InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ A Parting of Ways ( Chapter 27 )

Chapter 27 - Parting of Ways

Her parting words had stunned him, his mind racing in a myriad of directions at once. How had she known it was possible that he might mark her as a mate? Sesshomaru could barely believe what all her words implied. Even after everything, she had not wanted any sort of retribution on him for what he had done and it almost made his burden lighter. Not that it erased his guilt but it had been enough to jar him from the low levels of despair he had allowed himself to fall into.

His heart stirred and his anger swelled within his chest till he was gnashing his teeth to keep the impending howl from ripping free. She had questioned his ability to still lead and that more then anything else struck home. He knew the truth of her words, far too long now he had allowed the state of things fall around him while he lingered under the spell. He had allowed his guilt over what had been done dictate his moves and it irritated him to know that no one other then the miko had been able to get through to him.

Sesshomaru growled low and in his anger he sent the contents of his desk sprawling across the room. How dare she waltz in here as if she owned the place and question his authority? Did she believe that by mating him it gave her the right to do as she pleased?

But still she had known and had not let it stop her. She had given herself to him without once trying to back out. She could have tried to purify him during the mating, could have fought against him until her dying breath but instead she fought to keep from using her powers on him. He should feel grateful for her sacrifice and done all he could have done in her absence to find the one who had placed them both in this situation but instead he had been locked away here in his study doing exactly what she had accused him of.

Shaking his head he sat down trying to force himself to think clearer. Still her haunted voice returned to him as she had told him that she had known it was possible. Tatsu and Ozeki had warned him that Kagome loved him, but he had ignored them in favor of saving himself. He had convinced himself that he would not fall to the trap that his father and brother had before him but at the same time he had sworn to spend the rest of his life trying to make up to Kagome for all the wrong he had caused her. It had been a duel edged sword that he had hoped would work in his favor, but as he thought about it he knew that no matter what nothing he could do would ever make up for them. Not if he continually allowed his actions be dictated by what other's thought.

With a sigh he allowed his eyes to close, his head lowered as he tried to come to grips with the unusual emotions he had been trying to deal with. As he did so he began to realize that he had been under his beast's influence. It was his beast that had kept him isolated away from everyone while it grieved for his missing mate. Now that she had returned it seemed to loosen its grip on him. He could almost hear it growling in contentment as her scent still lingered within the air around him. It soothed him, allowing him to think clearer than he had in a long time.

Once again the image of Kagome surrounded by both raven-haired and silver-haired pups rose to the forefront of his mind, unknowingly bringing a smile to his lips. It was a dream he had had often since first traveling with the miko ten years ago. One he had tried to push away but even now it tormented him.

His eyes opened as he glared at the spot her fingers had cracked his desk and he pushed the image away. It would do no good to allow himself such fantasies right now. Not when there was an enemy to be reckoned with and a rift to be healed.

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Kagome walked quietly along the castle hallways, the tears slowly trickling down her cheeks as she struggled to stop them. She doubted that she would ever be able to talk to Sesshomaru after he had been so cold to her. It was almost as if he regretted even touching her, but then again he really had had no choice in the matter. If Sora had not used her blood to complete the spell then neither of them would be in the position they were now in.

“You just had to go and do it again, didn't you?” she softly chastised herself. To her it seemed that she was forever destined to fall in love with someone who could never return her feelings. But this time she had been so hopeful. It was so different from what she had experienced with Inuyasha, so much stronger and it hurt so much more then it did when the ex-hanyou rejected her. For five years she had waited to see who had visited her dreams and had hoped that maybe when she did find them that she would have a fairytale romance, but she knew that was only a fantasy concocted by the side of her that would forever remain a romantic young girl. There was no white knight upon his faithful steed to save her from the fearsome dragon and there never would be.

She gave a small giggle at the thought, after all one of the ones she had gotten closer to was a real dragon so maybe it was the white knight who she need saving from. Either way her hopes had been shattered and a new determination was beginning to set in.

If Sesshomaru was not going to look for this master then she would. Not like she needed the arrogant lord to help her anyhow not in the state he was in. Decided, Kagome turned toward the room where her things were kept. She would just go find this so-called master herself and to hell with the demon lord.

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“No way,” Inuyasha huffed angrily, his arms crossing over his chest as he glared down at the woman who was determined to get herself killed. “There is no way I'll let you go traipsing off alone to look for this demon.”

“Mama, at least let me go with you,” Shippo pleaded softly as he laid a gentle hand on her shoulder to still her packing.

“No, Shippo, you have to stay here to make certain Rin is kept safe,” Kagome said softly her gaze turning from her son to look at her best friend. “You can't stop me Inuyasha and no you can't go either. You have your family to think about besides I'll be just fine.”

“We can both go with you, Mother.” Rin said softly, her large doe like eyes looking up at Kagome pleadingly from where she sat on her mother's futon.

Kagome sighed softly as she looked between her children's hopeful looks but shook her head. “I would love for both of you to come with me, but its too dangerous. I'm changing and I do not know what will happen. I don't want either of you to be anywhere near me if I lose control. It would kill me if I hurt either of you. Besides I'm depending on you to watch over that arrogant demon while I'm away whether he likes it or not.”

“But Father will miss you if you leave again.” Rin said softly hoping to talk some sense into her.

At that Inuyasha gave a soft snort and looked away, he really was not that great at all these emotional moments but he was determined to not let Kagome leave the castle. His friend really had no idea what might be in store for her out there and he did not want to see her hurt again.

Kagome sadly shook her head at Rin's soft statement and looked back down to her backpack. “He probably won't even know I'm missing for a while, he's made it quite clear what he thinks of me.” Her eyes slid sideways to look at Inuyasha as she continued to speak. “Especially, now that we all know I'm nothing more than a hanyou, no matter how noble my father is.”

If Inuyasha still had his puppy ears they would have been sagging low against his head as the old hurt reared its ugly head at the pain in her words. She had explained everything to him when he had met her in the hallway upon her return. Now he wished she had told him when they first met up on her return but understood her wish to speak with Kisho first.

“But Mama,” Shippo began only to be quieted by one of Kagome's sharp looks that he knew meant for him to stop trying to change her mind. Instead he sighed softly and sat down beside Rin on her bed to watch her prepare her things. Not that she had that much to prepare anyhow it was just that she was taking longer with everyone trying to discourage her from going. He had a sneaking suspicion that she really did not want to go it alone.

“Look, Kagome, I know that my brother is a prick,” Inuyasha sighed as he griped her shoulders turning her to face him. Her pained look tore at his heart and he had to swallow the lump forming in his throat. “But you have to understand that this is not like when we went in search of Naraku. This master is a crafty one and if you leave the castle he'll take it as a sign that we are divided. He will believe that he has won and will probably try to kill you while you're out there alone. Right now, you are an unknown, with your abilities and maybe even thinks of you as a threat.” He sighed softly then shook his head to indicate he wasn't finished speaking yet as she opened her mouth to say something. “No, that's not all either. You have Sesshomaru's smell on you and any enemy youkai will believe you are his mate. They will target you as a way to get to my brother, use you against all of us if they were lucky enough to catch you.”

Kagome lifted her shoulders slightly as if she did not care about what he had just told her, her eyes turning downward as she spoke. “I appreciate you worrying about me guys but really I can take care of myself. I need to be away from here, away from him.”

She sighed softly as she pulled away from Inuyasha and slung the backpack across one arm. How could she tell him that one of the reasons she was leaving was because Sesshomaru didn't want her here, he had made that pretty clear from the few words they had exchanged in his study.

Kagome raised her eyes then gave them a forced smile, “I guess I'd better get going before anyone else figures out what I'm doing.” She hugged each of them in turn whispering words of encouragement that she really did not feel herself. As she pulled away and back toward the door to her room she fixed them with a determined look. “Remember neither of you are to mention this to anyone, not my father, not Ozeki, and definitely not Sesshomaru, not that he'd care anyhow.”

The others nodded but guiltily exchanged glances as Kagome walked from the room, each knowing that there was no way they would just let her go it alone and when her footsteps could no longer be heard, the three of them left the room and scattered in different directions.

A soft smile pulled at Kagome's lips as she ducked into a side hallway, she knew exactly what her family would do and though it grated on her nerves that they would betray her, she understood because if the situation was reversed she would have done the same thing. The question was how exactly was she going to get away without any of them finding her?

The solution presented itself when she realized she was near the kitchens, the various herbs hanging to dry were just what she had been looking for. She knew exactly which ones she would need to disrupt the sensitive nose of an inu-youkai. After all she had not studied herb lore just for their cooking or healing properties. It was a miko's duty to know exactly what each would be capable of and right now she needed to disguise her scent. Not that she knew what she smelled like, but she seriously doubted it was of garlic or various other nasty smelling herbs.

Quickly she strode forward, softly greeting each of the servants that were scurrying about the kitchen as they tried to get ready for the evening meal. It was utter chaos and few here knew who she was.

“Excuse me,” she said softly her eyes lowered as she approached the one who seemed to be in charge of the kitchen. She tried to act as much like the human servants she had witnessed in the castle as she possible could.

“What do you want, human?” A boar youkai growled at her, angry at her disruption evident in the way he gripped the wooden spoon. From what Kagome could see he had been in the process of sampling the soup that would be served to the assembled lords and allies.

“My mistress bid me to request a few items from the kitchens and gardens so that she might prepare a special mixture for the lady's evening bath.” She tried to sound as humble as the other's but it sickened her to do so.

The boar gave a long-suffering sigh and rolled his eyes in disgust. “What kinda things does she want?”

“From the kitchen m'lady requested two cloves of garlic, a flask of sake, and some milk if possible.” She replied softly.

“I see, the first two I can do, but the milk you'll have to get from the stable hands that sit to the right of the gardens.” He raised his hand and motioned to one of the servants to bring her the requested items. Once she was giving the things, he snorted again. “Really when will humans learn that no matter what they put in their bath's their skin will never be as beautiful as that of a youkai.”

Kagome knew it was not a question but his display of disgust so she bit her tongue to keep her from making a retort that would get her caught. Instead she waited for his minute rant to finish before quietly asking where she might find the gardens so that she could acquire some chamomile and rose petals. She was giving rough direction and almost shoved out a side door as the boar dismissed her with a few choice words directed to the “disgusting” humans that inhabited his lord's castle.

Normally, Kagome would have been angry at the boar's comments but this one time she had to agree with him. Since her body started to change she had noticed that some of her senses were becoming heightened. Her sense of smell being one of them and really some of the humans that were holed up in the castle could bath more often. Their stench was making her already upset stomach worse.

Shaking the thought away she turned back to the task at hand and soon found herself standing at the back of the castle hidden among the foliage of several large bushes. It had not taken her long to get everything she needed, everyone had been tolerant of her presence giving her the requested items as quickly as possible because it had been decreed that everyone was to treat the humans with as much respect as they would any demon lord and lady while the war raged. It had all worked in her favor and she had even managed to swipe a male's haori and hakama from the lines where they were left to dry in the sun.

Making certain that no one would see her she quickly mixed the concoction and stripped down. Smearing the mixture over both her body and the clothing she then transferred everything in her backpack to a square of cloth she had been given along the way to carry everything else. Leaving the bag and her old clothing within the bushes she purposely shoved her way through the plants and scaled the castle wall. It wasn't an easy task, as she had to make certain none of the guards that patrolled the area found her. If they did it would have all been over but she had gotten lucky to make it without setting off any alarms.

Once over the wall she crept forward toward the trees that ringed the castle. One soldier had almost stumbled across her but as she pressed herself against a tree truck as he walked by, her breath being held until he had turned the corner and continued on his way.

Thanking whatever gods were watching over her at this point in time, Kagome darted forward until she could no longer see the castle. It was then that she felt a pull toward the south and since she had no other place to start at the moment she followed her instincts. Starting at a slow trot she increased her speed until the ground was fairly speeding by in a blur. Her demon-like speed thrilled her and she felt a strange sense of excitement flow through her veins.

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For two long days they searched for Kagome without any luck, no one could explain how she was able to just disappear into thin air without having youkai abilities. Kikyo thought she knew when they found the discarded items behind the castle, also knowing the properties of herbs well she explained it to the others.

When asked why they did not find a scent trail left by the mixture she calmly told them that it would change when applied to a person's body. The scent of the herbs would mix with that of the wearer and change it slight over a short period of time. It would be almost impossible to pick up the earthy scents amongst the other foliage of the forest. It was an explanation that seemed to lack in certain things.

They had traveled as far North as they dared, hoping to stumble across her on her way to find the master but when that had turned up nothing several groups had been dispatched to looking in all directions. None of them had been successful in the search.

All of them worried about what would happen to Kagome out there with the master still on the loose but none of them were as worried as Sesshomaru. He had been unable to search that first day because he had his hands full dealing with those that had begun to question his leadership abilities. He had called all the gathered lords, allies and generals into the Council hall and began making plans to find the master and hearing reports on what all had been done up to this point.

A few challenges had been made, ones that he had quickly dispatched in the face of things. He knew and still felt guilty whenever thoughts of Kagome rose up but these he trampled down with the cold state he normally dealt with things making certain that none could question his abilities further. It was also in these meetings that he, to the surprise of all gathered, had announced his mating to Kagome, proclaiming her as the new Lady of the West.

He knew that what had occurred between them in the cave had been made known and he would no longer be shackled by what other's thought of him. If they wanted to believe him weak for mating a human then so be it. There were those that openly questioned his choice but these few who were foolish enough to speak out were quickly put to shame. Especially when Kisho stepped forward and declared before all that she was his daughter and heir to the Northern Lands.

Both announcements caused a flurry of activity to spread throughout the Western Lands as some rejoiced in the news that their Lord had finally found a worthy mate and yet others despaired at the news that the one they believed to be human was really hanyou. Those that had been touched by Kagome's kind heart congratulated the Western Lord and praised his good choice.

“You did good, old friend,” Kisho confided in Sesshomaru after one particular meeting that had resulted in the Western Lord dispatching of a certain loudmouthed youkai who spoke out against the mating. He had spat upon the ground calling the union a show of weakness and challenged Sesshomaru for his lordship. The youkai had barely uttered the words before his head rolled across the Council floor. After that no one dared speak out against it and soon they turned their attentions to the matter of the master.

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Not only were the Western Lands in a semblance of chaos, so too was the usurper's stronghold as news of Kagome's return and true heritage reached the master's ears. He raged, sending out several spies to try and locate the woman, but he had no more success than the others. It was almost as if the miko had disappeared from the face of the earth.

But what really upset him was the fact that Kagome was a wild card that he had not counted on. Who would have guessed the woman was something so much more important then a simple miko? True her powers were great at the time of her first appearance but with what was going on it might very well turn the tides against him. Both Kisho and his daughter were something to be dealt with and the master had to figure out how to work it all into his plans. Even as he dispatched more spies to try and locate the woman he also gave word that she was not to be harmed in any way.

If one would not suit his purpose then the other would do nicely and he bent to the schemes that would gain him the Western Lands.

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Kagome shivered slightly as she paced the cave floor where she had sought refuge from a sudden downpour. As the storm raged outside she had found a dry spot and with scraps of wood she had been able to gather before the rain started was able to build a fire. But it was not the chill in the air that brought about her discomfort it was the way her body's changing seemed to increase after coming face to face with Sesshomaru. She had traveled no more then half a day when it picked up it's pace and she had been forced to lay down as a wave of dizziness washed over her. She had found a small cave to rest in there too and when she had awoken everything was clearer then it had been before. Still she could find no change in her outward appearance but inside she knew that something was different.

Her miko powers had struggled to the surface intertwining with the awakening strength of her youkai blood and it had been hard for her to keep them from lashing out. It took some doing but soon enough she was back outside and following her instincts. Something pulled her southward and she diligently followed wondering what she would find when she arrived at wherever she was going.

At the moment her fingertips itched horribly and no matter what she did she could not get it to stop. Finally after several long moments of rubbing them she started shaking her hands like she would have done if they had fallen asleep.

It was only as a sizzling sound along the cavern wall that her attention snapped back to what it was she was doing. Her mind had drifted to Sesshomaru and up till than had not been paying much attention. Now, curious, she examined the wall where the noise was coming from and was surprised to find long gashes in that that looked suspiciously like an acid whip had just been drug across the unforgiving stone.

Understanding was slow to dawn on the young woman but when it did she looked at her fingers curiously. Though she had seen Sesshomaru's acid whip only on a few occasions she tried to duplicated the way he held his fingers as best she could remember and shook her hand toward the wall. Nothing happened and she breathed a soft sigh. Waving it away as some sort of fluke she was surprised to find that a long, softly glowing strand of pink energy flew from her fingertips to again leave a sizzling trail along the wall.

This really startled her and she tried again to duplicate the action. Kikyo had warned her that she might very well develop powers after being poisoned but this was something she had not expected. To actually be able to use the acid whip caused a girlish giggle to escape from her lips as she continually tried to get the whip to reemerge. It took some doing but finally she was able to call it forth but with some struggle.

Deciding that she needed quite a bit of practice she remained in the cave the rest of the day and far into the night until she could manipulate the acid whip with almost deadly accuracy. Kagome gave up only when the morning's first rays began to seep into the cave but knew she would really have to practice in order to master the new ability.

For two more days she continued on following whatever it was that drew her without meeting any resistance. On the eve of the second day she began to pick up the sounds of feet marching in unison from quite a distance away and being as careful as she could, she went to investigate.

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Iyashii and Hayashi both marched in the front of the army they had amassed as they made their way toward the Western Castle. For four days they had marched stopping only to give the humans time to rest and regain their strength. They were waiting on their scouts to return with news of a clearing large enough to house the ten thousand strong men that had marched from the Southern Lands to join with Sesshomaru's army as required by the Lands' treaty of alliance.

Their hopes were high that with their added strength the war with the usurper would soon come to an end and every man among them joked half-heartedly about what they would do upon returning home from war. Most of it went ignored by the two demons that led them and it gave the soldiers something other then thoughts of impending doom to pass the time.

Suddenly the call to halt was sounded throughout the mass and all eyes turned expectantly toward Iyashii and Hayashi. Both stood staring off into the distance at something approaching at a high rate of speed that only the highest levels of youkai among them could make out. When the blur finally came to a halt within speaking distance of their leaders whispers of surprised flowed through the troop.

“So it would seem that you've escaped Sesshomaru only to take up with those who hold the taint, Iyashii.” The angry voice of a female broke through the silence that had the leaders on edge.

“Lady Kagome, while I will not deny the fact I carry Sora's taint I do swear that I no longer hold league with such a foul creature.” Hayashi's strong voice answered the woman and soon all who could see what was going on became silent as they watched in anxious expectation of what was to happen.

“Kagome, how are you?” Iyashii asked as he took a step toward the waiting woman. He knew instantly that there was something different about her. The scent of the Western Lord marked her as his mate yet there was more, something that warned him she was far more dangerous now then she had ever been.

“I am fine, better then I have ever been in fact.” Kagome coldly answered the pale haired inu-youkai, her arms crossing as she glared at Iyashii. “Now do you mind explaining to me exactly what you think you're doing?”

“M'lady,” Hayashi stepped forward to bow low before the angry woman, his actions causing a murmur to sweep through the soldiers. “I am sent by the Southern Lord with the promised troops to reinforce that of the Western Lands. Your presence here brings me great honor.”

“Oh can it will you,” Kagome huffed softly as she turned her glare on Hayashi. At his confused glance toward Iyashii, who shrugged, he looked back at her and she struggled to keep from laughing at them. She really had to remember that no one here understood her modern language. “Look, if what you're saying is true and you've renounced Sora's rule then good for you, but still you must admit that having Iyashii among you will not exactly be viewed as an omen of good will. After all Sesshomaru does think he betrayed all of us.”

“I understand my transgressions Lady Kagome,” Iyashii replied softly his golden eyes never leaving the woman. “But I have found that which was taken from me and seek to make amends for all the wrong I have done.”

Kagome turned back to Iyashii with a glare, “Tell me why I should believe you.”

The demand startled the demons but as they glanced between one another, Iyashii decided that the truth was the best course of action at this moment. “It was Lady Kana's belief that I should aid Hayashi and join with the Western army to defeat the usurper.”

“Lady Kana?” Kagome blinked in surprise, stepping forward eagerly as she hoped for word of the one she believed to be her grandmother. If it really was true that Kananobara had sent him then she must believe what he said was true. After all how else would he know of Lady Kana?

“She returned my daughter to me and as such I am forever in her debt. It is her wishes that I now follow and have aided in rebuilding Hayashi's home so that we may now join with the Lord Sesshomaru. It is also my wish to get revenge upon the Master for all he has made me do in the past.” Iyashii explained hesitatingly. He had not expected her to know about the Lady who had returned his life to him and knowing that Kagome knew her gave him a flicker of hope for the future.

“Oh,” Kagome sighed softly then with a nod she turned to leave. “Then I shall not stand in your way. Hopefully he'll welcome the added reinforcements.”

“Will you not return as well?” Iyashii took a few steps toward her. His brows drawn together in concern at knowing she was alone. With the Western Lord's mark on her it was not safe for her to journey anywhere by herself.

“I can't, he doesn't wish to see me,” she replied so softly that Iyashii almost missed it. He watched as her shoulders seemed to sag and she sighed in resignation of a situation that he did not understand.

“M'lady, I beg of you. Travel with us at least until we reach the Western Lands. If at that time you still wish to travel alone, then none here will stop you.” Hayashi spoke up surprising both Kagome and Iyashii. Two sets of eyes turned on the demon with questioning gazes.

“Why should I trust you?” Kagome finally managed to ask as her eyes scanned the front line of men. She was not really worried about traveling with the men but it was more like she was afraid to come across Sesshomaru. She knew he did not want to see her and if she was found traveling with this group of soldiers it might go badly for them.

“I do not ask that you trust us Lady Miko,” Hayashi calmly replied his head bowed in respect, “but that you join your strength with that of our own until we reach the Western Lands. In so doing should we come across the master's army you will be able to aid us in the struggle.”

It seemed like a plausible reason, even to Kagome's ears and reluctantly she agreed.

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“Are you certain of this?” Sesshomaru's deep voice rolled out with a hint of some emotion his scout could not make out. It was well known that the lord though back to his normally stoic self was still searching for his mate.

“Yes Milord,” the scout replied never lifting his head. “I myself was witness to the procession. The army bares the Southern insignia and will reach the Western Land by nightfall. The procession is led by an unknown minor lord by the name of Hayashi who came to power not too long ago upon the death of the old lord, one who resembles the escaped prisoner marches along side of him, and a woman who appears to be Lady Kagome.”

“Dismissed,” Sesshomaru growled out and turned his golden eyes to look toward Kisho who looked back with the barest glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“Yeah, sounds like something Kagome would do,” grumbled Inuyasha who stood leaning against the back wall. “I bet she's probably got them all wishing they were in combat right about now.”

Ozeki snorted in amusement but his eyes traveled to Sesshomaru to see what the Western Lord would do. He did not have long to wait when the rustle of silk came as the young lord rose from his seated position.

“Hn,” was all he said as he strode out of the room with determined steps, the others following after him.

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Kagome suddenly stopped in her tracks causing Iyashii to cast her a questioning glance. Her head tilted up in the air slightly as if she were scenting the air and it amused the inu-youkai to watch the woman mimic many of his race's actions. She had said little during the march, keeping most of the conversations to that of battle strategy and training methods. She had even spared with him, Hayashi, and several of the soldiers when they would stop to rest for the night.

It had at first surprised most of them that the human looking woman appeared to have youkai like traits but none of them could explain it and Kagome was not exactly forthcoming in answers. After a while they grew use to her surprises and most of them ended up walking away from the spars sorer then they believed possible from one of her stature.

These were all met with lighthearted humor and several lessons giving to the woman on how to improve her already vast knowledge. The soldiers had ribbed her on several occasions and were usually put in their places when she decided enough was enough. It had gotten so that almost nothing she did surprised the youkai lords.

Now both of them watched with confusion as she seemed to become nervous about something though neither knew why. Her eyes darted around as if she expected something to jump out at them at any moment and she even took a few steps backward almost bumping into one of the soldiers who instinctively reached out to steady the trembling miko.

“Umm… I think this is as far as I'll go.” Kagome finally stammered out and cast the soldier a grateful glance. When she looked back at Hayashi and Iyashii, they noticed that her eyes had darkened. “I, uh… wish you the best of luck. Maybe we'll see each other again.”

She was edging way even as she spoke and the two lords cast questioning glances toward each other than turned back to watch the woman with narrowed eyes. Something was definitely wrong with her. Iyashii wondered if it was the fact that they had entered Inuyasha's forest and would reach the Western Lands by nightfall or if there was something she was sensing that they had not yet detected. He knew that if it was any threat to the army that she would not be acting this strangely so it had to be something else.

It was then that it hit them, the sensation of great power rolling over everyone present as the combined auras of several very powerful demons were headed in their direction. That told Hayashi and Iyashii exactly what had caused Kagome to become so nervous and as they watched she turned tale and fled into the forest.

Not more then a second or two later the Western Lord made his presence known to the army as he materialized from an orb of light in front of them. He growled low his eyes sweeping over the gathered men and many of them feared for their lives but all bowed to him respectfully.

“Where is the woman that traveled with you?” Sesshomaru demanded harshly his eyes landing on Iyashii.

“Lady Kagome has decided to make her retreat,” Iyashii replied, he straightened then daring to meet Sesshomaru's deadly gaze. “I do believe she traveled in that direction.” He pointed out the way Kagome had fled.

Sesshomaru gave a sharp nod and narrowed his eyes upon the group. “You are to remain here until I have found and brought her back.”

With Hayashi and Iyashii's nods, Sesshomaru took off in the direction that he hoped to find Kagome. He had to talk to her, apologize if necessary to bring her back to him where she belonged.

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Kagome ran as fast as she could, her heart breaking with every step she took. She had fled because she could not bear to see him again, could not bear to see the hatred reflected in those golden eyes she had come to love so deeply. It was cruel to put her self through that kind of torment right now. Maybe one day she could handle it but not yet, not when her heart hurt so badly.

Tears stung her eyes as she ran threatening to fall again and she angrily brushed them away. She could have handled it if there had been someone else his heart belonged to as Inuyasha's had, but there had been no other woman this time, only the fact that the one she had fallen head over heels in love with was someone who could not stand what she was. Maybe if she had been born full demon he would not have hated her so much but she was more human then anything. She could not even get being a hanyou right, so why should she hope for the impossible. Everything she touched seemed to go wrong in one way or another and this was just too much to take even for one who had overcome so many other things.

Kagome knew she was only fooling herself though, her love for Sesshomaru was far stronger then anything she had ever felt for Inuyasha and to compare the two was like comparing a lit match to a bonfire. There was no way her heart was going to mend so easily this time and she knew she had to come to terms with it sooner or later.

Finally she stopped and leaned against a tree, hoping that she was far enough away from Iyashii and the others so that Sesshomaru would not detect her presence. She hoped that with her not being there at least he would give the inu-youkai a chance to explain his reasons for doing what he did. She knew that the Western Lord would not bother coming after her after all he had made it quite clear that she was nothing to him.

If he did bother with her it would probably be to try and kill her that way he would no longer have to deal with the embarrassment of being mated to one as lowly as she was. Not that she would allow that to happen especially now. Shaking the morbid thoughts from her mind she turned in the direction of the Well. Maybe a trip home would ease her mind a bit then she would sneak back and start searching for the master. Once he was taken care of then she might be able to get to know her father better. Kisho would probably allow her to stay in the Northern Castle that is if Sesshomaru did not come after her. Maybe it would give her a chance to figure out how to remove his damn scent mark from her and then they could both go their separate ways.

Not that she could ever forget mind you, she would always have something to remember him by and it was something she would never regret. She had done what was needed and it had saved his life. No matter what the cost to her, she would gladly do it all over again if she had too.

The tears slide unchecked from her eyes as she glanced around the beloved forest she once called home and could not help but wonder what would become of her. Her stomach lurched again as her worry grew and she fought to keep its contents from spilling out. It was a battle she lost the moment she caught wind of the river that ran near Keade's village. Feeling a bit dizzy she carefully made her way toward the river where she thoroughly washed her mouth out before taking a long drink of the cool liquid.

Her throat ached slightly from being sick and the water was like a soothing balm. After a few moments the dizziness passed and she rose and turned toward the well once again. She decided that when she got back home she would sleep for a week and force herself not to think about the arrogant lord that had broken her heart. At the thought of him, tears threatened to well up once again and she sighed softly.

She could no longer feel Sesshomaru's aura, but that could be because he had taken the men and went back to the castle. It hurt to think that she meant so little to him but at the same time she was sort of glad that at least she would not have to worry about him trying to kill her at the moment. In a way it gave her a small hope that he would not hunt her down and dispose of her like yesterday's trash, not unless he was just biding his time like he normally did in everything.

As the Well came into sight, Kagome breathed a deep sigh of relief. She would soon be home where she could go back to pretending that everything was normal, well as normal as things always would be for a time traveling, half-demon miko that is. The very contradiction of what she was almost made her want to laugh and she probably would have if her heart did not ache so badly.

A deep sigh escaped her lips as she leaned over the lip of the well, her hands resting on the aged wood. Below her the bottom of the well looked unassuming, barren of anything except for dirt and vines but she knew that if she vaulted its side she would be carried away through time till she reached home. She stood there staring down into those shadowed depths for a short while, not yet being able to bring herself to jump inside completely unaware of the golden eyes that watched her.