The Snow Angel by SunsetMiko

The Protector

Chapter 160 - The Protector *When Two Powers Collide* & *Last Adolescence* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome smiled at her friends. "At least you guys should be able to get your arms out of those slings sooner now, huh?"

Miroku nodded. "It will be interesting to see just how much our healing abilities have accelerated."

"My cuts healed so quickly you could actually watch it happen. It was amazing. I don't think it'll take too long."

Inuyasha scowled. "And when the fuck were you hurt, Wench?"

The miko's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't meant to reveal that Sesshoumaru's beast had used her as a scratching post. How was she going to talk her way out of this one? "Oh, well, I mean, I wasn't hurt exactly. It... It... It was private, okay? It's personal!"

"Sesshoumaru hurt you, didn't he? What did the bastard do?" Inuyasha snarled. When Kagome merely blushed and refused to answer, the hanyou rose, ready to go and beat the information out of his older brother no matter what it took.

When the miko saw her friend rise, she was immediately on her feet, tugging on his sleeve while pleading with him to forget about it. She didn't need the brothers fighting, and she really didn't want to explain how she became injured while they were being intimate. Inuyasha would never understand that she was okay with it. He thought of himself as her protector, and he took it very seriously.

"Come on, Inuyasha. Calm down. Everything's fine. Sesshoumaru didn't do anything wrong!"

"The hell he didn't!"

Kagome gave one last tug and let out a sigh of frustration. "Inuyasha, sit!" She quickly knelt beside the prostrated hanyou and grabbed one furry ear. "You are going to let it go, now. What happens between Sesshoumaru and I is none of your business. I don't need you to protect me from my mate, and if I did, I'd be the first one to let you know. So, you are going to calm down and forget all about this, or I'm going to 'it' you until your spine is just as crumbled as your hand was. Even with your increased healing, I'm sure it would take a good long time to heal from that. Do you understand me?"

When Inuyasha didn't reply, Kagome tugged his ear a little harder and repeated her question. This time the hanyou grumbled his agreement. When his sensitive, furry appendage was released, he quickly rose and returned to his seat while trying not to look as if he were pouting. He didn't like the idea of Kagome not wanting or needing his protection. If she didn't need him anymore than what good was he to her?

The miko rose and returned to her seat as well, fighting down a blush as she took in the way all her other companions were watching her every move. Eager to change the subject, and get Inuyasha's mind of their exchange, Kagome forced a smile.

Start *Last Adolescence*

"So, how's it been walking the Lady?" she asked.

"She ain't the Lady, wench, not any more. You are. And it's fun as hell. She absolutely hates it."

"Speaking of walking," Miroku said with a grin. "Has she gone yet?"

Shippo and Rin broke down in giggles, and Inuyasha matched Miroku's grin with one of his own. "Nope, and it's been days. She is one stubborn bitch."

"What's so funny?" Kagome asked in confusion, glancing at Sango, who appeared just as out of the loop as she was.

"We had a rather philosophic discussion on the subject of dog farts while you were gone," the monk explained.

"Philosophic?" Shippo asked. "More like anatomical really."

Kagome's jaw dropped, and she was silent for a long moment. "You were talking about Sesshoumaru's mother's farts? And where did this conversation take place?"

"In the main dining hall," Inuyasha chimed in.

"With Sesshoumaru?" Sango asked, utterly astounded by the immaturity of her friends.

"Yes, indeed," Miroku replied. "I think even he was amused."

Kagome shook her head. "Men. You're like children. So, does she cooperate when you walk her? I really hate the idea of her being on a rope like that, especially after seeing what it did to Prince, I mean, Sesshoumaru."

"It ain't like I'm strangling the bitch. Once she stopped flopping around and pulling away, I loosened it, and she walked okay. I'm not leaving it on her so there's no chance it could get embedded."

"Still, I don't like it, so I brought her back something better."

Inuyasha's lips spread into a wide smile. "Oh, tell me you brought her a collar and leash!"

Kagome laughed. "Yep, and a harness, too. They're better for walking, especially with untrained pets, because they can't pull free like they can with a collar. I'm not sure how you're going to get it on her though. I doubt she'll be cooperative."

"You show me how it goes on, and I'll make it happen," the hanyou said confidently.

"But what if she bites you?"

"I'm a hell of a lot faster and stronger than her now. It won't be a problem."

Kagome spent the next several minutes explaining the mechanics of a dog harness. She showed him how to tighten it to fit her. Then the hanyou headed off to introduce the once-Lady to her new getup. Silence fell for a moment before Shippo perked up, remembering something else to do with Sesshoumaru's mother.

"Oh, Mama! We decided that she needs a new name, like when we named Prince. What do you think?"

The miko grinned. "Sounds like fun."