[A/N]

Yume: Thank you all for being patient! I apologize for the far in between updates, and I thank all of my readers again for you support and reviews!!

CF: Now, on with the story. BTW, for all of you who want to know when we will have new updates on the other sites, contact Yume and she shall add you on her mailing list!

[Disclaimer]: Hmmmmm. . .nope! Not mine!

Demon's Angel

By: Youkai Yume

Chapter 4: Saving a Lost Soul

It was quiet. Everything was deathly peaceful, and only the sound of the soft breeze blowing could be heard in the silent evening. Sesshomaru gazed down at the face of the girl that he had just saved. Her breathing was calm, and her lips were slightly parted as she drew breath. Moaning softly, she snuggled closer into his tail, and he tensed at the warm sensation that engulfed him on the innocent act.

His eyes closed as he inhaled her scent. It was indeed the sweet aroma that he had recognized to be the angel's from his dream. But this couldn't be her. She was Inuyasha's wench, a filthy human that he saw to be clumsy, loud, and weak. But if that was indeed so, then why was she in his hold at this moment? Why had he taken her? Rescued her from Naraku? He could care less about this girl, right?

Looking down at her face once more, he resisted the urge to sigh. His eyes settled on her closed lids, which hid the entrancing sapphire orbs that caught his breath earlier. Yes, those cursed eyes were the reason for his actions. Sesshomaru felt a sense of nostalgia come over him when he had locked his golden gaze with hers. He could never forget it. It was the same as HER'S.

'Kagome, my angel.' He mused idly, and just as quickly shook off his intruding thoughts. But she is not HER, he had to remember that. The angel in his dreams was nothing but a mere illusion, far too perfect to be real. But this lead him back to his original question of why he had her in his possession.

Did he really wish to see the enchantress of his dreams that badly, enough to take in a girl that reminded him of her? Still. . .the similarities and the feeling of warmth that came to him when she was near cannot be mere coincidence.

As the Western castle came into view, Sesshomaru tightened his tail around the miko's small frame. He was beginning to feel indecisive. Was he, Sesshomaru, going to chase a childish fantasy that probably meant nothing? Or would he just rid himself of the girl, and have one less nuisance to worry about? Afterall, she had proven herself to be troublesome in previous encounters, though he had to admire her for her fire, spirit, and courage; something he found to be extremely rare in humans. She was the first to stand up to him, and that would not go unnoticed by the demon lord.

No, killing her would be a waste. He actually felt respect for her on some level, even if she was a lowly human. Even so, she would prove to be useful. Yes, he could use her to lure Inuyasha---but more importantly, he could learn more about her.

The Taiyoukai admitted that even after his analysis, he still could not erase the prospect of her relating to the angel out of his mind. And if indeed she was, what then? Would he pursue the matter further? Would it change anything? Sesshomaru shook his head slightly.

It does not matter, she was still Inuyasha's wench, and therefore, she couldn't possibly have any relations whatsoever. Even if she did, she would never be anything more to the demon lord than just that. Nearing his castle, he landed gracefully on the balcony of one of the guest rooms, and carried her to the futon. Placing her on the soft mattress, she moaned a bit and grasped onto his tail, not wanting to be parted from the warmth. He narrowed his eyes in annoyance, but softened his gaze when he heard her let out a whimper.

Kneeling beside her, he remembered the name that the angel had whispered before she left. 'Kagome.' What was THIS girl's name? He recalled having heard it before, but never took to mind that it would be necessary to remember. He had to know at least THAT much from the miko. 'Her name couldn't possibly be. . .no. . .impossible. . .' Absently, his hand went to brush the bangs out of her eyes, and he suddenly had a deep yearning to see those sapphire gems again, if only to be reminded of the ethereal beauty that so haunted his being.

She was lost, the darkness threatening to consume her. A shiver ran past her body, and she was hit with the sudden realization of how completely cold it was. Drawing her hands up to rub her arms, she blinked into the dark interior, hoping her eyes would adjust to the pitch black scenery. Still, it seemed no matter where she turned, or squinted, she couldn't see a single thing.

She parted her lips to cry out for help---but stopped. Cry out to who? Help her from what? She was so utterly confused, she wanted to just curl up into a ball and fade away. If only it were that simple. An unexplainable feeling of emptiness seeped through, and she could do nothing to stop the sudden aching that filled her.

Falling to her knees, she gazed upwards, as if hoping the sun would shine, dissolving the empty, cold shadows. She lost something. . .she felt that knowledge screaming into every fiber of her being. And yet, she wanted to pull out her raven locks because she couldn't figure out for the life of her what it was that she had lost.

The feeling grew to become an unbearable burden of loss, pain, and at the same time bliss all at once. Still gazing upwards, she saw a little ray of light pierce through, and it shone on her face, instantly warming her skin. Closing her eyes shut, it was all she could do to just keep from screaming out her fear and frustration. A lone tear slipped from her eye, streaming slowly down her cheek, and falling in an almost unreal state onto the pitch black ground, rippling rings of silver and blue underneath, and distorting her dream as she finally faded into reality.

His attention focused back on the girl as she began to stir awake. He used his tail to lift her slightly off of the futon, just enough so that she was leaning against his chest. She moaned softly and her after a moment, her eyes fluttered open. Sesshomaru resisted the urge to force her chin up so he could take a good look at her eyes, but decided to let her adjust to her surroundings.

She blinked dazedly around her, finding herself to be warm and comfortable instead of cold and lost like in her strange dream. She was in a room of some sort, she realized, and she was leaning against something firm, and yet warm. A tickling sensation brushed against her skin, and she nearly jumped in surprise when she saw it to be some kind of fluffy boa. 'A tail. . .'

Her face flushed with nervousness, and she slowly lifted her gaze up to meet the person who owned said tail. Both the demon lord and miko had to keep from gasping when sapphire met gold in the darkened room. 'It's him. . .' She recognized him to be the untouchable, god-like demon that had saved her from that other demon. She shuddered upon recalling his malevolent crimson stare, and this caused Sesshomaru to narrow his eyes.

"So, finally awake?" He started coldly. The girl, still wrapped in his tail, snapped her attention back to her host. His expressionless, velvety voice surprised her, and she had to keep in mind that this was the same man that saved her earlier. She nodded.

"Tell me, what were you doing on my lands, alone?" He asked her, and nearly glared when she remained silent. Still, he was patient. "Why was Naraku after you?" Nothing. Sesshomaru gave a low growl at her, and gripped her by the shoulders. She winced, but did not tear away her gaze from him.

"Wench! Speak, or have you lost your tongue?" All she did was stare in a bemused state at him. All of his words, she knew they meant something, but what? Who was Naraku? Was that the demon that tried to take her earlier?

"I-I-I don't know. . ." She managed to croak, but this obviously wasn't the answer that the youkai before her wanted, as his grip on her shoulder tightened. She grimaced, and she suddenly felt a bit angry at this man who demanded answers of her-answers she didn't have. "Hey! Could you let me go? I said I don't know! Just who are you anyway?" Sessomaru growled even deeper, as his patience was quickly slipping.

"Wench, is your feeble mind that ignorant as to forget this Sesshomaru?" He saw her eyes widen at the mention of his name.

"Sesshomaru. . ." She whispered, the syllables rolled off her tongue like a sacred chant. "Is that your name?" She timidly asked. The Taiyoukai stared stoically down at her, how could she ask such a ridiculous question? He knew he himself didn't know her name, but he expected she at least to know his. After all of their encounters, he was a bit offended that she lacked the knowledge of his identity.

"Miko," he started, and she had her attention fully on him. He only saw confusion and innocence engraved in her eyes, and his anger almost melted away at the mere sight of them. Instead of giving her a cold remark about her forgetfulness, he settled on what he originally wanted to find out. The one thing that would put an end to his petty obsession of an ethereal, but seductive enchantress.

"What is your name?" He asked sternly. The girl froze at the question. Again the feeling of loss and emptiness consumed her. 'What's my name?' She racked her brain for an answer but found nothing. Absolutely nothing, no knowledge of where she came from, who she was. . .all she remembered before this moment was the smell of sulfur and blood, crimson eyes, and cold hands on her scalp, silver, gold. . .and warmth.

She gave him a pleading, almost terrified look. Her lips parted, and he held his breath, awaiting the answer to his tortured mind.

"I don't know. . ." She replied, a sense of loss in her voice. Sesshomaru found himself to be extremely displeased with her answer. He glared at her, and his grip on her shoulders once more tightened painfully.

"Wench! I have no time for games!" Sesshomaru snapped at her in a dangerously threatening tone. Fear flickered across her sapphire pools and she grasped his hand on her shoulder, hoping it would get him to loosen his grip.

"It's not a game!" She cried out, "I don't remember who I am!" He growled.

"Explain," he said, a little more harshly than he intended. The girl's hands went up to hold her head, and her voice began to crack.

"I've told you! I can't remember! I just can't! I can't remember who I am, or where I came from! I don't know why I'm here or why that demon was after me! I don't remember where I was or what I was doing before I got here, and I don't remember you!" She broke done, and her small body leaned against his as her whole frame shook with sobs.

Sesshomaru sighed, and he felt his anger slip as her tears soaked through his clothes. As if it had a mind of its' own, his arm went up to rub comfortingly up and down the small of her back. The scent of her tears greatly disturbed him, and he placed a hooked finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him.

Gazing into her drowning sapphire depths, fogged over with the welling of her tears, a sudden pang hit his chest as he identified the emotion so plainly displayed in her eyes: honesty. She was telling the truth, her scent showed no signs of deceit. But that could only mean that she indeed had lost her memories. Was this Naraku's doing?

"Onegai. . .please help me. . ." She whispered, before falling unconsciously into a state of slumber. Falling limply in his arm, he cradled her into his chest. Lifting her up, he slowly carried her out of his room, and walked down the hallways. His mind became plagued with questions. But the one that stuck out the most was, 'What now?'

His thirst for the mere knowledge of her name was not quenched, and she was left vulnerable and helpless thanks to Naraku. What good is she now? Arriving upon the desired room, he opened the shoji door and stepped into the guest room. Placing her on the futon, he tucked a stray lock of hair that had fallen into her face. The streaks of tears were still stained on her flushed cheeks, and was still slightly moist.

He tore his eyes away from her face and gazed outside the window, where the moon hung in the darkened sky. Sesshomaru delved deeper into his thoughts. Inuyasha will come looking for his miko soon, and no doubt Naraku will attempt to take her for himself again. Gazing back down at her, he stood up and gently pried her clutching fingers from his tail.

He could just let them have her, she was of no real use to him anyway. He did not need her to lure Inuyasha, it would be dishonorable, and not to mention cowardly to use her as an advantage for Tetsusaiga. Besides, he could defeat his half-brother easily enough without such conniving ways. But the more he thought about the matter, the more he found it difficult to rid himself of her.

'Onegai. . .please help me. . .' She had pleaded. Her voice was so deep in pain and sorrow that even he, Sesshomaru felt pity for her. Afterall, she had lost all traces of her own identity. He could imagine how completely torn she must feel. He mentally shook himself. He shouldn't be feeling any pity for any human. And she was definitely human, not some angel that he keeps visualizing her to be.

Turning to leave, he took one last glance at the girl sleeping peacefully, hopefully escaping her own suffering. The demon lord stood there for what seemed to be a long while. Sesshomaru couldn't abandon his own selfish wish to find the truth behind his haunting dream. And this is what drove him to keep her with him now. A part of him urged him to shine some compassion on the poor girl, and at least try to help her regain her memories. Yes, at least enough for her to remember her own name.

'Rin must be influencing these feelings of compassion,' He thought to himself. Rin. The girl could be a temporary companion for Rin. Closing the shoji door behind him, his mind wandered once more to the girl on the other side. Something told him in the darkest recesses of his mind, his soul, it told him that this girl, was more entertwined with his destiny than he originally thought her to be.

"Inuyasha! Slow down!" Miroku shouted at the speeding hanyou ahead of the group. He sent a piercing amber glare back at the monk, his face lined with worry and anger.

"SLOW DOWN?! How can you even think of such a thing when Naraku's probably doing who knows what to Kagome?" He spat back, his fist clenched into a tight fist. An aching filled him, and he looked almost hopelessly ahead, where her scent lingered vaguely mixed in with the scent of fear. He growled. 'Kagome, please be safe. . .'

"Momma. . .where are you?" Shippo whimpered, and Sango pulled him closer in her embrace. It must have been terrible for the child, he saw her being taken away afterall. And Inuyasha. . .she gazed sorrowfully at her hanyou companion. 'It must be even harder for him, knowing he failed to protect her. . .'

"Miroku, we've been searching all day," she said to the houshi beside her. "Do you really think Kagome-chan's okay?" Miroku gave her a dark look and sighed.

"Honestly, Sango, I don't know," He replied. It was an extremely serious matter if even Miroku didn't see the sense in groping Sango to lighten the mood.

Up ahead, Inuyasha still leaped from tree to tree, sniffing almost desperately for his best friend. 'Kagome,' her name echoed in his mind. 'Please forgive me. . .I couldn't protect you,' What he would give to see her safe, to hold her in his arms to know, just know that she was there with him instead of in danger. 'Kagome, I'll find you!'

"Wait for me," he whispered to the wind, hoping it would carry to the ears of the girl he was so desperately searching for.

End Chapter

[A/N]

Yume: Thanks again for all your support, make sure you go and REVIEW!

CF: Reviews make the world go round! No flames though.

PUSH

THIS

BUTTON!!!

I

I

I

I

V

V