Part 2

"You are far to gracious my Lord." She bowed out of respect for his kind gesture. Kagome knew it was no small thing for him to part with something in his possession, especially the pelt. She would have to make sure she repaid him one day.

"Now if you will permit me to remove your armor. I think you'll find your self more comfortable."

"Do as you wish." Sesshoumaru kept his face vacant as a mask. He tried to focus on anything but her; even going as far as to count the pops of the new fire she had started. No one had ever made him feel more uncomfortable than this human girl.

He felt it when she lifted his spiked pauldron then shifted his belt to loosen his robe. A growl echoed in his throat when she took his swords. He was suffering the ultimate humiliation, to be disarmed by a woman. Only she did not understand that her kindness was offending him. Sesshoumaru determined he could not hate her for her actions, she was only an ignorant ningen after all. So he bit his tongue and let her push his sleeve off his shoulder.

"I should have dressed this earlier." Kagome fretted placing her hand over the wound like her touch alone could heal him. She softly caressed the area wondering what to do. He thought she kept her hand there longer than what was considered decent.

Sesshoumaru looked down to see what had gotten her all worked up.

At the center of where his heart would be a small hole was present. Around that the skin had turned a deep purple. Extending from there was a series of intricate lines, not unlike a spiders web, weaving it's way up to his right shoulder until it faded into a pea green.

"It's of no importance. It will heal with out your help." He had meant to make her feel better; instead he made her feel useless.

Kagome panicked when she saw the discolored shoulder. She might have helped his breathing by taking the weight off his chest but there was no way she could stop the poison. Taking a mental check of her assets she determined she only had snow. What good was snow against poison? Kagome thought about using her powers to purify the venom since it was demonic; however she did not trust that she had the ability to be so precise. Surely she would burn Sesshoumaru too and she did not want to cause him any more pain.

"If only I had looked at it sooner." A pang of guilt hit her when she thought of him possibly loosing this arm to the toxin. Inuyasha had already taken his left arm. Sesshoumaru would be crushed to have to loose a second. With out realizing it Kagome's free hand disappeared under his robes still coving his left side. Her fingers skimmed over a powerful chest up to a broad shoulder until her hand came down upon what was left of Sesshoumaru's bicep. The sudden tension that ripped through his body let her know what she had done.

"That side does not need to be tended to." Sesshoumaru's voice was steady except Kagome could sense his rage at the touch. Kagome had gone too far; furthermore she knew it.

"I'm sorry." Kagome looked away unable too face his fixed stare. Only her left hand moved so it was nervously brushing the collar of his outer robe.

"Save your apologies. Just focus on your administrations." If only he could move, he'd knock her so fast against the wall. Yet still she touched him unafraid of the consequences of her actions. What had he done wrong that she did not fear him?

Kagome's head shot up locking eyes with his. The edges of hers were wet with tears. "No Sesshoumaru, I mean I'm sorry… Inuyasha was wrong to cut your arm off."

Shaking his head Sesshoumaru guessed that the miko, being far to kind, blamed her self for his problems. He'd have to say something or else she might never stop crying over him. "He was only doing what he thought he had too. Besides his death is mine. This insult will not go unpunished."

At that Kagome let a small laugh escape while she brushed a tear away. Deep down she believed Sesshoumaru could never kill his brother. That his threats where just his way of not having to admit his feelings. This only confused Sesshoumaru more since he did not see the humor in threatening his half brothers life.

"I don't envy you Sesshoumaru. To carry so much hate and contempt. You must be so lonely."

"I am a Yokai, I do not feel lonely."

Grrrooowwwwlll

Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome who turned a bright pink.

"Are you hungry?"

"A little." Kagome shyly looked down embarrassed by her stomach.

"Look in my inner robe, you'll find a pocket."

Gently Kagome lifted the layers that made up Sesshoumaru's outfit. Patting the fabric she felt something solid hit the palm of her hand. Fishing the contents out Kagome held a rice cake in her hands.

I can't believe he now just thought to mention he had food with him, Kagome thought.

"I was going to give that to Rin but I think she will understand if you take it."

"Wont you have some too? It wouldn't be right for me to eat it all."

Proudly Sesshoumaru informed her, "I do not eat human food."

"Oh." She eyed the rice cake figuring it would be fine to eat. She had been warned once never to take food from deamons, that it was a trick often resulting in the rape or murder of young girls. Surely though Sesshoumaru did not intend her any harm so taking a bite Kagome mulled over his comment. She decided she wanted him to tell her what he did eat. Although she had an idea she already knew the answer.

"When I was a child my grandmother would read me stories about monsters and deamons." She took another bite to buy some time before going on.

"They didn't eat human food either. They always ate the people in the stories." Quickly she added light heartedly, "I guess that explains why you hate me so much. I'd hate it if my food talked also." She laughed hoping she didn't sound to nervous.

"Drop it."

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The Sun set on the second day of the two's forced confinement. Shortly after their discussion on deamon eating habits Sesshoumaru fell asleep. Kagome was left to keep watch in silence for the rest of the day. Taking up a place between the mouth of the cave and Sesshoumaru Kagome was determined that nothing was getting in.

With the setting sun Sesshoumaru began to wake up. On the outside of his senses he felt the mountain deamons coming down from their homes. At least a hundred where heading in their direction. Sesshoumaru saw Kagome kneeling at the side of him hands ringing them selves in anticipation. Next to her she had placed her bow and quiver. He counted only twelve arrows. The poor girl was going to be torn to shreds before she could fire even three of them.

"You still have a chance to run miko. The deamons in these mountains still have not arrived." He had to get her to leave. She had to realize he would not blame her for running away.

"To late." She shot a warm smile in his direction to show she was not trying to be argumentative. "I promised myself I'd protect you. And yes I know," Kagome stuck her index finger in the air while stubbornly extending her chin in her best Sesshoumaru impression. " 'It does not matter to this Sesshoumaru.'" With a heavy sigh she added, "Besides they are already here."

Some how Sesshoumaru had missed the deamons already outside the entrance. He wondered how long they had been there and silently admired the girl for having kept her wits about her while he had slept. For no doubt she had felt them far longer then he had having to wait then out in silence.

Over a hundred deamons had gathered out side. All different shapes, sizes and power levels. Now that the sun was going down they began to become bolder making their way to the cave, snarling words lost on the screaming wind. Kagome felt there was no better time than the present to face them. So she stood taking her quiver and bow. Sometime during the day she had adjusted the pelt so it hung over only one shoulder freeing both her arms to draw her weapon. Sesshoumaru saw she had taken one of his belts and had tied it around her waist to keep the fur from moving. He noted she had not asked; however he would let the theft go this once. The smell of fear had spiked when she stood; the last thing she needed was a lecture.

"Your heart is racing." Sesshoumaru had wanted to wish her luck or offer some form of encouragement but when it came to this girl he always seemed to say the wrong thing.

"I'm terrified." Kagome chanced a glance behind her shoulder. "I've always had Inuyasha and the others to help me."

If I was well I could have protected you…"You don't have to do this."

"Being scared shouldn't stop you from doing what's right." She gave him one last smile. "Besides how bad can it be?"