Disclaimer: I do not own any of da charaters. Rumiko Takahashi does!
: scene change
Chapter Two: Out of Heartbreak
Kagome awoke to sunlight streaming into her room. She glanced around and found that she was in the house belonging to a very wealthy individual. She tried to sit up but pain all over her body forced her to lie down again. I'm...alive she thought. But how? I... I fell off a cliff. Her thoughts were interrupted when a female youkai (i can't think of an animal, gomen . ;;). Kagome stared at the youkai with the golden hair and intense blue eyes. Blue eys that seemed like the ones Inuyasha had when it was the new moon. Thinking about the hanyou made Kagome sad again. She quickly brushed the oncoming tears from her eyes. She had to forget him. Sensing that her charge was awake, the youkai came and stood beside the bed.
"So, you're awake, little one," the youkai said.
Where am I?" Kagome asked
"In Sesshoumaru-sama's castle," the youkai answered gently.
"What?!" Kagome almost screamed. She tried to sit up but she felt dizzy and fell back.
"Not so loud, dear," the female youkai said, stroking Kagome's hair.
"Why am I here?" Kagome asked.
"Our Little Mistress asked that you be brought back here," the female said.
"Little Mistress?" Kagome asked.
"Mistress Rin asked Sesshoumaru-sama to bring you back," the youkai said.
"What is your name?" Kagome asked.
"Atari, (A/N: I made this up!)" the youkai said.
"Arigatou, Atari-san," Kagome said
"For what?" Atari asked.
"Taking care of me," Kagome said.
Atari stared at the young woman who her little mistress had begged her master to save. She could see the hurt and pain beneath the cobalt blue orbs. She was different from the other humans. Atari sensed a power coming from deep within Kagome. Suddenly a yearning to keep the young woman from harm flooded Atari's heart. Ever since she had lost her only daughter, Atari felt an emptiness in her heart. She would treat this human as her daughter and take care of her in her daughter's memory.
"Atari-san?" Kagome called, breaking Atari's train of thought
"Hai?" Atari said.
"Would you take me to see Rin?" Kagome asked.
"Of course, little one," Atari said, a long absent smile adorning her face.
"Call me Kagome," Kagome said.
Atari nodded and helped her "daughter" to her feet. Leaning heavily on Atari, Kagome slowly walked to the vanity across from her bed. A huge mirror set into the cherry wood reflected a worn and tired Kagome back at her. Atari sat Kagome down and began to brush her hair. Kagome relaxed and allowed Atari to brush her long abandoned hair.
Dressing in a yellow kimono with red sakura blossoms and a blue obi, Kagome braced herself against Atari and made her way out the door. She and Atari were talking up a storm and were so engrossed in their conversation that Kagome did not notice until she bumped into something hard. Looking up, she stared into the golden orbs of the stoic Taiyoukai of the Western Lands.
"Sesshoumaru-sama," Atari gasped, quickly prostrating herself before the Lord of the castle.
"So you have awoken," Seshoumaru said, ignoring Atari.
Kagome just stared, unable to speak.
"I see that you're wounds have healed nicely," Sesshoumaru's icy voice said.
"Kagome!" Atari hissed.
Kagome broke out of her trance and bowed her head a little. "T-thank you for saving me," Kagome said.
"Keh, if it was't for Rin, I would have left you to rot," Sesshoumaru said. Would he have really? he second guessed himself inside his head. She was quite beautiful for a human. He metally slapped himself, what was he doing? This wench belonged to his half breed half brother. "What tempted you to leap form the cliffs? Did you find my idiot of a half brother in some ohter wench's arms?"
Kagome's heart almost stopped when Sesshoumaru mentioned Inuyasha. Her mind flashed back to when he had told her he loved Kikyo. She wanted to forget him. She had tried to forget him by jumping but instead she had fallen into the hands of his half-brother. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Sesshoumaru jerked when he smelled the tears in her eyes. He looked down at the human and something tugged at his heart. He couldn't tell what exactly had stirred this emotion. He wanted to hug her, to tell her that it was okay but he forced those emotions down and just said.
"Weak humans and their pathetic emotions."
Then he left a teary-eyed Kagome and a kneeling Atari and made his way to his study. Atari quickly scrambled up to help Kagome.
"Kagome," Atari said.
"I'm okay Atari-san," Kagome said. "Let's take the rest of our tour and go find Rin."
"Of course Kagome," Atari said.
The both of them continued down the corridor and to the west wing of the mansion. They made their way through bedrooms and meeting rooms and found themselves in a garden. Kagome inhaled the scents of the wondrous plants growing there.
"Atari! It's beautiful here," Kagome said.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama also likes this place very much. His lordship and Miss Rin come here often," Atari said.
"Rin? Where is she?" Kagome asked.
"Miss Rin is with Jaken," Atari said.
"May I see her?" Kagome asked.
"I shall inform Miss Rin that you shall be visiting," Atari said.
Atari left Kagome sitting on a bench and rushed to tell Rin. Kagome sighed and closed her eyes but her eyes snapped back open as Inuyasha popped into her head again. She couldn't shake that look he had given her. She tried to force herself to think about anything other than him but she couldn't do it. She knew she was trying to cover up her pain and she didn't want to face it now but it seemed like fate wasn't going to allow her to run away from her problems. Kagome opened her eyes just in time to see Atari coming back. Kagome smiled and the two walked to the place where Rin was waiting for her "Kagome-chan."
"Kagome, you baka!" Inuyasha shouted to the wind.
The only sounds that answered him back were the wind and his echoing voice bouncing back. He hadn't meant to hurt her, he really hadn't. He chose Kikyo because he couldn't stop thinking about her.
"Kagome, I'm sorry," Inuyasha said. Kagome made her way to Rin's room. When she arrived, a very energetic Rin greeted her.
"Pretty Lady Kagome-chan is here to see Rin," Rin said.
"That's right Rin," Kagome said.
"Pretty Lady Kagome is way more fun than Jaken," Rin said.
"Rin, why are you here all alone?" Kagome asked.
"Sesshoumaru-sama has important business so Rin must play with Jaken," Rin said.
"Is Sesshoumaru good to you?" Kagome asked.
"Sesshoumaru-sama. You must call Sesshoumaru-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin reprimanded.
Kagome smiled at the child's gentle scolding. "Of course, is Sesshoumaru-sama good to you?" she asked.
Rin nodded. "Sesshoumaru-sama is always good to Rin, but..." Rin said.
"But what..." Kagome asked.
"Rin wishes she has a mommy," Rin said. Then she looked eagerly at Kagome. "Will Pretty Lady Kagome be Rin's new mommy?"
Kagome blushed slightly. "Rin, I will always be here for you," she said.
"But Rin wants Pretty Lady Kagome to be her new mommy," Rin insisted.
Kagome walked over to the little girl and placed a hand gently on her head. "Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama will find you a mommy. This mommy will be the best mommy in the world. I don't think I can be your mommy, but I will be your older sister," Kagome said.
"Rin doesn't want any other mommy. Rin wants Kagome-chan to be her new mommy," Rin said.
"Rin," Kagome said. She took the little child's face in her hands and looked into those brown eyes (A/N: I forgot what color eyes Rin had, sorry .; '). Then she gave a hug to the little girl.
"Does this mean that Kagome-chan is Rin's new mommy?" Rin asked eagerly.
"Rin, you may think of me as your mommy but around Sesshoumaru-sama, you must call me Kagome, okay?" Kagome said.
Rin didn't answer. All she heard was that Kagome was her mommy now. The little girl grabbed Kagome's hand and pulled her towards some flowers in her room. She started grabbing handfuls and weaving them into a garland. Kagome just sat there and watched the little girl amuse herself. For a moment, all she thought about was Rin. The little girl made her heart light as a feather and temporarily forget her problems. For a moment, Kagome felt true happiness.
Later that night, Kagome sat in her bed with Rin. Rin had begged to come with Kagome and spend the night in her room. Kagome couldn't say no. However, neither of them told Sesshoumaru and their conversation was interrupted when Kagome's door was thrown open. A very angry Sesshoumaru glared at the young miko.
"Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin greeted happily.
"Rin, what are you doing here?" Sesshoumaru said.
"Rin wanted to spend the night with her new mo-"Rin started to say but quickly caught herself. "With Kagome-chan."
"Rin, go back to your own bed," Sesshoumaru ordered.
"But..." Rin started.
"Rin," Sesshoumaru warned.
Rin sighed and climbed out of Kagome's bed. She turned to leave but she gave Kagome a quick kiss on the cheek. "Good night, Kagome-chan," she said.
"Sweet dreams Rin-chan," Kagome said, kissing the little girl on the head.
Rin skipped out of Kagome's room and all the way to hers. She left Kagome and Sesshoumaru alone together. Once Rin was out of the room, Sesshoumaru turned his attention to Kagome.
"You will tell me at all times where Rin is," Sesshoumaru said.
"Of course," Kagome said, all feeling left her voice.
"So, Rin has decided that you are her new mother?" Sesshoumaru asked, a hint of a smirk appeared on his face.
Kagome gasped. So the word hadn't escaped him. She thought. "You heard?" Kagome asked.
"Keh," Sesshoumaru scoffed. A wicked gleam was in his eyes. "If you are Rin's mother and I, her father, doesn't it mean we should share the same bed?"
Kagome blushed like she never blushed before. "Sesshoumaru," she breathed.
Sesshoumaru walked towards Kagome, who was still blushing. She tried to scoot away but Sesshoumaru caught her hand. That one contact ignited something in Sesshoumaru that he had never felt before. He stared at the beautiful girl in front of him. Damn, I've never noticed how beautiful the hanyou's wench is. He thought. He pulled her to him and crushed his lips onto her tender ones. Kagome's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands was kissing her. He gently forced her mouth to open so he could explore. Kagome parted her lips and almost jumped when Sesshoumaru's tongue touched hers. She was still caught in the moment when Sesshoumaru lifted his lips from hers.
"Know this wench, whatever I want, I get," Sesshoumaru said. Then he got up and left a very confused Kagome.
Kagome sat in her bed, her mind still whirling. Oh my god I was just kissed by Sesshoumaru! What was I thinking? He is my enemy. But another voice said. Now that you're not with Inuyasha, he is not an enemy. Kagome shook her head and fell asleep with her lips still tingling from the kiss.
The next morning, Atari shook Kagome awake.
"Kagome," Atari called.
"What is it Atari?" Kagome asked.
"Sesshoumaru-sama requests your presence," Atari said.
Kagome blushed at the name. She vividly remembered the kiss he gave her. Atari helped her don on a blue kimono with pink sakura flowers and tied a darker pink obi. Atari pushed her to Sesshoumaru's office. Kagome noticed that her ankle was all healed up. Atari stopped in front of the wooden doors and took a deep breath. She raised her clawed hand and knocked twice on the door.
"Enter," Sesshoumaru's voice said. Kagome and Atari walked into the spacious room. Sesshoumaru sat behind a table and looked at a still pink Kagome. He smiled to himself.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, Kagomehas arrived," Atari said, prostrating herself onto her knees.
"Very good, dismissed," Sesshoumaru said, not taking his eyes off Kagome.
Kagome stiffened. She was gong to be in a room alone with a guy that kissed her last night. Atari bowed and exited, closing the doors behind her. Kagome returned her stare to Sesshoumaru.
"I brought you here to tell you that you shall start training tomorrow," Sesshoumaru said.
"Training?" Kagome asked.
"You will need formal training to take on the task that you shall complete," Sesshoumaru said.
"Task?" Kagome asked.
"I know how you can see Shikon shards and I..." Sesshoumaru started.
"You want me to help you find them so you can use the Shikon no Tama right?" Kagome finished.
Sesshoumaru just stood there. He was only going to have her steal them from the hanyou but that was it. He never thought about using the Shikon no Tama. "Never interrupt me," he said instead.
"Alright, I'll help you," Kagome said.
"Do you know what you are doing?" Sesshoumaru asked, slightly amused that she would help him instead of that wretched hanyou.
Kagome nodded. She knew exactly what she was doing. She was doing this because she wanted to get even with Inuyasha. She would give Sesshoumaru the Shikon no Tama to show Inuyasha that she didn't need him.
"You shall start tomorrow," Sesshoumaru said.
The next morning, Sesshoumaru took Kagome to a field and handed her a sword. It was silver with blue jewels on the hilt. An engraving of a vine snaked its way from the hilt, down the blade, and ending at the point. Kagome stared at the sword in her hand and tested it.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
"Give me your best shot," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome took her stance and rushed at Sesshoumaru. The sword whistled through the air but all it hit was air. Sesshoumaru sidestepped the attack without lifting a finger. Kagome rushed at him again and again, she hit nothing.
"Lesson One: You must read your opponents moves before they make them," Sesshoumaru said.
"How do I do that?" Kagome asked.
"I can not tell you," Sesshoumaru said. "You must learn it for yourself."
Kagome narrowed her eyes at him. "Why did you tell it to me then," she said.
"It is a skill all fighters possess, youkai or human," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome looked at the sword in her hand. It gleamed and seemed to urge her on. Kagome took a deep breath and readied herself again. She ran towards Sesshoumaru but he again sidestepped her attack. This time, she was ready for him, so she turned mid-way through her attack and slashed at him. But, Sesshoumaru had already drawn Toukijin and countered her attack.
"Better," he commented. Kagome blushed under this compliment.
All day and into the evening, Kagome and Sesshoumaru faced off. It was well past sundown when Sesshoumaru declared that training was over. Kagome dragged herself back to her bed and fell asleep a short time later. Atari looked at the sleeping girl and smiled.
"Poor Kagome-sama, she's been worked too hard by Sesshoumaru-sama," Atari said aloud to herself.
Sesshoumaru and Kagome trained every day for more than six weeks. One day, Kagome managed to get her sword to Sesshoumaru's neck. Breathing heavily, Kagome smiled.
"So?" she asked.
"What?" Sesshoumaru said.
"How is my technique?" Kagome asked.
"Feeble as a human's is but improving," Sesshoumaru said.
Kagome shook her head and sighed. There is no way Sesshoumaru will ever admit I'm a good fighter. She thought. Sesshoumaru then told her to practice her strokes while he observed. Kagome took up her sword again and thrust her sword through the air. Sesshoumaru watched the girl practice with a determination. He saw her slim body gracefully go through the motions of the different sword techniques. He starts to wish he can see her naked. He catches himself and shakes his head. This is no time to daydream about a human. But she is beautiful and Rin seems to love her, maybe...No! Get those thoughts out of your head, baka! Sesshoumaru forced those thoughts into the deepest part of his mind. But a part of that thought still lingered and Sesshoumaru suddenly found himself moving towards the girl. Kagome stopped her practice when she almost slashed Sesshoumaru.
"Sesshoumaru! You should watch out. I almost hurt you there," Kagome said.
Sesshoumaru said nothing. He wrapped his arms Kagome and pulled her close to him. Kagome was confused.
"Sesshoumaru, what are you..." Kagome started saying.
"You're mine," Sesshoumaru whispered.
Then he crushed his lips onto her tender ones. Kagome's widened but then she gave in to Sesshoumaru's heated kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him there. Sesshoumaru's arms wrapped themselves around Kagome's body and slowly started to explore it. A garbled moan came from Kagome and was lost in Sesshoumaru's mouth. Slowly, Sesshoumaru released her. He stared deeply into her eyes. Kagome blushed furiously and turned away. She picked up her fallen sword and started to practice again.
Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kirara made their way through a mountainous region. No one said anything. It had been six weeks since "Kagome's death," but it still weighed heavily on everyone's mind. Kikyo had told them that a Shikon shard was in the mountains and set off before them. Sango still held a grudge against Inuyasha and Kikyo but she restrained herself for the good of defeating Naraku. She vowed that Kagome's death would be avenged. Not against Inuyasha or Kikyo but against Naraku. It was he who caused the whole conflict between Inuyasha and Kikyo in the first place.
Inuyasha suddenly stopped and Sango almost crashed into him.
"I smell a youkai," Inuyasha said.
Everyone took the defensive and waited. A loud roar echoed through the mountain and it seemed that the youkai was all around them. Suddenly a huge vulture youkai flew ahead.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango shouted. She threw her boomerang bone.
The huge boomerang flew towards the youkai but it dodged it. Sango caught it and prepared to throw it again.
"My turn!" Inuyasha said. "Kaze no Kizu!"
Again, the vulture youkai dodged the attack.
"Kazaana!" Miroku yelled.
The hole in Miroku's hand started sucking in the youkai.
"No!"
Miroku stopped his Kazaana. Everyone turned towards the person who had stopped their attack. It was Kikyo.
"What's the problem, Kikyo?" Inuyasha asked.
"Do not destroy this youkai," Kikyo said.
"Why?" Sango asked.
"This youkai has a Shikon shard," Kikyo reported.
Then she took out one of her purifying arrows and aimed at the youkai.
"So you found out I have a Shikon shard did you?" the vulture youkai said.
"Die!" Kikyo said, then she released her arrow.
A huge burst of pink light traveled behind the arrow as it pierced the youkai's body. The youkai's body disintegrated and a shard of the Shikon no Tama shone. It fell on the ground and Kikyo picked it up. Sango and Miroku's heads were drooped. Kikyo reminded them so much of Kagome. They really missed her.
"We must hurry along," Kikyo said.
A/N: I don't like Kikyo as much as the next person. And if you do, shame on you.shakes finger She's such a b. Oh well, please read and review. Arigatou!