Raising The Phoenix

Summary - Soon the flicker grows, and life, like fire, spreads.

Apologies, Thanks, and Dedications - Firstly, a reiteration of my retardation. It seems I cannot spell Tenseiga... at all. I apologize for any confusion, and I'm sorry for being so sloppy. Secondly, this chapter goes out to Kari Konoko. I promise I didn't miss your review... I responded, but I feel awful and guilty for making you feel ignored. So here it is, a whole chapter dedicated to you for sticking by me even when I was being a chump. Thank you!

Chapter 9 - She Will Not Stop

She was cool - in control. In way, she felt detached from what was happening in front of her. It didn't mean much, it wasn't important. But then again, it was. It made absolutely no sense, but at the same time, was the most natural feeling in the world. Vaguely she wondered if this was what Sesshoumaru felt like in battle.

She looked at him through herself, as if she were merely watching a television. There was something off, something tinging his aura a sickly yellow. It confused her - for even when she had her powers, she never read an aura off of Sesshoumaru. He was always cold as ice and just as inscrutable. She couldn't summon the spirit to truly question the oddity though.

A pulse sounded near her, much like sensing a jewel shard, only much stronger, much nearer. Kagome turned her gaze to Sesshoumaru's weapon - Tenseiga... it's handle leaning ever so slightly toward her, the mere sight beckoning her. Her hand reached for it before she even told it to - grasping the weapon lightly in her pale hand.

It gave another pulse, one that seemed to encouraged her. In a trace, she stared at it, seeing the powerful magic that dwelled within. The sword was beautiful, prismatic, glowing like the sun crystal her mother kept in the kitchen window of their home. Kagome was transfixed.

Sesshoumaru watched the miko play with his sword, turning it to and fro in the light. Her eyes had yet to regain their color, her aura still pulsed with dangerous purifying power. Should she but wish it, and he would die, blasted into dust like so many other demons who'd crossed paths with a miko.

Darkly he congratulated himself on being right - she was, in fact, a very strong miko. And yes, he did have a hand in recovering her power. Jolly fat lot of good that would do him now.

His skin began to itch when she took a step forward. He was dishonored by the fact that she had forgotten his presence, and yet he lay painfully aware of hers. It was a role reversal that he was not fond of... yet the was nothing he could do - even the evil of Tokijin faded, leaving him defenseless. And he hated it.

It seemed she knew what to do with the sword, but honestly, no answers were open to her. Her body moved on its own accord, as if drawing her to a destiny that she knew none of. But, once more, she couldn't bring herself to care. The sword lead her on, bringing her closer to the prone taiyoukai before her. It felt like religion... it felt like exhaustion - it felt strange and wonderful - powerful yet strangely vulnerable. She rode on, a passenger in her own body.

When she reached his side, pain was evident on his face. She wondered at that too - Sesshoumaru had no injury that she was aware of, why on god's green earth would he be in pain? His eyes though - his eyes told the full story.

He was afraid. It out starkly from his eyes. She wanted to tell him that he had nothing to fear from her, but no words came. Instead her hand rose, pointing Tenseiga at his chest. Like the sword of Damocles, it dangled about him, and she could only watch in childlike fascination.

It shocked her when the sword plunged into his shoulder. Grief coursed through her. She'd not meant to kill Inuyasha's brother, neither had she meant to rob Rin of her father. Yes, she'd purified demons before, but this was different. This was murder.

Pain lanced through his body as he was run through with his own sword. Many a time his idle mind had wondered what death would feel like, to feel the life slip from him, to know a mortal wound when it struck him. He'd always imagined it cold, yet searing heat spread from his shoulder. Yes, he knew that Tenseiga was the sword that didn't take life, but grant it, but what could it do when under the power of a miko such as the one before him? He slid his eyes closed, determined to hold some semblance of grace in death, even with a death as dishonorable as this.

His last feelings were those of surprise, it was surprisingly gentle, he thought to himself, this descent into death. He didn't even hear it when Kagome fell next to him, collapsing from exhaustion.

Miroku felt power surge through him. Though he knew it was quite some distance off, he could feel the sheer magnitude of it in his very core. Though it was pure, it shook him, and he did not know what could cause such a disturbance.

Standing from the lotus position, he allowed himself one quick stretch before going off in search of the source of the force that thrummed around him. Certainly it would not be wise to go alone, but all around him seemed occupied - Inuyasha off to yet another clandestine tryst with Kikyo, and Sango was bathing with Shippo in a near by spring. After finally reaching such good terms with the demon slayer, and finally finding a way into her good graces, as well as her arms, he wasn't about to foul it up by interrupting the girl's bath, regardless of how legitimate his reasons. No, he was on his own.

He collected his staff and his courage, setting off into the woods to try and determine what could have made such a power.

Rin was terrified. Never had she seen Lord Sesshoumaru so angry. His eyes had changed colors right in front of her, and he became a beast that was nothing like her lord. He was a monster.

But that had ended when Tenseiga flew. His eyes went back to normal, and she could see the man she followed once more. But then the sad lady started to glow.

Jaken had told her once of the mikos who hunted youkai. She remembered thinking at the time that it was very mean to hate some one for what they were... but after that, had given no further thought to purifying 'ohrahs' or magic powers. However, to see those stories come to life in front of her scared her deeply.

However, it was when the sword stabbed into Lord Sesshoumaru that something inside of her snapped. Yes, even though she was young, she knew what her protector thought of her kind - yet he still looked after her. It didn't matter how nice the lady had been when she'd been hurt - no one hurt her Sesshoumaru!

She ran to his side from her makeshift hiding space, determined to try and save him as he had once saved her. Her tiny hands flew to his chest, quickly followed by her head. She had to know if he was still alive, she had to hear his heartbeat, and when she did, she couldn't help her sigh of relief. She hugged him with abandon, clinging to the demon that had come to mean so much to her.

At first she didn't notice, her joy at his heartbeat was too great, but slowly a niggling in the back of her mind brought her attention to something very, very strange. She pulled away from him, inspecting his prone body fully. And it was then that she noticed... Lord Sesshoumaru had two arms!

He'd never told her how he'd lost the one - of course, she'd never really thought to ask. Yet there it was, as if it had never been gone. She pressed her ear to his chest once more, counting with the beat of his heart. She had to make sure it wasn't slowing... she had to know he was going to be ok. And sure enough, his heartbeat was strong and steady, his chest rising and falling with each of his gentle breaths. Her lord was alright.

With a wary eye, she regarded the miko. She'd not hurt Lord Sesshoumaru, but she'd certainly tried. With all of the childish impudence she could muster, she refused to help the prone girl. In fact, she even went as far as to stick her tongue out in her direction. It didn't matter if the lady had helped her to feel better - she'd tried to hurt Sesshoumaru, and that was unacceptable.

When he found Kagome, Miroku was more than confused. Certainly the girl showed a great promise when it came to her powers as a miko, but could such a force have come from one so untrained? And yet it was certain, the power had come from here... he could feel it linger in the area, clinging like residue.

He paid little to no mind to the fallen Taiyoukai - his concern was fixed solely on his own friend. But before he could draw near enough to her to determine her condition, an imperious voice from his left stopped him in his tracks. "Don't help her... she's a bad person."

It was Rin, and she seemed very cross, a startling contrast to the vibrant, happy young girl he'd known from the past few days. Wait - Kagome? A bad person? "Did she do something bad?"

The child frown furrowed deeper, "She tried to hurt Sesshoumaru with the 'Ten say ga'."

It was then he really saw the unconscious demon behind Rin. Kagome attacked Sesshoumaru? He fell to her side quickly, checking her for injuries and making sure she was alive. To say he was shocked to find her breathing would be putting it lightly, and he was more than floored to find her untouched - why, it seemed she was only sleeping, and while her face was paler than usual, she was no worse for the wear.

He stood and bowed politely to the fuming girl, "Is Lord Sesshoumaru well?"

It was as if a switch had been thrown. Her eyes spoke of wonderment as she told him of Sesshoumaru's newly regained arm, at how he could still be alive when a sword had pierced him so near his heart. The hero worship was evident in her voice, and Miroku found he had to stifle a smile at her excitement.

But how could this all have happened? What could have happened here to change things so radically? He supposed he could ask Kagome when she awoke, but until then he listened to the child's ramblings, biding his time until either Sesshoumaru or Kagome saw fit to awake. He could only hope that Kagome would do it first - he didn't want to deal with a recently skewered Sesshoumaru alone. Not one bit.

Review Responses

Krazie-edge - Yes, yes, well I got quite a few reviews saying that Sesshoumaru had to be taken down a peg, so that's what that whole scene was about... yay for the de-pegging, and thanks for reviewing.

Mysticalflame - Ah, ah, you spell it correctly (I think) anyway, it's a lot better than the stupid way I was writing it. Anyway, thank you for reviewing, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.

Off The Beaten Path - Well rock on then, OTBP is the way to be... anyway, glad you're enjoying my nonsense... and thanks for reviewing ;)

fluffychick15 - Well, you're welcome, and thank you. I'm really glad you reviewed again.

HeimdalMayura - Thank you, it warm my heart to know you're diggin' it so much.

Busoshwe - You know, I wouldn't be surprised if they seriously believed that was the case... I mean I honestly don't get it. They need to grow right up ;) Thanks for reviewing, I'm happy you like it.

Isisoftheunderground - Of course, I could never keep such great reviewers like yourself waiting.

Silver Quick - Yeah that would be great, stupid boys and their weirdness. Ah well, I'm glad you liked the last chapter, and I hope this one didn't disappoint.

Bluediamond-hime - That's alright, we're all crazy here... and I hope that you dig the new update too. I always kinda feel guilty about leaving off on a big cliff hanger like that.

Tokyogirl1 - Yes, Operation Take Sesshoumaru Down A Peg Or Two has commenced. Muah ah ah ah!

Kari Konoko - Not ignored, but very deeply appreciated. I'm a nervous wreck when it comes to posting new stories or chapters, and getting so much lovin from reviewers like you makes me feel great. And yes, I am very very very very sorry that you got over looked. Please forgive me.

Lexia Riddle - There are no words that can express how utterly embarrassed I am for not catching what I was doing when I updated last. I am very sorry for confusing you, and I hope that it didn't turn you off of the story. Anyway, thanks for letting me know what happened, and than you ever so much for reviewing... it means a lot to me.

Duzzie - I do believe you have reviewed before, and I am honored to be on your favorites list. I squealed giggled and clapped like some sort of crazy fangirl... erm... anyway. I'm glad you like-y my fic-y and I hope that you liked this recent chapter.

AKA Hummer - Yay! You caught it! I was worried I was being too subtle, I mean it really didn't have anything to do with anything, but I can't resist the big penis joke! Oops, am I allowed to say penis with this rating? Hmm.. Anyway, yeah thanks for catching the innuendo.

Darkanglebabe - Thanks, I've been working on improving the description-y stuff, and it makes me happy to know you like the story.

You have no idea how much it means to me that you all have reviewed... Thank you so very very much.