Chapter 9- Kagome's Determination

Sesshoumaru sat beside the sleeping Kagome with the realization that his dimwitted half brother had just left his most prized possession in his care. He looked down at the human girl, whom Inuyasha obviously loved, even if he didn't admit it to his friends, or himself. Heh. He thought inwardly Humans. He obviously gained Father's weakness for them. But as he continued to think about it the vision of Rin slowly came to mind. He still didn't know why he'd saved the girl on that fateful day, but she was growing up. Slowly, but surely, she was becoming a woman. Perhaps he is not the only one with this curse...

His thoughts were cut short by the rustling bushes. He looked up but did not move. The scent was human, so he was sure if it was to attack he would out maneuver it in seconds. From the bushes crept the short stocky shape of Kaede. She glanced at him with her one good eye and shuffled over to sit beside him.

"You old fool, I could have killed you." He kept his voice low as the others slept.

"But ye didn't, which I thank ye for." She smiled.

"What are you doing up this late anyway?" He hissed.

She had brought with her a bowl and some weeds and other plants, which she began to crush in the bowl. "People of my age get very little sleep. So I thought I would make use of my waking hours. In these woods are many herbs and flowers which help the ill." She picked up a flower and showed it to him. It was lovely with pink petals that were covered in black spots and had a yellow center. "This flower's nectar can be mixed and boiled with these leaves." She pointed to the rest of the foliage she'd pillaged from the forest. "When combined and boiled, this potion will be cooled, and we will give it to Kagome."

Even though he was slightly interested in the medicine of humans he kept his face somber and uninterested. "And what" he asked flatly. "will it do to help her?"

"This will act as an adhesive to her soul," she sighed. "But it will not last long."

"Then why don't you feed her more?" The full-demon asked.

"This potion in large amounts would kill a mere mortal. I mustn't give her any more than this."

Satisfied with her answer he turned back to Kagome and Inuyasha and set about figuring out why his brother refused to admit his obvious love for her.
Kagome sat in blackness once more. Kikyo's memories were starting to over power her, she had to keep her own memories, her own feelings. She couldn't give them up. I have to fight I can't let go. Inuyasha will save me soon.

"Inuyasha will not save you." Kikyo appeared before her again.

Kagome's eyes began to water. She knew it was true. No... he won't save me.
Outside of her mind Kaede began boiling the mixture of nectar and leaves. Sesshoumaru leaned toward the ailing girl there was something in her eye. Her eye lashes glistened and then a single tear ran down her cheek. The demon made sure no one was looking before he swiped it up with his own finger.
"No, he won't save me." She said out loud to Kikyo. Then she picked her head up. Her eyes were glossy as if she's just finished crying. Yet they were hard, cold, and filled with determination. I will have to save myself. "Kikyo, I'm tired of your shit."

The priestess stared at the girl and almost took a step back as she heard the bitterness in her voice, but then she thought better of it. "Well," she said instead, "It's about time."

Kagome stood and wet face to face with her reincarnation. "Lets do this. You and me, one last fight for Inuyasha."

Unexpetantly Kikyo smiled. "Yes, one last fight."

"If I win you leave my body and go to hell! Literally." Kagome added.

Kikyo smiled at the girl's newer more brazen approach. "And if I win. You forfeit your body to me and your soul will wander the Earth for all eternity."

Kagome kept her eyes even with Kikyo's for a moment then stuck out her hand. The dead priestess looked down at it in confusion.

"Deal." Kagome said, "Let's shake on it."

Kikyo looked from the school girls face, to her hand, and back again. Then Kagome took Kikyo's hand in hers, "It's a handshake, we're making a pact." She tightened her grip to let her advisory know she meant business. "Let's do this."
Daylight slowly broke over the hillside. Kaede had finished her potion but let it sit till morning. Inuyasha was the first to wake. He hopped out of his tree and landed beside his brother.

"How is she?" He asked.

Sesshoumaru did not look up. "She is well, the old woman made a potion for her."

"I'm not that old and I'd appreciate you not calling me that." Kaede shuffled back over to the two demons. She carried the potion that had cooled and became a dark green syrup.

Inuyasha looked at the potion, "She's supposed to drink that?! It looks," he leaned over and took two sniffs before backing off, "and smells terrible."

Kaede ignored his comment, "Sesshoumaru, would you please go hunt us some breakfast, while Inuyasha and I give Kagome this potion."

The full blooded demon stood and silently stalked off to the woods bitter that an old woman was telling him what to do. "Inuyasha, put Kagome's head on your lap."

He did just that. He gently placed her head on his thigh as he sat indian style. He then gently opened her mouth as Kaede pressed the bowl filled with syrup to her lips.

"Now," Keade ordered, "pinch her nose so she swallows it."

Inuyasha arched an eyebrow at her but did as he was told. A few seconds later she did swallow and he released her cute little nose. Her eyes closed tighter for a moment. She turned her head in his lap to face his torso. He gently pet her black hair, "See! She doesn't like it!" He yelled at the elder priestess.

"She doesn't have to like it for it to save her life." Kaede stood up and stalked off to start the fire for breakfast.
Sango groggily came to. The sun was up and the birds were singing. She smiled happily. She was warm, a lot warmer then she'd expected to be but she liked it, Maybe I can just slip back to sleep for a few more... She felt something rubbing her bottom. She clenched her jaw. Not something, some one. She also became more aware that she didn't have a blanket so the warmth was some ONE also.

Now that she was fully awake she kept her eyes closed. She felt, obviously, Miroku's arms around her, which she realized she didn't mind that much, until he started rubbing her behind.

Her eyes flew open.

"Good Morning Darling." He smiled.

Seconds later she smacked him hard enough to make the birds scatter from the trees.