DISCLAIMER: As always, I don't own the characters, the lyrics, or the band/singer. This song appealed to me and I used it. However, it really belongs to Avril Lavigne. I no own, you no sue. Not that you would get anything out of me anyway...

AMP: Back again! Sessho just couldn't wait...

Sessho: Worthless human! This Sesshomaru spent a week hiding in your closet trying to avoid being put into this nonsense again!

Kags: Next time you're in there look for a really big package with a big red ribbon!

Sessho: Why? What is in the package?

AMP: Better you don't ask. Just find it!

Inu: Bitch, just get a move on! I want my guest appearance!

AMP: Well it ain't in this chapter, I can promise you that.

Inu: Awww...

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Chap. 2: I'm With You

Sesshomaru surprised everyone by declining the use of a futon, preferring to spend the night sitting beside the door. He watched as one by one the humans and then the kitsune drifted into sleep. As soon as Shippo's breathing pattern slowed the demon lord stood and moved into Kagome's corner to watch her. He noted that she cried in her sleep and once in a while she would murmur a snatch of a song he didn't recognize.

"I'm standing on the bridge
I'm waiting in the dark…"

He leaned back against the wall, lulled by the sound of the rain. The wench was whispering again. Why did he have to feel such an obligation to care for this…this…human?

"I thought that you'd be here by now
There's nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground…"

Honor. It was all a question of honor. Inuyasha was not here to honor his obligation to the girl, so that only left one person. "This Sesshomaru could just leave the miko here. Her companions would certainly prefer that," he thought. The young kitsune had put up a huge fight over the arrangement. But the disturbed human would never be able to care for him in her condition.


"I'm listening but there's no sound
Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home?"

It was also ridiculous to assume that these humans could care for her. She needed better care than they could provide. At least the old woman could see that much.

"It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life…"

And when she returned to her normal self he could send her back. This woman had other obligations and should not allow herself to be consumed by her pain.

"Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new…"

He returned his gaze to the sleeping woman lying beside him still murmuring her song. Her hair had fallen over her eyes and without thinking he reached out to brush it away. His claws skimmed over her hair moving it to the side and he was startled by the brilliant blue of her vacant eyes. She had been awake and singing this whole time. He realized that while her eyes were open she wasn't seeing him. She was only seeing what her mind had created.

"I don't know who you are
But I... I'm with you
I'm with you…"

He ran his claws through her hair absently as he listened to her voice. He was forced to admit that she sang beautifully, although he was puzzled by her songs. They certainly weren't anything like the traditional ones he was accustomed to. Attributing her strange music to the fact that she was a strange human he returned to his listening.

"I'm looking for a place
I'm searching for a face
Is anybody here I know?
'Cause nothing's going right
And everything's a mess
And no one likes to be alone…"

"What was it about this human that had caught the half breed's attention?" Sesshomaru wondered. She was a rather nice looking human compared to the sort of scum he was used to encountering. Still, she was no female youki. Maybe it was her power. That had certainly grown since the first time he'd seen her.

"Isn't anyone tryin' to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home…"

Home. Now there was a thought. Where did this wench come from? Her clothing was certainly odd. Although it was a far sight better than that insanely short skirt she used to wear.

"It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I... I'm with you
I'm with you…'

"Under no circumstance will the miko dress in such a manor under my roof," Sesshomaru huffed. Come to think of it, why bother to outfit her in kimonos? Such clothing is not suitable for battle and he certainly intended to give her the proper training. Maybe giving her something to accomplish would help her take her mind away from her pain.

"Why is everything so confusing?
Maybe I'm just out of my mind…"

What if he couldn't help her? She would certainly snap back in her own time anyway…but what if she didn't?

"It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I

I'm with you
I'm with you…"

Rin. The child who taught him that his heart still existed even if he managed to hide it. Surely she would be able to put that light and fire back into this woman.


"Take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I
I'm with you
I'm with you…"

Somehow Sesshomaru knew that Rin could not do this job alone. He might have to do more than train her for battle at some point. He would have to teach her to control her emotions certainly, but what else could he do? Sesshomaru was snapped out of his thinking by the human beside him shifting around. Suddenly Kagome turned over and placed a hand on his thigh. Their eyes locked and for a moment it was the old Kagome singing…

"Take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I
I'm with you
I'm with you
I'm with you…"

Kagome lapsed back into her previous state sinking back down beside Sesshomaru. He couldn't allow her to stay this way. He NEEDED to bring her back. But only to get rid of her and his obligation of course. With that decided he gently removed her hand and moved back to the door to wait for dawn.

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Sessho: ::screams at AMP from behind the shower curtain:: I can't believe you forced me to touch a human!

Kags: You're such an asshole Sessho. It's not like it made your hand melt or anything!

::Sessho continues mumbling about germ-ridden, disgusting humans::

::Inu motions AMP and Kags over to the shower, hands AMP a camera and throws back the shower curtain::

::AMP takes a picture of the high and mighty demon lord in a duck shower cap, scrubbing with a duck bath mitten and a light-up duck soap::

Sessho: ::quickly closes shower curtain:: Bitch, you will die for this later and I will make it slow and painful if that picture leaves this room!

AMP: Awww...

Inu and Kags: What's wrong AMP?

AMP: My boyfriend took over my shower again...

::Inu and Kags give AMP a questioning look::

AMP: ::gives them a dry look:: The ducks, you two, the ducks! Why would I cover my shower in ducks?! I'm a PENGUIN!

::AMP looks for her penguin shower accessories while Inu and Kags make copies of the picture::