Chapter Nine

Kagome took in a deep breath when she had made her way into the gardens. Her hands reached out towards the sky and she spun around like a child. Kagome could only imagine how pale she looked under the sun. She had not been out in the sun too often. Even when she had escaped, she was forced to stay in the shadows, avoiding roads and large patches of clear sky in order to stay concealed.

Kagome collapsed on the ground, lying in the grass. She did not care if she became dirty; she was not going to miss out on an opportunity like this.

"You are well enough to go out?" Kagome cracked open an eye, seeing Sesshomaru tower over her. She stood up quickly, not wanting him to be taller than her more than he already was.

"I wanted to go out," she said defensively.

Sesshomaru gave her a condescending look, making Kagome's blood boil. Her fists clenched and she gritted her teeth. "That does not mean you should be out," he responded.

Kagome sighed, relaxing her shoulders. Behaving like she was, she was not going to get what she wanted. Instead, she decided to play the way she had with Kaede.

"I have not been out in so long," Kagome spoke, her voice just over a whisper. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, knowing what she was trying to do.

"Back in," Sesshomaru commanded, pointing at the door Kagome had come through. Kagome's mouth dropped open in surprise.

"No," Kagome huffed, crossing her arms. Sesshomaru's eyebrows rose, quite astounded that she had disobeyed him so blatantly.

"As a guest at my ma-" Sesshomaru was cut off as Kikyo appeared from the trees, shaking her head. "Oh, Sesshomaru, do not be so heartless. Kagome looks so pale; I would not be surprised if she had not seen the sun in years."

Kagome snorted. "Spot on," she muttered under her breath. Kikyo placed a gentle hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder. "Just let her get some fresh air. She will heal faster," Kikyo added. Kagome was healing fast as it was, but she did not say that. Instead, she nodded her head vigorously.

Sesshomaru glared at Kikyo and Kagome. "Fine," he decided, "But you will watch her." Sesshomaru walked back into his manor, leaving a happy Kikyo and Kagome.

"So," Kikyo started, moving to go sit on a bench, "you could not wait to go out?"

Kagome nodded. "I have only been out during the night. Except, of course, when I was found." Kikyo nodded, looking up at the sky.

"You were a sight. I thought you were dead," Kikyo sighed.

I wish I was dead, Kagome thought bitterly. If life had taught her anything, it was that she was trapped, no matter how free she felt. Her father had done that to her, he had cursed her to a life of ownership, where she was nothing but property.

"Why were you so beat up?" Kikyo asked. Kagome twisted her skirt nervously. "My master was not kind," Kagome decided to say.

"Demons," Kikyo said. Kagome nodded "They do not like humans that much." But it was more than that, Kagome knew. It was Naraku's way of scaring her, by showing that no matter the strength and abundance of the power she possessed, he was always going to be above her.

"Well, you cannot go back," Kikyo spoke, looking at Kagome meaningfully.

"No, I cannot," Kagome lied. She would go back anyway. Running away from Naraku had been a stupid idea her delusional mind, that in the pain and starvation, thought was a good idea. Naraku would surely punish her for it. She shivered at the possible scenarios that would go through his mind.

Kikyo noticed her shiver and asked, rather concerned, "Are you cold?"

Kagome shook her head, not looking Kikyo in the eye. "No, I just, thought of something."

"Oh." Kikyo could sense that Kagome did not want to talk about it.

It was silent between the two when Kikyo interrupted it. "Do you wish to run?" she asked, knowing that Kagome had not been able to be very energetic recently.

Kagome shook her head; she had done enough running in her lifetime. Recently, it felt as if that was all she had done. Now, given the ability to remain still, she was going to cherish it. "No," Kagome answered, "I really just want to sit."

Kikyo sighed, looking up at the tree above them. A leaf fell from it, swirling gently to the ground. Kagome was so full of mystery and she was not much of a conversationalist.

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"So, how long is she staying?" Ginta asked, polishing his sword from the side of the room, sitting up on a three-legged stool.

Koga only shrugged. "No idea. Kinda weird, though. Real secretive."

"Think she is a spy?" Hakkaku whispered.

Koga chuckled. "Not well fed for a spy. Real torn up too upon arrival, I hear," Koga commented.

"Good set-up. Who would not help a poor young lady, abused by her past master?" Ginta snickered.

"Exactly!" Hakkaku shouted. "Next thing you know, she will be slitting our throats in our sleep!"

Koga let out a bark of laughter. "Do not start any rumors, boys. That girl is so small, she could not cause harm to anyone."

Ginta nodded. "Koga's got a point. She is really tiny, I doubt she could kill a man, let alone injure them."

Hakkaku grunted, but relented. "Fine, but do not come crying to me when that little menace tries to cut you open."

Koga grinned. "Wanna make a bet?"

" Always. What is on the table?" Koga thought for a moment, before responding, "If I win, you have to take up my gate guard duties."

"And," Hakkaku started, "If I win, I get your sword."

Koga's eyes slipped down to his sword, a gift from rising in rank. "Fine," he chuckled, "not like you are gonna win."

Hakkaku stuck out his hand and Koga took it firmly, shaking it. Ginta, as the witness, only rolled his eyes. All he knew for sure was that one of them was going to regret this bet badly.

A/N: Hello Everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter that I have presented to you! I meant to post it up yesterday as a Christmas/holiday season gift, but then the next thing I knew, it was midnight and my brain had clocked out. I decided you guys all deserved better than a chapter full of grammatical errors (that I always seem to have!). So, happy late-holiday gift! :D

A lot of reviews for this last chapter, I noticed. :) I'm glad to see you guys are getting more and more excited over my story! I think the next few chapters are going to be a bit dry (I can't remember, but I think), but stick around because I know (I think around chapter 14), the story really picks up again as I lay in pretty little plot points.

kittygirlthing97: Now, would it be the same if they didn't all become buddy-buddy? Because, seriously, I don't know. And as for the story pair-ups and what not, I think you already know. :)

lakeya2700: With you on that one. By the way, what does "Smh" mean? I have seen it before, like a million times, but I have never asked what it meant.

TearsDrippingDown: Oh my god, LAWL. I laughed when I read your comment. X)

InconsciousSin: Yeah, no need to every worry about a month of waiting for a new chapter. For me, that just makes me angry, having to wait a long time for a chapter. That is why when I first started up on this site, I decided to write the whole story out and then post it up, so I would not have to try and find time to write, edit, and post while people waited to see what would happen next. Also, thank you for the compliment. I do try my best at the whole writing thing. :)

Pokemoneeveeforever: …and now you telling me of your reaction made me laugh, but I did not fall out of my bed. Mainly because I am in chair at my desk. But I laughed, so kind of the same thing.

OyaYansa9: Thank you, I do my best to come off as original. :) And, don't worry, I'll keep updating until the very last chapter!

Ainhoa11: I'm glad to know my plot is interesting! I also hope your holidays were happy as well! :D

Disappearcompletely: No problem, I'm just glad you liked it! Now, you may or may not be online to see this post, but I did just get your review so maybe! :)