InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Of All the Things ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Of all the things

By: RedHerring

Chapter 4

Kagome and Inuyasha arrived back at Kaede's hut to see a worried Sango puttering around a temporary fire built just outside of Kaede's hut. Miroku was leaning against the wall, his staff resting against his uninjured shoulder.

"Sango, sit down. I'm sure she'll be alright," he said. Sango huffed, but sat down anyway. She noticed Kagome and Inuyasha making their way towards the hut and smiled at the sight of their arms around each other, but that smile turned into a frown when Miroku decided to speak.

"Inuyasha, you have been gone for quite a while. Did you manage to comfort Kagome sufficiently?" he asked with that 'I'm-thinking-of-something-that-deserves-a-slap-in-the-face' grin. Then Sango slapped him in the face.

Kagome flushed a bright red to match Inuyasha's haori and disentangled herself from his arms. He let her go reluctantly and she headed towards the hut. Inuyasha headed towards the open fire and smacked Miroku on his way to an open spot. No one said anything for a few minutes and Miroku decided to break the silence.

"Well, it's about time," he sighed.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean, bozu?" Inuyasha growled dangerously.

"Oh, come on, Inuyasha. The only people who didn't see how perfect you two were for each other were you, Kagome and Kouga," Sango interrupted dryly. Inuyasha just 'Keh'ed and turned to face the hut. Kagome stepped out of the hut, after a few minutes of Inuyasha's staring, and looked towards Sango.

"What's wrong with Takara?" she asked.

"She's been like that since a few minutes after you left," Sango replied, the worried frown creeping back onto her face. "She's like a zombie, and she won't snap out of it,"

"She's been like that the whole time?" she asked, disbelievingly.

"It's true, Kagome-sama. She won't react to anything. Kouga was the only one to get a reaction out of her, and not by the most pleasant means," Miroku said, a small smile creeping on his face.

"Where is the wimpy wolf?" asked Inuyasha, noticing for the first time that he couldn't smell him around.

"Oh, he's gone," Sango said with a small giggle, a smile similar to the one Miroku was wearing plastered on her face.

"What happened?" Kagome asked nervously. Sango burst out laughing and Miroku got a disturbingly evil glint in his eye. He noticeably tried to calm his face and explain the cause of Sango's continuing hilarity.

"You know that Takara-sama had a dislocated hip bone," Kagome nodded. "Well when you left, Kouga sat doing nothing and grumbling. I'm actually surprised that he let Kaede-sama stop him from following you two,"

"How did she stop him?" Kagome asked.

"She might have put wards on the door, but I'm not sure," Miroku explained. "Anyway, Takara-sama needed her hip relocated and Kouga was the only one around strong enough and in good enough shape to do it. Kaede-sama got him to do it.... and.... haha..." Miroku trailed off laughing.

"She pulled his tail!" Sango yelled. "Grabbed it and yanked on it when he shoved her hip back into place!" Kagome looked at Sango with her mouth hanging open and Inuyasha burst out laughing.

"He said he'd be back though. Hahahaha. You... you should have seen his face. He bolted out of there," he said, laughing and gesturing towards the house.

"But is Takara okay?" asked Kagome, sobering up the rest of the gang, except Inuyasha who continued to laugh occasionally.

"As well as can be expected from someone who just lost her family," Miroku said, all laughter gone from his face. That shut Inuyasha up, and even he looked upset for Takara. He knew what it was like to loose family. Even though he never knew his father, his mother had died and left him all alone, and his brother didn't even count as family.

"She probably feels all alone," Shippou piped up from his previously unnoticed position next to Sango. "But we're her friends now, right? We should show her that she doesn't have to be alone," said Shippou in all of his cute innocence.

"I think that's a great idea, Shippou," Sango said, and Kagome nodded her agreement.

"That would be helpful, to let her know that she does not have to be alone in a place that must seem strange to her," Miroku added.

"Keh," Inuyasha snorted, but he was willing to at least talk to her a bit.

"I'm going first," piped Shippou. He got up and scampered into the hut.

~*~

Takara lay motionless, hearing the noises outside, but not really listening; looking at the woodwork on the wall, but not really seeing it. Her thoughts were inward, filtering through all the memories of her family that would never be anything more.

She had figured it out; she wasn't stupid. She came through the well, and so did Kagome. And when Kagome was hysterical over its destruction that provided the final clue to how important it really was. When she realized she wasn't going to be able to get home, ever again, she went into shock. That damn wolf, killing her hip like that, snapped her out of it; and she couldn't bring herself to care.

So she was sad? Her little brother wasn't there to make her smile with his tricks.

So her leg hurt? Her mother wasn't there to make it feel better.

So she was lonely? Her oldest brother wasn't there to talk her out of it with his well meant teasing and yelling.

So she was confused? Her teacher wasn't there to explain everything.

So she had lost everything and been dumped in a place she had never known? There was no one to sympathize with her like her sister could.

So her home had been stripped away? No one cared enough to do anything about it.

So she was scared? Her best friend wasn't there to chase away her panicked thoughts.

She was alone. She had never felt more alone. Laughter outside permeated through the thin door covering and turned mocking in her ears, her vacant eyes registering the morose patterns the shadows cast on the wall.

Without her noticing, her view was obstructed by a pair of fuzzy feet and blue pants. The movement caught her attention, but she didn't show it. Why should she? It's not like the person cared, nor did she. She might as well be dead.

"Hey, Takara," Shippou said softly. He looked at the zombie-like girl and sighed. This would be hard, and his cute face might not be enough. He'd have to be extra clever to get her to smile.

"Kagome said that you can't go back, and that you can't see your family anymore," he paused, but still no reaction. It was like she was dead to the world.

"I lost my mama and papa a couple of years ago, and I was sad too," no reaction.

"But you know what? Kagome was really nice and she took care of me. Everyone in the pack takes care of me, even Inuyasha when he feels like being nice. It was really hard to say goodbye to my parents, and for a while I thought that I would be alone forever, but Inuyasha let me stay, and Kagome sort of became my new mama," Shippou said happily.

Takara blinked. How sad, to loose your parents so young. It would feel like there was no one at all. It was lucky that Shippou was able to find Kagome, but would she be so lucky too? Now that she had to start her life over, would she be able to find friends to help her? Would the others welcome a stranger? What right did she have, intruding on their little family, dousing them in her misery?

"Kagome says that everyone is going to try and make you feel better. Everyone in the pack lost some of their family, so they're going to come in here and tell you that you're not alone. It's really important not to be alone, because if you're alone, then you're always sad, and it's harder to be happy," Shippou stated in his child-like innocence.

She... she could have friends? Was this little runt telling the truth? Oh, he was so cute and happy, it was hard to imagine him suffering through any kind of pain, but there it was, shining in his eyes; the pain of loosing loved ones, brought up again, only in an effort to make her feel better.

Shippou was running out of things to say, but luckily he didn't have to continue because Kaede walked in and moved towards Takara.

"Shippou-chan, why don't you go outside for a while, while I fix up Takara?" she asked.

"Right!" Shippou nodded and smiled again at Takara. "You have to get better soon," he said in his perky little voice and darted outside.

Kaede moved to sit next to Takara. Without a word, she took out some ointments, bandages, herbs, and other medicines.

"Here, chew on this. It will dull the pain of your wounds," she said. Takara opened her mouth and chewed on the very bitter herb.

It was quiet for a while. Kaede was a very skilled miko, and she knew her stuff. The ointment soothed her burns, and she bandaged Takara's hip in a way that the pain almost went away. But the old woman had something to say to Takara too.

"Shippou is a little dear, isn't he?" she asked, knowing fully that she would get no answer.

"I suppose it be my turn to tell ye of my loss," she said. "When I was a small child, I lost my sister, Kikyo, to Naraku. We didn't know it at the time, we thought it was Inuyasha. Naraku tricked them into betraying each other, by wounding Kikyo in Inuyasha's form.

"They were in love, and Inuyasha was going to use the Shikon no Tama to become human for Kikyo. When she didn't meet at the arranged place, he grew angry and stole the Jewel. As he ran away, Kikyo shot him with an arrow and sealed his soul to the Goshinboku tree. She died shortly after," Kaede said softly. She gathered up her supplies, finished tending to Takara. "I became a miko, like my sister was. It was a very lonely and boring life, until Kagome and Inuyasha came along. Ye could not have a better choice in friends," she said, and walked out of the hut.

Was it true? Takara didn't understand half of it. What did the Shikon no Tama do? Why would someone kill for it?

~*~

Shippou came darting out of the hut and ran straight into Kagome's arms. "She's still all sad!" he cried.

"Who's going next?" asked Miroku. Everyone looked at everyone else, not really wanting to be the next one to relive their pasts.

"Why don't you go, Inuyasha?" asked Kagome.

"No! Why do I have to go next? It's not like I even agreed in the first place," he scoffed.

"Inuyasha, be nice for once in your life, you big jerk!" yelled Shippou. Kagome, seeing another argument about to ensue- which would be followed with Inuyasha bopping Shippou on the head and Kagome having to sit him for it- interrupted it before it could start.

"Shippou-chan, what did you say to Takara?" she asked sweetly, giving a warning glance at Inuyasha, who 'Keh'ed.

"I told her about my parents," he said quietly, snuggling down into Kagome's lap contentedly. "Then I told her that everyone in the pack was gonna go in and see her to make her feel better,"

"Pack, Shippou-chan?" Kagome asked, surprised. Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha's ears turned towards the Kitsune in surprise.

"Yeah, a pack. Isn't that what we are?" he mumbled sleepily and started to snore, his head pillowed on Kagome's leg.

"What did Shippou-chan mean by us being a pack?" Sango asked, a thoughtful look gracing her tired features.

"Like wolves?" Kagome asked.

"Wolves do form packs, so do dog demons, although not as often," said a voice coming from the general direction of Kirara's head. Kirara's eyes crossed and looked up in an effort to see the tiny flea demon, but when it just made her dizzy she stopped and set her head on her paws.

Inuyasha snorted at the mention of wolves, but turned his attention to Myouga.

"What are you talking about Jiji?" he demanded gruffly.

"It is true, my lord. Since you began your travels with Kagome-sama, you have formed a pack. Do you not know the way packs form, my lord?"

"Of course I know," he spat. His face softened and got a more thoughtful look. "I just didn't know that it was happening. Especially since…" he trailed off.

"Especially since what?" asked Kagome. Inuyasha 'Keh'ed and turned his head away from the rest of the group and refused to speak.

"Especially since the male and female that are the initiate the pack are usually mated," supplied Myouga.

Kagome turned a new shade of red and Inuyasha did a marvelous impression of a tomato. Myouga chuckled and continued to inform the rest of the humans of demon packs.

"After a while come the pups; that would be Shippou. Then other loners join the pack for their added strength in the hunt. Sometimes older members are added for their counsel and wisdom; that would be Kaede-sama and myself," he concluded.

"So, if Kagome and Inuyasha are the leaders- don't look at me that way, Kagome. You know you are- then what are the rest of us to the pack," Sango asked.

"You, Sango would be Kagome's second female; and Miroku would be Inuyasha's second male. Kirara is another member, just as Kaede-sama and myself are," Myouga finished. This new information gave everyone some ample food for thought.

"So, it's like a family?" Kagome asked.

"Yes, very much like a human family, but there are differences too. Packs work together, and each member has responsibilities to the pack. I did not mention some things before because I thought you knew about it, but now that I know Inuyasha did not know what he was doing…"

"Hey! You make me sound ignorant!"

"Were you not ignorant until today?"

"Keh!"

"Aren't packs usually the same species?" asked Sango.

"Indeed yes. This is a very unusual pack, containing three humans with holy powers, a demon exterminator and four youkai," commented Myouga.

"And it's gaining another member," stated Kagome firmly.

"WHAT?!" screamed Inuyasha.

"Oh, come on, Inuyasha, what do you expect Takara to do? We can't just leave her to start a new life by herself!"

"I don't want another person slowing us down on the search for the shards!"

"She won't be a burden. You saw her fight, even if it was only for a little while, she's excellent," Kagome argued.

"She does have skill, Inuyasha. I have never seen creativeness like that in battle. Even I would never have thought to attack with a miko power charged weapon," Sango added.

"Fine, she can come. But if she gets in the way, or is more trouble than she's worth, then she stays with Kaede-baba," Inuyasha conceded.

"Thank you, Inuyasha," Kagome said softly. "She'll really appreciate it. Just think of how it feels. I at least have friends to fall back on,"

"Yes, we need to reassure Takara that she is not without a home," added Miroku.

"Good, then you can go in next," said Inuyasha.

"I have not yet thought of what I would say. Perhaps it would be better for you to go in,"

"Keh! No chance,"

"Inuyasha...." Kagome said dangerously. Inuyasha, seeing the imminent danger of his face getting plastered to the hard ground, and a large mouthful of dirt, flattened his ears and turned his eyes away from Miroku and towards Kagome.

"Don't you dare, bitch," he said.

"I won't if you go in next," she said, eyes narrowed. Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Myouga all watched in silent amusement. It would be entertaining, to say the least, to watch what would happen next; now that Inuyasha was informed of his responsibilities to his pack, and his relationship with Kagome started improving. Inuyasha and Kagome kept glaring at each other for a while; and when Kagome's mouth started to form the first syllable of her favorite word Inuyasha shot up and clamped a hand over her mouth.

As shocked as Kagome was that he did something like that, it didn't stop her from screaming into his hand.

"Oh, be quiet bitch. I'll go in when Kaede-baba gets out," he grumbled. Kagome nodded and he removed his hand. He shifted and sat down next to her, rather than returning to his place across the fire. They sat in silence only broken by the noises of the forest, the fire, and Shippou's gentle snore. Kaede soon came out, bearing with her a basket full of vegetables and a pot. Inuyasha got up silently and made his way to the hut.

"Would you like some help with dinner, Kaede-sama?" asked Sango, just to break the silence.

~*~

Inuyasha walked in, his demon eyes seeing through the darkness like it was day. The little light that made it through the high window fell just short of the inert form on the pallet. Her position had changed very little since the last time Inuyasha had seen her. She was still on her stomach, her arms and legs spread out haphazardly, the blanket falling to her waist to reveal a freshly bandaged back. He sighed and plopped down to the left of her head and leaned against the wall.

"You look pathetic," he stated in a 'just-so-you-know' voice. No response, but did you really expect one?

"Alright, it's understandable that you're gonna be all depressed, and you have every right to be; but you can't just be catatonic, like that. You're going to have to eat soon, because you'll need the energy to heal. I can't have you dying on Kagome, because somehow I'll get blamed," Inuyasha made a sour face and glanced at the small red headed girl. She was rather short; her feet just barely reached the end of the pallet. Inuyasha reached over and gave her arm a poke. He got nothing and sighed again.

"Ok, maybe if you hear enough stories of all the bad things that happened to us, then you'll cheer up? At least that's what Kagome thinks, so she's shoving us in here and making us tell you our life stories," he said.

Inuyasha fell silent as he contemplated what to tell her. He wasn't just going to blurt out everything; besides, she'd probably find it out anyways. Quiet mumbles of "bitch" and "wench" and something about bossy women escaped from the hanyou before he started talking.

"I guess you can know what everyone else does. You'll find it out eventually though, so I don't even know why I bother.

"I'm a hanyou. That means that I'm half human and half demon. You come from a time that doesn't really have demons, so I don't know if you know about that though. It's not good, anyways. I'm too human to be accepted by demons, and I'm too demon to be accepted by humans. My father was a powerful Taiyoukai that was the ruler of the western lands, and my mother was a human Hime; not that it matters, I'm still considered worthless.

"My father met my mother after my brother was born. He's full demon and despises me and everyone I associate with. Shortly after I was born my father was killed and left me a sword he made out of his fang, Tetsuaiga, but I didn't get it until I met Kagome. My brother got Tenseiga, a sword that can bring back the dead. My sword can kill a hundred demons in one swing. And of course my sword is the better one. That's why he was always trying to steal it," Inuyasha said with an arrogant smirk.

This jerk, Inuyasha. For that was what he was at first sight; a jerk. Arrogant, selfish, boastful, loud-mouthed, and rude. Now where had she seen that before? Oh yeah, her dear, sweet brother. Note the sarcasm; but she loved the anyways. He had a heart of gold, hidden under a crusty layer of coal dust. You just needed to find the right was to clean it off. Wow, how's that for a bad analogy, but it gets the idea across. Inuyasha must have been like that too. He didn't have to go in there and talk to her, but he did. Even though he covered it with gruffness and a pompous attitude; but she'd dealt with that all before, so she spoke 'Care-bear-in-a-lion-suit' fluently.(AN: ok, that means, good-guy-acting-tough. Yeah, I needed a better name though.)

"So then I lived with my mother until I was five. Then she died and I was left on my own. I'm not going to tell you everything that happened; just imagine growing up in a world that wants you dead, finding food and shelter for yourself and defending yourself against humans that chase you out of the village for being filthy demon spawn, and demons that are looking for a tasty bit of weakling hanyou. So, yeah," he said as he shifted his foot to kick at a stray corner of a blanket. He had his arms crossed and a scowl on his face as he concentrated on getting the blanket uncrumpled. Takara's eyes scanned over his form in the dim light. His ears were presses flat against his head, like a kicked puppy.... Well it made sense, didn't it? He had the whole dog demon thing going on, even though she didn't fully believe that demons existed. She had the proof, but her mind just couldn't make the connection.

"Then I met Kikyo," he said. He was quiet for a while and his scowl deepened. He didn't really want to remember anything about her. Her memory always put him in a bad mood after what she had done. Should he tell her? She'd probably find out anyway. He'd manage to say something stupid, get sat. Kagome would storm off, the girls would run off to comfort her and then she'd rant about the whole deal. Well, at least he could present his version to Takara first, then she'd be more inclined be on his side if things got ugly. Just a precaution, just Sango was easier to defend against, than Sango and Takara.

"Me and Kikyo were a lot alike. She was a priestess that was set apart because she was so powerful and she guarded the Shikon no Tama. She was alone, and so was I because I was a hanyou. By the time I met her, I was so sick of being alone, and so was she. We had some things in common, that being the major thing. Eventually, she said that we could be together if I wished to be human on the jewel. The jewel would disappear and she wouldn't have to keep protecting it from demons who wanted it just to get stronger. I thought I was in love, but I think it was really a way for both of us to get what we wanted.

"Then Naraku showed up. From what me and Kagome found out, Naraku took my form and attacked Kikyo. She thought I betrayed her and went to kill me. Meanwhile, I was waiting for her to come with the jewel so I could wish to be human. She didn't come, and I thought that she had betrayed me. So I attacked the village and stole the jewel. I was going to use it to become a full youkai so I could be stronger and not need Kikyo. She caught me and pinned me to a tree, sealing my soul for fifty years,

"Kagome woke me up and unpinned me from the tree. She's Kikyo's reincarnation and she thinks I keep comparing her to her. I didn't really love Kikyo, but she was the best thing to happen to me at that point in my life. Growing up alone in a world that hates you doesn't really do much for a person, if you haven't noticed. Life isn't always fun and games, but if something bad happens, you move on. Because, first of all, none of them are worth loosing your life over, just because you miss them. Second, I don't know much about yours and Kagome's time, but from what I've seen it's much easier to start a life here. You just get a hut and find out how to do something that people need. You went to that s-kool thing, so you know more than anyone here..... So, yeah," Inuyasha said awkwardly, raising a hand to scratch the back of his head. He stood up to go, there was nothing more he had to say, and he stayed in there for at least fifteen minutes so Kagome had no reason to sit him for being insensitive. Before he left he said one more thing.

"Don't be stupid and focus on your loss. It'll only hurt worse and they you can't get on with your life," he said bluntly, and then he walked out.

Takara watched his retreating back with narrowed eyes, trying to burn a hole through his head. Stupid, insensitive, arrogant, jerk.... He was right though.

~*~

Inuyasha walked out of the hut and stalked over towards Kagome.

"There, are you happy?" he asked as he plopped down next to her with a heavy scowl on his face. Sango had set up the pot over the fire and was busy cutting up some vegetables with Kaede. Miroku was looking like he was asleep against a tree, but Inuyasha knew he wasn't.

"Yes, I am happy," she said. She had previously shifted Shippou onto a blanket close enough to the fire for its warmth, so she scooted over towards him and latched onto his arm as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Very happy, thank you,"

"Keh," he said, but it held only a little gruffness. He was still upset for revealing too much to Takara. He squeezed Kagome's hand and planted a kiss on the top of her head, breathing in her scent deeply, trying to calm down. They sat like that for a few minutes before an "Awwww," was heard from several people surrounding the campfire. Inuyasha jerked his eyes open and glared at the offending persons.

"Shut up," he spat, and would have gotten up if Kagome had not tightened her hold on his arm when she felt him tense. He settled for chucking a rock at Miroku and smiled inwardly at his high pitched yelp. "Oi, bozu. It's your turn," he said, directing a glare towards the monk.

Miroku sighed and slowly stood up, clutching his bruised torso. "Fine, fine. But then I would like Kagome-sama to go in; it was her idea after all," he said, disappearing behind the door flap.

~*~

Takara's eyes flicked over Miroku as he entered the hut, his eyes taking a while adjusting to the lack of light. It was getting on in the evening and would be time to eat soon.

Miroku's eyes wandered over the spread-eagled form on the floor, the bandaged wrapped tightly to her curvaceous body. The blanket was pulled down to the small of her back, but you could still see the muscles of her thighs and ass. 'No! She is injured and vulnerable! And I have promised myself to Sango. I will control my hands!' Miroku thought desperately, even as he licked his lips in appreciation.

He walked over to the pallet and sat down on the most comfortable piece of floor he could find. After several minutes he concluded that the others who came in before him had not done much to change her silent state. He needed some kind of reaction from her. Her lethargic presence was just a little unnerving.

He moved closer towards her and picked up her hand.

"My lady, you have been through one of the hardest ordeals that a woman should never go through. Your strength of heart magnifies and compliments your radiant beauty. There fore, I would be honored (AN: Drum roll please) if you would bear my child," (AN: *cymbals*) he said gravely. He watched her face for any reaction and slowly became aware of nails digging into the palm of his hand. He pulled away with a yelp and dropped her hands like they were a hot iron.

Was this guy for real? She had seen the way his perverted eyes went over her when he walked in the hut. The guy was a little creepy, to say the least. Wait, the bugger was smiling.

"I am glad to see that you can at least to react sanely to that," he said with a little laugh, rubbing his abused hand. Oh, so he was just after a reaction? Well, that put her mind at ease a little. At leas he wasn't going to molest her while she was feeling like crap.

"You have many of us worried out there. Especially Kagome-sama. She has a kind heart and feels truly sorry that you have been dragged into this," he said. Takara paid attention to his words, but gave no outward sign of paying attention. But did you really expect her to?

"I suppose it is my turn to relate to you the misfortunes of my youth," he said with a heavy sigh. "There is not much to tell, but what is to be told is painful and none the less important to me.

"Naraku, the demon who caused most of the mess that we were in, was around in my grand father's time. As you must know from Inuyasha, he is a shape shifter. With his shape shifting, he was able to curse my family line, starting with my grandfather.

"You see, apart from the curse, the males of my family line have a common trait. We are all horrible lechers. And don't say that I admitted it, or I will never hear the end of it from the others," he said with a wink.

"Oh, you don't have to worry. I am steering myself clear of that path for my dear Sango," he said with a reflective pause.

"Anyway, Naraku shifted into a beautiful woman and my grandfather, being the lech that he was, made a move. In the ensuing battle after my grandfather found out the beautiful woman's true identity, his hand was pierced and a wind tunnel opened up in his hand. The wind tunnel is a void that sucks everything within a hundred feet into its void. As the person cursed ages, the hole grows larger; and it eventually would suck in the person and everything around it. A very painful death; and I had to witness my father's death when his time came," he said. Miroku paused in respect for his father's memory. After a few seconds his head shot up, a cheerful mask plastered to his face.

"But now that Naraku is gone the curse is lifted, and my life is no longer in permanent jeopardy. I must thank you for your unexpected assistance," he said with an annoyingly chipper voice. He got up and started to make his way towards the door, but paused, as if remembering something.

"You may not be able to see your family again, or for a very long while; but they are safe, I am sure," he said with a small smile. Then he left.

With everyone coming and revealing their pasts, it was making Takara feel a little better. That last comment shook her a bit. So they were all safe?

Well that was good. Now all she had to do was get over the fact that she had to restart her life, and she would never see her family again. That's it.

They didn't think that she could get over this in a day, did they? And what would her family think? They didn't know where she went to! They would worry!

But she couldn't just dismiss their efforts. Despite the pain of reliving their pasts, they still came in and tried to cheer her up. A little twisted. Cheer her up with depressing tales.

That Miroku reminded Takara of her dance instructor. Willing to drop everything and despite extreme reluctance, try everything to make someone fell better. Yep he was just like her teacher. Just extremely perverted.

~*~

Kagome was waiting anxiously for Miroku to finish his talk with Takara and come out of the hut. She did NOT want to be outside within the next five minutes. The reason being that tow Shikon shards were making their way towards the village; fast. Guess who?

Miroku stepped out and was nearly thrown to the ground when Kagome darted past him and went into the hut, securing the flap when she was inside. Miroku stared, Inuyasha twitched his ears and blinked, Sango looked dazed, and Shippou was still asleep.

"Well that was abrupt," said Miroku. He walked over towards his previous spot under a tree, only to find it occupied suddenly by a whirlwind. Yep, you guessed it: Kouga. He had a dead goose over his shoulder and a smirk fit to smack on his face.

Inuyasha was up in an instant, growling at the sudden intrusion of one of the people he dislikes the most.

"What the hell are you doing back here, mongrel?" he yelled.

"I only left to find something to feed my woman with, mutt face," he replied, unperturbed at Inuyasha's show of malice. He dropped the goose, which had been stripped of feathers, next to Sango, who had just finished with the vegetables.

"Wow, Kouga. This goose is huge," she said appreciatively.

"Only the best for my mate," Kouga scoffed. Inuyasha froze. 'M-mate? What the hell?' he thought.

"What the hell, Kouga? Kagome is NOT your mate!" Inuyasha screamed, not quite believing himself. Kagome had said she loved him, but that did not mean that she wouldn't mate with Kouga. She didn't smell mated, but Kouga could already have laid the physical claim on her. Had he, and Kagome had just not told him? Why else would Kouga just suddenly switch from 'my woman' to 'my mate'?

"What is it to you, dog breath, weather she is or not? Do you plan to do something about it?" Kouga mocked.

"Damn right I'll do something about it," Inuyasha said darkly. "There is no way in hell I'll let you take what is mine," he growled and lunged at Kouga.

Kouga, who had not really been expecting such a vehement reply from the half dog demon, barely dodged his attack. Inuyasha was still fast, even in his injured state, but his speed could not compare with Kouga's enhanced speed due to the Shikon shards. Without them, they would have been evenly matched; but Kouga had the advantage. He quickly recovered and ended up pinning Inuyasha to the ground, him crouching on the hanyou's back and twisting his hands behind him.

"You're such a cheater, using the Shikon shards. Have you no honor as a prince to fight for your mate fairly?" Inuyasha taunted. It was probably the only way he could get a bit more ground against the wolf demon. It was also a REALLY bad idea to challenge Kouga at this time, but it happened before he could stop himself. That comment about Kagome already being Kouga's mate made him see red; he had no right to claim Kagome like that.

"I can fight for her fairly, dog turd," Kouga stated confidently.

"There will be no fighting tonight," Kaede interrupted sternly. Everyone jumped and everyone but Kouga and Inuyasha looked sheepish at forgetting that the old miko was even there. They were caught up in the actions of the two posturing demons, prepared to knock one unconscious if need be.

"Stay out of this old hag," Inuyasha growled.

"I will not. It is nearly dark, dinner is almost ready, we have yet to pull Takara-san out of her depression, you are still injured, and someone will have to stay and watch the two of you foolishly fight and make sure that you don't kill each other," Kaede explained reasonably, if a little impatiently.

"That's the whole point of the challenge, baba," retorted Kouga.

"I know this, but do you really think that Kagome would agree with you? She will most assuredly make you promise not to kill each other, making the battle last longer," She said.

"Fine," Kouga said, getting off Inuyasha and kicking him in the side for good measure. "We'll continue this in the morning, dog turd, and until then I'm staying here to make sure you don't try anything," he said.

Just then, Kagome finally stepped out of the hut. She took one look at the scene and grimaced. Inuyasha was sitting on the ground, covered in dirt, glaring murderously across the fire at Kouga who was looking smug.

"Uh, Kouga-kun. What brings you here?" she asked nervously.

"I brought you some dinner," he said, gesturing towards the roasting duck that Sango and Kaede were cooking. Inuyasha started growling viciously at the wolf demon, who growled right back, his attention shifting from Kagome to Inuyasha.

Kagome walked slowly over to Inuyasha and knelt down beside him.

"Inuyasha," she called him. She got no response.

"Inuyasha, stop that," she said sharply. The only response was his arm snaking around her waist and pulling her flush against him.

"Hands off, dog crap," Kouga growled.

"Make me, wolf shit," Inuyasha growled back.

Shippou was awoken from his very comfortable sleep by the two demons. There he was, all warm and comfortable, surrounded by Kagome's scent and pillowed in her sleeping bag. He heard the two fierce growls and looked up to see Inuyasha gripping a rather red Kagome and his little mind jumped to the obvious, if not entirely correct, assumption: Inuyasha was being a jerk again.

Shippou immediately transformed into his pink balloon and attached his mouth to the hanyou's nearest ear; causing Inuyasha to break the 'death staring contest' with Kouga and yelp in surprise and pain.

"Shippou, you little runt!" he screamed and lunged to bop the poor kit on the head.

"Quit being a jerk, Inuyasha!" Shippou screamed back as he high tailed it out of there, Inuyasha following.

Kouga just scoffed and sat back, enjoying the smells of Kagome and cooked goose wafting through the air. Also trying to ignore the heavy scent of despair emanating from the hut.

"Hey, Kagome, who died?" he asked, gesturing towards the hut.

"Huh? Oh! No one," She said. "You know Takara, don't you?" she asked him. He responded with a growl and a unconscious rub to the base of his tail.

"Stupid wench," he muttered. Kagome gave a little giggle and continued.

"Well, she followed me here from my home. When we fought Naraku, the way home was destroyed. Now both of us are stuck here. She didn't even get to say goodbye, and she has to start her life all over," Kagome said sadly. Kouga grimaced. Oh how he knew what it was like to start over. His pack was still suffering from Naraku's attack. It had grown a bit, but was severely lacking in women and pups. Making it all more urgent that he claim Kagome and get back.

Kagome brightened with an idea. "Um, Kouga-kun," she said sweetly. Kouga sat up straighter and looked into her eyes.

"Yes, my love?" he asked. Kagome's face heated up at his words, but she ignored it.

"Would you go in there and talk to her?" she asked in a rush. Kouga blinked in surprise and deflated a little. Darn, not what he had been hoping she would ask. He cleared his throat and shook his head.

"Why would I do that?" he asked.

"We're trying to show her that she's not alone, and that there are people that will care for her. If she knows that other people went through similar pain, then she might be able to manage better," Kagome explained.

"But I don't know her," he said. "And I'm not exactly around enough to get to know her better," he added.

"I know, but you're our friend and she could use all the help she can get. Please do it, Kouga. For me?" she pleaded, making her eyes go big and watery. Kouga fell hard for it. Her big brown eyes looking so enchanting.

"Alright, I'll do it. For you," he said; making sure that she knew he was only doing it for her, and even then with extreme reluctance.

He got up and made his way over towards the hut and walked in.

~*~

Sango had left for the hut around the time Inuyasha and Kouga had started their growling match. Kagome had not really noticed her leave because she was trying to deal with Inuyasha and a potentially violent fight. Sango had nothing better to do, so she got up and went to have her talk with Takara.

She walked in and headed for the cot, going mostly by feel and what she could remember of the layout of the hut, due to the fact that it wa almost completely dark in the hut, with the fire burning low. She stopped when her hand hit cloth and sat down in the most comfortable position she could find.

Takara saw nothing and only heard shifting. Hey, if it was some wild animal, if she could tell anything from the growling outside, let it eat her. She didn't care.

"Um, hello. I'm Sango," she said, a little unsure of how to begin. She decided with a straight forward approach.

"I just want you to know that you're not alone, and um, ah. I'm not too good at the comforting thing," she explained. "I grew up with all the boys in my village. I trained to be a demon exterminator with them. The only woman in the group, so I learned to be tough, and didn't get many chances to practice comforting, since not many of the boys needed it," she shrugged.

"Anyways, my village is gone now. Along with my family now. That's what you wanted to hear right? To know that someone else knows the pain you're going through?

"They were killed by my brother, who was being controlled by Naraku. The whole village was slaughtered, and my father and other exterminators were killed earlier on a demon hunt," she sighed.

"That's basically it. I can never see my family again, and I have to rebuild my village. I have to start over again, just like you. So, it's like we're very much alike. Everyone will be here supporting you and helping you in any way they can in whatever decision you make. Even myself.

"In fact, I would like you to show me some of the moves you pulled out there in battle. I haven't seen some of them," she said. "You seem very talented, and I'm sure that you would make a-" she was cut off by Kouga entering the hut.

"What do you want, Kouga?" asked Sango.

"Kagome asked me to come in here and talk to the girl," he said bluntly. Sango sighed, not too happy that she couldn't finish her conversation with Takara first, but seeing as Kouga was just standing there, expecting her to leave, she got up and headed for the door.

"Do you think that would be a good idea?" she asked.

"I am not going to do anything to her. If I did, then Kagome would be upset," he said testily.

"Oh, fine then. Bye," she said and left.

Kouga, who could see perfectly, marched up to Takara and sat down; making sure his tail was out of grabbing range. It freaking hurt when that bitch pulled on it. He just sat there for a bit, growling in impatience and anger.

"Ok, cheer you up by telling you depressing stories. That'll work," he said with a roll of his eyes.

Takara glared at him. The baka nearly butchered her hip and now he insulted these good people who were only trying to help. Sango was really nice too. She could see a sister in her. She grew up with boys, was always fighting, and lost everything she knew. She could sympathize with her, and Sango had definitely cheered her up; but not enough to do anything.

"I really do think it's stupid that you just lay here and soak in your oversized pool of self pity," he continued.

"I mean, sure, you lost your home, but so did hundreds of people, humans and demons,

"What makes you so special that you get to sit here and soak up attention like a sea sponge while others move on after much more devastating losses? At least your family is alive and safe," he continued to rant, not noticing that Takara's hand was nearing his tail that was flailing around in irritation.

She managed to grab hold of it and give it a good yank.

Kouga yelped and shot up. "Bitch, that hurts, ya know!" he yelled.

"Oh, shut up," Takara croaked. How dare he?! How dare he waltz in here and tell her what to do? And who was he?

"Who are you, anyways?" she asked, just so she would know who she was about to strangle. Kouga inched away and sat down completely out of reach of Takara's hands, still rubbing the base of his tail.

"My name is Kouga, and I am the wolf prince of the northern lands," he stated proudly. Takara snorted and tried to sit up, but a searing pain in her hip made her flop back down on the cot, also making her hiss in pain at the irritation of her burnt skin.

Kouga took offense to her snort. "And what was that about, bitch?" he asked.

Ooooh, he was really asking for it now. When she could stand, he would be nothing more than a mangled piece of meat dangling off some random tree limb, with fur scattered in the bushes.

She ignored his question in favor of asking her own. "So, what sad story do you have that made Kagome send you in here?" she asked. If he wasn't going to tell her, then he was just making her more curious.

"What's it to you, wench?" he asked suspiciously.

"Just curious, everyone else had one," Takara reasoned.

"And you just assume that I have one?" he asked; really only looking to piss her off.

"Well, I don't think it was your choice to spend time with me," she said sardonically.

"Damn straight, why would I willingly spend time with an insufferable bitch like you?" he replied and glared at her, folding his arms across his chest arrogantly.

"Then why did you come in here?" came the exasperated reply.

"Kagome asked me to," Kouga said, and Takara rolled her eyes.

"I thought you were a demon prince, and you let a little human girl order you around?" she asked.

"She is my woman, and if you knew anything, one does not make one's woman upset," Kouga said haughtily.

"She pulled the watery eyes on you, didn't she?" Takara asked in a bored tone and tried to search the darkness for him again.

"What's it to you?" he demanded.

"Yep, she did," Takara said with a laugh, and finally settled for staring straight ahead.

"So what if she did?" he barked.

"I've seen her pull it on some if her teachers before, when she couldn't make the date of a makeup test. If she did and you fell for them over a thing like this, then what do you think she'll be capable of getting you to do once you're together?" Takara asked smartly. Oh, she pulled one on him there. He sat in silence for a while, not quite knowing what to say, and then opted for a safe "She's still my woman!"

Takara rolled her eyes and replied with an aggravated "Whatever. Anyways, what's your story? You might as well tell me,"

"Fine," Kouga said. He just plain wanted to get out of there and away from this annoying little human girl. "Naraku killed most of my pack, and then used his wind bitch to reanimate their dead bodies to attack me and make me think that Inu-korro did it,"

"Oh, lovely; that's just the image I want to have in my mind right now right now," Takara replied dryly.

"Well, you did ask," Kouga said, getting up.

"I know, and I'm not blaming you- hey, where are you going?"

"Outside to get something to eat,"

"Is anyone else coming in after?"

"I don't think so," he said. He wondered why he was suddenly answering all of her questions and pegged it to the fact that she was injured and he wasn't a heartless baka.

"Um, ok," Takara said, trying again to get herself up, and failing again. On her third attempt she looked aggrievedly at Kouga who was watching her with a mixture of amusement and surprise.

"Well, what are you just standing there for, wolf? Help me up!" she shrieked.

"And why should I do that?" he asked arrogantly, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at her haughtily. Takara snorted at his pose again managed to prop herself on her arms.

"Because if you don't then Kagome will be angry with you for not giving me help when I ask for it,"

"You didn't ask for it, you demanded it," he countered.

"It's the same thing,"

"No, its not. If you had asked first, then maybe I would have been willing to help you, but since you demanded that I help you up, I think I'll just watch you struggle,"

"First of all you should have helped once I started getting up, it's the polite thing to do; second I wouldn't have demanded you help me, like you should have been doing anyway, if you didn't just stand there with that hateful smirk on your face. Now help me up!" she said, punctuating her statement with a slap of her hand on the floor, also effectively knocking herself back onto the cot.

"I don't like people ordering me around," he said with his nose in the air.

"And I don't like people ignoring me," Takara countered.

"Well then, it seems we're at a standstill," said Kouga.

"It seems we are, baka,"

"Bitch,"

"Pig,"

"Wench,"

"Man whore,"

"Ugly witch,"

"Disgusting slob,"

"Annoying harpy,"

"Spineless, whipped, woman!" Takara yelled, glaring at Kouga, who stood there and blinked, completely insulted.

"B-bitch!" he sputtered.

Takara smirked; she knew she won the argument. Kouga saw that smirk and was tempted to just swipe her head off to get rid of it, but he just stood there.

Takara sighed; she guessed she would have to be the bigger person and start being nice if she wanted any help. "Please, help me up?"

"I don't think I will, seeing as you just called me a woman," he scoffed.

"Oh, come on. Are you going to hold a grudge because of that?" Takara pleaded.

"Yes,"

"That's petty," she said. He snorted and just stood there; his head tossed away from her and looking injured.

"Fine, I'm sorry and I take it back. Now will you please help me up and help me outside?" she asked, tired of the whole argument and wanting some food.

"You still called me a man whore,"

"And you called me an annoying harpy, so we're even, aren't we?"

"Fine, fine," he said, walking over to her and taking hold of an offe . Takara pushed herself up using his arm as support. She moved herself onto her knees and stopped for a breather.

"Damn, you really did a number on my hip," she said, a little breathless due to the pain.

"It shouldn't hurt so much tomorrow," he assured her. She gestured for his other hand and he gave it to her, pulling her up as she tried to stand. Takara winced as she was finally pulled to her feet. She extracted a hand from Kouga's grip to lean against the wall, panting and scrunching her face in pain. Kouga just stood there watching, feeling a little bad now that he called her all of those names. It was probably the pain that was making her irritable. Looking around, he spotted a kimono and picked it up, then draped it on her arm. Takara looked at it curiously, then looked at Kouga for an explanation.

"It's called a kimono. You wear it," he said like he was talking to a person who was not particularly bright. Takara just slapped him on the head lightly.

"Just wear it,"

"Why? I've been mummified, so it's not like I'll need something else covering myself," Takara reasoned, gesturing to the bandages covering her from ankle to neck.

"It's cold outside, and besides, Sango and Kagome would skin me alive if I let you walk out of here with just your bandages on," he reasoned. Besides, the sight of all her curves, outlined in white, was doing funny things to his head. He was only male, after all.

"Fine," Takara sighed, and pulled on the oversized Kimono. When she was done she took Kouga's waiting hand and leaned on it for support.

"Lets go," she said. Kouga didn't say anything; he just lead the hobbling red head over towards the door.

~*~

Kagome sighed and shook her head at Kouga's retreating back. What was she going to do with him? She should just try talking to him; she didn't know if it would help, but she had to let him know that she didn't want him the way he wanted her. She turned her attention to the roasting duck on the fire. It was almost done, only a couple of more minutes.

"Kagome-chan, you shouldn't stare into a fire, it'll damage your eyes," came Sango's voice from behind her. Kagome jumped and turned around.

"Sango-chan! When did you get back there?" she asked, surprised.

"Oh, I was just talking to Takara while Kouga and Inuyasha had their growling match. How did that turn out, by the way?" Sango asked as she sat down next to Kagome.

"Shippou turned into his pink bubble and started chewing on Inuyasha's ear, then Inuyasha started chasing him," Kagome answered nonchalantly. Sango shrugged and poked at the fire with a stick.

The two sat there in a comfortable silence, only broken by Miroku's snores. Now when and how had he fallen asleep?

"So what did you talk to Takara about, Kagome?" asked Sango, just for the sake of talking.

"Well, since she already knows me and what happened, I filled her in on what's been happening. How the shard hunt started, about how there are demons here..." Kagome trailed off as she heard crashing from the trees and a very annoyed dog demon stomped into the light of the fire. He walked over to Kagome and motioned for her to stand.

"What's up, Inuyasha?" she asked.

"We need to talk," he said gruffly.

"Well, ok. What did you-"

"Not here," he said, tugging on her arm. "Come with me," He lead her away from the circle of the fire and further into the surrounding darkness, far enough away that human hearing could not detect what was being said.

It was pitch black and Kagome could not see a thing. When she stumbled over an exposed root for the third time, she yanked her arm free of Inuyasha's grip and sighed.

"Alright, Inuyasha; what's this about?" she asked indignantly.

Inuyasha sighed and turned towards her, fearing the worst. What if she really did agree to be the wolf's mate? He tensed his shoulders and tried to not let his feelings enter his voice.

"Kagome, why were you in such a hurry to avoid the wolf?" he asked. He was building up to his real question. Building up his courage to ask what he really didn't want to ask.

"Is that it?" Kagome asked. He dragged her out all the way here to ask her about Kouga? "I just didn't want to be around for the fight you two were going to be in,"

"Any reason for that?"

"Besides the fact that you two get into a fight every time you see each other? No,"

"So... so he didn't *mumblemumble*?"

"He didn't what, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked concernedly.

Inuyasha folded and unfolded his arms nervously. Kagome could see his silvery white hair, shining vaguely in the scant light of the moon, and his piercing golden eyes looking at her with a mixture of apprehension and hurt. Inuyasha sighed and thought that it would just be better to tell her his concerns now and get the rejection over with, rather than go through this torture.

"When Kouga got here, he called you his mate," he said nervously.

"Like- like a wife?" she asked.

"Sort of, a mate to a demon is something like a husband or a wife to a human," he said, looking at his feet in an effort to avoid her eyes.

"And you're upset because Kouga called me his mate?" she asked with a surprised look on her face.

"Yes,"

"I can't believe you! I tell you I love you and then you accuse me of running off with Kouga? What's the matter with you?!" she shouted angrily. She couldn't see him too well in the dark, but what she cold see of him was being given a glare to melt a glacier.

"Well, what was I supposed to think? He's called you nothing but 'his woman' in the past and now he's calling you 'mate?'" he asked, injured.

"Probably that he's just being Kouga, and being thick-headed?" she retorted. "It's not my fault that he thinks he can call me things out of the blue,"

"So, you're not his mate? He didn't mark you anywhere?"

"I don't think so. The last time I saw him was that time four weeks ago and the only place he touched on me was my hands," she said thoughtfully.

Inuyasha suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his nose in her hair. He had been so afraid. Afraid that Kagome would have left him for that wolf. He was a full youkai, after all; because who would want a filthy hanyou?

"Inuyasha, why do you think that I would ever go with Kouga?" Kagome asked, a little choked due to his tight embrace.

"Well, he's not a dirty hanyou, is he? I know you said you love me, and I love you too; but there's still a part of me that can't believe that anyone could love a hanyou..." he trailed off.

"Inuyasha, look at me," she said, grabbing his head and looking into his two beautiful golden eyes. "I don't care that you're a hanyou; in fact, it's one of the qualities that I love most about you. I said a long time ago that I want to be with you, and that hasn't changed at all. I still want to be by your side," she said softly. Love was shining out of her eyes and her face was gentile as she focused on the beautiful being in front of her. "I don't know what else to say to get you to believe me,"

"Then don't say anything," he whispered softly. (AN: oh God, can I get anymore cheesy and cliché?) He slowly brought his mouth to hers and gave her a sweet chaste kiss. It wasn't like their other ones, where they had been passionate and demanding. This kiss was soft, reassuring and tender, and left Kagome breathless none the less.

When the kiss was over she looked up again into his face and asked, "So, do you believe me now?"

"I guess, but there will always be a part of me that is unsure until you're completely mine," he said.

"Well, we'll have to fix that soon then," she said teasingly. Inuyasha's eyes widened and he gaped at Kagome's retreating back as she turned back in the direction of camp.

"Ka- Kagome! Wait!" he shouted and caught up with her. She sent a teasing look over to him and he grinned back and slung an arm over her shoulder.

~*~

They arrived back at camp just as Kouga was leading a very painful Takara out of the hut. He had his arms outstretched and Takara was holding onto his hands as she leaned most of her weight on them. She tried to move her injured hip as little as possible, but what movement she was doing caused her to whimper in pain.

Kouga just had a heavy air of tolerance about him. When he saw Inuyasha with his arm around Kagome, he took his hands back and ran over to them, a growl already working its way to his throat. But it stopped short and turned into a surprised and painful yelp when he felt another painful yank on his abused tail.

"What is it with you and your hang-up about my tail?" he asked angrily as Takara used his tail to slowly lower herself on the ground. She gave it one last tug before she let it go, once she was on the ground.

"I wouldn't have had to grab onto it if you had set me down before you went storming off," she replied, crossing her arms angrily, yet carefully.

"Well, consider it payback for the other two times,"

"What? So being a royal ass wasn't the payback, then; it's an everyday occurrence?"

"Takara-chan!" they heard from Kagome's direction "You're feeling better?"

Takara gladly turned her attention from the pompous wolf in front of her to the worried girls approaching her. Sango and Kagome helped her up again and settled her in front of the fire as Inuyasha and Kouga woke Miroku up for supper.

"Hai, I'm feeling a little better. Thank you all so much for showing that you care," she said, pointedly excluding Kouga from the gratuitous looks. Everyone else nodded and took a bowl from Kaede.

The meal was eaten in silence. Kouga glared at Takara and Inuyasha, Takara glared at Kouga, and Shippou glared at Inuyasha. Sango glared at Miroku, who had tried to grope her again, and Kagome glared at the fire, demanding that it tell her what to do about the two demons. When everyone was done eating, Kaede foresaw more arguments about to brew and quickly tried to avoid them.

"It is late. Why not all of ye get to sleep now?" she suggested. Everyone nodded, yawning. Kaede made her way back into her hut while everyone settled down outside. Kagome took up her place with Shippou near the fire; Inuyasha took up a place in a tree branch that hung over Kagome's position; Takara just lay down where she was because she didn't want to have to move again, Kouga took up a place near the edge of the little camp; Miroku lay back again against his tree, and Sango moved to the opposite side of camp as the monk.

Kouga wanted to say something about where Inuyasha was, but Kagome saw his face and interrupted him before he started.

"Just go to sleep, everyone," she said tiredly. Everyone dozed off then. It had been a very long day.

AN:!!! 19 pages!!!! Holy freaking cow. I never thought it would turn out this long, but I wanted to do everyone's talk in one chapter. So you can consider this my present to you for taking so long on the update. REVIEW NOW! IT'S TIME TO REVIEW FOR THE NICE PERSON WHO UPDATES FOR YOU!!