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Sorry for the delay...Lori Baker this chapter is for you...I will try and post at least a chapter a week from this point onwards.

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Energies strong and electrifying infused the dense barrier making it hard to see or even to breathe. He held his hands up and across his body defensively, not even that provided him with an ounce of protection. Spiritual fires scorched him unrepentantly, burrowing deep within his soul, his sweltering blood surged to a boil and he grimaced as a snarl tore out of him.

In a moment of relief he peered through his right eye and glanced down on his body. He was as damaged as the horrendous pain needling through him. His once spotless white garments were in crimson tatters sticking to his skin with blood and sweat. The oozing lacerations on his arms and torso sizzled with the nauseating scent of bloody seared meat. His stomach turned and the contents of it lunged into his throat. He clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth long, pushing the nausea down rather than up.

He gritted his teeth harder and longer as pain replaced vomit. The sharpness of the ache forced him to his knees. As he hunched over in agony and a moment's hesitation, he closed his remaining eye and breathe deeply. He knew the burning pain would not subside. The barrier was too powerful even for him who had a strong tolerance for spiritual energy. He re-opened his right eye a short time later, the only one that was functional and shakily stood upright.

He could not deny how much of a struggle it was to move through the spiritual fog. On his command he placed one foot in from of the other and slowly progressed forward. The further into the barrier he travelled the more his eyes burnt and his one good eye had started to fail him. The muscles along his shoulders throbbed with his legs; he braced himself, he could barely stand. The prickling heat all over his body left him quivering in pain but he was wholly consumed by what he saw despite the mind numbing discomfort to his person.

Up ahead, perhaps another hundred feet or less stood a mansion the likes of which he had never seen before. Not only was it ancient in architecture but pristine as if time had not touched it.

The frown upon his brows deepened in reflection. How could this be? He had been a wanderer almost his entire adult life, he knew the land well and had never stumbled upon this image before him now. Even in the days of Naraku he had been to this island, these woods and mountains many times and yet seeing this dated building here was a first. The thought skittered through his mind before being pushed aside in the face of far more pressing matters. Who was powerful enough to erect a barrier infused with spiritual energies, and why was Kagome taken to such a place? None of those concerns were substantial enough to deter him. He would break through the barrier regardless of the strain and save her.

The barrier not only served as a deterrent to keep intruders out but as a tool against his kind he observed. He glanced down and immediately reached for Tensaiga. It had the powers of the heavens permeated into its sentience. Maybe it could provide him with the strength that he lacked at the moment.

The sword's power caressed him the instant that it was unsheathed. He felt as the gashes deep within his flesh began to mend and as his strength increased. Relief washed over him; now maybe he would have an easier time dealing with the troublesome barrier as long as Tensaiga's energies remained vibrant.

But no sooner than the comforting thought passed through him the sword's powers started to wane. He became rigid sensing the problematic occurrence. The blade's glow continued to dim until it vanished altogether. Once again he was at the mercy of the barrier. He didn't think on it too much although when the first fiery heat licked against his flesh and burned him, he glanced up in the heavens briefly, summoning the last vestige of his will and then pressed onwards.

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It was miniscule at first but she had definitely felt it. She had sensed Sesshomaru's flailing youki just now. She remained quiet, perfectly still so that she could hear her own heart beating in the silence.

There it was again, only this time it lasted longer and was more erratic. She sensed his anguish and desperation fisting inside his chest. In panic she leapt from the chair and immediately reached for the door handle and turned. This time however it was locked.

She didn't care anymore, her sense of self preservation vanished with the ceaseless banging on the door.

"Let me out of here this instant, I am not your prisoner. Let me out now!"

Her cry was one of desperation and anger. Ko heard her screams on the way back with the water and couldn't figure out what could have caused the drastic change in her mood. He was taken aback but in spite of that he raced the remainder of the way down the corridor, all the while wondering what could be the wrong with her. When he'd left minutes ago she was alright.

His hand covered the door knob and quickly turned it. The bamboo container with water spilled from his hands and onto the floor as soon as the door opened, Kagome had made a mad dash pass him without looking back or stopping.

He made after her reflexively and then abruptly halted, he need not chase her down, she wouldn't get far neither could she escape the island. He started to move again; he was in no hurry now that he could feel the presence of an intruder.

Kagome ran wildly looking for a way outside, then suddenly stopped just before she came crashing into four men standing by the door, behind them she could see the sky. She was breathless as she felt Sesshomaru's distress which made her angry and a sense of savagery glossed over her entire body.

She trembled with anticipation as she made up her mind. She would not let them stop her. She swore that if any of them tried to apprehend her she would kill them. She straightened up and took a deep breath, glared at them with hatred while they eyed her with mild amusement.

She observed that the gentleman to the right of the doorway kept glancing up and over her head. She spun around without any warning and saw Ko standing at the end of the passage with a staff in his hand much in likeness to his fore grandfather Miroku's own. The only difference that she saw was that while Miroku's staff had a wooden rod his was copper.

As she gazed at him standing in the shadows of the passage she could feel his powers; powers that he had deliberately hidden from her from the very beginning. He had the strength of a very powerful monk. She almost gasped aloud but shook her head instead; she couldn't focus on that right now. Sesshomaru's aura had weakened even further and she needed to get to him quickly.

She swallowed thickly the unease that had formed into her throat, and as much as she did not like to beg, it would be impossible without Ko's help to get pass those men to aid Sesshomaru.

She closed her eyes for a second, willing her nerves to calm and her pride to disappear and then looked at Ko again.

"Please let me go to him, if you have any feelings in your heart for me at all. I beg you, grant me this please."

He gave her a sympathetic look and then nodded his agreement, not because he was amiable but because she would pay for his kindness later on.

Kagome spun around facing the men in a glaring defensive stance, this time they slowly parted from the doorway so that she could pass. She didn't hesitate, she ran swiftly pass the men breaking into the outdoors.

Out in the open she felt Sesshomaru's presence more strongly but still wasn't able to pinpoint his whereabouts immediately. She ran around the compound looking frantically for him, she had to find him; he was hurt because of her. The thought made her more desperate and she shouted out you him.

"Sesshomaru if you can hear me please say something." Her trembling voice was a wail of desperation rather than a shout.

Tears streamed down her face as she searched for him. She could feel the barrier stronger now and sensed something strange about it. Though vague she had sensed a foreboding vibe surrounding the island and it filled her with dread. She had to be very cautious she decided, because all she felt was an incredible fear for the both of them.

She ran to the back of the property going much further away from the house than before. She glanced around wildly in despair, she thought that she'd heard a sound in the opposite direction and rushed there. The time it took for her to get to the other side, panic almost overwhelmed her senses; his aura thinned dangerously low. She felt sorrow and helplessness welling up inside her so strong that she had to shake her head to clear it away. She cried out to him again, her voice breaking with grief.

"Sesshomaru where are you, if can hear me say something please."

He knew that she was there; he had heard her cries and had sensed her before now. But his body was weak and he could barely move. He had only a smidgen of power left and purposely he let him it escape him so that she could find him, realizing also that he would not be able to move again.

His power carried to her even though it was frail. A relieved sigh escaped her and quickly she turned back the other way. She could see his silhouette ten yards inside the thick barrier. How had she missed him before she wondered? Perhaps in her desperation and worry she had overlooked that area. Well it didn't matter now; she had found him at last.

Without thought she threw herself against the barrier and rushed the distance to him. He was all torn up and bloody, weakened by the barrier's strange spiritual energies and was barely breathing. He was lucky to be alive.

She positioned herself behind him and placed both hands under his arms and pulled. She couldn't think about how heavy he was as she dragged him out of the harmful energies. She had to get him clear of the barrier and quickly heal him.

Never having to use her powers on demons except maybe to maim or kill them she was extremely fearful, but Sesshomaru needed her now and she would not fail. Her powers were intricately linked to her emotions and there was no way she would hurt him. She loved him too much for that.

He opened his eyes momentarily and flashed her a tortured smile, his face twisted in agony and sadness. She clung to him with her arms wrapped tightly around his neck and cried. She heard his moan of distress and let him go.

There wasn't any time left for grieving if she wanted him to survive. She knew that the others watched her suspiciously as Sesshomaru's life force drained away the longer it took for her to do something. His youki could not heal his body now; looking at the state he was in and knowing his abilities he must have endured a lot inside the dense barrier for quite some time. Kagome frowned, feeling sorry for the both of them but also knowing she had to act now.

Calling forth her powers she closed her eyes and meditated a minute. She had to get this right. Sesshomaru was badly burnt and his energies depleted from the strange barrier. She could not afford to make a make a mistake at this crucial point that would only add to the problem at hand. She emptied her mind of the anxieties and concentrated deeply on her mental strength and reiki. Her powers warm tingled as it flowed from her heart and body. It was deep as the blue sea and as wide as the sky. It was love that strengthened her and love that made her cry with sadness.

He could feel Kagome's energies flooding through him; it was as cool as ice and as warm as the sun's glow. He could feel the damage reversing and hence his strength growing. He opened his eyes and gazed at her and she smiled at him. Relief washed over her, he would make it.

Ko stood there and watched the woman that he loved tenderly caring for a demon, the slight on his soul was a flaming ball of fire burning him from the inside out. He clenched his jaw holding firm as jealousy engulfed him.

He knew this demon by reputation and through documented history data Inuyasha and all the individuals who had defeated Naraku were hailed as heroes and deserving of respect. But the heart could be a fickle thing when it came to love, and try as he might to hold the envy and jealousy at bay, he could not.

The recklessness of his decision of his own heart was evident in his bitter soul. He would not allow her to completely heal him. He wanted her for himself and the demon would be the currency that he used for the exchange.

He straightened; his purpose clear. Adjusting his outer robe he strode up silently behind Kagome and brutally yanked her away from the silver haired demon. She screamed as he sunk his fingers into her shoulder and dragged her mercilessly away from Sesshomaru.

He threw her aside and his accomplices held her down as she thrashed and wailed. Sesshomaru raised his head in alarm. Still weakened he tried to get up to assist her. But before he could lift his torso off the ground, one of Ko's companions pulled a knife from his boot and plunged it deep into his abdomen, twisting it.

Kagome screamed in terror and her struggles began anew. Sesshomaru eyes narrowed in maliciousness after glancing at a terrified Kagome and the knife embedded into his gut. He lunged forward and slammed his hand through the unsuspecting man's chest. He gasped, the unmistakable sound of death gurgled from his throat with his blood.

Sesshomaru lifted himself off the ground and ripped the knife from his stomach as he stood, blood oozed from the gaping wound as well as from the sides of his mouth. He took shaky steps moving forward, the others backed away slowly from the gruesome image. Kagome used one hand to cover her mouth to stop a sob, while the other outstretched reached for him.

Kagome felt the tension in Ko lifting and a new wave rose to mesmerising heights. His spiritual power rushed to the fore as Sesshomaru advanced. She had to make him stop, the time that she had spent healing him was not sufficient enough and he was still very vulnerable. If Ko attacked him now he may die.

"Sesshomaru please stop!" She cried, desperation lacing her tone.

He glanced at her and she saw it in his eyes then, just as she'd suspected. He would not stop, he would prefer to die rather than be weak in front of his enemies. A wretched sob rushed from her belly and into her throat, it stopped, her teeth chattered just to hold it in. Sesshomaru's hand reached for Bakusaiga and a horrific screech tore out of her being.

"Nooo!"

Ko raised his staff provocatively and sent a wave of spiritual energy straight at Sesshomaru hitting him in the chest.

She watched as time slowed and the blast struck him. For an instant she saw as the pulsating air lifted him off the ground, his body spinning and jerking as it flew meters away before slamming in the unpaved ground. She screamed as his body impacted with the earth feeling the pain crashing into her being as though she was the one hit...She gasped out every painful breath that she took as she stared at Sesshomaru's unmoving form. Her tears fell without breaking and her head moved left and right as she cried for him in sorrow.

As she watched and cried she made a decision. She would not let him die; she would not stand by helplessly and do nothing. To the man's utter surprise that was holding onto her as if his life depended on it, she whirled on him and kneed him viciously in the groin. He let her go and grabbed his crotch, agony crumpling his features; he jerked back a couple of steps before doubling over into the dirt.

This was her chance and she would take it. She ran swiftly towards Sesshomaru but before she could reach him hard hands clamped down on her shoulder pulling her back. She flicked her head to the side and saw that it was Ko. She screamed at him to let her go but he did not. Hatred darkened her eyes and she folded a fist and struck him hard in the face.

The blow twisted his face to the side, and then slowly his head came forward to meet her eyes. In her rage she noted that he was calm and did not move to retaliate.

Panting harshly she yelled at Ko. "How could you do this, he is the only family that I have left in this time…Why did you have to hurt him? He only came here to rescue me."

Ko heard the desperation in her voice, saw the tears that she shed for the demon and knew that she loved him dearly. But his heart was deeply wounded by this woman and perhaps having her here could help to repair the damage. She had given him something that he had only dreamt about in his fantasies. He was under her spell and would not let her go this time.

Heaven help him and he hoped that the kami's would forgive him in lifetimes to come if not this one. Looking into her wet blue eyes and watching her quivering pink lips he had to have her for himself. Even if he had to bribe her to stay, he would take her any which way he could get her.

He glanced on the unmoving demon and sensed that he was still alive, if he was going to make his move he had to do it now. He raised his staff again, Kagome body's tensed and her eyes widened in shock when she realized his intent.

She shook her head vehemently holding onto his staff. "You can't, you can't kill him, I won't let you."

He chuckled never taking his eyes off her and said. "I could kill him and there would be nothing you could do about it," he smiled again, "if you want him to live so badly stay here with me and become my wife."

She felt the strangeness of the proposition flooding her mind and she felt incredibly strange herself. She was cornered and hadn't a way out except to exchange her freedom for Sesshomaru's life. She shook her head sadly; she would give up her life for him in an instant. Then she smiled a bitter smile, he had just risked his life to save her.

She glanced at him again perusing all his injuries which were many and possibly life threatening since the attack on him by Ko. He was a very powerful being but not even he would survive if his wounds weren't treated soon. He had deep burns all over his chest and arms that still sizzled, a stab to the abdomen that bled profusely and his youki exhausted. He might not last the night.

She shrugged Ko's hand's off her shoulder and began to walk towards Sesshomaru. However, she stopped after taking a few steps.

"I will agree to your compromise if you agree to let me heal him and take him to a safe place. I will not leave anything to chance. I must know that he is safe."

The sadness in her voice was evident and he felt remorseful but not even his conscience allowed him to change his mind. This place had secrets that only another as powerful as himself could unlock. The fact that he also loved her was a good omen.

She stood over Sesshomaru's form gazing down at his torn up body, it was a sight so pitiful that profound sadness swept into her heart and soul. She dropped down beside him and tenderly placed her hand over his heart and cried.

"I am so sorry Sesshomaru, I am so sorry."

Tears spilled from her eyes and onto his face so that it would appear as if they both cried. She wept until she had no more tears left to cry, and her throat so dry that it burned. She had little time left with him and all she could do was cry.

Through the sadness and despair she heard Ko's voice. "I will agree to your terms."