InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hunt for the Sword of Legend ❯ 10-71 ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha but a girl can wish upon a star; can't she?

 

 

Chapter 6:

 

 

10-71:

 

 

Inuyasha finally, after a very cold shower, came downstairs with all his things packed to see the others eating breakfast. He muttered good morning to all of them but made sure not to look Kagome in the eyes lest he relive the problem he had earlier. Having Sango know about it was hard enough.

 

 

Sango spoke up after downing the last of her glass of milk. “So, here's the itinerary for today. The plane leaves in a few hours. It won't take long at all to get to Beijing so I don't want to hear any complaining Inuyasha.”

 

 

Inuyasha grumbled and continued to eat his breakfast with breakneck speed.

 

 

Sango sighed at her ill-mannered friend and proceeded. “Once we get off the plane, we'll take another rental car to just outside of Tianjin, where our hotel is. Inuyasha and Kagome will share a room again. Miroku and Myoga will be on one side of them, and I'll be on the other.”

 

 

Kagome's eyes widened. “Why are Inuyasha and I sharing a room again? If you managed to get us rooms together then why wouldn't you and I share?” Kagome asked Sango. It was more like she choked it out, because of the muffin she had yet to swallow.

 

 

Sango frowned. “As much as I hate to admit it, and you better not gloat Inuyasha,” growled Sango as she pierced Inuyasha with a fiery stare, “Kagome, you are safer with Inuyasha. He can react better than I can to dire situations and I wouldn't want to put you in a risk filled situation just because I was too proud to admit that Inuyasha could protect you better than I can.”

 

 

“If that's what you think is best,” she paused and turned to look at Inuyasha. “If it's okay with you then it's okay with me.”

 

 

Inuyasha thought for a second about how to respond. If he answered too eagerly then he might give himself away. Not to mention, Sango would have a field day with it. He really, really did want to stay in the same room as Kagome again. He sucked in a breath while avoiding her gaze. “It don't make a shit to me. I could protect you just fine from next door but if Sango says so then I have no objection.” Inuyasha plastered a pretty scowl on his face and after a few seconds looked up to see Kagome down looking at her hands in her lap. He turned his gaze to the other occupants of the table and noticed they were shaking their heads at him.

 

 

“What? What did I say?”

 

 

After eating breakfast and turning their rental car in, the five of them hopped into a taxi, and headed to the airport. When they were seated, Inuyasha asked Kagome to switch places with him so he could sit next to Sango. They still needed to talk to each other. It was safe to talk. Sango wasn't able to get them seats next to each other on such short notice. Myoga, Kagome and Miroku were sitting several isles down.

 

 

“You first Sango; I want to know what you were talking about when you said that Miroku was hiding something.”

 

 

Sango pasted a grin on her face and turned to face him. Inuyasha knew that look. It was the one that promised girly gushing on her part. At least it wasn't anything bad or she would have a more serious attitude.

 

 

“Well, I know that if you weren't around to protect Kagome, Miroku could do a pretty good job of protecting her by himself.”

 

 

“What are you blabbering about Sango? He would never be able to protect Kagome like I can.” Inuyasha felt the stab at his heart at Sango accusations. `If Miroku really can protect her, will he take her away from me?' he worried.

 

 

“Before I tell you, you have to promise me that you won't tell Kagome. He doesn't want her to know. He said it would give her another reason to push him away, whatever that means.”

 

 

Inuyasha knew exactly what that meant. Although, he didn't realize until now the severity of the problem. If Kagome would try to push even her own cousin away, what kind of chance did that give him? Inuyasha decided that he would expel that question from his mind. He had other things to think about. Like finding out what the hell Sango knew.

 

 

“Fine. I won't tell Kagome. But if she asks me outright, I won't lie to her.”

 

 

Sango was wondering what that was all about, but decided she would ask later. “Well, I had Shippo find out all about Kagome and Miroku. I wanted to make sure that they were who they said they were.”

 

 

“Of course they're who they say they are, Sango! What the fuck?” Inuyasha couldn't really determine why he was mad. It was a necessary precaution, but he couldn't help the feeling that dug into his gut. He felt like he was betraying Kagome's trust. How could she learn to trust him if he was digging up dirt about her?

 

 

“Really Inuyasha, is it that important? I only told Miroku because I wanted to find out if the things Shippo found out were true. If you're worried that Kagome might find out then stop worrying.” Shippo was one of Sango's main investigators. He truly had talent for the sneaky and mischievous activities required of him.

 

 

“Whatever. Just tell me what Shippo found out.”

 

 

“Well,” the girly gushing was back with a vengeance, “Miroku is a sixth degree black belt in Taekwondo.” Inuyasha's eyes widened. She looked around with half mast eyes as if to see if anyone was listening. The people around them could care less but that didn't stop Sango's conspiratory gaze. “Not only that, he's a master of the bo staff.”

 

 

Inuyasha gaped for a moment until he felt a question nagging at the back of his brain. He forced a shake of his head as his brows came together fiercely. “Why the hell wouldn't he want Kagome to know? Why would she not like the fact that he's able to protect her and himself?”

 

 

Sango sighed and looked at her folded hands in her lap. “He said something about her not liking violence. I'm not really sure though. He could have just told me that.” Casting her eyes in the direction of the parties in question she added, “Sometimes, I just don't know about those two.”

 

 

“Tell me about it,” mumbled Inuyasha.

 

 

“Inuyasha, you look like you want to tell me something, too. Is anything wrong?” Sango made sure her friend had her undivided attention in case he really did feel the need to get something off his chest.

 

 

Inuyasha looked at her with a lost expression on his face and Sango's face reflected concern. “Sango, do you think it's possible to fall in love with someone that you don't even really know?”

 

 

He averted his eyes when he saw Sango's shocked expression. She was at a loss for words. What the hell could she say to that? Trying to clear her mind she closed her eyes and forced a long exhalation. Looking into his eyes that were now focused on her she tried to find the words that would convey what she wanted to say.

 

 

“Can I ask you a question before I answer yours?” He barely let his head move down and back up again. “How can you tell its love?”

 

 

He thought about it for a few moments before he answered. “I don't know I am; I feel that I am. It feels like walking on clouds and being in hell at the same time.” The last of his explanation ended in him stealing a glance at the woman who'd captured his heart. He watched her for a second as she laughed with Miroku and Myoga. God, did he love that smile. He found himself smiling along with her until Sango broke his dreamy stare by clearing her throat. He turned to see her grinning back at him.

 

 

“I think that it is possible for you to be in love with her. She's so wonderful and I see the way your eyes light up when she talks to you or looks at you. I think that she at least likes you, too.”

 

 

Inuyasha's face morphed into an expression of disbelief. “Why do you think that? Did she say anything to you?”

 

 

Sango shook her head. “No Inuyasha, it's just a feeling I have: womanly instincts. I don't know why I think that, I just do.” She wasn't about to tell him what she, Myoga and Miroku had discussed the previous night. It wasn't worth the yelling she would no doubt be subjected to when Inuyasha learned that Miroku knew about his feelings for Kagome.

 

 

Inuyasha smiled a warm smile and sighed. “I hope you're right Sango. I don't know what I'll do if she never has any interest. What should I do now?” His voice held a strange quality as he wrung his hands at the last question. Anxiousness was the best way to describe it but it held undertones of hopelessness. Sango tried to brush it away. She needed to help her friend by giving the right advice. She had never seen her best friend so lost and she was going to do everything in her power to fix it.

 

 

“Well, you said yourself that you don't know each other very well. Why don't you ask her questions about herself? You know, where she was born, what school she went to, what her favorite color is; that kind of stuff.” Inuyasha was wide eyed and staring at her while he soaked up every word like a sponge, giving short, curt nods. If the situation wasn't so dire, Sango would have laughed, but she continued addressing her friend instead.

 

 

“If she asks about you, tell her anything she wants to know. Women can't stand it when you withhold information from them. Tell her every detail without talking about yourself too much. If you're with Miroku and Kagome, ask them the same question so you seem interested in both of them. I know it sounds funny but if you're all about her all the time she might box you out. You have to be cunning in your moves and anticipate her comfort. If she seems uncomfortable with a situation, get her out of it. If she looks thirsty, get her something before she asks. It's all about reading her. The more time you spend with her, the more you're able to give her every thing she wants.”

 

 

Inuyasha shook his head at all the advice. This was going to be hard. He had no idea what it took to make a purposely secluded woman want him. “Why does this have to be so hard?” he whispered.

 

 

Sango's smile reminded him of his mother. “All things that are worth the effort are hard.”

 

 

------------------------------

 

 

Much to Inuyasha's satisfaction, the plane ride was rather short just as Sango had said at breakfast. The whole way to China, he thought about the advice that Sango had given him.

 

 

They landed in Beijing at 9:00 am and would be at the hotel outside of Tianjin in no time. The five of them stepped off the plane and stretched their legs.

 

 

“Well, do you two need anything?” Inuyasha wanted to shop first so it would be out of the way. He never really liked shopping unless it was for food. He was one of those guys that only walked into a clothing store when he knew exactly what he was looking for.

 

 

“I guess we need toothbrushes, toothpaste and maybe a few articles of clothing.” Kagome felt like she was asking if she could have a pony and a princess party. She hated having to ask for things. She could pay for something if she wanted it but Inuyasha had already proclaimed that he was paying for everything and there was nothing that would convince him otherwise.

 

 

Inuyasha suggested that Myoga get the new rental car while he and the others grab the luggage. The shorter the amount of time they spent in the airport, the quicker they would get to the shopping and the sooner they could get to the hotel. Sleeping was Inuyasha's priority at the moment seeing as how he had only had about three hours of restless sleep the night before, which only ended in a painful erection followed by utter embarrassment.

 

 

Inuyasha motioned the others towards the luggage circling around the conveyer belt and the four of them began to pick up their bags and set them on a cart.

 

 

----------------------------

 

 

Kouga sat in the shadows waiting for the intended target to approach. Kagura had given him simple directions, meaning no details, for what he was supposed to do. He was only to distract this Inu-trasha guy long enough for…well; he didn't really know that part either. All he had was a surveillance picture of the guy and was told that two females and two other males would be with him.

 

 

The other picture in his hand was of a short, plump, balding guy. The only other instruction was to get him away from the rest of his flock.

 

 

Kouga finally spotted the guy with the silver hair after what seemed like forever. He could see two females but only one other male. The fat guy was no where to be found. That made his job so much easier. He allowed himself a smile at his good fortune.

 

 

He could see Inu what's-his-face dropping bags onto a trolley and began to sneak up behind him. He was formulating a plan of action when a familiar face caught his attention. What's more, the familiar face seemed to be one of the ladies traveling with the silver haired freak. Realizing that this may be a better plan than the one where he blindly engaged an opponent that he didn't know, he let another smile grace his face as he put a large hand on said lovely woman's shoulder.

 

 

Kagome whipped around at the contact. Her eyes went large and she flung herself into the arms of a very large male. She giggled as he twirled her around. When he set her down she smiled. “Kouga! What are you doing here?!”

 

 

----------------------------

 

 

Kagura smirked as she saw her plan become even better than had she imagined. They had let the old man wander off alone, and he was in the perfect position for her to make her move. It was one less thing to have to rely on the idiot for. As long as that stupid ass Kouga made good on the diversion, she could get away before anyone was any the wiser.

 

 

Kagura wasn't stupid. She had been given very vague details regarding Naraku's master plan but even an idiot couldn't help but see what he was doing. Naraku was planning to pick the small group off one at a time. The old man was the first to go. He was more of a threat than the Sango girl but not enough of a threat that he couldn't be taken down easily.

 

 

Kagura glanced at where Kouga was beginning to make his grand appearance and shifted her eyes back to the target. After she noticed that Kouga had indeed done his job, she raised the gun and fired.

 

 

-----------------------------

 

 

“Kouga! What are you doing here?!” Kagome figured that he would be the last person she would see on this trip. After all, she hadn't seen him since they graduated from law school. He sort of disappeared and was never seen again. She'd heard from a few people that he had taken to moving around quite a lot.

 

 

Kouga flashed a brilliant smile and hazily noticed the angry white haired guy hovering over her shoulder. “I'm getting on a plane in a couple of hours. What are you doing here?” `That's right.' Kouga thought to himself. `Just make small talk for a while and then leave. Whatever Kagura has planned shouldn't take more than a few minutes, considering that she never told me how long to distract them.'

 

 

Inuyasha was livid. No, that wasn't even a strong enough word. He was mad as fuck! How dare that guy sweep Kagome off her feet when he wasn't even able to get her to look at him without the look of a deer caught in the headlights? Inuyasha had to use all his strength not to walk over and punch the guy out. He gnashed his teeth in an effort to relieve the pain at seeing the smile on Kagome's face that was put there by the man he now loathed with every fiber of his being. He wanted her to smile for him like that.

 

 

Kagome was about to tell Kouga the whole sorted story when she heard a loud bang. All at once she was on the floor with a body covering her. She could hear strangled cries but couldn't make them out. She was shocked, to say the least, and just who the hell was on top of her anyway? Time seemed to have no meaning as she finally figured out who was on pining her down. It was Inuyasha. She was beginning to drown in his smell. He smelled of enticingly masculine cologne and another scent that was all his own. She thought for a moment about how much money she could make if she could bottle this smell that had engulfed her when suddenly, he moved. Well, Inuyasha slid across her body, more than anything else.

 

 

She wondered what had gotten into her body. She wanted to rake her nails down his body and kiss his neck which, for a few seconds was within reach of her mouth. She wanted to taste him and touch him. `Wait a minute, was that a gun shot?' Reality crashed down upon her.

 

 

Kagome opened her eyes when the weight that had been blanketing against her lessened. She stared at him with a bewildered expression for a few seconds before it all clicked in her mind.

 

 

Someone had shot a gun in the airport. `ohmygod,ohmygod,ohmygod,ohmygod!'

 

 

Inuyasha sensed that Kagome wouldn't be able to get up on her own, so he crouched down and scooped her up. Kouga was looking just as shocked as she, but for entirely different reasons.

 

 

The first thought that crossed Kouga's mind made him so mad he could tear the column near him from the ground and throw it a good long ways. Maybe if he threw it hard enough, it would hit that conniving bitch, Kagura. His first thought, by the way Inu something-or-other had hit the ground with Kagome was that Kagome was, in fact, Kagura's target.

 

 

That conclusion held no merit after he noticed that a whole slew of people were circling around another body. That Sango girl's voice was heard over everyone else's roars of shock and dismay.

 

 

“Myoga!!! Inuyasha, its Myoga. He's the one on the ground.” Sango ran to the injured party in question while Inuyasha processed what her outburst meant.

 

 

Inuyasha could hear the blood in his ears rushing and Kagome's sniffles as she realized what Sango had just said. Even through all the noise, he finally noticed the one man that Kagome had been hanging all over earlier, was saying something.

 

 

“I'm so sorry Kagome. If I would have known…” Kouga didn't know what had come over him. He never apologized for the jobs that he did. But, this was Kagome. They had been sort of friends in college. If you count only seeing each other in one class a semester friends. He never really minded that she seemed so closed off and it made him even more determined to win her heart. He had been struck by the girl the first moment he laid eyes on her, but she never gave him a chance. Now here he was, the reason her other escort, or whatever these people were to her, was possibly dead. Kouga hung his head in shame.

 

 

Inuyasha knew what he meant and the guy wasn't going to get away with it. Miroku was still standing at his side. He heard Sango yelling that Myoga was still alive and that an ambulance was on its way. That was all he needed to hear.

 

 

Inuyasha handed a still stunned Kagome over to Miroku and proceeded to get some answers. He grabbed the stranger by the front of the shirt and glared down at him. If looks could kill…

 

 

“You're coming with us,” Inuyasha growled deep in his throat.

 

 

-------------------------------

 

 

Kagome, Miroku and Sango sat in the “family room” at the hospital as they franticly waited for news of Myoga's condition. They were all edgy and nervous after what had transpired at the airport. One of their friends could be fatally wounded and they could do nothing to help. It was quite a feeling of uselessness.

 

 

Kagome, not being able to sit still and wait, got up and started pacing. After pacing a whole five seconds, she stopped mid stride. “I think I'm going to go find Inuyasha.” Not even waiting to hear a reply, she opened the door to the hallway leading outside and set out to do as she said.

 

 

She wasn't sure where to find him. He had acted stranger than the rest of them after the shooting and had demanded that her old colleague come with them. As she softly padded down the hallway, she began to wonder why Inuyasha would want Kouga to come along with them.

 

 

Kagome was almost to the food court when she heard an angry, muffled voice coming from a utility closet she had just passed. Letting her curiosity get the better of her, she backed up a few paces and listened intently to the seething voice.

 

 

She could hear very clearly now. It was Inuyasha and some other noises that sounded like things being thrown off a shelf. At first she thought he had gone somewhere private to let his sadness about Myoga out. After all, Inuyasha had made it no secret that he was a very proud man.

 

 

But then, she could hear what he was saying.

 

 

“Tell me what the fuck else you know or so help me God, I'll kill you. I don't care if you're an old friend of Kagome's or not. I'll slice you from gullet to gut if you don't start talking.”

 

 

Kagome's mouth had gone slack. Who was he talking to and why was he saying such violent things to…'Oh God, Kouga!'

 

 

Before she could even register that it might be a bad idea to break up a fight that might involve murderous intent, she clutched the handle to the closet and with one swift movement, threw it open.

 

 

Shock was the first thing Inuyasha saw on Kagome's face, when he looked up. Then anger replaced it quickly. `Aw, fuck…'

 

 

Kagome walked in on the most horrifying thing she had ever seen. The guy she hadn't seen in several years was on the ground bleeding out of every orifice she could see. Above him her hero was quickly diminishing in her eyes. Inuyasha was hovering over Kouga with his fist half cocked ready to deal another blow to the already very battered man.

 

 

“Inuyasha?” Kagome breathed through clenched teeth.

 

 

“Kagome, turn around and go back to the others. You shouldn't be wandering around by yourself.” Inuyasha turned to look down at the man on the ground. He could understand why she would be upset, by why at him? This man had something to do with Myoga's shooter and he was going to get answers, by God. He may even kill him if it came to that.

 

 

Kagome snapped. Who the hell was he to order her around? She would go wherever she damn well pleased and would accept the consequences for her actions. She was looking for the one who was supposed to be protecting her, after all. And she had found him, all right. Then he had the nerve to brush his violent behavior off like she had found him doing nothing more playing cards with wrinkled, old people.

 

 

“I will not! What in the world do you think your doing?!” Kagome shrieked.

 

 

“Not that it's any of your concern right now, but I'm trying to find out what this wolf-in-sheep's-clothing knows about the person that shot Myoga.” Inuyasha rose to his full height but refused to let the man off the ground.

 

 

“What the hell would he have to do with it? He doesn't know anything. He was standing with us at the time. What makes you think he knows anything?!” Kagome was growing angrier by the second. Had he become completely paranoid and schizophrenic?

 

 

“You mean you didn't hear him apologize to you right after it happened? He knows something, Kagome.”

 

 

“Wha…?” Kagome looked down at Inuyasha's feet to see Kouga looking at her through very swollen eyes. “Kouga?” She almost didn't want to know. Could he really have something to do with all this?

 

 

“I'm sorry Kagome.” Kouga coughed and sputtered as the words left his mouth. His head lolled back and his eyes closed and opened again in an attempt to regain their focus.

 

 

“You see, he knows som…” He was cut off by a short wave of Kagome's hand. Inuyasha fisted his hands and tried his damnest not to push her ass out the door and lock it.

 

 

Kagome kneeled down a few feet from Kouga and found his eyes once again. “You're sorry for what Kouga?” Maybe it wasn't what she was hoping against all hope it wasn't. Maybe there was a perfectly good explanation for the `sorry'. No such luck.

 

 

“I'm sorry, I didn't know that's what she was gonna do. I never thought she'd shoot someone.” His voice was strained, but she could still make it out.

 

 

Kagome backed away slowly and shook her head in disbelief. “What part did you play Kouga?” she asked in a shaky voice.

 

 

“I was supposed to keep this guy busy for a few minutes. I didn't know you were with him until the last second, I swear.” Kouga closed his eyes and Inuyasha decked him so hard he really did lose consciousness.

 

 

Kagome let loose a squeal and backpedaled all the way to the door. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. “Why?” she asked looking up to Inuyasha.

 

 

“Because he hurt you.”

 

 

---------------------------------

 

 

So now, Kagome was waiting for two people to recover. The doctors had said Myoga was out of danger but that still didn't keep everyone from worrying. He had caught a bullet in his right shoulder but other than that, he was fine. He would have to stay in the hospital for a week or so, so he wouldn't be accompanying the others on the trip.

 

 

Kouga was dragged by Inuyasha to the E.R. after that final blow. He'd yelled for Kagome to come with him and she did. Inuyasha told the triage nurse that he had found the man, in that condition, about a block from the hospital. They were waiting for him to wake up so they could get some real answers.

 

 

Inuyasha took the opportunity to call Sesshoumaru and fill him in on the recent events and ask for some backup.

 

 

“Inuyasha, it is one o'clock in the morning. This had better be worth my time or I'll fly to Tokyo and rip your still beating heart out.” Sesshoumaru always did have an affinity for the dramatic.

 

 

“Fuck you, bastard. I just wanted to call you and let you know that we've had some problems and I need your help. Besides, it's gonna be hard to kick my ass in Tokyo when I'm in China.” Inuyasha loathed having to ask his brother for help, but he knew as soon as he told him what or who the help was for, Sessh would bend over backwards to help him out. It would really be in his best interests.

 

 

“Go on you idiot; you've wasted enough of my time.”

 

 

“Myoga got shot this morning and I think it may have something to do with this Naraku guy.”

 

 

There was a long, pregnant pause.

 

 

“Is he still alive?”

 

 

“Of course he is! If he wasn't I would have said that he was dead, not shot, you dumbass!”

 

 

“What do you need from me then?”

 

 

Inuyasha ground his teeth to keep from yelling at him. “I need you to send someone here to protect him. The cops are here now but they won't be for long. They'll be here for another day or so getting the story from him. He hasn't woken up yet but will soon. I want someone here as soon as you can get them.”

 

 

“This is acceptable. But I do have one question little brother. Why would they go after the old man when they've made it perfectly clear that they want the girl you now protect? What make's you so sure it's Naraku.”

 

 

“Because we found out one of his lackey's was trying to keep me and the others occupied. I beat the shit out of him and he passed out. I'm waiting for him to wake up now. When he does, I'll get the answers one way or another. As for why they went after Myoga, I don't know. I'm sure he has a reason and a plan, but I'm a little stumped.”

 

 

“Very well; what's his name? I'll have Shippo find out more about him.”

 

 

“His name's Kouga but don't bother. Sango already called Shippo. He's been working on it for the past hour.”

 

 

“Well little brother, it seems you have this under control. Where are you going after you question the scum?”

 

 

“We're going to Tianjin to speak to the descendant of the man who made the sword. I'll be staying at a hotel just inside of town.”

 

 

“If you run into anymore problems call me. I'll patch you to the guard house so you can tell them the address of the hospital. Tell them I said to send their most reliable and capable people.”

 

 

“Sure thing. I'll call after I talk to this descendant guy.”

 

 

“Be sure that you do.”

 

 

There was an audible click and Inuyasha closed his cell phone.

 

 

-----------------------------

 

 

An hour passed before Kouga woke up. Inuyasha barged right in and started demanding answers. Kagome trotted alongside him.

 

 

“You better tell me everything you know or I'll make it so this is the last bed you ever get to sleep in.”

 

 

Inuyasha was hovering over Kouga again with the same murderous gleam in his eyes. Kagome knew that if she didn't do something soon, Inuyasha would make good on his promises. The last thing she needed was for Inuyasha to go to jail and leave no one to protect her.

 

 

“Inuyasha, can I ask some questions?”

 

 

Inuyasha whipped his head around to the person whom he didn't even know had been following him. “I don't even want you in here Kagome. You shouldn't have to see this.” After the comment, he let his gaze slide down to Kouga once more to accentuate the point that there was going to be bloodshed.

 

 

“Inuyasha, I'm not leaving. I want some answers myself.”

 

 

“Fine, but make them quick.” Inuyasha proceeded to sit in a chair between the bed Kouga was laying on and Kagome. He wasn't giving that wolf-in-sheep's-clothing a half an inch to make a move against her. He would be dead before he even settled his sights on her.

 

 

Kagome wet her lips and thought about how to word her first question. “So,” she began. “You really didn't have any idea that I was traveling with Inuyasha?”

 

 

“I told you I didn't, Kagome.” Kouga averted his eyes to look at the foot of the bed. “I could never hurt you on purpose.” It was whispered, but she heard it. What was worse was that Inuyasha had heard it.

 

 

“Why you,…” Inuyasha jumped up to make a move when Kagome's voice stopped him.

 

 

“Please Inuyasha, I need some more answers. If you knock him out again, we'll be stuck here until Easter. Now sit down.”

 

 

Inuyasha promptly did as she asked but not without a few mumbles of protest.

 

 

Kagome let out a breath slowly and placed her sights back on the matter at hand.

 

 

“Kouga, who asked you to distract Inuyasha?”

 

 

Kouga sighed. “I wish I could, but I can't tell you that Kagome. I'll be dead by morning if I tell you.”

 

 

“You'll be dead in five minutes if you don't give her the answers she wants,” came Inuyasha's clipped retort.

 

 

“Inuyasha, you're not killing him.” Kagome turned the soft coaxing voice that she was using with Kouga to an almost growl.

 

 

“Why are you defending him? These people could be after you next, Kagome. How can I protect you if I don't have all the information available?”

 

 

“I can't let you hurt him anymore Inuyasha. He was very nice to me in school and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I let you do what you want to do to him.”

 

 

Kagome turned her attention back to Kouga get some more answers. Maybe he would slip up. “What did this person ask you to do, again?”

 

 

“She called in a favor from me.” `So it's a she' thought Kagome as she let him continue.

 

 

“She asked me to get the old man away from the rest of you and to distract you. That's all she said. She faxed me some pictures of you,” he pointed to Inuyasha, “and the old man.”

 

 

“Okay, is that all you can tell me. Please Kouga, if you're leaving anything out…” Kagome let her voice fade away.

 

 

“That's all I can tell you without getting myself killed. I'm sorry Kagome.”

 

 

“That's okay Kouga.” Kagome's voice started to quiver. She fought back the tears that twinkled in her eyes. She wasn't even really sure why she wanted to cry so badly. Was it the stress of having to interrogate a person she had known to only be honest? Was it that she was worried about Myoga, one of the sweetest men she had ever met? Or was it the whole situation she found herself in? She wasn't sure. She just wanted to feel safe again.

 

 

Inuyasha heard the crack in Kagome's voice and glanced through his hair to see a waterfall threatening to spill over her lashes. Strangely enough, Sango's words from earlier came back to him.

 

 

“If she seems uncomfortable with a situation, get her out of it.”

 

 

She seemed uncomfortable, alright. He jumped up from his chair. Inuyasha walked over to Kagome and grabbed her by the arm. “Please Kagome, let's go. He's not going to tell us anything.”

 

 

Kagome was startled for a moment at his sudden change of attitude. Less than thirty second ago, he wanted to rip Kouga limb from limb. Now he was telling her that it was useless to question Kouga further. But, she really did want to leave the room. She looked at Inuyasha who was facing her and the door behind her. His eyes held a worry she had seen before and she had her answer for the mood change. `He must think I'm crying because of Kouga.' She nodded signifying that she did want to leave.

 

 

He spun her around using the arm he was holding and wrapped his left arm around her. Kagome glanced back at Kouga and Inuyasha rushed her out the door before she could see his face.

 

 

Kagome made her lungs drag in a breath and blow it out again. Then she realized where she was. She was walking down the hall with Inuyasha's arm slung protectively over her upper back. His hand was pulling her closer to his body. Kagome allowed herself a tiny smile.

 

 

This was what she wanted; to feel safe again. Here he was, making her feel safe. They walked in silence back to the others. There was no need to share words. Kagome relished the comfort Inuyasha was giving her and Inuyasha was basking in the closeness of Kagome. He could smell her shampoo, she was so close. They both wished the walk back to the others was longer.

 

 

Not long after the two of them returned to Miroku and Sango, they all left to hail a taxi, turn in and get a long night's sleep after the day from hell.

 

 

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Sorry this chapter took longer to get out than the others. I went back and changed a few things I wasn't happy with. Review and let me know if you like it. If you find errors, please feel free to point them out to me. You can e-mail me if you like.

 

 

10-71 is police code for a shooting.

 

 

Reviews:

 

MM.org:

 

InuGoddess715: I never really intended for Inuyasha and Kagome to get so close so quick. It just kind of felt right. There will be a few bumps and disagreements in the future but I never really like to write dark fics. This is more of an adventure and romance fic anyway. Kagome is still afraid but Inuyasha will prove over time that she can count on him in any situation. That's what I was trying to get across in this chapter. Not only can he protect her physically, but he can protect her emotionally too. I'm glad you like the last chapter. Thanks for the review.

 

Vixenpi: Thank you for the complement. I always like when authors write nice, long, descriptive chapters. It makes the experience that much more fun and I'm glad you appreciate it. I know there wasn't anything about Miroku and Sango but I'll get to it in the next chapter. I'm going to try alternating story line and action with fluff and romance. I hope it works. Thanks for the review.

 

Inu_Kagome_4Life: Two reviews, OMG I love you! lol I'm sorry that you don't have internet. I know it sucks and I would go insane. I spend half my life out of work on this computer. As for the Indiana Jones thing, I have the collection too and I can't wait for the new one to come out next summer. I love Harrison Ford. Anywho, me and the old man (my bf) were watching one day and it just kinda clicked. I'm glad you like the new chapters and I hope you like this one too. Let me know.

 

FF.net:

 

Love23: I'm so glad you like it. Thanks for the review.