Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and character in this story.

Chapter 10 - Reunion

Negative emotions washed over like ocean waves, almost knocking him off balance. He sank through it, focusing on the girl's psychic imprints. Yes, she had been here, she was once on the same path which he had taken, but how far has she gone?

Bang

Ember eyes slowly opened as he moved his hand away from the Shikon no Tama. Kicked out, he thought, what ever lies inside the Shikon had no intention to let him probe. It was as though a door had literally slammed in front of him, refusing his entrance.

"No key," Sesshoumaru murmured quietly. How was the girl able to pass through it? Was she, a mere female, stronger than he was? He eyed the girl, who now lay perfectly serene on the white sheets, her only sign of life was the constant slow yet rhythmic breathing from her slightly parted lips.

"She is not dead yet," he said crisply to Inuyasha, who hasn't moved significantly either since their entrance into the room. "Stop acting as if she is." he paused, Inuyasha had turned around from where he sat, hints of anger clearly visible from his eyes. So the half-breed did care, he considered this, yet to what extent would Inuyasha go for the girl? "But then.. why would you care if she dies," Sesshoumaru continued, staring back without flinching. What did the life of the girl mean to Inuyasha?

"After all, she was just a substitute.. a replacement for Kikyou.. isn't she ?"

"Shut up"

Read like a book, Sesshoumaru thought. No matter how hard he tries, Inuyasha would never be able to completely hide his emotions. He watched his half brother, observed him struggled to regain control. So he was right, Inuyasha did have feelings toward the girl, that explains why she was able to gain access to the core of the jewel so easily.. Inuyasha had wanted her to read the Shikon.

It was very foolish of him.

"You could still save her, if you cared, that is," he said indifferently as he tossed the Shikon toward Inuyasha. "Her soul is trapped in here, something must have gone wrong when she was reading it."

Silence encircled the room as the two brothers stared at each other. Sesshoumaru sighed, Inuyasha's expression had changed from anger to mild disbelief.

The idiot was not going to believe him.

*~*~*~*

It couldn't be..

Inuyasha drew his gaze toward the motionless girl, he had believed in Kagome's powers.. he had watched from his corner of the room as Kagome picked off vibrations left on object and told fortunes amongst her friends.. and he had believed that she was no fraud.

Kagome was a psychic..

But his half brother..?

It can't be..

He looked back at Sesshoumaru again, as usual, his pale golden eyes gave no hints of what went on inside of him.

"How do I to get to her?"

*~*~*~*

"What.. are you saying?"

Kikyou studied her with silent satisfaction, her eyes moved down Kagome's body again, studying every one of her features and coming to a rest as she met Kagome's eyes; they were full of uncertainty, but a beautiful shade of green all the same. They would fit me well..

She looked up toward the dark ceiling of the room, a ripple in the dimension caught her eye. Someone was trying to enter the core, she thought, smiling inwardly. Yes..dear Sesshoumaru.. trying to save the girl's soul..

How very futile.

Perhaps she should simply open the path to him, the way she had drawn in the girl. They would be able to end that conversation that never came to a conclusion, two years ago.. wouldn't that be nice..

Then, inattentively, she felt his presence weaken and gradually fade away. "Pushed out", she murmured, it was too bad..

A smile crept across her lips, Sesshoumaru was not one to give in so easily and she exactly what would come next. His action would ensure her freedom.. she couldn't wait to finish that conversation when she leaves the Shikon..

*~*~*~*

He held the Shikon no Tama in his hands gingerly, Sesshoumaru had told him that the Shikon should allow him to enter if it recognizes his vibration, that was the theory anyway.

Inuyasha did not ask what would happen if the jewel did not recognize him, instead, he clung onto every insignificant chance of saving Kagome. Taking a deep breath, he looked toward his half brother, examining for signs of reassurance, yet Sesshoumaru's gaze was apathetic as usual. Forever imperturbable, forever.. hiding.. that was Sesshoumaru, after all.

He turned his attention back to the jewel. "Let me in", he murmured quietly as he cleared his mind of thoughts and focused on the Shikon. The first step would be the hardest for him, he was not born with the psychic talent to linking his soul to an object's imprints.

There was nothing at first, then without warning, the surface of scarlet began to ripple before it expanded into an endless horizon. Wisps of white mist brushed against his skin in a playful manner as he felt himself slowly descended into the scarlet world, drawn in by the Shikon. No walls of negative emotions greeted him, instead he heard whispers of human voices. Memories of the spirits that once held the Shikon, he had once been told, sitting on the warm lap and gazing into his mother's silver- gray eyes. Perhaps Kagome is amongst the spirits..

As if activated by his thoughts, a crimson glow erupted beneath him, tiny at first, then expanded until it enveloped him into its warm light, so brilliant that he had to shield his eyes from it.

It was gone then, melting away the same way as it had appeared. Darkness enclosed him once more and he found him self in the center of the room, surrounded by million of black, flickering candles. Amongst the dim light, he saw two figures..

With features that were almost a mirror image of each other.

*~*~*~*

The moment lasted whilst no one in the room spoke a singled word, Kagome gazed at Inuyasha, who had appeared with a flare of white light and now stood just out of here reach. She watched him step out with uncertainty and made a attempt to stand up in respond.

Yet her heart sank when she saw that he had not headed for her.. instead..

"Kikyou?" Inuyasha stammered, his golden eyes wide and full of disbelief.

*~*~*~*

End of chapter 10 – Reunion

*~*~*~*

AN: Now.. it's finally a update!! So sorry it took forever, there is something called school that has the tendency to take up lots of time. But I'm half way finished the next chapter, so it should be up in the next week or two.

Anime Gurl16: no, no other codes is needed, just save it as html and it'll do all the italics stuff for you.

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