Feelings

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I do own Shrugen.

“Speech”

(Thought)

*Action*


“Well, before you all begin bombarding Inuyasha with questions, I suggest we move to a safer location. The panther devas are reorganizing.” Said Shrugen.

Saying this, everyone looked over to where the three orbs were and saw that they were heading towards the three bodies of the panther demons that were struck down. The red went to Kauron’s body, the pink to Toran’s, and the blue to Shuran’s. As they entered their bodies the orbs dissipated into a faint aura around the bodies and soon faded. A moment later their eyes opened and unsteadily began to rise. Seeing her dead relatives stirring Shunran rushed over to them.

“S-Shuran!? Toran…Kauron?! You’re all alive!? How is this possible?”

“My guess is that when your master killed your brother and sisters and ate their souls he didn’t have enough time to make them a part of him before he was destroyed. You’re lucky Inuyasha here destroyed your master before you became an only child.” Said Shrugen

“I…you’re right. Inuyasha, thank you for defeating our master and bringing back my brother and sisters. I…we are in your debt.”

“Just call off this whole revenge deal and were even.”

Shunran smiled slightly at his answer. “Done. We shall head further east for now and regain our strength. If you ever need our help, find us and we will come.”

Gathering what was left of their forces, the panther tribe turned to leave. But before they did, Shunran walked over to Shrugen who was still helping Inuyasha stand up. She stopped a few feet short and addressed him.

“As for you Shrugen I too apologize for our poor treatment when you were our slave. I hope you can forgive us.” She said bowing slightly.

“What’s in the past stays in the past. All is forgiven.”

“Thank you Shrugen. Perhaps I can make It up to you somehow.” She said and moved closer.

“I can remind you of time you were under my ownership.” She said whispering sensually in his ear. “Oh the nights we would have; do you remember? The carnal pleasures of master and slave, the submissive will and the dominant one. We could do it again, if you wish. Only I will be the slave and you…”

She then suddenly kissed him and taking advantage of his shock, she cupped his face and deepened the kiss, her tongue exploring nearly every inch of his mouth. Shrugen was so absorbed in the kiss that he didn’t hear Inuyasha ask Sango why she didn’t kiss him like that or the dull thwack when she playfully punched him in the arm.

“Will be the master.” She said disengaging from the kiss. “I’ll be waiting for you.” She said running her finger down Shrugen’s jaw line and then turned to leave.

Shrugen exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, a cloud of cold air following his exhale. Hypnotized by her hips sway as she walked away he suddenly snapped out of his trance when he heard someone clearing their throat behind him. Turning around he was met with stares from everyone, a few eyebrows quirked up in curiosity.

“What? Oh come on it was just a kiss.” Shrugen said

“Just a kiss. Right. And Miroku’s a virgin.” Said Inuyasha

“With the way he comes onto women, I wouldn’t be surprised.” Said Sango

“Hey!”

“Enough! Inuyasha you have some explaining to do so get to it!” Said Kagome

“It will have to wait Kagome. Right now I am too drained to explain. Let’s get back to the village and then I will tell you everything. I promise.”


Gathering their equipment the group headed back towards the village, unaware of the conversation the panther demons were having as they left.

“What are you doing!? Have you forgotten that they are our enemy and your flirting with one of them!?” said Kauron seething.

“They aren’t our enemy anymore Kauron. We have come to terms and we shall no longer pursue revenge against them.”

“But Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are weak. We could easily overpower them and finish this one and for all!”

“Would you wish to kill your savior? Inuyasha saved you all from becoming apart of our traitorous master permanently. He is the one who defeated or master so you souls could return to your bodies.”

Kauron opened her mouth to retort but closed it and looked away. “Still” she whispered “they are the enemy and you shouldn’t consort with them, especially Shrugen.”

“Oh, and whys that? Are you jealous that he showed interest in me? Or are you still hung up on his escape embarrassing you? Whatever it is you had better put it behind you. We no longer have a quarrel with them.”

(I will never forget what Shrugen did to me. I will get my revenge one way or another. No one, not even you dear sister will stop me.)

Sending a smoldering look in Shrugen’s direction, Kauron left with the rest of the cat demons.

As the group traveled back to the village, Inuyasha pondered on how he should explain all that has happened between him and Sango. (Judging by the looks that Kagome shoots at me I had better be careful on how I word it, although I doubt it will matter in the end. But why is Sesshomaru coming along? Doesn’t he have better things to do than to watch me be humiliated? What am I thinking, of course he doesn’t. He would kill for a chance to see me face down in the dirt, not to mention Koga as well. Why do these things always happen to me?)

When they reached the village, the group headed for Kaede’s hut. Once everyone sat down Inuyasha took a deep breath and with a reassuring glance to Sango sitting next to him, he began his explanation.

“Kagome do you remember about four weeks ago when you had to leave for a series of tests?” When he saw Kagome nod in response he continued. “Well, after your little
‘Sitting fest’ I went off into the woods to be alone. Sango went after me to see if I was alright. We got to talking and during that time I noticed that her scent was different. To, ah, make it short we confessed our love for each other on that day.”

Inuyasha continued his explanation, describing how every day they would find ways to be together without raising suspicion, their talks on how to tell the rest of them and the night they finally consummate their love. All the while he told her she sat there in front of him, her hands remained on her lap although they were clenched into tight fists and her face stayed a stony look of increasingly intense anger. Once Inuyasha finished all eyes look to Kagome to see her reaction. Well, not all eyes. Sesshomaru’s just looked at the scene playing out in front of him with a bemused look.
“So.” She said, her voice dripping with anger “All this time… all our time journeying together, all of our battles, all the times you would be with Kikyo and me… all that time you were just leading me on?!?!”

Before Inuyasha could retort, Sango spoke up on his defense. “Leading you on? Leading you on!? YOU SELFISH BITCH! All Inuyasha has ever done is protect you from harm and tried to love you. That’s right he tried but every time he would confront you about it you would push him way. Even when Koga came running Inuyasha tried to protect you from him and to show that he cares for you but all you would do is sit him and indulge Kogas fantasies. And every time you would sit him you would try to validate your reasons and expect that he will continue to love you. You treat him like a pet and don’t think I haven’t seen the glint in your eyes whenever you sit him. You enjoy having control over him. No, he was never leading you on; you were. You were and you loved it. Well guess what? It all ends now. Inuyasha is my love and I will not stand and let you hurt him.”

A now red faced Sango looked around and the surprised faces she forgot were there and blushed slightly. Clearing her throat she continued in a calmer tone.

“Kagome, ever since we met you’ve been like the sister I never had. But even sisters have fights. Inuyasha loves me and I love him. I hate to see him get hurt especially when he gets hurt for no good reason. Kagome I want you to remove the cursed necklace. You have abused your power over him for too long; I want it to end now.”

Once again, everyone looked at Kagome wondering what her reaction would be. She had calmed down from earlier but her hands were still clenched in and she had a flushed look.

“No… I won’t let you take him away. He is mine; he owes me his life. If it weren’t for me he would still be stuck to the god tree and be unable to get revenge on Naraku, or be able to get Tetsuiga, or-”

“It s because of you,” Said Inuyasha “that the jewel is here, that it was shattered into a thousand pieces, that Kikyo came back alive, and that Naraku has most of the jewel shards. Do not think that I owe you my life Kagome. You’re the reason this whole thing started. And besides you only released me so I could save you from that centipede demon.”

Finally defeated, Kagome bowed her head and spoke in a barely audible voice.

“Is this how you feel Inuyasha? Do you want me to remove your necklace?” Inuyasha nodded. “Well, I guess I don’t have a choice.” She said and walked over to him. Placing her hands on the necklace she lifted it over his head; the necklace glowed slightly and then faded, its magic broken. Kagome tossed in on the ground and then ran out of the hut crying. Glancing at Inuyasha Koga got up ca chased after her.

“Well, that explains your acting peculiar.” Said Sesshomaru breaking the uneasy silence. “But you have yet to explain how you are able to wield purifying powers.”

“Ah, I almost forgot about that. A few days ago, Shrugen told me that my mother was still alive. At first I thought that he as mistaken and when he told me that my mother was Midoriko and that her soul was trapped inside the sacred jewel, I thought he was insane. Thought when he began to explain, telling me of the voice inside my head that speaks whenever I touch a jewel shard and that loving presence when I visited her grave in the slayer village I realized he was telling the truth. What shocked me the most is that I was able to meet her. Two nights ago, Shrugen managed to call out my mother’s soul from the jewel shard and she and I talked about what was happening. Before she went back into the jewel shard she unlocked my latent purifying power which is how I was able to defeat the giant cat demon.”

“I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it for myself. I did not know that the Tetsuiga was able to channel purifying powers so well.” Said Sesshomaru

“Well there’s a problem with that.” Said Shrugen “It can’t. I’m not surprised you didn’t notice it before Inuyasha, you were pretty out of it.”

Shrugen Grabbed Tetsuiga from its resting place against the wall and drew it. Once it transformed, several large cracks could be seen covering the blade. “Personally I’m astonished that it didn’t shatter from the sheer force you channeled through it.”

Inuyasha snatched Tetsuiga from Shrugen grasp and looked over it s blade in disbelief.

“Again!? The blade broke again!? Now what am I supposed to do?”