A/N: Thanks so much for all your lovely reviews! I only hope you will continue to like this story!!

Oh, and I forgot something very important; Disclaimer!!!! Here it is:

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha!

In too deep

Chapter 3: Blow to the heart

Dusk was gone, and the night had fallen. But the dark didn't bother Kagome, perhaps because she didn't really notice it. She was lost in her thoughts, reliving her memories. Some of them happy, some of them funny, most of them painful. It really made her wonder why she was staying, and if it was worth it. Because she hated to admit it, but sometimes she wondered if she just couldn't go home, and forget about the Shikon no Tama, to forget about Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru and to leave all her problems behind.

The things that kept her from doing just that, were her friends, and the hate she carried for Naraku. And she wanted, more than everything else, that the suffering of others, due to Naraku's unrelenting and ruthless quest for power, stopped. Whenever they came upon a burnt down village, or a slaughtered human or youkai, her resolve to end this strengthened.

And perhaps, she wanted to show those who thought so little of her that she wasn't weak, that she didn't run away and that she could be useful. It was almost pathetic how much she suffered under those remarks and beliefs about her. She almost started to believe in them herself. Maybe she already did. Maybe, deep down, she had always known they were telling the truth... But what could she do? She tried so hard, and sometimes it was working; sometimes she managed to use her Miko abilities, to protect herself and her friends. But to actually kill another living being... She didn't know if she could do that. Somehow, she couldn't bring herself to harm another, save for protection. Somehow, it felt wrong to use her powers for anything else. She could purify demons, although she would never seek them out, to vanquish them. After all, not all of them were that bad...

She rested her weary head in her hands. The smell of dinner started to make it's way to her. She hadn't eaten since this morning, and she should feel hungry, but she didn't. She didn't want to leave her musings. Maybe she could learn from the past. Never to repeat it. Trying to avoid the mistakes that she had made. Trying to avoid a certain Demon Lord.

Rain was falling down hard and when she looked up towards the sky, it only promised more.. The water had drenched their clothes, and chilled them to the bone. All were shivering, save Inuyasha, who stubbornly walked along, ignoring the discomfort of his fellow travellers. He had a purpose; another shard, somewhere in a deep forest. Kagome had come to fear the woods; one would never know what lay hidden, waiting for the best opportunity to attack. Kagome feared one more than all others, though she hadn't seen him since their little fight four days ago. But she knew he would come back. The Lord of the Western Lands didn't take a defeat well. He would come back and try to kill her again. She tried her hardest to never get separated from her companions, but sometimes it was unavoidable. Then, she tried to return to safety as soon as possible. Perhaps, she was being too cautious (if that was possible, in the Sengoku Jidai) as she didn't know had bad she had wounded him, so he could as well be still recuperating from his wounds. But better safe than sorry, right?

"Inuyasha, we have to find some form of shelter. Dusk is already setting in. Soon, we won't be able to see where we are going. And if we don't get warm, we could catch a cold, and get sick."

"Stupid humans with their pathetic eyesight and weak bearings!"

"Miroku has a point, Inuyasha," Kagome said quietly, "sick, we would be even more of a bother to you," her tone was slightly sarcastic. "There will be no travelling at all, till that person gets better."

"Are you trying to tell me what to do, wench? I don't need your advice!" He started to walk even faster, until he was running at a slow pace. The others didn't try to keep up with him, too exhausted as they were. Soon, the hanyou was out of sight.

"Would you look at that?! He knows we can't keep up with him!!" Sango bristled.

"He'll probably go somewhere and sit in a tree and sulk about how slow we are," remarked Miroku dryly.

Kagome and Sango gave him a weak smile at his attempt at humour.

"Come on guys, we have to find some shelter. Maybe there will be a village up ahead."

"I hope we'll find something soon. The rain isn't letting up, and I'm afraid we'll become lost in the dark..." Miroku didn't finish his story. Instead, he squinted his eyes, and said then, excitedly: "I see something like a building! There, behind those trees!"

As the others saw it too, their spirits lifted somewhat, and they picked up their pace. Soon, they had reached the building, which wasn't more than an old, abandoned hut, but to them, it was dry and warm.

With some dry wood they found inside the little shack, they started a fire, and soon, everyone started to feel a little better already. Clothes were taken off, and spread out to dry; blankets were rolled out, and food was being prepared. The others were busy with these simple chores, but Kagome's mind drifted off to Inuyasha. She was slightly worried. What if he caught a cold? Could hanyous catch them? Probably not, but... What if he ran into trouble? She knew he could take care of himself, but whenever he ran off, she was worried.

A loud smack brought Kagome back to the present. Miroku had tried to take advantage of the situation, and started to make advances on Sango, who wore nothing more than a very large shirt. They had to get dry, and Miroku surely enjoyed every second of Sango wearing very little.

"Hentai!!" Sango screamed, and proceeded to slap him once more. Kagome and Shippou smiled at their antics, while Kirara seemed to shake her little head in exasperation. When would those two admit that they liked each other?

Eventually, the two people-in-denial settled down and started to eat. As Kagome munched on the Ramen, she was getting more and more uneasy. Where was he? She just couldn't get used to his constant disappearances. She hated it! She didn't know where he was going or what he was doing... or who he was seeing...

She put her empty plate down, stood up and pulled her still damp jacket on.

"Where are you going?" Sango asked curiously.

"I'm going to see if I can find Inuyasha. The rain has almost stopped, so I thought that I could go and see if he is near, and maybe if he wants something to eat, or if he wants to talk, or maybe he just-"

"Kagome, stop it! You always get worried sick about him, and he just isn't worth it! He always vents his anger on you, he never appreciates your concern, and he doesn't care about the hurt he inflicts on you whit his words! I say leave him be! Let him sulk! I bet he still can't deal with the fact that you bested his brother twice now! He isn't thinking about anyone else but himself, so let him stew in his own juices!!"

Kagome flinched at the mentioning of Inuyasha's half-brother. Of course she and Shippou had told them about their run-in with Sesshoumaru, and Shippou had been sure to tell them in full detail how she had blasted the Demon Lord, without using her arrows. Her friends had been worried and surprised of course, but Inuyasha had raced back to the spot, to see if his brother was there, and maybe to confirm the story... he just couldn't believe the little snap of a girl could do that, again!

It had made him even more crankier and sullen. It was unpleasant to travel with him during the day. At night, he disappeared, leaving them alone. Sure, they could protect themselves, but it kept Kagome out of her sleep. But now, she would just try to see if he was maybe outside the shack, too proud to come inside, to admit he had been wrong. She always was the one to take the first step, to admit she had been wrong (even if that wasn't the case...) It didn't cost her much, except her pride, maybe, and if she could make the situation between them a little better... And that was all that mattered; how could they work together efficiently, if they didn't even talked with each other? She had to be the grown up person in this situation.

"I know that, Miroku, and thanks... I won't go far, just outside. I'm not so stupid to go for a walk in the woods, you know. I don't want to run into homicidal Demon half-brothers again!" She let them believe her last encounter with Sesshoumaru had been an unfortunate coincidence, not a visit with a deadly purpose!

"Kagome... All right, go outside. You won't be able to sleep otherwise." At Kagome shocked face, Sango smiled softly at her friend. "You thought we didn't know? You don't have to try to hide it from us, Kagome. We know how you feel. You can talk with us, you know. Maybe that will help you to... move on. Like Miroku said; he just isn't worthy of you worrying over him."

"I wished it could be that easy," she whispered, and fled out of the cabin, before anyone could see her tears. She took a few steps away from the door, even though she could barely see a thing; the moon and stars were hidden by the thick layer of clouds. Not the tiniest light could be spotted. The darkness seemed to engulf her, making her shiver with the ominous feeling that hung in the air. Her shivers only became worse when the cold merged with the wetness of her jacket. Maybe she better got back inside.

"Inuyasha?" She said softly. She waited patiently, hoping against better judgement that he was there, sitting in a tree.

"Inuyasha? Are you there?" She tried again. The forest stayed quiet. It was almost too quiet. Kagome frowned. She was getting a real bad feeling, and was about to return to the safety of the hut and the comfort of the warm fire, when she heard movement.

Hesitantly, she took a few steps forward. "Inuyasha? Don't be so stubborn, and come inside! Please? We have saved you some Ramen! Inuyasha?" Another few careful steps, and she was suddenly very close to the sounds. What if it was a youkai, looking for the Shikon shards? She narrowed her eyes, trying to make something out in the blackness of the night. To no avail; she couldn't see a thing. Maybe it was better to get back inside. Maybe it was just an animal, looking for food...

She backed up, not wanting to turn her back to the forest. Something about it made her very wary of the dangers that could lie hidden in the shadows. The shack was only a couple of feet behind her, but she felt very alone and vulnerable right now.

As she took another step back, she bumped into something. She frowned. A tree? There was no tree between her and the shack... She froze.

A heavy hand fell on her right shoulder. She almost jumped, but the hand firmly pressed her down. She tried to turn around, but the person behind her prevented her from doing that, as he lay his other hand on her left shoulder. She turned her head slightly, afraid what to find. When she saw the hand and wrist, she didn't have to see the face to know who the person behind her was. These magenta stripes...

Suddenly, she became angry. It swallowed up the fear and shock. Why did he... stalk her?! He was stalking her! She didn't want anything to do with him, she didn't mean him any harm, and he still continued to harass her! She hadn't asked for this! So why didn't he leave her alone?!

She opened up her mouth to tell him what was exactly on her mind, but she was muffled by one of his hands.

"Be quiet," He whispered in her ear. His breath was hot upon her skin, and she started to squirm under his hold.

"Now, be a good girl and stay still. Or do you want me to pay a visit to your friends?" He said softly. She immediately stopped her movements, and waited anxiously for his next move.

He didn't take his hand off her mouth; he must have been wary of her making a sound, thus alarming her friends. His claws pierced through her clothing and her skin, drawing blood. Still, she didn't make a sound.

"So, you were looking for that half breed, weren't you?" He didn't wait for a reply, as she couldn't give one. He lowered his head somewhat, until his chin rested on her head. With someone else, she could have found this position intimate and caring; an embrace, but with him, it was a mockery of all those things. He was acting not like his normal, cold self; the Youkai who held such a distaste and disgust, yes, even hate for humans, was now deliberately touching one! She shuddered, and he smirked slightly. He moved his arm from her shoulder to her waist, securing her to his proud figure.

"I saw him on my way... The fool didn't even notice me. I guess he was too... preoccupied with his companion..."

Kagome felt dread fill her. Her shoulders slumped. Companion... He didn't need to tell her who.

Sesshoumaru's smirk widened ever so slightly when he noticed her reaction. Does it hurt? Good.

"I think it was the priestess. What was her name again... Kikyou? I remember her. Wasn't she the one who pinned him to that tree for a fifty years? And still he goes after her, even now she is nothing more than a mockery of what she once was. Clay and earth, with only hate to live for... And still he wants to be with her. More than he wants to be with you, doesn't he?"

Kagome felt tears prick in her eyes. So, it was true then. Her suspicions were true. She closed her eyes, willing the tears to go away. She would not give in to her tears and she would not crumble in front of the Demon Lord. Because after all, that was all he wanted. That was why he sought her up again, to rub into her face, that she was worth even less to Inuyasha, than a vengeful and dead version of his true love. She was nothing in the eyes of Inuyasha. She just came in handy sometimes, and that was why he still tolerated her. Her self-loathing had just reached a new height.

Sesshoumaru could barely contain his malicious enjoyment. He could smell her tears, and her aura, with so much grief and sorrow in it, was dancing around her. Good. She deserved it.

"I heard him say you were nothing to him, but a sharddetector... And even at that you are lacking... And always a bother to him, hindering the rest of your group in their progress..."

He felt a warm liquid falling on his hand. She was crying. She was so weak! It disgusted him. It disgusted him that even when she was led by her silly emotions, she somewhere had the power to cause him damage. Him! The Lord of the Western Lands! He detested it. He detested her! Her purifying powers had run through his body, wreaking havoc, but in more ways than one... Somehow, it had become a thrill to feel... He simply did not knew how to explain it. Another reason to simply kill her! He had no use for this!

He was confused. He, Sesshoumaru, was confused about this girl. He wondered about her. And this was something he never did. She was a nuisance. He sometimes caught himself thinking about her. Somehow, the little human had wormed her way into his mind. It was preposterous!

However, he wouldn't be so careless again. She would never be able to wound him again. He wouldn't be surprised by her again. No more unsuspected attacks or secret powers... He was in control. He would stay in control. He had always been in control, over everything in his life. One little Miko wouldn't change that. She was not worthy of his thoughts...

Damn her and her alluring powers!

He unconsciously tightened his grip on her waist, making her gasp. The hot breaths of her against his hand, making him rather aware of his tight grip he still had on her face. Just one quick and strong flick of his wrist, and he could break her neck... But why end it now? He could make her suffer for the humiliation she had put him through. She would find out that he, Sesshoumaru, would not be fooled with. She would pay.

Why he felt this almost alien satisfaction and dark joy when he saw her pain, he did not know. It was so different compared with what he felt for his half-brother. That was a cold hate, disgust and the resolve to put an end to this shame to his family name. But for her... The urge to see her in pain was a burning need, and when he succeeded, he felt the malicious satisfaction sweep through him. About her power... He felt attracted to it. He wanted it for himself... Why was a simpering human wench bestowed with such amounts of power? It was a fluke! She was a flaw in his world!

Kagome wasn't aware of the unusual feelings she raised in the demon Lord. She was aware, however, of the increasing pressure on her waist and face. She was afraid he would shatter her jawbone. She weakly struggled in his confining grip. But the emotional turmoil she had went through, had drained her of her strength... And safety was just a couple of feet away... She wondered if she would ever make it. He would probably kill her here, to finish what he had intended to do all along; kill her.

Suddenly, she no longer cared. What if he did? Would it be that bad? Her friends, and especially Shippo came to her mind and she knew she had to try for him. Shippo depended on her! What kind of parental figure would she pretended to be, if she gave up so easily? He needed her. And he gave her unconditional love in return... that would be enough to fight for... It was enough to fight for!

Suddenly she was released, and she fell to the ground on her front. She quickly turned around, not wanting to get caught surprised by Sesshoumaru's actions. He stood before her, towering over her. She craned her neck to see his face. That expressionless, cold face. Eyes which gave nothing away.

"Inuyasha is not here to save you... Would he, if he was here? Think that over. We'll meet again." And he disappeared, leaving her alone; shaking with cold, fear and a deep sadness. She picked herself up, and stumbled towards the shack. Opening the door, she felt the welcoming warmth of the fire. Though it couldn't reach her bleeding heart.

Things had gone from bad to worse since that day. It was about a week ago, but so much had happened since then. She could count on a visit from Sesshoumaru almost each and every night. It mattered not how hard she tried to avoid him; somehow he managed to catch her alone. That was frustrating, to say the least. His taunts and insults grew worse. He found the last remains of her self-confidence, and ripped them apart. He poisoned her spirit and heart with his careless, but well-placed words. He used her greatest weakness, Inuyasha, so expertly, so ruthlessly. He was looking for her breaking point. Was he looking for another burst of that strange Miko power? She didn't know if she could muster the strength for that anymore...

During the day, it was Inuyasha who would hurt her, and at night it was his brother who continued that treatment. And he was so much more refined in it! She had to give it to him; he was much better in it than his brother... Their 'meeting' from two days ago came to her mind. It was one of the most humiliating and painful things she had experienced this far in her life. And that was to say something, wasn't it?

Here it is, chapter 3. Review, please?