InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chosen ❯ Caught in the Middle ( Chapter 4 )

DISCLAIMER: Still don't own Inuyasha

well, I've decided to keep the pairing a mystery cuz I have an idea where I want the story to go, but not sure…and I might make a sequel to this story once it's finished, if readers show enough interest! ; )

~Caught in the Middle~

Kagome quickly regained her senses and nimbly jumped form Sesshomaru's grasp to the forest floor below. Sesshomaru seemed momentarily taken aback but quickly leaped to the ground next to her.

"This jewel doesn't belong to you, it belongs to Ki-" Kagome caught herself before she slipped. "Me." She finished, eyeing the demon lord defiantly. Sesshomaru studied the miko, his eyes narrowing. When he'd first spotted her walking through the forest, deep in her own thoughts, he was surprised to find himself noticing how ethereal and beautiful she was. Her long black hair reminded him of newly spun silk and her eyes…they were truly breathtaking.

`What the hell am I doing?' Sesshomaru didn't know where these thoughts had come from, but he certainly didn't want them in his head. `She is just a mere human, not worthy of such thoughts from a demon lord.' Sesshomaru told himself angrily.

Kagome took a step back when she heard a low growl coming from Sesshomaru. `Great, Kagome, what a perfect time to forget your weapon.' Kagome looked around, trying to find anything that could be used as a temporary weapon.

"I'm not here to harm you, priestess." Sesshomaru said, noticing the miko eyeing their surroundings. She looked at him, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "So why are you here?" She asked.

He pointed one clawed finger at the jewel hanging around her neck.

"I need the Shikon jewel." He said simply, as if his request would be granted just like that. Kagome smirked. "You and every other demon out there. Why don't you get in line and wait your turn."

Sesshomaru couldn't believe that the woman standing before him, looking as if a strong wind could knock her over, had just said that to him. She stood before him, her eyes hard and her body taking on a battle stance, her hand by her side as if resting on a sword. Sesshomaru found that odd. A priestess would know nothing of being in battle or handling a sword. Sesshomaru noted this and filed it in his memory for further consideration.

"Such big words for such a little woman." Sesshomaru said smugly. Kagome's anger flared. Sesshomaru smiled inwardly when he sensed the change in her scent. `Perhaps she has more spirit than I originally gave her credit for.'

"I'm not going to give you the jewel so you might as well leave this place right now before-" Before Kagome could get out another word, Sesshomaru was behind her, his voice next to her ear.

"Before what, Kikyo?" He taunted. In a flash, his claws were at her neck. The fact that Sesshomaru would not be able to kill her did nothing to still the frantic beating of Kagome's heart.

"This is not a game, priestess. I need the Shikon jewel." Sesshomaru growled. Kagome closed her eyes briefly, concentrating on anything that would help her get out of her present situation. `Think, Kagome. What can I use to…' Kagome's thoughts trailed off when she got an idea.

"Fine." She said softly. Sesshomaru was slightly surprised by the miko's response, but refused to let her know this. He lowered his claws to his side and stood behind her, waiting patiently. Kagome took a deep breath and spun on her heel, grabbing the end of the softly billowing wrap that was draped over Sesshomaru's shoulder. Before he could make a move, Kagome had the material wrapped tightly around Sesshomaru's neck.

Now Kagome was the one to lean close to Sesshomaru's ear. "Leave this place now, demon." Kagome could feel the anger emanating off Sesshomaru like heat from a fire. Kagome knew that he was just about ready to explode and she definitely didn't want to be around to see it. However, she couldn't help one last jab.

"How was that for a little woman?" Kagome gave the demon lord a hard shove in the back, causing him to fall onto his knees. This gave Kagome the chance she needed and she sprinted off, leaving behind a very upset demon lord.

************

Miroku walked over to where Inuyasha was waiting impatiently. The hanyou looked at him expectantly.

"Well? What did the priests have to say?" Miroku shrugged his shoulders hopelessly. "Sorry, Inuyasha, but they don't have any ideas as to where the priestess might have gone."

"Damn." Inuyasha muttered. This was turning out to be more of a hassle than he'd originally thought. They had to find the priestess soon or things would only get worse.

Miroku was staring at him, waiting for him to tell him what they would do next. Inuyasha was about to suggest they go back to base camp and plan their next move when he caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye.

He turned and saw a dark haired little girl peeking at them from behind a tree. Inuyasha's brow furrowed. He didn't feel like being bothered by some little brat when there were more important things that needed taking care of. He turned his attention back to Miroku.

"Maybe we should go back to camp and…" His words trailed off when he felt a slight tugging on his haori. Inuyasha looked down and scowled at the little girl who stood looking up at him shyly.

"Hello, mister. Are you a dog?" The little girl asked, her eyes locked on his pointy ears. Miroku let out a surprised laugh and Inuyasha frowned. "Look here, you little sh-"

Miroku slapped Inuyasha on the back of the head and knelt down in front of the girl. "This is a very grumpy man, young lady and I'm a monk. What can we do for you?" The little girl looked down at the ground and kicked the dirt with her foot.

"Well, I heard you talking to the priests about Lady Kikyo and you said you were looking for her and…" The little girl looked up at Miroku with sad eyes. "Lady Kikyo is like a sister to me and I miss her and I want her to come back. She promised me she would come back." The girl's eyes glittered with unshed tears. Miroku placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Do you know where Lady Kikyo is?" He asked her. The girl hesitated before nodding her head slowly. Inuyasha's ears perked up upon seeing this. Miroku cast him a warning glance, afraid the hanyou would scare the girl away.

"Where is she?" Miroku asked gently. The girl squinted her eyes, trying hard to remember where exactly the priests had said Lady Kikyo had gone.

"The Mid….Mid…" The girl hesitated, her memory failing her. Inuyasha repeated the words in his head. Was she trying to pronounce a town or something else? Inuyasha closed his eyes and tried to think of any towns or places the priestess could have fled to that sounded similar to what the child had said.

"Middle lands." Inuyasha said, the name suddenly popping into his head. The little girl looked at him with a bright smile. "Yeah! That's it." She looked at the two men hopefully. "Will you bring Lady Kikyo back?" She asked excitedly.

Miroku gave the girl a hug and stood. "We will do everything we can, miss." The girl gave them another bright smile before scampering off to the shrine.

"I guess we're making a trip to the Middle lands," Miroku said. Inuyasha nodded his head.

"This priestess better be there or I'm going to be in a very bad mood." Inuyasha muttered as he began walking away from Miroku. Miroku smirked. Was that even possible?

************

By the time Kagome arrived back at the hut, Maemi was up and about preparing some food. She was surprised by Kagome's disheveled appearance.

"What on earth happened, Kagome?" She asked, concern apparent in her voice. Kagome waved the young woman away. "I'm fine, Maemi. Just went for a little run." Maemi gave her a confused look before returning her attention to the food.

Kagome sighed and sat down next to the window. Although she was sure Sesshomaru wouldn't try to follow her, she was still a little uneasy. She couldn't help but think of those intense golden eyes. She's never seen a pair of eyes like that.

Kagome made a face and shook her head, trying to disperse such thoughts about the demon lord. `He is evil and would surely have killed me if he were able to.' Kagome argued with herself. `Yeah, but with a face like that, so beautiful and angelic…' Kagome let her thoughts trail off. How could she be thinking of him like that when just recently he'd had his claws at her throat demanding the Shikon jewel?

"Kagome, are you sure you're alright?" Maemi held a bowl in front of Kagome, a plume of steam rising above it. Kagome focused on the present and accepted the food.

"Thank you, Maemi. And yes, I'm fine." The two women sat in silence eating the food. Maemi suddenly placed her bowl on the floor and cleared her throat. Kagome looked at her questioningly.

"Umm, I was just wondering if maybe I could….well if maybe I could join you, Kagome." The woman said shyly. Kagome stopped eating and thought about what the woman had just asked her.

"Maemi, I have no idea where I'm going to go or what I'm going to do, but I do know that where I go danger will surely follow." Kagome said. Maemi looked down at the floor then returned her gaze to Kagome, her resolve clear.

"I understand, but I still wish to accompany you." Kagome studied the young woman before nodding her head. "Ok then." She resumed eating. "I guess we should be on our way soon. I want to travel back to the Eastern lands and talk to the priests at the Shikon shrine to find out a little more about this Naraku demon." Maemi nodded and set about packing some of her things.

Once they both had their belongings gathered together, the two women said one last goodbye to the fallen miko and went on their way.

As night began to fall, Kagome decided that they should rest. They'd been traveling all day and Maemi looked as if she would drop any minute.

"I guess this is as good a place as any to set up camp." Kagome announced. Maemi couldn't mask the look of relief that burst upon her face as she immediately dropped her bags and plopped down on the ground next to them. Kagome smiled and dropped her bags next to Maemi.

"I guess I'd better go gather some wood for a fire. I'll be right back." Kagome said as she went in search of some firewood.

As Kagome searched for suitable wood for the fire, her thoughts returned to the demon lord. She couldn't help thinking about his eyes, the way his arm had felt wrapped around her waist as he effortlessly caught her when she lost her balance on the tree branch.

Kagome scoffed, disgusted with herself for even thinking such thoughts. `Remember,' she told herself, `Sesshomaru is the enemy, not a possible love interest.'

"Who said anything about love?" Kagome said aloud. "I can barely stand the arrogant bastard." She exclaimed. Kagome stopped in her tracks, suddenly realizing that she'd been talking to herself the entire time. She started laughing at the thought of what someone would think if they happened to walk by and see her but her laughter was cut short when she heard voices, voices that were coming nearer and nearer. Kagome strained her ears to catch what they were saying.

"I know she has to be around her somewhere because I sense the jewel." A gruff voice said.

"It seems like you've been saying that since we left the shrine, Inuyasha." A second, more genial voice responded. The two voices continued to argue, coming closer and closer to where Kagome now stood motionless.

`This can only mean trouble.' Kagome mused as she inched her hand towards her weapon, glad that she'd remembered to wear it under the loose miko's clothing. She quickly hid behind the nearest tree, glad that it was dark enough so that the approaching strangers wouldn't be able to see her hide.

She peered around the edge of the tree and could make out a man on the left holding what looked to be a staff and a man on the right….

Kagome saw the brilliant white hair and could think no further. `Sesshomaru?' She wondered. Upon closer inspection, she realized it could not be the demon lord because he lacked the height, although he was pretty close. He was wearing a red robe and loose fitting red pants, different from the regal dress that Sesshomaru had worn.

The two men were now mere feet away from Kagome's hiding spot and she decided to make her move.

"Extend." She whispered as she swung her arm out towards the two men. The sword she was holding immediately extended until it resembled a whip and wrapped around the men's' ankles, bringing them to the ground with a hard thud.

Kagome stepped from behind the tree. "Return." She commanded softly. The sword instantly returned to its original size and shape and she sheathed it slowly. The two men looked up at her, both dazed and confused. Kagome looked down at them, her gaze drawn to another stunning pair of golden eyes. Although she couldn't make out minute details in the darkness, she could see a pair of pointy ears on the man's head, or rather demon's head.

"What are you doing here?" She demanded. The man dressed in red leapt to his feet, growling low in his throat. He didn't know how the hell he'd let the tiny woman standing before him ambush him like that, or what the hell she'd ambushed him with, but he wasn't going to let her demand answers of him. If she was who he thought she was, then he would be the one to do the asking.

Inuyasha moved his hand to his own sword, letting her know that she wasn't the only one that could fight. "I'm looking for you, priestess Kikyo." He said gruffly. "And the Shikon jewel."

Kagome rolled her eyes. Now there were two pissed off white haired demons hunting her down for the Shikon jewel. What was a girl to do?

************

A/N: Finally Inuyasha and Kagome reunite! Oh, and Kagome's sword might seem familiar to some, I thought it would be a cool touch….please review and let me know what you think of the story so far…thanks to the readers who did take time to review!