Choices and Changes

By Danyealle

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

Chapter 15

After hopping out of the well, Sesshomaru kissed her then headed towards Edo. Usually Kagome would have talked to him the whole way but this time she was quiet.  She was anxious and more than a little bit worried about what the reaction of those who were close to her would be.

When they got their first glimpse of Edo he stopped then pulled her into a tight hug.  After loosing his grip he kissed her tenderly then said softly “Don’t let the half-breed or your friends get to you Kagome.  It they don’t like it or are upset that’s THEIR problem, not OURS.”

Nodding, she sighed, “I’ll try not to but it won’t be easy. Plus, no matter how we go about it, it’s not going to end well.”

“I agree.  It will probably become an ugly situation very quickly.” Ugly is far too nice of a word to cover what Inuyashas’ reaction was going to be, he thought. 

In a resigned voice, she said, “We might as well get this over with.”

By the time they reached Kaedes’ small hut, her stomach was tied up in knots.

“Kagome!” Shippo yelled then bound towards her.  Normally, he would’ve launched himself into her arms but he didn’t. Because he was afraid he might hurt her accidentally.

Picking the kit up, she hugged him tightly and smiled.  Just as she was preparing to put him down a familiar voice gave her a good start. “

Wench!  It’s about…” Stopping, Inuyashas’ eyes narrowed to slits.  Unsure about the mixture of smells on her he took a couple steps closer to her then sniffed.  Growling, he spat out “What have you done Kagome?”

Eyes widening, Kagome looked at but said nothing. Putting Shippo down, she told him to go to Sango. 

Picking up the kit, Sango watched the trio with a very avid interest. Even Kaede and Miroku observed, curious.

“You betrayed me Kagome!”  He bellowed, stepping closer to her, completely ignoring Sesshomarus’ warning growl.  

“Tell me Inuyasha, just how did she betray you?” Sesshomaru asked, voice a steel dagger.

Snarling, Inuyasha faced the Western Lord then snapped, “First you tried to take tetsusaiga.  Now it’s Kagome.  Why don’t go get your own shit and quit taking mine?”

“Enough half-breed!”  Sesshomaru barked, fixing him with a stare that should have melted him on contact or at least scared him a bit.

“Fuck you!”  The hanyou shouted then said, Oh, I’m sorry it was Kagome who had that pleasure, hasn’t she?”

That insult made Kagomes’ infamous temper begin to show.  “That’s ENOUGH Inuyasha!  Just shut up for a change!” She yelled, stomping her foot.

Rounding on her, the hanyou snapped, “Why did you betray me?  You were mine!”

“You baka!  I’m not a piece of property to own.  I never ‘belonged’ to you!  Just because I became Sesshomarus’ mate doesn’t mean I betrayed you in any way.”

“Bullshit!  We had a relationship and you snuck around behind my back to see him.  That’s an out an out betrayal!”

“What relationship Inuyasha? There wasn’t one between us beyond being good friends. I don’t know what you may have thought was happening but I gave up on a romantic relationship with you a few years ago and moved on.  Just because you didn’t see any of the changes and you were taken by surprise doesn’t make it a betrayal or make it all my fault.”

Taking a step back, Inuyasha looked at her, “What?” he said softly, bewildered.

Sighing, she shook her head.  “It’s been six years Inuyasha.  Six years and the most you’ve done to show any kind of affection or said we had something beyond ‘just friends’. What was I suppose to think Inuyasha?”

Feeling his own temper moving skyward he snapped, “What?  You can’t get my attention so you throw yourself at him?” He snarled, pointing to Sesshomaru.

Eyes narrowing and starting to flash, a sure-fire sign that she was about to unload on him, Kagome hissed, “Even if I did it would still be a far sight better than chasing after a walking corpse made of clay and graveyard soil.” 

Snarling, he glared at her but she pressed on.

Rolling her eyes again, she said, “Do you really think that all of us are so dumb that we don’t know what is going on?  We’ve all noticed that the minute you see her soul collectors floating around you’re gone, out looking for her once again.”

Both Sango and Miroku’s’ eyes were bulging at the well aimed blows Kagome was spearing the hanyou with. 

With his arms crossed, Sesshomaru smirked as the half-breeds’ jaw dropped.  He was also enjoying his mates’ passion and fire. 

Shippo hid behind Sangos’ leg, covering his eyes.

Recovering quickly, his temper still flaring, Inuyasha shot back at her, “I know it!  You’re doing this because of Kikyo.  You’re jealous of her!”

“Oh puh-LEASE Inuyasha!”  She snorted, rolling her eyes.  “Jealous of that thing?  I don’t think so.  If I were jealous of that thing I would have taken back the part of my soul that she has and sent her onto the next life. I can assure you that there is nothing that being has or is that I’m jealous of.”

“There’s no way that you are strong enough to get that small piece of your soul back.”  He sneered, glaring at her.  “Face the facts Kagome, you will never be as strong as Kikyo nor can you ever master doing some of what she did, like using that bow.”  He said, raising his chin, a smug look on his face.

“That’s where you’re wrong dog-boy!” She replied, grinning like a shark about to launch its’ self at a seal.  “You don’t pay enough attention to what I’m doing to know what I’m capable of.  I can guarantee that I can do a whole lot more than just detect jewel shards but you never paid attention long enough to see it.”

“Keh…”  He snorted, shaking his head.  “Whatever Kagome.  You’ll never be what Kikyo was and won’t be able to measure up to her.  All you will ever be is an inferior copy.

“If you think so Inuyasha.”  She said in a smooth, soft voice, “If that’s the case then I’ll tell you what… Let Kikyo help you from now one.  I’m going to take my shard-detecting self elsewhere with my mate.  Anyone who decides to come along with us will be more than welcome.”  Linking her arm through Sesshomarus’ she smiled up at him “Is that alright with you Sesshomaru?”

“Hn…”  He looked down at her then said, “That’s acceptable.”  Looking at the now red-faced hanyou, he smirked.  Normally, he would have wanted to be the one that put the boy in his place but Kagome had done an excellent job of it.

A look of disbelief on his face, all Inuyasha could do was stare at her.  It was becoming apparent that not only had he lost her to his brother he was also in danger of losing her special abilities that were the thing that gave them a bit of an edge over Naraku.  He was also pretty sure that Sango and Miroku would chose to go with Kagome.  They had voiced their dislike for Kikyo many times and said that if she were to join they would leave.  No way in hell was he going to let that happen!  He had no chance of defeating Naraku alone and knew it.  It was going to take all of them if they wanted to succeed.

Suddenly, out of the blue, his back began to sting, a sensation like sweat getting into an open wound.  Then he could feel his youkai begin to rise, wanting to be set loose.  Horrified, knowing what could happen if it managed to get free he fought it.  He gripped tetsusaiga tightly, trying to make sure it didn’t escalate.  Seeing his brother struggling to control the demon, Sesshomaru stood in front of Kagome with his hand on Tokijin, waiting.  There was something that just didn’t seem right about the situation.  The hanyous’ demon blood would take him over when his life was in danger not when he was angry.  At least that’s how it always had been in the past with him.  Also, tetsusaiga was supposed to help him control it yet, even as he had a death grip on it, he was still struggling with control.  Another thing that was odd was it seemed that the more he struggled to maintain control the more of an acrid smell seemed to be coming from him.

After several minutes, when he was pretty sure the demon was going to win he finally made it retreat.  Sighing in relief, his shoulders slumped, he looked over at Kagome who was peeking out at him from behind Sesshomaru, eyes wide.  Giving another sigh, he said, “I shouldn’t have said those things to you Kagome.  I’m sorry.  I’m asking you to please stay.  I don’t want you to leave.”

Confused, she looked at him then up at Sesshomaru before nodding , “OK Inuyasha, I’ll stay.”

Turning his back on everyone, he walked away to collect himself and try to figure out what just happened.

Watching him carefully, Sesshomaru was a bit wary. Something was wrong with the hanyou but he didn’t know what. However, it did re-enforce his belief that he didn’t want to leave Kagome alone with the hanyou when he was away.