InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Youkai Society ❯ The Red Betrayal ( Chapter 8 )

Thank you for all your wonderful reviews, or e-mails! Sorry if I prolonged the postage of this chapter, had some trouble with it. Please let me know if you see any spelling/grammar mistakes! I really appreciate the time my readers take in replying to my story, and helping out if they notice a mistake! Everyone stay safe, and enjoy the chapter!

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-Chapter 8 The Red Betrayal

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Kagome lay awake in Sesshoumaru's bed, her back pressed tightly against his chest as he held her. He was asleep, and it frustrated Kagome that it came so easily for him. The restless night was finally coming to an end as the first traces of dawn approached. The morning sky was smeared with a crimson light, which caused a eerie red hue to fill the room as it streamed in through the window. It unnerved Kagome, and she wondered if it was a forewarning of certain peril.

Kagome shut her eyes tightly as she was hit with a onslaught of memories from the night before. Kagome had refused to touch his bed until Sesshoumaru came in and forced her, instead she slid down the wall in a far corner of the room. Hours had passed and Kagome sat watching the door in resentment, until she heard the familiar click of the lock. Sesshoumaru looked over to the empty bed expressionless, then turned to lock the door behind him.

Kagome tried to be as quiet as possible while he removed his garments, setting them aside in a neat pile. As if he knew where she had been hiding from the moment he entered, he turned to look at her. He began to approach her, and Kagome pushed herself tighter into the corner, yelling at him. She had screamed out her hate for him but before she could finish, his lips were upon hers cutting her off.

Kagome was trapped within the corner, caged in by Sesshoumaru as he fought against her to remove her kimono. Kagome doubted she had ever fought against him as desperately as she had that night, she even managed to claw four jagged lines down his right cheek. He was silent aside from his labored breathing as he pulled her up, carrying her to his bed. Her back hit the cold sheets and she froze, hateful tears glittering against her cheeks.

Kagome remembered saying something to him then, something like 'Enjoy my body while you can Sesshoumaru, that's all you'll ever have!' She had expected him to slap her as he looked down at her in a heated passion, but instead he pressed a kiss to her forehead, gently brushing her legs apart as he came down over her. Kagome could feel his rigid length as it pressed against her entrance, and looked away clinching fistfuls of the sheets. He had tried to turn her face up to him and she had bitten his hand, shutting her eyes. Still he did not hit her, and Kagome felt his lips brush against her ear whispering something that sounded strangely like a apology as he pushed himself fully into her unresponsive body.

Kagome broke from her thoughts of the night before when she felt his hot lips against her neck. Lacking the energy to shove him away she continued to look out the window, watching the sunrise. "The sky is red." She said it more so to herself then him in a soft whisper.

Sesshoumaru inhaled her scent pulling her closer desperately. Like the red sky, Sesshoumaru was in a state of inner turmoil. "Kagome I have something for you." He wanted to shower her with lavish gifts, anything to earn the slightest of her affections. Despite her brutal declarations of hate for him, Sesshoumaru was gentle. It was difficult to ignore her verbal attacks as he made love to her, or even more so, how she lay unresponsive beneath him.

Kagome clinched her hands together as she continued to look out the window. 'He got something for me?' She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of his actions. "I don't want it."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes studying her. "Kagome you have yet to see what it is, how do you know if you would like it or not?"

Kagome felt her nails bite sharply into her palms, and winced tightening her hands closed further. "I don't want your gifts." She growled out in dislike. 'Did he think he could buy her with gifts?'

Sesshoumaru recoiled from her, standing in anger. "My gifts aren't good enough for you wench?" Sesshoumaru did not flinch despite the pain eating away at him from the inside.

Kagome pushed herself up with her bloody palms, looking at him sharply. "Its not your gifts that aren't good enough." She felt her lips curl back in disgust. "Its you!" Kagome tilted her chin up high, as she held his gaze with a fiery ire.

Sesshoumaru struggled to keep his face passive as her words took affect. "If you do not wish to accept the gift from me then accept it from Toutousai, he forged it for you." He began to dress himself bitterly.

Kagome lifted herself stiffly from the bed, dressing herself in a blood red kimono to match the morning sky. She ignored how her thighs rubbed together stickily with his seed and made her way across the room. "Will you take me to thank Toutousai?"

---

Naraku touched his face as he looked upon himself in the reflection of a small pond. A slow smile curved his lips upward on his newly acquired, and rather rugged face. His hair was now silver, adorned with dog ears. Golden eyes laughed with sadistic glee, the only outward flaw of his true character. A frog leapt from its perch on a Lilly pad and into the cool mornings water, distorting his reflection in its ripples.

Naraku was a shape shifter, but rarely did he perform such a drastic copy of another. It was a tiring task indeed, and Naraku needed to strengthen the small imperfection. The best way to perfect his talent was to use it, become more then familiar with it.

Standing, Naraku looked down at his traditional garments. He would need new clothing, something similar to what the hanyou, Inuyasha had worn. Naraku had thought his tactics over with great care after learning the weaknesses of those opposed to him. The Demon Lords weakness was a undeniably, surprising amusement. 'The Great Western Lord,' His inner voice whispered snidely. 'Was in love with a human.'

Then there was the miko's weakness, the hanyou, her dead lover. It was Naraku's intent to impersonate her hanyou lover, and take her away from the Western Lord. Naraku could only begin to imagine how it would affect the lord to see his mate, in the arms of his brother. Sesshoumaru would be weakened considerably and his defenses would fall, and then, Naraku would attack.

Naraku looked up to the east, watching as the sun slowly made its way to the west. At dusk, when the first shaft of light disappeared within the western lands, Naraku would strike. He yearned to have the miko as his own, hear her lustful cries as the night dragged on. Tasting, touching, and loving her, within the body of another. They would both have a fantasy fulfilled, but Naraku would not be completely satisfied until she acknowledged him.

Maybe after taking her a few times as Inuyasha, he would reveal himself to be Naraku, and take her again.

---

Sesshoumaru watched in hidden admiration as Kagome strung the Shugotenshi, releasing the arrows silently. They all hit their mark, cutting through the air at a incredible speed. In their past battles against one another, he did not recall her possessing so much skill. Kagome handled the Shugotenshi as if she had been doing so her entire life.

Kagome fingered her last arrow, her arm lifted, bent over her shoulder, her hand halfway in the sachet of arrows. Before all her bows had been made of wood and she never realized how much that had thrown her aim off. With the Shugotenshi it was much easier, almost as if it could tell where she wanted it to strike. Power radiated from its smooth surface, warm beneath her fingers. The Shugotenshi felt more important then just a weapon, and Kagome wondered If that was how Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru felt about their swords.

"Kagome, that's enough for now." Sesshoumaru began to remove the arrows from their targets. "I have important matters to handle."

Kagome tightened her fingers around the Shugotenshi, frowning. "Important matters?" Sesshoumaru ignored her, continuing with his task of collecting the arrows. Kagome felt her eyebrow twitch, her hands readying the Shugotenshi absentmindedly. "About Naraku?"

Sesshoumaru grasped the last arrow below the feathered end. "Such matters are not your concern." He answered curtly.

Gracefully Kagome released a glowing pink arrow from the Shugotenshi, aiming carefully. The arrow hit with a loud smack in a pink, glittering, cloud of miko aura, and she lowered her bow. "I think I can make that decision for myself."

Sesshoumaru looked incredulously at the arrow that was now embedded within the target, half a inch shy of spearing his hand. Growling he hurled the collected arrows to the ground, spinning to look at her. "Was that aimed for me?" He asked dangerously.

Kagome sneered, eyeing his hand briefly before looking up to his face. "If it was, I wouldn't have aimed for your hand." She answered pointedly.

Anger leapt into his golden eyes, darkening them into a deep amber. "Give me the Shugotenshi." He ordered as he walked predatorily over to her.

Defensively Kagome held it behind her back, stumbling a few steps backward. "No!" Her foot caught in her kimono and with a painful twist to her ankle, she fell. The Shugotenshi flew from her hands, sliding halfway across the training room. Flinching she rolled onto her side, pulling her leg up to her chest, holding her throbbing ankle. She saw his silk clad legs come to a stop in front of her, his yellow obi swaying.

Sesshoumaru crouched beside her, moving her hands to examine her ankle. Skillfully his fingers worked their way up the swollen flesh, feeling for broken bones. "It is a mere sprain." He concluded while removing his obi, wrapping it tightly around her ankle.

It felt worse then a sprain in Kagome's opinion, but she trusted Sesshoumaru on the matter. When he sacrificed his elaborate obi to her injury she had been mildly surprised, watching him carefully as he bandaged her throbbing ankle. Due to the sheer length of the material he wrapped it up her calf, knotting it off tightly. His hand lingered on her knee and Kagome shook it off, trying to stand.

Sesshoumaru instantly lifted her from the ground, his face passive. "Wrap your arms and legs around me." He ordered harshly.

Kagome complied in fear of jarring her ankle in a struggle, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt his hand grip her tightly against the back of her thigh pushing her up. Flushing she locked her legs around his waist, burying her face in the crook of his neck. "What about the Shugotenshi?" She mumbled against his neck.

Sesshoumaru held her securely against him, savoring the tingle that her hot breaths afflicted as they caressed his neck in rhythmic exhalations. Her small hands clinched into his hair from around his neck, her heart beating against his. "I will send a servant for it." He answered while carrying her away from the training room. Kagome huffed into his shoulder irritated, her body rocking in tune with his.

---

Kagome looked up at the old wooden door as it creaked open, Sesshoumaru filling its frame. She kept her face passive, something she had learned from him. Kagome noted as Sesshoumaru shut the door behind him, locking it. Knitting her eyebrows together she looked away. "Have a good meeting?" She asked sharply.

Sesshoumaru moved silently over to her, his hand resting on her ankle. "Is your ankle still sore?" He inquired, disregarding her question.

Kagome turned her eyes back over to him, pinning him with a cold glare. "Yes." She tugged her leg away from him, rubbing her ankle.

Sesshoumaru frowned, lifting the Shugotenshi from its resting place against the bed, setting it beside her. "Then you wont object to resting until it heals."

Kagome looked down at her foot wrapped tightly in his obi, the cold edge of the Shugotenshi resting over her toe. "Why do you hate me so much?" She wondered aloud.

Sesshoumaru sat beside her, pulling her chest to chest, into his lap. "I think you should reverse that question Kagome. This Sesshoumaru remembers quiet clearly your declarations of hate."

Frustrated Kagome slammed her hands down against his shoulders. "I hate you for taking my life!" She scrunched up her face, her small hands continuing their ruthless assault. "I hate you for condemning me to be your mate! I hate you for touching me! I hate you for-."

Sesshoumaru snarled backhanding her, his stinging hand raising to massage his temples. "I did not ask for your infinite reasons." He lowered his hand, frowning. "Kagome." The anger drained from his voice into worry. "I resent you, for never giving me a chance as your mate." He paused, his anger seemingly returning. "Do you doubt my capabilities?"

Kagome shook her head, holding it within her hands all the while. She was stunned from his slap, but more so from his confession. "It was to soon." She whispered. "Y-you forced me to come with you right after Inuyasha died." Tears blurred in her eyes upon mentioning his name. "I loved him so much." She beat her fists against his shoulders again, her breathing hitching. "Your honor forced me to betray him! Betray his memory!"

Silently, Sesshoumaru tilting her tearstained face up to him. "That is the way things are done in youkai society, Kagome. If I had hesitated in collecting you and your pups, you would have fled." His thumb caressed her chin gently. "This is the way I want you to talk to me, the way you should."

Limply Kagome let her head roll to the side, her shoulders hunching. "But in the end, its all the same." She said dully.

Sesshoumaru turned her face up to him again. "Kagome would you like me to take you to visit your pups?" He said it without a catch, sincerity dripping from his words.

"Now?" She asked.

Sesshoumaru nodded, a touch of a smile warming his golden eyes. She sounded so hopeful he couldn't deny her such a small request.

---

Kagome saw Yasha and Sota playing out in a field accompanied by a raven haired human girl. Instantly she struggled to free herself from Sesshoumaru's hold, her arms aching to hold them. She felt his grip tighten relentlessly, keeping her from leaping out of his embrace. "Sesshoumaru-."

She was cut off by a loud, joy filled voice of a young child. "Sesshoumaru-sama!"

Kagome reverted her attention from Sesshoumaru, to the young girl who had glued herself to his leg. 'That must be Rin…'

"Rin." Sesshoumaru greeted her firmly, but warmly. "Have you been well?"

Rin nodded vigorously. "I've been playing with-." She was cut off by Sota and Yasha.

"Mother!" Sota cried, instantly shoving Yasha away and running over to Kagome.

Kagome struggled once again to escape Sesshoumaru's hold, and failed. Frustrated she looked up at him. "Are you going to let me down?" She asked irritated.

Yasha stiffened as he got a good look at his mother. She was covered in bruises, her scent lingering with blood, her blood. Sota sniffed his brow wrinkling in confusion, when it dawned on him, and he looked up in shocked anger. So, while Sota yelled for him to leave their mother alone, Yasha kicked his shins.

Kagome's eyes widened in fear as she looked down at her sons actions. Sesshoumaru had tensed, low dangerous growls vibrating from his being. "S-stop that Yasha!" She tried to pull away from Sesshoumaru, reaching down for Yasha, only to be jerked tighter. Her face colliding with the fur pelt he draped over his shoulder, pillowing the blow. Yasha had ignored her orders, continuing to rain bruises against Sesshoumaru's legs. In response Sesshoumaru's warning growls were losing their warning, becoming something much more dangerous.

Desperately Kagome pulled her face from the fur pelt, distracting Sesshoumaru with a kiss. She felt him tense before relaxing, his tongue slipping past her lips deepening the kiss. Yasha stopped kicking him in shock, and stumbled backward a few steps. Kagome then pulled away from the kiss, deeming Yasha's safety was no longer at risk.

Sesshoumaru growled in annoyance when she pulled away, his lips tingling from where she kissed him. "You will continue what you started later." He huskily whispered, before setting her down. He regarded her pups darkly, before turning his glare over to Jaken. "Do not move from this area Kagome." He then stepped around her, walking over to Jaken.

Kagome was numbed by his demand as he set her down to rest gently between a patch of robust wildflowers. Shaken back to reality, she yelped sharply as both Sota and Yasha slammed into her stomach, the small girl Rin, standing off to the side. Happily Kagome wrapped her arms around the both of them, planting fevered kisses atop their heads. "I've missed you!" She chanted heartily.

"Mom why did you kiss that demon?" Yasha asked out of the blue, still wrapped tightly in Kagome's arms.

Sota scrunched up his face in a pout, nodding in agreement. "Father wouldn't have liked it." He added.

Kagome shut her eyes, pulling them tighter. "Inuyasha is gone, your father is gone, you know that." She tightened her hold with each heartfelt whisper.

Sota wriggled free, planting his hands against her shoulders. "Father is the only man your allowed to kiss!" He persisted defiantly.

Yasha, on the other hand, remained immobile in Kagome's arms. They had been getting over losing their father, and felt guilty about it. Though they both still loved him dearly, remembering him was becoming difficult. A little bit frightened, Yasha turned his sorrowful eyes up to his mother for help. "Will we forget about him?" His voice trembled despite his efforts to sound brave. "I don't want to stop loving father."

Kagome shook her head vigorously, her heart clinching. "Oh Yasha." She murmured tearfully. "Of course not. Your father will always be with us in our hearts." It tore her up inside to see her children on the brink of depression. Kagome shut her misty eyes, inhaling their scent. Could she leave them? While they were hanging on a fragile ledge of sanity, beneath them the darkness of depression growing darker by the hour.

Sota nuzzled his face into Kagome's side, clinging to her tiredly. "I cant remember what his face looked like anymore." He confessed wistfully.

Yasha frowned, his small hands rubbing the 'dirt' from his eyes. "I miss him." He swallowed thickly. "Nothings the same anymore. We never said goodbye to him." Aggravated he sniffled, his shoulders convulsing as he hid his tearstained face in Kagome's shoulder.

Kagome cried silently as she held them comfortingly, her warm tears trickling down her cheeks. "I have pictures of your father, and all of us together as a family." They had calmed slightly, their heartbeats slowing as they fell asleep. Careful not to wake them Kagome laid down, smiling when they curled up against her side. Sota's small ears tickling her arm as they moved in his sleep.

Her eyes dulled in emotion, but glittered brightly with her tears. When Inuyasha was alive, all four of them would often sleep together. Her safely tucked against Inuyasha's chest, nestled in his warm strong arms, while their sons curled up on either side of them. Kagome's love for him was undying, and she knew that more then ever now. She longed for the days when Inuyasha was alive, even the days that had turned to night while they argued.

Sesshoumaru sat a good distance away from his mate and her pups, watching over them warily. Rin sat beside him, her small human hands tugging on a strand of his hair. He furrowed his brows, looking down at the small girl in question. "What is it Rin?" He asked flatly.

She released his hair, fidgeting. "Why is that woman with you?"

Sesshoumaru frowned returning his gaze to where they slept underneath the noon sun. "She is my mate Rin."

Her head tilted in confusion. "Mate? I thought Sota and Yasha were her children?"

Sesshoumaru kept his gaze unwavering on Kagome. "They are."

"But not yours?" Rin questioned, slightly doubtful.

"No, they are not." Sesshoumaru replied coolly.

She joined his line of sight, her brows furrowing in thought. "Why does she look so sad?"

Ignoring the growing headache, Sesshoumaru answered her questions. It was rare for him to answer so many of her questions, but for once he complied to her wishes. "She wishes to go to her home."

Rin wrinkled her nose confused. "But she's your mate." Was her simple retort.

Sesshoumaru shut his eyes briefly, before reopening them to watch the sleeping Kagome. "She has yet to accept me as such."

Rin gave a small 'oh' before sprawling herself out beside him, quickly falling asleep. Her small form curled up against his fur pelt, which he had spread out as he sat and watched Kagome. Sesshoumaru had heard everything they said, and regretted bringing her here. Her hanyou pups had brought back the memory of his brother, reminding her, of her life before him. Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed dangerously. She would push him away again over her inability to let go of the past, let go of him, the hanyou.

Sesshoumaru saw her stir as she awakened, pushing herself up in a stretch. He could remember when her beauty had just been enchanting, but now it was so much more. She went beyond the highest of expectations, and he wished for the strength to tell her.

Her power had increased subtlety, secretly growing so silently, one would not notice the change. But he did, and it struck him with a startling wonder of how it was possible. He had not been alive to witness Midoriko's power, therefore never had seen such strength from a human.

Her wounds were healing at a incredible pace, and he imagined her ankle would be as good as new by morning. Perhaps she did not need the assistance of Lord Ruuoa's blood to fight in the upcoming battle. Sesshoumaru lightly brushed Rin's hair with a single claw, lost in thought. Later that night he would tell her about the battle, and that he would allow her to fight alongside him.

"My Lord!" Jaken's breathless voice cut through the air, as he came to a panting stop before Sesshoumaru. "I have just received word from the other lords that Naraku has disappeared!" He leaned on his staff of heads, rubbing his glistening brow. "A few villagers also claim to have seen your brother lurking around the forest edges, killing their cattle."

In a instant Sesshoumaru was on his feet, Jaken dangling from his acidic claws. "What?" He spat out furiously.

Jaken's small wrinkled hands clutched around Sesshoumaru's slender wrist. "That's all I know Milord!"

Sesshoumaru tossed him aside, watching as he slid a few good feet away. "Do not mention that around my mate again." He whispered lowly, afraid Kagome might overhear.

Kagome trembled in the revelation, standing awkwardly above her sleeping children. "Inuyasha's alive?" She spoke as if it was a dream come true.

Sesshoumaru snarled turning to face her, his eyes filled with hate. "If that should be true, this Sesshoumaru will kill him again, this time for good!" He declared proudly, smashing her hopes of returning to his hated half brother.

Kagome took a hesitant step back, away from her children to keep them from harms way. "If he's alive I would still be his mate."

"Kagome." He growled out warningly, slowly approaching her with angry steps. "I would kill you before I allowed you to return to that hanyou."

Yasha and Sota began to stir, the noise pulling them from their sleep. Rin also began to push herself up from the ground, rubbing sleepy fists across her eyes. "Momma?" Sota questioned fearfully.

Kagome stumbled, once again twisting her sore ankle. Before she could fall, Sesshoumaru had her held tightly against him. She was confused and angry, and showed it in her eyes as she glared up at him. "If he is alive, you have no hold over me!" She declared bravely.

Sesshoumaru tightened his hold, her red kimono turning a deeper shade of crimson from where his claws pricked her. "Your hanyou is dead. Do not allow others to make you think otherwise." He shifted her weight, tossing her belly down over his shoulder. "Jaken, I will return to speak with you later."

---

Kagome sat on the large bed, looking down at her unwounded ankle which now adorned a silver shackle. The chain chimed as she pulled her legs up to her chest, her arms wrapping around her knees, her chin resting tiredly against her wrists. Days had passed and she had not left the confines of his chambers. She bathed, ate, and slept her nights in the gloomy room.

Kagome now believed more then ever that Inuyasha had come back to life. Why else would Sesshoumaru lock her away in such a fashion? Guards always stood watch outside her door when Sesshoumaru was away. Her windows were barred, and the ever present chain pressed bitterly against her flesh.

Everyday since the night he locked her away, he promised she would fight by his side in the defeat of Naraku. Then after the threat was over, he would allow her to leave the room. As the days dragged on his promises were no longer enough, and Kagome anxiously waited for the warm breath of the outside air. Sesshoumaru knew of her growing melancholy mood, and often brought her little trinkets. She heard the guards welcome Sesshoumaru, and watched as the door opened.

"Kagome." Sesshoumaru greeted her softly as he shut the door behind him, locking it. "I have something for you." He moved to sit beside her, and in his hand rested a beautiful necklace. "Isn't it lovely?" He questioned her caringly.

Kagome sighed beneath her breath looking away. "You keep giving me things." She said flatly, wishing for him to just go away.

Sesshoumaru frowned unclasping the necklace. "Pull your hair back and I'll put it on you."

"With one hand?" She taunted coldly.

His hand shut tightly over the necklace, crushing it in his palm. "I tire of this behavior Kagome."

A soft laugh erupted from her ruby lips, her shoulders shaking. "Then unchain me." She knew he would refuse, he had done so many times before.

"I cannot Kagome. You refuse to accept the invisible chains that bind you to me, so it is imperative to physically chain you." His hand rested lightly on the chain.

The chains rattled as she kicked his hand away. "That is not why you chain me."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, and he recoiled from her. "Kagome." Warning crept into his voice.

Ignoring it Kagome shook her head no, and continued. "You chain me because your afraid!" She laughed loudly, brokenly. "Afraid Inuyasha is alive, and that he will-."

Sesshoumaru cut her off, slapping her roughly. "Didn't I forbid you from mentioning his name? Much less in front of me?" He leaned in closer to her, turning her bruised face up. "No one will take you from me."

Kagome tasted blood from where she had bit the inside of her lip, and spat in his face. "I hate you!" Tears blurred her vision.

Sesshoumaru wiped his face clean with his kimono sleeve, standing. "So you have said." He dropped the shattered necklace at her feet. "I have changed my mind, Kagome. You will not be present in the upcoming battle." He caught her startled gaze and returned it bitterly. "You will never set foot outside my castle."

Kagome screamed loudly, furiously, slamming a pillow against the bed. "Sesshoumaru! One day I swear I'll kill you! I will kill you!" Her chest rose and fell with her ragged breaths.

Sesshoumaru halted his step, turning to look back at her from the door. He said nothing, and his eyes showed nothing. With composure he turned and left, locking the door behind him. He leaned a hand against the outside of the door, his forehead pressing against the wooden surface. "You already have." He whispered.

Kagome glared at the wooden door hearing the lock click, wishing with all her heart for Inuyasha to burst through it. To be her knight in shinning armor, his blade still slick with Sesshoumaru's blood, and carry her away. Then Inuyasha and her could live happily ever after. Kagome shut her eyes against the warm tears.

---

Naraku crept in the growing shadows of dusk, peering through the barred window at the miko. "Beautiful." He breathed in awe as he took in her appearance. Her pain and anguish made her more sensual to Naraku. His plans in having the miko come to him had proved impossible.

The Western Lord had locked her away, refusing to let her set foot from outside his chambers. Gossip had been spreading that the Western Lord had gone as far as to restrict the entire wing in which his chambers resided off limits. Some wondered if he had killed his mate, unable to accept the fact she was human. Others said it was because of her beauty, and his jealous suspicions of her loyalty.

Naraku ripped the bars from the windows letting them fall noisily to the ground, shattering the windowpane. Careful of the sharp edges of glass framing the broken window, Naraku peeked inside the dark room. "Kagome." He whispered lowly in the voice of her dead lover.

Kagome jolted awake as her window shattered, the chain rattling with her sudden movements. She could hear the guards banging on the door, asking her if she was alright. Her mouth fell open to yell a quick yes, when her voice caught in her throat. "I-Inuyasha?" She whispered in disbelief, her fingers pinching at her arm to rouse herself from the dream. The pain clarified she was indeed awake, and she leapt forward, forgetting about the chain. She was jerked back when she reached the chains limits, hanging upside down, stomach pressed against the side of the bed.

Kagome heard Inuyasha call her and trembled trying to push herself back up, breaking down into hysteric sobs. She felt warm arms wrap around her waist, gently lifting her against a firm chest. "Inuyasha!" She chanted, as if trying to convince herself he was really standing there, alive, before her.

Naraku smiled like he imagined her hanyou would have, breaking the chain from around her ankle. "Shh Kagome, I have to get you out of here." He lifted a hand to her tearstained cheek, wiping away the tears. "Please don't cry."

Kagome took a deep breath, wrapping her arms around his neck, inhaling his scent. The usual piney scent of the forest, and sweet spicy scent of his natural odor was missing. Now he smelt of clay and musk, but it didn't matter. Her hands fisted inside his fire rat haori, and her lips quirked up into a heartfelt smile. "I love you." She whispered, into his ear.

Naraku's sharp hearing picked up the sound of the guards yelling for help, alerting their Lord. Quickly he moved to the open window, leaping out into the night sky. His eyebrows furrowed as he felt the Shikon no Tama shards within his haori react to her. The smell faint smell of his burning flesh forced him to move faster.

---

Sesshoumaru sat across from Lord Ruuoa in the library, discussing Kagome. Lord Ruuoa was upset to hear that Kagome would not be in the upcoming battle, and tried to persuade his decision. "You cannot keep her locked away forever, Lord Sesshoumaru. It is vital for her to be a part of our team in our battle against Naraku. Toutousai has already set out to make her and Kikyo special miko armor!" He declared exasperated.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes as he looked into the orange flames of fire, burning in the hearth. "She is uncontrollable. I know not how she would act in battle, and a battlefield is not the place for surprises." His eyes shifted from the fire, to Lord Ruuoa. "I suspect she may be carrying my pup. I will not allow her to risk its life with her foolishness."

Lord Ruuoa nodded in understanding, his eyes slipping shut. "I understand your worries, but let me assure you that my blood will protect both mother and child."

Sesshoumaru looked back to the fire, orange shadows flickering across his face. His shoulders hunched as he leaned forward, a silent sigh escaping his lips. "Lately it has felt as if she will escape me, take our pup and disappear." His confession was meant for Lord Ruuoa's ears only.

Suddenly the doors banged open and two panting guards filled its frame, panicked etched on their face. "Lord Sesshoumaru!" They gathered his attention, the left one speaking up while the right coward behind him. "We heard something break, and voices in your chambers!" The guard cringed away, moving quickly from the doorway as their Lord stood.

Sesshoumaru didn't bother excusing himself as he took off down the hall toward his chambers, his lips pressed in a thin line. His hand shook slightly as he fumbled with the lock, pushing the door open. Night air washed over him, and glass crunched beneath his feet as he moved over to the tussled bed. The chain had been snapped in half, a feat only possible by one with demon blood. His nose flared in anger, and he moved over to the open window. Sesshoumaru's eyes glowed crimson, and a loud roar vibrating throughout his castle.

She was gone, all his precautions had been in vain. His chest ached with worry for his unborn pup, and fury for its mother. "Kagome." He growled heatedly, pressing his hand down on the windowsill, a jagged piece of glass cutting into his palm.

Sesshoumaru's ears twitched and he looked behind him at the guards. His claws extended, hissing with poison. "What did you hear?" He demanded, his eyes gleaming a animalistic hue of red.

Both guards looked at one another, shuffling their feet atop the glass shards. "A name my lord." Admitted the guard off to the right.

Sesshoumaru lifted his hand from the window, turning to face them. "The name?" He demanded harshly after they continued to stare at him stupidly.

The one on the left took a deep breath, afraid it would be his last. "Inuyasha, Milord."

Sesshoumaru turned sharply back to the window, anger tingling in the air around him. "Get out." He ordered darkly.

Both guards fought to be the first out the door, shutting it loudly behind them, then continued to run down the hall, and perhaps from the castle.

Sesshoumaru let his blood flow down his fingers, splattering against his silk kimono and finely furnished floor. His burning eyes slid shut, and he breathed in her lingering scent.

There was nowhere she could run, nowhere she could hide, that he, Sesshoumaru, could not find. 'You see… I'm from the future, 500 years to be exact.' He was struck breathless at the sudden memory. '…My home there's this old well that transports me back to the feudal era, 500 years in the past.'

Sesshoumaru leapt out from the window, leaving a bloody handprint on its frame. 'No! She will not leave me!'Sesshoumaru sprinted with all the demonic speed he could muster. 'I hate you!' He flinched, once again berated by memories of her verbal assault.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes into glittering gold slits as he drove himself harder, faster. 'I wont allow her to leave me! She is mine!' His determination shinned in beads of sweat plastered his silver hair to his forehead, as he struggled to reach the well before she did. He would destroy it, and her chances of escape.

---

The setting sun disappeared behind the thick clouds, casting a deep shadow of red over the blackening sky. Amongst the darkness, back in Sesshoumaru's chambers, the Shugotenshi began to glow a brilliant blue, pulsing a musical tune. The Shugotenshi was crying, crying out for Kagome from where it lay on the glass covered floor.

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^.~: A bit on the sketchy side but I think I got the point across. I hope you all enjoyed this belated chapter! Things are starting to get a little more emotional ne? A lot of you like the love/hate relationship, and it will probably be like that in the next chapter or two, before I start trying to turn it into more of a love/love pairing. Don't expect all hearts and roses however! All my stories tend to have a darker flare. Please feel free to e-mail me with questions or comments. I love to hear from you! If you ask me a question in a review make sure you leave me your e-mail address so I can get back to you.

E-mail me at HeartlessEnchantress@yahoo.com

-As always with love, HeartlessEnchantress