Hopelessness

He stared at her still figure on the bed. She had been sleeping for several days now, after he had

used Tenseiga to heal her body. All worry and sadness was erased from her face when she was

sleeping. The peace radiating from her was relaxing Sesshoumaru, and he found that he was

making excuses just to sit by her bed. On the third day, her eyes fluttered. When she realized she

was in a familiar room she sat up. The blood rushing to her head made her dizzy and she had to

support herself with her hands to not fall.

"Sesshoumaru?"

"I found you unconscious and took you to my castle."

"What about all the youkai?"

"Dead."

"Why..."

"Rin has wanted to see you for a few days, I'll let her in."

He had deliberately evaded her question because he himself could not answer it. He got up

before she could ask any more questions and let Rin into the room. It was as if a hurricane had

blown in; Rin ran to the bed faster than Sesshoumaru had seen any human run and jumped up

on Kagome's bed. He was about to tell Rin not to jump on Kagome but stopped himself when he

saw the two hugging each other tightly. It made him feel a little left out so he closed the door and

walked to his room.

"Rin was so scared when she saw onee-chan hurt! But Sesshoumaru saved Kagome just like he

saved Rin!"

"Saved?" Kagome touched her face where she had been hit and felt nothing. *Did he heal me?*

"Rin picked lots of flowers for onee-chan so she would get better!"

Kagome looked at her surroundings and could see dozens of vases filled with flowers. Some of

them fresh, some of them wilting. She gave Rin another hug.

"Thank you Rin, I think your flowers really did work, I feel great now!"

Rin gave a toothy grin and beamed with pleasure.

"Will onee-chan come outside and play with Rin? Jaken doesn't want to play with Rin anymore."

"Let me get dressed first."

Kagome stood up and stretched then went to her closet to put on some clothes. Holding hands,

the two gaily walked to the field. While Rin romped around, picking a flower here and there,

Kagome looked around for herbs. She hadn't realized that one thing she had not packed was

medicene. *Wait, where is my bag anyways? Oh no, did I leave it back there?* Kagome's hand

reached to her neck to where the Shikon shards should have been. She could feel nothing there.

She remembered the demon taking the Shikon shards from her neck. *Ack! I gotta get to that

place and get the shards before Inuyasha kills me!* Her face dropped. *Inuyasha isn't with me

anymore.....but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try. Maybe Sesshoumaru will lend me a bow and

some arrows and I can go look for them* She got up and started walking toward the large

building.

"Onee-chan, where are you going?"

"I'll be right back Rin, just stay here."

"Ok!"

When she walked inside, she realized she had no clue where Sesshoumaru's rooms were. Biting

the skin inside her cheek, she tried to think of a solution. *Maybe if I walk around....* She picked

a hallway and started down on it. After ten minutes, she gave up, but when she turned around

she realized she was lost. *Eh, how many hallways have I passed? What was the last turn I took?

Wonderful, my day can't get any better.* Kagome saw a small glowing light. *A servant!*

"Excuse me?"

The glow came closer and flickered.

"Could you tell me where Sesshoumaru's room is?"

It gave a flicker and started floating down the hallway that Kagome came from. Turning this way

and that Kagome gave up trying to remembering where his rooms were. Finally it stopped in

front of a pair of large ornate doors. Bowing the light in thanks Kagome gave a timid knock at his

door.

"Come in."

If she thought her room was nice, it was nothing compared to Sesshoumaru's. Every inch of it

showed grandeur and wealth. Mystical artifacts, countless antiques, and treasures from other

countries. All of it left Kagome a little overwhelmed. The aura of the room was very much like

Sesshoumaru. She looked around and saw him sitting by a beautiful carved desk.

"Ano, I left my backpack and...uh...the Shikon shards back where you found me. Would you

mind if I borrowed a bow and some arrows and retrieve it?"

"Shouldn't you rest more before you go looking for the shards again?"

"I feel fine, the shards are more important right now. Please, if some youkai gets it's hands on it,

I'll have to start all over."

"We'll go tomorrow."

"Today?"

"Don't push your luck, wench. While you are under my roof, you will follow my orders."

"Fine, I'll go by myself. I'm going to borrow one of your bows and some arrows. Sayonara."

Sesshoumaru looked up to the heavens, as if asking for patience to deal with this infuriating

woman.

"Wait, it's not safe out there, especially with a weak miko like you. Go get your bow and arrows,

I'll be waiting by the front gate."

"Thank you!"

Kagome gave a quick bow and ran out. The servant was waiting for her and led her outside to the

dojo. When she had gotten her weapons, she was led to the front gate. Sesshoumaru leaned

against it, looking as if he had waited for hours. Kagome ignored the look on his face but nearly

shrieked when he picked her up.

"What are you doing?"

"It will take forever if we go at your speed."

Kagome folded her arms and gave a stubborn frown. *He makes it sound like I'm a snail*

They were there in no time and Kagome scouted around for her backpack and the shards. Of the

backpack, the only trace she found was a few scraps. She scowled, did he destroy her backpack

too along with the demons?! But though she spread her senses throughout the forest, she could

feel no presence of the shard. The backpack, she could live without, but the shards? She sank to

her knees, facing the ground. *I lost them, my one and only duty, and I lost them in a day. What

am I going to do? I have to start all over. I had so many shards and now......to start all over* She

could feel tears prickling her eyes and she blinked to make them go away. Meanwhile,

Sesshoumaru stared at the girl, sensing the sadness again. But this time, it had the tinge of

hopelessness. He sniffed and could smell the faint scent of tears. What could she be upset about

now? Inuyasha isn't around, wait, why was she alone? She usually traveled with those humans

and Inuyasha. But he had found her alone three days ago. Is that what she was sad about? That

explained the sadness, but the hopelessness? She had too much fire and determination to feel

hopeless without her friends.

Kagome got up, blinking a couple of more times.

"C-can we go back to the castle now? I've found all I needed."

Without another word he scooped her in his arms and flew to his castle.