InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cerulean Skies ❯ Confrontations ( Chapter 7 )

 

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Chapter Seven

 

Confrontations

 

 

 

 

 

Blood poured from the gashes in Kouga's back as he lay on the grass, unwilling to move. Though the gashes were deep, they didn't reach the bone. Even in his anger and desire for retribution, Sesshoumaru had contained himself enough to prevent permanent damage. Still, Kouga had been left to fend for himself, though he was not mortally wounded or unable to defend himself.

 

Keeping himself occupied while he healed, Kouga lay there contemplating the attack and his humiliation.

 

`I don't care if he was just jealous. The sonofabitch had no right to claw me like that. And what's his fucking problem? I didn't give him permission to take me like that in the first place. At least he didn't rape me. He's out of control. The stupid bastard doesn't know when to give up. I will never be his, especially not after this. Not that I ever thought I might. Definitely not, nope, not going to go there. Kagome, she's who I should be thinking about. She's my woman. She just hasn't figured it out yet.'

 

Dream on, Kouga.

 

 

~*~

 

 

Inuyasha sniffed the air and got a good whiff of the sweet smell of blood. He knew that scent. `Kouga. The wolf couldn't have gotten far and the smell of his blood is close and strong enough to prove that point.' Inuyasha furrowed his brow. `I should just leave him there to rot, but he's Kagome's friend. She would hate me if she ever found out…and I would hate myself.'

 

With a heavy sigh, Inuyasha took hold of Kagome's arm and pulled her off in the direction his nose told him to go. Inuyasha might be gruff and give the impression that he is a cold-hearted jerk, but in reality, he has a heart of gold.

 

“Do you still have that first-aid kit?” asked Inuyasha.

 

“Yeah. Why?”

 

“Kouga's hurt. You'll probably have to bandage him up.”

 

“How do you know that, Inuyasha,” asked Kagome, her eyes widening in concern.

 

“I smell his blood.”

 

“No!” exclaimed Kagome. Her stomach churned. `How bad is he hurt? Oh, I hope he's okay. Please be okay, Kouga.'

 

“Hop on my back. We'll get there faster,” instructed Inuyasha.

 

“Thank you, Inuyasha,” said Kagome as she jumped on his back.

 

He hoisted her up and was surprised by a warm moist kiss to his cheek. Blood rushed to his face as he blushed. “Keh, not that I care, wench. He's your friend, not mine.”

 

“But still, Inuyasha,” she sighed, resting her head in the hollow between his shoulder blades, “you're doing it for me. I love you.”

 

Kagome gasped at her unintended proclamation. The last thing she wanted to do was scare Inuyasha away. He still loved Kikyou and there was no way she could or should compete with that.

 

`Oh, gods,' she thought, burying her face into his back.

 

Inuyasha's cheeks burned even brighter. Though he smiled, his heart sank. Kagome's words stung even as they warmed. `She didn't mean that. I know she didn't. I'm just a hanyou, a half-breed. Eventually, she will mate with a human from her time.' He didn't dare let himself hope. One day, she would be gone and he knew that she would feel guilty if he told her how he felt. It was best for both of them if he never told her. At least, that was his reasoning.

 

By the time they reached Kouga, any signs of embarrassment from the two had disappeared. Inuyasha's lips thinned as Kagome literally tore through her bag, looking for the bandages and medicines. Kouga lay on his belly immobile.

 

No, he wasn't unconscious, just puzzled, disgusted, humiliated, and worst of all, trying to control what remained of his arousal. He knew the wounds weren't mortal and there had been no reason for him to be in any hurry to leave the area, but he had been so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he hadn't smelled Kagome and Inuyasha. Now he had to lie in the dirt to hide the evidence of what had happened only a few minutes ago. Fortunately for Kagome, he had yanked his wrap across his ass just in time. At least he hadn't gone deaf and had heard their approach.

 

“Oh, Kouga, who could've done this to you?” lamented Kagome.

 

“Don't worry about it, Kagome,” muttered Kouga as she cleaned the wounds.

 

“It was Sesshoumaru,” Inuyasha stated with a voice carefully bland.

 

Kouga shifted his gaze to lock onto Inuyasha's eyes as if to say, `Thank you for not saying anything else'.

 

Though Inuyasha remained silent, he knew that Sesshoumaru had done more than wound Kouga. The scent was heavy in the air and there was no need for Kagome to know. What good would it do? Inuyasha turned his back on them and kept watch.

 

`Sesshoumaru will pay for this,' thought Inuyasha as he furrowed his brow, believing that Kouga had been thoroughly raped.

 

It was close to the truth. Something like that cuts a little deeper for men. They aren't quite as prepared for that possibility as are women.

 

Inuyasha appeared as though he were canoeing on the quiet surface of a lake while Kagome treated Kouga, but underneath was a raging ocean. `Real men just don't do this shit. Why am I feeling protective of Kouga anyway? It's not like we're friends or anything. Maybe it's because it was Sesshoumaru's doing, and what he did is so wrong. I knew he was a fucking bastard, but this just isn't his style. Maybe he's eaten something that made him hallucinate or something.'

 

Kagome's gentle hands soothed Kouga. His muscles relaxed and he could breathe easier...until the antiseptic hit.

 

“Ah! What are you doing woman!”

 

“Be still. It will keep out infection,” she explained. `Men are such babies.'

 

“Demons don't get infections.”

 

“Inuyasha says that all the time. But, I'd rather make sure,” Kagome said matter-of-fact.

 

“You'd better do what she says, Kouga. It won't do you any good to fight her about it,” Inuyasha said with a smile and Kouga a sideways glance.

 

Kouga grumbled and winced as Kagome applied the bandages.

 

“Come on, you mangy wolf. We'll walk you back to your pack,” Inuyasha said, making sure he had put plenty of disgust in his voice. It was the least he could do. He did owe Kouga after all, since Kouga had helped him after his battle with Sesshoumaru.

 

“I don't need your help, mutt face. I'll be fine on my own.” Somewhere deep down inside, Kouga was feeling something because of Inuyasha's offer though he couldn't give a name to it.

 

Kagome rolled her eyes at the entire male species as Kouga struggled to his feet while he tried not to pull at the open wounds on his back.

 

“Feh! Whatever. We'll just let you be some rogue demon's food. It's not like you can defend yourself or anything,” said Inuyasha as he turned to walk away.

 

“We have to help him no matter what he says,” pleaded Kagome.

 

Inuyasha just snorted. Turning around, he saw Kagome with Kouga's arm over her shoulders supporting him, her other arm around Kouga's waist. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at Kouga and growled.

 

“I'm only doing this for you, Kagome,” he grunted before grabbing Kouga's other arm none too gently. “I wouldn't want to lose my shard detector over some mangy wolf.”

 

The truth was that he owed Kouga for saving Kagome from Sesshoumaru, but they would probably just go back to feuding over Kagome soon enough. Inuyasha lifted Kouga's arm over his shoulder to help Kagome support him. He didn't see the pain in Kagome's eyes.

 

`That's all I'll ever be to him, a jewel detector. That's all I'm good for. Well, once we find all the shards and it is whole, I'll go back home and he will be able to stay with Kikyou,' she thought as tears threatened the back of her eyes.

 

Kouga noticed and it pricked his conscience prompting an argument with himself as they headed out. `Isn't that why you want her? To get the shards and make your pack the strongest in the land? You don't really love her either.'

 

`No, that's not true. I love her. I would do anything for her.'

 

`Then why do you leave her protection to mutt face?'

 

A good question indeed.

 

 

~*~

 

 

`Knowing Kouga, he might not change to heal the damage just to spite me with the taunting of his scars,' thought Sesshoumaru as a huge hanyou towered over him. Blue eyes and barely enough black hair on the back of its head for a ponytail gave away the fact that the creature was a hanyou.

 

“Jinenji, I have need of your services,” stated Sesshoumaru with his usual air of aristocracy. “I will make a trade; a bag of jewels for a healing poultice,” offered Sesshoumaru then kicked Jakken in the side to prompt him to offer the small pouch.

 

“I have no need of such a gift, but you may have the poultice. Tell me what it is you need treated and I will gather the necessary plants and herbs from my garden.”

 

Through years of being tormented by prejudiced humans, Jinenji had learned the painful lesson of humility. He never asked for anything or for help from anyone. His trusting and generous soul would have been his downfall if Kagome and Inuyasha hadn't taught him the need to at least defend himself. As he saw it, no threat stood before him, only someone in need.

 

It was some time before Jinenji had returned from his garden and prepared the poultice. By now, we all know Sesshoumaru's patience when he had a plan. At this moment, his patience was being directed toward repairing the damage his jealousy had caused, if it would even be possible. It wasn't like him to lose control. He had schooled himself over centuries to be controlled in all things.

 

How confusing this must be for him.

 

Sesshoumaru gazed up into the sky, plotting the best way to approach Kouga with the poultice. `Should I send an emissary or should I give it to Kouga in person? Healing the physical wound is simple enough; avoiding the deepening of the emotional wound, very tricky. But what approach would be the most gentle and healing?'

 

Sesshoumaru didn't have a clue.

 

 

~*~

 

 

“I think you should go get Kirara, Inuyasha. Riding on her back would be a lot easier on him than walking,” insisted Kagome, narrowing her eyes at the argumentative hanyou.

 

“I won't leave you two alone. You're just a human. What're you going to do if a demon attacks you? Tell me, huh?”

 

“I have my bow and arrows and it won't take you long at all.”

 

“No.”

 

“I'll s-i-t you into next year if you don't, Inuyasha!”

 

“Damn you! You don't know what's good for you, but, hey, if you insist!” Inuyasha nearly yelled, launching himself into a tree to make his way back to the village. `How am I supposed to protect the stupid wench when she just sends me away? I shouldn't go. But if there's one person I know, it's Kagome. She won't give in.'

 

Kouga sat on the ground in too much pain to care what was decided, although riding on the back of a flying fire cat sounded pretty good right about now. It just so happened that Kagome's friend, the demon slayer, Sango, traveled with such a beast. `Some time alone with Kagome would be very nice. Yep.'

 

Plopping down beside Kouga, Kagome sighed. “He can be such an idiot sometimes. How are you feeling?”

 

“I'm fine, Kagome,” answered Kouga then smiled as she inspected the bandages.

 

He leaned into her, hoping she wouldn't shove him away. In typical Kagome fashion, she put a comforting arm around his waist and allowed him to rest his head in the dip between her neck and shoulder. Her skin was soft and her scent alluring. Still, it didn't set off the flames within him that Sesshoumaru had. That didn't mean he had to follow the object of his lust. No, he was leader of his pack and had to do what was best for them, no matter his own confusion.

 

“Kagome?”

 

“Yes, Kouga?”

 

“When we get back to my pack, why don't you stay?”

 

Kagome sighed. `Here we go again.'

 

“I've already told you, Kouga. I can't.”

 

“You mean you won't. Dog boy isn't good enough for you.”

 

“Listen, Kouga,” scowled Kagome, “Just because Inuyasha is a half-breed doesn't make him `not good enough' for anything.”

 

She knew that the reason that Inuyasha was so closed off to most people was because all he had heard his entire life was `no good half-breed' and it raised her ire when anyone spoke about him in a derisive manner. Whether he loved Kikyou or not didn't mean he should be berated for what he was. Prejudice was such an ugly thing.

 

“He has nothing; no home, no place to call his own, no family. If you don't count Sesshoumaru, of course. I can give you all those things,” Kouga tried to reason.

 

“It doesn't matter! I love him. You just can't accept that you have no chance, Kouga.”

 

Now, Kagome was getting assertive. In her eyes it was harsh, but she had to do it, for Kouga. He needed to find someone other than her and he wouldn't as long as his sights were set on her.

 

`You have no chance,' echoed through Kouga's mind, and it didn't exactly feel that great to hear it said. `Isn't that the exact words I said to Sesshoumaru? Sesshoumaru again. Why can't I get that dog out of my mind for good?'

 

Just thinking about Sesshoumaru brought his attention to the stinging pain traveling along the skin of his back.

 

`I've never tried to hurt Inuyasha out of jealousy over Kagome. No, I simply toyed with the hanyou. It is so amusing to annoy dog turd. Tormenting him is too damn fun.' A grin nearly spread across his face as he remembered all the fun he'd had annoying Inuyasha. Abruptly, his thoughts sobered. `Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, does care enough to be jealous, to the point of clawing me up. What does that mean? Should it mean anything?'

 

“Earth to Kouga. Are you in there?” Kagome waved a hand in front of his face.

 

“Uh, yeah. Just thinking,” muttered Kouga, sounding a bit defeated, even to himself.

 

He pulled away from Kagome, confused and questioning his own motives. All he wanted right now was to get home to his pack. The solitude of his own alcove in the den would give him room to think and time to heal. Maybe he would get back in time to transform. `There's no way I can do that in front of Kagome. She might be afraid that I'd eat her or something.'

 

“I wish Inuyasha would hurry,” complained Kagome, scanning the area and doing her best not to wring her hands. She was beginning to get a very bad feeling. It was an ache in her bones. `Strong demon!'

 

“It's alright. I would smell it if something was coming,” Kouga assured her.

 

If it weren't for the fact he had been so wrapped up in his thoughts, he would have caught the scent earlier, but he had been. Now, sniffing the air, he realized his mistake. `This is gonna suck,' he thought with a small amount of fear.

 

Kagome grabbed her bow and an arrow as Kouga rose to his feet and took a defensive stance in front of her.

 

“What is it? What's wrong?” whispered Kagome. She didn't have to wait for an answer.

 

A shadow appeared overhead as Sesshoumaru descended to stand a few feet in front of Kouga. Neither noticed Kagome notching an arrow. They stood, staring at each other, their faces carefully held without expression.

 

“I won't let you hurt him again, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome threatened. Stepping forward to stand beside Kouga, she risked a glance at him. It was as though she didn't exist. Something was happening that she didn't understand.

 

“I knew when I left that the miko was nearby. As I suspected, you did not change form to heal yourself. Are you afraid that she will run, screaming in fear?” asked Sesshoumaru, not once acknowledging Kagome's presence.

 

“What is he talking about, Kouga?”

 

There was no response, only Kouga's silence. `He's challenging me to show her my true self.' A growl rose low in his throat while Sesshoumaru took a step forward. The growl grew deeper and more menacing with the next step.

 

Kagome lifted her bow and drew the string.

 

“No, Kagome,” stated Kouga, his words coming out guttural, almost inhuman.

 

For the first time since his arrival, Sesshoumaru spared her a glance. “You mean nothing to me, miko. Put away your toys.”

 

Kagome cocked an eyebrow. `Toys! I'll show him toys,' she fumed. Her arrow flamed blue with her purifying power.

 

“Inform the miko of her ignorance, my wolf,” growled Sesshoumaru, narrowing his eyes at Kagome.

 

“This is between me and him. Don't get in the way, Kagome. You'll just get hurt.”

 

“Misogynists!” Kagome huffed. “Why do all you men think us women can't take care of ourselves?”

 

Both men stared at her as if she had just spoken a foreign language then Kouga's gaze softened.

 

“You are human. You do not heal like we do.”

 

“Who says I'll even get hurt,” snorted Kagome, keeping her sights set on Sesshoumaru. Kagome had barely finished her sentence before she found herself trapped, held tight with her back against Sesshoumaru's chest. He hadn't merely captured her; she found herself several yards away from Kouga and less one bow and arrow.

 

“Sesshoumaru, it's me you want. Let her go!” Kouga shouted as he began to panic.

 

“Show her, Kouga..show her what you truly are. She can't run. I won't allow it.”

 

“Not like this, Sesshoumaru. Not now,” growled Kouga, baring more fang than he had ever allowed Kagome to see. Only his pointed ears and his tail were obvious indicators that he was demon. `At least, I have a chance with her in this form. Would she run? Would she really?'

 

Jealousy had reared its ugly head again. Realization hit Sesshoumaru like a ton of bricks, causing him to release Kagome so quickly that she stumbled and fell.

 

“Go to him if you must, miko. We both know he will never have you.”

 

Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru with wide eyes, surprised that he hadn't made an effort to harm her. Stupid she wasn't. Her flight back to Kouga was one of the quickest races she'd ever run.

 

“Kaza no Kizu!”

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

Thank you to all of my readers and reviewers. You are a great encouragement.

 

 

MM.ORG

 

Heart Star

Yeah, pain is not such a good thing…except…well, we'll get into the perversions later. LOL

 

Sesshys numba1 gurl

Sess really fucked up didn't he? Ah well, we'll see what happens next. ^_^

 

Life's untold stories

^_^ Thanks. Sorry it took so long to get this up, but I hope you liked it!

 

Gen50-inlj

The episode where Kouga saved Rin is always in the back of my mind when it comes to Sesshoumaru and Kouga's relationship. As for who will dominate…we'll see how that works out. Heheh *evil darth vader laugh*

 

MetsukiKaraTen

^_^ Thanks for the good wishes. Yep, Sess is very possessive…jealous even. LOL Hope you liked this chapter. Next chapter has a nifty event. Heheh

 

JOkEr

Glad you like the pairing. I wrote this as a request from a friend. ^_^

 

KellyA

Thanks for reviewing! Sorry it took so long for this last one.

 

 

 

AFF

 

XZanayu

Nanaka

Weaver

Ookami

Kogas Hentai Luver

Eye of Ra

Rawben

Lisn

ahanchan

zzoaozz

 

 

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*Disclaimer*

 

Inuyasha and all associated characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I make no profit from this story, nor do I intend to. My only goal is to occupy my demented mind with delusions of actually owning a life-sized, anatomically correct Sesshoumaru.