Crossover Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Journey to the City of Endless Night ❯ Chapter Thirty-Nine ( Chapter 39 )

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Sango tensed up as she felt Miroku pull on her arm. She hissed, “Let go, you lecher.” He didn't answer as he dragged her farther down the dim hall and past their room. She asked, “Where are you taking me?”

Miroku turned, putting his hand up to his mouth as if he was praying. She saw him cast his eyes around the hall as if he wanted to make sure they were alone. Miroku leaned in and whispered, “I saw Inuyasha.”

“But you just asked Kagome if she knew where he was. You lied to her.” Sango tugged her arm out of his grasp. “What is going on?”

“I saw Inuyasha down in the mess hall. I don't think Kagome should see him in his condition.” Miroku's eyes were serious.

Sango's eyes went wide. She felt nervous. “What is going on, monk? Did Inuyasha transform?” She was getting curious and the concern in Miroku's eyes only increased her worry. Was everything alright with her friends? Sango knew that Kagome needed Inuyasha, especially now that her era had been exposed. Had Inuyasha gone on a rampage in an attempt to protect her?

“No. Nothing like that. He was pretty drunk by the time I saw him. Sesshomaru dragged him out of the village. I followed them. Inuyasha's in pretty bad shape.” Miroku grabbed her arm again, dragging her into an empty room. “I definitely don't think Kagome should see him right now.”

“What happened? Inuyasha was drunk?” Sango furrowed her brow. “Is he alright? Did Sesshomaru hurt him?” The more the monk talked, the more questions formed in her mind. He seemed to not really answer any, either.

Miroku let her go, pacing. He remained silent for a few moments. The monk stopped, turning towards her. He shook his head. “No. I don't think Inuyasha is alright. I just hope Sesshomaru knocked some sense into him. He was beating up on himself.”

“Will you quit talking in circles and just tell me what happened?” Sango clenched her fists at her sides. “You're making no sense. Why isn't Inuyasha with Kagome and why was he drunk?”

“He had some nightmares. I don't think they're natural. His aura seemed a little different. I can't really explain it. It wasn't like a demon aura, either.” Miroku pursed his lips, cupping his chin in his cursed hand. “I just can't shake this feeling that something is wrong with these nightmares. They're not natural.”

Sango stared at him. She looked down at the floor, trying to piece together what Miroku was telling her. Kagome had looked so lost without Inuyasha by her side. Her best friend was so tense and nervous. Several times when they had visited, albeit briefly, she had noticed that Kagome had looked towards the door, her eyes hopeful The way her hands worked feverishly on the mending before her had also given away Kagome's inner turmoil.

She thought about the other portion of what Miroku had said. Sesshomaru had been with Inuyasha while he was intoxicated. Would the brothers start fighting again? What had transpired between the two? Curiosity getting the best of her, Sango sighed. She asked, “So what did Sesshomaru do?”

Miroku didn't respond at first. He seemed like he was puzzling something out, his eyes cast towards the ceiling. His cursed hand was made into a fist against his chin and he paced. The monk stopped. “Sesshomaru seemed to be trying to knock some sense into him. I just hoped it worked.”

“Listen monk, just tell me what happened. Don't make me hit you.” Sango felt the hair stand on the back of her neck. Something was wrong with her friends. She could feel it. What ever had driven Inuyasha to get drunk, a state she couldn't recall him ever being in, had to be bad. The way Miroku wouldn't simply tell her what had happened indicated that Inuyasha wasn't holding up well, regardless of trying to drown it in alcohol. Had he hurt anyone?

Miroku shook his head. “It is best that you don't know everything that went on between them. I shouldn't even know what passed between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. It was a most private altercation.” He put a hand onto her shoulder. “It affirms all of our suspicions about the two, though. They most certainly consider one another pack.”

“Just tell me what is happening.” She was growing frustrated. The monk was deliberately keeping her in the dark while her friends were in potential danger. She hissed, “Why did you bring up their discussion if you're not going to tell me anything? What is wrong with Inuyasha?”

Miroku said, “Mainly, without revealing too much of their private conversation, I gathered that Inuyasha had some nightmares based upon what has really happened in the past. I have a sinking feeling somehow Naraku is involved.” He stiffened and fell silent.

Sango heard footsteps pass by the room before the door opened slowly. Sesshomaru stood in the doorway. She watched as his golden eyes swept over the two of them, his expression stern. Sango almost blinked as she could have sworn she had seen concern flicker in their depths. His deep, quiet voice asked, “Have you seen Inuyasha? His mate is currently looking for him.”

Miroku shook his head. “No, Sesshomaru-sama. We haven't.” He kept his head down, not willing to meet his gaze with the Demon Lord's. Sango couldn't help but notice that the monk left out that he had overheard the brothers' private conversation from earlier. Miroku would be lucky if Sesshomaru didn't punish him for eavesdropping. Since they had been reunited with Inuyasha and Kagome, she noticed that the Demon Lord regarded all shifty behavior as beneath him and to be distasteful. She was certain that Sesshomaru would have no qualms about expressing that opinion.

Sango noticed that Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed and his lips pursed. His sharp golden gaze rested on Miroku and she was thankful he wasn't staring at her that way. The Demon Lord turned his back on them as he turned to exit. “I suggest, next time, monk, you keep your curiosity to yourself.” Sesshomaru disappeared down the hallway and Sango couldn't help but hear the audible gasp that escaped Miroku.

“You pushed your luck tonight, monk. You're lucky he didn't kill you for eavesdropping,” she whispered.

Miroku glared at her. “Thanks for your concern.” He peeked his head back out into the hallway. “It seems we're not the only ones who are looking for Inuyasha and trying to figure out what is going on. Sesshomaru seemed preoccupied.”

Sango nodded. “Yeah. I agree. What do you think is going on, though?”

“Naraku. He has to be behind this. Think about it for a minute, Sango. Why would Inuyasha abandon Kagome after what was revealed in the grove and then fall into a string of nightmares that just happen to be based upon actual events in his life? He dreamed of killing in cold blood, cutting Sesshomaru's arm off, and attempting to kill Kagome when they first met. Each event had a basis in a real memory but was twisted so they changed.” Miroku paced again, his cursed hand on the back of his neck. “Damn it. If we just knew where Inuyasha was we could find out what is going on.”

“Changed? How did the dreams change?” Sango sat down into a chair not far from the door. She scuffed her foot on the carpet.

Miroku pursed his lips. “Well, for instance, he dreamed of slaughtering an entire village and enjoying it. I suspect it might be an actual memory from his transformed state brought out to taunt him. Then he dreamed of fighting with Sesshomaru where he ended up killing his brother.” Miroku started pacing again. “The last one was the worst. He dreamed of killing Kagome. I guess when they first met he had tried. Inuyasha said something about cutting her down and that she asked why he had betrayed her. It's all very disturbing. It's why I followed Sesshomaru and Inuyasha.”

Sango furrowed her brow further. “You don't think, monk, that Inuyasha will hurt Kagome?” A chill ran down her spine as Sango thought of the dream Miroku had described about killing Kagome. Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms as she looked towards Miroku. “Wait, how do you know he dreamed those things. I thought you only overheard Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.”

The monk smirked slightly before his mouth became a frown. “I overheard him talking with that man, that king. They seemed to be in the mood to share nightmares and some drinks together.” Miroku stopped pacing, looking at her, his dark eyes concerned. His voice became serious, “I think it might be possible for Inuyasha to hurt Kagome, if Naraku can twist his own memories enough. Sesshomaru seems to think the same thing the way he's searching for Inuyasha. I got the feeling he was nervous about something.” He shook his head. “Let's go see if we can find Inuyasha.”

Sango followed him into the dimly lit hallway. They passed another door, hearing voices. “You're proud of yourself, aren't you, Garion. You're absolutely drunk.” It was the strange king and his tiny red-haired wife having an obvious discussion.

Garion slurred, “Leave me alone, Ce'Nedra. I don't want to talk about it.”

Ce'Nedra's voice reached a few octaves higher. “Don't want to? I don't care what you want. You're going to tell me why you tossed and turned and muttered over and over in your sleep. It didn't make any sense.”

Miroku held up his hand. He tilted his head towards the door, indicating that they should wait and listen. Sango shook her head, hissing, “Haven't you listened in on enough private conversations for one night?”

Miroku held a finger to his lips. He hissed,“Trust me.”

Garion's voice became angry. He said, “It's none of your business. Just leave me alone. You wouldn't understand.” A sound of feet shuffling on the floor could be heard.

“None of my business? None of my business?” Ce'Nedra's voice climbed another octave as it burst into a shriek. “I'm your wife! What is the matter with you? You ran out of here like you had seen a ghost.”

Sango saw into the room as the door was ajar. Garion clutched his head into his hands as he winced. “Please, don't talk so loud. Listen, it's been a long night. We should try to get some sleep.”

Ce'Nedra stuck her lower lip out into a pout. Her demeanor changed and she said in a sweet voice, “Garion, dear, I'll listen when you're ready to talk.” She batted her eye lashes at him. “Do you still love me?”

Sango felt wrong for intruding upon their intimate conversation. She saw Garion sigh and pull his wife into his arms. Sango looked down at the floor, not wanting to partake in such depraved behavior any longer. She said into Miroku's ear, “You can waste your time listening in on their conversation. I'm going to find Inuyasha and find out what's going on.”

Miroku grabbed her arm. “Wait. I want to see if my suspicions are confirmed.”

Sango rolled her eyes. “Lecher, it's their business, not ours.”

Garion stiffened as he held Ce'Nedra. He pushed her away. His voice sounded sober as he said, “I have to go talk to Aunt Pol immediately. Something is going on.”

“Wait, Garion, get back here!”

Miroku dragged Sango into the empty room across from Garion's door. The blonde man exited, making his way down the hall, his wife not far behind. He didn't slow or wait for her. As soon as the pair was far down the hall, Miroku exited, following. Sango hissed, “Will you quit spying on them? First you listen in on Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's private discussion and now you're following a married couple. You've been with that thief far too long.”

Miroku shook his head, a finger to his lips. He said, “Do you want to know what's going on or not?”

They stopped by the door that Garion and Ce'Nedra had disappeared in. Miroku slowly pushed it slightly open so they could hear better. Sango crossed her arms, finding it hard to believe she had allowed him to drag her into this nefarious behavior. She was worried about Kagome and Inuyasha and the monk seemed more interested in the problems of these other people. She heard the sorceress speak. “Garion, you smell absolutely awful. Don't blame me in the morning when you feel unwell.”

“Aunt Pol, there is something serious going on.” He sat down into a chair not far from the door, clutching his head into his hands. “Don't talk so loud, please.”

Polgara stepped into view, her arms crossed. “I see you're already paying the price.”

Ce'Nedra interrupted, “Aunt Pol, he was tossing and turning. He muttered in his sleep and won't talk to me about what is going on.”

“I see.” Her voice was stern. She stepped into view and gripped Garion's right wrist into her hands. She placed his open palm on her white lock. “Figures. How did you not notice some Grolims manipulating your mind? Did it soak up enough alcohol to dilute your already befuddled senses? I thought I had weaned enough Alorn behavior out of you by now.”

Garion groaned. “I've had the same nightmares for years. I guess I didn't think about it.” He shook his head. “Wait a minute. I wasn't the only one who had nightmares. Inuyasha had some nightmares of his own.”

“Of course you didn't think. You decided to drown it instead.” Polgara let a string of curse words loose in languages Sango didn't know. She knew they had to be curses from the way the woman spoke them through clenched teeth. She clenched her hands into fists. Polgara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she reopened her eyes, they were like steel. “I have to go talk to the Old Wolf immediately.”

Garion ran a hand through his blonde hair. “What's going on?”

“We have an important appointment today at sundown. A few Grolims have decided to throw a delay at us by using some rather over done mind tricks.” The sorceress looked ready to explode. Her white lock flared brilliantly in her dark hair. Sango wondered what she meant by an appointment. What mind tricks were being played anyways? “I should have known something was wrong when Inuyasha came for Kagome a little while ago. I should have looked further into it. Do you know where he is?”

Garion shook his head. “No, Aunt Pol. I don't know where he is.”

Polgara let loose a few more curses. “Alright. I suppose I'll locate him and find out what is going on. Next time, Garion dear, come to me when you have an experience like this instead of the ale barrel. Don't follow the Old Wolf's example.”

Miroku tugged on her sleeve. “I've heard all I need. Let's go see if we can perhaps find Inuyasha and Kagome.”

Sango nodded, following him down the hallway. A sinking feeling settled into the pit of her stomach. Something was terribly wrong. She hoped that they weren't too late to stop what ever was happening. From the way Miroku had talked about the dreams that Inuyasha had, things could end very violently if they were not careful. Somehow she knew that these Grolims had help. Miroku was right. This reeked of Naraku's doing. He was the only one she knew who really relished in manipulating Inuyasha's feelings and mind for the sheer joy of seeing the hanyou fall right into the trap. Who else would relish in making Inuyasha suffer on account of his own memories? Hopefully they wouldn't be too late to do something about it.


“This is for all the times you said sit, bitch. You'll never say that to me again, now will you?” Inuyasha hissed it in Kagome's ear. He shook her as his hands clenched tighter. His ears were rewarded when he heard the woman beneath him gasp as she lost more air. “That's right, bitch. You're powerless. You'll never sit me again and you'll never stop me from being what I was meant to be.”

Something deep inside of him screamed that this was wrong. It tugged at his mind, driving him crazy. Something was amiss. Inuyasha felt his grip loosen around Kagome's throat as he tried to push back this urge to kill her. It wasn't right. He let go, clutching his head in his hands. He heard Kagome pull in air to her lungs. Before he could recover control over himself, he felt rage boil through him and he clamped his hands back around her throat, squeezing until he was rewarded with a gurgle. Inuyasha chuckled low in his throat. “This is what you get, bitch. Try to say sit now.”

Inuyasha snarled in his mate's face as he choked her. It felt off and a portion of his mind recoiled from what he was doing. It howled in fury that he would willingly harm Kagome. He wanted to resist this urge. Inuyasha wanted to put a stop to what he was doing. He felt sickened as he throttled her. Inuyasha noticed that she was unconscious at this point, unable to even claw at his hands or plead with her eyes. Her face was turning an unnatural purple as she lost more air.

As Inuyasha felt himself gather enough strength to resist and put a stop to his brutality, his vision flashed again and it wasn't Kagome he was strangling. Instead it was Kikyo and he wanted nothing more than to take her life for pinning him to that godforsaken tree all those years ago. Inuyasha felt the betrayal of the arrow pierce deep in his heart again. He shook the woman beneath him, snarling in her face. “You fucking bitch. It still hurts in my chest, that fucking arrow. You pinned me to that tree. You betrayed me.” Inuyasha leaned down, whispering into her ear, “I never wanted to become human. Never.”

He felt the body underneath him become completely limp. Inuyasha loosened his grip only to roughly suck on her neck. He drew blood into his mouth and it tasted sweet. He ran another claw against her throat, drawing blood. He lapped up the fresh blood, swirling his tongue over the cut before sealing his lips around it and pulling as much of the tangy liquid as possible into his throat.

Sitting up, he looked at the unconscious woman before him. Her scent invaded his nose. It was the scent of Kikyo and he hated it. She had betrayed him and pierced his heart. She had led him to believe that she loved him. Then she had betrayed him with that arrow. Inuyasha fit his clawed hands back around her slender neck, squeezing. He intensified his grip around her throat, when he felt himself roughly yanked from his prey.

Staggering after he was thrown against the wall, Inuyasha snarled. He looked towards whom ever had dislodged him from his victim. A wicked smile crossed his features as he saw it was his elder brother. Inuyasha clutched his head in his hands, trying to resist only to have the image of his brother pleading for mercy before his eyes. It was sweet and tempting to make it real. He whispered, “Get away.”

His will to resist crumbled and he laughed low in his throat. Inuyasha's vision became red and he advanced towards Sesshomaru. He saw his brother begging for mercy, imploring with a bloodied hand as blood pooled at his feet. Inuyasha said, “If you want Tetsusaiga, you can have it.” He smirked. Inuyasha withdrew Tetsusaiga and neared his brother. He raised it to stab it into his brother's chest. Sesshomaru dodged faster than he could see and gripped him around the throat from behind. Inuyasha dropped Tetsusaiga with a clang to the floor, his claws going to Sesshomaru's arm.

Sesshomaru barked, “Snap out of it, Inuyasha!”

Inuyasha closed his eyes. Deep inside he knew what was happening was wrong. He fought to resurface from this rage that consumed him. It burned in his blood, boiled underneath his skin, and caused a terrible roaring sound in his mind. He wanted blood. He craved it. Inuyasha needed to rip flesh from bone, take blood into his throat, and cause suffering to his victims. He clenched his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut trying to resist the need growing within. Inuyasha choked out, “Stop me.”

He struggled against his brother, feeling his body wanting to sink his claws into Sesshomaru. Inuyasha wanted to make him scream, could hear it in his mind and a part of him relished in that idea. He roughly elbowed Sesshomaru in the stomach in an attempt to dislodge his brother's grip from around his neck. He successfully slipped out of his brother's grasp, turning. Inuyasha saw disgust and contempt in his brother's golden eyes. He saw the rejection and hatred Sesshomaru had for him. He heard all the insults flooding his mind and raised his clawed hand to strike his brother.

Inuyasha froze, grabbing his head into his hands. He shook his head trying to clear the awful images. He was awake. Why was he seeing these terrible things? What had caused him to try and make them real? Inuyasha rasped, “Get away from me.”

Sesshomaru slammed into him, pushing him to the floor. His arms were pinned behind his back and his brother straddled his hips, shoving him face first into the hardwood floor. He commanded, “Stop this.”

The door opened and Polgara stepped into the room, her eyes scanning across the room. Her eyes were like steel and her white lock blazed brilliantly in her dark hair. Polgara's voice crackled through the room as she commanded, “Let him up.”

Inuyasha struggled against his brother. He wanted to claw Sesshomaru apart. His vision was red and rage boiled in his blood. He snarled, unable to form words anymore. His brother didn't move, holding him down further. Then suddenly his brother's weight was lifted and he could move. Inuyasha smiled wickedly at Sesshomaru before lunging. Then he became immobilized. It wasn't like when that bitch said sit. This was different. He fought his imprisonment when Polgara approached.

Polgara reached out, pulling one of his hands towards the strange white lock in her hair. The instant his hand touched it, he felt as if a door had opened. In his mind he saw an immense tree. At first Inuyasha thought it was Goshinboko. Yet, it rested all alone with grass bending in the wind around it. The trunk was at least six times the size of the Sacred Tree that he had been bound to for fifty years. Inuyasha realized it was the tree that he had first encountered upon reaching the strange world they were now in.

As his hand rested on the strange white lock of the sorceress he felt an inner peace settle. Images of the massive tree bombarded him, dispelling the awful nightmares that had consumed him for most of the night and now early dawn. It called out to his soul and soothed him. All the rage flooded out of Inuyasha and his vision cleared. His hand slipped from her hair and he took in a deep, even breath. Inuyasha felt his body sink back down onto the floor. The terrible nightmares continued to dissipate and Inuyasha felt the conflict deep within himself cease. He sat up, noticing that his brother stood still, staring at the sorceress with curiosity deep within his golden eyes.

Polgara said, “You should have brought him to me immediately. He was being controlled by a group of Grolims. They infected his mind with his own nightmares and turned them against him. I should have sensed it sooner.” She bent down, taking Inuyasha's chin into her hand. Her blue eyes bore into his gold. She nodded once. “There. Any trace of it is gone. You experience anything like this again you find me.” She straightened up. “Has anyone else had any similar experiences? Kagome, Rin?”

Sesshomaru shook his head. “Not that I am aware.”

Inuyasha stood on shaky legs. He made his hands into fists and held them to his eyes. While he no longer was bombarded with the images from his nightmares, he could still recall some of them. Inuyasha shuddered. He could taste blood in his mouth. It wasn't his. His eyes went wide as he realized that it was Kagome's. He removed his hands from his eyes, looking at them. The palms had blood smeared on them and the tips of his claws had it embedded underneath. He lifted them to his nose, realizing that they smelled of Kagome's blood as well. Inuyasha's hands shook. He had hurt his own mate. Had he killed her, too? Inuyasha sunk to his knees. He felt his brother place his hand onto his shoulder. Inuyasha couldn't look. He whispered, “Kagome---did I kill her?”

Sesshomaru shook his head. “No, little brother. She's unconscious.”

Inuyasha sucked in his breath. He was going to be sick. His stomach turned and he felt bile rise into his throat. Inuyasha turned from his brother, spilling his stomach contents onto the floor. He heaved before whispering, “What have I done? My own mate. I tried to kill my own mate.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He heaved, feeling nauseous although his body had nothing left to expel. He drooped his ears. He whispered, “I tried to kill Kagome. My mate.” He couldn't believe what he had done.

Inuyasha backpedaled into a corner. He couldn't bear to look at Kagome. He couldn't bear to see what he had done to her. Inuyasha clutched his head in his hands and curled up into a ball, the pain overwhelming him. What had he done? A low whine reached his ears and it took Inuyasha a few moments to realize it had come from him. Inuyasha bit his lip, trying to hold back the dam within. He wouldn't cry. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block everything out around him. Another whimper tore from his throat and he compressed himself further. A hand rested on his head, a thumb gently rubbing an ear. Unable to hold it in anymore, Inuyasha howled.

The hand continued to gently rub his ear and he heard a quiet rumble. Inuyasha wept bitterly. His shoulders shook and he felt himself try to shrink even further upon himself. Inuyasha clutched a fist to his mouth, trying to hold it back in. He couldn't believe what he had done. His own mate. Inuyasha had tried to kill Kagome. He felt someone lift him up before settling his head into their lap. Inuyasha threw his arms around their waist, howling. The hand ran through his hair and the soft rumble filled his ears, soothing him ever so slightly.

Opening his eyes a little, he saw the white fabric of his brother's hakama. He lifted up, resting his head onto Sesshomaru's shoulder. His arms went around his brother's neck and he sobbed. Inuyasha whispered into his ear, “Kill me. I don't deserve to live.”

Sesshomaru ran his hand on his back. He said, “No.”

Inuyasha bit his lip as he blinked back more tears. He begged, “Please. Just do it.”

His brother's voice became stern. “I will not. You did not act under your own power.”

Inuyasha beat his fists against his brother's shoulders in futility. “You good for nothing bastard. I don't deserve to live. Just fucking do it.”

Sesshomaru forcefully pulled him closer, and Inuyasha howled before slumping against his brother's form, shaking from his violent sobs. His brother made a soft reverberating sound that soothed him and Inuyasha felt his breath hitch in his throat as his sobs subsided. A low whine tore from him and he begged, “Why? Why won't you kill me?”

Sesshomaru ran a hand over his hair. He didn't answer, only continuing to make a soft humming sound. Inuyasha rested his head onto his brother's shoulder, to weak to fight anymore. Inuyasha closed his eyes, not wanting to see what he had done to Kagome or see the pain of his betrayal in her eyes if she should wake. Why? Why had he done what he had? His breathing started to slow.

What he had done pierced deep within his heart, worse than Kikyo's arrow ever had. He squeezed his eyes shut to keep from wailing. Inuyasha wasn't sure how long he sat attempting to compose himself. He focused on the quiet rumble Sesshomaru made, not even having enough strength to question why his brother was acting the way he was. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. Nothing mattered except that he had come so close to killing Kagome.

Another hand rested on his head and he opened an eye. He saw Kagome kneeling before him, unshed tears in her gold speckled eyes. She ran a hand across his cheek. Kagome whispered, “Inuyasha---”

Inuyasha flinched from her touch. He didn't deserve it. He had tried to kill her. He could see the bruises on her throat and the cuts from his claws. Inuyasha closed his eyes, unable to look at her. He couldn't take the pain in her eyes. Inuyasha felt himself being shifted. When he opened his eyes, he saw that Kagome's arms were around his back and her head rested on his chest. He stiffened before wrapping his arms around her tightly. He choked out, “Kagome---I'm sorry.”

He saw over Kagome's shoulder his brother stand and cross the room. Sesshomaru turned, looking towards them before he stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind him. Inuyasha couldn't have said when the sorceress had left. He heard his brother's stern voice state, “Leave them be. It is no concern of yours. Return to your rooms.” Inuyasha couldn't pick up on whomever his brother was warding away. A muffled voice responded before a few stomps could be heard leading away from the door.

Inuyasha closed his eyes and sniffed Kagome's hair. He lifted her off his shoulder, kissing her forehead. He leaned his against hers, his voice catching in his throat. Inuyasha ran a thumb over her cheek. As much as he hated himself for what he had done, her presence soothed him. Inuyasha pulled her close, resting his chin on her shoulder, his arms wrapped tightly around her. He ran his hand through her hair.

Kagome lifted her head up and looked at him. Her eyes weren't filled with pain or hatred; instead they were filled with concern and love. He didn't deserve it. Not what after he had done. It didn't matter to Inuyasha that someone had twisted his mind. What mattered was that he hadn't resisted enough to stop.

She kissed him, her tongue gently pushing into his surprised mouth. After what he had done she still accepted him? Inuyasha felt a tear course down his cheek as he returned the kiss. His eyes fell closed as she broke it off and rested her head onto his shoulder. She whispered, “I was so scared for you. I was so worried about you.”

She had worried about him. He had tried to strangle her and Kagome had worried about him. Inuyasha nuzzled her hair. He whispered, “You stupid wench. You stupid, stupid girl. I tried to kill you and you worry about me.” He bit his lip to keep more tears from falling. His hand shook as he threaded it through her hair.

Kagome nuzzled her nose under his chin. She climbed into his lap, hugging him tighter. “You looked so lost and I didn't know what was bothering you. You scared me.”

Inuyasha drooped his ears even further. He said, “I don't deserve you.”

Kagome lifted up, looking into his eyes. She rested her forehead against his. “Don't talk like that. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't you who hurt me.” Kagome kissed him again, her mouth crushing his. She fisted her hands in his hair, deepening it. Kagome pulled back wordlessly fingering the rosary around his neck. She started to tug upwards on it.

Inuyasha flinched away from her hands. He asked, his voice rough, “What are you doing?”

“You don't like it when I say 'it. I'm taking it off. You'll never have to go through another 'itting again.” Kagome was about to remove his rosary. Inuyasha gripped her wrists tightly into his hands, pulling them away from it.

Inuyasha said, his voice husky, “No. Leave it.” He gently placed her wrists back to her sides. “Never take it off. Ever.”

“Why? You don't like it when I use it.” Kagome looked away, her hair hiding her face.

Inuyasha pulled her to his chest, resting his head onto hers. “It's your mark.” He inhaled her scent, taking deep breaths to keep from breaking down again. Inuyasha closed his eyes, a soft rumbling escaping his throat. He nuzzled her hair with his nose. His rosary had sealed him to her before they had ever become mates. The idea of it being removed frightened Inuyasha. It was a piece of who he was and a physical sign of the bond he shared with Kagome.

Kagome gasped before nuzzling her nose under his chin. She lifted up, whispering into his ear, “Mate. Mine.” She pulled back, resting her forehead against his. Her gold speckled eyes locked onto his. “I can't lose you so don't you go getting any ideas. I'll 'it you so far into the ground you won't walk for a week, otherwise.” Kagome kissed him, thrusting her tongue deep into his mouth. As she pulled away, he felt her run her tongue over his cheeks. She lapped at them slowly before looking into his eyes again. Her voice was firm as she said, “Do you understand me, dog boy? I'm not letting you go.”

Inuyasha felt a small smile cross his lips. He looked into her determined eyes before pulling her close. Inuyasha kissed her before trailing a few kisses to her throat. He lapped the drying blood away, trying to make right what he had done wrong. Inuyasha felt her rub one of his ears and he twitched it. He circled her mark with his tongue. Kagome let loose a soft moan that reached his ears. Inuyasha lifted his head up, a cocky smile crossing his face. “Feh. Thought you weren't going to sit me anymore, wench.” He kissed her before she could protest.

Kagome turned the tables on him, leaning him over until she rested on top of him. She kissed him, crushing her mouth to his. Kagome breathed into his ear, “Promise me, dog boy. I mean it. Promise me you won't leave me.” She rested her forehead onto his. Her gold flecked eyes bore into his, demanding an answer.

Inuyasha cast his eyes away from hers. He pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arms around her. Inuyasha whispered, “I promise.” Flicking his tongue out, he traced the shell of her ear. “Mate. Mine.”

Inuyasha felt Kagome shudder above him before she took his head into her hands and kissed his forehead. She whispered into his ear, “You better mean it or I'll 'it you into next week.” Inuyasha felt his stomach growl and Kagome giggled into his ear. “Come on, let me make you some ramen.”

Inuyasha couldn't help the laugh that escaped his throat. “Feh.”