Hurt by Him, Protected By You

Sesshomaru stared at the horizon as the sun was coming up.

He sighed and walked back to the camp.

Kagome was already awake and picking at the fire with a stick.

She looked over at Rin. 'How did she ever meet with Sesshomaru, anyways?' Kagome smiled and looked up at the sky.

"I wonder how they're all doing…Sango, Miroku, Shippo..." she sighed.

"Do you want to go back to them?" Sesshomaru came in.

Kagome blinked and stared at him. 'He came out of no where…' she thought and shook her head.

"…well…I do…I really want to go back…for my friends…but I don't think my heart can take it seeing Inuyasha together with her…" Kagome hugged her knees. "…I'm already dead inside…broken and hurt…it's enough for me…I don't want to feel any more pain…." She closed her eyes sadly.

"Can't you just love another man?" Sesshomaru smirked.

"It's not that easy to let go of the one you love, Sesshomaru sama…" she looked at him.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly when he saw how much…pain…and sadness was in her.

"…you have never experienced it…that's why you don't know…" Kagome smiled faintly.

"Sesshomaru sama…you have never loved a woman in your life before, have you?" she cocked her head to the side, curiously.

Sesshomaru stayed quiet.

Kagome laughed softly. "What I thought. Maybe you should get a mate soon…think of Rin…I think she's in need of a mother," Kagome smiled at looked towards Rin.

"A mate? What kind of pathetic talk is that? I have no time to love…all I need is to have power and be in control of the Western lands," Sesshomaru smirked.

Kagome sighed. "…all you ever talk about…is power…" her eyes looked at him steadily. "Is that all you want? Power? What would you use it for? Who would you use it for, Sesshomaru sama? You see…power…it needs love. If you want power…then you have to protect someone…" Kagome smiled and thought back to Inuyasha, who once said he'll protect her. "…it's the whole meaning of it…power is used to protect those around you, not to destroy and keep it to yourself," Kagome stood up and sighed.

"It's because you do not know the desire of power, human…power is not used for love, nor destruction, as you say. It is to simply be the strongest, and the best…to compete for all and win all…it is to gain control over everything and be the mightiest. It has nothing close at all to those weak emotions that you humans have," Sesshomaru replied.

Kagome turned to him.

Sesshomaru felt a warm feeling in his chest when she smiled brightly at him.

"Sesshomaru sama…you'll one day understand…you'll understand…that power…" she looked up at the sky. "…is merely just another emotion…it's just a desire…it has no meaning to it…but love…love is…it is an emotion, too. But…it is an emotion that has a meaning to it…something behind it…love is an emotion that makes you understand and see the world in a different view…" Kagome reached out her hand.

Sesshomaru stared at her, not knowing what she's expecting of him.

"…hold my hand…" she stated.

Sesshomaru glared at her. "I do not touch filthy things," he replied coldly.

Kagome shook her head.

"It's just my hand. Just hold it for a while…just for a while…I'll show you something," her hand reached out to him, waiting for the contact.

Sesshomaru gazed at her hand. Hesitating a bit, he slowly rose up his arm.

Sesshomaru reached for her hand and slowly held it.

Suddenly, a warm sensation shot through his arm and went throughout his whole body.

Kagome smiled and entangled her hands in his.

She walked closer to him until their bodies were almost touching.

"…what is this…? This feeling…?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes.

"It's called warmth. It's the warmth of human emotions…this is how love feels, how humans feel…this warmth in us…it's the one thing that demons can never understand of us humans…" Kagome looked up at him.

"…could you feel it…? This emotion is called love...you probably felt it somewhere, somehow before…for example, like Rin…" Kagome smiled.

"What about her?" Sesshomaru asked.

"You care for her and protect her…that's one object of love…" Kagome murmured.

"I do not care for her. I simply keep her alive because she is but a child," Sesshomaru glared.

"Oh, really? Well…" Kagome thought for a moment.

"…here…" she let go of his hand and slowly put her arms around his waist and pulled him close.

Kagome blushed a bit at her own actions.

"What are you doing to me?" Sesshomaru replied coldly, but didn't push her away.

"This is called hugging. It's what we do to show that we care, worry, and love one another…" Kagome replied and leaned on his chest.

Sesshomaru felt his body suddenly melted and a rush of comfort went through him.

Kagome blushed more when Sesshomaru suddenly hugged her back.

"I don't understand why you're doing this…" he whispered.

Kagome looked down shyly. "…i…it's…just to show you…what humans have in them…demons have never experienced this kind of feeling…that's why I'm willing to share it to you, Sesshomaru sama," Kagome broke away from him.

Sesshomaru felt cold when the sudden warmth of her body vanished.

Kagome smiled at him. "See? Love isn't so bad, is it? That warmth….that sudden feeling in your chest…doesn't it make you feel good?" she cocked her head to the side.

Sesshomaru stayed quiet.

Kagome laughed softly at him. 'He's…actually really cute like this…'

Inuyasha and the others were traveling.

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo trailed behind the two couples, all of them staring at Kikyo in disgust.

Sango sighed and looked down sadly. Miroku held her hand and squeezed it gently.

"It'll be ok…Kagome is a strong girl…" he whispered.

"I just hope she'll be alright…if she is out there…I just wish she'd come and take us with her…" Sango murmured quietly.

"Yea…it's no fun without her…and it's all Inuyasha's fault…" Shippo replied sadly and glared at Inuyasha's back.

Inuyasha's ears twitched slightly, hearing what they all said. He felt guilt throughout his whole body.

'Kagome…where are you? If I had hurt you in any way…I didn't mean it…' he sighed and glanced over at Kikyo. 'I know I could never really love you the way you love me, Kagome…it's just because…Kikyo…I just can't get her out of my heart. She's like a part of me…my memory…my past…she's the one who first accepted me…the first who loved me…I just can't let go of her…I'm sorry, Kagome…please, at least be safe, wherever you are…' Inuyasha prayed silently and looked ahead sadly.

Sesshomaru stopped near a stream and looked at the water.

"We'll stop here for a quick drink and rest…" he stated and sat down on a small boulder.

Rin ran to the stream and splashed the water at Jaken.

"Be careful! Don't go to far!" Kagome smiled at them.

"Hai!" Rin nodded and continued to splash at Jaken.

Sesshomaru gazed at her. "She cares for Rin…just like a mother would act towards her child…she seems so protective of Rin…" he smirked.

Kagome sighed and crossed her arms. She narrowed her eyes.

"I've been wondering now for a while…all we ever do is walk and travel…exactly where are we going?" Kagome asked and turned to Sesshomaru.

"Naraku," Sesshomaru stated.

"Eh?" Kagome blinked.

'I never knew he had anything against Naraku…I always thought Sesshomaru was evil and on Naraku's side…' Kagome sweat dropped at her own conclusion.

She glanced at him. '…but now I know how he really is…it seems…he's just really lost and thinks what he needs to do is gain power…I'll be the one…' Kagome smiled at him.

'I'll be the one to help you, Sesshomaru sama…' she thought and walked over to him.

She plopped down beside him and sighed. Sesshomaru turned and stared at her.

"Don't sit so close to me, girl," he glared.

Kagome glared back.

"I have a name! It's Kagome! Ka-go-me!" she exclaimed.

"I can address you whatever I want, wench," Sesshomaru smirked.

"Oh really? Then I guess I can call you nicknames too! How about…" she stared at him.

Her eyes traveled to his big fluffy tail over his shoulder and grinned.

"Fluffy kun?" Kagome smiled innocently.

Sesshomaru's eyes flickered in anger.

"Do not call me that," he glared at her.

"Then address me in the correct way…Ka-go-me," Kagome crossed her arms.

"Must you be so arrogant?" Sesshomaru murmured and sighed.

"Yes! You don't appreciate me calling you names…I just want to be called by my name, that's it…" Kagome smiled.

"No," Sesshomaru answered immediately and stood up.

Kagome stuck her tongue out at him and pouted.

"Fine…be that way…Sesshy chan!" she whispered.

Sesshomaru's ears twitched, but he ignored her and stayed quiet.

Kagome laughed softly and smiled at him. 'How cute!' she gazed at him and giggled.

Sesshomaru shifted uncomfortably under her dreamy stare. "Stop looking at me like that, wench," he glared at her.

"Hai, hai-,"

"Sesshomaru sama!!!!" Jaken and Rin came running to them.

"What is it?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes when he sensed a demonic aura.

"Lord Sesshomaru! There's…there's a yokai over there! His demonic aura is so strong!" Jaken exclaimed.

Kagome hugged Rin tightly. "He doesn't look like a demon, though," Rin blinked.

A sudden whip of wind rushed pass them.

A man stood there, looking at them.

His eyes averted to Kagome.

'Why is he staring at me…?' she narrowed her eyes.

"I see you have the jewels…give me them and I'll spare your life, human," everyone gasped when he disappeared.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened immediately and got in front of Kagome.

Kagome gasped when the demon reappeared right in front of them and was about to slash them with his sword.

Sesshomaru stopped the sword with his hand.

"Sesshomaru sama!" Kagome's eyes widened at the blood streaming down his palms.

"…hm…? Well, well…I suppose I have to go through you first…" the demon smirked.

"Take Rin and Jaken away," Sesshomaru ordered.

Kagome hesitated to leave him, but then thought of Rin and Jaken.

She nodded and ran away with them.

Kagome took them behind some bushes.

"Stay here with Ah Un…I'll be right back," she whispered and ran out again.

"Kagome onee chan!" Rin exclaimed.

"Hm…interesting…she'd risk her life to help Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken blinked.

Kagome crept closer.

She saw Sesshomaru and the demon fighting each other furiously.

"Wow…his demonic aura is strong…" she whispered and stared at the demon.

Kagome gasped when the demon slashed at Sesshomaru's arm, causing a gash of blood to seep through his sleeve. "Sesshomaru sama!" Kagome jumped out and ran to him.

"Stay away!" Sesshomaru glared at her.

Kagome stopped immediately, seeing the look in his eyes.

She gasped when he was caught off guard and the demon slash his chest with its claws.

Sesshomaru growled and took out Tokijin.

They began to slash at each other with their swords.

Kagome stood there, helpless, watching Sesshomaru get injured each time. "I can't let you do this…you're getting hurt! That demon…he's too strong…" Kagome couldn't think of anything to do.

"Watch out!" she heard Sesshomaru's voice.

Her eyes widened when she saw a bright light come towards her.

"Sesshomaru!!!" she exclaimed and closed her eyes, waiting for the impact.

Kagome didn't feel anything hitting her, but instead heard a loud blast. Her eyes jerked open when she heard Sesshomaru grunt.

"Sesshomaru sama?!" she saw him facing her and putting his arms out.

Tears withered down her cheeks. "Why…why'd you do that…? You're already injured enough, baka!" Kagome cried.

Sesshomaru glared at her.

"Don't cry…" he murmured.

He turned around and faced the demon. Kagome's eyes widened at the bloody wound on his left shoulder.

"….I'll protect you…" Sesshomaru whispered and began fighting, again.

Kagome gasped. "I'll protect you…" her mind flashed back to Inuyasha.

"It's the same thing he said…it's when I first fell for him…why…? Why is it the same with Sesshomaru?" Kagome stared at Sesshomaru sadly.

"Don't protect me…I can protect myself…don't protect me…because if you do…I might end up falling for you like I did to Inuyasha…I don't want to be hurt a second time…don't protect me, Sesshomaru…." Kagome whispered, but again and again, his words played in her mind. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Sesshomaru glared at the demon.

"If you try hurt her again…" his eyes glinted.

"…I won't hold back…" the demon smirked at him.

"Oh yea? I'd like to see that!" he pointed his sword at Kagome and something shot out at the tip of it.

'Poison!' Sesshomaru's eyes widened.

"No…move, damn it!"

Kagome was still crying.

She didn't know a liquid of poison was coming towards her.

She gasped when Sesshomaru suddenly appeared before her again.

This time, he hugged her tightly.

Kagome blushed. "Sesshomaru…?"

Her eyes widened when Sesshomaru suddenly closed his eyes in pain.

"What? Why are you-," she gasped when he fell.

"Sesshomaru sama!" Kagome gasped when she saw his veins turn purple at his back.

"Poison…" her eyes widened with tears.

"Why?! Stop it! Don't hurt him anymore!!!" Kagome glared at the demon.

Her eyes started to glow.

The demons narrowed his eyes at her. 'What is that?'

A sudden blast of bright light came from Kagome.

"What?! NO!" the demon screamed in pain as the he was engulfed in the light. "AH!" he was suddenly set on fire and turned into ash.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened.

He looked at Kagome, who's glowing eyes turned back to normal.

She looked at him and smiled softly.

"What happened…how did you do that?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her.

"I'm a miko…we have powers, Sesshomaru…it's ok now…I'll heal you…" she whispered soothingly.

Sesshomaru felt her hand on his back and felt something warm go through him. He immediately felt sleepy…his eyes fluttered close as he fell limp onto Kagome's lap.

Kagome sighed and turned him over.

She began to heal his back and shoulder.

"I hate it when men protect me…" Kagome murmured and looked down at him sadly. "…they always end up getting hurt…and it's always my fault…" tears rolled down her cheek.

"I already left a burden to Inuyasha…don't let me to be the one you'll protect with your life…I don't want to see someone precious to me get hurt again…" she gently rolled him over again after she got done healing him.

Her tears fell on his angel-like face.

"…I won't allow you to protect me…seeing you like this…it's just like Inuyasha…he'd always get hurt protecting me…so please…don't protect me…" Kagome whispered into his ear and stroked his hair.

'Why am I acting like this towards you? No...I can't be falling for you already…' her eyes saddened.

"…I don't want to love you…I'll get rejected again, like Inuyasha did to me…so please, don't care for me, don't protect me, don't worry for me…or else…I really might end up falling for you, Sesshomaru sama…"

Rin and Jaken came a while later.

"Kagome onee chan…?" Rin crept quietly at the two sleeping form.

Jaken's eyes widened.

"Lord Sesshomaru is this badly hurt by that yokai? But…but why is the wound all healed?" his eyes averted to Kagome.

"It couldn't be…that this human, this miko…it couldn't be that she helped Lord Sesshomaru, right?" he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Eh? They're asleep…Jaken sama, should we go to sleep, too?" Rin blinked and cuddled beside Ah Un.

"If you're tired, you can," Jaken shrugged and sat down by her.

Sesshomaru awoke in the middle of the night.

His eyes fluttered open.

Sesshomaru got up slowly.

He stopped and reached to touch his back. "It doesn't hurt anymore…and there's no blood…" his hand touched his shoulder and noticed that the wound was gone, too.

Sesshomaru looked at Kagome, who was sleeping beside him.

He knelt down and stared at her steadily.

"You healed me." Sesshomaru whispered, as if expecting an answer from her.

"….hn…I didn't expect that from you, human…" he smirked, somewhat feeling a little proud of her.

"I won't thank you, though…I didn't need it…I'm a demon and we can heal fast…" Sesshomaru gazed at her face, which was glowing in the moonlight.

He unexpectedly reached over and brushed away some bangs from her eyes.

"…I will…protect you…" he hesitated for a moment to say it.

"…Kagome…"

Aaaaw, wasn't this a cute chapter??? Ok, 3rd chap will be up shortly, so look forward to it! A little more romance will happen so read and REVIEW!!! Tootles, my luvs!!!