InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets of the Shinju (Part IV): Power of the Purified Shinju ❯ Kagome's Savior ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter Thirteen

Kagome's Savior

Kagome could instantly see that rational words were not going to work with Sesshoumaru. He lunged for Naraku with a fierceness that she had never witnessed. She threw up a barrier around the half demon out of pure instinct. "Sesshoumaru, Stop!" Her words were falling on deaf ears. He was pushing into her barrier roughly and to her dismay he was making headway. Naraku stood there, his eyes vacant. She could tell that he would not put up a fight at all if Sesshoumaru were to get to him.

Kagome concentrated harder on the barrier. She couldn't watch Naraku die…not like this. Her soul wouldn't allow such a thing to happen. Kagome couldn't take any of her energy from the barrier. Sesshoumaru was forcing his way through it as it was. She walked slowly up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Sesshoumaru" she spoke softly. He continued his pursuit of Naraku but did not make any attempt to harm Kagome or knock her away. She slowly edged herself in front of him placing herself between him and the barrier. She repeated his name several times and finally let her arms slide around his waist. She hugged him closely and despite herself, began to cry.

She felt his anger subsiding slightly and a moment later she felt his arms around her. He pulled her so close that she almost couldn't breathe but did not say anything. His gesture had actually taken her by surprise. She was afraid that having his demon blood back would harden him again.

She assumed that despite being demon, his heart was not blackened because the shinju was not in his possession. The thought comforted her, though she was still crying uncontrollably. He kept one arm tightly around her and the other began to stroke her hair. Finally, he pulled back and stared down into her eyes.

"Why do you wish me to spare the life of this monster?" She could feel anger in him and she looked down. "I'll explain it to you later." She turned towards Naraku, not sure what to do with him now. He seemed to understand her feeling.

"Priestess, I would like to speak with you for a moment, before you go." He said and then glanced at Sesshoumaru. The demon's eyes narrowed and he protectively put his hand on Kagome.

"You will not be alone with her again, half-breed. It is her wishes alone that keep you alive, now." Kagome moved towards Naraku and let the barrier down. He removed the Shikon Jewel shards that he possessed, which was quite frankly most of it, and handed them to her.

"You will not see me again, Priestess. I will not ask for your forgiveness, it is something that I do not deserve." He stood there watching her for a moment and then turned and walked out of the room, still under Kagome's protective spell. She watched him go knowing that her power would protect him from Hitomi, though she wasn't sure she could protect him from himself.

Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru and stood there unable to move herself. She could tell that he was contemplating going after Naraku. Finally, he came to her. "Are you alright, priestess?" She nodded her head and suddenly felt the world around her swirling with hatred. Sesshoumaru too, felt it.

"It is just as Toshi said." She looked at him and he told her what the great priestess had predicted. Kagome quickly filled him on her knowledge of Hitomi and she watched his eyes darken. "We must go now. We have to be sure that my brother got the human's away from the castle." Kagome started out of the room and stopped.

"Chiyo…" She said and took off down the corridor. Sesshoumaru followed and quickly grabbed a hold of her. "Where are you going?" He asked somewhat gruffly.

"Please, she was my servant. I can't leave her here." Sesshoumaru watched her for a moment and finally spoke. "I can only assume that she is a demoness." Kagome nodded and he darkened.

"We cannot bring her; she will be affected by the shinju." Kagome looked down the corridor and pulled away from him. "I can't just leave her here." Sesshoumaru followed her closely, so that he could fight off the demoness if she attacked. To both of their surprise, they found Chiyo sitting on the floor in servant's quarters. She appeared to meditating. The demoness looked up at Kagome and then glanced at Sesshoumaru.

"Good. I'm glad you will be leaving, Miss." Chiyo stood and walked towards Kagome. The two contemplated each other for a moment and then Kagome focused on Chiyo's aura. "You're not just a servant are you?" Chiyo smiled. "Yes, Miss, I am but a servant. However, I also hold the power of a reibai or spiritual medium. It has passed through my blood for generations." Kagome took in her words and understood what she meant.

"You were here for a reason…" Chiyo smiled. "I was not here because I enjoyed the masters company, I assure you, Miss." Kagome smiled slightly and hugged her servant. "You helped me receive those images, didn't you?" Chiyo nodded slightly. "I was sent here by a holy man." Kagome stood stunned. "Seiji…" Again the demoness nodded. "You must go now, Miss. I will be able to keep myself protected but not indefinitely. Soon, I too will lose myself to the powers that are taking over this land."

Kagome stood rooted and finally she felt Sesshoumaru's arm around her waist as he lifted her. He took to the sky moving towards his castle. He glanced down at Kagome, noting that she still reeked of Naraku. He kept his senses sharp…now the smell of blood was all around him. He could feel, smell and even see the demons. Death…it was everywhere now. Kagome too sensed it and became upset.

"What's happened?" He was close now and could smell his brother, Rin and the other humans. He landed softly on the ground wanting to be alone with her briefly. He showed her the medallion that he had been given and told her in detail what he had discovered. She shuddered and looked around her knowing that as they spoke there were mindless demons ravaging villages and slaughtering innocent people.

"We need to find the others and make sure they are safe." She said nearly frantically. He pulled her to him and soothed her fear. "I have already picked up their scent. They are not far from here." He held her close to him for a moment still smelling Naraku and then took to the air to find the others.

They came upon them in a wooded area. They looked exhausted and Sesshoumaru instantly smelled the blood of demons on them. Clearly, they had already battled many. The moment they landed the monk had Kagome in his arms. He was nearly in tears. "Kagome, why did you do that?" Sesshoumaru watched Kagome give the monk a look that said `What else could I do?' Yet she remained silent.

InuYasha walked towards her and stopped. He too had his demon blood back. Sesshoumaru caught InuYasha's quick sniff. He and Kagome stared into each others eyes for a moment and InuYasha turned his back on her. Sesshoumaru had to refrain himself from ripping his brother apart on the spot. He realized doing anything at this particular time would only draw more attention to Kagome and would only cause her more pain and discomfort.

Kagome too caught InuYasha's movement. He had smelled Naraku on her. Not just his smell, but he knew that Naraku had used her. Kagome's heart nearly broke when InuYasha's eyes went bleak and he turned away from her.

The others were too preoccupied with the children and the threat that more demons would attack to notice what had happened. Finally, Sesshoumaru announced that they would be returning to his castle. Without thought he pulled Kagome to him and then moved for Rin.

"I will be taking Rin and the priestess with me." He stated matter-of-factly. He then took to the sky knowing that the others would be able to defend themselves on their journey back.

Sesshoumaru stopped outside the castle, not knowing what they would find inside. Kagome let out a small gasp. "Shippou," she said and hurried towards the castle. Sesshoumaru grasped her shoulder tightly. "You cannot go in there alone." She looked at him and nodded. He felt her powers working and suddenly realized that there was a barrier of sorts around his entire castle.

He followed her inside and she went directly to the room where Miroku had left Shippou and Kilala. They were both disorientated and Kagome dropped to the floor, gathering her young kit in her arms. "Shippou, are you ok?" He looked up at her strangely and said, "Kagome? What happened?"

She knew that before her barrier had been erected he had not been himself. Even her sweet little Shippou had been under the spell of Hitomi. They took Shippou and Rin to the dinning room and Kagome went to the kitchen to find them food. It became apparent that all of Sesshoumaru's servants had fled as soon as the thirst for human blood was in them. The only thing that had kept Shippou and Kilala were the spirit scrolls that Miroku had put up.

She fixed them a quick meal and left them to eat. Kagome went to find herself a towel and fresh kimono and prepared to leave when she again felt Sesshoumaru grab her. "You cannot go out to the springs unattended, priestess." He saw her wince and stood watching her for a moment. "It is not safe for you to be alone outside. I will accompany you." She looked at him for a moment and then nodded.

He turned from her and informed Rin and Shippou that they were not to leave the castle. He then returned to Kagome's side and followed her towards the hot springs. He could sense that something was bothering her and inquired about it. She looked at him briefly and then decided to tell him.

"When you call me priestess, it reminds me of Naraku. That is how he always referred to me." He glanced at her and then told her he would refrain from addressing her in such a way. Finally the hot springs came into view and she hurried towards them.

She stood nervously as he stared intently at her. "I will wait just over there." He gestured to some trees less than thirty feet away. "If any demons appear I will be able to reach you before they do." Kagome waited until she could no longer see him and then undressed.

She allowed herself to relax for the first time in many days. She had nearly fallen asleep when she heard Sesshoumaru's voice asking if she was alright. She gave a weak yes and then got out of the springs. Once she was dressed he approached her. He was glad that Naraku's scent had diminished and he escorted her back to the castle where they would wait for the others return so that they could figure out what they would do next.