It was cold.
Kagome's first thoughts as she shrunk against the inside walls of the hidden well.
Looking up, the sky was white, gray streaking through it shamelessly, marring the pure silver essence of it.
She climbed quietly out of the well, the deadly silence around her nerve-wracking.
She studied her surroundings surprised, covered in snow.
She climbed hesitantly out of the well, realizing she would have to walk back to Sesshoumaru's home herself as
she wasn't sure if he could sense her this far off, or even if he could sense her at all with the thick fog
and snow that hung on the air.
She moved towards the village first, she did not know why. She could not turn away though, she was being drawn
like a moth to a flame.
Gusts of snow and wind swirled around her feet and filled in her footsteps, but Kagome would never know, she
could see only as far as her outstretched hands would allow.
"Sesshoumaru.." She whispered hoarsely.
*
He could feel it, feel the new feeling that was the presence of a new light.
Her aura.
His golden eyes lifted, eyes opened from his silent reverie that replaced sleep.
"Kagome," He said softly, before rising, stalk still, to confirm his guess.
*
"She came back." Dyhattar's voice was laughing at him, taunting.
"What did you expect?" Naraku sneered back.
"Get her." Dyhattar ordered.
"I will not take orders." Naraku returned with venom dripping from his voice.
They shared a cold stare, ruby against graphite. Neither turned.
*
'So cold..' Kagome thought again.
'I can't... make it..' Kagome continued.
'Sesshoumaru... sama... please..'
Tripping forward in the silver haze, she felt as if light was literally surrounding her, threads of shine
pulling her from her fall, sent from heaven.
The light was forming..
Beautiful..
Rising from the cold liquid ground, she tried to follow the ethereal body.
It was flitting just ahead of her.
Reaching for it, she stumbled forward, caught herself, grabbed for it, fell..
"No." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Do you need help... Kagome?" The cold voice carried strangely across the winter air.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" She asked uncertainly.
His white form was saluted against the still whiter sky, barely distinguishable through the clouds of snow
thickening the air around her.
Bursting forward, she tried to plunge into his awaiting arms, but he seemed to float away from her.
As she ran forward, he moved farther back, like in a dream, chasing an untouchable thing...
Two hands closed around her wrists suddenly, pinning them firmly but gently to her sides.
She cried out in confusion, the comforting form of her Sesshoumaru turning again, taking the new shape..
Black waving hair, bright red eyes, sinister grin. Kagome paled.
He walked up to her, touching her face.
Had she more energy, she would have fought, kicked, cursed.
She was so tired though.
The edges of her vision dimmed, she fell into the chest of whomever was holding her, slid to the ground
unconsciously.
Dyhattar smiled as the traces of black magic wisped away, Naraku raised an eyebrow.
His claws dug uncomfortably into the delicate skin of their prize, but she did not respond.
"Do not kill her. She's much better... bait.." Naraku said, bittersweet malice tainting his tone.
Dyhattar gripped Kagome bridle style, pulling her up into his arms.
He saw the jealousy slightly pooling in Naraku's eyes, but he made no protest.
With no last words, no malicious laugh, no action further, they disappeared into the veil of silver-white
flakes hiding the world from the evil.
*
'Gone?' He thought, racing through the harsh winds.
'Taken..' Another voice commented in the back of his mind.
"You should not have come back at such a time as this." Sesshoumaru said softly, the chilling cold air gusting
away his distant remark. Almost as if she had heard him, a sweet laugh resounded in his imagination, answering
his tired and exasperated whisper, and he could almost make out the glint of her fizzing, light-root beer eyes
at that moment, taunting him- 'I will not stay away!'.. But then her image dimmed a bit, and a worried frown
marred her features, she turned her head... 'Ne, Sesshoumaru-sama... I love you.. I miss you- I'm scared..'
Almost as if she was speaking beside him. His eyes widened a bit. She disappeared and he regretted his aloof
treatment of her more then ever at that simple moment.
"Kagome.." He growled.
No laughter this time, no words- only the memory of her small smile, full of trust and love.
"Kagome." He spoke with confidence and determination, barely audible anger and hate painting the edges of his
words with malice.
*
"I heard he mated with a strange human girl."
"Is that why they all hate him now?"
"I think it's unfair- he's very strong and capable."
"He's becoming soft- we need a ruler who.."
"You used to complain about his cold heart!"
"Yes, but-"
"You're probably just jealous that he chose a ningen- and not you!"
"No."
"If that's you, imagine what the female youkai are thinking!"
"It's very rude to interrupt so much, you know."
"I know, but I can't believe you!"
"Why not?"
"She seems like a kind enough person."
"How so?"
"She never threatened anyone, and she seems... Special."
"You've met her?"
"No, but... I've seen her!"
"You have no right.."
"Nor do you!"
"Why do you defend him?"
"He's served us faithfully-"
"We've served him you mean."
"I thought you said it was rude to interrupt?"
"..."
"Anyway, we trade our loyalties to him for his fighting for us and keeping peace- somewhat, and all."
"He mated with a ningen."
"You- we're human! How dare you use such a cruel word? She's like one of us!"
"We've never met her, why should we side with her?"
"She conquered Lord Sesshoumaru."
"..."
"Yes, yes, and-"
"Wait."
"What is it?"
"There... Lord Sesshoumaru."
*
Through the village, through the snow, soon he stopped where he was positive Kagome was last standing. Then
her scent melted into two who did not care to hide themselves. The wetness of the snow almost covered it, but
he could still pick it up- the most unforgettable scents he had ever breathed.
A feral growl escaped his throat.
Turning in that direction in which the trail progressed, he saw in the corner of his eye two poor working
woman. He stopped for an instant.
"Why do you work on such a cold day as this?" Sesshoumaru asked just loud enough for the humans to hear.
The elder of the two- in her twenties it seemed, gaped in his direction, the younger one, not older than
fifteen, jumped to answer him.
Bowing low first, she dropped the basket she had been carrying and clasped her hands in front of her.
"My Lord Sesshoumaru, we work in such conditions because we are obligated to, and because we feel it is our
duty! We were sent today to gather the still alive herbs before they died with winter's early coming, and,
Milord, if we did not, then sickness would remain and plague our village in the coldest and harshest of times,
and it would be our fault. You protect us from evils such as physical enemies, but we must be strong enough to
defend ourselves from mere human weaknesses that can be avoided! Sometimes we must stand strong against the
wind in order to survive, and if we fall, we must rise, because, though we are inferior to the demon race, we
are indeed independent enough and full enough of love to survive through anything! And we will, My Lord
Sesshoumaru. Just like you!" The young girl stated in fascination and excitement.
Sesshoumaru studied the girl with dignity, and nodded slightly at her figure, standing still in the onslaught
of unnatural winds.
Making a sudden decision, Sesshoumaru began to glow. Running his claws through his silken silver hair, his
body shined a camouflage white, like he was but a spirit in the snow.
As his body began to change from humanoid to true demon, the heaps of snow blew rapidly away from the area
beneath his feet, great tidal waves of soft snow flying every which was until the place in which himself and
the two humans stood was almost cleared of snow, only the icy tips of leaves and flowers remaining. Bowing his
head slightly, he turned and bounded towards his decided destination.
The girls looked on in amazement.
Before them they could see the forest reborn, see clearly the ruined and healthy herbs and roots, without
freezing their fingertips.
The older one took a few gulps of air and then looked on in the direction Sesshoumaru had departed in, then,
with a sudden smile, dropped into a low bow.
*
'Where am I?' She thought drowsily.
'Sesshoumaru...?'
'No.'
'Naraku.'
'And Dyhattar.'
'Sesshoumaru.'
'He is not here.'
She argued with herself inside her jumbled mind. She tried to open her eyes, but regretted automatically even
lifting her head. Colors burst behind her eyes and she groaned loudly, squeezing her eyes shut again.
"You are awake." A cold voice stated.
She forced herself to open her eyes, even when the shock of wakefulness nearly made her gasp, and looked into
the ember red eyes dancing in front of her.
"So you're currently on guard duty?" Kagome asked, an aloof but concentrated expression on her face.
"Guard duty?" He asked amused, raising an eyebrow.
"That's good at least, you're not nearly as frightening as Dyhattar." She spoke absentmindedly again, and
Naraku felt anger swell inside himself at her remark.
"What do you want with my anyway? Inuyasha and them have the jewel shards you know." She said, wavering in her
sitting position.
"Dyhattar should explain. It's personal." He spoke with a mocking and slightly hateful edge to his voice,
surprising Kagome out of her daze.
"Why don'cha jus' kill 'im?" She said, her voice beginning to swim, almost drunkenly, her words slurring as
some spell again took effect on her.
"Because he cannot, little miko." Another voice spoke from the shadows.
"Get out of here Dyhattar." Naraku said stiffly.
Dyhattar regarded the other demon with a dangerously tight glare, his pupils dilating in anger, but he kept
his control.
"Do not think you may command me, Naraku. When it ends, you shall die." Dyhattar spoke coldly, departing the
shadowed, empty chamber.
Naraku glared down at the still Kagome, collapsed on her side with her hair fanned out beneath her, murder and
pure hatred dancing across his eyes as he looked through her.
'Dyhattar.' Venom was evident even when the word was not spoken aloud.
'Dyhattar..'
*
"Where have you two been? It is getting colder by the mere second! Oh, my! You found many good herbs- I would
have thought many less when I considered the time it would take digging in the snow. I am proud of the both of
you. But there are matters to attend to! One of the woman of the village- Shiraha, has come down with a
horrible sickness that must be attended to immediately! She is chilled and her breath is labored, as well as
coughing and other symptoms. Makokoro-san, please take these herbs to her and cure her. I have faith that I
taught you well, and for now I cannot aid you- there are more matters perhaps worse then Shiraha-sans- do not
fail them or me, please young one! Harsh times these are, and unexpected, early. Many will die this year.
That dear woman though, Shiraha I mean. She was carrying her first child as well. How disappointed the father
will be. She was so kind and generous! So unlike so many.. Do your best work and do not let her pass!"
"Alright sensei, I'll try my hardest to keep her of the living!" the younger one- Makokoro- cried as she
dashed from the hut with a few choice herbs clutched in her hands.
"Hazumi-san." The older woman again said, but not as distressed. She regarded the quiet girl- no older then
her early twenties. She was not truly attractive- her fine black hair had been carelessly cut so that it did
not pass her chin, hacked and chopped to a point, each small handful of hair a different length than the next.
Such was expected from a more developed healer--- in training. Your hair would either be bound atop your head
or cut to the point where it could not drop before your eyes. The girl had chosen the latter when she had been
chosen to success the woman after she died. Her gray-purple eyes were dulled with pain and sorrow that nobody
but herself knew about, her skin was tanned from so much outside work gathering herbs and such. She was thin
from a lack of food and too much rushing and working- but so much was inevitable. There was no wealthy
individual in this little town. In the Western lands it was stationed, and, though they were perhaps the
safest of all the four kingdoms, they were not particularly well in other places. They were naturally hard
working and survivors- but you would not expect much less from those who had been disciplined under the strict
eye of the swiftly declining- in social class- Lord Sesshoumaru.
The older girl sorted the herbs absent mindedly- she rarely showed emotion.
"Hazumi-san." She repeated- a slight reverence in her tone.
"Hai, Saiki-sama?" Hazumi spoke softly.
The old woman shook her head and began to help the girl silently sort out the assortment of leaves, roots, and
other such things.
Hazumi deftly brushed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear and looked up at the old woman. Death was
almost upon her- it was sadly evident. The woman was only in her early fifties at least, but it was expected
that people should die at about that age. It was life how they chose to live it.
"What do you think of our Lord Sesshoumaru?" She spoke suddenly, quietly. Her voice was like wind between
grass.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, eh?" the woman asked kindly.
"Hai." She answered.
"He was once as cold, deadly, and reliable as winter, right? He has melted though." Saiki spoke and then gave
a little shake of her head.
"So you disagree with his method of ruling now?" Hazumi said quietly, emotionlessly.
Saiki regarded her for a moment, then took a pair of large, silver-liquid green colored leaves with delicate
hands, and crushed them. A thick silver liquid riveted through the curves and crevices of her clenched
hand, and then gathered in a droplet at the opening.
Grabbing one of Hazumi's hands, she guided it to her clenched fist until Hazumi was holding the strange thing
in her own hands, then guided her up so that her thumb traced the thick liquid under each eye, a smear across
her forehead, under her mouth, across her neck.
When she finished the silent ritual, Hazumi lowered her hand and looked at her elder in question.
"Everlee... you will not die this coming winter." was the old woman's only explanation.
It was silent for a short while, then..
"He's off to claim his mate." Hazumi spoke suddenly.
Saiki regarded her from the side with curiosity and surprise. Routinely, she would teach the lesson, then
silence would follow until naturally broken. Never once had Hazumi automatically broken the peace.
"Who?" The older woman asked.
"The Lord of the Western Lands." Hazumi spoke softly.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Saiki's voice was shocked beyond compare.
"Hai." Calm laced her voice.
"But.." The older woman was not one of Sesshoumaru's true 'loyalists' at the time, rather agreeing with those
protesting against his continued rule.
"He is not weak, but strong, he is not fallen, but among heavenly classes, he is above demons, and standing
beside her, he is stronger than anything." Her short but powerful speech struck Saiki like a slap to the face,
and her wide eyes watched in astonishment as the young girl continued to pluck leaves and medicine's with a
practiced ease and a strange calm.
Saiki was affected by these determined words, believing suddenly that Sesshoumaru was more than he was taken
for as of late.
"Tell me, child, what has influenced your strong opinion?" Saiki asked weakly.
Hazumi sat lady like with her legs folded neatly beneath her, body leaned forward slightly as she sorted the
herbs.
She pulled back the black locks that fell flat in her face, and smoothed them behind her ear, her violet gray
eyes peeking up at the woman with a knowledge and belief in them that almost made Saiki tremble.
*
Sesshoumaru continued running, running, running. The snow flurried about his surroundings, but he was guided
by his instincts, and he was aware of where he was going by now.
'Kagome..' He though. The now desperate longing tugged at him almost as though he could feel her frightened
tears.
'I love you..' He thought with a dull ache in his heart.
*
'Sesshoumaru?' She asked softly.
'Sesshoumaru!?' She remembered this.
He would always look at her with an annoyed expression, try to dissolve back into his meditation. She would
laugh.
'You can't try to disappear now, okay? I need you..'
Dyhattar watched silently from the shadows.
*