Before I die

Before I die

by Goijh

Disclaimer: Hi.
Uh....
Inu...
Not mine!

A/N: Ummm...I would normally reply to reviews here but I forgot to look at them first. hee hee! *smacks self on forehead. @_@

Anyone who reviewed...THANKS! *jumps on reviewers and hugs them!* I feel special! One more review and I have 40 reviews! YAY! hee hee! When I get to 50 reviews I'll have to think of something special to do...Hmmmm....Gotta think on that one.

*sees Sanoslilrebelgurl in corner staring at her* EEP! *runs and hides under chair (straight jacket has been removed.* Here's the chapter! Don't hurt me! ;_;

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Chapter 6
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Kagome had watched Kouga flee form the room. She had heard his last words to her. And yet she hadn't. She could feel her chest rising heavily, but she didn't really feel as if she was breathing. What the hell had happened?
Oh she knew what had happened. But what HAD happened? Why had Kouga suddenly stopped? She felt so sure that he was going to rape her if not kill her. Absent mindedly she pressed a finger to her throbbing lips. She was too shocked, too confused to try to make sense out of any of this now. Yet out of the haze came the obvious choice: Take advantage of this situation.
Kouga had sent Ginta away, and as far as she could tell her had probably done the same to the others. Actually she wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't and they had just run away on their own. Something was definately wrong with her friend , well kinda friend anyways, and she knew that she was NOT the only who was disturbed by it. But that was beyond the point. Here was her chance to escape unnoticed and make her way back to Inuyasha!
Kagome didn't even bother to sneak out of the room. She just ran. She ran out the room and down a corridor that could only be called a hallway. She ran towards where she knew the entrance to the wolf's den to be. And she stopped.
Right in front her Kouga and Inuyasha were circling each other, preparing for a battle. Kagome looked at each of the demons faces. Inuyasha's eyes were flashing red, his fangs were bared, and he was growling savagley at his opponent. Even though she knew that now was not the time to be feeling so, Kagome couldn't help the faint blush that heated her cheeks as she thought about how upset Inuyasha was over her abduction.
When she glanced to Kouga's face though she gasped. His eyes looked hazy, as if he was in a trance. Then you could almost hear an audible click coming from Kagome's head as she realized just what was wrong with the shard in Kouga's shin. Before she could tell Inuyasha that Kouga was in Naraku's control though, the battle had started.

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Both the youkai had been circling each other, snarling and growling in a language of their own. They watched each other, glaring a challenge into the others eyes, while trying to read his movements. Neither wanted to be the first to attack.
They had fought before. Ironicly over practically the same reason. But for some reason Kouga sensed that this time was different. He could practically feel Inuyasha's battle aura radiating off of him, attempting to engulf everything around it in flames. The wolf knew that normally he would be running, he stood little chance in this fight, but for some reason he couldn't. His limbs would not respond to him. He was a prisoner in his own body. A puppet. And the puppeteer didn't give a damn about him, he just wanted some bloodshed.
Kouga growled, his voice deeper than usual. Before he could think twice he was up in the air, leaping at the hanyou, using the shards to give him speed. He was a blur, barely visible. His leg was already in posistion for a powerful kick into Inuyasha's chest. But that damn hanyou was too quick.
Almost at the last minute Inuyasha saw Kouga coming and raised to Tetsusaiga in a defensive position that, had Kouga not managed to interrupt his flow of motion, would have sliced the youkai neatly in half. Inuyasha snarled in frustration as Kouga rolled to the side in mid-air, crashing to the ground. He jumped to his feet in a split second though. One miss was not going to deterr him from killing the one creature who stood in the way of him and his future mate.
Kouga was losing control. He couldn't contain his rage anymore. All his youkai instincts were screaming out at him to kill. He couldn't stop it. Suddenly he threw back his head and let out a howl that sent shivers down everyone's spines. His pack, who had gathered close to help their leader in case he was in danger or needed it, began to slowly back away. Fear shone in all their eyes. What Kouga was about to do was very rare among wolf youkai.
Kouga continued to howl at the of of the cave, but as he did so his body began to shimmer with unearthly light. Inuyasha knew what was happening. After all, his brother could do the same thing. He merely gritted his teeth and stood his ground. Sango, Miroku, and Kiarara all backed away though.
Kagome stood paralyzed as she gazed at the wolf youkai who only moments ago had been trying to force himself upon her. She too knew what he was doing. She had after all been there with Inuyasha when Sesshomaru reverted back to his original, or natural, form. Still she shuddered involuntarily in trepidation as she watched the transformation begin to take place.
Kouga's features began to grow larger, his body sprouted fur. His mouth began to stretch out until it was long and snoutlike. His eyes began to glow as they changed to a more orb-like shape and became glacier colored, flecked with red. His tail stretched out behind him as he lowered himself onto all fours. His arms and legs were thicker, his claws longer, and his hands and feet were paws. When the process was complete a universal gasp went around the cave. Kouga was about 15 feet tall, with fangs the size of Kagome. Saliva splattered to ground as the wolf growled, shaking the cave.
Inuyasha smirked. "Feh," he mumbled though he knew that wolf could hear him. He alone was unimpressed by Kouga's towering presence. Inuyasha shifted his posistion to prepare for tha attack he knew was coming while he sighted out his target. By transforming, Kouga had become larger, an advantage and disadvantage for him. In his natural form, Kouga would be able to kill Inuyasha more easily. He also could sense his emotions and attacks better. But, being so huge, he made himself and his vital points more open targets. All Inuyasha needed was one good hit with the Tetsusaiga and he could permanently impair the wolf or even kill him. He wouldn't even have to use his kaze no kizu (sp?) Personally the hanyou thought that his opponent was more of a threat in his humanoid form. At least then he was more nimble and cunning. As it was, Kouga could barely think straight. all he knew was that he wanted the creature in red dead and he wanted him dead NOW.
Kouga lunged at his target. With the jewhardhards he was just as fast as before. Inuyasha avoided the fatal swipe he was dealt just barely but he was not all together unscathed. A shallow, but long, gash spread from his thigh to his ankle. Kouga would pay for that one.

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Kagome watched silently as Inuyasha and Kouga went at it. She could see the blood lust in both of their faces. She knew that one of them would most likely kill the other but she hoped that neither would die. She knew that Kouga was not completely to blame for his behavior. She also knew that if she asked Inuyasha would cease to fight. But she couldn't do that to him. Even if he stopped, Kouga had no sense of honor about him right now. He would slay the hanyou before he had the chance to blink and maybe go on to massacre the rest of her friends.
The miko felt tears forming in her eyes out of despair and frustration. She knew that she had to stop this, but how? Desperately she searched the cave for something, anything. She didn't know what she was looking for, she didn't know what she needed it for. All she knew was that she needed it and would know why and what when she saw it.
Her eyes came to rest upon a sword, sheathed in the corner. It looked like the one that Kouga wore. 'He must have taken it off and left it here when he got here..' she thought. Suddenly she knew what she wanted to do.
Kagome grabbed the sword and ran out towards the fighters, trapped in a heated battle lock (don't ask me how. I'm not sure how to describe it. All I know is that I can see it in my head and it makes sense to me. So there!) They were both so absorbed in their struggle, that neither noticed the miko until she was underneath Kouga, raising his sword. "Kagome get out of here!" yelled Inuyasha as he stabbed Tetsusaiga into Kouga's paw to distract him form the ningen.
Kagome ignored Inuyasha and before she realized what she herself was doing, she jabbed the blade into Kouga's shin and shoved her hand into the opening. She felt her fingers close around the tainted shard. Closing her eyes she willed her miko powers to surge and purify the shard. She heard Inuyasha calling her name and felt herself being lifted with the shard in her hand. Then she passed out.

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"Kagome..." a voice called to her. "Please....wake up."
'Inuyasha?' she thought as she remained still. She didn't want to wake up. She wanted to sleep. Her body was sore and her head hurt. "No." she responded in a pouty voice. "I don't wanna."
Inuyasha drew back shocked for a moment. Then a smirk crossed his face. She was okay. He bit back the urge to laugh at her tone and instead reverted to his usual, "I don't care what anyone thinks. I'm going to piss off the world." attitude as he gently shook her.
"Too bad wench. You've slept long enough. You'veted ted enought time already so get up!" With those words he rolled her over so that she was on her back and stood up above her with his arms crossed on his chest and his hands in his haori. Groaning Kagome opened her eyes. Blinking she stared up at the hanyou who was doing his best to scowl at her. But he was so happy that she was okay he couldn't stop the thing he did next.
Before Kagome knew what has happening Inuyasha had picked her up bridal style and was embracing her shocked form. At first she was tense. 'What the hell is he doing?' but quickly she laxed and began to melt into his chest. It felt SO good to just be there in his arms... "Inuyasha..." she murmered quietly as she buried her face in his chest.
Suddenly she was once again on the ground only she was standing this time. Inuyasha whirled away to face in the other direction as he felt his face heat a little. No way was he letting her see him blush. "There. Now you're up." He said a little unevenly as he tried to maintain his scowling tone. Kagome giggled behind him.
Curious he turned around to have arms thrown around his neck as Kagome hugged him tightly. "Oh Arigato Inuyasha for saving me! I knew you'd come!" She said as she smiled, staring into his golden eyes. Inuyasha smiled softly back down at her, now maybe they'd have the chance for her to finish that little confession of hers.
Before he could bring it up though, Kagome was sitting crosslegged on the ground staring at the sky. (Setting: They're in a field near a Inuyasha's forest. Sorry I forgot to mention that earlier! ^_^) Soundlessy he joined her. "Inuyasha?" she asked without turning her head towards him.
"Hmm?"
"What happened? After I ummm...well...cut Kouga's shin open?" She spared a peek at the hanyou as he sighed a little heavily at her question.
"Well...."

***FLASHBACK***

"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried as he ran to her. Kouga had collapsed on the ground and was returning to his humanoid form, no longer a threat without the tainted shard. Almost immediately tha battle was forgotten as Kouga's pack ran to aid him and Kagome's friends rushed over to see what had happened.
First the first time since his arrival, Inuyasha smelled her blood. He looked at her chest, appalled to see her blouse tattered and her chest covered in shallow cuts. His cut was already beginning to heal, but Kagome was a human, hers would be more painful and take longer. He watched her eyes roll up a bit, blink, and then close. She was unconcious. Intinctivley her growled at what Kouga had done to her. He wanted nothing more than to go tear the wompy wold to shreds for what he had done to his Kagome. But he knew that it would accomplish nothing. Kouga was unconcious and wouldn't feel any pain right now. When he woke up he probably wouldn't remember a thing. 'Besides,' he thought as he gazed at the girl in his arms, 'Kagome would be upset if I killed him...She's too nice like that.'
Inuyasha lifted her bridal style before he turned to the others. Miroku and Sango glanced at him nervously. "Let's go. We should get her to Kaede's." was all he said as he walked to the entrance of the cave. Miroku and Sango glanced at each other but said nothing. They hopped onto Kiarara and followed the hanyou.

***Two Days later. (STill FLASHBACK)***

The group arrived at Kaede's. Kagome had drifted in and out of conciousness the last few days, spending most of her time in a deep sleep. He wounds had not been terrible, but Kaede guessed that the emotional stress of it all was weighing her down. She had placed some salves on her cuts to help them heal and then just basicly left the girl alone to rest.
Inuyasha stayed next to her constantly. Even though he had not sensed that Kaede was lying, he was not sure that he believed her. He didn't see how Kagome could be fine and yet sleep almost through three days. He had found the shard clasped in her hand as he returned to the village with her and had put it in a pouch for safekeeping until she was awake. Now he sat next to her, playing with the cord that held it around his neck as he waited for her to get up.
He was still shocked by the fact that she had actually cut the shard out of Kouga in the first place. He almost smirked as he remembered the shocked look on the wolf's face. I thad been priceless. Inuyasha immediately sobered though as he remembered the circumstances.
Sighing he leaned his head back against the wall and watched Kagome's sleeping figure. He could tell by her breathing pattern that she was close to waking. He smirked. He had just had a good idea. Silently and stealthily, he hoisted to dreamer into his arms and fled the hut before anyone could see him.
He ran through the forest to a field that lay on the other side. His smirk changed into a smile as he lay his bn upn upon the lush green grass and waited for her to wake.

***End of Flashback***

Kagome had been quiet through his entire tale. She was glad to know that Kouga was okay. Or at least that he hadn't died. She felt herself becoming surprised though when Inuyasha told her that he had brought her to the field. He told her this last part softly, not meeting her eyes. Almost as if he was a little embarressed by his actions.
Kagome was touched by his display of thoughfulness. She couldn't believe that he had done something so sweet for her. Especially after she was sure that he would be repulsed or disgusted by her after she practically told him that she loved him. He was acting like he actually cared about her too.
Caught up in the moment, Kagome barely registered her actions until she felt his warm skin meet her lips. Inuyasha sat there shocked as the miko kissed his cheek. He felt a blush come to his face for the second time that day, one time more than he had ever blushed in his life. (lol! ^.^) Kagome looked up at his pink face and smiled. She didn't laugh because she knew that would ruin the moment. Instead she waited for his reaction. When he gave no sign of reprimanding or scowling at her, she sighed contentedly and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Inuyasha felt her head lean on his shoulder and fthe the heat rise in his loins. His blood began to rush as he leaned his oen head upon hers, relishing the feel of her silky hair on his cheek and inhaling the scent of sakura blossoms. He gritted his teeth and asked the question that he had been dying to ask for a week now.
"Uh...Kagome? Do you remember that conversation we were having back before...." His voice trailed off.
Kagome felt herself blush as she realized what he was going to ask her, but nodded slowly. She had made up her mind to tell him and if he asked her, she would answer.
"Well..." Inuyasha's voice dropped a couple notches in volume and became gentler, "What were you telling me before....you know....You were kind of cut off and I've just been wondering." Yeah right! He had been doing a lot more than 'just wondering'. The uncertainty had been driving him crazy night and day since that moment to now.
Kagome pulled away from Inuyasha and turned away. She hugged her knees to her chest as she took a deep breath that did nothing for her. 'It's now or never...' she thougesolesolutly to herself. Besides, she couldn't have picked a more perfect scenario: Wide open fields, gentle breeze, Blue sky, Inuyasha's thoughtful actions... Sighing she rested her chin on her knees.
"I was saying that I care about you Inuyasha...More than you know. I was trying to tell you that I...." her voice trailed off as her courage faltered. What if he didn't ry fey feel the same way about her? What if his thoughtful and sweet actions had only been accidents? What if he was just too shocked to do anything when she kissed him? Or What if......What if he was only acting this way because she reminded him of Kikyo?
"I think I love you Inuyasha....AndI'llunderstandifyouneverwanttoseemeagainbecauseyou'redisgustedwithmeandyouloveKikyo!" She cried as she buried her face in her arms.
Inuyasha sat back shocked. She had actually said it! She loved him! HIM! She loved a hanyou! His heart was leaping with joy and a goofy smile was spread across his face. Kagome couldn't see him though and took his silence as rejection.
Inuyasha continued to grin in blissful silence as he gazed at her back. 'Wait. What else did she say? Disgusted with her? Kikyo?!' Suddenly he noticed that Kagome's head was buried in her arms and she wasn't turning back around to face him.
"Kagome.." he murmered as he moved up to her and pulled her into his embrace. "Why would I be disgsted with you?" He asked as her rubbed her arms gently. Kagome lifter her head from her arms. "I thought...I thought you..." She trailed off as Inuyasha made cooing noises and continued to massage her arms.
"I could never be disgusted with you Kagome...I...I love you too." He whispered softly into her ear. Kagome tensed in surprise. He loved her too? This was TOO good to be true! She must be dreaming. She relaxed and leaned into his chest. "This isn't real..." she whispered to no one in particular. "In a few moments I'm going to wake up."
Inuyasha smirked as he heard her say this. He pushed her forward a little and turned her around in his arms to face him as he pulled her into his lap so that her lags straddled his.
"Does THIS feel like a dream?" He asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes as he leaned forward....


Aack! Cliffy I know! But I did it this way for a reason. I will not post chapter seven until I have gotten reviews (flames don't count). I don't mind if the reviews are filled with considerable death threats, but until I get them you'll just have to use your imaginations! lol!

REVIEW!!!