Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
A/N: SO, it's been a while. Finally, have my new laptop! XD Anyway, here comes another one-shot with our favourite dog demon! :)
Warning(s): violence
Pairing(s): Kagome and Sesshomaru
10. Breathe Again
He watched in awe as she rolled out of the way of Naraku's oncoming onslaught. It was brutal and trepidation thrummed through him; fear for her safety blossomed and he couldn't help the twitch of his claws as she narrowly missed the attack of a snake-like demon.
Sesshomaru brought down Bakusaiga with a satisfying 'swoosh' as it sliced straight through the skull of Byakuya's skull, effectively destroying the annoying incarnation of Naraku.
"Watch out!" Instantaneously, he felt a small body colliding with his own as he was knocked off balance. Purple tentacles extended over his head before rapidly retreating.
Wide, blue eyes watched as a figure in red was grasped around his waist and dragged towards the frightening figure of Naraku. "Inuyasha!" Screaming, Kagome scuttled off of Sesshomaru before sprinting the short distance to the half-demon trapped in their enemy's clutches.
Wrapping her fingers around the tentacles, Kagome attempted to call on her Reiki to break the hideous bindings. "Come on!"
"Get away Kagome otherwise you'll just end up like Kikyo!" In a way, it was Inuyasha's way of worrying for her. Ignoring his orders, Kagome continued tugging on the binds keeping Inuyasha in Naraku's clutches. Despite her wanting to activate her reiki, she felt as if it was just out of her reach like it wouldn't allow her to use it; she needed a weapon.
Flicking her gaze around for her bow and arrow, Kagome's hope died as she saw it lying in the dirt, partly broken and dissolving from the exposure to Naraku's miasma. All of a sudden, Inuyasha pulled away from her grasp and she sucked in a breath as miasma curled around her legs. The crazed cackling quickly brought her attention back to Naraku however, as she noticed the bloodlust in his gleaming, red eyes; evil and the devil incarnate. Inuyasha's yelps caused her to stare at the half-demon, he was clawing at the tentacle but it just wouldn't budge!
Suddenly, Naraku's tentacles were wrapping around her legs and she screamed for Miroku and Sango.
Dragging her across the floor, Naraku was happy and he felt victory in his evil hands. Once the Miko was gone, no-one else would be able to defeat him. Just as he was about to draw her in close like he had done to Inuyasha - he appeared to be screaming himself hoarse - Naraku recoiled in surprise when a sword came lashing down on the purple appendage, removing it from Kagome's delicate ankle, but not without causing a snap to echo throughout the clearing. Then, Kagome was the one crying out in pain and despite his failed attempt, he felt a malicious smirk curl at the corners of his lips.
Instantaneously, he felt a power surge behind him and turned to watch as Sesshomaru plunged his sword deep into the core of his ribcage. Astonishment crossed his face briefly before he gasped and felt the sword slice up causing a mouthful of blood to erupt from his lips.
Why am I bleeding? My heart isn't with me, so why…? His surprise disappeared, however when he felt the telltale thump-thump on his chest. "...How?" In a swirl of miasma, Naruka vanished, leaving behind a severely injured half-demon and a Miko suffering from a broken ankle.
Kagome looked into the glowing orbs of gold as a lithe body dipped down beside hers. His haori has suffered severely, one sleeve has been dissolved up to his shoulder, revealing his 'new' arm that was distinguishable by the thick scar running horizontally around his arm. The other sleeve showed off his forearm corded with lithe but strong muscle, and a dual set of magenta stripes adorning his pale wrist. "Hey." Kagome smiled at him in an out-of-her-mind sort-of way and Sesshomaru responded by arching a delicate eyebrow.
"You are foolish and are in need of training." The smile dropped and she scowled, aiming it straight at the Demon Lord.
With a huff, stormy blue eyes focused on what the demon appeared to be doing.
Taking her swollen ankle gently into his large hands, he fluttered his fingers across her skin, "...hn." Crying out, Kagome's eyes watered before she allowed him to continue his ministrations.
"You know, you're not all that bad Sesshomaru. I think you're quite fantastic, actually." She knew she was babbling, but anything to distract her from the pain, "but you seem so under-lock-and-key. Just what are you hiding?" Pulling his face away from intently examining her ankle, his stoic face gazed at her sharply.
"You accuse thi-me of being deceitful?" Kagome shook her head and winced when she accidentally jolted her ankle in his grasp.
"Not deceitful, just...secretive. You make out that you're this big, bad dog demon yet you're not; you're a fierce warrior but...I don't know. You have many layers. The visible one is powerful, skilful and unapproachable, yet when I'm close to you - like now - I feel as if there's more to what you do than what the I can see. I guess you could call it… um. Caring. In a way. You're not as cold as you think, Sesshomaru."
Golden eyes with slits for pupils were bearing down on her intensely and Kagome felt herself gulp. "You're the first one to say such, Miko." Bringing his fingertips up to his thin lips, he let his tongue slick the pads up slightly. "This will help."
"Thank you, Sesshomaru."
"No, Miko. I feel lighter. As if I may be able to finally breathe again." Sesshomaru allowed a small smile to appear on his face and Kagome was astonished.
Ridiculously cheesy, I know. And I've also been MIA, but now I've got my laptop back again! Wooooohooo! And it's a new one, too! Review, please!