Disclaimers: I do not own Inu-Yasha and Co. It is the respective property of Rumiko Takahashi.

What Fate Decides... Part 15

Sessho-maru pulled the blade from its sheath.

Tensaiga...he had received the sword shortly after his father's demise. How he had first despised the sword, loathing that the powerful tetsusaiga had not been placed in his ownership and that the fang's location was kept from him.

But as he looked down at his unconscious love, he now knew that tensaiga had been a blessing...he could heal her with it... save her...

He drew it back, allowing its aura to pulse and throb around the blade, surrounding it in a blazing greenish mist. With a swift movement, he brought the blade down and across Kagome's body, watching as its healing energy restored her.

The scent, of death, dispelled.

She was still unconscious, but that was to be expected - even though the physical wounds had vanished, she would need rest.

He carefully removed the soiled bed linen, and changed her tattered kimono, laying her down gently as to not disturb her.

He leaned back onto his hanches. He felt an alien emotion seize his heart...unbearable guilt. As he thought about Kagome's near demise, he found that it was mostly he who was to blame. Blinded in his need to make her his, he had not foreseen the consequences his actions would hold; he had not thought through the plan entirely and had nearly payed a price that would have been far too high. Although, he still planned on killing the bastards who harmed her!

He gently covered Kagome with a soft blanket, and left for Ashitaka's chambers. He would have Ashitaka bring those scum to him.

He slid into the room without a sound.

"Ashitaka," he said in a low menacing tone that nearly sent the human lord into a panic. "Bring to me the men that were watching the girl...I wish to deal with them..."

"Y-yes, Lord S-Sessho-maru," he stuttered," whatever you wish!"

Ashitaka summoned another set of his guards to retrieve the dungeon guards, and ordered them to bring the to him immediately.

He looked over at the demon lord and almost cowered at the dangerously dark expression that hovered on his features. He listened carefully as the demon hissed under his breath, "They will all perish at my hand...!"

* * *

Ashitaka let out a low groan as he watched the last, of the guards, thud to the ground in a broken mess. Sweat beaded his brow and his breath came out in short shakey gasps.

Sessho-maru appeared to have vented the full force of his rage , but Ashitaka wasn't too sure. As the demon left, Ashitaka felt as though he had appeased the lord.

He peeked around the corner boldly and watched Sessho-maru enter his chamber. Ashitaka sighed. There may still be a chance for peace yet...

* * *

Sessho-maru lingered beside the futon, watching as Kagome peacefullly slept. Maybe it was time he let her go...

The thought disturbed him, but as he continued to gaze at her, he began to reconsider it. His attempts - to make her stay with him - only seemed to fuel her anger and hatred of him...

He put his thoughts to a grinding halt as he watched her stur.

Kagome blinked and tried to focus her blurry vision.

"Kagome..."

She nearly jumped a mile as she registered the voice. She allowed everything to sink in. Her main surprise was that she was still alive and healed, and that somehow, he was the reason - she couldn't help but be suspicious...

"Why?"

She blinked at this, and felt taken aback, "What do you mean by why?"

"Why won't you let me love you?" He almost sighed upon saying those words - it had always been the question that plague him. He might have been unsettled - in the past - for voicing such a thought, but he was determined to obtain an answer.

Kagome was silent for a moment before speaking - she wasn't sure how to answer such a question and was certainly unexpected. "Well -in all truth- I don't believe I was ever attracted to you in such a manner...I guess I would have saw you more as a friend had time allowed it, but that will never be known - too much has happened..." She paused for a second and continued. "Now, it is my turn to ask why? Why did you murder Inu-Yasha's mother? Wha---?"

"Why is it always about HIM?!?!" Sessho-maru snarled, cutting Kagome off in mid-sentence. "That bitch gave birth to the worthless mutt. There wouldn't have been any obstacles, if she hadn't brought him into the picture! No, you would have been mine only for the fact he was born...!"

Kagome's jaw nearly dropped. He had slaughtered her best friend because he was jealous of a child?!?!? The act had aready been a sin, but it was more deploreable now...all this suffering for such a thing...

Kagome's anger was becoming a slow boil. "Jealous over a child...taking the life of my best friend because you couldn't see past your hatred."She nearly spat this, close to revealing rage lurking beneath the surface. "A child whom I view almost like a little brother...too blind in your greed to take the relationship for what it really was; over exagerating it in your sick mind to give justice to your actions...!"

Sessho-maru had turned pale. He made an attempt to reply, but was cut short.

"Don't even think about it, I'm not finished yet!" she hissed, but continued. "You may have saved my life, but as far as I'm concerned, I don't owe you a thing.If you were expecting something, don't. I may someday forgive you for all the pain you've caused, but I will never forget...!"

She watched as his ego and anger deflated a few nochs. This gave her a bit of satisfaction and wore away some of the edges of her own rage. She had made her point and had found a way to end this without a fight. " In a weird way, you claim you care. If you really care, you'll let me go and move on with your life - stop chasing shadows of what will never be... Inu- Yasha will remain in my care. I don't trust you when it comes to him. Heck, I don't even know if you can be trusted, but I'll take my chances..."

Sessho-maru gave a tired, almost defeated sigh. "Heh, I guess I, Sessho-maru, would be better off with a demon woman anyway."

Kagome nodded. in his own way, he had admitted defeat and softened the blow to his fragile ego, but she was glad for this.

"Bye"

He watched as she left the room. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel...A surge of indignation began to rise, but was swept away. So much damage had been caused by his pride - it was time he let go...

Maybe he would see her again in future, and this time, perhaps,on better terms...he could only hope...

To be continued...