InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ An Unforeseen Flame ❯ Sesshomaru Leaves and Koga Visits ( Chapter 19 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: Hope you enjoy this new chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters, nor could I ever hope to be as genius as Rumiko Takahashi.

For the second night in a row, Kagome had spent her night with her head resting comfortably against Sesshomaru's chest as she slumbered. She woke to a clawed hand shaking her awake gently, before the sun had even risen for the day. The miko batted at it groggily, annoyed with the disruption of her sleep.

"Kagome," Sesshomaru whispered urgently. If the situation hadn't been so pressing, he probably would have been quite amused by her reaction. "Wake up."

The Demon Lord could smell the stench of Naraku rife within the air. The hanyou's barrier around his castle had weakened. Something was happening. Something that Sesshomaru did not like. He would have to leave Kagome, so soon after lighting the flames of their relationship, to investigate this strange occurrence. It was a thought the inuyoukai did not relish.

The prospect of separating from the priestess so soon pierced his heart like an arrow, but it would be a distraction to have her with him. And, were Naraku to discover the nature of his relationship with the woman, he would be sure to use it to Sesshomaru's disadvantage. Not even Inuyasha or Kagome's friends had knowledge of their romantic connection, and it was probably best that way for the time being. It was a circumstance that would be welcomed by no one, as already proven by his bothersome vassal. He shook the woman again, more firmly this time.

"Rise from your slumber Kagome," he commanded, a little louder. Finally she stirred, wiping her bleary eyes. The sky was still black and the stars were barely starting to fade from view. Why was he waking her up so early?

"What is it? What's going on?" she mumbled half asleep. Sesshomaru could not keep the smile from the corners of his mouth. Her dazed torpor was endearing.

"Kagome, I have to leave now," he started to explain. She sat up straighter, suddenly alert.

"What?" she exclaimed almost too loudly. Rin stirred in her sleep restlessly. "What do you mean you have to leave?" she demanded in a whisper. This was not quite the morning Kagome had expected to have.

"I can sense Naraku's presence. His barrier is greatly weakened. I must go and investigate this development."

"It must be his period of weakness," Kagome reasoned aloud, remembering the last time this occasion with Naraku's barrier occurred. "You should take me with you."

"No. You will stay here and protect Rin," the youkai countered sternly. He could see her start to protest. "Do not argue. It will not change my mind. I do not think that this is the hanyou's time of vulnerability. Something is wrong. I can sense it. Until I have full knowledge of Naraku's plans, you and Rin are to remain here, out of harm's way. I will come for you if I deem it necessary."

'Like that'll happen,' Kagome thought to herself sarcastically, trying not to roll her eyes. Sesshomaru could sense her displeasure and pulled her into a passionate kiss. He could feel her relax in his embrace. The both rose to their feet to say their farewells, Kagome wondering how long he would be away from her this time. She grabbed his hand before he turned to go.

"Take care of yourself, Sesshomaru," she murmured, wishing she could gather the nerve to tell him that she loved him. He nodded his silent reply and began to walk away into the soft pastels of the breaking dawn. With an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, Kagome hoped he would return to her soon. She wanted her chance to admit her feelings.

The three days following his departure seemed to pass Kagome by as though time was stuck on fast forward, and it wasn't because life with Rin and Jaken had suddenly become exciting. There wasn't much that had really changed since the day she had returned from Kaede's village. Her days were blurring into one another with the routine of it all.

Sesshomaru was still gone, tracking Naraku movements, Kagome supposed. The priestess desperately wished she was with him. She wanted to know that Sesshomaru was safe, and she was curious to know what the despicable hanyou was up to and if it involved her friends. He never seemed to be finished tormenting them, even though he had already caused them so much suffering.

Kagome couldn't understand why it was that Sesshomaru left her behind. What would he do if he found Naraku? The Youkai Lord was incredibly powerful, but Kagome doubted that he could defeat the hanyou single-handedly. Naraku was cunning, and he had many incarnations at his disposal, not to mention a great deal of the shards of the Shikon Jewel. Even if he was defeated, Kagome would need to be there to purify those shards.

Kagome cursed his overprotective nature. She knew Rin was fine with Jaken and Ah-Un. Before she traveled with them, the girl was safe and well cared for during Sesshomaru's absences. And, if it was her safety, instead of Rin's, he was concerned about, the Demon Lord needn't worry. Kagome had proven herself useful in battle on more than one occasion. She was an experienced archer by now, and her priestess powers had grown considerably. It was incredibly frustrating for the woman to be left sitting on the sidelines with no idea what was happening in the world around her.

Kagome was drawn out of her thoughts by Rin who was exhibiting some strange behavior at the approach of a large, dusty whirlwind. She was frozen in place, wide-eyed and shaking uncontrollably as if she were terrified. She didn't understand why Rin was so frightened of the twisting wind formation heading their way. Kagome knew it was only Koga, the young leader of the Eastern Wolf Demon Tribe, and she didn't find him particularly intimidating.

She moved to put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder as the wolf demon skidded to a halt in front of her. The terrified girl quickly wrapped her arms tightly around Kagome's leg and attempted to hide behind it, still shaking.

"So, it's true… You really aren't traveling with that filthy mutt anymore," Koga remarked casually in his form of a greeting.

"Rin, it's ok. Calm down," Kagome tried to reassure Rin, ignoring the wolf's comment for the time being. "It's just Koga."

"What's her problem?" the wolf scoffed haughtily, folding his arms over his chest.

"I don't know, but you don't have to be so insensitive about it," Kagome scolded him irritably. Usually the miko had more patience with the wolf, but she had other things on her mind.

"What's her problem?" Jaken piped in indignantly from across their modest encampment. "Her problem is that your wolves attacked her and her village. If it wasn't for Lord Sesshomaru's mercy and his tensaiga, that girl would not be traveling with us today."

This was news to Kagome. She remembered the village well. How could she ever forget such brutality and bloodshed? That had been the day she first met Koga. But, she had no idea that Rin had been one of the villagers viciously attacked by Koga's wolves. No wonder the poor girl was terrified.

"Jaken, do me a favor and keep an eye on Rin," Kagome ordered much to the demon's chagrin. "I'll be back shortly. I don't want Koga making Rin uncomfortable."

She led Koga into the forest away from the encampment and the terrified little girl. He followed wordlessly for only a moment, before he couldn't hold his tongue any longer.

"How come you're not running around with that half demon anymore?"

"Oh well… We had some issues that we couldn't resolve," she replied reservedly. She didn't want to explain the situation to Koga, nor did she feel like explaining her current situation. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Caught of whiff of that damn Naraku," he replied, clenching his fists at the thought of the hanyou that slaughtered his comrades. "Then I caught a whiff of your scent and decided to stop and let Hakkaku and Ginta catch up. You know, Kagome, you had me worried when I ran into Inuyasha, and he couldn't tell me where you'd run off to. You should have just found me if you decided that mutt wasn't strong enough to protect you."

A look of exasperated astonishment came over Kagome's face. "That's not it at all, Koga."

"Must have been his other woman then, huh? I don't know why that matters to you. I'm just going to kill the mutt anyway. I already told you that you're my woman," he asserted, grabbing her hands in his as if to prove his point.

'Oh, I could think of someone who would beg to differ,' Kagome thought to herself, trying to imagine Sesshomaru's reaction to the wolf's brazen declarations of affection. The scenario did not play out particularly well in her head.

"Doesn't look like you're any better protected than when you were with Inuyasha, traveling with a human child and a scrawny little imp," Koga commented in concern.

"Oh, I'm actually a lot safer than you would think," Kagome replied hastily, waving her hand airily. "I don't even remember the last time I've even had to pick up my bow. Plus Sesshomaru usually isn't gone this long…"

"WHAT?" Koga exclaimed obviously surprised. "You're keeping company with another dog?"

"It's…a long story, really," Kagome confessed, not wanting to explain any further. She could see Hakkaku and Ginta approaching from far off in the distance.

"Well, you'll hafta tell me about it sometime…After I defeat Naraku. Well Kagome, so long," the wolf said in farewell, giving her a brash smile before sprinting away with incredible speed. Kagome was relieved that his companions had caught up to them at that particular moment.

"Koga!" groaned Hakkaku in exhausted frustration. "Wait up!"

"Hey sis," Ginta panted as came to a halt in front of her. "I think I'm going to catch my breath a moment."

"Me too," wheezed Hakkaku, doubling over a bit as he tried to slow his breathing.

"So, Koga smelled Naraku too, huh?" Kagome inquired contemplatively. Ginta nodded in reply. "Sesshomaru detected his scent a few days ago now, but he still hasn't returned. I really hope he's okay."

Hakkaku and Ginta exchanged uneasy glances. If Sesshomaru couldn't survive an encounter with Naraku, it was doubtful that Koga would fare much better. The two wolves were well aware of the inuyoukai's skillful abilities.

"We ran into Inuyasha a day or so back. They're following his scent too," Ginta remarked off-handedly. Kagome felt relieved that Inuyasha and her friends hadn't reached Naraku's castle yet, it meant they were still safe. It also meant that if something had happened to Sesshomaru, there was still some sort of hope for rescue. "I wonder why he's so easy to find all of a sudden," Ginta continued pensively.

"Uh, it's probably just like the boss said," Hakkaku interjected rolling his eyes at his brother. "It's got to be Naraku's time of weakness. Just like last time."

Kagome shook her head no. "I don't think so, guys. Sesshomaru said that something was wrong. That it was different this time. I'm not sure what he means, but I trust his instincts. I'd be careful. Be sure to stay on your guard. And don't let Koga do anything too rash," she added thoughtfully. Again the pair exchanged nervous glances.

"Uh, we better be off then," Ginta said in farewell, looking off in the distance to see if he could spot Koga.

"Yeah…See ya Sis," Hakkaku added waving as he tore off running into the forest. Kagome smiled as she watched the pair of them trying desperately to catch up to their leader. Some things never did change.