Last Chapter:

Kagome's voice came softly from the door frame, where she was leaning heavily against the post. Attention snapped to her quickly as she stood weakly, tears in her eyes. "Sesshoumaru is right. This is my fault. Naraku has completed the Shikon no Tama."

Chapter 23: Common Enemy

"Kagome..."

Sesshoumaru looked back at her with a mix of relief and frustration. He was glad to see her conscious, but she shouldn't be on her feet. Rin was close by Kagome's side, and began to tug on her hand back towards the hut. The little girl kept turning back to Kohaku's motionless form, her eyes wide and tearful.

"Rin, help Kagome inside." His order was soft but firm.

But Kagome wouldn't remove her eyes from Kohaku either. "But-"

"Kagome." Her eyes rose to meet his. "Please go back inside. I'll be right there."

She looked torn for a moment, then turned and allowed Rin to pull her back into the hut.

It was all becoming more clear... the wolf's rumors... the abandoned village... the smell of the youkai Naraku had cast off on his way south. The rumors about the last shard had undoubtably been true; it was in the south, and Naraku had been seeking it. It had all been a deliberate lure to bring Kagome so that, through her, he could locate the shard more precisely. He had overlooked the possibility that Naraku's influence could extend beyond Kagome's dreams, and now he was paying for it.

Sesshoumaru turned to the fallen youkai exterminator, his sister kneeling above him, perfectly still. She wasn't even crying, she just stayed under the monks comforting hand with her head bowed into her palms. "Move back," he said softly.

Sango looked up at him slowly, angry he had told her to move away from her brother. She calmed slightly as she met his even gaze, then her eyes glanced over to the sword at his hip. She met his eyes and tried to speak, if necessary to beg him to use it, but she couldn't seem to make her mouth move.

Miroku also saw Sesshoumaru's intent and quickly pulled Sango to her feet and moved her away, before the demon lord began to reconsider.

Slowly, Sesshoumaru drew Tenseiga, willing it to life in his hands. With one stroke, he sliced the air above the boy, replacing the blade smoothly. He stood firmly at Kohaku's feet and heard the boy take his first breaths.

Kohaku sat up suddenly, his hands shaking in front of him as his breaths quickened. He stared on his quivering hands, hissing something Sango and Miroku couldn't understand. Sesshoumaru caught snatches of his words.

"...hands.... so much blood....... chi...chichiue..... killed them..... my hands..... all of them..."

"Kohaku," Sango called tentatively, reaching toward him slightly. Kohaku didn't seem to hear her. Though his life had been restored, his eyes were still as dull as a corpse's. He hardly seemed to blink, only continued to stare at his hands as if he were trying to wish them away.

Sango moved toward him, intending to put her arms around him and comfort him-to reassure him that all that had happened was not his fault. He was back now, and this time she intended to hang on to him.

Sesshoumaru extended an arm, blocking Sango from coming any closer. "Not now, taijiya. There is unfinished business between this boy and myself."

Sango looked up at him in shock as he stared down at the boy.

"Boy." Sesshoumaru addressed him, a dangerous edge in his voice. "Unless you want to go back to death, look at me."

Miroku and Sango were surprised when Kohaku actually looked up.

"Your name is Kohaku?" The boy nodded once slowly, dull eyes riveted to the demon lord. "Do you know who I am?" Another slow nod. "And you remember all that you have done in Naraku's service?" Kohaku shuddered.

"Good. Then you are aware of the offenses you have committed against me."

Sango, by this time, was very worried. Sesshoumaru had a lot of nerve blaming Kohaku for what Naraku had ordered. 'He's going to take him from me again!' Miroku had one hand locked around her arm, holding her as she strained forward slightly without realizing it.

"You have endangered my wife and my ward, and no doubt slaughtered and spied for that abomination." Sesshoumaru paused, as if waiting for Kohaku to offer a defense of himself. Sango opened her mouth, but he silenced her with a glare.

"I... I did," Kohaku said shakily. "I don't deserve life... Chichiue's murderer... and I followed him."

"I will not forgive you," Sesshoumaru said coldly. "But you will not die until you have earned your pardon."

Kohaku looked crushed, the thought of living with the pain he felt ripped through him.

"Do you want revenge?" Sesshoumaru asked, an odd tilt in his voice.

Kohaku's eyes widened. 'Do I want to kill Naraku? The one that made me kill all of those people?' He had never enjoyed killing. Even while under control, the mindless bloodshed had filled him with disgust. "Naraku should not be living," he said finally.

Sesshoumaru seemed satisfied. "You mean little to me," he said bluntly. "But others desire that you live. You are in my debt, for the crimes you have committed against me and for the life I have returned to you. From this day, you will be in my service until that debt is repaid. Do you understand?"

Kohaku looked at him blankly for a moment while the words sunk in. Slowly he rose to one knee, his head bowed. "I understand, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Good. Wake Jaken and help him keep watch. Until I decide you are trustworthy, you are not to be alone with Rin or Kagome. Understood?"

"Hai." There was something like hard resolve in the boy's voice. He rose and trailed deliberately towards the oblivious toad youkai.

Sesshoumaru turned and stalked back to the hut to find Kagome. As soon as Sango and Miroku had recovered, they turned to follow.

Sesshoumaru found Kagome standing anxiously just inside the hut, leaning heavily against the wall.

"He's alive. You can lie back down now."

Kagome smiled weakly at him. "Thank you."

Sango and Miroku brushed into the hut behind Sesshoumaru.

"What the hell is your problem?" Sango hissed at Sesshoumaru. "My brother didn't deserve that!"

Sesshoumaru spun to face her. "Would you rather find him after he imbeds that sickle into his own chest? He may be breathing again, but he's not alive. He must find a way to satisfy his honor. I only offered him a chance to atone."

Kagome stretched forward to lay a hand on Sesshoumaru's shoulder, but stumbled against him. Sesshoumaru turned to hold her up. "I thought I told you to lie back down."

Kagome shook her head. "It's not as bad right now, and we don't have any time. He's found the last of the shards and taken Kouga and Kohaku's. He's finished the jewel."

"Then Kouga must be dead. And we know Kagura is nearby." Miroku said bitterly.

Kagome sagged again in Sesshoumaru's arms, wincing in pain. Sesshoumaru looked at her in concern, helping her lay down again.

"It's getting worse again," she said softly. "He's always talking to me..." She closed her eyes with an exhale of pain.

Miroku saw Sesshoumaru's lips curl slightly in rage at Kagome's words. "We're going to look for Kagura. We need to find some answers. I assume you're staying here?" Sesshoumaru looked down at Kagome for a moment and nodded.

"You could go, you know. I know you don't like sitting here," Kagome said after the other two left.

"My place is with you," he said, taking her hand gently in his.

"This is my fault," Kagome whispered. "I knew where the shard was, and I tried to tell you. He shouldn't have been able to see into my mind."

"It's alright," he said, stroking her hair. "We'll stop him."

Kagome frowned, her eyes closed tightly. "His voice is getting louder again. It's getting harder to feel you."

"What does he say?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"That we're all going to die now that he has absorbed the jewel."

Sesshoumaru growled lowly.

"But he's lying."

"What?"

"He hasn't absorbed the jewel yet," Kagome murmured. "I can still feel it. It's growing dark, but he didn't absorb it."

"Why?" he asked.

"...I don't know."

Sesshoumaru left the hut when he heard Sango and Miroku return on Kirara. He leveled a heated glare at the pair when he saw their cargo.

"This isn't Kagura."

Miroku grunted slightly as he shouldered the body and lifted it off of Kirara's back. "Obviously."

He laid Kouga down flat on the ground. "He's dead, and the shards he had have been removed."

"And?" Sesshoumaru said in annoyance. "Why bring the filthy wolf back here?"

"Well..." Sango began, "we thought that he might know something about what's going on here. He's also kind of a friend."

"I would be delighted to beat it out of him. However, it will be difficult, considering that he is already dead." Miroku looked at him meaningfully while Sango glared, apparently still fed up about the way he had treated Kohaku.

"Absolutely not."

"It would show great strength to be compassionate," Miroku appeased. "And surely any help would be beneficial in what will come."

"I don't need him."

"Kagome doesn't love him, you know. Never has." Miroku paused, using all of the tact he possessed. "But even so, she wanted him to live. She considers him a friend. And she has no appreciation for pointless deaths."

"I will not be 'handled.'" Sesshoumaru said menacingly.

"Damn it, Sesshoumaru! Just do it!" Sango stalked up to him and stared him in the eye. "If Kagome wakes up and finds out you left him for dead just for your stupid pride, you'll see some temper much worse than mine."

Miroku took a few steps away from her, his eyes wide. Sesshoumaru stared for a moment, inwardly shocked. Should he kill her? No, he couldn't do that anymore. Instead he leveled his blank gaze at the taijiya's wrathful one as he shouldered the wolf and stepped into the woods with it.

He threw Kouga down somewhat less than gently, glaring as he drew Tenseiga. 'Damn. Stupid soul-retrievers are still there.' He sliced through them and waited a moment.

Kouga felt as if he had just been shocked out of a very deep sleep. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Sesshoumaru's cold face, glaring down at him. A moment later, the other demon's claws were around his throat.

"Listen carefully, wolf." Sesshoumaru hissed. "I would have preferred to leave you dead, so you may consider yourself fortunate my mate and her friends are so kind. I've done you a big favor, and I expect to be repaid. Cross me, and you'll be back in your grave before you see me move. If you so much as look at Kagome in a way I don't like, you'll wish for the kind treatment of Naraku's minions. Understand?"

Kouga nodded, slightly hindered by the tight grasp on his throat. Sesshoumaru released him, and Kouga sat and began to suck in full breaths. "Kagome... is your mate?" His voice was eerily level.

Sesshoumaru nodded silently.

"I'd like to see her. Hear it from her mouth."

"Kagome is in no condition to waste words on you."

"No condition!? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Sesshoumaru said venomously, "that while you were busy failing to destroy Naraku's fighters, he attacked her mind and stole the last of the shards. Now he will not relinquish his hold on her."

Kouga's eyes filled with worry. "Maybe I can help somehow."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "It would be in your best interest."

Kagome turned her head to the demons as they walked into the hut. Kouga tried to rush to her side, but Sesshoumaru threw his arm out in front of the wolf. "She's having enough difficulty without you barreling into her." Kouga's blue eyes glinted to the taiyoukai at his side.

"In any case," Sesshoumaru said so quietly only Kouga had heard him, "you are not allowed to lay so much as a finger on her."

"Kouga-kun..." Kagome tried to sit up, but her pain had only grown since she had managed to force herself out of her tortured coma that morning. "I'm glad you're all right. I was worried you might have died."

Kouga's expression softened as he settled to one knee next to her. "It is only because of your kind nature that I live. Kagura appeared with a shard-- she told me it was the last. She summoned an army of dead to assist her, as well as more of Naraku's demons. They managed to get my shards." Sesshoumaru knelt on the opposite side, watching Kouga carefully.

Kagome twitched, then pitched forward hugging her middle.

"Kagome!!" Kouga fought the urge to put a hand on her back. "What's wrong with you?"

Sesshoumaru slid a hand under her shoulders and raised her against him, clutching her gently. Kagome winced again in pain, curling into Sesshoumaru helplessly.

"It's nothing... I just seem to have nightmares even while I'm awake now. He strikes me and taunts. I feel like I'm in two places at once, with Naraku and here with you." She looked up at Sesshoumaru sadly. "It just gets worse... I have to fight to hear you... to feel you... to even know what's real." She gave a small sigh. "I feel so drained."

Kouga watched Sesshoumaru's reaction-- a brief flash of anger and a twitch of sadness before his face relaxed again. The demon lord leaned down and whispered some low words of comfort into the young woman's ears.

"Kouga-kun, Sesshoumaru... I have a favor... until Naraku is destroyed, would you please not fight? I don't have the energy to jump in front of swords today. Please?" Kagome made a valiant attempt at a smile.

Both paused and looked at each other. "I will not add to your grief," Sesshoumaru said softly. Kouga nodded in agreement.

Miroku appeared in the door of the hut. "Sesshoumaru-sama? May I speak with you a moment?"

Sesshoumaru rose, dragging the wolf back by his collar as he walked past. "You can't stay in here alone."

Miroku stood anxiously outside, his face wrung with worry. He waved them aside, away from the hut. Sango was standing near Kohaku, lending her comfort to her broken brother.

"I don't want Kagome-sama to overhear," Miroku explained.

"What do you want monk?"

Miroku glanced at Kouga, as if deciding wether or not to speak in front of him. "I've been listening to what Kagome-sama has said."

"You were listening in?" Kouga asked. "Why?"

Miroku blinked and raised an eyebrow. "Habit?"

"Come to the point," Sesshoumaru said impatiently.

"Doesn't it strike you as odd? Naraku delivered his ultimatum, and then all sight or scent of him disappear. He loosens his hold on Kagome, only to begin to tighten it again. And Kagome says that he has not absorbed the Shikon no Tama, which she can apparently feel somehow."

"What are you getting at?" Sesshoumaru muttered, a sudden tension gripping him.

"Don't you see? Kagome can feel the jewel in Naraku's presence even now- no one has a greater connection with it than she does."

"You're saying... that Kagome is the reason he can't absorb the jewel."

Miroku nodded. "It makes sense. He did not anticipate this difficulty, but some part of Kagome is managing to keep the jewel from becoming completely corrupted, even from here. He is delaying our battle until he can become a full demon."

"That would mean..." Kouga said slowly.

"He's slowly killing her. In order for him to absorb the jewel... Kagome has to die."



"Kagome has to die."

Miroku's words seared Sesshoumaru's mind. "I will not allow that to happen."

"But what will happen when he finally exhausts her? She has finally managed to gain some control over herself with her miko powers, but even hers are not limitless. I don't think she can manage to fight much longer, especially if Naraku is growing stronger. The next time she falls unconscious, she may not wake. When her spirit is exhausted and broken she will die. Can your sword save her if that happens?

He felt his rage begin to boil over inside him as he turned away from the other two with carefully restrained movements. He stalked back towards his mate, pushing his overly voracious youki down within himself.

"He's really pissed..." Kouga commented in amazement.

A massive tree that had the misfortune of being too close to Sesshoumaru's path was suddenly slashed apart, crashing and tumbling in a wave of melting leaves and branches.

"No shit," Miroku commented in frustration.

"He's going back to Kagome. Do you think he would harm her when he's like this?"

"Probably not. He's a different person when he's with her... it's amazing."



His eyes alighted on Kagome's prone form, her eyes staring worriedly at the ceiling. "What happened just now? What was the crash?" She shook her head. "Or was it in my dream... I can't tell."

"It was nothing," he tried to replace his calm as he settled next to her. "How do you feel?"

"Tired... like I can't move... sometimes I can feel chains again."

He pulled her into his lap, clutching her tightly as he took in a few calming breaths of her scent. "Kagome, it is very important that you fight for as long as you can. Promise me you'll stay awake until the danger is past."

"Sesshoumaru... of course I'll fight. But why are you suddenly so worried?" She clutched his clothes, half for balance and half to reassure herself he was really there.

"Don't be concerned... just promise me."

"Alright. No sleeping. I promise."

"Good," he kissed her lips softly. "Wait here for me. I'll come back for you soon." He briefly nurtured the still-fresh marks on her neck before embracing her tightly and returning her to the floor.

"You're leaving me?" She sounded scared. She tried to clutch at one of his sleeves, but in her dizziness missed it altogether.

"I have to," he said with a twang of regret. "Just stay awake and I promise I will return soon." He turned away from the loss in her eyes and walked out the door. If he looked at her for one second more, he doubted he would be able to leave her like this.

He nearly ran into Miroku when he exited. "Move. I'm going to find Naraku and kill him. Now. Stay here and guard Kagome, he may try to attack her."

Miroku grabbed his arm as he walked back. "You didn't let me tell you what I needed to tell you back there."

Sesshoumaru glared at him impatiently. "You have more?"

"It is impossible for me to stay with Kagome-sama. I will be little protection if I die within the next few hours."

"What are you talking about?"

"Kagome's curse is not the only one that is strengthening." Miroku held up his right arm meaningfully. "Since Naraku has come into possession of the completed Jewel, the pain has been growing. When my kazaana breaks, everything will be sucked in-- myself included. I'm coming with you. When I go, I would love to put a nice crater in the battlefield."

Miroku's face had a strange grim smile. "I intend to fight until I'm gone, and I don't really care what you say at this point."

"The same goes for me," Sango landed next to them astride Kirara. She did not appear to have heard any but the last remark. "My brother serves you and I assume you do not trust him out of your sight. If he goes with you, I go with him. Besides, I won't be able to rest until I've achieved my revenge. You'll just have to put up with our assistance."

"Kagome can hardly move," Sesshoumaru hissed at the group. "It would be dangerous to bring her into battle-- especially since it is her life he is after. I will not leave her here unprotected."

"Look," Miroku said slowly. "We don't know if Kohaku is completely free of Naraku's influence. He can't stay. Sango and I are definitely coming. But there's still someone left to take care of and guard Kagome..."

Sesshoumaru scowled.

"I know you don't like the idea, but he does care about Kagome and he is trustworthy. Even without the shards, he could probably protect her better than any of us. Kaede may even return soon, and she can help if she does."

Kouga, who had apparently been listening in, joined them. "Wait a minute! I'm not going to sit here while you guys all go and fight! That bastard is responsible for decimating my tribe! I'm not giving up my revenge!"

"Idiot," Sesshoumaru sneered. "The battle has already begun. Kagome is fighting alone right now. She is the key to victory or defeat. You owe me. Stay here and keep her safe, and I will consider that debt repaid. After which, I do not particularly wish to see your face again."

"Fine," Kouga muttered. Even if the burden of this battle fell on the weakened Kagome, his body craved the action of a real fight. But she had to be protected.

Sesshoumaru knew that this was probably the most practical solution, but he still didn't like it. "Remember my earlier warnings, wolf. Only keep her awake and guard her and the children. It would be extremely unwise to cross me."

Kouga nodded. "We can settle our differences after Naraku is dead."

"We leave now. There is no longer any time to waste." Sesshoumaru turned away quickly and went to instruct Jaken, Rin, and Kohaku. Jaken could stay and help guard his mate and Rin... and keep an eye on Kouga. He decided to leave Ah-Un as well; he had to leave everything he could spare for her protection.

Kagome heard the others muttering intensely outside the hut, but was finding it very difficult to understand them.

"You see-- even your mate acknowledges that I am completely in control of your fate."

"Shut up," she whispered, her eyes fluttering closed in concentration. He was going to try again. She saw Naraku on the inside of her eyelids, always standing over her grinning. He pulled her head up by her hair to look tauntingly into her eyes.

"Really, girl. How long do you think you can last against me?" Kagome did not even try to move to stop him, knowing she would be unable. These past hours he had inflicted bruises and cuts over most of her body. She wouldn't have found those nearly as painful if she didn't also have to listen to him.

"I'll outlast you," she sneered.

"Not likely." She desperately wanted to wipe that gloating smirk off of his face. "You've already yielded the Shikon no Tama to me. I am free to take your life at my leisure. It is only a matter of time before I crush your mind completely."

'I can't fall asleep-- this must be what Sesshoumaru meant. I have to stay in control. I have to snap out of this before I get any deeper.' She concentrated, trying to bring her holy powers to life to chase him out of her mind. She blinked a few times as slowly the ceiling of Kaede's hut appeared above her.

"Kagome? Are you alright?" That was Kouga's voice. She turned her head a little to find Kouga sitting next to her with concerned eyes. "You were... glowing just now."

"It's alright," she sighed. "It gets harder to escape him every time, and even when I can push him into the background, the pain remains. Where is Sesshoumaru?"

Kouga frowned. "He and your friends left not long ago to find Naraku. I stayed to make sure you were protected."

"He really did go without me..." Kagome whispered. "What if something happens to him? I should be with him."

"He can handle himself," Kouga told her. "That bastard will probably be the last one standing, trust me. You should concentrate on yourself."

Her eyes were glassy, filled with unshed tears. What she was crying for, he wasn't sure.

"Kagome... does it bother you when I speak to you?"

"No Kouga," she winced a little as she tried to shake her head. "It will probably help me stay focused."

She felt his hand tentatively reach out and stroke her hair so that it fell away from her shoulders. He fell silent for a moment and Kagome realized he must be looking at the stripes on her neck.

"Is this what you want Kagome? I have heard his reputation, and seen the look in his eyes. He has killed many."

"I know," she answered softly.

"He is not a kind man. I fear he will harm you."

"He would never harm me... intentionally. As for kindness..." Kagome smiled wanly. "Perhaps he is not kind. But he is learning. And he is loyal, and even compassionate sometimes."

"Compassionate?" Kouga gave a sad little laugh. "I suppose that may be true. Only that bastard could simultaneously be compassionate and contemptuous."

"Kouga... I love him."

He flashed one of his roguish smiles, though his eyes were defeated. "I see that. I had always hoped you would fall in love with me after all of this."

Kagome reached out and pulled his clawed hand into hers. "Kouga, I'm sorry."

"You can't help who you love."

"No, not about that." She tightened her grip on his hand, sending a surge of white light through the wolf demon. He stiffened with a grunt of pain as the purity hit him, then slumped over on top of her legs. Kagome held a hand near his lips and felt breath on her fingers.

She forced herself to sit up, wrapping her fingers around Kouga's armor to pull herself upward. She grunted as she rolled the wolf off her. He was heavier than he looked and the movement was difficult.

That accomplished, she rolled over onto her hands and knees and dragged herself to the door. She clawed at the doorpost, pulling herself to her feet. She picked up her quiver and shrugged it over her shoulder. The bow she kept in her hands as a makeshift cane.

Jaken was standing just outside the hut on guard. "Hey... what are you doing?"

Kagome stumbled away from him, leaning on her bow. "Leaving."

Jaken scuttled in front of her, bracing his staff. "Sesshoumaru-sama ordered that you stay here."

Kagome scowled at him. "Look, Jaken. I don't have a lot of time, and I'm leaving whether you like it or not. Now step aside and go watch Rin, or I'll purify you like I did Kouga. I swear I will." She took a breath. 'Even a stupid little speech makes me tired.'

Jaken stood hesitantly in front of her, his resolve hanging by a thread. Sighing Kagome spread a palm towards him, taking a step to lay her hand on him.

Jaken squawked and scrambled away from her. Kagome dropped her hand, relieved she would not have to waste any energy on the little toad.

She dragged herself over to Ah-Un. It seemed to take forever and made her head pound, but at least it helped her stay alert.

She threw an arm around one of the beast's necks for support. "You guys will have to help me. I've got to catch up to them." She could almost swear that the two heads were giving her a critical glare. "Don't look at me that way! They're going to need me. I'm not getting left behind, and I need you to track Sesshoumaru! Ok?"

She assumed that sidelong glance was acceptance. She grabbed the top of his harness to pull herself onto the beast's back. The moment she tried to move her weight to her arms, her body gave out and her vision blackened. A few seconds later she whimpered and realized she was lying on the ground looking into two scaly faces.

They nuzzled her slightly, allowing her to grab onto them as she slowly regained her feet. "Fine," she muttered. "I won't try that again." She stared at the dragon's back for a moment hopelessly before looping her right arm through one of the harness straps. She let most of her weight rest against Ah-Un while the strap held her upright. "Alright, let's go." The dragon gave her a backward glance as if to check if she was stable before beginning to trail Sesshoumaru. Kagome walked weakly alongside, wishing she could just go to sleep and end the pain. It was taking all her energy to try and keep Naraku out of her mind, and all this exertion probably would not help. She was a little scared of what Sesshoumaru would say when he realized she followed, but one thought was clear in her feverish mind. 'I need to be with Sesshoumaru.'

"Can you smell Naraku, Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru tossed a glance back at Miroku. The small hunting party had stopped to allow Sesshoumaru determine the direction of their quarry. Kohaku stood silently near the youkai lord's side, a sad resolve hanging over him. Still, he watched Sesshoumaru closely for cues, apparently taking his indenture seriously.

"It would be foolish of the hanyou to allow himself to be scented before he has succeeded in absorbing the jewel. However..."

"However...?" Sango asked.

"Kagura's has left a clear trail."

"Do you think she's baiting a trap?"

Sesshoumaru paused. "I do not believe so. This last battle will probably be a straight-forward attack. One side will be defeated today, and there will be no more escapes. As for Kagura... it is possible she left a trail, hoping that Naraku would be destroyed before he absorbs the jewel. After all, I doubt he will have any need for her afterwards."

Kohaku nodded in agreement. "Kagura truly hates her master. She would escape him if she could, but he holds her heart. He can kill her wherever she goes. She may be trying to help us unnoticeably."

"Then let's follow. We don't have time to second guess ourselves, and we're almost out of daylight." Miroku spoke hastily, flashing a quick sideways glance at Sango. He wondered if he should tell her about his kazaana. He waited for the signs that it was about to tear, ready to abandon the group if he had to.

Both Sesshoumaru and Kohaku hesitated.

"Sesshoumaru-sama... we are being followed," Kohaku said, turning slowly.

Sesshoumaru nodded and stalked to the back of the group. He stood very still, the wind rippling his long silver hair as the sun shone through it from where it was setting in front of him. They all watched in silence as a large silhouette appeared over the line of the hill: a beast with two heads and a figure walking closely alongside. The pair stubbornly kept in line, finally reaching them and stopping a few meters in front of Sesshoumaru.

"Kagome-sama!" Miroku exclaimed. "You shouldn't be here. You're not well."

Sango joined him. "Kagome-chan... why did you follow us?"

Kagome didn't seem to hear them. Her eyes were fixed on Sesshoumaru's, waiting for him to speak. Climbing up that hill had taken too much of her energy. Even though she knew she hadn't gone that far, it felt as if she'd run a marathon. While heavily sedated.

She fidgeted as Sesshoumaru took a step towards her. "Sess-" she began, but couldn't think of a good way to finish her plea and looked down, abashed. Her head pounded.

Sesshoumaru reached her side, looking down at her muddy eyes with an indescribable look. She wished he'd say something. She didn't even care if he scolded her, as long as he didn't send her back.

Sesshoumaru slowly raised one hand, and before Kagome could comprehend his movement, Sesshoumaru had released one of the straps of Ah-Un's harness. The leather slid under her body weight and she felt herself fall as the harness came loose.

She gulped as she felt herself crumple, but found herself in Sesshoumaru's arms before she hit. She looked hesitantly up at his face, feeling hurt that he had made her fall like that.

"Kagome..." he said sadly. "You didn't have the strength to climb up, did you?"

Kagome tried to glare at him for humiliating her. She tried to be angry. Somehow, she was just too tired. Instead, she crumpled into him, trying to hide her tears.

"How could you leave me? I belong with you-- and you were just going to leave me behind?"

"Kagome," he said sadly, "I left you where I thought you would be safe. You are in no condition for battle. Your energy should be spent fighting Naraku, not chasing after me. You've thrown away all my precautions and wasted too much of your strength."

"You'll need me to find the jewel, remember? And I want to be there to fight with you. Naraku has to pay for what he did to Inuyasha and everybody."

"Besides... I'm safest at your side," she whispered.

He looked at her a moment before hugging her closely to carry her. "Since you 'escaped' the wolf, you leave me little choice." He turned back to the group. "Let's go. Time is short."

They continued with a renewed sense of urgency, the humans rode in order to keep the pace Sesshoumaru set.

Darkness had almost completely fallen, the stars beginning to emerge between the blur of trees. Kagome was a still bundle of shadows in Sesshoumaru's arms.

He jostled her a little, afraid she had fallen asleep. Kagome started and clutched his arm. "How do you feel?"

"Worse," Kagome said hoarsely. "Everything hurts... especially..." she trailed off.

"Kagome? Especially what?"

She frowned in confusion. "I don't remember." Her eyes were drooping.

"Kagome!" he snapped. Her eyes shot open again. He had to keep her talking. "How did you get away from Kouga and Jaken?"

"Purified Kouga... just a little...I hope I didn't hurt him too much. I told Jaken I would stop him too if he tried to block me."

He couldn't help but smile a tiny bit. "Why is it that you may knock out the wolf, while I have to be civil?"

She almost managed to return his smile. "Good intent?"

"Can you still hear him?" he asked slowly, referring to Naraku.

"Yes," she mumbled. "I can't tune him out anymore. He says I don't have any time left. That's all he's saying now." The last words bordered on incoherent.

"Sesshoumaru? Is it you holding me?" Her face scrunched in confusion.

"Of course. I won't let anything harm you." Every second she seemed to slip a little more towards losing herself. Towards him losing her. The more her soul tired, the more her body weakened. If he allowed her to slide into the rest she sought, she would never find the strength to waken again. Her soul, exhausted and consumed, would abandon her.

"Sesshoumaru... those people in the forest... do you see them?"

Sesshoumaru glanced up, snatches of armor glinted between the trees as dark forms traveled along side them. "I see them too. The dead are escorting us."

"There can be little doubt now about Kagura trying to lead us," Miroku mumbled. "But with or without the consent of her master?"

"I should sleep," Kagome mumbled. "No... I promised not to." She hugged closer to Sesshoumaru. "But it's so cold in here..."

"Kagome," he said in worry. She wasn't acting like herself. "We're outside." He could feel her fever through both of their clothes. "And you are very warm."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Night has fallen, and you're with me in the forest as always. I'm holding you. I'm keeping you warm, and there are no chains. His voice is only a nightmare. Stay with me.."
Kagome shuddered, a weak version of her pinkish light surfaced. Sesshoumaru nearly shuddered as her purity contacted him, for a moment sympathetic towards the wolf. He looked down at Kagome's now wide open eyes.

"Thank you," she said clearly, even if she whispered. "For being here. But I think that was the last time I'll be able to resist him."

"I'll resist him for you."

"It's almost over," she sighed. "He's just ahead. He's waiting."

The group slowed. Ahead of them was a very familiar dark silhouette. He stood waiting, for all appearances just a human alone in the woods. Only the malignancy that hung in the air around him offered any indication of his true nature. The strength of his demonic aura had grown hundred fold. He waited confidently, as if he already knew the outcome of the battle.

Sesshoumaru was forced to place Kagome on his mount in order to prepare himself for the battle. The strategy would be obvious: Kagome would be Naraku's only objective until she was killed. After the jewel was absorbed, he could fight the others at his leisure.

"Kagome, where is the Shikon no Tama?" her urged.

Kagome raised her head weekly, examining the still-dark form that had just entered the limits of their vision. She blinked once, then twice before she turned back to Sesshoumaru.
"There are two..." she whispered.

Well, I hope this chapter answered the questions some of you had. If not, go ahead and ask.

Like I said, I'm sorry about splitting this chapter up. It was one of those things where it was four lines in the outline and 12 pages in reality. Oh well. I have a new story out. Check it out if you like Inuyasha/Kagome.

Kurayami de: I just have to say that you're an awesome reviewer. You never fail to cheer me up. Thanks a bunch.

Please Review!



Ok, sometimes I get bored while writing and wander off. When I come back, my screen is usually filled with jibberish like the following. Riachu (my beta/sister/manga supplier/rat thing) walks by and starts to type weird stuff, and she insisted that I publish at least one of her 'hilarious' endings. So, if you're tired of my rambling, please enjoy this spoof.

Raichu's Alternate Ending (Starts from middle of the chapter)

Sesshoumaru cursed returned to Kagome lying on the floor of the hut. Unbeknownst to the couple, Shippou and Rin had taken out a few pieces of wood from under the hut for their own demented purposes and otherwise fun games. The wooden boards creaked with the redistribution of weight, and cracked and fell through. A gaping hole now took the place of a large portion of the platform that the hut had previously resting on. Sesshoumaru, because he's so cool, was able to re-grab Kagome before she plummeted to the ground, which was very dirty.

As the dust from the Great Collapse of 4 Seconds Ago cleared, the crew was able to see something moving in the shadows. It was Naraku. He had been whispering to Kagome through the cracks in the floor, telling her that her legs were fat, and generally creeping her out. And he would have gotten away with it to if it weren't for those meddling kids.

Naraku tried to run, but was caught in an enormous blast of white light that, you guessed it, erupted from Kagome, obliverating him completely and therefor making most of the series up to this point obsolete in the face of the arbitrary release of this dormant force.

Kagome, suddenly realizing her great power, decided to break away from Inuyasha and the shard hunters to find the Shikon fragments on her own rather than to face continual heartbreak with the whole Inuyasha/Kikyou thing, perhaps enroll at Hogwarts. Then she realized that Inuyasha was dead, and that this was one of the happy worlds where Kikyou stays down once she gets capped. And that since Naraku was right here, that shards were all around too.

Furthermore, she realized that her fellow shard hunters had been annihilated by the blast as well. Miroku's thoughts had been too tainted by lechery to survive the purification. Kohaku had been irreversibly tainted in his service to Naraku, and Sango's heart had been laden with sorrow and guilt upon finding Kohaku blasted into irregularly shaped bits by the white light, and thus she succumbed to darkness as well. Shippou was thankfully purified for the crime of being an annoying little son of a fox. Sesshoumaru was saved by the Tenseiga, but his tail did not escape the white flames.

The stoic youkai did not, however, run around in circles shouting about the state of his tail. A hot spring had appeared near the hut out of nowhere, thanks to Kagome's impressive Miko powers. Wasting no time in getting to the lemony goodness. He kicked Kagome, turning her into a full demon, and told her that she was carrying his child. When she asked how this could be, he merely told her "It is the mystery of the dance."



Once again, sincerest apologies. Oh, and if you neglect to review, I reserve the right to post more of Raichu's work. Heh heh heh.



This chapter last modified: Friday, August 15

Date of original posting: Thursday, July 25, 2003