Disclaimer:    Rin’s song lyrics were found at http://sweet-akari.net/dogboy/rinlyrics.html.

Rating:         PG-13: for possible language and just in case

Summary:    [Sess/Kag] What if Sesshoumaru was the one that met Kagome on the other side of the well?

 

S e s s h o u m a r u

Chapter One

 

“I’m leaving now!” Kagome shouted over her shoulder to the family.

 

Her long, raven-black hair bounced on her shoulders as she jogged down the short flight of steps from the shrine where she took residence.  As she neared the small shrine hosting the Bone-Eater’s Well, she saw her younger brother, Sota, standing nervously in the doorway, peering down the steps to the ancient, unused well.  She stopped next to him.

 

“Hey Sota, what’s wrong?” she asked cheerfully, glancing down at where he was looking.

 

“Buyo went down there,” Sota answered shakily, pointing a finger in the direction their fat cat had gone.

 

“Why don’t you go get him, then?” Kagome inquired, eyes half-closed.

 

“Are you kidding?!” Sota exclaimed, holding his head in his hands, “It’s creepy down there!”

 

“Come on, Sota,” Kagome said tauntingly, walking down the steps, “You’re a boy.”

 

“I’m a little boy!” he retorted indignantly.

 

“You are not,” Kagome said, looking around for Buyo.

 

“AIIIYYYY!!!” she screamed, causing Sota to jump at least ten feet in the air.

 

“What is it, Kagome?!” Sota screamed, looking around frantically.

 

“It’s Buyo,” Kagome said calmly, picking up the cat curled around her legs.

 

“Don’t do that!” Sota scolded, taking the cat hastily from her older sister.

 

“You worry too much.”

 

A blue light emanated from the well behind Kagome, casting a misty light on the walls of the small shrine.  Sota watched mutely, mouthing words as he watched as the upper body of a six-armed woman rise from out of the well.  Kagome, seeing his brother’s obvious state of fright, turned around to see the ‘big, scary monster’, not expecting to actually find one towering above her.  She only had time to gasp as she was pulled down into the surreal surroundings of the old well.  The last thing she heard before falling into the dark blue dimension was her brother’s panicked muffled call to her.

 

For a few moments, she floated in shock as she stared at the dream-like walls of the well.  They seemed to glow with their own wisdom and unchanging time.  Hands, six of them, moved along her arms and turned her towards their body.  Kagome gasped as she saw the upper body of a woman, with blank eyes staring at her.

 

“You have it, yes?” it hissed, pulling Kagome farther and farther into the well’s depths.

 

The thing now held Kagome upside-down and brought her closer.

 

“I can feel it,” the thing purred.

 

The lower part of her body was that of a centipede, Kagome now noticed.  She shrieked in horror and pushed the creature’s face away from her own, the impact causing the thing to lose an arm.  How did I do that?  There was no time to answer the question as Kagome seemed to fall through a tear in the bottom of the well.

 

She landed with a soft ‘thunk’ on the dirt ground.  Looking around, she saw dark green vines snaking up the side of the well.  She stood, dusting herself off.

 

“Sota!” she called up the well, surprised to see the dark blue of the starry sky.

 

No answer came to her, so she grumpily climbed up the thick vines.  When she finally reached the surface world, she pulled herself up on the rim of the well to sit and observe her surroundings.  It was totally different from Tokyo, where she lived.  Oh my god…  The well sat in the center of a clearing with several paths leading away from it.  To her left, though, was a natural path, like a lane of grass.  Trees bordered the grass lane on either side, creating a dream-like effect.  She felt attracted toward it.

 

Pushing herself off the rim of the well, she walked down the lane.  Glancing towards the heavens, she was amazed by the clarity of the night sky.  Millions of stars sparkled above her head, winking at her with their bright, shining, blue light.  Set in the center of the stars, the crescent moon glowed brilliantly, lighting the world in a mist of moonbeams.  Looking ahead again, she found that she had arrived at a clearing, boasting a gentle, thundering waterfall pounding into a clear pond.  Her breath caught at the beauty of it all, catching sight of the many lush plants that straddled the pond.

 

She stepped forward, caught off guard by movement just to the right of her line of vision.  Turning her head slightly, she found someone watching her intently.  Gasping, she realized she was looking at a man, waist-high in water.  He’s absolutely gorgeous…  Sharp, golden eyes stared back at her, blank and monotonous.  Dark lashes lined the beautiful eyes, contrasting with the person’s pale skin.  She could feel a prickling sensation at the back of her neck, telling her to be alert, although she really didn’t know what it meant.  The only thing unusual about this man was his long hair, silvery like the moon, cascading down his back.

 

Now that she was observing him, she realized he had no clothes on.  Still, she gazed on, something telling her to be on her guard.  She didn’t know what to do…run…stand her ground?  Not wanting to be caught off guard, she watched him closely.  On his face, two red stripes grazed each cheek, and a dark, midnight blue crescent moon adorned his forehead.  What should I do?

 

Sesshoumaru watched the curious-looking girl observe him, smirking as she gasped several times at his appearance.  What is a girl doing wearing such clothing?  His curiosity got the better of him, and he looked her over.  She had long, flowing jet-black hair that fell halfway down her back.  Dark lashes accented alert and gently blue-gray eyes.  She didn’t smell all that bad, either, as humans usually did.  They probably stood a hundred feet apart, so he could reach her more than easily.  Right now, she seemed to pose no threat.  Glancing once more at her, he noticed how she bore resemblance to Kikyou, his brother’s wench.  He turned around and rose out of the pond.  He had come to see his brother about certain matters, but it could wait.  His hair, tumbling halfway down his thigh, covered most of his backside, but nonetheless, the girl watching him gasped, and Sesshoumaru could sense her turn away from him.  Never turn away from an enemy.  Deftly, he slipped on his clothes and armor and turned to the girl.

 

Moving with amazing speed, he pinned the girl by her wrists to a tree.  She gasped at their close proximity.  Kagome’s senses were flaring, telling her to run, to pry him off, to do something, but she was frozen, physically and mentally.  She tried her best to remain as calm and cool as possible, but she felt it quite impossible with the tall man towering over her and pinning her to a tree.

 

“What do you want?” she demanded softly, glaring at the sharp, alert, golden eyes.

 

“I could ask the same of you,” the man answered, his voice smooth and calm.

 

“Where am I?” Kagome asked, firmly.  Her eyes flashed with defiance.

 

“You’re right here,” the man replied, eyes dancing in amusement.  “You should not so openly defy a youkai.”

 

“Y-youkai?” she stammered, eyes going wide in fear.  “Those are only legends.”

 

“Is this a word of myth?” he asked, brandishing his claws and smiling, baring his sharp fangs.

 

Kagome gasped.  Oh…my…god…

 

Sesshoumaru pressed a claw to her cheek, to emphasize his point.  A thin stream of blood began to trickle down her face, and he licked it off, smirking as she stood stock-still.  He pulled back, examining her reaction.  She was still completely still, like if she moved she would be cut to a billion tiny pieces.  Kagome looked past his shoulder to a dark shadow working its way towards them.  Seeing her gaze past him, Sesshoumaru sharpened his senses, reprimanding himself for not being alert enough to notice it.  He turned too late, but soon enough to block the attack from reaching the human, whoever she was.  Kagome gasped, seeing a sword protruding from the man’s stomach.  Turning to the source of the sword, she was surprised to find a man, much like the one whom was now wounded.  His eyes were also gold, with long, silvery hair.  However, this man had dog-like ears perched on top of his head and a more childish look in his eyes.

 

“You shouldn’t molest the village girls,” the man said, his voice taunting as he looked at the wounded figure.  Turning to Kagome, his eyes softened.  “Are you alright?  Did he hurt you?”

 

“No, he didn’t,” she answered curtly, not wanting to rouse anyone’s anger.

 

Though she had feared for her life, she had not wanted to see anyone hurt.  It went against her morals.  No matter what, nothing deserved death so easily.  The beautiful man sat against a tree, breathing laboriously.  He had pulled the sword out but was now bleeding profusely.  Kagome glared daggers at the one who had wounded the youkai.  Squinting at him, she noticed his claws, much like those of the former youkai.

 

“What are you?” she asked tauntingly, “half youkai?”

 

The accused glared back, seemingly hurt by the harsh words.  “Yes, in fact I am.”

 

“Oh,” Kagome said a bit sadly, “sorry.”

 

“Aren’t you the most honorable fighter?” the wounded youkai asked, throwing the sword aside as if it had burned him.

 

The sword was rather large, in the shape of a fang.  Once the man had thrown it aside, it seemed to transform into an old, rusted katana.  Blood spewed from his wound, causing Kagome to wince away from the sight.  She felt sorry for the man.  After all, he had done absolutely nothing wrong…

 

“What did you do to him?!” Kagome accused the hanyou.

 

“Me?!” he asked incredulously.  “He was molesting you!”

 

“He was not!” she exclaimed, bending down to the wounded figure.

 

She couldn’t stand to see anyone hurt.  It gave her a longing to help them, to help everyone.  Maybe it was her gentle nature, maybe it was just her kindness, whatever it was, she needed to help.  She pushed her fear aside, trying her best to look composed.

 

“Are you alright?” she asked gently.

 

“And what do you care, human?” he retorted.

 

“I care about everyone,” she stated plainly, her blue-gray eyes boring into his golden ones.

 

His mouth opened in surprise, and his mask of indifference made way for an expression of surprise.  He looked to his half-brother, he whom had wounded him.  “She sounds much like your wench,” he said indifferently.

 

“Kikyou is NOT my wench!” Inuyasha snapped, picking up the fallen, rusted katana, making it turn once again into a fang.

 

“Don’t touch him!” Kagome shouted, standing over him.  “He didn’t do anything!”

 

“You know nothing of me, girl,” the man spat weakly.

 

“I don’t have to know anything to know what is right,” she retorted, still standing over him, arms crossed.

 

“Youkai never do anything that is just,” he said.

 

“People can change,” Kagome said, staring unyielding at the hanyou.

 

“Not Sesshoumaru,” the hanyou assured, growling slightly.

 

“And what about you?” Kagome said, lifting her chin slightly, “You are just as bad as him.”

 

Both the male youkai gaped at her boldness.  “You do not know what Sesshoumaru has done,” Inuyasha said decisively, brandishing the fang.

 

“Stand down, girl,” Sesshoumaru admonished.  “Inuyasha does not waste time.”

 

“Whatever,” Kagome answered nonchalantly, unmoving.

 

Inuyasha, knowing what his brother would do, raised the Tetsusaiga above his head.  Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome’s wrist and flung her to the side, barely able to hold off the inevitable blow.  Tightly, he held either side of the blade, trying to throw it off.  Inuyasha did not relent, forcing all his strength downwards, onto his hated brother.  Never would he ever forgive him for the death of Kikyou.  Now, she had been revived, but nonetheless, she had been put through a great deal of torture before her actual death.  Now, he would have his revenge.

 

“Die, Sesshoumaru!” Inuyasha screamed, throwing his full weight down on the Tetsusaiga.

 

Chapter Two

 

Inuyasha relentlessly forced his strength on the Tetsusaiga, inching his way closer to his despised half-brother’s throat.  Sesshoumaru’s hands dripped blood from the pressure of holding the blade.  He could feel his strength slowly fleeing him.  This is so shameful...losing to a hanyou.  Kagome watched, horrified, that beings could kill so heartlessly.

“Stop,” she said softly, tears beginning to form in her blue-gray eyes.

The hanyou paid no heed, baring his fangs in disgust at Sesshoumaru’s attempt to ward off his inevitable death.

“STOP!” Kagome shouted, pushing herself to stand.

Still, Inuyasha remained oblivious to her desperate pleas.  Now, the Tetsusaiga hovered mere centimeters away from the fatal blow.  Kagome, tears streaming down her cheeks, pointed a hand in his direction, palm facing towards him.

“I said STOP!” she screeched, a shining blue light emanating from her hand.

Air rushed towards Inuyasha, the mere impact sending him slamming into a tree.  He slid to the ground, breathing heavily.

“Bitch,” he panted, blacking out from the blow.

“Call me what you want,” Kagome said breathlessly, dropping her arm to her side.

The blade that he had been yielding lay flung to the side, transforming back into a rusted katana.  Kagome knelt next to Sesshoumaru, eyes quickly scanning over him for injuries other than the one in his stomach.  He lay sprawled on the forest floor, the lush green grasses cushioning him like a mattress.  Breathing heavily, he narrowed his eyes at the bold girl.

“Why did you do that?” he asked, pain stinging through his hands from touching the fang.

 

“Because you have done nothing wrong.  Therefore, do not deserve death.” She answered matter-of-factly.

 

She found that his armor had broken at the spot where he had been hit.  Dark red blood poured from the wound, staining his pristine white clothing.

 

“Take off your armor,” she commanded, tearing the bottom of her skirt.

 

It was a good thing the skirt was pleated, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been long enough to wrap around his waist.  Of course, she would have to wrap it around several times and Sesshoumaru seemed to have more than enough clothing to cover that.  She impatiently tore off both of her sleeves as well as his.

 

“What are you doing, wench?” Sesshoumaru demanded, wincing from the pain of his wounds.

 

“Helping you,” she said simply, throwing off the armor he had so obediently already taken off.  (cough)

 

“I don’t need a human wench’s help,” he stated less than kindly.

 

“I don’t care if you don’t need it, because you’re getting it,” Kagome shot back, tearing off the top of his kimono.

 

Wincing at the sight, she decided to get him to clean it up before she actually did bandage it.  She looked thoughtful for a moment before walking over to the pond with one of her sleeves.  Sesshoumaru watched curiously, sitting up against a tree, as the human girl drenched the sleeve and wrung it out, walking back over to him.  Though she gently cleansed the wound, it still stung.  Sesshoumaru was tempted to throw her off of him a couple times but strongly and stiffly restrained the urge.  Her touch, though it disgusted him to think so, was amazingly soothing for that of a human’s.  Many humans, he knew, would run and cower from him, yet this young, human girl stood boldly in front of him even after finding out he was a youkai.  He also knew that humans desired his death but were too afraid to try to deal it to him on their own.  Yet, this girl sought to help him.  Perhaps she is new to this land…  He mused over the idea in his head.  That would be the best explanation for her ignorance of youkai, saying that they were only legends.

 

Sesshoumaru watched as she deftly wound the bandages around his stomach.  Her blue-gray eyes shone with compassion and sympathy.  For me???  The thought confused him.  No one could show such emotions for youkai…yet Inuyasha had his miko bitch.  Perhaps there were others like her…like this girl.  But Inuyasha was hanyou.  There was a possibility for humans to like him; he was part of their race…in a way.  He shook himself out of his thoughts, mentally reprimanding himself for thinking so deeply of this human wench.

 

“Do you have any idea who I am?” Sesshoumaru demanded, his golden eyes boring into hers.

 

“Yes…quite a good idea, I think,” she said.  Emotionless…direct…demanding…arrogant…beautiful…ACK  NO!

 

Blushing slightly, she resumed her work, still winding the cloth around his stomach.  They stayed in silence for a while as she tore her other sleeve into long bandages.  “I’m sorry,” she said quietly, again circling his waist with the cloth.

 

Confusion showed plainly in the Western Demon Lord-to-be’s eyes, otherwise hidden by his indifferent expression.  “For what, may I ask?”

 

The blush returned, turning her cheeks a rosy color.  “Umm…I walked in on you while you were…bathing,” she said uncomfortably.

 

“I care not,” he said simply, boredom now surfacing, dulling his brilliant eyes.

 

Kagome huffed impatiently, finishing off his bandages.  “I’m sure you don’t care about anything,” she said wryly, turning to leave.

 

Something in Sesshoumaru made him want to call out to her, to apologize.  Yet, the words would not come, as he was too stubborn to do anything that he deemed below him.  He glanced over his hands, seeing that the deep cuts embedded in them before were now gone, leaving no trace behind over the flawless creamy white skin.  The wound in his stomach, however, would take at least an hour to heal completely.  I should have killed the human wench the instant I laid eyes on her.  Mentally, he kicked himself for hurting himself in such an avoidable way.  Standing, he slid the top of his kimono on again and adorned his armor.  Once finished, he walked over to the limp sprawled figure resting against a tree trunk, otherwise known as Inuyasha.

 

“So, brother,” he said dryly, glaring at the shameful hanyou, “We both have let a human woman get the best of us, eh?”

 

Inuyasha, whom had recovered from his fainting spell, glared back in return.  “Heh,” he laughed mockingly, “I should have been awake to see it all.”

 

Sesshoumaru gave a look of disdain before leaping off into the night air.  “I’ll see you again sometime, brother,” he said as he floated effortlessly through the air, “To discuss the matters of our father…”

 

That settled, he turned his back on his brother and glided away, sending a stark contrast through the blue velvet night sky with his shocking white clothing.  Inuyasha groaned, rubbing his back painfully.

 

“Dumb bitch,” he cursed silently, rising to stand.

 

“Inuyasha,” a quiet voice called from the trees, its effect cold and chilling to the air around them.

 

“Kikyou?” Inuyasha questioned, unsure of the source of the voice.

 

“Did you kill him?” Kikyou asked, striding gracefully from the cover of the dark trees.

 

She adorned her traditional miko garb, and she carried with her, as always, her bow and a quiver of arrows.  Her eyes were a sheet of ice blue, piercing, cold, and domineering.  Long, black hair flowed down to her waist, tied back with a ribbon.  Her looks were, if not beautiful, untouchable.  It was as if she was above everything, in a class all her own.  She was, if you could compare, like a goddess, and at that, a cold one.

 

“No,” Inuyasha said dejectedly, stiffening from her piercing gaze.

 

“Why not?” she asked, gliding over to him.

 

“I”

 

A piercing shriek shook the still night air, making Inuyasha hold his ears in agony.  Kikyou turned icily towards the sound, a bored look coming over her features.

 

“It’s that girl whom you just met,” she said monotonously.

 

Inuyasha didn’t wait an instant more, lunging into a run towards the girl’s awkward scent.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kikyou called, freezing him in his tracks.

 

“What is it, Kikyou?!” he responded angrily, glaring at the miko.

 

“Why do you wish to help her if she just hurt you?” she asked, curiosity overriding her senses.

 

Inuyasha gave no answer, turning and running again towards the girl.  Kikyou stared after him, her eyes empty and emotionless.  I feel it…that girl does not belong of this world.  She and I are one and the same…she must be taken care of…  Fingering the Shikon no Tama around her neck, she, too, went after the girl.

 

Kagome screamed as the centipede thing from the well bit into her side.  She could feel deep fangs sinking into her flesh as she was tossed effortlessly into the air.  I knew I should have stayed in that clearing with that youkai.  Flying through the air like a rag, something caught her eye.  A small, pink spherical object floated near her hand, glowing brilliantly as it flew through the air with her.  What is that?  She moaned as she hit the ground, sitting up and rubbing her back.  The glowing orb floated in front of her face, its soft pink light seeming to dance as Kagome stared at it.  A voice seemed to speak to her from the jewel.  It was light and musical, soothing and gentle.  Yet, at the same time, it was commanding and serious.

 

“You are the one,” it whispered to her.  “You are the only one who may possess the Shikon no Tama.”

 

“I am…” Kagome said, confused.

 

The jewel floated down to her neck, light forming like a chain around it.  She could feel the chain of light faintly, resting like water around her neck.

 

“Protect it,” the voice said softly, fading away.  “Protect me…protect us.”

 

The words seemed to carve themselves in the slate of Kagome’s mind.  Though, they made no sense, she knew she had to protect this ‘so-called’ Shikon no Tama at all costs.  She could feel the warmth of the jewel against her collar, fueling her with strength and courage.  The centipede woman was approaching quickly, jaws extended to reveal a mouth of overly large fangs.

 

“Give it to me!” it screeched, lunging toward her.

 

Kagome froze, unable to move.  A red blur passed her, and the next thing she knew, parts of the strange creature lay strewn across the clearing.  Blinking, she looked around.  There, standing above her, was the boy from earlier, the hanyou.

 

“Umm,” she stammered, pushing herself to stand, “Thanks.”

 

“Feh,” he replied, turning his back on her and walking away.

 

Kagome glared at his back and then quickly walked after him.

 

“Hey,” she said sternly, moving in front of him.

 

“What?” he demanded, his golden eyes flashing dangerously.

 

He caught sight of the jewel around her neck.  Blinking, he squinted at it.  It’s the Shikon…but…Kikyou has one, too…are there two of them?

 

“Why did you do that?” she asked firmly, arms crossed.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said sarcastically, “I didn’t know you wanted to die.”

“I didn’t say that,” she shot back.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kikyou called, appearing next to him.

 

“Kikyou!” he exclaimed, startled.

 

“Who’s this girl?” she asked, her voice thick with disdain.

 

“I don’t know,” he said.

 

“Oh really?” she asked.  “Then why did you save her?  I have not known you to rescue for charity.”

 

“Feh,” he replied, leaping off into a nearby tree.

 

“Good,” Kikyou said, smiling icily, “Then you won’t mind if I kill her.”

 

Kagome gasped as Kikyou raised her an arrow with her bow, pointing directly at Kagome.  Kagome noticed, too, that a jewel glittered from Kikyou’s neck.

 

“What?” she said dumbly, backing away.  “I don’t even know you.”

 

“But I know,” Kikyou said monotonously, “that you will be the end of me.”

 

The arrow flew straight for Kagome, gliding effortlessly through the air.  It seemed to turn into a comet, pink light streaking behind it.  Before Kagome knew it, she had been hit and was pinned to a tree.  She felt no pain, although she could not move.  The arrow was embedded in her shoulder.  Kagome tried to move her arm to the arrow, yet she had no control over her limbs.  She was completely frozen against the tree.

 

“Only that who cares not for the Shikon no Tama may free you,” Kikyou said coldly, harshly.

 

Kagome’s lips twisted into a snarl.  “What have I done to you?” she spat, her eyes turning from a soft blue to an electric ice.

 

“You and I are one and the same,” Kikyou said simply, walking towards her.  “I would not exist long if you were to walk this Earth freely.”

 

“Selfish bitch,” Kagome retorted.

 

“You have thrown everything off balance, stranger,” Kikyou reasoned, ignoring Inuyasha’s presence at her shoulder.

 

“My name is Kagome,” she said mockingly.

 

“Fine, Kagome,” Kikyou said dryly, “With your presence here, we have two Shikon no Tamas and two of the same soul.  It is not meant to be that way.”

 

Kagome could feel her eyelids drooping slightly.  It was as if sleep was weighing down on her magically.

 

“You will sleep…unharmed…until one who cares not for the Shikon comes to free you.  It must be a male, full youkai,” Kikyou said, smirking.  “Your chances of ever seeing daylight again are now fully diminished to virtually none.”

 

Everything she said was feeding into Kagome’s mind, though Kagome, herself, did not know it.  To her, it seemed everything was leaving, turning into a silent, peaceful blackness.

 

“When you wake, you will be bound to that youkai, so that you two are never more than thirty feet apart,” Kikyou continued, still smirking.  “Goodnight, dear reincarnate.”

 

From that point on, Kagome could see no more.  Her eyes closed, blanketing her in a drowsy slumber.  One voice remained with her, speaking softly to her, giving her strength.

 

“Kagome,” the voice from the Shikon called, “No harm will come to you…you will live again…we will guarantee your survival above hers…”

 

Inuyasha watched in awe as the rebellious girl grew limp, and her eyes closed slowly.  His hand reached out towards her, but he pulled back when it a searing hot pain ran up his arm.

 

“You cannot go near her, Inuyasha,” Kikyou said, still wearing her smirk.  “You are not full demon…and you do hold desires for the Shikon.”

 

Inuyasha looked at the miko in surprise.  Kikyou…ever since she was brought back to life…she’s been…so…cruel.  Looking at the girl, called Kagome, again, he sighed, leaping up into a nearby tree.  She’s right, though.  There’s virtually no one, man or youkai, who does not desire the Shikon for their own purposes.

 

Chapter Three

 

As he glided through the crisp morning air, Sesshoumaru scanned the land below him for any trouble.  After all, the only job he had as the Western Lord-to-be was to protect the people of the land.  It was not long until the throne was finally turned over to him.  In fact, it was sometime this month.  Though it was he who would rule the whole of the Western Lands, it was his father's will to give Inuyasha a limited amount of land to deem as his own.  Sesshoumaru was grateful for the ruling position.  Had it been Inuyasha to be Lord, it would have embarrassed him greatly as the older and firstborn son.

 

In the near-distance, he could see his own home, a section of the castle grounds with its own 'house'.  Though it was only a part of the castle, it was humongous, large enough to accommodate 150 people.  In it, resided about thirty servants, Jaken, Rin, and himself.

 

He sped up, eager to finally go 'home' and clean himself up; he was a mess.  Landing in the balcony of his room, he pushed open the simple light wooden doors.  His familiar room greeted his sight, relaxing his tense muscles.  A soft breeze whispered through the open doors to the balcony, lifting the soft white silk of the curtains of the windows and bed.  Soft golden rays shone through, casting the room into a cozy warmth.  The dark brown wood of the bed illuminated into a reddish color and back to brown as shadows flicked over them.  Sesshoumaru smiled.  This was the simplicity of his life; day in and day out...before Rin came.  As the gentle wind lifted the curtains of the canopy bed, he saw her curled up form on his bed, sleeping soundly.  Shuffling quietly into the room, he opened the door to the hallway, sliding it silently closed behind him.  He strode quietly through the halls, his feet carrying him of their own accord to the bathroom.

 

Sniffing the air, he found that Jaken was asleep as well.  A couple servants had just gotten up, sensing his presence and starting to prepare a meal.  He stopped, sliding a wooden door open to reveal a hot spring surrounded by flowerbeds and a few cherry trees.  A magic spell had put the room into an enchantment, making it take up no space at all in the castle, yet in actuality at the same time, be immense and filled with plant life that could not normally live without sunlight.  It was as if time was made separate in this room, flowing of its own will.  He threw his clothes and armor carelessly aside, knowing that one of the servants would eventually come to pick it up, as well as leave another change of clothing.

 

Quickly, he slipped into the comfortably hot water, almost wanting to purr at the strange sensation it always created.  Sesshoumaru cupped his hands into the water and splashed it on his face, seeming to cleanse him of any worrying thoughts.  Diving under, he swam through the depths of the spring, certain thoughts surfacing as he glided through the tranquil water.  That girl...  His mind recalled the events of the former night, vividly displaying the human girl to him.  Her actions were questionable, as well as her intelligence.  To not know the Prince of the Western Lands was very...strange.  It was as if she had come from another world.  Everyone knew the lord of his or her lands.  In fact, they had to pay tribute to him every month, on the 13th day.  It was the myth that if one did not pay tribute, a terrible fate would befall them on midnight of the 13th.  Foolish humans.

 

Somehow, it had occurred to him that this girl was, perhaps, very unique.  Not only was the way she dressed very...revealing...but it was a totally different style from even the most modern kimonos that women adorned.  Her hair had not been tied, as it should have been, and her shoes were different.  The blue-gray eyes that had looked at him with sympathy had glinted with courage, like no other woman would have.  Yes, he decided, she must not be of this world.  He surfaced and dived down again, turning his thoughts to another matter.  When should I visit Inuyasha?  Turning over onto his back, he swam backwards through the clear water.  'Three days.'  That settled, he surfaced again, removing himself from the water.  He grabbed a towel conveniently placed at the side of the spring.  Slipping on a robe, also set out for him, he went about drying himself.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

It seemed as if a black veil had been thrown over her, blocking her from the rest of the world.  Kagome sat against the wall of her prison, the black void of the Shikon no Tama protecting her from the toils of day.  She could barely feel the spot on her shoulder, which had received the enchanted arrow from the bitch Kikyou.  She growled, kicking at the blank air in front of her.  Who knows when she would be rescued...IF she would be rescued... What kind of male youkai exists that would not want the Shikon?  Silently, with its own walls, Kagome had been educated, told the story of the Jewel of Four Souls.  Of course, what the voice of the jewel told her was nothing compared to its true history.  There were many secrets still yet to be discovered.  Now, the voice spoke to her again, taking a body to accompany it.

 

"Kagome," the male called, starting to take form in front of her.

 

His figure was not one that frightened her.  He had come to her many times with the past several hours.  The voice was still light and musical, warm and comforting, yet serious and demanding.  Smooth silky jet-black hair fell loosely down to his waist, seeming to give a light luster.  Emerald green eyes peered warmly at her, seeming to smile brightly even in the drab conditions of the Shikon.  This man had been a constant source of comfort in this lonely void.  She did not yet know his name, but he looked familiar, faintly.  Something sparked vaguely inside of her, and she had taken to calling him Seisho.  Inside her head, she described him as 'beautiful' and not as 'handsome' though he could be easily called either.  He was tall, well built.

 

"Yes, Seisho?" she answered, looking lazily up at him.

 

He frowned slightly, sitting down next to her.  "You're growing lazy."

 

"There isn't anything to do," she said scornfully, kicking again at the floor that wasn't there.

 

"There is much to do, just not in this timeless void," he said matter-of-factly.

 

"That's what I meant and you know that," Kagome said, looking over at him.

 

He was dressed in an emerald green kimono, matching perfectly with his unnatural eyes.  Of course, Kagome's eyes were unnatural as well.  Seisho, as he was called, smiled at the Chosen One, the one to carry the jewel.  "Someone will come for you very soon," he assured, pulling her onto his lap.

 

Kagome gasped softly before settling down in the silky kimono.  "How do you know?" she asked, staring into the blank space before them.

 

"I know what I know," he said simply, holding her lightly.

 

The bitterness shot into her seemed to evaporate in his arms.  His presence was mysterious, surreal.  She silently wished to herself that he would always be there for her.

 

"You are worried," he stated clearly, resting his chin on her head.

 

"Yes...in a way," she said, smiling.

 

"What is there to be worried about?" Seisho asked, nuzzling his face in her soft hair.

 

"Will I truly be rescued?" she asked uncertainly, twirling a lock of his hair that strayed to her shoulder.

 

"Do you not trust my word?"

 

"Yes, of course I do, but..."

 

"I see...so in a way, you wish not be rescued," he said, a bit puzzled.

 

Kagome did not answer, instead staring out across the great expanse of the void.  Finally, she sighed, leaning against him.  "Are you real, Seisho?"

 

The figure smiled gently.  "Do you think I am real?" he asked.

 

"I don't know," she answered slowly.  "You're here, with me, but you weren't there in reality."

 

This is dumb.  I haven't even known the guy for a whole day!  Yet, still.  Kagome felt a strong bond to him.  Something about this mysterious person promised protection to her, trust, life, hope.  It seemed, right now, that he was her lifeline.  Or maybe, perhaps, it was only because he was the sole person other than her in this wretched place.

 

"I am real in this place, in this time.  Yet, I am also real in the outside world, yet as a spirit in the Shikon Jewel," he said softly.

 

Though she was confused, for now, she was satisfied with his answer.  "I will find you in the real world," she said, feeling herself drift back to sleep.  "I will find you, Seisho."

 

Seisho held her gently, watching silently as she fell back into the slow rhythms of sleep.  "Find me," he whispered to her sleeping form, inhaling the sweet scent of her body, "Return me to what I once was..."

 

Chapter Four

 

Inuyasha scowled at the girl called Kagome, his hand straying towards her as she lay motionless against the trunk of a large tree, called the God Tree by many.  An electric shock ran up his arm, causing him to retrieve his hand in contempt.  Rubbing his shocked hand, he glared at the unknowing girl.

 

"Stupid wench," he muttered, leaping into the branches of a nearby tree.

 

Really, he didn't know why he bothered to keep such a streadfast vigil over her.  It wasn't as if anything could harm her.  Obviously, no human could get through the barrier, or hanyou for that fact.  And to add to that, the male full youkai that COULD go through had to have no purposes for the Shikon no Tama.  Sighing, he shook his head in pity for the dumb girl who had so easily thrown him against the trunk of a tree.

 

Hopping down, he looked more closely at the human girl.  The Shikon no Tama hanging around her neck cloned that of Kikyou's.  Amazingly, the wench also bore an astonishing resemblance to the un-dead miko.  If one did not know either of the girls well, he or she probably would not be able to set them apart.  He, however, loved Kikyou more than anything in the whole damned world; it would be very sad, or rather pitiful, on his part if he could not tell the two females apart.  Kagome's hair looked a lot like Kikyou's, except for the fact that it didn't have that heavy silk look, more like soft, thin, flowing silk.  Her eyes, though closed in peaceful sleep, seemed bright with life all the time, whereas Kikyou's seemed always to be in mourning, deep depression and lonliness clawing away at her once caring soul.  Inuyasha frowned, once again taking refuge in the shadowed branches of the tall trees.  Kikyou had changed.  She was more vengeful and malevolent.  It was as if her death had awaken something hateful inside of her, and it had consumed her whole being.  Now, she seemed not to be the caring, quiet, gently-loving Kikyou he had once known and loved, but a stone barrier that now covered the miko.  Inuyasha wasn't even sure if he loved her anymore...'Of course I love her!  Love never dies!'  Even as he assured himself in his thoughts, doubts rose like the smoke of a cackling fire.  Pushing his thoughts aside, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, ready for a nice, long nap.

 

Below, Kikyou stared up through the foliage of the boughs.  Her eyes, shining with a deep longing and lonliness, were ice blue.  She looked to the girl next to her, examining her a little more closely.  'Yes, I'm positive this is my reincarnate.  No one else could possess the Shikon.'  Looking down to her own jewel, she noticed it glowed an eerie gray color.  Startled, she pulled it off her neck and held it in front of her.  The glow seemed to increase in brightness, yet also dull.  A low hiss seemed to originate from the jewel, directed toward her.  She stared at it a moment before replacing it on her neck.  The Shikon was acting strangely, as if it had a life of its own.  Kikyou snorted.  'A life of its own.  Nonsense.'  Throwing a look of contempt at the peacefully slumbering girl, Kikyou glided off to the nearby spring to bathe.

 

Kagome's eyes snapped open, her vision taking in as much as it could.  Something was here.  'Impossible...nothing can penetrate the walls of the Shikon.'  Her eyes darted around the black void, trying to pick up the familiar presence of Seisho.  Disappointed, she found she couldn't locate him; his earilier position holding her was abandoned, leaving her to lean on the invisible wall.  Somewhere, she sensed movement, yet not physical movement.  It was as if the air was stirring, trying to hold thoughts together into a physical being.  Maybe Seisho was coming?

 

"Seisho?" Kagome called uncertainly, narrowing her eyes to a stranger beginning to solidify in front of her.

 

"No," the female voice replied, a body slowly beginning to take shape.

 

The woman had long, silky, black hair, held in a low ponytail by a ribbon of fine silk.  Her features seeemed a bit familiar; she had dark lashes lining her emerald green eyes.  'Yes, in fact she looks like Seisho...'  Kagome, though comforted somewhat by her familiar appearance, regarded her warily.  Her clothes were that of royalty, with the best embroidery and texture.  A sad smile penetrated her features, casting somewhat of a warm atmosphere around the two females.

 

"Are you the other spirit of the Shikon?" Kagome asked curiously.

 

"Soul," the woman corrected, bowing slightly, "I am the other soul called Naora."

 

Kagome glanced at her strangely before rising and returning the curt bow.  Trust no one, after all.  At seeing the short bow, Naora laughed good-naturedly.  Kagome again looked at the woman strangely, her curiosity rising as she looked the woman up and down.  Really, her resemblance to Seisho was astonishing.  Their eyes shown with a caressing love, yet radiated something more...like sadness...loss...lonliness.  As she wondered about their relation, Naora interrupted.

 

"I can sense your distrust, Chosen One," she said matter-of-factly, smiling warmly at Kagome.

 

The girl looked to Naora in surprise, a wave of comfort slowly washing over her.  'I can trust her.'  Hesitantly, she smiled back, bowing her head.

 

"I apologize," she said sincerely.

 

"There is no need, daughter," Naora reassured.  "As you assume, I do have a relation to Seisho."

 

Kagome's mouth gaped open.  "I..."

 

"There is no need to explain," the woman said, smiling warmly.  "Can you trust me now?"

 

"Yes," Kagome answered, shaking her head in disbelief.

 

Naora nodded before continuing.  "You have yet to learn of this Sacred Jewel, daughter.  And yet, there is little I can tell you, now."

 

Kagome, too, nodded, confirming that she understood.

 

"Your time here runs short," Naora admonished, gesturing to the black void around her.

 

Kagome nodded, thinking about leaving Seisho.  For some odd reason, the thought depressed her to no ends.  'It's not possible to love an entity inside of a jewel.'  She pondered on that for a moment.  'What is love?'  Her thoughts were thrown aside by Naora's commanding, yet gentle, voice.

 

"You must know this," Naora said carefully, "There are four entities of the Shikon, as the name suggests.  They were created from the light of a sad heart.  You must bring them together in the real world; find those entities, those other two, as the Chosen One."

 

"Why was I chosen?" Kagome asked, a bit dazed by her task.

 

"Because you are of pure heart, of innocence and compassion, the strong will to cure and love," Naora answered, smiling.

 

"Oh," Kagome answered simply.  'Two more souls I must find...'  "How will I know who the souls are?"

 

"You will know," Naora assured, smiling sadly, "You are the Chosen One, gifted with your unique abilities."

 

"Where are they?" Kagome asked desperately, as Naora's figure became less solid.

 

"That is for you to find out," she whispered, mysteriously disappearing into the air.

 

Kagome was once again alone and sleep took hold of her.  'I must find them...and I must find Seisho.'

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Sesshoumaru sighed as he leaned against the trunk of a large tree, sitting on one of the central branches.  The breeze played softly through the whispering leaves, casting nature's warm breath across his face.  Since he was at home, he adorned a blue kimono, in the style of Inuyasha's.  None of the usual armor was visable, nor were the swords he constantly held at his waist.  Below, he kept a sharp vigil over Rin, scurrying around in the field of wildflowers.  Had the garden been their location, it would have been a total wreck by now.  He sighed again, shaking his head sadly as he watched the energetic girl pluck everything 'pretty' from the forsaken field.  'Two more days...'  In two days, he would visit Inuyasha.  Shaking the thoughts of his half-brother away, he pulled at the far reaches of his memory for something long lost to him.

 

Parts of a picture were scattered across his mind.  Black, raven black, hair flowed like his.  Everything seemed like him, except for the fact that this was a human, a human who possessed emerald green eyes with warmth and sadness.  His garb was that of royalty.  The boy like him reached out, crying desperately, and then, the image disappeared altogether, replaced by that of a woman.  Her eyes reflected the emotions of the boy like him, though her lips were turned in a sad smile.  She was standing at his bedside as a young pup.  Leaning down, she kissed him lightly on the forehead, yet he lay there in deep sleep, completely unaware.

 

"Goodbye, my dear Sesshoumaru," she whispered, tears flowing from her emerald green eyes.

 

'Mother...'  Sesshoumaru fell out of his reverie.  This time, he had gotten so much more than he usually did.  The pictures fell together, and he had recognize his mother...but who was the other boy...so much like him, yet a human?

 

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin called cheerily through the branches of the great tree.

 

Sighing yet again, he jumped down next to the little girl.  "Yes, Rin?"

 

"When is Sesshoumaru-sama going to live in a castle and be a king?" she asked innocently.

 

"Soon, very soon, Rin," he answered in a melancholy tone, "Why do you ask?"

 

"Because...Rin wants to live in a castle!" she said desperately, trying to hide something.

 

"Why, Rin, do you wish to know?" he asked again, disbelieving of her desire to live in a castle.

 

"Because," the little girl paused, as if deciding whether to tell her father figure or not, "because kings always have queens, and they love each other, and Rin will have a mother and a family again!"

 

Sesshoumaru was a bit shocked by the little girl's ambitious response.  "Rin..." he paused, not sure what to say.  She was a human.  He couldn't just say 'Love does not exist for youkai.'  Finally, he decided on giving her a look and commanding her inside.  The toddler cheerily agreed and left into the confines of the home.  'Love...what is love?'  Deep inside, he knew he had sometime experienced the emotion.  Someone had loved him when he was young...very young...and then...they had...left?  Died?  He couldn't remember, but sometime, he knew, he would have to try to dig deeper into his memory, to finally solve the mystery to his past.

 

Chapter Five

October 2002

 

 

Two days, it seems, had come and gone in a flash.  Before Sesshoumaru knew it, he was gliding towards Inuyasha’s so-called territory.  The warm afternoon air played over his face, basking him in comforting warmth.  Below him, the world was spread out in a blanket of green and blue, embroidered with sandy brown.  Humans were specks, water glittered with the golden reflection of the golden disk called the sun.  He sighed.  If only his life were as peaceful as the scene portrayed underneath him...  Alas, it was not to be.  Recognizing the familiar surroundings of Inuyasha’s Forest, Sesshoumaru silently landed in a clearing with a well in the center.  A light scent hung in the air, the scent of fresh roses and light rain.  He recognized it as the scent of the strange girl he had met on first attempt at coming to Inuyasha.  Scowling, he recalled the events of that day, causing him a minor wound.  To say the least, it disgraced him to be harmed in any way by that pathetic brother of his.  Muttering something about incompetent half-breeds, he made his way briskly to his brother’s location.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Inuyasha could smell him before anything else.  He quietly noted to himself that Sesshoumaru would be here to discuss the matters of land ownership.  After all, Inuyasha was promised a portion of the vast kingdom known as the Western Lands.  Gazing down from his perch in a tree, he looked across to Kagome.  For a while now, he had been keeping watch over her.  It seemed he owed something to her, felt that he had to apologize in some way for Kikyou’s actions.  A plan formed in his mischievous mind, and he leaped quietly from his tree to the one Kagome had been stuck to.  This better work…  Going over his predictions in his mind, he waited for Sesshoumaru to emerge.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Alarmed by the sudden shock of something, Kagome’s eyes snapped open, greeted by the strange sensation of waning afternoon light.  Where am I?  She looked dazedly around at her surroundings.  Pinned to a tree, she was set in the center of a clearing, surrounded then by dense forest.  Snorting, she remembered the grim events leading up to her current state.  But wait…  Kagome thought for a moment, truly puzzled.  Why am I awake???  Glancing over at her shoulder, she noted she still had the arrow lodged where it had always been.  Forever, it seemed.  She mentally groaned.  What now?!

 

Sesshoumaru drew closer to his brother’s location, the hanyou’s scent slightly altered by someone else’s.  Curious, he focused his senses on the other smell, the distinct aroma of roses invading his mind.  She’s still here?  As he cleared the boundary of trees, he was caught by surprise at the girl there.  She was dangling, quite strange to see, on a tree, held up by a single arrow.  Curiosity getting the better of him, he walked closer and was startled by the sound of her sharp voice.  He hadn’t realized she was alive…

 

“Hey!” she called sternly.  Time away from society wasn’t the best thing for her manners.

 

Raising an eyebrow at the daring call, he walked steadily closer.  “What are you doing here, wench?” he questioned coolly.

 

“I don’t have the time,” she answered, glaring malevolently at him.  If he wants the Shikon, then screw him.  For a moment, she pondered asking him whether he did want the jewel or not.  Then again, being bonded to him doesn’t sound too appealing.  Of course, she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life stuck to a tree…one or the other…Kagome sighed.

 

Inside the walls of her mind, she heard a melodious voice call out to her.

 

“You will be leaving us shortly,” Seisho admonished.

 

“No!” Kagome argued, unaware that she was yelling aloud.  “I don’t know what to do!”

 

“You know, you just have not come to know as of yet…”

 

Kagome, desperately confused called out one last time.  “Seisho!”

 

Sesshoumaru was clearly confused.  Had she just said ‘Seisho’?  The name seemed familiar to him…in the distant corners of his mind.  Yet…it sounded a lot like his name.  Looking for some sort of explanation, he observed the girl, her face contorted in a desperate plea.

 

Creeping carefully to the tip of the branch, behind Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha carefully planned his movements…

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

          Kikyou jerked from her nap.  Nestled in the arms of a tree, she had been peacefully slumbering until…something…had brought her back to reality.  She could feel it in her bones.  Something was amiss.  It was strange.  The feeling was like that of when Inuyasha’s brother had been so close, on that day that she had been killed.  All of it was an oddity, really.  She was unsure of how she was brought back to life, but here she was; that was undeniable.  Kikyou closed her eyes and shuddered at the fearful memory of Sesshoumaru, the heartless prince of the Western Lands.  She remembered everything with startling clarity.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

          The feeling of foreboding was nearly overwhelming.  Yet, she took no heed, ignoring her instincts and continuing to collect the herbs she sought.  As the seconds ticked by, the instinctual warning would not wane, and it was then that she noticed there must have been someone there.  Kikyou ignored the presence, deciding to attack only if it were the one to attack.  Perhaps, this was her first mistake.  She blinked and found the figure of Inuyasha’s half-brother in front of her, glaring down condescendingly at her.  The youkai said nothing for a while, letting silence weave its spell between them.  Inuyasha’s wench seemed not to fear him, something that angered him slightly.

 

          “Where is Inuyasha?” he demanded softly, golden eyes boring into her gray ones.

 

          “I don’t think I need to tell you that,” Kikyou answered, equally as soft.

 

          “Tell me, or you will regret it,” the regal youkai threatened, eyes flashing dangerously.

 

          Kikyou raised her hand, her palm facing outwards towards him.  Mistake number two.  Her hand glowed eerily.  “I will say nothing,” she said coldly.

 

          Sesshoumaru chuckled harshly.  Caught off guard, Kikyou lowered her hand slightly, and then, she was pinned to a tree.  Poisonous claws were set strategically in front of her face and golden eyes stared uncaring at her.  Kikyou paled ever so slightly.

 

          “I will ask again,” Sesshoumaru said calmly, threateningly, “Where is Inuyasha?”

 

          Inuyasha, help me…  Kikyou shook her head as much as she could, her throat being grasped tightly by the beautiful youkai.  She could feel Inuyasha’s presence somewhere in the near-distance.  Maybe, Sesshoumaru would leave her alone now…  No.  She couldn’t ever think that way.  Sesshoumaru was a danger to Inuyasha, her loved, her most dear.  She would not allow him to harm Inuyasha.  Kikyou raised her chin arrogantly to him.  All fear disappeared.  Momentarily.

 

          Sesshoumaru glared at her.  “You are making this more difficult than I intended for it to be, wench.”

 

          Still, Kikyou kept her chin raised stubbornly, daring him to kill her.  Strike three, you’re out.  Without so much as a blink, Sesshoumaru allowed the poison to drip from his claws.  He knew Inuyasha was fast approaching, and he waited until his half-brother could see him fully.  Then, right there, in his presence, Sesshoumaru swiped his deadly claws, and Kikyou lay in a bloody heap at the base of a tree.  The basket of herbs she had been collecting was strewn at her feet.  No one crossed Sesshoumaru and lived.  That done, he smirked at his brother’s shocked face and leapt off through the cover of the forest.

 

          Kikyou was dimly aware of what was going on.  She could faintly see Inuyasha’s intent golden eyes on her.  Those golden eyes…so much like that of her killer…  Visibly, she winced at his touch.  Now, she was scared.  And there, she died, fear evident in her clouded gray eyes.  If anything, she wanted revenge for her death.  She would teach that arrogant youkai…if she ever lost the fear of those golden eyes…

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

          Kikyou snapped out of her reverie.  Inuyasha could be in danger.  After all, her instincts had warned her once.  Maybe they were warning her again.  Hurting her was one thing but hurting Inuyasha…Kikyou’s fists clenched.  The un-dead priestess pushed herself out of the cradling arms of the tree and allowed her intuition to guide her to the danger.  Inuyasha was hers.  No one would hurt him as long as she walked this Earth.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome lost touch with Seisho, frowning deeply as she missed the warmth of his presence in her mind.  She was so confused!  Clenching her fists at her sides, she was surprised she could move…her left arm at least, the right arm was immobile because of the damn arrow.

 

“You!” she shouted at Sesshoumaru, glaring him down.  “Do you want to use the Shikon no Tama?”

 

Again, Sesshoumaru raised a brow.

 

Inuyasha, knowing his brother, in fact, did not need the Shikon, quickly leaped down, left unnoticed by Sesshoumaru until the last minute.  Aggressively, he shoved his half brother into Kagome.  The youkai stumbled and fell into Kagome, catching her off guard.  For a split second in the flowing river of time, their lips were locked together, and Inuyasha smirked.  Now, if everything would go as planned…

 

Kagome, livid and irritated, shoved the youkai off her.  In an attempt to regain balance, Sesshoumaru reached out, trying to grab something, her arm, her wrist, her hair, he didn’t care, to steady himself.  His fingers closed around the enchanted arrow and with a light tug, it came out, evaporating in his hand.  Luckily for his ego, he steadied himself and glared at the girl.  It wasn’t like he meant to fall into her.

 

With the elimination of the arrow, Kagome fell out of her spot with a thud, landing on her rear.  She, in return, glared at him.  It took a full ten seconds to realize she was no longer stuck to that wretched tree.  Smiling brightly, she quickly got up and kicked a root protruding from the ground.  Take that you dumb tree!  However, her smile quickly faded as she recalled the conditions of her broken spell.  Her face pale, she turned to Sesshoumaru, whom she would get to know extremely well.

 

He, in turn, gazed back in confusion.  Everything had happened so fast!  Growling, he spun around to face a madly grinning Inuyasha.

 

“YOU…” his voice shook with quiet menace.  The events so far had been humiliating to say the least.

 

“I love you, too, Sesshoumaru,” Inuyasha responded, smirking.  His arms were crossed over his chest.

 

Kagome groaned.  “And I suppose you know the conditions of the spell as well?” she asked Inuyasha.

 

Still smirking, he nodded.  “Just look at the happy couple!”

 

Sesshoumaru, in a flash, had him pinned to a tree.  Sesshoumaru missed nothing.  “What conditions of what spell?” he demanded, his voice a low growl.

 

“My spell,” Kikyou answered hesitantly, stepping gracefully into the clearing.  She eyed Inuyasha disdainfully.

 

“What spell, may I ask, is that?” Sesshoumaru asked, turning to her coldly.

 

Sesshoumaru liked to know what was going on, after all, he was usually the one in control.  But it seemed, to his distaste, that the tables had turned.

 

“Well, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome spat, walking towards him with determined steps.  “This bitch enchanted an arrow that would put me to sleep until someone,” she said, ticking a list off on her fingers, “who is demonic, male, and holds no desires for the Shikon no Tama comes to pull the arrow out.  In case you haven’t noticed, you fit the bill perfectly.  And she did this, may I add, with the selfish desire of her survival over mine.”

 

At this point, Kagome glared at Kikyou, who in turn, turned an icy gaze back.

 

“When I was freed,” Kagome continued, staring deliberately at Sesshoumaru, “I would be bonded to this person through an invisible link.  We, now, thanks to Inuyasha,” she said, whipping her gaze to the hanyou for a moment, “are bonded physically.  We may not move more than thirty feet apart.  For the rest, you will have to ask our favorite bitch here.”  With that, her icy glare turned to Kikyou.

 

Kikyou was, in a way, afraid to speak.  She didn’t want to even spare a glance at the youkai lord.  Looking to Inuyasha for help, she made no indication to answer.  Too bad for her, Sesshoumaru was getting impatient.

 

“Well?”

 

Kikyou stuttered for a moment, deciding it was best to answer and not be killed.  She did not know the extent of her re-living abilities.  Gathering up her courage, she acted as if absolutely nothing had happened between them.  “You must be on the same level,” she said simply, quietly.  “In a way, you will mirror each other.  No object or person can come between you physically; they would receive a…punishment…simply put.”  Inside, she was terrified.  Outside, the trembling of her hands inside her sleeve verified her fear masked by her cold visage.  She paused, adding as an afterthought, “You cannot harm me,” she said to Kagome.  “Occasionally, we each should pass out, but other than that, your existence is no longer a threat to me.  It is, however, a flaw in time.”

 

“And why can’t you just perform the spell again to save yourself the trouble?” Kagome asked venomously.  Actually, she wouldn’t quite mind if she went back to Seisho.

 

“Spells don’t work twice,” Kikyou responded bleakly.

 

Sesshoumaru, taking all of this in, smirked slightly before moving away from Kagome and putting Inuyasha’s body between them.  The hanyou was quickly rewarded with unconsciousness and a nice, long nap.  So, the punishment wasn’t so dire…too bad for Sesshoumaru.

 

“You’re taking this quite well,” Kagome hissed at him.

 

“You’re sure that all of this is true?  Taking it from a walking corpse?” he responded monotonously.

 

“Go ahead and try to move more than thirty feet,” Kagome answered, crossing her arms.

 

“Very well.”

 

Sesshoumaru jumped once and was ready to leap off a second time when he found he couldn’t.  Growling, he jumped upwards and heard a terrified shriek behind him.  Kagome moved with him, though she had no control over any of it.  She was just floating dangerously in the air.  When Sesshoumaru landed, Kagome fell through the branches of the God Tree, the tree she had been pinned to.  She landed quite forcefully on her feet, standing upright, but when plummeting through the tree branches, she received a cut on her cheek.  A thin stream of blood flowed from it, and she winced.  Similarly, a cut appeared on Sesshoumaru’s flawless face.  They both turned to glare at Kikyou.

 

Kikyou fidgeted under the youkai lord’s gaze.  “Y-you mirror each other.  If one gets injured in any way, the other will as well,” she explained.  I’m not afraid of him.  I’m not.  Her posture straightened slightly.  I will have my revenge.  “Therefore, if one dies, the other does as well.”

 

Kagome and Sesshoumaru were both shocked to say the least.  The girl glanced desperately around, wishing this were a dream.  “Is there any way to break this bond?” Sesshoumaru demanded.

 

Kikyou looked thoughtful for a moment.  This was going to be a great revenge.  She didn’t even have to kill him directly.  An imperceptible smirk graced her features.  “No.”

 

Chapter Six

December 2002

 

Kagome sighed as she soared through the sky at breakneck speeds.  She was poised as if she was sitting at a chair, legs and arms crossed while leaning back slightly.  Casting a brief glance towards the being ahead of her, known as Sesshoumaru, the girl muttered something about arrogant inu-youkai.

 

Sesshoumaru’s eyebrow twitched slightly before appearing in front of the girl.

 

          “Would you care to repeat that?” he asked calmly, dangerously.

 

Kagome sent him a glare that would freeze fire and then ignored him entirely.  Since he was no longer moving forward, they had momentarily stopped, and it felt very alien to a never-been-airborne Kagome.  How do I get myself stuck in these kind of situations?  Absently, she fingered the Shikon no Tama around her neck.  It was cool to the touch but sent waves of warmth through her fingertips.

 

You have a mission to accomplish…

 

Blinking, Kagome looked down towards the jewel which had…spoken?  Seisho?

 

The strange girl had a faraway look in her eyes, as if she was not actually here.  Puzzled, the Western Lord floated closer to her, until they were almost nose-to-nose.  He waved a hand in front of her face.  No response.  Her mouth moved momentarily, forming a two-syllable word.  He couldn’t make out what it was, but she was starting to annoy him.

 

          Utilize your bond…the Western Lord will be of use…

 

Kagome nodded.  She would do anything, anything at all for Seisho.  Even if that meant traveling around with this pompous pretty-boy.  The blue-gray eyes lost their glazed look and focused.  Unfortunately, the first thing, or rather person, she saw was Sesshoumaru and his deep golden eyes.  Surprised, she yelped and gave a swift kick to his chest, pushing herself backwards in the air.  Of course, with the circumstances of their bond, she also felt the hard thump against her chest.

 

          “Ow!!!”

 

Sesshoumaru sent the ignorant girl a glare.  “One more of your foolish actions, wench…”

 

“I understand the conditions of our physical bond, my Lord,” she bit sarcastically, “You need not spare your almighty breath with words I am already familiar with.”

 

He was a bit taken aback.  Was she always this disagreeable?  Perhaps it was just the fact of being pinned to a tree for a couple days.  Sesshoumaru could already tell this bond was going to cause more than major problems.  With a scowl etched on his elegant face, he turned about-face and continued to streak towards his castle.  She was definitely going to be a pain in the ass.

 

Shivering, she silently thanked the Fates that she was the one bonded to him.  If she had been Kikyou…Kagome shivered again.  She did not want to deal with this dangerous and silent youkai Lord.  She didn’t think she had the courage.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

          “Is there any way to break this bond?” Sesshoumaru demanded.

 

          “No,” Kikyou answered curtly, a slight smirk visible on her features.

 

The demon lord, enraged by her foolish antics, lunged toward the un-dead priestess, claws extended and dripping with poison.  His lust for blood and revenge was almost tangible as he drew nearer.  Mere milliseconds turned into hours, and he stopped, frozen with his talons two inches away from their mark.

 

          “DAMMIT WOMAN!  TAKE A STEP FORWARD!” he cursed loudly.

 

To Kagome or Kikyou, they were not sure of whom he was addressing.  Either way, he would’ve gotten the desired effect had even one of them taken his command.  Kikyou was frozen in horror, her death only a few inches away.  Kagome gasped, having been unaware of Sesshoumaru’s strength and will to kill.  After a few moments, Kikyou seemed to have recovered her composure and stood up straight again, inching near Sesshoumaru’s outstretched claws.  A sinister grin cut her features.

 

          “Temper, temper, Sesshoumaru-sama,” she admonished, waving a finger back and forth.  “Your knowledge hasn’t failed you, has it?”

 

Sesshoumaru uncharacteristically snarled at her.

 

          “You mean you didn’t know?” Kikyou gushed, feigning surprise.  “Kagome and I are of the same soul!”

 

          “No doubt,” he growled out.

 

          “And if you harm one soul, the other must surely die if we are to exist in the same time,” she continued, stepping closer to him.  “Has it registered with you, yet?”

 

          She was a mere centimeter away!  If only she moved a tiny bit closer, then he could TEAR the DAMN GIRL to SHREDS!  Her incessant babbling was only a slight drone in the background.  He was only half-listening.

 

          “I assume not,” Kikyou sighed.  “If you kill me,” she started, stepping closer, “I’ll die, obviously,” another step, “Therefore, Kagome dies,” yet another step, “and then, you will die as well.”

 

The last part filtered through his demonic ears and clicked inside his preoccupied mind.  DAMN HER!  Sending one last venomous glower at the bitch, he leapt into the air, taking a startled Kagome with him.

 

          Kikyou smirked for the umpteenth time.  Revenge is sweet.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome fell with a hard thud onto the cold paved trail.  The moon was high in the sky already, and hazy mists shrouded it in a cloak of starlight.  A perfect environment had it not been marred by a certain girl’s high-pitched complaining.

 

          “What was THAT for, huh?!” Kagome screamed up to her bondage.

 

Her companion did not answer, but instead began striding down the trail, stopping when he had reached his thirty-foot limit and staring back at her.  Kagome crossed her legs stubbornly on the ground, turning her head away and bluntly ignoring him.  Sesshoumaru’s patience was limitless but only when he chose it to be, and now was not one of those times.

 

          “Get up, wench,” he commanded darkly.

 

          “Who’s gonna make me?” she shot back.

 

          “Get up,” he repeated more slowly.

 

          “Try me, Lord almighty.  Maybe I’ll get up sometime soon if you start calling me by my actual name.”

 

          He didn’t understand how she did it.  A few choice words, and he was already gritting his teeth.  “Get.  Up.  Now.”

 

          There was a momentary break in the conversation.  Kagome stood up but did not move.  “Wish granted.”

 

          “Move,” was his response.

 

Kagome took a step back, and Sesshoumaru’s boots slid against the ground as he was pulled towards her.  He growled.

 

          “Are you going to cooperate or are you going to stay out here all night?” he demanded.

 

          “I’ll cooperate if you cooperate, Mighty One,” Kagome answered.

 

Sesshoumaru remained silent, staring blankly at her.  Kagome took it as a sign to continue.

 

          “I have a mission,” she stated simply, searching his visage for any signs of rejection; there were none, “And it requires that I travel frequently.”

 

          “And you want me to assist you?” he sneered.

 

          “It’s not like you have a choice.”

 

He half face-faulted.  She was right.

 

          “Are you going to cooperate, Sesshoumaru-san?” she asked seriously.

 

A grumbled response was given; Kagome took it as a ‘yes’.  Smiling, she strode leisurely towards him, and they continued on to Sesshoumaru’s palatial home.

 

Chapter Seven

February 2003

 

Three days, Kagome thought tiredly.  It had been three days since she first arrived, and she was getting absolutely nothing done.  Currently, she was walking down the long corridor toward the room she shared with Sesshoumaru.  Many things during her stay had come as quite a shock, one of them being the fact that she and the demon lord were forced to share a chamber.  Considering the fact that nothing would be damaged that way, it seemed to be the only way out.

 

She glanced to the elegant youkai striding stiffly behind her.  They both adorned robes, having just recently taken a bath.  Such situations had been the most awkward at first.  A few discoveries concerning their physical bondage had turned out.  Of course, the fact that they had to function on the same elevation was first put into effect when the question of hygiene popped up.  It was extremely embarrassing, Kagome could say fairly, for both of them.  Since it was feudal Japan, she had to bathe in hot springs for lack of showers and such.  There was no problem to it, really.  Except, if Sesshoumaru stepped forward towards the spring, he would, no doubt fall in.  But then, since, they discovered, he had control over movement up and down, Kagome, who would be still on the shore, would crash haphazardly (and rather painfully) into the earth.  Suffice to say, she was always the one to go in first after that experience.

 

Still, she decided, it was just so weird to take a bath (granted, the spring was huge) with someone she had just met.  Obviously, if this bond was in some way not removed, they would become extremely intimate or would die insane.  When she was the one who decided to step over the steaming water first, she would float there for a moment before Sesshoumaru decided to walk in.  And then, she would crash to the water with a not-so-inconspicuous splash.  Just in the face of modesty and embarrassment, Kagome had taken to sporting her clothes when dropping in.  Therefore, it provided a cover up as well as a little pre-wash for the garments.  Afterwards, she would peel off the clothing while in the spring.

 

The youkai lord had said barely a word to her since they arrived.  He was beginning to get on Kagome’s nerves.  After all, if they were going to get anything done in this state, it would require some conversational skills on his part.  At present, he was drying his hair as he walked, much like Kagome was doing.  I should probably talk to him about my little ‘mission’, she thought wearily.  Kagome looked to the jewel resting on her collar.  In sleep, she found herself conversing with Seisho frequently, seeking his guidance.  Of course, he gave it readily enough but still wouldn’t reveal to her who the other two souls were.  Once, Seisho had talked about knowing one of the souls very well, while even he, himself, did not know the other; it was confusing.

 

Instinctively, she slid open the door and wandered over to the closet.  Sesshoumaru’s casual dark blue kimono was thrown onto the bed as she scavenged for her own outfit she would wear.  That, too, had come as a surprise.  It had been terribly strange to her how relaxed and…different Sesshoumaru appeared when he wore the blue kimono instead of his usual armor and pristine white clothing.  Already, she had been judging him even though they had only just met.  Kagome felt, in a way, that he already knew her, had already studied her personality in-depth whereas, she had only skimmed his surface.  His character was entirely too confusing for her to comprehend.  Hopefully, they could get over that.

 

Kagome finally found the garb she was looking for.  Embroidery of a silvery silk embellished a subdued hue of sky, an occasional navy pattern blossoming randomly over the material.  She thought it matched her eye color very nicely.  Deftly sliding the garment on, she threw the damp bathrobe onto a chair, where a servant quickly retrieved it along with Sesshoumaru’s and scurried away.  The demon lord was staring at her blankly.

 

          “Um, Sesshoumaru?” she called.  They had moved on from the ‘Mighty One’ and ‘Great Lord’ sarcasm quite a while ago, after Rin’s presence became her burden.  “Am I—are we ever going to go out?  On my ‘mission’, I mean?”

 

He didn’t answer; his eyes only flickered momentarily, as if pondering the subject, before he sauntered toward the door.

 

          “Garden,” Kagome heard him murmur.  She quickly rushed after him, deciding to jog at his side.  His strides were so long, she had to in order to keep up with him.

 

Beyond the sliding door, a child’s off-key humming greeted them.  Sunlight streamed in from the sky.  In reality, the ‘garden’ was the largest courtyard in the residence.  It was by Rin’s deeming that this became the official ‘garden’ of so many.  Strong flowery perfumes wafted from every direction, becoming the most prevalent of scents in the environment.  Uniformly-sized windows gave glimpses into the castle, and natural ponds and streams gurgled with life.  There were few birds; not many were so courageous as to venture into the youkai lord’s properties.  Nor were there many who could withstand Rin’s bursting curiosity.

 

          “Sesshoumaru-sama!” the little girl squealed, dropping her handful of flowers to embrace her father figure.  “Kagome-oneesan!” she hugged Kagome as well.

 

          “Hello, Rin,” they both replied, one cheery and the other monotone.  Kagome bent down to return the little girl’s embrace.  “What have you been up to?” she asked sweetly, glancing over at the disposed flowers.

 

          “Rin has—,” she was interrupted by Sesshoumaru’s pointed stare.  “I have been picking flowers, Kagome-oneesan!  Wanna see?” she asked eagerly.

 

Kagome quickly judged the distance from the spot on which she stood to the discarded bouquet before consenting.  The excited little girl fairly dragged the older one over to various bushes and trees.  Exclamations of ‘Look!  Look!’ and ‘Isn’t it pretty?’ littered the air.  Kagome patiently listened and answered the girl’s questions before suggesting a game with Jaken, at which point Rin winked and dashed out of the garden.  Even when the door slid close, Kagome could hear the loud bellow for the toad demon.

 

Recently, Sesshoumaru had taken to coming to the garden, whether or not Rin was there.  For what reason, Kagome was unsure, but it gave her a chance to think, so she gladly accepted without question.  While she strolled the length of the garden, admiring the sakura beginning to blossom, the youkai settled himself at the base of the tree.  Usually, he preferred higher elevations, but with the linkage, he probably couldn’t rest in the tree branches for a while.

 

As his body relaxed, he allowed himself to savor the surroundings.  In particular, he focused his energies on the human girl, attempting to figure her out further.  In the past three days, he had come to know her peculiarities quite well.  She seemed to adapt quite well to this so-called ‘past’ of hers.  The fact that she had come from a different era was not well-hidden.  The girl had an accent which was laid thick when her tongue tripped over the casual words used in conversation.  It seemed, at times, that she had slight difficulty comprehending what he was trying to express (however few the occurrences were).  There was a different ‘swing’ to her gait.  Whereas the females here had a straight-backed and stiff way of moving, this girl moved as if she walked on water.  Her posture was not as straight, but still respectfully so, the swing of her hips was more acute, and the to-and-fro sway of her arms stood out to him clearly.

 

Often, he could judge one’s character simply by their appearance.  Needless to say, he was quite adept at it already.  Having done it for so long, his judgment came sufficiently close to the truth, and therefore, he allowed himself to rely on the ability.  But…(it seemed there was always a catch to this strange human) he could not easily ‘figure her out.’  Her chin was sharp, suggesting obstinacy.  Wide, bright eyes insinuated intelligence and curiosity while the slender body told of grace.  The characterization was accurate, but the only things that threw him off were her eyes.  They were of the most stunning hue of sapphire, swirling with response to every stimulus.  At times, they spoke determination and pride; longing and affection were whispered in frequent; underlying them all was a strange gaze of loss.  How could a being be so many things at once?  He did not know.

 

Her presence alighting beside him drew him from the reflections.  Again, the aroma of rain-kissed roses permeated his senses.  She did not speak for a while.  The murmur of her calm breathing echoed in his elfish ears.  Ignoring the girl’s presence for now, he returned to contemplation, attempting once again to futilely recall the faint memories and dreams of his past.

 

Kagome let herself fall next to the demon lord.  He had seemed to be deep in thought, but she could tell, he visibly tensed when she sat down.  She allowed the action to slide and instead, occupied herself by calling out to the jewel circling her neck.

 

          “Seisho?” she whispered mentally.

 

          There was no response at first and then, “What is it you wish to inquire of?”

 

          Kagome smiled.  “Isn’t there any more you can tell me about my so-called mission?  I’m hanging by a thread here.”

 

          “I understand you feel lost, but do not concern yourself too much with these matters.”  There was a mental caress, almost tangible to Kagome’s affection-starved soul.  “Everything will fall in place eventually; you are the Chosen One.  It will all come clearly when the time comes.”

 

          “What if Sesshoumaru doesn’t cooperate?”

 

          “He will; worry not.  He is, after all, obligated.”  A smile.

 

          “Tell me how everyone is, Seisho.  How is okaasan?  Souta?  Grandpa?”

 

          A brief pause and then, “They are all well; they miss you terribly.”

 

          Kagome sighed.  “I know…”

 

          She could feel the pressure around her shoulders when he embraced her.  “Once you complete your objective, you may take leave of this era.  You may, if you so wish Kagome, return home to your family.”

 

Then, he was gone.  The warmth of his entity fled from her mind and left her scavenging for his presence.  More and more every day, she was beginning to feel increasingly attached to this being, this creation of the Shikon Jewel.  He had been the first friendly person she had come upon in arriving here, and that first impression seemed engraved in her memory.

 

          “Kagome,” a voice called, warm and feminine.

 

          “…Naora-san?”

 

          “Hai.  I thought I would check up on you.  Seisho tells me you are somewhat depressed.  Is this true?”

 

          Kagome nodded her head in confirmation.

 

          “Hmm…well, I hope for you that it will be quelled soon.”  A pause.  “How is the demon lord faring?”

 

          “He doesn’t talk much to me.  I’m not sure we’ll ever get going finding those souls.”

 

          “Does he lead a rich life?”

 

          “I would think.  He has a castle, a little child…”

 

          “Child?”

 

          “I’m not sure of her origin, but she’s not related by blood.”

 

          There was a mental nod as well as a sigh.  “Very well, then.  I will take my leave of you now.  Farewell, Kagome.”

 

Nothing had come up.  Absolutely nil.  Though he had attempted again and again with vigor, memories refused to pay him tribute.  Sesshoumaru gazed skyward, observing the lazy cream clouds.

 

          “Seisho…” the girl beside him sighed.

 

Something clicked.  Seisho…  The name echoed repeatedly in his mind.  The demon lord could sense the tug of remembrance, a pervading sense of familiarity.  Seisho…  What was it about the strange name that caused an aching wave of nostalgia wash over him?  As soon as it came, it was gone, leaving Sesshoumaru once again at a loss for what to do.  The frustration grated on his nerves.  Rising suddenly, he began to pace towards the door, back to his chambers.

 

          “Let’s go,” he commanded icily.

 

          “What?” was the response.  Kagome looked up, startled, at the youkai.  “We’re leaving?”

 

No answer was provided, but the lack of response spurred Kagome into action.  She caught up with him, casting a sideward glance at the demon lord.  Wonder what changed his mind so fast?

 

Sesshoumaru virtually slammed the door open to the room, flickering a quick eye over the contents to locate his armor.  I will locate my past, he reasoned firmly.  There will be nothing that stands in my way.

 

Chapter Eight

April 2003

 

It was early evening when Kagome and Sesshoumaru first set out to begin the long awaited “mission” for the other two souls of the Shikon no Tama.  Provisions were scant, as everything they would need was provided for by nature.  The bound pair had commenced with an incredibly progressive start.  Six miles were traversed in only an hour.  For the most part, it was running.  From youkai.  Kagome had a tendency to attract creatures of power in varying degrees.  Being from the future, where there were no bad monsters to bother an innocent schoolgirl, and ignorant to matters of mythical creatures, she had no choice but to turn tail, screaming, and run for her pitiful life.  Even Sesshoumaru had a spell of trouble catching her.

 

Thus, the pair returned by early morning.  Kagome, worse for wear, was carried limply in Sesshoumaru’s arms, the latter wearing a scowl on his regal face.  So much for nothing stopping him in his quest for truth.  Whatever.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome awoke sometime in late afternoon, while the golden sun was at its zenith.  The first thing, or rather person, she saw was Sesshoumaru, sitting at the edge of her bed and staring at her quite irritably.

 

          “You never informed me that you could not defend yourself, Kagome.”

 

          She huffed and turned her back on him, pulling the covers around her.  “You never asked.”

 

          His eyes narrowed.  “You will wake early to begin training.  A month will be allotted to you; it should suffice to teach more than the basics of defense and offense.”

 

Not another word was said, and he moved over to his own bed, neighboring hers.  Damn this annoying bond.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

“My Lord, the time has come.  You must choose.”

 

Inutaisho sat in indecision, turning his gaze from his mate to his sons, both sleeping in the far corner within an immense crib.  His golden eyes turned on his retainer, old and wise, and then back to his wife.

 

          “A hanyou cannot be allowed to rule over the throne of the Western Lands,” he stated softly.

 

          The woman’s hands were folded tightly in her lap as she kneeled before him, as was custom.  “Do you take favor with one of your sons, then, love?”  She looked to him with tears in her eyes.  “Do you hate one of them as well?  Is his blood too…filthy…for your liking, my Lord?  I have, undoubtedly, soiled you, my Lord.  And I give you my deepest of apologies.”

 

Her voice held neither sympathy nor humor.  She was serious.  One of the heads in the crib peeked over the edge, observing what only childish ears could.  What was going on?  Sesshoumaru did not know.  He gave a slight shrug and laid back down.  Whatever it was, chichiue and hahaue would take care of it.

 

Sesshoumaru’s eyes snapped open, pupils un-dilating as his enhanced vision kicked in.  Night was yet still young…why had he waken?  Slowly, he sat up and massaged his temples with one hand.  Glancing over to his bond partner’s bed, he found she was still sleeping peacefully.  The demon lord closed his eyes and withheld a sigh.  What did all this mean?  That scene had been far back in his childhood; it was, seemingly, of no relevance.

 

He sat in contemplation for a while.  The chamber was cast in a drab gray light.  Dawn was approaching.  Sesshoumaru ran a hand through his silky hair and rose, donning his clothing and armor.

 

          “Get up,” he commanded roughly, shaking Kagome’s injured shoulder.

 

There was a yowl of pain, and then she shot about dressing herself.

 

          “Don’t be so…so…insufferable!  That hurt!” she whined.  Kagome ceased her scurry and stood in front of him.  “What’s the plan, my Lord?”

 

          A wave of nostalgia overcame him.  You must choose, my Lord…Is his blood too…filthy…for your liking, my Lord?  A slow shake of the head dispelled his thoughts.  “Come.”

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

          “You’re kidding!”  Kagome howled into the dojo.

 

          “I assure you, this situation does not consist of any humor, whatsoever,” replied Sesshoumaru, turning the key and melting it with his venomous claws.

 

Enchanted torches burned continuously in the vast room of stone.  No windows allowed light to stream through, and the roof was of solid rock, as was the rest of the fortress.

 

          “I can’t believe you would actually do something like this to a girl!” she complained, running her hands along the solid walls.  “How are we going to get out?!”

 

          Sesshoumaru smirked.  “This is your training, dear Kagome.  The walls are constructed of only three inches of dense stone.  Your training, as I deem it, will come to a close when you can free yourself from this place.”  He paused and looked her over quickly.  “I, as a demon, can easily take leave, but you, human as you are, cannot break through without an exponential increase in strength or mental ability.”  His arms folded.  “I suggest you get started, as I will not provide you any food.  Water will be provided readily enough; the ceiling has been enchanted to allow rainwater to fall through.  Let’s go.”

 

Those two words commenced the most horrendous, miserable, torturous, stressful, and hellish, but otherwise progressive month of Kagome’s entire life.  Right after those syllables were uttered, Sesshoumaru had launched at her, claws extended and dripping with acid.  Kagome screamed and ran, her “Lord’s” claws just grazing her back.  It continued in this manner for two and a half solid hours.

 

          “ARE YOU FREAKING CRAZY?!”  She shrieked, dodging another blow.

 

          “I am perfectly sane, thank you for your concern,” was the response.

 

          “STOP!”

 

          “Find a weapon.”

 

She took a sharp detour and lunged for a katana off the wall.  Crying triumphantly, she managed to parry the dog demon’s claws for half a millisecond before the blade melted away at his touch.  Kagome squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation, but there was only a rush of wind and the floor vibrating next to her (she was lying on the ground).  Upon cracking an eye open, she found Sesshoumaru hovering over her, claws over her throat.

 

          “You lose.”

 

          “What?!”  Kagome exclaimed.  “You…how am I supposed to fight YOU?!”

 

Sweat, she noticed, was trickling down her forehead while Sesshoumaru seemed completely unfazed.  She scowled.

 

          “Two minutes; we go again,” he intoned, rising.

 

          “How can you…I just…are you MAD?!”

 

          He dusted himself off, glaring at her pointedly.  “There is more than one way to skin a cat, Kagome.  Physical force is not a must at this point.”

 

          “Huh?”

 

          “One minute, thirty seconds.”

 

Kagome laid still, taking deep, cleansing breaths.  Help, she thought hopelessly.

 

          “You’ve got no strength, Kagome; admit it.  Peruse a different angle, ne?”

 

          “Thanks, Seisho.”

 

Alright, she mused, let’s try cunning.  Kagome was barely able to push herself up, taking the wasted time to scout her environment.

 

          “Half-second warning.”  And then a blade slit her shoulder from behind, tearing part of her kimono as well.

 

          “Dear Lord,” she gasped, rocketing into motion.  Her hand clutched her shoulder in pain.  Her legs, she swore, they would just…melt away with the exertion.

 

Now he used his demonic speed and appeared in front of her.  “No more running.”

 

Kagome’s eyes widened slightly.  Did this mean they were stopping?  Was Sesshoumaru showing some concern for her?  Was he…?  Ha, no.  Sword in hand, he charged at her head-on, and Kagome barely had time to dodge.  It had been too much to hope for.  She mentally sighed.  Reaching behind her, she pulled another sword off the wall, throwing the blade straight into Sesshoumaru as he passed.  Please work!  Again, she squeezed her eyes shut.

 

          “Nice work,” came Sesshoumaru’s smooth, deep voice.

 

Kagome opened her eyes quickly and drank in his appearance.  The demon lord, as always, was the picture of perfection…if it wasn’t for the cut running from the edge of his right eye to the corner of his lips.  She gasped.  Cautiously, she moved over to him, reaching out to touch his face.

 

          “I did that?” she queried breathily.  Her fingers lightly ran along the edge of the cut, blood staining her fingertips.  She stared at the crimson liquid.  “I’m so sorry, Sesshoumaru.”

 

He wanted to laugh aloud.  Sorry?  There was no sorry in battle.  This girl amused him.  He lunged at her with acidic claws AND a sword, intending fully to cause her physical harm in order to teach her a lesson on fighting.  Ha.  And then she throws a flimsy katana at him.  He gets a cut.  Where was the lesson in that?  He scowled.  Expect the unexpected, he would guess.  It was most certainly a good thing there wasn’t a mirror in this room.  His gaze averted to Kagome’s face.  Otherwise, he probably would have killed the girl for touching his face.

 

Chapter Nine

April 2003

 

Rigorous training didn’t seem to be enough for Sesshoumaru, Kagome observed.  He plagued her with subtle insults that scarred her deeply.  It made her wonder how he got along with Rin.  As each day passed, his verbal lashes became more and more vicious, as if they had been just waiting to be let out.  She found, also, as time went on, he lost his sympathy for her, holding back no more.  Several wounds already hindered her freedom of movement, and bruises were not inconspicuous on her body.  Now she suffered in the drenching rain.  There was absolutely no shelter in the dojo, nowhere she could take cover in.  Sesshoumaru, being who he was, was completely fine with the downpour and cold; his blood was several degrees warmer than Kagome’s.  The girl, however, was shivering in the dripping chill.  She already had her fill to drink, and the storm had no more use for her at present.  Kagome wanted do a victory dance when Sesshoumaru demanded they continue sparring.  Maybe I’ll regain some body heat, she thought weakly.

 

Her katana was gripped insecurely as she parried the blows of the demon lord’s blades; he wielded two while she had only one.  Damn the unfairness of life.  She frowned.  With a sigh and deep breath, she leapt lethargically at him, the weight of wet silk dragging her down.  Darn it!  Sesshoumaru responded with his own attack, which Kagome deflected gracefully while lunging again.  She felt so…tired…she just wanted to fall asleep—drop dead on the floor right here.  But Sesshoumaru’ll slice through me, she reasoned groggily.  And it’s so cold…so wet…  Her body involuntarily shuddered.  Slender hands went slack, the steel katana clashing on the floor as she dropped.  The girl braced herself for the oncoming bite of blades.  They never came.

 

Kagome squinted through the rain at Sesshoumaru’s silhouette, towering above her.  A rueful smile twisted her lips.  He didn’t strike me.  Her teeth chattered, and she drew herself together in a ball.  So, so cold…  The heavy silk plastered against her skin, already burning with fever.  I have to withstand another two weeks of this…  She coughed.  I don’t think I’ll make it.  Ha.  Kagome felt as if her skin was burning in ice…how could that be possible?

 

Stoically, Sesshoumaru observed her crumpled form.  Was it really that bad?  He snorted unceremoniously.  Weak girl, he thought.  Kneeling on one knee, he lifted a hand to her forehead.  She’s burning.  The girl was watching him through half-lidded eyes fogged with delirium.  He lifted his head to the sky, silently wishing there was some way around this.  No medical supplies were available, though, and he had not expected a storm to last this long.  Perhaps, an hour more, and he, great Lord of the West, would also be feverish.  Adamant was he in this training routine; he would not break through these walls.  As he had said before, it was the girl’s duty to free herself.

 

His two swords were tossed to the wayside as he scooped his protégé up in his arms.  Couldn’t have her dying now, could he; it would only mean his demise.  The cut reciprocated from him on her right cheek was only a nagging reminder of their hindering bond.  The demon lord sat himself down against a wall, holding his partner against him for warmth.  Her breathing had shoaled slightly, face becoming a tad more pallid.  Not a good sign at all…  Sesshoumaru himself was feeling remotely ill…damn the bond once again.

 

The girl unconsciously shifted so that her head rested against his neck.  Both were sopping wet, so any position was rather uncomfortable.  Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around her protectively and, deciding nothing more could be done at the moment, closed his eyes to sleep.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

          “She is faring poorly, Seisho-kun.  Should we allow her to continue this routine?”

 

          “Kagome-san learns quickly.  Do not worry.”

 

          “How could Sesshoumaru be so cruel?”

 

          “It has always been his manner from what I observe.”

 

          “No.  Everything has changed…he will never be the same.”

 

Seisho remained silent, giving no answer to what his fellow spirit had stated.  He and Naora watched in contemplation as the demon lord cradled the Chosen One closer.  Both had been shivering in cold and burning with fever.  Naora smiled.

 

          “Do you not think they look perfect together?” the woman inquired.

 

          “Quite,” was the absent, noncommittal response.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

As soon as the shadow of rain had vanished, Sesshoumaru roused from his feverish sleep.  A slight headache bothered him but nothing more.  It only meant the same for Kagome.  The lord brought a slender hand to her forehead once more.  She still burned with fever.  Our average body temperatures differ.  Their garments were still drenched; another hour would be allowed for the girl to rest.  He was surprised she had taken his training this long, anyways.  The break was deserved.

 

Kagome cracked her eye open to check her surroundings.  Lukewarm arms circled her waist as she leaned against an even warmer body.  Raising her eyes a bit, she found Sesshoumaru’s handsome face tilted slightly to the torches burning above.  Wow…isn’t that sweet?  He let me rest…  Her head throbbed, and she shifted to get more comfortable, hoping the youkai wouldn’t mind.

 

          “You have an hour, no more and no less,” Sesshoumaru’s voice intoned.  “Sleep.”

 

The schoolgirl gave an incline of her head and gladly obliged.  Sesshoumaru looked down at her.  Although their perhaps intimate propinquity did not mean anything to him, he found it oddly comforting to have her petite body curled up against his.  An imperceptible sigh escaped his lips as his arms circled her more securely.  Obviously, his fever had not quite gone down yet; he was still delirious.

 

Once the hour had passed, he shook the girl awake, although not gently.  After yawning and pacing several times around the dojo, just to remove the stiffness from her muscles, Kagome stood in the ready position, katana in hand.  It had been two weeks since she had a half-decent nap and, although her body ached all over, she was slightly rejuvenated.  After I finish Sesshoumaru’s training…ha!  Those demons will be easy pickings!  Such optimistic thoughts as these encouraged her, giving her a bit of hope to grow on.

 

          “Come here, girl,” Sesshoumaru commanded sternly.  Kagome complied.  “Put this on,” was his second command.

 

A suit of bone armor, similar to Sesshoumaru’s, was handed to her, but she nearly fell down at receiving its weight.  An eyebrow twitched spasmodically.  She was supposed to wear this and move around?  Her quick blue-gray eyes assessed the suit.  It was pitch black in color, the top part having silvery shoulder…projections, sharp and pointed, unlike Sesshoumaru’s.  The bottom reminded her of a flower, with petals strung together, forming a skirt-like armor.  A sash, which Kagome assumed was more for style than protection, was tied loosely between the two parts; this was white with blood-red cherry blossom patterns instead of the yellow and brown of the demon lord’s.  Kagome sighed and put it on as instructed, tightening the sash to fit her more comfortably.

 

Sesshoumaru’s eyebrow quirked upward.  The girl looked quite comical in the training armor.  It was definitely not suited for someone so petite as her although it was considerably smaller than his.

 

          “Start again,” he instructed.

 

Bending to retrieve the discarded sword, Kagome estimated the weight of her new suit.  She sighed in exasperation.  This thing adds, what, thirty pounds to me?  Wincing with exhaustion, she held the sword out submissively.

 

          “Teach me kendo,” she carefully demanded.

 

          Sesshoumaru also retrieved his sword, studying her and the sincerity of her request.  It was valid enough, he supposed.  “Move like water.”  He crossed his sword over hers and nodded imperceptibly to commence the duel.

 

Kagome took a deep breath and did as she was told with as little movement as possible.  After all, she had to understand the basics before she could do much more.  Kendo was the perfect way to start.  Besides, she had taken a few beginner courses in school, so she was well on her way to mastering this.

 

Really, all kendo was to her was a dance.  For every attack, there was a parry; it was all planned out.  As Sesshoumaru said, the only instruction was to move like water.  They started slowly, the clang of metal ringing every five seconds or so.  Gradually, the youkai increased the speed of his movements, and soon, after a few hours of work, Kagome was moving quite deftly in her added thirty pounds of bone at a considerable speed.  Once she could readily predict the demon lord’s strokes, he dismissed her for two minutes of break.

 

          “Did I do okay?”  Kagome ventured to ask, strolling around awkwardly.

 

          “Better than expected,” he replied monotonously.  “Had you any previous training?”

 

          “Yeah.”

 

He nodded and leaned against the wall.  Strangely, his muscles were beginning to get sore, his body to ache.  A glance to the human told him she felt similarly.  The bond once more.  One day, that Kikyo witch would suffer a painful death…once this aggravating connection was removed.  Forty-five seconds.  Perhaps…his training regiment was overly harsh on this girl; she was only human, after all.  The strain descending to his arms and legs was beginning to wear…only slightly…on him.  If the girl felt even remotely as he felt…she was strong, indeed.  He cast a sun-colored eye her way.  Kagome walked in slow circles, swinging her arms about loosely.  The youkai’s opinion of her rose half a notch, from a hindrance to a tolerable burden.

 

          “Focus energy,” he said suddenly, startling her.  “It is the last thing you will learn from this Sesshoumaru.”

 

          Kagome smiled meekly.  “Sounds like fun.  How?”

 

As if in slow motion, she observed the slight tensing of muscles as he crouched an inch and prepared to spring toward her.  The katana in her hands instinctively rose to her vertical center, and there was a clash of steel as their blades collided.  A second in time had passed.  Kagome’s deep oceanic eyes widened in awe.

 

          “Your means of attack receives the energy.  The opponent is your focus.  I, your adversary, am the only thing you see,” he murmured softly, deep voice resonating over the ring of metal.

 

His velvety tone lulled her into obedience.  The beautiful face was scarcely six inches away.  Kagome closed her eyes and re-opened them slowly.  Silence permeated the air as she stared determinedly into the orbs of molten gold.  Everything else disappeared around her, the trapping walls of the dojo, collections of various weapons, rain-stained earth floor, scents of heavy rainfall, perpetual glowing of torches…all vanished into nothingness.  She closed her eyes again.  The rhythmic whisper of her teacher’s breathing deafened her ears.  Just barely, Kagome could discern the cool waves of power rolling off his being.  The dark lashes lifted as her lids rose.  Wow…  With the single thought, the nothingness broke away and shattered her reverie.  She gasped.  Where did it all go?

 

          His eyes flickered with curiosity.  She nearly had it…  “Again.  Think nothing,” he ordered.  The girl learns quickly, he perceived.

 

~*~Two and a Half Weeks Later~*~

 

Even with his speed turned on full, Kagome could detect him and pinpoint his youki anywhere in the room.  When he was about to pass in front of her, Kagome dove forward with sword ready.  Although the demon lord noticed and pivoted sideways, she mirrored his move and caught him off guard.  The blunt edge of the blade pressed against his throat, and Kagome smiled gleefully.  Her month of starvation had finally passed!  Joy to the world!  Hell on Earth had ended!  Thank the gods!  She tossed the blade to the floor.

 

          “Do I have leave to take off the armor, now?” she questioned excitedly.

 

          He consented, and then, “Strike the wall.”

 

Kagome blanched.  Darn it all…she had forgotten about that part.  Let hell continue its torturing of souls…  She sighed.  A brief stretch and then she was at the wall with the katana.  Three inches of rock is no big deal, she told herself.  Just do what Sesshoumaru told you to do, and you’ll be fine, she assured.

 

Deep breath.

 

Her sword was held at center, then lifted to the right of her head.  All the energy in her body was poured into the blade, and she thrust it forward in desperation.  Then, she blinked.  Only half of the blade protruded from the wall.  The rock around it was cracked and severed.  A few well-placed kicks would probably take it out.  In her rapture, Kagome pummeled the demon lord, smiling like an idiot.

 

          “I did it!” she shouted exuberantly.  “Can you believe it?  I did it, Sesshoumaru!”

 

Her arms, wrapped tightly around his neck, went limp, and she passed out.  A straight month of little sleep did not do a girl good, not to mention not eating; the whole ordeal ran along the same lines as having fasted for a month.  Sesshoumaru caught the girl before she could strike the floor, feeling a little lightheaded himself.  It would figure.  Scooping the girl up, he made his way to the dojo door, wondering absently whether he should procure the second key from his boot before deciding against it.  He kicked the wooden barrier down and launched into the air towards his balcony.

 

Chapter Ten

July 2003

 

Naturally, after having been starved for the majority of a full month, a girl would collapse under exhaustion to sleep away the days like seconds on a clock – either that or simply die of hunger.  Or, Kagome mused, maybe sleeping would be close to impossible without first consuming some food and gaining energy…it was something to ponder because there was definitely some logic to it.  The other way though—collapsing from lack of food—was more plausible.  So, there she was, sleeping for thirty-six hours in her adopted bedroom on her adopted bed.  It was about as close to “home, sweet home” as she could get, considering her distance from modern day Tokyo and the Sunset Shrine.

 

Speaking of which, she really missed her family.  After all, over a month had gone by without any familial contact—no annoying (but lovable) little brother, no rambling gramps, no pleasantly concerned mama—it made her homesick.  Maybe she would ask to go back for a while…yes, that would be wonderful!  She could go back to visit her family for a little bit, and then come back to complete her ordained mission for the Shikon souls!  It would work out fine, all with Sesshoumaru’s consent, that is.

 

Wait…

 

Why did she need the demon lord’s consent?  No one was holding her on a leash or anything…she could just leave—her stomach growled—

 

After she got something to eat.

 

First, though, Kagome decided, I’ve got to open my eyes…  Although there was the promise of food and the joy of greeting daylight, her heavy lids didn’t seem to want to lift.  Her head hurt immensely, and she really needed food.  Ah, maybe a nice, big hamburger would do it.  Yup, toss on some greasy fries and an extra-large Coke, and afterwards, a big vanilla cone with chocolate sprinkles…who knows?  Maybe I’ll grab a cookie, too—chocolate chip, of course…cheesecake?  Maybe I’ll go for some pie…  She was nearly salivating, and yet, her eyes still refused to open.  Come on!  Food!  Food!  Big red flashy siren!  Wake up!  Time to smell the coffee!  …I never really liked the stuff…maybe if I tried it with a cup of sugar and some cream…  Her body fell off the side of the bed with a relieved groan, but she never hit the floor.  Beside her, Sesshoumaru watched skeptically as dazed expressions crossed her face.

 

          “Awake, are we?” he bit out sarcastically.

 

          “Ugh, give me five more minutes,” she responded.  Groggily, she pulled the covers over her body, which levitated in the air.  Had anyone walked in, it might have struck them as quite comical, not to mention extraordinary, that a girl slept on thin air.  “Food,” she added offhandedly.

 

          Sesshoumaru sighed in exasperation.  “Perhaps, Kagome, if you chose to get up, you would get some of your precious food.”  He shifted slightly on his bed, crossing his arms.  “Because of you, I have been bedridden for a day and a half.”

 

          “Tough luck, huh?”

 

When she thumped to the floor, Kagome assumed Sesshoumaru had gotten out of his bed.  Grumbling, she, too, rose and began to stumble about changing clothes.

 

`        `        `

 

The sky darkened and rumbled above her.  Why did she feel she was weakening?  Kikyo strode along the riverbank gracefully but with a pained demeanor.  Something was eating off her, suppressing her soul.  Was it the girl?  It could not possibly have been the girl; she had been sealed off with the taiyoukai in their strange little bond.  Unless…they had broken it already…  Again, impossible, Kikyo chided.  She herself did not understand the intricacies of the spell, but she understood enough to know there was only one way to rupture its hold.  Surely, though, the girl and the demon lord had not become acquainted so quickly.  In a moment of weakness, the priestess fell to her knees, a hand instinctually lifting to clasp the Shikon dangling from her neck.  Even at her fingertips, she could feel the slow river of power ebbing into her.  Everyday, a little more of its energy became tainted, and, though it distressed her, she did nothing about it.  She could do nothing about it.  Her powers, she felt, were leaving her, being drawn away by another being.  Yet, if it was not the girl, then who was it?

 

`        `        `

 

The bond, the bond, the bond…  The two words ran through her head like a mantra, and Kagome found herself getting more and more sick of them.  It was too much to be reminded that she was metaphysically tied to a condescending demon lord.  Her chances of getting her hands on the juicy hamburger, complete with fries, a coke, and, of course, dessert were totally lost to her.  Poof!  It was all gone.  Although the thought disappointed her, Kagome didn’t let it bother her while she shoveled traditional delicacies into her small mouth.  Everything tasted exquisite—like heaven in every bite—but she guessed it would only be natural for nearly everything to be “exquisite” after having been starved for a month.  She paused momentarily, eyes lifting to train their gaze on Sesshoumaru.

 

Come to think of it…

 

If Sesshoumaru felt everything she felt…then…

 

He was eating slowly, almost painfully so.  Ornate chopsticks rose and fell in a rhythmic dance, lifting chunks of rice to his mouth instinctually.  Kagome watched him with interest.  She had never seen anyone so…graceful while eating.  Even the way he chewed was hypnotic.  Her brow furrowed slightly.  Altogether though, she had to say, Sesshoumaru looked strange taking in food.  It struck her as odd that he expressed no real hunger and that he consumed everything so slowly.  When he spared her a glance, Kagome realized she was staring and blushed, inclining her head in an apologetic gesture.  She turned her attention back to the food.

 

As the chopsticks flew to her mouth and back, she couldn’t help but wonder…How did he get on with all that training?  And the cold?  The rain?  Why is he eating so slowly?  Isn’t he hungry?  The chopsticks rested in her mouth as her gaze slid upwards—her “thinking pose.”  Do demons need to eat…?  She considered this.  Of course, there were all those stories at home that claimed huge ogres devoured small children…but she felt those weren’t completely reliable.  Besides, she reasoned, Sesshoumaru looked like no hideous ogre—quite the opposite, actually—and so far, the only shred of evidence to his eating habits was this, her meal with him.  Somehow, she felt like he didn’t use the room a whole lot.  Maybe he didn’t eat after all?  But then, what about Rin?  When did she get to eat?  Kagome held back a gasp.

 

Was Sesshoumaru going to eat Rin?

 

Surely not.  She scolded herself for the inane query.  It was foolish to think for a second Sesshoumaru, the Sesshoumaru, would eat a girl.  Disgusting.  After all, he was of the high class, and he had better things to eat than humans.  Kagome shivered and hoped she was right.  The thought of her head on a plate, apple jammed in her mouth, in front of a sharp-toothed Sesshoumaru was not the most appealing.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Before she knew it, the meal was over, and she was sipping tea quietly with the taiyoukai.  He had remained quiet for the most part, or rather, the whole part.  The silence unnerved her somewhat, but she took it as a welcome break from her backbreaking training.  Kagome figured Sesshoumaru was thinking about when to leave.  Personally, she thought it would be best to start out at the break of dawn, rather than at sunset, like they had done last time.  The simple fact that it was morning would probably ward off most of their troubles from lesser demons, which were still big scary monsters nonetheless in Kagome’s eyes, and allow them to travel much farther without hindrance.

 

She winced.  Her life must have been shortened by ten years.  Granted, she told herself, it was initially her fault for running anyways.  She knew that Sesshoumaru could have easily taken care of the pathetic demons that tracked them, but still, she had to flee.  In the end, she tripped over a rock, fell into a river, inadvertently dragging the demon lord with her, and then, by the greatest of lucks, managed to get rescued by her partner.  Poor guy…  The last of the green tea flowed through her lips, and she set the cup down gently.

 

          “So, when are we leaving?” she questioned abruptly, placing her hands in her lap.

 

          His eyes darted up and then back down.  “Tonight.”

 

          She leaned forward and slapped her hands on the table simultaneously.  “What?!”

 

          Sesshoumaru turned a “You-Heard-Me” look to her and continued to sip his tea.

 

          She sighed in exasperation.  “You think you would’ve learned by now, Sesshoumaru.  I’ll get chased down in five seconds flat.”

 

          He came back with, “And the same to you.  You do not have to flee.”

 

          Oh right…the training.  Her eyes sharpened in a glare.  I doubt it’ll help much…maybe give me something of a stronger stomach, but that’s it.  Oh, well.  “I’m going to go find a weapon or two.”  She rose, striding away.

 

He watched her uncaringly.  Perhaps she could be something of a help, after all.  She wasn’t all talk and play.  Sesshoumaru transferred his gaze to the open doors, which had been slid open to allow a window of light to enter and provide a small glance of a garden.  Perhaps he could give the girl a long-range weapon.  After all, the swords he had trained her to use involved close combat, and it was doubtful she could fare well against a larger opponent.  Besides, the girl only knew his style, so all forms of erratic combat would be challenging to her.  There were a few possibilities that would suit her build, but the most fitting was probably archery.  She seemed to demonstrate priestess powers already, so their trademark weapon would be perfect for her.  Sesshoumaru left the cup and traced the path to the dojo, not thirty feet behind Kagome.

 

`        `        `

 

Scowling, she nudged the fallen door with her foot.  She should’ve figured he would be able to break the door down.  Kagome shrugged and walked over the splintered wood, stepping confidently into her former dungeon.  Oops…  The room looked to be completely wrecked, swords strewn across the floor, some broken and others only severely cracked.  And of course, it was still a bit damp after allowing the intake of rain.

 

As she drank in the room again, her eyes landed on a blade protruding from the concrete wall.  Eyes lighting, Kagome skipped to the sword, touching it tentatively.  She smiled to herself.  I did that!  One day, she would be able to tell her grandkids that, at one point in her life, she rammed a sword through concrete.  Wouldn’t they be proud!  Kagome briefly entertained the idea of pulling it out but turned it away, thinking it better to leave some kind of lasting mark on the Western Lord’s walls.  He would probably have it repaired some way or another in time, but hm, she would just leave it there for now.

 

So…what kind of sword should I steal?  A pitiful moan.  Needless to say, she didn’t know the first thing about examining swords.  Of course there were some that looked prettier than others, but she doubted that would help much in battle.  Maybe she could test the sharpness of the blades…?  But then, didn’t that mean she had to cut something?  She sighed helplessly.  The walls were littered with dozens of swords!  How could she choose one?  Her arms folded and she stared at the floor.  So much for getting a weapon…

 

          “Kagome.”

 

Startled, Kagome’s head jerked up while her reflexes worked miracles to tear a sword from the air.  Her eyes widened considerably.

 

          “You could’ve warned me!” she shouted accusingly.

 

Sesshoumaru responded with a glance that suggested he had.  Kagome mumbled under her breath and grudgingly studied the weapon.  It was a plain thing, really.  Light, fairly thin, and reasonably sharp.  Well, since Sesshoumaru had decided to walk in at the right time, she didn’t have to choose her own sword now.  His judgment along those lines was probably a lot better than hers anyway.  Kagome swung it a few times and then nodded in approval.  The demon lord had his back to her, his eyes lingering on a set of bow and arrows across from him.  Kagome moved to his side.

 

          “A bow?”

 

          He whisked it from its place and tossed it to her.  “Shoot,” he commanded, lifting his eyes to the enchanted ceiling.

 

          Kagome watched him skeptically.  “Are you kidding?  I’ve never shot an arrow in my life.  I’ll never make it that high.”  She laid her sword down and carefully lifted the bow.  Her arm strained to pull the string back all the way, and once she did, the arrow whizzed away with a reverberant ‘twoing.’

 

It only nicked the blue barrier, sending ripples through the still energy.

 

          “Again.”

 

After shooting an annoyed glare to him, Kagome did as she was told, and strung another arrow.  This time, she felt a slow stream of warmth ebb from her fingertips into the shaft of the arrow.  Her whole body warmed to this energy, and she became acutely aware of her heartbeat.

 

Sesshoumaru watched silently, mentally noting the waves of power that rolled off her form.  He heard a quiet breath from her, and then her body began to glow hazily while light gathered at the arrow’s tip as she pulled the string taut.  When she released her hold, it was inaudible; the arrow rocketed through the still air like a comet, piercing the ceiling without resistance and evaporating into a soft pink mist.  Indeed, her miko abilities were at work.

 

          “I take it this’ll be one of my weapons, too?” she prompted.

 

          He continued to train his gaze upwards.  “Yes.  Come.”  Not a glance was spared her as he moved out the door.

 

A wandering breeze danced in from the entrance and lifted his silver hair lightly, fingering his snowy kimono as well.  Kagome’s breath caught.  In all truth, she fully noticed his beauty in that fleeting moment…and his pose, the way he held himself…

 

He looked lost…

 

Lonely.

 

She had no idea what kind of person he was.  She just couldn’t figure him out.  Behind that pretentious blank mask of his…what was he hiding?  There was more to him than what met the eye, she was certain, but what?  What made him seem so…separate from the world?  Searching for truth in a world of lies…  Kagome blinked.  What was that?  That certainly wasn’t her talking, or rather, thinking.  She waved a hand as if to dismiss the thought.

 

          “Nothing to pack?” she called after him, running to catch up.  It wasn’t night yet, but she figured they were leaving anyway.

 

~*~*~*~

 

Rin glanced up as she made out Jaken’s familiar squawking tone.  It sounded something like a farewell.  She jumped eagerly to her feet, rushing to the balcony.  In the distance, she squinted out Kagome and Sesshoumaru.  An arm rose to the air as she waved frantically.

 

          “Bye, Sesshoumaru-sama!  Bye Kagome-chan!”

 

Smiling, she sat down, watching as her friends walked off.  First, she hummed, and then her childish voice broke into song, chanting over and over.

 

          “Watashi wa hitori de machimashou!  Sesshoumaru-sama omodoriou!”

          “I will wait alone for you until you come!  Sesshoumaru-sama, please return!”

 

          Then, as an afterthought, she added.  “Kagome-oneechan, omodoriou…”

 

Chapter Eleven

July 2003

 

For a good portion of the evening they walked along in silence, side by side, with Kagome glancing around uneasily and the taiyoukai staring ahead.  Kagome would sneak a glimpse at him occasionally, wordlessly observing him.  Facing life straight on, she thought absently.  She broke the hush.

 

          “Where, exactly, are we going?” she asked, fingering a lock of hair.

 

          “You are the one responsible for the destination,” he pointed out bluntly.  “You’re leading.”

 

          Kagome blinked.  “I-I am?”  She blushed.  “I-I mean, of course I am!”  Her gaze flickered to the side as she mentally called for help.  Seisho!

 

          The response was instantaneous; her fingers curled around the jewel.  “Yes?”

 

          “Where am I going?”

 

          There seemed to be a soft sigh.  “Go where your heart leads you, Kagome-sama.  There is no given instruction for the recovery of the two souls.”

 

          Her hand dropped from her neck as she folded her arms in exasperation.  “Nothing?  Nothing at all?  What am I supposed to go on, then?”

 

          “I believe that as already been explained.  Follow your heart.”  His presence disappeared, leaving Kagome with a scowl on her face.

 

          “Follow your heart, says he,” she sighed.  “Well then—hey!”  Sesshoumaru, now far ahead on the path, had not stopped in the course of her mental conversation.  “Wait!” she called.  “I’ll stand here all night if you do that again!”  Oh yeah, Kagome, that was real mature.  Huffing, she jogged to catch up to the demon lord.

 

`        `        `

 

          “I couldn’t!” she protested, turning away with folded arms.

 

          “Then I will.”

 

          Kagome’s eyes widened substantially as she spun around.  “No!”  She extended a hand in entreaty.  “You can’t!”  It was becoming obvious that he could, though, and she averted her gaze fearfully.  Why couldn’t he be just a little more humane?  A shriek rang through the air while Kagome squeezed her eyes shut; a brief thump, and then silence.  She turned her most sympathetic gaze to the freshly killed rabbit dangling by one ear from Sesshoumaru’s outstretched hand.  He stared at her expectantly.  Kagome scowled.  “How could you do that?!”

 

          “It is one creature of thousands.  This one will not impact anything greatly,” he replied flatly.

 

          “Well,” she huffed dramatically, crossing her arms again, “you did it for nothing ‘cause I can’t skin and cook a rabbit, much less eat it.”

 

          He seemed unfazed.  “Then you will watch, and you will do it for yourself in the future.”  His voice left no room for argument.

 

Sesshoumaru withdrew from his sash a shining dagger, whose handle gleamed with jade and ivory, and deftly began to peel the skin from the bunny’s lean body.  Kagome watched reluctantly, memorizing every stroke of the knife she could so she’d be able to do it successfully next time.  Her attention was less rapt when he cut up the body though, so she made herself useful by finding “clean” sticks to use.  A fire was already blazing merrily in the center of their cozy clearing, so she didn’t have to worry about that.

 

~*~*~*~

 

By the time the whole dinner affair was finished Kagome felt the wear of the day settle into her.  She sat listlessly by the fire, arms around her knees.  She couldn’t help but notice Sesshoumaru hadn’t eaten any of the rabbit, whose death she still resented greatly.  Deciding there was no harm in it, she asked him why this was.

 

          “I do not eat human food,” was his blunt response.  He stood near her, staring up at the twilit sky.

 

For the briefest of moments, Kagome was confused as to what he meant and visualized in her mind’s eye a can of “Sesshoumaru Food.”  She suppressed a giggle, thinking it better not to ask what, then, ‘youkai food’ was.  Her head tilted thoughtfully.  Come to think of it, the victuals back at his home tasted a bit odd, perhaps a little less filling and a little more tasteful.  The difference was slight though, so she hadn’t paid it too much mind.  She seemed to have a lot more energy after consuming her meal there as well.  The prospect of eating ‘human food’, as Sesshoumaru deemed it, had suddenly become very unappealing.  Well, she shrugged, he had his reasons.  I wonder where we’re going to find his type of food out here, though…doesn’t seem like any ordinary village would carry it…the idea of walking into a demonic town doesn’t sound too good for me either.  Her mouth opened in a yawn.

 

          “I guess we’re sleeping on the ground then, huh?”  She patted the earth absently, wondering whether it would be hard on her back.

 

The taiyoukai threw a contemptuous glare at the ground, which Kagome took to mean he rejected the idea.

 

          “Then?” she prompted impatiently, rising to stretch.  When her feet abruptly left the ground she gave a small squeak and lunged toward the demon lord, who automatically caught and steadied her.  He landed steadily on the arm of a tree while she clutched his arm.  Kagome glanced downward uneasily, warily pushing herself away from him.  “I’m sleeping in the air again, I take it,” she whispered.  He tilted his head in mute response.  Sighing helplessly, Kagome moved to settle against the tree trunk.

 

The air seemed to shift below her, and she had the buzzing instinct that it would drop her sometime, the bond to damnation.  She had a feeling she wouldn’t be getting a whole lot of sleep tonight, what with the fact that she rested next to a dog demon and she was floating in midair, nothing holding her up but the seeming fingers of sorcery that weaved around them both.  Her eyes lifted dreamily to the sky—a large expanse of velvety black sprinkled with pearly twinkling stars and stained with the milk of their dust.

 

She never had had much chance to see stars in Tokyo, sometimes even the moon was obscured by the lights of the city.  Here, though, the night was as dark as fabled with, indeed, only the light of the moon and stars as guides.  It seemed to be a natural wonder, a heavenly lamp.  Kagome wondered absently if she’d be able to see a shooting star in this era.  The only time she’d come upon one in her own time was when her family had vacationed in the southern islands of Japan.  With a smile, she recalled the moment she saw it briefly streak across the sky, her mother’s voice hushed behind her.  Hurry, Kagome!  Make a wish!  Her blue eyes had gone wide then, before squeezing shut tightly and wishing with all her might, hands clasped.  A warm splash of homesickness washed over her.  When would she be able to go home?

 

Her eyes searched the sky for the brightest star and, upon finding it, she sighed, smiling tenderly.  Maybe, if I wish hard enough…please don’t worry about me, Mama…Souta…Grandpa…  Curious, she shot a glance at Sesshoumaru.  He was watching the sky as well.

 

          Kagome was thoughtful a moment.  “Do you have a family, Sesshoumaru?”

 

Surprised, he shifted his gaze.  The girl could feel it on her as she trained her eyes on the sky, determined not to look at him.  There must be a reason why he’s always so…

 

          “I need no one,” he answered suddenly, tonelessly.

 

          Her eyebrows lifted and then furrowed gently.  “I’d have to disagree with that.  How can anyone be so alone?”

 

          “Sleep.  I will not allow you to rest tomorrow.”

 

          “Like you have a choice,” she scoffed.  A glare fixed on him, she murmured with as much disdain as she could muster, “Night.”

 

He didn’t respond, and for all Kagome knew, he wouldn’t sleep either.  For an idle moment, she reasoned that they would make much better progress if he just flew during the night since he didn’t seem to need the rest.  Then again, she thought with a wide yawn, I don’t know where we’re going anyway…

 

[To Be Continued…]