InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ A Rose and A Promise Part 1 ( Chapter 15 )

A/N - I'd like to thank everyone for their response to the youkai/youki answer I placed in the last chapter. I did not realize until I saw them together that they are actually spelled differently. Thank you everyone for your help and makes me love you guys all the more for taking the time to let me know.

 

Also thanks mom for the help you gave me with getting this chapter off the ground…:)

 

Disclaimer - I do not in anyway, shape, or form own Inuyasha or the characters in the anime. With that said let the Torment of Kag and Sess begin! :evil grin:

 

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Chapter 15 ~ A Rose and A Promise, Part 1

 

Sora smirked as she raised the precious cobalt colored glass vial up to the fading light of day giving the silver liquid inside an ethereal glow. The vial had taken her a while to obtain, its rarity making the demand high but barely ever accessible. Sora had to watch the silk traders for over a year before she'd found the one who carried the priceless glass and it was only after hours of bartering with the strange human was she able to finally get him to agree with her price.

 

If he had not been on his way to meet a very high ranking youkai lord then she would have just slaughtered the hapless fool and been done with it. At the time she had not wanted to take any chances with her plans for the future because one careless step and Sora might find herself part of the hunted instead of the hunter.

 

Even though the glass was considered a prized possession it was the liquid inside that held the greatest importance. Concocted from several of the deadliest plants and herbs in Japan, a combination alone that could kill anyone or thing that did not know the secret of its properties. Only two other ingredients had been needed to create the exotic elixir.

 

A strand of Sesshomaru's hair, obtained during his captivity in the Northern dungeons and a few drops of the young miko's blood gotten during the shadow demon's attack on her had transformed the poisons into something only one trained in the darkest magic lore knew. The latter had been the easiest to pull off.

 

The smirk turned into a maniacal grin as Sora thought over the past year. The miko had been the only thing that had surprised her really, while everything else had played out just as she'd thought, yet Kagome had given her the added benefit of being about to finally get to the dog lord.

 

Oh, it had been so easy to manipulate the fools she was surrounded by. It had been she that had provided her master with the potion that suppressed the Taiyoukai's powers, giving her access to the beautiful silver strands that she had desired. She had already known what she was going to do with them but it was the second rare ingredient that had given her pause for concern.

 

The blood of a powerful miko was what was needed to finish her elixir yet not many known miko's existed with that type of strength and the one she knew that did have the sort of power required was now tainted with demon blood. Then without warning this young miko came along to rescue the demon lord while the usurper's men was chasing the demon lord.

 

Sora's soft laughter held a trace of true evil as she thought over her own folly. She had been livid with she found out that her so called master had allowed the Western Lord to escape from the dungeon, but when word reached them that a miko of great strength had joined with Sesshomaru and then returned later to rescue the other's, Sora knew she had been given a great boon.

 

Laying the vial on the small table positioned by her bedroom window, Sora let her mind wonder back to just how excited and full of fear Tanaka had been as she relayed their master's wishes to her. The tamed cat had told Sora everything their master believed and it took most of Sora's will power to not laugh at the shaking creature's terrified account of Kage being alive.

 

Kage had been a shadow demon of great strength back when Midoriko walked the lands, back before the great battle had felled their original master. Sora chuckled again knowing that the true Kage, a lowly reptile demon, held no more ability as a shadow youkai then Iyashii, their newest recruit, did. It was laughable really; the Great Youkai Lord had known Sora dispatched his offspring. Encouraged her really, as a mean's of making himself stronger, but he would never allow his other children to know what was going on. Kage's death had allowed her to gain his name and rose to power in her own right while maintaining her Sora persona. It was the perfect disguise to get into the other's holdings and become the perfect assassin.

 

It was always easier to hide in plain site, but once the jewel was created it had gotten easier. While her current master and few remaining offspring slumbered under the Shikon's influence, Sora for some unknown reason's had been allowed to stay awake, perhaps due in part to the other youki she had taken on from her fallen enemies. Taking the years granted to her, Sora took the time to regain the strength expended during the Great War and educate herself in the new ways. It had been hard at first but with each new adversary Sora had absorbed it had gotten easer, her powers growing while she learned their youki and forms.

 

In reality she could never truly duplicate other youki, but her own allowed Sora to get it close enough to fool those around her. Her powers did not allow her to mimic the scent of other's either or she would have sought to rid herself of the pesky human miko that threatened her plans by framing her for some wrong or another.

 

By taking in and learning the forms of others, Sora had made herself invaluable to the usurper. To Sora he was a weak demon who hid in the shadows and allowed no one to know his name, even Tanaka, his faithful pet, did not know what to call him other than master.

 

A new memory surfaced and Sora's grin widened. If it were not for Iyashii, she would not have learned the form she now wore. It had been her who had arranged for Iyashii to betray their master, creating an elaborate illusion that drove the young inu youkai into temporary madness.

 

Sora remembered the sweet yet mildly spicy tang of the young inu demoness who Iyashii had been mated too, She had one of her own henchmen lead him to believe his precious mate had died at the hands of their master. After all the inu youkai's family was the only hold that the usurper had over the irrational demon.

 

The betrayal had come to an end when the master proved to the youkai that his infant daughter was still held somewhere out of his reach and very much alive. To this day, fear for his daughter held the inu youkai in their master's grip. If either of them figured out it was in truth her that had ended the gentle demoness' life then Sora's might find a dramatic end.

 

As for the child, Sora did not know her whereabouts but she doubted the infant still lived. Perhaps, she had been given to Tanaka to play with or maybe something worse. It was none of Sora's concern, she had already gotten what she wanted, the form of an inu youkai.

 

Golden eyes landed on the small vial again and her grin faded away into a thoughtful scowl, the young miko was going to prove a problem even though it had been her blood that had helped create the valuable liquid. The elixir would help keep Sesshomaru's attentions for as long as Sora desired, yet the miko's flaring aura seemed to counteract the spells properties. She had seen it first hand over the last few days, how each time the human looked at her the miko's aura would flare and before Sora would know what happened, Sesshomaru's attention would be pulled away from her and to the human.

 

The elixir used in larger drops might prove fatal or even detectible to one as strong as Sesshomaru. In small drops, it only affected the senses Sora wanted them too, causing the one she had targeted to become aroused just being in the same room with her, no matter how close. His hair had been the linking factor, causing the potion to only work on the Taiyoukai.

 

Glancing down at her revealing clothing in silent contemplation, Sora believed that perhaps a change in wardrobe was in order. The Western Lord did not seem to have the same fault a lot of the lower youkai held, in fact it surprised her that he had resisted the potion as long as he had. Usually, her targets were in her bed within a day or so, but he had resisted it so far and still showed no true signs of weakening.

 

Maybe if Sora became more ladylike, wearing the proper attire of one in his position, Sesshomaru would be a more willing partner. It might be easier if she was allowed to be alone in his presence but with the threat of a pending battle, the demoness had not had the chance to test her theory. To her it seemed as though the young miko had caught on and was intentionally having one or the other of her friends keep Sesshomaru busy at all times.

 

The woman would have to be dealt with swiftly and Sora knew another attack on the human's life was in order. The first one had been a way to get the human's blood, but the lowly demon had failed in killing her off. He had been dealt with swiftly, his dying screams still delighting the sadistic woman.

 

The miko, with help from the bear, had dispatched the snake demons Sora had sent after them, saving her the work of having to do it. There were others under her rule though who were eager to prove themselves to the one they believed to be Kage.

 

An evil smirk pulled upward as Sora's inu form faded into that of Kage. The dark skin crept over his body slowly as muscles began to take shape. Kage swept up the precious vial from the table and stepped into the darkest shadows of the room.

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The vast gardens held the traditional stones placed in alignment with the foliage around them giving it a tranquil and very beautiful feel. To Kagome there was only one place she truly felt at peace with her surroundings.

 

She had found it on one of the many nights Kagome spent exploring its wondrous twists and turns. Even Ozeki had reacted to the breathtaking beauty of the blooming roses and dark foliage.

 

White roses climbed the stonewall of the castle, its branches spilling over several red rose bushes. Small waterfalls had been strategically placed through out the trees and other multicolored flowers had been interwoven with the others to create a hidden alcove. A single stone bench had been worked into its surrounding with expert insight and Kagome had fallen in love with it the moment she had stumbled across it.

 

This one spot alone told her the love that Rin had placed within each carefully placed plant or bush. Kagome knew Rin loved flowers, had for as long as the young miko could remember and the young child had grown into a talented young woman, this garden was proof of that.

 

Behind her Ozeki shifted uncomfortable, his low sigh of impatience telling her that something was on the bear's mind. Tearing her gaze away from the moon kissed roses, Kagome turned to look up at the general.

 

“What's wrong?” She asked concern lacing her voice.

 

“It is nothing, Kagome.” Ozeki refused to look at her, but his crossed arms and tense frame told her that he was hiding something.

 

“Ozeki,” her voice lowered with warning, she was still irritated though the morning work out had taken some of the bite off her anger.

 

The great bear cast her a glance that would have shut a lesser person up but when he noticed the concern in her lovely features he sighed again and sat down heavily on the bench beside her.

 

“I should be asking you that,” Ozeki began while Kagome's surprised look settled on her friend and guardian. “Why did you feel such urgency to train this morning and why even bother teaching Shuri the way you did?”

 

“Oh,” Kagome looked back at the blooming flowers, her mind centering on a certain silver haired youkai. “I don't know what to tell you, Ozeki. There's been something eating away at me these past few days but I'm not entirely sure what it is. I had to work off some of the tension I was feeling. Shuri made a good distraction, but his fighting skills were weak as though he were new to the sword in his hand. I only wanted to help him keep alive a little longer should he be forced into battle.”

 

“Is it anything I can help you with?” He asked concerned over what he was hearing. “Someone I need to teach a lesson too or maybe even threaten?”

 

Kagome softly chuckled at the humor she could hear in the bear's voice, but it did not entirely alleviate her worries. Rin's safety was also on her mind and she feared that Sora might do something to bring the young woman harm.

 

“Though I thank you deeply for your concern, I must decline.” She smiled looking back at him. “But I must take care of this myself.”

 

“If you do find yourself in need of someone to talk with, remember I, your faithful servant, am here,” Ozeki stood giving her a comical bow that set her to giggling. He really had changed from that arrogant demon into a good friend. Oh he hadn't lost the arrogance, Kagome was certain of that, but he had allowed her to see a softer, gentler side that once again reminded the miko of a giant teddy bear, though a dangerous one.

 

“I shall remember that M'lord.” She graced him with one of her stunning smiles and looked up at the night sky. They had been out here since sunset and she loved to look up at the clear sky and glistening stars.

 

“You would do well to remember that there are those that care for your well being,” Sesshomaru's deep velvety voice rolled over her, startling the young woman. She had not sensed his approach nor had heard a sound and one hand instantly covered her heart at its erratic beating. He had startled her once again like he had so many times when they had traveled together ten years ago and it irritated her that the Taiyoukai could still do it.

 

“Sesshomaru!” She squeaked out, her wide eyes reflecting her surprise and worry. In seconds, Kagome's eyes narrowed and she looked away, determined not to speak to him more then she had too.

 

Amusement sparkled in those golden eyes that looked over the angered young woman. He had known his presence would cause such a reaction but he had wished to speak with her on his own terms. It had not taken him long to track the two into Rin's gardens.

 

Ozeki had bowed before his lord as was the custom, waiting for Sesshomaru to acknowledge his presence.

 

“Leave us,” Sesshomaru commanded the bear with only a mild glance in the general's direction. He was too busy watching Kagome cast a curious glance toward them before she realized he was sending her guardian away.

 

“Yes, M'lord.” Ozeki replied before straightening himself and casting one last worried glance toward Kagome, he left the two alone.

 

“What do you want?” Kagome asked as soon as Ozeki was out of sight. She was irritated that the Western Lord had sought her out, wanting only to be as far from the inu youkai as she could get.

 

“You would do well to watch your tongue miko,” Sesshomaru hissed feeling his own anger rise to meet hers. Her scent was permeating the air around them mingling with that of the flowers and the fragrance was making him feel lightheaded.

 

Kagome snorted in a very unladylike manner and rose from the bench to step closer to the roses. The moonlight adding a shine to her loose ebony hair and casting a soft halo around her, she seemed to almost fit with the landscaping as though Rin had created this hidden spot just for the miko.

 

Sesshomaru's anger faded away as he watched her reach out to caress one of the large white blooms and he took a step closer to her. His hand came to rested on the miko's shoulder and he felt the woman tense under his touch.

 

“What angers you?” He asked softly. Sesshomaru found over the days that her anger with him was unsettling, an unusual feeling for him to associate with anyone other then his daughter.

 

Kagome sighed, he was always one to get straight to the point, but still she hesitated to tell him that the demoness he was affected by could possible be someone he should avoid. She was not yet ready to have this conversation, but Kagome knew there was no way she could get around it.

 

“What do you know about Sora?” Kagome asked so softly that Sesshomaru at first believed he was hearing things. She still had not looked at him and it was obvious that Kagome did not intend to.

 

His eyes narrowed at the name of the demoness who he had felt drawn to, it caused him to wonder if perhaps this petite woman felt a tinge of the emotion humans called jealousy. His hand fell away and Sesshomaru turned his back to her.

 

“That is none of your concern human.” Sesshomaru said pulling a single white rose from its perch among the dark green leaves. The perfectly formed blossom captivated his attention as one clawed finger carefully traced the velvety petals.

 

“In a sense it is my concern. She worries me, causes me to fear for Rin and I do not wish to see the child harmed.” Kagome kept her voice soft knowing a shouting match would do no good with this stubborn lord.

 

“I will allow no one to harm my daughter,” Sesshomaru looked back to Kagome and gently turned her to face him. He had removed the thorns from the rose and now looking down at the woman who haunted his dreams Sesshomaru felt it was the final touch to the angel before him. Before Sesshomaru had time to think about what he was doing, he placed the rose carefully behind Kagome's right ear. The effect was even more beautiful then he had anticipated.

 

She looked up at him her brows drawn together in confusion. Kagome could not believe he had just given her a rose. He wasn't acting normal and she wondered if whatever Sora had cast over him was the cause of it.

 

“A rose's perfection lasts only for a short time, but its beauty forever lives on inside those that look upon them.” Sesshomaru said looking down into her dark eyes, for one spilt second giving Kagome the impression he was trying to tell her something.

 

Before Kagome could say anything, a female voice dripping with desire called out to him from within the gardens and the light footfalls told both of them that whoever it was did not respect the hard work Rin had placed into the garden. A second call and Kagome knew instantly it was the demoness.

 

Kagome heaved a sigh and watched Sesshomaru closely. She wanted to see if he would run off hearing the inu youkai's call and forget her like Inuyasha had done many times, or if he would in fact remember that there were those who wished her harm. It surprised her when the Taiyoukai actually took her upper arm and gentle guided her from the hidden alcove, even as she sensed the desire lace through Sesshomaru's aura.

 

Once they were cleared of the roses Sesshomaru steered Kagome toward where the voice was coming from. It only took a few moments to find the paled haired female and both were surprised at her attire.

 

Instead of the short skirts and low tops, Sora had opted for a traditional long kimono instead; only the top was left with a gap large enough to reveal her full cleavage. The sweeping sleeves were decorated with scattered plum blossoms the light pink thread standing out against the deep blue background. Her long hair had been brushed with rose oils until it held a glossy texture and small strands of colored thread had been worked into the platinum tresses swept up in an elaborate hairstyle.

 

Kagome rolled her eyes in irritation as the demoness approached; Sora's eyes were only for Sesshomaru as her rounded hips swayed even more when she saw him. Kagome wondered if the youkai could possible get her obi any tighter as it accented her every curve.

 

Sora took in the grip Sesshomaru had on the woman's arm and her eyes narrowed with slight anger as she looked toward the miko. Her earlier plan had already been set into motion and she hoped that soon the miko's interference would be lifted.

 

Her golden eyes shifted back to Sesshomaru, her blatant desire showing him her wants, yet his face was as emotionless as every. Only his darkened eyes showed any sign that her elixir was still working on the Western Lord.

 

“Good evening M'lord,” Sora's eyes respectively fixed on the ground in front of him as she tried to make herself seem more demure in his eyes. She bowed slightly while she spoke. “I was told I might be able to find you here.”

 

“What was it you required, Lady Sora?” his words were spoken without any trace of the desire he was feeling, yet he felt Kagome tense even more at his side.

 

“I wished to thank you M'lord,” Sora's voice held a soft, flirtatious edge to it that had Kagome gritting her teeth. “For the wonderful hospitality you have offered me and my brother.”

 

“It is of no concern,” his voice held no emotion as he talked with Sora, yet Kagome's full attention was on him as she felt his deadly claws dig into the soft flesh of her arm. It was almost as if he were struggling against whatever Sora was doing to him and had found a lifeline in Kagome.

 

Kagome listened silently as the two spoke at some length, Sora flirting and Sesshomaru's cold replies. Suddenly, Sesshomaru let go of her arm and took a step toward the demoness as though he could not stop himself.

 

“I seem to find that I am lost, confused by all the twists and turns within your great walls, Lord Sesshomaru,” Sora smiled as she watched him let go and the startled look in Kagome's eyes as her gaze followed him. “Would you be able to show me the way?”

 

“Sesshomaru,” Kagome stepped forward and took a hold of his upper arm. It halted him just long enough for him to cast a questioning glance back at her. She saw confusion struggling against desire and duty when she looked up at him and Kagome let her gaze travel to the amused female. “Ozeki is not here and I was left in your care.”

 

“Forgive me Lady Sora,” Sesshomaru finally seemed to overcome whatever it was clouding his senses as duty broke through and he looked back at Sora with a trace of longing in his eyes though none who did not know him would notice. “This Sesshomaru must see to Lady Kagome's safe return. One of the servants will see to it that you find your way.”

 

“Thank you M'lord,” Sora replied and Kagome caught a glimpse of simmering fury in her eyes as she bowed again. Watching as the inu youkai turned away, Kagome shivered slightly and stepped nearer to the deadly Taiyoukai.

 

“I really do not like that woman.” Kagome whispered when Sora disappeared inside.

 

“Do not talk about her that way!” Sesshomaru growled turning to glare down at the woman beside him. His eyes were beginning to bleed red and Kagome shivered again. “She is inu youkai and deserves your respect human wench.”

 

That did it; Kagome's temper flared and she returned his glare with her own rage. “That creature is no more inu youkai then my son is!”

 

In an instant Kagome found herself flush against one of the trees, Sesshomaru's long fingers wrapped tightly around her slender throat lifting her feet off the ground. “Do not speak of what you do not know.”

 

Instead of being afraid, Kagome only grew angrier and a sudden jolt of her miko powers coursed their way down Sesshomaru's arm causing him to hiss in pain and drop her.

 

“Wake up Lord Sesshomaru,” Kagome growled at him her eyes reflecting pink for a split second. “I've seen the spell she weave's around her even though it's well hidden and I've felt her aura. She may not bear the same taint as the others, but her youki speaks of hidden agenda's. That woman is evil and I swear by all that is holy that if your desire for this creature brings harm to our daughter than mark my words, I will purify your sorry hide to the ends of the earth even if it means my own death!”

 

The last words were shouted before the young miko tore the rose from her hair and flung it at the stunned demon. With a huff, she turned and stalked away from him, too angry to care if anything did attack her. Whoever dared would find she was in no mood to be an easy target. A soft glow coming from her scabbard attested to that fact.

 

He stood watching her go; the anger completely drained from his body because in truth Sesshomaru was shocked by her words. Kagome had referred to Rin as “our” daughter and threatened his life if anything befell the child.

 

Did she really believe he would allow anything to happen to the only person who loved him unconditionally? And when exactly did Kagome start thinking of Rin as their daughter?

 

Sesshomaru shook his head and bent to pick up the discarded rose. His thoughts in turmoil over what the miko had just said. Normally, the demon lord was able to keep his mask intact but Sora was somehow disrupting the barriers he had erected around his emotions. He knew he should not allow his desire to over take him, like had almost happened only moments ago, but it was becoming harder every time he came near the female inu youkai. What was wrong with him and why had he smelled Kagome's blood right before she'd stormed into the castle?

 

Asking question that he did not seem to have any answers for, Sesshomaru returned to the beautiful, rose-filled alcove where he sat and thought about what had just transpired.

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Golden eyes watched with both maniacal glee and simmering rage as the young miko raced passed the deep shadows. The air was scented heavily with salty tears and a smile stretched across Sora's shadowed face. The anger though came from the fact that the worthless human had just revealed her secret to the one Sora sought to entrap.

 

Once again she had underestimated Kagome and it was surprising the young woman had seen through her disguise. Only the strongest mikos had been able to do that and only one had been able to dispel her magic. Midoriko was no longer alive to counteract her spell, but Sora had to wonder if perhaps Kagome might be able to do it as well.

 

No matter the miko would soon be dead and under the elixir's strong pull Sesshomaru would forget in time. He would be hers to play with as long as she wished and to dispose of at her leisure when Sora was tired of him. The filthy human would fail in her attempts to protect the woman-child that Sesshomaru had adopted.

 

Sora retreated back into the shadows and disappeared. There was a lot to accomplish before the human could be dealt with.

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Kagome slammed the sliding door to her room closed so hard that it almost bounced from its track. Tears left streaks down her cheeks and dripped almost unnoticed onto the plain silk kimono she wore. She was confused and feeling hurt by Sesshomaru's words as she flung herself across the futon.

 

If Sora hadn't come along just at that moment, Kagome felt certain the Taiyoukai might have tried to kiss her. But why would he do that? What did Sora do to him that had him acting so unlike himself?

 

The bad part about it was that she had wanted him to kiss her; it had felt so right like it was meant to happen. In that instant, his eyes had darkened slightly and some strange emotion tried to make its presence know and Kagome knew that he was the one she dreamt about. It had been Sesshomaru who came to her when she needed rescuing from the nightmares that plagued her mind. In her dreams he was loving and protective.

 

Then Sora had come along spoiling everything and instantly Sesshomaru had been drawn to her. It surprised Kagome when, even in his strange state, the inu youkai had remembered she was there and stayed by her sided. Sesshomaru always had more control over his feelings and actions then Inuyasha, but this supposed female dog shows up and suddenly the Western Lord's acting like a hormonal high school teenager.

 

What was worse was that Kagome herself felt very much like that innocent and naïve young kid she'd been the first time she saw Inuyasha and Kikyo kissing. She felt hurt, anger, and confusion combining with so many other emotions she felt dizzy.

 

“Kagome? Are you alright?” Ozeki's deep voice came from the door and she could just barely make out the concern in it through her sobs. “Why do I smell blood? Have you been injured?”

 

She felt Ozeki gather her to his chest and instinctively flinched when one well-muscled arm brushed against the claw marks. It burned slightly causing her to hiss in discomfort.

 

Ozeki picked up on the slight pain she was feeling and positioning the slender woman in his lap while he tore away the flowing sleeve to look at the injury. The angry red wounds were small but seeped a discolored and foul smelling blood that instantly brought worry to his eyes. Someone had poisoned her and a protective growl ripped from his throat unhindered.

 

“Who did this to you?” He demanded holding the woman as her shook from the force of her crying.

 

“Sesshomaru,” Kagome choked out as she tried hard to stop crying. She couldn't understand why Ozeki was so worried about the small pinpricks; they were nothing to worry about. Sensing the rising anger she quickly added, “But it wasn't his fault.”

 

“Lord Sesshomaru?” He was confused and angry but her protectiveness over the Taiyoukai stopped him from confronting his lord until he heard the whole story. “What happened?”

 

Kagome quietly told him about the meeting with Sora in the gardens and about the evil feeling she got every time the demoness was around. She explained her fear of harm coming to Rin.

 

“I doubt he even knows he did it. Please don't be mad at him.” Kagome pleaded up at the bear through tear-brightened eyes that shown with worry but cloudiness had settled over them that Ozeki knew. It amazed the youkai that even though he could see the first effects of the poison set in, she was worried more for Sesshomaru then herself. In those eyes he could see that somewhere, at sometime this tender young human had fallen deeply in love with his lord and might not even realize it herself. It confirmed his earlier assessment of the two.

 

It was still his duty to protect the miko and he would have to inform Sesshomaru of exactly what happened. If the poison's killed her then the inu youkai would never forgive himself.

 

Ozeki looked deep in those midnight eyes and could see them becoming cloudier and weariness settled over her. Soon her body would begin to shake uncontrollably. If she survived that then that knew how long her torment would last. Sesshomaru's poison was a form of acid and it may very well eat away at her insides until she died painfully. He would have to do something fast but he was afraid to leave the miko alone. In her weakened state she was too great a target for those that wanted her dead.

 

“I have to send someone to fetch the healer for you, Lady Kagome.” Ozeki told her when her head drooped against his chest. “I fear Lord Sesshomaru may have poisoned you.”

 

“I'll be alright, Ozeki.” She gave him a weak smile before yawning. “Its nothing my body won't purify sometime during the night. I just need to sleep.”

 

“As you wish M'lady.” He gave her a skeptical look that went unnoticed. Ozeki did not want to upset her so by agreeing to what she said he knew she would keep calm. He didn't know much about miko's but he knew someone that did.

 

The darkness welcomed her as she slipped into unconsciousness, the worries of her world falling away. Ozeki watched her for a second more trying to decide what to do but when she passed out he knew he had to find Kikyo.

 

“Jaken!” Ozeki roared loud enough to wake the dead and caught the attention of several youkai scattered about the castle. Rarely did anyone call the little retainer other than their Lord and it sent chills down several their spines. If someone other then Sesshomaru was screaming for the toad it could not be good.

 

Jaken had been quick; his name had not been uttered by his master but by another youkai. At first he was going to ignore it but something deep within him began to feel a climbing dread. There had been too much feeling in that voice, one that told him there was a great need.

 

Going against his better judgment, Jaken pushed the miko's door aside and stepped in ready to scream at whoever had dared cause him to worry. Didn't they know that no one other than his master was allowed to treat him like that?

 

The retort died in his beak when Jaken took in the site he found, Ozeki gave him a distraught look as he held the small miko. Her body was shaking and she appeared to be unconscious, the smell of tainted blood filling the room.

 

His mind went back to when his lord had traveled with the shard-hunting group in the final days before Naraku's defeat. Kagome had been the only one who really treated him kindly back then, saving him from two rambunctious children on numerous occasions. She had also made sure he was fed and often helped care for the twin-headed dragon Ah-Un. The little miko had gone out of her way to make him feel as much apart of the group as everyone else and though he had never let on Jaken had loved her for it.

 

“Get Kikyo,” was all Ozeki had to say before Jaken scurried out of the room in a panic to find the demon miko. Jaken pushed past the few youkai who had come to investigate what was happening and raced down the castle stairs.

 

He had never had a chance to repay the woman for her kindness before and Jaken wanted to make certain that she lived long enough for him to thank properly. Now was his chance to repay her in some small form for all Kagome had done for him.

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A/N - Hmm… well looks like we got quite the dilemma going? What will Sess do whenever he finds out what he did to Kags?

 

I know its an evil little cliffhanger but not to worry I'm working on part 2 and will hopefully have that posted in a day or so.

 

You guys are the best! Thank you once more for both the support you've shown throughout Sunset love and the guidance you guys give to me. I hope this chapter lived up to those expectations.

 

Much love - DJ