Title: Tides Against Time
Rating: M (Language, Violence, and Adult Content)
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the Little Mermaid. All rights should go to Inuyasha Inc. Disney and Hans Christian Anderson.
Music: The song I have selected for this chapter is: "Naruto Saddest Soundtracks Mix."I love to listen to music on YouTube while I read to add to the atmosphere. You are welcome to listen along with my music selection if you want. It is not required. When you see these marks (***) that means to begin to play the selected song. When you see (xxx) this means to stop playing the music. It is important to pay attention to these marking as there is more than one song for this chapter. I do not have credit for these recordings or channels but I think it adds to the story.
Tides Against Time: Approaching Fate
Sesshomaru flew over the city and over the castle wall. He ignored his guard's yells and scattering servants bellow him. Heading towards the back of the castle he lowers A-Un into the courtyard and gently pulls Kagome to lay bridal style in his arms. Her lips by this point were turning a light shade of blue and she was beginning to turn grey in complexion. He could still hear her faint heart beating in her chest but it was very… very weak. Covering her over with a blanket to hide her from spying eyes he makes his way up the steps of the courtyard towards her bedchambers. As he reaches the top of the stairs he sees Sango and Daija come out of her room door leading onto the patio. Once they see Kagome's grey hand laying lip out of the blanket their eyes grow large and their complexions pail.
"What happened?!" Daija cried.
"One of you go and grab Tsukyomi immediately! I can barely hear her heart!" Sesshomaru barked ignoring him.
"Yes Sir! Right away!" Sango said as she flew towards her door.
Sesshomaru gently laid her down on the bed and began untying her shoes. Daija returned with a hot water basin and washcloth and drapes it over her forehead trying to warm her up. Pulling another blanket out of the chest at the foot of her bed Sesshomaru lays it on top of her to try and help keep what little heat her body had left. Grabbing the chair next to her bed he sits at her side and takes hold of her hand in his. He cups both of his hands around hers and blows his hot breath over her fingers to try and warm them up. Just then a knock is heard at the door and Daija hears the secret code whispered through the keyhole. He opened it to reveal Sango, Kaede and Tsukiyomi. The ladies quickly rush into the room with medical supplies and towels.
"What happened?" Tsukiyomi demanded as she came to her side.
"We were on the beach and she grabbed her chest from immense pain. We were on our way back when she began coughing up blood. She went unconscious after her third attack." He said looked at her lying on the bed.
"You males will have to leave! I am going to have to do a full examine." Tsukiyomi ordered as she began pulling out her supplies on the desk beside the bed while Sango and Kaede rushed about preparing the bathing room and bedding.
"I am staying." Sesshomaru said sternly, not leaving his spot.
"I am sorry my Lord but I cannot allow this! She is an unmated woman and needs to keep her purity in tact! Now, please let me get to work! There is no time to waist!" she said urgently as she turned around with washed hands and a heart scope.
"We will be right outside. You will inform me immediately once she is done! Do not miss anything!" He commanded through a frustrated growl.
He and Daija then quickly made there way out the door. Once the males were out of the room the ladies stripped Kagome of all of her blankets and clothing. Her bruise on her side was now a greenish brown color and her fingers and toes were turning blue. After checking her all over and listening to her heart they began sponging her body with hot water. They could not dunk her into a hot bath right away or it would push her body into shock. Once they had warmed her body up slowly they brought her into the steamy bathing room and allowed the heat in the room to further warm her up. The hot spot over her heart returned on her chest and Tsukiyomi could only guess that the cause of her pain was her soul trying to leave her body to unite itself with its other half. Feeling her body heat returning to her they lowered her slowly into lukewarm water. They washed her hair and rinsed her body of all sand and dirt. Once she was clean they dressed her in a thick nightgown with long sleeves and put socks on her feet to help hold in her heat. While they had been dressing her Kagome regained some of her strength and fluttered her eyes open every once in a while. But no matter how hard she tried she was too weak to keep awake. Tsukiyomui, Kaede and Sango then laid her under heavy winter blankets and forced her to drink a hot tea with a strong medical mixture to help with her pain and to keep her body temperature up. Seeing Kagome fall back asleep and resting comfortably Tsukiyomi walks over to the door to allow the anxious males back inside. However when she opened the door she was greeted by the addition of Miroku. Stepping aside the three males make their way inside and she locks the door behind them.
(*** Naruto Saddest Soundtracks Mix ***)
"How is she?" asked Daija as he, Sesshomaru and Miroku came around the bed to look at her.
She was not as grey in complexion but they could now see a feverish sweat to her brow. Her lips were not as blue but were not nearly close enough to her usual soft pink. Her wet hair was now braided and it lay on top of the blanket. They could hear a subtle wheezing sound as she breathed and the demons could smell her sickness clinging to her scent.
"What we wished to prevent has started…" Tsukiyomi said as she adjusted the hot cloth on her head.
"What do you mean?" asked Miroku as he stood next to Sango near the bed.
"It is only a matter of time now, her organs are shutting down." She said as she shook her head with a sorrowful expression.
"No! It can't be true!" Sango said as tears rolled down her cheeks and she covered her mouth with her hands.
Miroku pulled her into his side and she rested her head on his chest. He could feel her body tremble in his arms as she struggled to hold herself together. Seeing the room grow dark from the setting sun Kaede began lighting the candles and lanterns in the room to keep it lit. Tsukiyomi then began informing them of Kagome's rapid decline in health.
"I listened to her lungs, heart and abdomen. He heartbeat is no longer beating at the pace it's supposed to and her abdomen has begun to swell from her organs breaking down. The wheezing you are hearing is her lungs slowly filling with fluids. This swelling in her lungs is putting added pressure on her heart causing her to go into early stages of congestive heart failure. Also, the red spot near her heart has returned. I can only guess it's her soul trying to connect itself with its miss half. Essentially her body is breakdown before our very eyes and there is no longer anything we can do to stop it. I have given her medicine to help with the pain and to help reduce her swelling but it's only a matter of time. She should remain in bed as much as possible and I would like to have someone with her at all times until her passing. I fear even if we do find a cure to her curse her body will not have enough energy to survive this." Tsukiyomi said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
After hearing this news Sango cried into Miroku's chest as he held her tight in his arms. Lady Kaede sank onto the couch on the other side of the room and a single tear ran down her cheek. She was in shock at the pace of Kagome's decline in health. She could not comprehend how someone so young as she could be dying so quickly and from such a painful death as this! Daija just stood there in shock as he leaned into the wall for support. What was he going to tell the King? That even if he gave his life to his daughter that she would die anyway? Surly there was still hope? Or were they truly too late in saving her? Would Sesshomaru kissing her lips save her like promised or would she still slowly die from her sickly body and incomplete soul? Daija was confused, hurt and full of doubt. Sesshomaru on the other hand was angry and having a hard time coming to terms with what had been said. His lungs were on fire and his side pinched tight as if someone had punched him hard and knocked the wind right out of him. There was no way he had failed her! There was no way they were giving up on her! He knew Kagome was strong. Who were they to doubt her?! He would fight for her until her dying breath! He was currently hunched over in the chair as he held her tiny hand in his. At this angle no one could see through his thick bangs that his beastly eyes were enraged and that his fangs were clenched painfully tight in his mouth.
"We cannot let her die!" his inner beast howled. "We must save her!"
"SILENCE! Stop your whinnying! Nothing… nothing is more valuable than her life. Nothing! I refuse to give up!" Sesshomaru yelled to his inner beast.
"I will not allow it…" Sesshomaru said after taking a long breath to recollect himself.
"My Lord?" asked Tsukiyomi.
"I will keep watch over her first. Until then, we will be searching around the clock for another cure. I will not allow her to die! She is under my protection and I will not stop until we find a solution! Miroku, meet me first thing in the morning. I want an update on your research before tomorrow's meeting. Now leave us!" he commanded.
"Yes, Sir." they said as they began clearing out of the room.
Once they were out of the room Sesshomaru walked over to the door to make sure it was locked. Turning the knob and feeling it resist against his hand he knew it to be locked and made his way to the bathroom to ready himself for bed. While he was getting ready he pulled the seashell necklace up to his mouth and tried to contact his brother again.
"Inuyasha" he called. He said his name three more times before he said, "Inuyasha if you can hear me… I want to let you know that Kagome's state of health has… declined. Wherever you are, you better come home. Your celebration is tomorrow night and I expect you to be there…"
Before he could say anything else Kikyo pick up on the line.
"Sessomaru? You deir?" she asked.
"Kikyo?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Jah…. me Kikyo." Kikyo replied
"Your sister's... unwell." He said back
"Kagome no ok?!" Kikyo said with an anxious tone.
"No… your sister is not ok. If you come by the castle tonight I will update you then." He said sadly.
"Comez tonight! Kikyo comez!" she said urgently into the calling shell.
"Good. I will await your arrival." He said.
"Ok, muchas gracias." she said.
After that the line went silent. Sesshomaru then walked over to the other side of the bed, pulled the covers back and climbed up behind Kagome in the bed. He shivered at her touch as he held her against him but he knew his heat would help warm her up. He would stay here until he heard Kikyo call for him over the line. Until then he would rest with her and pray to the gods to show mercy on her and to help guide him on how to save his love.
[Kikyo]
Kikyo was resting in the cove waiting for her Father to come back from performing his Kingly duties when she heard whispering coming from her shell. Pulling it up to her ear she hears Sesshomaru's voice on the other end of the line. She couldn't understand most of what he was saying but when she heard Kagome's name she had to find out what was going on. When she called back into the shell her father had come up to her side after hearing her say his other daughter's name. He did not like the tone of her voice and the fear in her aura. Once she was done talking she looked into his eyes and he could tell something terrible was happening.
"It's Kagome isn't it? What's happened?" he asked.
"Sessomaru said Kagome is not doing well. If my calculations are correct she's only got two days left. I'm not sure what is happening but he asked to meet up to explain." she said as she began slipping into the water.
"I'm coming with you." Poseidon said as he grabbed his trident. "I wish to meet this demon my daughter is throwing her life away for."
"Father don't see it like that! Kagome is in love with him! If you are coming with me you mustn't be so hard on him. Please, do this for Kagome and put this behind you." Kikyo said as she tried to calm her father down.
"You're right…. If this was your mother I know I would do the same. Now let me settle things in for the night with your brother, your mate and my guards and then we can be off." Poseidon said as he made his way up the beach.
About ten minuets later they swam through the coves tunnel and made their way towards the castle. As they went Kikyo pointed out land markers for her father incase something happened and they needed to work their way back in the dark. She guided him through Valencia's channel system and slipped into the castle's mote. Swimming around the back end they pulled themselves through an underwater drain and cautiously surfaced in the lagoon. Seeing the courtyard empty and not sensing any dangers Kikyo and Poseidon swim up to the brick wall near the patio. Kikyo calls through the shell for Sesshomaru to come down and join them. Hearing his answer they wait patiently in the lagoon for him to join them. A couple of minuets go by and Kikyo was about to ask if he was alright when they heard the door above them open and see someone making their way towards the stairs. When a powerful aura approached them from above Poseidon instantly went on the defense and tightened his hold around his trident. It wasn't until he saw a tall demon with silver hair holding something wrapped in a blanket instead of a weapon that he relaxed his stance.
Catching the demon's amber eyes he was overwhelmed with the power and strength radiating off of his person. He moved with grace and he looked like he was floating across the ground. He was tall for a demon and he could see through his clothing the chiseled muscle rippling beneath. He watched as he sat down on the grass in front of them and was curious to what he was holding wrapped in his arms. The demon looked into his eyes intensely and they bore into his soul. No wonder his daughter fallen so hard, he could feel the raw power and new instantly that he was an alpha, but not just any alpha. He… was a King. The demon looked away from him and Kikyo towards the bundle in his lap. Pealing back the blanket a sickly human girl was hidden inside and his heart stopped when he recognized her face.
"Kagome!" Kikyo cried as she pulled herself out of the water to sit next to Sesshomaru on the grass.
Poseidon shaking out of his stupor but still unable to speak swims up to the bricks and extends his arms out for the demon to pass her to him. He sees the stiffening in the demon's stance and slight hesitation before carefully passing Kagome over to him. Even through the thick blankets he could feel her chill seep onto his chest and it made a shiver run down his spine. Taking her hand in his he could see the tips of her fingers had turned a light blue color and her skin was a pasty greyish color. She had lost her soft blush and light pink tint to her lips. Rubbing his thumb over her hand he holds in his breath when he sees her exhausted eyes slowly flutter open. They had lost their luster and were now a graying blue color and dark shadows now hung under them. She turned her gaze towards him and a look of disbelief crosses her face.
"ff fa...ther?" she asks weakly.
Her voice was scratchy and he could hear a light wheezing sound as she breathed. The smell of her sickness and approaching death clung to her essence and it made his chest tighten in heartache.
"Daughter..." He said as he lowered his face closer to hers and rubbed his nose against hers.
They closed their eyes at the touch and a tear ran down her cheek in happiness. A tired smile graces her lips and she lightly squeezed his hand in hers.
"How did you find me?" she asked weakly.
She saw her sister in the corner of her eye and extended her other hand out for her to hold. Kikyo brought her face close to her sister as tears ran down their cheeks at finally being reunited.
"Sessomaru called for us through the shell." Kikyo said as she looked up at the demon sitting quietly on the grass beside them.
At this Kagome looked behind her and saw Sesshomaru sitting closely beside them. Her eyes soften slightly when she sees him and she pulls her hand from her father's and reaches it out for him to hold.
"Muchas Gracias Sessomaru." She said softly.
Poseidon watched the exchange between the demon and his daughter. He saw the tenderness in the demon's eyes and the edges to his façade soften at the sound of her voice. When their hands touched he was shocked at how he lovingly caressed it and held it close to his person with woven fingers. Could it be possible? Could this demon truly love his daughter in return? If so, then why hadn't he broken the spell like Daija had told him? Had no one told him of this? Had Urasue lied in her deal? Or did he not love her yet? He didn't understand it!
"Of course." Sesshomaru said as he lightly squeezed her hand in his and rubbed underneath her palm with his finger.
He hid his touch from her father's view but didn't know Poseidon could still see his gentle caresses. He had tried to be polite with him being there but even if he did it didn't matter. The display of affection was only meant for the two of them. As Sesshomaru and Kagome looked into each other's eyes an unspoken understanding was founded. What they had shared earlier on the beach had changed their relationship significantly and both of them now knew they cared for each other more than just friends. If it weren't for her declining health they would have shared their first kiss and possibly shared in their first touches as mates. However, fate was cruel and had other plans.
"Kagome no ok?" Kikyo asked Sesshomaru trying to understand what was happening.
"Yes, if you will wait a moment. I will return with Daija to help explain. Excuse me." Sesshomaru said and he reluctantly let go of Kagome's hand and stood up.
"Ok. Daija comez." Kikyo said as she nodded her head in understanding.
Sesshomaru then left and returned inside to go and find Daija. After seeing him disappear inside Kagome returns her attention to her father and sister.
"So I hear you have mated?" Kagome said as she snuggled into her father's embrace.
"I have." Kikyo said as she pulled her hair over to reveal her mating tattoo on her neck. "How did you know?"
"I overheard two fish gossiping in the lagoon. Are you happy?" asked Kagome.
"I am." Kikyo said as she looked into her sister's eyes with a soft smile.
"Hn. I'm sure Enuyasa will be devastated when he finds out." Kagome said not catching her sister or father's confused expressions.
"Kagome? Do you not know?" asked Poseidon.
"What do I not know?" asked Kagome as she fixed her blanket to allow her arms to have a little more freedom.
"Enuyasa made a deal with Urasue…" said Kikyo.
"WHAT?!" Kagome barked out before coughing into her hand. "How?! What deal did he make?!"
"He gave her his tongue so he could be turned into a merman to come and live with me." Kikyo said. "However, the spell only worked half way and now he is only a merman during the day. He turns back into a demon at sundown."
"Of course she wouldn't fix it fully for him. Oh poor Inu! Everyone has been worried about him! No one knew where he had run off to! (Gasp!) Oh and he's got some type of big party tomorrow night! Will he be coming?" asked Kagome.
"I'm not sure, but enough about Enuyasa and I. What about you? Why hasn't Sessomaru kissed you yet?!" asked Kikyo.
"Yes. Why are you continuing to grow weaker?!" asked her father urgently.
"I told Daija to not tell him or anyone in the castle about me needing a kiss to save me. I want Sesshomaru to love me and not to save me out of pity. He almost kissed me today but my heart had some strange attack and it forced us apart before we could. I'm sure he will kiss me. I still have two days left." Kagome reassured.
"What if he doesn't? What if he kisses you and it doesn't work?" Kikyo asked.
"Then I would rather die then live a life without him." Kagome said quickly.
"Daughter you must be joking! Please reconsider! I have asked the MamiWata Chief of your curse and she has told me of a way to save you! Please… live! Give love another chance and return home…" her father begged her.
"What is the price for lifting the curse?" asked Kagome curiously.
"Price?" asked Kikyo.
"Yes… there is always a price." said Kagome with a scowl on her brow. "I am no fool. What is it?"
"I would have to give you my soul and my remaining magic. You would return to your sister's side as a mermaid." Her father said quietly.
"So a life for a life and forever away from Sessomaru" Kagome whispered.
"I would do this for you! Please…. return home! Be as you once were, happy and carefree! I'm old and I have lived my life! Live yours with mine… be free of this curse!" he begged her as he pulled her tight in his arms and rested his forehead on hers and stared into her paling blue eyes.
"Please…." he whispered as his deep blue eyes rippled in unshed tears.
"I am sorry… but I could never take your life only to save mine. Be by my sister's side, teach her new mate how to guide our kingdom and live to see the next heir be brought into the world. Do this for me I beg of you! Do not weep for my sake. I am where I want to be and do not wish to change it! Knowing you both live and that our people will carry on would bring me happiness! If I do pass please know that this is my wish and I do not want your pity or sorrow. My happiness is to see you happy." Kagome said as she grew tired in their embrace.
Just as she finished speaking Daija and Sesshomaru appeared at the top of the balcony and began making there way down to them.
"My King!" Daija said as he fell prostrate on the grass in front of them and showed his deepest respects to him.
"Rise Daija. I wish to discuss my daughter's health. Now tell me. What has the healer said?" Poseidon demanded.
"Kagome's body… has begun to shut down my King." Daija said sadly making them gasp in shock.
"No! It cannot be!" Kikyo said as she huddled close to her sister's side.
"It is alright sister…" Kagome said as she cupped her sisters' tear stained cheek in her hand.
"How can you say that!" Kikyo snapped. "You have a chance to live again yet you are choosing death! I do not understand it!" Just tell him to kiss you and be done with this suffering!
"It would not matter Princess." Daija said as he shook his head back and forth.
"What do you mean?" asked Poseidon fearfully as he held his daughter closer to his chest.
"The healer said even if the curse were to be broken, Kagome's body has gotten so sick that she would not survive the transformation." Daija said.
"Is that really what the healer said?" asked Kagome with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
"It is Princess. Even if he were to kiss you now you will still die." Daija said through a shaky voice.
"Oh…I see." Kagome said as she closed her eyes and took in a shaky breath. She then turned her gaze to her sister and father.
"Do not cry for me… please live on in memory of me." Kagome began to say as tears began to flow down her cheeks."Sister?" she asked through a shaky breath.
"Yy yes?" Kikyo choked.
"Bring your mate with you tomorrow night. I wish… I wish to send my blessings to him and…. and to say my… my goodbyes." Kagome said through her tears.
"Of course…" Kikyo said.
"Father?" Kagome asked.
"Yes… Daughter?" Poseidon said as he leaned down close to her face.
Kagome pulled his forehead to rest against hers and she cried in his arms.
"I'm sorry I wasn't always an obedient daughter, but know that I always wished to be like you and… and even when I'm… gone I'll always be there with you. Just like momma." Kagome choked.
"Oh Kagome…" her father said as he pulled her into his chest and they held each other tight. "No parent should have to outlive their young…"
"I know… but remember what I said." Kagome said as she took hold of both her sister and father's hands. "I chose this path. Please do not let my decision hold you back from living yours. I love you both so so much." Kagome said before coughing.
She grew weak in her father's arms and she struggled to keep her eyes open from exhaustion. They could smell blood on her breath as she coughed and in the corner of her mouth a bead threatened to spill. Seeing the sun beginning to rise in the distance Poseidon leaned forward and kissed his daughter on her forehead and a tear ran down his cheek landing on her's.
"Goodbye… my daughter." Poseidon said through a shaky breath. "Until we meet again."
"Till we meet… again…" Kagome said as she brought her shaky hand up to wipe his tear from his cheek.
Poseidon then looked up from his daughter and into the golden eyes of the demon she was dying for. Taking one last hug he tenderly passed her back into his arms. Feeling the loss of her touch hit him like a ton of bricks and his chest tightened in grief. She was really leaving and with her soul being incomplete he knew he would never be reunited with his daughter again once she passed on. Struggling to keep himself together he takes one last look at the gold eyes of her love and an unspoken conversation between is shared; keep her as happy, safe and comfortable as possible until her dying breath. Swimming out into the lagoon he takes one last look at his daughters greying blue eyes before disappearing in the murky waters. Kikyo swims up to her sister's side and takes hold of her hand in her's and kisses her forehead. She was about to leave when her sister's voice caught her attention.
"Kk...Kikyo?" asked Kagome through her tired breath.
"Yes sister?" Kikyo asked as she returned to her side.
"In mother's cave there is a… blue… and black… weapon that belongs… to Sessomaru. There is also… the hairpin he gave me. Could you… please bring them… when you… come?" asked Kagome weakly.
"Of course. Now rest… I will see you soon little sister." Kikyo said kissing her cheek before disappearing in the water to follow after her father.
After watching her family disappear Kagome curled into Sessomaru's embrace. He pulled her blanket tight around her and lifted her into his arms as he and Diaja began to make their way to her room. Laying her down on the bed Sesshomaru pulls her blankets off her and tucks her under the bedspread.
"My Lord? Would you like me to stay with her while you rest?" asked Daija. "You've got a long day with the meeting this coming afternoon and master Inuyasha's celebration tonight."
"No, you may retire until later today. If you wish to watch her while I prepare for this afternoon you are welcome to." Sesshomaru said as he sat in the chair next to her bed.
"Very well Sir. I shall see you in a couple hours Princess." Diaja said as he kissed her cold hand.
"Bye… Thank you for everything Daija… I really appreciate the sacrifice you have given me and my family." Kagome said weakly with a soft smile to her lip.
"Of course," Daija said while taking a bow and then taking his leave out the door.
Once Daija was out the door Kagome turned her gaze towards Sesshomaru and extended her hand out for him to take. He reached forward and wove their fingers together and brought her hand up to his lips placing a tender kiss on top.
"Sorryz…. Sessomaru." Kagome said as a tear ran down her cheek.
"There is nothing to forgive," he said as he leaned forward in his seat and kissed her forehead. "Now rest. I will be here by your side."
"Sessomaru?" Kagome said weakly drawing his attention. "Comez? she said pulling him to her with watery eyes. "Pweeze?"
Seeing her sadness in her eyes and feeling her fear and loneness he pulled the sheet back and slipped in the bed behind her. She had never asked him of anything and to see her in such a weakness pulled at his heart. Wanting to be as close to him as possible, Kagome curled into his chest and rested her head under his chin. She felt so safe and warm in his embrace and loved how he tighten his hold around her and held her close to his side. The smell of his strong cedar wood and spice filled her nose and her heart ached at the realization that her time with him was soon coming to an end. She slipped her arm around his waist and held him tight as she silently cried into his chest. Soon her exhausted caught up and she fell asleep in the loving embrace of his arms. Sesshomaru lightly ran his fingers through her hair that had come out of her braid. It was soft to the touch and he brought it to his nose for him to smell. It smelled clean of her sickness and held some of her coconut and tropical floral smell he missed so much. It baffled him how such powerful magic had been used against her but yet her human form still held many amiable qualities of her true self. Wishing to never part from her he extending his claw he cut off a piece and began to braid it into a chain. Finishing the chain he tied the ends off so they wouldn't come undone and slipped it into his shirt. Returning his gaze he was torn at the sight of her. His beautiful little mermaid was dying before his very eyes and he was powerless to stop it. She only had two days left to live and he was quickly running out of time. He had heard what Daija had told him about her father but from what he had witnessed at the lagoon Kagome must have denied his sacrifice by their sorrowful responses. She had said her goodbyes and that hit him harder than any wound he had every received.
"Please gods…. hear my prayer. Save my love from this eternal darkness... Don't take her away from me too... I beg of you..." Sesshomaru pleaded as he closed his eyes and held her tight.
As Kagome lay sleeping in their arms, he and his beast silently cried in the privacy of the early morning light. Soon the sun peaked in through the window and they watched as it gently kissed her weakening form. She looked so broken and fragile laying up against his strength. He knew he would be forced to pull himself away from her embrace. He knew he would be too busy today to spend much time with her and the thought of her possibly growing weaker or something happening and her passing while he was at work chilled him to the bone. Hearing a knock at the door a couple of hours later he hugged her one last time and kissed her on the cheek before making his way over to the door to let Daija in. Taking one last look at her slumbering form he speaks with Daija. As he made his way down the hall he knew today was going to be a very long day and he couldn't wait for it to be over so he could return to her side. His little mermaid, his Curioso, his savior, his friend, his love, his heart, passion and his very soul. How this delicate flower had become the very fiber of his being he didn't know but he prayed that the gods would hear his prayers and save them both from hell itself.
(End of Chapter 26)
(This ends Day 5. Poor Kagome! Will Sesshomaru kiss her and make her transform? If he does will it save her against their doubts? Or will a miracle happen to save her? What about Kikyo? Who is her new mate? What happened to Inuyasha? How will Sesshomaru react to Kagome returning his gift? Will she be able to make it before the end of the 7th day? What about Urasue? She's been very quiet. And what about the Duke and the mysterious stranger?! Only time will tell. Be sure to follow along to find out! Thanks for reading.)