InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Corrupted ❯ Redemption ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 5: Redemption

Kagome unpacked her meager wardrobe slowly, taking her time putting the stuff where she wanted it. She put all of her shirts in the left-hand drawer, making sure they were folded neatly. Then she went down a drawer and put all of her under-garments in there, bra's on the right, G-strings on the left. Her socks went in between. She'd have to ask him where the washer and dryer were; she'd do her own laundry, she didn't need to impose on him any more than she already did. She then opened the right-hand top drawer and put her pants in there, making sure they were put in so they didn't get any wrinkles in them. She put her one dress and skirt in the drawer below it and frowned. She hated being so poor and having so little.

True, they had always had a roof over their heads, and Mama always made sure they had plenty to eat, but that also meant she was working all hours of the night, and had to give up other things as well. Only necessities were considered, they didn't have anything just to have it. Kagome's clothes spoke of this, the only nice clothes she had were ones given to her from her friends as presents. She admitted, she was better off than some people, but that didn't make her feel any better. She still had to wear clothes that looked like they came out of Salvation Army, and their apartment was known for being cheap and run-down. Their car constantly had problems, and the list went on. She sighed and went back to her bag, taking out the books and putting them on the bottom shelf of the stand next to her bed. She picked up the alarm clock and set it for 5:00 a.m. That was the time she would have to wake up the day after tomorrow, Monday. She groaned. Was it still only Saturday? She set down the alarm clock without turning the alarm on; she wouldn't need to until tomorrow.

She took her portable CD player out and set it on the oak bureau. She smiled when she saw that the clock had a radio on it and turned it on, setting it to a popular station. "Stop-Drop, kaboom. Baby rub on my nipples" Chanted out of the CD player. She smirked and remembered the dance that went with it.

~**~

Sesshoumaru was so bored. He was waiting for her to finish unpacking, but what then he didn't know. Perhaps he could show her the pool, but what if she hadn't brought a bathing suit? The thought of her in a bathing suit sent a wave of heat to pool in his loins and he shook the thought from his head. He waited a few more minutes before hearing music come from her room. His ears perked curiously and he got up, moving slowly into the hall and toward her room. He wasn't spying… No of course not. He just wanted to check and see how long unpacking took.

His eyes opened wide when he saw what she was doing in her room. Her door was wide open and she was dancing in the way all teenagers danced, her hands going in the air, her body moving constantly. The chorus of the song came on and she stilled for moment, obviously waiting for it. On the word `Stop' She held up both hands in front of her as if to tell someone to stop. `Drop' and she bent over, her feet a little bit part. `Kaboom' and she ran her hands sensually up her body, straightening slowly. Her hands stopped at her full breasts. `Baby rub on my nipples.' She laid flat palms over the top of her breasts and rubbed her hands in circles, driving him nuts. He wanted to do that so badly…

He took two steps closer to her, closing the distance significantly. She seemed to finally realize he was there and turned toward him, surprised and fearful. Her wide eyes were locked on his, telling him that she hadn't known he was there.

"I'm… Sor,"

"That was positively indecent." He snarled. Her eyes looked even more frightened as he took another step toward her, looming over her. His eyes were full of fire, not cold like they usually were. He grabbed her arm.

"You…" he shook his head and then came down suddenly, kissing her deeply. She placed her hands on his chest but did not push him away out of habit. She trembled with suppressed fear and tears leaked out of her tightly closed eyes.

Sesshoumaru felt a tear on his cheek and his anger and passion snapped. But his lips would not leave hers. Instead, they became gentle, soothing her bruised lips tenderly. His hand slid around her back, and she stayed stiff, but did not pull away from him. His tongue massaged hers, and he felt her fear start to evaporate. He pulled back and she seemed to be waiting for him to do something. He moved her hair and licked her neck, feeling her shiver. He sucked on the nerves he found there. Suddenly her tension eased and her hips pressed into his, making his pulse go and a flood of heat go through him.

`Stop, drop, kaboom. Baby rub on my nipples…" Could be heard almost as if muffled in his ears.

Her arms hesitantly circled around his neck and he brought their lips back together. This time when he kissed her, she returned it and her tongue waged war with his. Their tongues mated and his won, sliding into her mouth and tantalizing it. His hands slid lower to her round bottom. He grasped it and squeezed gently, making her gasp.

And just as suddenly, he let go, tearing his lips from hers, taking several steps away from her. She tensed, not sure what to think, but his anguished look told more than any words. He stepped further back from her, his eyes down.

"I… apologize." He said before swiftly departing and heading down the hall to his bedroom, shutting the door rather hard. She stood there for many moments, lost. She didn't understand what his problem was, unless she was that bad of a kisser? But he had said sorry, was he sorry for watching her? Sorry for kissing her? Sorry for having to leave? And that look he'd given her… She'd never seen him show any kind of emotion, but then she didn't really know him. But from what she did know, he was totally emotionless. And just now, his face had been so angry, and he looked like it was directed totally at himself.

And that kiss, it has something she had never experienced before! Inuyasha had aroused her, sure, but this had been a whole other ball game! The way he felt against her, his tongue making hers ache for more. The throbbing inside of her had made her want to have him drive into her over and over. She blushed, thinking about it. Was she a slut to be thinking that way? `Ya know what, I don't care. That was worth it.' She thought. Who cared what other people thought? All She knew was that she'd never felt so… wanting. She wanted him, and badly. But she was only 18, and he was what… 28? Something like that? He couldn't really want her. Maybe it was just the moment that had made him kiss her…

She reached for the alarm clock, fumbling as she attempted to turn the radio off. Finally she succeeded and her thoughts raged in her head, forcing her to sit down on the bed in a dizzy fit.

~**~

Sesshoumaru sat in his chair and ground his teeth, trying not to punch anything. God, he wanted her. He would have taken her, but then he remembered; she was a rape victim. She must have been scared to death of him, the way he'd come at her. She was just starting to not be quite so nervous around him, and he'd gone and made her afraid again.

Not that it mattered. No one mattered. Not that girl, not her family, no one. He was only doing all of that so that he could catch Inuyasha's killer and salvage the family name. His name would be printed everywhere and then everything would go back to the way it had been. He'd be the big hero, earning much more publicity and attention than he wanted. Then it would subside and he could live happily alone and do his job. End of story.

But that isn't what he wanted to happen. He wanted that girl; he was going to admit to that. It was staring him in the face. He was weak, and he had to catch Naraku and get rid of this weakness. Once he caught Naraku, she would go home and he would be rid of her, permanently. There was no other choice.

`That's not true. You could see if she really was afraid of you. You could try and win her over.' Shut up! He snarled at the voice. But it would not be silenced.

`You could love her…' It whispered. He banged his fist on the table and swore, his water pitcher shaking and rippling with the force.

"Dammit! I do NOT love her!" He roared. He did not! Did he? But the way he wanted her, just having her in his house made him feel content. He couldn't have fallen in love with her. Not that quickly! He didn't love anyone or anything, it only brought pain with it. Now, there were things he definitely loved about her, her body, her eyes, the way she laughed, the way she felt, how she found simple things like driving so enjoyable. He loved the life in her, her smile…

DAMMIT! How the hell had that happened? How the hell had he fallen for her like this? He didn't fall for ANYONE! He put his head in his hands, trying to think how in the world he had let himself get like this. Well, now he was going to have to get himself out.

~**~

Kagome hoped she had this right. She was going to ask him, the worst he could do was yell and tell her to get out of his house, right? Her steps faltered as she went down the hall. But what if she was wrong and made a complete fool of herself? He couldn't like her, not that way. But why in the world would he help her all he had? Why would he have come at her like that, and then kiss her so gently? What else could have made her want him so? Her head spun crazily. She gathered her courage and reached out, about to knock gently on his door.

"Dammit! I do NOT love her!" She heard him roar. She stopped and thought. Was he arguing with himself? But that would imply that he was thinking that he might love her!!! So she was right? He did want her? She stayed her hand for many moments before her courage returned and she knocked tentatively. She heard a bang, and smash, and his voice cursing.

He opened the door suddenly, his eyes once again blazing with anger. This time, no fear rose within her, only certainty. She looked up at him and saw him falter in his anger, his eyes suddenly looking slightly hopeful, like he was fighting it. Then they darkened again and this time remained emotionless, empty.

"Is everything alright?" She asked, remembering the sound of smashing. She looked past him and saw that a water pitcher had smashed and there were glass shards everywhere. "Oh, dear." She wisked back down the hall and came to a closet type room. She experimentally opened the door and saw what she was looking for, a broom and dustpan. She snatched it and then went to the bathroom, grabbing a towel. She went back toward his room, seeing him still framed in the doorway, watching her.

"Shall I?" She asked, holding the dustpan higher. He stepped out of her way and watched as she went over, dropping to her knees and sweeping up the glass. She swept it neatly into the dustpan, and then proceeded to dry the wooden floor with the towel. He finally went over and bent over to take the dustpan, standing and turning. He went out of the room to empty it in the trash and came back without it, having put it away. She finished drying the floor, the desk legs, and the top of his desk, then stood up and faced him.

"Happens." Was all she said before going down the hall and then remembering she didn't know where the dirty laundry went.

"Where do you keep you laundry basket?" She called down the hall, echoing.

"Next to the bathroom." He was standing in the doorway, imperious, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed casually. She smiled at him briefly before trying the door to the right of the bathroom and seeing a washer and dryer. An empty basket caught her eye and she put the wet towel in it, shutting the door behind her and looking over at him. She thought for a moment she saw the trace of a smile on his face, but it disappeared. She started toward him, cautious, not sure how to start this conversation.

`Be cool, be careful, don't make him angry…'

"So, I guess you want me?" She blurted out. His features showed a little surprise before closing up more than ever. She mentally slapped herself. `Way to go…' She thought sarcastically.

"I am physically attracted to you. I am, after all, male. And you are a young, well-made woman. I cannot help what nature decides." He answered. That wasn't the answer she was looking for. But she supposed, if he couldn't admit it to himself, he certainly wasn't going to go telling her that he *gulp* loved her. He started to say something else and she cut him off, wanting to get this out before he could stop her or her courage failed.

"And I am to you, a lot, I mean, attracted to you." She blushed at her jumbled reply and looked down. He stood there for many moments and finally she looked up at him.

"I'm sorry. Just forget I said anything." She turned away but felt her arm caught in his strong grip. She whipped her head to look back at him.

"You aren't… afraid of me? After the way I grabbed you?" The grip on her arm relaxed, as if he thought he was scaring her again. Still his eyes showed nothing, as if he was afraid to. And she did not pull away.

"Strangely, no. I mean, I was at first, but now… I'm not. I don't know why, but I'm not." She said simply. She finished turning back around to face him, his hand slipping down her arm but did not totally relinquish its hold. Kagome took a deep breath. She wanted him to admit it. She would question him until hen gave her some kind of answer that indicated either way.

"And all you feel for me is physical?" She saw that there seemed to be a fight going on behind his mask of indifference and that the truth finally won.

"No." Was all he would tell her. That was all she needed to know, that and how she felt. From what she had heard behind his door, and how he was acting, she could tell. As for herself, that was more complicated. She felt it was wrong, what with him being Inuyasha's brother, but not so much as before. It seemed as if that wasn't as important, like he said, you couldn't change the past, and Inuyasha wasn't coming back. Besides, didn't her lack of fear say anything? The way she felt around him? And how she wanted nothing more than for him to take her right now? But what if she was just getting over her fear of men? Of people? But she had still been nervous going into that building with all those people, but not of him.

Suddenly it just didn't matter, any of it.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his, surprising him. His hands hesitantly rested on her hips, and he slowly returned the kiss. It built and built, becoming frenzied. Finally they both broke off, gasping for much needed air. Sesshoumaru caught his breath first.

"Are you sure you want this?" He asked carefully. She seemed at a loss for words for a moment and his heart dropped. Finally she opened her mouth and answered.

"Yes, I am." His heart swooped back up and pounded in his throat. He groaned and captured her lips with his again. He lifted her up higher and pulled her thrush with his body, his arousal pushing against her lower stomach. His hands slipped up under her shirt in the back and unhooked her bra, sliding it down her shoulders under her loose shirt. The straps hung uselessly on her upper arms, peeking from under her t-shirt. She clung to him and wrapped her legs around him, leaving his hands free to roam. They slid under her shirt and his right hand stopped on her ribs while the left kept traveling. It slid up and over her mound, brushing the peak and making her moan. Their kiss was frenzied, intense, both of them floating in the heat and hunger.

Kagome pulled her lips away. "Please," She breathed. He caught her lips back to mate with his tongue, stepping backwards into the room. He shut the door with his foot and then made his way blindly to the bed, finally breaking for air. He grasped her hips and lifted her over to the bed, setting her down and letting her fall back. He followed and laid his body on hers, gently. Her hips bucked into his and he groaned, fighting back the urge to rip off her clothes and drive into her hard and fast. Their lips cemented together again, tasting and feeding. His hands were all over her, making her body shiver uncontrollably. She left his mouth and took his sensitive earlobe in her mouth, sucking gently. He just about growled and she immediately let go, startled. He grinned.

"Do it again, please." He groaned. She smiled and slowly complied with his request, teasing his earlobe with her tongue as she did it. He growled again and she tried not to giggle. After a minute he pulled back and gazed at her amused face.

"Think it's funny, do you?" He mocked. She shook her head but the smile was painted onto her face. "Fine, your turn." Suddenly his hands were on her stomach and then undoing her pants. Her mind seemed to have stopped working, she did nothing but lay there as he slipped off her jeans and then her underwear. When his hands ran down her naked bottom half she sucked in a breath. He heard her.

"What was that?" he asked innocently. She glared at him and he chuckled lustfully. His hands slid down to a place that she herself did not touch often and then searched through her folds. She unconsciously bucked her hips when his fingers brushed the bundle of nerves there. He stroked again, and again, bringing her to octave after octave of pleasure. Something warm clenched and tied up her stomach, but in a pleasant way. When his fingers quickened it burst in a shower of sparks and left her feeling dazed and breathless. She finally realized he was licking the inside of her, lapping up what she had released. It was a wonderful feeling, warm. But still not quite enough. He pulled himself up next to her and stared into her eyes, waiting for her to come back down to earth completely. He kissed her gently, his own sex throbbing with need. It jumped eagerly when she moved against him and he stood to undress. She watched him and stared, making him feel for the very first time a little bit self-conscious.

"Oh my god." She whispered when he finished. He said nothing, waiting for her response. And it came. "Sesshoumaru, you are… perfect." She finished. He almost flushed and took a step closer to her. With her help he pulled off her t-shirt and bra, standing back to take a good look. Even with her innocence, her nervousness, she was strikingly beautiful. Perhaps it was her beauty was heightened even more by her naivety. He sucked in a breath and then lay down next to her, kissing her tenderly. She returned it, her taste rich, her body next to his delightful. He reached down to her thighs and parted them gently, careful to remember her past experiences.

It would not have made a difference. She neither thought of Naraku, nor the tormenting fear that usually hung over her. It had drifted away like wispy clouds, not able to stand the bright sunlight. She parted her legs eagerly, ready for what would come next. He hovered over her, kissing her forehead, whispering.

"I love you." He said. She barely heard him. She tried to think, what was she supposed to say? But then she couldn't concentrate, for something as large as a baseball bat was pushing its way into her, stretching her. It stung a little, he was huge. He pulled back a little and pushed in again, easier this time because of her natural lubrication. He slid into her further, making new sensations come from within her. He moved faster, coming out and thrusting back in, the friction of flesh driving them both over the edge. All control evaporated, thought was gone. All they knew was reaching, scorching, trying to get higher and higher. New peaks were met, conquered, and then left for another new peak. It rolled over and over, finally shaking to a stop with a burst, both releasing simultaneously. It shook them, almost painful in its intensity. Her muscles slowly relaxed around him as he shrank back down to regular size, both of them laying covered in a fine sweat, trying to recover their breaths.

Sesshoumaru finally pulled out of her and rolled over, pulling her up to his chest possessively. Her whisper caught him off-guard.

"I love you too." She said in a small voice. This fought its way through his fog-laden mind, but her quiet breaths bespoke sleep. He relaxed and tried to understand everything that had just happened, but was almost immediately asleep.

~**~

The dreams were never that realistic or explicit. Usually all he remembered was the feeling of it, or a place, or something insignificant that happened. But this time…

He could still feel the tingles from where her lips had touched him. Her body straining against his, her sweat mingled with his. Her hair brushing his arm, the heat of her body pressed against him in sleep.

His eyes shot open. In his arms was the sweet little thing he thought was a dream, sleeping peacefully. A smile broke across his face, tugging insistently on the corner of his mouth. A grin of joy. She stirred, somehow knowing he was awake, opening her eyes. Her lashes fluttered a few times, but the smile on her face did not recede when she recognized him through sleep filled eyes. Softly, she smiled at him, lovingly. She stroked the side of his face gently; making him shut his eyes in bliss. She was here, with him, he was holding her to him. He let out a breath and opened his eyes, gazing down on her.

"Should we get up? Don't we have to do… something? Like enter my mother and Souta in the WP program?" She suggested tentatively. He groaned.

"Do we have to?" His voice was unwavering, merely sarcastic, but she didn't mind. It was a real improvement from nothing at all. He kissed her forehead tenderly. "Alright, but we need a shower." He hinted. Her eyebrows shot straight up. Then she grinned, biting her lower lip.

"Okay, but I want to go skinny-dipping first." She announced. He looked amused and shook his head, but then stopped to think.

"I suppose we have enough time as long as we only swim for a few minutes or so. The indoor pool won't be as fun as the outdoor is in the summer, but it will still be worth it." She grinned and then stood up, stark naked. She blushed at the way his eyes clung to her, drinking in her form. He blinked and got up rapidly, forcing himself to stop gawking at her.

"This way." He walked out of the room without putting anything on and she hesitantly followed, not sure about walking around an unfamiliar house naked. He went into the bathroom and came out with two towels, handing one to her. She took and it and looked up into his eyes, finding him staring at her, unmoving. She bit her lip, blushing hotly, noticing that his undressed body was very close to hers. And very hot, she could feel the heat rolling off of him in waves.

"The pool?" She prompted gently. He grunted and tore his gaze away, going into the kitchen. She once again followed him, this time surely. He slid in between the counter and the fridge and then took a door she hadn't noticed before, to the left of the sink. It opened out to a huge high-ceilinged room with one of the largest indoor in-ground pools she had ever seen. She clutched her towel to her and stepped into it, Sesshoumaru shutting the door behind her. He walked to the edge of the pool and the dived in with obvious skill. She stood nervously at the edge, biting her lip again. She nodded and sat down, sliding into the water gently, surprised at how warm it was. Her feet never hit bottom and she treaded water immediately to keep from sinking. Suddenly a bunch of water splattered in her face she gasped and sputtered. When she opened her eyes she saw Sesshoumaru giving her a lethal smirk. She glared.

"I'll get you for that." She spat mockingly. He raised his eyebrows.

"You don't seem to do much except threaten." He countered. She smiled and went underwater, deep under. She swam straight up from underneath him and grabbed his ankle, pulling him down. She let go when he ripped it out of her grasp and came up next to him, gasping for breath. It was his turn to sputter this time and he glared at her, but she could tell he wasn't really angry.

"I warned you." She giggled. He shook his head.

"Your quite ignorant to stay here after such an act." Her eyes widened and she dived under the water, swimming off like a fish. He was surprised at her speed and then went after her, catching her when she had had enough running. He grabbed her waist and kicked his feet to keep from going under. She put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him briefly, catching him off-guard once again. She slipped out of his arms suddenly, swimming to the edge of the pool and hoisting herself out.

"I think we are late." She said, sitting on the edge while he swam closer. She got up and he pushed himself out, climbing out gracefully. She was already drying herself with her towel and waiting for him when he looked up. He grabbed his own towel and wrapped it around his waist, watching as she did the same, smiling at him shyly. He forced himself to keep from grabbing her and throwing her down on the wet floor. Instead he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her from the pool, going back into the kitchen and then to his room. He smiled at her seductively, realizing he still had two hours. He turned her to him and kissed her, feeling her respond immediately. He pulled back and whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

"Now for that Shower." He said, his voice full of innuendo.

~**~

The wind whipped through her hair, drying it quicker than a blow dryer could. She rested back in the leather seats, enjoying another unusually warm day in April. Her sunglasses kept the warm sun out of her eyes, her hair did not obstruct her vision too badly either. They were going down I-97, headed to Kagome's house to pick the forms her mother had filled out and bring her to the police department where they would put her and Souta into the program. Kagome sighed and smiled, feeling free and happy. Her arm hung out of the window of the Eon R-2. She swore to god that she would have this car, god how she wanted it. Sesshoumaru shifted up and passed an old couple barely doing the speed limit. Immediately her heart soared and she smiled again, feeling so happy.

The cause of her happiness? Hmm, maybe from the thought of her mother and brother soon being safe. Maybe it was because they were sure to catch Naraku soon. Maybe it had nothing to do with any of that. She peered at Sesshoumaru and a smile tugged at her mouth, her heart bursting. Nope, it definitely was the man sitting next to her, glancing at her every once in a while. Once he had even offered her a small smile, making butterflies go in her stomach.

She reached over and turned Evanescence back on, skipping to number seven. Imaginary was her favorite. She sang her best, putting all of herself in the song, knowing that he liked it when she sang. Sure enough, a small smile graced his lips and he stared at the road even less. She smiled as she sang, singing the next song, Taking Over Me. He smirked at this one and she wondered why, intrigued by his thoughts. She stopped singing.

"What?" She asked, looking at him curiously. His smile disappeared and he kept his gaze on the road, making her feel edgy. He finally looked at her.

"Sing." He ordered. She shot her eyebrows up and looked at him like he was nuts.

"Are you ordering me?" She asked, her voice dead serious. He cringed at the anger in her voice and his look softened.

"Please." He added. She sank back down into her seat, deflating. Her voice picked up the song strongly, singing like only she could.

Kagome sang all the way through the CD almost, stopping when her throat got dry. Suddenly she realized she was on her street and then her house came into view, her heart reacting with a little twinge of nostalgia. She was surprised it wasn't stronger, this had been her home for 18 years of her life, and she didn't know when she was going back to it. She smiled softly, thinking that wherever she was happy was home, and that was with Sesshoumaru.

He caught her smile out of the corner of his eye and said nothing, contemplating it.

"We're here." He said as he pulled into the driveway, stopping and turning off the engine. Kagome was already out of the car and up her steps, taking off her sunglasses, grinning. She pushed them back on her head, raising her hand to knock on her door before laughing and just going in. This was her house, why would she knock? She burst inside and into the kitchen.

"Mom, I'm here! Where are.. MOM!" Kagome said the last in disbelief. Her mother was tied to a kitchen chair, which looked to be glued firmly to the floor, gobs of it running up the legs and squished out from under the bottom of the legs, having dried that way. Kagome rushed over to her mother, whose eyes were glazed and tired, but still frantic. She had on a gag, her hands tied behind her, her feet tied to the legs. Kagome carefully went to work undoing the gag, picking at it desperately with her fingernails.

"Sesshoumaru!" She called her voice high and scared. He came into the house hardly a second later, momentarily startled by the site he saw. Kagome pulling at the gag around her mother's face, Atsuko tied firmly to the chair, the kitchen a mess, blood stains on the floor, shattered glass. He growled and rushed over, flicking out his pocketknife. He swiftly and carefully cut off the gag and then went to work on her bonds, sawing at them.

"NO! There's no time! Don't worry about me! They've got, they've got…" She sobbed and Kagome hugged her, shushing her gently.

"Its okay mom. We're here now." Kagome said gently. Sesshoumaru freed her hands and she pushed her daughter back, clenching her shoulders in her strong grip, staring into her eyes.

"You must listen! He's got Souta! He said to tell you that Souta would suffer worse than he already has if you don't give him what he wants! Kagome, your brother isn't worth any sort of thing that horrible bastard wants! Dammit, give it to him!" Kagome stood back from her mother, her face shocked. Sesshoumaru cut one leg loose, then the other, quickly. Kagome dropped her head, a tear slipping out of her eye.

"Its all my fault. I should never have left you guys alone. I have it, and he's going to hurt Souta, oh god." She breathed in deep and faced her mother, who looked thoroughly perplexed.

"What is so important to him, Kagome? Why does he want it so bad?" She fired at her daughter, not quite able to forgive her yet for putting Souta in danger, for not giving up whatever it was.

Kagome just stood there, looking and feeling lost. What was she to say? That she had put a jewel's safety over her own brothers? She sat down quickly, but felt a burning on her collarbone. She flinched and pulled out the Shikon No Tama, holding it away from her skin. She was surprised to see it glowing pink, almost purple, filling the room with the glow. Her mother caught her breath. Suddenly it flashed and left them all blind for a moment, glowing so brightly they could hardly keep their eyes open. When the glow subsided the room was clean, everything organized and fixed. All the stuff that had been broken was repaired. The blood on the floor was gone.

"This is what Naraku wants." She whispered just loud enough for her mother and Sesshoumaru to hear. She was just as surprised as everyone else to see it do something like that. She touched it and felt it pulse warmly, right into her fingers. A tingling sensation went through her hands and she let go in surprise. She grasped it firmly and the tingling was much more intense this time, filling her whole body eventually. It wasn't painful, just warm tingles, pleasant powerful waves going through her. The glow around the jewel faded completely and the feelings stopped. Kagome opened her eyes and noticed her skin was glowing, but it too receded.

Sesshoumaru sat completely stunned, watching his physical world fall apart. All he thought was true, all the scientific facts disproving magic, all a lie. With his own eyes he had seen first-hand magic stronger than he would have imagined. The rope burns on Atsuko were gone, Kagome's hand was healed, and actually all of her visible bruises and cuts were gone. He was almost too awed and stunned to speak or comprehend what Kagome was saying.

"This is the Shikon No Tama, fabled to have powers strong enough to make anyone natural power ten times what it is. It can also purify in the right hands." She told her mother. "Naraku could kill millions with this jewel, with hardly a finger lifted. I have been keeping it from him ever since Grandpa died; he doesn't know what it is that he wants. All he knows is that it is very powerful and that I have it. I'm sorry for putting Souta's life in danger Mama." She finished; her eyes glazing with unshed tears. Atsuko's eyes softened and she smiled.

"I'm sorry for blaming you honey. You've done nothing but try to protect us. I just am so panicked about Souta…" Her smile faltered and then disappeared. Kagome felt the same surge of panic and turned to Sesshoumaru, looking to him for answers. His face was emotionless, calming but not helping. Finally he took charge. He slipped his pocketknife back into his pocket and tugged the rest of the ropes off of Atsuko.

"We have to get you to the station and report this." He helped Kagome's mother to stand and then she pulled back, wobbly but still okay. They quickly went out to the car and got in, Kagome sliding into the back. Sesshoumaru squealed out of the driveway and onto the road, getting directions from Atsuko in the passenger's seat to the police station in town. They pulled in within minutes and rushed out of the car and into the building. Kagome shied back, her chest tightening, her fear building when she stepped into the crowded, confusing and noisy room. Sesshoumaru noticed first and told her to go and get her mother's bags at the house. She nodded in relief and went back outside, breathing easier as soon as she left the building.

She put her hand over the jewel and felt strength flood her, making her draw up straight and walk purposefully to the car. She got in and started it up, roaring out of the parking lot, heading back to her house to pick up her mother's things for her. She felt her worry slowly recede to a bearable level and concentrated trying to think of something. She hoped Souta was okay, that he was at least still alive.

`Please let him be okay. Please' She thought, whispering it under her breath, chanting it over and over, willing it to be so. She hoped just this once, her wish would come true. It was what she wanted more then anything in the world, her brother's safety. Magic was finicky, and she hoped it would work, just this once.

The jewel of four souls glowed and sang silently in its pure power, lighting up Kagome's hopeful face.

~**~

YEAH!! I Love Writing Cliffy's!! I know you hate them… so I'm so sorry about my obsession with them. It Piss's my charas off too.

Riasha: No joke! Every time something good is going to happen…

RyuuAngel: I know. *sigh*

Please review!!!