Chapter 11: White Knight

More time passed by. Now it had been two entire weeks since Kagome had parted with the demon lord at the well. And it had been only five more days. And I say, only five days, as Kagome felt as if the days were soaring past. She was so happy on these days and seemed to scare her group. She had gone from accepting Inuyasha's rudeness to holding her head high and denying his accusations entirely. It was like she had been hit by some sort of mood swing. Little did they know that this change was due to the necklace hidden about her neck.

Shippo had noticed it, however.She would pull it out and look at it at night when she thought everyone was asleep. And he would watch with curiousity as she fingered its round surface before tucking it away again. It was a beautiful thing indeed and Shippo wondered where she had gotten it.

--

This morning Kagome was up early and stretching. Rising and going out to the nearby hotspring for a bath. It was when she was returning to the group, her wet hair plastered to the towel draped over her shoulders, that she was confronted by the ghost that had been haunting her dreams as well as her thoughts.

The demon lord just appeared out of nowhere, standing regallyamidst the towering treesand viewing her. He was looking right at where the round blue gem rested under her shirt and he seemed pleased. Breaking the silence as she continued forward to stop just a few yards before him, saying, "You found it... Good."

Kagome seemed confused for a moment. Her hand fluttering up to her chest to touch the stone beneath her blouse. And then she said softly, "You sent it?"

He nodded, surprising her as he took a step forward. Replying with a soft, "Yes."

Kagome nodded softly and released the stone, saying, "If Inuyasha senses you he'll--"

"I have put up barriers, he will not come upon us."

She nodded softly and then said slowly, "I missed you..."

That startled him a slight bit, and he gave her a curt nod, changing the topic back to the stone, "Continue to wear it if it pleases you... I gave it to you for your happiness."

He had drawn her attention and her brow furrowed a bit, "What do you mean 'my happiness'?"

"Inuyasha treats you wrongly, Kagome. You are no longer needed in their group... Return home. That stone about your neck can only close away so much of your unhappiness before it will shatter."

Kagome stared at him, saying slowly, "My unhappiness?"

"Yes, before you found the stone you were depressed. I gave you the stone so that you might forget, to overlook his imperfections. But the stone is darkening, do you not notice?"

Kagome pulled it out of her shirt and looked at it the first time in three days. Gasping. Where it had oncereminded her ofslightly cloudy skies dancing across the orb's surface,now ithad been replaced with a dark overcast storm, just small patches of blue remaining to look between the storm's coverage. This little stone was feeding off of her depression?

She let it rest atop her shirt now, in plain sight, and said, "I cannot leave...I must find the rest of the shards..."

Sesshomaru tossed a pouch to her, saying, "Those are all the shards you seek. Give them to Inuyasha, and return home."

Kagome looked at him and said slowly, "Why do you help me?"

He responded with, "Why did you help me?"

She bit her lower lip, "Because you needed it."

He nodded and began to turn, but she ran forward, surprising him when she took hold of his arm. Tugging lightly.

But he did not pull his arm away, turning to look at her and say, "What, Kagome?"

Her eyes filled with tears and he wondered what he had done wrong. But then she said, "You used my name. Thank you..."

He nodded softly, thinking nothing of it. But if it made her happy he would use it more often.

Kagome released his arm and then said softly, "I cannot leave Inuyasha just yet...the final battle draws near...but... Thank you for caring."

Sesshomaru turned again, saying, "I am only paying you back. Nothing more."

But still she smiled. And he left, feeling her eyes on him.

--

After seeing the miko again, Sesshomaru had begun to realize just how much he desired her company now. Was it because he knew his savior was undeserving of the cruel enviroment she traveled in, or was in something more? He refused to answer his own question. He only grew more and more distant. Thinking of Kagome.

He spied on the group often, Inuyasha never knowing it. Watching how she was treated. Waiting to see signs that she would give in and return to her own time where she could be happy... The signs never came.

That was...until the gem burst.

--

It was a horrible day for Kagome It was hot beyond hot, and she felt sweat rolling off of her sides. Inuyasha, being a hanyou, did not feel the heat so much. So hepushed the group hard.

Miroku and Sango looked miserable, but were not about to say anything about it. And Kikyou was dead, nothing bothered her. The pace, and the grueling hours set by Inuyasha didn't touch her. So he didn't see why it wouldbe a problem forhis other companions.

Shippo was wiped out inside of Kagome's backpack, hiding in the shade it had to offer, the zippers all open to let in a breeze. The poor kitsune was near prone to dehydration and Kagome couldn't risk stopping to dig out anything from her pack for risk of falling too far behind the group to catch up. So she just looked over her shoulder and at Shippo every so often, hoping he would be okay.

After a while she couldn't take it any more, a stitch had made itself known in her side, her throat was parched, and her companions looked about to drop as well, so she called up, "Inuyasha! Please... can we stop?"

Inuyasha turned to glare at Kagome, "Kikyou is keeping up", he said. Which was his normal excuse for pushing the group to the breaking point.

Kagome was about to back down when she heard Shippo panting hard, and he wasn't even walking. The heat was just too much. The fact that Shippo was ill made her snap. Literally. "We're stopping now!" She stormed off the path and near collapsed in the shade of the trees. Pulling her backpack off her back and bringing Shippo out. She dug around for water and passed it to the thirsty kit, who gulped it down.

The rest of the group stared at her in shock. Then Sango nodded and joined Kagome in the side trench, "I agree with Kagome. We've been walking in the heat for hours. It's time for a break, Inuyasha."

Miroku followed Sango as he was prone to do and sat down by Sango, too tired to even take the groping opportunity. "Yes..." He said. And the two accepted the water offered by Kagome.

Inuyasha watched with Kikyou at his side and seemed near to surprised. He stamped his feet. His mouth opening and shutting a few times before he said, "We're going now! You can't just stay here! Don't you want your revenge, Miroku! Sango!" He glared at them and Miroku and Sango paused for a moment... Would he leave them?

Kagome set Shippo aside and rose to her feet, storming up to Inuyasha and saying, "You can't keep pushing us like this, Inuyasha!"

"Kikyou can manedge i--" Inuyasha was cut off.

"KIKYOU IS DEAD, INUYASHA!" Kagome roared.

Inuyasha looked at her in shock as she looked so angry, and did the only thing he could do. He slapped her, hard. And she fell back, hitting the ground. Her mouth hung open in shock for a moment, then her eyes grew teary. He had hit her!

Her chin wobbled and she grit her teeth, trying not to cry. Don't cry infront of him. Don't let him see you cry.

As she held back the emotions they were filtered to the gem hanging about her neck. But it was unable to take away all her pain anymore. It was emotion overload.

Inuyasha snarled at her and said, "You're nothing but trouble, Kagome! What the hell is your problem!"

Kagome hissed back at him, "Kikyou is not the same as us, Inuyasha... she doesn't feel anything!"

"Kikyou is more than you'll ever be!" He shouted. And then stared wide-eyed as a black gem rose on a silver chain from around Kagome's throat.

She rose slowly, the gem dancing on the end of its chain, unnoticed by its wearer. "Is Kikyou all that you'll ever see? All that you'll ever see in me?"

He watched her in silence and then her control shattered at his silence. Which she took as a 'Yes'. Her tears flowed freely, "If you don't need me then I am gone!" The jewel shattered in a black dust, spreading out and filling the clearing with emotions that all of them could feel. Even Kikyou.

Hurt, Depression, Anger, Heldback Tears, ... and even hatred. They filled the air and nearly overwhelmed the two humans, three demons, and the dead woman.

In this moment, Kagome turned, and fled.

Where she went, she did not know. She didn't have her pack. Didn't have her bow. All she had were a shattered necklace and a broken heart.

--

He had been watching her, sensing the emotions charging up during the confrontation. When Inuyasha slapped the miko it took all of the demon lord's willpowernot to justleap down there and kill the hanyou. He didn't even question his possessive feelings for the girl. He had no time, for the girl spun about and took off right when the jewel shattered.

Had she hit the breaking point along with the jewel? He had never seen Kagome yell like that before...

He ran after her and got ahead of her, dropping down right infrontd of her. When she collided with him he swayed. Sensing how tense she was. "Shhhh", he whispered, and wrapped his arm about her.

--

Kagome's eyes were filled with tears and she could hardly see well enoughto avoid the trees. So when something white dropped down before her she had gasped. But couldn't help but collideright into it.But she knew this hard form. She had run into it once before. She was ready to back up and apologize to the lord for running into him again. But then his arm went around her waist and he 'shushed' her softly.

That was when she collapsed in his hold, losing her self control. Her anger swept out of her and nothing but sadness hit her. She then clung to his kimono and sobbing into its front.

And Sesshomaru stood there, stroking her hair softly as she cried her broken heart on his kimono. Not knowing why he didn't care. But that was the case. He would hold her until her hurts subsided. Until the hiccuping came, and even then.

Until the tears ceased to flow.

For he was her Knight. And he was here to save her.

-----------------------

A bit poetic at the end. But I like it. Switched from pure humor to a bit of romance me thinks. But I enjoy it. It changes with my moods I suppose. But my sense of humor is not gone, my dears.

And NO people, this is not the end. It's not even a 'THE END,...or is it?' Tease. They're NOT together. They're NOT done! Lol.

Reviews:

Jessica Lyn- Lol. My editor says that would be funny! I agree! slaps a big red bow on him

Kagamoesiun- I feel bad making him the bad guy. sobs gets over it quickly Oh well!

Cloudlover- Glad you found it as well. - Thank you.

Nagoto- More is coming. glares at her ediotr You! Hush! Lol. My friend, the Lonely Bird, is having too much fun editting I thinks. Lol.

Kari Konoko- -

JMO- I make someone happy. cheers

Mujitsu- It's a Sess/Kag fic after all. -

Sister to Black Hands- Thank you for giving it a read through! -

Kirarafourseasons- What do you play in the band? I used to play the French Horn.

Inukag909- Glad you did. Thanks for the review.

1kenshinlover- - He's difficult at times, but they can both, Sess and Inu, be good guys.

bottlecaps- I love your penname! And I love the compliments. - Thank you.

lillie- Big meany?... Lol. I'm hurrying!

Me- Hehe. Like your pen. I like serious and silly humor. So expect me to fit in more if'n I can!

Tris Riddle- I don't think I'll kill anyone in my fic, but I share your hatred. - More will come. Expect an ending! I will finish what I've started. Unlike some writers. pouts and sends meaningful looks in some random directions.

regretfully-yours-Cassy-chan- Lol. It's only in your mind. But it IS helpful!

Wing Kosmos- Thank you! I am glad you like it so far. -

Kai- Thanks for the review. Will do!

Melantao- Thank you very much! I try hard to portray him in a way people will enjoy.

Demoness of the Black Wolves- Here's your update! -

Dawnmiko- Lol. wow. I almost think you exaggerate! Am I that good?1 But thank you very much for your review. And 'Hello!' to your friends. -

P.S. I thrive on compliments.

Fluff'sOneandOnly- a.k.a. Xx-Ash-xX- Hey! Like your new pen! Thank you! bows -