Sorry this chapter is so short. Think of it as the deep breath before the plunge. Yes, it's true: I AM NEARING THE CONCLUSION OF THIS STORY!!! (Am I supposed to be happy or sad about that, I wonder?)

Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns the characters in this story, not I.

Chapter Nine

"They're getting closer, Jaken."

"Huh? Oh, them. So? Big deal."

Sesshoumaru stood up abruptly and picked his… what on earth was he, really? …He picked his – companion up by the neck of his shirt and slammed him against the wall.

"When I told you to stop grovelling, Jaken, I did not mean for you to become rude," he said quite nicely, although his bared fangs belied the composed and pleasant picture. Jaken choked, but his eyes were glowing.

"You treat me like a dog," he spat, then screamed as Sesshoumaru's grip on his throat tightened almost beyond bearing point. A normal human would have been dead long ago.

"I don't appreciate that expression, Jaken. And I think you'd do well to remember who is still lord over this castle – and over you. Yes, Rin?" he smiled down at the little girl, who didn't seem at all disturbed by the fact that her beloved Lord Sesshoumaru, her sole role-model, was torturing his eldest and most trusted servant just for being nosy. Sometimes Sesshoumaru wondered what she'd grow up into – but then he reminded himself that she might not grow up at all, if he decided to kill her.

It was getting harder and harder to remember that.

"Rin made a picture! Lord Sesshoumaru come and look!"

Lord Sesshoumaru seemed to consider it, while Jaken was busy turning blue in the face. Finally the stronger demon came to a decision and let Jaken down.

"Consider your life in debt to this girl," Sesshoumaru said, indicating Rin and then taking the girl's hand, following her out of the door. Jaken leaned against the wall, not sure if he was glad or disappointed that he was still alive.

'How did this happen? One day I almost dared to think I was his friend, but now… she has turned his head. He doesn't understand her magic, but I do. She is human, there's only one brand of magic she can really use.'

The brand of magic humans use… love. The thought of it disgusted him.

He massaged his throat gently, feeling his pulse beating at an alarming rate. One day, he told himself. One day he would have had enough. One day real soon…

Sesshoumaru admired Rin's picture and thought. They were nearing his castle, he knew it and he could feel it. That hated, feared and in a way admired presence that was his brother's, and that puzzling and alluring presence of his girl companion. Oh yes, and the rest of the rabble too, but they were of no particular interest. It was in the girl his main interest lay. She was a mystery, a mystery he had longed to solve.

He had tried to break her cheerful and strong spirit, but she had put up resistance like no one he had ever known before. He had managed to break into her dreams, but he couldn't get any further. He couldn't toy with her mind like he could with others'. It vexed him, and the game was starting to bore him. He was just considering taking a night-time journey and killing her off, when a spy of his informed him that the group was on his trail.

It would be amusing to battle his brother here on his own ground. He wanted to see how far Inu-yasha would go to protect his wench. And why did he do it? Why did he protect her with all his strength? Sesshoumaru did not understand!

'I'll get my answer soon. They'll be here soon…'

*************

"We'll be there soon."

"Huh?" asked Kagome, returning out of her thoughts.

"We'll be at Sesshoumaru's soon," Inu-yasha repeated. "With all probability tomorrow, or the day after. And I think he knows we're on our way."

"Oh! Alright…"

Kagome closed her eyes to stop Inu-yasha seeing the fear that was in them. She was scared beyond words, but she would see this through. Inu-yasha had tried to convince her to stay behind while he went forth to meet his brother, but she had refused. She wanted to be there to give Inu-yasha whatever aid she could.

"And besides, if I'm not with you Sesshoumaru might escape you and kill me, right?" she had pointed out, making him see the folly in leaving her behind.

'I'm scared…'

"Inu-yasha, I'm scared…"

"I know you are," he said gently, turning his head to look at her. She was riding on his back once more. They travelled so much faster that way.

"And I'm scared. I'm scared as hell I'll lose you. But we have to get this over with, right? Otherwise you'll never feel safe anywhere."

He was right, of course. This nightmare was finally coming to an end. It was just that it was a very dangerous end.

She would be strong, she had promised herself that, but that night as she lay beside Inu-yasha she cried for a long time. He didn't notice, because he was fast asleep. He had stayed up every night for god knows how long, watching over them, and she had finally convinced him to get some sleep. Miroku and Sango were guarding the camp.

She snuggled closer to Inu-yasha, wanting to be as near him as possible. He murmured gently in his sleep, laying an arm around her and holding her tight.

"Aw," whispered Sango, "even when he's asleep he protects her. That's just so sweet."

Kagome smiled, thinking that Sango probably didn't know she was awake. Suddenly she felt better. With all her friends around her, all strong warriors, what could really go wrong? She couldn't be in safer hands.

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