A/N: Thanks to al you reviewers at Fanfiction.net, Sesshoumaru Fanfictions and Adultfanfiction.net!! I really hope this chapter does kind of meet your expectations!
And to clear up a few things: Yes, this is a Sess/Kag story. I'm kind of addicted to this pairing. Oh, and people, I'm Dutch, and I still have to send this to my beta... When I get back the revised chapters, I'll put those up. Till then, please just ignore the butchering of this language, ok?
In too Deep
Chapter II: From bad to worse
A shouted: "Hey, Kagome!" Pulled her out of her memories. Shippou was running towards her, fast. Then he dove right into her arms.
"What's the matter?" She asked curiously.
"Inuyasha is at it again. He's cursing a lot! He's mad about not getting any closer to that shikon shard you were sensing."
"I know... I don't know why it's travelling so fast... Perhaps tomorrow we could-"
"Take a break! We're all beat, and you most of all! He can go after it himself!"
"Shippou, that shard is important." Kagome was very serious now.
"I know, but... I- I think you don't look so good."
"I'll be fine, honest."
"I don't think so." Shippou leaned back into her warm embrace, enjoying her soft scent.
"How's dinner coming?"
"That's true! I had to get some more wood! Why do I always have to go search for it? Inuyasha never does anything! Why me?"
"I don't know. But do it this time, okay? Next time, we'll let Inuyasha do it!"
"I like to see you try," snorted the kit.
"Don't go too far. You never know what could happen."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'll just sit here. I have to do something about school."
"Okay! But isn't it too dark now?"
"Ehh, well, I don't know. I'm just going to try, all right?"
"Sure! I'll come and get you when dinner is ready!"
"That would be nice."
She hadn't finished, and yet the kit was already gone into the woods. Kagome knew she didn't have to worry, and that he could look after himself, but still... he was so young, and he was so very dear to her. She would do anything for him.
She let her mind wander back towards the events after that evening. The morning after, she had discovered that the bruises were luckily not that bad. She could disguise it with her uniform. When she didn't see hide nor hair from the Sesshoumaru for the next three days, she dared to hope that he had forgotten about her, and that his hand had healed nicely; therefore, he had no more need to harass her.
Unfortunately, she was wrong. On the fourth day, she had got into another fight with Inuyasha. He had been moping since he had came back, two days after he had disappeared. He had just appeared out of no where and had said nothing about his disappearance; he just snapped at Kagome: "I've heard rumours about a shard. We'll go south!" And with that said, he had set a brusque pace. Shippou had commented some time later that he reeked of dirt. She really didn't want to think about the implications of it...
However, on that particular day, Shippou had asked if they could stop for today, as it was getting dark and he was rather tired. Inuyasha blew up on him, without reason, and Kagome had said so to him. Which resulted in a fight. Finally, when she had enough, she had stomped off into the woods, yelling back at him that she wasn't going anywhere anymore tonight!
When she was far enough into the woods, she kicked a tree, to relieve her anger. It only resulted in a bruised toe. Fuming, she turned around, only to collide with... Sesshoumaru. She was freaked, and tried to run of course, but he had her up against a tree in no time. Luckily, he held her up by her shoulders this time.
When he didn't got any satisfying answers from her (not even with the threat of death by claw), he disappeared again.
Two days later, the same thing had happened again. By that time, she had started to get really worried. When would Sesshoumaru be satisfied, and would he actually kill her then? How many times would he come back? What if he hurt one of her friends instead? She still decided against telling them, not wanting to upset them.
Kagome did think about some kind of strategy. She would try to stay as much in her friends' company as she could. No more walks at night. Because that was when he appeared; at night, when she was all alone and out into the woods. She figured that Sesshoumaru didn't want to get her friends involved into his little... problem. After all, it would not do for a taiyoukai to have a problem with a little human Miko, right? And she was planning on using that!
Though, that had been easier said than done...
****
"Brat, get out of my way!" Inuyasha snapped at Shippou who had plopped down between him and Kagome. They were eating dinner, and Kagome had finally started to relax from another long day of walking.
"Leave him alone, Inuyasha!" The hanyou however ignored her, and lifted up a hand and knocked him on his head.
"Ouch!!" Yelled Shippou, and he jumped up and took a few steps away from Inuyasha. Inuyasha had been taking his temper not only out at Kagome, also the other members of the small group were sometimes the victim of his temper tantrums. Especially Shippou seemed to annoy him more than usual.
"What's the matter with you?!" Kagome asked angrily. "He didn't do anything wrong! He just sat there!"
"He's annoying me!"
"Well, who's not, nowadays?! You are always annoyed or angry or irritated! I'm sick of it! Why don't you try to act like a normal person sometimes!" Even though she knew it would probably lead to another row, she yelled out her frustrations.
"Yeah! You do nothing else but blame us when something goes wrong! We can do nothing about it! You're stupid!" Shippou stuck his tongue at Inuyasha.
"Me stupid? Come here, you! When I get my hands on you..." Inuyasha jumped up and started to chase after Shippou, who yelped and ran into the woods.
"Guys! Stop that! Shippou! Inuyasha, come here! Inuyasha, leave him alone!" Kagome ran after the two into the thick forest, followed by Miroku and Sango.
"Where are they?" Sango asked rather irritated.
"I do not know what's bothering Inuyasha. His temper is even worse than normal! What do you think, Kagome?" Miroku gave Kagome a questioning look.
"I don't know, and I really don't care right now. I want to find Shippou! Now..."
"Shall we split up?"
"Right. Let's do that. Miroku, go right, Sango, you left, and I'll..." she pointed straight forwards, "go that way."
"All right. Be careful. Take your bow and arrows."
"I will. Maybe I can use them on Inuyasha. Really, he's gone too far now! Chasing Shippou into the woods, and for what? Bastard!" Kagome was fuming.
She quickly returned to the now deserted camp, and picked up her weapons, then quickly ran into the woods, determined to find Shippou, and to give Inuyasha a piece of her mind!
****
She had searched for them for about half an hour, and still she had found no signs of them. Kagome was getting more angry by the minute. When she got her hands on Inuyasha... Major bloodshed! She was mulling his recent behaviour over and over in her mind. She knew he still wasn't over the fact that she had warded off his brother, while he had been beaten and humiliated. She had tried to talk to him, and had offered her apologies to him; not for besting his brother, but for interfering with their battle. She couldn't apologise for besting his brother; she didn't feel sorry about it! She had tried to explain why she had did it: she had told him she had feared for his life! She had told him she was actually worried for him. She even admitted to him that she cared.
He had thrown it all back into her face. He had informed her in a snide voice that he didn't need or *want* her worries nor her caring. It was useless to him. Useless and unwanted. A bother, that was all she was to him. Where was their friendship, their understanding? If she had to believe him, it had never existed.
She climbed over a large tree, which was blocking the path she was following. She focused all her attentions on the dark forest, forcefully pushing away all the hurting thoughts about Inuyasha. She would deal with her slowly breaking heart later. Much later. Or maybe ignore it. Or push it far back into her mind. Pretend that everything is fine. Lalala... But was deluding herself such a good idea?
Suddenly, she heard a faint sound.
"Shippou?" She asked softly.
"Shippou!" She said aloud. "Hey, are you there? Come here! Please? I'll give Inuyasha a hundred 'sits' okay? Shippou! Hey-"
She cut herself off, when suddenly Sesshoumaru stepped out of the thick foliage.
"Oh." Kagome took a step back. No, not now! Why now? She wondered about her lack of luck lately.
"Who is this Shippou you are looking for?" He asked disinterestedly.
"He's the little Kitsune in our group." She took another step back, as the Youkai advanced on her.
"Stay still." He commanded her.
Kagome just looked at him, and blinked. Then frowned. "No! I don't have time for this!"
With that, she turned around and run as fast away from him as she could.
If she had looked around for a single moment, she had run even faster; Sesshoumaru was surprised, for a millisecond. Then, it turned to rage. No one dismissed/disobeyed/ignored him! Red started to cloud the clear gold of his eyes. The Miko would regret her disobedience! He took off after her.
Kagome was running blindly further into the woods; her heart was racing madly. What had she done? Say no to a Demon Lord?! Smooth move! Oh, I am so dead! Kagome couldn't think clearly anymore, as a feeling of dread came over her. But she had to find Shippou! But maybe she should be more worried about her own fate.
She felt the shifting of the air, right before a weight hurled into her back and she was slammed to the ground. Because of the impact, the air left her lungs forcefully, and left her coughing and gasping for breath. Her bow and quiver fell to the ground beside her, but it went unnoticed by Kagome.
Before she had any time to regain her bearings, she was rolled over. The first thing that registered into her fogged mind were two golden eyes, with a reddish hue...
"Sesshoumaru!" She gasped.
He delivered her a blow to her cheek, and her face whipped to the right. A red mark immediately appeared on her pale skin.
"If you value your worthless life, wench, I suggest you'll never do that again." He hauled her up by her shirt, and growled at her. "Never try to disobey me! I don't take well to that kind of treatment by anyone... Certainly not by a pathetic slip of a human like yourself."
"I-I'm sorry! Please, let go!" She whispered.
He let go of her shirt and unbalanced, she fell to the ground. Uncertainly, she looked up to see Sesshoumaru looking down at her with a look of contempt and disgust on his face.
"You sure are a weak creature; the power you displayed that afternoon was just a fluke, wasn't it? You know no way to summon it, nor use it in any way... you're absolutely worthless, just like my half-brother says..."
Kagome flinched like she had received another slab. How does he knows that... Why does everyone thinks I'm... I'm not! I'm not worthless... No!
She worked herself on her feet, using a nearby tree for support. These words shouldn't hurt this much... It was just a murdering taiyoukai who said such things. He didn't even know her. He knew nothing about her! She blinked repeatedly, willing the hot, burning tears to stay in her eyes. She would not cry in front of him.
A cold smirk played on the lips of Sesshoumaru. "Yes, worthless, useless; a typical human. I think I'll end your meaningless existence now. I-"
He was abruptly cut off when a small form ran into him. He swatted the Kitsune away, like he was a pesky fly.
Shippou jumped before Kagome. "Leave her alone!" He cried out.
"Shippou, no! Stay back," Kagome tried to shove Shippou behind her. She was immensely relieved to see him without a scratch, but how was she going to protect him from Sesshoumaru?!
"No! He wants to kill you!" Shippou said, looking very afraid.
"And just how are you going to stop me?" Sesshoumaru leaned a bit forwards, his voice mocking the little fox.
Shippou balled his little fists, and suddenly launched himself at the Demon Lord, who nonchalantly took a step to the side. Then he reached out and grabbed the little kit by his tail, and threw him away; Shippou collided with a tree, and gave a little "eep" as he fell to the forest floor.
Sesshoumaru advanced towards him, and reached up one hand, and the claws started glowing. His intent was clear.
"No! Stop!" Kagome screamed, and run to intercept him.
"Don't worry, you're next." And he paid her no further heed.
Where are my arrows? Kagome was looking franticly for a weapon to use. She had lost them somewhere... But where? It was impossible to find them in the night, on the dark ground.
But she would not let Shippou come to harm! She would rather die than let anything happen to him.
Fear for Shippo's life seemed to give her wings, and she ducked under Sesshoumaru's raised arm, and stood before Shippo's unconscious body.
The Taiyoukai looked down at her, like she was something vile, and said with a sneer. "If you are so eager for your death, why wouldn't you just say so."
"Leave him alone!"
"It's just a Kitsune. There are countless of them. What is so special about this, that you will die for him?"
"I love him! And besides that, he's a living, breathing creature. A child! Do you kill children? Are you that despicable?" She cried out.
He let out a low growl at hearing her words. "Watch what you're saying."
"Ah! But you don't deny it!"
"If anyone, even a child, dares to defy me, he gets what he deserves." He replied coolly. He took a step closer towards her. "I am not going to explain how a lowlife like yourself and that Kitsune should be treating I, Sesshoumaru. You are nothing more than filth, littering the earth."
Kagome was surprised at how deep his disgust and hatred for humans ran. She was shocked by his obvious disregard of life. His arrogance... unbearable.
"Stay there. Because I will hurt you!"
"Stupid girl. You can't hurt me. You're weak. You will always be weak. You cannot protect the ones you love... It's pathetic to see you try. You're failing so miserably. So typical."
"No!" Kagome felt the deep buried anger and hurt of the similar insults of Inuyasha erupt in her, and Sesshoumaru's taunting insults were added fuel to her rising anger. That, together with the despair and fear for Shippou that she felt, made her vision swim; so violent were these emotions ripping through her. They needed an outlet. Now.
She pushed her hands against Sesshoumaru's armour, who had taken another step closer. A disdainful smirk on his face. His hand started to glow; such a bright colour.
"No! I am not weak! I am NOT!" She screamed, and she let go; energy, pent up in her body, screaming for a release, came rushing out of her hands. It enveloped her with a shocking bright light. Pure white. It cancelled through her hands, right into... Right into the demon Lord. His face showed his surprise for just a fraction of a second. Then, his face twisted in a grimace. A grimace of pain, as the force of that energy tore through his armour and flesh and threw him away from her. It smashed him through several trees, until it dropped him, and then the energy disappeared. Gone, just as swiftly and mysteriously as it came. The taiyoukai was laying on the ground, unmoving.
Kagome's breathed in and out deeply; heaving gasps. She looked at him, with disbelief clearly written on her face. What had just happened? She wondered. Everything had happened in a blur. The images were vague... What had she done?
Still panting from the exertion, she turned around, and picked Shippou up. He was unconscious, but breathing steadily, so Kagome dared to hope that he would soon wake up, and be okay.
She turned slightly, to look once more at the fallen form of Sesshoumaru. Was he badly hurt? She hadn't killed him, had she? Oh, she hoped not! The white clothes and the silvery hair lightened up eerily in the light of the moon. Why, after all he had done to her and her friends, did she almost threw up with the thought she might have killed him?
But as she took a hesitant step towards the youkai, he started to move. Kagome froze for a single moment, then turned around and ran as fast as she could in the direction of their camp, with Shippou safely in her arms. She did not want to wait for his reaction! She did appreciate her life, after all. Plus, she still had to deal with one irate hanyou!
Sesshoumaru watched them disappearing in the forest. His armour was (again) completely ruined, and he could smell his own blood. The bitch had burnt him. He rose slowly, and the pieces of his armour clattered on the ground.
He had underestimated her again. Or she was just unpredictable. Maybe both; she apparently wasn't exactly in control of her powers. Nor aware how to use them. Interesting. They were connected with her emotions. When she feared for the safety of her friends, and saw no other way out, she could somehow tap into it, and use it to protect them... She could be very powerful. Maybe, in time, she would be the best protector of her little group. Even more powerful than Inuyasha. Of course; that wouldn't take much...
"I'll see you soon, little Miko." He whispered at the silent clearing. A threat and a promise combined. He didn't know why exactly he still bothered with her. Curiosity, that was it. And a desire to get even with her. And he would do whatever it takes, to show her no one bested this Sesshoumaru.
****
Of course then, Kagome hadn't been aware of his intentions. If she had known, she would have run screaming to the well, to hide. Kagome smirked at herself. Yes, if she had known what he would do to her, she would have gone back home, only to reappear six months later, or something. Maybe then he would have let go of his anger. Sad eyes stared into the falling darkness, but saw nothing. If only she had know, she could have been... prepared. At least prepared for the confusion, the hurt and being in the constant state of anxiety. Maybe, that would have made things easier to bear now...
A/N: Rrrrrread and rrrrrreview, people!! Thanks!