Standing Outside the Fire by Danyealle-sama

Chapter 1

Standing Outside the Fire

By Danyealle

xXx

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Garth Brooks' “Standing Outside the Fire” and make no money off this fic.

xXx

Summary: Dokuga Exclusive!-He wasn't sure where the fascination came from with her, but he was going to go with it. However, most of that depends on her.(sorry, this fic is readable by registered users only)

xXx

A.N.-

Yes, I'm back!

This is for Wiccan and Rowdy, my two biggest fans and best friends. Surprise and enjoy!

-Dani

xXx

We call them fools

Who have to dance within the flame

Who chance the sorrow and the shame

That always comes with getting burned

But you've got to be tough when consumed by desire

'Cause it's not enough just to stand outside the fire

-Standing Outside the Fire

-Garth Brooks

xXx

Prologue

xXx

Walking to the well, Kagome was tired. After all that mess in the tomb of Inuyasha's father then some of the things that followed, she was exhausted and wanted nothing more than a break to go home. Though Inuyasha didn't like it, fighting her the whole way about it, she, eventually, was able to get away. No, home wouldn't be something that was any more relaxing, what with school and studying; she just wanted to be there was all. Soaking in a hot tub, sleeping in her own bed, eating meals her mom prepared... those were small things but something she longed for right now to help alleviate stress. Just for a couple days then she would come back then once more take on the task that seemed to have been handed to her. She just found it funny that she was actually thinking that school was going to be a break compared to something else.

Deep in thought about all the things that she had to do, she wasn't paying much attention to anything else going on around her. Everything seemed quiet and nothing was setting off the danger signals in her head so she was doing some thinking. It wasn't until she reached the clearing the well was in that she realized it was too quiet. For the first time the forest that surrounded the beat up well was dead silent. Normally, it teemedwith all kinds of sounds from animals, insects and other things. Unnerved, she looked around, wondering what was going on. Her second thought was that, maybe, despite the fact that he wasn't happy with her, she should call for Inuyasha. He wouldn't like it as he wasn't happy with her as it was, then would complain about her being weak, but it might be for the best if she did. Eying the well, she wondered if she just couldn't just hurry, get through that then be done with it. Thinking that might the best option she had, she put some speed on, heading towards the old thing.

Just as she was within feet of it, thinking she was home free, she pulled up short, eyes widening, hands clenching tighter on the straps of her backpack. Standing there, blocking her way, was Sesshomaru. Figuring that after the debacle in his father's tomb this wasn't something that was going to be for a friendly chat, she hissed, “Sesshomaru! What do you want?” While doing that, she started to back up in case she had to make a run for it. Though she knew how fast he was, and that there was little to no chance of getting away from him if he were determined to grab her, she was going to try.

Standing there, the daiyoukai looked at the young ningen who had been able to pull his father's fang when he and Inuyasha couldn't. Feeling her apprehension, he couldn't help but smirk internally. It was good that she was suspicious and didn't have a cocky, arrogant attitude about things that Inuyasha did. A healthy dose of fear about him was also helpful. That he liked. However, in this case, lest she yell for the boy and then a fight start, he needed to quell it somewhat.

Taking a stepin her direction, he said, keeping his voice calm, “I've come to talk to you, miko. Nothing more than that.”

Shifting her backpack, more as something to do with her hands than anything else, she eyed him warily, taking another step back. “Why would you like to talk to me? Inuyasha wouldn't trade me for that sword, trust me! So don't even think about trying that!”

Snorting, the big daiyoukai said nothing about the half-breed though he quit advancing as he was sensing that it was making the miko more nervous. “I am not here about Tetsusaiga, miko. As I said, I just wish to speak to you. There is no malicious intent on my part.”

Licking her lips in a nervous way, not sure if she believed him or not, she nodded. Though ready to run at the drop of a hat, she said, “What do you want to talk about? I'm getting ready to go home so I was kinda' in a hurry.”

As he had been wondering why Inuyasha had let her wander out here on her own, and that explained it, he just nodded. Keeping his voice calm, he said, “Perhaps we can sit by the well then we can discuss it. Nothing intrusive or such, I just wish to talk to you.” Stepping aside, he gestured to the well, being gracious about it.

Though wary, not sure if she could trust what he said or not, sure that this was some kind of ploy to get the sword or information that would help him do so, Kagome walked over and sat on the lip of the well. If nothing else, when things headed south, all she would have to do is fall backwards and she would end up in her own time. That was as good an escape plan as any, at least in her eyes. Certainly better than screaming for Inuyasha and waiting until he got here. Settling in the best she could, trying to get comfortable on the old boards, she looked at him then asked, “What did you want to talk to me about?”

Seating himself on the grass in front of the well, tucking his hand into his sleeves, the mighty daiyoukai of the West looked at the little miko then began to ask general questions to put her at ease.

Confused by what he was asking, not sure where it might be leading, Kagome answered to the best of her ability.

Little did either of them know that this meeting, though seemingly innocuous, was going to lead to something that would change both their lives forever.

xXx

Chapter 1

xXx

Bouncing along on Kouga's shoulder, Kagome was shrieking as he went up and down the mountains. While doing that, she was giving him hell. Oh, this was turning out to be a bad week! First, there was the encounter with Sesshomaru, then when they met Kouga, now, to top it off, she had been kidnapped! When this was over, she was going home, that's for sure! And if Inuyasha said one word to her about it, he was going to end up'sat' into a crater several meters deep!

Tearing along at a tornadic speed enhanced by the shards in his legs, the poor miko was trying to keep track of where they had been so that if, by some miracle, she managed to get loose, she could find her way back. Like with all things in her life, she wasn't going to count on that one, but a girl could hope, couldn't she?

After a particularly loud shriek in his ear after going down a steep embankment, the ookami prince stopped. Tail swishing, he was about to say something to her when he felt something clinging to it. Reaching down, he pulled Shippo off of his tail. Snarling softly, muttering a few swear words under his breath, though thankful he had caught that the kitsune was there before he reached the den, he tossed him aside then took off again. When he was far enough away, he muttered, making sure the miko over his shoulder could hear, “Calm down, Kagome. This isn't how it seems!”

“You called me your woman! I'm not anyone's woman! And you kidnapped me! That's not something that keeps a being calm!” She huffed, sounding indignant.

Grinning, tearing on towards the opening of his den, something that he knew was close, he said, “Yeah, I said that. Pissed off Inuyasha too, didn't it? That was the point!”

Confused, Kagome looked over her shoulder at him, well, the best she could in the position she was in, then demanded, “What are you talking about?”

Racing along, Kouga just chuckled, “You'll see in a few minutes.” Making a turn he headed straight towards the wolf's den. Once he was through the waterfall, he put her down. Taking a firm grip on her arm, lest she try to get away, not that it would do her any good, he then led her inside. Immediately, most of his pack was on their feet. As was always the question when it came to living beings, they were asking if she was a meal. Just as he was starting to snarl at that, feeling her tense up, a smooth voice that had a serious icy bite to it came out of the shadows.

“The first being to lay a finger on her with malicious intent will find their end in the most painful way this Sesshomaru can manage,” Sesshomaru told them coldly as he stepped out of the shadows.

Feeling relief wash over her, Kagome called, “Sesshomaru! Thank Kami!”

Chuckling deeply, Kouga released his hold on her then gave her a pat on the shoulder. “I told you things weren't how they seemed!” Glaring around at the pack, who were all watching the Western Lord warily, he said in an authoritative tone, “Kagome isn't to be touched! You even think about it, you'll deal with me then I'll let Lord Sesshomaru deal with you.”

Walking over to stand by Sesshomaru, she fought the urge to hug him as she usually did but didn't. He wouldn't like her doing that in front of everyone else. She knew that but it didn't stop the urge. Looking up at him, she asked, “What's going on?”

Putting a hand on her shoulder, smirking because he could all but read her mind when it came to what she wanted to do, he said, softly, “Let's retire back to Kouga's personal quarters. I'll explain there while we have some refreshments.”

“Come on, follow me,” Kouga told all them after instructing everyone around to keep an eye out for Inuyasha and the rest of the pack. Leading them back through what appeared to be nothing more than a crack in the wall, he escorted theminto his living area. It was far enough away from the front to be away from the noise but close enough to it that he could get there without a problem. After gesturing them to sit at a small table, he had one of the females of the tribe bring in some tea and small snacks. Seating himself, he poured for everyone then settled back.

After taking the tea with a gracious nod of her head then sipping it, she looked at Sesshomaru and said, “I was so worried about you! I haven't seen you since you met the Windscar. Usually, you turn up quickly afterwards to let me know you're alright or what's going on.”

“As you can see, this Sesshomaru is fine,” he told her with a nod of his head. Smirking again, he then added, before taking a sip of his own tea, “You may do your normal inclination, Kagome. I take no issue with you doing so in front of Lord Kouga.”

Immediately, Kagome set her cup down and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a tight hug. “I know you're always alright, but it doesn’t mean I can't worry about you, alright?” She whispered.

Reaching down, he patted her on the shoulder with the hand that she, herself, had regrown him some time ago. “This is your nature, I do understand that by now and take such things into account.”

After breaking it off and settling back, she looked between the two males then asked, “Alright, what's going on?”

Sitting his teacup down, Sesshomaru nodded to Kouga then said, “Lord Kouga and I have come to an arrangement. As I can't always be near you, and it's not wise because of Inuyasha, I've struck up a deal with him to stick close to your pack. It should help cut down on the foolishness of you getting injured and other things so much. However, he does have one request of you, something I took it upon myself to agree to.” Looking down at the little miko seated by him, he waited for her reaction.

Looking up at the daiyoukai, she nodded then said, “Alright, I get that. Though I keep telling you that everything is fine. Inuyasha and the rest do a good job of protecting me.”

“I don't trust your safety to the half-breed, you know that. It's for good reason too,” Sesshomaru sneered.

Sighing, Kagome wasn't going to argue with him over it. They had this discussion before, many times in fact, and, though it pained her to admit it, he was right. Though Inuyasha tried, she always seemed to have problems. What just happened with Kouga was testament to that. “I get that and won't argue. What is it you want me to do?”

“You've sensed the jewel shards in his legs and arm, that much I know. It's my request that you ensure that Inuyasha doesn't get them. He will try, though I'm certain Kouga can keep him from it, but if it comes to the worst case, don't let him. I'm certain, knowing you how I do, you'll come up with something that will keep him from obtaining them. Also, there is a shard in one of the birds on the mountain here. I'm asking you to point us to where it is. You can have it, we've both agreed, but we need to eliminate the birds.” Sesshomaru explained to her. He knew her well enough by this point that it was a certainty she would agree but he was just awaiting her answer.

Looking back and forth between the two, she pondered that. Since Sesshomaru had always been dead on about things and right, she was willing to go with this. Nodding, she told them, “I can do that. Inuyasha's on his way here, though.”

“Don't worry about Mutt Face. My men and wolves are going to lead him ona merry chase around the mountains with scent trails. He won't get here until sometime tomorrow, if then. You'll be fine until that time and we can get it done. Then I'll get you back to somewhere near him and you can tell Dog Breath that you got away or something. We'll come up with a story for him.”

Looking up at Sesshomaru, she saw him nod then did that herself. “Alright, I can work with that.” Leaning close to Sesshomaru, she gave him a good elbow in the ribs where his armor didn't cover then huffed, “Next time you want to do something like this, mister, give a girl some kind of warning. I was having a heart attack!”

“I assumed that would be the case, yes. I didn't see how I could find a way around it, however. Too much was going on for me to just meet up with you like I always have,” Sesshomaru explained in a soothing voice, though hewas amused by what she did.

With how Inuyasha had been since the encounter with Sesshomaru, Kagome had to agree with that then nodded and sighed. “Yeah, I understand.”

Finishing their tea with some small talk, mostly though it was Kagome and Kouga doing that, they then decided to tackle the birds in case Inuyasha, through some stroke of good luck, was able to find them. Leading her out of the den, followed by most of the pack, the daiyoukai said, “Stay close to me, Kagome. No harm will come to you that way.”

Nodding, she said, “Oh, don't worry, I will! It's been a bad week. I don't want to take any chances!”

xXx

Well after dark, Kagome was asleep on a comfortable pallet of furs, lying next to Sesshomaru. As had been anticipated, with Sesshomaru's help, the Birds of Paradise were no more and Kagome had another shard to add to her collection. Though the miko was asleep, the two big males weren't. As they both tended to lean more towards being nocturnal, they were usually up later than most humans were. They had just finished working out a plan as to what to do with the miko the following day when it came to Inuyasha. After much discussion about it, tossing around several plans, it was finally decided that they would let the whelp show up at the den and take her back after some kind of 'fight'. If they went about it that way, Kagome didn't have to lie to anyone. This way, Inuyasha, if Kouga played it right, wouldn't even ask questions of her; just pick another fight to where she could have an excuse to go home for a couple more days, something the daiyoukai knew she wanted anyway. As Sesshomaru was fairly well acquainted with the ookami lord, and his abilities, he was certain Kouga could make everything look convincing for Inuyasha and pick a fight where he didn't lose but Inuyasha would see it as he did.

After piling some more wood on the fire so that the miko didn't catch a chill, Kouga seated himself across from the two. Glancing first at the girl, he then looked at the daiyoukai before saying, “You like her.”

“I will concede that,” Sesshomaru told him ina bored tone of voice.

“That's strange, with all I know of you,” Kouga chuckled, scratching under his chin.

“She is different than most ningen,” the daiyoukai told him, glancing inhis direction.

“Oh, that I gathered as well! Haven't met one yet that gave me the kind of hell she did when I took her,” the ookami said, grinning. Looking at her again then taking a deep sniff, he said, tone soft but slightly bewildered, “You've already claimed her as your intended. I thought she had something romantic going with Inuyasha.” Chuckling again, he shook his head, “Let me guess... Dog Breath can't sense that you did that?”

Smirking, Sesshomaru replied smoothly, “He is a hanyou. Though his senses are far superior to humans, he can't sense everything. My mark on her is one of those things. As for the 'romance' with Inuyasha... it will peteritself out. I'm just waiting on her to realize that it's not meant to be. She's already leaning there with some of his foolishness so it'll come. I have a feeling it'll take just one more big event and she'll move on.”

Thinking that over, Kouga didn't understand it. If there were someone he liked or wanted as an intended, he would be making all kinds of moves to get them away from whomever it was they were with. Once he thought about it, though, he 'got' what the daiyoukai was going for. “You don't want her to regret not giving it a chance with him,” he said more as a statement than a question.

Smirking again, Sesshomaru just nodded. “I'm showing her how someone should treat the being they have a romantic relationship with. She's understanding that what Inuyasha does isn't what she could have. I know, in the end, she'll walk away from him then I'll be there, waiting for her.”

Grinning from ear to ear, Kouga shook his head then muttered, “Damn smart move there.”

“Indeed,” was all Sesshomaru replied, smirk growing.

“She know you're interested?”

Glancing down at the miko beside him, Sesshomaru told him, tone slightly distracted, “Kagome can be oblivious to many things in this world, especially when it comes to the views the opposite sex has of her. However, I don't believe that she's unaware of my intent. We've grown too close for that to have missed her. I do know she considers me a close friend, but I also know that she has an inkling it goes further on my end. If she doesn't, she will in time, of that I'm confident.”

“There is no way I could go about things the way you are. It would drive me nuts,” Kouga chuckled, shaking his head. “The chance she could choose Inuyasha would be too high for me.”

“I know my half-brother. He will drive her away with his foolishness. Though she's put up with a lot from him and keeps going back, the end is coming. She's fed up with so much that it won't take but another big blow up and it'll be over, at least that's what I'm getting from the talks we've had about it. If Kikyo is involved, it won't even take that. She's all but done when it comes to that topic.”

Leaning back against the wall, Kouga put his forearms on his bent knees then looked across the fire at the daiyoukai. “Once that happens, I come more into play? You said there may be something later on when it deals with this. At least that's what I gathered when we made the deal.”

“Yes. She has a quest to finish. I fully plan to help her with it. Nor will it be an easy one with the being that she has to take on to do it. Once she leaves the whelp, we'll join up to help her. Not only will it assist in ensuring her safety, you'll gain status in doing so, not to mention your association with me on the topic. I'm well aware that's part of the reason you agreed to help in the first place with this task,” Sesshomaru told him, meeting his eyes.

“That's no secret there,” Kouga told him with a bored shrug. “I just took over this pack. The more allies I can make, especially strong ones, the fewer problems I'm going to have. A boost in reputation will only aid that as well. I'm strong, if I wasn't I wouldn't be in control of things, but such things only help in keeping upstarts from trying.”

“That was my thought when I approached you,” Sesshomaru nodded. “You also have an ability to let beings think you are less than...intelligent. That will only aid as well when it comes to Inuyasha. If he takes you as someone that he doesn't think much of, it'll only assist in the whole thing when it comes to that end of the dealings.”

Giving a wicked grin, blue eyes flashing, Kouga chuckled, “My strong suit always has been letting people think I'm a goofy bastard who isn't that smart and is all brawn. It's served me well to get where I am. It'll work with Inuyasha as well, no problem there. Most don't consider the brains it took to get to where I am and I'm sure he won't.”

“This I am well aware of, hence my willingness to make a pact with you. It's always best to have someone around that beings underestimate.”

“What about the other ones that travel with Inuyasha? Aren't they going to get suspicious or try something if she goes to leave? I mean, they seem loyal to her, especially the kit.”

Looking down at the sleeping miko, Sesshomaru thought that over then let out a sigh that only he could hear. Shaking his head, he told Kouga, “I think, though it will pain her greatly, probably more than the destruction of the relationship with the half-breed, that the rest of the pack will choose to follow Inuyasha if she leaves. They consider her a friend and they are loyal to her, but their own agendas in dealing with Naraku will override that. They won't like making that choice, but they will. The only exception in that might be the kit. He's loyal enough to her, because of how he views their relationship, that he might abandon the whelp over it. The other two won't. She will be hurt over that, there is no doubt there, but it's best to be rid of baggage such as that and move on from there.”

Glancing at the sleeping onna, Kouga shook his head. When it came to what he knew, packs stuck together, no matter what. Loyalty was tantamount to everything else or what they did wouldn't work. He couldn't imagine the pain that would come from losing that. “What if the kit does leave? He coming with?”

“No. I want no children on this quest. It's dangerous enough as it is. Though I took Rin under my protection, as you well know, I've already made arrangements with another lord for him to take and raise her. The kit, though youkai, is still a child. I believe, if it comes to that, both of them can be persuaded to have him stay with the elderly miko. If not, I can arrange to have him taken in by a kitsune clan to get the training he needs. That will appease her, I believe.”

“Yeah, I agree there; no kids. They are too much to watch out for and not strong enough to defend themselves,” Kouga nodded. Shifting around into a more comfortable position, he then asked, “You think she will join up with you? I mean, this is all planning out a great deal without her even knowing.”

“I've offered, on more than one occasion, to have her join me. Especially after some of their more disastrous forays into things. She's one who has a sense of honor about things, more than most ningen do. In the end, though she'll be hurt over what I'm sure is to come, she'll opt to follow the path set for her by the kamis. As she's well aware of how dangerous it is, she'll know she can't go it alone. That's where I'll come in. She trusts me, obviously, and will take up my offer. It will just be a rough time for a while as she deals with the hurt over what's coming.”

“That all sounds plausible, I give you that,” Kouga nodded. “What if she thinks you manipulated this? Won't she end up pissed as hell about it?”

“I didn't manipulate anything, aside from what she knows about,” Sesshomaru told him bluntly, glaring at him. “It's all going to play out as it should with my hand in none of it. She's well aware that I'm a meticulous being about all things so it will come as no surprise to her that I have plans already in place to deal with such things. I've even mentioned I already do, to an extent.”

“Good,” Kouga nodded. “Overly emotional after something like that is going to be bad enough. Dealing with an onna that thinks she's been manipulated into a situation isn't something I want to deal with. It'll make things harder than they already are.”

Nodding, Sesshomaru said nothing. He was well aware of what the ookami was talking about and made it to where it wasn't going to be an issue once he started leaning the way he was with things.

Stretching, Kouga then yawned. “I think we have everything worked out so I'm going to hit the hay. Anything comes up, wake me.” When he saw Sesshomaru nod, he headed over to his bed to get some much needed sleep

xXx

Sometime during the night, Kagome was sure it was really late, she woke up, slightly disoriented. Used to waking in the outdoors when in the feudal era, it took her a few panicked moments to remember where she was. Once she did, she sighed then curled up deeper under the furs that were over her. That felt like heaven! Opening her eyes, she looked around, smiling a little when she saw that Sesshomaru was right by her side. When she felt him put his hand on her head and rub it, she let out a contented sigh. This was great. Nothing like Lord Youkai Bad-Ass being next to you when you slept to feel like you were in the safest place in the world.

“Nothing troubles you, does it, Kagome?” Sesshomaru asked softly, rubbing her head to alleviate any stress or issues she might have.

Looking up at him, she shook her head, “No, nothing's wrong. Just one of those things. Not used to sleeping soundly while doing this.”

Nodding, understanding, the demon lord said nothing more, keeping his hand on her head.

Shutting her eyes again, a small smile turning up the corners of her mouth, Kagome shifted around slightly into another position and relaxed. Though, honestly, she should feel some real guilt over what Inuyasha and the others would be feeling right about now, she couldn't find it in herself to do that. She would see them tomorrow and they would realize she was fine then she was sure the fighting would begin because Inuyasha couldn't handle such things. That, normally, would have all kinds of guilt piled on her. However, because this was being done to help protect her the best way Sesshomaru knew, it alleviated that.

Though their relationship was an odd one, and always had been, she accepted it. He was a friend, just in a different way than the others were. It was also a friendship that she had to keep secret. There is no way Inuyasha would accept the fact that she and his half-brother got along so well. When Inuyasha couldn't accept something, he made life a living hell for everyone around him. No, it was best to keep it to herself. Besides, she liked the friendship that she shared with Sesshomaru. It was odd, strange, bizarre and any other adjective she could think of along those lines but it was special to her. That made it all worth it in her books.

As she began to drift back to sleep by the crackling of the fire and with his light touch, that small voice in her mind, the one that was more prevalent than it used to be in the past, began to chime in that she belonged with Sesshomaru, as he had offered more than once. Not only that, it was louder about what a mistake it was that she was throwing her romantic feelings at Inuyasha. Somewhere, though she tried to ignore that part of herself, she was beginning to agree with it. She didn't like that, but it was there.

Shunting it aside, wanting sleep more than she needed to ponder that topic once again, she drifted away.

xXx

Please review!

xXx