Chapter 13: Possession

Kagome woke to the sounds of the forest greeting the morning. She became aware her she was in someone's lap, her head resting against something soft. 'Sesshoumaru?' she wondered. 'Did he hold me all night?'

She kept her eyes closed but bit her lip. What did he think of her after last night? She had completely lost control. He was probably disgusted by the way she had acted. She had probably just proved how much of a foolish weak human she was. When had Sesshoumaru's opinions about her come to matter to her so much? She wasn't sure when, but now it did matter somehow. On the other hand, he had stayed with her all night. She was grateful that he had stayed beside her; she didn't think she could have ever slept after that ordeal, but she believed Sesshoumaru when he said he would protect her. Somehow in all of this, she had come to trust him.

Suddenly two thoughts pushed themselves to the forefront of her thoughts. First, Inuyasha, her first and only love, had just died. Second, she was lying comfortably in the arms of his half-brother. She stirred and pushed herself away, only to meet with resistance from Sesshoumaru's arms wrapped around her.

Sesshoumaru felt her wake and waited to see what her reaction would be. At first, she had not moved at all, her face flickering with emotion even with her eyes closed. After a moment, she stretched a little and tried to push herself out of his grasp. He held his ground and did not remove his arms, gauging her response.

She relaxed against him again, but looked up at him with a little confusion and concern. "Sesshoumaru, you can let me up now."

He held her eyes. "Is that what you want?"

He was definitely acting strangely. "I think you probably should. . ." she answered hesitantly.

He remained still for a moment more before decisively rising, hauling her up with him and setting her on her feet. She was a little surprised when he kept an arm around her waist.

"Um, Sesshoumaru. About last night-thank you for saving me, and, well, comforting me." She looked up at him, but he didn't respond and just stared down at her. Why wasn't he letting her go? "Are you angry with me?" she asked nervously.

"Angry?" he questioned impassively.

"For the way I acted. For latching on to you. For scaring Rin. For...falling asleep on you."

She was looking up at him expectantly, her eyes wide and apologetic, though Sesshoumaru could find no fault with what she had done. "I am not angry with you."

Her smile twitched a little. "Thank you, for not leaving me. You could have let me sleep alone."

"I do as a choose," he told her, stirring up a flurry of questions in Kagome's mind. She was still very much aware that Sesshoumaru still had an arm around her, and was looking at her quite intently. She felt a little stirring of fear, but knew that it wasn't of Sesshoumaru himself. Something about the situation screamed wrong, as if she knew deep down that she wasn't bothered by Sesshoumaru's closeness, but recognized how dangerous that feeling might be. Two of her fingers traced the magenta stripes on Sesshoumaru's wrist, inciting her stomach to give a little twist at the touch. She realized suddenly that Sesshoumaru's claws were delicately braced under her chin, while his thumb ran softly across her lips. Sesshoumaru held an expression of deep though, as if struggling to comprehend something about her face. Slowly, he pulled away, releasing Kagome from his warm hold.

As soon as he had turned to wake the others, Kagome put a hand to her burning lips, trying to slow her racing heart.



Jaken had watched some of what had transpired between the two, and was worried about the state of his master's mind. It was one thing to let Rin travel with them, she was little more than a curiosity. Sesshoumaru was getting entirely to close to the miko, however. Once Sesshoumaru decided what he wanted, he always found a method to get his way. Jaken, wisely, kept his tongue behind his teeth to prevent irking his lord.



Sesshoumaru abruptly began their march again, jogging Kagome back to reality. She trotted up to walk next to him, stretching her legs as much as she could to match his pace. He slowed a little but continued to ignore her.

"Sesshoumaru, I meant what I said last night. It's dangerous for me to be with you. Naraku, he still has a connection to me. He'll use it against us both." Kagome shuffled a little, too nervous to look the demon lord in the eye. Sesshoumaru didn't even bother to glance at her.

"Do not question me. That connection will lead me to him."

"Don't you even care about what he might do?" Kagome half-yelled at him. "He could use me again." Her voice shook a little and fell. "Like he used me to lure and purify Inuyasha," she said, a small tear running down her cheek.

Sesshoumaru smelled her tears. "You knew?"

More tears began to flow down her cheek. "I do now. Naraku told me, last night in the dream. I should have seen it sooner, though. It was the only possibility." She swallowed. "I killed him. . ."

He finally looked down at her guilt and grief stricken face, glistening trails cutting their way down her face. "Naraku killed him. You were his prisoner, another victim, if you must assign yourself a role. Don't be so dense."

"Dense? Excuse me!" Sesshoumaru was as bad with reassuring words as Inuyasha, Kagome thought. "But what happens when he tries again? He might be able to use my purification powers again!"

"I'm not concerned." Sesshoumaru watched as she opened her mouth to begin her tirade anew. He interrupted before she could speak again. "It did not harm me before, I don't think it will in the future."

"What makes you so sure? It's harmed every other demon I've encountered."

It seemed he would have to give a more detailed explanation. "Tenseiga protected me in the battle before, even though Tetsusaiga failed. I believe the nature of the swords can account for this. The holy power inside you is very much akin to the healing magic of the sword. When the two combine, the result is not destructive to the wielder-even to a youkai. Perhaps, it is a bridge. As you said: it likes you."

"You've really thought this through, haven't you?"

"Yes. Now stop speaking about your danger to me. In any case, you will not leave."

Kagome was a little reassured by Sesshoumaru's explanation, comforted that at least he could not die in the way Inuyasha had. She could barely contain the guilt for one death, even if her mind insisted there had been nothing she could have done. Still, she was homesick and lonely. Sesshoumaru had been comforting last night, but he was still his same stoic self. The modern world, her family, even her big yellow bag seemed like ancient memories. Maybe this would all be over soon, then perhaps she could go home and pick up her life where she had left off and put this behind her.

Sesshoumaru was inwardly satisfied that she had been so concerned about what was going to happen to him. He had begun to appreciate the miko's presence. She was wonderful for Rin, she had healed him, and she was loyal and powerful for a human. He had decided last night that he was going to keep her. Besides, he enjoyed watching her and she had a nice scent. To his surprise, he even liked that she had the backbone to argue with him, and had the charm to do it without getting killed. No wonder his brother had kept her around.

"Sesshoumaru?" she asked sweetly, her voice still tainted by her tears. "You'll let me go home after this is finished, won't you? You won't need me anymore, and I miss my family."

Sesshoumaru ignored her, and as soon as she realized he wasn't going to answer she fell back a little. "Selfish jerk," she hissed under her breath. She tried to set her mind to other things, but her thoughts kept wondering back to Sesshoumaru...especially about how he had held her last night. What was wrong with her?

Sesshoumaru chose to disregard her comment. He would have control of this situation, and she would just have to learn to deal with it.

Miles away, dawn was breaking over the remainder of Inuyasha's group. Miroku stood and stretched, a little cramped after sleeping against a tree all night. Even more so since Inuyasha died, he felt responsible for keeping the others safe at night. He sighed tiredly; at least he had always been a light sleeper, though he was no competition for the hanyou.

He resignedly went over and shook Sango awake gently, and Shippou cuddled next to Kirara. Few words were exchanged as the group quickly broke camp. The last couple of weeks had been difficult. They had all been accustomed to and relied on Kagome's unquenchable cheerfulness and Inuyasha's passion and determination. Without them, things seemed so much more dreary. Shippou had become especially clingy, as if worried he might loose Miroku and Sango too. That much was understandable, he had lost all of his family too and was still very young.

Miroku watched Sango tiredly strap on her armor and gather together her supplies for another day of travel. Perhaps it wouldn't be so tedious if they had some indication of where they were going. Miroku had forgotten what it was like hunting Naraku without Inuyasha's senses, not to mention the hanyou's knack for finding trouble.

Even tired and depressed as she was, Sango was still beautiful, he thought. It wasn't fair that someone like her had to be caught up in this. Of course, that could be said for all of them. He stepped wordlessly next to her and helped her lift Hiraikotsu onto her shoulder.

Sango looked back at him, startled out of her reverie. "Thanks," she murmured.

"Anytime," he said, pulling back with a half smile.

She regarded him for a moment, raising her eyebrows inquisitively. "What's wrong, Sango?"

She shook her head. "Its nothing. It just occurred to me that it's been a while since you tried to feel me up."

A moment later a loud smack resounded through the wood. "That wasn't an invitation!"

"Forgive me, Sango." Miroku grinned as he rubbed his cheek. "We should really work on our signals." That would probably be hurting all morning, but it was completely worth it. Besides, his little stunt had distracted her a little. She was even smiling a bit. Definitely not as much a hopeless pursuit as she liked to appear. If only he had more time.

His head snapped up suddenly. 'Youki?!'

A moment later he was lifting his sleeve to block the clouds of dust suddenly thrown into the air as a small whirlwind came to a stop in front of them.

Kouga looked up at them from his skid mark. "Yo."

The group was speechless for a moment at the wolf prince's sudden arrival. "Kouga, what are you doing here?" Miroku asked finally.

"I've been looking for Naraku, of course, but I caught wind of you and came to see my woman." Kouga frowned. He had detected Inuyasha's companions, but had not detected Kagome's scent and had come to investigate. "Where's Inu-koro? If he's done something to her, I'll kill him!"

Sango stepped forward. "Inuyasha is dead, Kouga," she said softly. "He died trying to rescue Kagome from Naraku."

Kouga stared at her in shock. Inuyasha was dead? That didn't seem possible-Inuyasha just didn't know how to die. He knew from personal experience. The news hit him like a blow. Inuyasha had been his rival, but he had been honorable and, though he would never admit it, had even saved him a few times. He had thought Kagome would be safe with him, at least until he had satisfied his vendetta.

He grabbed the monk by the front of his robes and jerked him off of the ground. "What do you mean 'trying'? Where the hell is Kagome?!" He yelled angrily in Miroku's face. "Do you mean that he failed?"

Miroku brought his staff down sharply on Kouga's hands, stumbling back a few steps as the youkai dropped him. Kouga did not pursue, but only stood with his eyes icy and downcast. "Then he still has her, or...she's..." he brought a clawed hand up to rest his forehead in a dejected motion.

"She's not dead," Miroku replied to Kouga's unfinished thought. "At least we don't think so," he finished, thinking of Kagome's wounds when he had last seen her. "Nor is she still a captive of Naraku."

Kouga felt an immense rush of relief. "Where the hell is she then? Why isn't she with you?" Kouga growled. If he didn't get a full explanation soon, he'd start tearing things apart. "Start talking."

Miroku sighed. "Kagome was kidnaped by Naraku. Inuyasha and we went after her, of course. Apparently, Naraku also provoked Inuyasha's half-brother, Sesshoumaru. He found Naraku at the same time we did. In the following battle, Naraku returned Inuyasha's most powerful attack and also managed to purify him. Inuyasha fell, but his brother apparently was able to force a retreat."

Miroku watched the wolf's face as he took in the news. "We were thrown clear of the battle, but when we found Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru showed up with Kagome in his possession. She was in pretty bad shape-I think Naraku tortured her, but she was alive. As soon as Sesshoumaru had determined Inuyasha was dead, he left. He took Kagome and Tetsusaiga with him. From what he says, he planned to hold her hostage as bait for Naraku."

"He took her? Who the fuck does this bastard think he is?" Not only had his woman been harmed at the hands of his worst enemy, but now she was held by the stupid hanyou's half-brother. "I'll fucking kill him. I'm getting her back."

Miroku put a restraining hold on Kouga's arm. "Sesshoumaru is not like Inuyasha. He wouldn't think twice about killing you, and he's powerful enough to bat even you down. I am worried for her as well, but he will not let her get hurt, I think. Besides...with Inuyasha dead, he might be the only person powerful enough to stop Naraku."

Kouga's forcefully removed the monk's hand. "You want me to ignore this? I don't think so. I let Inuyasha protect her, but that was obviously a mistake. I won't let her get hurt, either by Naraku or Inu-koro's stupid brother." He was gone with a toss of his head and a swirl of dust.

"He really did fall hard for Kagome-chan, didn't he?" Sango contemplated. "I didn't realize he cared about her that much. Why didn't he ever try to take her away from Inuyasha again?"

"Well, he is awfully confident in himself. Guess he just assumed she returned the feelings, or that she would eventually. Kinda sweet."

Sango scoffed. "Or just thick-headed. Do you think he'll be ok?"

Miroku looked after the youkai's trail thoughtfully. "I don't know."

By that night, Kagome's frustration had faded away into confusion. She had lain awake for hours, tired, but too worried about seeing Naraku in her dreams to risk sleep. Her body's rest only allowed her thoughts to run away with her. Sesshoumaru was not the person she had thought him to be, the previous night was evidence of that. His behavior had been strange, too. She would never have imagined that he might consent to hold her, or act so caring, and even talk with her civilly. She felt differently around him too. It comforted her to know he was near, and his face entered her thoughts more and more frequently. The only other person who had ever occupied her mind so much had been Inuyasha.

She bit her lip. It seemed so disloyal that she could think of Sesshoumaru in such a positive light. Besides, he almost certainly couldn't really care about her. He had a possessive overtone in his actions, but it almost certainly was not for her sake. If he protected her and cared for her, it was because he was using her to get to Naraku. At most, she was his possession. At worst, she was his prisoner. She wasn't happy with either role, but was finding it harder and harder to resent him for it. The anger had been replaced by a shred of wistfulness, and she wasn't sure what it longed for. Repressing it left a swimming sensation in her insides, almost like what she felt when she used to think of Inuyasha and Kikyou together.

When she stole a glance at him, she blushed to see him staring openly at her. Lately, it seemed as though she could always feel his eyes on her. His attention was intimidating, and she wondered what she had done to warrant it.

"You're still awake," Sesshoumaru stated evenly. "Go to sleep now."

She raised her head to give her sarcasm a bit more bite. "Gee, as much as I'd like to do whatever you tell me, it's just not that easy." Nothing like someone pointing out the obvious and then ordering you around when you're already tired and cranky.

Sesshoumaru, however, was not goaded. "You are afraid of Naraku?"

"No!" Kagome exclaimed. "It's just that. . .in my sleep, there's nothing I can do. I'm defenseless."

"I'll watch you."

"I've noticed. . ." she mumbled under her breath. Before she had even seen his movement, he was kneeling next to her. Startled by his appearance, Kagome scuttled back away from him.

He grabbed he by her upper arm and lifted her to her knees. "I will do as I choose, and you would be wise to listen to me when I tell you to do something."

"Or what?" Kagome answered bravely. "You can't kill me, and you won't hurt me. I have nothing that you can take away. You can not own me the way you seem to think you can. I belong only to myself, even if you do hold me captive."

He was transfixed by her defiant glare. He had thought that she would be like Rin, and gratefully resign herself to a submissive role. This would make things more difficult, but he had already decided she was staying with him, for as long as he wanted her. He might be able to break her, but that was more Naraku's style. He was above bargaining and persuasion. She would just have to adjust. Something inside suggested she would never stay willingly if he did not have her subjugated. Her will was irrepressible.

Kagome's timid voice snuck through his thoughts. "I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru." She was looking away, as if it damaged her pride to beg his pardon. "You have taken care of me, I should not have spoken to you like that."

She was constantly surprising him. She was strong willed, but she was also willing to apologize in order to keep the peace. "I accept your apology," he said as he released her arm. She seethed a little at his arrogance, but kept quiet.

To her surprise, he pulled her back to lean against him as he had the night before. "Don't argue with me this time, just go to sleep." She briefly resisted, but his hold was firm and she gave up.

"Sesshoumaru," she said, her coherency beginning to slip away as sleep snuck up on her, "I will not belong to you, but perhaps we could get along anyway."

Sesshoumaru pondered her words, unsure of her meaning as he felt the miko begin to drift off. She was the first instance in which he could not simply take what he wanted. This time, just having her was not enough if she resented him and did not give her consent. It shouldn't matter what she wanted, but this situation was not like any he had encountered before. He would have to find a way to make her accept his dominion. 'She is mine,' he thought, but with less confidence.

Her head resting against Sesshoumaru's arm, Kagome felt safe for the first time that night. 'Who am I kidding?' she thought bitterly. She had hardly thought of anything but him all day, no matter how she tried to do otherwise. 'He does own me.'

Elsewhere, Sesshoumaru's quarry brooded under the cover of darkness. Things had not gone well since the demon lord had managed to defeat him and take the miko. Somehow, Sesshoumaru had even managed to get his arm back. He had not anticipated that the coming together of the great youkai and the miko could be so powerful. Even worse, it seemed the girl's powers were progressing steadily.

On the other hand, he could make use of the growing attachment between the two. Sesshoumaru would certainly be unbalanced should anything happen to her. After all, it was his brother's passion for her that led to Inuyasha's ultimate defeat. Sesshoumaru was not as different as he liked to believe.

It would probably be wisest to simply eliminate the problem before Sesshoumaru and the miko found a way to counter him. It would be a shame to waste her, but the miko's gift was no longer vital in the search for the shards, and with Sesshoumaru to protect her, she became more dangerous than she was worth.

"Kagura, I have another job for you." Naraku's shouki darkened the light from even the brightest stars.

The wind-user reigned in her loathing before turning to face her master.

Naraku completed his instructions to his offspring: "Bring her body back with you. Can't have Sesshoumaru trying anything with it. When you're finished, follow the Saimyoushou. It's time I returned south."

This chapter took FOREVER. Next chapter will be more exciting, I promise. Hmm...and I think it's been a while since I left you with a vicious cliffhanger. I'll see what I can do about that.

You guys have been really great in your reviews. I always love it when I see new names. And of course much thanks to my regulars.

Comments much appreciated!!!

-Aiwen



This chapter last updated: Thursday, April 24, 2003