InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Mark ❯ Basic Laws ( Chapter 3 )

Inuyasha sniffed the air then the ground, doing a remarkable impression of a dog following a scent. He growled softly each time he got a nose full of Sesshomaru's stench. Why had his half-brother taken her? He glanced over his shoulder at the two humans and youkai that followed him. They were both worried. He had not told them why she and Shippou had run off in the middle of the night. Sango glared at him on occasion and he heard Miroku comment that they had no doubt had another fight.

Inuyasha was consumed with shame. He didn't understand how he could have so completely lost control. He'd been spying on her as she bathed. It had been too dark to see much, but he could smell her. She'd been in heat and the normally pleasurable scent had become absolutely intoxicating. The last thing he remembered, he'd been watching her dress. Then suddenly he'd been at in the riverbed, watching as she swam away. His first impulse had been to follow her, but the all consuming fear he scented had made him think that it might be best to allow her to calm down and approach her with Sango and Miroku with him.

He emerged into a clearing and wrinkled his nose. Their scents permeated this place, and it was fresh. He began to sniff around on all fours, trying to find the place they might have camped. It was obvious that they had just moved on, he had to find the path they had taken. They could only have been a few minutes ahead of them.

"We're close. They were just here."

He found the path to the hot springs and growled at their mingling scents. He doubled back and frowned. There were no scent trails leading away from the clearing. He put his hands on his hips and looked around. He didn't understand.

"They…they're still here."

Sango frowned. "How can that be?"

"I don't know, but they didn't leave so they have to be here."

Miroku frowned. "I can sense a powerful aura. Perhaps Sesshomaru-sama shielded their camp."

Inuyasha growled softly. "He's strong enough."

"Can you find where their scents are emanating from?"

Inuyasha sniffed around the clearing some more before slamming his nose into something very hard and very solid. He fell back on his ass cursing as he rubbed his sore nose.

"Kuso."

"I'm sure." Miroku rapped against the barrier. "I believe you found them. I wonder if they are awake."

"Knowing Sesshomaru, they've been awake for hours."

"The sun only rose half an hour ago."

He waved his staff, chanting softly then rapped the barrier again. The barrier did not fall, but it did become transparent. They all three gasped and stepped back. Sesshomaru sat with Kagome cradled in his arms. She seemed to asleep on his lap. After a moment she opened her eyes and looked up at him. He pulled her closer, resting her head on his shoulder, his arms holding her securely against him. Inuyasha felt anger well up within him. How dare he hold her? Touch her? She was his! Miroku felt the beginnings of a smile on his face and Sango was busy gaping.

They watched as their lips moved, but they could hear no sound. At last they both got up and straitened their clothes. Sesshomaru frowned at the barrier and waved a hand. Suddenly they vanished again. Inuyasha's growl deepened. He drew the Tetsusaiga and charged the barrier. He hit the barrier and was violently repelled. He landed, bounced and stayed down, knocked unconscious by the blast. Miroku shook his head at the predictable result. A moment later the barrier vanished. Kagome smiled at them and held up two bowls.

"You guys ready for breakfast?"

Sango glanced at Sesshomaru, who sat with Shippou and a young human girl on his lap. Finally she took the bowl and sat across from Sesshomaru. Miroku followed, sitting closer to Sango than the youkai exterminator would have preferred. Kagome delivered breakfast to a grumbling Jaken then seated herself next to Sesshomaru. Miroku cleared his throat lightly.

"I take it this means that Sesshomaru-sama is no long our enemy?"

Sesshomaru's cold eyes caught his and Miroku felt a tremor run through him. "My enemy has been and will always be Inuyasha. If you get in my way I will treat you as a threat."

"Ah."

"And if you lay a single finger on Kagome, I will rip your heart out and shove it down your throat."

Miroku turned a startling shade of white. Sesshomaru had delivered his ultimatum with the same caramel coated emotionless tone he always spoke with, and yet the malice that glinted in his eyes promised he would deliver on his threat. Breakfast was finished in relative silence. Rin and Shippou could not be suppressed for long and soon they were playing in the field near the camp. Sesshomaru pulled Kagome onto his lap once more, wrapping his arms around her waist. Inuyasha stirred and pulled himself to his feet. He snarled as he approached them. Miroku and Sango rose as well, prepared to restrain him if they had to.

-Don't worry, let me do the talking.-

She merely nodded and relaxed against his hard muscled figure. Shippou whimpered at the sight of the hanyou and raced to Kagome's arms. She hugged him against her, cooing softly. Rin hid behind Ah-Un.

"Get away from her Sesshomaru."

"I should be the one warning you away, Inuyasha. After all, she bears my mark."

"How dare you force yourself on her!"

"I do not have to force myself on anyone to gain a mate, brother." He bent and nuzzled his mark. Kagome gasped softly at the rippling pleasure that coursed through her body. "You see, she is here willingly."

-You're lording this over him just a bit too much.-

-Let me have my fun.-

-I'm fine with that, just not at my expense.-

"You put a spell on her, you…you must have…Kagome…"

She looked up at him, anger coursing through her that Sesshomaru could not sooth away. "You attacked me, Inuyasha. You tried to kill Shippou and rape me. I ran away because I was running for my life."

He fell down to his knees. "I couldn't help it…the heat…I'm sorry."

Sesshomaru looked at him, disgust plain on his face. "How sorry would you be if you had succeeded? You could have killed her, Inuyasha. You have been controlling your heat for almost a century. What was so different about that night?"

"Did you go to the hot springs to spy on me? Is that why you left camp?"

"Did you smell her heat? Did you even smell her blood when you attacked her? That sent you into a frenzy, didn't it? That's why you attacked the pup."

Inuyasha sat with his head hanging. Slowly he shook his head. "I…I can't tell you how sorry I am, Kagome. I can't put it into words." He looked up at her pure venom in his eyes. "But why did you go to Sesshomaru?"

"She saved Rin and restored my arm. In return I offered her my protection and my mark. You are a disgrace to your blood, just like father. Even after professing yourself to one woman you seek a dalliance with another. I at least know how to uphold my honor."

-I'm scared.-

-I know, but don't be. I have someone I trust. She will go with you and protect you. I promise.-

-Thank you.-

"Come now, Kagome. You have your duty to this creature." He rose and helped her to her feet. She turned to face him and he could sense her uncertainty. "It will be all right. Gingitsune will join you in a few days."

"I…I understand. I owe you so much."

He traced the curve of her jaw with a gentle finger. "You owe me nothing."

-Stay safe. He will not harm you now.-

-I know. I trust your word.-

She nodded once more and turned. With Shippou still firmly in her arms she walked over to Sango and Miroku. Sango threw her arms around Kagome. She could see tears in the demon slayer's eyes. After she released Kagome, Miroku pulled her into an equally intense embrace that for once was not marred by an attempt to grope her. She smiled at her friends.

"I'm sorry I worried you."

Sango shot a look at Inuyasha. "He wouldn't tell us what happened, just that you'd run off."

Inuyasha growled softly as he passed her. "Come on, we've got shards to find."

Kagome looked over her shoulder one last time at Sesshomaru. Rin waved enthusiastically and Kagome returned the gesture as she allowed her friends to guide her away. Rin ran to Sesshomaru and tugged gently at his sleeve.

"Sesshomaru-sama, will Kagome-sama ever come back?"

"We will see her again, Rin, do not worry."