On the Outside by SunsetMiko

Attacked

Chapter 37 - Attacked

*In the Cage of Fresh Blood* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Inuyasha was surrounded, the crowd forming a circle around him. It started with words. Words he could handle. Kagome's friendship had changed the way he viewed himself, and insults now washed off his back like water. Next came shoving. The hanyou was being shoved back and forth around the open space in the middle of the crowd. He was punched several times, but he was unable to land any punches himself, as he was constantly being pushed from one side of the space to the other.

When he finally stumbled and fell, it graduated to kicking as the crowd tightened around him. Inuyasha knew now that he was in more than a little trouble. He couldn't rise, could only curl into a ball and attempt to shield his face from the blows that came from every direction. The students cheered and yelled insults as he was brutally beaten, with no hope of being rescued. At that moment, the hanyou feared that he was going to die.

- *Fanfare* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

During a quiet part of the song, Sesshoumaru's ears perked up and he tensed. He could hear muffled yelling coming from somewhere in the area. Feeling his body tense, Kagome lifted her head and looked around. There was a great deal less students in the gymnasium than there had been minutes before. She instantly searched for Inuyasha, but he was not at their table where they'd left him.

"Something is wrong," Sesshoumaru said slowly. "Come with me." He led the miko towards the source of the noise, the sounds becoming clearer as he got closer. He broke into a run as he began to suspect what was happening outside. They both glanced through the small window in the heavy door, seeing a crowd of students cheering and cursing, the throng moving constantly. It looked as if everyone was trying to get to something in the middle.

*An Arrow for Interrupting Fate* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome quickly opened the sports supply closet and claimed a bow and quiver of arrows and the couple headed outside. While Sesshoumaru tried to fight his way into the center of the crowd, the miko shot an arrow up into the sky. It exploded with her power like fireworks, the embers falling over the group of students. It burned every demon it touched and they began to separate, the throng around Inuyasha loosening somewhat.

The miko notched another arrow and aimed it at the crowd that was now staring at the usually quiet girl in shock. "Who wants some more?" she yelled. "I won't kill you but I'll make damn sure you suffer for a very long time."

Kikyo laughed. "You can't shoot someone! You'll be expelled!"

*Tears of the Moth Orchid* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

Kagome narrowed her eyes at her cousin. "Does it look like I care?" She spotted Hiten in the crowd and knew he was likely the ringleader. She aimed directly at him, smirking as he began to back away, frightened by the serious look in her eyes. "Now, everyone back off!"

Sesshoumaru made his way to Hiten and punched him in the face. While the pair struggled, the crowd began to loosen further, and the miko dropped her bow and arrows. She rushed to the center to find Inuyasha. The crowd began to close in around her now that she was unarmed, eager to teach her a lesson as well, both about befriending half-breeds and because she'd attacked them. The taiyoukai realized she was in danger and moved to stand over her, where she gently cradled Inuyasha's head in her lap.

The hanyou was bruised and bloodied, with one eye swollen shut. He was barely conscious as Kagome begged him to speak to her. "I'm all right, 'Gome," he muttered before coughing up blood.

"The hell you are," she replied, tears in her eyes

- *Predominant God* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"You think you can take us all on, half-breed lover?" Hiten asked, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth from when Sesshoumaru had slugged him.

"I can try," the taiyoukai snarled, allowing his beast to rise to the surface. His eyes bled red, his markings turning jagged, as his claws grew longer and began to glow a bright green. He looked like a vengeful god. Most of the students took a step back reflexively, but Hiten stood his ground, even though he was beginning to shake with fear. He knew the power Sesshoumaru carried inside him and he didn't want to meet it face to face. When the bones in the taiyoukai's face started to shift, making him look more beast than man, even Hiten backed up.

Finally, teachers and chaperones began to exit the building. When they spotted Sesshoumaru standing over an obviously injured student, one hollered for another to call an ambulance before ordering all of the other students back inside the school.

"Now, calm down, Sesshoumaru," a teacher said calmly in an attempt to get the situation under control. If Sesshoumaru were to fully transform, there would definitely be casualties, casualties that might include the destruction of the entire school. The taiyoukai merely snarled, refusing the back down until every threat to his brother and his miko were gone.

Without looking away from Inuyasha for a moment, Kagome reached up and took Sesshoumaru's hand, causing the taiyoukai to calm instantly. His facial bones shifted back into place, his claws shortening and his markings returning to their usual appearance. His eyes were the last to change, but finally gold could be seen there once again.