A/N: Ok, first of all, thanks to everyone who sent me feedback.

drummergrrlrox: I know, cliffies are so cruel... And don't worry about Kikyo... not in my story!

Terror: Hopefully this chapter makes me a little less evil...

SesshyKaguraluv: I know, I love Kagome too... I can't believe I killed her either... Hope you keep reading!

Also want to give a big thank you to SesshyKaguraluv (again), Fantastical Queen Ebony Black (don't worry, I'm a fangirl too), and Tiamath (I agree, 374 is by far the best chapter), for submitting reviews for my Sess/Kagu one-shots.

And without any further ado...


Naraku watched through Kanna's mirror as InuYasha destroyed Sanjitosama. Clearly he had underestimated InuYasha's strength when it came to the human girl.

Ah, the girl. Naraku cursed under his breath. She was not supposed to die. That certainly was not part of his plan. He had intended on using her. Her ability to sense the sacred jewel shards was invaluable to him.

"Does this displease you?" Kanna almost sang. Naraku shrugged, rolling his jewel shard in his hand.

"I've gotten this far without her," he mused. He turned again to the mirror. What remained of Sanjitosama drifted away with a soft breeze. "But it is a shame to loose a perfectly good incarnation." He shrugged to himself again, turning away from Kanna. Good help is so hard to find…


InuYasha could no longer feel his feet as he continued to run through the forest. The ground now seemed to be an extension of himself. He ignored the cuts and scrapes he had obtained running so recklessly through the trees. He couldn't feel anything; couldn't think anything. His only thought was to follow the scent.

It was difficult to trace. The smell of Kagome's blood overpowered InuYasha's senses. It filled his head, almost daring him to stop. Daring him to give up. The very notion of failure made InuYasha furious. He had come this far. He would not allow his grief to consume him.

The scent was growing stronger, which meant he was close. He thanked his father for his dog-demon blood. Even as only a half-demon his ability to track was virtually perfect.

He continued running, the scent filling his senses. He could smell it clearly now. The blood of two demons and a human. He was so close.

After what seemed like days of running, InuYasha stopped as he reached a small clearing in the forest. A small figure sat huddled next to a fire. Another small figure sat close by, as if keeping watch over the other. InuYasha searched for the third, the one he had come for. His eyes scanned the site until he found him.

He was standing a few feet from the fire, his back to him. InuYasha stepped forward, suddenly unsure of what to do.

"I knew you were coming," Sesshoumaru said blankly, without turning. "Your scent is putrid; I could smell it getting closer." InuYasha stood speechless for what he was certain was the first time in his life.

"Kagome," he started, but Sesshoumaru interrupted.

"Is dead. I know. I could smell that too." Sesshoumaru turned at this. What a disgusting site. His half-brother clutching the body of some dead human. It was a disgrace.

Upon hearing Sesshoumaru's voice, Rin and Jaken rushed to their lord's side. Rin gasped in horror at the sight.

"Kagome!" she cried. She tried to run to the girl, but Jaken held her back.

"Lord Sesshoumaru," Jaken began, but Sesshoumaru ignored him, his eyes on his half-brother.

"Why did you bring her here?" he asked InuYasha. He had already known the answer of course.

"Tenseiga," InuYasha said simply. He lay Kagome's body carefully on the ground. Sesshoumaru laughed.

"Why would I help you?" he asked.

"You wouldn't, of course Lord Sesshoumaru," Jaken added, still holding on to Rin. He turned to InuYasha. "Lord Sesshoumaru wouldn't help a half-breed like you."

"Please," InuYasha begged. The desperation in his voice disgusted Sesshoumaru. All this for a human…

"You have asked me already," Sesshoumaru said, slightly annoyed. "However, you have yet to give me reason as to why I should do anything for you."

InuYasha hung his head. He had been so irrational when he had come here. Why would his brother help him? It was over… InuYasha shook his head. It was not over. It couldn't be.

"You can have anything you want," InuYasha pleaded. "The sacred jewel shards," InuYasha offered. If it would bring back Kagome, he didn't need them.

"I have no interest in the jewel," Sesshoumaru spat, almost insulted. "I have no need for such things."

"Tetsusaiga then!" InuYasha was desperate, and it showed in his voice. "You've always wanted it. Take it; it's yours. Please brother." Sesshoumaru stood silent a moment. He could not remember a time when InuYasha had called him brother with sincerity. Not that he had ever cared. He would prefer to forget he had even had a brother.

"You're a fool," Sesshoumaru said, stepping closer. "Without it you lack the skill to control your demon blood. You'd probably wind up killing the girl again yourself. It would be a waste of my time." Besides, Sesshoumaru didn't want InuYasha to just surrender the sword to him. There is no honor in that…

As the two half-brothers spoke, Rin managed to break away from Jaken. She ran to Kagome's side. It was a horrible sight. The young girl placed her hand on the wound in Kagome's stomach. She pulled away almost instantly, then stared at the blood on her hand, almost mesmerized. She turned her head to Sesshoumaru.

"Lord Sesshoumaru," she whispered. "Do you think…? Do you think you could fix her? Like you fixed me?"

InuYasha stood amazed, as Sesshoumaru stared intently at the girl. What does this girl mean to him? InuYasha thought to himself. Why does she have such power over Sesshoumaru? Why does he listen to her? It puzzled him that his brother, who hated the very existence of humans, would allow a human child to have such influence over him.

Sesshoumaru turned to Kagome's body. He could see the pall-bearers swarming around the girl's body. It wouldn't be long until even he could not stop them.

"Hmm," Sesshoumaru mused to himself. He turned again to his brother. "Perhaps I can help you," he said finally. Then adding, "Only because seeing you in this state… It is a disgrace to our father." Rin smiled, and jumped up, taking her place at Sesshoumaru's side.

"But my lord," Jaken started, but he was interrupted as Sesshoumaru drew his Tenseiga. He gave his sword a single swing, wiping out the pall-bearers. Then he sheathed his sword once more.

"That's it?" InuYasha asked angrily. "You didn't do anything!" Sesshoumaru shook his head. What a fool his brother was. He turned to leave but InuYasha stood in his way. "You said you were going to help her!" he growled. "All you did was wave your stupid sword-" Suddenly he stopped as he heard a faint voice from behind him.

"Inu- InuYasha?" the voice asked. He turned to Kagome in disbelief.

"Kagome? It can't… I…"

"You wanted her back," Sesshoumaru muttered. "And now you just stammer like an idiot." He turned away again, walking towards the forest.

InuYasha rushed to her side. "Kagome, are you ok?" He inspected her, searching for her wound, but it was gone. If it weren't for her blood-stained clothes there would be no sign of her attack.

"InuYasha," she whispered, slowly sitting up. A wave of nausea took over, and she lowered herself back down. "What happened? Are you ok?"

"Am I ok?" he almost yelled. "You idiot! You're the one who died!" InuYasha hung his head again, his voice softening. "I let you die." Kagome was about to speak when a small hand tugged at her sleeve.

"Are you ok, Kagome?" Rin asked. "Lord Sesshoumaru saved you." Kagome turned to see Sesshoumaru leaving the clearing.

"You asked Sesshoumaru to-?" Kagome looked puzzled. "Why would he-?"

"Show some gratitude woman!" Jaken scolded. "Say thank you! So ungrateful, aren't they Lord Sesshoumaru?" Jaken turned to where he had been standing, then let out a desperate gasp to see that he no longer stood behind him. He frantically looked around to see his master was leaving. He took after him in a panic, tripping over his own feet. "Lord Sesshoumaru! Wait for me!" Rin laughed, then turned to Kagome.

"I'm glad you're ok," she said, smiling. Then she too took after Sesshoumaru.


A/N: Ok, hope that made up for the last chapter... Review please! I'll give you a cookie! Next chapter coming soon...