InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Gold and Crimson ❯ Freedom ( Chapter 1 )

Gold and Crimson

By Cute and Fluffy

 

 

When Naraku is defeated what happens to Kagura when she is finally freed. And what happens when someone steals away her heart for the second time. (Kag x Sess)

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inu Yasha or any of the Rumiro Takahashi's other characters. The plot and any original characters I may create are mine alone though. So don't take em!

 

 

Gold and Crimson

Chapter 1: Freedom

 

 

“It's the end, Naraku!” yelled Kagome as her arrow sped towards the hanyou, leaving a luminescent trail in its wake. Kagome's arrow and Inu Yasha's Kaze no Kizu struck him at the same time, once and for all ending his unholy life. Sesshoumaru held back the urge to sigh as Naraku's body disintegrated into ash. It was finally over.

 

His muscles trembled from exhaustion as he clutched Toukijin. With weary eyes he surveyed the battlefield, then slid Toukijin back into its sheath. That sword's part was finished, it was time for the sword of life, Tenseiga, to make itself useful.

 

Although they had ended Naraku's threat, they were not without casualties themselves. Kouga was dying, and if Inu Yasha acted like his normal baka self, he would be following Kikyou to Hell sooner than he realized. Sesshoumaru could already hear the young miko's sobbing pleas to bring the baka back. Disgraceful…

 

He started off to where the wolf youkai had fallen, his mind drifting off to the moment he had gotten involved in this mess. He remembered it clearly; the young miko had pleaded with him on her knees to help them. He had turned to leave when he had heard the tiniest sniffle. His sharp eyes picked out Rin hiding in the bushes, tears welling up in her eyes. With a pang in his heart he realized what would happen if he didn't help them. His stupid half-brother would fail and Naraku would be allowed the Shikon no Tama. Then how many more children would be orphaned? How many more Rins would have to suffer because of Naraku? Not that he cared of course… they were, after all, only human…

 

A pained gasp shook him out of his reverie. He looked around then noticed Kagura lying broken, bloodied by the edge of the clearing. The wind youkai had one hand stretched out towards the wood, and suddenly he realized she was crawling away to die. He marched over to her, then forced a grimace of his face at the smell of her. She reeked of death.

 

Kagura could see his feet and forced herself to look up despite the pain to see who was standing before her. Her eyes trailed up and met Sesshoumaru's emotionless face. She noticed with a slight smirk that even the great Sesshoumaru hadn't escaped unscathed. He was suffering from a deep wound in his side. But while he would be better than ever by the end of the week, Kagura knew her wounds were definitely fatal.

 

She recalled the events that had led up to this. Determined to escape Naraku, she had attempted to steal her heart away from him, and against all odds she had succeeded. But when she tried to escape she had discovered that it had all been a trap, and that Naraku, tired of his rebellious incarnation, had been toying with her before he killed her. But Kanna attacked Naraku, allowing Kagura to escape but giving up her life in Kagura's stead.

 

Swearing revenge on Naraku, she had joined forces with the two mikos and together they had brought her former master to his knees. But during the battle she had seen Kouga being absorbed into Naraku's body. He had gotten too close to the hanyou. Thinking only of the debt she owed Kouga and his clan she attacked Naraku in a desperate attempt to save the wolf. She had managed to save his life, and thus repay her debt, but not before Naraku left her with these lethal wounds to remember him by.

 

She lowered her head, once more staring at Sesshoumaru's feet. “I'm finally free,” she whispered through blood covered lips. “Free of Naraku, free of my debt to Kouga.” She met his eyes once more. “Leave me alone, Sesshoumaru. I'd like to die with my freedom and my dignity intact.” She gasped again as another wave of pain wracked her body. She could feel the encroaching sleep of death, the rest that she had earned after so long.

 

Suddenly she felt a slight pressure in her palm. Sesshoumaru knelt before her, gently pressing her fan into her hand. Suddenly she realized she didn't want to die. What she had told Sesshoumaru was true. She really was free. But now that was being taken away from her without her ever being able to enjoy it. Tears came unbidden to her eyes, and despite all she could due to hide her weakness from the elder taiyoukai, sobs began to shake her dying body. Suddenly, in a completely uncharacteristic display of emotion, he took her free hand in his and held her close, cradling her against his chest. “I don't want to die,” she murmured as she felt death's icy grip tighten on her soul. As she breathed her last she heard him whisper…

 

“I know…”

 

 

She was floating… floating in the same clearing where she had died. She could see Sesshoumaru still cradling her body, then noticed with shock as he bent down and laid a chaste kiss on her forehead. She blushed as she realized that perhaps he did care for her. Not that she minded of course… A wicked grin crossed her face as she shamelessly drank him, knowing that there was no way he could see her.

 

Suddenly she screamed as someone spoke behind her, “Just look at him…” Kagura whirled around only to be shocked speechless as she saw Kanna standing beside her. “And those eyes… I could just get lost in those eyes forever…”

 

Kanna turned to Kagura a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Hello sister. What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost or something…” When Kagura still didn't speak Kanna put her hands on her hips and with a look of indignation said, “Oh, come on! You really didn't think I wouldn't come to meet you…”

 

Kagura seemed to wake up at that and threw her arms around the smaller girl. “But Kanna… I let you die. Why aren't you mad at me?”

 

“Mad? Why would I be mad? I'm the one that chose to die. Not you. And really, being dead isn't that bad. It's actually kinda fun. You can haunt people and scare the living daylights out of old ladies.” She went on, ignoring the shocked look that Kagura was giving her. “And once you get past that cold… bony… rotted exterior, the Grim Reaper is really quite a party animal!” She laughed at the look on Kagura's face. “Did you really think I'd stay quiet, little Kanna forever? Its amazing how much death changes your outlook on life…”

 

Kagura shook her head and stood up. “Might as well make the best of things I suppose. So when do I get to meet this friend of yours?”

 

“Not for a long time.” Kanna interrupted Kagura's question before she even opened her mouth. “This isn't actually death. This is just somewhere in between, you're not allowed pass on until you go there to stay.” Kanna laughed quietly at the confused look on Kagura's face. “Did you really think that the amazing creature over there would let you stay dead? He might have a stick shoved up his ass, but it isn't that far in there…”

 

Kagura turned back around to see Sesshoumaru standing over her body. With his one arm he began to draw Tenseiga. Suddenly serious Kanna spoke up beside her, “You've won, Kagura, but you aren't free yet. You owe him your life now, a debt that you must repay.”

 

All of the sudden, Kagura felt an agonizing yank on her soul. She struggled to resist its pull, but when she felt a second darkness began to swim before her eyes. As she was pulled back into her body she heard her sister shouting, “You must save him from himself!”

 

 

Sesshoumaru had begun readying Tenseiga for a third swing when Kagura sat up with a gasp. Stepping back to give the resurrected youkai some air, he sheathed Tenseiga, allowing himself a small, satisfied smirk. He watched through veiled eyes as her chest rose and fell beneath a torn kimono, providing him with tantalizing glimpses of the flesh beneath.

 

Sesshoumaru felt a strange warmth began to glow throughout his body at the sight. Crimson eyes stared disconcertingly at him and he felt his face began to flush. Giving himself a mental slap, he forced away the strange emotion with an iron will. Sesshoumaru began glaring at her, challenging her. She immediately answered the silent challenge with one of her own. The two demons stared daggers at the other, neither crimson nor gold willing to admit defeat. Finally Kagura looked away and muttered a curt, “Thank you.” She was silent for a moment. “I suppose you have some ridiculous task you want me to do in order to repay you.”

 

Sesshoumaru was confused, although you wouldn't have been able to tell by looking at him. Then he realized that she probably thought that he wanted something from her in return for bringing her back. He almost laughed. `What could you give me that I would ever want?!' “This Sesshoumaru desires nothing from you. Do not worry about some imagined debt.”

 

Kagura stood up suddenly, eyes flaming, and Sesshoumaru realized that he had touched a nerve. “I have never accepted charity from anyone, and I won't accept it, not even from you Sesshoumaru!” She spat out his name like it was something distasteful. “I will pay you back!” She started glaring at him once more.

 

“If you insist on doing so, you may try,” he returned evenly. He watched under hooded eyes as she suddenly began to sway back and forth on her heels. He stepped forward just as her legs collapsed beneath her, and of its own accord his arm shot out and caught her.

 

She fell into his chest, and his arm, once again acting of its own will, wrapped around her waist and pulled her flush against him. When he realized with an inward grown what he had done, he began contemplating removing that arm as well. He could feel the heat of her, burning against his skin, awakening something inside him. He could feel himself reacting to her presence, and he nearly groaned when she shifted against him, breasts rubbing against his chest. Their eyes met and he noticed as she unconsciously licked her dry lips. Her face began to draw closer to his, her eyes closing, and then he noticed the change in her scent.

 

 

 

Embarrassed and frightened at what she was doing to him, he pushed her away. Disappointment flashed briefly through her eyes, as a deep blush rose to her face, but then her customary fire returned. With a disdainful “hmph!” she turned on her heel and marched off, tucking her fan back into her ruined sash. He smiled slightly despite himself, amused by her sudden exit. Until he noticed the sway of her hips as she walked, and the long shapely legs that peeked out through tears in her kimono…

 

He was going to need a bath that night. A very cold bath…

 

 

The unlikely group slowly made their way back towards Kaede's village, even Sesshoumaru as much to his own surprise as everyone else's. When Kagome had demanded, under threat of purification, that he would stay with them until he was in a better condition, everyone had expected a heated argument to ensue. But for reasons he couldn't remember he had agreed without a single word of argument.

 

He was staying under false premises, he knew, but it was better than having to explain that he would have gone with them anyway. Better this way so that he could continue lying to himself rather than face the true reason he had stayed. Better this way so he didn't have to admit that he was weak…

 

The miko halted suddenly and declared camp for the night. Sesshoumaru realized that she and his stupid half-brother had probably come through this area too many times to count while searching for the jewel shards. And if his assessment of Kagome was correct, there was probably a river or hot spring nearby where she could take a bath. Not that he minded, everyone here reeked of blood and sweat and dirt. They should all take one lest he die from the smell alone.

 

Kagome began to issue orders to everyone. Kouga, fully healed after his brief death, was sent to hunt down something for them to eat, while Kagome and Kagura went to fetch water so they could treat their wounds. They hadn't dared to linger too long near Naraku's death site for fear that some servants of his might still chance upon them, which, in their condition, would have been a very bad thing. And after leaving, they had been unable to find a single water supply until now. He was sure that Kagome would have a field day cleaning all of the hanyou's wounds.

 

Sesshoumaru watched as the said hanyou collapsed, groaning against a tree. Inu Yasha was the worst off, suffering everything from broken bones to a scraped knee. Kagome had bandaged his wounds earlier, in order to stop the bleeding that would have killed him, and by now, Sesshoumaru knew that the hanyou's wounds had already started healing. He knew that his were. He could feel the telltale itch as his body knit itself back together. But just because they were healing didn't lessen the pain any. For once, Sesshoumaru actually sympathized with the hanyou.

 

The monk began digging through Kagome's bag and pulled out the same strange box that she had used earlier for Inu Yasha. Opening it he began pulling out different things, each as strange as the next. But before he could indulge his curiosity, the two women returned with the water and Kagome immediately began tending Inu Yasha. Taking off his haori, she removed the bandages and began to clean all the wounds that he had received. Sesshoumaru's lips curled up in a sneer at his half-brother's battered body, something Inu Yasha didn't fail to notice.

 

“What are you looking at, you bastard?!” he snarled.

 

“A disgrace to my blood-line who desperately needs to learn to dodge,” shot back Sesshoumaru.

 

“I swear…” started Inu Yasha as he tried to stand up, but was cut off when Kagome forced him back down.

 

“You two, stop it! If you don't I'll be forced to purify you both!”

 

“I wouldn't have a problem with him if he would just take that stick out of his…” He trailed off with a hiss when Kagome pushed a little too hard on one of his broken ribs. “Fine. I'll stop,” he muttered sullenly.

 

Deciding that he had reeked long enough and the Inu Yasha's company wouldn't be improving any time soon, Sesshoumaru stood up, intent on a bath. He had started off in the same direction that the woman had taken earlier when surprisingly Kagura, not Kagome, called after him. “Sesshoumaru! Where do you think you're going?”

 

His back was still to them as he debated whether or not to answer her. That woman was getting to be too presumptuous for her own good. But realizing that if he didn't, she would likely stumble in on him bathing, a situation he really didn't need, he graced her with a curt response. “I'm going to bathe. I still reek of your blood.” As he strode off he was rewarded with a muttered…

 

“Asshole!”

 

 

“Asshole!” Kagura muttered as she tore another piece of cloth to use as a bandage. Kagome had run out of her own bandages, and seeing as how her old kimono was ruined beyond repair anyway, she had offered it for her to use. In the meantime until she could get another one, Kagome had loaned her a plain red kimono to wear. “I try to be considerate to him and that's what I get?” Inu Yasha started up another round of complaining and thinking that no one could hear her, she continued, “Its not like I asked him to hold me in the first place…”

 

Lost in her thoughts Kagura missed the look of evil glee that Kagome gave her. Suddenly the miko interrupted her. “Hey Kagura, after Lord Fluffy,” Kagura looked confused at the nickname, but when she realized who it was referring to she couldn't help but giggle, “gets back would you like to join Sango and I in the hot springs. We could all use a good bath.”

 

“I don't know…” Kagura had to admit, the prospect of a warm bath sounded wonderful. “There wont be anyone watching, will there?”

 

“Absolutely not!” Kagome shot a pointed glance towards Miroku who gave her an innocent look back. “Kirara knows exactly what to do if a certain monk gets it in his head to try. The neko-youkai, in her adorable kitten size, hoped gleefully into Miroku's lap and began purring. Miroku's eyes widened, obviously remembering what had happened the last time he had tried something on Kirara's watch.

 

“I still don't know…”

 

“Oh, come on. It'll be fun!” put in Sango. “Just us girls and a spring full of hot water…”

 

“I guess it could be…” suddenly Kagura threw up her hands. “Why not…” Kagome squealed in delight and accidentally pulled too hard on the bandage she was putting around Inu Yasha's last cut, causing him to hiss in pain. Kagura simply smiled beneath her hand. All that attention really wasn't necessary. Half of those wounds would be gone by morning and all but the worst by the day after. If there was one thing the wind youkai was thankful for, it was the demons' ability to heal so quickly. Between the attention she lavished on him, the look in her eyes each and every time she looked at him, hell, even the fact that she was still with him, Kagura couldn't believe that the hanyou still didn't know how Kagome felt about him. He really must be as dense as Sesshoumaru says he is.

 

Satisfied that Inu Yasha was fine, Kagome whirled around and began digging through her bag. She began pulling thins out and piling them into the arms of the unsuspecting Kagura. She picked up one of the items and held it before her eyes, looking strangely at it. It was some sort of large, pink, fuzzy cloth. Kagura turned to Kagome, confused. “Kagome, what is all this stuff?”

 

“Oh, just somethings we'll need,” Kagome answered matter-of-factly. “Soap, shampoo, a box of pocky…”

 

The small kitsune, who had been sneaking up on Inu Yasha, who was steadfastly ignoring them, suddenly tackled Kagura with a cry of “Pocky!” He dug frantically through the pile until, pulling out a box, ran of and hid with his prize.

 

Kagome shouted after Shippou, “Don't eat too much! You'll make yourself sick!” Then she turned with an apologetic smile to Kagura. “Perhaps I shouldn't have said that out loud. I managed to hide that box from him with some perfume and lots of clothes. I don't think he'll fall for that one a second time…” Kagura got up with a grin and began folding the different items neatly, piling them back up.

 

“But why all the clothes, and these other cloths?”

 

“Do you really expect to wear that kimono? It's absolutely filthy! And don't tell me you'll wash it because there is no way I'm letting you wear wet clothing back here. There's no telling what Miroku would do…” She shot a pointed glare at the monk who smiled innocently back.

 

“So what am I going to wear? You won't let me wear this one and my old kimono is ruined…”

 

Kagome pointed to a white bundle that she had tossed unceremoniously on the ground. “That.”

 

Kagura picked it up, running her hand over the fabric. It was made of some of the finest silk she had ever seen. The kimono was white with crimson trim and a single crimson stripe running across the shoulders. It was absolutely breathtaking and clearly expensive. Kagura turned once again to Kagome, confused. The miko seemed to be doing that a lot to her lately. “Why aren't you wearing this?”

 

Kagome shrugged. “I don't know. I guess I'm just more used to my scho… my other clothes. It's yours now… I'd never wear it anyway.”

 

Kagura shook her head. “I couldn't accept this!”

 

“No really, it's yours. Like I said, I really wouldn't ever wear it. And my mom would just get onto me about having nice clothes that I never use and… Nevermind. Just think of it as a thank you gift to replace your ruined one.”

 

“Well if you don't want it, then why do you have?”

 

“Kaede kinda forced it on me while we were leaving. So I just stuck it in there with the red one. I'm serious though Kagura. If you give it back to me I will tear it to pieces.”

 

Kagura clutched the kimono to her chest as tears came unbidden to her eyes. This one was even nicer than her previous kimono, made so all the more by the fact that it was given to her by someone who cared. Even if her old one had been ruined, she would have gotten rid of it. There was just to many memories that she didn't want associated with it. Every time she wore it she would have been reminded of Naraku. Nonetheless, Kagura reached over and pulled the miko into a big hug. Inu Yasha snorted. “For Kami's sake, it's just a piece of cloth! I don't see what you two are getting so worked up about!”

 

“Inu Yasha! Sit!” The poor hanyou slammed into the ground. “You just had to open your big mouth and spoil the moment!” Any reply he had was muffled by two feet of dirt. Kagura smirked, then in a display of childishness, stuck out her tongue at the immobilized hanyou. Much to her embarrassment, Sesshoumaru had chosen that exact moment to return. When she heard him cough discreetly behind her, she whirled around, her face almost the color of her eyes. Fortunately she was saved from further embarrassment by Kagome.

 

“Finally you're back!” She snapped exasperated. She gathered up the clothes Kagura had so neatly folded, then dumped the rest on top of them. The three girls headed off for the hot springs. Kagome shouted back to the three men, “Play nice!” ignoring Inu Yasha's and Miroku's protests and Sesshoumaru's silent smirk of amusement.

 

“Is it smart leaving the three of them together like that?” asked Kagura.

 

“Probably not,” Kagome responded with a sadistic grin. “But Inu Yasha could use a little humiliating. He's been much too cocky for his own good lately. Besides, the worst that could happen is they kill Miroku. We'd be better off without him anyway…”

 

Sango cut Kagome off, “Hey!” causing the other two to start laughing. Sango turned a bright red and turned her head away muttering something.

 

They continued like this until they reached the spring. It was in a small clearing, surrounded by a small rock overhang on the far side and trees on all the others. When the girls reached it, Kagome and Sango immediately began to strip. Kagura hesitated, but soon followed suit.

 

With a sigh they sank into the spring, letting the hot water caress weary limbs and soothe their cuts and bruises. Taking a deep breath, Kagura immersed herself fully and began scrubbing at her hair. It was still partially matted with blood, her blood, and dirt from their travels. When she came back up, Kagome tossed her a bottle of that strange `shampoo' stuff. “Use this Kagura.”

 

“How?”

 

“It's easy, just watch me.” Kagome grabbed the other bottle and poured some in her hands. Then, briefly rubbing her hands together, began scrubbing her hair with it. Following suit, Kagura was amazed at how well the stuff worked. The dirt and blood practically fell out of her hair, leaving it cleaner than she had ever felt it before. That cleanliness was luxuriating. When she was back under Naraku's control she rarely had time for a bath, and though the few she got definitely helped, she was never quite clean. This was like heaven to Kagura.

 

The girls finished bathing and sat back to simply relax. Kagome turned suddenly to Kagura with a malicious gleam in her eye. “So Kagura, got your eye on anyone yet?”

 

The memory of Sesshoumaru cradling her to his chest came unbidden to her mind as a slight flush rose to her face. “N… no…” she stammered out.

 

Kagome's grin got even wider. “Well… you know, Sesshoumaru-sama is a real hottie.”

 

Sango gave Kagome a weird look followed by an equally sadistic grin when it dawned on her. “Last time I checked, he was still single too.” She put in.

 

More than ready to turn Kagome's game back on her she started contemplatively, “Actually, I think I know the perfect man for me…”

 

“Really,” drawled Kagome. “Please, who is it? Do we know him? What's he look like?”

 

“You do, actually. He's got these gorgeous golden eyes and long silky white hair, and these cute little ears I could just rub all day…”

 

With a start Kagome realized who she was talking about. “I don't think so! Keep your paws off of my hanyou!” When the other girls started laughing, Kagome sank back down into the water a magnificent shade of red as she realized what she had said. Splashing water at Kagura, she muttered an embarrassed, “Oh, shut up!”

 

Kagome's attack hit the unprepared Kagura right in the face. She sat there, water dripping from her hair, a slight pout on her face making her look like a bedraggled kitten. She began to sniffle then turned away sobbing.

 

Sango and Kagome looked at each other, each confused by the youkai's behavior. “Kagura…” Kagome began, but was cut off when the youkai spun around laughing, dragging her arm through the water and sending a wave cascading over the two humans. Kagome stared at her in shock, then splashed water back at her. From there, Armageddon broke lose.

 

The three of them laughed and shouted, drenching each other time and time again. But for Kagura it was more than just playtime. It was a healing of the soul. The scars left by Naraku began to fade. `This is freedom,' she though happily. `The freedom to do what I want to do, to care about who I choose. The freedom to love…' An image of Sesshoumaru flashed briefly into her mind, but was washed out by a particularly large amount of water. “That's it!” Kagura shouted. The two humans stared in shock at Kagura's outburst as she waded over to the edge of the springs then grabbed her fan. Then, with a flick of her wrist, she sent a tidal wave of water crashing down on the Sango and Kagome. The two of them came up sputtering and the three girls dissolved into giggles.

 

Noticing that it was already darkening, they set back. But as soon as they were within earshot of the camp, Kagura froze. Her friends stopped with her and looked back at her, concern evident on their faces. “I can't do it,” she whispered, her face flushed with shame.

 

“You can't what?” Sango asked with concern.

 

“I… I can't face Kouga… he doesn't care that I died to save him. He just wants me dead for good. I don't know why he didn't attack before. But now he'll be sure to attack me, and… I can't fight him again…” Kagura hung her head.

 

“Don't worry, Kagura. There's no way we'll let him hurt you.”

 

“Yeah, you're one of us now!”

 

“You mean that?”

 

“Definitely! We don't care what Naraku made you do. You're a good person at heart and if Kouga can't see that he deserves to have someone beat some sense into him!”

 

Kagura straightened up and smiled weakly at the two of them. They slowly walked back into camp. Unfortunately for Kagura, she was right. Kouga shot to his feet. “You…” he snarled, lunging at Kagura. Inu Yasha grabbed for him, but he moved to slowly and Kouga slipped out of his grasp. Fortunately, Sesshoumaru was faster.

 

Kouga skidded to a halt as Sesshoumaru shielded Kagura, Toukijin drawn. “Damn you, Sesshoumaru. Move or I'll kill you!” he shouted angrily.

 

“Have you forgotten already, you miserable wolf?”

 

“I haven't… I just don't give a damn! That bitch killed my clan! She deserves to die!”

 

“I told you she's already repaid her debt to you.” Sesshoumaru replied evenly in the face of the enraged wolf youkai.

 

“You also told me to stay away from her, but neither of those is going to do you any good when you're dead!” Kouga dropped into a crouch, ready to lunge at his opponent.

 

Sesshoumaru didn't move a muscle, except to cock an eyebrow. “Fine. Playtime's over. If you have any last words I suggest you say them now…”

 

For a moment it seemed that Kouga was actually going to attack the taiyoukai. Then, to everyone's evident relief, except Inu Yasha who began cursing avidly, the wolf backed down. “Fine!” he snarled. “You win. Have fun fucking that wind bitch. One day though, I'll kill you Sesshoumaru. And then I'll kill your bitch!” He turned and said quietly, almost sadly, “I thought that you of all people would understand. I was obviously wrong.” Then he ran off into the darkness.

 

Everyone stood in stunned silence as Kouga's last words rang in their ears. Inu Yasha was the first to break the silence. “So that's why you smelt different! I never would have guessed… you and Kagura… huh!”

 

Kagome turned and glared at Inu Yasha. “Inu Yasha! Sit!” The hanyou hit the ground with a highly satisfying thud.

 

Sesshoumaru looked at him and smirked… “Right where you should be, hanyou. Licking the ground…”

 

Inu Yasha leapt up to attack Sesshoumaru when Kagome sat him again. The two of them began arguing, while Sango went to retrieve Kirara from Miroku. Kagura ignored them though, having eyes only for Sesshoumaru, who had turned to look at her. Unwilling to meet his eyes quite yet, she stared at the ground. “Did you really tell him that?”

 

Sesshoumaru was silent for a minute. “Yes.”

 

“Why?” This time Sesshoumaru did not answer. Lifting her head to look at him, she whispered, “Thank you!” Golden orbs met crimson, and his eyes burned into hers, destroying all coherent thought. She could feel her legs weakening as she stared into his beautiful eyes. It registered somewhere in the back of her mind as he nodded once. Then he was gone…

 

 

Sesshoumaru ran blindly through the forest, needing desperately to clear his head. What had he just done? Although he had never much liked Kouga or his clan, he had to admit that they had always been staunch allies. And now he had cast that all away? All for a woman?! And a child of Naraku no less!

 

Suddenly a sharp pain in his side reminded him of his wound and he stopped and sat down on the ground. Even despite the insistent ache in his side, Sesshoumaru felt better. Running always cleared his mind, allowed him to think rationally in those few moments that he lost it. The fell of his legs pounding the ground, the wind whistling through his hair and past his ears, was mind-numbing and always helped when he needed to simply quit thinking and allow his mind some time to sort through his emotions.

 

What was it about her that caused him to act irrationally? He was Sesshoumaru! The son of the Inu Taishou! A youkai worthy of his father's blood! No woman should be able to affect him so. Nobody should be able to affect him so!

 

But just the sight of her, wet hair hanging past her shoulders, damp kimono clinging partially to her skin, crimson eyes flashing defiantly even as she accepted her fate was enough to make him destroy centuries of peace between the dogs and the wolves. True it was only one small clan, and Kouga had been disobeying a direct mandate from his lord, but it was the principal of the matter. He hadn't thought about those things before he threw himself in the way. He hadn't considered the consequences or how it would benefit him. He had done nothing, simply reacted to the fact that she was in danger. Kouga's words rang mockingly through his mind. `Have fun fucking the wind bitch… your bitch…”

 

“Kagura,” he whispered. `That's what all of them think, isn't it? That she's mine… that I'm… fucking… her.' He remembered Inu Yasha's words, `… You and Kagura… huh!' He shook his head, his hair flying out behind him. `No… they're wrong! I'm just a male after all! Even I have desires every once in a while. This is nothing a long fuck won't cure! Surely this irrationality would disappear with a cold bath and something worthwhile to occupy his time with.

 

He stood quickly. `I have to leave before I do something else I'll regret!' Then he hesitated. What if Kouga tried something after all? He steeled his resolve. She was more than capable of taking care of the wolf. She's proven it more times then one could count. `I should never have gotten involved to began with…' With one last glance towards the camp, Sesshoumaru disappeared into the night.

 

 

Kagura curled up on her feather, hovering high above the ground. With a sigh she pillowed her head on her arm and closed her eyes, reveling in the feel of the wind on her face. She could hear Kagome and Inu Yasha arguing below her and the sound brought a contented smile to her face. She was free! Finally and completely free! And she had people who cared about her, even though she had given them no reason to. She had everything she had ever wanted! So why did it feel like something was still missing?

 

The memory of Sesshoumaru defending her began to play back through her mind. She had been ready to die rather than fight Kouga again, when all of the sudden Sesshoumaru was in front of her, shielding her from Kouga with his own body. He had been protecting her all day, and she hadn't realized it. He had told Kouga in no uncertain terms what would happen if he tried to hurt her, and he had followed through on his threat.

 

She realized better than anyone there what all that had happened meant. Naraku was a master at manipulating people like that, destroying alliances and setting former allies against each other. She had picked up a good deal of that over her servitude. But Sesshoumaru hadn't required Naraku's `helpful' hand. He had thrown it all away on his own. And for her…

 

Why? Why on earth would that cold, uncompassionate taiyoukai defend her? Could it be possible that he might… No. He can't take that stick out of his ass long enough to befriend anyone, much less love them…

 

Kagura sighed and curled up tighter on her feather. ` Sesshoumaru would never want someone like me. Kouga and Inu Yasha were wrong. There had to be some other reason for Sesshoumaru to defend her. He would never love anyone.' She sighed again. `That doesn't mean I can't dream does it?' She thought back to earlier that day when she had nearly kissed Sesshoumaru. And then to even earlier when he had held her as she was dying. A bittersweet memory. Dying does put a damper on situations like that. She shuddered remembering the pain and the numbing darkness. Then Kanna's words to her while she was dead sprang into her mind. “You must save him from himself…” Kagura fell asleep with those disconcerting words echoing through her mind.

 

 

So…. How did ya'll like it? This is my first Inu Yasha fanfic ever so try and be gentle with me. First though, I have a few admissions and requests to make.

 

Admission #1: I am completely new to Inu Yasha! My loss, I know… But the fact of the matter is, I don't know all to much about it. Most of what is in this story is either speculation on my part or info I've gleaned from the fanfics I've read. The fact that not much is known about either Kagura or Sesshoumaru works in my favor as well. So please, if I screw something up… don't hesitate to tell me. I'll make sure to fix it as soon as possible unless its vital to the story… in which case I'll invoke the right of creative license and keep it that way. This brings me to…

 

Request #1: Is there anyone that would be willing to help me out with the story? Now, I'm not talking about helping actually write the story… I just want someone to proof read what I've written and to tell me if beforehand if there is something I've messed up with the story. It wouldn't hurt to make suggestions either. You'd also have the privilege of chewing my butt out if I don't update on a regular basis. This doesn't mean I don't want suggestions or corrections from anyone else. By all means, please tell me what you want to happen with the story. I've found that when writing something it definitely helps to have an outside sense of direction, so when you're inner compass fails, you have something to fall back on. And besides, reviews are good. Which brings me to…

 

Admission #2: I am a procrastinator! I love to procrastinate! Schoolwork, housework, work-work, no matter what… I procrastinate. My writing is something important to me though, and something I enjoy doing very much. Nonetheless, sometimes, even though I try hard not to, I will fail to update on a regular basis. Mostly this happens when I run into a wall and have no idea where to turn. This is where your suggestions come in. I am not perfect and even though I have a fairly good idea of where I want the story to go, it hasn't been written yet. I have found that writing is like following a trail through a forest. Sometimes you can see clearly where the path leads, but at others the going gets tougher, and at times, the trail leaves you altogether. This is where an outside perspective helps, an aerial view persay. As an outside observer you can see things that someone not as impartial (the author) might miss. And these valuable insights, sometimes just a simple idea, can allow the me to pick up the trail once more. So please… tell me what your ideas are. They are definitely valued. Which leads me to…

 

Request #2: Please review! Like I said before, if you want something to happen with the story please tell me. If you think there is something wrong with it, please tell me. I can't fix it if I don't know about it. I also want to know what I can do to improve my story. This is for your reading pleasure as well. Tell me what you think I should do and if possible, I'll work on it. Once again, like I said above, writing is important to me and I take great joy in knowing that someone else has enjoyed my work. So please, tell me when if you've enjoyed it or not. Cause remember… a happy writer updates regularly! ^^

 

 

Now that those unpleasantries are over ive got just a few more things I want to say. First of all, I'm really excited about this story. I'm already well into the next few chapters, and have many more planned out in my head. But like my dad says, if its not on paper, then it doesn't exsist. So I promise to keep forging on.

 

Just one question though… do ya'll think that any of my characters were out of character (^^)? I tried pretty hard to keep to how I saw them, but like I said, sometimes an impartial observer notices things that other, more involved, people can't. So if I screwed them up, please tell me! It is very important to me that I keep to character. Otherwise you lose everything about them that made you fall in love with them in the first place. Cause give me a break… if it weren't for the fact that ya'll are either Sesshoumaru/Kagura fans or big fans of the show in general… you wouldn't be reading this story. That's my major concern for this chapter. So please tell me how I did… ^^

 

C ya'll next time ^^

 

Hugs and kisses,

Cute and Fluffy ^^