Please note:

I do not in any way own Inuyasha or any of the wonderful characters created in that delightful Anime. They are all the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi. I am merely expressing my imagination on her wonderful tale. There are a few characters I have created that do not belong in InuYasha- they are mine, as is the imagination and story line I have superimposed.

Please do not make this a legal issue.

Malicious Kindness

"Why are you here Kagura?" Sesshoumaru questioned.

His voice showed no infliction to divulge what was in that sharp mind of his. Kagura had known his mental wheels would turn once she showed up. She had come prepared.

She shrugged one slender shoulder.

Her eyes drifted one last time to the slender human fingers that had been allowed the right to touch his perfect white silk hori sleeve.

She smiled a bit- as she saw her unwavering gaze upon that hand caused enough discomfort for the stupid human priestess- what was her name?- ah!- yes, Kagome. – to flex her fingers convulsively upon his upper arm-

Such fear. So very very helpless in a certain way that was completely readable. The girl would be a very easy appetizer for the demons at the western courts- Kagura could hardly wait to see….. but for now…………she had other priorities …..such as destroying this closeness that that human hand symbolized.

Sesshoumaru- his golden eyes betrayed nothing- did not even waver at her unwavering attention upon that human hand. But that he allowed it was the most telling tale. Hm……. "Things to think about" - Kagura thought to herself feeling that hateful simmer start again to boil toward the human girl who had won such a right. Consciously realizing uncontrolled fury would get her no where- Kagura forced to the background the simmering cauldron of fury and hate against the human for the moment.

"I merely dropped in to return something I am sure is of some dubious import to you." She finally replied to the Inu Lord's question.

Sesshoumaru did not even show a flicker of interest upon his bored looking face. After a moment of silence to see if Kagura would volunteer to explain her mysterious comment, when none was forthcoming, he finally asked- " and what would that be?"

"Your servant." She sharply replied, snapping her fan shut with a flick of wrist before raising a graceful arm to swirl an arc of wind about her. The gentle breeze brought down from above another feather- one very similar to the feather she had alighted from herself…. except for its slightly smaller size.

As it landed behind her- the wind demoness turned to the side- and with another show of slender ivory limb- made of slender ankle and perfect skin- she nudged with her slender slippered foot, a brown bundle out of the feather. The feather immediately vaporized to reveal a tied and bound Jaken- frantic in his rolling to dislodge himself from the bindings that held him tight. Silenced only by the tight gag which clogged his throat. As he struggled – looking utterly useless in his attempts- he finally realized whom was watching….

His bulging green eyes widened in despair and simultaneous joy to see his lord- as his frantic movements became more cartooned- "Mphhhrphitz……….Szzesssssssssmmph!" - his mumbled wail uninterruptible.

Kagura feigned boredom- "Yes- it is your Lord Sesshoumaru……. -You repulsive toad. " Her disgusted gaze studied his absolutely frantic attempts to release himself- which only led to the bindings cutting his wrists further- releasing his foul smelling blood in the process.

The demoness's dainty nose wrinkled in distaste. "Lord Sesshoumaru- you truly have the most interesting of companions." She finally said- her gaze returning to Sesshoumaru's proud form- his expressionless eyes and face as he partially watched Jaken's futile attempts

"Why have you returned him to me?" he finally asked as he continued to watch his loathsome servant. The fool toad was now moaning pitifully from the painful bindings. Sesshoumaru made no move towards him in aid.

She really did wish he would show what direction his thoughts were running- for Kagura was unsure for a moment if perhaps he had been pleased to not have this loathsome creature around. Not that anyone would blame him if that were so- actually she felt that would be quite normal - she herself did not fathom how a creature as fastidious and amazing as Sesshoumaru lived with this foul smelling stinking being following about his footsteps.

But she knew in her gut that this was the perfect move…... Sesshoumaru would have missed the fool enough to find him eventually- or kill someone who had been seen to harm him. She was quite literally killing two birds with one stone. After all what better way to prove her loyalty and gain a step in the right direction than to return a favored friend of his back to him….. AND what better way to stop any chance of further romance than to bring this wretched creature back to his side………… it was almost too perfect.

"No make that three birds," she thought with evil self humor- if you counted that she not only got rid of his repulsive company by her own side as the third bird…. The priestess would be absolutely miserable. The toad demon was loyal- but an utter fool- a complete harebrain. He was also extraordinarily hateful of humans- as only a weak demon could be- for he would belittle and torment anything weaker so that it would make him feel more powerful. It was perfect. Returning him would be better than …………almost anything at stopping any budding romance.

Careful not to show her satisfaction nor thoughts- she had consciously kept her face and eyes blank as she stared back into the sharp golden pools that studied her- she heard his wondering of why.

Deciding to answer before he formulated the question- she began; "I knew you would miss the fool- and killing him was too pathetic. No effort would be needed- it would have been a waste to have followed Naraku's petty order to destroy him- especially when his saving grace was his loyalty to you my lord. " she dramatically paused. " I will be off – but beware that Naraku hopes to weaken the House of Tashio- " her gaze finally met Kagome's eyes- something she had avoided till then- as red fire and stormy blue clashed, Kagura finished her statement- " and I do not know if he has succeeded……..but you are more that capable of doing what is needed –" and with that she floated away- upon another feather that had come from nowhere to lift her into the clear blue sky- as her red red eyes continued to hold Kagome's navy blue gaze- the venom and coldness hidden but churning beneath. Kagome shivered………… she could sense evil- and right now Kagura's ki was radiating malice at her- like a tidal wave had hit her head on.

As she struggled against the tidal wave of terrible emotions- none of them good in any way… Kagome realized something.

She wanted Sesshoumaru. The wind demoness…….. she wanted him.

Kagome felt her bones chill at the thought. She knew it- that 6th sense a woman had twisting within her gut- and she felt ill at the thought of Kagura ever touching a hair upon Sesshoumaru's head.

It was something new- and completely unlikable to feel- and her pure soul was not made to tolerate such thrashing emotions. She expunged it- that hateful worried jealous poison that had invaded her for the several minutes she had been caught in emotion. Finally getting control of the hold of fear and jealousy in her tender heart- so that it bloomed once more with only the growing love and loyalty to this handsome demon , Kagome decided to worry about the wind demoness when the time to worry came. For the moment- they were ok she reassured herself.

Little did she realize Kagura had left her with a loyal companion of Sesshoumaru who would make her life a living hell……..just as she had planned it all along.