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Holy flaming man boobs batman it’s an update! Heh…so um, I didn’t give up on this story. I just had major writer’s block and had to reorganize my life before it would get unblocked. Sorry guys and thank you for your patience and support.



Chapter 5: 977



When dawn came Kagome was sure she had her story down for when Inuyasha came to collect them, she felt calmer now that she had time to think over what had been going on the past two nights even though she still lacked any answers for what she was going to do when she met up with him again. Part of her felt it was best that they ended it, it would be easier in the long run for her to leave Feudal Japan for good if she wasn’t leaving her heart behind.



Jinenji continued to pop into her mind when she thought of Sesshomaru’s problem and she decided she would ask to borrow Kilala and go visit the half-demon to see if he could come up with an antidote. She wasn’t really sure just how she would justify the trip to Inuyasha but she was working on it.



Her aura blanketed the area they were camped in and stretched out past Inuyasha and Kikyo, she needed to make sure she could stop him just in case he decided to rush into the clearing as soon as he woke. It was a typical Inuyasha thing to do especially when it came to an embarrassing situation. He’d rather face certain death then face her today.



She knew Kikyo was awake and waiting for Inuyasha to wake up as well. The fact that he was still sleeping gave Kagome hope that the blood’s effects were only temporary. It gave her hope that Sesshomaru would be fine soon even if she wasn’t there to help him.



Putting her plan into action Kagome spent the next half hour preparing breakfast with a cup of ramen just for Inuyasha. The scent of his favorite food would draw him to camp and hopefully preoccupy his nose for any lingering scent. She wasn’t really sure how much scent got transferred during sex. She shook her head and took the pot of oatmeal off of the flames and began filling everyone’s bowls. They would have to stop by water later so she could clean the dishes and that would give her a reason to quickly bathe.



“That smells good Kagome,” Miroku said before he nudged the slumbering treasure next to him. For a moment he watched her long lashes flutter as she woke up, she was so precious to him, the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel. “Good morning my dearest Sango,” he whispered reverently. Every day he had with her he would spend letting her know what she meant to him so that when the time came he could die without regrets.



His breath caught when she smiled up at him, “Miroku,” her voice was still thick with sleep as she took his hand in hers.



Kagome tried her best to ignore the morning ritual Sango and Miroku had for each other. She knelt next to Shippo knowing the couple behind her were moments from sharing a tender morning kiss. If he had stayed would they be kissing right now? Kagome closed her eyes and forced the question from her mind, what was the point of asking such a stupid question?



“Morning Kagome,” Shippo said as he got out of her sleeping bag and hugged her before jumping onto her shoulder.



Kagome tried to stay relaxed even though Shippo’s nose was so close to her. She felt Inuyasha coming toward her and was a little surprised to find that Kikyo was following him. Kagome sat back down by the fire and handed Shippo his bowl of oatmeal, “good morning Shippo here you go.”



Shippo took the bowl from her and inhaled the fragrance of the sweetened oats but paused and turned to the woman he was perched on. He felt her stiffen and she looked away from him. “Kagome I thought you said he left.”



“Who left?” Inuyasha entered the clearing and snatched up the waiting cup of Ramen before he jumped up into a tree and began to eat.



Kikyo hesitantly sat down below his branch and watched the other miko’s aura flare in agitation, though she wasn’t sure if it was from the question or her presence. Miroku and Sango silently took their places on either side of Kagome and began to eat their oatmeal while making it clear where their loyalties lay.



Kagome felt the urge to smack the little Kitsune and picked up her own bowl just to keep her hands busy. Shippo took the hint and went over to sit by Sango who pat his head lightly as he began to eat.



Clearing her throat she greeted the two arrivals, though she didn’t look up at Inuyasha, she wasn’t ready for that. Instead she looked over at her incarnation as she sat poised at the base of the tree. Kikyo’s cool brown eyes looked back at her as she rose an eyebrow, daring her to ask why she was here. Kagome didn’t need to though, she knew perfectly well why Inuyasha would want her close by and wondered if she had told Inuyasha that Kagome had told her about his predicament.



“What are you deaf?” Inuyasha growled.



Kagome was shocked at how he continued to address her after last night. She looked up at him and found him scowling down at her, surely he remembered what he did last night. “I’m sorry Inuyasha what did you ask me?”



“I asked you who left,” he jumped down from his branch and tossed the empty container of ramen into the fire. Crossing his arms he waited for her answer, everyone was acting weird today and he wanted to know why.



Kagome looked straight into his amber eyes, “I wasn’t sure how long you would be indisposed.”



A blush rose on his cheeks and he averted his eyes, oh yes he remembered exactly what happened last night. Just thinking of how much his body craved for her for those few minutes was disturbing. He shook his head to clear it and adjusted his collar, his skin felt warm. “Feh, pack up we have a spawn to find.”



Inuyasha turned on his heel and walked over to Kikyo, his eyes focused on her pouting lips. He longed to reach out and kiss them and why shouldn’t he? Kagome had rejected him and even sought out Kikyo and told her that she didn’t want him. Why should he hide what he felt? He crouched down in front of the woman that held his heart. She looked suspicious, her lips pulled into a firm line.



He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers softly, trying to erase the displeasure from her face. She was too beautiful to frown.



The rest of the group looked on with wide eyes and their jaws hanging open, all except Kagome who just turned away from them and kept her eyes on the ground. She wondered if it was the poison that enabled him to act so openly with her or if he just didn’t care about how she felt anymore. Did it really matter that they were finally open about their relationship? No, but in a way it still hurt. It was only more proof that she was not enough for him, or anyone for that matter.



Shippo watched Kagome as she quietly packed up the dirty dishes and came over to help her. He did everything he needed to so that Kagome didn’t have to turn around and she Inuyasha embracing his chosen woman.



Sango on the other hand was not going to be so discreet. She rose to her feet and grabbed Hirakotsu as she walked over to the two love birds. “I don’t think you will find Naraku in Kikyo’s mouth.”



Inuyasha drew back from Kikyo and glared at Sango over his shoulder, “what do you care we can’t leave until the camp is packed up and Kagome takes forever.”



“If you looked around you would find that we are ready to leave,” Sango’s eyes moved to Kikyo. “I take it you think you will be travelling with us now?”



Inuyasha jumped to his feet and stood protectively in front of Kikyo, “you got a problem with that?”



Sango crossed her arms, “as a matter of fact-“



“It’s fine,” Kagome said softly. She stepped up beside Sango with her yellow back pack in place and a sad smile on her face. “It’s about time we started gathering our allies together, it is too easy to hurt us when we are separated.”



Inuyasha recovered from his shock quickly, “and just who are these allies?” He would be damned if he was supposed to travel with that mangy wolf, the annoying pest only got in the way.



“I know of a few people and I don’t want to hear a word of your complaints Inuyasha we are stronger and safer in numbers and you know it.” Kagome planted her hands on her hips and smiled which immediately put Inuyasha on red alert. “There is a saying in my time, the enemy of my enemy if my friend.”



Inuyasha’s eyes narrowed, “I don’t need help from anyone to defeat the bastard.”



“Kagome has a good point Inuyasha,” Miroku said from his spot by the fire. He wasn’t certain if asking a poisoned taiyoukai to join their group was the best idea but her logic was sound. There was safety in numbers.



“Don’t you start this too monk,” Inuyasha warned.



“I don’t understand why you are fighting Inuyasha, Kagome is agreeing to welcome Lady Kikyo into our group without quarrel or question.” His violet eyes met amber ones, “isn’t that what you want?”



“Yeah but that doesn’t mean we need anyone else,” Inuyasha could feel that he was losing the argument but he couldn’t back down. Kagome was too kind hearted for her own good and everyone else’s. He could only imagine the rabble she would try to bring into his pack. Well he wouldn’t let that happen.



“You are so selfish Inuyasha,” Shippo jumped onto Kagome’s shoulder and hugged her as much as he could, there was no way he could cover Sesshomaru’s scent but he would try to add others so that Inuyasha would be sure to miss it.



“Shut it up runt,” Inuyasha scowled and looked around the camp. Miroku had stood up and was studying him while Sango stayed by Kagome’s side, her hand flexing around Hirakotsu’s handle. Finally he eyes rest on Kagome and it took effort to look into her sad blue eyes. “Why are you bringing this up now?”



Kagome shook her head carefully so she didn’t dislodge Shippo, “I didn’t bring this up you did. You are the one that brought Kikyo back to camp.”



Inuyasha’s eyes narrowed, he remembered what Kikyo said when she came to him last night. “I wasn’t the one her sought her out last night you were.”



Her arms fell to her sides, of course Kikyo would open her big mouth. Since Kikyo had told him she had sent him she probably told him why and that was going to open up a big can of worms. “You’re right I did, you seemed to have problems controlling yourself with things that I could not help you with.”



He didn’t blush, he couldn’t help what happened last night she felt so good with her legs wrapped around him, her breasts pressed up against him and rubbing along his back with every stride he took. She had practically begged him to take her into the woods and bury himself inside her, “you could’ve.”



Silence dropped into the clearing as everyone stared at him while his eyes burned into the shocked miko.



Miroku watched his friend with keen interest, clearly the poison was not out of his system completely. It was the only explanation for how he was talking to Kagome while Kikyo stood behind him. He could see the anger dancing in her aura and wondered if they were about to lose their newest ally because of Inuyasha’s stupidity.



“I can’t believe you,” Kagome whispered. “I will not be used by you Inuyasha, especially not for that.” Her mind whispered to her about how she easily let another man use her for the exact same reason but she brushed it off. That was her choice. “You made your choice; the poison has clouded your mind. I thought it would’ve dissipated by now but apparently you still can’t keep your hormones in check.”



Inuyasha growled and took a step toward her, “what poison?”



Kagome stiffened, “The clearing ahead held the remains of one of Naraku’s minions, there was blood everywhere. You said you could smell something sweet last night, remember? Well Shippo and Kilala couldn’t stand the stench. We assume it was only meant for you or maybe just dog demons.” She crossed her arms and made herself keep eye contact with him. “Before I sought out Kikyo I purified a clearing which had turned into a defiled overgrown field. The earth had been soaked in blood. Put two and two together Inuyasha.”



She was leaving something out, he knew it. He took a step closer and flared his nostrils and for a moment he wished he hadn’t. “Traitor!” He curled his hands into fists to keep from striking her. All the color drained from her face, confirming her guilt.



“Inu-“



“Shut up!” He roared and she jumped back slightly.



Miroku stepped up to Inuyasha, “You need to calm down.”



Inuyasha saw red, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend? You deceitful bitch how long have you been fucking him behind my back?” He took a step closer to her and Miroku’s staff was put against his chest. “Stay out of this monk.”



“Not as long as you have been with Kikyo behind mine,” Kagome stood up straight. “It’s alright Miroku.”



“Be careful Kagome he isn’t thinking clearly,” Miroku said before pulling his staff back.



“How could you fuck Sesshomaru? That bastard has been trying to kill us for years, he has been tormenting me for decades so don’t you dare try to compare the love I share with Kikyo with you whoring yourself out to the enemy.”



“Sit!” She wished she could find satisfaction in the pained groan that slipped from his lips when he slammed into the ground. Tears spilled down her cheeks, “I will not defend my actions to such a pig. I thought you were my friend Inuyasha. Do you even know how much you’ve hurt me through the years? I loved you so much, I stayed by your side every time you ran off to be with Her even though it felt like I was being crushed. I endured all the moments you looked at me tenderly and whispered Her name.” She put her hands on her hips and stared down at him. Did you ever apologize? No. You made your choice and I have been able to move on. You have no say in the matter when it comes to who I choose to be with, none.”



“It’s Sesshomaru,” Inuyasha countered, he ignored the guilt he always felt when he looked into her pained blue eyes and knew he had hurt her once more. No he never apologized why should he apologize for being with the woman he always loved? It was ridiculous. “I don’t see him here to defend your honor, do you? That’s because you are nothing to him, he is using you and you’re letting him.”



Hirakotsu slammed into Inuyasha’s head and sent him back to the ground. “That’s enough Inuyasha, have some consideration for how Kagome feels. Inuyasha tried to argue but he was met with Hirakotsu to the head again. “I said enough,” she walked around his prone form and hugged Kagome.



Kagome tried to keep the sobs back, Inuyasha was right of course. He had been using, “it was my choice Inuyasha.”



“That just makes you an even bigger idiot,” he jumped up into the tree again away from Sango and Miroku since they seemed so inclined to injure him for telling Kagome the truth. “Get out of here Kagome, I can’t stand the sight of you.”



“Inuyasha you have gone too far,” Sango turned to glare up at him while she tried to comfort Kagome.



Miroku moved up and stood in front of them, “Kagome is not going anywhere Inuyasha, what has happened, happened between two consenting adults and is none of your business.”



“It’s alright guys,” Kagome said and pulled back from Sango. She wiped her face dry, “I have something I need to look into anyway. I always go home when I need to cool off and I will do the same for him. Do you mind if I borrow Kilala?”



“You don’t have to leave,” Sango said.



“Yes I do, I will meet you guys in Kaede’s village when he is ready.” She glanced up at Inuyasha and found him glaring down at her. “I never meant to hurt you Inuyasha but I will not make all my decisions on whether or not it will make you happy any longer.”



Shippo jumped onto her shoulder, “can I come with you Kagome?”



A sad smile formed on her lips, “not this time Shippo, it’s safer with them. But this isn’t goodbye.” She took him off her shoulder and hugged him before setting him down on the ground.



Sango handed Kilala to her, “we will see you soon.”



She nodded and pet Kilala, “she should return by nightfall, thanks Sango.” She hugged Sango and Miroku before letting Kilala down and watching her transform. She climbed up onto their furry friend and took one last look at everyone. Inuyasha jumped down from his perch, Kagome watched him wrap his arms around Kikyo and nuzzle her neck as if no one was there. “Fine, let’s go Kilala.” Silently the two took off into the while the rest of the group began to enclose on the intimate couple. Kagome almost felt bad for what Inuyasha was about to go through. But it had to be done, her secret was out. If only she could feel relieved but she wasn’t sure how Sesshomaru would take the news. Would he care that the world knew he slept with a human? Boy she hoped not.



“We need to go to Jinenji’s first,” Kagome said and held on as Kilala changed directions. First she would see if they could create an antidote and once that was done she’d search for Kouga and his friends. If they agreed to join her she’d tell them to go and wait for her at Keade’s village. Then all she needed to do was find Sesshomaru.



TBC



Sorry no Sesshy in this chapter, every time he showed up the chapter turned to crap. Please R&R and I’m off to write the next chapter as well as the next one for Ripples In Time, It's going to be a loooong night. Oh yeah I know there are typos, there are always typos and it pisses me off but somehow I can never get them all, squirrely little basterds.



977 lyrics

Every time I end up waking up in some hotel without my set of keys,

Coming to, remembering the way you turned me out when I was on my

knees.

You think that was one up for you,

But I know I scored something too.

When I see the way you have to struggle just to do a little simple

thing,

Feel apologetic just because I'm not particularly suffering,

So I let you take me down,

I'm like your rent-a-clown.

When I saw my baby cry,

Knew that he loved me.

That was some great victory,

He cried because of me.

He hit me with his belt,

But his fears were all I felt.

When I saw my baby cry,

I knew he loved me.

When you try to cut me down and push me back if I attack your

attitude,

I rise up to the challenge cuz I like to taste the sugar of your

violent mood.

Just like a stormy sea,

You're natural poetry to me.

When I saw my baby cry,

I knew that he loved me.

When I saw my baby cry,

I knew that he loved me.

That was some great victory.

He cried because of me.

He hit me with his belt,

But his fears were all I felt.

When I saw my baby cry,

I knew he loved me.

I knew he loved me.