Choices and Changes

By Danyealle

(M/F, FanFiction, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru/Kagome)

Chapter 16

Shutting his eyes, Inuyasha fought the urge to beat his head against the tree he was sitting in.  The sounds of Kagome calling his brothers’ name over and over as they had sex was driving him insane!  Sure, they were at the hot springs quite a ways away and most certainly weren’t intending for him to hear but he could and it was making him nuts.

If that wasn’t enough to drive him crazy that mangy wolf and his side kicks had begun to travel with them.  As Sesshomarus’ insistence no less!  GAH!  Could his life get any worse?  After a long, drawn out scream of his brothers’ name from Kagome he decided it wasn’t a good idea to tempt the fates with a question like that because they could make it worse if they wanted to.

He didn’t have to look down at the group seated around the fire to know Kouga was casting glances in his direction now and then.  That flea-bitten wolf was actually keeping an eye on him.  He was pretty sure that it was at his brothers’ insistence.  Gah!  He understood Sesshomarus’ protective streak with those in his life that he felt fell in the realm of his protection, and as his mate Kagome fell in that category, Since it was a matter of honor and the baka obviously cared for her he could understand how he would want to ensure Kagomes’ safety but she had traveled with him for years!  Between him, Sango and Miroku they could protect the miko just fine.  They didn’t need that stupid wolf and his co-horts to help!

When Sesshomaru had told him Kouga, Ginta and Hakkaku would be joining up with them, that he had cut some kind of deal with Kouga, he had said it was to help protect Kagome when he wasn’t around.  Though he had grumbled, growled and groused, more for show than anything else, he had understood his reasoning.  It wasn’t until a bit of time had passed that he had begun to get the sneaking suspicion that one of the things Kouga was helping to protect her from was him.  Like Kagome needed to be protected from him! 

Sighing, he shook his head.  He would never willingly hurt her and Sesshomaru should know that.  Yes, he had done it on accident in the past but that’s the only reason.  He also found it ironic that Sesshomaru felt that she needed protection from him when he, himself, had tried to kill her on more than one occasion.

Shifting around on the branch he was perched in, he sighed heavily.  At least there was a bit of light in the gloom.  Lord Stick-Up-The-Ass had something to attend to and would be away for a few days.  The way he saw it was that with him away things could relax and go back to the way they used to be.

~~~~@~~~~

With his back against one of the trees that was along the edge of the camp, his eyes shut, Sesshomaru had one arm wrapped around his sleeping mate and his other hand was stroking her back softly.  She was curled up between his long legs, head resting on his stomach, fast asleep.

While his touch soothed her, even while she was sleeping, he was far from relaxed.  In fact, he was distinctly uneasy about leaving her to attend to some business.  Yes, he understood that she had traveled with Inuyasha for years and trusted him but that didn’t dispel the uneasiness he was feeling.  Something in his gut was telling him there was something wrong.

Sighing heavily, he looked down at the beautiful young woman curled up to him.  His sweet, beautiful mate.  It still surprised him how much he could feel for her and how deep those feelings went.  But he wouldn’t change it for anything.

Even as strong and independent as she was, something he wouldn’t change for the word, as her mate he had a responsibility to protect and keep her safe. Of course, that was expected of him as part of being her mate but he would have anyway because he cared about her and didn’t want anything to happen to her.  When he wasn’t able to be with her he felt he wasn’t being responsible or lapsed in his duties.

He understood the quest she had to follow and why she felt she had to do it, so that wasn’t a problem.  In fact, it illustrated quite well her sense of honor.  But understanding and allowing her to continue on with it didn’t mean he could be lax in his responsibilities to her.  Now, the way he saw it, the safety of her and Rin were his top priorities; before Naraku or anything else.  Rins’ safety was easier.  If he felt that the danger was too great he could and would send her to the Western Fortress.  She wouldn’t argue or complain.  With Kagome he couldn’t do that, even though that was his first instinct.  There was no real way to ensure her quest was safe and no harm would come to her.  When he was around he could ensure it to the best of his ability.  It became more complex when he couldn’t be there.  Since he couldn’t secure her away from the danger he would have to find other ways.

Despite what people may have thought, he was well aware how good Inuyashas’ fighting skills were.  The hanyou was very good and would put his own life on the line to protect the members of his pack.  The problem was the boy could be very reckless, rushing into situations before assessing things.  Rather than try to think things out he tended to jump into battle with both feel.  He also had more than just Kagome to worry about.  So, as her mate, he took it upon himself to take steps to ensure her safety when he couldn’t be around.

The first thing he did was start to work with her on her archery and fighting skills.  By her being able to defend herself better the less danger she would be in.  He had also cut a deal with the ookami prince Kouga.  By giving his pack the right to hunt on the Western lands, he would travel with the half-breeds pack and protect Kagome when he wasn’t around.  Of course the wolf-demon had agreed.  Even though he had been a bit crushed that ‘his woman’ had mated with someone else, he was still a good friend to her and was more than willing to take on the responsibility of her safety.

After cutting the deal he had then shared a few of his concerns about Inuyasha with the ookami.  Kouga had mirrored his concern about the hanyou and agreed to keep a close eye on him as well.

Eventually he was jarred out of his thoughts by Kagome stirring in her sleep.  She had shifted around a bit and the blanket covering her had slid down on her torso, making her shiver.  Grabbing the blanket, he covered her again and tucked it in around her.  Sighing contentedly, she gave him a bit of a squeeze then drifted back down into the darker recesses of sleep.