Chapter 10

Seeing him look at her with such cold detachment and such blatant anger was unsettling, to say the least. His aura cracked with wicked currents of crimson fury, lancing out at her in invisible waves of deadly promise. A soft tremor ran through her body in response to the unvoiced threat, but Kagome forced herself to stand firm against him. After all, it had been his doing that had brought her here. And more than that, she had never feared him before. There was no reason to now.

She showed him this as she turned her eyes away from him, giving him her trust and showing him her faith. "Sesshomaru," she asked quietly of the boy as she reached out and began untangling the prayer beads from his neck. "Do me a favor, would you? Find a place nearby that would be a suitable camp and start a fire. I need to boil water to see to my wounds."

When she had removed the beads completely, Sesshomaru stayed where he was, rubbing absently along the line of his neck that had been bound. She smiled for him. "Please?"

Stealing a glance at his father, Sesshomaru saw the sharp flick of his eyes that told him to move it. A soft whine sounded in his throat as he looked back to the young priestess. He had to go. But… "Do not be long…Kagome."

He disappeared from her sights so quickly after he had spoken, that Kagome hardly even had time to register what he had said. When she did though, her smile grew warm with affection. He was such a sweet kid. It was becoming more and more difficult for her to see him as she once had, as the Assassin, the cold and ruthless one that by all definitions was the Killing Perfection.

But then, the Sesshomaru she had known had been hardened and jaded by many lifetimes of battles and struggles, of blood, death, and loss. To seal himself from the pain he created his own form of isolation, one in which he was untouchable. Though she could see much of what he was in the child she had met in this time, his pride, his honor, and his ruthless abandon; she could see more, as well. She had seen his question and his wonder, his curiosity and his compassion. All those things buried beneath a wasteland of ice then were softer now, more willing to be brought to the surface.

"He is enamored with you."

"No." Kagome shook her head slowly as she turned back to Toga. "He just needs a friend."

Speaking of friends, however, had reminded Kagome of Kirara's presence. The firecat stood behind her in a low crouch, her burning eyes locked on the powerful Inu. She looked caught in indecision, between staying and fighting or simply taking her leave with her life.

Brushing her hand through her bangs wearily, Kagome sighed and looked to Toga. "Could you…" She gestured to Kirara tiredly. "She doesn't really understand me in this time. Could you tell her it's alright for her to go back to the village?"

"The cat is not yours?"

"Not really. She is a friend, or at least was. She helped me get Sesshomaru away from the village after…" Sighing, she shook her head. "Just tell her, please."

"You would leave yourself defenseless?"

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Like Kirara could stop you if you wanted to put me six feet under. Besides, you're not going to hurt me. You don't have it in you."

"That is very presumptuous of you, we…"

"You call me wench," Kagome cut in with a hard edge in her voice and a dangerous glint in her eyes, "and I'll ram an arrow so far up your ass you'll be digging it out for the next hundred years!"

He blinked, the only evidence of his surprise, before resetting his features in placid nonchalance. "Human…"

"What is it with you dogs and your inability to address people properly?" Kagome snapped in irritation. "Kagome. My name is Kagome." Seeing how unaffected he was, Kagome threw her hands up in exacerbation. "Whatever. I get it. It's a power trip thing. But if you're not going to use my name, at the very least use my title. I'm a miko. You can address me as such."

"A miko? And yet you claim to have befriended youkai?"

Gritting her teeth Kagome leveled the Inu with a hard glare. "How is it that even a thousand years in the past you still manage to sound like my doctor?"

"Doctor?"

Kagome groaned. The man…err…demon, was absolutely impossible! Flopping herself down on the ground, biting her lip hard to keep herself from crying out at the stabbing pain that ripped through her in response, Kagome reached out to the firecat and began stroking her hand through her silky fur. "I'm sorry to have dragged you into this mess, Kirara. If it wasn't for me coming here, it would have been Midoriko you met in that village, wouldn't it? She would have seen you so bravely protecting those children, and you would have felt her gentle touch. Not mine. You would have helped her. Not me. And she wouldn't have died like that. She would have lived long enough to seal away the darkness of the rising power. She would have been the one to make the ultimate sacrifice, and the Shikon would have been born. Her last best hope to stop the darkness can never be, and now it is as though it never was. She is dead. But the darkness is still rising. Who will be the one to stop it now?"

Her voice wavered and caught. She closed her eyes tightly against the tears of hopelessness and despair that wanted to spill over from her aching heart. Taking a deep breath, she managed to steady herself. She looked back to Toga. "You sent me here, to this time, because you would have had me destroy the Shikon forever, because you would have had me change the past, make them forget, make everyone forget. You would have wiped history clean of the Shikon. You would have had all the sacrifices made in the pursuit of its power be erased and forgotten. But it didn't work, did it? With Midoriko gone, the only one with enough power to seal the demon…"

Closing her eyes in a desperate attempt to dispel the dark images flowing through her mind, Kagome looked away from him. Her voice dropped into a trembling whisper. "…is me."

"Nonsense," he scoffed. "Even if what you say holds any merit of truth, the 'demon' you speak of could be destroyed in any manner of ways. This seal, this Shikon, need never be. If it was I that sent you here, it seems your mission is complete." He tilted his head away from her in dismissal. "I suggest you return with the feline to your village. You have my gratitude for returning my son to me, but your presence is no longer necessary."

"You self-centered, egotistical, son of a bitch!" Kagome pulled herself to her feet in a rush of anger and resentment and pointed an accusing finger at the youkai. "You think you can just walk away from me now? You think that I'm just going to let you? You've sent me to my death! The very least I can do is tell you how fucking appreciative I am for it!"

A fierce snarl of warning hissed through his clenched teeth as he brought his focus back to the young miko. "Take more care to whom you speak, woman!"

"You think I'm scared of you?" she bit out in a low, angry voice. "Both of your sons tried to kill me when we first met." She smirked deviously as her words hit home with him and his eyes flashed with suspicion. "For Sesshomaru," she gestured shortly in the direction he had gone, "today makes his second first encounter; the first 500 years from now in a future that never was and can never be. And Inuyasha…" Her eyes narrowed sharply in accusation. "Well, you've gotten your wish, because now he will never remember me. Not even in a memory from a dream. I bet your future self would be pleased," she sneered. "That is, of course, if you remembered me. But, of course, you wouldn't. No one will. You've seen to it."

Turning away from him abruptly, Kagome drew in several long breaths to calm herself. She was so angry she could have screamed, but so absolutely miserable that she was on the verge of crying. "I trusted you," she breathed out in a harsh breath. "I thought you wanted to help me." She shook her head sharply. "But you didn't. You only wanted to help yourself. And it didn't matter to you who got hurt because of it. It doesn't now, does it?"

He didn't respond, and Kagome nodded mutely to herself in resignation. "I hope this brings you your happy ending, Toga," she whispered as she began walking for the trees. She motioned for Kirara to come, and the cat rose and padded silently by her side, her muscular frame once again serving to support the young miko as she struggled with her injuries.

"It is quite late for travel." Kagome stopped at the sound of his voice and looked back over her shoulder to him. He caught her eye and motioned with his hand in the direction Sesshomaru had gone. "A fire has been lit. It would be wise to tend to your wounds before a less hospitable creature catches the scent of your blood."

The miko's eyes drifted slowly in the direction of the camp, the sorrow engulfing her paining her so much more than the wounds of her flesh and making her hesitate. Perhaps, had it not been for the heaviness she carried with her, he may not have given thought to the dramatic tale she had spun. But it was the fact that even speaking the words with conviction and determination that she had still maintained an air of fragility born of the painful longing seen shimmering just beyond the surface of her eyes. It had given him pause, made him think that perhaps her words carried truth to them, that perhaps she did know more that what it appeared.

"What about you?"

The miko's timid whisper was so heavy with sorrow that again he found himself wondering at her presence. "I will remain for what time I am able."

Her smile was brittle. "It won't be long enough."

He had wanted to ask her what she had meant by that, but she had already turned away from him and was walking towards the camp. He watched her go, his mind busy sorting through the puzzle she had presented him with.

As far as he could tell, she had not lied. The words she spoke, she believed to be truth. Of course, that was not to say that she had not been mislead or manipulated into believing a falsity; but it seemed unlikely that such was the case. The markings on her neck were not something that he could overlook so easily. She had been bitten, and the pattern was unmistakable.

Still, it shouldn't have been possible. She couldn't be what she said she was. She couldn't know of a child he had never had.

The soft give of grasses from behind him forced Toga from his musings. "You will be punished for your reckless behavior," he said.

Grimacing slightly, Sesshomaru nodded. "I know. But is it true, father? Is she really from the future?"

Releasing a heavy breath, Toga replied, "I don't know, Sesshomaru. I just don't know.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Releasing a long, tired sigh, Kagome settled herself back against her pack and stretched her cramped legs out on her sleeping bag. Her right hand reached out lazily to pet the much smaller version of her feline friend who had curled up by her side, and she smiled at the soft purrs the little cat was making. Earlier, she had tried to get Kirara to leave, but she had refused, and Kagome didn't have the heart to force her. Besides, it was comforting to have a friend with her now.

She had been trying not to think about it, but was failing miserably. She knew what she had to do. She couldn't leave this time with the knowledge that she had allowed for the demon of the Shikon to rise. Toga had said that there were other ways to kill it, and perhaps he was right. But without Midoriko's power, and without Toga's strength, Kagome knew that her chances of survival were next to none.

And he couldn't help her. He had to return to the wars. He had to make his place in history. He had to bring an end to So'unga's reign.

So where did that leave her but back at the beginning? If she faced off against the rising darkness, she would have no better luck than Midoriko did, if even that. The Shikon would be born again from her desperation and her sacrifice. Nothing would have been changed. The dream would go on.

What do I do? But she had no answers to her question.

The high whistle of her kettle coming to a boil again pulled Kagome from her thoughts. Carefully, so to not shift her newly applied bandages, she pulled herself up and reached for the kettle. She poured the steaming liquid into two cups of Ramen and closed the lids to let them steam. Setting the kettle down again she tilted her head slightly before turning to her left. "Sesshomaru," she called out to the concealed boy. "Come out for a bit and talk to me."

There was silence for a moment, nothing but the soft breeze of the lazy summer's night rustling the trees. But she waited patiently, and eventually, he stepped away from the concealing shadows. Smiling brightly, Kagome motioned him closer. "I've got some extra ramen," she told him. "You can have it if you want."

The boy glanced over at the cups of steaming noodles, but he quickly shook his head. "I do not eat human food."

Kagome waved a hand in dismissal. "Only because you can't really trust humans in this time to not want to poison you. My little Shippo ate my cooking all the time, and he was youkai just like you. Well, actually, he was a Kitsune, not an Inu, but same diff, right?" Sesshomaru still seemed wary, so Kagome shrugged and picked up her own cup. "It's okay, you don't have to. I just thought you might be hungry."

Taking a few mouthfuls of her dinner, Kagome stopped when she noticed Sesshomaru move closer to her. She looked up and saw that he was holding the jacket she had given him.

"Your assistance was…appreciated by this Sesshomaru."

Kagome cocked an eyebrow. "That was the worst thank you I've ever heard." She reached out and took the jacket. "But you're welcome. And tell your father that if he's going to force you into doing things that he should have you work on your acting skills a bit beforehand." His features shifted into a hard scowl, but Kagome just smiled. "Don't worry. My mom made me do stupid things too when I was a kid. It's a parents job to make their kids feel stupid. That way, we learn from our mistakes."

"It is…bothersome," he sighed.

Kagome chuckled. "Tell me about it." She shifted slightly and patted the spot next to her on her sleeping bag to motioning him to sit. He hesitated for a moment, but then lowered himself to the blanket. His hands brushed across the soft material and he looked to her quizzically, but Kagome shook her head. "If you're going to ask me what it's made of, I haven't a clue. I just know it keeps me warm and dry and that's good enough for me."

He sat with her silently for a time, and Kagome went back to eating her noodles. Once she finished her cup, she tired offering the second to him again, but again he declined so she ate some of it as well. She was halfway through the second cup, when Sesshomaru spoke.

"That woman…in the village. You knew her?"

Setting her food down, Kagome turned towards the boy. He wasn't looking at her, his eyes cast down to the ground in front of him. "I knew of her," she told him quietly. "She was a great Miko."

His features tightened, but he tilted his head further so that she couldn't see his reactions. "You were…angry with what I did."

Breathing in deeply, Kagome nodded. "I was. But not for the reasons you might think. I understand why you did what you did, and I am grateful that you tried to help me. But sometimes…" She trailed off, uncertain how to finish or how to explain something so complicated in words. "Tell you what," she said, changing tactics. "How about I tell you a story?"

"A story?" he asked speculatively as he turned to look at her.

"Yup," Kagome said with a grin. "It's called a Feudal Fairytale. It begins with two lands that were in conflict with each other. One was lead by a Young Prince. He was brave and strong, but he was also impulsive and rash."

Sesshomaru scoffed. "He sounds like a fool."

Laughing, Kagome replied, "I thought you might think so. But he was a hero to many people. His actions saved many lives, and he had earned their respect. One day, while in battle, the Young Prince was wounded. In his weakened state, a demon arose and took control of him. It turned him into something savage, something so far from what he was that he could hardly be recognized. The demon drove the Young Prince into a mindless rampage, forcing him to tear through the lands of the neighboring kingdom. The Lord of the lands, a powerful, calculating man, heard of the unrest in his kingdom and he immediately went out to put a stop to it; for never would he allow his lands to be tainted with such defilement."

Kagome could see Sesshomaru's smirk as he related to the Lord of her story, and she nearly lost herself to a fit of giggles. If he only knew…

"The Lord fought the Young Prince in a terrible, bloody battle. And eventually, he brought the Prince to his knees. The demon possessing the Young Prince howled in fury at the loss, but with a solid blow, the demon was silenced and the Prince fell unconscious. When it was over, the Lord turned to the Prince's people and told them how to lift the demon's spell."

Sesshomaru's lips twisted in disbelief and he huffed shortly. "He should have killed him."

"Many thought he would have," Kagome said. "But do you know what the Lord said when asked why he didn't?" Sesshomaru shook his head, and she smiled. "He said that there was no victory to be had when his enemy had not the mind to look upon his face and see his death."

"He wanted a warrior's victory."

"Perhaps," Kagome agreed. "Perhaps he believed that even an enemy should have an honorable death. But then, perhaps it was that after so long in conflict with the Young Prince the Lord had grown to respect him, as well. Perhaps it was that he never intended to kill him, but only to stop the demon that had taken control. Perhaps he realized that at the end of the day both he and the Young Prince had fought for the same cause and that they were not enemies at all."

"And perhaps the Lord was simply trying to help his brother. Would that not be a fitting ending to your fairytale?"

Kagome scowled, refusing to acknowledge Toga's remark. "I'm not talking to you," she bit out in annoyance without bothering to turn to him.

"And you are doing a remarkable job of it."

"Ha Ha," she remarked dryly. "You're so funny." Turning to Sesshomaru, she asked, "Is he always this annoying?" But Sesshomaru wisely kept his mouth shut. So, with an elaborate huff, Kagome snapped her head around to glare at the Inu. "What?" she snapped. "You already ruined my day and my story. What's next?"

"Woman…"

"Kagome," she interrupted.

His lip lifted marginally to reveal a sharp glint of razor fangs before he caught himself. Giving himself a hard mental shake, he reset himself. "You blood has been attracting many unwanted guests."

"And it is so nice of you to have dispatched them all," she replied, her words so sugar-coated they were bitter. He continued glaring at her, and Kagome shifted uncomfortably before looking back to the fire. "There isn't anything I can do about it," she said curtly. "I got hit with an arrow and I don't exactly have your healing abilities. I bound the wound and burned all the cloths I used to wipe the others clean. But without anything to stitch it, you're just going to have to live with it until my stupid mortal body catches up. Alright?"

"No."

Kagome twisted back to look at him. "Excuse me?"

"I will not have you attracting predators with my son in the vicinity. I will seal the wound."

"You've got to be shitting me."

He lifted an eyebrow slowly. "I am going to assume that you imply I jest."

"Duh."

He blinked at her response, but quickly brushed it off and reached to his side. Kagome tensed when she saw his hand touch the hilt of one of his fangs. "You can't!" she said quickly, lifting her hands in a warding gesture. "Tenseiga will hurt me, not heal me."

He paused. "What do you know of Tenseiga?"

Rolling her eyes elaborately, Kagome replied, "A sword that can not cut. Forged to bring life not take it. The Fang of Heaven, capable of reviving a hundred souls in a single sweep of its blade. Brother to Tetsusaiga, the Protector of Man, capable of sending a hundred demons to the afterlife with one draw. Together, they are two of the three swords of Supreme Conquest. So'unga completes the triangle. The blade of the Netherworld, capable of brining one hundred condemned souls back from hell. United, the three worlds become one. And whomsoever wields all three could rule the world."

"You know of So'unga?"

"Did you not listen to a word I just said?"

His brow furrowed slightly in contemplation. "Then the Wars…You know of their outcome?"

Kagome nodded weakly before looking back to the fire. "From the battle torn fields where men waged the Wars of the Worlds arose a General of such strength and such courage that even Heaven and Earth fought by his side. Into the fiery pits of hell he descended, and upon his return he held aloft the ultimate weapon of madness and destruction. But his will was stronger than tempered steel, and he silenced the voice of war, bringing peace back to the land."

Forcing a smile, she looked over to Sesshomaru. "Your old man's a legend where I come from." She shook her head slowly and sighed. "But he's right. You shouldn't be here with me if I'm going to be drawing out the worst kinds of trouble with my stink."

"You don't stink." He must have realized what he'd said after he had said it, because he immediately pulled back from her, his eyes widening in shock and the markings on his skin deepening in the shadows of the night.

Kagome giggled at his reaction. "Thanks, kid. But according to the big dog over there, I do. So I guess this is where we say goodbye…"

"Sesshomaru." Toga interrupted the miko's farewell by addressing his son. "Do you remember the Waterweeds?" When the boy nodded, Toga gestured vaguely to the south. "Fetch some and return quickly."

Confused, but unwilling to question his father, Sesshomaru nodded, gave the miko one last glance, and then quickly set out of camp to find the herb.

But while Sesshomaru wasn't going to ask, Kagome was. "Waterweeds?"

"A Plant that grows in arid environments and maintains a fluidic sap," Toga replied. "It is used for the treatment of burns."

He took a step towards her, but Kagome quickly scooted back from him. "Oh, no! No way, mister! I've seen that cauterizing stuff in the movies, and it looks like it hurts like hell. You best look elsewhere for your sadistic pleasure, 'cause you are NOT putting a burning anything on my skin!"

Toga smirked, and Kagome backed away from him even further. His hand lifted from his side and he flexed his claws. "Who said anything about burning?" he asked silkily.

All of the blood drained from her face as Kagome took in the sight of his deadly claws. She gulped. Hard. "You're not…serious?" she squeaked out.

But he was.

Oh…fuck…, was all she could think as she watched him take another slow step in her direction.

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I'm crazy. It is currently 3:30 in the morning. I have to get up for work in 3 hours! But I had to get this up before I left for the weekend. So, hope everyone enjoyed.

Later

Shadow