Chapter 10: "Love?"

"Sesshomaru, such a pleasant surprise" Akami hissed.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, his expression as blank as the darkness that surrounded them. Nothing but the rustling of wind could be heard around them. Time was as frozen as a winter river, cold and unwelcome.

Kagome had moved back, her hand gripping ruthlessly on the wood of the balcony. She winced as she felt a splinter enter her hand, moving into her soft flesh. Although the pain stung her, she didn't move her hand. Another move and she had no idea what would happen. She could barley believe Sesshomaru was standing before them.

"I have no time for your trifle games, bastard. Where is Naraku?"

Akami shrugged. "I do not know of this "Naraku" you speak of." Akami said cockily, a grin forming on his lips.

Sesshomaru said nothing, but sped forward, her white claw jolting forward, latching around Akami's neck. "I rather you tell me now, before I kill you."

Akami's hand gripped Sesshomaru's wrist and he locked eyes with Sesshomaru.

"Tell me Sesshomaru-sama, do you not feel like a fool? Naraku did tell you to come here, did he not? Thus, if I were to regard that invitation as anything, I would clarify it as an invitation for death."

Sesshomaru squeezed his wrist around Akami's neck harder. His eyes had taken a darker shade.

"Do you think I am fool enough to run away? I vowed to kill Naraku, not run from him."

Kagome felt a shiver. She pulled her kimono closer to her body. She stared into the darkness, unable to see what she felt. The darkness felt like it was surrounding them, eating around any form of light. "Naraku" she thought. Kagome quickly raced into Akami's room, remembering a bow and arrow she saw there earlier. If anyone was going to do anything, it was going to be here. Kagome raced back out to the balcony and shot it into the darkness, aiming toward the source of the malevolent feeling.

She felt a feeling of happiness as she saw the purple light fly into the shadows, dispersing all the impeding darkness around them. Her smile soon disappeared as she noticed both Akami and Sesshomaru staring at her then move their glances into the shadows. Not far off from there stood Naraku.

"Ku ku ku… quick as ever Kagome." Naraku said, smitten. "Too bad you missed."

"Naraku…" Sesshomaru said, his hand still wrapped around Akami's neck.

"Ah, Sesshomaru-sama, it seems you do listen to me."

Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly, his realization sparking a thought. "So this is why you… bastard. You wanted to show me that even I, Sesshomaru will heed your words."

Naraku smirked. "Although that was once reason, I must confess… it was also to end your life."

Kagome's heart was racing. Sesshomaru was faced with two enemies. She could either let him battle it out alone, which she knew he would prefer, or she could help him out. As much as she knew he could handle it, she knew there were no guarantees in life… sadly, it was something she learned the hard way.

~*~

Kagome watched as Sesshomaru let go of Akami, the evidence of his grip was clearly evident on Akami's neck.

Kagome raised her arrow and pointed it toward Naraku. "I've had enough of this!" Kagome said, her voice quivering slightly.

"Fool, don't get in the way." Sesshomaru said, not even looking at her, but staring toward Naraku.

Akami was behind Sesshomaru, ready to charge. Kagome noticed and saw Sesshomaru quickly dodge the attack, drawing his sword.

She turned back toward Naraku, but before she could raise her arrow again, Naraku had fastidiously knocked it out of her hands, the piece of wood and string splitting in half, the sound ringing though the air. It landed a few feet away from them.

"What now miko?" Naraku said, as he inched forward. HHisd

His long black tresses glittered against the darkness. Kagome walked back, but met the wall. His arm elongated and moved forward toward the jewel at her neck. "No!" Kagome yelled, swatting his hand away. The hand rebounded and knocked her toward the ground, letting her taste the blood that began to accumulate in her mouth. "I bit my lip." She wailed in her mind. She raised herself up, gripping to the wall.

"You will not get this, Naraku!" She said.

She noticed Sesshomaru giving her a glance, causing her to wonder if he was thinking how a lowly human could make such a declaration without the means to support her claim.

She only stared back at him, and dodged Naraku's impeding arms once more.

Kagome breathed in harshly as she saw Sesshomaru's attack from Sounga crash Akami toward the ground. As she made another run, she saw Sesshomaru stab Akami, the red blood flowing onto the sword and trickling unto the ground. She was so near to Akami, she could hear his labored breathing.

She ran past his lying form, once again attempting to escape Naraku and his annoying "kukuku" laugh, not to mention his ready to attack look. She froze as she felt a grip lock unto her wrist.

"Kag..ome" Akami said, barley able to speak.

She looked down at him, trying not to feel pity for his dying form. But she knew it was a battle she was losing. Although she detested him, despite his cruelty, he let her live.

"I… really have come to feel something for you, although you are human. It's possible, I just don't know how." Akami said, blood starting to move down his chin from the corner of his mouth.

Kagome turned away, not wanting to look. His hand slowly slid from her wrist, and Sesshomaru pulled the sword from the dead body.

"Disgraceful" Sesshomaru said, walking toward Naraku.

"As disgraceful as it sounds to you, at least that is an indication that humans and demons… that they can share something. Be it love, or hate." Kagome declared, to his back.

Sesshomaru glanced behind him, and met her eyes.

"Love…you say. A killer does not know love."

The two looked forward to see nothing but the forestry shrouded in darkness before them, and the sound of crows squawking in the distance, the horrific sound like a cry in a bloody battle.

Naraku had disappeared, Kagome was fee, and Sesshomaru was as silent and mysterious as the stars that twinkled above them.

~*~

Kagome raced behind him as she saw him walk away.

"Sesshomaru…" Kagome said, albeit desperately.

He stopped, but didn't turn toward her.

"Can I…"

"I'll escort you to the upcoming village." He said, and continued to walk.

"Thank you."

As Kagome followed behind him, her hands grasping the silk kimono around her body tightly, she thought not of the journey toward the village, not of her freedom, not of the jewel, not of the time that had passed with Akami, but of the words Sesshomaru said. They played dauntingly in her head, over and over again.

"Love…you say? A killer does not know love."

~*~

A/N: Ok, first I am so sorry this chapter is somewhat short. The past weeks have been so hectic, and I don't see things changing in the coming weeks, unfortunately. So my apologies for not updating sooner, I really would have liked to. What I can try to do is update more periodically, but the chapters won't be long in contrast to if I wait and spend a while writing a longer chapter. Whatever the audience prefers.

Second, there are some questions as to why Naraku told Sesshomaru were to go. (Answer was in the story). Also, Kagome was with Akami for a long time. From winter to spring, so a few months. She spent a good amount of time recuperating from the time she nearly lost her life for InuYasha.

Sorry if it was not clear

Third, Thank you for the reviews SO SO SO much!

I love them, and they really brighten up things for me. So please, take the minute it takes to review and do so for this chapter. I need opinions. I love getting them!

Thank you, once again!

-Gabrielle