InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome! Where are you?! ❯ kagome's choice ( Chapter 37 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Kagome! Where are You ?!

Chapter 37: Kagome's choice

Tenseiga' s Hyaku Yomigae attack means . . . 100 resurrections. (If Inu–yasha's sword can
destroy 100 demons. Sesshomaru's sword can raise from the dead 100 humans . . . with 1 swing.)

*telepathy*

corrected by Angelica birmingham
_________________________________________

Tenseiga pulses . . .

*No. This is her fight, Tenseiga. I will not interfere. If she loses and that vampire spirit looks out
. . . then . . . *

Tears begin to form in his eyes, ‘Then . . . I don't know what I'll do. Yes, Tenseiga can cure her .
. . but she'll never be the same, knowing that she failed.'

"Please Kagome." He hugs her, brings her face against his. His lips lightly touch hers. "I love
you. Win."

His tears fall on her face . .

He shakes his head, ‘Tenseiga's power . . . I knew it would affect me as well.' He rubs his face,
cleaning his tears, ‘But I did not expect it to this degree. I have not cried in centuries.'

*She'll like it when she awakes. * Tenseiga reminds him.

*Perhaps, but . . . it is not I. * Sesshomaru reminds his sword.

*Sigh . . . *

*********************************

Inside Kagome's mind .

Vampire Kagome can sense Pure Kagome's hesitation. ‘Yes. Being a vampire isn't that bad,
Kagome. And I don't need human blood. I can survive on animal blood. And you'll be able to
love them for centuries . . . '

Pure Kagome licks her lips, ‘The problem of dying . . . is this my solution?'

She shakes her head, ‘I can destroy the curse and die like a normal human or accept the curse,
controlling the blood lust, and live forever . . what do I do?'

Pure Kagome pauses . . .

She nods, ‘No. I reject you and your curse.'

Vampire Kagome screams . .

As she dies . . .

The Vampire curse in Kagome's body . . . fades away.

Kagome, a pure, alive and still human Kagome, opens her eyes.

"Sesshomaru." she whispers.

She stares into his eyes . . . his concern for her shines through them.

"I'm here, Kagome." He takes a deep breath, "Are you?"

"I'm not a vampire, Sesshomaru. I destroyed the curse."

‘I just don't want to think about everything that vampire spirit said and did to me.' Kagome
thinks. ‘Focus on other things, not what just happened.'

His mouth twitches,
1. "Good." He looks around. The firestorm that is destroying Constantinople is getting closer.
The only reason it hasn't engulfed the palace yet is because Vlad Tepes created a huge empty
square in front of the palace . . so he could stage mass executions before him.

"Then, let us leave this place." he says as he helps Kagome stand.

She lets him help her stand. She looks around, her eyes narrow, "I assume there was no other
way." she whispers as she looks at the destruction of a city.

"Yes, there was." he states.

She glares at him.

"The other ways would have taken longer and would have given my opponent time to adjust to
my abilities. Which would have made my task harder and caused more death and destruction.
Also, it would have given more time for that curse to grow stronger."

Kagome grimaces.

"Besides this Sesshomaru promised him that I would destroy his kingdom."

Kagome sighs, ‘I would like to find that boy I killed earlier and raise him. But . . . his body was
destroyed creating that amulet. Vlad returned everything to me once he changed me, so . . . is
there any reason to stay here? No . . . Hachi!'

"Sesshomaru do you know the Tanuki, raccoon demon, that helps my friend Miroku?"

"Of course."

"I met him earlier, today. Can you find him?"

"You wish to rescue him."

"Yes, no matter what, he is a friend."

Sesshomaru purses his lips, and his eyes flick to the flames.

"No promises, Higurashi Kagome. This Sesshomaru will not have a great deal of time."

"Let's try." Kagome begs.

Sesshomaru grabs Kagome and they begin to search through the palace.

But . . . other parts of the palace are already on fire, and the flames are spreading fast . . .

Kagome uses Jaa Kalpa's ice powers several times, holding back the flames.

"Hachi!" Kagome screams trying to attract his attention . . .

"You woke up those flame spirits, Sesshomaru. Control them." she hisses to Sesshomaru.
"Controlling flame spirits requires time and patience. We don't have the time, and I do not have
the patience. Which is why I did not awaken a flame spirit that first night we were together. We
would have been warm, but, sooner or later, too warm."

A few more minutes pass . .

The fires are growing larger and more out of control . . .

"We can't find him in this fiery mess!" Kagome screams

"No. And your sword is making the flame spirits mad. They are gathering and will try to destroy
us."

"Hachi!" she screams.

"Let's go, Higurashi Kagome." Sesshomaru grabs her arm.

Kagome looks around . . . the flames are getting higher and higher . . .

The building is being destroyed.

Kagome grimaces. ‘I hate losing . . . but . . . '

She nods.

Sesshomaru grabs her and flies away . . .

Sesshomaru flies away from the burning city.

"How come you've never done something like this to Inu-yasha?" Kagome asks as she waves at
the city as they leave it.

"This Sesshomaru had wanted to kill him with his own hands, not with any summoned spirits.
And, before you ask, I haven't done this with Naraku because his magical defenses would have
stopped this type of attack. The humans here were not prepared for it, and it succeeded better
than I thought it would."

"Oh . . . thank you, Sesshomaru."

He crosses over some of the water surrounding the city and begins to fly over land.

‘She's upset about something, not just the destruction I caused, but something else, I can sense
it.' Sesshomaru thinks as he carries Kagome's tense body in the air. ‘She's been relaxing in my
arms, but not this time. Destroying that vampire curse must not have been easy. How do I get her
to talk about it?'

"I assume you'll want to take a bath and clean up." Sesshomaru says in a dry voice.

"You stink of smoke as well."

"True."

"I'm not in the mood for anything more than cleaning." she whispers, looking at the ground.

"I was not assuming you were, Higurashi Kagome. You forget that I do know your body's
moods."

‘Although . . . since her body was dead for some time . . . it's producing a lot of odd scents right
now. No doubt her body's normal cycle has been disrupted and that might cause her to change
her mood rapidly.' he thinks.

Kagome purples as she blushes. "You're right. I did." She sighs, "Besides, I've been thinking
about something else and I need to be on the ground before I can do anything about it."

"It's not much, but there is a small stream over there." Sesshomaru points down. "Do you wish
to land there, or to continue?"

"Let's go ahead and land, Sesshomaru." Kagome replies. A pause, "Thank you for giving me the
choice."

Sesshomaru nods.

He lands. The horizon is red from the flames of the burning city, but they are too far for any
other details to be seen.

They are on a bare rocky hillside. There is a small knee deep fast moving stream below them. A
few low straggly trees are visible. It's not a garden of Eden.

They land. Sesshomaru grabs a dry bush and starts a fire so they can see.

Kagome steps away from Sesshomaru, turns and says,
"Sesshomaru. While I was captive, I learned some things about this world."

"Important, I assume?"

"We, or rather, versions of us, are alive on the world."

"Interesting. Continue."

"The age of the world is approximately during my time, Sesshomaru, not your time. But . . .
Vlad Tepes, the man we just defeated, conquered the world during your time."

"Hmmm . . . I assume my brother and Kikyo died trying to stop him."

"No, Sesshomaru, they became vampires. You died."

He glares at her.

"In a fight between Naraku, Inu-yasha and Kikyo, they teamed up to kill you. Then they
conquered Japan for Vlad Tepes."

"Impossible."

"You found out about your father's tomb at the same time Naraku began his shape changing
tricks on Inu-yasha and Kikyo."

"I see. Perhaps that would have confused the situation enough for them to defeat me, I don't
believe it, but it's possible. However, I don't see why this knowledge is important. We will be
leaving this world as soon as the cube is ready."

Kagome nods in agreement. "Yes. I know. But, I am alive. Or rather a version of me, is alive
now and she's going to be killed."

‘When I was alone with the magic mirror, the vampire spirit asked it about me. She was also
going to ask it about Inu-yasha, but, Vlad Tepes came to get me before she could do so.' she
thinks. ‘My vampire side was going to ask him to change the order and bring this world's
version of me to her . . . so she could kill me herself . . . ouch . . . that's confusing.'

"Can I fly fast enough to save her?"

Kagome shakes her head, no. "I've got a different idea."

"Proceed."

"You contacted the various spirits around here. Could you contact some of them in Japan and
warn her?" she hopefully asks.

"Hmmm . . . not likely. If I had been alive, perhaps, I could have contacted this world's version
of myself." Sesshomaru frowns. Tenseiga is pulsing.

He places his hand on its hilt and listens.

"Sesshomaru?" Kagome asks. ‘My mystical senses are tingling. I forget, because they look like
inanimate objects, but . . . our swords are not normal. Tenseiga is telling him something.' she thinks.

"Hmmm . . " Sesshomaru purses his lips and critically examines Kagome, with his mystical
senses. "Tenseiga still exists in this world. My sword can feel it, but, my sword needs more
power before it can do anything else."

Kagome nods. "Ok. Can we get Tenseiga more power?"

Sesshomaru nods. "It has come up with a dangerous plan and one that I'm not sure you are
capable of."

"What is the plan?" Kagome asks. ‘I'd like to know what he thinks I can do.' she thinks.

"Remember how your soul left your body and entered mine?"

Kagome nods.

"Tenseiga would like you to do the same with it. Then, once your soul is in Tenseiga, I swing
Tenseiga, sending a pulse of energy toward this world's Tenseiga. That energy, assuming it
reaches this world's Tenseiga, will awaken it . . . "

Sesshomaru shrugs, "After that, this Sesshomaru is not sure what would happen. Since I am
apparently dead, Tenseiga should go to Inu-yasha, but it'll be your power that awakens it, so it
might go to this world's version of you."

Kagome takes a deep breath, "What is the danger?"

"First: is the technical. I do not believe that you were ever properly trained to allow your soul to
leave your body and what you did with me was instinctive."

Kagome nods.

"Second: instead of entering a soul, even one as different as mine is, you will be entering a
purely magical spirit. While I have heard and seen of swords possessing a human body, but a
human soul possessing a sword?"

Sesshomaru licks his lips,
"Tenseiga assures me that it's safe. And it is only because of that assurance, that I am even
mentioning this plan."
"Any other dangers?"

"Yes, and this is the one that I'm most concerned with, when I send the pulse of power toward
Japan, will I fling only a power pulse toward Japan or will I fling your soul as well?"

Kagome pauses as she considers,
"Does Tenseiga have any idea what this world's version of it will do once it's awakened?"

"Find someone to wield it and cleanse this world."

"And that someone is this world's version of Inu-yasha or me?"

"In all likelihood."

Kagome looks around with her mystical senses . .

"Even destroying Vlad Tepes won't save this world will it?" she whispers.

"No. The devils he was allied with will find someone else to rule the world."

"Tenseiga could change that?"

*I will change that. * Tenseiga's firm telepathic voice communicates to both Sesshomaru and
Kagome. *I just have to awaken my twin. And for that I need to borrow your power, the Lady
Miko Higurashi Kagome, daughter of Uzume. *

"I'll do it." Kagome states in a firm tone.

"Very well." Sesshomaru nods. "Lay down and follow my instructions. I will help you learn how
to have your soul leave your body and return."

Kagome lays down. Sesshomaru squats next to her and in a slow, calming voice he begins to
give Kagome a lesson in out-of-body magic.

"Have you ever done this?" she asks.

"A couple of times, many years ago. However, since it leaves your body defenseless and I never
trusted anyone to watch my body, once I learned the technique this Sesshomaru ignored it."

Kagome smiles and reaches up to brush Sesshomaru's hair away from his forehead,
"Bend down, please."

Sesshomaru's eyebrow raises and his mouth twitches, but he bends down.

Kagome kisses his forehead, right on his tattoo.

"Thank you, for your trust, Lady Miko Higurashi Kagome." he whispers.

Kagome's mouth twitches, ‘He retreats into formality when he is angry or . . . when I've really
reached him. Inu-yasha would react with curses, because that's what he's used to doing,
Sesshomaru, though, is used to formality.'

"Calm yourself, Kagome." Sesshomaru whispers.

Kagome closes her eyes and calms herself . . .

Minutes pass.

Sesshomaru's mystical senses begin to see Kagome's soul, slowly separate itself from her body.

Kagome looks around . . . everything has an aura and she can see it. She can see murky, dark
shapes hovering nearby, she starts to move in that direction.

Sesshomaru whispers, "No, don't Kagome. Those are traps laid by the devils in this world.
Ignore them."

He draws Tenseiga and places it over Kagome's body.

To Kagome's vision, Tenseiga is a bar of blindly brilliant, but soothing, white light.

She moves toward it . .

Her soul sinks into the sword . . .

Tenseiga glows white, even to normal vision.

Sesshomaru's senses can hear the cries of pain as the devilish imps that had been trailing them,
vanish as they are destroyed by the purity of the power being displayed.

*Ready? * he communicates to the sword.

*Yes. *

*Gods . . . this is beautiful. Yes. * Kagome's soul whispers.

He picks up the sword only to drop it, in pain, an instant later.

*I wasn't trying to purify you, Sesshomaru! * Kagome's mental voice cries. *That just
happened! *

*I know. * Sesshomaru purses his lips as he looks at his burned hand. ‘Hmmm . . . one swing,
and that's all the time I have before my hand vanishes from the purity of the power.' he thinks.

*Give me a minute to heal. *

*Sorry. * Kagome whispers.

*This Sesshomaru should have anticipated that your combined powers would hurt him. *

A minute pass . . .

Sesshomaru stands, orients himself in the direction of Japan. (Tenseiga told him the direction
when it was explaining its plan) He takes a deep breath . . .

And then with lightning speed he grabs Tenseiga and swings it.

A pulse of power leaves the blade and vanishes into the night . . .

Tenseiga clangs as it hits the ground, Sesshomaru's hand is burned off. He grabs his wrist and
squeezes to control the pain.

*Kagome?* he thinks through the pain.

*That . . was wonderful, Sesshomaru!* Kagome's mental voice cries in pleasure. *I touched
myself. I could feel her and I warned her to vanish into the woods and escape. *

*And I touched this world's version of myself. * Tenseiga's voice, in a very satisfied tone
speaks, *I awakened myself and this world's version of myself agrees with me. This world needs
to be cleansed*

"Good, now, Kagome. Return to your body." Sesshomaru grimaces in pain, as his hand begins to
re-grow. ‘Pins and needles . . . I hate them . . . especially when they're big damn pins . . . ' he thinks.

Kagome's soul slowly leaves Tenseiga and enters her body.

Kagome shudders, and opens her eyes.

"Did you know when you out of your body that the stars look different? Beautiful . . . " she
whispers as she stares into the night sky.

"Yes. I did . . . and this Sesshomaru agrees that they do look . . . " his voice trails off as he
glances into the sky.

"Beautiful?" she whispers.

He nods.
"Once, I was younger than you then." His mouth flattens into a hard line. "I started to paint those
stars. But, mother, who was supervising my magical studies, interrupted me. I was outside my
body at the time. She ripped a human soul from one of the slaves and placed it inside my body
for an hour. To teach me not to become distracted." His eyes look off into the distance as he remembers.

"No wonder you don't use this technique." Kagome whispers.

He nods. "Yes, after that . . . " he sighs. "I had, on occasion, used it, but only to lift my soul out
of my body by a hand's breadth. The world does look different and sometimes you can spot
something hidden."

"I would love to see that starscape." Kagome whispers.

Sesshomaru freezes . . . he looks at his fast re-growing hand. ‘I've painted since then, as part of
my schooling, I was taught how to paint . . but . . . all those paintings were lifeless. Looking at
her . . . and painting something for her . . . I don't think my paintings would be lifeless . . ' he thinks.

A pause as they look at each other.

‘I need to ask him about Sessho . . . is now the correct time?' Kagome thinks. ‘No . . later, let
him heal and I need to eat and clean up.'

"How well did the backpack survive?" Kagome asks. "I'm hungry and we'll need the cleaning
supplies later."

Sesshomaru swings the backpack off his back and places it in front of her. "Everything should be
there and basically unhurt."

Kagome begins to dig through the backpack, she stops, looks at Sesshomaru and asks, "When
you change into your . . . giant dog shape . . . what happens to the backpack?"

"An interesting question." Sesshomaru says, to give himself time to think up an answer. "This
Sesshomaru, truthfully, does not know. When I change shape, all that I am wearing vanishes and
when I change back it reappears, unchanged and unhurt. I've never been curious about it."

Kagome purses her lips, "Hmmm . . . thank you for answering, Lord Sesshomaru."

‘One of these days, I've got to try to figure that out . . . who knows what the answer is?' Kagome
thinks.

Kagome grabs some of the Elvin bread, some beef jerky, and a container of water. She sighs,
"I'd really like some real food, to cover up the taste of the blood, but . . " she whispers, blinking
tears from her eyes.

"Kagome."

She looks at Sesshomaru, the concern in his voice surprises her.
"Yes, Sesshomaru?"

"What is wrong?"

"Nothing." Kagome looks away.

"Lady Miko Higurashi Kagome. That is a lie. Something about that vampire curse is upsetting
you. And This Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands wishes to know what that is."

A pause . . .

Kagome throws her food away, curls herself up and begins to cry.

Sesshomaru, instantly, is sitting next to her. He gathers her up in his arms and hugs her.

She cries . .

‘What do I do?' Sesshomaru thinks, ‘The romances I've read . . . when something like this
happens the hero either, hits the woman her loves, to snap her out of it, or he whispers loving and
understanding words in her ears, trying to calm her down. Which do I do . . . hit her or talk to
her?'

Sesshomaru's eyes flick to Kagome. He just heard her whisper "Inu-yasha."

‘What would my brother do? He'd hit her, of course. So . . . I'm going to do the opposite.' He
nods, his course of action determined.

"Kagome." Sesshomaru begins to rock her, like she is a little girl. ‘There's been nights when Rin
has had nightmares and I've done this. Hopefully it'll work with Kagome.'

"Kagome." he repeats. "I'm here. I care about you. I want to help you." he whispers.

"Do you?" Kagome whispers. "Why, then, do you want to know about what is upsetting me? Is
it a cold calculating decision, wanting to know why I'm upset, so it won't interfere with you
getting home? Or is it something else . . . " Her tears begin to stain his robe.

‘That vampire spirit has really upset her . . ' he thinks as he considers his answer.

Sesshomaru rocks her,
"Seeing you hurt . . . hurts me, Kagome. How? I don't know. I want to help you because I want
my Kagome back. That vampire spirit did something to you and I want to help you recover from
whatever it was it did to you."

"Hurt you . . . you want me back . . . I want my Kagome . . " Kagome whispers. "What about
me?"

A pause . .

Sesshomaru runs his hands through Kagome's hair and lifts her head up, so they can look each
other in the eyes. "I... this Sesshomaru apologizes, Lady Miko. You are not my possession." His
mouth twitches, "I want to help you because . . . "

Sesshomaru voice breaks down. "I... I don't know. All I know, Kagome, is that this is hurting
you and it's hurting me and I want us both to stop hurting . . . "

"This is not some cold calculating decision, that much I believe." Kagome buries her head into
his chest.
"Actually. I did make a calculated decision when you started crying, Kagome." Sesshomaru says
in dry voice.

"And . . . " her voice catches as she lifts her head off his chest to stare at him.

"I was deciding how to stop you from crying. Do I slap you or whisper how much I love you?"

"Your decision?" Kagome whispers.

Sesshomaru bends down and he whispers into Kagome's ears, "I love you. And I want you to
stop hurting . . "

Kagome tightly hugs Sesshomaru.

They rock each other . .

"Would it help if you talked about it?" he whispers.

"Maybe . . No. It would. This is something that sooner or later will come up." Kagome mumbles
into his chest.

Kagome clears her throat, and still holding him tightly, she says, "The curse offered me
immortality, Sesshomaru. And for a second . . . I was tempted."

"Why?" honest puzzlement shines forth in his voice.

"I'm human, you idiot!" Kagome sits up, so she can stare at Sesshomaru's face. "I'm going to
die sooner or later. And you or your brother will still be alive."

"Oh. That." Sesshomaru replies in a dismissive tone. "That's a problem that can be solved. Why
are you upset about it?"

Kagome's mouth hangs open . . .

"But . . . but . . how long do you live?" Kagome asks. ‘Ok. He's obviously misunderstanding
this. So, let's explain it in very simple terms.' she thinks.

Sesshomaru's eyebrows rise. "No Lord of the Western Lands, has ever died of old age,
Higurashi Kagome."

Kagome's mouth hangs open again . .

"Death on the battlefield is what normally happens. Oh, my great grandfather died of poison, but
he's the only one that did not die on the battlefield." Sesshomaru states. "I've got a great great
uncle that is still alive, Kagome. He is the younger brother to the second Lord of the Western
Lands. A lazy bastard, expect for an occasional hunt, he just sits there, eating and visiting his
concubines, doing nothing."

"Sesshomaru." Kagome pauses, trying to come up with the correct words,
"If you assume that you and I get together and live happily ever after."

"We will." Sesshomaru interrupts in a very sure tone.

"Ok. Be that way. Anyway . . . I will die of old age sooner or later and you will still be alive.
That isn't something . . . " she stops trying to decide what to say next.

"Ah. I see." Sesshomaru nods. "And the vampire curse's immortality appealed to you as a way
around the problem of human mortality."

Kagome nods. "I've never been offered immortality before, Sesshomaru, and . . . "

"It tempted you."

Kagome nods.

"Very well. When we get home, I will solve that problem."

"Just like that?"

"Of course. I can think of four or five solutions instantly. Given a little thought and planning I'm
sure one of them will work for you."

Kagome's mouth hangs open . . . again . .

"You, Kagome, you're going to attract flies doing that." Sesshomaru remarks in a humorous tone.

She closes her mouth with a snap. ‘Something, a major problem . . . that whenever I've
daydreamed about life with Inu-yasha, the mortality problem always causes that daydream to
collapse and he dismisses it like it's nothing . . . ' she thinks.

"Lord Sesshomaru, could you please tell me those instant solutions you thought about?" she asks
in a very sweet tone of voice.

Sesshomaru nods.
"First, in my mind, is a method that you'll probably reject. There are additional spells that can be
added in with the traditional marking spell. These spells bind the two together very tightly. My
father used such spells on Inu-yasha's mother and claimed that they would prevent her from
aging. They both died too quickly for me to say definitively if my father was correct, but I do
believe he was."

"Oh . . . I see why you'd think I'll reject that one."

Sesshomaru nods. He points to Kagome's necklace. "The second method . . . is the completed
jewel around your neck."

Kagome's hands go to the necklace. "I've thought about that one. I promised Inu-yasha that he
would have the wish with the jewel."

Sesshomaru nods. "I thought that was the arrangement between the two of you. Still, he could
wish immortality for you. However, I do advise you to reject that wish."

"Why? Inu-yasha?" Kagome asks harshly.

"No. The jewel. Unlike my brother, I do know it's history, and while I have no difficulty in using
it for short-term gains, anybody that has tried to use it for a long term has had horrible things
happen to them."

Kagome swallows. "We've found out some of the history, but not much."
"I'm surprised you found out any, my brother wouldn't care . . . " Sesshomaru eyes narrow,
"Your friend, the exterminator. She would know some of the history."

"Yes, Sango told us how it was created and how Kikyo received it."

"Anything in between?"

Kagome shakes her head, no.

"That jewel creates cycles of power and violence. There is always a pure, female miko, then her
lover, and then a rival for her affections. It is always a triangle and before everything is over . . .
the triangle is destroyed . . all three are dead and the jewel moves on."

Kagome shudders. "How many?"

"How many times has that cycle been enacted?"

Kagome nods.

"At least five that I'm aware of, and that doesn't include the creation of the jewel, nor you and
my brother." Sesshomaru sighs, "That jewel is one of the things about our relationship I dislike."

Kagome looks at him sharply.

"I do not want to be part of that triangle." Sesshomaru's mouth twitches, "But I am, now.
However, I am aware of the dangers of the jewel, so I'm not going to let its siren call of power
destroy me or you."

"I thought . . . Kikyo, Inu-yasha and . . . "

Sesshomaru shrugs.
"There is nothing that says you cannot be the center of a second triangle. Besides the triangle of
Inu-yasha, Kikyo and Naraku is still there, and this Sesshomaru has no clue about how that will
be resolved."

"Gods . . . complex . . " Kagome whispers.

"Very complex. And there is nothing this Sesshomaru can do now, but wait and watch and see if
he can change final fight that always happens with the jewel."
"So using the jewel to wish for immortality?" Kagome shakes her head, trying to clear her mind.

"Could be a bad thing?" Sesshomaru shrugs. "The wish that the jewel has in it has never been
used. Who can say if it will be twisted into something different from what is wished for?"

‘It's supposed to be a pure wish . . . ' Kagome thinks. She pauses, trying to remember, ‘But,
exactly . . . when was I told that? Or is it just something everyone assumes?'

"Suspicious." Kagome replies.

"Careful. Magic, especially powerful magic is not to be trusted fully."

Kagome glances at him, "What about the magic you did to destroy that city." She points to the
still fiery red horizon as the city of Constantinople still burns . .

"Minor spells, Kagome. I am descended from Susano-O, the god of storms, which is why I can
fly, and that's why Inu-yasha can as well. So, I asked some minor wind spirits to create some
wind. All they had the power to do was blow trash and small objects."

"Then I woke up some stone spirits and convinced them to kill humans. If this had happened in
Japan, nothing would have happened. The normal defensive spells in Japan would have
prevented my spell from working. They did not have a defense against it."

"How did you convince them to kill humans?"

"Humans cut them out of the mountains, raping them, and shaping them. I simply reminded
them about that."

Kagome nods.

"Then I woke up a fire spirit. A very dangerous thing, Lady Miko. So, think twice before you try
it, please." his voice changes becoming pleading as he finishes.

Kagome nods, "I'll think twice."

"Fire spirits are very hard, no, impossible to control for any long length of time. All I did was
release it into the city and the fire spirits natural destructive desires took over. I had no real
control over them."

"So. Minor spells." Kagome begins.

"That combined together led to major destruction." Sesshomaru finishes.

A pause.

Kagome shivers. Sesshomaru grabs her and hugs her.

They stay together . . .

"You mentioned four or five ways for a human to gain immortality, what are the others?" she
whispers after a while.

"There are spells that can change a human into a demon, like myself." Sesshomaru explains, "I
never concerned myself with the details of those spells, you understand, but I do know that they
exist."

"There was no way, Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands, would ever help a human become
a demon." Kagome says in a playful voice.

"Correct." Sesshomaru agrees, also in a playful tone.

They share a small smile.

In a thoughtful tone, he continues,
"I believe my mother knows and has such spells in her possession."

Kagome nods.

Sesshomaru continues, "The fourth way is via the gods. If I remember correctly, I heard that you
and my brother once helped a river goddess?"

"Yes. We freed her from a trap."

"It is within her power to grant such a wish. And she might be grateful enough to provide it."

"I never thought about her . . . "

Sesshomaru frowns. "Although . . now that this Sesshomaru has thought about this . . . " his
voice trails off.

"What Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru shakes his head,
"From what I know of you and your adventures, Higurashi Kagome, I believe that you are being
tested for some . . . task."

"Yes, the jewel."

He shakes his head, again,
"No. Something else. While I did not like my father's methods of teaching me, he was trying to
make me better than him, and to do that he tested me, pressured me."

He sees some confusion on Kagome's face, so he shifts his tone and begins to explain,
"Hmmm . . As an example, when forging a sword the best, strongest sword is forged from the
hottest flames. My father forced me through the toughest tests he could think of, to forge me into
a better lord of the Western lands."

"And you think that something . . . is using me and the quest for jewel as a forge for me?"

Sesshomaru nods. "Yes, while most of your adventures are only concerning the jewel, some, like
this one." He pulls out the cube. "Do not . . . " He stares at the cube. "I wonder . . . "

"Was you finding the cube and bringing it to me planned by something else?"

He nods.
"Yes, Lady Miko Higurashi Kagome, I now believe that it was planned. It was not random
chance, but something else." He stares at the cube trying to get it to reveal it's secrets . . . After a
few seconds, he snarls and replaces the cube. "When we return home . . . I will find out which
deity is directing this." he says in an angry tone, as his hand goes to Tokijin's hilt. "I will have
many pointed questions for him."

"I want to be there." Kagome's voice is very sure . .

Sesshomaru nods.
"I promise to do everything in my power to allow that to happen."

Kagome nods.

"That does bring up an interesting point, though, Higurashi Kagome." Sesshomaru's mouth twitches.

"What? Sesshomaru?"

"It is possible that whichever deity is directing this, might already have something planned about
your human mortality."

Kagome blinks, "You mean I could be worrying over nothing? And something will happen to
solve this problem in a future adventure?"

"It's possible. It's also possible that you are worrying over nothing, because it may have already
been taken care of."

"Huh?"

"Kagome, one thing that always confused this Sesshomaru about you, was the massive amount
of time-related spells around you. Now, I understand why you were always surrounded by them.
However, this Sesshomaru does know not know much about time spells . . . but he would not be
surprised if they have already affected you in some way."

"So . . the well . . . could?"

Sesshomaru shrugs.
"It's possible. This Sesshomaru's knowledge of time- related spells is not sufficient enough to
give you an answer."

Kagome blinks her eyes, stares at the ground, trying to think about Sesshomaru has just said . . .
‘Could I have been worrying about nothing . . . ' she thinks.

Sesshomaru reaches out, gently grabs her chin and raises Kagome's head, so he can look into her
eyes.

"And, then, my love, there is the final reason why you don't have to worry about me living
longer than you."

Sesshomaru gazes intensely into her eyes. Kagome flinches from the power of that gaze.

"Which is?" Kagome whispers.

Sesshomaru's mouth twitches, "You've read the romances, of course. In many of them, the
couple loves each other with such intensity that when one dies . . . the other commits suicide to
join their love."

Kagome freezes, as she realizes what Sesshomaru is about to offer....

The intensity of Sesshomaru's stare . . . increases . . .
"I love you, Higurashi Kagome. And, to be honest, when you were fighting the vampire curse . .
. if you had failed . . . I would have been very tempted, once I destroyed the curse, of course, to
join you in death. Only my thoughts of Rin would have prevented that."

Kagome grabs Sesshomaru and hugs him, bringing his head down against her breasts.
"Never Sesshomaru. Love is about life . . . never about death." she whispers. "Promise me . . .
that you'll never do what you just offered. Promise me that . . " Tears form in her eyes.
"Sesshomaru? Please . . . " she begs as she holds his head, very tightly, against her body.

No answer . .

"Do you want to know why I destroyed the curse, Sesshomaru? I could have keep it and lived
with it. Oh, never seeing the sun again would have been difficult, but I could've adjusted." she
whispers, tears filling her eyes, "The final reason I destroyed the curse was because I want to
have children, Sesshomaru. Love is about life . . . and if you love me . . . you'll love life as well."

A pause . . .

"I promise . . . " he whispers.

Kagome raises his head off her chest and looks into his eyes.
"I do love you, Sesshomaru. After using that love to defeat the curse, I will not deny that. And . .
. I've read those romances that you've read, and I know that your offer to commit suicide upon
my death is part of the love stories in those romances. But, please . . . that is not how I love you
and I don't want you to love me that way." Tears flow down her checks.

Sesshomaru reaches up, and with a clawed fingertip, he wipes up some of the tears on her face.
His mouth twitches into something like a smile,
"You know, my dear, I've been using those romances as a guide to help me know what to do.
And now you're telling me to ignore them."

"Be yourself, Sesshomaru . . " she whispers, as she reaches up and brushes some hair off his face.

Sesshomaru pulls her face to his. His tongue reaches out and licks up the remaining tears off her
face.
"I hate these, by the way." he whispers.

"I hate them, as well . . I'd love never to have to shed another tear . . . " she whispers.

He rubs his face against hers, softly kissing her checks and forehead. Kagome returns the kisses
all over his face . . .

They hug, pet and nuzzle each other . .

The bush that Sesshomaru lit earlier goes out . . . and darkness descends on them . . .

"I think it's time for me to eat and clean up, ok?" Kagome whispers.

"Yes. Let me start a new fire." Sesshomaru agrees.
They separate.

Kagome prepares a meal and Sesshomaru lights another bush.

While Kagome eats, Sesshomaru patrols the surrounding area. ‘I should have done this earlier.
My feelings for her are interfering with my protective instincts . . . ' he thinks as he looks
around. ‘There are a couple of traces of humans, but we do appear to be alone. Good.'

Sesshomaru's eyes flick over Kagome. His eyes narrow. ‘After that petting session, I would have
thought that she'd be happy . . . instead . . . she's sad . . . what is wrong with her, tonight?' he thinks.

Kagome is sitting by the fire, slowly and methodically, eating. Her eyes, filled with sadness and
unshed tears, are focused on the ground in front of her. The shadows from the fire highlight her
somber face . . . it is obvious that something is upsetting her . .

"Kagome?"

"Yes, Sesshomaru?" Kagome replies, in a distracted, and sad tone.

"What did that vampire curse do to you?" Sesshomaru packs as much concern as he can into his voice.

"Nothing . . . "

Sesshomaru, instantly, sits down beside Kagome. He reaches out, removes the food from her
hands and twists her face, so she has to look at him.

"What is upsetting you? I want to help you. Please, tell me?" he begs.

Tears begin to spill down Kagome's checks . .

"You can't, Sesshomaru . . . " Kagome whispers as she tries to move her head. Sesshomaru's
superior strength prevents her head from moving.

"I can help you, just tell me."

Kagome's face hardens, and in a harsh tone, she asks, "You really think you can, don't you."

Sesshomaru nods.

"Fine." she continues in a bitter tone. "Help me with this then, Sesshomaru. I tried to fight the
curse with my love of Inu-yasha . . . and I failed."

"She broke my love . . . help me rebuild it . . . " her voice cracks with emotion. She buries her
face in her hands. Sesshomaru wraps her into his arms, slowly brushing her hair as she cries into
his chest . . .

‘What do I do?' Sesshomaru thinks. ‘My instincts are screaming at me to take her. Her love for
my brother was the problem and now . . . it's gone. A few well-chosen words . . and she's mine.'

"Inu-yasha . . . " she whispers into his chest.

‘My mind is telling me that is a bad idea. Sooner or later, probably sooner . . . she'll remember
my offer to help . . . and if I don't try to help her regain her love for my brother . . . she'll never
forgive me or trust me again . . . '

"Sesshomaru . . . " she whispers into his chest . .

"What do I do?" they whisper at the same time . .

____________________________________________

The end of chapter 37.

Author's note:

How's that?

What should Sesshomaru do or say? Any suggestions?

Last chapter: Reviewers noticed the Butthead flame spirits . . . but did anyone notice the
"Apocalypse, now" riff?

Sessho . . . see my story "A Shard in Kyoto" about Kagome meeting a human named "Sessho."

About this Vampire world . .

Does anyone want to take a crack at writing stories set in this world? (I've got far too many other
ideas and I don't want to let this world just sit here. So.)

To recap the characters.

Inu-yasha: Vampire-demon. General of the army. He has been ordered by Naraku to capture/kill
Kagome . .

Kagome: a 15-year-old village girl . . . suddenly awoken by a ghost, (she thinks) and told to run
into the words for her safety . .

Tenseiga . . awake and floating around looking for either Inu-yasha or Kagome . . (does Tenseiga
find Inu or Kagome first? ... or is Inu about to kill Kagome when Tenseiga interrupts?)

Naraku: Shogun of Japan: With the death of Vlad Tepes . . . the ruler-ship of the world is up for
grabs . . . and he wants it.

Kikyo: Vampire wife of Naraku . . . perhaps there is some good left in her . . . perhaps. She is the
most evil person in Japan . .

Miroku: He has been reincarnated . . . he still has the curse and he is a pervert, still . . and killing
Naraku is the still the family's quest/duty.

Sango: A ghost . . . she's been watching over her and Miroku's family ever since she was killed.
She does know that her Miroku has finally been reincarnated . . finding a way to come back to
life. To be with him . . . is high on her priority list.

Shippo: Full-grown Kitsune. The greatest thief in Japan . . and a major thorn in the side of Naraku.

Kirara: only 3 legs . . . lost one to Inu-yasha in a fight a century ago. She helps Sango watch over
Miroku's family. She is a Japanese Vampire-cat.

Kaede : reincarnated . . . related to Kagome . . . older sister? Or maybe a younger sister. Again.

Myouga. Dead. (Killed by Inu-yasha)

Jakken . . . dead. (Killed by Sango.)

Kohaku: unknown . . . perhaps a vampire . .

Kouga . . . Unknown?

Kagura & Kanna: never created. This Naraku had Kikyo and Inu-yasha to help him.

The jewel? Destroyed centuries ago . .

Sesshomaru . . . see next chapter . .

_____________________________________________

Thank you for reading, Jeff Shelton.