A/N: Sorry for the delay, I've been busy with school and stuff. To answer a question, I'm not going to disfigure Kikyou, I hate her but I agree that she's a very beautiful woman so I don't think I'll mutilate her or something.

Well here's chapter 21!

Enjoy!

WP

Between Lust and Love

Chapter 21: To be worthy

It was very early, the sun wasn't even out. I was sleeping and dreaming, then a soft hand caressed my hair waking me up, I looked tiredly at the person whispering.

"Mama....?" the beautiful woman smiled at me, her smile wasn't like the other smiles, this one was slightly sad. I opened my eyes a little more to watch her entirely, I knew this day was going to come, I had heard Lord Jaken talk about it. Before I could say anything, she slowly wrapped me with her arms putting my head over her chest.

"Rin, mama and papa must go to battle." I heard her whisper. I hugged her tightly.

"Please take care of yourself." she added. I pulled away from her and looked at her, her eyes were sad, I could tell.

"When are you going to come back mama?" I asked hoping she would reassure me.

She didn't answer, instead she hugged me closer to her I could feel something wet falling on my hair. "Mama?" I asked again but she didn't answer. After some time she pulled me away from her and put me back in my futon, I struggled against it, she laid me down, I was about to whine but she put two fingers over my forehead and then, I fell asleep.

Kagome took a deep breath before concentrating, it was a mere sleeping spell, she knew Rin would get mad at her when she returned for making her stay unwillingly, but she wasn't about to let the little girl involve into battle. She pulled the covers up to Rin's sleepy face and smiled kissing her forehead and exiting the room silently, outside was her mate, a sad look on his eyes.

"She's asleep." she said before her mate could say anything, he nodded.

"Are you ready?" he asked her, she nodded and then took his hand on hers, seeking her mate's comfort, he squeezed her hand slightly before walking down the hall to the entrance of the palace. There waited Sango and Kohaku, Kohaku was wearing his battle attire, his chained oz hanging on his back and a katana resting over his side. Sango was next to him, when her Lord appeared she bowed slightly, Kohaku did the same.

"Are we ready?" asked Kagome, trying to draw her eyes away from the katana at the young man's waist.

Kohaku nodded and Sango finally spoke "Please be careful." she said to the group but specially eying Kohaku. They all nod and started walking into the deep forest.

Inuyasha was walking through a thick forest, Tomoe following him from behind, he used Tetsusaiga to cut through the many trees and bushes blocking his path. He then arrived to the end of the forest, he found himself on a beautiful field. Tomoe from behind felt something, she said to Inuyasha "A youkai is approaching." Inuyasha nodded and at that same moment a huge Cyclops emerged from the grounds growling at both Tomoe and Inuyasha.

Inuyasha unsheathed Tetsusaiga and smirked confidently, Tomoe stooped him "Wait Inuyasha!" Inuyasha looked at her questioningly, she passed by him walking towards the monster she said "We mean you no harm, we are not here to fight. We are, however, looking for the Goujonkai seeds." At the mention of the seeds the monster quitted his growling and snarled "Ye lookin' fo' Goujonkai seeds?" Inuyasha sheathed his sword and came to Tomoe's side "Yeah, do you know where we can find them?" The Cyclops frowned at the hanyou, and Tomoe took over the situation.

"Please we need them, could you tell us where we can find them?" she asked politely.

The youkai's eyes soften slightly, before nodding. "Yea' I'm Hatoro I guard the seeds."

"Then, would you be so kind to give us some of them?" said Tomoe again, the youkai nodded and dug a hole on the ground taking two seeds in his hand and handing them to Tomoe, she bowed politely saying softly "I thank you." The youkai only nod before burying himself in the grounds. Tomoe handed the seeds to Inuyasha who said "So that's why you didn't want me to kill it." Tomoe smiled slightly nodding "Yes, but also because life is precious Inuyasha." Inuyasha smiled back, he mentally noted Tomoe's words.

"I think we have collected all of the ingredients." she said looking at the list of plants and herbs they needed to collect. Inuyasha nodded "Now we go back home." The word seemed out of place for a moment, Inuyasha lowered his face slightly embarrassed he couldn't control his own words. To his surprise Tomoe giggled "Yes, let's go home... Inuyasha." she said walking to his side and smiling brightly at him, he just smiled back and started walking as well.

Sango sighted. She was sitting on the porch looking intently into the forest where her friend, lord and brother had disappeared. She sighed again. She knew Kagome wouldn't let Kohaku kill the miko, she also knew Kohaku would do anything to get his revenge. Something had changed in him. She had sensed it since the first moment she had seen him.

She had told him she didn't care for revenge, that only thing she had ever wanted was for him to live.

She felt someone sit next to her, and without turning to look at the person she instantly knew it was Miroku. They stayed silent for a moment before the monk spoke "What do you think?" Sango knew what he meant but didn't dare answer, instead he answered for her.

"Kagome-sama won't let him get his revenge." This made a reaction on the taiji.

"But he will. He won't let Kagome interfere."

"Do you think he's capable of killing her to avoid her interference?"

"..."

"I see..."

"He's not a murderer Houshi-sama..." she whispered lowering her eyes to her legs.

"I know that Sango. Do not fear." He then added.

"Will he kill the miko?" Sango stayed silent for a moment before answering.

"I don't know anymore."

"He has change hasn't he?" asked the monk putting a reassuring hand over her shoulder.

"... so much..." whispered the taiji relaxing at Miroku's touch.

"He told me he was going to kill her, he wants to kill her, I can see it in his eyes whenever he talks about killing her... so much anger." Sango felt a little frightening at the thought of her little brother killing the miko.

"I'm sure Kagome-sama will put some sense in his head..." he said trying to comfort her.

'No...'

'He will kill her...'

'I won't let him...' Was all Kagome could think of watching Kohaku walking in front of her, his chained oz hanging on his back, it was shinning in the morning light as if it was new. Kagome could almost imagine him battling Kikyou and slashing her poor body with the sharp weapon.

"I won't let him..." she repeated loud enough to catch her mates attention, she turned around and looked at her "What are your thoughts?" he asked suddenly interested on his mate's plan. Kagome looked at him for a moment before turning her gaze back at the young man.

"He will try to kill her Sesshoumaru."

"Indeed. Though he has his own motives."

"Killing Kikyou won't bring back his family."

"He knows that too well."

Kagome was shocked, Sesshoumaru continued.

"He does not intend on killing to avenge his relatives. What he wants is to proof he's worthy."

"Worthy of what?"

"Living."

Kagome stayed silent again, Sesshoumaru put one hand on his mate's back motioning her to continue walking. Kagome felt a deep pain on her chest.

"He will kill so as to live?" she asked trying to figure out the young man's thoughts.

"It seems so."

"I won't let him, he will turn into a murderer!" she exclaimed.

"But a worthy one."

"What sense does it make? To kill only because others kill, it makes no sense. Why such a horrible thing?" Sesshoumaru ran the hand on her back to her hand and put her to a stopped stroking her cheek with his other hand. "Kagome... if you were to die..." Kagome eyes widen, Sesshoumaru continued "I would do the same as the boy, I wouldn't rest until I destroyed that which harmed you. Not only to avenge your decease..." he stopped "This boy is in pain because he was useless, he wasn't able to protect the ones he loved."

"I would do the same." he finally stated.

"Sesshoumaru..." she whispered, but he silenced her with a soft kiss. Breaking the kiss he whispered.

"Don't die on me, love." Kagome smiled at him and hugged him "You too Sesshoumaru." He hugged her back before letting go of her and walk again towards the young man. Kagome was again deep in thoughts.

'If I can... I will protect Kikyou's life... If I can...'

A/N: A little short, I know. But I'm running out of ideas. I must try to find out what will happen between Inuyasha and Tomoe and at the same time I'm trying to imagine a good ending to the story.

Well thanks again for the reviews!

See ya!

WP