Yes, I know... You don’t have to make me feel any guiltier than I already do about how long it’s been. Almost a year? Ugh. Sounds worse than I originally thought. Well, here is your next chapter. My thanks to those who review. ;p

Thank you sarah, who was my first reviewer for this chapter!

The Captured Princess

By: Sanci J

Chapter 24: Breaking Dawn

Miroku hummed a familiar tune as he strolled towards the large tent where he would soon break his fast. The only thing that could be heard were the chirping cardinals up in the trees, and the whistling of the early morn breeze. He inhaled a breath of fresh air, welcoming the new day. He grinned silently to himself as he took in the orange-scarlet sunrise, something that happened naturally, but today it felt like a small miracle.

Where is Inuyasha? He thought, wondering if maybe something had happened between Inuyasha and Kagome. The odds were that nothing had, as he recalled Inuyasha’s brash behavior and Kagome’s stubbornness. Soon, his good friend would return and he would relieve Miroku of his duties. He would be glad to be rid of them.

Yes, he did like Inuyasha’s cushioned chair and his hidden liquor, and, well, he couldn’t forget about the power he had immediately acquired upholding Inuyasha’s position, but he really disliked making the necessary consequential decisions that could ruin their position in the upcoming war.

Also, it constantly annoyed him that many of the captive women sought him out privately being he was the ‘Master’ temporarily, and in front of the lovely Sango, nonetheless. Such a beautiful jewel like her could easily bring a grown man to his knees. He shivered. Something he could not let happen.

As he neared the meal tent, he heard pots clanging lightly against each other, and murmured whispers coming forth from it. Frowning, he ducked under the slim cloth, his right hand holding it aside as he went through.

Something was wrong. There wasn’t supposed to be anyone in the tent for at least another hour or so. He had expected to be alone as he ate.

The rattling didn’t end, but got worse. “Who is prattling about at this ungodly hour?” he growled.

He heard a woman shriek and assumed it was because she had been found out. He pulled his deep purple kimono tighter around his torso as he walked around the table, his steps sharp.

A dark head popped up within the clutter of pots with a nervous laugh. “I-Well-“

“Do you know that your selfishness could awaken the whole camp?” he asked impatiently.

“I didn’t mean to. Really. It was an-“

He groaned loudly, wiping his tired eyes. “I apologize. I haven’t slept much as of late, and I’m starved. I expected to be alone.”

She was caught.

Curses, but it was just as well. She could smooth things over with use of proper words.

She stood up, sweeping her hands over her skirt. “Do not apologize to me, good sir, for it was I who misuse your hospitality-“

Violet eyes met light brown ones and Sango gasped.

Miroku felt like he had swallowed an insect, but his mouth formed a mischievous grin. “Fairest Sango, I should say I’m not that surprised to see you.”

Definitely one to watch her back for, she decided quickly. Sango bit her lower lip, looking away from him. She gently picked up a pot that had fallen to the ground and set it in the brown burlap bag. When she turned around to pick more up, she found herself looking into Miroku’s eyes again. Thoroughly shaken by what she saw in them, she practically ripped the pot from his hands and put it back.

“What are you doing in here so early?” he asked. His face had changed again into a more serious expression.

It was a momentous relief that Sango’s falsies wouldn’t reveal themselves on her face such as they did on the young Kagome.

She avoided his ever-searching gaze nonetheless. “I wanted to make something special for Kagome, you see,” she explained. “I’ll surprise her by being here when she returns, and the only thing I could think of doing was to cook her something.” She rubbed her arm self-consciously. “I didn’t think that coming in here so early would be a problem. I thought I would be alone.”

He gestured towards the pots. “What do you plan to make?”

“I...have yet to decide,” she said. “I figured the choice would come to me.”

He laughed, and the sound made her smile at her own words. “Do you have any grand ideas?” she countered, keeping her non-too-steady heart back in it’s place..

“A few,” he replied with a heart stopping grin.

“Kagome,” Inuyasha said. “We have to leave.”

Opening her eyes at his voice, Kagome sat up, blinking. “I’m awake,” she croaked out.

Reluctantly, she left the warm bed, thoughts of the night before still mulling about in her head.

As they passed by the front desk, the woman saw them. “Hello, young newlyweds!” she chirped.

“Good morn to you,” Inuyasha said tightly, but not unpleasantly. When Kagome didn’t say anything, he grabbed her arm.

“Thank you for your hospitality, milady,” she said sweetly.

The woman’s face fell. “You are leaving? So soon?”

“We are traveling to my husband’s homeland, yet having adventures all the same,” Kagome embellished, “I have wanted to visit different places ever since I was a young girl. I have very protective parents, you see.” The last sentence was sent to the woman with a conspiratorial wink. At least, it was truth. Kagome would have felt so if she really did have a husband.

The woman nodded her head understandingly, her eyes shining as if she were thinking of something fond. “I recall myself being a bit adventurous at the age of ten and four. I was so troublesome, my brothers threatened to throw me into the pigsty.” She laughed heartily. “I knew they would never lay a single bared hand to me, and my antics continuously drove them away until they joined the lists.”

The women turned to the doorway in time to smile at her man. “Ah, wife, what tales have you brought upon these young ones?” her husband Hakai teased with a brief shake of his head. He turned to look at Inuyasha. “Your bride could use some nourishment for your long journey. Eat. We are aplenty with food and ale. ”

“We should go,” Inuyasha said, turning towards the door.

“We will stay for the morning meal,” Kagome said at the same time.

They looked at each other.

The woman laughed so much her belly jiggled. “I can see where your similarities differ.” She sat them at a table on the right side of the Bed and Break Fast, telling them to relax while their food was prepared.

Once the woman prattled into another room, Inuyasha glared at Kagome. “You have just wasted

an hour’s worth of travel.”

“You cannot travel with an empty stomach,” she stated wisely.

“And where did you hear that?” he asked sarcastically.

“It was in a book.”

He snorted. “A book, huh?”

“A book,” she confirmed.

“Those old writings are just that--old– and don’t serve any purpose in this life.”

“It doesn’t matter how ancient a writing is, what matters is what the words have to tell us,” she stated.

The woman returned, interrupting what Inuyasha would have said, placing a plate of freshly-baked bread on their table. Kagome drew in deep breaths of the delicious scent before breaking a piece off.

He raised an eyebrow. “What?”

She took a bite, chewed, and swallowed. “The books we have are our guide to our way of life. They are instructions and learning tools that will benefit the Kingdom in the coming days.”

He ate some of the bread his claws had cut. “Of course you refer to your precious Kingdom,” he replied in monotone.

Kagome watched him. “Does the Kingdom I speak of matter? It was how I learned to read and write. One can learn a many wondrous things from reading about the great philosophers.”

He eyed her. “Where did you get these books? Servants do not read and write, unless they are bastards.”

“I have told you once before,” she responded in irritation. “I was close to the Princess. She was kind enough to lend me some books of hers.”

His probing gaze met hers for the umpteenth time. “How close were you to her?”

She halted in her speech. How could she answer that?

Luckily, the woman interfered on their conversation with their food, which consisted of the sweet milk she liked. Kagome almost sighed. Milk, not the dastardly ale that tasted of the smell of the pit.

The sausage smelled wonderful.

They ate the food in silence, and when they finished, Kagome wiped her mouth with the rag next to her plate. The woman must have known they were finished, for she wandered back over with her husband.

Which was good, because Kagome needed to ask her something.

“The food to your tastes?” the woman asked with a welcoming smile.

“Very much, thank you,” said Kagome with an answering smile. “I have a question before we go.”

Inuyasha stared hard at her as he stood.

“Of course, my dear. Ask and you shall receive an answer.”

Kagome smiled. “I just wanted to know if that gentleman– the one we carried to his room last night– will be all right. I think his name was... Sir Shanto?”

The woman nodded once. “Yes, well, he had a bit too much of the drink. He’ll be up before the next sunrise.”

“Thank you once again for the meal. A fine cook.” Kagome followed Inuyasha to the door, fully sated from the food and sleep. There was still one thing bothering her about that Shanto person, but she had no idea why.

“Good day young ones!” called the woman as they walked away from the inn.

Kagome walked beside Inuyasha, and only minutes later her legs started to ache from all the walking they had done the day before. Inuyasha must have noticed her lagging because he grunted, “Jump onto my back.”

She stopped walking. Ride on his back?

Like when they first left the camp, he had told her the same thing, and she hadn’t hesitated. But now... Now it would be very awkward.

“Would you rather walk yourself to death? Get on,” he growled.

She did as he commanded before thinking, jumping up, using her arms to keep her from falling while her lags wrapped tightly around his waist. The warmth of his back against her was like another shock to her system, one she definitely wasn’t happy about. She thought she felt his body withdraw within itself when his back went taut.

And he did.

Withdraw himself.

These sensations had threatened to control him ever since she had wrapped those long legs around him, with her chest pressed to him so close, he doubted any air could get through. He’d had absolutely no choice but to withdraw from her and those... feelings. It just so happened that every time he speeded up, she gripped his white shirt in knots, and her thighs clenched around his waist even tighter than before. Damn, but he wasn’t sure he was going in the right direction anymore. His demonic side was starting to get to him again. When he spoke, his voice came out gruffer than he thought it would. “Could you not try to cause me to fall to my bloody knees?”

“What?” She looked confused, and he was almost glad of her innocence. Then she gripped his shoulders tighter and glared at him. “Where did you learn such vulgar words?” She harrumphed. “From the Englishmen, no doubt-“

“Loosen your hold, woman, before I can’t breathe anymore.” It was a lie, but there was some truth to it. He was breathing hard, and that was not a normal occurrence, regardless if a female was pressed up against him or not.

Kagome loosened her hold around his neck. She bounced every time he jumped, so she eventually gave in and rested her head on his shoulder, which she remembered doing before. Flashes of the kiss they had shared ran through her head, cutting in on her thoughts about Sango. She ran her upper teeth over her lower lip, recalling how exciting one kiss could be. It almost made her yearn for another. She blushed a deep red. What would another small kiss hurt? She needed a little practice for her future husband. Prince Hojo.

But how could she bring the subject up? Oh, Inuyasha, she would say. Could you kiss me a few more times so that this Princess will have some experience to take with her when she gets married to Prince Hojo? No, she would never say that.

“Ah, Inuyasha?” she asked quietly, wondering if he heard her.

His hearing was very good, him being a demon and all. “What is it? Not comfortable enough back there?” he asked sarcastically, not what he’d originally intended.

“I am quite comfortable, considering. It is just- About the-“ She wasn’t sure what to say about the kiss. She did not want to tell him it had been the most magical moment of her life, and that had been so stimulating that her lips were still tingling from the after-affects.

He ran at a slower pace now, not commenting on her speechlessness.

“Please, just stop,” she said. When he didn’t do as she had ordered, she said again, “Stop!”

Inuyasha stopped next to a large tree and flung her off with a snarl. “What the hell is wrong with you now? Do you have a backache already?”

“No! I just wanted to ask you something...” she trailed off.

His amber eyes narrowed into small slits. “Well, ask the damn question already. You’re wasting time we need to get back to camp.”

Kagome felt like something was caught in her throat. Whatever it was, it felt like a rock! “Um...uh-that you could please not curse again in my presence.”

He blinked. “Do what?”

‘I must be going daft! Like he’d ever take anything I've said into consideration.’ she thought. “Just, nothing. Forget I ever said anything...”

They walked farther until Kagome recognized her surroundings. They went up the hill where they had once gazed upon a breath-taking sunset, and she pushed those memories from her head, not thinking about the ache in her chest.

Kagome ran ahead of Inuyasha, eager to escape his presence when she caught sight of Sango in gypsy’s clothing. A smile blossomed across her face and she yelled, “Sango!”

Sango turned her head. “Kagome!” Sango laughed when Kagome plowed into her arms. “Kagome, I can’t believe you’re here...” She hugged her friend, allowing her eyes to leek where they may.

Kagome didn’t want to let go of her closest friend, but eventually Sango moved back, her hands resting on Kagome’s shoulders warmly. Her face grew serious quickly. “There are many things I must tell you, but not now, in private,” Sango said, sending Kagome a look she knew all too well. It meant that whatever she had to say, it probably had to do with her homeland.

Kagome nodded, her smile still unwavering. She followed Sango into the tent where the women prepared the meals. Many familiar women were scrambling about, and Kagome knew that the bandits were breaking their fast. Her anger spiked, thinking of the night the captive women must have had. It was cruel, and against the law. Well, her father’s law.

“I made you a small meal,” Sango said with a short laugh. She moved around one of the bulky wooden tables to the campfire where a plate sat still warm.

Kagome looked to be almost appalled.

Sango laughed again. “I’m afraid some talents do not change, or lack of. I had assistance with the cooking.”

A voice boomed out, depleting the light-hearted chatter.

“Everyone, disperse from the tent of food-making, and away from the fire!”

Kagome turned towards the masculine voice and saw that it was easy-going Miroku coming into the tent. Inuyasha was nowhere to be seen. “Miroku!” she called.

When he met her eyes, he winked mischievously, but not before Kagome saw the dark bags under his eyes.

He turned away from the females momentarily. “Either I or Inuyasha will tell you when our talk is over! Leave this area!” he ordered.

Kagome almost jumped at the thundering command of his tone and she stared wide-eyed at him.

“My apologies,” he said and sat down on a log. “I didn’t try to alarm you.”

“We are not without our hearing as much as I can tell,” she replied with a teasing grin.

Miroku laughed so hard his rump almost fell from the wood.

When Kagome caught Sango’s eye, Sango rolled her eyes.

“So, Suitcase girl,” Miroku teased back once he regained composure, “where did you and Inuyasha venture off to?”

Obviously, Kagome immediately tensed, which was immediately noticeable by both of her companions. “To another camp. I really didn’t see him very much.”

Sango stopped and frowned angrily. What had really happened between Inuyasha and Kagome?

“Do you know if he found what he was looking for?” Miroku asked ominously, fiddling with a paper.

“Looking for?” Kagome leaned towards Miroku curiously. “You are talking about more demons, yes?”

“Of course,” he said with much haste.

Sango set the plate before Kagome without a word, and sat down. She cleared her throat. “I have something for you, Kagome, lest I forget.” Sango reached into a loose pouch in her blouse and pulled out a long, beaded necklace. “Does this look familiar?”

The purple beads and ominous teeth clanked together and Kagome gathered them in her right hand.

Sango looked pointedly at Miroku, as if sending him a message by mind.

Miroku looked back and forth between the two. With another impossibly charming wink, he stood. “I’ll let you two have some time before Inuyasha fully resumes his duties. I have an urgent matter to discuss with him.” With that, he left whistling a war tune.

“What happened here?” Kagome asked, alarmed.

Sango shrugged. “I do not know. It seems there will most definitely be a war though.”

Kagome watched her dear friend closely. “I mean between you and Miroku.”

A pink blush dotted Sango’s cheeks. “There is nothing worth discussing. He is but a harmless womanizer.”

“He is quite handsome.” Kagome raised an eyebrow. “So, there is nothing between the two of you?”

“Absolutely nothing,” she replied in exaggerated tones. “I do not kid you, Kagome, a war is brewing.”

Kagome accepted her friends’ change of subject and thought of her family, her people, her land.

“We cannot let this happen, Sango.”

“We cannot stop a war!” Sango closed her eyes tightly and sighed. “Kagome...”

“What? You did mention earlier you needed to speak privately with me.” Kagome picked at her food. As delicious as it was, she didn’t feel very hungry anymore. She had a feeling of foreboding.

“Your parents,” Sango said, and her voice cracked. “That night we left the palace, when the demonic-bandits infiltrated our Kingdom, your parents-“

“Kagome, you’re back!”

Both women saw Ayame.

“Ayame!” cried Kagome. “Who told you I was here?”

“No one did. I smelled you when you came through the barrier with Inuyasha, but I waited until your guardians left to visit you.” She hugged Kagome fiercely. “I do not want to be found where I am forbidden to be, so I will talk to you when the bright sun is yet again at it’s full height.”

“Yes, we will talk then,” Kagome agreed.

“Good-bye!” Ayame waved before leaving them once again alone.

Kagome smiled wistfully. “Did Ayame mention to you that she once saved my life?”

“What? When?”

“It was when I first came. I was very ill, and in much pain. She took me into her tent and gave me medicine.”

In pain? Sango wanted to hear all that she had to say, but she had to tell Kagome about her parents. “Kagome, I must not procrastinate anymore. I have some distressing news to tell you.”

All traces of a smile disappeared. Here was that feeling again. “Sango?” she asked worriedly.

Sango gathered her bearings.

“What? Is mother hurt? Souta isn’t sick again, is he?”

Sango decided to leave out the part concerning the late King Higurashi’s affair with Mikokku. It would only damage Kagome more. It hurt to have to tell her this, but Kagome had to know. Souta would need his older sister to be by his side during his reign, unless it was true that he was sickly again.

Sango looked down. She held back tears, fighting to keep her wits about her to support Kagome. A lump burned in her throat. “Kagome...” she said, her voice breaking.

Kagome stared at her friend in alarm. “Sango?”

King Higurashi paced around the throne room, his bodyguards keeping a sharp eye on him and

everything around him. “Bring me General Hakai,” he ordered to one of his close guards, and he flew from the room.

A few minutes later, the General appeared, breathing somewhat heavily. “Yes, my King?”

The dark and demanding King turned to his trusted General. “Has anyone sighted her yet?”

General Hakai sighed, running his fingers through his graying beard. “I have heard nothing from any of the men I sent out, but soon we should have something.”

The King growled, his eyes slanting. “If that half-breed has her, he won’t live to see his execution day.”

“Of course, sire.”

“Bring me a drink,” he snapped to a miscellaneous guard posted at the entryway to the King’s private room, and the man stumbled out the door in a hurry to do as his superior commanded.

The General cleared his throat. “We should declare war to the two demonic Kingdoms tonight, and strike. Our strategy is set; all we have to do is begin the damn war. I can’t wait to get rid of those mongrels.”

A deep cackle erupted from King Higurashi’s round belly, shocking General Hakai. “Mongrels,” gasped the King. “Such a perfect description of those...creatures.”

“About the war-“

“My King,” interrupted the returned guard, holding a jeweled goblet specially made from across the continent. It was filled to the brim with his favorite expensive red wine, and some of it sloshed on the guard’s uncleaned hand.

The King grabbed the goblet, gulping it immediately. Some of the crimson liquid dribbled down from the corners of his mouth, landing on the white stone expanse of floor. Once he drank it all, he pulled it away, belching before wiping his mouth and chin on his velvety sleeve. “Bring me my son,” he said.

Within moments, Prince Souta arrived, lead by his private guard. Souta had lost his recent look of sickliness, but his face was as pale as the moon. “Have they found her?” he bluntly asked his father.

“Not yet, young Souta, but we will. My men have tracked her to a camp of gypsies.”

A look of pure distress came across his child-like features, and a part of him hardened. “I’ll kill that demon, father.”

His father was faintly amused. “Ah, but you will not, for you are frail as a babe. I have many exceptional men at my disposal for that.”

“I have been practicing thrice a single day, Father. I will be ready to fight him. I cannot bear the thought of him anywhere near Kagome!” He glared at his father’s raised eyebrow. “It is I who will fight with all I have to save her. That devil will not have a glorious death from me!” he finished with a might roar.

It was only a few moments before King Higurashi’s face broke out in a deceitful smirk. “Yes, you may be the right man, but you must practice and enhance your skills much to defeat him.”

With that said, the boy immediately went to practice his sword skills.

Sango watched Kagome’s eyes glaze over, round and wide. “No,” Kagome said. Her body started to involuntarily shake. “It cannot be true..”

“I’m so sorry, Kagome.” Sango felt Kagome’s pain deep and she felt tears gathering behind her lids. “I should have been there to protect them and I wasn’t.”

Kagome stared ahead in a state of shock that worried Sango greatly.

“Kagome?”

“No,” she croaked out. Kagome found that she couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think, and would have crumpled to the ground if Sango hadn’t grabbed her first.

“I-I need to be alone,” she rasped, without sparing her dear friend a glance. Kagome needed to think, and if Sango didn’t leave, Kagome would weep out her very soul. ‘It just can’t be true. She’s lying. Father would never let it happen. Mother...Souta!'

Sango’s heart splintered, but she did as Kagome requested. She found Inuyasha without any trouble inside the nicest tent in the bunch. Without hesitation, she waltzed right in, not caring when the group of bandits ignored her as if she were nothing.

“ Master Inuyasha!” Curses for her having to refer to him as Master.

They all looked her way, save for the blockhead being called out.

“Get me some hot coffee, wench,” said a bandit that stood taller than a horse.

Miroku saw her but didn’t smile. “Leave her alone, boys.” He stepped towards her and cupped her elbow, so close she could feel his breath. “What are you doing here?”

Sango found in an annoying way that she couldn’t think correctly. “I need to talk to Inuyasha.”

“Is something amiss?” he asked.

“It is concerning Kagome.”

Inuyasha’s ear twitched.

“Is she-“

“No.” She shook her head frantically. “She is not doing well. I told her of a tragedy in her family, and she must be left alone for now with her grief.” She didn’t want to put any unnecessary ideas in his or anyone else’s heads about Kagome’s true past.

“What? Where is she?” Miroku’s brows lowered.

Sango saw that some of the bandits were eyeing her even as they listened to Inuyasha and she lowered her voice. “She’s in the cooking tent still, but do not bother her. She needs to be alone.” The deep concern in her eyes pleaded with him, and who was he to resist the innocent charms of a lady?

He led her just outside the tent, his face close to hers. When her voice slightly cracked, Miroku put an arm reassuringly around her shoulders. “You may stay near her for comfort; no one will disrupt the both of you. I will see to it.”

Sango felt soothed by his voice and the calloused hand that softly caressed her shoulder. She wanted to believe him, oh so much. “I give you my heartfelt thanks for Kagome’s sake. I wish you would’t speak of this to Inuyasha, but you will.”

“Didn’t you call his name to tell him?”

“I was only planning to tell him that he must release Kagome. I will take her back to her family where she can grieve. I won’t have him or anyone else mistreating her!” she said, clearly pained.

He lifted her chin, wanting her to put her trust in him with everything in his being. He hoped Sango did not feel the shaking of his hands. “Sango,” he said on a deep sigh, “Do you not have any faith in me at all?”

She frowned, shaking his strong hands away. “I only just met you.”

Miroku felt lost without her touch and said smoothly, “I suppose we’ll have to remedy that, won’t we?”

Somehow, unbeknownst to her, she kept herself from blushing a deep shade of red. “If your idea of changing that is to behave like the barbarians in Inuyasha’s tent, then forget it. I only serve-“ She stopped before her tongue slipped Kagome’s name.

“Whom do you serve? Yourself, I suppose?”

“My friends and family. That is who I serve willingly.”

Miroku allowed a smile to grace his thin lips. “You’re quite irresistible when you’re passionate, my sweet.”

Sango flushed. She would not let his smile make her weak.

Miroku would have loved to spend all day with this woman, but he had a job to accomplish that couldn’t tolerate any procrastinating. “You happened to interrupt an important meeting Inuyasha was conducting. I must return and send you on your way.”

‘Send me on my way?!’she seethed.

“Inuyasha will be leaving as soon as nightfall. It is time.”

“Tonight? He has declared war?”

Miroku hated seeing her distressed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart.” He wisped his thumb over her cheek, enjoying the tingling of his finger.

“I need to return to Kagome,” said Sango, leaping away from his touch.

“Of course.” Miroku lifted the heavy sheet without looking back at her, something he forced himself from doing.

“Took you that long to take her clothes off?”a familiar demon acquaintance said.

At Miroku’s menacing growl, the demon looked away in shock. The need to protect Sango’s reputation and her body from the demons around him was startlingly fierce. By the look on Inuyasha’s face, he knew something had just begun. Never had he defended a maiden at the slightest remark, especially without knowing anything about her or her body.

His chest burned at the thought of her being one of the wenches of the night at the camp.

Never. He’d never let it happen.

Kagome couldn’t stop replaying Sango’s words.

“Your parents were killed the night we ran away. By a demon.”

A knot enveloped her chest and she gave in to the burn behind her eyes. ‘How can this be? How could a demon get to them through all their guards?’

She swiped the wetness from her face. A sudden warmth raced through her and she instinctively lifted her hand to clutch her necklace. ‘Mother...’ A promise was broken.

“...you have to promise me something first before you leave,” her mother had said.

“What?” Kagome had asked warily.

“Promise me that you will come back some day to visit us.” Her mother had said, hope filling her brown eyes.

“Yes...I promise.”

Kagome knew Sango wouldn’t lie to her about her parents. Frankly, Kagome knew she was still in a state of shock, but she found it hard to believe the King, her father, had been defeated. What had happened, and why? Why her parents? What human being-or demon-could do this to her family?

What of Souta? Oh Kami...Kagome felt nauseous and her small tears turned to sobs. Her baby brother! What had that demon done to him? Horrible thoughts of torture and captivity made her sick and she ran from the tent and retched in a bush where she would have a better chance at not being seen.

When she finished she washed her face in a small creek. Inuyasha and all the other demons would smell her sickness and she didn’t want anyone focusing any attention on her.

She returned to the tent she shared with Ayame only to find Sango waiting for her. Sango’s eyes watered at the tortured look on her friend’s face. “Kagome...” she started.

“What happened?” Kagome asked quietly. “If what you say is true, it must have occurred that same night.” She caught her breath to keep from breaking down before she spoke her next words. “Tell me, friend, was my brother-“

“No more of this Kagome,” Sango said softly, wrapping her arms around her friend. “Do not torture yourself with thoughts of that night.”

Kagome pushed Sango away, withdrawing. “Please, just leave me be, Sango...” she whispered on a strangled breath. “You can’t understand,” she barely finished before being overcome with gut-wrenching sobs. ‘Kami...how can this be happening to me? To mother, and little Souta, and father? No one deserves such a violent end. No one.’

Kagome only noticed that time had passed when Sango left and came back to sleep. That night Kagome couldn’t bear to close her eyes. Her eyes burned from crying so hard, the ache deep within her so unfamiliar. Suddenly a light breeze brushed the sheet open slightly. Feeling stifled inside the small space, Kagome silently left the warm bedding, slipped her shoes and shawl on and left the tent. She found that she could breathe easier in the fresh air.

It was the perfect time to be outside. The world was silent, nothing but the soft sounds of nature to soothe. She walked carefully, as not to wake any demons. She knew of their heightened senses.

Forcing herself to breath on a regular pattern, she sat upon a large boulder. The sun was just breaking the horizon, the sight reminding her that while her family was in a better place now, she still had a purpose. For an hour or so, she let her emotions take over, the overwhelming sadness, the anger and hatred, the helplessness. The love. She had loved her family so much, and some demon had tortured them. The hatred bowled over her sadness. Somehow, someway, she would exact her revenge.

‘I shouldn’t have left them,’ she thought, pained with the guilt and sorrow. If she hadn’t left the palace, maybe-

“What the HELL are you doing out here?”

A feeling of sudden expectation washed over her. Kami, she couldn’t be happy to see him! She couldn’t! So why, then, did she suddenly wish he would grab her by the arms and hold her until she felt whole again?

Her heart constricted at the sight of him standing before her, the rising sun at his broad back. He looked beautiful. Ruggedly angelic with the sun’s morning rays shining outward from his body.

She found that she couldn’t look at him.

It was too much.

“Having a little privacy for once,” she said, a definitive edge to her voice that didn’t even sound like her.

‘Kami, I cannot break down in front of him.’ She prayed, her nails breaking skin with her fierceness.

He stayed quiet for a bit as if he wasn’t sure what to say in reply. He sniffed, grabbing one of her hands before she had realized what he was doing. “Why did you really come here?”

She turned her head to look at him, and suddenly wished she hadn’t. He very nearly took the breath from her. Thoroughly clean from head to foot, he looked prepared to go to battle with his red kimono and sword. She thought she saw the play of his muscular chest muscles against the white fabric of his shirt, but thought it a delusion of the mind. He carried a bag. It didn’t look heavy. “Are you leaving camp?” she asked.

“Already left,” he replied, careful not to look at her. Damn. He knew he should have just walked around her like he had been doing. He hadn’t even noticed he still held her hand. It was small, but warm. It felt good. Too good.

“Inuyasha-“ she began awkwardly, “About the kiss-“

“What about it?” He asked just a little bit defensively, dropping her hand as if it were poison.

Kagome stepped back, embarrassed and angry. “Well, that is just what I would expect from you, a filthy bandit whose lips are as callous as his heart.”

“That? It wasn’t even a real kiss,” he growled, not feeling the least bit proud at her words. He knew she was grieving, and knew if he argued, he’d hurt her more.

But, damn, she actually found him lacking? He was bewildered at the thought, never having recalled any woman complaining. Callous lips? He tampered down his irritation, asking instead in even tones, “What really brought you out here?”

Her face completely changed before him. “Some distressing news from home, that’s all.” She bit her lip, hard, to keep her voice from breaking.

He found himself irritated that she wasn’t going to tell him the truth, cursing her unwomanly attributes. If she had to cry, why didn’t she? Every other woman did.

A sick feeling overcame Kagome. He was leaving. Leaving her. This was the end. “I have something for you, but it is back in the tent. Do not leave until I return.” She scurried off before he could respond, and returned back before he had the chance to storm after her.

“What is it?” he asked curiously, but still keeping his distance.

“Something I give you.” Kagome showed him the beaded necklace. She knew he wouldn’t just wear it, so she would have to do something to get it over his head. She moved closer, so close that their bodies were but a breath apart. She could feel the heat of his large body and almost gave in to the heavy sigh that pulled at her. With all of her courage, she looked up at him, the act already so much more intimate than it should have been. She drew in a sharp breath at the sight of his demonic fangs, and was astonished she wasn’t even repulsed.

She didn’t notice. Didn’t notice the sudden change in his demeanor, the gold irises of his reddening. He waited.

She closed her eyes, and as she lifted the necklace over his head, she touched her lips to his stubbled cheek. She barely noticed his big arms come around her back, but instead paid attention to the spark of desire in his eyes before her head was pulled against his chest. The feel of his lips against her hair very nearly took her breath away.

She felt like she had taken a tumble. One that would probably leave her in a state of dizziness for some time... And did she mind, considering Sango’s disturbing tidings? Was this what it would be like every time she touched someone?

His very presence was simply overwhelming. So much so she feared she might feel safer with him than without him. She didn’t want him to leave. Kami, she didn’t want him to go.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her body growing taut. Hadn’t Inuyasha just mentioned their kiss had meant nothing? She was a daft fool. Even more so because she lacked the strength to leave his warm embrace.

As if sensing her thoughts, he moved away from her.

“What?” She looked so bewildered and innocent with her eyes a little glazed that he cursed that Higurashi King for taking him away right now. He hadn’t had a woman in a while and knew his restraint only went thus far.

His clawed finger lifted to touch her softness, but caught himself in time. “You need to stay away from me,” he bit out in frustration.

He cursed when he saw the hurt in her eyes. Cursed himself for saying it when she had just found out she had lost someone close to her. “Kagome...”

Kagome jerked away from his grasp, ignoring the sudden chill of being out of close proximity from him. “Just leave this place! Go to your war. I hope you are overcome with defeat by the time the battle is finished!” she snarled defensively. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but she obviously wasn’t in her right mind. She had just found out her family was massacred. How could she fall into Inuyasha’s arms so easily? He had no heart at all, and he had used her again. No more.

The chiseled planes of his face hardened into a blank mask of a warrior. “Think you it will be so easy to get rid of me?”

When she didn’t respond right away, he disappeared.

“We shall see, won’t we?” she whispered into the wind as her heart lurched. He had looked so much like a heartless demonic warrior that it stabbed her as she remembered what he was. How could he so simply take her breath away?

It was tragic. Really, it was.

Her situation reminded her of a play she had once seen a few years back in England. The story was of young lovers, of Romeo and his Juliet. She couldn’t remember the actual playwright, but the story warned her of what could happen to her if she wasn’t careful. Her family and Inuyasha’s, like in the tragic play, deeply despised one another.

She, a Higurashi, descendent of royalty, and as for him...nothing but a demonic bandit. It only added to the whole conflict that her father had despised him with a passion. Then again, her parents were now deceased. Nothing was keeping her from- No! She would betray her parents if she even considered her feelings growing for him.

The warmth of dawn breaking kept her mood from drastically declining. It would be hard to go on, but she had to. If nothing else, she was the last remaining heir to the throne. A lone tear trickled down her cheek.