Hey everyone! And so begins another story. The updates might be a little longer than what everyone is used to. Just hang in there with me. Plus it's incredibly difficult to type with a weiner dog sitting in your lap...

Constellation of Blood – Debt Repaid

Kagura smiled in glee as she watched her master fall to his knees in one final attempt to obtain what never belonged to him in the first place - the Shikon Jewel. She was selfish, she knew this, for wanting the man who created her dead. But she had tasted freedom and longed for the simple pleasures of thinking for herself. So she had betrayed him, and almost got herself killed in the process. She had waited until Naraku was going through his time of the month before acting upon her desire to overthrow him. She had sought out the half breed and lured him to the dangerous palace. But Naraku was quick and hastily recuperated after the first attack.

They had all helped bring down Naraku; the half demon with his sword, the reincarnated priestess with her arrows, the demon exterminator with her skills, and the monk with his hand. They had been bloodied and bruised, yet they ceased to give up. But Kagura's hope for a life outside of Naraku was shattered as her lifted up and deathly finger and pointed the remainder of his power at her. The evil snickers generating from his throat were enough to send a sane man over the edge.

"Ah, sweet, naive Kagura. So it IS you who has deceived me. " She turned her head away from him disgust. She would not be taunted by someone on the brink of death. The smirk never left Naraku's lips. "Don't you fear the outcome of my death? If I perish, there is a good chance that you will deminish with me, considering that you're part of me." Kagura shook her head, as if trying to shake away the information handed to her.

"Enough! You shall die tonight, Naraku!!" She squeezed her eyes shut as Inuyasha delivered the last blow to Naraku. Instead of relief, however, Kagura felt an intense pain take over her body in murderous repetitions. She managed to pry open a single eye and found a slain Naraku before her own fallen body. The bastard had caused the Backlash to hit her as well! He took most of the hit, which ultimately took his life, yet she could fell herself trying to run from the intense burning, only to lay in darkness.


Sesshomaru sniffed lightly at the surprisingly cold wind. Chilling winds in the summer time could only mean one thing: death. It wasn't uncommon for the demon lord to stumble onto slain armies or villages, but this was too familiar for comfort. Behind him was an enthusiastic Rin, chattering over something about oranges. He took one more glance at his traveling companion to make sure he could make a swift and clean getaway, before he began the walk towards the stench of corpses.

He had been there before, when the wicked Naraku had stolen the child the aristocratic Sesshomaru had revived. But the pile of ashes told him that Naraku was no more. And the body that lay next to him....Kagura. He had encountered her only a few times but knew that she carried a sufficient amount of power. He knelt down beside her, recollecting the offer she had made to Sesshomaru about the murder of her master. He had refused, partially because she was more than capable of finding other ways. She wasn't stupid, she knew that her life was at stake. And the demon prince never put the doubt past her. But he would never had expected to see her dead. Such a pity...

The great demon quirked an eyebrow as there was an attempt at movement from the wind sorceress. His sensitive ears could pick up the faint sound of a heartbeat and the shallow sound of breathing. He softly nudged her shoulder with a clawed hand.

"Wake up wench. I know you're alive. There's no use in hiding that fact." He had considered the possibility of the woman actually being hurt, but he was the great Sesshomaru and not some hand maiden for the kin of Naraku.


Her entire body hurt. Not piercing pain like it had been before, but the kind of pain you have after walking three miles in one day when you're never worked out before. And then there was that voice. She knew that voice. It was deep and soothing, yet intimidating at the same time. It was the voice of the young demon lord she had encountered about killing her creator. Sesshomaru. She had referred to him as handsome, which by all accounts, he was. She wouldn't deny a slight attraction for the man, but he was crudely arrogant and brushed off her efforts time and time again. Perhaps he declined her offer because he knew she had been sizing him up, making sure he was up to the challenge of defeating Naraku, which might have insulted him. She could feel a small weight on her shoulder and wondered if the great demon prince was trying to wake her up.


It was useless. The wind demon would not fully wake up for Sesshomaru. He sighed heavily before wrapping his arm around her and gently throwing her over his shoulder. Blood caked her clothes and for a moment he wondered just how badly she had gotten hurt. A small cut graced her lip, leaving a crimson trail amidst the pale frown. Her body was like a watercolor painting, several shades of bruises creating such an illusion. His arm kept her balanced on his shoulder and he could feel the numerous broken bones through the thin material. His winced in pain as his ears caught the shrill voice of an excited Rin.

"But Lord Jaken!! He wouldn't just LEAVE us like that!!" Sesshomaru knew exactly whom she was talking about, but refused to let Rin persistent whining get the best of him.

"I told you once you foolish human, Lord Sesshomaru will be back when he is good and rea-"

"Jaken." He calmly glanced from one to the other before motioning towards Jaken to come forth.

"Y-yes m-m-m-m-'lord?"

"Take Rin and make camp. I shall go and tend to the woman I have with me." Both child and demon gawked at the powerful demon as he turned to leave.


Her wounds; many. Her breaths; shallow. But never once did she cringe underneath his touch. He silently mended her wounds without any hesitation. Why would he have to hesitate anyhow? She was just some petty demoness who couldn't fend off a blast of power. And here he was, tending to her many injuries, when he had better things to do. She'd owe him afterwards, of course. Her debt would be repaid one way or another.


Kagura awoke with a start, her rose colored eyes darting back and forth between trees and a small fire laying beside her. It was new territory for her, and it made her uneasy. When she realized who had saved her, though, she became nauseous with anxiety. Why would someone like Sesshomaru pay heed to whether or not she lived or not.

"So you're awake. Good. There is much that needs to be said." She stiffened slightly, finally noticing the pain racing through her body. Her rosy orbs became thin slits of defense as the deep voice washed over her.

"Sesshomaru. Since when did you ever take pity on demon lower than yourself?" The conversation was not playing well with him at all. He looked away for a moment, fearing that his cool demeanor was failing him for the first time in life.

"Never. But you have something that could prove to be useful to me. And seeing to it that I have rescued you, there is no doubt in my mind that you will meet me half way." Kagura curled her legs up underneath her and smirked defiantly.

"Hmph. I'm my own now. I do not have to take orders from the likes of yourself." Sesshomaru's expressionless face held no anger but inside he was boiling with rage. He had just saved this woman's life and she's refusing to repay him?!

"Are you saying that you refuse to help me?" The golden irises flickered with a bit of amusement as a sharp fang poked out with a smile drawing near. Kagura never faltered. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest and grinned at the Lord of the Western Lands. She was free now. No on, not even Sesshomaru could take that away from her.

"And if I do object?" Before she could hear a complete answer, she was pinned to the tree behind her. Her ears buzzed and her heart sped up as Sesshomaru's lean arm dug into her neck and his hot breath trickled over her sensitive skin.

"Then I'll finish what your master started..."