Defiance and Escape

He had headed straight to Inu Yasha's Forest, knowing that she would be there and sure enough, he could smell her, the scent of spring rain and fresh flowers, easily distinguishable in a time where most all humans smelled horrific.  He followed the scent until it became stronger, until he could smell the emotions pouring out of her. He could smell the sadness and the saltiness of tears and he could sense the loss and depression, so powerful were these feelings that he could all but see them surrounding her when he finally reached her.  Landing a good distance behind her he watched as she, too involved in her grief to notice the demon, talked to the tree which he recalled had once held his half brother prisoner.  He watched as she knelt down and found interest in an object he could not see.  It was then that he smelled it.  The faint stirrings of power.  He started to walk towards her, to see the object that had obviously entranced her. But then she stood up, with the object in her hand, and he found himself cursing the lunacy of his dead father…again.

She held the Tetsusaiga.  Its power was awakening, calling to her.  She unsheathed the powerful fang and he was instantly blinded by a bright blue light.  A light he had only seen one other time, when his brother had held Tetsusagia in his hands and had become its master.  He was too late, he realized as a wave of fury rushed through his body.  The Tetsusaiga had a chosen a new master.  He was snapped out of his thoughts when the girl asked a question, although not directed at him since she had yet to learn of his presence, he felt compelled to answer.

"What the hell was that?" the human asked.

"It seems" he started, none of the rage he felt at having lost the sword again and this time to a human touched his voice "that the Tetsusaiga has found a new master."

He didn't need his keen senses to know that she was now afraid.  He saw it in the quick tensing of her body, the way she slowly turned around as if she was facing her death, and the way her eyes widened when she saw him standing there.  He was not, however, prepared for what came out of her mouth next.

"Hello…Sesshoumaru" she said timidly.  She did not scream, she did not run, and she did not throw herself at his feet begging for him to spare her life.  He was surprised that a human, let alone a woman, had the strength and courage to stand before him without cowering in fear.  He ignored the traces of respect he felt crawl into his mind for his half brother's wench.  Instead he walked up to her, enjoying the fact that she took several steps backwards and calmly stretched out his hand.

"Give me the sword."

As Kagome realized that he was not trying to slash her through or rip her to shreds, she looked down at the sword she had unconsciously stood over, as if to protect it, she felt her fist stirrings of anger.  This demon, who had tried to kill her many times, who was vicious, cold hearted, and a ruthless murderer,  this demon who hated all humans with a passion had just demanded that she give him a sword that would make him invincible.  He expected her to give up the Tetsusaiga without a fight, give up her life without a fight, because handing over the fang would ensure her death.  What use did he have in keeping a lowly human girl like herself alive?  No, she had been through hell, she had been betrayed, she had been sad, and now she would fight back.  Not caring if she lived, as long as she died fighting. 

"No" she said, looking straight into the demon Lord's hard gold eyes, and for a moment she thought she saw something flash in those eyes at her defiance, something that heated those normally cold depths.  "This sword was Inu Yasha's, but he is dead, and now it is mine.  As you said the Tetsusaiga has chosen a new master, and its not you" she finished, her anger giving her the strength she needed to stand against Sesshoumaru.

"If you will not give it to me, I will just take it" he replied in a bored tone.  Without taking his eyes off of her he reached down and grabbed the hilt of the Tetsusaiga. 

In the next instant Sesshoumaru found himself sailing through the air as his arm tingled from the powerful jolt of electricity that had shot through him.  The sword had accepted her and would not allow any other to wield it.  He had been here before with the hanyou.  He had been stronger than his half brother; he was stronger than this human, but the sword would not allow his touch.  He suppressed the growl of frustration that clamored for release.  He had been fighting for the sword for so long now, his worthless hanyou of a half brother the only obstacle in his way.  But he was dead, and she had taken his place.

Calmly dusting himself off as he stood up again, Sesshoumaru regarded the woman standing in defiance before him.  She dared to ignore an order from him, Sesshoumaru, Lord of The Western Lands.  The bitch would pay for that, as well as for the fact that she had gotten to the sword before him because now the fang would refuse the hand of anyone but the wench.  When Inu Yasha died, so did his bond to the Tetsusagia.  The girl's fate was sealed; she had to die in order for the bond to be severed and for a new one to be made, through his hand. 

He studied her one last time, the only human to ever defy him.  Anger and hatred emanated from her body, replacing her sadness and grief, her eyes were on fire as she dared him to attempt to take the sword again.  He unclenched the fists at his sides allowing his claws to extend.  Moving with blinding speed, he swung at her, her fear fueling his fury, an overwhelming feeling sense satisfaction washed over him as his claws ripped through the tender flesh of her neck.

Kagome watched him lunge at her; she saw his outstretched and deadly claws as they reached for her neck.  She felt the pain rip through her as her skin was brutally torn and she felt the blood flow from her body as she fell to the ground.  She didn't scream at the agony that wracked her body, she didn't fight the darkness that was rapidly claiming her.  She accepted her death, welcomed it.  With the last of her strength she managed a smile, her wish hadn't come true, she hadn't found love again, but what she was granted was infinitely better, escape.  As the last remnants of life drained from her body, Kagome finally escaped from the emotional prison she had been living in.  The pain, the torment, and the anguish were gone, her life was over, and she was glad.

Review Responses:

Serenity971: I must agree….waiting is not fun…but it is necessary!!  I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you so much for taking the time to read review!!

Puppkid: As much as I love the idea of Kagome and Inu Yasha together, Inu Yasha loved Kikyou first, he made a promise to her.  It always seems to me that he thinks of Kikyou first, no matter how much he hurts Kagome in the process.  She deserves better!!!!  At least Sesshoumaru would never be in love with a corpse!!!  Thank you for reading and I'm glad you liked it!

Yamia-chan: No review could ever be late…they are always appreciated…so thank you for taking the time to review!

Tsuki Yume: THANK YOU! 

Shy Syaoran Girl: She definitely deserves better and yes…Inu Yasha is jerk!