InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Second Chance At Love ❯ Turning Point ( Chapter 19 )

Disclaimer: Nothings changed....

A/N: This chapter picks up right where the last ended. Just... well... ah, for your info...

Chapter 19: Turning Point

Kagome leaned her head back against his chest. Since he wasn't complaining or... politely telling her to move she saw no reason to. She sighed softly to herself as she settled against him. There was something about being in his arms that made her feel good as if nothing bad could happen as long as she stayed there. Safe.

"What do you mean?" he asked quietly as he looked down at her.

Truth be told, he was in no hurry for her to move either. He liked touching her, holding her, just being near her. Lord, these feelings were irritating!

"I'm not really sure," she sighed. "But Takashi Sano and.... Wait! Come on," she'd immediately cut herself off as something that she'd been wondering while watching the vision came back to her.

Reluctantly, she extracted herself from his embrace and grabbed at one of his hands to pull him after her. She quickly dragged him out of the room and down the hall. Kagome was thankful he was following her quietly; she knew it wasn't a characteristic of his, and thought he was probably just curious as to what she was up to.

Sesshoumaru was curious about where she was taking him, but it had nothing to do with his silence... well not completely anyway. Nope. He was silent, because he was wondering how a creature could show so much interest and liking in being with one person, but pledge their love to another. Granted he knew very little about the stupid emotion and even less on how said emotion effected ningens, since most of their minds were already small and left much to be desired in his opinion, but he still had to wonder on this.

It was highly confusing and he did not like it one bit. It was annoying.

He focused on where they were when she stopped walking and only had a moment to recognize the Hall of Pictures before she began to move again.

Kagome had paused for a second when she reached the Hall. The sight of all the lovely pictures, full of the beautiful family, always made her have to stop and catch her breath. After doing so, she began to move quickly down the Hall. Her long legs ate up the floor as she continued to pull the youkai behind her. She came to a stop at the portrait of Takashi Sano for a moment and frowned. She'd never met the old Taiyoukai, but after what she'd seen of him so far she didn't think that was a bad idea.

Sesshoumaru saw the frown that marred her face as she stared at the picture and wondered at the cause for it. 'She does not care for him. Why?'

Kagome turned around then to look at the woman she knew would be opposite him. She took in the chestnut colored hair with blonde streaks running through it, the dark brown eyes, and shook her head. It wasn't who she was looking for, but she was not saddened by this for she didn't think the woman from her vision was Takashi's wife. Which made her extremely happy since she liked the woman.

Kagome turned back to the portrait of Sano Takashi; never having released Sesshoumaru's hand; when a thought struck her. She remembered something.

'That is my husband's place now. Though you still rule through Tomoe, you shall never rule me.'

"Right! I'd almost forgotten that," she said quietly to herself then she moved over a picture.

Sesshoumaru arched a brow at her, but said nothing, as it appeared she was talking to herself. He wondered if it was possible she was touched in the mind and had hidden it from him all this time.

She stared at the portrait of the dark haired male. He had his father's crimson colored eyes, but she had a feeling he was not as rigid as his father had been.

"Tomoe. Takashi Tomoe," she said aloud and smiled.

"How did you know he was Tomoe," asked Sesshoumaru from beside her as he had been pulled to the next picture with her since she had yet to return his hand to him.

She ignored his question for the moment as she turned to the picture behind her. First, she wanted to be sure she had it right, before she told him of what she'd seen. She slowly took in the female's portrait from her dark hair in a high ponytail atop her head to the familiar piercing green eyes.

Kagome looked into her eyes and her smiled grew to one full of triumph. 'That's her,' she said to herself. She felt like clapping! She wasn't crazy and the visions really were of the Takashi Family.

"That's her," she breathed her thoughts aloud. "Do you know here name?"

Sesshoumaru frowned down at her. He didn't appreciate being ignored. But, he wanted to know what this was all about and he had a feeling she had the answers... or at least a few pieces of the puzzle so he held on to his irritation and answered her.

"She was Tomoe's mate. I believe she was called Niesa," he replied with a shrug. "Father had mentioned being surprised she'd married into the Takashi family. They'd married around the time he'd married my mother."

"Hm. Niesa," she tried the name out and decided it suited the woman in the picture. "Pretty."

He just looked at her.

"Why was it a surprise? Her marrying into the Takashi family?"

"If there was one thing Takashi Sano liked less then ningens were mikos and witches. Mikos have the ability to purify youkai, as you are well aware of, and witches have powers whose extent was unknown."

"So..." she still wasn't following.

"Niesa's mother was a well known witch. As was her mother before her."

She gasped softly. She'd never imagined that when the vision of Sano had called the woman and her mother a witch he'd meant it literally.

He stared at her then as she eyed the woman in the painting speculatively. Now, he wanted to know how she knew who they were. He was tired of waiting, but he refused to repeat himself.

And as if she knew what he wanted and what he was waiting on she began to tell him.

"I've seen them you know."

He arched a brow at her, but waited before declaring her crazy. "Seen who?"

"Takashi Sano" she gestured her head behind her at an angle towards the portrait of said youkai,. "And Niesa. They didn't get along at all. She believed he feared her mother and was trying to keep his rule even if he no longer held the title. I've also seen the Twins."

Sesshoumaru watched her intently for a moment for any signs of... anything. But, all he could see and sense was that she was calm and completely believed what she was telling him. He wondered if that was worse. Though he had to concede that her words did have a ring of truth to them. He wouldn't be surprised to learn the late Taiyoukai had feared his son's mate's mother... and therefore, probably had some fear for his son's mate. Yet, the question still remained how Kagome could possibly know this.

"How?" he questioned quietly. His face showing nothing of what he was thinking and feeling when she turned to look at him.

She understood what he was asking her. Kagome gave him a searching look before she told him what he wanted to know, but could deem nothing from his eyes.

"Visions, I guess would be the best name for them," she said with a shrug. When she saw his eyebrow arch in question she continued to fill him in. She first told him about the one she'd just seen that night in the other room then she told him of the one she'd seen of the Twins.

"Why did you not tell us this earlier?" he asked her.

"Would you have believed me?" she took his silence for a 'no'. He wasn't sure if he believed her now. He believed she believed it, but as for a Castle having memories... that seemed too farfetched.

"And besides, I wasn't sure it was even necessary. But now I know there's a reason the Castle is showing me these visions."

"And that would be?"

"I don't know," she sighed.

"So it seems, if these visions did actually take place as you assume, that one; the Twins were hiding something. Question is: What was it and were they the only ones who knew about it? And two; Takashi Sano and the Twin's mother were not on good terms. And the question there is: Why? And where was her mate in all of this?"

She nodded in agreement then added, "And where does Mirouku fit in all this?"

"Yes, there is that as well," he agreed. "And why do you assume he does?"

"I'm not sure. I just get the feeling that there's a reason he sees this place differently from the rest of us. And I imagine it's our perception of the Castle that has been tampered with."

"And this is the second mystery you were referring too earlier," he watched her nod again. "Not Naraku?"

"Well, yes."

"And what of the other?"

"Other?" she asked in confusion as she tilted her head to the side in thought.

"Yes." He stood watching her. "The other presence that is here in the castle. I know you've felt it as well."

She did feel something else was there, but she didn't get any evil vibes off it. She'd just figured that it was apart of the Castle somehow. Though it did puzzle her, because at times it felt to be something that held a lot of power. Whatever it was it could rival her, own, miko abilities. Yet, with all that power it had caused her no harm... or anyone else she suspected.

"There is something here..." she breathed out; her mind still deep in thought. But, more then the unknown entity what bothered her was what the mystery had to do with Mirouku. Was her friend in danger being here? And another question was what did this Castle have to do with Naraku? She couldn't believe he would actually choose to set up base here. In a castle that looked as this one did, which made her wonder whether perhaps Naraku had seen this place the way Mirouku sees it. But, there was no way of asking him... for the dead told no tales.

But, perhaps there was another way of finding out, she thought. 'I need Sango.'

Sesshoumaru watched her as she stood quietly; he had no idea of the thoughts that were running through her head. All he could think of was the image of her telling Inuyasha she loved him. He needed to know for certain what her feelings were. Because he did not have the time to waist on it any longer he had to know. And he would rather not think of why it was so important to him.

'This 'friend' stuff was becoming more of nuisance then it seemed to be worth,' he said to himself.

"Come on," she pulled on his hand as she gave it a light squeeze she began to walk back the way she came. "I have to talk to Sango."

He once again allowed her to drag him along but, not quietly this time.

"Do you care for Inuyasha, Kagome?"

Her mind still on other things and not realizing the importance of his question or her subsequent answer, she responded.

"Of course," she shrugged distractedly. "I would not be here if I didn't."

And she also had no idea to what the silence behind her, being of the norm, meant this time.

*****

Kagura knelt on the ground, her hand clutched tightly to her chest, as she used the other to support her weight by bracing her hand, fingers splayed, against the earth.

The pain was nearly unbearable as the being inside the mirror intensified it more with a squeeze of his hand around the apparition of a heart.

"Kagura I believe there is something you forgot to tell me. Do you know what that is?" asked the youkai in the mirror.

The young girl youkai stood behind the mirror, holding it quietly as she looked on, seeming, uninterested.

Kagura tried to nod her head in the affirmative seeing no reason to lie at this point, but all she could manage was a slight lifting of her head; a drunken version of a 'yes'.

"Thats good Kagura. Glad to know you are with me," his lips curled in a sneer. Not that anyone could see it though. "I have had enough of your interfering," he paused as she gave the impression of shaking her head 'no' before he continued, "for the last time Kagura. You are no use to me if you will not follow orders."

"I.. do," she breathed out between huffs.

"DO NOT!!" he hollered back at her. In his anger his hand tighten on the heart sitting snuggly in it's palm.

"AHHHH!!!' she screamed out; her voice raw from her earlier screams.

"Did I ask you to send Noridomo after the miko?"

"YOU DID!" she tried to yell back at him in indignation, but it also came out less then what she intended.

"I did not tell you to tell him to kill her! Now, I am out of another demon and that is of your doing Kagura. But, I had chosen to look over that, for I was certain after the last 'heart to heart' we had Kagura that you would not do things like this anymore, but no. You decided to not stop, but go one better. Now, you withhold information that was important to what I need. Do you have any idea how bad it would have been for me had I not found this out?"

Kagura decided it was best to remain quiet thinking the question was rhetorical anyway. Never mind the fact she had no idea what he was up to anyway.

"You should have told me it was no longer the way I assumed between her and the hanyou!" he continued. His hand loosen its hold, slightly, from around the heart. "I can do nothing with the Taiyoukai, so now I must readjust my plans, but first, Kagura, I shall deal with you."

She looked up at him, her eyes glowing bright with resentment and anger. She'd never wanted to do anything for him. Bust she had! And now, he wanted to blame her for the fact that the miko loved another.... or that the hanyou was too slow to realize what was best for him?!

"FUCK YOU!" she screamed at the mirror finding freedom in the lessening pain. "I've done everything you have ever asked of me! How was I to know who she loved mattered? You never bothered to tell me what you planned, so how was I to know!! Should I have guessed Naraku?"

She paused for a moment as she breathed deeply to catch her breath. She sat back on her heels then and pulled out her fan, from wherever, to cover her smirk. Nothing but her eyes; glowing red with hidden meaning; was able to be seen.

"You were the one who decided it was a 'need to know' information and you decided I didn't need to know."

There was an eerie silence for a moment between them.

"You are right Kagura," he began. "And you did not need to know. But, do not worry my dear for I will not be making the mistake again."

A shiver ran down her spine at the ominous sound she heard in his voice.

******

Kagome pushed the door to the room she was now sharing with Sango open. She smiled slightly at the other girl still lying awake on the bed. Her mind wandered briefly to the look she saw in Sesshoumaru's eyes when they'd parted ways. All he'd said to her was that he had something to take care of, but for some reason she had a bad feeling in her gut. She didn't know why, but she felt that whatever he had to do wasn't good... at all.

She shook her head to rid herself of the ominous thoughts. She had something to ask Sango and she needed to be clear to do so. Kagome knew she was about to bring up old and bad memories, but she had to ask her.

"Sango."

Sango turned her head to look at the other woman and gave a small smile in greeting.

"You're back sooner then I expected... or I've been lying here longer then I imagine," she said with a shrug. "What is it?"

"I would like to ask you something. But first I want you to know that I know that what I have to ask will be difficult for you, but I want you to remember that I wouldn't ask if I could think of any other way of finding out."

"Alright," she said as she sat up slowly. Sango didn't know where this was going, but she was worried if Kagome felt she had to say what she just said before asking her. "Finding out what Kagome-chan?"

"Sango," she began softly as she sat down beside her. "Do you remember the Prince of that village that killed your family? The one Naraku took the body of?" at the appalled look on Sango's face she felt a bit like an idiot. "Oh, God I'm so stupid. Of course you remember him! How could you forget!?!" she ranted aloud more to her self then to the taijiya.

"Kagome," Sango cut in with a smile; amusement shining in her dark eyes. She knew her friend had no way of knowing that she had already dealt with her feelings about that time and that having her brother restored to her made the memory more bearable. That in truth, when it came to that incident it was her brother and what he remembered that worried her more. "Its alright. What is it you want to know?"

Kagome gave her friend a searching look and sighed when she saw no trace of the raw pain that use to be there. It seemed she was the one having the trouble and not the other girl. "What I need to know is had you ever met the Prince before that day? Had you seen him before then?"

"Before then?" at Kagome's nod she tried to think back on it. She softly chewed her bottom lip as she tried to go back in her mind. 'Now I remember...' "Umm... yes. Yes! I did see him before that horrid night. Why?"

"In a minute," she waved off her friend's question intently. "Tell me, do you recall what he looked like. Well not really what he looked like; I know that already. What I want to know is what did his eyes look like? What color were they before Naraku?"

"They were like my own. Dark brown."

"Hmm. So the red color of Naraku was not from that form. And I know, if what Kaede-sama told me was correct, that red was not the color of the thief Onigumo's either..." she said aloud to herself as she went over the line of thinking she was following.

"Kagome what are you talking about?"

Kagome looked at her for a moment as she wondered whether to tell her friend what she was thinking. She knew the other girl had a level head, so she figured that she could do worse... and besides, it wouldn't hurt to have another opinion.

"Well, what I was thinking," she said quietly in a thoughtful voice, "is that I don't believe Naraku would choose to run his place from a ruined castle. Not only is it too unpredictable there's also something... not quite right with this place. This place calls attention to itself and for that I can't see why he'd choose this place. So it got me wondering...."

"Wondering what?" asked Sango after a heartbeat of silence.

"That perhaps Naraku sees this place the same way Mirouku does. As having nothing wrong with it."

Sango gasped as she stared at her friend in a mixture of surprise, horror and mild disbelief.

"But... if that's true... what could it mean?" her eyes wide. "I mean, we've assumed that perhaps Mirouku is related to the Takashis somehow, right? But, if what you say is true does that mean Naraku may have been related as well?" Sango swallowed as the full extent of what she was saying hit her.

"Oh my God! That means Naraku and Mirouku are...." no matter how hard she tried, Sango couldn't finish the ugly thought out loud. She was having enough trouble with it bouncing along in her head.

Because of her mild shock, it took her a moment to register that Kagome was shaking her head at her.

"What?"

"Not Naraku," said Kagome; a grave look on her face. "Onigumo."

They stared silently at one another as they let the possibility sink into their minds.

Suddenly Kagome stood up with Sango's hand firmly in her grasp and headed for the door.

"Come on. We have to find the others. Remember how I said the eyes of the Twin in the picture reminded me of Mirouku? I was wrong. They do make me think of Mirouku, but they're not who they remind me of."

"Who do they remind you of?" asked Sango, but she was afraid she knew the answer already.

Kagome stopped and turned to her. She locked eyes with Sango before answering.

"Onigumo."

After a second they both took off at a dead run.

******

He dodged another attack from the hanyou with a quick side step and elbowed him to the back of his head. The other man fell face first from the air above to the floor. For anyone watching they would have never seen the move coming, as the hanyou hadn't, for he moved so fast all you could see was a white blur.

"GROAN!!"

Inuyasha complained as he peeled himself from the floor. For the first time in his battles with his brother he was beginning to worry. This was worse then the time Sesshoumaru fought him just to see him change into a full demon.

Yea, he knew now what his brother had been up to, but he didn't then. He wondered briefly if the fact that he needed Tetsusaiga was the reason Sesshoumaru had stopped coming after it.

Because Inuyasha was pretty sure now that the Taiyoukai probably could have taken it from him at anytime if he really wanted to. He'd been disarmed three times already in this battle!

"Dammit, Sesshoumaru!," he yelled at the Taiyoukai standing just a few feet in front of him. "What the hell is this about!?"

"Its nothing personal Inuyasha," he said lightly then immediately charged the hanyou as his eyes flickered red before returning to there true color.

'Nothing personal?' thought Mirouku as he stood off to the right watching the battle before him. 'Indeed. I'd say its very personal'.

He'd tried to stop the battle, but he'd soon learned that there was only one person who was capable of doing that whether out of sweet coercion or... brute force.

And where the hell is she, wondered Mirouku for the umpteenth time. She usually seemed to have a special sense in knowing when Inuyasha was fighting... and especially when he was fighting Sesshoumaru.

Mirouku just hoped she made it there soon as he closed his eyes briefly to rub at the ache that was growing, in the skin between them, with his index finger. He was sure that Sesshoumaru meant business this time and had every intention of at least hurting Inuyasha pretty bad... and he was sure it had something to do with her. He sighed.

"Where the hell are you Kagome?" he breathed out.

*****

Kagome and Sango were running swiftly through the halls when Kagome came to a dead stop and looked behind her. Something was telling her to go the other way.

"Kagome?" said Sango from a few paces a head. It had taken her second to notice the other girl had stopped.

Kagome shut her eyes as she sent out her aura in a search of.... whatever it was. After a moment she felt them.

Two youkai and one male who had also sent out his own aura and damn if she didn't know who they were. And dammit again, but they were fighting!

"Come on Sango. We have to hurry. They're fighting," she called over her shoulder as she followed where Mirouku's aura was calling. "It would be nice to have Kirara now."

"Do not worry Kagome. She is around," called Sango as she caught up to her friend. She, too, wouldn't have minded a ride.

"It doesn't matter we aren't far now."

****

Mirouku watched as the Tetsusaiga fell point first to the mat ground below. Again. At least they were in a room that seemed to be made for such an event, he thought idly. The room looked to be a dojo of some kind. It seemed the Takashi family liked to stay fit. 'That's good,' he said to himself; especially if he ended up related some how.

He'd been trying to think of his family, but since he knew very little about his father and even less about his grandparents, well it wasn't easy to come up with his own answers.

He heard the clash of metal once more and was immediately brought out of his own musings. It seemed Inuyasha had gained his sword once more, though it wasn't doing him any good if he refused to use the power it held. Mirouku wondered if his friend was also waiting on the late-to-arrive-miko.

Then his head shot around as he swiveled towards the doorway.

He released a breath the moment her and the taijiya came through the doorway. He watched as they both came to a stop to watch the two Inu-brothers in the air for a moment before the miko looked around and her gaze came to a stop on him.

They both moved in his direction then.

"Kagome," he said when they stopped beside him. He turned his gaze back to the two fighters. They all stood beside one another as their eyes were trained in the same direction. "I am glad to see you've made it."

He heard Sango gasp from beside Kagome as she stared at the two youkai in the air.

After a long moment of silence and they all wince at the force with which Inuyasha had hit the far wall due to a blow from his brother, he asked the question he'd been thinking to ask since she hadn't moved yet.

"Are you not going to stop them?"

Kagome thought about this for a moment. She didn't like to see them fighting, but it really was getting on her nerves!

"Well," she began with a shrug, "I'm not sure... Maybe I should just let them fight it out."

Mirouku and Sango gave her identical looks of horror. She couldn't believe Kagome meant what she just said. He wondered if the girl was truly that fed up with the brothers.

They exchanged looks and decided, unanimously, that the miko hadn't realized just how different this battle was from the rest.

"Kagome, you can't be serious..." breathed Sango to her friend.

"Well..." said Kagome as she glanced at her friend, but had nothing more to say as she saw the look on her friend's face.

"Kagome you might want to take a closer look at them. This is not one of their usual meaningless battles. You let them finish this and I promise you it will be more finished then you can imagine," said the monk from her other side.

Kagome turned back and narrowed her eyes on the brothers. Yea, they seemed to be packing more force behind there attacks, but that didn't mean.... She gasped then and took a step forward. Red!

She was sure she just saw Sesshoumaru's eyes flash red... no not flash, she realized when she got another look at him. Turn red!

"Oh my God," she breathed aloud. "What's going on?"

She quickly turned to her friends. "Sango. I'm going to need you and Mirouku to hold him when he comes down alright?" at there nods she turned back around as her eyes began to glow with a fuscia light. "I'll handle the Taiyoukai."

"Sit."

She said it softly, but firmly. She only wanted to bring the baka down not hurt him more. She had every reason to believe it was the other who started this fight. The question was: Why?

She watched as Inuyasha came falling down due to the spell then as he looked around for her knowing she did it. Kagome saw as he opened his mouth to say something but close it a moment later and saying nothing. She waited as Sango and Mirouku flanked him at either side before turning back to the Taiyoukai who was still in the air.

Knowing he was not going to come down to her Kagome spread her miko power around her and let her body rise slowly in the air.

Inuyasha had felt the necklace around his neck pulse before he'd come down to the floor. He'd known it was Kagome, of course, but it had surprised him at how soft his landing was... she'd never brought him down gently. When he landed he'd quickly looked around for her and when he'd seen her he'd wanted to tell her not to interfere that it was between him and Sesshoumaaru, whatever it was, but when he'd seen her eyes glowing fiercely.... suffice it to say, he'd thought better of it.

He'd seen that look before. She was pissed! And for once, he was happy to acknowledge as she lifted to the air, it wasn't with him.

Kagome came to a stop right in front of Sesshoumaru.

"What the hell are you doing?!" she asked tightly.

He was angry. 'So she comes to protect him,'

"Coming to protect the half-breed are you miko?" he said quietly as he moved closer to her.

Kagome refused to be intimidated and rose slightly in the air so they were eye to eye. She would not have him looking down on her now.

"YES!" she yelled at him. "When you're being an ass, yes I will protect him and anyone else! What the hell is wrong with you now, Sesshoumaru!?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. For the first time he couldn't keep his feelings or his face in check.

"You would dare show this Sesshoumaru disrespect?"

"This Sesshoumaru? The way you are acting now you mean?" she arched a brow. "You're damn right I will! I may be in love with you Sesshoumaru and for that at least I will always give you the respect you deserve... when you deserve it!" she yelled back; not realizing what she revealed she continued. "That's not now, Sesshoumaru. Right now you're being more of a baka then Inuyasha... and that's saying alot!"

He went perfectly still at her words. His eyes changed back to their normal color as he stared at her. 'Did she just say what I believe I heard?' he asked himself as he gave her a searching look. 'She's in love with me?'

He had to hear her say it again. He moved closer to her until there was barely any space left between them.

"What did you say?" he whispered.

He watched her open her mouth to answer but then the next thing he knew he was staring at Inuyasha with Kagome shoved behind the hanyou's back.

Kagome looked down at the ground as she realized she was behind Inuyasha. She was so distracted she'd never seen him move. She narrowed her eyes at the taijiya and monk as if to say 'I told you to hold him'.

They shrugged sheepishly at her.

"I told you to stay away from Kagome Sesshoumaru," said Inuyasha in a hard voice.

Kagome's head flew up and back around then. "What?"

Sesshoumaru ignored her as he immediately saw red as his eyes began to glow bright with anger. 'He is protecting her from me?' He completely disregarded the fact that there was a time, in the not all that distant past, when she'd needed just that. He'd finally lost all his patience with the hanyou as his arm shot out too quick for Inuyasha to defend against.

His fingers wrapped tightly around Inuyasha's neck as he drew Inuyasha's face close to his own. He wanted to be sure the baka heard and understood what he was going to say so there would be no repeat mistakes.

"Do not ever Inuyasha," he whispered in a deadly voice," presumed to come between me and what is mine. I will not warn you a second time."

With a flick of his wrist he sent Inuyasha flying over the miko's head. Then his eyes locked with her wide-eyed gaze once again.

"Now, repeat what you said."

In the few seconds it took for Sesshoumaru to 'remove' Inuyasha Kagome had time to go over what she had said to him and was now in a mild state of shock. She hadn't intended to tell him what she obviously told him and now wasn't sure what he wanted her to repeat. She was sort of hoping he hadn't caught all of it, though she knew that was futile, the jerk didn't miss much, if anything at all.

"Repeat?" she squeaked; then swallowed to clear her throat.

He wrapped an arm around her waist as he sensed her unease. He didn't want her to try to leave now. 'Did she not mean it?' he asked himself as he watched her.

"Yes."

****

Kagura eyes widened as she felt the pain in her chest begin to grow again. She didn't know why she pushed him, but he had made her angry. She didn't want to die but if she was going to then she did not want to seem cowardly to him. Especially not to him since he was stuck in a mirror.

Her breath hitched when she noticed the bright light of the mirror becoming a dark blue and just then she...

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

The pain was excruciating. She had never felt this before she thought as her fan fell out of her hands. She began to breath deeply but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Kagura fell over on to her side on the ground as the air to her lungs began to dwindle even more and the pain kept growing.

Her eyes were wide as her vision blurred and began to darken. Spots started to form in front of her eyes as she slowly began to loose consciousness.

The last thought that ran through her mind as she blacked out was:

'He's killing me...'

**

A pair of dark eyes watched as the female youkai slowly lost conscious.

Ah, so this is what it feels like to be pissed off. I will not allow him to do this. The hanyou is beginning to ware out his welcome. If he does not take care I will kill him instead.

I had thought that to just leave him in the mirror was enough, but perhaps he does not appreciate my kindness. He hasn't even bothered to give me a 'thank you'. Does he think that mirror will protect him from me? Could he be so foolish?

It was I who tainted the Shikon jewel and it will be I who will destroy it. And like him, if the miko does not cooperate I will get rid of her too.

I will not enjoy doing so. I sort of like her and I feel that we could be... friends?

Hm, I've never had a friend.

But, now I must stop the hanyou

A black iridescent kind of light began to glow from the dark pair of eyes then a large white light fused with black bolts of electricity shot forwards and hit the mirror.

A roar of pure agony rung from the vicinity of the mirror's face.

*******

Inuyasha had rejoined the others on the ground as he silently watched the show above. Kirara had also joined them at some point along the way as well and was watching the two above like they were. Except she didn't look a bit worried.

The others were worried about Kagome.

They had all heard what she'd yelled and while they were happy for the, obviously dysfunctional, couple they were a bit worried at how Sesshoumaru would react to what she'd called him. For the miko had not only called him a worse of a baka then Inuyasha, she'd also told him he was being an ass.

Yea, they were worried.

Kagome swallowed again as her body was pulled flush up against his. Now she was having trouble thinking at all. If it was the Taiyoukai's intention to turn her into a human jello bowl he was succeeding beautifully.

If she were on the ground her knees would have given out a long time ago, she thought ruefully. But as it was, if he hadn't been holding her like he was she would have fallen right out of the air. She had stopped concentrating on holding herself up the moment he touched her.

"Umm, repeat what?" she asked as she tried to buy herself some time to think. 'Think Kagome! Come on, this is why you graduated!'

He looked at her calmly; having gained control of himself once more. He did not want her to know how important it was to him what she said0. Hm, he didn't want to think how important it was to him.

"What you said," he replied evenly.

"Ah... that you were being more of a baka then Inuyasha?" she asked wide-eyed, but without shame or regret. 'Good Kagome. Piss him off why don't you!'

Sesshoumaru arched a fine brow at her impertinence. That reminded him; he had something else to address when he had what he wanted. He decided not to get angry; it would only distract him from his goal. He would handle the rest later... after.

"Before that."

She was surprised at his calmness, but would not remark upon it. Her mother had told her never to look a gift horse in the mouth and she figured now was as good a time as any to put it into practice.

"That you.. ah,.. um didn't deserve respect?" she inquired weakly with just a touch of shame this time. 'Will you stop reminding him!' Well, she wasn't doing it on purpose... well, not really.

He just continued to look at her, but gave her a small frown for good measure.

"That I would always respect you?" she tried. He really wasn't giving her enough time to think of a way to get out of this. And Lord, would he let her go! She wondered if he had any idea that he was rubbing small circles on her lower back.

Then she re-thought that. He was probably doing it on purpose to drive her crazy, and, dammit, it was working!

"And why is that Kagome?" since they were still eye-to-eye he locked gazes with her.

He was actually enjoying himself a little. It was kind of fun pulling his answer from her.

'I knew it! I knew it! I knew that's what he was after!' she humphed to herself. She couldn't think of anyway around answering him either. It wasn't fare! She sighed and lowered her eyes to his chin.

"Because I'm in love with you," she said softly. Now that she'd said it aloud, to him, she actually felt a bit better. Odd, she thought, but she'd figured she'd feel worse.

His eyes flashed bright gold in triumph. She really was his... not the hanyou's . She may love Inuyasha, but she was in love with him. Okay, he had no idea what that meant or if their was any reason for his inner gloat, but he would think on that later. Now, he wanted to hear it again.

Kagome sighed when she felt one of his fingers underneath her chin and slowly raise her face up to look at him. When their eyes connected again she tried to smile at his amber gaze, but then she...

She gasped as she sucked in her breath. Her entire body went stiff in his arms.

"Oh my..." she breathed aloud as her vision blurred as she felt the familiar yet new power lance her mind. 'What is that?'

Sesshoumaru saw and heard her gasp as he felt her body go stiff against him. For a moment he wondered what was bothering her when he felt the surge of power lance his aura as well. He held tightly to her as he lowered himself and her to the floor below.

When she felt her feet touch ground she lifted a shaking hand to his face.

"Did you feel that?" she asked dazedly.

He nodded his head slightly in reply as he watched her.

"As did Inuyasha and I," said the houshi from beside them. "Kagome what do you suppose it was?"

"I don't know," she shook her head. "But we're going to find out. Now."

They all took off at a dead run in the direction of the front yard

***

"No," breathed Kagome as they burst through the door, a door that from the inside looked to be the front door.

The power they were sensing was gone. They had been so close; she was sure of it. She looked around but, all she saw was Kanna standing with that mirror in her hands and Kagura was laid out on the ground.

Kagura was laid out on the ground!

She moved over to the fallen demon and knelt down to feel for a pulse. She sighed when she found one.

"Is she dead Kagome," asked Sango from behind her.

"No, just knocked out. She will live," she said as she stood back up and looked around. There was no evidence of what happened. "I wonder what happened to her."

"Hmm," said Mirouku from a little distance away as he looked at Kanna. "I do not imagine she can tell us anything?"

"I," sighed Kagome as she rubbed her temples, "really don't have any idea how she works. I would not put much hope in her though."

"Yes, but it will not hurt to try," he replied then walked closer to the little girl. "Kanna."

She slowly turned her head in his direction.

Well, she knows her name at least, he thought to himself as he stared at her vacant white orbs.

"What happened here?" he asked her.

No answer came from her for a while before she spoke.

"He wished to see Kagura."

"HE?" yelled Inuyasha from a few paces directly in front of her. He'd moved to stand near Kagome. "WHO THE HELL IS HE??!!!"

Kanna turned to look at the hanyou then slowly lifted her mirror in front of her. Inuyasha watched as his own reflection stared back at him.

"He," replied Kanna.

They all watched as the mirror began to glow.

~*~

Duchess: Now you guys... that is a cliffy! (cackles evilly)

Fang: Yep, she has a death wish. And I was beginning to like her...

Duchess: BEGINNING!!?? I'll show you, you good for nothing fur ball!

Sesshou: This was not a bad chapter.

Kagome: Of, course you'd say that.

Mirouku: Hey Duchess-chan? When me and Sango going to get to sweat up the sheets??

!!SLAP!!

Sango: (dusting hands off) Pervert.

Mirouku: @_@

Inuyasha: Stupid monk. When will he learn to either show some control or to duck?"

Fang: Look who's talking! You get 'sat' by Kagome just as much as he gets knocked out by Sango. If not more so.

Inuyasha : Feh!

Sesshou: It does not surprise me that you have found such a person, who calls himself a monk, as a friend half-breed.

Duchess: Okay! Be nice everyone. Its Easter!

Sesshou/Inu/Shippou: (identical looks of puzzlement)

Duchess: (seeing their looks begins to sweat drop. It was like pulling teeth from an alligator when it came to teaching them anything... especially out Taiyoukai who believes he knows everything already) Umm...Kagome will explain everything. Go ahead Kagome! (shoves Kagome at them)

Kagome: But-

Duchess: I have to do the responses! (cuts her off)

Sango: You never do responses.

Duchess: But, I've been always meaning to! (smiles brightly)

(Kagome and Sango give Duchess suspicious look)

All right everyone. Happy Easter and the responses are below. (whispers: It will never happen again... I suck at responses.)

Responses:

Lazy kitsune: Umm, thank you, I think. I feel... loved.

IMPROVED Uber Rei Model 06: How was that for another clue?

Tsuki Yume: I am so honored you read my story! My work is done... I can stop here!! Just kidding... hehehe

Angle Pie 2000: Was I quick enough? That's a good idea, but lets not get our favorite hanyou killed, hm. Lol

Dionysos: The answer to that question will be in the next chapter. Chapter 20: A Plot Revealed.

Sliver-Blue-Eyes: I'm sorry... really I am. I'm not evil, really I'm not. But, I guess giving you another cliffy doesn't really prove that.... (sigh)

Queenanneus: Did this answer all your questions? I for one, like our wind demoness too.

Puffin: Oooh, good guess! No, the lady in the vision, Niesa, is the twins mother as I'm sure you've figured out now. And I figure your other question is now answered too! What do you think now?

SonofZhon: I love your name! And you are sooo right. I double check, and double check, then I also work in Word, so they check me too, but they only do so well. I sort of type as I think, so you wouldn't believe what a chapter first looks like!! lol Do you beta read?? Are you offering?? (hint, hint) Oh, and I went and read your story, I haven't finished but I like it so far! I love your idea. That reminds me, I need to go put up a review, or did I do that already?...

Helen: Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you like it.

LovelyLioness57: Thank you for not giving me death threats. They're so depressing... And Sesshou still believes that because (whispers) he's a baka. (looks around sheepishly)And because he finds it hard to believe

Spirit element: I agree completely... well, not with both. And that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. ;p

Ptbear: What you think of his reaction?? Lol

Striking Falcon: Is there anyone out there on my side?! I think Sesshou was more of a butt to Inuyasha this time... but, you didn't hear me say that.

Miko: Do not read the end! Oh, damn, if you're reading this you already have! You are so going to hate me....

Drianax: Thank you! We're half way there!! Now, all we got to do is pry that 'love' word out of everyone's favorite Taiyoukai!! And if you think Kagome was difficult.... (shivers)

Ryuukai's GF: THANK YOU! (sniffles) I luv you...

XooSESSHOMARUooX:: Let see now... question one: No Inu-chan has not figured out the second blood spell, but watched out for those for they shall be coming back up... and as to him being smart enough to put it all together; well (shakes magic 8 ball) the answer is hazy... And question two: I like anything from Striking Falcon, Tsuki Yumi, Moonlite Crescndo, Sesshy's Hime's Through Time and Space is also good. I also liked Sandra E's Chasing Methuselah was extremely good!( first M/K fic I read... also the only, but that's because I haven't found much for that pairing)

Well, there we go! And thank you to all others if, I didn't get you. I told you I suck at reviews... which is why under any other circumstances I wouldn't have done this! LOL Now, I hope you enjoyed and Happy Easter again!!

And if anyone has the time please check out my new one shot The Gift. It will have 2 parts. Yes, shameless advertising here.