a month-" he started to say. Inuyasha cut him off.
"Bullshit, Menomaru always hated the council and the Sector," he said, sounding somewhat bored. Rokuro sighed, putting his hands up in a gesture of peace.
"I don't doubt that. But our mere presence here seems to have spurred him into action."
"My mere presence," Kagome muttered. Rokuro and Sango looked to her.
"I'm sorry, Kagome, I didn't hear you," Rokuro said. Kagome lifted her eyes to them. Inuyasha had heard her, she was sure, but he wasn't saying anything.
"My mere presence," Kagome said, "I'm the one with the Shikon Jewel. I'm the one who went to talk to the council. It's my presence that made him attack the Bird Clan."
"It's not your fault," Sango said quickly. Kagome shook her head.
"I know that, but sitting here isn't helping anyone. Sitting around is all I've been doing. I won't just hide away while other people deal with this mess. If I can't fight, then I'll...I'll go help with the wounded. I can bring people water and bandages, at least!"
"How exactly are you going to get out of here to help people?" Inuyasha asked her. She turned to him.
"How do you think? You're going to help me. You've escaped from here plenty of times," she said.
The next morning, Kagome was surprised that Sesshomaru called her to his office. She had expected him to leave early for arranging the capture of Hyoga castle. When she entered, he was standing by the window, staring pensively into the garden courtyard. The light was low in the room, and the bright sunlight shining in from the window silhouetted him and made his silvery hair glow.
"Good morning Sesshomaru," Kagome said cooly. She was still angry with him for keeping her locked up. He did not turn to see her, but she saw his head turn slightly in greeting.
"What do you want to say?" she asked.
"I assume you have planned some way to get out of this house," he said. Kagome opened her mouth to deny the accusation, but he kept talking.
"I don't care about that. Do as you wish, I can plead dumb to the rest of the council," he said. Then he turned to her and walked away from the window, his face coming into the yellow light of the room. She could see tension in his expression that wasn't usually there.
"Then what is it?" Kagome asked. Sesshomaru walked over to his desk and opened a long drawer in it. He pulled out the sword Kagome had given him to keep safe.
"This is yours, and it is time I give it back to you," he said. Then he walked over to her and handed the sword over. Kagome took it hesitantly.
"I don't know how to use a sword," she said.
"Then find someone who does, and keep them by your side," Sesshomaru advised. He turned away then, back to the window and his brooding.
"Was that all?" Kagome asked. For a moment Sesshomaru was silent, and she moved to leave.
"I've gotten letters," he said suddenly, and Kagome paused.
"From Miss Karin," he added, his voice almost soft. Kagome was suddenly uncomfortable. She had no experience with relationships, let alone one between a thousand year old demon and her much younger human friend.
"Inuyasha said…" she stuttered, "he-he said that you knew her in a past life." Sesshomaru's head bobbed up and down, hair swaying slightly with the movement.
"A long time ago," he said. Then, abruptly, he turned to face her. She could not see the expression on his face because of the sunlight behind him, but she suspected the emotion there was stronger than she'd ever seen him show before.
"Things are changing," he said, "For the first time in a long time, this place is...shifting. We have you to thank, or to blame." Kagome pursed her lips. In the chaos after the attack, she'd forgotten, but now Princess Abi's words came back to her.
"Is it true Myoga wants demons to leave the Sector?" she asked. Unfazed, Sesshomaru nodded.
"I did not give it much thought at first, it was his pet project," he said.
"But now?" There was a long pause. Kagome kept silent, resisting the urge to fill the awkwardness with an apology.
"If...there is a world in which I can see Rin again-Karin, again...that world would be of interest," Sesshomaru said quietly. Kagome heard the pain in his voice and felt an involuntary ache in her heart. She and Sesshomaru did not have much in common, but she could understand this, at least. Resisting the urge to hug him-he would resent that show of affection-she gave a quick little bow, gripping the sword tightly.
"I'm interested in that world too, Sesshomaru," she said.
With a quick intake of breath that signaled his return to distant tolerance, Sesshomaru nodded curtly.
"I must prepare for today, as should you," he said. Kagome bowed again, and slipped out of the room. She found Inuyasha waiting for her in the hallway. He was leaned against the wall, arms crossed and scowling.
"Hey," she said.
"I heard all that," he said.
"I know," Kagome replied, "Can't fool those ears of yours." She held out the sword to him.
"You know how to use one of these, right?" she asked. Inuyasha eyed the sword suspiciously.
"Sure. Thought you'd want Sango to have it though," he said. Kagome shook her head.
"It's a demon sword. You're a demon. Plus, Sango's got plenty of swords," she said. Slowly, Inuyasha reached out and put his hand around the hilt. A jolt went through him.
"Shit," he said softly, "This thing is no joke." Kagome let go of the sword.
"It's powerful?" she asked. Inuyasha nodded. He took the sheath in one hand and pulled the sword out with the other. The blade, which had been rusty and old in Kagome's hands, was suddenly a sharp shining steel in Inuyasha's.
"Woah," Kagome said. She looked at Inuyasha's face. He was staring, transfixed, at the blade. It was reflected in his eyes, winking as he turned it over in his hand. Coolness washed over Kagome and she felt the sudden urge to take it back from him. Resisting, she spoke instead.
"Inuyasha," she said, a little to quickly and a little too loud. His eyes and ears flicked back to her.
"What?" he said.
"Do you promise you'll protect me with that sword?" she asked.
"Huh? What the hell do you mean?" Inuyasha asked.
"Will you protect me?" Kagome asked. Inuyasha looked her up and down, suspicious of some trick or joke.
"Heh, yeah I guess. Obviously," he replied, adding the last bit under his breath. He put the sword back in the sheath, and Kagome's uneasiness faded. It was silly, being so nervous over a sword.
"Good!" she said, and started down the hallway. Inuyasha's face screwed up in confusion.
"What does that mean?" he asked accusingly. Kagome didn't answer, and he practically scampered after her, demanding clarification.
It was easy enough to slip past Sesshomaru's main servant, Jaken. He was short and loud and not very observant, and Inuyasha had clearly passed him by undetected many times. They left through the back door with Rokuro and Sango, and headed towards the school campus. It was being used as a temporary hospital and housing for the injured and homeless Bird Clan demons. Their entire neighborhood had been decimated in the attack, and the empty school buildings were of no use otherwise. There was no guard at the campus gate, which was wide open. Kagome and her friends walked in without anyone questioning them. They made their way to the main hall, where the severely injured were being taken care of. Those who could take care of themselves were staying in dorms or classrooms, but the worst of the injured needed constant care from Poison Clan healers.
Kagome had been in an emergency room once, as a child. Her mother had tripped and fallen in the shrine grounds, and broken her wrist. She had refused to let her mom leave for the ER without her. This makeshift hospital reminded her of the emergency room. Healers rushed around with no regard for anyone but the hurt and dying. They hardly noticed Kagome beyond the effort it took to dodge around her. There were no separate rooms in the big hall, and injured demons lay on mats on the floor in the open. Family members crowded around them, and the noise from the great distressed crowd was cacophonous. Overwhelmed, Kagome stood by the door and watched as a healer leaned over a young bird demon with burnt feathers. The healer was trying to spread the demon's wing-arm out to examine it, but the youth was fighting him. Kagome swallowed, zeroing in on the pair and blocking out all the other groaning and crying people around her. She strode over confidently and kneeled beside the healer and patient. Putting her hands on his shoulders, she held him firmly as the healer was finally able to pull his arm out. The demon whimpered, and Kagome nodded.
"I know," she said, "I know it hurts. But you've got to be strong, okay?" The youkai's hazy eyes tried to focus on her.
"Lady Priestess?" he asked. Kagome nodded.
"Just Kagome," she said, "What's your name?" Beside her, the healer pulled a salve from his belt and started to massage it into the demon's arm. The youkai hissed and tried to pull away, but Kagome asked him his name again to distract him.
"Ichi is my name," he said with effort. Kagome smiled, and his eyes finally focused on her.
"Hi Ichi. Do you have family here?" she asked. Ichi nodded.
"My sister and mother. They're over there-" with his good arm he motioned to a pair of female youkai a few mats away. The older was sleeping, her entire torso bandaged. The younger was laying next to her, crying.
"Please help them," Ichi said. Kagome looked to the healer, who had finished with the salve and was applying a bandage over it. He nodded to her, and she stood, picking her way down the line to Ichi's family. Inuyasha hovered behind her, Sango and Rokuro having stayed by the door.
The girl sat up when she approached, trying to quickly wipe tears from her eyes.
"Lady Priestess," she greeted, ducking into a low bow over her mother's stomach. Kagome kneeled again, taking the girl's shoulders and pulling her up.
"Just Kagome," she said. The girl's tear-ridden eyes widened. They were large with oversized irises, like a bird's. She may not have been human, but her grief was as real as any human's could ever be.
"K-Kagome," she said, hesitant.
"Do you have a place to sleep in one of the dorms?" Kagome asked. The girl shook her head.
"I can't leave mother and Ichi," she replied. Kagome reached out and gripped one of her shoulders.
"The healers are taking care of them, but we need to take care of you too. Have you slept since last night?" Again, the girl shook her head. Kagome glanced back at Inuyasha.
"Get Rokuro. Have him find a place for her. And some water and food." Inuyasha didn't argue, simply turned and did as he was told.
"Thank you," the girl said, tears once again welling up in her eyes. Kagome smiled at her.
"They're gonna be fine, and you are too," she insisted. The girl, leaning forward over her mother, pulled Kagome into a tight hug.
"Lady Priestess!" someone called. Pulling away, Kagome saw an old cat youkai limping towards her.
"Please, come speak to my mate," he said. The bird demon assured Kagome she should go, and so she did. She made her way around the room in that way, providing some small comfort to the injured and grieving. One old demoness had seen her daughter and daughter's mate cut down by Hyoga warriors. Kagome wasn't sure how to react when the demoness said she would rather die than live without her daughter. Wordless, she squeezed the woman's hand. An idea struck her, and she closed her eyes and reached within for her spiritual powers. Gently, nervously, she drew a stream of power and pushed it towards the demoness. She could not heal demons with her powers, but perhaps she could purify the despair.
When her powers flowed into the women's hands, the demoness flinched a little, then stared in wonder at the faint pink glow now spreading through her. It followed her veins, and within moments found her heart.
"You are strong," Kagome said, then repeated it like a spell until the woman nodded. She gripped Kagome's hand, a fierce determination coming into her face.
"Thank you, my Lady," she said, voice heavy with emotion. Only then did Kagome let go of her hands. Renewed with a sense of purpose, the woman stood. She flagged down an already busy healer, who pointed her towards a table where demons were ripping and coiling bandages.
"That was amazing, Kagome," Sango said. Kagome jumped at her voice. Her friend had approached without her noticing.
"Thank you, Sango." Then Kagome stood and moved onto the next demon in need.
Three hours later, as Kagome left behind a now calmed family of bat demons, she felt her head spin. She tripped, and would have fallen had Inuyasha not grabbed her arm and held her up. As she found her feet, she heard Sango say:
"Kagome, you need to take a break. You've used too much power." Kagome shook her head.
"No, I can keep going," she insisted. Inuyasha scoffed.
"Wench, enough," he said, "Anyone can see you're about to faint." Kagome, angry, pushed his hand off of her arm-and almost fell over again.
"Okay, fine," she said, "I'll take a break. But I'm not done here yet." Inuyasha's renewed grip on her arm helped her make it to a blank space at the far wall of the room. She leaned heavily on the wall and slid down into a sitting position. Inuyasha remained standing beside her, while Sango went to fetch some water and food.
"You push yourself too hard. How am I supposed to protect you from using your own powers?" Inuyasha grumbled. Kagome's eyes widened as she looked up at him. He had said 'protect her' so casually. He noticed her look and rolled his eyes.
"What? You made me promise, remember?"
"Yeah, but…"
"But what?"
"Nothing, I guess," Kagome replied, too tired to come up with an intelligent excuse. After a moment to observe her, Inuyasha crouched down beside her.
"Kagome, I gotta ask you something," he said. He seemed nervous, which was unusual. It made Kagome nervous too.
"What?" she asked.
"Why do you want demons to leave the Sector?" he asked. Kagome blinked at him. Her mind scrambled for some good reasoning that wasn't 'I want to be with you'. Her mind failed miserably, and the words tumbled out of her mouth:
"I don't want to be away from you," she said. Inuyasha froze. Kagome looked down at her lap, but her grabbed her chin and forced her to look him in the eye.
"What do you mean?" he demanded. Kagome pushed his hand away from her chin and glared.
"What do you think I mean?" she asked sarcastically. Inuyasha leaned back, finally sitting on the ground instead of crouching.
"You...want to be...together?"
"Yes."
"Together together?"
"Inuyasha!"
"So not together togeth-"
"Of course I mean that!" Kagome snapped.
"Oh."
Silence. Long enough for Kagome to start feeling the embarrassment through her fatigue. Crap. Crappity crap crapola. She hadn't meant to say that, not yet and not here and not like this. Inuyasha wasn't saying anything. That was bad. He probably thought she was an idiot and-
"Okay," he said, interrupting her swift slip down the slope of panic. Kagome frowned.
"Okay? What does that mean, Inuyasha?" He leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees and resting his chin on crossed arms.
"It means me too," he said, "I want that too." Kagome forgot to breathe. She just stared at him, motionless. Reaching out a hand, he tapped her forehead.
"Anyone in there?" Then, frowning, she waved his hand away.
"Inuyasha!"
"What?!"
"This isn't-I'm not-god, this isn't how you do this!" she said, voice a little louder than she meant it to be. Sango, who was approaching with a cup and plate, stopped abruptly. Inuyasha scowled.
"How am I supposed to do this then, Kagome?"
"I don't know, I've never-I just don't know!"
"Well, I don't know why you're so mad. I told ya I want to be with ya too, right? Shouldn't that make you happy?"
"It does!"
"Then why are you yelling at me?!"
"I don't know, but you're yelling at me too!"
"Well I...gah, woman!" Inuyasha exclaimed, then sulked into his arms. After a moment, Kagome found herself laughing. It wasn't something she decided to do, it just started to roll out of her. Inuyasha, offended, glared at her.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," he grumbled.
"I'm not-ha-I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing at how ridiculous we are," she said. Inuyasha, less offended, eyed her.
"I like that. 'We'," he said quietly. Kagome leaned her head back against the wall and smiled.
"Me too," she replied. Sango, judging it was now safe to approach, came forward with the water and food for Kagome to refuel.
"Let's talk about this later, when I'm not so cranky," Kagome suggested to Inuyasha. Sango didn't comment, but shot Kagome a curious look.
As Kagome started to eat, Rokuro came power-walking up to them. A concerned look on his face was all Kagome needed to put her own problems away.
"What's wrong?" Sango asked as he neared.
"I just got word from Sesshomaru. The Hyoga clan wasn't in their fortress. When they broke through the gates, the place had been abandoned," Rokuro replied. Inuyasha jumped to his feet.
"Bastards! Where did they go?" he demanded. Rokuro shook his head.
"We don't know. They haven't been sigh-"
At that precise moment, with perfect cinematic timing, a great crash could be heard overhead.
"Something tells me we're about to find them," Sango muttered, hand going to her staff.
One of the skylights broke, glass raining down on unsuspecting patients and healers. Immediately chaos broke out. People started running towards the exit, pulling injured loved ones into their arms despite the healers' warnings not to move them. From the broken skylight, Hyoga warriors dropped into the room and crashed to the floor.
"Shit!" Inuyasha shouted, drawing the demon sword. It glinted, and the unease flooded over Kagome again. She reached out towards him.
"Inuyasha, I think-"
But he was gone, rushing towards the enemy.
"We have to get the demons out!" Sango shouted.
"Kagome and I will take care of that," Rokuro replied, "You help Inuyasha." Sango nodded and ran after the hanyou towards the Hyoga warriors.
Rokuro helped Kagome to her feet.
"Let's get these people out of here," he said. Kagome nodded, pulling her eyes away from Inuyasha's blade.
Quickly, they started to herd people to the exits. More Hyoga warriors dropped in behind them, breaking more skylights overhead. But Inuyasha and Sango were providing an effective distraction, each dancing effortlessly between opponents.
Kagome turned away from healers and patients to watch the performance. By this time, a few of the Hyoga warriors had slipped past her friends and were headed towards the crowd. She placed herself between the innocent demons and the Hyoga Clan soldiers, calling upon her depleted spiritual energy. Her hands glowed pink, which gave the approaching youkai pause. They eyed her nervously, probably having heard of her ability to disintegrate their comrade. Then they steeled themselves and came towards her. Kagome took a step back. She may have looked threatening, but her power was too weak to do much damage. She'd hoped her bluff would be enough to hold them back.
Rokuro appeared at her shoulder, wielding a staff and a sutra.
"I'll take the left," he said quietly. Kagome nodded. He jumped into action, running towards the warrior on the left. Kagome took a deep breath, stepping towards the other. The soldier adjusted his sword grip, then leapt forward and swung out at Kagome. She jumped back, stumbling on shaky legs and falling to the ground. Her concentration broke, and the glow in her hands faded. When she looked up, she saw the soldier looming over her. Desperately, she tried to pull out some more energy, but only succeeded in forming a few pink sparks. With dread, she watched the warrior raise his sword and swing it down towards her-only to be caught on another blade with a sharp clang of metal.
Inuyasha stood over Kagome now, having barely made it to her in time. He was panting and sweaty, and she'd never been so glad to see him.
"Go!" he shouted over his shoulder, and she pulled herself backwards on the ground. With effort, she got to her feet. Inuyasha twisted his blade, pulling the soldier's sword out of his hand and flinging it aside. He slipped his sword through the youkai's armor, then drew it out just as quickly.
"I can't just leave," Kagome argued when he turned to her. He opened his mouth to argue, but stopped as one ear flicked to the side. He grabbed Kagome's arm and dragged her out of the way as an arrow flew through the spot where she was just standing. He pushed her behind him. The archer drew another arrow and loosed it at Inuyasha. He knocked it away easily with his blade, but jerked back as a second, invisible arrow thunked into his chest. Kagome let out a frightened yelp, and caught him under the arms as he fell backwards.
"Enchanted bow," Inuyasha grumbled, struggling against Kagome's grasp, "I'll be fine, it's just-"
A third and fourth arrow found him, striking his leg and abdomen. He growled, but a high whine overtook the sound as the pain hit him.
Panicking, and too weak to hold his full weight, Kagome lowered the both of them to the ground. Her hands brushed over his chest and she felt herself start to cry when her fingers found one of the arrow shafts. Should she pull it out? Probably not, it was preventing him from bleeding too much. With no other alternative, she called out:
"Help!"
Her cry made Sango and Rokuro's heads turn, each of them already engaged in battle with soldiers.
The archer who had felled Inuyasha walked calmly up to her, a smirk on her face.
"Die, now," she said. She drew another arrow and aimed at Kagome's face from mere feet away. Kagome's eyes nearly crossed as they focused on the head of the arrow. She took in her last breath, unable to close her eyes as the archer released the arrow towards her head.
A flash of glinting metal passed through Kagome's vision and Inuyasha's sword knocked the arrow out of it's path. It dug into the floor beside her harmlessly. Kagome let out her breath. In front of her, the archer jumped back as Inuyasha pushed himself to his feet. Relief and confusion washed over Kagome. He was okay! She wasn't sure how, but he was. The relief faded when she saw him grasp one of the arrow shafts and pull it from his body. He threw it on the ground, tip red with his blood, unfazed as the wound began to leak his blood down the front of his clothing.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called, "Don't do that!"
But it was too late, he pulled the other two arrows from his leg and abdomen and tossed them to the ground as well. The archer watched him warily, putting a hand on the dagger at her waist.
Inuyasha started to growl, deep and loud. It was unlike any sound Kagome had heard him make, and it chilled her to the bone. Something was deeply wrong, and she had no idea what it was.
"Inuyasha!" she called again, wishing he would turn and face her. She saw his ear flick back towards her, but he didn't look. Then he leapt forward faster than her eyes could see. One moment he was standing protectively in front of her, and the next he was cutting the archer's throat with his blade. She fell to the ground, dropping her enchanted bow. Kagome's hand flew to her mouth. The youkai's eyes were still open, even as her head hung from her neck by a sliver of muscle and skin. Inuyasha turned away from the body smoothly, and Kagome caught sight of his face. Jagged purple streaks cut across his cheeks, and his eyes had turned a deep red. His fangs were longer and sharper, and his face was screwed up in an expression of pure malice. He did not even glance at her, instead running towards the nearest Hyoga warrior and plunging his sword into them through their armor. The chestplate split with a loud crack, and blood flowed out of it from the fatal wound. Before the warrior fell, Inuyasha was onto the next kill.
Shakily, Kagome got to her feet. Sango ran up beside her, staring at the transformed hanyou.
"What's he doing?" she asked Kagome. Kagome shook her head.
"He's-there's something wrong with him!" she said. They watched, speechless, as he massacred the room of soldiers. They were no match for him, and in the moments when Kagome's eyes could discern his movements, she thought she saw a maniacal grin on his face. He was enjoying the killing. Her heart throbbed in confusion and anger, and she started to run towards him. He had cornered a young Hyoga warrior and was standing over the youth, watching him beg for his life.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called. He did not respond-did not even seem to hear her.
"Inuyasha, look at me!" she yelled. He did not, and instead raised his sword to deliver a killing blow. Reaching down, she pulled off her shoe and chucked it at him, hitting him square in the back. He paused then, and slowly turned to glare at her.
"What are you doing?" Kagome screamed. His red eyes narrowed, and he stepped towards her-away from the soldier. Kagome then saw his sword, glowing a deep red in his hand. Her breath caught at the sight, fear spreading through her. She had to get that sword away from him.
She started to walk towards him slowly, holding her hands up as a sign of peace.
"Inuyasha, I'm sorry I threw my shoe at you, but you're not yourself right now," she started. He growled, and she fell silent. Gripping his bloody sword tightly, he came up to her and took in a deep breath, reading her scent. She held very still, not wanting to give him any reason to attack her. Normally he never would, but he was like an entirely different person now.
He leaned in, putting his nose close to her neck, and breathed in deeply again. Kagome, on the other hand, was holding her breath. Inuyasha followed the line of her neck down, to her chest. Kagome flushed pink, knowing Sango and Rokuro were watching the entire exchange.
"Inuyasha," she squeaked, "Please turn back to yourself!" He stopped between her breasts, and she had a sickening realization. He had stopped precisely where the Jewel was hanging on her necklace.
Inuyasha raised his free hand, and hooked it around the leather cord of Kagome's jewel pouch. Pulling, slowly, he freed the pouch from her shirt and let it fall back against her chest. Her hand flew to it, encasing it and hiding it from his view.
"What are you doing?" she accused. He growled, reaching out and grabbing her wrist. The tips of his claws dug into her skin, and blood gathered at the pricked places.
"Stop!" Kagome yelped, trying to pull away from him. He did not release her wrist, and instead pulled her to him. Their faces inches away, she could not avoid his red gaze.
"Please, Inuyasha," Kagome begged.
Rokuro's wooden staff whooshed down, striking Inuyasha squarely in the head with a spark of Rokuro's own spiritual energy. An ofuda wrapped around the head of the staff burst into flames, igniting a greater explosion of holy power around Inuyasha's head. The hanyou dropped instantly, Kagome and sword both slipping out of his grasp. Kagome instantly went to her knees. She pulled the sword away from him first and then used her fingers to gingerly brush the hair out of his face.
"What was that?" Sango asked, standing next to the now panting Rokuro. The spell had exhausted him.
"It's like...he was possessed," Rokuro said, breathlessly. Kagome had heard ancient stories of demons possessing humans. But if you were already a demon, how could you be possessed?