Eight

…to start anew…

Kagome woke again, unaware of when she fell asleep, cursing herself for her physical weakness.

Sleep was vulnerability. It was to be at a peaceful time, in safety, prepared and readied for.

She really shouldn't be falling asleep in random places.

A low growl brought her back to reality. Sesshomaru was hurt. Her powers were failing. What ought she to do?

She turned to him, facing his blood tinted eyes and growing fangs.

When he saw her look at him, he fell back against the cliff and closed his eyes, as if trying to control himself.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Raven bangs covered her eyes, her body huddled together as tears slid down silently. Why must she be so weak, so powerless? Why was she nothing compared to him?

"Do not cry."

Her beautiful tear streaked face lifted in surprise to his placating voice. Where had his coldness gone?

But his now gold eyes were still hard as he continued.

"Why do you stay with this Sesshomaru?"

Why? She couldn't heal, wouldn't be able to fend off humans if they decided to attack. Mt. Hakurei kept away demons and specters.

But she couldn't leave. She couldn't leave him like this, injured and vulnerable.

She didn't want to go.

"We've never actually talked to each other before. Let's start over. My name is Kagome Higurashi. Nice to meet you." She stifled her melancholy and wiped away her tears, managing a small smile.

"Go."

The fact that he even bothered to reply surprised her. His harsh command surprised her more.

For some unknown reason, she wanted to shatter from his harshness. It hurt so much.

It made sense though. She was useless here.

Reason told her to get up, to run away, but her heart told her no. A soft song trailed into her unaware ears, a song of valor, sorrow, and love. She didn't realize hearing it, but somewhere she felt it.

A call for her to stay.

"Why do you not go?"

Somehow she knew that she should stay.

"Hn. As you wish."

Then it was silence. Soothing silence.

To plan and plot.

Author Note: I hope this isn't like the Sesshomaru meets Rin scene. It wasn't intended to. As for Sesshomaru getting hurt, well, I hate that happening, so use your imagination to predict what might be brewing. And Naraku is going to come back. Soon.

Words: 350

Eight: the day after creation, the beginning of a new week, the day after seven-day cycles in ancient cultures (Sumerians, Romans, Babylonians, Greeks, etc.)