InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ A Rose and A Promise Part 2 ( Chapter 16 )

A/N - Sorry I made you guys way..lol. .but I couldn't resist it was too tempting. Hopefully this will make up for my evil lil cliffy. Read and enjoy!

 

Also thanks again mom for being my beta reader.

 

Disclaimer - I do not now, nor will I ever own the Inuyasha anime or the characters portrayed within it. Now on with the torment of two hearts!

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Chapter 16 ~ A Rose and A Promise, Part 2

 

Kikyo was in the field watching closely as the children chase fireflies while Sango held a brief late night training session with Rin and Kohaku. She was deep in thought even though her hands were busy crushing the herbs in the mortar. Everything had changed and still she could not believe her fortune at being granted such a loving family.

 

“Lady Kikyo!” she heard Jaken call out to her and turned amused eyes toward Sesshomaru's retainer. She was use to Jaken interrupting her thoughts every time he'd come to fetch the young Rin.

 

Amusement faded away as she saw the disturbed look on his face and his bulging eyes. There was an aura of dread around him that instantly brought Kikyo to her feet, the forgotten mortar and pestle spilling its contents over the ground. “What has happened?”

 

Her words brought the training to a halt and they turned worried eyes to the heavily breathing toad.

 

“Lady Kagome…” His breath came in deep gasps as he pointed back toward the castle, “she's hurt.”

 

All three women raced toward the castle with Kikyo in the lead leaving Kohaku behind to watch over the children. The demon miko's footfalls almost silent compared to her human companions. There was urgency to her movements that brought her to Kagome's room within seconds and she threw aside one of the youkai that blocked her path into the young woman's room. It squawked when it hit the wall but Kikyo didn't pause to see if it was all right, she was too worried about the woman inside.

 

Kagome, still clasped in the general's arms, was quaking violently now, her eyes rolled back exposing the whites through partial slits. Sweat beaded the young miko's skin and Kikyo could see where the damp kimono clung to her. It was all Ozeki could do to keep a hold of Kagome without bringing her harm and he lifted worry filled eyes up to meet the demon miko when she entered.

 

Dread filled Kikyo as she recognized the smell of poisoned blood and when she caught sight of the angry red welts on Kagome's upper arm she instinctively flinched. Whatever happened had really done a number on the girl.

 

“Where's Sesshomaru?” Kikyo asked kneeling down beside the two. Fear and anger radiated off Ozeki in waves so forceful that Kikyo almost had to take a step back to clear her mind.

 

“I do not wish to discuss the lord,” Ozeki hissed between clenched teeth, his arms tightening around Kagome as a strong convulsion ripped through her fragile body.

 

Kikyo went to add her strength in holding the young woman down when she felt the first shock of Kagome's power surge through her. Widened chocolate met deep ebony as the demon miko realized that Ozeki was not only fighting to keep Kagome in the world of the living but also to keep her from purifying him. It was a miracle that the youkai could hold onto her at all

 

“Her body is fighting the poison,” Kikyo gently told him. “You must let her go before she purifies you along with it.”

 

She needed to get Ozeki to understand that it would kill Kagome if she knew she'd accidentally turned one of her friends to dust. Kikyo slowly began to realize just how loyal the great bear was and knew the young miko had chosen wisely.

 

“If I let her go she'll hurt herself,” He retorted his voice coarse and tired.

 

“Ozeki,” Kikyo tried again as she heard Rin and Sango enter the room. “Kagome don't know your there anymore. Her powers are trying to save her life and will not stop to recognize you as friend or foe.”

 

Rin's sharp intake of breath and Sango's outcry of terror brought Ozeki's gaze up to the two humans. Both saw just how much their friend's powers were affecting him but knew that the youkai would not let go until someone forced him to. They had heard what Kikyo had said and neared the futon as Kagome started to tremble.

 

Each time she convulsed her powers reached out and licked along his spine causing a pain he had not known before, but it was worth it. Kagome needed him and it was his place to be there for her. He was her servant until the two weeks were up but even then he would still guard the tender young woman with his life. She had shown him that not everything should be seen through hate filled eyes but with the love of life she viewed everything with.

 

Ozeki knew that even in this state Kagome could never hurt anyone and he refused to let go even with her friends gathered around. Toward the door he saw movement and was surprised when he noticed that the others had arrived. Tatsu, Kisho, and Kuro pushed their way into the room but Kikyo kept them at a distance for fear of them being purified.

 

“Who did this to her?” Tatsu demanded as he looked over the young woman, the others reflected his anger in their eyes though they did not move.

 

“I do not know.” Kikyo replied when the silent Ozeki went back to concentrating his attention on the woman he held. The miko laid still now, small shivers racing through her body and he seemed to be dealing with some internal conflict. To those gathered, Ozeki appeared to be preparing for the next time her body convulsed.

 

“Sesshomaru,” Kagome breathed so softly that only the bear holding her heard it. There was worry there laced through with sorrow and hurt. That one word alone was the deciding factor for him and Ozeki knew what he had to do.

 

“Lady Kikyo, will Kagome survive this?” He asked not looking up from Kagome's pale face. There was a pained look to it as though she were fighting against something in her dreams. The sweat rolling off the girl was slowing seeping through his clothing, each drop sending a tiny shock of her powers through him.

 

“I cannot know for certain for I do not have knowledge as to what type of poison was used against her.” Kikyo said sadly as she watched her friend's face contort into a mask of pain as another convulsion started. This one did not seem as bad as the one before but these things were unpredictable.

 

“Send the others away,” Ozeki ground out through clenched teeth as he felt her power spike again. “And someone find Lord Sesshomaru. He needs to be here for her.”

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Sesshomaru stared down at the rose cradled in his palm. His thoughts were in a jumble, but they kept returning to one thing, Kagome. Why had he felt compelled to attack the woman when she had insulted Sora? It was normally a reaction that one does in protection of a mate but he did not think of the demoness as such.

 

Maybe someone to lay with one night but not something he would wish to spend his life with. The thought disgusted him really, but he could not seem to control himself when the demoness was around.

 

If it had not been for Kagome stopping him, Sesshomaru knew he might very well have walked Sora to her room and stayed. It might have been a fatal mistake.

 

“That creature is no more inu youkai then my son is!” Her words kept repeating themselves over and over in his mind and he tried to make sense of them. Sesshomaru had not noticed any deception around Sora, but yet when she was near he could barely sense his own thoughts.

 

Could Kagome have been referring to the so called spell, one that was close to the ones that Shippo cast when he transformed or could she be hinting at some other meaning? Sesshomaru's head began to ach slightly as the thoughts kept running amok.

 

The young miko had saved his life how many times now? She had found him on the road, wounded and battling his enemies' hunters. She had fought beside him to rescue Rin then turned around and went to rescue Inuyasha, Shippo, and the others from some unknown place without a shred of fear. He had been told what occurred between her and Kuro and that was the reason he'd allowed the lion's cub to retire from the army so easily.

 

On top of that Kagome had returned his swords, something no one had been able to do before. Tensaiga had sought to protect her from Tokijin. She had conquered Ozeki, and got Tatsu to agree to train them, a miracle in itself. An unknown guardian was keeping track of her and she held the hearts of most anyone who knew her. Even old Jaken would lighten up slightly whenever the woman was near.

 

Kagome had done so much to help those around her in the short time she had been at his castle but he had repaid the woman by attacking her. Her kind heart and loving nature seemed to blanket his castle and include everyone in it. She had not done anything to deserve what he had done tonight except to warn him of something she believed to be dangerous, but he had been unable to stop himself. It had almost been as if something had compelled him to do it.

 

Sesshomaru allowed a deep sigh to escape his parted lips as his mind turned back to earlier. If Sora had not called out to him, he might have kissed the beautiful angel Kagome had been that night. Her beauty had called to him awaking the part that was always present in the dreams of her. Even the beast inside of him had wanted the young miko, where it usually was disgusted by thoughts of being near a human.

 

That was Kagome though, a loving woman and gentle caregiver to even the youkai who detested her. Sesshomaru had heard how she'd trained in the general dojo that morning before following Tatsu into the Council Hall, and had taught one of the new recruits a bit about battle. It hadn't surprised him any though it had worried him some she might re-injure her ribs.

 

Kisho had warned him before the start of the war council that a great evil had been invited into the castle and now looking back at the way Kagome had reacted every time the demoness was around he began to wonder if Sora was that great evil. If so, how was he going to be able to get free of whatever hold she had over him?

 

Sesshomaru's thoughts turned back to Kagome. He remembered the look in her eyes when the demoness had called out to him, there had been a deep sadness reflected there, some unknown emotion. Surprise quickly replaced it when he had taken a hold of her and Sesshomaru sensed that she had expected him to leave her alone, like Inuyasha had done to her on many occasions in the past.

 

He also remembered holding onto her almost the entire time he spoke with Sora but did not remember letting go. It was as if something had slowly clouded his mind and the only thing he could think of was getting closer to the demoness. Kagome's gentle touch on his arm had broken partially through the fog and allowed him to gain back part of his sense of duty. He could not leave the miko alone, it might be the cause of her death and that was something he knew he could not live with.

 

 

Sesshomaru sighed again; his arm was still tingling from the surge of power that had been sent through it. If Kagome had not reacted so suddenly he might very well have squeezed the life from her slender body. It had been that shock and her following words that had fully brought him back to himself. She had stunned him, not by her powers but by her words of warning, the pain and anger reflected in the way she had shouted at him.

 

When she flung the rose back at him and stormed off Sesshomaru knew he had to do something to win back her favor and break from Sora's curse. Not that he wanted Kagome as a mate, he told himself quickly, but he did not know if he could stand not having the wonderful woman's friendship.

 

If Kagome's touch had broken the spell then maybe if he could convince the miko to stay closer to him, he would be able to resist whatever power Sora held over his head. But how was he to convince Kagome when she obviously was angry with him.

 

“Wake up Lord Sesshomaru!” Kagome had growled at him and he could see her eyes start to shine with unshed tears. He had hurt her somehow, but why did she call Rin their daughter?

 

He thought back to the time before Naraku's defeat, back when Kagome had looked after everyone in the shard-hunting group. Sesshomaru remembered with clarity her musical laughter as she ran with both children through a field of flowers. They were playing a game Kagome called tag and sadly the kit was winning. It hadn't mattered though that Rin was his ward Kagome had not treated her any different. She had taken the young girl in as quickly as she had the kit.

 

Sesshomaru recalled that one night as Kagome read to the two children before bedtime that he had thought she would make a fine mother but he had not realized that she was being just that to his ward and the kit. He would have to talk with Rin but Sesshomaru was almost certain that his daughter considered the miko as such. It would explain why Kagome was so protective of the girl at times.

 

A whisper of a smile touched his pale lips as Sesshomaru thought of Kagome by his side with several other pups gathered around them. It was folly to think of such things but he found he could not help it. She haunted both his dreams and every waking moment with the exception of being around Sora.

 

The thought of the inu female sent a chill down his spine and disgust curled the corners of his mouth into a snarl. He had to find a way to stay out of the witch's reach until he could be certain what she was doing to him. Sesshomaru looked back to the rose and remembered the angel it had graced. He knew Kagome would help him if he asked it of her, but would she be so ready to forgive him for attacking her this time as she had in the past?

 

Suddenly anger coursed through him at his own thoughts. He did not need anyone; he never had why start now? His fingers wrapped tightly around the white rose crushing the delicate blossom. Sesshomaru reminded himself of who exactly he was and how he would do as he always had and handle the problem himself. He would not lower himself to seek the help of a human. Never.

 

So caught up in his thoughts, Sesshomaru did not hear the call for Jaken nor did he notice the commotion that had begun to form in his castle. The hidden alcove blocked it from site and dampened the sound, making it almost the perfect place for reflection. It was only when he heard the sounds of running feet and his name being called did he stir from his stupor, his cold mask slipping back on.

 

“Me lord! Me lord where are you! Please answer this your lowly servant!” Jaken's worry filled voice bordered on panic causing Sesshomaru to shake his head. The toad voice was always filled with pitiful whining and he wondered what had had happened now. It was only as the other voices joined his retainer's that Sesshomaru stopped to really listen.

 

“Rin are you sure he's here?” Inuyasha had demanded, his voice holding an edge of the same panic Jaken's had.

 

“Yes,” Rin's soft voice joined the others and it seemed they were getting nearer to Sesshomaru. “General Ozeki said this was where he last saw them together, Uncle Inuyasha.”

 

“We've searched almost the entire garden, do you think he might have went hunting?” Inuyasha asked again and Sesshomaru could hear the swift intakes of breath as his brother tried to track his scent, only to hear the grumbling sneeze that followed. “Damn flowers I can't smell hardly anything here!”

 

“Father!” Rin ignored Inuyasha's complaints. “Please, Father, where are you! Rin needs you!”

 

Sesshomaru could hear the tears in her voice and when she reverted back to her childhood speech he knew something was terribly wrong. She hadn't talked like that for years when around him, only when the need arose for the courtly speech it was intended for.

 

“Rin,” He said stepping from the hidden alcove, his heart plunging as Sesshomaru caught sight of his daughter's fear stricken face. Inuyasha had a hold of her upper arm, almost supporting her as she fought back the tears.

 

Hearing her name, Rin instantly dove into the protective embrace of her father, letting her tears flow unhindered. Normally, she would try to hide her fears from him, wanting only to be like Sesshomaru but now she was afraid for Kagome and nothing could stop her from the terror she held at losing someone else she loved. Rin still clearly remembered losing her real parents though it had been a long time ago and the wound still hurt in times like this.

 

“Mamma's gonna die!” She wailed her angelic face buried in his haori, her tears soaking through to his skin.

 

Three sets of eyes looked at the girl startled. Rin was almost always discreet when Sesshomaru was around, though from time to time she would refer to Kagome as her mother whenever he wasn't there to hear it. She had feared he would be angry with her for it but now she didn't stop to think, the words just flowing from her as easily as she had called him father.

 

“What is this you speak of?” Sesshomaru held his daughter tightly glaring over her head at his brother and retainer. Though his mask remained in tact, they knew the darkening of those golden eyes was not good.

 

“Someone has poisoned Kagome,” Inuyasha told him quickly. “Kikyo's with her but she can't get too near her for fear of being purified.”

 

“General Ozeki has refused to relinquish his hold on the miko till you arrive, Me lord.” Jaken added bowing pathetically before his master. “Lady Kikyo fears that Lady Kagome will kill the bear as her body fights the poisons.”

 

“When did this happen?” Sesshomaru demanded his anger rising even more then it had earlier.

 

“I am not sure,” Inuyasha put in taking a cautious step back from his brother. The look in Sesshomaru's eyes was deadly and it still unnerved Inuyasha ever time he saw it. “Ozeki will not tell anyone what happened. Only demanded that we find you, said Kagome needed you.”

 

“Kagome needed me?” The confusion was evident even thought the anger stayed and he watched as Inuyasha suddenly became angry.

 

“You baka, don't stand around here talking to us! Get your sorry ass up there and take care of Kagome!” Inuyasha yelled at him causing Sesshomaru to growl instinctively.

 

“Jaken, see to Rin,” Sesshomaru gently moved the girl away from him and stepped toward Inuyasha. His brother held his ground and glared angrily at him. The two stood for what seemed an eternity before Rin's halting voice brought both of their attention back to the present.

 

“Please, Father.” Rin cried sitting heavily on the ground as she stared up at him pleadingly through teary eyes. “Save mamma.”

 

That was all it took, the look in her eyes and the hope that he could do something sent Sesshomaru racing toward the castle and the waiting miko.

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Kagome's condition had worsened in the time the others hunted for Sesshomaru. Her arm had swollen until the purplish-blue veins clearly stood out against her pale skin and the demon miko feared it would burst open at any moment. She had begun to thrash violently, clawing at the air whenever her body was not wracked with the deadly convulsions. Her power and strength had also seemed to increase making it hard for Ozeki to hold onto her.

 

Kikyo managed to use her own miko powers to hold of Kagome's long enough to cut small slits around the claw marks in an attempt to drain some of the poison from the woman but it was having little effect. Ugly, yellowish-green ooze had seeped from the wounds, its foul smell hanging heavily in the air of her room even though the window was open. To everyone there her room held the smell of death so prominent even the humans knew it.

 

Finally, Tatsu had been able to convince the stubborn bear to relinquish his death grip on the young miko. It had been a hard task but when Tatsu explained his scales would be more than enough protection against the miko power and that since he was far older then the bear he would be able to withstand her unconscious assaults even better.

 

Ozeki had grumbled and then gently handed over Kagome's trembling body during one of the increasingly few times the miko was not struggling. No sooner had Tatsu taken the woman into his arms than Kagome began to thrash about again. She had screamed, Sesshomaru's name ripped from some deep part of her soul as her hooked fingers clawed at the air around them before Tatsu could get her under control.

 

Ozeki had allowed Kikyo to treat the burn's that covered the areas of his skin that had touched the miko, but when she was done, Ozeki had taken position outside the door to watch for Sesshomaru's arrival. He had a few things he wanted to tell the Taiyoukai before Ozeki would allow him anywhere near the girl. It was also a way to ensure that none of the other youkai disturbed those in the room. Ozeki would send them all away.

 

Even now, only Kikyo, Shippo, and Tatsu were allowed in the room and Ozeki wasn't sure he should have allowed her son to stay. The kit's whining and false show of bravery could very well upset the miko and push her over the edge. Kikyo had reassured him though that it might be part of what Kagome needed to pull her back to them, though Ozeki had his doubts.

 

The others had gone to hunt for the Western Lord knowing the urgency of the situation. They had heard her calling for Sesshomaru several times and though some of them had began to wonder what was going on between the two, they went willingly not wishing harm on the woman who was slowly defeating the youkai at the castle with her kind ways.

 

Ozeki saw a silver streak heading toward him and he stepped in the way. His broad arms crossed over his bare chest as he glared angrily at the approaching lord. The burns stood out against his tanned skin and Ozeki bared his teeth in warning.

 

Sesshomaru stopped a few feet from the protective bear, his red tinted eyes taking in the scene before him. “Move General.”

 

“I will not.” Ozeki growled low at Sesshomaru in warning surprising himself at the courage he felt run through him. No one dared to stand against the lord when he looked like this but Ozeki felt the need to tell this youkai just what his actions had done.

 

“You dare defy me?” Sesshomaru roared his fists tightening at his side. His face remained cold but his patience was wearing thin and Ozeki could see it reflected in those red-tinged golden orbs.

 

“I do so by your own command.” Ozeki shot back instantly and his words confused Sesshomaru.

 

“Explain!” Sesshomaru demanded trying to get a hold on his anger even though the tormented sounds of Kagome's suffering was ringing in his ears and his nose was telling he needed to hurry.

 

“You did this to her M'lord,” Ozeki spat between clenched teeth. “It is your poisons that is killing that little miko.”

 

Ozeki's words struck home. They were like someone had thrown him in a freezing river and he glared at the bear waiting for him to go on.

 

“She claims you did not know you had done it.” Ozeki started again seeing he now had his lord's full attention. “Kagome worried for you even though the poison was starting to take effect and she begged me not to be angry with you. She told me her miko powers would burn it out during the night.”

 

As Ozeki angrily told him everything Kagome had said, Sesshomaru began to feel a dread creep over him and severe guilt set in.

 

Kagome's heart-rending screams echoed through the castle again and Sesshomaru went to move around Ozeki but found a strong grip on his arm upper arm. His eyes promised death as he looked at the bear that dared touch him.

 

“Treat her with care, M'lord,” Ozeki stared him right in the eyes, an action that could be otherwise mistaken for disrespect. “She loves you.”

 

With that said, Ozeki let go of Sesshomaru and bowed out of his way. He believed he had let the Taiyoukai know everything that should be said. The rest would be up to the lord now and Ozeki knew he had over stepped many boundaries to make Sesshomaru aware of just what was going on. He knew to expect punishment for his actions later but right now Kagome needed Sesshomaru more.

 

The words stunned Sesshomaru though his stoic mask did not slip much more then a quirked eyebrow. How would the bear know this but not himself? Was it possible he was too blind to see what was right under his own nose? How much more could he take in one day before his sanity slipped away?

 

Pushing the thoughts aside, the Taiyoukai strode into the room where Kikyo and Tatsu glared up at him. They had heard what Ozeki had said and were as angry as the bear was. He returned their glare just as angry with himself as they were at him, but when he saw Kagome his eyes softened and he felt the guilt rip through him.

 

“There is nothing more I can do.” Kikyo stood her anger barely concealed. “Summon me if she takes a turn in health. Come Shippo, Rin will need your comfort at this time.”

 

Shippo stood unwillingly. He had been so caught up in his grief that he had not heard anything of what had transpired outside. The grown kitsune had in only a few seconds been thrust back in time to when he had lost his father and he didn't know if he could stand it that this mother might die also. He just wished he could hold her like Ozeki and Tatsu had, but every time Shippo had tried to touch her, Kagome's powers had pushed him away without really hurting him. He knew in his heart that even in this condition his mother sought to protect him.

 

At the mention of Rin, Shippo looked up at Kikyo and remembered that the girl also thought of Kagome as a mother. He raced from the room to look for the one who had over the years become like a sister to him. Rin would need him even more than Kagome at this point because she too had watched her family die a horrible death. Rin would take it harder then he was and someone needed to take care of her.

 

Sesshomaru watched Kikyo and Shippo leave before turning back to look at Tatsu. His arms were wrapped around the girl's slender form cradling her protectively to his chest while his red eyes following Sesshomaru's movements like a hunter watches its prey.

 

“That bear be right,” Tatsu stood with Kagome. It was time someone told this young pup just how things were. “She loves ye deeply. Be it beyond me as to why. Ye've even shown anger at her fer rescuing yer precious swords for ye.”

 

Sesshomaru listened to what he was being told with guilt combining with possible hope blooming inside his chest. Two different trustworthy youkai had told him of her love and Sesshomaru had to agree with Tatsu, he couldn't understand what he had done to cause the young miko to fall in love with him. Too many times Sesshomaru had tried to kill her before Kagome had talked his brother into allowing them to join their party. Ever the forgiving kind, she had succeeded and upon her return to this time she had once more been there for him.

 

“Are ye listening to me?” Tatsu questioned as he took a menacing toward the young lord. “Ye best be listening to me pup, I still be able to wup on ye.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded knowing full well that if Tatsu was threatening him then he well deserved it. Tatsu had always carried out his threats whenever he believed any of the inu lords were getting too big for themselves. The great dragon had helped to raise him, though he had refused to train Sesshomaru in the art of the sword. Claimed he had wanted him to discover his own strength not learn it from someone else. It had worked too. Tatsu was one of the very few youkai that Sesshomaru could never beat nor did he wish to try.

 

“Good!” The dragon roared sitting down heavily as Kagome started thrashing again. Sesshomaru watched in despair and morbid fascination as pink tendrils of miko power skipped over Tatsu's gray scales. Even to Sesshomaru it seemed that Tatsu was having a hard time holding onto her and felt his youki flair up in need to protect the fragile creature. The beast inside stirred, a growl rumbling from his ivory throat and Sesshomaru took a step toward the two.

 

Tatsu looked up hearing the growl and stared into the eyes that were slowly becoming as red as his own. Though he fought to keep the miko still, Tatsu assessed the situation and knew that Sesshomaru loved the miko too.

 

“Answer me this,” Tatsu said once the miko calmed down enough for him to talk. “Did ye really not know of the poison ye had injected into her?”

 

“I did not,” Sesshomaru growled out and Tatsu could barely contain the smile. There was hope for this pup yet. He was not as cold as he had let others believe over the years though Tatsu had always known that Sesshomaru was still the emotional pup he'd always been. He just had always hid it very well. Tatsu believed Sesshomaru would have made his father proud.

 

“That be good for if ye had I would not be allowing ye near this child again.” Tatsu told him standing again. There was a cold, hard glint to his eyes that made Sesshomaru want to set away from the dragon but his pride would not let him.

 

Sesshomaru listened; watching each step the dragon took toward him closely. He knew that Tatsu meant every word he said.

 

A small groan came from Kagome as she twisted in Tatsu's arms. A small tremor ran through her, heralding a greater convulsion. The dragon knew what it meant and carefully placed the girl in Sesshomaru's arms.

 

“Be quick, she be gonna start again soon. Seat yerself and hold on tightly.” Tatsu said guiding the confused lord toward the futon. “Lady Kikyo says to keep the child still, not let her go for fear she be harming herself. I be going to aid Ozeki in keeping those rascals from her door.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded looking down at the trembling woman in his arms, before his eyes looked up to the dragon. “Tatsu?”

 

“Aye?” Tatsu turned back to look at the lord and was reminded of the young pup that had tried so hard to control his emotions at an early age.

 

“Please see to it that Lord Kisho take this Sesshomaru's place at the Council Hall.” He asked his eyes going back to the miko.

 

“Done.” Tatsu turned and strode from the room. This was going to be a long night and he was determined to keep watch over the room. If the shadow demon tried to attack tonight it might be a good thing to have double the coverage. He relieved Ozeki asking the bear to bring Kisho to him upon his return to the castle.

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Word quickly spread through the castle that the miko had been poisoned and both youkai and human alike gathered around the young woman's room only to be turned away by Tatsu and Kuro. The lion had joined in guarding the miko's room upon his return to the castle.

 

Sora's golden eyes watched the coming and going of the youkai from a corner of the long hall. Pleasure danced in her eyes and there was an evil glint as she hoped the miko would die. If Kagome survived this, then there was always her plain to fall back on. Her men stood ready even as Sora waited to see what would happen.

 

It had not taken the demoness long to realize what had happened. Remembering the tight grip Sesshomaru had on the miko in the gardens, Sora knew exactly what had happened. Turning away from the gathered demons, Sora laughed, the evil sound making several of the lower youkai who heard it shiver and look around.

 

How ironic it was that the very person the little miko sought to protect had turned around and been the one to poison her. Things really couldn't be any better, her elixir was working even better then she had hoped. It did not matter whither he meant to do it or not, the fact remained he still had brought harm to the miko.

 

Sora's brows drew together in thoughtful silence. She scanned the room to make sure no was watching before slipping into one of the darkened corners. If Kagome survived it though there might be residual effects, like the human could develop an immunity to the poison.

 

Sesshomaru's poison was one of the strongest out there and if Kagome became immune to it then a lot of the weaker poisons would no longer affect her. That could be a problem. No matter, Sora would see the miko in the ground before another month was pasted.

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Sesshomaru held tightly as Kagome's powers rushed over him, his arms pinning the little miko to his chest as her body bucked and jerked under the poison's onslaught. Once more he felt grateful to her for the return of his arm for without it he would find it difficult to hold onto now.

 

At first her powers had burned him, sending the searing sensation deep into his muscles and bones until Sesshomaru began to fear that he would not be strong enough to hold on, but something strange had started to happen by the forth time she'd convulsed.

 

His inner beast had risen to the call, his youki flaring around him to mingle with the miko's powers until it seemed that they were one. The pink tendrils interweaving easily with his flaring red one and the burning had eased. After that every time she experienced the poison's bite his youki would flare up and almost engulf the woman effectively protecting him and at the same time seeming to calm her.

 

Sesshomaru sat long into the night just holding Kagome to him, fighting back the guilt he felt for inflicting such pain on one so pure. All this time he had sought to protect her from others never knowing that it was he who would pose the greatest threat to her.

 

It tore at his heart each time she cried out and Sesshomaru found himself telling her over and over again that he was there. In desperation he swore to always protect Kagome if she would only make it through this. He had never meant to hurt her.

 

At the moment Kagome looked so frail and weak, her once lustrous midnight hair hung limp, drenched with sweat around her trembling body. She had curled tight as he would allow her, the pain causing her to groan with each wave. He had stripped her outer kimono from her body when its heavy fabrics seemed only to aggravate the fever. The inner kimono was just as drenched but he worried that by removing it she would become sicker. She was burning up but the cold sweat rolled off her porcelain skin until he too was drenched.

 

Kagome had shivered as the chilly air caressed her sweat-drenched skin and he wrapped one end of his white pelt around her. In a rare moment of calm, her slender fingers had wrapped themselves tightly in the deep fur, her grip tightening until her knuckles turned white as though holding on for dear life.

 

Sesshomaru brushed back the damp locks from her face and was taken by surprise when Kagome turned her face toward his hand. Surely the woman could not know he was there could she? It was almost beyond reason that in her state of unconsciousness she would sense him, but Sesshomaru held the hope that it was a sign of her quick recover.

 

Already the swelling in her arm had lessened, almost back to its normal size but the wounds still remained angry looking. The Taiyoukai wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not.

 

As the first few rays of early dawn drifted through her window, Kagome slowly opened her eyes to look up at him. They were a brighter blue than normal, the fever still burning in them and Sesshomaru looked down at her with a tender look to his golden eyes.

 

“I knew you'd save me,” She sighed, snuggling closer to him for warmth. “You always do.”

 

Her voice was harsh, pain still evident in the rough way she forced herself to speak. Sesshomaru wondered at the words but he knew she wasn't through it yet; she was only experiencing the delirium that sometimes came with the fever. Kagome would not remember much if she lived through it.

 

Knowing this he allowed a small smile to grace his pale lips, his fingers gently caressing the miko's face.

 

“And I always will.” The promise slipped easily from his mouth and he was surprised that he meant it too. Sesshomaru's pride would not allow him to lie even in the face of such torment. The woman had touched his heart in ways that no other had before and she believed in him. She had known without a shadow of a doubt that he would be there for her, but what did she mean by he always did? Was it possible that she was referring the dreams he had after heard her cry out with at night only to suddenly seem so calm a few moments later?

 

He thought back a few days when she'd been attacked by the serpent demons, even in her sleep Kagome had asked him to stay. Sesshomaru remembered wishing it was really him she dreamed of but now he wondered if it were so.

 

Pushing the thoughts away as he heard her soft sigh, Sesshomaru realized Kagome was slipping back into slumber. Even though her body still trembled he believed the convulsing to be over with. Shifting her slightly he lay both of them down, the miko cradled in his tight embrace. Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, the Western Lord allowed himself to drift into a light slumber, one in which he would awaken instantly if she needed him.

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A/N - Well it wasn't the kiss you guys were expecting… but it seems we're getting closer. I hope it lives up to yer expectations..:)

 

Thank you to all who have reviewed and to those of you who have not. This story is written for you guys.

 

Much love - DJ