Otherside

Chapter 12: Old Habits

Hi guys. (Gosh this is awkward) Sorry I haven't posted in like three days. I've caught a bad case of laziness...but hopefully this chapter is the cure. I got a lot of positive feedback on chapter 11 (which I thought was my worst chapter besides 1), so as a special treat I have incorporated some ideas for plot points that you guys were nice enough to suggest for me. Awww. You guys are so cute, honestly. I have THE BEST fans!

Chapter 12 is one of those chapters that nearly caused a riot on the web because people were so anxious to read it. Too bad a riot on the web would be hilarious... This chapter picks up where Sesshomaru armors up and heads to out rescue Kagome and stop Kikyou. Time is running out and Kagome's soul is in danger, looks like its up to Sesshomaru to be the hero! (hey, its about time!)

Standard disclaimers apply.

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Old Habits

Sesshomaru knew exactly where they were.

He had picked up Kagome's light scent nearly five miles ago, and the further west he went, the stronger it became.

With Rin and Jaken remaining behind, Sesshomaru didn't have to worry about them becoming a liability. Not that he needed to worry about that; he feeling very determined. The only thing that was weighing on his mind was time. If Kikyou was planning on using Kagome to regain the rest of her soul, there would be no time to lose.

The only weapons he carried were his swords, Toukijin, and Tenseiga. He knew there was a chance he would need them. He also carried six small stone pieces in his satchel, which had caused him so much trouble.

Sesshomaru did not stop to rest as he ran through the grass, trees, mountains, and streams. He took no notice of what was around him, for he did not care. The only thing he had on his mind was saving Kagome.

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"Wake up Kagome."

Kagome opened her eyes slowly, allowing for adjustment as the glare from the moonlight came in. Her lids felt so heavy, as though she had been drugged.

Kagome sat up and instantly grimaced in pain. Her head felt like it had been hit with a hammer. What was going on?

"I'm glad to see you are awake, Yamashi..." (authors note Yamashi means imposter)

Kagome recognized the tone of voice immediately.

"I should have known, Kikyou," Kagome retorted.

Kikyou smiled. Where as Kikyou always kept herself cool and collected, her alter ego was fiery, and spirited. The notion amused Kikyou to no end.

"How many times have I told you to stay in your own time? I have tried to be nice, but apparently you don't know when to do as you're told, do you Yamashi?" Kikyou taunted.

"Stop calling me that Kikyou! You are the imposter. You know you have no place with the living!" Kagome spat.

Kikyou's face hardened. She did not like to be reminded of what had been taken away from her.

"I would watch my tongue if I were you girl. I could kill you now if I wanted to."

"I don't believe you!"

The wicked smile returned to Kikyou's face.

"Don't worry. You will soon enough. Tonight, you get to rejoin me Kagome. As one soul, we will collect the jewel shards, and no enemy will be able to defeat us. Not even your precious Sesshomaru!"

Kagome gasped. That was what Kikyou wanted?

"Sesshomaru! What have you done to him?"

"Oh nothing," Kikyou mocked, "he will be joining us shortly, I'm sure. Until then, you just relax."

Suddenly tree roots came out of the ground and wrapped themselves around Kagome's wrists and ankles. She was getting really tired of being tied up...

"If I can't get Sesshomaru to denounce Kagome, I can always get him to break the protection spell by killing her," Kikyou thought.

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Sesshomaru was close now; Kagome's scent was practically on top of him. His heart pounded wildly in his chest as his mind was filled of thoughts of Kagome being in danger...

'whish'

Sesshomaru stopped. His keen hearing had picked something up. It was coming from up in the trees.

He smelled the air. In his quest to save Kagome, he had not noticed the scent of the other creature that had been following him, but he did now.

"InuYasha," he breathed.

As if on cue, InuYasha landed in front of him.

"As much as I desire your destruction, I do not have time to play childish games with you, InuYasha."

InuYasha smirked at him. Sesshomaru had never liked that cocky attitude of his.

"I'm not here to fight. I'm here because of Kagome," InuYasha said with disdain. He was still disgusted with himself for giving her up so easily.

In a heartbeat Sesshomaru was right on top of him, hand around InuYasha's throat. InuYasha's eyes grew wide with fear.

"Where is she?! What has your worthless Kikyou done with her?!" he yelled. His grip around InuYasha's throat tightened.

"That's what I came to tell you-"he gasped, "I know where she is. Kikyou is going to use you to break the protection spell you put on her, and then take her soul!"

Sesshomaru released his half-breed brother. InuYasha bent over and gasped for air.

"You had better not be lying, brother. For your sake."

InuYasha smiled as his brother. 'So he really has fallen for her...'

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"There she is Sesshomaru. Kikyou has her tied up."

Sesshomaru checked out his surroundings. He saw his Kagome tied up by plant roots and his blood boiled. The only thing he didn't see was Kikyou.

"Where is Kikyou? Why do I not smell her?" he asked his brother.

InuYasha smelled the air. He couldn't find any trace of her either.

"I'm going in to get Kagome. If Kikyou's there, no trap will save her from my anger."

"Oh no you don't, Sesshomaru! I don't want Kikyou to harm Kagome any more that you do, but inside of that body of mud and bones, the old Kikyou is still alive!" InuYasha barked.

Sesshomaru's temper flared.

"How dare you try to protect that woman. You're the reason Kagome is in danger in the first place. You've hurt her worse than any thing Kikyou could inflict upon her!" Sesshomaru growled.

InuYasha knew when to shut up. Sesshomaru was right. Kagome had loved him, and he had chosen Kikyou who did not care for him anymore.

"Just get Kagome and get her out of here," InuYasha huffed.

Bored with arguing, Sesshomaru rushed in to free Kagome.

Kagome smiled when she saw Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru gave her a relieved look. He cut her bindings with his claws and scooped her up into his arms.

"Don't worry Kagome, I will get you out of here and make Kikyou pay," he said.

Kagome just leaned into him as he carried her towards safety.

"Sesshomaru, its Kikyou!" Kagome yelled.

Sesshomaru turned to see Kikyou rushing towards him. Had he not been so angry, he would have noticed the fact that her arms were wide open and she was smiling at him...

He also would have noticed that after he sat Kagome down, a wicked smile crossed her face as he unsheathed his Toukijin...

"Sesshomaru!" Kikyou yelled.

"Never again Kikyou!" he charged.

He rushed towards her, sword extended. As the blade pierced Kikyou's heart, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Sesshomaru...no..." Kikyou moaned.

Sesshomaru withdrew his blade and watched Kikyou fall to the ground in shock from the wound to her heart.

He wiped the blade with his robe and turned back towards Kagome, expecting a sweet embrace from her...

Only it wasn't Kagome.

The woman who used to be Kagome looked a lot like her. She had those piercing eyes, and that long brown hair. But this woman was smiling, and it wasn't the loving kind.

"Kikyou," Sesshomaru snarled.

Kikyou laughed out loud at his anger. Her plan had worked perfectly.

"My, Sesshomaru. You're as handsome as ever. As impatient as ever too. If you would have waited a moment, you might have noticed that Kagome's scent had changed..."

"No...you're not saying..." Sesshomaru's voice trembled.

"I am. Look behind you...lover."

Sesshomaru turned around in slow motion. Lying in a bloody heap on the ground was his precious Kagome. Her hands were firmly covering her wounded chest, her body was covered in blood.

Sesshomaru looked down at his bloody sword. He recognized the scent now. It wasn't Kikyou's blood, it was Kagome's.

"NOOOO!" he roared.

Sesshomaru dropped his blade and dashed over to Kagome.

When he got to her, her hands were trembling, and her skin was pale as first winter's snow. She looked up at him with tearful eyes and a weak smile.

"Sesshomaru..." she said weakly.

Sesshomaru cradled her in his arm. His eyes were brimming with tears.

"Kagome, I-I-"

Kagome lifted a bloody hand to his cheek and stroked it. Tears rolled down her face, she was getting weaker.

"It's alright. I know Kikyou did this. Just remember-," she murmured.

"No Kagome, don't! I will get you to safety. I will find someone to heal you!" he pleaded.

"I love you Sesshomaru."

"I love you, Kagome. I was just too stubborn to say it. I LOVE YOU!" he screamed.

Sesshomaru looked down and saw that she wasn't breathing. Kagome was gone.

Sesshomaru's face had a single tear line, it was a single more than he had ever shed in his life. Gently laying Kagome's head on the soft grass, he leaned in and kissed her forehead.

He would avenge her.

There had to be a way to get her back.

"Let me know when you're ready," Kikyou taunted.

"First things first," Sesshomaru said aloud.

He bent down and picked up Toukijin, still covered in Kagome's blood. Sesshomaru's face was hard as stone again, and he was ready to end this.

"I'm ready."

END OF CHAPTER 12

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OMG! How did you like it? Sorry some stuff was a little on the soap opera side, but hey...you get what ya pay for (LOL...b/c it's free). I hope you enjoyed it, along with the cliffy. I know I'll get flames for that one...LOL. Just remember REVIEW POST EMAIL! I do check for them! Chapter 13 will be up Monday...scouts honor! Thanks to everyone who has made writing this story fun!

Much love

Sophie