The Fine Line

There was a fine line between pain and torment, Kagome knew. The only difference being torment lasted so much longer, with the bitter taste of finality behind it. The idea that you couldn't escape, no matter how badly you wanted to leave. That feeling of being trapped in your own life, and no one would ever understand the hell you lived through.

That led to the other fine line of life – the line between surviving and becoming the living dead. Sometimes the latter just seemed so appealing, even if it only meant they won. Sometimes all you wanted was for the pain to go away.

She had been so close to crossing that line before she finally ran, finding her way to this school. She had explained her situation to the headmaster of the school, and he had agreed to let her stay for only a small amount of money, the idea being that once she got out of the school and got a job, she would pay him back. Of course, she had never told him everything, about the reason she had run, or why she couldn't go back. He didn't know that he had let her tormentor into his school. Quite frankly, though, she was surprised that he hadn't at least questioned Sesshoumaru about his fight with Hakudoshi. Not that he would have said anything.

Sesshoumaru shifted slightly, and she raised her head to study him. Here she was, walking another fine line, and yet this was one she didn't mind crossing. Sesshoumaru had refused to let Kagome return to her dorm, not so soon after the fight, and now she was sleeping in his bed, using his chest as her pillow. One arm held her to his side in a protective embrace. He looked to be dead to the world, but if even the slightest thing changed, she knew he would be awake in a matter of minutes. He was simply too tense to be truly asleep.

A small smile touched her lips as he instinctively pulled her closer, reaching up to press her head back against his chest. "Sleep, Kagome." he murmured. "Heaven knows you're going to need it."

Her eyes fluttered shut on their own accord, and she smiled against his skin. "You should sleep, too." she muttered. "I know you didn't just now wake up."

He snorted slightly, but she felt him relax against her. Warmth washed through her, the feeling of being protected, something she had never felt before.

No, she wouldn't mind crossing this fine line.

That line between like and love.

/---/

Sesshoumaru woke early that morning to Miroku getting ready for his classes. He didn't move, not wanting to disturb the girl so peaceful in his arms.

It felt right, he realized, to hold her like this. Like she belonged with him, and he with her. It didn't really matter at the moment that there were years of pain to compare to a month of happiness. Ever since she had stayed with him on that stone wall, he had not been able to imagine life without her in it. He didn't know what he would do when the time came for her to leave him, to find her own path in life, but it wouldn't be a pleasant experience.

He could always try to keep her with him, but that wouldn't be fair to her. There was a fine line between protection and obsession, and he was determined never to cross it. He would not become another one of her tormentors. It wouldn't be right, to wind up hurting the person he had sworn to protect, even if he was the only one who knew of the promise.

Without thinking, he let his fingers trail through her hair. Life was full of grey areas, he knew – the fine lines so many times crossed. The difference between dusk and dawn, and yet sometimes that little change was all the difference in the world. He was her protector, and yet a part of him wanted to be something more than that. He didn't know – he would not hurt her again, and by changing their relationship like that, he knew he could very well break her heart, or worse.

No, that was one fine line he wasn't sure he was willing to cross just yet. No doubt that sooner or later he would learn where she stood, but for now he was content to keep her with him, keep her safe. He was old enough by now to recognize some of his demonic instincts, and he knew he was starting to think of these people – Naraku, Miroku, and Kagome – as his pack. Of course, the term "pack" didn't really seem to apply. "Pack" implied that they would never be separated, and he knew that even if he was lucky enough to keep Kagome, he would lose Miroku and Naraku to time. It wouldn't be long before they drifted apart.

Once again, his gaze traveled down to the girl he held. There was a slight smile on her face as she snuggled closer, taking in his warmth. He couldn't help but smile back.

Maybe crossing that line wasn't a bad thing after all.

/---/

AN: Don't ask where this came from – I just started typing and here it is! Consider this the calm before the storm, and a little hint at things that will come. Hopefully I can do this without making it so sickeningly sweet that I gag myself. (grins) Review, please!