AN: Many thanks for all the favs and reviews. Things are taking a unhappy turn... :( But next chapter things get romantic again-and a love triangle begins! Hahaha
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"Her scent has disappeared Jaken- there isn't any way for me to find her" Sesshomaru said back in the well-appointed rooms at the Shinda Inn.
"I have called Oka-donno here milord" Jaken replied wringing his small hands in distress "no doubt we will be able to assist"
Just then the soft voice of an attendant sounded out the doors "Come in" Sesshomaru began distractedly. A woman stepped in- behind her were two other people. Well one was a human and the other was someone who he knew very well
"These people are here to see you Sesshomaru-sama" the woman said softly before bowing.
He rose from the cushion on the floor; indeed the years of looking for the shards had not been kind to his half-brother and the reincarnation of the priestess. The two of them looked tired- as if they had traveled many days without food or rest.
"Please have two separate pallets spread out here for my guests Miss" he said addressing the woman "and two hot meals"
The two people behind him looked at the Lord of the Western Lands with open shock before Sesshomaru gave a short stiff bow
"I know why the two of you are here. Actually" he began with a rueful smile "the timing couldn't be better"
Kagome waited till the woman had left before replying "Is that so Sesshomaru-sama? I thought you would hate to see us" Kagome replied wearily setting down her bow and quiver before sinking down into the cushion.
"Not at all" Sesshoumaru replied noting how silent his brother was. Usually he would have already attempted to claw out his throat by now…
"Then you know why we are here?" Inuyasha asked coming to sit closely to Kagome. Close enough that their shoulders brushed- Sesshomaru would be amused as the situation was diverting enough. However he had his own issues at hand
"Of course I do- no doubt the priestess here sensed the jewel"
Kagome winced at the use of the title "I did- but now it is faded. I was sure it was here this morning…" she trailed off, her brown eyes filling with worry. Time was against them..
"It was taken from me" Sesshomaru began then- wondering where their little posse had gone "when the mortal girl I traveled with was kidnapped"
Kagome's grip tightened in her dirty skirt "Kidnapped?!"
Sesshoumaru nodded "Apparently Naraku found Rin interesting enough to do so. We have no way of tracking her- her scent and the spiritual energy of the Shikon Shard is blocked from me. However I doubt it is blocked from you Kagome-san"
She started for a moment- this was the longest conversation she had ever held with the aloof older brother of Inuyasha. Actually if she truly examined the situation Sesshomaru was very different. There was warmth- no a heat that had not been there- almost as if a part of him had thawed from its icy prison.
"N-no I can sense it. But I fear that Inuyasha and I are not in any shape to act so soon." She replied reluctantly
A silver brow arched and Sesshomaru had just parted his lips to speak when he felt a presence. Calmly he turned to look over his shoulder, Kagura stood nearest to the balcony. Her bruised face and black eye just a testament to what had been done to the rest of her body by Naraku. Sesshomaru observed this almost dispassionately
"So you've returned" he began blandly, seeing the sweat that broke out on the Incarnations forehead. Truly Sesshomaru felt no sympathy for her-
If you want the girl Sesshomaru-sama, you will have to come with me." She looked at the others with a resigned kind of bitterness "there is to be no one else" she added firmly.
The Lord of the Western Lands rose elegantly, picking up his two swords that were set innocuously against the wall before following the Wind Sorceress out onto the balcony.
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The ride on Kagura's feather was tensely silent; Sesshomaru sat upon the softness with a stiff spine- his long hair sweeping behind him in the brisk wind. The moon was out in full force tonight shedding that eerie bluish light upon the city of Edo. Sesshomaru noted that indeed they were traveling the way of the Imperial Palace. High in the forest hills overlooking Edo- no doubt that the Emperor had put Naraku and his group far out of the way. Though still on the Imperial grounds proper.
"Naraku wasn't to happy with your failure I see" Sesshoumaru began icily, noting the small white child that sat next to Kagura. The girl had one of her small arms gingerly around Kagura's waist- apparently supporting the taller Incarnation. What a strange picture the two of them painted- sisters in bond and in blood.
Kagura was silent for a long moment "Indeed- he thinks me a fool" she replied earnestly
"Is that why he sent you to pick me up. A fool's errand perhaps?" Sesshoumaru prodded his hand gently resting on Tokijin, Kagura turned slowly to him her face unreadable.
"You could never be called a fool's errand Sesshoumaru-sama. I only hope that Naraku has spared the girl harm- you seem to be very fond of her" she noted as the moon was overshadowed by a large cloud. Throwing them into near darkness, yet the feTher continued to flying unerringly towards their destination.
Sesshomaru fingered the hint absentmindedly "She is my ward- it is my duty to protect her"
Kagura's laugh burbled in her throat "Do you kiss your ward the way you did that afternoon?"
He didn't bat a lash "You doubt my intentions"
The Sorceress shrugged "It is perplexing- yet interesting your actions of late. Maybe you shouldn't have been so familiar with the girl- then Naraku wouldn't have used her as a bargaining chip"
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Rin slowly came awake, to the feeling of something heavy binding her mouth and body. Remaining still she took in stock of her surroundings- there was little light here save for the moonlight that flooded in from the open balcony. A tall, lean figure lingered near the open doors of the balcony, long wavy hair glittering like silk in the bluish light.
The figure turned the heavy cotton of the yukata he wore shifting "Awake now mortal?" came the deep sinister voice of Naraku- his red eyes glittering evilly. This was the first time that Rin had been so close to the creature that started this awful mess with the shards and she cringed in disgust.
"I was contemplating what to do with you dear- since I cannot harm you as long as you wear the sealed Shard on your neck. I am suggesting a trade, your life for the Shard. What do you think? I believe that your lover will agree to it wouldn't he? Apparently he is merely using you for your body- you know that your lifespan will never equal to his."
Rin glared at him from under her lashes, unable to retort as her mouth was stuffed with a dirty rag.
Just then there was a great shadow that blocked out the moonlight, Rin saw a huge white feather descend to the height of the balcony railing. Three figures dismounting-one with more difficulty than the others. In the room a single candle sheilded with a bit of oiled rice paper flared to life. Illuminating the bare room and the figure of Hakudoshi who sat quietly in the corner. A smug, knowing smile painted on his beautiful lips. Rin felt her skin crawling just as Sesshoumaru's face was illuminated in the light.
His handsome face was the ever familiar visage of ice, he looked like stone. Nor did he deign to look at her- he merely turned to face Naraku
"I am here- I want the girl" Sesshomaru began without ceremony his voice so low that it was nearly a burr. Despite her situation Rin felt heat speed through her and a soft whimper escaped from her gag. At once those sharp golden eyes flicked towards her and then back to Naraku.
"Undo the seal on the vial and I will give her to you. How is it that the Shard was sealed by Tsukiyomi-kami-sama?"
Sesshomaru didn't even blink "That is none of your business- untie the girl and I will give you the Shard" he said stiffly.
Naraku snapped his fingers the ropes that bound Rin's arms and legs came loose- though the gag remained. Sesshoumaru went immediately to her, kneeling down and plucking the vial from the chain on her neck. She heard him whisper something low under his breath and the cork that stoppered the vial suddenly popped open. The shard half sliding into Sesshoumaru's elegant palm, he turned
"This is yours under the condition that you will leave me and those around me alone"
Naraku grinned "You know I cannot do that Sesshoumaru. I sense the reincarnation of the Priestess and your half youkai brother is the capital. Apparently they followed the energy of the shard all the way here. I cannot suffer them to live while in the capital"
"Then I keep the shard" Sesshoumar snapped
"And I keep the girl- now that the Seal is broken…." Naraku grinned before there was a flash and a gleeful laugh as Hakudoshi sprung from his spot in the corner. Grabbing Rin from behind and whipping his arm around her neck- despite his size his strength was incredible and Rin felt her windpipe tightening painfully. The bruises from just hours before screaming in agony, she clawed vainly at his arm. Her high pitched keening muffled from the gag tied around her mouth.
"Take it" Sesshoumaru tossed the shard "just let her go"
Naraku caught it with a deft motion looking genuinely surprised "Sesshomaru you stun me. Truly you care for her not even withdrawing Tokijin in such a small space… are you afraid of killing her?" He taunted clearly enjoying the situation.
With a flick of Naraku's fingers, Hakudoshi released his death grip on Rin who slumped to the floor in a dead faint.
THe Lord of the Western Lands didn't react when he heard the slight thud, Naraku was grinning wickedly "Go then Sesshomaru- take away your little mortal princess. But rest assured I will return. The reincarnation of Kikyo and your foolish brother will not leave now after they hear how you have given away one of the precious Shikon Shards."
Sesshomatu's eyes narrowed and Naraku sighed "Rest assured I will not go back on my word. I am quite interested in what you will do with her…" he paused for effect " and here I'm told she was just getting better" he mocked as Sesshomaru kneeled down. Gently turning Rin over, before ripping the gag from around her mouth and removing the rag from her mouth. She didn't stir- her face deathly pale before without another word Sesshomaru summoned the red cloud. Gingerly picking her up, passing Naraku on his way to the balcony and hopping onto the cloud was gone.
Naraku watched the rapidly moving red cloud for a long moment before he chuckled and turned away. "Hakudoshi go put this with the other Shards- tonight has been a most excellent night"
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