Hey everyone! My other fic isn't going as well as I had hoped, but that's what I get for doing new stuff. Sigh. A/Ns:
1) Blah blah blah, don't own Inuyasha…blah blah.
2) If this chapter seems to be really really short, that's because this is only the edited version for it. For the lemon part, please go to my homepage in my profile to view it fully. Well, I did my best, anyways…
Alright, enough of that. On with the story!:
Unfortunately, we were rushed off to dinner by the nearby servants, and so we would have to wait until after the meal to discuss things alone. Miroku and Sango were absent during this time, and I wondered if they had left the castle to return back to his home. I mentioned this to Kagome.
"Hmm, yes—I'd imagine that Miroku has gone back to his home…Sango probably is out with Kirara somewhere…maybe training? We'll probably see her again at some point in the evening."
"Nani? Sango is staying in the castle now?"
She nodded. "I think that's the safest thing to do, you never know what could happen…"
"I see." Eventually, we were finished with the dinner. When we stood up and walked outside of the room, Kagome took my hand and led me back up to the upper towers. She didn't say a word, and so I pondered where we were walking to while following her. Soon, we arrived at the balcony of her room. With a blush, Kagome smiled and said, "I remember a lot of things about this balcony, Sesshoumaru. You know, when we first came here. The view is very nice…"
I looked at the setting sun. "...My feelings for the humans were inexcusable then. Do not try to dwell on those days."
"Oh, that's okay. I don't blame you for anything, especially because…I mean, if it wasn't for me, we wouldn't be in this mess here…"
I glanced at her sharply. "I arrived back here voluntarily to try and see if our feelings could be awoken mutually. Kagome, I haven't explained this to you yet, but…the longer we stay here, the more our memory of our original home diminishes, and the more we become the true people that reside in this place. Soon, we will not remember anything about the Feudal era."
"I don't want to go back until we finish Naraku." She answered with an immediate and iron determination. "Sesshoumaru, the next time he appears…I want to help fight against him."
"No." I answered immediately.
"I know what happened to me the first time." She said while looking up at the first star that had revealed itself in the sky. "But I'll feel even worse knowing that your fighting him while I'd be doing nothing. Please, Sesshoumaru. I want to help…"
I knew she wouldn't understand, how could she? My guilt would be immeasurable this time if her death would come again from Naraku, right in front of my eyes. A painful second experience would be too much for me to bear. Even if my skills in combat had been weakened by my emotions, Inuyasha and perhaps a few others would fight with me, ensuring an eventual victory. "I can't—you're too valuable…Naraku knows what you mean to me, and he will almost certainly use that to his advantage when we meet again."
She moved closer to me, and I could immediately smell her wonderful, miko scent. Kagome smiled sweetly, and rested her head against my neck. I cursed under my breath—she was doing this on purpose to weaken my resolve on the matter. "Sesshoumaru, I want to help, I don't want to just stay here and worry…" Her hand rested comfortably against my shoulder, and tightened against the area lightly. I sighed in content. Kagome held a very convincing argument.
"Kagome-" She nuzzled up against the bottom of my neck. I tried to ignore her antics for weakening my decision, but it was hard, even for a taiyoukai.
"…Kagome…"
"Shh…" She moved her hand up against my cheek and tilted my head down towards her so I would have to look at her eyes sooner or later. I growled inwardly as I knew she was winning the argument.
"You might be killed, and I would…I would never forgive myself…"
"And I would never forgive myself if you're killed and I'm not there." Her face was so close to mine that it was very tormenting.
I leaned down closer to her and held my hands around her waist. "If I am killed, then consider it penance for my guilt."
Her face darkened. "Don't…don't say things like that, we'll both be fine after this whole ordeal is over with, okay? We'll both be fine…"
I was quick to realize that I had inadvertently upset her. I prayed that she wouldn't create any tears, otherwise my resolve would completely break down. On an impulse, I reached up to the bottom tip of her hair and began to race my hand around the dark strands and nuzzled my check against her forehead affectionately. This motion seemed to give her comfort, and Kagome relaxed once again in my arms.
"This time, you have the Tensegia, Sesshoumaru." She whispered. "As long as you can still use that, I'm in no real danger."
"That may not be enough." I replied. "There is always a chance that Naraku will somehow destroy it again…I'm not willing to take that chance…"
"Well, I am." She reached around my neck and embraced me fully, savoring the moment. I allowed her to lean into me. Yes, this would be my chance at last. I held her close and looked up at the many, many stars that had appeared.
"Kagome, I…I love you."
Her movements froze. She looked at my face with surprise. I held my breath to see her reaction. "You…do?" I nodded. Well, this was it. Would she be kind to my fragile heart and finally return my emotions? Was I being too selfish to ask for it, especially here?
She knew I was anxiously waiting for her reply. "I think I've always known in the back of my mind…like you already told me that, when we first came here. I love you too, Sesshoumaru." Kagome tugged on my neck so I would lower it, then kissed me happily. Filled with relief at last, I returned the kiss with all my heart. 'Her lips…they're so soft…and they're…mine…' I deepened the kiss suddenly and leaned forward down to her even more. Kagome rubbed delightful circles at the back of my neck that pleased my senses.
Satisfied at last, I bent down and scooped her up into my arms while walking back into her room and nuzzling the top of her head in a protective way. She smiled and gently ran her fingers through my hair. I bent over by her mattress and laid Kagome carefully down on it. She grabbed my sleeves, pulling me down with her.
"It was seven miles from here. The attack was brief, but…we suspect some of our civilians were probably killed. Our men are investigating the area now."
"I…see." Kagome said to the soldier. "Arigato. Report to me if anything of interest comes up." The man bowed and rode away on his horse.
It was the next day. After a light breakfast, a messenger had reported to Kagome that a secret attack took place during the night near one of the human villages. I admired her great mental strength, for she stood up after speaking a few words to me and left to the outside of the castle, where some soldiers were waiting to talk to her. I followed and overheard their conversation in the shadows. Moments later, she returned to me, smiling at me half-heartedly.
"What happened?"
Kagome sighed. "Someone attacked an area seven miles from here. It was brief and not very damaging, but…I wonder who and why."
"Naraku." I answered immediately. "He meant it as a warning to me. His next attack will not be so forgiving."
"…Do you really think so?" I nodded, and she thought for a moment. "Well, soon I'll be going over there myself to see what happened and who was hurt. You're welcome to join us, Sesshoumaru…"
"Hai. I will."
At that moment, the monk approached us. "So what I've heard is true, then? Sango and I are willing to help investigate, Lady Kagome. We'll try to do what we can once we arrive at the area that was hit."
"That would be great, Miroku. It's only about seven miles away, so the journey won't be too long…"
"Very well. Tell me…how likely is it that this attack is Naraku's doing?"
"I am sure of it." I answered. "He wishes to draw me out of this castle so that we may confront one another for a final time and settle things." I felt Kagome grip m arm suddenly, with her eyes shaded by her bangs.
Miroku pretended not to notice this. "…I see. Well, I'll find Sango and arrive back here momentarily." We nodded, and he went away to find her. Once he came back with Sango, we left in the direction that the soldiers told us.
Faint traces of fresh blood could be smelled by my sensitive nose. One of the scents…I could have sworn it was familiar…very…familiar…
"Over here!" Sango pointed to a tree. We went over and looked around on the other side to see an arrow wedged in its bark, with a note attached. Kagome took it from the tree and read it out loud.
"It says…'The longer you prolong the inevitable, the larger my attacks will become. I am waiting.' A note from Naraku?" Her face became pale.
"Hai. His poisonous scent is still on the sheet." I remarked.
"…What could it mean?" Sango asked to no one in particular, clearly puzzled.
"It means we must confront him, Sango." Miroku answered. "He's probably been wanting to fight Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha again for quite some time…"
I turned my head suddenly. Kagome noticed this and was about to ask what was wrong, but I held my hand up. "That scent…I think I know…who…" I leapt away suddenly, leaving them in surprise and puzzlement. I glanced around quickly as I moved through the area. There were a handful of dead bodies, and plenty who were injured. Finally, I spotted the bleeding person who was causing me to detect this familiar scent.
She was sniffling quietly, and I quickly realized that two older humans were down on the ground next to her, dead. Clearly, they were her parents. She looked at me suddenly and at once began frightened, inching back slightly.
Her face confirmed everything. I stood next to her and said simply, "Rin."
Review Responses:
Wake-Robin: Heh, I know, I know. I'm trying to make this story as kawaii as possible, but it's hard with Sesshoumaru's character and all…well, I think that Kagome does a good job of taming him. XD
butterflyrin: Woah, calm down! Lol. Glad you like it so far.
zeddy222: Okay, okay! One fresh update coming up!
o0 DaRkNeSsEz PuRiTy 0o: Hahahaha. Well however naughty Kagome is, Sesshoumaru is probably even worse, ne?
Inugirl: Glad to hear it! Hope you like this one too.
xypherscompany: Heh. I like sporks btw, although they don't cut very good…hehehe.
Fire/Ice Fox Goddess: I would agree with that! XD Both of their minds seem to be very…er…green.
felicia: Of course. Arigato for reviewing!
CrzyCherry: Oh I know…me and my grammatical errors. Well unfortunately my beta seems to have disappeared…anyways, glad you like it so far. I had no idea so many people read my previous story…
KouseiJL: Yeah, I thought you'd be relieved to know that he's fine. Ah, Sess…
Kogaz gurl: Vira is very puzzled. If there have been so many fans of her TIKAQ story then how come she has never seen you readers before? Well I suppose all in all that's a good thing…
Hell's Angel-Heaven's Demon: Aww, I know, he's so kawaii. I hope I did a good job with his character.
yuki kesuma: Nope, I haven't seen the second Inu movie, or the first one at that. Although I really want to, heh.
Tsuki Yume: Lol, thanks. A lot of people seem to be saying that…
BurningDawn15: Sorry, sorry! Well, here's another update, ne?
Thanks for all the reviews everyone! This story is obviously starting to come to a close, so if you have any questions you would like to ask me, now's your chance! And remember, go to Vira's website in her profile to see the full, lemony goodness of this story that I blushed the entire time while writing! Heh. Oh, and go see my other Inu fic that's up now if you have time. R&R! Arigato, ja ne!