InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hanyou's Heart ❯ Puppy Love ( Chapter 5 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Chevalier Mal Fet 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 11.20.2015 | Pages: 12 | Words: 8.6K | Visits: 378 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 11.20.2015 | Pages: 12 | Words: 8.6K | Visits: 378 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer: I don’t own
Inuyasha; this is a work of
fanfiction
Chapter Five: Puppy Love Episode One: Desperate Act She didn't have much time. That damned demon was pushing hard against any who resisted him. She needed a weapon, and she needed it now. Thankfully she knew where she could find the perfect weapon, one that would destroy Lord Naraku and end the threat that he posed. No longer would she have to fear Naraku's minions hunting her, like they did all those demons who refused to serve Naraku. Urasue did not wish to serve anyone. The demoness flew quickly to the small village where she would find her target. For fifty years it had been there, undisturbed by those fools who did not realize the power that lay unguarded. Naraku's minions were closing on her. But she would have a surprise waiting for them when they found her. Naraku may have had the Shikon no Tama, but Urasue would have something even better. Urasue panted anxiously. She had to hurry. Naraku's damned minions would be there any minute. She looked at her masterpiece. It was nearly ready. There had been a priestess at the village, but she had been a pathetic imitation of her predecessor. Urasue had easily gained the bones of the priestess, Kikyou, and now her dark magics would resurrect and bind the powerful priestess to her. Kikyou would be able to take back the jewel from Naraku and Urasue would crush the overbearing demon. That damned hanyou. There was a loud crashing from somewhere nearby. They'd found her! But, oh, they'd rue the day they had crossed Urasue. The priestess was ready. Urasue opened the cast about Kikyou's newly formed body. The priestess rose, naked skin shining in the fiery lights of the cavern. The crashing grew nearer, just outside the cave entrance and stopped. Kikyou stood and took a step before falling over, limp, to the ground. Urasue stared at the empty eyes of the priestess with a desperation bordering on madness. No! This couldn't be happening! What had gone wrong? The priestess' body was perfectly reformed, but the soul had not returned. The only way that could be true would be if the soul were already inhabiting another body. Urasue screamed in frustration and despair. No! Her prize was worthless without the soul. She needed more time, time to find the soul…time to save herself! "Urasue." The demon whirled to face the voice that addressed her. It was him. Lord Naraku had finally come for her. "You have repeatedly refused to serve me. Now you shall die." Urasue stared at him wide-eyed. Did she have the chance to kill him and survive? Maybe just to make certain he died with her? No, it wasn't Naraku, just one of his puppets. Naraku never put himself in harm's way. But, no, Urasue could feel the demon's presence. It was Naraku! Urasue gave a shriek and leapt at Naraku, a shriek that ended in a gurgle that barely sounded above the splashing of sickly black blood across the cave. Urasue's eyes focused briefly on the demon standing behind Naraku, before they glazed completely and she fell into three bloody pieces. "Thank you, Kagura. Urasue apparently took leave of her senses. I had expected her to put up more of a fight. The witch was brewing something, though it appears that she didn't have time to finish it." Naraku ignored the grunt from Kagura. The demon was not especially respectful, but she was his. Naraku bent to examine what appeared to be a mortal woman. Her body was covered only in a few spatterings of Urasue's blood. Naraku nearly choked when he saw the face before him. Kikyou…so this is what Urasue had been planning. Naraku shivered. That would have been a nasty surprise, had the old witch succeeded. Naraku gazed at the naked flesh of the powerful priestess on the ground before him. She would make a tremendous weapon…but no, she was worthless without a soul. Naraku grimaced at that. Kikyou's soul was now in that young girl with Inuyasha. Kikyou's soul was beyond this body now. Inuyasha was no doubt closing on the cave. Naraku's spies had reported the hanyou's pursuit of Urasue. Naraku wondered if she should try to take the soul from the girl and put it back in the priestess' body. Kikyou had been a powerful priestess, too powerful to control most likely, and Naraku did not want to risk any confrontation with Inuyasha. It was not worth the risks. Naraku, gazed at the naked form before him again. It was such a waste…but he could not let Inuyasha find this body. He could not let Kikyou, even dead, get in the way of the hanyou's feelings for the young girl, which Naraku had no doubt were blossoming in the hanyou's heart. No matter how hard Inuyasha had become over the years, that girl would be the thing to soften him. Naraku sighed regretfully and turned to leave. He strode to the entrance of the cave and gave one last look at the beautiful priestess in the dirt. "Burn it. Burn everything." Episode Two: Eyes So Entrancing The fire burned a peaceful golden, casting its light across the ground and the sleeping form lying there. It lit Inuyasha’s face with it's golden glow, making his eyes shine all the brighter. He watched the fire for a time, intent on its crackling warmth, but his ears listened deeply. He heard the sounds of the night, the rustling of the wind in the trees, the calling of birds, and the serene breathing of the girl sleeping nearer the fire. The sound of her breath was so interesting, so placid. Inuyasha simply listened to her sleeping breaths for a time, enchanted beyond his comprehension. His clothes were still riddled with small holes from the debris of the castle, and blood stained his skin as well as his clothes. His wounds had long since healed, but he hadn't had time to wash away the blood as yet. His back still hurt from where that damned beam had come crashing down on him, but it had been worth it to save the girl. She was so beautiful as she lay there, slumbering in peace and innocence. She had come first in his thoughts when the castle had started falling around him. He had had to protect her so that she could continue having those peaceful dreams, so that she could continue those soft, sighing breaths. Inuyasha realized that he had stopped listening to anything else and focused his attention back on the forest about him. Grrr. There was something fundamentally wrong with that girl. She was so different from anything Inuyasha had ever seen. It wasn't her foreign clothing and items. It wasn't even her unusual attitude toward him and his world. There was just something about her…Inuyasha couldn't figure it out, but it was nothing he had felt before. There had been something close once, but not really like this. And this girl certainly wasn't Kikyou. What was she? Why did she make him feel so strange. Why did she make him feel so at peace when all he wanted to do was…what did he want anymore? The hanyou shook his head. Things had become much too confusing since that girl had drawn him out of his hiding place in the forest…not that he had been hiding. He didn't understand himself at all, anymore. When her eyes crossed him, he felt his body warm, alive for the briefest of moments. Her voice filled his mind, like a song, a beautiful, haunting melody. Inuyasha would admit that this was unusual. Hell, it was completely extraordinary, but it wasn't a bad thing…was it? Of course, had he led a different life, he might have simply assumed that he had feelings for this girl, that he might even be infatuated with her…But Inuyasha could not think that. His soul was too barren for that. He had lived too long with a heart of ice to find himself falling for some girl. Perhaps it was simply time for him to mate? Somehow, Inuyasha didn't think that was it. Whatever it was, infatuation or some other strange emotion, he wanted to continue feeling it, at least until he understood it. It made him feel more alive than he had felt for so long…Death was not something Inuyasha really longed for, not if he could live and be alive. Inuyasha did not think he was capable of feeling love. His soul was too cold. But being around this girl somehow made his soul feel warmer. Perhaps if he stayed with her long enough he would be able to feel again. Maybe he'd even be able to love again…No. He did not want to love again. He had been a fool the first time. There was no chance he would let himself be trapped yet again. Love had only made him weak and foolish. It had allowed his enemies to strike him down. He would never fall in love again, even if this girl did heal his soul and restore his life. The hanyou growled and put out the kicked dirt on the fire, putting out it's warm glow. Darkness filled the night. Kagome sighed sleepily and tried to finish her breakfast. Inuyasha hadn't woken her up early this morning, but she still felt tired anyways. Actually, Inuyasha hadn't said more than ten words to her all morning, which wasn't too unusual, but he wasn't being grumpy this morning either, which was. In fact, Inuyasha had been almost…pensive…all morning. Kagome had made sure not to watch too obviously, but she'd caught him staring at her most of the morning with that oddly blank expression on his face. Kagome hoped she was imagining the slight admiring look in his eyes…didn't she? Kagome paused her thoughts, turning that one over in her mind. Did she really mind the occasional flattering looks he gave her? They were flattering after all. Each time she caught him, she had to keep herself from blushing. Sure the hanyou was very good-looking, probably more so than anyone Kagome had ever seen, but his personality left something to be desired. He was rude and sullen, practically in a perpetual sour mood. Then there were the times that his eyes were so sad. Kagome couldn't help but feel for him then. She'd never seen anyone with eyes like that. They were so deep that they seemed to swallow her up…so deep that when she was caught by them she could see nothing else. So deep…such a beautiful golden…if only they would shine with happiness… Kagome started in surprise as she found herself staring straight into Inuyasha’s eyes. She hadn't even realized that she'd turned to look at him. He was staring back. He didn't even seem to have noticed that she was staring at him. Kagome couldn't tear her eyes away from his. They held her fast. Why was he just staring at her. His eyes were locked with hers. They were so intense…so beautiful…He blinked and she was free from his hold. Kagome leapt up and went about cleaning up her breakfast, hiding the blush that colored her cheeks. Inuyasha stood and sniffed the air. He growled and leapt to Kagome's side. "Hurry up and finish packing, girl. We have company." Kagome wanted to ask questions, but she hurried to gather up the remainder of her supplies into her pack. Inuyasha was cursing to himself. Damn that girl! He'd been so preoccupied with her that he hadn't even smelled the demons approaching until they were practically upon him. Damn girl. It was her eyes. They held him in a trance. "What is it?" Kagome was at his side now. "What's going on?" Inuyasha wrinkled his nose. Why did they have to smell so bad? "Wolves." Episode Three: Heart of Ice Inuyasha growled, his hackles rising. The stench of wolves was getting closer, headed straight for them. There were several of them, at least five. Somehow, two of them smelled strange. The reeked even worse than was normal, and wolves always smelled terribly. Those two were closest, while the others were still a distance off. They'd be on the camp in a matter of moments. Inuyasha made a irritated noise in his throat and turned his head to speak to Kagome. "Stay out of the way, Kagome. Don't let them make you a target. They won't be any challenge for me, but there are several of them, and I don't want them to think they can hurt you." Kagome nodded, face serious. She didn't have time to wonder how much Inuyasha really cared for her, but she reminded herself to think on it later. Inuyasha was right. She didn't want to distract him by being in danger, when he had to concentrate on protecting himself. Kagome knew Inuyasha was strong, but she didn't know if he could handle so many at once. She didn't have time to start worrying too greatly though, since two wolves burst from the brush immediately before them and ran straight at the hanyou. Inuyasha growled once and leapt at the closer of the two, slicing down quickly. He immediately turned with a kick to the second, not even waiting for the black blood of the first wolf to spray across him. The first wolf crumpled into a bloody mess on the ground, while the second when skidding across the ground. Inuyasha followed immediately leaping high in the air and coming down claws first. His right hand impaled the wolf straight through the chest, and blood exploded in Inuyasha face. Inuyasha grimaced slightly and wiped at it with his free hand, mostly only managing to smear the dark ichor across his face. Inuyasha started suddenly and turned his head to see the first bloody wolf stumbling towards him, left arm hanging loosely from a few unsevered tendons. Inuyasha could see straight into the demon's chest, see the heart beating there, pumping black blood out of those deep, fatal wounds. Inuyasha couldn't move at first, but he quickly regained his senses and leapt up to meet his foe again…or so he intended. His hand was stuck where it had impaled the second wolf, and Inuyasha glanced down to see what the problem was. The wolf stared up at him, eyes dead but still murderous. Two hands held his wrist where it lay, deep in the wolf's breast. Inuyasha tugged and thrashed his arm, only shaking the wolf with it. It wouldn't let go. The first wolf was too close now, so Inuyasha turned his attention back to the bigger threat and swung his free hand around, connecting with the wolf's face hard enough to snap his neck. The wolf staggered but did not fall and sliced its own claws down at Inuyasha’s chest. Inuyasha leapt away, dragging the second wolf with him. It was harder to move with that damned leech, but he could still manage to dodge such a clumsy attack. Glaring down at the wolf holding his arm, he reached his left hand down and closed it around its throat, hearing the bones break in its neck as he tightened his grip. The wolf gurgled, but did not let go. Again, Inuyasha leapt away as the first wolf attacked, giving it a kick as he did, sending it sprawling. The wolf was slow to get up, giving Inuyasha time to figure out how to free himself. He lifted his arm high in the air, wolf and all, and slammed it down upon the ground. He heard the bones break in the wolf's body, but still it held. He continued beating it on the ground, and he felt its grip slowly loosening. Inuyasha almost didn't notice the first wolf coming again, and turned just in time to avoid its claws. He brought his free hand around and punched it straight through its chest. It grabbed at his arm, clawing him weakly. Great. Just what he needed…two leeches. Inuyasha growled and lifted both high in the air. They wiggled weakly, trying to gain some leverage, but their bodies were too weak. With a sigh, Inuyasha swung them together. They crashed skulls, splitting them open. Blood splashed free, splattering Inuyasha liberally. He continued to beat them together until the finally fell limp. Inuyasha flung the first one against a tree, seeing its body bend around the trunk brokenly. He grabbed the second with his now free left hand and wrenched his right hand down, tearing a gaping hole in its body. He threw it to the ground and watched silently. Neither form moved. They were finally dead. Inuyasha sighed. He was drenched in their reeking black blood. He would have to bath for hours to get that stench off of him. What kind of wolves could survive fatal wounds like that? They were like the one he had killed near Naraku's fortress. It was if they had already been dead. The hanyou looked over to where Kagome was standing. She was watching him with a horrified expression on her face. His own face was completely composed, cold and uncaring. When she saw his expression she couldn't help but flinch. Inuyasha felt a twinge in his heart, but he couldn't show weakness, not even to this girl. Besides, it wasn't as if he had done wrong. He had simply killed a couple demons. A couple…Inuyasha remembered the others. Sniffing the air, he could just barely smell them over the reeking corpses before him. They were upon him. Three wolves came running through the trees and, spotting him and the mangled corpses, skidded to a halt. They surveyed the carnage angrily. "You! How dare you murder our kin! We won't let you live, you stinking dog!" One turned to the others and said loudly, "He's a damned hanyou. He won't even be any challenge." "Yeah, he is a hanyou. Weak little hanyou, how did you kill our kin? Did you sneak up on them? Distract them with your woman over there?" Inuyasha growled. "Shut the fuck up, you damned stupid wolves. Does it look like I tricked them? I beat the shit out of them, that's what I did. They didn't even put up a fight worth mentioning, nor will you." "Very confident, for a hanyou!" One shouted, while the third started suddenly. "Wait! I remember hearing that Lord Sesshoumaru was killed by his bastard hanyou of a brother. Who the hell are you, damned hanyou?" Inuyasha smiled grimly. "I'm the bastard hanyou brother that killed that fucking weakling, Sesshoumaru." The wolves stared at him, incredulous. "I killed that bastard, and I'll kill you. I don't care how many of you there are. You all deserve to fucking die!" Kagome watched, eyes filled with fear and something else…not quite fear of him. Maybe disgust? Inuyasha shrugged it off. He didn't care…No, he did…but he wouldn't pretend for her. He wasn't a hero. He wasn't a golden-hearted savior, and he would show her that. If she couldn't take the truth, then she wasn't meant to be near him. If she couldn't take what he had become, then how could she hope to heal him? He would show her just how much of a bastard he could be. He'd show her how cold these long years had made him. Inuyasha ignored the growing weight on his heart and cracked his knuckles threateningly. "Come on, you fucking wolves. Let me kill you, so I can go. You're wasting my time. If you don't attack me now, I'll simply kill you where you stand. It doesn't matter either way to me. No matter what, you're dead. Prepare to meet your kin. They're waiting for you in hell!" Episode Four: Eyes of Red Kagome looked on as Inuyasha shouted his challenge at the three wolves. She couldn't help but feel a little upset at how he was acting. Kagome had seen how much his heart ached, no matter how well he hid it, even from himself. She knew that he was not so unfeeling as he pretended, but there were times when it seemed that his heart really were made of ice. There were times when Kagome could feel the chill radiating from the hanyou in waves. These times were not frequent, nor did they ever last particularly long, but still she noticed them. Mostly the hanyou presented himself as a stone, unfeeling, un-alive. His emotions rarely broke through that wall that he had constructed, but the when they did, they were mostly feelings of pain. There were other times though, when he did not feel so much stone as ice. An ice that felt, but did not care that it felt…an ice that swallowed his soul and left him further from feeling. Kagome couldn't help but feel that Inuyasha was better-disposed towards her than anyone he had likely known for a long while, but how much he actually cared for her was a question she had no answer to. There were times, oddly frequent, that she caught him looking at her with what she thought might be appreciation, sometimes almost a hunger. What exactly this meant was not so obvious as it should have been. Kagome knew that her own feelings for the hanyou were somewhat muddled, but she could guess from the heat that he caused in her that she at least returned his…admiration. Inuyasha, however was even more confusing. He would look at her with that heat in his eyes, but…did he actually feel anything for her? There was no way she could really know. Kagome would simply have to keep watching him. It would be hard enough to figure out what Inuyasha felt on its own…but Kagome was also struggling with her own feelings for him. If Inuyasha actually cared for her, Kagome did not think she could help but return it somewhat. She was always flattered by his appraising eyes, but she still did not know if her feelings were more than just empathy…sympathy. Loving Inuyasha? That seemed too difficult a concept to grasp. Nothing with that hanyou seemed to be simple. Inuyasha watched Kagome from the corner of his eyes. The expressions playing across her face were confusing. What was causing her so much turmoil? Was it him? Why would she spend so much thought on him? What did she actually feel for him? What did he feel for her? Damn but that girl was confusing! He didn't need to be worrying over a girl while he had demons to kill. She was just distracting him! Grrr…stupid girl. "So? Have you no courage at all? Are you too afraid to attack a hanyou?" Inuyasha sneered at the wolves. "Three mighty wolves, afraid of a hanyou." "We're not afraid of any damned hanyou! You'll die for the murder of our kin! Even if you killed Lord Sesshoumaru, you're just a bastard hanyou. Once you're dead, we'll have avenged our fallen and brought honor to our pack by killing the murderer of the Lord of the Western Lands. You'll die, for all the wolves who have been murdered by Naraku!" Inuyasha opened his mouth to make a snide remark, but two of the wolves leapt into action, cutting his witticism short. They came at him from opposite angles, charging fast. Inuyasha dodged to the left at the last second, bringing his leg up so that the wolf on that side ran straight into it. He doubled over, gasping for breath. Inuyasha didn't have time to finish him, however, since the other wolf struck at him, and he had to leap back away from those claws. The wolf waited for the other to recover before they came at him again. This time Inuyasha leapt straight up, over their heads. He landed behind them and swung his arm about in a wide arc. His fist crashed into the first wolf's skull, dropping him like a stone. The second wolf, dodged the blow and kicked at Inuyasha’s face. Inuyasha grimaced at the clumsy attack, easily blocking it and turning a kick of his own to the wolf's temple. The wolf staggered back, obviously dazed, but still standing. Inuyasha smiled and flexed his claws, preparing to finish him, when a shout halted him. The third wolf. Inuyasha turned to find the third wolf holding Kagome by the throat. He growled low, too low for the wolf to hear from that distance, but the other wolf heard, and backed away. "Little hanyou, I have your woman! She's a pretty one. I'll bet she makes a nice whore, doesn't she, bastard? It's a shame though, that she has to die." Inuyasha’s growl rose enough for the wolf to hear. The wolf, however was not particularly bright and continued on, laughing. "Maybe we'll let her live for a while. We could use some fun…" The last word barely escaped his mouth before his eyes opened wide and his laughing turned to a gurgle as blood spilled from his mouth. Kagome fell from his grasp, staring in wonder at the wolf, now held high in the air by Inuyasha’s hand around his neck. The neck was broken, that much was obvious, but the way Inuyasha had killed him so quickly and without warning held everyone in shock. Or rather, Inuyasha hadn't killed him. The wolf was still alive, trying vainly to breathe through the blood welling up in its throat. Inuyasha snarled at him and threw him against a tree. Kagome cringed at the crackling sound of bones breaking. The wolf lay in a mangled heap at the base of the tree, life finally leaving him. The others just stared, unable to react. Finally, one gained his tongue. "You damned hany-" The wolf wasn't didn't finish his sentence. Inuyasha whirled at hearing his voice and dashed towards him, claws raised to strike. For Kagome, it all went in slow motion. Inuyasha turned and she stared at his eyes, a deep crimson, like blood. He flashed by, heading straight for the wolf who had spoken. The wolf cut off in surprise at seeing the hanyou running at him, eyes glowing red. He braced his legs to leap away, but he was too slow. Inuyasha’s claws swooped down across his neck, spraying blood across the already blood-soaked hanyou. Inuyasha cleaved him from neck to waist, staring at the blood fountaining from the corpse. The final wolf, who lay on the ground where he'd been knocked down, gasped in horror, and Inuyasha’s murderous eyes found him. The wolf scrambled to get up, but screamed out in pain as the hanyou severed one of his legs. He collapsed to the ground, but continued to retreat, dragging himself away. Inuyasha watched his attempt to escape with a vicious smile. He followed along slowly, smiling wider at the wolf's panicked crying. The wolf screamed again as the hanyou grabbed his other leg, gibbering in fear. Inuyasha looked at him quizzically, then without anymore hesitation, sliced the wolf's head from his body. Inuyasha turned and surveyed the carnage in the clearing. Blood spattered the grass and trees. Kagome sat where she had fallen from the wolf's grasp, unmoving, simply staring at him in shock. Those eyes were wide with fear…those beautiful eyes…That damned wolf had dared to threaten her! Inuyasha continued to stare into her wide eyes, and slowly the red fog clouding his mind began to lift. He staggered, feeling suddenly dizzy, shaking his head to clear it. He saw Kagome, eyes still wide, still full of fear and shock, but now full of relief as well. Inuyasha looked around again, eyes going wide as he saw the clearing once more. What the hell? He had done that? He looked down at the bloody corpse he stood over. The wolf had been brutally murdered, not quickly, but painfully…cruelly. Inuyasha looked at his blood-stained claws. There were so many different bloods there that he could barely tell whose was whose, but the freshest was from the body at his feet. He had done this. He had done it all. Episode Five: Shivering He had so much blood on him, he could barely smell anything else. He'd killed those wolves messily. He was covered in their blood, Naraku's stinking blood, and even his own. Inuyasha thought that if he tried hard enough, he could still smell Sesshoumaru’s blood on his claws. He needed to get to a river…he was starting to imagine things. All that blood was going to his head. Inuyasha was kind of stumbling along in a daze, looking for something to wash himself in, with Kagome following him warily. He wasn't sure if she was afraid of him now, or if she was just confused. Inuyasha wasn't even sure what he thought. He was sure as hell confused, and maybe actually afraid of himself, as well. He could barely remember killing those wolves. It was like remembering something he'd done half-asleep. The memories came, but through a haze, vague and incomplete. He wasn't having any success at figuring out what had happened, however. He could barely think at all with the scent of blood so strong in his senses. His ears picked up the distant trickling of a stream. Relieved and elated, Inuyasha picked up his pace, forcing Kagome to follow more quickly. As he drew near the stream, he was running, and he dove straight in, without thought of anything other than getting rid of the stench that clung to him. He was lucky that the stream was fairly deep, else he'd have hit the bottom headfirst. Inuyasha surfaced with a rush, sending water exploding into the air. He was so engrossed in scrubbing the reeking blood from his clothes and body that he didn't hear the indignant noise from Kagome. Inuyasha scrubbed at himself until he figured he could do no more. He still imagined that he could smell blood on him, but it wasn't overpowering his senses anymore. Finally calming from his frantic cleaning, he turned to look for Kagome. He found her standing at the edge of the stream, glaring at him furiously. Confused, Inuyasha took a step back from that outraged face, before noticing the reason for her anger. She was soaked head to foot, from his splashing, he assumed. Inuyasha started to laugh, partly from her condition and partly from her reaction. Kagome glared even more lividly and kicked at the stream, splashing water in his face. Inuyasha stopped laughing, but not because she was angry. He'd just noticed exactly what she looked like in her soggy state. Her clothing was drenched, and it showed off her body much more. He could almost see through the white top. Inuyasha stumbled back into the water, sputtering as it rushed into his nose and mouth. He hoped that's all she thought he was choking for. He eyed her furtively, not daring to let her catch his eyes on her, lest she realize what her appearance was exactly. He'd not really been choking because of the water. Damn, that girl made him feel awkward. Why did she inspire these moments of weakness in him? Certainly, he wanted to feel again, but he didn't want to be weak. Inuyasha had fought his elder brother to the death, but he couldn't seem to face this girl. Was this a good thing? He wasn't sure, but he didn't really like feeling weak or insecure. Normally, he'd be up to any challenge. He still was…just any challenge but her. Grrr. Stupid girl…he'd had to kill all those wolves because of her, not that he'd been intending to be gentle with them. He probably would have let them run, if they had chosen to, but then everything had gone red and hazy. He had certainly never intended to make such a huge mess. He thought he could still smell the blood on him, no matter how much he washed. It was still making him slightly ill. What had happened? What had caused him to lose control like that? He'd not had any will in anything he'd done. When he had finally come to himself, it had been like waking from a vivid dream, but it hadn't been a dream. It had all been real. Inuyasha may not have ever been as cool as his brother, but he was more collected and in control than he had been in his youth. He didn't like feeling out of control of a situation…this time he hadn't even had any control over himself. This was not something he liked at all. It had been…frightening. Suddenly waking up to find that he'd done things without willing himself to do them…it had been a shaking experience. The one thing he remembered most clearly from his 'dream' was the lust for blood…the desire for murder. Inuyasha shivered, and even he had to admit that it wasn't from the cool of the water. He was actually frightened of something…and it was himself. Inuyasha growled softly to himself. He wasn't achieving anything by brooding there in that stream. He stood and walked onto the dry grass at the side of the stream, clothes and hair dripping. He squeezed the water from his clothes and hair, but it didn't dry it well enough, so he stepped away from Kagome and shook himself violently, ignoring the sniggering. When he turned back to Kagome, she was trying to hide the laughter on her face, but she wasn't any good at making a mask…certainly nowhere near as good as he was. Inuyasha gave her a dull look and turned back into the forest, striding off, knowing she'd follow. He didn't offer to carry any of her belongings…they were her problem…and besides, she'd laughed at him. He wasn't about to do her any favors for that. Stupid girl. Inuyasha led Kagome through the forest towards a path he knew. They were heading back to the village. The girl was low on supplies, and she wanted to go back to her world for more. Inuyasha wasn't thrilled with the delay, but he needed time to think anyways. There was too much going on in his head right now. He had too much he needed to figure out. What was this girl to him? What did he want? The Jewel? And what the hell had happened in that clearing? What had made him lose himself like that? It was something he needed to know…he didn't want it to happen again. The next time he might hurt someone he didn't want to hurt. And though he hated to admit it, there was really only one person he cared about. Kagome. Episode Six: Eyes So Warm It was so strange. Inuyasha was so cold and detached. His eyes were dead and empty. The only thing they ever showed through the wall around his heart was pain. But somehow, despite all of this, as Kagome sat there gazing into his deep golden eyes…they were so warm. They were alive, beautiful…wonderful. How could anyone with such beautiful eyes be so heartless? How could anyone with such beautiful eyes be so…sad? It didn't seem fair at all. Kagome couldn't believe how wrong it felt that someone as caring as Inuyasha must have been had become what he was. No one should be able to change like that. No one should have to endure enough to ever change like that. Something about his face had changed. He was looking at her with an odd expression, almost as if he had a question. Kagome couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. Why was he giving her that odd look? A slow blush rose in her face as she realized that she'd been staring at him, at his eyes. He'd caught her staring at him. But no, he'd been staring at her first. That's what had started her thinking about his eyes in the first place. Her blush only brightened, remembering how he'd been staring at her. Inuyasha shifted, pretending not to notice her flaming face. Kagome composed herself as quickly as she could. She didn't want to go through any more embarrassment just yet. If she could hold out a little longer, then she'd have a break away from Inuyasha. They were nearly back to the village, and she was nearly back to the well. Some time back home would be very nice. Some time away from demons killing and being killed and away from hanyou with mesmerizing golden eyes. Kagome really needed some time back home, if only to gather her scattered thoughts and try to figure out what she felt for Inuyasha. Kagome avoided looking at Inuyasha for the remainder of their rest. Soon enough, Inuyasha declared their break over and told her to repack her things. Kagome was thankful for something to do that would distract her from the hanyou, quickly gathering everything up. She was surprised when he carried her supplies for her, even though they were mostly gone. They arrived at the village towards dusk, making their way towards the well. Kagome wanted to sleep at home tonight. She could talk to Kaede when she came back. Inuyasha watched as she climbed down the well and disappeared. He sniffed the air after a moment. Her scent still hung about, but it wasn't as strong as if she had been present. The hanyou gave a small sigh and walked into the forest, intending to sleep in a tree. Of course, it was always the same tree. It attracted him, like a beacon. Something about that tree drew him, and he seemed unable to resist. It didn't take him long to find it. He knew where it was by heart. The arrow. That arrow had been meant for him. Now it was slowly rotting away where it had struck. Inuyasha smiled grimly. Actually, that arrow wasn't to different from him. He had been slowly dying since that day, as well. At least if that arrow had hit its target, his pain would be over, but Inuyasha still did not want to die. Something in him wouldn't allow it. He had to live. There was some reason out there for him to stay alive. He'd find out what it was one day. Oddly enough, he was beginning to suspect that his reason for living might be Kagome. Maybe he never would find his heart healed. Maybe he would never find love…But Kagome needed his protection. That girl was very important. Inuyasha couldn't say exactly why, but she was. Maybe he was in love with her, or as much as he could be. He always felt better when she was near. Even now, with her gone, he could see her smile, her eyes. Those eyes that made him feel so warm, so alive. He couldn't help but stare at her sometimes. Inuyasha tried to hide it, but it wasn't easy. She'd caught him staring today. Who knew what she thought, but he thought that maybe, she'd been staring too. Did that mean that she returned his feelings? What exactly were those feelings? He would find out eventually. Inuyasha growled wryly. He'd never been a patient person. If he had to wait, he would, but he'd much rather find out what he felt for her now. There was nothing he could do at the moment. He had to wait for her to come back. Grrr. He needed her to stay near him. Inuyasha settled in the tree, staring down at the arrow again. He'd never even tried to pull it out. No one had. Maybe one day he would…one day when his past was only his past. One day, maybe he'd be able to say he was alive again. Until then, he'd stay dead, with the arrow still where his heart should have been.
End of Chapter Five -Chevalier
Chapter Five: Puppy Love Episode One: Desperate Act She didn't have much time. That damned demon was pushing hard against any who resisted him. She needed a weapon, and she needed it now. Thankfully she knew where she could find the perfect weapon, one that would destroy Lord Naraku and end the threat that he posed. No longer would she have to fear Naraku's minions hunting her, like they did all those demons who refused to serve Naraku. Urasue did not wish to serve anyone. The demoness flew quickly to the small village where she would find her target. For fifty years it had been there, undisturbed by those fools who did not realize the power that lay unguarded. Naraku's minions were closing on her. But she would have a surprise waiting for them when they found her. Naraku may have had the Shikon no Tama, but Urasue would have something even better. Urasue panted anxiously. She had to hurry. Naraku's damned minions would be there any minute. She looked at her masterpiece. It was nearly ready. There had been a priestess at the village, but she had been a pathetic imitation of her predecessor. Urasue had easily gained the bones of the priestess, Kikyou, and now her dark magics would resurrect and bind the powerful priestess to her. Kikyou would be able to take back the jewel from Naraku and Urasue would crush the overbearing demon. That damned hanyou. There was a loud crashing from somewhere nearby. They'd found her! But, oh, they'd rue the day they had crossed Urasue. The priestess was ready. Urasue opened the cast about Kikyou's newly formed body. The priestess rose, naked skin shining in the fiery lights of the cavern. The crashing grew nearer, just outside the cave entrance and stopped. Kikyou stood and took a step before falling over, limp, to the ground. Urasue stared at the empty eyes of the priestess with a desperation bordering on madness. No! This couldn't be happening! What had gone wrong? The priestess' body was perfectly reformed, but the soul had not returned. The only way that could be true would be if the soul were already inhabiting another body. Urasue screamed in frustration and despair. No! Her prize was worthless without the soul. She needed more time, time to find the soul…time to save herself! "Urasue." The demon whirled to face the voice that addressed her. It was him. Lord Naraku had finally come for her. "You have repeatedly refused to serve me. Now you shall die." Urasue stared at him wide-eyed. Did she have the chance to kill him and survive? Maybe just to make certain he died with her? No, it wasn't Naraku, just one of his puppets. Naraku never put himself in harm's way. But, no, Urasue could feel the demon's presence. It was Naraku! Urasue gave a shriek and leapt at Naraku, a shriek that ended in a gurgle that barely sounded above the splashing of sickly black blood across the cave. Urasue's eyes focused briefly on the demon standing behind Naraku, before they glazed completely and she fell into three bloody pieces. "Thank you, Kagura. Urasue apparently took leave of her senses. I had expected her to put up more of a fight. The witch was brewing something, though it appears that she didn't have time to finish it." Naraku ignored the grunt from Kagura. The demon was not especially respectful, but she was his. Naraku bent to examine what appeared to be a mortal woman. Her body was covered only in a few spatterings of Urasue's blood. Naraku nearly choked when he saw the face before him. Kikyou…so this is what Urasue had been planning. Naraku shivered. That would have been a nasty surprise, had the old witch succeeded. Naraku gazed at the naked flesh of the powerful priestess on the ground before him. She would make a tremendous weapon…but no, she was worthless without a soul. Naraku grimaced at that. Kikyou's soul was now in that young girl with Inuyasha. Kikyou's soul was beyond this body now. Inuyasha was no doubt closing on the cave. Naraku's spies had reported the hanyou's pursuit of Urasue. Naraku wondered if she should try to take the soul from the girl and put it back in the priestess' body. Kikyou had been a powerful priestess, too powerful to control most likely, and Naraku did not want to risk any confrontation with Inuyasha. It was not worth the risks. Naraku, gazed at the naked form before him again. It was such a waste…but he could not let Inuyasha find this body. He could not let Kikyou, even dead, get in the way of the hanyou's feelings for the young girl, which Naraku had no doubt were blossoming in the hanyou's heart. No matter how hard Inuyasha had become over the years, that girl would be the thing to soften him. Naraku sighed regretfully and turned to leave. He strode to the entrance of the cave and gave one last look at the beautiful priestess in the dirt. "Burn it. Burn everything." Episode Two: Eyes So Entrancing The fire burned a peaceful golden, casting its light across the ground and the sleeping form lying there. It lit Inuyasha’s face with it's golden glow, making his eyes shine all the brighter. He watched the fire for a time, intent on its crackling warmth, but his ears listened deeply. He heard the sounds of the night, the rustling of the wind in the trees, the calling of birds, and the serene breathing of the girl sleeping nearer the fire. The sound of her breath was so interesting, so placid. Inuyasha simply listened to her sleeping breaths for a time, enchanted beyond his comprehension. His clothes were still riddled with small holes from the debris of the castle, and blood stained his skin as well as his clothes. His wounds had long since healed, but he hadn't had time to wash away the blood as yet. His back still hurt from where that damned beam had come crashing down on him, but it had been worth it to save the girl. She was so beautiful as she lay there, slumbering in peace and innocence. She had come first in his thoughts when the castle had started falling around him. He had had to protect her so that she could continue having those peaceful dreams, so that she could continue those soft, sighing breaths. Inuyasha realized that he had stopped listening to anything else and focused his attention back on the forest about him. Grrr. There was something fundamentally wrong with that girl. She was so different from anything Inuyasha had ever seen. It wasn't her foreign clothing and items. It wasn't even her unusual attitude toward him and his world. There was just something about her…Inuyasha couldn't figure it out, but it was nothing he had felt before. There had been something close once, but not really like this. And this girl certainly wasn't Kikyou. What was she? Why did she make him feel so strange. Why did she make him feel so at peace when all he wanted to do was…what did he want anymore? The hanyou shook his head. Things had become much too confusing since that girl had drawn him out of his hiding place in the forest…not that he had been hiding. He didn't understand himself at all, anymore. When her eyes crossed him, he felt his body warm, alive for the briefest of moments. Her voice filled his mind, like a song, a beautiful, haunting melody. Inuyasha would admit that this was unusual. Hell, it was completely extraordinary, but it wasn't a bad thing…was it? Of course, had he led a different life, he might have simply assumed that he had feelings for this girl, that he might even be infatuated with her…But Inuyasha could not think that. His soul was too barren for that. He had lived too long with a heart of ice to find himself falling for some girl. Perhaps it was simply time for him to mate? Somehow, Inuyasha didn't think that was it. Whatever it was, infatuation or some other strange emotion, he wanted to continue feeling it, at least until he understood it. It made him feel more alive than he had felt for so long…Death was not something Inuyasha really longed for, not if he could live and be alive. Inuyasha did not think he was capable of feeling love. His soul was too cold. But being around this girl somehow made his soul feel warmer. Perhaps if he stayed with her long enough he would be able to feel again. Maybe he'd even be able to love again…No. He did not want to love again. He had been a fool the first time. There was no chance he would let himself be trapped yet again. Love had only made him weak and foolish. It had allowed his enemies to strike him down. He would never fall in love again, even if this girl did heal his soul and restore his life. The hanyou growled and put out the kicked dirt on the fire, putting out it's warm glow. Darkness filled the night. Kagome sighed sleepily and tried to finish her breakfast. Inuyasha hadn't woken her up early this morning, but she still felt tired anyways. Actually, Inuyasha hadn't said more than ten words to her all morning, which wasn't too unusual, but he wasn't being grumpy this morning either, which was. In fact, Inuyasha had been almost…pensive…all morning. Kagome had made sure not to watch too obviously, but she'd caught him staring at her most of the morning with that oddly blank expression on his face. Kagome hoped she was imagining the slight admiring look in his eyes…didn't she? Kagome paused her thoughts, turning that one over in her mind. Did she really mind the occasional flattering looks he gave her? They were flattering after all. Each time she caught him, she had to keep herself from blushing. Sure the hanyou was very good-looking, probably more so than anyone Kagome had ever seen, but his personality left something to be desired. He was rude and sullen, practically in a perpetual sour mood. Then there were the times that his eyes were so sad. Kagome couldn't help but feel for him then. She'd never seen anyone with eyes like that. They were so deep that they seemed to swallow her up…so deep that when she was caught by them she could see nothing else. So deep…such a beautiful golden…if only they would shine with happiness… Kagome started in surprise as she found herself staring straight into Inuyasha’s eyes. She hadn't even realized that she'd turned to look at him. He was staring back. He didn't even seem to have noticed that she was staring at him. Kagome couldn't tear her eyes away from his. They held her fast. Why was he just staring at her. His eyes were locked with hers. They were so intense…so beautiful…He blinked and she was free from his hold. Kagome leapt up and went about cleaning up her breakfast, hiding the blush that colored her cheeks. Inuyasha stood and sniffed the air. He growled and leapt to Kagome's side. "Hurry up and finish packing, girl. We have company." Kagome wanted to ask questions, but she hurried to gather up the remainder of her supplies into her pack. Inuyasha was cursing to himself. Damn that girl! He'd been so preoccupied with her that he hadn't even smelled the demons approaching until they were practically upon him. Damn girl. It was her eyes. They held him in a trance. "What is it?" Kagome was at his side now. "What's going on?" Inuyasha wrinkled his nose. Why did they have to smell so bad? "Wolves." Episode Three: Heart of Ice Inuyasha growled, his hackles rising. The stench of wolves was getting closer, headed straight for them. There were several of them, at least five. Somehow, two of them smelled strange. The reeked even worse than was normal, and wolves always smelled terribly. Those two were closest, while the others were still a distance off. They'd be on the camp in a matter of moments. Inuyasha made a irritated noise in his throat and turned his head to speak to Kagome. "Stay out of the way, Kagome. Don't let them make you a target. They won't be any challenge for me, but there are several of them, and I don't want them to think they can hurt you." Kagome nodded, face serious. She didn't have time to wonder how much Inuyasha really cared for her, but she reminded herself to think on it later. Inuyasha was right. She didn't want to distract him by being in danger, when he had to concentrate on protecting himself. Kagome knew Inuyasha was strong, but she didn't know if he could handle so many at once. She didn't have time to start worrying too greatly though, since two wolves burst from the brush immediately before them and ran straight at the hanyou. Inuyasha growled once and leapt at the closer of the two, slicing down quickly. He immediately turned with a kick to the second, not even waiting for the black blood of the first wolf to spray across him. The first wolf crumpled into a bloody mess on the ground, while the second when skidding across the ground. Inuyasha followed immediately leaping high in the air and coming down claws first. His right hand impaled the wolf straight through the chest, and blood exploded in Inuyasha face. Inuyasha grimaced slightly and wiped at it with his free hand, mostly only managing to smear the dark ichor across his face. Inuyasha started suddenly and turned his head to see the first bloody wolf stumbling towards him, left arm hanging loosely from a few unsevered tendons. Inuyasha could see straight into the demon's chest, see the heart beating there, pumping black blood out of those deep, fatal wounds. Inuyasha couldn't move at first, but he quickly regained his senses and leapt up to meet his foe again…or so he intended. His hand was stuck where it had impaled the second wolf, and Inuyasha glanced down to see what the problem was. The wolf stared up at him, eyes dead but still murderous. Two hands held his wrist where it lay, deep in the wolf's breast. Inuyasha tugged and thrashed his arm, only shaking the wolf with it. It wouldn't let go. The first wolf was too close now, so Inuyasha turned his attention back to the bigger threat and swung his free hand around, connecting with the wolf's face hard enough to snap his neck. The wolf staggered but did not fall and sliced its own claws down at Inuyasha’s chest. Inuyasha leapt away, dragging the second wolf with him. It was harder to move with that damned leech, but he could still manage to dodge such a clumsy attack. Glaring down at the wolf holding his arm, he reached his left hand down and closed it around its throat, hearing the bones break in its neck as he tightened his grip. The wolf gurgled, but did not let go. Again, Inuyasha leapt away as the first wolf attacked, giving it a kick as he did, sending it sprawling. The wolf was slow to get up, giving Inuyasha time to figure out how to free himself. He lifted his arm high in the air, wolf and all, and slammed it down upon the ground. He heard the bones break in the wolf's body, but still it held. He continued beating it on the ground, and he felt its grip slowly loosening. Inuyasha almost didn't notice the first wolf coming again, and turned just in time to avoid its claws. He brought his free hand around and punched it straight through its chest. It grabbed at his arm, clawing him weakly. Great. Just what he needed…two leeches. Inuyasha growled and lifted both high in the air. They wiggled weakly, trying to gain some leverage, but their bodies were too weak. With a sigh, Inuyasha swung them together. They crashed skulls, splitting them open. Blood splashed free, splattering Inuyasha liberally. He continued to beat them together until the finally fell limp. Inuyasha flung the first one against a tree, seeing its body bend around the trunk brokenly. He grabbed the second with his now free left hand and wrenched his right hand down, tearing a gaping hole in its body. He threw it to the ground and watched silently. Neither form moved. They were finally dead. Inuyasha sighed. He was drenched in their reeking black blood. He would have to bath for hours to get that stench off of him. What kind of wolves could survive fatal wounds like that? They were like the one he had killed near Naraku's fortress. It was if they had already been dead. The hanyou looked over to where Kagome was standing. She was watching him with a horrified expression on her face. His own face was completely composed, cold and uncaring. When she saw his expression she couldn't help but flinch. Inuyasha felt a twinge in his heart, but he couldn't show weakness, not even to this girl. Besides, it wasn't as if he had done wrong. He had simply killed a couple demons. A couple…Inuyasha remembered the others. Sniffing the air, he could just barely smell them over the reeking corpses before him. They were upon him. Three wolves came running through the trees and, spotting him and the mangled corpses, skidded to a halt. They surveyed the carnage angrily. "You! How dare you murder our kin! We won't let you live, you stinking dog!" One turned to the others and said loudly, "He's a damned hanyou. He won't even be any challenge." "Yeah, he is a hanyou. Weak little hanyou, how did you kill our kin? Did you sneak up on them? Distract them with your woman over there?" Inuyasha growled. "Shut the fuck up, you damned stupid wolves. Does it look like I tricked them? I beat the shit out of them, that's what I did. They didn't even put up a fight worth mentioning, nor will you." "Very confident, for a hanyou!" One shouted, while the third started suddenly. "Wait! I remember hearing that Lord Sesshoumaru was killed by his bastard hanyou of a brother. Who the hell are you, damned hanyou?" Inuyasha smiled grimly. "I'm the bastard hanyou brother that killed that fucking weakling, Sesshoumaru." The wolves stared at him, incredulous. "I killed that bastard, and I'll kill you. I don't care how many of you there are. You all deserve to fucking die!" Kagome watched, eyes filled with fear and something else…not quite fear of him. Maybe disgust? Inuyasha shrugged it off. He didn't care…No, he did…but he wouldn't pretend for her. He wasn't a hero. He wasn't a golden-hearted savior, and he would show her that. If she couldn't take the truth, then she wasn't meant to be near him. If she couldn't take what he had become, then how could she hope to heal him? He would show her just how much of a bastard he could be. He'd show her how cold these long years had made him. Inuyasha ignored the growing weight on his heart and cracked his knuckles threateningly. "Come on, you fucking wolves. Let me kill you, so I can go. You're wasting my time. If you don't attack me now, I'll simply kill you where you stand. It doesn't matter either way to me. No matter what, you're dead. Prepare to meet your kin. They're waiting for you in hell!" Episode Four: Eyes of Red Kagome looked on as Inuyasha shouted his challenge at the three wolves. She couldn't help but feel a little upset at how he was acting. Kagome had seen how much his heart ached, no matter how well he hid it, even from himself. She knew that he was not so unfeeling as he pretended, but there were times when it seemed that his heart really were made of ice. There were times when Kagome could feel the chill radiating from the hanyou in waves. These times were not frequent, nor did they ever last particularly long, but still she noticed them. Mostly the hanyou presented himself as a stone, unfeeling, un-alive. His emotions rarely broke through that wall that he had constructed, but the when they did, they were mostly feelings of pain. There were other times though, when he did not feel so much stone as ice. An ice that felt, but did not care that it felt…an ice that swallowed his soul and left him further from feeling. Kagome couldn't help but feel that Inuyasha was better-disposed towards her than anyone he had likely known for a long while, but how much he actually cared for her was a question she had no answer to. There were times, oddly frequent, that she caught him looking at her with what she thought might be appreciation, sometimes almost a hunger. What exactly this meant was not so obvious as it should have been. Kagome knew that her own feelings for the hanyou were somewhat muddled, but she could guess from the heat that he caused in her that she at least returned his…admiration. Inuyasha, however was even more confusing. He would look at her with that heat in his eyes, but…did he actually feel anything for her? There was no way she could really know. Kagome would simply have to keep watching him. It would be hard enough to figure out what Inuyasha felt on its own…but Kagome was also struggling with her own feelings for him. If Inuyasha actually cared for her, Kagome did not think she could help but return it somewhat. She was always flattered by his appraising eyes, but she still did not know if her feelings were more than just empathy…sympathy. Loving Inuyasha? That seemed too difficult a concept to grasp. Nothing with that hanyou seemed to be simple. Inuyasha watched Kagome from the corner of his eyes. The expressions playing across her face were confusing. What was causing her so much turmoil? Was it him? Why would she spend so much thought on him? What did she actually feel for him? What did he feel for her? Damn but that girl was confusing! He didn't need to be worrying over a girl while he had demons to kill. She was just distracting him! Grrr…stupid girl. "So? Have you no courage at all? Are you too afraid to attack a hanyou?" Inuyasha sneered at the wolves. "Three mighty wolves, afraid of a hanyou." "We're not afraid of any damned hanyou! You'll die for the murder of our kin! Even if you killed Lord Sesshoumaru, you're just a bastard hanyou. Once you're dead, we'll have avenged our fallen and brought honor to our pack by killing the murderer of the Lord of the Western Lands. You'll die, for all the wolves who have been murdered by Naraku!" Inuyasha opened his mouth to make a snide remark, but two of the wolves leapt into action, cutting his witticism short. They came at him from opposite angles, charging fast. Inuyasha dodged to the left at the last second, bringing his leg up so that the wolf on that side ran straight into it. He doubled over, gasping for breath. Inuyasha didn't have time to finish him, however, since the other wolf struck at him, and he had to leap back away from those claws. The wolf waited for the other to recover before they came at him again. This time Inuyasha leapt straight up, over their heads. He landed behind them and swung his arm about in a wide arc. His fist crashed into the first wolf's skull, dropping him like a stone. The second wolf, dodged the blow and kicked at Inuyasha’s face. Inuyasha grimaced at the clumsy attack, easily blocking it and turning a kick of his own to the wolf's temple. The wolf staggered back, obviously dazed, but still standing. Inuyasha smiled and flexed his claws, preparing to finish him, when a shout halted him. The third wolf. Inuyasha turned to find the third wolf holding Kagome by the throat. He growled low, too low for the wolf to hear from that distance, but the other wolf heard, and backed away. "Little hanyou, I have your woman! She's a pretty one. I'll bet she makes a nice whore, doesn't she, bastard? It's a shame though, that she has to die." Inuyasha’s growl rose enough for the wolf to hear. The wolf, however was not particularly bright and continued on, laughing. "Maybe we'll let her live for a while. We could use some fun…" The last word barely escaped his mouth before his eyes opened wide and his laughing turned to a gurgle as blood spilled from his mouth. Kagome fell from his grasp, staring in wonder at the wolf, now held high in the air by Inuyasha’s hand around his neck. The neck was broken, that much was obvious, but the way Inuyasha had killed him so quickly and without warning held everyone in shock. Or rather, Inuyasha hadn't killed him. The wolf was still alive, trying vainly to breathe through the blood welling up in its throat. Inuyasha snarled at him and threw him against a tree. Kagome cringed at the crackling sound of bones breaking. The wolf lay in a mangled heap at the base of the tree, life finally leaving him. The others just stared, unable to react. Finally, one gained his tongue. "You damned hany-" The wolf wasn't didn't finish his sentence. Inuyasha whirled at hearing his voice and dashed towards him, claws raised to strike. For Kagome, it all went in slow motion. Inuyasha turned and she stared at his eyes, a deep crimson, like blood. He flashed by, heading straight for the wolf who had spoken. The wolf cut off in surprise at seeing the hanyou running at him, eyes glowing red. He braced his legs to leap away, but he was too slow. Inuyasha’s claws swooped down across his neck, spraying blood across the already blood-soaked hanyou. Inuyasha cleaved him from neck to waist, staring at the blood fountaining from the corpse. The final wolf, who lay on the ground where he'd been knocked down, gasped in horror, and Inuyasha’s murderous eyes found him. The wolf scrambled to get up, but screamed out in pain as the hanyou severed one of his legs. He collapsed to the ground, but continued to retreat, dragging himself away. Inuyasha watched his attempt to escape with a vicious smile. He followed along slowly, smiling wider at the wolf's panicked crying. The wolf screamed again as the hanyou grabbed his other leg, gibbering in fear. Inuyasha looked at him quizzically, then without anymore hesitation, sliced the wolf's head from his body. Inuyasha turned and surveyed the carnage in the clearing. Blood spattered the grass and trees. Kagome sat where she had fallen from the wolf's grasp, unmoving, simply staring at him in shock. Those eyes were wide with fear…those beautiful eyes…That damned wolf had dared to threaten her! Inuyasha continued to stare into her wide eyes, and slowly the red fog clouding his mind began to lift. He staggered, feeling suddenly dizzy, shaking his head to clear it. He saw Kagome, eyes still wide, still full of fear and shock, but now full of relief as well. Inuyasha looked around again, eyes going wide as he saw the clearing once more. What the hell? He had done that? He looked down at the bloody corpse he stood over. The wolf had been brutally murdered, not quickly, but painfully…cruelly. Inuyasha looked at his blood-stained claws. There were so many different bloods there that he could barely tell whose was whose, but the freshest was from the body at his feet. He had done this. He had done it all. Episode Five: Shivering He had so much blood on him, he could barely smell anything else. He'd killed those wolves messily. He was covered in their blood, Naraku's stinking blood, and even his own. Inuyasha thought that if he tried hard enough, he could still smell Sesshoumaru’s blood on his claws. He needed to get to a river…he was starting to imagine things. All that blood was going to his head. Inuyasha was kind of stumbling along in a daze, looking for something to wash himself in, with Kagome following him warily. He wasn't sure if she was afraid of him now, or if she was just confused. Inuyasha wasn't even sure what he thought. He was sure as hell confused, and maybe actually afraid of himself, as well. He could barely remember killing those wolves. It was like remembering something he'd done half-asleep. The memories came, but through a haze, vague and incomplete. He wasn't having any success at figuring out what had happened, however. He could barely think at all with the scent of blood so strong in his senses. His ears picked up the distant trickling of a stream. Relieved and elated, Inuyasha picked up his pace, forcing Kagome to follow more quickly. As he drew near the stream, he was running, and he dove straight in, without thought of anything other than getting rid of the stench that clung to him. He was lucky that the stream was fairly deep, else he'd have hit the bottom headfirst. Inuyasha surfaced with a rush, sending water exploding into the air. He was so engrossed in scrubbing the reeking blood from his clothes and body that he didn't hear the indignant noise from Kagome. Inuyasha scrubbed at himself until he figured he could do no more. He still imagined that he could smell blood on him, but it wasn't overpowering his senses anymore. Finally calming from his frantic cleaning, he turned to look for Kagome. He found her standing at the edge of the stream, glaring at him furiously. Confused, Inuyasha took a step back from that outraged face, before noticing the reason for her anger. She was soaked head to foot, from his splashing, he assumed. Inuyasha started to laugh, partly from her condition and partly from her reaction. Kagome glared even more lividly and kicked at the stream, splashing water in his face. Inuyasha stopped laughing, but not because she was angry. He'd just noticed exactly what she looked like in her soggy state. Her clothing was drenched, and it showed off her body much more. He could almost see through the white top. Inuyasha stumbled back into the water, sputtering as it rushed into his nose and mouth. He hoped that's all she thought he was choking for. He eyed her furtively, not daring to let her catch his eyes on her, lest she realize what her appearance was exactly. He'd not really been choking because of the water. Damn, that girl made him feel awkward. Why did she inspire these moments of weakness in him? Certainly, he wanted to feel again, but he didn't want to be weak. Inuyasha had fought his elder brother to the death, but he couldn't seem to face this girl. Was this a good thing? He wasn't sure, but he didn't really like feeling weak or insecure. Normally, he'd be up to any challenge. He still was…just any challenge but her. Grrr. Stupid girl…he'd had to kill all those wolves because of her, not that he'd been intending to be gentle with them. He probably would have let them run, if they had chosen to, but then everything had gone red and hazy. He had certainly never intended to make such a huge mess. He thought he could still smell the blood on him, no matter how much he washed. It was still making him slightly ill. What had happened? What had caused him to lose control like that? He'd not had any will in anything he'd done. When he had finally come to himself, it had been like waking from a vivid dream, but it hadn't been a dream. It had all been real. Inuyasha may not have ever been as cool as his brother, but he was more collected and in control than he had been in his youth. He didn't like feeling out of control of a situation…this time he hadn't even had any control over himself. This was not something he liked at all. It had been…frightening. Suddenly waking up to find that he'd done things without willing himself to do them…it had been a shaking experience. The one thing he remembered most clearly from his 'dream' was the lust for blood…the desire for murder. Inuyasha shivered, and even he had to admit that it wasn't from the cool of the water. He was actually frightened of something…and it was himself. Inuyasha growled softly to himself. He wasn't achieving anything by brooding there in that stream. He stood and walked onto the dry grass at the side of the stream, clothes and hair dripping. He squeezed the water from his clothes and hair, but it didn't dry it well enough, so he stepped away from Kagome and shook himself violently, ignoring the sniggering. When he turned back to Kagome, she was trying to hide the laughter on her face, but she wasn't any good at making a mask…certainly nowhere near as good as he was. Inuyasha gave her a dull look and turned back into the forest, striding off, knowing she'd follow. He didn't offer to carry any of her belongings…they were her problem…and besides, she'd laughed at him. He wasn't about to do her any favors for that. Stupid girl. Inuyasha led Kagome through the forest towards a path he knew. They were heading back to the village. The girl was low on supplies, and she wanted to go back to her world for more. Inuyasha wasn't thrilled with the delay, but he needed time to think anyways. There was too much going on in his head right now. He had too much he needed to figure out. What was this girl to him? What did he want? The Jewel? And what the hell had happened in that clearing? What had made him lose himself like that? It was something he needed to know…he didn't want it to happen again. The next time he might hurt someone he didn't want to hurt. And though he hated to admit it, there was really only one person he cared about. Kagome. Episode Six: Eyes So Warm It was so strange. Inuyasha was so cold and detached. His eyes were dead and empty. The only thing they ever showed through the wall around his heart was pain. But somehow, despite all of this, as Kagome sat there gazing into his deep golden eyes…they were so warm. They were alive, beautiful…wonderful. How could anyone with such beautiful eyes be so heartless? How could anyone with such beautiful eyes be so…sad? It didn't seem fair at all. Kagome couldn't believe how wrong it felt that someone as caring as Inuyasha must have been had become what he was. No one should be able to change like that. No one should have to endure enough to ever change like that. Something about his face had changed. He was looking at her with an odd expression, almost as if he had a question. Kagome couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. Why was he giving her that odd look? A slow blush rose in her face as she realized that she'd been staring at him, at his eyes. He'd caught her staring at him. But no, he'd been staring at her first. That's what had started her thinking about his eyes in the first place. Her blush only brightened, remembering how he'd been staring at her. Inuyasha shifted, pretending not to notice her flaming face. Kagome composed herself as quickly as she could. She didn't want to go through any more embarrassment just yet. If she could hold out a little longer, then she'd have a break away from Inuyasha. They were nearly back to the village, and she was nearly back to the well. Some time back home would be very nice. Some time away from demons killing and being killed and away from hanyou with mesmerizing golden eyes. Kagome really needed some time back home, if only to gather her scattered thoughts and try to figure out what she felt for Inuyasha. Kagome avoided looking at Inuyasha for the remainder of their rest. Soon enough, Inuyasha declared their break over and told her to repack her things. Kagome was thankful for something to do that would distract her from the hanyou, quickly gathering everything up. She was surprised when he carried her supplies for her, even though they were mostly gone. They arrived at the village towards dusk, making their way towards the well. Kagome wanted to sleep at home tonight. She could talk to Kaede when she came back. Inuyasha watched as she climbed down the well and disappeared. He sniffed the air after a moment. Her scent still hung about, but it wasn't as strong as if she had been present. The hanyou gave a small sigh and walked into the forest, intending to sleep in a tree. Of course, it was always the same tree. It attracted him, like a beacon. Something about that tree drew him, and he seemed unable to resist. It didn't take him long to find it. He knew where it was by heart. The arrow. That arrow had been meant for him. Now it was slowly rotting away where it had struck. Inuyasha smiled grimly. Actually, that arrow wasn't to different from him. He had been slowly dying since that day, as well. At least if that arrow had hit its target, his pain would be over, but Inuyasha still did not want to die. Something in him wouldn't allow it. He had to live. There was some reason out there for him to stay alive. He'd find out what it was one day. Oddly enough, he was beginning to suspect that his reason for living might be Kagome. Maybe he never would find his heart healed. Maybe he would never find love…But Kagome needed his protection. That girl was very important. Inuyasha couldn't say exactly why, but she was. Maybe he was in love with her, or as much as he could be. He always felt better when she was near. Even now, with her gone, he could see her smile, her eyes. Those eyes that made him feel so warm, so alive. He couldn't help but stare at her sometimes. Inuyasha tried to hide it, but it wasn't easy. She'd caught him staring today. Who knew what she thought, but he thought that maybe, she'd been staring too. Did that mean that she returned his feelings? What exactly were those feelings? He would find out eventually. Inuyasha growled wryly. He'd never been a patient person. If he had to wait, he would, but he'd much rather find out what he felt for her now. There was nothing he could do at the moment. He had to wait for her to come back. Grrr. He needed her to stay near him. Inuyasha settled in the tree, staring down at the arrow again. He'd never even tried to pull it out. No one had. Maybe one day he would…one day when his past was only his past. One day, maybe he'd be able to say he was alive again. Until then, he'd stay dead, with the arrow still where his heart should have been.
End of Chapter Five -Chevalier