Inuyasha jumped awake and he looked around. There was an evil presence in the air. He looked down at his sleeping mate. She was sleeping soundly. He walked out of their house and looked around the woods.
It felt like it was slithering across the ground. It was moving at a great speed. He sniffed the air. It was moving way too fast and he didn't feel comfortable leaving Kagome alone in the middle of the night.
He sighed, walking back to the house. He laid back down and he laid on his elbow. He put his hand on Kagome's waist. Her eyes fluttered open. "Couldn't sleep?" she asked. Inuyasha shook his head. "I'm okay, just thought I smelled something."
Kagome sat up. "Anything we need to worry about?" she asked. He shook his head. "I don't think so. I think it's a demon passing through. It was really moving." Kagome nodded. She laid back down.
Kagome caressed his cheek. He turned to look at her. "Try to get some more sleep. It's late." Inuyasha smiled and nodded, laying down next to her. Kagome laid her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose into her hair, closing his eyes.
Kagome woke up that morning from the sun shining through. She sat up. She looked over at Inuyasha. He was sleeping soundly. She smiled. She decided to let him sleep while she got ready for the day.
Kagome walked over to the door and she gasped. There was a strong demonic aura. And it was one that was strong like Naraku. It made Kagome nervous. She walked outside, walking through the woods.
She looked around, trying to pinpoint the aura. But it was moving too fast. It was slithering across the ground almost. Almost like a snake. She looked at the ground, searching for what she thought was a demon serpent.
Kagome closed her eyes and tried to focus. Where was the demon going? She opened her eyes to Naraku standing there. She screamed, dropping to her knees. She panted as she looked at the ground.
She screamed again when she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Inuyasha. "Are you okay? I heard you scream." Kagome stood up, looking around the woods. "Are you okay?" He asked. She turned and she hugged him.
"I think so." Inuyasha hugged her. "Are you sure? You sounded really scared and you didn't hear me call your name." Kagome separated from him. "You called me?" Inuyasha nodded. "I called your name as I ran through the woods and you didnt answer. Then I saw you on the ground."
Kagome nodded. "I'm okay. I think my mind just played a trick on me." Inuyasha nodded. They walked back to the house and Kagome started breakfast. Inuyasha picked up some rice and he looked at her.
"Hey," She looked at him. "I was thinking about the wedding rings." Kagome nodded. "And I was going to ask if I found a way to get them, would you be willing to marry me?" Kagome smiled and nodded.
"Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife, Inuyasha." She said, tears filling her eyes. Inuyasha smiled, he thumbed the tears from her eyes. "I would be honored to make you my wife." he said. They kissed.
They kissed sweetly. They broke apart and Kagome gasped. They both looked at the doorway. The demonic aura was back. They looked at each other and nodded. Inuyasha took her hand and walked her to a box.
He opened it and Kagome gasped. There laid her bow. Kagome looked at him. "You kept it?" she asked. Inuyasha nodded. "Damn right, I did. My girl would need it when she came back." Kagome smiled and she kissed him on the cheek.
She grabbed her quiver and her bow. She jumped on his back and they took off. "This feels just like old times." said Inuyasha. Kagome nodded. She frowned, squeezing Inuyasha's shoulder. "What's the matter Kagome? Are you nervous?"
Kagome nodded. "I haven't used my powers since they were sealed. What if I can't shoot anymore?" Inuyasha shook his head. "Don't worry Kagome. You're a natural." Kagome nodded. She looked at the bow and frowned. She hoped that Inuyasha was right.
Kagome looked up and Naraku was in front of hers. She gasped. Inuyasha stopped in his tracks. "What?" he asked. Kagome looked behind Inuyasha at Naraku. He smiled cruelly. Kagome closed her eyes, shaking her head. She opened them back up. He was gone.
"Nothing, let's keep going." Inuyasha nodded. They made it to where the aura was strongest. Kagome jumped from his back and she drew her bow. Inuyasha unsheathed his sword. They looked around.
They turned and there stood a man with long black hair and bright red eyes. She had a long serpent around his shoulders. It hissed at the pair. Inuyasha aimed his sword at the man. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
The man said nothing. "I asked you a question. What are you doing here?" The man looked at them with a dark smile. Kagome aimed her arrow at the man. 'I don't like this demon. He makes my skin crawl. He makes me anxious. There's something wrong with him.'
The demon took a step toward Inuyasha. Kagome released her arrow, missing him. The demon stopped and looked at the duo. He smiled as he looked at Kagome. He held out his hand. "Boomerang blade." he whispered.
Suddenly black blades came flying at both Kagome and Inuyasha. They jumped out of the way. A blade hit Kagome's shoe, causing her to fall. Inuyasha growled at the demon and went at him, swinging his blade.
She looked over at him. Inuyasha got a hit in but the demon caught the tetsusaiga by the blade and he threw Inuyasha to the ground by the blade. He hits the ground hard. He jumps back up and he hits him again.
The demon grabbed Inuyasha by the arm and threw him into the side of a cliff. Inuyasha yelled out in pain as he struggled to pick his sword back up. Kagome gasped and she mounted another arrow.
She took aim again and again missed, hitting by the demon's feet. The demon smiled as he looked at the miko. He starts to come at her at incredible speed. Kagome barely has enough time to get out of the way.
Kagome stood up just in time for the demon to send the blades at her again, one slicing her arm. She jumped up and mounted another arrow. But she couldn't get a clear shot. Inuyasha jumps in front of her and hits the demon with the tessaiga one-handed.
Inuyasha turned around and looked at her. "You okay?" she didn't have a chance to answer, the demon came running again, clashing with Inuyasha, slamming him into the ground hard. "Inuyasha!" yelled Kagome.
The demon chuckled and looked between Kagome and Inuyasha. "This is going to be delicious." He said, licking his fangs. The demon summoned the blade that had Kagome's blood on it and he disappeared.
Kagome rushed over to Inuyasha, helping him up. She braced him against her. He turned around, standing up, taking her arm. "Are you okay? You're bleeding pretty good." Kagome nodded. "I'm fine."
Inuyasha looked at her arm. "I promise, I'm okay. It's a cut. Nothing serious." Inuyasha nodded. "Come on, let's go home." He nodded. Inuyasha groaned in pain as he attempted to move his shoulder. He grabbed his right side ribs.
"Bastard cracked my ribs." Kagome put Inuyasha's left arm around her shoulders. "I'll help you get home. I'll look at your shoulder and ribs." Inuyasha nodded. They walked slowly home and finally made it.
Kagome sat Inuyasha down and she took off his haori. Inuyasha gave her a flirty smile."If you wanted to see me without my shirt you could have just said so." Kagome giggled and hit his leg lightly.
"Get your head out of the gutter. Perv." she said with a smile. She looked at his shoulder. "It looks like your shoulder is dislocated." Inuyasha growled in annoyance. "Damn, can we fix it?" Kagome nodded.
I can pop it back in but it will hurt." Inuyasha nodded. "Your ribs I'm not super worried about. They will heal just fine. I think with your healing you will be back to normal by tomorrow." Inuyasha nodded.
"Can you pop my shoulder in?" Kagome nodded. "On three." Inuyasha. "One." she popped it back in place. Inuyasha yelled out in pain. "Ow! Damn! I thought you said on three." Kagome looked at him.
"You would have expected it." Inuyasha nodded. She walked over and applied herbs to her arm. "Need help wrapping it?" She turned to look at him and nodded. He wrapped her arm very gently.
Inuyasha looked at her face. He could see that she was deep in thought. "What's wrong, Kagome?" he asked. She looked at him. "Did I do something to upset you?" She shook her head.
"No, I'm mad at myself." She said, looking at the ground. He looked at her in confusion. "What? Why?" She looked at him. "You got hurt because of me. I couldn't aim those arrows at all! You could have gotten killed because of me!"
Kagome turned, looking away from him. Inuyasha sat behind her, taking her into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her whole body, bringing him to her, ignoring the pain in his ribs. "You were just out of practice. This isn't your fault."
"Don't beat yourself over this. We were both out of practice. We underestimated him. We won't do that again. I'm okay." Kagome rested her chin on his arm as tears filled her eyes. "I would never be able to live with myself if I let something happen to you."
Inuyasha put his chin on her shoulder. "But it didn't. So stop beating yourself up. We are both here and both alive. Now we will practice tomorrow. We will set up targets and stuff and get you back in the swing of things with your arrows."
"I know you have it. You have one hell of a shot." Kagome nodded and wiped her eyes. Inuyasha kissed the side of her head. "Don't worry Kagome. We will both get stronger and beat this new demon." Kagome nodded.
The demon walked into a cave and laid the blade with Kagome's blood on the altar. He looked at the blade with a smile. "That miko is going to be very fun to have. Her biggest fear is hurting that hanyou. And she still fears the great demon Naraku. This will be delicious." he said, as his snake slithered around him.
REWRITTEN FEBRUARY 2024