Going Under

Even the Odds

It was a new moon. I had a choice. Either run or stay. I'd been released from my prison a few days after being captivated. But I couldn't stand this place. I've made a new choice. To run or die. Both suit me. If I run I'll be free and if I die I'll be free. Even if I go to hell, I'll be free from Naraku.

I stood making my way around the castle. I could hear the floorboards beneath my feet shifting due to Naraku retransformations. I walked down the normal path and opened the door. I put my hands into my sleeves walking down confronting him. He weakly-heh, weak-lifted his head and glared at me.

"Yes?"

I pulled out my fan letting out a faint laugh.

"Are you betraying me?"

I glared at him spreading my fan. I could tell the only thing showing were my eyes. I swung my fan creating wind blades. They hit Naraku and blood went everywhere. Yet he just sat there. I almost laughed thinking I was winning. That is, until I felt it. I felt a part of him stab through my back. I gasped for air and backed up. It pulled out and I gasped for air. I knew it was now or never.

"Did you truly think you can hurt me? Even in my human form, I am far more powerful than you can become."

I reached into my hair pulling it down by accident as I reached for my feather. My hair reached a little ways past my shoulders down. I flung the feather into the air and it formed into the larger feather I carried myself. As if instinct knew, it came to me letting me fall forward onto it. It flew off into the corridors carrying me out.

How was it able to react from my thoughts? I knew I was too pained to move. I didn't know where it was taking me and didn't really care. As I neared the exit the feather swerved in another direction and my side collided painfully with a kind of dresser. I felt something hit me and noticed a pot with a lid tied to it.

"Kokoro!" I wheezed out grasping it as the feather finally flew out. I was free! I don't know how-but I was free! I could feel the top slide off and the disgusting contents of the pot poor onto-no, into me. It was like being reunited with a twin. I felt my warm heart beat steadily in me.

One more obstacle. The barrier. I grabbed the soft edges of the feather as it flew into it. I felt Naraku's anger rise into the barrier. But I watched as the horde of demons escaping. Instinctively the feather followed them out.

Now if only I...could...survive the...injury. I leaned over so I was facing the sky. It was then I noticed something. I could feel my heart, but not hear it. It may sound strange. I grabbed the pot reaching inside. I felt something and pulled it out. It was a red glass bead and I knew what it was. And I knew how to be truly free.

"T-to Se-Sesshomaru," I whimpered out almost like a dog and was ashamed. The feather flew off towards him, I guess. I didn't know where he was.

After a few minutes I felt the feather tilt. I clung to it like a life line, but my grip was something immeasurably weak. I shrieked as I plummeted to the ground. I felt slightly relieved when something caught me but made my blood run cold when I did.

"Shit," we said in unison. I felt a hard thump as Kouga dropped me flat onto the ground. I was still cradling my heart and pot in my arms.

"What the hell are you doing?! Looking for a death sentence?"

I noticed his gaze on my wounds as I tried to talk back.

"I-I-I'm sorry. I w-was l-looking f-for S-Se-Sesshomaru and I g-guess I f-fell."

I winced in pain as he stared at me. I didn't care. If I died, I would still be free.

"What is that?" he signaled to the ball in my hands.

"My heart," I whispered weakly. I heard him gasp slightly. "It's how Naraku controlled me."

"Controlled? As in he doesn't now?"

I nodded my head slowly. "I escaped...and lived, but it seems fate won't be so kind."

I nearly screamed when he knelt down pulling me up into his arms. Not only did it not feel right, he was supposed to be my worst enemy.

"Tonight is when Naraku is weak, right? That's how it was last time. If Naraku had your heart, he was manipulating you to do his bidding. When you fought me a month before, you had your own will. You fought me for possession of the shards so you could be free."

I was amazed by his line of thinking; he filled in all the spots perfectly. I simply nodded my head. I looked over my shoulder and saw a cave approaching. A few wolves were outside guarding. Gods, had I depleted them that much? I saw two more human ones like Kouga sitting lazily probably not even standing guard.

"Where are the women?" my mind spoke out for me. Kouga glanced at me making me feel uncomfortable.

"Dead."

I ducked my head feeling sorry for once. He set me down and began to peel my blood incrusted outer kimono off. I actually had three layers on. First my white and red one. Then the blue, then green. He pulled the first two off and handed them to one of the wolves barking something in his language I didn't understand. He turned me over pulling the kimono down making my back bare. I shuddered at the cold air. I normally wouldn't be so willing but somehow I trusted him.

"What are you-" I gasped so hard it hurt when I felt something warm brush past the hole in my back. I felt my hair on my arms rise as a chill went down my spine. "Wh-what are you d-doing?"

I attempted to get up but he moved over me. He gently-gently? Well it didn't hurt when he held my arms down. He was standing over my back and I felt something constantly warm soothing the pain in my wound. After a few minutes he stopped.

"Cleaning it." WHAT?!

"You'd die for sure if you didn't treat it. It's natural for demons of canine race to lick their wounds. As disgusting as it sounds, it works. I've seen wolves in life and death situations. All it takes was a little cleaning of the injury and it would keep it uninfected and even starts to heal a little."

I let out a squeak as he continued. It felt...strange. But comforting. Maybe I was safe for the moment. I almost whined when he stopped. I felt exhausted needing sleep.

"Here," I felt something thrown onto me. I slowly turned over pulling the fur blanket close to cover my exposed skin. His glare was still menacing, but it had a forgiving look to it. "Get some sleep."

Just before he walked out of the cave I stopped him. "Ma-matte!"

He turned around with the calmest look I'd ever seen in anyone excluding Sesshomaru. "Nonda?"

I turned my head to the side trying to think of something to ask. Finally I found one. Turning my head back I asked, "Why did you save me? Why not kill me? I've caused enough pain to you and your kin."

He glared at me. Gone was his calm self. With speed I'd never seen-not even Sesshomaru-I felt a hand wrapped tightly around my neck.

"Do you WANT me to kill you?! Most people wouldn't question my oracle!"

I grabbed his hand trying to get air.

Almost at once his hand let go and took hold of my cheek instead. I shivered but did my best to look at him eye-to-eye.

"You said you were controlled by Naraku. That means you did not commit the death of my kin. The only thing you are guilty for is bad judgment in attacking me last month."

I gasped as his hand hit the side of my neck. It seemed like all the feeling left me at once. I fell to the ground as black quickly faded in. I closed my eyes letting it consume me.

"Now, now Kagura, we are even."

My eyes slid shut into a painful depth. I could hear the two wolves from before yelling to Kouga about something. He screamed back. I couldn't make it out. Too...tired.