~Freak Attraction: Seven-Man Circus~

Chapter Nine: Venom Words, Poisoned Hearts

"Kohaku, Kohaku! Where could that boy have gone now?" Mrs. Higurashi emerged from the kitchen wiping her hands in her apron, searching the rooms down the hall for the missing members of the household. Seeing Shippo trotting curiously out of the adjacent room, she knelt and asked softly "Shippo dear, could you fetch Kohaku? I'm getting things ready for dinner and was wondering if he could run to the markets for a few more eggs."

Cocking his head, Shippo remarked "He just headed out. I thought you musta sent him on an errand already."

Mrs. Higurashi paused, and then she was reaching to place a gentle hand atop Shippo's small head, smoothing back his hair. "Shippo" she began, "Perhaps you should go catch up with him. See if he'd like some company." The fox-boy's eyebrow rose, about to question the request - but then he saw the shadows in Mrs. Higurashi's eyes, the worry straining her smile, and he nodded. He slung the woman a salute and was off through the front door, blinking against the bright afternoon sunlight beaming down on the shrine hill.

Shippo hopped from one part of the grounds to another, sniffing intently and wishing he had Inuyasha's sense of smell, until he caught a whiff of the human boy and set off with a squeal of triumph. Scampering on all fours across the cobblestones, Shippo saw Kohaku's outline just as it started to disappear over the edge of the shrine steps, and his legs burned as he raced forward yelling "Kohaku! Wait!"

The boy turned startled eyes on his unexpected pursuer, and his nervousness only grew as the fox closed in. Huffing as he caught his breath, Shippo motioned back towards the house, eventually managing a broken "Ma-mama Higurashi… had a question… we should… go back. How bout it?"

Kohaku didn't speak at first, but Shippo let him consider. The young man had been acting odd for days now, wandering off on his own and clamming up around everyone, even Hachi. They'd all suspected it was because of Sango's absence and had given him space, but Shippo was starting to think there was more to the odd behavior than he let on. They needed to talk, if only Kohaku would allow it.

"I… I have to go."

"Where?" Shippo asked suddenly, taking a few steps forward. "Something's wrong, isn't it Kohaku? I know it's none of my business, and I shouldn't pry, but…" Shippo's small voice faltered, and his furry foot kicked the ground as he mumbled out "You're part of our family, Kohaku. You know how Sango would feel if anything happened to you, but we'd all worry too."

Kohaku turned away then, staring down the sweeping steps of the shrine and over the tiled rooftops of town. The heavy silence pressed on Shippo's shoulders, and he cringed at the boys rejection of his heartfelt words, but then Kohaku spoke.

"It's… I can't help it. Something's calling to me."

Shippo's fluffy tail twitched. He lifted his head to gaze quizzically at the other boy, and Kohaku met his eyes with a pained grimace. "I've been feeling so restless lately… like my body won't sit still unless I get up and follow this… this call. It's all I can think about."

The hairs on Shippo's arms bristled; he didn't trust this call, but what could he do? At this rate Kohaku would run off in the middle of the night to answer a voice no one else could hear, and they might never see him again. After the leash Naraku had kept him on, after all he'd done to get free, it was too much for Shippo to see him suffering again. He couldn't do much, but he wouldn't see Kohaku go through this alone.

Putting on his best grin, Shippo bounded forward to leap onto Kohaku's shoulder. "Well if you really feel you need to answer this… call thing" he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt, "why not take a friend along? You don't know what'll be waiting for you when you get there, and besides! It's more fun with two."

Kohaku smiled then; the first smile, Shippo thought, since the night Sango had left to help Kagome and Inuyasha. Whatever fears Shippo still harbored over his choice, nothing could change his mind now. "So then," he said cheerfully, hopping down to the ground, "where is this mystery feeling calling you to?" With a pop and a cloud of smoke he'd transformed into a more human-looking version of himself, suited to traveling amongst humans, and looked expectantly back at Kohaku.

"I'm not sure exactly" Kohaku began as he reached into a pocket of his dark trousers, pulling out a folded square of cheap parchment, "but I keep feeling that this is the place to start." He flattened out the paper, revealing a printed advertisement for the new Tokyo locomotive railway and its daily trips to Yokohama port city.

/

"Something wrong, Inugami?"

The hastily patched wooden steps creaked as Inuyasha ascended the backstage. Jakotsu's taunting voice normally would have had him grumbling and shooting the man a snarl, but the evening training had taken more out of him than usual, and the half-demon couldn't bother to spare even a glance towards the performer's painted grin. Before he could reach the platform though that would lead him through the black curtain to the stage, Jakotsu's thin fingers wrapped possessively around his wrist and froze him into alertness.

"Remember, we have a special introduction set up for you tonight, Inuyasha. You are to listen and obey, and not try anything foolish when we send you out there. Understand?" Jakotsu's voice was low, the usual teasing and taunting vanishing in the wake of frightening severity. His grip tightened further – Inuyasha flinched but somehow could not pull away. "You are to do exactly as we say. Inugami, you will obey every word we say."

His eyes were a boiling potion, and Inuyasha wished he could look away. His body felt heavy, his head too light, and the half-demon couldn't really remember beyond the haze why he was there in the first place. Then the performer beside him blinked, and the world ground to a halt.

"Good dog. Watch for your cues, Inugami, and don't listen to anyone else but your gods." He grinned, his blackened teeth making his red lips shine like blood. "Yes, you'll do well. Now go wait for your turn. Your master will call you when it's time."

Jakotsu breezed past the silent dog-man, skirts pulled out of the way as he chuckled to himself, leaving Inuyasha to stare blankly at the patch of ground he'd vacated.

The faints sounds of Jakotsu's pandering to the crowd drifted into his mind, but Inuyasha couldn't seem to focus on the words. His skin crawled from the strange conversation, his brows pinched in anger, but… he was tired: too tired to work up more than mild annoyance at the creep. He'd let the barbs slide for tonight. At the moment he wanted nothing more than to go back to his cot and sleep for a hundred years – but if the gods demanded another ten hours of training, he'd do it without complaint. He was stiff, and antsy, as if his body were waiting for something: waiting to be told a command so it could spring into action. He'd never felt so on edge, so… strange.

He didn't notice as across the compound Kagome, tending to the half-demons after their parts in the show, spotted him on the platform and waved broadly to get his attention. He missed the confusion on her face at his failure to respond, never heard her shout of his name through the air full of babbling crowds, never saw the hurt build to worry as she drew her waving hand in close to her chest. When the drums began to play the beginning beats of the Inugami's fanfare, that hurt look morphed into steely determination, and with a quiet excuse to Jinenji, Kagome rushed toward the front of the stage, squeezing past attendants until she had sidled in alongside the fancily dressed residents of Yokohama. Inuyasha had never once noticed her pass, and she was going to find out why.

Jakotsu was at the front of the stage, grinning like a wolf over a herd of cattle as he surveyed the circus-goers. Standing up straight and lifting his arms, the god of beauty's voice boomed as he announced "And now, our final monster will make his entrance. But we must summon him first." He stepped aside as the curtain behind him drew back to reveal a darkened stage. "And there is someone special we've found to call upon our beast." The audience murmured anxiously as they awaited the entrance of their mysterious next act, and Kagome shivered. Stroking the head of the snake around his shoulders, Jakotsu kept silent as drum beats filled the air and drowned out the hiss of whispers. Once they broke he took a step forward on the stage, and all eyes turned to the god Benzaiten.

"Battered, beaten, left alone in a cruel, uncaring world," He began, leaning out over the eager crowd, "what was once a sweet child full of life and promise…" a flute blew softly in sorrowful tones, "has now become: The Living Doll." Kagome watched with a tight chest as a little girl she'd never seen stepped onto the stage from the open curtain, dressed in frilled sleeves with layers of fluffed petticoats and pinafore over white stockings and polished shoes. She looked just like one of the fragile glass dolls in the foreigners' trade shops back home, staring with unseeing marble eyes and pale cheeks dappled rose. But this was no lifeless doll, and her skin wasn't porcelain: she was flesh and blood, breathing softly, calmly, though one eye did appear to be glass. It gazed over the tops of the parasols and top hats while the other human eye traveled listlessly from face to face. She carried a lumpish bundle of lace-trimmed cloth in her fragile arms, which Kagome eyed warily.

"With nothing left to lose, the child seeks vengeance on those who wronged her in life" Jakotsu crooned, slipping backwards into the shadowed corners of the stage as the little girl shuffled silently forward. "And how will she seek this justice, you ask?" White smoke rolled in from the sides of the stage on crawling tendrils. They wrapped around the girl's ankles and climbed about her skirts, but she didn't seem to notice their existence. A faint whirring met Kagome's ears, and the girl's left arm rose in jerks and ticks like a clock-hand. Beneath the frills of fabric, Kagome saw the shine of metal cogs and polished wood grain covering the strangely moving arm, and she watched fascinated as a gloved hand pulled the white cloth off the bundle.

Gasps and cries of dismay rippled through the crowd: in the girl's small arms was the large and clearly decaying head of a dog. Its once white fur was almost completely shed, and what little remained had been stained putrid shades of yellow and red. Blackened muscle sank into the empty eye sockets creating a horrifying void that was at once repulsive and impossible to look away from. The lips and gums of the creature had receded to reveal tarnished rows of pointed teeth, held in place only by the force of the jaws clenching together. People were beginning to back away from the stage by the time Jakotsu spoke again.

"They say," he began delightedly, no doubt enjoying the terror of the crowd, "you can create a Mononoke to do your bidding if you cut off the head of a starving dog and bury it in the earth." Growling rumbled from behind the stage, and Kagome bit her lip. Was Inuyasha going to lose it? Would he break character at the sight of what they'd done to this little girl, and fight back despite their plans? Watching this new act, seeing once more how far the seven gods were willing to go for their show… Kagome wouldn't have blamed him. Now that they had Tetsusaiga, and now that Kyokotsu and Ginkotsu were out of the way… she would have gladly joined him.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the god of beauty continued in a dark thrum of excitement, "We have called upon a powerful spirit to avenge this child… but who's to say we can control it? I give you: The Inugami!" Inuyasha burst from the clouds of smoke, the ghostly-white of his floured skin making him look as though he'd been formed from them. He spun through the smoke, clearing it from the stage as he prowled and snarled in a perfect beastly fashion. The little girl holding the dog head never moved.

Kagome waited, feet rocking on the packed dirt, body tense as she prepared to spring into the crowd, towards the stage to help fight – but Inuyasha only continued to circle the child like an obedient and protective pet. Either his acting skills had improved and he was ignoring the hodge-podge little girl… or for some reason Kagome couldn't begin to fathom, he just didn't care.

Sliding a hand over the snake on his shoulders, Jakotsu lifted it away to transform into the trick blade, and swung it towards the dog-man. Inuyasha flinched as it slashed before him and stuck into the wood, as though he'd not heard it coming. Kagome couldn't believe he'd been so caught off guard. "Now," the god of beauty began, "let's see how well this dog protects his charge. Inugami," he called out, and Inuyasha's clouded amber eyes turned at once to the name, "guard the human girl." The chain sword swung again, and this time Inuyasha reacted. His claws shot out to smack the sword away before it could reach them, crouching defensively in front of The Living Doll. It swung again and again, nicking Inuyasha's arms and tearing at the red fabric of his pants. The boar's blood around his neck was soon accompanied by thin red stripes littering his arms. The audience cried out in awe, ladies fanning themselves faintly at the dangerous display, and Kagome stared incredulously as the girl on stage stood silent, blissfully unaware of the blades around her or of her bleeding demon protector.

The sword came at them again, and again, and Inuyasha continued to parry and guard, always on the defensive but never attempting to attack. Kagome's stomach twisted; how… how could he just go along with this? Even protecting her, this was just too much. The gods had obviously done something to this girl, a human no less, and turned her into the same sort of mindless puppet as the half-demons. Now they had put her on stage as a sideshow, forcing Inuyasha to defend her in a horrible repeat of Jakotsu's sick game from that morning. The blades lashed forward again, too close to knock away, and Inuyasha shielded the girl as they collided and tore against the skin of his stomach. A low growl was his only complaint.

Kagome was pushing forward before she realized what was happening, anger and fear welling painfully in her chest until it burst in a ragged cry of "STOP IT!" All movement on stage ceased, Jakotsu's arm still reared back to fling the sword, Inuyasha still focused on his attacker. The crowd broke into whispers and murmurs of disappointment, those nearby turning to stare at the young woman in worker's clothes who'd dared interrupt the performance. It wasn't until the circus man's eyes found her too that Kagome realized what she'd done: she'd broken the illusion, ruined the carefully crafted façade, and it would not go unpunished.

She stared terrified into those painted eyes, glowering back with barely contained hatred, but then a sick grin spread over Jakotsu's face which scared Kagome more than anything. The circus god straightened and flicked the trick-sword back into its serpentine form; it slithered onto his shoulders and draped there lazily, locking beady black eyes with Kagome and hissing softly. "Inugami" he simpered, "this young lady is right – you've proven what a good protector you are. Come – get your reward." Kagome's blood burned and her chest tightened as Inuyasha hesitantly but obediently stalked across the stage toward the performer. "Sit, Inugami." He crouched on his haunches, eyebrows drawn but otherwise waiting patiently for his next command as blood trickled from his shallow wounds. The circus god seemed delighted and bent to sink a hand into the messy hair atop his head, saying condescendingly "Good dog!"

Those eyes searched out over the crowd again to meet with Kagome's, and he smirked so triumphantly that Kagome nearly stormed onto the stage to beat the look off his face. She knew what he was doing though – and knew any retaliation on her part would only lead to worse things for her half-demon. It was already hard enough watching the man's long fingers threading through Inuyasha's messy white hair, tugging and massaging far too eagerly. Eyes still locked warringly with Kagome's, Jakotsu trailed his fingers down the side of the Inugami's face to grasp under his chin. He was far too caught up in making the woman fume to notice the growl building from his obedient dog until it was too late; a snarl erupted from Inuyasha, and he lurched forward to snap his jaws at the wandering hand of the circus performer. Jakotsu yelped and stumbled back, startled even as the audience gasped and laughed at his expense. He played it off like a true performer, shrugging and telling the crowd "Perhaps he's not quite tamed after all", though the snake around his shoulders faced the still growling dog-man with a menacing hiss.

"Inugami, heel!" He listened at once, though the shadow of anger remained, and Jakotsu frowned briefly before his Benzaiten mask was slipped back in place. "Truly, a mysterious creature we have in our troupe. Away with you, mongrel!" Inuyasha heeded the shooing motion and slunk back through the curtain, the Living Doll following silently behind as Jakotsu took center stage again to introduce the next act. Kagome had seen all she needed to though, and made a hasty retreat to the back of the stage. She barely rounded the last post and pushed back a curtain when she ran into a solid, living wall. Stumbling slightly, Kagome glared up at Renkotsu. "Let me through."

"The half-demons are the other way. There's nothing you need back here."

"I need to get to my husband" she said tersely, trying to side-step the performer. He firmly blocked her every attempt. "I need to see if he's alright! He got so torn up from those blades."

"He'll live." Renkotsu replied, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "That's more than I can say for you if you pull another stunt like that. You're lucky Jakotsu likes to play. Me? I've had just about enough of both your little games." He stalked forward, and Kagome took a half-step back, hating to give him the power but unable to hold her ground. "You understand me?" He seethed, and Kagome swallowed hard, starting to regret her outburst. "You interfere with any of our acts again, and not even your dog will be able to sniff out your remains. We. Don't. Need. You." He grabbed her shoulder and roughly turned her about, shoving her back the way she'd come. "Now go take care of the half-breeds while Bankotsu is feeling forgiving. I suggest you keep to your little tent and the cages from now on. Leave the Inugami to us."

At the mention of Inuyasha, her fears from earlier resurfaced, and she almost turned back to demand once more to see him. But Jakotsu's stunt and the vacant faces of the dear half-demons floated to her mind, and biting her lip, Kagome trudged away from a smirking Renkotsu.

/

"They've finally got him too."

Kagome nearly dropped the spoon she was using to ladle stew. Her eyes stared unseeing at the steaming vegetables and meat as Jinenji continued "I'm surprised it took them this long, but he's a lot stronger than we ever were. I'm sorry, I should have warned you they'd do this." Regaining her poise, Kagome finished giving Shion his meal and settled down on a crate between him and Ai. Her arms wrapped around them as they ate, holding them protectively as Jinenji's words tore through her mind. "We don't know that's what's happened to him" Kagome responded finally, her voice tight.

Jinenji gave her an indulgent, pitying look. "Lady Kagome, I've seen it so many times. It happens quickly, and soon they are unable to resist commands, no matter how dangerous or degrading." "Then why are you immune?" Her eyes were full of challenge, and Jinenji wilted. "I… I'm not sure. They've tried, many times, but I've never fallen under those same effects. But Lady Kagome… that's different. He's reacting the same way the others have in the past. I recognize it."

Kagome stood suddenly, pacing restlessly and avoiding Jinenji's eyes. "He's not completely under their control though" she argued, "he disobeyed Jakotsu… he – he tried to bite him! He wouldn't have done that if they were controlling him like they controlled everyone else!" The massive half-demon only shrugged at her reasoning, saying sadly "Maybe, but you said yourself he was fine just this afternoon. Perhaps they don't control him completely yet. He is strong. But Kagome…" his large blue eyes grew misty, and his voice deep as he said "you have to accept. They've poisoned him."

"Then I'll fix it!" She shouted, rounding on the half-demon who shrunk back at her ferocity. The young ones turned to watch her, startled from their meals at her volume, and shame washed over Kagome. The way she was feeling now, she'd only scare them. "I- I'll see you tomorrow morning" she mumbled, and fled the circle of cages to disappear among the tents and stalls. Workers hardly acknowledged her as she ran, and Kagome didn't bother watching her path. She'd nearly reached the back fence by the time she stopped, leaning against the wooden pole of a tent to catch her breath. Her panting soon became dry sobs, and Kagome rubbed at her eyes, growling out her frustration as she desperately tried to deny what her eyes had seen on stage. He couldn't… he couldn't just… give in like that! These phonies weren't so strong that they could take down a warrior like him! Covering her mouth to stifle her cries she breathed in deeply to calm down, determined to find Inuyasha and set things straight. He must have been going along to avoid another punishment… that must have been it. He was only doing it to keep them both safe. Squaring her jaw, Kagome pushed off to head back to their tent – and froze at a tug on her hakama.

"Not so fast, pretty song-bird. I told you I'd get you in the end." Kagome reeled, stumbling against the grip on her clothes and falling to the hard dirt as Mukotsu leered beside her. She shuffled backwards until the tent wall blocked her escape, eyes darting about for an exit, but Mukotsu had advanced before she found a way out. "Now that your dog's out of the way, you're all mine" he chuckled thickly, hands rubbing together in anticipation. Before he could reach her Kagome turned and scrambled away on the parched ground, trying to slip beneath the tent covering. Mukotsu leapt, pinning her legs to the ground and clawing for a better grip on her clothes. She kicked with all her might, shimmying under the cloth into a lamplit space, but the creep held fast. Cursing under her breath, Kagome reached for the tie of her hakama and undid the knot, slipping free of the cloth and pulling herself the rest of the way into the tent amidst Mukotsu's thwarted cries. She planned to make a break through the opening on the other side – what she saw had her rooted to the spot.

It was The Living Doll. She lay seemingly asleep on a wooden table, a variety of strange machines set up beside her full of tubes and cogs. They sang with horrible whirrings and clickings, and Kagome wondered how the little girl was able to sleep through it all. She didn't have long to think on it though before Mukotsu burst through the tent flap, holding her hakama in a victorious grip. "Thank you for making this easier for me" he mocked, eyes roving the skin of her legs that her kosode couldn't reach. He stepped forward, and Kagome circled to put the table and its mechanisms between them. Mukotsu paused, a gross smile spreading over his face as he noticed the girl on the table, and said "Like our newest creation? She's quite the marvel, isn't she? We outdid ourselves this time." His eyes narrowed in devilish delight as he added "Of course, I still think you'd be our greatest achievement, song-bird. Come, let me give you wings!"

He lunged for her, and Kagome reacted. Grabbing the first vial she could reach from the table, she flung the contents at the performer's face; they collided with a satisfying hiss and sizzle, and Mukotsu screeched. Squeezing one eye shut against the liquid he crumpled to the floor, and Kagome snatched her hakama from his loosened grip, slipping back into them while she looked about for another weapon. Metal glinted in the lamplight, and her fingers fumbled for the wooden handle of a bone saw just as Mukotsu reached for her. She swung. The serrated metal caught his arm and forced it down. Kagome was breathing hard, all her strength going into holding the saw in place. Mukotsu looked as though he hardly noticed. "Think that's enough to hurt me, do you?" With a shout Kagome tore down, slicing easily through his skin, but just as Kagura had warned them earlier, there was no blood from the wound. She couldn't defeat him this way. She needed Inuyasha.

Hot tears welled in her eyes, her throat constricting as Mukotsu advanced, one hand reaching into his robe for what was surely a drugging poison. 'Inuyasha' she called in her mind, but before she could voice it, there was movement at the tent flap, and moonlight glinted off long silver hair. Relief swelled in Kagome's heart for one shining moment – until the figure stepped into the light, and Kagome shrank back in fear at the new arrival.

Mukotsu looked up at the towering white-haired demon with an agitated snarl of "Who're you? We're busy here!" The circus god withdrew a pill from his robe and prepared to throw it – his arm fell to the ground with a thud, still holding the small white ball in stiffened fingers. Mukotsu gawked, staring from the severed arm to the demon man in disbelief, and with a shriek of "demon!" fled the tent and disappeared into the night. The Demon then turned his eyes on Kagome, and she tensed.

"What're you doing here?"

He regarded her coolly for a moment, as if deciding whether to answer. Finally, he blinked his golden eyes and said "What has happened to Inuyasha?" Kagome nearly laughed. Of all the people to ask…. "Who says anything's happened to him?" she countered, "And besides, why should I tell you if something has? Last time we met, you tried to kill him." Sesshomaru wasn't the least bit ashamed as he answered "Yes, and he bested me in battle, which is why I let him live and take our father's sword. But now…." Kicking aside the discarded arm, Sesshomaru stepped up to the table and the still motionless human girl, looking at her with guarded interest. "Now he's been bested by some tacky group of the undead? Hardly someone worthy of wielding Tetsusaiga."

"Well you can't have it back" Kagome spat, stepping forward in challenge. Sesshomaru had come at just the right time – she was ready for a fight. The dog-demon merely glanced at her, and said dismissively "If I wanted it I wouldn't have let it go so easily. No, human girl, I merely came to see how badly the half breed was disgracing our father's legacy, and put an end to it if I had to."

"Over my dead body" she snapped, and Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow as if to say this wouldn't be a problem. "I already knew you were a lousy brother, but this… this is unforgivable." She was shaking now, all her earlier rage and fear building to a breaking point that she was barely keeping contained as tears leaked onto her cheeks. "You have power. You could probably defeat these… these things in a second flat, and yet you came all this way just to mock Inuyasha and watch him suffer. You're a coward."

That drew a reaction from the demon; his posture went stiff, and he lifted his head to glare down his nose at her. "It's not my job to save him from his own stupidity. He should have known what he was getting into from the start. His arrogance will be the death of him, regardless of my interference."

"So that's it?" she muttered, "That's all you have to say? Then I guess we're finished here." She trudged forward, moving to push past him, but his one arm shot up to block her path. "Wait." She couldn't bear to look at him, but paused to listen.

"Tetsusaiga is useless to you while Inuyasha remains in this state. Just what are you planning to do?" Shoving him aside, Kagome looked up and met his amber eyes with fire. "I have other allies, and I have my own powers. We humans aren't completely useless, believe it or not." She left without another word, and Sesshomaru watched her go with an aggravated sigh. His gaze shifted once more to the beat-up little girl on the operating table, a testament to what the undead circus gods were capable of, and his expression hardened. He then saw the wooden arm lying limp at her side – it was cut at almost the same place as his own missing arm. A strange feeling seized his chest suddenly, and Sesshomaru flinched as Tenseiga pulsed weakly at his side. He glared down at the sword, and with one final glance at the sleeping human, Sesshomaru left her alone.

Kagome stalked between tents, unsure where she was going but eager to get as far away from the infuriating demon as possible. The trouble was that each turn led her right back to another group of tents, and no matter how much she growled or cursed or screamed, she didn't get any less lost. She was about ready to sit in the dirt and have a good cry when she turned one more corner and ran smack into Inuyasha's broad chest. It took a moment for her to realize she wasn't imagining things before she fell on him with a sob. It hardly registered that he wasn't holding her back before a shrill voice shouted "Get back, woman!" and a thin hand curled around her bicep to drag her away. She'd missed the extra company in her relief to see the half-demon, and saw now that he was accompanied by Jakotsu and Renkotsu, with Mukotsu trailing sheepishly behind them and cradling his stump arm. She glared down at the little creep who avoided her eyes completely.

"Out of our way" Jakotsu snarled, "Mukotsu said there was a demon about, and Inugami here is helping us track it." Kagome bit her tongue on the tirade of things she wanted to say to this circus clown, but her gaze drifted to Inuyasha's glazed expression, and she decided it was best to get him far away from them for now. She looked him over carefully, noting with a sigh of relief that his cuts from the show had all closed up and only a few red marks remained. Adopting her best 'maidenly swoon', Kagome leaned against her 'husband' and said softly "The demon's gone. I think it was just looking around – as soon as he," she nodded towards Mukotsu, unwilling to say his name, "fled like a little baby, the demon simply walked away. Maybe it went looking for a stronger opponent." Mukotsu's round face was red with injured fury, and Kagome hid her smug satisfaction in Inuyasha's shoulder. The gods looked accusingly down at Mukotsu, who shot back "It chopped off my arm! I wasn't going to stay and end up like Kyokotsu and Ginkotsu!" He cowered under another withering glare from the two, slinking back into their shadows. Renkotsu huffed and said "Seeing as the girl got away in one piece, it must be true. C'mon, let's go make sure it didn't mess up the doll." Jakotsu's expression fell as he glanced at Inuyasha, who remained staring blankly into the dark night beyond the tents. "But – but what about the Inu-."

"Leave it" Renkotsu snapped, grabbing the shoulder of Jakotsu's dress. "He's not cooperating yet anyways." Jakotsu thought on this for a moment, then sighed. "I suppose." His gaze met Kagome's sharply then, and he hissed "Just wait though, little woman: he's already taking his punishments like a good little dog, and soon he'll accept his rewards too. I'll have him eating out of my hand in no time." Kagome frowned at Jakotsu's painted grin, and turned expectant eyes to the distracted half-demon.

"Inuyasha?" His yellow eyes met hers so suddenly she jumped, but quickly regaining her cool she added in a commanding voice "Come here." He was beside her in an instant, standing so close she could feel the warmth radiating from his skin, and she almost lost her nerve. But then she looked back at a fuming Jakotsu, and her will became steel. "Carry me" she commanded, and nearly squealed as Inuyasha swept her into his arms. She looked over the half-demons shoulder just long enough to stick out a tongue at the god of beauty before whispering into Inuyasha's dog ear for him to take them to their tent. He hesitated only a moment as though digging up the memory, sniffing the air for the right heading, and marched with her in his arms into the night as Jakotsu cursed behind them.

Despite her victory, their walk back was subdued as Kagome curled against Inuyasha's shoulder, careful of the boar's blood painted around his neck. When he finally set her down at the entrance to their makeshift home, she grabbed his clawed hand and tugged him towards the bathing area. The water in the bath was cold as Kagome scooped out a bucket for washing, but Inuyasha didn't notice or care as she sloshed the water over his chest, washing away the flour and blood in messy splatters. "I-I'm sorry… about back there" she whispered, wiping away the last water from his now cleaned chest. "I shouldn't have joined in. You deserve better than being bossed around, by anyone…." Inuyasha didn't respond as he sat obediently, letting her clean him without protest. She couldn't deny anymore that there was something wrong with him – terribly wrong. A lump caught in her throat, and she fought for a minute to get out her next words. "I just… you're not the only one who gets jealous, okay? But, you wouldn't let that psycho touch you – you didn't! You're still you. No matter what they did, you're still in there… right?" She searched his eyes, but their gazes never really met, and Kagome slumped with a whimper.

Rising to her feet, Kagome pulled him up to stand as well, hating how he followed her every whim without complaint. What she wouldn't give to hear him grouse or see him roll his eyes at her! Anything was better than this… servitude. It was worse than his demon blood taking over... but perhaps she could cure him the same way she'd helped him then! Guiding him into the tent, Kagome hurried about the room until she saw Tetsusaiga propped against the chair, and lunged for it with a shout. Gripping the black scabbard with all the hope she had left, Kagome presented the hilt to Inuyasha, who glanced from her to the sword wordlessly.

"Take it" she commanded, and after a seconds hesitation he obeyed. His hand grasped the tattered handle and pulled, and Kagome winced at the shrill sound of scraping metal as the magical sword was unleashed. She watched eagerly, waiting for the moment where it would transform, where it would clear the haze from his eyes and bring him back to himself… but the sword remained a rusty, beaten scrap of steel, and Inuyasha remained emotionless. Kagome threw the scabbard to the floor, and in a fit of fury wrenched the sword from the half-demon's pliant grasp, nicking her hand on his claws in the process. He was normally so careful with them….

Huffing, Kagome pulled his sleeping yukata off the chair and practically shoved it into his arms. "Change into this. I'll wash your clothes later." He stared blankly at the robe, but made no other move, and something inside Kagome snapped. With a cat-like roar she advanced on him, dropping beside his feet to undo the ties around his ankles. Her hands made quick work of his sash, and she pushed him to step out of the red hakama, tearing the yukata from his hands as he stood in only his fundoushi. Kagome forced the robe over one arm and then the other, and fumbled with the inner tie as her eyes burned with tears. He hadn't reacted to her at all.

Nightclothes properly in place, she shoved him against the cot until he buckled and sat upon it, and with his clouded amber eyes vaguely focused on her form, she undid her hakama and pulled away her kosode until she stood before him in her lace-trimmed cotton underclothes. His expression never changed, and Kagome's fingers fisted in the hem of her billowy shorts. Breathing in through her nose, she approached the half-demon and climbed carefully onto his lap to straddle his waist, her arms swathing his neck. He leaned back a bit to meet her eyes, but his own arms remained at his side, and Kagome clenched her teeth.

"Wake up" she hissed, shutting her eyes tight and molding her lips to his. She stayed there for what seemed forever, arms so tight it was a wonder she hadn't strangled him. He breathed out evenly against her lips, and she pulled away with a shuddering breath, blinking away tears that had caught in her lashes and letting them cascade down her cheeks. "Please…" she whimpered, shaking him slightly, "Wake up. I need you. I can't do this again. Wake up, damn you!" She crashed her mouth to his in a fierce, one-sided kiss, but it wasn't working. This wasn't like his demon transformations where another side of him took over: every part of him, demon and human, was muted. Inuyasha was locked away in his own head, and Kagome sobbed in frustration, wondering how to get him out.

Sniffling and wiping the wetness from her face, Kagome climbed off the unresponsive man, gently pushing at his shoulder to tell him to lie down. Turning off the gas lamp, Kagome climbed into bed beside him and cuddled into his side, her arm draping over his chest to keep him close. "I'm sorry…" she whispered into his robe, and the tears came once more in hot rivers down the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry I let them do this… I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you… I couldn't protect you!" Her voice broke into sobs and she clung to him, burying into his warmth. It was all her fault this had happened. She'd chosen to stay, she'd told him not to fight, she'd gotten him in trouble with the gods and forced them to take drastic measures to keep him in line. He'd taken her punishment just that morning, only for the circus performers to later double it. Now, they'd stripped him of his will.

Kagome's fingers fisted in Inuyasha's robe, her tears soaking his shoulder. Despite his sturdy body beside her, she felt utterly alone in the dark. And then… there was a touch, featherlight against her arm, and she froze, hiccupping on her cries. Inuyasha's clawed fingers traveled slowly across her arm, and just as suddenly as it had appeared, his hand retreated to rest on his stomach. Kagome sat up, rubbing her eyes and staring anxiously down at the half-demon in the dark room. Her eyes adjusted enough to make out that he was facing her and she stifled another cry. "Oh Inuyasha… you are in there, aren't you? I haven't lost you yet." She bent and kissed him, but it was a softer kiss than the ones she'd attacked him with before. She poured all the feeling she could into that kiss, and swore she felt the slightest pressure and parting of his lips against hers. It wasn't much, but she'd take it.

Lying beside him once more, Kagome shifted until his head was cradled in her neck and she could easily reach his downy ears. Caressing them gently, she breathed out in barely a whisper "I love you. Don't forget that. And don't forget me. No matter what happens, I'll always love you. I'll always be here for you. No matter how many times they try to take you away from me, they'll never be able to pull us apart. I'm not gonna let you go." She continued to whisper to him, fingers stroking gently through his hair, until he drifted to sleep in her arms and Kagome could no longer keep watch.

/

Kagome blinked weary eyes open onto bright sunlight filtering through the tent door. She could feel Inuyasha's weight beside her, and for one sweet moment it was any other day – but then the reality of what had happened to the half-demon hit her in a wave, and she sunk back to the cot with a heavy sigh. Digging her palms against her eyes, Kagome released her sorrow in a breath and dared to look over at the poisoned man. He was still asleep, breathing deep, slow breaths, and Kagome thought about shaking him awake for only a moment before sliding out of the blanket. Let him sleep – he deserved whatever rest he could get. And if it meant time away from the sadistic Jakotsu, she'd let him sleep all day.

She dressed slowly, stealing glances at her pretend-husband between every fold and tie, until at last the time came to leave and she padded over to plant a kiss to his forehead. "I'll see you soon. I won't let them hurt you again, promise." He grunted in his sleep, eyes scrunching in a wince that might have been pain, and Kagome paused. His face had felt warm when she'd kissed it. Her fingers reached under his bangs to lay against his forehead, drawing in a sharp breath at the feel of clammy skin. Tracing his cheek, Kagome said softly "It must be that poison… just hold on Inuyasha, I'll bring you some food and some herbs. There must be something here that can cure you." And before the urge to coddle him grew worse she fled the tent, eager to get to the half-demons and tell Jinenji what had happened. Besides… she owed him an apology.

/

"You there! Woman!" Kagome stood from wrapping Shion's feet, wiping sweat from her brow as she watched Renkotsu approach at a run. She held her tongue, mindful of her behavior after last night's conversation, and waited to be spoken to. The fire-wielder jogged up the group, his expression stern and said "Alright, where is he?"

There was nothing forced about Kagome's speechlessness this time. "Wh-what? Where's who?"

"The Inugami!" Renkotsu shouted, "Your precious husband! He still hasn't shown up for his rehearsal, and I suggest, unless you'd like a game of tag with Jakotsu's snake, you go find him and order him to show his face." Kagome shared a look of shock with Jinenji. She'd brought him food, water, and medicine after checking on the half-demons and set it beside the cot, figuring he'd help himself once he awoke. That had been hours ago. Fear gripped her, images of him collapsed and in pain attacking her mind like swooping carrion crows.

"Forgive him" Kagome said, "My husband was feeling unwell this morning. I tried to treat him, but he… he's been asleep." Renkotsu scoffed, saying snidely "We don't have time for excuses. Get the Inugami up and tell him to report at once, or we'll come get him ourselves." Kagome didn't need to be told twice. She bowed stiffly, then turned to Jinenji who gave her a reassuring nod, and bolted.

She'd half expected to see him sprawled in their doorway as she approached, but everything around the tent and bathing area seemed in order. Kagome slowed, catching her breath and brushing back her bangs as she steeled herself to greet the catatonic half-demon. She realized on her way back that he was likely just sitting in bed, waiting for another command. Clenching her jaw, Kagome pushed back the tent flap – and stopped short to see Inuyasha exactly where she'd left him, sound asleep.

She gaped, an eyebrow raised in confusion, and glanced about the room. The food beside him was untouched, and the bed covers hardly looked rustled. If it weren't for the position of the sun now high overhead, Kagome would've sword she'd just left him a few minutes ago. Her steps were light as she approached, coming up beside the bed to gaze down at him. Was it just the light from outside, or did he look… paler than this morning? Her hand reached out to ruffle through his bangs, but her fingers had barely molded to his skin when she jerked back with a gasp. He was ice cold! She touched her own cheek, the difference in temperature unmistakable, and her breathing became erratic.

At once she flew into action, lifting him so she could sit on the bed and lie him against her chest, reaching for the water to splash it gently in his face, slapping his cheeks and waiting for them to turn rosy. He was dead weight in her arms, his head lolling about with each move, and Kagome panicked. "No no no, Inuyasha, don't kid around like this. You can't do this. Don't you dare do this to me!" Her hand moved under his robe and pressed to his chest, rubbing vigorously to give him back some warmth before stopping to feel for a heartbeat. She couldn't – wouldn't believe there was nothing to feel, but any life he had left was undetectable. Her head shook from side to side, body trembling as she held him up, and Kagome could feel a scream building in her throat… when something rolled in from the grass outside.

Kagome redirected her attention and watched, not quite trusting her eyes, as a bamboo container rolled across the floor a few inches and wobbled to a standstill. It wasn't long before a tiny, hopping speck followed in after it. Grasping Inuyasha tightly, Kagome saw the speck land behind the bottle, and then it rolled another foot or so before its momentum ran out once more. She was just starting to think she saw tiny arms on the speck when suddenly it hopped in her direction, and Kagome drew back with the half-demon defensively.

"There's no time!" Kagome couldn't be sure at first that the thin voice she'd heard was real, but then the speck landed on her arm, weightless but pricking her skin like a bug, and finally Kagome saw what it was: a little man with a stinger for a mouth, and four arms dressed in a custom kosode and tiny hakama. He sprung into the air, hardly impacting her skin as he dropped down again, and the voice of an old man spoke once more, faint as though yelling from a great distance. "Quickly! Get the master to drink this brew! He's lost far too much blood." She was having a hard time registering what was surely a demon shouting orders at her, but suddenly it clicked what he was trying to tell her, and she gasped. "You mean, he's still alive?"

"Yes, but just barely. Now hurry!" This was no time for questions, and Kagome slipped from under the heavy man to scoop the bamboo flask from the floor. She could hear the liquid sloshing inside as she propped Inuyasha up against her once more and unstopped the lid, and she was careful not to lose any of the mysterious brew as she carefully tipped the half-demon's head back and rubbed his throat to get him to swallow.

"That's it" the tiny voice said beside her – the demon was on her shoulder now. "Make sure he drinks every drop. He'll need more of course, but this should be enough to get him conscious again." Kagome kept administering the medicine, her lips pursed. Finally, once she was sure Inuyasha wouldn't cough the concoction right back up, she addressed the demon. "Who are you?"

Hopping onto her hand so she could see him better, the little demon bowed low and said "The name's Myoga, my lady – Myoga the flea!" Kagome hummed. A flea demon… it explained some things, but not much. "So why are you here, Myoga? And how do you know what's going on with Inuyasha? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful… but I don't get it."

"Ah, well," the little flea wrung his four hands, mustache twitching. "It's a bit of a long story."

"Neither of us are going anywhere" Kagome said quickly, but it wasn't in anger. She couldn't be angry – Inuyasha's chest had begun to rise and fall against her.

"R-right," Myoga said, large eyes looking off to the side. One hand rubbed at his balding head, and he started "Well, you might as well know! I was vassal to Inuyasha's father, many years ago. Lord Inuyasha is, I guess you'd say, my responsibility!" The bamboo flask now empty, Kagome set it gently beside them on the cot. She then set Myoga with the harshest glare she could muster, and the flea cowered into a tiny ball. "Do you have any idea" she began evenly, "what he's been through the past 18 years? What were you doing that whole time? You should've been helping him!"

Daring to peek up at her under one of four hands, Myoga answered shakily, "Uh, well, y'see I lost track of him after his mother took him away. I searched for them, really!" he shouted, as Kagome's look hardened, "but they'd vanished! I had no idea until recently whether he'd lived or died."

"So how did you find out?" Kagome asked, pulling Inuyasha closer to her and rubbing his chest again. He was still frighteningly cold, and although he was breathing, he had yet to wake up.

"I was paying a visit to the great dog-demon's eldest son, Sesshomaru, and heard that Lord Inuyasha was not only alive, but had defeated his brother and claimed their father's sword! Hoh, you have no idea the pride I felt! That's a true son of the Great Dog, that's for certain." Kagome smiled down at Inuyasha's pale face, and brushed a hand through his bangs. "Oh, I can imagine."

"Anyways," Myoga continued, "I followed the path as best I could, but it took ages for me to find the master, and when I did, it was only to discover he'd broken his father's legendary weapon!" Kagome's hand froze. "Wait a second… it was you! You took Tetsusaiga!" The old flea puffed up his chest proudly. "That's right!" Kagome's eyes darted about, memories from weeks ago rushing back to her in an instant. "Then… those bug bites! They were flea bites!"

"Correct again, Miss!" Myoga said, hopping gleefully. "I had to take enough blood to not only keep the master asleep, but to make myself big enough to wrap up the sword and get it out! Let me tell you, it was no easy feat! I had to strap it to a dog and bite the poor thing to get it where I wanted it to go. Much easier to travel by demon, but I'm afraid it would've taken too long to explain to you or your friends." Kagome tuned out the flea demon's chatter, mind racing as she placed the pieces of the puzzle. "So then… you took it to get fixed?"

"Of course," he answered. "It's dangerous for the master to be without its power. I know the demon who forged Tetsusaiga, and he's the only one who could mend it after such a bad break! But a sword like that doesn't just mend on its own – it needs a strong force to bond it, and since it was forged from the Great Dog-Demon's fang, I figured -."

"You took Inuyasha's fang to reforge it!" Kagome was smiling now, the shadows of the morning melting away as she held Inuyasha to her and listened to the tale unfold. She hadn't trusted Kagura when the wind demon had brought them the sword, but now it sounded like they had other allies, real allies, and hope blossomed within her.

"Totosai was impressed by that fang, I must say" Myoga replied, hopping onto Inuyasha's head and peering down at the sleeping half-demon. "It holds great power, and has made Tetsusaiga even stronger than before. I daresay you won't have any trouble getting out of here when the time comes!" Despite Myoga's happy expression, Kagome's own smile fell.

"That's just the trouble…" she murmured, smoothing down Inuyasha's robes absently. "These circus performers… they have strange powers, and potions, and they did something to him. They took over his will – he hasn't been able to think or act for himself since yesterday, and who knows what these freaks will make him do this time! I was able to stop things before they went too far yesterday, but… I'm afraid I'll just make things worse if I try again."

The old flea hopped closer on Inuyasha's head, and suddenly Kagome could see his crinkling smile in sharp detail. "Oh dear girl," he said softly, "what do you think I've been doing this whole time? How do you think Lord Inuyasha got in this state?"

Kagome stared down blankly at him. She gaped, searching for words, and finally responded "Wha… he was sick. It's a side effect from the poison they're using… isn't it?"

Myoga chuckled and hopped about restlessly. "The only 'effect' of that poison is to block the mind and render the victim completely open to suggestion. It was powerful stuff though, and I had to get rid of it as soon as I'd sucked it in!" Comprehension dawned on Kagome's face then, her eyes lighting as she said "You mean… you…."

"I sucked out all that nasty poison" Myoga answered matter-of-fact, "and took most of his blood with it, too. That's why I had to mix up a potion to replenish him! Whatever that stuff they use is, it's potent. It mixes with the blood so completely there's no choice but to get it all out, and unfortunately… it has the unpleasant affect of making the patient seem rather… dead."

"That's putting it mildly" Kagome quipped, but she smiled regardless. This little flea had saved Inuyasha, from death and from the Shichifukujin. She owed him more than she could say. Inuyasha was looking better by the second, his face flushing with color and lungs filling in a steady rhythm. Stroking a cheek that felt equal in warmth now to her own, Kagome smiled. And then she froze. Myoga was still hopping about on her arm energetically as she turned to him again.

"Myoga… how did you know he'd been poisoned?" The flea stopped in his bouncing to meet Kagome's eyes, and scratched at his round head. "Uh… well I arrived last night, Milady, and when I finally found the master, I noticed he was not himself."

"Not himself" Kagome repeated carefully, head swirling in growing embarrassment, "… then you saw him behaving oddly… here?" Myoga had the graces to look ashamed as he answered "Er, that is… y-yes, I waited for him to return here and… saw you… trying to return him to normal." Heat blossomed on Kagome's face as she recalled her ardent kisses and the shameless way she flung herself at the man to try and jog his memory. And that little peeping tom had seen it all.

"You should go" she said finally, looking away from the flea, "and make more of that potion for when he wakes up. You'll probably want to leave the explaining to me." Myoga fumbled for a moment, looking as though he wanted to defend himself, but Kagome insisted. "Really Myoga, it's for your own good. He's really a 'squash first, ask questions later' kind of guy." That was all it took – Myoga squeaked in fear and took off in a zig-zagging path into the sunlight. Kagome rolled her eyes as he went, but soon turned her attention back to the sleeping half-demon.

Folding over him, Kagome leaned her head atop his and sighed into his hair. She could hardly believe yesterday's nightmare was behind them, and still feared that Inuyasha would never wake up to the person he was supposed to be. The arms still wrapped about his chest squeezed tightly, and she clung desperately to his renewed warmth, rocking slightly to calm herself down. Kagome was so wrapped up in her fears that she didn't notice the hand weakly tapping at her arm – she did however hear the raspy voice saying "A little tight there, Kagome" and withdrew gasping.

Propping him against her shoulder, Kagome gazed avidly down into blinking golden eyes that were bright beneath a grog of sleep. Inuyasha craned his neck to meet her gaze, and the tired smirk he sent her had her blinking back tears. "I thought I'd lost you" she whispered, and nearly fell to pieces all over again when he scoffed. "Yeah, well, tell'm to try again." She laughed loudly in a burst of adrenaline, and Inuyasha had barely time to give her a confused look before she swooped in to meet his lips. He kissed her back this time, and Kagome laughed against him. The jerk had really scared her.

Their kiss grew slow and languid, and just as Kagome pulled away, Inuyasha threaded his fingers in her dark hair to draw her down for more. She went in without protest, and gave a delighted gasp as he pushed himself up and pulled her into his lap on the bed. "I guess this means" she said as she broke away to catch her breath, "that you've got your strength back?"

Inuyasha grinned at her and kissed the tip of her nose. "Enough for this anyway." His grin widened then, and he laughed, "I can't believe you pushed me around so much last night." Kagome thought she'd had her fill of embarrassment for the day: she was wrong. Sputtering, she finally managed to say "Y-you remember that?!" Inuyasha held her tighter as she scrambled to hide her face, kissing her fingers as he said "Uh-huh! I remember you strippin' me, then strippin' for me, then climbin' practically on top of me… how come you don't do that when I'm my normal self?"

"Because you're like this!" She groaned, and hid further in his shoulder. Inuyasha only laughed harder. "Well, I think it's time things change." His clawed fingers rose to brush the hair from her ear, and he leaned in until his breath washed over her neck, sending chills across her body as he whispered "That ain't all I remember." Shyly, her head came up until her dark eyes met his bright ones. His hooded stare was new and captivating, and Kagome couldn't look away despite the blush creeping up her neck. "I remember what you told me before I fell asleep. You said you'd always be there for me." He swallowed, continuing thickly "… You said you loved me."

Kagome forgot to breath. He'd said it. He'd spoken the words into existence, and they hung in the air between them, heavy and volatile, ready to explode them into a whole new world if they decided to ignite. She hadn't thought yesterday, as she whispered them into the night, that he'd even hear her, let alone remember her words. And yet….

"I meant it" she said firmly, her gaze fixed on his despite the shaking of her hands. "I love you, Inuyasha. I think I've loved you for a long time – since the first time I heard you laugh, and maybe even before. We've been through so much now, and after everything that happened yesterday it just made me realize… how afraid I am of losing you." His amber gaze was unreadable as he watched her, and she plowed on in the nervous euphoria of her confession. "I want to stay by your side, I want you to be happy… and it killed me to see how much I've failed at that. I couldn't keep you safe, you keep having to suffer because of me… but I promise, I won't let it happen again. I know I'm only human, I know I make you mad sometimes, but I love you. I love you so much."

He didn't say a word. His honey eyes roved over her face, and a clawed hand rose to tuck a stray strand of midnight hair behind her ear. Kagome swallowed hard, waiting on pins and needles for his response. Finally he straightened, pushing forward to sit Kagome up in front of him, and slipped his hand over the side of her face to stroke her cheek with his thumb. "Kagome?"

"Hm?" She could hardly get the sound out, her entire body seized in building panic as Inuyasha prolonged the torturous silence. She was beginning to think he'd forgotten his response, or lost interest, but then a smirk turned his lip, comforting in its familiarity, and at last he spoke in a husky whisper, his voice dry and deep and more sure than stone.

"Marry me."

*Author's Note:

Oh dear... well that update took waaaaaaaaaay longer than I planned on it taking. BUT! Inspiration for this chapter smacked me in the face earlier this week, and I was able to knock it out! I was sooooo close to ending it on a cliffhanger, but I figured... y'all been waitin long enough, I can't do that. Besides, there's more still to come, and our heroes needed to overcome this little obstacle before we could get to the finale. There are only a few more chapters to go folks! Hang in there, we're almost at the finish line!