Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha ideas or characters

Child Of The Demon Sword

Ch.9

It had been almost a week, and Kagome was beginning to make some progress. She had actually gotten out of bed and began walking around with some help from the servants, and was beginning to eat solid food. Ryoko never left Kagome's side, all that week.

When Kagome first awoke she asked where she was, but no one answered, and Kagome no longer cared. No one has seen hide nor hair of Shessomaru since his first arrival, but no one really seemed concerned.

On this morning however, Kagome's wounds were all closed, and the healer said it would be good for her to walk around the castle… with help of course. Ryoko immediately volunteered. It was almost like watching a mother and daughter go out for a noon picnic as they walked out through the large oak doors of the guest room. The servants returned to their business, and the maids stripped Kagome's bed.

"Are you feeling better?" Ryoko asked, worriedly.

"Much better," Kagome smiled. She was getting more color in her cheeks, and for that, Ryoko was glad. "It's all thanks to these wonderful people."

Ryoko looked up in awe. Kagome just referred to the demon servants as people, like they were no different then herself. Kagome really was something special. Ryoko squeezed Kagome's hand and they kept walking down the long winding hallway. Slowly they arrived at the steps that led to the first floor.

"Are you feeling up to it? I mean, it hasn't been that long since your last dizzy-spell." Ryoko didn't want to push Kagome into something she didn't want to do, but she wanted to take her outside for some fresh air and sunshine.

"I think I can do it. Let me try," Kagome let go of Ryoko's hand and placed it on the railing to steady herself. She lowered her legs onto the first step, then the second and then the third. She looked back up at Ryoko, "see, I could do-" Suddenly Kagome was seeing everything in blurs and she was falling. All Kagome could hear was Ryoko screaming and all she could think was 'this is going to hurt.' She closed her eyes and braced herself for impact, but it never came.

First she felt a soft thud, but it wasn't a sudden stop, it kept going. She finally felt the movement stop, and then opened her eyes. She was at the bottom of the stairs looking up at Ryoko, who was running down to her. She saw two hands holding her bridal style, so she looked up. Her confused eyes were met with Shessomaru's cold golden ones. For an instant, Kagome saw Inuyasha. She gasped in fear, but then realized she was mistaken.

"Oh… It's just you Shessomaru," she shifted a bit and put her face against his chest and began to cry. Shessomaru was suddenly confused. She acted like it was no big deal for her to be held by him.

Ryoko finally reached the bottom of the stairs. "What did you do!" Her eyes narrowed with hate.

Shessomaru paid her question no mind. "I think she's had enough exercise for today, I'm taking her back to her room." He headed back up the stairs. "You go find Rin."

Ryoko wanted to object, but knew she couldn't. She turned and left, but for some reason she knew it was okay, that Kagome was safe. Quite frankly, Ryoko was thankful for Shessomaru's intervention.

Shessomaru moved slowly up the stairs, so as not to disturb Kagome. Her tears were starting to soak thru his clothing, and hit his chest. It was warm. It felt like she was reaching in and staining his soul. He didn't like that feeling, so he quickened his pace.

When Shessomaru got to the guest room and opened the door, the two maids jerked to a halt. He looked around and saw the bed was stripped, and there were no covers. The maids were putting all the linen into a basket to be taken down the laundry. "We're sorry, Lord, but we didn't think she'd be back for a while." Shessomaru just turned and walked back out into the hallway. He went down the hall and up another set of stairs, to his room. He had gotten fresh sheets this morning.

He laid Kagome on top of his bed and for the first time looked at her tear streaked face. "You can rest here if you'd like." Her head jerked to meet his eyes, and she grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him down so she could kiss him. Shessomaru was so surprised he didn't know how to react. Kagome flung her arms around his neck and cried some more. "Why did you do this to me Inuyasha? I loved you so much, I thought we had something special."

Shessomaru jerked back and looked at Kagome, who was up on her hands looking at him. Her eyes were fogged with tears, and self-pity. She turned her head down, and then made her way to the end of the bed. "Wow, that was stupid of me," she said. She jumped off, and grabbed one of railings to keep her balance. "I'm sorry Shessomaru, I think I'm losing it."

Shessomaru stepped in front of her, finally regaining his composure. He was really close, but Kagome wasn't fazed. "Aren't you afraid of me?" His voice was low and quiet.

"Why? Should I be?" Kagome leaned in a bit, "Are you going to beat the shit out of me like Inuyasha? Cause if you are, I'd just like to warn you this time I'll be prepared." She glared, and then she sighed. "I don't have the energy to do this right now, I'd rather just sleep." She sat down on the bed and looked up at him.

"Why did he do that?" Shessomaru asked, with a tinge of real concern.

Kagome's face was blank, "well, obviously he didn't love me, because if he did he wouldn't have done it. Mostly I think it's because I sent Kikyou back to where she came from. I don't think he could handle it." She turned and looked at him, "Now I have a question for you, how did I end up with you?"

Shessomaru turned away, "Ryoko brought you to me for protection, in exchange for her servitude." Kagome's eyes went wide with the last words.

"And you accepted?" Kagome spat at him. "I can't believe you!"

She shot up out of her seat and turned to look at him. Her eyes were sort of narrow, but not in a glare. She looked more confused then angry. She turned fast, as if to bolt out of the room, but then got dizzy again, and began to fall.

Shessomaru shot up to catch her, but ended up falling, too. Kagome landed with a dull thud on the floor with Shessomaru on top of her. Her cold eyes and his cold eyes were looking at each other, throwing eye daggers.

"Lord Shessomaru?" Rin's voice came from the doorway. Ryoko was standing by Rin's side, with a shocked expression.

---WITH INUYASHA ---

Inuyasha was walking along the road with Shippo, Songo and Miroku trailing behind him. Inuyasha said they were just going to continue searching for Naraku, but everyone knew he was really looking for Kagome.

Suddenly Inuyasha stopped and sniffed the ground. "Blood, Kagome's blood…" He sniffed some more and smelled Ryoko, but also: "My Brother!" His eyes had a tinge of red at this. Shippo got a little scared, and Inuyasha shot off in the direction of his brother's scent.