InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ That's the Way Love Goes ❯ II ( Chapter 2 )

A/N: For those not familiar with me, I am also working on an older story (Choices) and a brand-new story, No One Like You (not submitted yet). So I'm sorry if I become slow with the updates. I'm trying, though. For my debut of That's the Way Love Goes, I got many encouraging reviews, and I want to take the time to acknowledge those that supported the first chapter of this story. I hope they will continue to read. At FanFiction: Kikinu, Shrimps of mass destruction, moondust369 - thank you all! At MediaMiner: whimsy007 - thank you for the constructive criticism! I will strive to keep my characters as realistic as possible. buzzk97 - I'm glad you like this one, and I hope you continue to enjoy it. At A Single Spark: Noacat - Thank you so much!!! Reviews like yours are pure love to me! I'm so happy, I'M the one that should be crying, LOL. SesshysKagome: Glad you enjoyed it! ^_^ WiccanMethuselah - Your words made me giggle with glee!! I'm so happy you enjoyed it so much. I'm trying to get the chapters out ASAP, but as I've said, I have other projects… Thanks you SO MUCH for all the compliments! It means so much to me. At deviantART: luvtodraw, LazyJenny, and no1sangel - thank you all for your support! I hope this chapter answers a little more of your questions. BTW, just so you all know, I encourage emailing me personally. I don't mind! Enjoy! Remember, Reviews are Love! <3 Pita

 

Chapter II

 

When Sesshoumaru awoke, it was well into the morning. He wondered if he always slept that long. He felt a weight on his shoulder, and looked down to see the onyx-colored locks of a beautiful woman resting on his shoulder. Things came back to him slowly - waking on the edge of a forest with a bloody miko on top of him, tending her wounds, hunting, his subjects, the fact that he was Royalty - but he could not remember the things that occurred before these events. His head throbbed slightly, and he tried not to think too much. Remembering his retainers, he sat up slowly, posing the woman comfortably. Looking around, he saw no one else save Kagome. Curious, he thought. From the scents in the area, he could tell that they hadn't been gone for very long. Once again, he wondered if this was common. Standing, Sesshoumaru wondered what someone in his position did with his free time. He was a strong demon, yes. Did he normally patrol his lands? How large of an area did his lands encompass? It was too much to think about. Fortunately, he didn't have to think for long, because he soon heard the heavy footsteps of his dragon youkai, Ah-Un. The cheery prattle of Rin and the annoyed sighs of Jaken joined it, and soon, they were all back in the camp.

 

“Ohayou gozaimasu, Sesshoumaru-sama!” Rin chirped.

 

“Ohayou,” he said to Rin, and nodded to Jaken, who bowed low.

 

Sesshoumaru tried to carefully word his next question. “Was your morning peaceful, Rin?”

 

Rin grinned happily at the interest her Lord was taking in her. “Oh yes, my Lord! Rin went to find breakfast as usual-” she pulled something from the dragons' saddlebag, “and brought something for Kagome-sama as well. Then Rin went to bathe, and we came back.”

 

She showed him the contents of a small sack she had made using the now-clean towel. It contained a few nuts and berries.

 

Sesshoumaru looked at the woman still lying on the ground. He must have looked troubled, for Rin mirrored his expression.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama? Will Kagome-sama be ok? She's been sleeping for a long time…”

 

He looked to her and smiled gently. “I think so,” he assured her.

 

In truth, he wasn't sure. From what instinct and his senses told him, humans were weak and fragile. His miko was an exception - he could feel a power within her that did not resign in Rin. He could be wrong, but it seemed as if youkai were superior, and therefore such injuries that she had obtained could eventually prove to be fatal. He was hopeful, however. His keen hearing could pick up the sound of her strong heart, pumping slowly but normally. She did not smell sick, either. She was healing. Obviously it was not only her wounds that kept her in slumber, for she most likely would have been awake by now. Something else was hindering her progress.

 

All the while, Rin had been rooting around in Kagome's satchel. Sesshoumaru was curious, although he felt that it was wrong.

 

“Rin, you should not look through someone else's belongings,” he admonished gently.

 

“I know, Sesshoumaru-sama,” she said, lowering her head. “But should Kagome-sama wake up, I want to have whatever she needs prepared.”

 

Sesshoumaru seemed pleased with this answer. Jaken, however, had been silent, and this bothered the Taiyoukai. He quirked an eyebrow at the imp, who seemed to shiver under his masters' scrutiny.

 

“M-m-master?”

 

“Jaken.” He did not want to ask the little youkai. He already suspected too much, and it would not be befitting of a Lord to ask a servant what was to be done.

 

Jaken seemed to be caught in the thought process, and finally mustered the strength to speak.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama… is my Lord ready for the daily patrol?”

 

Sesshoumaru was pleased. So, they did patrol. Was this all they did? Travel the lands? Looking for what, exactly? His inner beast growled. Prey, it told him. So, he purposely went looking for trouble? What kind of being had he previously been? Would it not make more sense to have a home - a castle, perhaps - and have others patrol for you? Sesshoumaru frowned at his former self. Finally, he nodded at the green youkai. Jaken immediately moved to jump atop the dragon but Sesshoumaru's foot promptly stopped all movement, pinning the toad to the ground by his back. Jaken made a little squeaking noise.

 

“Jaken, assist Rin in cleaning this area. It must be cleaner so as not to attract more attention in the future,” he ordered.

 

Jaken bowed, and hurried to scatter the ashes of the fire, as Rin took down the rods that had cooked her food the night before. When they whole party was ready, Sesshoumaru lifted the miko and Rin hopped aboard Ah-Un, followed closely by Jaken.

 

“Jaken,” Sesshoumaru called.

 

“Y-yes, my Lord?”

 

Sesshoumaru was getting impatient with the way the little demon constantly tripped over his own tongue. “You may lead the way today,” he told the youkai, dipping his head slightly in agreement.

 

Eyes wider than any of them thought possible, Jaken collected his pride. He nodded, and moved to the front of Ah-Un, and they took to the sky. Sesshoumaru followed by leaping from tree to tree.

 

Sesshoumaru had known he would not be able to lead the little party, being that he did not know where his own lands lay. But as they traveled, he picked up little clues. Occasionally, he smelled his own scent on a log, or saw his own claw marks on a tree. He congratulated his own cleverness, although he assumed his instinct had played a great part. After many hours of Rin's singing and Jaken's incessant squabbling at Rin's singing, Sesshoumaru could hear a body of water. More than a body of water, he heard the water furiously crashing against rocks. They were moving towards it, and Sesshoumaru found himself picking up his pace.

 

After nearly half an hour, they finally broke through the edge of the forest. About a quarter of a mile away, there was a lake with a river that led away from it to the south. The lake housed a cliff, which bore a waterfall. It was beautiful and serene, and Rin let them all know she was happy to be here.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama, can we stay here for a bit?” Rin asked hopefully.

 

Sesshoumaru thought for a moment. He could smell a human village close by, which could prove useful. And if the miko should wake up, this area would be helpful for cleansing wounds and bathing, as well as drinking.

 

“Hai,” he said finally.

 

Rin was pleased, and she asked permission to play in the lake. Sesshoumaru approved, but told her to stay near the shore. She protested, telling him that she had not forgotten the swimming lessons he had taught her. Sesshoumaru had been shocked, but she paid no mind, running to an area of the rocky waterfall that she knew intimately and removed her kimono in privacy, only to pop out in the water, several feet from the shore where she had disappeared. He made a mental note to explore the area later. Leaving Rin to her ministrations, Jaken took it upon himself to watch over the girl as Sesshoumaru watched over Kagome in the shade of a maple tree. He lay against the trunk, Kagome's back supported by his right arm and her legs across his lap. He placed her chin on his shoulder, and he nuzzled her, enjoying the crisp autumn air.

 

Feeling something stir, Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, realizing he had fallen asleep. Kagome had groaned, and his eyes instantly went to her face. What he saw did not please him. She was looking at him with sheer terror in her eyes, and her mouth had dropped open in a most unladylike fashion. He quirked an eyebrow and she seemed to take this as a sign, because she chose that moment to slap him.

 

Kagome was still so groggy; she wanted to drift back into unconsciousness. But her mind persisted that she awaken - something wasn't right. It was such a task just to open her eyes. She was completely and utterly drained… At first, she thought she might be at home, but she didn't feel her sheets, and she wasn't lying down. Although she had to admit she was comfortable, and whatever she was leaning on was quite soft. Then, she remembered the fight. Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku… then Shippou, and their flight. The Ogre. She was cornered, and then… Sesshoumaru. She had hurt him while trying to inadvertently save him. In all honesty, she had only been worried about herself. But if she was forced to think about it, Sesshoumaru was quite the ally. He had saved them - although he denied wanting to do so - many times. He had saved Kohaku as well. Sango had voiced to her many times how grateful she was to the Taiyoukai. I guess Sesshoumaru isn't all that bad, she thought. Remembering how she had cried over him, as he lay unconscious, Kagome felt sad again. But then she couldn't remember anymore. Had she lost consciousness herself? With the memories provided, Kagome assumed that Sesshoumaru left her, and her little group found her, bringing her back to Kaede's. But… she felt a strong, warm breeze. She couldn't be at Kaede's if the air was blowing so strongly. Perhaps they hadn't wanted to move her, resulting in a makeshift camp at her battle scene. Yes, that might be. Pleased with her line of reasoning, Kagome willed herself to finally open her eyes, hoping to find Inuyasha hovering over her like a mother hen. But it had not been Inuyasha's silver hair that had been swirling around her face. And it had not been Inuyasha's golden eyes that had met her surprised, blue ones. Her mind began to swirl with confusion. Am I… dreaming? Am I imaging this? She continued to stare into the familiar yet foreign golden gaze. He seemed amused almost, and this only served to disturb her further. Kagome did the first thing that usually came to her when presented with a too-close inuyoukai male. She slapped him.

 

Stunned wasn't even the name for it. Sesshoumaru could only look at her. It didn't hurt, but it had bruised his ego. Why would his female assault his person?

 

Oh, he looks angry now, Kagome thought. She wondered if it would hurt. There were plenty of ways he could end her life. There were his claws, or he could opt to use the dokkusen in combination. There was Bakusaiga. She found herself wondering if he would kill her with the one sword, then bring her back to life with the other only to kill her again. His brute strength could tear her limb from limb. Idly, she wondered if this was what it meant to have one's life flash before their eyes.

 

If she wasn't already having a heart attack, his next words definitely put her into cardiac arrest.

 

“Kagome, daijoubou-ka?”

 

Not only could she not breathe, but now she was getting a headache from the adrenaline mixing with her lack of oxygen. He wants to know if I'm okay? And since when does the mighty Sesshoumaru call me anything but `Inuyasha's bitch' or `wench' or `woman'? Her head swimming with questions, Kagome could only stare at him.

 

“Kagome, you are worrying me. Are you all right? You haven't spoken…” Sesshoumaru asked, concerned. On a side thought, he was overjoyed to see her awake, finally able to see her eyes. He gazed deep into them, swimming in the pools of blue that were her eyes.

 

“N-n-n-n-n-n-nani?” she stuttered.

 

Kagome figured she was dreaming. She had to be. Why else would Sesshoumaru be holding her in his lap? And why was he so concerned about her? It disturbed her to think that she was dreaming about Sesshoumaru in the first place. But, she decided, she might as well go along with it as long as she was dreaming. Taking a deep breath, she finally answered him.

 

“I'm fine, Sesshoumaru,” she said, attempting to judge his reaction. He seemed relieved, and it amazed Kagome to no end how handsome he was.

 

“Good,” he said, giving her a small nod.

 

Kagome put her head back on his shoulder, and thought to herself how nice it felt to have someone hold her. She snuggled into the Taiyoukai and mentally berated herself for enjoying it. After all, she should be dreaming of Inuyasha holding her like this. She felt him tighten his embrace of her, and she sighed in contempt.

 

Sesshoumaru had been worried, but after she had calmed some, it seemed that she actually was okay. When she put her head on his bare shoulder once more, his heart leapt. He reveled in her warmth and embrace, and he squeezed a little more, as if attempting to keep her from escaping. He heard her sigh happily, and he rested his chin atop her head as they both drifted to sleep.

 

From a distance, Jaken gawked at his Lord. Shocked at the lengths his master had gone - and then his allowing her to attack him brutally - he watched, wanting to beat the woman for her insolence. But he knew better. He sighed dejectedly. If his master was going to keep the wench, he knew any harm done to her would result in an immediate death. But… what had brought such a change about his master in the first place? He looked again to Rin, who had seemed to notice that Kagome had awakened, but she said nothing, only going back to playing in the shallows.

 

~~~~~()~~@

 

It hadn't been much later, by the look of the sun, that Kagome woke again. Unfortunately, due to her waking in the arms of the Taiyoukai again, this meant only two things: either she was still having a crazy dream, or this was real. She pinched herself, and found that it was rather painful, and she let everyone nearby know this by crying out.

 

“Kagome?” Sesshoumaru chanced.

 

Still not knowing what to make of the situation, Kagome was afraid to speak. There was so much concern in the eyes of the great demon that she almost thought she was staring at Inuyasha. But a small quirk of the head, and an elegantly striped left wrist that held the hand that was now on her shoulder reiterated to her that this was not her hanyou. Kagome frowned. How could this be real? There was no way Sesshoumaru could be holding her. Never in a million years. Not over his… dead… body…

 

…

Did they die? She could have sworn she had healed him, but hadn't she been wounded as well? It was they only thing that made sense. The overwhelming sadness that she would never see Inuyasha again, or her family, took over. The tears began to spill.

 

Now incredibly concerned, Sesshoumaru pulled her chin up to look at him. He again asked if she was ok. She could only wail, and he tried to comfort her by holding her close. Soon, she was down to intermittent sobs and he asked her once again if there was something wrong. She seemed to want to speak, and he waited patiently.

 

“D-d-did we die?” she said after a while.

 

“Die?” He asked, confused.

 

“H-hai. I thought I… I thought I healed you. But… we're here, and you're holding me, and I'm confused,” was all she could say, because it was all she knew.

 

He was still confused, but he thought it best to try to placate her. “You did heal me,” he said after a few moments. “But you did not remain unscathed.”

 

He still spoke like the mighty Taiyoukai she knew, but this… Remembering his words, Kagome tried to twist to look at her wounds, but the motion only served to open her wounds a little, and it hurt so much she cried out in pain.

 

He tried to soothe her and get her to lie still, but she felt so sorry for herself in that moment that his words were lost on her. When her endorphins kicked in enough to allow her to sit comfortably, she was able to speak once more.

 

She exhaled, letting all air escape. “How did I… I mean, I don't recognize this area…”

 

Sesshoumaru was puzzled. How did she not recognize the area and yet his subjects did?

 

“We stopped to rest here. We had already cleaned your wounds, but kept moving to assure safety,” he told her.

 

She looked around. “We?”

 

He tilted his head in that way that made her stifle a giggle. He looked so much like a puppy when he did that.

 

“Rin and Jaken,” he explained.

 

“Oh!” She seemed to brighten at the names of his retainers, and this pleased him. “Where is Rin-chan?”

 

“She is playing in the lake, and Jaken is keeping watch over her,” he told her, nodding his head in their direction.

 

Unfortunately, the direction was to her back, and to look in that direction would cause her much pain, so she opted to say hi later. For now, she had to figure out why she was in Inuyasha's brothers' lap.

 

“Ee to…” She was fiddling with her fingers again, and Sesshoumaru could tell she was anxious to speak her mind, although she was reluctant to do so.

 

He simply looked to the lake, sparing her from his gaze. This did not go unnoticed, and Kagome wondered if he truly was the same Sesshoumaru, or if he had a secret twin.

 

“S-Sesshoumaru?” she ventured.

 

He turned his golden eyes to her blue ones.

 

“Why… why am I in your lap?” She assumed that somehow, she had escaped death, but now she was asking for it. It was like asking someone to help you commit suicide.

 

He seemed truly bewildered. But so many questions would go unanswered if they were not truthful with each other, so whether he understood or not, he would answer the question.

 

“I wanted you close to me. You have been asleep for so long. I was worried that you might not wake again…”

 

There was something in his eyes that almost made Kagome reach out and caress his cheek, but she stopped herself. This was Sesshoumaru, after all. Even if he had invaded her personal space.

 

“How long have I been asleep?” she asked.

 

He seemed to think for a moment. “I woke the afternoon before last, and you were sleeping then.”

 

Now it was she who thought for a moment. The battle was two mornings ago, then. That was when she had fought that Ogre, and Sesshoumaru had come crashing through and got caught. And she had purified the Oni, and it had knocked Sesshoumaru into the forest…

 

Oh my god…

 

Not worried for her own pain at the moment, Kagome twisted, attempting to look at Sesshoumaru's wound. For some reason, it was not until now that she realized that he was not wearing a kimono; not even a haori. She blushed furiously, then even more when she realized that his kimono was, in fact, what she was wearing. She made a mental note to ask him later what had happened to her clothes.

 

Again, she squirmed in his lap. He protested, telling her he was fine and that she should be still. Finally, she was able to see the scar that was left behind from her powers. She gasped, even though she was glad to see it was healed. She ran her fingers over the now rough skin, and she began to tear again.

 

Sesshoumaru stilled himself. Again, she was concerned of him over herself, and this both worried him and made him beam with pride. But her touch on his sensitive skin made him tingle, and he longed to caress her as well. It had already been too much that her wriggling had sent little shivers up his spine and pangs of want throbbed deep within him. He took her exploring hand gently, but it seemed that in this moment, she was snapped out of her reverie.

 

Finally comprehending what she was doing - who she was touching so personally - Kagome withdrew her hand and blushed again.

 

“W-where's Inuyasha?” she chanced. She had been wondering how she could be here and there was no sign of the hanyou she spent most of her time with.

 

Inuyasha? His mind searched, finally recalling that the imp and girl had both referred to this Inuyasha as his brother. But why would she ask for him? He had assumed from Jaken's tirades that they were not on good terms. Had he been fighting with them? Perhaps they were fighting each other?

 

“I do not know,” he answered truthfully.

 

She seemed to look sad, and it worried him that she was so concerned for his brother.

 

He tried to change the subject. Looking at her satchel, he nodded in its' direction.

 

“You have interesting things with you, Kagome.”

 

She gazed in the direction he was staring and noticed her belongings. She seemed to brighten, and thanked him for bringing them. He lifted the pack for her, and she frowned upon inspection.

 

“Stupid Ogre, ripping my bag,” she said angrily.

 

“Ogre?” he said without thinking.

 

“Yeah…” she said suspiciously. “Remember the Oni that attacked me, then got you?”

 

She watched as it seemed that gears were turning in his head, piecing things together. It was a while before he looked as if he was confidant, and she was intrigued by this.

 

“Yes,” he lied. “I remember.”

 

More suspicious than ever at his uncertainty, Kagome smirked at him.

 

“And remember how you sliced that Oni's head right off? It was amazing,” she cooed.

 

Thinking that with his powers this was very likely, he nodded, agreeing with her.

 

Kagome tried to jump up, but it only resulted in shocking waves of pain. Through her wincing, she spoke harshly.

 

“Liar! You didn't kill that monster! I was the one that killed it, and that's how you got hurt!”

 

He seemed hurt by her words, so she lowered her voice to an almost-whisper. “I don't know what kind of game you're playing with me, Sesshoumaru, but I'm not having it. I'm leaving.”

 

His eyes pleaded with her as his unstriped wrist came up to claim her own wrist. “Please, I meant no harm,” he said.

 

If for nothing else, his tone kept her glued to his lap. She decided to see where this was going.

 

She looked at him, scowling as she spoke. “Sesshoumaru, what's going on? Why don't you remember what happened with the Ogre?”

 

He seemed to tense. His eyes shifted tellingly. She had never seen so much emotion pass through the Taiyoukai's gaze. Something was definitely off here.

 

“I do not remember anything before I woke up,” he told her finally.

 

She was visibly shocked. He seemed hurt by her obvious surprise, so she attempted to soothe him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

 

“Are you sure? Nothing?”

 

She could only guess that Jaken had probably blabbed on about himself, allowing Sesshoumaru to trust him. But what of herself? Why would he take to her so personally? Why would he care for her...

 

And like a bolt of lighting, it came to her. She remembered crying over his still form, and healing him. Things got fuzzy there, and she could only guess that she had passed out of exhaustion on top of him. The thought of it made her blush. So this was why he was so different? He didn't know who he was? Or what he was, more importantly? The thought of a kind, caring Sesshoumaru seemed odd to her, and she giggled for it.

 

He scowled at her. “You find my problem amusing?” He quirked an eyebrow for added measure.

 

She raised a hand to her lips, trying to stifle her laugh. “N-no, my Lord,” she said. “It's just that… you're a little different now, and I like it.”

 

He didn't find amusement in this, and he growled. “Different how?”

 

“It's not a bad thing. Forget I said anything,” she tried.

 

He sniffed, still glaring at her. She thought it might be good to have him as a friend while he was friendlier.

 

After she had been silent for a few minutes, Kagome's stomach growled in a rather unladylike fashion. She was visibly embarrassed, and Sesshoumaru chuckled, which made her glare daggers at him. He told her that Rin had gathered some fruit if she would be pleased to eat, and she accepted. He helped her sit against the tree he had been leaning on, and fetched the towel that contained the berries and nuts, and she ate happily.

 

~~~~~()~~@

 

This was not the first person he expected to see. Opening his golden eyes, Inuyasha was greeted by the handsome face of the monk, Miroku. Handsome as he was, it was a certain girl he had thought would be hovering over him. Assuming she had gone to get herbs, or was somewhere in the village, he attempted to sit up.

 

“Inuyasha, do you really think you should be moving?” Miroku asked out of concern.

 

“Shut up, Miroku. These are just scratches, anyways,” Inuyasha answered.

 

Miroku gave his hanyou friend a solid hit on the head.

 

“OW! What was that for?”

 

“I bet if Kagome asked you to lay back down you would not object…” Miroku said coyly.

 

“Keh!” Inuyasha scoffed. “That wench isn't the boss of me. I told you already, these wounds are nothing. I'm not built like you guys.”

 

“Yes, yes, we pathetic humans are scathed much more easily…” Miroku rolled his eyes.

 

Inuyasha sniffed, crossing his arms.

 

“That said, would you like something for the pain? It is time for me to change your bandages…” Miroku asked, beginning to unwrap the dressing.

 

It was only now that Inuyasha looked down at the rags, and noticed that they were not Kagome's bandages from her time. Suspiciously, he peered at his pack brother through his bangs.

 

“Houshi.”

 

Miroku didn't like the sound of that. He kept unwrapping the bandages.

 

“Miroku.” Inuyasha's tone had become a little rougher.

 

The monk continued to ignore him, keeping his face as even as possible. But Inuyasha could sense his fear, and this gave him some anxiety of his own concerning Kagome.

 

“MIR-”

 

“Ah, Inuyasha. You have awakened,” came a voice from the hut's door flap.

 

Neither man had to look up to know it was the elderly miko, Kaede.

 

“Old woman, what the fuck is going on here?”

 

Miroku grimaced at the harsh words of the hanyou. Here it comes, he thought.

 

Before anyone could speak again, Sango entered the hut, Shippou trailing closely behind. Inuyasha turned his glare towards them, and the kitsune grabbed onto the taijiya's leg for safety. Miroku, not wanting the hanyou to turn his anger towards his own wife, decided to speak first.

 

“Peace, Inuyasha.”

 

This only served to make Inuyasha angrier. With a roar, he sprung to his feet, raising many voices against him to lay back down.

 

“The hell I will!” Inuyasha was full-blown angry, and not the angry-because-I-don't-know-how-else-to-portray-my-emotions type. No, this was rage at the hanyou's finest. The type of anger he had reserved only for Naraku and those that sought to harm Kagome or Kikyou.

 

At once, Miroku tripped the hanyou, making him land flat on his back - hard. Quickly, he made due with his shakujou, pinning the half-demon to the tatami mat. It was difficult due to his own wounds, but he had rested, and his injuries hadn't been as bad as the half-demon's. Inuyasha growled his displeasure, but the women were instantly at his side.

 

“Will someone tell me why everyone wants me to calm down but no one will tell me why? And where the FUCK is Kagome?”

 

It took everyone a moment to understand his first request, as his crude language often puzzled them. And at his mention of Kagome they began to look at each other worriedly. They all knew that if they told him, he would get up, and he was in no position to travel - let alone fight - in his condition. Even if he denied it.

 

Sango wanted desperately to go after Kagome, but she was extremely worried about Miroku's deeply wounded leg. Infection claimed many legs in this time, although Kagome had told her that it wasn't much of a threat in her time. But Kagome was not here to treat any of them. What should she do? Should her loyalty lie with her husband, or with a woman she considered her sister? Sadly, she decided that she needed to be here for Miroku. When Inuyasha was well enough to travel, he would find Kagome. It was the best solution. Now, to convince the hanyou of this…

 

“Inuyasha,” Sango said quietly, “you should lie down and rest. You may not think your wounds were bad, but when you passed out, that was enough to make us worry. You're going to need your strength…”

 

Sango had looked off to another part of the hut at the end of her speech, and this alarmed the inu-hanyou.

 

He peered at her with nearly closed eyes in suspicion. “Why? Why do I need my strength, Sango? Answer me! What the fuck happened to Kagome?!”

 

None had wanted to answer his angry questions, but it had been little Shippou, afraid for Kagome and worried that Inuyasha's demon blood may take over, that told.

 

“It was all my fault, Inuyasha! Don't yell at them!” he wailed.

 

Three pairs of human eyes gawked at the fox kit, and Miroku moved to hit him on the head, which the kitsune dodged. Inuyasha glared dangerously at the kit.

 

“What do you mean, Shippou?” he ground out.

 

“Ee to…” Shippou, now realizing what he had done, fiddled with his fingers, something he had picked up from Kagome.

 

“OUT WITH IT!” Inuyasha roared. Shippou started.

 

It took both Miroku and Sango to keep him from hitting the kit, and they attempted to soothe the hanyou, to no avail.

 

“Well, when you were fighting that Ogre - the one that hurt you - something grabbed me. What was it? Oh, a dragonfly. And Kagome ran after it. We wound up far away, and she cornered it. It let me go, and she told me to run back. So I ran back here, but everyone was so hurt… Miroku's leg, and you…”

 

It was only now that Inuyasha noticed the very deep wound on the monk's leg, and he felt bad, loosing his grip on the shakujou that was held against his chest. He also let go of Hiraikotsu completely, which Sango had been using to keep Inuyasha away from Shippou. Inuyasha also noticed that Miroku was pale and sweating slightly. Most likely, he had a fever, caused by the great wound. Putting two and two together, he realized that Sango, the only one who appeared not to be hurt, had done the only thing she could - bring everyone back to the village. She couldn't have left two defenseless men and a fox kit behind to search for Kagome. But now, he wasn't defenseless, and he would go in search for her.

 

Miroku noticed the determined look on his face and interjected the hanyou's thoughts.

 

“But Inuyasha, she came back, and she is merely in her own time,” Miroku lied.

 

Sango looked at him grievously. She wanted her friend back as well, but only Inuyasha was capable of leaving. Unfortunately, at the moment he was indeed incapable. Even now, they saw him waver, sapped of his strength due to all his anger. They problem, now, lay within the method of keeping the protective hanyou here until the wounds were at least better than their current state. It was true that the gashes in his shoulder were almost healed, but the huge hole in his stomach was only half-closed, leaving huge openings in the front and back still. Therefore, he would have to stay a few more days.

 

“Yes, she went back to rest. She's not hurt,” Sango said hopefully, trying to calm the look the hanyou sent her, but kept going. “But she was tired. She asked us to look after you and said she would be back when she gathered the necessary medical supplies and rested.

 

This seemed to work somewhat, and Miroku marveled at his wife's ability for fibbing. It started to disturb him somewhat.

 

The only thing that had troubled Inuyasha was the fact that when Miroku had begun to tell him about Kagome, the kitsune had tried to say something, but Kaede had hushed him. He glared at the kit now, but he only cowered. Accepting this, Inuyasha slowly lay back down on the bedroll they had provided. This only confirmed what everyone thought. He was hurt - he was just too worried about Kagome to care about his own wounds. With that, Sango help the monk back to their own home, and Shippou followed them, leaving the old miko to care for the gruff hanyou.

 

~~~~~()~~@

 

“Would you like to bathe?” Sesshoumaru asked her once she had finished eating.

 

“Oh, would I…” Kagome answered.

 

The youkai thought it strange that she would answer with a half-question herself, but there were many things he found odd about this woman. He smiled gently. He was alarmed however, when she looked at him suspiciously so suddenly. An elegant eyebrow arched, challenging her to speak.

 

“Sesshoumaru, what happened to my clothes?” she asked, smirking at him in a dare to lie.

 

At first he seemed shy to answer, and then he regained composure. “The haori was ruined,” he began, and Kagome assumed he meant her button-down white school shirt. She absently was remembering the slash of the Ogre's claws, and knew he spoke the truth. “As for the… short… hakama? I myself was forced to ruin them in order to treat you. I am sorry, but I will provide you with something when it pleases you.”

 

Kagome's temper flared, and she was about to scream at him for seeing her half-naked, when something clicked in her head. She was missing something. He treated me. Yeah, I'm mad, but what else? He'll provide me with something? When it pleases me? Alarm bells rang in her mind, telling her something was off kilter. Why would he care? Well, duh, he doesn't know he was a ruthless killing machine, her mind supplied. But… the way he had said `when it pleases you'… It was almost how a man speaks to his wife. Her eyes grew wide then, and she began to back away from him.

 

Alarmed, Sesshoumaru reached for her.

 

“Kagome, I said I was sorry. I meant no harm…”

 

“S-Sesshoumaru… what… who do you think I am?” she asked from a short distance.

 

“You are a miko.”

 

It sounded more like a question than a statement. He didn't understand the question.

 

“Er… to me. Who do you think I am to you?” She blushed and looked away, and he understood her intent.

 

“Do you not travel with me? Are you not my woman?”

 

Kagome squeaked, and looked at him. He looked confused and hurt.

 

“Ah, hahaha…” How to explain that you were the supposed woman of your hated brother? She laughed without humor.

 

After a few moments of his anxious looks, Kagome tried her best. “What… what gave you that idea?”

 

Now he looked a little angry. “Our powers are mixed. I can smell my youki in your blood, and your powers reside in me as well,” he said, placing an elegant hand on his bare chest. “And you cared for me, although your wounds were great.”

 

How to tell an inutaiyoukai that you only felt bad that you had hurt him? Was there a way around it? And what did he mean by mixed powers? Could it have happened when she had healed him? She sighed dejectedly. When she looked into his eyes, she saw so much sorrow that she almost went to him to embrace him.

 

“Sesshoumaru, I'm not your woman,” she said. She was about to tell him the story of their acquaintance when she realized he was no longer a few feet in front of her. Instead, he had vanished into the forest that was nearby. Another inuyoukai that sulks? Great. Just what I need, she thought.

 

It was about time she said hello to Rin.

 

Walking the distance to where Rin was splashing around proved to be quite a task, what with her wounds and the hot sun beating on her. When she was a short distance away, Rin waved from within the lake. Kagome waved back, and Rin ran to the bank, splashing the whole way.

 

“Kagome-sama, you're awake! I'm so glad. You gave us quite the scare…” Rin beamed.

 

Us? the woman thought. Oh, Sesshoumaru… She felt even worse about what she had said, but felt it had to be done. Kagome nodded to Rin. She heard Jaken mumbling to himself in the background. She greeted him as well, but he only nodded, being that he was trying not to look at the unclothed Rin.

 

“Er… Kagome-sama? Where is Sesshoumaru-sama? He was very anxious to help you bathe once you woke, but he is not here with us…”

 

Kagome smirked at the girls' comment. “I'm not sure, Rin-chan,” she answered truthfully.

 

Rin looked dejectedly at her, but Kagome smiled. “Would you like to help me bathe and cleanse my wounds, Rin-chan?”

 

Rin brightened instantly. “Hai.”

 

The girl took Kagome by the hand, attempting to show her into the small alcove that she used as a changing area. She paused, which made Kagome freeze. “Jaken-sama, could you get Kagome's satchel? Thank you,” she said before skipping off, Kagome in tow and leaving behind an exasperated toad youkai.

 

Insolent girl, turning into an insufferable woman, Jaken thought as he toddled off to do as she said, looking back once at the pre-teen.

 

Kagome giggled, knowing he was doing Rin's bidding, yet complaining about it to himself the entire time.

 

When she was led into the cave, Kagome was amazed at its' beauty. It was open only in the small opening that served as an entrance. The rest was either walled, or to Kagome's left was the waterfall, its' heavy cascade providing no entrance to anyone without knowledge of the opening. Where the waterfall lay, there was a small pool that took up much of the inside of the alcove. It seemed to be deep enough to bath, but shallow enough to stand. She undressed quickly, and placed a foot in the water to test its' temperature. Because of the warmth of the day, it was quite warm, and this pleased her aching muscles as she slid into it. Obviously, the trapped heat inside the cave warmed this water as well. Jaken arrived, and Rin put Sesshoumaru's kimono on just long enough to walk outside and retrieve the pack, removing it once away from Jaken's eyes. Rin brought the bag to Kagome, who went trough it to make sure the jewel was still there. She had forgotten about it until now, and was relieved to find it unscathed. Now she retrieved her shampoo, soap, and some medical supplies. With the help of the water fall, Kagome washed her hair first, and then her body, taking care with the wound. She winced when Rin poured peroxide into it as instructed. Kagome couldn't help but think how skilled Rin was, and how she didn't shy from the wound. Idly, Kagome wondered if the girl had experience with wounds. Had she cared for Sesshoumaru after battle? She had seen Sesshoumaru wounded very badly, and from what Rin had told her a long time ago, she had been with the youkai since Inuyasha had cut off her arm. So, she had nursed Sesshoumaru back to help? It was unlikely, but where else would Rin have learned to care for wounds? There was also the time Inuyasha had nearly killed Sesshoumaru with Kaze no Kizu, and again when they fought Naraku at the End. Sesshoumaru had been hurt, but not badly. He had left shortly after having a few words with Inuyasha, words that the hanyou had never shared with her. Pushing those things from her mind, Kagome helped Rin wrap herself with the bandages as Rin explained how she had been left behind as Sesshoumaru had ran off to battle, only to return with Jaken and herself. She told Kagome that she noticed a change in her Lord, and she was glad for it. She was also suspicious that the change had to do with Kagome, and the miko's heart warmed, remembering his concern and care. Trying to stay away from thoughts of the handsome youkai, Kagome asked Rin about everything from how she usually stayed fed to if she had started her period, which had to be later explained as a `first blood'. When Rin became very upset, never knowing about a woman's period because her parents had been killed when she was very young, Kagome tried to soothe her. Moments later, Jaken stormed the cave, worried. But of course, the two girls were naked and they threw stones at the youkai, and they giggled about it to each other. When Rin was calm, Kagome bestowed her extensive knowledge unto Rin, and Rin felt empowered, gifted with knowledge that she hadn't previously known. Kagome was happy, because this was not a subject that teetered to Sesshoumaru. Any other answer she had gotten from the girl had eventually leaned towards `Sesshoumaru this' and `Sesshoumaru' that, and she had been feeling guilty. She hadn't known Sesshoumaru was so kind when she had thought him evil. Although it was probably his lack of visible emotion that had made her feel that way. Now, he seemed more like Inuyasha, only more regal looking. She was constantly reminded that she had been too harsh to the Taiyoukai, and the small distraction of teaching Rin about her first period was welcome.

 

Soon, Kagome was finished, and stepped out of the water. Rin told her that she would stay in the water - it wasn't often that their group relaxed like this. Kagome pondered her words as she donned Sesshoumaru's kimono again, tying the obi in a pretty knot. She fancied herself a Greek Goddess and laughed at herself. Was the source of the little family being able to relax Sesshoumaru's newfound kindness? Again, she felt the guilt of her harsh words. When she exited the cave, she saw that Rin had swam through the falling water to the main body of the lake. She waved to Rin, and walked back to the tree she had shared with Sesshoumaru, feeling refreshed. She sat again, leaning against the tree and closing her eyes.

 

~~~~~()~~@

 

In the forest, Sesshoumaru sulked. He wasn't hungry. He was beginning to think that his kind didn't eat very often, and sometimes when injured. But soon he would need to procure something for the females. Even if he was angry with one of them. `Sesshoumaru, I'm not your woman' she said, over and over. He tried to think of something else as he zipped through the forest, attempting to clear his mind of her voice. Eventually, he came upon a family of boar, and took one of the piglets. The male had attempted to protect its' brood, but Sesshoumaru easily avoided it. He reasoned not to kill it, since the survival of the family depended on the family staying intact.

 

Once he had caught the ningens' dinner, he walked slowly back to the lake. He could smell Kagome's fresh scent a while before he broke through the trees. He noticed that she had gone ahead and taken a bath. He found himself hoping she had taken care of the wound. He wanted to be angry with her, not caring about her since she was not his woman as she had plainly stated, but unfortunately, this was not to be the case. He longed to be with her, so he stopped finally by the tree, sitting next to her. He thought about his words to her, and opened his mouth to apologize, when she spoke.

 

“I'm sorry Sesshoumaru,” she said, turning to look at him.

 

His heart sped up a little at her intense gaze.

 

“I had no right to speak to you so roughly,” she said a little sadly. “But I wanted you to know the truth. There has never been anything between us…”

 

She cringed a little at the disheartened look he bore, but she kept going.

 

“I… I travel with your brother, Inuyasha.”

 

He growled low and deep, and Kagome started at the sound. Sesshoumaru wondered if this was why Jaken had been reluctant to stay in the area he had woken up in. So, he had a feud with his brother over the woman? Would his brother - Inuyasha, his mind supplied - have taken the woman away from him? It will never happen, he promised himself. His growl intensified.

 

“Actually, I'm supposed to be his woman, but… there have been…” Kagome paused.

 

Sesshoumaru's growl had grown to the sound of thunder when she started, but he stopped now, intrigued. He forced her to continue by lifting her chin.

 

“There have been… complications.”

 

Not wanting to care, but morbidly curious all the same, Sesshoumaru could not help himself. “Such as?”

 

There was great hesitation on Kagome's part. Was it her place to tell him about Kikyou? After all, Kikyou was no longer someone to compete with. But on the other hand, she didn't want to betray the memory of the former undead miko. She was fumbling with her fingers again, and Sesshoumaru used his own hand to still them. She looked up into the now emotion-filled golden eyes of the Taiyoukai, and understood clearly now. In his memory loss and the events that followed, he had not only cared for her, but he had feelings for her. This came as a great shock to her, and her heart raced a little, wondering how a beautiful Taiyoukai could care for such a plain girl as herself. He should be with a powerful demoness… With her revelation, Kagome decided to tell Sesshoumaru about Kikyou, about Inuyasha and Kikyou, about herself and Inuyasha, and then all three. Sesshoumaru listened quietly and intently; there were times where he seemed angry, and times where he seemed sad, but he remained silent all the same. It was not until Kagome was finished - ending with how it had been two years since Naraku's death and yet they still remained only friends - that Sesshoumaru finally spoke.

 

He seemed angry, and his voice sounded akin to a growl when he spoke. “He does not deserve you.”

 

And in that one sentence, Kagome became unraveled. She broke into sobs, and Sesshoumaru looked on in shock. He hadn't meant to make her cry, and he felt bad now. He tried to soothe her, but she only swatted his hand away. This only served to make him work harder to make her accept him. In one movement, he pulled her into his lap and embraced her, stroking her hair and resting his chin on her head the same way they had fallen asleep earlier. She tried to resist, but his hold was firm, and if she were honest with herself, she felt comforted by his actions. After a while, she calmed. He lifted himself gracefully, still holding her. She held tightly, afraid to fall, and he chuckled to himself. He lay her down carefully, allowing her to sit by herself. Then he strode purposefully towards the lake. She watched as he spoke to Jaken and began to do something by the shore of the lake. Before he finished, Rin appeared fully dressed and she rode the two-headed dragon to the tree Kagome sat under. Rin looked at her sadly, but opted not to say anything as she began. Kagome watched as Rin removed some rods from the bag on Ah-Un's saddle. She placed them near a shallow, wide hole that looked as if it had been used as a fire pit. When Kagome realized they were all preparing dinner, she began to get up. Rin had begun to collect twigs and branches, but gasped in horror when she saw Kagome standing and also attempting to gather firewood.

 

“No, Kagome-sama! Please, you must rest,” she pleaded.

 

Kagome began to protest, but Rin looked at Jaken beseechingly, and he nodded at Kagome.

 

“Yes, you should rest, Kagome-sama,” he said.

 

Kagome was floored by his almost-polite request. Of course, his voice had wavered a little, as if not used to saying such things - except maybe to Sesshoumaru - but overall, he seemed concerned. So Kagome did as she was told and sat back as everyone did their part. When Rin had gathered enough sticks and leaves to start a fire, she placed the two vertical rods in the dirt and Jaken started the blaze with his staff. Rin happily wandered off with Ah-Un to find supplements for whatever dinner her Lord had procured, and Jaken stood watch over Kagome. She noticed that the little green youkai no longer had harsh words for her, and she wondered if this had something to do with him seeing her as Sesshoumaru's partner rather than Inuyasha's. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye, and noticed that Sesshoumaru had begun to walk back to the camp. She could hardly see any longer, since it was getting well into dusk, but Sesshoumaru's hair shone like a beacon in the coming darkness, and she was reminded of Inuyasha so very much that she had to bite her lower lip to keep herself from crying.

 

After the females had eaten and Rin grew sleepy, the girl curled up against Ah-Un's side, and the beast wrapped one of its' necks around the girl. Jaken followed soon, falling asleep in a sitting position whilst leaning against the dragon.

 

Only Sesshoumaru and Kagome lay awake. Kagome, plagued by memories of her friends, and Sesshoumaru, haunted by the words of the miko.

 

After what seemed a long time, Kagome began to get sleepy. Of course, she was leaning against the log and the grass there was comfy enough. But she was troubled. Finally, she got up the nerve to speak.

 

“Sesshoumaru? Why do you want me?” she asked boldly. There was so much resolve in her eyes that he could not help but to answer.

 

“I am not sure,” he answered truthfully. “But I was amazed at your selflessness. You felt bad that your miko powers harmed me. Is that what happened?” When the woman nodded, he continued. “And I felt responsible as well. I had assumed you had used the last of your energy to heal me, and so I felt I needed to protect you. I became… attached to you.”

 

His heartfelt words tugged on her heartstrings. She got up and walked over to the tree he leaned against and sat next to him. She placed a hand on his arm, but it did not seem to comfort him. To Sesshoumaru, it didn't matter if she tried to console him. Her words echoed through his mind.

 

“I had thought we were partners… in a union.”

 

Kagome looked at him. “You mean, like married?”

 

He seemed to ponder her question, and then nodded.

 

She seemed a little shocked, and this time he placed his right hand over hers that still lay on his arm. Feeling more guilty than ever, but missing her friends all the same, she lay her head on his shoulder.

 

“You know, I have to go back.”

 

He looked at her, and she could tell he was trying to keep the emotion from his eyes. He nodded. “Once you are well,” he told her.

 

“That long? That could take weeks!” she cried.

 

He frowned. “Not likely. But if you really wish to, I will take you in six days time.”

 

Now it was her turn to frown. “Inuyasha may come for me,” she said, almost pouting.

 

“Let him,” Sesshoumaru seethed.

 

“Sesshoumaru, I thought you forgot everything. Why do you hate Inuyasha?” Kagome didn't understand what it was with these two brothers, always at each others' throats. It was only two scant years ago that Sesshoumaru had given up his acquisition of the Tessaiga and regained not only his left arm, but his new sword, Bakusaiga. He hadn't sought Inuyasha's life, and they had all lived - if anything - peacefully. This raised a new question.

 

“Sesshoumaru?”

 

Her tone intrigued him. “Hn?”

 

Kagome giggled. He sure sounded the same. “Do you… know about your swords?”

 

“Know about my swords?” Why would he need to know about swords? They cut, and that was all he needed to know.

 

Kagome giggled. “You have special swords, Sesshoumaru,” she said.

 

Idly, Sesshoumaru noted that she had dropped the honorific, meaning she felt closer to him. But he did not allow it to mean anything to him.

 

“Special? How?”

 

“Well,” she began, pointing to Bakusaiga on his hip, “Bakusaiga was born of your own power. It came from your very essence, because you longer cared to possess Tessaiga and you had surpassed your father, the great Dog General. It has the power to keep eating at that which you cut. It was very helpful in defeating Naraku.”

 

His gaze passed from Bakusaiga to his arm, to Kagome several times as she spoke.

 

“And this,” she said, placing a hand on Tenseiga's hilt, “is a most special sword, Sesshoumaru. Tenseiga, like Tessaiga, was originally a fang of your fathers'. Where Tessaiga was meant to protect - which is why it was given to Inuyasha - Tenseiga was meant to give life. You, Sesshoumaru, are able to bring those that are dead, back to life. You have already used it to bring Rin back. Kouga, of the Yourozouku tribe, told me his pack had taken her life, but you had brought her back. Rin told me it was because she had cared for you after Inuyasha had taken your arm. I'm not sure how you do it, though. Also, you can cut things that are from the Other Worlds. When you were stuck in hell with Inuyasha, you were able to kill creatures there with it, where Tessaiga couldn't.”

 

When she was finished, she watched Sesshoumaru interact with his swords, and he seemed to have a new respect for them.

 

Special swords indeed, Sesshoumaru thought to himself. If he had thought he was powerful before, he felt unstoppable now. Pride surged through him. But… there was still one thing.

 

“Kagome,” he said quietly.

 

Her gaze had never left his face, so she just waited for him to speak again. “Jaken and Rin both call me Lord and master, yet I do not have a castle or home. What am I Lord of?”

 

Kagome half-laughed at this. “My Lord,” she said sarcastically, “I actually never knew if you had a home or not. But I do know that the Western Lands are your territory. It's big, and they were once your fathers'.”

 

Sesshoumaru contemplated all this. He wasn't sure what the boundaries were, but he was glad for the information. He poked Kagome in the ribs, and she half-laughed and half-scowled.

 

“What was that for?”

 

“For speaking to me in that tone,” he said mockingly, attempting her sarcastic tone.

 

She laughed, and put her head back onto Sesshoumaru's bare shoulder. Within minutes, both were asleep.

 

~~~~~()~~@ End Chapter