I'm lyin' here on the floor where you left me

I think I took too much

I'm crying here, what have you done?

I thought it would be fun

I can't stay on your life support, there's a

shortage in the switch,

I can't stay on your morphine, cuz its making me itch

I said I tried to call the nurse again but shes

being a little bitch,

I think I'll get outta here, where I can

Run just as fast as I can

To the middle of nowhere

To the middle of my frustrated fears

And I swear you're just like a pill

Instead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me ill

You keep makin' me ill

-Just Like a Pill

Pink

--------------------

Chapter 2

Hello?

--------------------

The sight that Sesshomaru entered on almost made him heave. The area smelt strongly of sorcery and blood, not to mention the scent of Naraku. But it was not this that made his stomach uneasy, it was the human girl who lay on the ground broken chains still attached to her frail limbs. Her body was covered in a dark red cloth that barley hid her body from him. The sleeves were long and elegant, as they swept off her arms, though where it should have closed in the front it laid open barely hiding her breasts, though once the fabric met her obi it closed to hid her lower body. Instead of being many layers of fabric like most kimonos are, it was the single layer of think red velvet. Though he was unable to tell if the sickening red had been its original color because the body was lying in her own pool of blood.

He walked over to the small body slowly, keeping his senses open to any attack. What had done this damage surly was still here. Pulling her black locks away from her face, he held in a gasp of shock. It was the girl that his brother traveled with, the young Miko. He pulled away from her when he heard her moan as she woke from her slumber. Her ocean blue eyes fluttered open, and she let out what would have been a scream if she hadn't felt the pain in her chest. Her hand flew to her left side as she looked at the blood that surrounded her. Sesshomaru stood by her astounded that a human could still live after the large amount of blood loss.

"S-Sesshomaru?" She asked quietly. He had half expected it to be said in fear or for her to even smell fearful. But no it was said in confusion and he could smell it coming off of her in waves. "What are you doing here?" She asked amazed that she could find her voice though it was weak.

"What this Sesshomaru is doing here is none of your business Ningen," He growled at her, though he was unsure of why he was so defensive around the Miko. He watched as she struggled to get up using the tree that she laid next to help her stand. Though she fell back to the ground whimpering in pain. Grumbling mentally he turned to walk away.

"C-can I... Can I ask you something Sesshomaru?" She looked to the retreating Youkai.

He merely stopped and turned to the struggling girl, raising a single eyebrow. Kagome took this for a 'yes'.

"Can you help me... take me back to my village?" Kagome asked before she could really think about her words. What am I doing! She yelled in her head.

Sesshomaru looked at the girl in interest, he could smell the magic that radiated off of her body. She was intriguing, and powerful whether she noticed it or not. She could be of great use to me, he mused as he watched her struggle to get to her feet once again. I cannot let her go back to my brother; she is too much of a value to him. With her by his side he could easily defeat me, though with her on my side I will have a source of entertainment and great power. Yes she would be a value to me.

"I shall take you back to my castle where you shall wait until you regain your strength," Sesshomaru knelt next to her, looking over Kagome.

"Do I have a choice?"

"Either you come with me woman or this Sesshomaru shall kill you now." Kagome looked at him as he spoke, she needed to get out of here, no matter what, she had to leave.

"Fine," she gulped unsure of what she was getting herself into. Though she wasn't prepared to die, not yet. Sesshomaru walked over to her and pulled her to her feet only to have her collapse back to her feet.

"Useless human," he growled at her.

"Well I'm sorry that I feel like I was hit by a bus," she seethed back.

"Come again??"

"Never mind," she glowered at him, as he bent down and picked her up bridal style and carried her to his camp.

---------

Miroku trailed after Sango and Shippo as they made their way through the village, with no particular destination in mind. None had dared talk, in fear of breaking the sickening silence, even Miroku had thought better than using his hand to explore passing woman. Though each time Sango looked back at him, she saw him wince in pain and grab a hold of his cursed hand.

"Houshi-sama is there something the matter?" Sango looked at him worried about the monk.

"Stand back Sango," he ordered. Although she was confused she complied with his order. She watched as he lifted the beads and cloth off his hand and looked down to his hand. Everything flickered in the wind of Kazanna, until it all went still.

"Miroku?" Shippo called out to him.

"I don't believe it," he whispered as a smile plastered on his face. He laughed and took Sango into a bear hug and twirled her around.

"Miroku?" She asked, confused by his actions.

"The curse has been lifted!" He exclaimed as he flashed his hand towards them. Both Sango and Shippo cringed awaiting the winds of Kazanna, however when nothing happened they looked to Miroku's hand only to find a scar in the middle of his hand. The only thing that told that there was ever a curse.

"That means that Naraku is dead..." Shippo breathed in amazement. Both he and Sango broke in to a huge smile.

"HE'S DEAD!" All three yelled as they skipped through the village their arms linked. "Naraku's dead, Naraku's dead," they sang earning odd looks from the village.

"What is all the fucking racked?!" Inuyasha growled his cheek still red from Sango's hand.

"Naraku's dead, Naraku's dead," they continued to sing.

"What?" Inuyasha looked at them suspiciously as Miroku flashed his hand towards the Inu-Honyou. His eyes became glazed over as his eyes ventured further. "She could still be alive," he breathed.

Shippo looked stunned for a moment, until his face lit up. "Kagome's still alive!"

---------

Sesshomaru placed Kagome on the back of Ah Un when she had nodded to sleep in his arms as they made their way back to his castle the following morning. He was relieved to say the most. She had complained ever since he had gotten her back to camp, though it wasn't about the pain in her chest that she constantly grasped at or the fact that she was still loosing blood. It was the fact that she had to come and live with him in his castle, that she couldn't go see her friends and that she wasn't capable of going home because of him. She made the point very evident. Though throughout the night he became accustomed to her nagging and now that she was asleep the silence seemed odd, making him uncomfortable in the Miko's presence. However he was thankful that slumber had taken over her, he could tell that she was in pain, not just from her hissing and grasping at her chest but at the continuous blood loss. To say he was worried was understatement, he was far past worried he was somewhat scared for the young girls safety. And that thought unnerved him to a great extent. Rin was making him soft.

Speaking of the small child, she had been enthused when he brought Kagome to their little group. She had jumped around the camp for hours, claiming that he had brought her a new friend and later on that chant turned into her singing that he had brought her a mother. A pang of guilt rang through his heart as he looked to the little girl. How hard it must have been for her to experience both her parents' deaths and now to be living with two men, demons nonetheless. She deserved to have a mother figure in her life, a woman that she could relate to, that she could love.

He walked next to Ah Un watching Kagome intently to make sure her condition did not worsen before they reached the castle.

"Sesshomaru," she called out to him as her breath hitched in her throat. Apparently Kami wasn't on his side today. He noticed that her bleeding at increased.

"What is it Ningen?" He growled at her.

"Onegai, it hurts," she whimpered, her eyes still shut. Sighing mentally he grabbed the girl and ran off leaving a seething Jaken and a confused Rin, in his dust.

He ran as fast as he could, fear driving his senses in over drive. He could see his castle in the distance, pushing himself further he slammed the front doors open.

"MITZU!" He yelled into the palace, racing to the nearest guest room, having many to choose from.

An old Youkai waddled up to him, her gray hair trailed behind her. "Yes Milord," the woman bowed in respect.

"The woman is bleeding," he shrugged to the mangled form on the bed.

"She shall be easy to heal milord, though it may take many a day," Mitzu sauntered over to Kagome. "Her heart is weak, she clings to life with the help of her Miko powers. Indeed, she is a fine specimen. May I ask where you came across such a Ningen?"

"No you may not. Now heal the woman, no harm must come to her," he growled as he turned to leave the room.

"It seems Sesshomaru has found a new interest, good for you girl," Mitzu smiled at Kagome when she was sure Sesshomaru was out of hearing range.

-----------

Kagome woke a few days later, her senses dulled and feeling slightly light headed. Sh e looked around the room she laid in, she was in awe at the sheer size of it. The roof reached to at least 20 feet with windows that reached just as tall. Her futon was three times the size of her bed back in modern Japan and the comforters were shades of Gold and Silver. All in all the room was gorgeous, no it was magnificent. Though she was barely able to keep in her shriek of fear when she saw an Inu-Youkai sitting next to her futon.

"Hush child, I intend you no harm," The female Youkai held her hands up in a gesture of peace. "My name is Mitzu, I am one of Sesshomaru's healers."

"Sesshomaru has healers?" Kagome looked at the woman regarding the information she was given.

"Actually only one, and not for him but for young Rin," Mitzu laughed.

"Of course a block head like Sesshomaru would never need a healer," Kagome growled.

"Child, I see that you dislike my lord."

"More than you can believe."

"I do not understand child, he has brought you to his castle and has been on edge about your welfare," Mitzu added more quieter, "I think my lord has a fancy for you."

Kagome looked at her questioning the Youkai's sanity. Surly a human, nonetheless, was fancied by the Sesshomaru. Who had to be the fiercest human hating Youkai she had ever had the pleasure – or displeasure – to meet.

"He has talked about you many times. Particularly after meeting you in battle. He has said, interesting things about you dear. Especially on how you amuse him."

Kagome's angered flickered and Mitzu became aware of it as it began to role off of her in waves.

"I - - Amuse - - him?" She strained through clenched teeth. "I am no toy, to anybody especially your lord."

"Child I think you misunderstood me."

"No, I understand you too well, Mitzu. Now if you excuse me I will take my leave." The Miko stood out of her bed though with much difficulty and dressed in her kimono that was now mended and washed.

Mitzu ran as fast as she could to her lord's sleeping quarters. "Milord! Milord!" She cried in pants when she stopped outside the shoji door.

"Yes Mitzu," the calm voice of her lord called out to her.

"It's the Ningen Woman, she is taking her leave!" Before she was able to move, Sesshomaru opened the shoji door and walked towards Kagome's room.

By the time he arrived Kagome was already on her way out the door. "Nice to see you are here to bid me farewell, Sesshomaru." Kagome said without stopping or turned around to greet the Taiyoukai.

"You are not to leave this castle, till you are healed," his cold calm voice demanded.

"I will not stay here and be some... some... some play thing!" Kagome yelled expecting him to flinch or something but he did nothing. "I will leave, I have a destiny I must partake in and let me tell you, it is not here with you."

"You will stay," the Youkai lord growled at her defiance.

"I will not!"

"You WILL stay," red flashed in his eyes. Kagome stood there startled, sure it wasn't much of an emotion, anger but it was something particularly from the stoic Youkai lord. Kagome had planned on leaving the castle without a second thought, and at the moment she woke up she believed it to be a perfect idea, but now that he was there, now that she saw him, she didn't want to leave.

"How 'bout I promise to come back? I just need to think about some stuff, on my own first," Kagome couldn't help it. Sure she was once her sworn enemy as was he Inuyasha's, she felt that the only reason why he was the way he was, was because of something that had happened in his past. That or he was just lonely. Though she doubted that because of the two charges that followed his every move.

Sesshomaru never answered her, his stoic face still intact.

"You have my word as a human," she looked at him sincerely.

"Useless," he seethed at her.

"Fine, you have my word as a Miko," he was truly becoming annoying.

"Even worst." Sighing in irritation Kagome pulled out an arrow from its quiver that she had found in her room. She slit her thumb, hissing in pain she later took the Youkai who stood stunned at her actions as she slit his own thumb. Pressing their limbs together Kagome looked at him defiantly.

"You have my word and my blood," she hissed at him as she turned to leave. "I will return for both," she called over her shoulder.

---------------

Miroku sat in Kaede's hut along with Sango, Shippo and Inuyasha. Though they were having a serious conversation he was not able to rid himself of his giddy grin.

"We shall wait three months than we shall tell her parents that she died," Inuyasha nodded happy with his plan.

"Three months? Why so long?" Miroku looked at the honyou.

"She could be on the other side of Japan for all we know," Inuyasha growled at Miroku.

"Or she could be dead," Shippo wailed a little over dramatic.

"No she has to have lived," Sango looked at her three companions her eyes red from worry.

"I believe there is a way in knowing," Miroku looked at Inuyasha, his glare making the Honyou uneasy. "You met with Kikyo last night, did you not?"

Sango and Shippo looked at him with nothing less than disgust, though that is how everyone looked at him nowadays. "Hai, I did."

"So tell me, is she alive, dose she have her soul back yet?"

"I – I don't believe so." Inuyasha said hesitantly.

"We have our answer than. Kagome-sama is still very much alive."

---------

Kagome walked for 2 weeks, stopping at the few villages she passed and used a very Miroku-like manner in attaining food and shelter, along with many other possessions. She was able to make her way across Sesshomaru's lands quickly by herself and amazingly she had gathered three Shikon shards. But what was truly amazing was how much her Miko powers had grown. A single arrow was enough to disintegrate a rogue demon.

She traveled everyday from dawn to dusk, until she came to a very peculiar village, a village that reminded her of the small village Sango had once resided in before Naraku destroyed it. They trained in the art of demon slaying. A very rare sight indeed, particularly being so near Sesshomaru's domain

The Miko of the large village had died sometime ago, leaving the ill uncared for. Sickness was quickly spreading through the small confines and they were looking for a Miko, desperately. Luckily for Kagome, they accepted her into their homes without a second thought. They gave her a hut for herself, along with a garden and other supplies. Though after a while seeing her fight off the few demons that dared to enter the proximity of the village, that she was dependant on her bow and arrows. So many of the villagers offered her training for other means of protection and Kagome took their offers happily.

She had spent no more than five weeks when one of the villages children cam running to her hut, claiming that there was an injured group found outside of the villages high walls and that they were staying in one of the huts on the villages edge. Nodding, Kagome gathered herbs and any other objects she needed to care for the wounded and headed to fulfill her duty as the villages Miko.

Many passing-by travelers had referred to her as an impure Miko, before they had truly met her. Perhaps it was because she resided in a village that killed for a living, or that she practiced fighting in her spare time. Perhaps it was her wardrobe that she wore, the same Kimono that she was found in by Sesshomaru. Nonetheless, when the witnessed her powers and her talent in healing they soon apologized for their words and claimed her to be the most powerful Miko they had ever encountered. Though flattered Kagome paid little attention to their words.

"Hikari, is this where they reside?" Kagome asked the little girl as they stood next to one of the older huts of the village, though it still seemed the largest. She knew for a fact that it was not, due to her own hut being the biggest, since it was made to hold many sick villagers at once along with weary travelers.

"Hai, this is it Miko-sama." Kagome nodded and entered the hut. She knew the people that lived here well. They were the first to teach her the techniques of a sword and she came to their hut at least once a week to train. They were incredibly pleasant inhabitants, if they believed one to have good intentions they would invite them into their home without a second thought, even a demon and that thought troubled Kagome a bit.

"Amaya?" Kagome called into the hut, looking for the residents.

"Ah, Miko-sama, in here," she heard the elderly lady call from one of the rooms. Following the voice Kagome entered one of the back rooms of the hut. Though upon entering the room she stopped in her tracks. There sitting in the room sat a worried Taijiya still in her battle uniform, a worried monk sporting many wounds, A small Kitsune kit that marred a nasty cut across his abdomen and in the middle of the room resting on the futon laid a Inu-Honyou. Kagome got over her shock and walked over to the Honyou's makeshift bed and sat next to a worried Amaya.

"Amaya what have I told you about accepting demons into your home, injured nonetheless." Kagome berated the elderly lady.

"I am sorry Miko-sama, I found them injured and I had to help," the older woman bowed her head.

"You are excused Amaya, I shall need some time to efficiently heal them," Kagome looked to Amaya feeling the stares of disbelief from the rooms other inhabitants. Amaya bowed and left Kagome and the small group of travelers.

"Kagome," Sango breathed as she watched the said strip Inuyasha of his haori to look at his wounds.

"Surly it is," Miroku looked at the girl in disbelief.

"I need silence, this is difficult to do particularly on a Honyou. So if you do not want me to purify him I suggest you be quiet." Kagome ordered as she kneeled over top of Inuyasha holding her hands over a particularly large wound in his stomach as it began to glow a dull pink. Slowly the wound closed up. They watched in wonder as Kagome made quick work of Inuyasha's wounds.

"So what happened?" She asked as she turned to tend their wounds. Though since they were less serious she did not use her Miko powers to heal them, she simply tossed some herbs and bandages on them.

"We were attacked by a Youkai outside of your borders," Miroku watched her intently.

"Ah, the Kaido Seiko. I apologize that I have not banished him from these lands yet. Sesshomaru-sama asked personally that I leave it for a while. He has the oddest sense of timing I must say, anything that interests him must be left for his entertainment," Kagome smiled inwardly.

"Is this where you have been Kagome?" Sango asked as she hugged a sleeping Shippo in her arms. However Kagome ignored the question.

"Well if you would excuse me, I am needed else where," She went to walk out the door however Miroku stopped her. "Do you have to be so meddlesome Monk?"

"Enough with the act Kagome-sama, we are all friends here." Miroku looked at the Miko his words meaningful.

"Fine, only until he wakes up," Kagome shrugged to Inuyasha.

"What happened Kagome?" Sango asked her friend.

Kagome went to sit and talk to her old comrades however Hikari ran into the room. "Miko-Sama! It is Shari, he has been injured, we ask for your help." The girl panted as she halted in front of Kagome.

"Well I apologize, that I must go and fulfill my duties. You may come to visit me in the morning and you are able to look around the village. As long as you do not aggravate the villagers they will leave you alone," Kagome bowed to them and left the hut.

-------

Sango and Miroku sat in silence after Kagome left; they both looked at each other oddly and sighed.

"Should we tell him?" Sango asked the monk.

"I believe it is up to Kagome-sama if Inuyasha is to know about her being here."

"Won't he be able to smell her or sense her?"

"Her aura has changed much so I believe her scent has changed along with it also."

"Do you believe she knows what she's doing?" Sango looked to Miroku worry etched on her face.

"I don't know Sango, I truly do not know..."