InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ An Enemy or a Friend Part I: Going Under ( Chapter 26 )

Disclaimer: If I have to do a new disclaimer every week (except this one and last week), why would you think I own it?

Chapter Twenty-Six: An Enemy or a Friend Part One: Going Under

*Dec. 25 5:40 PM, Kagome's Room*

Kagome stepped out of the shower, grabbed one of the fluffy towels from the rack beside her and wrapped it around herself. Thoughts of yesterday replayed in her mind, and she inwardly questioned why she told Sesshoumaru her feelings for him.

'What's going to happen when we solve his case?' she asked herself as she dried off. 'And what will happen when we don't have to spend so much time underneath each other? Will we still feel the same way?'

She sighed, shaking her head as she shrugged into a blood red robe, using a fresh towel to dry her hair. 'Yesterday was so perfect. I wouldn't have guessed he could be so sweet, so romantic. Its almost like the rude, overbearing man I met when this mission started disappeared. But what if it's all just an act?' Kagome shook her head, laughing at herself. 'Come on Kagome. You act as if the whole world is out to get you. It's Christmas for God's sake, could you at least try to enjoy it? And so what if it doesn't last? Nothing is forever, right? I should enjoy this now, and cross the later bridge when I come to it.'

Kagome stepped out of the bathroom, and nearly squealed in surprise when Ah waved at her from his seat at her vanity. "What are you doing in here?" she asked, her hand over her heart.

"Did I scare you Kagome-chan? I do apologize," Ah said as he stood up. "I'm only here to help you get ready for tonight. If you'd take a seat please?" He gestured to his previous seat, waving a pair of shears in his right hand. Kagome sat down obediently, warily eyeing the shears as Ah moved behind her. "What are you planning on doing with those?"

"I'm going to trim you're hair," Ah replied. Kagome shook her head. "Nope. I don't think so. Do you even know how to cut hair?"

"I used to do Lady Rin's hair before she moved. I think I'm pretty skilled."

"Rin trusted you, eh?" Ah nodded and Kagome sighed. "Alright then fine. But what are you planning to do?"

"I think you're uncomfortable with your hair this long," he started, lifting the still-damp waist-length strands to eye level. "So I think I should trim it to your lower back."

"I don't know…"

"Don't worry Kagome," Ah said as he began to section her hair. "I'm very good at this. You'll love it."

Ah turned her around 15 minutes later, giving her a hand mirror. "See, I told you so."

Kagome peered into the mirror and found herself agreeing with him the instant she did so. He cut her hair so it formed a v, with the point at her lower back and the fuller at her mid. She nodded in approval. "I love it Ah!"

"I told you you would. Now let me dry you." Kagome waited as he did so, watching him as he expertly manipulated the round brush through her hair. When he finished, he sprayed something onto his fingers, parted her hair down the middle and framed a few strands near her face. "There. All done."

Kagome leaned closer to the mirror, smiling as she inspected his handiwork. Every strand blended together perfectly, and the slight bend from the hairbrush left her hair perfectly placed. "Again, I love it. Thanks so much."

"Not a problem. Now you're dress is hanging from the inside of the closet door, along with your shoes. When you are dressed, please come to the kitchen. Un and I have a job for you."

"Alright then," Kagome said as Ah stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him and leaving her in the room by herself. She dressed quickly, stopping for a brief moment to admire her dress.

'It would figure that he would pick this,' Kagome mused with a smile, slipping into a red version of the dress she wore to Naraku's ball. 'But he does have good taste.'

****

SF: This dress is back at Frederick's! I'm so happy, even if I still don't have the money for it! Oh, but if you want the link, holler and I'll pass it on! This dress is so Kagome!

****

She stepped into a pair of 5" red mules, grabbed the matching shawl and transported herself to the kitchen. "Hi fellas," she greeted, giggling when they jumped in surprise. "I'm here. Now what can I do for you?"

"We're in need of two wines," Un explained when he and Ah finally caught their breaths. "One should be a dry white, and the other can be whatever you want."

"But I don't drink wine. How will I know a dry one when I see one?"

"Dries are normally named either Chardonnay, Bordeaux, or Soave. Avoid anything else unless you want it."

"Ok…" Kagome said slowly. "I guess that helps, but don't be surprised when I come back with the wrong thing."

"We're sure you won't," Ah called. Kagome opened the patio door and stepped outside, shivering when she was immediately assaulted by the winter air. 'Now this was smart Kagome,' she thought sardonically as she wrapped the shawl around her and made her way through the garden. 'Why didn't you think to get a coat?'

Kagome traveled the garden to the wine cellar on the other side of the house. She entered quickly, sliding the door closed and leaning against it. She shook the snow off her shoes one at a time, then ventured further into the slightly warmer cellar. 'Oh wow,' she thought as she walked around. 'This place is huge! It doesn't look this big from outside.'

Above her were small swinging lights, each only lighting up a small portion of the floor they shone down upon. There were rows of rows of shelves, each with the name, class, year and country of the wines on it in English, Japanese, French and Italian. Kagome stopped by a shelf, slowly reading the English portion of the sign.

"Aperitif, dry, Italian, 1903-1913." Kagome's eyes widened, glancing around her at the various shelves before groaning. "You have got to be kidding me. How am I supposed to find one wine in here? It looks like the Library of Congress in this place."

*

Sesshoumaru glanced at himself in the mirror, wondering for the hundredth time why he even bothered to dress up. 'No one is coming,' he bemoaned as he looked himself over, taking a minute to adjust the sleeves of his black mandarin collar jacket. 'Rin is in Aspen with a few friends and Inuyasha is still in Jacksonville. That leaves myself, Ah-Un and Kagome-' "Ah," he nodded to himself, finally understanding the reason. "Well, I won't disappoint her, will I?"

Sesshoumaru stepped out of his room and down the hall, finally arriving in the kitchen where Ah and Un were still preparing the evening dinner. "Where is Kagome?"

"We sent her to the wine cellar my lord," Un said, giving a slight nod of his head before returning to whatever it was in the bowl in front of him.

"It's funny you should ask," Ah said, setting down the wooden spoon with a thoughtful look. "We sent her there at least 10 minutes ago."

"Maybe we should have given her directions."

"Yes, maybe…"

"And she has yet to return?"

Ah and Un nodded. "And she left without a coat too. You don't think she's hurt, do you?"

Sesshoumaru thought a moment, then followed her scent out of the kitchen and into the night air through the patio door, missing the smile passed between the twins before they settled into their preparations.

*

Sesshoumaru stepped into the cellar quietly, softly closing the door before following Kagome's scent through the cellar. He could tell her amazement at the place in her scent, and he remembered that this would be her first time inside the building. 'Why did Ah-Un not give her directions?' he asked himself as he looked around. 'They normally do not forget such important details.'

"Wow," he heard from somewhere nearby. "What's this?"

Sesshoumaru followed the voice and scent to Kagome, who stood between a set of shelves with her back to him. The shawl covered most of it, and her hair covered the rest. He resisted the urge to pull her toward him, deciding instead to wait and see what she seemed so interested in.

'This bottle is old,' Kagome thought as she turned it over and blew away the dust from the label. 'Romanee Conti, 1900,' she read as she turned around. "I wonder if this is what the twins are looking for."

"I do not think that's it."

"Eeeeee!"

>Crash!<

"Oh crap…" Kagome looked from Sesshoumaru to the broken bottle sheepishly, a light blush staining her cheeks. "Hi Sesshoumaru."

"Hello Kagome. What are you looking for?"

"Um," Kagome glanced from the bottle to him, then smiled. "I was trying to help Ah and Un cook."

"I see. Well." Sesshoumaru watched as a rivulet of wine made it's way to the toe of his leather shoes and sighed. "There went $800."

"$800!" Kagome gasped. "Oh my God Sesshoumaru! Are you serious?"

"Well," Sesshoumaru said as he retrieved a dust pan and a small hand broom. "It was $800 when I bought it. With the value going up as the years go by, I'd say it was worth-" Sesshoumaru quieted, a thoughtful expression passing his face as he quickly calculating the bottle's worth. "$1,200."

"I'm so sorry Sesshoumaru," Kagome said, bending down to help him pick up the glass shards. "I'll pay you back for it."

"Nonsense," Sesshoumaru told her. "It's not that big of a deal. I'm sure I can find another-" he hissed when an unexpected sliver of glass pierced his index finger. Kagome grabbed his hand immediately, her eyes narrowing as she plucked the splinter free.

"I'm sorry for that too. I should have been more careful."

Sesshoumaru watched as she healed the miniscule cut, the flesh melding together as if of it's own free will. "It did not hurt Kagome," he told her, fully expecting the

"Sure tough guy. If you say so."

"I do say so," he joked, grabbing her waist and pulling her closer to him. "But thank you anyway."

Kagome allowed herself to be stood up, then turned back to the bottles. "Now what about what Ah and Un sent me in here for?"

"I have it already!" Ah announced as he came around the corner. "You know, you two take too long. But come along, dinner is almost ready."

"I don't think so. It's too cold out there." Kagome grabbed Ah's and Sesshoumaru's hand, closed her eyes and exhaled. They stood in the kitchen an instant later, Ah blinking in amazement as Kagome and Sesshoumaru adjusted to the bright lights.

"That was amazing Kagome-chan," he breathed. "It was like…walking through water."

"Thanks Ah."

"Come with me Kagome," Sesshoumaru said, grasping her hand and leading her out of the room. "I have something to show you."

Kagome followed him out of the kitchen to the front room, where Sesshoumaru stopped in front of a hallway mirror. "Stay here," he said, positioning her in front of it and walking toward the steps.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get something. Stay right there."

Kagome huffed, but stayed where she was, turning to look at the enormous Christmas tree behind her. She couldn't tell what kind it was, but it seemed to fill the room with the top reaching the railing on the second floor. She wondered how the twins managed to decorate it, glancing from the white lights to the crystal snowmen, angels, bells and other winter ornaments sparkling from between it's branches.

Kagome turned back around as Sesshoumaru descended the steps, watching his reflection in the mirror. He stopped behind her, draping an arm around her waist as he held up a rectangular velvet box in front of her.

"What's this?" Kagome asked, watching the box as Sesshoumaru waved it back and forth in front of her nose.

"Open it and see," he said mysteriously, watching the numerous expressions cross her face. There seemed to be so many, but the main two were curiosity and eagerness with a hint of nervousness. Kagome took the box and peered inside, her eyes rounding in surprise.

"Oh Sesshoumaru, I can't take this," Kagome gasped, staring at the small omega necklace inside. Sesshoumaru unclasped the pink crystal around her neck, placing it inside the box and lifting out the platinum chain.

"And why can't you?" Sesshoumaru asked as he clasped the necklace around Kagome's neck.

"Because I haven't given you anything," Kagome answered truthfully. Sesshoumaru hugged her, bending slightly so he could rest his chin on her shoulder as he stared into her reflection's eyes. "You've given me more than you realize. I want you to have this."

"But-"

"Do you remember the discussion we had the first time I gave you something?"

Kagome giggled slightly, nodding as she did so. "You mean our first fight?"

"Yes," Sesshoumaru agreed, laughing himself. "Do you remember what I said?"

"Um," Kagome thought a moment, then "Something like: 'You have stayed by my side for four months, protected me from many dangers, and managed to provide some entertainment while doing so.'"

"OK, bad example. And that was word for word, by the way."

"Yes dear," Kagome teased, smiling when his eyes shot to hers. "What?" she asked innocently. Sesshoumaru shook his head.

"That's why. You deserve this, so take it. You may as well accept things like this, seeing as there will be more of them in the future."

"But I don't need this."

Sesshoumaru agreed with her, turning her to face him, cupping her face in the palm of his hand. "You're right, you don't need this. You are far more beautiful than any necklace, but I-" he looked away from her suddenly, wondering where this sudden bashful streak was coming from. 'I've never had trouble with words before,' he thought as he struggled to think of what to say. 'So why now? It's almost like I'm some kind of love-struck human.'

"Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru immediately returned his attention to her.

"I think I understand."

"You do?"

Kagome nodded. "You don't want me to feel like I'm missing something, do you?"

Sesshoumaru thought a moment, then nodded. 'That's it, pretty much, but how did she figure that out? And why do I care?'

Kagome hugged him, snugly wrapping her arms around him as she rested her cheek against his chest. "I'm not missing a thing. I'm just happy to be with you. I don't need the necklace, but I will keep it. Thank you."

"You're quite welcome." Sesshoumaru hugged her back, suddenly engulfed in a warmth he'd never felt before. It felt safe, free and…loved. 'Is this warmth coming from her?' he wondered, watching as her eyes slid closed and a small smile crossed her lips. 'No, this is closer…Is it…me? Could I actually be-no, that is impossible,' Sesshoumaru argued venomously. 'She's nothing but a pet, and her gratitude is to be expected as are any warm feelings toward her. '

"Dinner is ready!" Ah announced, he and Un smiling at the couple. "But we can put it on hold if you like."

"Nope, that's ok! Come on Sesshoumaru!" Kagome grabbed Sesshoumaru's hand and tugged him toward the dining room. "I'm practically starving!"

*Jan 1*12:00 Noon, Boston Mass.*

"Hey!" Kagome called as she walked up to Ah and Un. They sat, shoulder to shoulder with an arm draped around each other on the steps. Between them, they held a sketch book, and each held a pencil in an opposite hand.

"What are you guys doing?"

"We're drawing," Ah answered as Un smudged something with his finger.

"With you're heads together like that?" Kagome asked. The picture they made really gave her the creeps. Their heads were pressed together, with the white locks of hair framing opposite sides of their faces. The green eyes between them stared back at her, and once again she felt as if she were staring at a creature with more than one head.

"Well," Kagome said as she stepped past them and went about her way. "I guess I'll leave you to it."

*1:03 AM*

Kagome awoke with a start, bolting upright with eyes wide, frightened and unseeing. She blinked as she struggled to get herself under control, glancing at the digital clock beside her before placing a hand to her heart. 'What the hell…' Her breathing finally calmed as she looked into the darkness, the moonlight outside filling her room with light and shadows.

She tugged her hair, her hands sliding down the low ponytail as she tried to figure out her sudden unease. 'It wasn't the dream this time. For some reason, it felt-' she gasped as her stomach flipped, then fluttered madly. She stumbled out of bed, the ice blue nightgown untangling from around her to slide over her hips and to the floor as she stumbled out of bed.

Kagome made her way to the vanity, her breathing labored and her body tense as she strapped the throwing daggers in the garter and arm sheath in place. 'I sense trouble coming,' she thought as she attempted to stand. 'And I have a feeling that it's going to be big.'

*1:43 AM, Jacksonville Fla.*

"OK," Sango muttered as she observed her dreamscape. "This is new."

She stood in the middle of a giant toy store, with hundreds of thousands of toys around her. She moved down the aisles cautiously, feeling something not quite right about the dream.

"I mean, why would I dream about a toy store," Sango asked herself as she passed by a display of LeapPads. "After all, I haven't had a dream like this since I turned 10."

She stopped at a flicker of blue ahead of her, then ran toward it. The blue avoided her as they ran through the store, turning down rows and rows of children's delights. Sango stopped in front of a plushie display, watching Kagome as she stood between the aisles with her finger tapping her chin.

"Kagome," Sango called, finally realizing that the blue she'd been chasing was the helm of Kagome's miko robes. "Why are you dressed like that?"

Kagome turned to her, a curious expression on her face as she smiled. "Why Sango, we're supposed to be dressed like this. Remember?"

"No," Sango admitted, watching her friend before glancing down at herself. Sango started instantly, recognizing the black and fuchsia exterminator uniform. She glanced back at Kagome, becoming interested in whatever it was she seemed to be doing. "What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to decide which one I want," Kagome sighed, reaching inside the plushie pile to pick up a small doll. It seemed familiar, with waist-length blonde hair, hazel eyes and…

"Is that Mr. Takamada?"

Kagome looked the miniature Takamada over before handing it to Sango. "It's either this one…" She reached back into the pile, this time pulling out a doll with long, silver hair. It had tiny markings on it's face and wrists, and a furry boa wrapped around his shoulders. "Or this one…Which one?"

Sango recognized the doll instantly. "Kagome, isn't that the Western Taiyoukai?"

Kagome said nothing still, but gently retrieved the Takamada doll from Sango and held it beside the other doll. "Which one should I choose Sango?"

Sango glanced at them both, silently wondering what any of it could mean. "I don't know Kagome. I'm not entirely-" 'Wait a minute…' Sango stared between the faces of the two dolls, finally noticing something strange.

"Kagome, they're the same doll."

"Really? Are you sure?"

Sango nodded. "I'm pretty sure. They're the exact same. The only difference between them are the-" Sango gasped, understanding and horror overtaking her senses. 'Oh my God. They are the only differences, aren't they? But if they look so much alike, then what if-' The dolls suddenly combined, leaving Kagome with one single doll.

"Oh wow! Thanks Sango."

'Oh no. No-no-no-no-no.' Sango backed away steadily. 'Takamada is the Western Taiyoukai! My God, Kagome's with the miko killer!'

The pile of plushie behind Kagome shifted, then fell on top of her, burying Kagome under the various animals.

*

"KAGOME!!!!"

Miroku jolted awake, his breathing heavy and his pupils dilated. Sango burst into the room seconds later, sitting on the queen-sized bed beside him as he struggled to calm his racing heart.

"Miroku! Are you alright? What happened?"

Miroku grabbed Sango and hugged her fiercely, his face pressed into her neck as he breathed a sigh of relief. "It was…just a dream Butterfly. I'm alright now."

Sango smoothed his sweaty hair away from his face, hers soft and concerned. "What was it about?"

"I don't remember," Miroku confessed. "But Kagome might be in danger."

*1:50 AM Boston, Mass.*

Kagome transported herself to the dojo, immediately walking toward the crossed swords on the nearby wall. She activated the keypad just like Sesshoumaru instructed her, her fingers tapping the keypad as she remembered the code.

'0585. Rin's birthday.' The door slid up and open, Kagome stepping through and collecting what she needed quickly. She strapped an ammunition holder around her waist, shoveling shotgun shells and magazines into it quickly. She grabbed the Russian rifle, loaded it, then grabbed a shoulder holster, a .48, loaded it and shoved it into the shoulder holster. She flicked off the safety and walked out of the room, waiting for the door to close completely before taking the bow off the wall.

'I might need this,' Kagome reasoned as she strapped it and a quiver to her back. The butterflies jumped instantly, nearly leveling her to her knees. 'If this sucks now, I can't imagine being pregnant,' Kagome joked as she leaned against the wall. She caught her breath in spite of her stomach, and then walked out of the room and down the hall to the front room, where she stood in the middle of the room. She barely registered stepping on a pine needle, one of the few left from the Christmas tree she helped take down a week ago. She pointed the rifle toward the front door, her breath catching in her throat when the butterflies jumped one last time and stopped.

'Here we go,' Kagome thought as the front door opened. Slowly, it creaked until it stood open fully, a dark figure standing in the threshold.

"Kukukukuku…" it laughed as a baboon-pelted figure stepped into the light. "What do we have here? A woman instead of the master of the house? What a shame, though you are a pretty greeting. Where is Lord Sesshoumaru my dear?"

"Don't know what you're talking about. Now leave. You're trespassing and by law I can shoot to kill."

"Don't you mean you 'may'?" He stepped closer to her, then smiled when Kagome stepped back. "I doubt your aim very much my dear. I bet you're scared stiff right now."

"Then I hope you're not a gambling man," Kagome retorted, raising the rifle to eye level. "Because you're about to be broke in more ways than one." Kagome lined him up, and was ready to pull the trigger when she felt a disturbance behind her. Glass shattered moments later, the stained glass window at the top of the steps nothing but a memory as a figure crashed through it and sailed in the air toward her.

Kagome lowered the rifle, shrugged, then flipped the barrel over her shoulder and pulled the trigger, applying a bit of purification to the bullet. A scream and an instant later ash floated around her, settling into her hair and the man's pelt.

"I see the lord's prepared. No matter. I will just have to kill you, then him." He snapped his fingers and stepped outside. Kagome blinked, watching as he disappeared.

"Woah," she muttered as she watched him retreat. "That was weird." She turned to her left instantly, quickly pulling the trigger as a youkai jumped at her from the dark hallway. Kagome whirled around as it screamed, shooting another youkai as more poured in from all sides.

Kagome re-loaded quickly, then continued to shoot as youkai descended upon her. One dodged a bullet, charging toward her and attempting to knock the rifle from her hands. Kagome ducked and head butted him, purifying him on contact. She planted her foot in the middle of his chest and shoved him away as he turned to ashes, shooting through him to the youkai behind him.

Kagome climbed the steps, crying out when she stepped on a piece of broken glass. 'Should have worn shoes,' she told herself as she continued to shoot, wincing slightly from the rifle's kick-back.

Ah and Un appeared at the top of the steps, their eyes wide as they watched the battle below them. "Lady Kagome, are you alright?" Ah asked as he and Un made their way toward her.

"Yes, I'm fine but you two had better hide."

Ah and Un stopped beside her, pulling her to stand behind them. "Go to Sesshoumaru-sama! Keep them from him!" they ordered, a green light surrounding them. Kagome watched as they melded together, green scales covering their bodies as they merged into one being. 'No wonder I've always felt so strange around them,' she realized as they sank to all fours. 'They're youkai!'

They turned back to her, their faces still human as scales crept up their necks. "Go Kagome-chan," Ah said as their hair disappeared and their eyes glowed a deep green. "We will hold them off."

Kagome nodded and ran, dropping the rifle in the process. 'Oh well,' she thought as she turned the corner and ran toward Sesshoumaru's room. 'It's not like I had any bullets left anyw-' She squeaked when cold fingers grasped her neck, the baboon-pelted youkai appearing below her as his fingers wrapped around her throat and lifted her into the air.

"You think you're clever, don't you?" he hissed, his eyes a deep crimson. "Do you realize that you've killed half of my army? Do you know how hard it's going to be to replace them?"

"I'm sure you couldn't give a shit," Kagome gasped, her lack of oxygen leaving her slightly dizzy. He grinned up at her, his head cocked to the side.

"You know something? You're right. I don't give a shit, about them or you either." He tossed her over his head and down the hall, watching as Kagome collided with Sesshoumaru's door upside down. She somehow managed to land on the floor in a sitting position, the .48 already in her hands and ready to fire.

"One more step and you're toast," she warned. He smiled and stepped closer. "I'm waiting miko. Toast me if you think you can."

Kagome squeezed the trigger as lightening flashed from downstairs, her guessing it to be one of the youkai downstairs. It blinded her temporarily, but in that time he dodged the bullet, knocked the gun from her hands and hoisted her up the door by her throat. He sniffed her hair as she struggled to get free, ignoring her kicks and scratches at his wrist.

"You really are a beautiful creature." He slowly licked the side of her face, smirking at her grimace and her outraged scream. "Sesshoumaru has his father's disease, which is why he's been so lenient with you. You will learn your place with me."

"That's enough!"

Kagome dropped to the floor, her hands bracing her fall as the baboon-pelted figure flew back and away from her in a surge of red ki. Kagome gasped for air, drinking it in greedily as Sesshoumaru stepped in front of her.

"How dare you enter this house without my permission Naraku!" he snarled angrily, watching as Naraku stood up and dusted himself off. He laughed, the dark sound creeping up Kagome's spine as she reached for Sesshoumaru's arm.

"Go hide Sesshoumaru!" she begged, her eyes narrowing when he shook her off. "Sesshoumaru, I can handle this now go hide!"

"Never," Sesshoumaru growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Not from the likes of him."

"Isn't she cute Lord Sesshoumaru?" Naraku cooed in Kagome's direction, smiling when she ignored him. "She's definitely attached to her taiyoukai, isn't she?"

"Taiyoukai?" Kagome repeated, staring from Naraku to Sesshoumaru. "What's he talking about?"

"You haven't told her Sesshoumaru-sama?" Naraku chuckled darkly, his hand over his mouth. "I just let the secret spill, didn't I? Oops. I have always been told that I have a big mouth."

"What are you doing in my house?" Sesshoumaru growled again, ignoring both Kagome's bewilderment and Naraku's amusement. "I have no time for your games hanyou."

"Of course you don't. Did I wake you by the way?" Naraku asked, eying both Kagome's nightgown and Sesshoumaru's navy silk pajama pants. "I suppose I did. Let me remedy that for you!"

Naraku unsheathed a sword and charged, moving faster than Kagome could see. In a blink of an eye, Sesshoumaru stepped to the side, caught Naraku's passing hand and punched him square in the chest. Naraku stumbled backward, looks of awe spread across his and Kagome's faces.

"You're slowing down taiyoukai," Naraku taunted. "Is it because of your little miko? Drop the sealing spell and let's begin this. I want you youkai when I kill you."

'What is he talking about?' Kagome asked as Sesshoumaru and Naraku stared each other down. 'Sesshoumaru's human. I would know if he were youkai…wouldn't I?' She thought back to An and Un and their transformation, now not so sure of her miko abilities as she once was. 'Could he be-'

"So be it," Sesshoumaru said as he began to glow a dark crimson. Kagome stood and walked toward him, thinking that he was in some kind of danger, when his hair shifted in the moonlight. Pale blonde hair became silver under her watch, it growing past his waist to his calves, the point of a v like hers swaying mere millimeters from the carpeted floor. The fingers of his right hand, the only hand in her line of vision, lengthened, the nails becoming deadly claws.

Kagome's breath left her instantly, her eyes unfocused and unsure as she felt herself sliding back to the floor below her. A tail wrapped around her waist, pulling her not only to her feet but to stand at Sesshoumaru's side.

"Kagome?"

Kagome looked up, her eyes widening impossibly as she focused on Sesshoumaru's face.

"You must stay focused, do you hear me?"

Golden eyes stared down at her…

"Kagome?"

Magenta stripes lay beneath them, a pair underneath each eye…

"Kagome, damn it! Answer me!"

The indigo crescent in the middle of parted silvery bangs…

The prick of something stabbing her arm snapped Kagome out of it. She looked down, watching a tiny sliver of blood run down her arm. She glanced up, into the face from her dreams, from her nightmares…

From her reality…

And realized why Sesshoumaru's name sounded so familiar…

'That's right' Ji-chan said as child versions of Kagome and Sango yawned. 'The western taiyoukai was merciless. There wasn't a soul, miko or youkai, that didn't fear Lord Sesshoumaru!'

"Oh God," she whispered, a paralyzing fear taking over her every muscle. "You're the miko killer!"

----

SF: Oooooo! Drama! Oh shit! {::ducks as fruit surges over her head::} What?

Kagome: Cliffhangers SF! That damned cliffhanger!

SF: {::singing::} Cliffhanger! Hanging from a cliff! And that's why he's called Cliffhanger!

Miroku: What the hell?

Silver Fox: The aftereffects of sugar.

Miroku: I see.

SF: For one, I want to explain the choice of title. Evervescence's Going Under was perfect for this chapter because it fits Kagome's character. Think of all she's went through trying to protect this guy. She's slid down an elevator shaft, reinstated her miko powers, gotten stronger in said powers, nearly electrocuted by Hiten, and shot at in a limo, plus he made her wear a dress. She's been through a lot of hell because of him.

Silver Fox: She's going to be in the wonderful land of Denial for a while, but when she comes out she's going to come out swinging. Next chapter

An Enemy or a Friend Part II: It's Been a While

Kagome breaks through her power, Sesshoumaru questions his tactics in the aftermath, and Kagome refuses to be lenient.

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