The Past To Hate

Chapter Thirteen

They traveled for another three hours. No one spoke, it was best not to set the hanyou off. He had already suprised them by picking the girl up and taking her with them. No need to press it. Kagome kept her eyes forward like the others but she wasn't watching their destination. She was watching Inuyasha who was jumping ahead of them. The girl was cradled in his arms and if Kagome didn't know better he was holding her tighter than needed.

They stopped to make camp for the night. Miroku and Sango went to fetch some wood for the fire while Kagome went to fetch some water. Inuyasha placed the girl on Kagome's sleeping bag, then sat across from her staring. She looked peaceful as she slept on. He sighed feeling that stir of desire once again. It had been torture for him to carry her for so long. His body ached with need. Maybe it was time for him to take his relationship with Kagome to the next level. How would the girl take to his advances? She seemed distant of late, he often caught her with a wistful look on her face. Was she thinking of him when she made those looks.

Dinner was ate in silence, very stressful. Kagome needed a bath, the hot spring she'd found while fetching the water was calling to her. She dug through her bag to grab two towels and a change of clothing. "I'm going to take a bath, wanna come Sango?"

"I think I'm going to stay here, Kagome." The taijiya was already lying down.

Kagome was prepared to go alone when a voice stopped her. "I shall go with you."

Leiko stood up, she'd been awake for several minutes listening. It had shocked her to find that she was in camp with them. Surely Inuyasha had objected greatly about her being there. Then again she had saved the houshi. "If you don't mind that is."

"Of course not. That would be great, I found a hot spring not far from here." Kagome smiled. It would be nice to have some company and with Leiko around she didn't have to worry about Miroku sneaking up on her.

No one said anything as they walked away. Once they were out of view, Shippo spoke. "They both forgot their bows, will they be okay?"

"I'm sure they won't be bothered. Who wants to see her naked?" Inuyasha said. They weren't sure who he was insulting.

Miroku raised a finger, "Well, if you are simply asking then I would." He felt something large crash into his head. "Ouch. I wasn't referring to Kagome. Ouch," another whack.

Sango sighed for once she was glad that someone else thought it a good idea to smack the pervert. Next time she'd loan Inuyasha the Hiraikotsu.

Kagome waited until they were in the hot water bathing before she asked the question plaqueing her. "Why didn't you come back the other night?"

"As much as you need the training, I will not get in the way of your relationship with Inuyasha. If he detests my being here so much then I will not stay. It will only cause strain between you two." She used the gel that Kagome placed in her hand to wash her hair. "This smells good."

"Glad you like it." Kagome rinsed out her hair. "I can understand what you mean. Things have been tense lately. With everything going on I guess its to be expected."

"What things?"

"Well," she blushed. "Like you being brought back. There's only a few shards left. Everyone is stressed out lately."

"Kagome how do you feel about Sesshomaru?" Leiko felt like asking.

Kagome wasn't sure what to say. Her feelings were confused as far as he was concerned. He'd tried to kill her twice, had fought with them on several occasions. She couldn't deny the fact that he was hot. That kiss he'd given her had been fantastic. But what was his relationship with her new friend? Sesshomaru obviously cared for her, was it possible that Leiko was in love with the demon lord. If so could she admit that she was attracted to him? "I don't know. The first time I saw him he tried to kill me."

"You too huh." Laughter erupted around the small pool. "He has a way of growing on you. Underneath that beautiful face is someone very special. Gotta admit he's very handsome."

"Very hot." Kagome blushed. "Don't tell anyone I said that."

"Don't worry. I think its only natural to appreciate what we find beautiful. Being a miko in the village I have seen my share of naked men." Kagome's mouth hung open at the declaration. Leiko smiled at her. "Wounds don't always appear on the arms and legs. Sometime's men get sick, their bodies need to be cooled. I never mated with any of them, I wasn't able to think of such things."

"Guess you have a point. I don't think I'd be able to do it. I'd be too embarassed at seeing a naked man. Though there was that one time Inuyasha got out the tub and he was showing almost everything." Her cheeks turned red at the announcement.

Leiko felt a small stab of jealousy but brushed it aside. "I've only blushed one time at seeing a man's flesh."

"Who was it?"

"Sesshomaru, actually."

Kagome almost screamed at that. "You gotta be shitting me! Does his body match his face?"

Leiko could still see him like it happened yesterday. She'd been going to fetch some water for a patient and came upon him bathing. A blush spread across her face. "Hell no, you would think someone with that pretty face would have a soft body. Far from it, it was glorious."

"Wow, listen to us. We sound like a bunch of horny old men."

Leiko suddenly placed her hand over Kagome's mouth. She brought her finger up to her lips indicating that the girl be silent. Before she could step out a group of men came rushing out the forest. 'Damn it.' They were human, but there was seven in total all armed.

"Look what we have here fellows. Told you we should go this way." They all turned to see the girls in the water. They'd been looking for food but had found something else. "I don't think I've ever seen anything that beautiful. Looks like we are going to have fun tonight."

Kagome ducked lower into the water trying to hide her nudity. Leiko eyed them with scorn. She always found bandits distateful, all of them. "I suggest you leave before you get hurt."

'Is she crazy, neither of us have weapons.' Kagome watched as the girl started forward.

The leader unsheathed his sword. "Looks like that one is going to be trouble. She needs to be taught a woman's place, underneath a man." He grinned showing only two front teeth. His clothes were stained and dirty, even Kagome could smell the stench coming off him. Maybe she should offer him some of her soap.

"Kill her boss, we have nothing against fucking her after. She'll still be warm."

"What makes you think any of you are good enough to touch me? None of you are worthy of my attention." She was completely out the water now, her nudity didn't faze her.

"Uptight bitch, we will kill you then your friend." He ran at her with his sword drawn high over his head.

"INUYASHA!" Kagome screamed at the top of her lungs.

The leader rushed blindly at her. He was going to cleave the bitch in two. She stood there as he brought his blade down. The girl still in the water started shouting. "Leiko, watch out." His eyes widened as she caught the blade in her hand. 'Impossible, it should have tore through her flesh. A fist collided with his nose, knocking him back. He slid into a nearby tree.

Leiko saw the others begin to charge her at seeing their leader go down. She took the blade still in her hand and weilded it. It was a normal katana. They stopped in their tracks when it began to glow in her hand. "Holy shit, do you see that? I'm getting the fuck out of here." The first one turned and ran. Two more followed quick on his heels.

The remaining three weren't going to let the small girl scare them. She was only a female. "You don't scare us, doesn't matter that those three ran. Just means more pussy for us." The man jumped back when a white kimono suddenly filled his view. He looked up to be staring in amber eyes filled with rage. Claws were being dug into his throat lifting him into the air.

Instead of trying to help their comrade they ran for the girl. Leiko saw them coming and watched. She was so preoccupied with watching them that she didn't see the ring leader get to his feet. Kagome tried to warn her but it was too late. Within seconds he had her pressed against his chest, a dagger to her throat.

"Release him now or this bitch dies."

Inuyasha came running into the clearing with Miroku. Kagome ran out the water, to grab a towel wrapping it around her body. "Inuyasha," She stopped by his side. "We gotta do something." He looked over to see what the problem was.

"I said release him, we are going to walk out of here. If you wanna see her blood pouring out her throat by all means." He dug the tip into her neck.

Sesshomaru glared at him but released the man. He quickly got to his feet and ran. The others soon followed him, the boss would have to take his chances. Inuyasha took a step forward. "Get your hands off her."

"I don't think so, she's going with me. She and I have some unfinished business." His hand came up to grab her breast. A growl escaped from Sesshomaru.

That was the last straw for her, no one touched her like that. Filthy bastard, was groping her. Well, it was only fair she returned the favor. Before he could react she reached back and grabbed his privates. He yelled in pain at the force, he jerked back at the pain. The dagger slid across her skin on the pull back. Blood ran down her chest but she held on. He screamed in pain when he felt his flesh burning. He brought the knife down slicing her arm, trying to get her to release him. "Let go of me, you fucking whore." She sent a blast of energy into him sending him back.

He fell to his knees, grabbing himself. "My fucking dick, what did you do to me? I'm going to kill you." His heart dropped when he saw the tall man in white suddenly seperating him and the girl. The last thing he saw were red eyes.

Leiko was staring into a white haori, damn Sesshomaru for interfering. Kagome ran towards her bringing the other towel. "Here."
She wrapped it around her body covering it from three sets of eyes, two amber and one brown.

Sesshomaru turned to look down at her. His hand came out to stroke the cut along her neck, "Why didn't you act sooner, you are injured now. That was foolish."

"I was hoping he'd just turn tail and run. No need to kill if it isn't necessary." She felt his hand stroking her skin. The contact was reassuring, like the touch of a brother. To Kagome and Inuyasha it looked like the touch of a lover.

"Was foolish."

"Yeah, you said that already but I don't remember asking your opinion." She felt herself being picked up. "Dammit put me down Sesshomaru."

He payed her no attention as he turned to Kagome. "Do you have anything to tend to her wounds back at your camp?"

"Yes, I have a first-aid kit there." Kagome snapped back to reality. She sighed, she had been jealous at seeing the tender way he had been touching the girl. The love he felt had been there for all too see.

Inuyasha was glaring at the couple. So, his brother wanted her also. Would explain a lot. He wanted to tear his arms off, since when did that bastard get his arm back. He'd just tear it back off. They all walked back to camp where Sango was waiting for them worried.

"Is everyone alright?"

Miroku was rubbing the back of his head. "More than alright. That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Who knew wishes really did come true." The hanyou growled at him. "Calm down Inuyasha, we both know Kagome was covered."

He continued to growl and Sesshomaru was glaring at him. It was obvious to him what the houshi had been speaking about, then why had that halfbreed growled? His woman had been covered before the man had time to see her. Was it possible that his brother desired the woman in his arms? The idea made him want to laugh but the Lord of The Westernlands didn't partake in such things. Yet that thought stuck in his head. He'd have to test the theory, what better time than now. He placed the girl on her feet so she could get dressed real quick.

Kagome had her sit beside her as she pulled the kit out. First she had to clean the blood off. She wet the rag and began to clean up the blood. As she cleaned she waited to see the wound. "Wow. It's gone. Let me see your arm." She quickly wiped the blood off her arm. "This one too, you've completely healed."

Sesshomaru looked down at both. "Impossible, even I don't heal that fast."

"Maybe you are just slow." Inuyasha commented. Didn't matter that he couldn't heal that fast either.

Sesshomaru walked up to Leiko and pulled her to her feet. He tilted her head with his right hand, searching her neck. He'd seen the blade scrape across her smooth flesh and the blood. Kagome was right the wounds had already closed up. He heard the growl low in his brother's chest. He smiled inside, so the hanyou was jealous. Good, he would make the boy pay for his rude comment. There had been no need for calling him slow.

Before Leiko could react Sesshomaru grabbed her chin and brought his mouth down on hers.


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