-1A/N: I AM SOOOO SORRY! I usually don' t make ya'll wait so long for an update and I didn't want to on a cliffy...BUT...I had too. School started for me once again, along with sports and HW and I haven't had any free time to write. Okay, enough of my excuses, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 10

Sesshomaru was lost and confused. He had no sight, no hearing, and he couldn't even smell the air he was taking into his lungs. At first, Sesshomaru had been able to follow the path just by feeling the gravel beneath his feet. It had run straight and even for the first bit, but now it was no longer under his feet. He must've stepped off it by accident, he thought. When he tried to retrace his steps, he couldn't find it again though.

He had grown aggravated when he finally heard Sasarg's voice in his head after a half-hour of trying to find the path again. "Hard, isn't it?" said Sasarg, "Stumbling around in the dark must be horrible for you. You've impressed me so far along the path and so I will help you now. This path is like a...physical representation of your life- you have the memories of the challenges and choices behind you, you know the path WAS there, but once you moved forward and accidentally lost your way, you could no longer turn back and change the moment when you first stepped off the path. And now what do you do?" Sasarg's voice was like a whisper in Sesshomaru's head. The whispered continued as Sasarg answered his own question, "You can only go forward. Think of the path before you as your future. If you go on with your life, and with your journey, you may still stumble across the correct path again. You may have a second chance, but never rely on it. The future is uncertain. Never leave anything undone, unsaid, unfelt...you might regret it all your life. There may be people that guide you, try to show you what their life was like to save you the trouble of having to discover it, just as your father tried to teach you to find someone to protect, and like I will lead you back to the path, but there comes a time when you have to make a decision for your life that no one can help you with. Now walk forward, back onto the path."

Sesshomaru took a few steps forward and felt the gravel beneath his feet once again. Sesshomaru cautiously but a foot forward-he felt the path end and grass beneath his foot. He felt around himself and discovered that he was at a branching of two paths forming a "V" shape before him. Both of the branches of the path proceeded forward, and he did not know which path to take to advance.

"Sasarg?" Sesshomaru beckoned for more help.

"Which path will you choose?" answered Sasarg's voice in Sesshomaru's head.

"Where do they each lead?" asked Sesshomaru wisely.

Sasarg chuckled, "Not even the wisest could tell you, not even I can. But I can tell you that this 'parting-of-the-ways' symbolizes a choice for your future. One can never know the complete outcome of a choice."

"Then what choices do the paths symbolize?"

"Now you're asking the right question, Sesshomaru. You must choose what path you will travel on now, based on how you want to precede in your life. The left path symbolizes your quest for the ultimate power. You have been walking upon that path for most of your life. Your priorities have always been and will always remain focused on finding an ultimate opponent and to increasing your power to its height."

"And the other path? What does it symbolize?"

"The path you fear to tread. A life of acceptance, of trust, to live life fully, to love someone to the point that you would die to protect them, or suffer just to see a smile on their face. It's an uncertain path, constantly changing, full of adventures- both small and great. Yet it is also the path of heartache and pain and troubles. It's a risky path."

"And how do I decide which path to take?"

"I can not help you there. The decision must be yours and only yours."

"But could you help guide me?"

"A guide can't choose for you either. It must be your own heart that decides. But I shall tell you this, so listen up: Think of your life thus far. If you died on this mountain, would you be happy? If not, then ask yourself which path you would prefer to die on. How do you want to be remembered and who do you want to remember you. Life is fragile, here on minute, gone the next. Would you die happy and fulfilled?"

Sasarg fell silent once again as Sesshomaru's mind raced. 'Death. I had never given it much thought before. Why should I have? I was a powerful demon, a Taiyoukai, death had been nowhere near my mind. But I'm human now, and weak. My life could easily end so suddenly. Would I be happy?'

Sesshomaru thought back on his life, when was he happy? His quest for power had left him cold and emotionless, alone and uncaring. He had ignored the people around him, killing anyone who got in his way. Happiness? He had never felt happy on his quest, merely determined. Happiness had come to him without him searching for it and had nothing to do with his power. He thought of Rin and her smile. He had met her when he was at his weakest, reduced to licking his wounds in a forest. She had made him happy, even if he never had showed it. She would never know that, because he had never told her.

Then he thought of Kagome, the clumsy yet irresistible priestess. She was so innocent, so happy, so pure, and so beautiful. She was the human girl that had given him back his arm and repaired the one thing he despised about himself. She didn't look down on him because he was a demon, or even on the fact that he had tried to kill her when they had first met. She even defended him against her brother when the young boy had said Inuyasha was nicer than the dog demon lord. She had no reason to stand up for him, he wouldn't have done the same for her at that moment in time. Now though, well...now he was on this mountain, struggling to reach the top for her. She didn't even know what he was doing for her, in danger, and could possibly lose his life. And it was all for her, so that she had the option of living with Sesshomaru forever. She didn't know, and it was entirely his fault. He had the feeling that she would've been by his side the entire time if he had told her. If he had just opened up to her, but now, he may never have the chance. It suddenly didn't matter to him if she was demon of not. He only wanted her by his side forever more. He didn't know why, or even how or when, but Sesshomaru had fallen for a human...and it didn't even matter to him. He loved her, though he couldn't exactly say why. "If only she knew," he berated himself. It had been his own selfish pride that had kept him from telling her. He had just kissed her and walked away. He didn't even allow her to tell him what she felt.

Now, he must choose a path, and he promised himself he would not regret it. Which path would he prefer to die on? A little morbid, yet the question evoked the correct frame of mind.

"I choose," he said aloud, knowing that this was the only decision that he would never forget, "to take the path on the right, to the uncertain end, dangerous yet exciting journey, and to live life to its fullest, as my father always wanted."

Sasarg's voice said, "I have looked into your heart and you have indeed chosen that path, with all of your being. May you never regret it. Now, step forward and touch the tree. Your journey is at it's end."

Sesshomaru did as the guardian's voice commanded and reached forward and felt the cold bark of the tree of Emoceba Anomede beneath his fingers.

His body pulsed with energy as his demonic powers returned and the world was once again full of color, sound, and smell. He saw his markings return and his claws grow out. His hair turned back to his silver, tucked behind pointed demonic ears, and his eyes brightened into their rich gold. The tree before him rustled in the wind. It had snow-white bark and only 13 branches. The leaves grew directly out of these branches, as there were no smaller sticks blemishing the bark's surface. And the leaves, such beautiful leaves. Each one was perfect, scarlet on top and a deep plum on the bottom with edgings and veins of gold. The leaves glittered in the moonlight as they hung graceful down. They were each a foot long and blade-like in their narrowness. They seemed to cover the tree like hair, making the tree seem more like a bush as it was barely taller than Sesshomaru.

Sasarg appeared beside the demon lord in his wind of grass and Sesshomaru turned towards him. "How did I come to stand by this tree? I could not have reached it yet if I had been following the path."

Sasarg smiled mischievously, "The path is more like a fluid than anything else. It changes its shaped based on what I see in my head. For each traveler it is different and for each it is a different length. You can only reach the tree if you can change your heart along the path into something pure and noble. If you had realized your true self on the first quarter of the path, you would not have needed to complete the other challenges. But don't worry over that. Pluck the leaves you came for and be on your way. I'd imagine you'd like to see some certain people after your time along the path."

Sesshomaru nodded, a feeling of happiness swelling his chest. He put an uncertain hand on his heart, worry written on his face.

Sasarg, with his ability to read the hearts and minds of all those upon his path answered Sesshomaru's unasked questions. "So you thought these human emotions would end once you got your demonic control over them back? It's not that simple. Think of the emotions like a really bad cold- once you have them, its hard to get rid of them. It's a whole lot easier to embrace how you feel and show your emotions to those that you care about."

Sesshomaru doubted Sasarg's advice. It wasn't easy to just suddenly start feeling everything and not be able to tune it out. He shook his head to clear it and then reverently plucked 13 of the flowing leaves, surprisingly soft and flexible. He made sure to get one from each branch as the eel demon had told him to. He tore off another piece of his Kimono and wrapped the leaves in it, storing them protectively in the front of his shirt. He was just patting the package more securely against his skin when the Tensaiga began to rattle and shake in his sheath. It seemed to be trying to lead him somewhere and fear, honest fear, pained Sesshomaru's heart. He somehow knew that Kagome needed him at that instant.

He gave Sasarg one last nod before allowing Tensaiga to pull him away, increasing its speed with his own demonic power.

O0o.o0O

Inuyasha was beyond tears beside Kagome's body. Her cold hand still in his. "This can't be happening. I must be dreaming. Kagome would never leave me, not forever," he thought, "I couldn't protect her. I promised to protect her and I still couldn't save her. I've lost her, just like I lost Kikyo." A sudden gust of wind blew the half demon's hair into his eyes.

He fought to get it out of his vision, yet his nose already told him that an unwelcome guest had come.

"Sesshomaru," he growled, seeing the full-blooded dog demon standing beside Kagome.

"Stay away from her!" shouted Inuyasha, hurtling himself toward his brother and drawing back his fist to punch Sesshomaru, desperate to protect Kagome, even after she was dead. Sesshomaru didn't even look at the half-demon as he caught Inuyasha's fist in his own. The demon lord was staring at Kagome, smelling her blood on the floor, eyes wide in shock.

Inuyasha hadn't given up, he twisted his body around to punch Sesshomaru with his other fist. The half-demon gasped when Sesshomaru caught his other punch as well, in another arm that Inuyasha had himself cut off. Sesshomaru threw Inuyasha across the room with ease and the half-demon slid down the wall. He slowly got back up and prepared to attack again, yet stopped when he noticed Sesshomaru pulling out his Tensaiga, the sword seemed to be rattling.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as he searched for the demons of the afterlife, preparing Kagome's soul for death. With a quick flick of his wrist, he slashed all of them, destroying them. Sesshomaru knelt down beside Kagome as she began to stir. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo entered the hut. They had gone outside to give Inuyasha some privacy, but now they stared in shock, standing right beside the half-demon. They couldn't understand why the Prince of Ice had just saved their friend.

Kagome's eyes flickered open, taking in Sesshomaru's appearance, from his torn clothing to his look of concern. She smiled as she sat up and whispered, "Sesshomaru, I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."

"Never," said Sesshomaru, warmth in his voice that made Kagome smile even brighter. "Rest," he said, lightly pushing her shoulders back down to make her lay down.

She nodded but said, "Stay with me."

He took a hold of her fragile hand, it's warmth coming back quickly and responded, "I will."

Kagome closed her eyes so that she could go to sleep and Sesshomaru sat by her side, never letting go of her hand. He tenderly stroked her hair and she leaned into his touch. Sesshomaru allowed himself a smile before turning back to his half-brother.

"What happened?" Sesshomaru asked quietly, staring at his half-brother to answer.

Inuyasha fumed, "I was going to ask you the same thing! Since when has...that," he pointed at the pair, "been going on? Why is it there...anything between you two? You hate humans! And how the hell did you get your arm back?"

Sesshomaru shushed him, trying to keep the noise to a minimum so that Kagome could get some sleep. "That is all of no importance to you. I shall tell her before I tell you. You on the other hand, need to tell me what happened to her."

The rest of the gang had their mouths open in shock. They could not believe what they had just seen and heard. It seemed...impossible.

"Naraku deceived us. He set it up to look like Kohaku," Inuyasha pointed at the still unconscious boy on the floor, "was fleeing from Naraku. He's Sango's little brother, so we took him in and...in the middle of the night...he...he killed her," spat Inuyasha angrily.

Sesshomaru felt his old demonic coldness return as he made to get up from beside Kagome. He released her hand and began pulling himself up when he was pulled back down by Kagome grabbing his wrist. His hand had strayed to the hilt of his Tokijin and he had every intention to kill the boy. It was the same boy that had kidnapped Rin.

But Kagome wouldn't let him. She kept her grip on his wrist and tiredly dragged herself off the floor. Sesshomaru gripped her waist and helped her up as he himself stood up.

"I will not allow you to harm him, Sesshomaru," Kagome said, placing herself between the demon lord and the boy.

"I shall kill him. He has kidnapped Rin once and just killed you Kagome. I will not allow him to live to try it again," said Sesshomaru coldly.

"And yet I'm alive now and Rin is safe. Do not spill the boy's blood. It's not his fault!" pleaded Kagome.

"What would you have me do?" asked Sesshomaru, staring into Kagome's determined brown eyes.

"Don't kill him!" begged Kagome. "Release him from Naraku's control!"