InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Demon's Heart and Ultimate Sacrifice (Kag/Sess) ❯ Healing Wounds ( Chapter 4 )

Kagome was not sure where Sesshoumaru had went, but it was clear that he trusted she would stay with Rin. Not that Kagome could have run off if she wanted to. She had no idea where she was, and did not want Naraku to come after here again. For now she was content playing games with Rin.

"Rin wants to draw a picture for Lord Sesshoumaru" the young girl announced to Kagome. As she watched Rin begin to draw a picture, she once again wondered why such a sweet girl was with Sesshoumaru. "Rin, why do you live here with Sesshoumaru? Where are your parents?"

"Rin likes living with Lord Sesshoumaru. Lord Sesshoumaru saved Rin after she died." Kagome was shocked; Sesshoumaru brought Rin back from the dead? This didn't make any sense. Noting that the girl did not answer the question about her parents, Kagome decided it was better to leave the subject alone. Hours later Sesshoumaru appeared at the castle again. To her surprise he did not immediately seek her out to see if she had stayed. "Of course he doesn't need to seek me out. I'm sure he can still tell I'm here just by my scent."

Sesshoumaru did not want Rin to see him injured. He knew the young girl would not handle the sight of his blood well. After cleaning himself, he went and found Rin and Kagome still playing together. Rin looked enchanted with her newfound playmate. Though he would never admit it, his brother had dealt him quite a blow. His chest held a deep wound. He had not expected such a reaction from InuYasha. The young priestess looked up to see him standing in the doorway. She instinctively looked towards his chest, as though she could see his wound. He gave her a warning look, and then looked toward Rin. The human seemed to understand his meaning and did not say anything about his injuries.

"Rin did you have a good time while I was away?" "Lord Sesshoumaru!" exclaimed the young girl. "Rin likes Kagome! Rin and Kagome played many games today! Can Kagome stay with Rin and Lord Sesshoumaru?" The demon looked down at the child. "Rin, it is time for you to go to sleep now" the girl immediately stood up and walked towards Kagome. "Good Night Kagome," she then reached her arms out and Kagome embraced her.

The whole time, Sesshoumaru watched with interest. The gestures between humans were still a mystery to him. He turned to Kagome "I will return soon. I would like to speak with you before you go to sleep tonight." Kagome waited patiently for Sesshoumaru to return. What choice did she have?

Sesshoumaru returned and told Kagome to follow him. She could tell he had suffered some form of injury today, but was unsure how. He led to a large room, where he sat on a chair and ordered her to do the same. The demon just looked at her, seeming to contemplate what he was about to tell her. Or perhaps he was just contemplating her. Kagome could take the silence no more. "You've been injured. Will you be okay?" The demon Lord was taken aback. The very fact that she knew of his injury, when he had not shown any signs of pain baffled him. But more so was the sound of concern in the girl's voice when she spoke to him.

"My injuries were minor, InuYasha is only a half breed and unable to inflict more than flesh wounds."

"InuYasha is the one that caused your wounds?" The demon Lord could see the look of concern on her face. "I did not harm him, if that is your fear. I merely informed him that you are here and will remain so for the time being." "But, why did he attack you?" the humans constant questions were becoming an annoyance to him, but he chose to humor her for the time being. "InuYasha became enraged when I told him you were here, and I had no intentions of letting you leave. He then let his demon half take him over and he attempted to attack me. I left him unconscious, with word to the monk to not let it happen again." Kagome's mind began to race. InuYasha transformed into his demon self again. "Oh InuYasha, please be careful. I am safe, so please don't worry about me."

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Miroku watched attentively as InuYasha began to stir. Just as Sesshoumaru said, InuYasha awakened to his normal state. "Miroku, what happened?"

"It would appear that you became so enraged that even the Tetsusaiga could not keep your demon self hidden. InuYasha, perhaps since you are unable to use the Tetsusaiga and it no longer contains the full protection of your father, it has lost some ability to keep you from changing. You must keep yourself calm. Until you master the sword and learn to depend upon your own strength, you are vulnerable to these transformations. For now, I believe Kagome is safe with Sesshoumaru."

"What are you talking about Miroku? Do you think we should just leave Kagome with Sesshoumaru?" InuYasha asked the monk incredulously. "InuYasha, Sesshoumaru said that Naraku intends to take Kagome so that she can bear his child. A child that would posses the power of both demon and priestess. Such a child would wreak havoc on the Earth. It is best that Kagome be well protected now. As evil as Sesshoumaru is, he can protect her better than we. For now we must think of Kagome's safety." Hearing these words cut through InuYasha. HE was supposed to protect Kagome. Now she was with his brother, whom he didn't even trust. And even though he didn't want to admit it, Kagome probably was safer with Sesshoumaru for the time being.

"I will not rest until I master this Tetsusaiga, and can protect Kagome again." Miroku put his hand on InuYasha's shoulder. He knew his friend was in great pain, and nothing he could do would help to ease it.

"InuYasha, be thankful that Kagome is alive and not with Naraku. If Sesshoumaru intended any harm towards Kagome he would not have sought you out, to inform you of her whereabouts. I'm sure he knows the devastation a child borne of Naraku could cause, and is taking it upon himself to keep Kagome away from Naraku." Miroku watched as a broken but determined InuYasha walked towards a nearby field. No doubt to practice working with the Tetsusaiga.

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Kagome sat nervously across from Sesshoumaru. She could sense that he was in pain, though he would never show it. He had begun asking her questions about her past and where she came from. At first he seemed to only want knowledge, but after she began describing her own era and the details about her passing from one time to the next, the demon lord appeared to show an interest in what she had to say. There was an awkward moment of silence, as though Sesshoumaru was trying to figure something out. He then looked at the young girl and asked her why she continued to come back to this era when she was in constant danger here. Kagome thought about this and told him that she cared greatly for her friends here and would never abandon them. Sesshoumaru was truly surprised by this answer. He had not known a human to show such honor and dignity. Kagome saw his face soften, as though he approved of her answer. She then decided it was time to bring up his wounds.

"I know you are in pain, though you don't show it. I can sense it. Would you like me to look at your wound? Lady Kaede taught me much about herbs and medicines. I also have antiseptics from my own era that can help keep a wound clean and help it heal sooner."

"Demons do not feel pain as humans do. I do not require your assistance" Sesshoumaru was taken completely off guard by her question. Why would a human that he himself had tried to kill, want to help him? Kagome knew that he would answer this way, but knew she could help him, if he would only let her.

"Look, I know that you don't believe in letting a human help you. But if Naraku finds out you are injured he will probably come after me again. If you're hurt you may not be able to stop him. And next time Rin could be hurt as well." She could tell this was finally having an effect on him. Demon though he was, he had a soft spot for Rin and did not want to see her hurt. He looked at Kagome with his emotionless face, and gave a slight nod. She took this to mean, he would not ask for her help, but would also not refuse it. She grabbed her first aid material out of her bag, and walked towards the demon lord. He had not taken his eyes off of her. His intense stare unnerved Kagome. She could never tell what he was thinking. He stiffened slightly when she began removing his robe. The gash was much worse than she anticipated. Though it was not terrible, it was very deep. She was going to have to sew it up, and she was not sure how he would react to this. As Kagome began to clean Sesshoumaru's wound the demon looked down at her. He was confused by her concern for him. No human had expressed a desire to help him before. Most had wanted him dead. As she continued to cleanse his wound, he noticed that she was nervous.

"You're name, girl…it is Kagome?" She looked up in surprise. He had yet to refer to her by her name. "Yes it is."

"Kagome, Rin enjoys your company. I hope that while you are here you can continue to keep her happy."

"Oh yes, I adore her. She is a wonderful little girl." The demon continued to stare at Kagome. "I am sure, you have asked her how she came to be with a brutal demon such as myself." Kagome looked up into Sesshoumaru's eyes and then looked away quickly. "I did ask her how she came to be with you. She told me that she likes you and that you saved her life."

"It was just after InuYasha hit me with the full force of the Tetsusaiga. Rin came across me injured in the woods. The child did not fear me. Later she came back, beaten and bruised. The villagers had attacked her for stealing food. Apparently, her parents had been killed by demons of some sort. After I healed, I found her mauled to death. I would not allow such an injustice to happen to an innocent being that was undeserving of such a fate." Kagome looked up again, and found that Sesshoumaru was still watching her. He appeared to be studying her reaction.

"It is terribly sad that Rin had to go through such pain." Kagome focused on his injury and continued "I suppose you can't be that brutal, if you could show such pity and compassion for her." Sesshoumaru watched the girl as she worked on cleaning his injury and began sewing it. He was surprised at the gentleness and care she used while dressing his wounds. He could tell she was still nervous, though he could not blame her for that. As recently as yesterday they were enemies, and he would have killed her in an instant to get the Tetsusaiga if she had gotten in his way. Now looking down at her, he saw more than a mere human. He saw a human that was capable of caring for a demon. He held respect for her loyalty to her comrades and her desire to help them in their quest, even though she could leave and never return anytime she chose. After she had finished bandaging his chest, she began to put her supplies back into her bag. Kagome turned back to Lord Sesshoumaru. For a brief second she swore she saw a soft look on his face. He then turned back to his emotionless demeanor. She then turned towards the door. As he stood to put his robe back on he called to her,

"Kagome, you tend to wounds well. It relieves me to know you will be here with Rin." She looked up at him and had to smile. "Thank you, Lord Sesshoumaru."

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