It took all of Sesshomaru's control to keep from striking his brother when Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her. And it took all his determination not to drag her back into the castle when she stumbled over a confession to his half-breed sibling. As it was, he was still the controller of his own emotions so he kept himself immobile, and his face devoid of any judgment.

And when Inuyasha attacked him, swinging the Tetsusaiga wildly Sesshomaru dodged it easily but didn't return the attack. There was a long list of things he would be more then willing to kill his brother over but killing Inuyasha when he was thinking only of protecting Kagome was something Sesshomaru would not do.

"Inuyasha! Stop!" Kagome's voice.

But like that other day Inuyasha was to deafened by his rage do that only Sesshomaru heard her. He dodged another attack by his brother and the Tetsusaiga, winging up behind Inuyasha but still said nothing. Didn't taunt his brother into a higher level of skill as he usually did. Just remained silent.

Inuyasha growled his annoyance. "I'll kill you Sesshomaru."

He brought the Tetsusaiga around in a sharp arc and Sesshomaru moved back out of the way just in time to miss getting sheared in half, but the huge blade slashed the front of his kimono diagonally, just skimming flesh. Sesshomaru bit back his annoyance and tried to keep a hold on his resolve not to kill Inuyasha.

"You bastard. Stop running." And Inuyasha charged him "Stand and fight."

Kagome's voice cut through controversy like a whiplash. "Inuyasha sit!"

And Sesshomaru watched with mild amusement as the prayer beads around his brother's neck flared and then Inuyasha hit the ground with a hallow thump.

"So Akuai..." Naraku's voice was slow and quiet, like the lingering pour of honey, cutting through the darkness of the room.

Kagura and Akuai stood before him, the wind sorceress shading her face with her fan to hide her curious frown, gaze slanted in the direction of the strawberry eyed demon girl who stood as poised and calm as she always was, the foggy crystal framed mirror held absently in her hands as she watched Naraku without a flicker of fear or anxiety.

"You have betrayed me then." Naraku went on quietly.

Akuai bowed. "I have."

"I see. And what do you have to say for your actions."

The girl lifted her gaze again. "I hope that you realize that bitterness of what you couldn't had will destroy you...before it's too late."

Naraku smirked darkly. "Your concern for my well being is admirable Akuai. However is does not pose a very good response for my question." He lifted his hand a dark black ball pulsing lightly, shining on his palm. "Do you know what this is?"

"What it is my lord?" Akuai asked blankly.

A frown flickered across Naraku's features. Apparently it was not the response he had expected. Kagura's eyebrow lifted at the demon child's hidden mockery but still she said nothing at all turning her gaze from Akuai's face to Naraku once more.

"It is your heard Akuai."

"No Lord Naraku. That is not my heart." She said simply.

"Isn't it? And just what do you believe it is?"

"A shackle."

Naraku shrugged. "All the same."

And his hand tightened around the dark ball and Kagura watched as the ball spider webbed then shattered, leaking through his fingers as black dust. Akuai's form shuttered and then collapsed, disappearing completely till nothing remained of her but her clothing...and a tiny pile of black dust.

"Seems it was effective enough." Naraku said carelessly.

Kagura suppressed a shudder and closed her fan, lowering it from her face. "Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are battling, over the girl. What do we do now?"

"Nothing. We have other matters to deal with then the failed plots of a traitor."

Kagura nodded. "Yes my lord."

"And Kagura..." She looked up at him again. "I hope this stops any ideas you might have gotten."

Kagura stared and Naraku as a shiver of fear slid down her spine at the warning in his voice. He had no doubt that he would kill her just as easily and remorselessly as he had Akuai. After a heartbeat she bowed.

"Yes Lord Naraku."

She wouldn't watch them fight each other! She'd 'sit' Inuyasha till he was buried ten feet underground then place herself bodily between him and Sesshomaru before she'd watch them kill each other. And that was what she started to do when she snapped the sit command over the distance. She dashed over instantly, ready to block him if Sesshomaru attacked but he did nothing, just stood there watching his half brother's form smoke.

Kagome went to Inuyasha's side and he lifted his head and growled at her. "You idiot! What the hell did you do that for?"

"Just stop it." Kagome spat more violently then she intended.

Inuyasha drew back in surprise then frowned curiously. "Kagome..."

"Let's just go! I just want to go Inuyasha." She said quietly.

Inuyasha stared at her a long moment then frowned deeper but nodded and stood slowly then sheathed the Tetsusaiga easily before helping her to her feet. She dusted of her skirt, looking down at herself to keep from having to look at Sesshomaru. Inuyasha turned and started to walk away warily and Kagome followed...well she started to follow anyway.

"So you're leaving." Sesshomaru's voice was barely above a whisper but Kagome caught it anyway.

"What do you expect me to do?" Her hands curled into fists. The nerve of him! She'd meant to go without a word, without expressing her anger, her pain but his careless query had broken her resolve. "What do you expect me to do Sesshomaru!? Stay here? Why? Why!? Nothing binds me here at all. Nothing. What keeps me here?"

And he was silent a long moment before replying, "I suppose my love...would not be enough."