Time stood still as Kagome held her breath and waited to see how Inuyasha would react after seeing Sesshoumaru's haori on her bed. He had changed since the jewel's disappearance, and she never knew how he would respond to even the smallest changes. It left her always walking on eggshells around him.
She flinched away when Inuyasha jerked his arm out of her grasp. Looking around the sitting room, he observed all the artifacts and knickknacks Sesshoumaru had gifted her over the years, from priceless Chinese porcelain to the hanging tapestry depicting a giant dog demon flying over a castle.
"The bastard has all but pissed on you stating his claim." He stomped over to the tapestry and ripped it from the wall. "Is that why you didn't want to stay with me?! Because I didn't buy you fancy crap?!"
Kagome was stunned. She had never asked for any of this, yet he made her sound like some gold digger.
"It's not like that Inuyasha. You know why it didn't work out between us; it had nothing to do with material things." She began to shake with rage and despair, "You were never home! You acted like you didn't want to be anywhere near me!"
Inuyasha charged towards Kagome until she was backed into a wall. Slamming both hands on either side of her head, he leaned down until his lips nearly touched her ear.
"You seem more than content being his whore." Clawed fingers pulled back the collar of her robes. "Had I known you would accept my instinct to dominate you, then maybe I'd have stuck around more. I was trying to protect you. It turns out you're not such a good girl after all." He leaned back, and his eyes took on a feral look and darkened to honey gold.
Kagome had been afraid when Sesshoumaru had forced himself on her, but it was nothing like this. He wasn't in control of his actions then, unlike Inuyasha. Her whole body told her to run and get as far away from the half-demon as possible. When Kagome felt a claw hand leave her neck and slowly trace down to her collarbone, she pulled her spiritual powers to her fingertips. She would not let him hurt her again, not mentally or physically.
"It's time for you to leave, Inuyasha."
Masaru's commanding voice boomed through the room, followed by the weight of his demonic aura. Inuyasha stared down at her for what felt like an eternity before rapidly turning from her and pushing past the lieutenant. Kagome released the breath she didn't know she was holding and sank to the floor.
As the half-demon stormed through the tree line, Masaru followed closely behind. The ears on top of Inuyasha's head twitched in irritation; he muttered about how he didn't need an escort. Once they made it out of what Masaru determined was the edge of the priestess's territory, he attacked. Inuyasha had no time to react before he was pinned to a tree by the neck. Growls and snarls filled the forest.
"I will leave you with one warning. Never come back here, or I will not hesitate to kill you. I am charged with the wellbeing of Lady Kagome and Lady Rin; anyone I deem a threat will be eliminated." His grip tightened around the half-demon's neck. "I do not care if you are Lord Sesshoumaru's kin. I will make sure you never touch his Alpha Bitch again."
All the while, Inuyasha was kicking and clawing at the hand around his throat. Rasping out, "Feh, I don't plan on returning, so get your paws off me!"
Masaru dropped him to the ground and waited for the dog-eared boy to make good on his word and leave. As much as he wanted to rip his limbs off until he bled out slowly, he would have to report this matter to his lord first. If Inuyasha were anyone else, there would be no stopping the bloodlust building in the soldier's chest.
Inuyasha wasn't planning on lingering but stopped to reach into his sleeve and threw a folded piece of parchment at Masaru's feet. "I only came here because promised to deliver this." Walking away, he added, "Be a good lap dog and do it for me."
The lieutenant watched the rouge disappear. It wasn't until he could no longer scent half-breed that he headed back to check on Kagome. He was already dreading the missive he would have to write relaying the day's events, but he knew if his lordship heard of the incident from someone else first, he would be in serious trouble. Kagome's frantic voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he sprinted back to her.
"Rin! Rin, where are you!?"
As Masaru flashed before Kagome, she didn't hesitate to grab his haori and plead, "Masaru! Where is Rin? I can't find her!" The priestess was practically quaking with worry.
He placed his hands on her shoulders to calm her down. "Rin is safe. I took her to my encampment within the cave once I left you alone with the half-breed." His expression softened when Kagome loosened her grip and laid her head against his chest. "I do regret leaving you. I apologize for not stepping in sooner, Lady Kagome."
It took every ounce of energy she had left to pull herself back together. When she and Inuyasha separated, it had been on good terms; at least, that's what she thought. He had never mentioned having such strong desires before, so how could she have known that was why he kept himself at a distance? Those damn dog demons were going to give her a heart attack one of these days.
Feeling like she could speak again without crying, Kagome embraced the lieutenant, burying her face further into his haori. "Thank you, Masaru. I had no idea he would react like that, so I'm sorry for worrying you." She looked up into wide, surprised emerald eyes. "Let's go get Rin! When we get back, I will make us a tasty dinner!" Grabbing his hand, she led him in the direction of the cave.
The dog demon couldn't stop the blush from burning his cheeks as the priestess pulled him along behind her.