Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the Inuyasha franchise. Only Ryuunosuken. So don't sue!

"You and I go hard at each other like we're going to war.

You and I go rough, we keep throwing things and slamming the door.

You and I get so damn dysfunctional, we stopped keeping score."

-Maroon 5, One More Night

Chapter One: Ryuunosuken

A young girl of 18 growled in frustration and forcibly shoved her annoying bangs back. High humidity caused her face and neck to be drenched in sweat and her hair plastered to her skin in a mighty itchy fashion. She gave her head another frustrated shake before sighting down the arrow.

She would show that stubborn baka. Of course she wasn't Kikyo. They weren't even close to being the same, not in the least. For starters, they were two completely different people. So what if they looked the same?

Her face flushed at the thought of the other girl. Kikyo belonged here; Kikyo had it all first, the Feudal Era, the Shikon no Tama, Inuyash. What was she? She was Kagome, a 18 year old who needed to prepare for high school graduation and the world of college. She was a student by day, a demon-fighting miko by night. Or, well, scratch that, she was a demon-fighting miko ninety percent of the time. Only occasionally did she attend school anymore, but that was who she was, not what she was. Kagome didn't like what she was as much.

Funny how much it hurts being compared to someone else.

She was Kikyo's reincarnation. The newer, updated protector of the Shikon no Tama and the second to love the inu hanyou, Inuyasha.

Kagome sighed at his name. Inuyasha claimed she couldn't shoot worth a damn and constantly rubbed it in her face that Kikyo had been better. It was his fault she was out here desperately trying to practice. Yet, it was always Kikyo this, Kikyo that. Kagome had been traveling back in time for three years. Hadn't they learned she was only Kagome?

I'm Kagome! Ka-Go-Me!

But he still had to bring her up. He knew better, and he still did it. Of course, there were probably reasons why, of that Kagome was sure. But she didn't want to think about what those reasons may be at the moment, she didn't want to care . Instead, she wanted to be mad. She didn't want to hurt, didn't want to cry. She wanted to be strong. To be angry.

Sighting down the tip of the arrow she exhaled slowly and let her body relax. She tried to focus on what she was doing, but her mind wouldn't let her turn away from the reason she was here. Her anger felt palpable to her, as if she could ball it up and hit something with it. Suddenly the tip of her arrow became enshrouded with pale pink colored flames. Kagome's face turned white at the sight, but she managed held her arrow steady. The purification energy spread and quickly covered the entire arrow. Nervous, she shifted her gaze back towards the tree. If only she could just hit her target…

"Kagomeeee!" The high pitched wail was the only warning she received before an orange, furry, ball shaped object flew directly into her arms, forcing the bow away from where she had been aiming. Startled, Kagome loosened the arrow, which burrowed itself smoothly into the ground. She frowned in frustration, the tiny moving target she had set up continued to swing. Kagome could have sworn it was laughing at her.

"Oi, c'mere you little runt!" The gruff voice echoed through the clearing, again her only warning, as a flash of silver and red entered the area. "Keh, stupid wench. I told you, you couldn't shoot worth a damn." The raven haired girl glowered sullenly at the hanyou before her. Why? Why was he being such a…such a jerk? He should have known better than anyone that she was perfectly fine with an arrow. If he would just lay off she might not have to keep finding smaller and harder targets to aim for.

"I didn't ask your opinion Inuyasha."

"What was that bitch?" golden eyes turned to face her, and his claws tightened on the tail of the wailing kitsune.

"I said I didn't ask for your opinion!" she shouted at him and reached for the young kitsune in his hand. "Let him go Inuyasha."

"Keh, no, the little punk deserves it."

Kagome turned a warning glare on the hanyou. "Inuyasha…"

The half-demon ignored her because he didn't really care about her unmentioned threat. The stupid kit had dropped a bunch of his trick mushrooms on him while he'd been napping. He wouldn't relent until the kit's head hurt as much as his did.

With that thought the inu hanyou gave the kitsune a sharp thump on the head.

The kitsune cried out to Kagome. "Ow! Kagomeeee, he hit me!"

"Inuyasha, put Shippou down, now." The annoyance in her tone was thick but still not thick enough to convince Inuyasha to listen.

He thumped the kit again.

"Osuwari!" Kagome yelled, her frustration blooming into the wonderful beginnings of a migraine. Her pain was relieved slightly at the sight of the stubborn hanyou smashing into the ground with enough force to leave a nice sized imprint in the dirt. She wanted to smirk, but it just wasn't in her. Instead, she stormed off and didn't listen to the muffled yelling of the hanyou in the dirt. Shippou, released as Inuyasha fell, hopped around in front of the hanyou long enough to stick out his tongue before taking off after Kagome.

Inuyasha grumbled into the ground for a while before finally deciding to shove himself back up. He knew Kagome was mad, but he hadn't quite realized how mad she was. Dusting off the sleeves of his red fire-rat haori, he muttered a few more choice curses. It was all that old hag's fault.

Oh, and you really haven't had anything to do with it?

Keh! What would you know. He growled at the stupid voice in his head.

Quite a lot actually. Will you stop chasing her away yet?

I…can't. Not yet.

In a flash the silver-haired hanyou was up on his feet. His golden eyes glared at one of the nearby trees in the forest. His claws twitched, and his knuckles cracked. He briefly thought of shredding half the forest under the guise of collecting fire wood for the nearby village.

Why do things always have to be this complicated?

Inuyasha growled before leaping into the air and made his way back to Kaede's hut. He didn't want to keep pushing Kagome away, but he wasn't sure what else to do.

You could just talk to her.

Things between them had been rough since Naraku's defeat. Inuyasha's growl deepened with his thoughts.

I wonder why that is? The voice in his head said with a faint chuckle.

Will you shut up already? You're really starting to piss me off.

In all honesty, Inuyasha hadn't been sure how exactly to handle the situation. He had loved Kikyo once, or so he believed, but through the course of his journey with Kagome he had learned that he cared for her more. He had slowly come to realize that what he felt for Kagome was much stronger than what he had ever felt for Kikyo. Now that Kikyo was out of the picture for good, and his promise to her fulfilled, he was free to pursue things with Kagome. But their relationship had never been easy, and the hanyou found himself too nervous around her to do anything but yell.

And that old hag is definitely not helping matters.

The old village miko, Kaede, had been worried about Kagome. The girl's immense spiritual powers had taken the final battle with Naraku as their debut, creating quite the show. She had flatly refused to use them since. Kaede worried that Kagome's powers would build uncontrollably until the girl found herself in a dangerous situation. Kagome could become a hazard to all around her, most especially those of the demon or half-demon pusuasion. As her powers were made up of purification energy, uncontrolled they could seriously injure or kill Inuyasha, Shippou or Kirara.

But why me?

Because baka, you're the only one she wouldn't be suspicious of.

Kaede requested the hanyou find a way to make Kagome use her spiritual powers. And what better way could there possibly be then to make the girl angry? Certainly talking would never work…

Keh! It's working though isn't it? That arrow was covered in purification energy earlier.

Yes, but if the consequences are eating dirt, I'd rather find another way.

If only he knew how she felt about him, how she really felt about him. The last thing he wanted to do was to get all mushy and pathetic on her, only to find out she had her eye on that damn wolf demon. If only he could convince himself that she could honestly bring herself to love a half-breed like him.

Will I ever be able to tell her how I feel?

His claws twitched as he landed outside the hut, and he took the opportunity to dig them into the wood of the frame on his way inside. The salty smell of her tears hit him as soon as he entered the hut. Kagome…

"What are you crying about bitch?" he put more heat in his tone than he had intended. He winced at Kagome's face as soon as the words left his mouth.

Pain. Anger. Hurt. Betrayal. The emotions plastered themselves across her face and created a very confused, sad looking Kagome. She gaped at him for a moment before looking back down at the ground to mutter. He caught the words with his hearing as he wasn't an inu hanyou for nothing.

"What was that?"

"I'm going home Inuyasha." She didn't yell. He shivered as she refused to meet his eyes as she stalked past him out the door. Four set of eyes glared at him from inside the hut.

"Really Inuyasha, don't you think that was a bit much?" His golden eyes met violet when he glanced at the monk who had spoken.

"Keh! I'm just doing what I was told to do, " he said and threw his arms over his chest. Nevertheless, Kaeda glared, too. And that stupid kitsune. And the slayer.

Damn. I really fucked up this time, didn't I?

Wonder how many "sit's" she'll inflict on you this time, quipped the voice in his head with a snicker.

The inu hanyou growled at Kaede and met her hard glare.

"Find some other pet, I'm done with this crap." Turning on his heel, he stormed out of the hut. There was silence for a brief moment, and then the sound of trees falling met the ears of those still in the hut. Half a forest of them if the Inuyasha's rage was anything to judge.

Violet eyes watched the hanyou leave before turning to the older miko, "What exactly did you say to him Kaede?"

"What I told ye earlier monk. I feared Kagome's refusal to use her powers could become a problem."

"And who better to hear it from than Inuyasha," said Sango. Kirara, a small black and cream colored two-tailed cat yokai, mewed in agreement.

"If only he'd stop being so stubborn and talk to her," interjected the young kitsune. They all sighed and turned their eyes back to the mat that covered the doorway. Maybe the couple would work things out yet. Surely Inuyasha wasn't that stubborn.

The hanyou sat in the Goshinboku gazing in the direction of the Bone Eaters well, a pout forming itself on his face.

She did say she was going home.

The hanyou sighed. Would there really be any way out of this other than to confess everything? A rumbling growl started in his chest and his scowl deepened. He didn't want to confess everything. Not yet. But maybe he could at least tell her some of it. How else would he convince her to keep coming back with ramen?

Or to keep rubbing your ears.

The silvery dog-like ears on his head twitched at the thought. It had been a while since she'd last put her fingers on them.

Glancing around to first make sure no one else was watching, the hanyou leapt out of Goshiboku and headed down the well.

Kagome griped her pillow with frustration, vainly trying to fight back the tears that wanted so badly to fall. What had happened? When had everything gone so wrong?

Naraku. Things hadn't been right since their fight against Naraku.

Fear. Pain. Death. Blood.

An evil laugh split the air, and Inuyasha growled beneath her. She slid off the hanyou's back and readied her arrows.

"So Inuyasha, you've found me at last have you? Too bad you've come too late." The baboon pelt fell to the ground, revealing a man with dark hair and eyes. His torso was bare, and they caught a brief glimpse of the spider mark burned on the man's back. He grinned, threw back his head, and swallowed a round pink orb. The Shikon no Tama. The jewel that had been born from Kagome's body. The jewel she had been entrusted with to protect. The jewel she had shattered, and the jewel they had struggled to complete before Naraku.

They had failed. Now he was possibly the most powerful demon in all of Japan. They watched his body expand, contort, and explode with tentacles. Inuyasha shoved Kagome aside as one of them shot past the couple. He sliced downwards with his sword, Tessiaga, but a sharp cry of pain let him know that he was still too late.

Kikyo, of whom Kagome was a reincarnation, who had first protected the jewel, who had first loved Inuyasha, fell. The hanyou yelled her name, and reached for her, until Naraku sent a runner towards Kagome, and Inuyasha chose to protect her instead.

Their friends were lost. So many friends. Kikyo. Kohaku, Sango's younger brother who had been under Naraku's control until the end. Even Kagura had died, though Sessshomaru had tried to revive her with his sword, the Tenseiga.

So much death, so much destruction.

It wasn't until Inuyasha was unconscious with a gaping hole in his chest that Kagome had felt something shift inside her. She exploded with a bright purple light, a specter phoenix rising above her head, as she shot her final arrow into the jewel inside of Naraku.

He couldn't stop it. The jewel had been instantly purified, and in turn, had purified Naraku, burning away his demon essence. The arrow had ended his life.

Kagome's fingers reached up to touch the pink orb that hung on a chain around her neck. Such a little thing had caused so much death and destruction. She sighed, letting her head drop to the pillow again.

Inuyasha blamed her, of that she was sure. She had been the cause of it all. The reason the jewel shattered in the first place; the reason Kikyo had been able to be revived into a half-life state; the reason Kikyo had died, yet again.

If Inuyasha hadn't needed to protect her, Kikyo might still be alive. Inuyasha might still be happy. After all, Kikyo was his first love.

If only her powers had come to rise sooner in the battle, fewer lives might have been lost. And she had hated those stupid powers. They had waited until the last minute to break lose in her, and then, when she called upon them, had rendered her and the rest of the group, with the exception of Sango and Miroku, unconscious.

Kagome rolled over and clutched her pillow to her chest like it was her one life-line. She listened to the bustle of her family preparing dinner downstairs.

What's the point of it anymore? I could simply come up with a pure wish, and the jewel would be gone. It would vanish. I wouldn't have to go through the well anymore…but…

Pictures of Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kaede, and Inuyasha flickered through her head. Could she let them all go? Could she never see them again? Her eyes pricked with pain and, sobbing, she buried her face even deeper into the pillow.

How could she? She loved them all.

Inuyasha glanced up at the well, taking a minute to let his senses adjust. Her time was so loud and smelly. He wasn't sure his hanyou senses could ever really get used to it all. He could already smell the salt of her tears, though it was faint, distant. She was probably crying up in her room.

A flash of red and silver leapt from the well house and towards the roof of the shrine. Kagome's window was open, so he carefully went through. She hadn't noticed him yet. She was facing the wall, sobbing. His ears drooped knowing that he was the cause of her pain. He really didn't want to see her like this.

Whimpering slightly, he moved towards the girl and reached out with a clawed hand to gently rub her back. She stiffened at the touch, and his ears dropped lower, hiding in his silvery hair.

"Kagome…," he wasn't sure what to say, or how to say it. At least her crying was slowing.

"I'm sorry I'm not her," Kagome muttered into her pillow. Even with his half-demon hearing he barely understood her.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

She rolled over to glare at the confused hanyou.

"You don't need to lie Inuyasha. I know you'd rather be with Kikyo than me. I'm sorry I'm not good enough." She choked over her last word, and Inuyasha could smell the tears building again. He grunted, hopping down beside her on the bed and pulled her against his chest. She gasped in surprised, but didn't struggle to get free.

"Stupid wench," he muttered gruffly. If she hadn't known him, she might have thought he was angry or was insulting her again. But he was Inuyasha, the proud inu hanyou. Gruffy, if at all, was how he apologized.

He held her until her breathing steadied, and he was sure she had stopped crying. Turning her around in his lap to face him, he scowled at the sight of her tear-stained face and running nose. Wiping away the hair that was sticking to her skin with tears, he reached around behind his back and snagged a tissue from the box on her nightstand.

"Here." Again, his voice was gruff. Gods, what was he supposed to say?

The truth baka. Tell her the truth.

I-I can't. I'm not ready for that. Not yet.

"Kagome…"

She sniffed and looked up at him, her emotions laid bare in front of his eyes. Anytime her brown eyes met his golden ones Inuyasha would swear he could see into her soul.

"Kaede was worried when you refused to use your powers. The old hag thought they would build up and break free if you were under enough stress. Like…like with Naraku. She wanted me to get you to use your powers more, to work on control. I- " his voice faltered, and he turned away, scowling at the ground.

"It's okay Inuyasha."

He turned back, glaring at the girl. How dare she forgive him already. A soft growl issued from his throat. Too easy. She forgave too easily. He didn't deserve it. Didn't deserve any of it.

"I understand. You thought by making me angry I'd use my powers more." She smiled slightly, though it didn't meet her eyes. "Guess it worked too."

"Keh!" the hanyou glared off irritably, refusing to meet her eyes. Maybe when he did, she could see into his soul too.

"Mama's making everyone dinner. Did you want to stay for ramen?" Inuyasha's ears twitched in her direction, though he continued to stare at the rug on her floor. "Let me get cleaned up and we can go down for dinner okay?"

"Fine wench, but we're not staying for any of those 'tests' of yours. I want to be back on the other side tomorrow morning." A slight growl colored his words. Kagome nodded before getting up and heading for the bathroom.

Inuyasha started down at a slender black hair that lay tangled around his fingers. It wasn't a complete resolution, but it was close. At least the damn wench would start using her powers more now, right?

See, didn't I tell you talking wasn't that bad?

Fighting a blush, the hanyou restrained from hitting himself in the attempt to dismantle his conscious, and stalked out onto the roof, pouting. The night air was cool and fresh, and the half-demon found he really couldn't be upset for long.

Inuyasha woke up feeling unusually rested. He blinked and stretched, missing the familiar feel of Goshinboku's bark against his back. Instead there was something soft. Incredibly soft.

Blinking, the hanyou sat up and looked around. The brief look of concern dissipated as he realized he was safe. He had simply fallen asleep in Kagome's bed. But wait, where was Kagome?

He was about to leap out of the bed in search for her, when a groan from the ground caught his attention. Kagome was sleeping on the floor, with her pillow from the night before and a spare blanket. Inuyasha frowned at the sleeping girl and tried to remember how they had ended up in such opposite positions.

Ha, really, you don't remember? A blush spread swiftly across the hanyou's face.

Kagome had decided to study a little after dinner, though she had once again promised they wouldn't have to stay in her time for a test. Bored, Inuyasha had flopped down on her bed. He secretly enjoyed the contraption. It was soft, comfortable, and smelled of Kagome. Content with her close by and no longer upset, and surrounded by her smell, it hadn't taken long for Inuyasha to fall asleep.

Kagome must had decided to sleep on the floor instead of waking him. Grumbling about the stupid wench, he gently reached out, picked her up and placed her back in the bed. It was early still. They could both sleep for a few more hours. Smirk playing with his lips, he took up his familiar position against the far wall, the Tessaiga propped up beside him. A few minutes passed, and then his eyes drifted closed.

Kagome awoke feeling more comfortable than she had been earlier and knew that Inuyasha must have moved her to the bed. She sighed, fighting to go back to sleep. If he hadn't woken her yet to leave, then there was the chance they could get a little more rest. But then she thought of why they were both sleeping in her time, and her chest ached.

He still hadn't clarified anything. Still hadn't even said yes or no in regards to her comment about his preference of Kikyo. All he had done was provide an explanations for his actions of late. Just explained that he was being infuriating so that she would use her powers more. Which was infuriating in its own right. Why couldn't he just confronted her in the first place? Why did he had to get it in his head that pissing her off was the best way to deal with the situation?

Because he's Inuyasha my dear…

Immature, stubborn baka!

Kagome sighed again. Getting mad at him wasn't going to change anything or fix anything. She would just have to hope that maybe things would work themselves out. Hopefully Inuyasha would tell her what was going through his head cause she sure didn't know most of the time.

Kikyo. Would she ever feel confident that Inuyasha would choose her over Kikyo? Even if he chose her, Kagome, now, would it just be because Kikyo was dead and he had no other choice?

Sitting up, she glanced across her room at the sleeping hanyou. He looked so peaceful sitting there. Not at all how he slept in the feudal era. He was tense on the other side of the well. Always ready for attack. Here, though, the poor guy could finally get some rest.

He had promised to protect her. Back around when they had first met, when she'd pulled the arrow from his breast that sealed him to the Goshinboku. The arrow that Kikyo had fired when she'd though he'd betrayed her. Things had been rocky at first, but he had eventually said he would protect her. But would he really always be there? Surely he'd tire of her and move on. No, that was stupid. Kagome shook her head. He was Inuyasha, and she trusted him. Trusted him more than anyone else. Of course he would always protect her.

She had told him once that she would stay by his side, but what if he didn't want to be with her anymore? Now that the jewel was complete, she didn't have any real reason to keep going back. They didn't have to keep finding shards of the Shikon no Tama. Naraku was dead. What was keeping her in the feudal era?

I can't let go. I love them all too much.

You'd choose them over your own family, wouldn't you?

I….yes, I would.

Granted, the hanyou hadn't mentioned her time-travelling since the jewel had been retrieved. Maybe, despite his attitude problems, he really didn't mind having her around. Then again, she wasn't so sure she'd leave even if he did have a problem with her. The others were practically her family too.

So lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the half-demon was awake and looking curiously at her.

If it comes down to it, how will I be able to say goodbye?

She heard the gentle rustle of fire-rat and looked up as Inuyasha stood before her, hand held out for her to take.

"C'mon Kagome. We've got stuff to do, and I already told you we're not staying here." She nodded, accepting his hand, and getting to her feet. Would he ask her to leave? Would he turn away from her, despite her trust and his promises? Kagome wasn't sure.

"Just let me get dressed and brush my teeth." The hanyou nodded, before heading out the window and into the waiting branches of Goshiboku. Kagome knew he would wait there until she was ready, only coming down to offer to carry her bag. She smiled sadly as she shut the window behind him, grabbed her clothes and headed into the bathroom.

They would have to talk, as much as they both avoided it. Eventually, they would have to talk.

"I'll be back again soon mama!" Kagome said as she hurried out the door. Her mother's voice followed her, wishing her and her friends well. Inuyasha met her at the base of Goshinoku, just like she knew he would, hand outstretched for her bag. Kagome handed it to him with a small smile, and together they walked to the well house. The girl felt herself relax as the time slip opened and carried them 500 years into the past.

Before their feet touched the earth, however, Inuyasha was already growling. His hand went to Tessaiga, his other arm moving Kagome behind him. She grumbled about being shoved around in such a confined space but didn't argue. For Inuyasha to act this way, it could only mean one thing - a demon.

The world was silent for a moment but then erupted into noise. A creature roared. Kagome could vaguely hear Sango yelling "Hiraikotsu!" as she often did when releasing her giant bone boomerang. There was more yelling, and Inuyasha was hauling her up out of the well, keeping himself between her and the demon. She caught sight of it through a lock of his hair.

Dragon. She tried not to think of the last time Inuyasha had fought a dragon.

The Tessaiga had been broken in a fight with one of Naraku's incarnations, Goshinki. The breaking of the blade had released Inyasha's demon blood. In order to seal it and keep him from losing control, his sword had been repaired with his own fang. The blade had been too heavy though, and so Inuyasha had needed to fight and defeat his father's old enemy, Ryukotsusei. He had won, but barely, nearly getting killed several times in the process, and even having lost control of his yokai blood once or twice.

Dragons were tougher than most demons. Their hide was nearly impenetrable. The last dragon had been the undoing of Inuyasha's father, a full blooded inu yokai. Kagome tried to keep herself together as Inuyasha unsheathed his sword and ran into combat.

Inuyasha smirked as he rushed towards the creature. Leaping into the air, he swung his transformed sword downwards, releasing the 'Wind Scar'. He paused as he landed, waiting to see if the dragon survived. There was a snorting sound before the creature roared and lunged out of the dust that had been blown up from Inuyasha's attack. Its teeth just managed to snag the hanyou's leg.

Inuyasha winced as the teeth pierced the bone in his calf and growled dangerously. The dragon made a chewing motion, causing the half-demon to shout in pain. He heard Kagome calling his name, and was dimly aware of Sango attempting to distract the dragon into fighting her. Blood ran down his leg and up towards his thigh as he hung partially upside-down from the side of the dragon's mouth. Just what he needed.

The hanyou coated his claws in his blood and, yelling his battle-cry "Blades of Blood!" threw his attack directly into the dragon's left eye. The beast snarled and threw the hanyou. Inuyasha hit a tree with a sickening crack. He didn't move.

"INUYASHA!" Kagome screamed as he was thrown across the clearing, and again as he didn't recover. She moved to run towards him, but the dragon stopped her with a foot. Pressed into the dirt, Kagome struggled to breathe. Sango and Miroku rushed into action, attacking the dragon. Ignoring Kagome for a second, the creature lashed out with its tail and knocked both the slayer and her demon cat, Kirara, away. The monk was pinned under another foot. Shippou had run, and Kagome could just see him in the corner of her eye, trying to revive Inuyasha.

Inuyasha…why isn't he moving?

You saw what that thing did to him. He's probably pretty injured.

You don't think he's…

Dead?

Kagome shuddered.

I don't know.

The dragon lowered its head towards Kagome, and she felt its hot sticky breath on the back of her neck.

"The Jewel. Where is it human? I desire the jewel." Kagome gritted her teeth against the pain of the dragon's claws and for once, wished desperately she had control over her powers.

Roaring again in frustration, the dragon's head snaked forward. "If you wont tell me then I'll just have to eat you!" Kagome's mind blanked with panic and she froze, her eyes squeezing shut against the inevitable.

Inuyasha!

There was a shout, and instead of feeling sharp dragon teeth coming down on her, instead she felt something akin to…rain? The pressure on her chest lifted and she found she could breathe easier.

Oh god, don't think about it.

A drop drifted into her vision. It was red. Blood.

Ew ew ew ew ew ew!

I told you not to think about it.

Kagome gritted her teeth against the warm liquid that had showered her. At least she was alive. At least they had survived. There was a dull thud beyond her vision, and the sound of a blade being wiped clean and then inserted into a sheath. Inuyasha? He usually made more noise than that. Where were his hot angry words to the dragon. Why wasn't he checking on her to make sure she was okay? Kagome blinked and slowly dragged her sore body into a sitting position—

She froze. The figure before them looked so familiar, and then, not quite the same.

He looks almost just like Sesshomaru, only older. A lot older.

The demon turned golden eyes onto the girl, and she flinched. Though Sesshomaru had changed some in the past 3 years, when Kagome had first met him, he had been anything but friendly. Cold and indifferent, the full blooded inu yokai had been very persistent in the idea of taking out his 'half-breed' younger brother, Inuyasha.

Shivering, she glanced over towards Inuyasha, but he was still lying motionless on the ground. Shippou cowered beside the hanyou, but looked up at the newcomer with wide eyes.

Sango was out cold. Kirara too, though Kagome didn't think they were in as serious shape as Inuyasha was. Miroku met her eyes from across the field, his hand reaching for the prayer beads that he had long since stopped wearing. They waited for a move, anything, that would give them an idea of the intent of the demon before them.

"I'm looking for Inuyasha, the half-demon. Tell me woman, is that he?" The inu yokai asked, indicating the silver and red mess on the opposite side of the clearing. Before she could answer another voice did for her.

"What the fuck do you want to know that for, bastard?" Inuyasha had woken up, and propped himself up on his arms to glare at the stranger

The demon turned hard yellow eyes on Inuyasha, looking him over for a moment.

"Considering I just saved your bitch from being eaten by the dragon, I think you owe me an answer first." The words held no emotion, but Kagome got the impression the stranger was starting to get irritated.

Inuyasha's eyes met hers, frantic, concerned—she realized that he hadn't really seen her until just then. He hadn't noticed how close she was to the stranger, and was just now seeing the red blood that covered her. She could hear him growling quite clearly, though he didn't run to her as he normally would have. She had seen the dragon bite his leg, but hadn't known how bad it was. Not to mention the crack that he had made when he hit the tree. Kagome didn't want to think about what that meant.

"Yeah, I'm Inuyasha. Who's asking?" he finally grumbled to the stranger, defeated. The inu youkai simply nodded at him.

"My name is Ryuunosuken. Your father, the late Inu no Taisho, was my brother. Making me, your uncle." The demon quirked an eyebrow at the hanyou, waiting to see what he would do with the information.

Inuyasha was quiet for a moment. Kagome didn't blame him for not wanting to trust the stranger. As a hanyou he'd been tormented by demons and humans alike for being what he was-a freak most of them called him. An abomination. Not worthy of life.

His brother Sesshomaru had once felt that way too, and had considered it his duty to rid of world of such a disgrace. But he had failed numerous times, and eventually he had slowly made his way down the path of change, even going so far as to fight side-by-side with his brother at Naraku's fall. It would probably still take him another century or two to finally change his mind, but he was getting there, and that said a lot.

"So," Inuyasha's voice interrupted her thoughts and she quickly looked up at the two demons. "What the hell should I care?"

The strange inu yokai laughed, his emotions breaking through the cold barrier that his face had been before. He grinned down at the hanyou, and the party was shocked into silence by the change that had overcome the demon.

"No reason really, but there were some things he wished for me to impart to his young son. I'm offering to give you information Inuyasha, you can take it or leave it as you will. Consider it a gift in the memory of my brother." He turned to Kagome, and reached out a hand, grabbing her gently on the arm and hauled her to her feet. She eyed Ryuunosuken warily, but his smile looked warm and genuine. He dusted her off and sent her in the direction of Inuyasha.

"Here, woman, go tend to your mate. I can smell his blood from here." Kagome felt her face turn scarlet, but didn't say anything as she walked towards Inuyasha.

The hanyou, for his part growled, "She ain't my mate you dense flea bag."

Kagome ducked her head as she approached him, feeling both angry and hurt at Inuyasha's words. Inuyasha for his part, refused to meet her eyes and glared at Ryuunosuken.

"How do I know you won't try to kill one of us?" he ground out, scowl becoming a nearly permanent feature on his face.

"I will give you my word Inuyasha, and my fang." Reaching long-fingered and surprisingly delicate hands down he untied his obi and released the katana and sheath.

Wordlessly he approached Inuyasha with the blade and bowing, he placed the sheathed weapon on the ground near the hanyou. Inuyasha glared at the weapon before nodding.

"Will you give us a moment to recuperate Ryuunosuken-sama? I believe you came upon us at a rather bad time and we need to tend our injuries." Miroku spoke up, from his place beside Sango. The inu yokai turned to face him, seeing him as if for the first time.

"Yes, I will withdraw farther into the woods. Find me when you are done." And with that he was gone. Inuyasha still refused to meet Kagome's eyes. She tugged gently as his haori sleeve, while Shippou huddled as close to her leg as he could get.

"Are you alright Inuyasha?" The hole through his leg was ragged, gaping, even she could see it through the torn cloth. Bit of splintered bone were sticking painfully in the wound.

"Keh! Of course I'm fine wench." He paused for a second, and then, "Gods Kagome, you reek." Kagome flinched, her fingers digging into the ground. He was lucky he was injured, or she might have considered subduing him. She knew anger was his way when he was uncomfortable, sorry, or didn't know what else to do, but that didn't mean that it didn't upset her. The hanyou still would not meet her eyes.

On the other side of the cleaning, Miroku and a now conscious Kirara were helping Sango to her feet. Kagome glanced towards the well, seeing her bag for the first time since the attack. She had forgotten that Inuyasha had even been carrying it. He must have dropped it when he launched them out of the well. Not wanting to disturb the hanyou, or leave for fear she might not be welcomed back, she got Shippou's attention and pointed to her bag. Nodding quickly the little kitsune rushed to bring her bright yellow bag over to her and Inuyasha. The hanyou didn't comment. Still staring off in the direction the demon had left in. Kagome could practically see the gears turning in his head. She unzipped the bag slowly, watching for any signs of…well, anything. His ears twitched back to her, but he didn't say a word as she piled her medical supplied out on the grass beside them.

"Um, Inuyasha, I'm going to need to clean your leg now. Okay?" He grunted, but didn't voice a reply. Pulling up the leg of his hakama, careful of his wounds, she cleared the torn fabric away. A few pieces of fire-rat stuck in in the hole, and she peeled them away carefully, but Inuyasha didn't seem to notice. Grabbing her medical supplies, she began to do what she could to clean the wound and pick out the few fragments of shattered bone. Through it all Inuyasha said nothing, the occasional twitching of his ears the only sign of his discomfort.

She didn't bother him again until she requested he roll over so she could clean the other side where the dragon's teeth had connected. He did so without complaint or word, and Kagome found herself getting increasingly annoyed with the hanyou. It wasn't her fault that Ryuunosuken had assumed they were mates, so why was he taking it out on her? He was such a jerk sometimes.

Wound clean and dressed she sat back, repacking her supplied in her bag. Inuyasha ignored her to catch Sango's eye at the rest of the group strode over to meet them.

"Hey, Sango, could I borrow Kirara?" he asked quietly. Kagome strained to hear him, even though she sat right beside him. The slayer nodded and Kirara instantly transformed into a large, roaring cat. Using his arms, his one good leg, and Ryuunosuken's sword, Inuyasha pulled himself up on the fire-cat's back. Kagome sighed heavily; glad to know that his back hadn't been broken like she'd worried.

"Right." He said, looking them all over, before turning to the forest. Without another word Inuyasha and Kirara took off into the sky. Kagome stared mutely after, concern and hurt radiating her features. Sango glared after the hanyou, and Miroku shook his head slowly. They didn't say anything to Kagome as it had all been said before.

They turned and left the clearing together and headed for the village and Kaede's hut. Kagome found herself wishing to turn back, and return down the well to her home. At least there she could get a bath. Instead she'd have to make-do with the stream near the village. Normally it would be too cool, but with all the heat they'd been getting lately, it would be nice to relax and cool off. As they neared the village Kagome veered off, heading for the stream. Slayer, monk and kitsune allowed her to go, secretly glad to lose the accompanying smell of dragon guts.

Kagome dropped her bag on a rock as she neared the water, and plopped down quickly beside it. So much had happened. She'd started to think that maybe she'd lost him. That maybe he'd been killed or at least severely injured by the dragon. And then his reaction over the yokai calling them mates…that stated his opinion pretty loud and clear. Not to mention he hadn't even bothered to ask if she was okay.

She growled, her fists clenched. She didn't want to cry over him. She was tired of crying.

Why does it have to hurt so much?

That's what love does sweetie. It wouldn't hurt if you didn't care.

She didn't notice the strong arms that wrapped against her until she felt the gentle rumbling against her back. Inuyasha pulled her back against him, and though he grimaced slightly as she slid over his leg, he didn't voice a word of complaint. The girl stilled as the growling hanyou buried his nose in the crook of her neck. She wasn't sure what to do exactly. He had never done anything quite so intimate. A small part of her panicked at his closeness and she considered shoving him away, but his warm breath on her neck was doing funny things to her insides. She looked around, not quite sure what the hanyou was up to, or what she should do. She struggled weakly, as if to move away, but stopped when his arms tightened even harder against her.

"I'm sorry." Kagome stilled, even her breathing slowed. Had he…had he actually apologized?

I…I think so.

"Inuyasha?" she asked, uncertain. What was with him?

"I-I….I thought I'd lost you Kagome. When that dragon took me out, I knew I wouldn't be able to protect you. Then, when I saw you, covered in blood, and Ryuunosuken standing there, I thought…" he shuddered against her, and she reached her hand up to stroke one of his ears, hoping to comfort him. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you Kagome." She relaxed against him, not really wanting to fight the warmth of his arms around her. She felt something wet on her neck near where his face was buried. Was he…?

I think he's crying. Better not mention it though. You know how it would hurt his pride.

"It's okay Inuyasha, really. I'm fine. I'm more worried about you anyway. How is your leg?" He glanced up at her with abnormally bright eyes.

"Keh! It's fine wench. It'll be healed in a day or two."

"You can't walk on it can you? That's why you asked for Kirara…"

He grunted, but didn't say anything. Kagome decided to change the subject.

"Where's Ryuunosuken?"

"I led him back to Kaede's under the promise that he wouldn't harm any of the humans in the village." He paused, his hand dropping from her to finger the second sword at his waist. "I'm…I don't know what to do about him Kagome. I'm not sensing any ill intentions at all. And he's so…open. Not at all like that bastard brother of mine." Kagome shrugged, switching her hands to rub his other ear. The gentle rumbling in his chest started up again.

"I don't know either. I guess the best we can do is keep an eye on him, and see what he has to say. He did save me. The least we can do is offer him that."

Inuyasha grunted again, turning back to the girl in his arms and pulling her tighter against him.

"Wench?"

"Yes Inuyasha?"

"You really do stink."

"…"

Ryuunosuken - From Japanese 龍 (ryuu) "dragon" or 隆 (ryuu) "noble, prosperous" combined with 之 (no) "of" and 介 (suke) "forerunner, herald".