InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A New Love ❯ Chapter 17 ( Chapter 17 )

 

CHAPTER 17

 

 

“What the hell do you mean that you don't sense the shard?” yelled Inuyasha as he set Kagome on the ground.

 

“Just what I said baka. I don't feel a shard near here.” Screamed back a now furious Kagome.

 

As the miko and hanyou faced off in what was appearing to be another shouting match the rest of their traveling companions settled down in a nearby glade to rest for a moment. They had been traveling for two weeks now trying to follow up on Mushin's shard rumor in the east. The first week out was uneventful. Of course, everyone kept trying to find out what Kya had screamed for on that first night. Her lips were sealed tight though and every time anyone would ask, Ayame would laugh her head off.

 

By week two Inuyasha had gotten edgy. He began to question Kagome every few minutes as to if she could feel a shard yet. As she kept saying no he pushed the others harder and harder following rumors of a rogue youkai. The pace was grueling as they crossed fields, farms, and headed into a vast forest.

 

The group of shard hunters were quickly coming to the end of their stamina as Inuyasha pushed them harder and harder. He seemed to be spoiling for a fight that never came. Each day he would pick a fight with Kagome that would have her sitting him numerous times. One by on they all tried to talk to him to find out what was making him so edgy, but each time he would say he was fine and push them away. Not even Kya could get him to admit what was wrong.

 

Something had to give.

 

From where the others sat in the glade they watched the battle. Any second now Kagome would reach her limit and then she would sit Inuyasha until kingdom come. They all waited patiently for the miko to do her thing so they could eat lunch before they had to start back on their journey. Suddenly without warning Kagome burst into tears. This garnered everyone's attention. At once they all ran over to the dueling pair.

 

Upon reaching the Kagome's side Sango threw her arms around her friend and hugged her close. The glare she sent at Inuyasha was laced with fury and promised retribution.

 

“What did you say to her this time?” questioned Sango of Inuyasha.

 

“Nothing. I don't know what in the name of Kami her problem is.” He replied.

 

“Well you obviously said something to upset her.”

 

“Yeah baka what did you do to Kagome.” Said Shippou.

 

Inuyasha sent a death glare at the kitsune as he tried to bop him on the head. Before he could reach the young kit Kya stepped in front of him and stopped his fist. As her hands wrapped around his fist he glared at her locked fingers. He watched as for a split second her fingers tightened around his own before she slowly slid her hands away. As she did so Inuyasha looked up into her solemn gaze. He could see the questions in her eyes as she looked at him.

 

“Inuyasha what is the matter. Please you can tell us we are all your friends. I am your friend.” Kya said all this while looking deep into his eyes.

 

Inuyasha met and held her gaze with his own amber orbs. So many emotions swirled in the depths of his eyes that not one clue was given away as to where his thoughts lay. Everyone waited for Inuyasha to reply. As the seconds drug by each person thought that finally Inuyasha would say what was on his mind. Kya gazed at him hopefully. Maybe now he would get this off his chest and things would go back to the way they were. She sure wished that things would change back.

 

Ever since their interlude in the lake Inuyasha had changed. He had been on edge and would barely speak to her. She had tried to get him to talk and each time he would brush her away. Each time he did this it broke her heart a little. Kya knew that he felt the spark between them the same as she had. All she could think about was touching him again. Did he feel the same?

 

`Dammit what the hell do they want from me.' Inuyasha thought to himself. `I can't tell them what is really wrong with me. How the hell do you blurt out how bad you want to mate with someone that is supposed to be your friend? The stupid woman doesn't even know how bad I want her. Every damn time I am too near her I get hard. All I can think about is taking her and damn the consequences. Shit if I didn't pick all these fights with Kagome where she sits the shit out of me I probably would. Bad enough those damn dreams have me spending a lot of time alone with my dick in my hand.'

 

He realized that he had been silent for too long lost in his own thoughts. He sent another glare out as Kya's sweet scent drifted up to his nose. Trying to mask the hunger that began to curl deep in his gut he tried to make himself angry and he began to rant.

 

“Why the hell can't you leave me alone? There isn't one damn thing wrong with me unless it is you constantly nagging at me. I can't get a moments peace with you. Don't you get it just leave me the hell alone.”

 

“No I want leave you alone. You're my friend and I want to help you.” Kya said as she reached for Inuyasha's hand.

 

Inuyasha snatched his hand from hers, his claws grazing the flesh of her palm and drawing blood. The smell of made his demon side roar he had to get her away.

 

“Dammit you're my problem. You drive me crazy. Just get the hell away from me.”

 

Kya looked at him with stunned unbelieving eyes. “Inu…”

 

“What didn't fucking hear me? I said go. Just get away from me.”

 

Kya spun on her heal so fast she was a blur. No one but Ayame saw the tears that were already streaming down Kya's cheeks. In a flash Kya bounded into the nearest try and began to run and jump as fast as she could getting away from Inuyasha's tormenting words.

 

As Kya made her retreat the others including Inuyasha stared in the direction that Kya had taken. All except for Ayame. She stared at the hanyou that had dared to hurt her friend in her presence. She knew that the two had feelings for each other already that they both denied. Her logical side suggested that she speak calmly and get the stupid baka to chase Kya down and work out this problem. Her demon side suggested she rip him to shreds for hurting her pack mate.

 

As his words replayed through her mind her demon side won the battle. Her youkai began to swell and suddenly she couldn't contain her rage. `Did the jackass have to act like Kouga?' With that thought her eyes began to tint red.

 

Kagome was the first to feel the massive surge of energy. She drew away from Sango's embrace and looked quickly from the trees where Kya had disappeared to the area to her right. The energy was angry and the power behind it was swelling rapidly. At first she thought that any enemy had snuck up on them. Quickly her eyes surveyed the area around them.

 

Sango was right beside her still clasping her hands as Kagome leaned to see past her. Miroku was right behind Sango's left shoulder wearing a perplexed expression as he gazed at the forest. Further to the right was Inuyasha. He glared at her as if daring her to say one word. His face was set in an angry mask as his hands clenched into tight fists that dripped bright red blood onto the ground at his feet.

 

Kagome stretched her senses out to Inuyasha and touched upon his youkai. It was angry and full of power but not the threat that she felt rubbing at the edge of on psyche. Her eyes passed quickly over Ayame who had her head down and looked to be crying. She saw no intruders as her eyes scanned the rest of her surroundings. She was starting to think that her senses had failed her when she suddenly noticed the look on Shippou's face. He look on his face would have been comical if he had not looked so scared. Slowly and very carefully he and Kirara were backing up and moving from where everyone was still standing close together. Kagome followed the kit's wide eyes back over the clearing and fell on Ayame. Suddenly she could feel the anger rolling off Ayame.

 

As Ayame raised her head she looked right at Kagome. The sight of those glowing red eyes had her suddenly spinning in Sango's hold. She quickly grasped her friends hand and made to grab Miroku. As she got the attention of both of them she hurriedly began to pull them after her as she made to get away from the swirling energy that was still building behind her. Her ears faintly heard Sango and Miroku throwing questions at her but her mind could not process what the sounds meant in those seconds. All she could think of was that she needed to get them away from the beast that was coming free from the hold Ayame had on it. She knew that whatever happened next would not be a very pretty sight.

 

When she finally had Sango and Miroku some ways from the glade they had been in previously she heard Shippou and Kirara trying to catch them. Kagome fell to her knees and tried to regain her composure as Shippou told the other two what was going on. With his explanation she could do nothing but pray to Kami that neither of them died.

 

 

 

MEANWHILE

 

Kouga had been running all day searching for any hint of Naraku's new hiding place. So far there had been no clue as to the vile hanyous whereabouts. He had just decided to stop and let Ginta and Hakaku catch up when his nose caught a familiar scent. His feet quickly led him to a swift running stream. At first his sharp eyes did not see the one he was searching for and then with on a brisk current of air he caught the scent that led him to her location.

 

Hidden almost completely from view Kya was laying behind a small rock formation still crying softly to herself. Kouga looked down at her and then quickly scanned the area looking for Ayame. Her scent was nowhere near the area they were in. However it was all over the young woman at his feet as was the scent of that baka inu-kuro.

 

Kouga waited for Kya to acknowledge his presence. Minutes passed and she still didn't even glance at him. Finally, he had enough. He squatted down on his haunches and tapped her on the shoulder.

 

Kya jerked and jumped to her feet preparing for an attack.

 

“Sit down woman. What the hell is the matter with you?”

 

Kya glanced to her feet and saw the Kouga squatting on the ground where she had been laying moments before.

 

“Kouga, what are you doing here?” she questioned as she rubbed her eyes.

 

“I'm hunting for that damn hanyou.”

 

“Inuyasha is not here in case you can't tell.”

 

“I'm not looking for that damn hanyou. I'm looking for that bastard Naraku if you must know. I have been trying to find out where he has been hiding since he found a new hiding place. I owe that damn bastard and I plan to take his head when I find him.”

 

“Oh…Well I haven't seen him or heard any rumors of his new whereabouts. Sorry I can't help you.”

 

“Didn't think you could. That's not why I stopped.” Said Kouga as he sank down onto the ground. He looked up into Kya's red-rimmed eyes and thought quietly for a moment. “So sit down and tell me why you are out here by yourself and why the hell you and Ayame are traveling with that damn dog turd. You two should have been back to the Northern tribe by now.”

 

Kya sat down in front of Kouga and took a deep breath to gather herself before she spoke. “Ayame told you Elder sent us to help in Naraku's defeat. Therefore, since you did not want us to help you we decided to go on our own. Inuyasha and Kagome asked us to join them so we did. As to why I am out her alone that is none of you business.”

 

“Woman you are in the middle of nowhere all alone. You have obviously been crying and none of your friends are near. You might think it is none of my business but I am the pack leader of my tribe. Since you are part of the Northern pack that is a close ally of mine it's my duty to help you.”

 

“I don't need you help. I don't want your help. You turned mine away so I don't need yours.”

 

“Stupid woman you have no idea what you are talking about. Your just upset let me take you back to your friends.”

 

“No. I'm not going back there. I'm not wanted there either.” As the words left Kya's mouth tears began to form in her eyes once again. Slowly they formed fat drops that ran down her smooth cheeks.

 

Seeing the tear running from her eyes Kouga made the decision to comfort her. He stood and crossed to where Kya was sat hunched in on herself. Her frame was beginning to shake with the force of her suppressed sobs. Slowly Kouga sank down next to Kya and pulled her into his arms. He laid her head on his shoulder and began to rub soft circles on her back.

 

“Shhh. It's going to be ok. Come on quit crying. Where is the hellcat that jumped me the first time I saw her.”

 

Kya continued to cry her heart out. Kouga was at a loss for what to do. He didn't have much experience in crying females. Hell he didn't have much experience with females in general. Ever since Ayame and her pack had left the southern lands Kouga had avoided most females like plague. The only ones he had dealings with were Kagome and Kagura. One he considered a friend that he rarely saw. The other was a hated enemy. So not much chance for experience there. That did not stop him from wanting to help this one though. This was Ayame's sister. He had to do something to help her. All he could do was his best.

 

“Come on talk to me. Dry your eyes and tell me what happened. Why isn't Ayame with you?”

 

It took a moment but finally Kya pulled away from Kouga's embrace and dried her eyes again. She looked closely at Kouga. It was as if she was taking his complete measure. Finally, she seemed to come to a decision about him.

 

“Ok I'll talk but no one can know of what we speak of. I want you to swear to secrecy.”

 

“I promise.”

 

Kya began to tell him of the hellish two weeks that Inuyasha had put the group through. Finally she told him of the argument they had gotten into when she ran from the others. As she finished Kouga looked at her as if she was nuts.

 

“That's why you ran out here to cry. Dog turd tells you he doesn't want you help and you fall all to pieces. What you in love with him or something?”

 

“Yes I think I am.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes he was so nice at first. We were getting along great and then he kissed me and everything changed. Now he is being such a jerk.”

 

“Well I really don't know what to tell you. I think you just need to go back and knock some sense into the baka. Come on I'll go back with you. Don't give up just make him talk to you. Besides Ayame is probably worried sick by now.”

 

“Your right I better go back. Ayame will probably go nuts if I'm not back soon. Just promise me you won't be an ass to her so I won't have to hurt you when you have been so nice to me.”

 

“I promise I won't be an ass.”

 

As Kouga and Kya stood up Hakaku and Ginta finally caught up.

 

“Kouga who is this?” asked Ginta when he caught his breath.

 

“This is Kya. She is blood sister of Ayame and we are taking her to dog turds group where she is waiting.”

 

“Oh Ok.” Said Ginta as Kouga turned back to Kya.

 

“So how long have you been out here?”

 

“Not long.” Replied Kya as she looked at Kouga. “I had just got here right before you found me.”

 

“Well let's go take you back to your friends.”

 

With that Kouga set a relaxed pace and they all ran swiftly through the forest following Kya's back trail. As they got closer to where the others should be Kya and Kouga paused to listen to the sounds of battle ahead.

 

“Oh Kami.” Said Kya “They must have found the youkai with the shard.”

 

With that said Kya set off in a dead sprint to go help her friends in battle. Kouga quickly passed her as he increased his speed to check on Ayame. The sight that greeted him as he broke through the trees froze him in his tracks. His mind went numb and he barely was aware of Kya falling at his side as a guttural scream ripped from her throat.