Hey!  I thought you might like another chapter.  I hope I was right.  Here it is.  I am getting back into the groove here but it is still difficult right now.  But don't worry, I am still writing and I will continue to write and work until the story is finished.  I shall not give up!  I will never give up!  So, just have fun and read and review, it always helps in the writing process!

Thanks!

Read and enjoy,

-MC

----------------------------

The sword wasn't too interested in what was going on.  In fact, since it was just a sword it wasn't too interested in anything going on around.  It was just a tool, a thing with a purpose and that purpose was still unknown to the players in this little game.  One player in particular was fighting the sword's influence with great intensity and the sword was going to have to resort to other measures if it wanted to succeed in its goal.  The sword was just a tool, just a thing with a purpose.  The sword couldn't think and act on its own.  Could it?

-----------------------

"Damnable woman…" Sesshomaru thought surreptitiously while surveying the world around him.  She, it seems, was not in the explaining mood and he wanted to know information.  He wanted to know just what the reason was for her to be in this futuristic time as she called it when she and he knew perfectly well that they belonged in the past.  Or, since she was always so different from the humans there, perhaps she did belong here.  There were always times when he would happen upon the Inuyasha bunch and she would inevitably not be there.  Unfortunately for him.  Because he wanted to kill the wench, of course.  Humans…he thought again, trying not to snort as he elegantly sat down outside the house of the card-carrying wench of death who had coincidentally locked him out.  Like that would stop him but this Sesshomaru was not a stupid youkai and he knew that if he went in and destroyed her property she would be less likely to explain later.  And he had other thoughts to keep him occupied for the moment.  Such as the fact that she had aroused him considerably without even being conscious of her actions.  The way that she moved above him was…sinful.  He stifled a groan when he thought of what she could do if she actually wanted to arouse him purposefully.  Was it honestly possible to be aroused by someone that's mere existence was a pain in your royal arse?  And that this someone had somehow integrated themselves into your lifestyle unwittingly?  Not only was he basically pulled to her at her beck and call, she had now become his muse.  Never before had he written with such vigor and resolution.  Never had he been able to continue to write for hours at a time, not wanting to stop lest he lose a train of thought.  Never had he disturbed his rest to get up and write into all hours of the night when inspiration hit.  He praised and disdained her presence at the same time.  Why, why was she the one that allowed his writing to get passed the facts and delve into the emotions that he tried so hard to leave free from his writing?  His stoic mask was supposed to hide his emotions but he wasn't going to disillusion himself enough to believe that he didn't retain some aspect of emotional existence.  It was there…they were just out of use and rusty at the moment.  But she was bringing them out of the damn tool shed and he hated it when something was rusty.  It meant it had to be cleaned before it was put back into storage and that woman would NOT make him warm to her or any pathetic "feelings."  It would be degradation to even—

"Okay!  Okay!  Come in!  Sheesh, you will never stop pestering me, will you?" Sesshomaru smiled.  This acting calm and rational around her would be beneficial in the future.  And it was just an added bonus that it disconcerted her so.

"Are you ready to explain yourself woman?" he said while rising from his semi-recumbent position and following into her abode.  There he was met with objects that drew his extreme fascination but now was not the time.  The girl audibly huffed and then sat down on a large looking futon-esque chair.  Sesshomaru decided to stand.

"Okay, here is the deal.  I am from this time, which is five hundred years into the future from your time.  I live on the exact spot of Inuyasha's forest and the well that is located there.  To make a long story short, I was pulled into the well, met Inuyasha and here I am now.  I can travel back and forth to both times."

"I see.  Now, how do I get back?"  Kagome gave him a stern look but she pondered the question.

"Actually, what I want to know is how you got here in the first place.  I mean, should you have been called to me even from across time?" 

"Woman, how am I to know how your curse works.  Just because you find me devilishly attractive doesn't mean you have to resort to cursing me every time you want to be sexually satisfied."  Sesshomaru quirked his lips into a smirk when she visibly recoiled from him for a moment before…three…two…one…

"How DARE YOU!  You know perfectly well that I did nothing of the sort!  Stop trying to make yourself out to be better than you are! I would never use my power to get someone as vile as you.  In fact, I would never use my power for anything like that anyway.  And how dare you say that—"

"Honestly, there is no reason to get riled up.  I am trying to rationally figure things out and you are not helping.  Getting angry over petty matters will not help our…situation."

"Oh!  Insufferable man.  Rational my ass…"  Kagome grumbled under her breath and Sesshomaru smirked again.  She finally took a deep breath and calmed.  "Sesshomaru, you know that we have to figure out what the sword wants from us or we will be stuck eternally in these positions.  With my power I'm immortal now."

"I guess the sword figured out how to create eternal damnation before death.  How lovely," he answered gruffly. Kagome ignored him.  She didn't have time for his crap right now, especially when he seemed to be in his "playful" mood.

"The Tetsuseiga was pacified with me pulling it from the stone and then being close while Inuyasha fights.  But it seems to work the same when Inuyasha wishes to protect anyone.  What do you think the Tenseiga wants?"

One could hardly fathom what a sword could want he wanted to point out, but he needed to say something that wasn't obvious at this instant.  But nothing came to mind.  She was just so aggravating, it was grating on his last nerve at the moment.  Bring his slender fingers to rub his temples, Sesshomaru tried to think what a sword that healed could want with him.  Was there another reason his father gave him the sword other than the obvious reason which was to humiliate him? 

Kagome didn't understand the dog demon that was currently having an in-depth struggle in his mind.  It was a battle of the wits and yet she didn't seem to be a part of it.  This was fine with her.  She always believed that two heads were better than one but she wasn't privy to his information even though she hadn't laid out all her cards on the table yet.  Perhaps she should make the first move?

"Look, Sesshomaru, this is more than just me and you now.  Kaede-baba told me that if I didn't use my power, which now kind of has a symbiotic relationship with the jewel, then I could die. But not only that, the jewel wouldn't have a protector and the Shikon would be a leaf in the wind of other evil men's plans.  I cannot simply stop using my power.  So we either need to figure this out or create some sort of deal where I use tiny bits of my power or something daily or a big burst of it weekly.  I am at a loss here and I am trying to get out of a difficult situation.  If there is any information you have I would appreciate if we could try to work together." 

Sesshomaru let those revelations sink in.  So, not only was the fact that she could die on the backburner here…there was a possibility that another Naraku could come into the mix.  And that was something that I definitely don't need right now or any time in the future.  Especially with this wench wreaking havoc on my libido like the little number she accomplished today.  I don't need these distractions. 

"I know as much as you do.  But I have a few ideas up my sleeve at the moment so I would like to try them out.  Are you up to them right now?"  Kagome nodded and figured now was a good a time as any.  And her family wasn't home so if there happened to be a repeat performance of this afternoon, no one would catch her in a most embarrassing situation. 

"Yeah, but lets go into my room.  Follow me."  She led him up the stairs to her room and Sesshomaru breathed in her scent deeply as he entered her utmost sanctuary.  Looking around her room he gathered that she liked to read.  But everything else was still a mystery to him.  And Inuyasha knows all about this?  How did the stupid puppy keep this a secret from me?  I would be sure that something would have slipped during a fight or whatnot.  Even though we never really talked much about her…he thought as he looked up and caught her glaring at him.  He took that as his cue to continue.

"Yes, well, first, I would like to try using your power when I don't have the tenseiga with me.  I am going to place the sword on the table over here," he pulled the sword from his sash and placed it on her desk, "and I want you to try something simple.  Don't overdo it.  I don't feel like a repetition of your little "call" today."

"Yeah, like I do too.  I'll just levitate a pencil.  I don't have to use my aura for that."  Kagome lifted her hand…

He pushed her into the bed as one leg dipped between her thighs.  Her hands were massaging his head through his hair while she kissed down his jaw to his collarbone.  He was touching her everywhere, reaching under her blouse to cup her breasts.  Her legs gripped his one between them and he yelped when her knee brushed against his aroused member.  Her kisses stopped and Sesshomaru collapsed on top of Kagome's body, trying to will himself to calm down and not think about how their hips were pressed together now.  Kagome shifted under him while trying to break free and he groaned, which stilled her movements immediately.

"Sesshomaru…obviously that doesn't work…" she whispered meekly, trying to forget the throbbing between them.  Cursing silently, Sesshomaru removed himself from her person and sat at the edge of the bed with his back from her.  It seems to get harder and harder to stop each time she uses her power…

"I have one more idea."  He would do anything at this moment—even cooperate with her to do anything that would possibly help them get out of this predicament.  "I know that when one meditates, they are balancing the power they have in their bodies and centering themselves.  But, perhaps you can regain your strength and satisfy your power by meditating.  At least this would be a good alternative while we figure everything else out…"  Kagome nodded and sat herself on the floor while she tried to concentrate…

 I was about in fifth grade.  I was at the pool with my best friend and we were having a grand old time sitting there in the water and just being totally carefree like little kids can only pull off.  I don't remember exactly what we were playing, but I do remember we were having a grand old time.  Hitomi, my best friend, was the kind of friend you always wanted to have as a kid.  She was someone you could do the weirdest stuff with and feel normal doing it.  I could tell her anything and we would conspire together about how to trick the boys in the class and just have fun.  See, I was every teacher's devil child and Hitomi was the nice one.  But what no one knew was that most the things I got caught for, Hitomi and I would plan together.  Well, probably not plan.  In fact, Hitomi would say something offhand and I would go do it without thinking.  She was like the sister I never had.  And I loved it.  I respected her.  So we were playing and splashing and this black girl comes up to us.  At first she kind of swims around us, smiling.  We smile back but continue our game, wrapped up in our own little worlds built for best friends and private jokes.  Then she started to jump in the side of the pool around us, making us swim around trying to get out of her way.  It was almost like we were playing tag, but it wasn't official.  Hitomi and I didn't really want to play with her.  It wasn't because she was black.  It was mostly because we didn't know her.  I mean, usually I was open to knew playmates but Hitomi didn't want to play with her.  So we swam away.  She then came up to us and asked us if she could play with us.  Since I was the brave one, Hitomi would shake her head vigorously behind her and I would tell her no.  She kept asking us and I kept on saying no.  And then she did the weirdest and scariest thing.  She stuck out her hand and pointed to her palm.  Then she said, "Look, I'm white right there…"  I was dumbfounded.  I swam away and ran into the bathroom, almost choking on the water.  Hitomi didn't follow me.  I sat on the toilet.  I had never felt so dirty in my life.  She actually believed that we wouldn't play with her because of her color.  And it wasn't just that.  Someone had to have told her that they wouldn't play with her before because she was black. That was the day that I lost my innocence.  And I want it back.  Sometimes. 

I was sitting on the floor in my father's study when the news came.  We were to go to war.  I was a young kit, not ready and aware for the sins and necessities of war.  I was still involved in my studies, writing and reading.  There was nothing that bothered me, excepting the birth of the hanyou child that shared my blood.  But the war, my father was obsessed with the war.  He trained in the dojo, commiserated with other lords and prepared war tactics.  But he wouldn't stop there.  No, he had to have his son, his pure youkai son join in the fight as well.  He had to train and pound me into obedience with every ounce of his strength.  Even though I was trained before in the art of protection and stealth, he wanted me trained in the art of war.  The dojo lessons became times for my father to vent his rage and frustration onto a movable and live target.  I nursed bruises and broken bones for months, even though my youkai healing made sure that my body was healthy enough for another beating the next day.  The sessions became an outlet.  When avoiding the pain of bodily harm one becomes quick, too quick.  I became dangerous and my father realized it too late.  Soon I would be attacking him and he had to experience the shame of hiding his bruises when we dragged our bodies in for dinner.  And finally, finally, it was time for the real battles.  The war broke out between lords and I was more then ready.  My father had beaten submission out of me and now all I knew was hate and pain and my body would avoid pain wherever possible.  Tearing into flesh and the smell of my poison claws melting body tissue became a disgusting narcotic that I could not get enough of.  Even in the final days of battle I knew that my father had created a monster.  He died in that battle.  But I lived on and inherited the title.  And I fought and won the war, thus earning the title "Great Lord."  Nothing mattered, not even the hanyou anymore.  His presence had become just a little entertainment that would allow me to pass the time.  I was lost into the blood of war.  And I don't know if I can ever be saved…

He was holding her head gently.  His lips moved over hers, caressing and brushing, warm and compliant.  Kagome responded in kind when he licked her lips, reveling in the sweetness of his kisses and the gentleness of his touch.  The memories and experiences flooded between them, showering the two with new understanding and confusion.  Sesshomaru reluctantly pulled away from her mouth, sighing inaudibly as her green eyes stared into golden depths.  It was one thing to lust after someone but when you just experienced something as deep and as mind boggling as that, he couldn't figure out the link they shared.  Did the sword want something beyond mere sexual attraction to spring between them?

No words were spoken as they separated.  The night was conducted in silence as Kagome made a light dinner and then settled Sesshomaru into the couch.  The silence was scarier to him than yelling and violence was.  Had he really frightened her?  Was she embarrassed by what he saw?  He definitely did not like her knowing that particular memory, especially since she seemed to know the feelings he felt along with the memory.  But strangely, sharing himself with her didn't feel as unusual as he thought it would be.  Was it perhaps because he was finally getting the physical attention he needed as a child satisfied in her arms?  And now, now with that little interlude it seemed as if he was getting something akin to "love" thrown in the mix as well.  Was this, was this what the sword wanted?  Many hours later, when Sesshomaru had already figured out the workings of most of the technology in the living room, he felt inspired to write about what he had learned.  And yet when he wrote, Kagome filled his head once more with her muse, and her modern technology. 

I slowly wipe away the sweat from my brow.  The salty and annoying substance had dripped down from my shoulders and down my back.  Its presence was just another reminder of the situation I was in.  He had taken his best shot, the gun dangling from his fingertips across from me.  The fresh wound gracing my arm was proof that he had touched me.  Delicately holding my arm, I bore into his eyes with my glassy green orbs, searching for anything to aid me in my next attack.  Any opening, any place where I could perhaps take hold and never let go until the battle was finished.  But those eyes, those haunting eyes revealed nothing.  The cool, laconic smile gracing his lips wasn't there by accident.  He had wounded me—and he knew it. 

My challenge was unfounded.  It was by accident—an off-chance occurrence, and reveling in a good fight I greedily lapped up the milk he set before me.  But I wasn't the cat, I soon learned.  I was the mouse, the prey, the hunted.  Fueled by boredom?—yes.  By hate?—hardly.  By love of the game?—certainly.

As of late I had been seeing stars, relaxing in the gentle flow of my life and only disturbed by the little idiosyncrasies we all experience in our lifetime.  I flitted from day to day, never looking back, nor ever looking forward—my heart stuck in the present.  I had been challenged before—yes, but no person, no man, had been able to beat me.  Yes-I grew sure of myself.  I knew I was good—my lack of scars was proof enough.  But then he came.  I shifted my arm a bit, the blood mingling with the sweat created a scent uniquely my own.  It was a scent I never had the opportunity to experience before.  But there was no pain.  Only desire.  Desire to win, yes, but also desire to touch, like he did to me.  To make an impression—an imprint.  I quickly counted my bullets, remembering how many shots I used before.  He noticed the change, but stood by, almost accepting his fate.  Almost with desire to know what I was going to throw at him.  Getting up a little unsteadily from my sitting position I became level with him-equal.  He and I both knew what was coming.  Perhaps we both didn't want the final blow to come.  Perhaps it could be prolonged indefinitely.

A plan formulated in my mind, and I calculated the strategies I could perform.  And then I decided exactly what I must do.  Without taking my eyes from his, I raised my 22 mm and kissed the side of the barrel.  It wasn't sensual.  It was a warning.  A warning that if I was going to go down, there was no way in hell he wouldn't come with me.  Cocking my gun, I dodged his second shot as it careened by my face.  His third was harder to miss, I had to duck and roll.  Again he shot, but he knew that I needed to make my move.  The ball was in my court and he was purposely missing.  I hated it when men did that.  Just because I am a woman doesn't mean I can't take it.  And as if knowing that he pushed me the final amount needed to succeed in my plan.  In a brilliant move, I ended up behind him.  Holding the gun barrel to his head I could almost see his smile.  He was staring down into the black void and the infernal man was smiling.  Damn them all. 

The 22 mm was replaced with my hand, shaped like a gun.  Holding my pointer finger to his skull once more, I leaned over and whispered in his ear…

"Bang." 

I guess I didn't want it to end either…

"Do I…do I really not want this to end?"  And with that thought, Sesshomaru really couldn't sleep.