Over the Edge.


Jinenji started to gather herbs around his little hut and put them into a large straw basket. Rin peered into it curiously as she followed him around. Kagome recognized some of the herbs and could not help but to feel a little disappointed. They were simple herbs used for common ailments and she wondered whether they were useful and potent enough.

"Jinenji-san, is that all we need?" Kagome asked politely, the tone of her dismay almost undetectable. He laid a big piece of washcloth over the basket, securing it with two thin sticks and smiled, "aa. Grab two handfuls of these herbs, grind them into a thick paste and spread it over his eyes. Boil one handful in water and once cooled, let him drink it. Do these two everyday for a week and return to me. I hope we are in time to save him."

Rin bowed as deeply as she could to show her deepest gratitude before they mounted on Ah-Un. Kagome nodded as she thanked Jinenji gratefully, at least she did not return empty-handed without a solution.


Miroku looked at his comrades quietly. Sango sat silently with a worried look on her face, Kirara had been gone for longer than she had expected. Inuyasha sat on the ground and shifted his position every now and then, while Shippou scratched his bushy head every now and then.He knew that they were worried for both Kagome and Kirara, and was about to let out a sigh when he sighted a patch of pale yellow in the blurry skies. "Minna! Mitte! Asoko!"

Everyone rushed to the entrance and squinted their eyes at the direction that Miroku was pointing. Soon, a clearer view of Kirara appeared and everyone backed away for the neko-youkai to land. Sango immediately went forward and dusted the thick snow off her hard frozen furs, "Kirara, daijoubu?" The neko-youkai un-transformed back to her original kitten size and purred against her owner who scooped her up and laid it against her chest.

"Ah, how I wish I can be Kirara now," Miroku let out his long-held sigh wistfully. He was promptly greeted with a sounding whack on his head by Sango's Hiraikotsu as she spun around with amazing accuracy back to the cave. Shippou shook his head and rolled his eyes at the houshi's lewd wish while Inuyasha followed Sango worriedly, "Kirara! Kagome daijoubu ka!"

Kirara purred and nestled its head against Sango's lap. "I think Kagome-chan is alright. Perhaps they took a little more time since the snow is so heavy," Sango stroked Kirara's head lovingly. Both Inuyasha and Shippou seemed to feel relieved at her answer.

"Sango is right, don't worry Inuyasha," Miroku walked in as he rubbed the growing lump on the side of his head, wondering how many days would pass before the swell would subside.

"Keh!" Inuyasha folded his arms crossly into the sleeves of his fire-rat haori and sat on the ground with a slight frustrated look on his grim face. Miroku sighed inwardly, wondering to himself again how long they would have to put up with Inuyasha until Kagome was back.

"Miroku, do you think Kagome is really alright?" Shippou hopped up to Miroku's shoulder.

"Hai, I worry more for us than her actually," Miroku shifted his glance meaningly from the kitsune to the sulking red-clad hanyou. Shippou nodded his head and whispered back, "ee, I hope spring will come as soon as possible."

Sango caught the whisper and smiled as Inuyasha's doggy ears twitched.


Jaken paced around angrily in the cave, having came up with at least fifty reasons why Kagome had abducted Rin away and left him all alone in this cave without Ah-Un. The sun was already setting but there was no sight of them yet. He knelt beside Sesshoumaru quietly and stared sadly at his lord's face. He had to admit that the miko had enough wits to cover his wounds up and he did not look as bad, nor as terrifying as the day before.

"Sesshoumaru-sama..." the name rolled off his tongue smoothly and softly, as if hoping that that would wake his lord up. Jaken lowered his head and wondered when the days of glory would return where every youkai and ningen cower at the sight of him and Sesshoumaru. He was starting to miss the icy glares and the occassional stones that Sesshoumaru flung at his forehead.

A loud thumping sound at the entrance of the cave alerted the kappa-youkai and he immediately scurried to the front, all ready to lash out at the miko and Rin for their tardiness. But when he saw Rin holding several dead lizards on her outstretched palm, Jaken broke out into a wide genuine smile that was accompanied by sincere heartfelt tears.

Kagome could not help but to giggle at Jaken's dramatic display of emotions. After she had helped to settle their dinner and only meal of the day, she got Rin and Jaken to fill up her waterbottle from a nearby lake that had not frozen yet. While cutting up the herbs with her scissors, Kagome wondered how long they could survive on wild vegetables, fish and fruits before she had to return home for more supplies.

"Ne... do you feel cold? Are you in pain?" Kagome talked to Sesshoumaru while she tried her best to grind the herbs against her small bowl with the only metal spoon she had. Kagome continued on mashing the herbs in silence under the soft flickering light of the candle, wondering what her comrades were doing in Kaede's village. They must be drinking hot warm soup and chit-chatting...

When she had finally reached the stage whereby the mashed herbs were beginning to look paste-like, Kagome decided that she would have to return home soon and get all these herbs ground and ready. It was simply too tedious and difficult with just a metal spoon and scissors. By the time the herb-paste was ready, Rin and Jaken had already returned with the water and were being instructed to boil the water in her small portable kettle.

After removing the bandages away from his head, Kagome brushed his heavy silver bangs aside and wondered whether he would kill her if he were to wake up suddenly. In the process of removing the pus, cleaning up the wound and applying the dark green cooling paste, Rin knelt beside her silently. Kagome took a side glance at her and noticed that she was brushing her tears away noiselessly, as if she was afraid that Sesshoumaru might caught her crying. Kagome closed her eyes for a split second, hoping that she could be transported right away. She could almost imagine what was going on in Rin's little mind, the unspoken worries, sadness, despair and anxiety all for his sake. All these were so real to Kagome that it weighed down on her own heart too. She had never felt more useless and helpless before, not even when she compared herself to Kikyou, nor failed her Math exam.

"Where is Jaken?" Kagome needed to break the silence. The girl pointed out and Kagome nodded her head, guessing that the kappa-youkai probably did not want to see his lord all injured and weak. And his injuries tended for by a ningen.

"Rin, do you know my name?" Kagome smiled a little too brightly.

Rin was stumped with her sudden question and looked up, shaking her head in embarassment after a short while. Kagome's smile widened as she lit another candle, "Kagome. My name is Higurashi Kagome. Rather simple ne?"

Rin shook her head violently, then nodded her head, and shook again, looking rather confused at herself. Kagome laughed out softly, "iie daijoubu. How old are you this year?" Rin took out her fingers and counted slowly.

"Eleven?" Kagome asked as she tried to spread the herb-paste over his eyes as gentle as possible. Rin nodded and pointed her finger at Kagome, looking into her eyes enquiringly. Kagome cocked her head to one side before she figured out the question.

"Ah! Gomen ne! I'm eighteen this year, I have a otouto who is five years older than you, he looks a little like you when he was younger," Kagome wondered why she had mentioned Souta as she wrapped the thin gauze around his head. But Rin merely closed her eyes and smiled silently.

"Rin, how old is Sesshoumaru-sama?" Kagome frowned as she tried to continue the conversation and at the same time tie a firm knot under the weak yellow light. She mentally remarked to herself that she would bring another wintercoat for Rin when a cold draft of wind slipped into the inner cavern.

The light flickered and Kagome looked up. Rin was trying to tell her the answer by dripping candle-wax onto the ground. Kagome threw another handful of herbs into the boiling water and sat down to watch her, she had not really expected Rin to know the answer. It took Rin somewhile and by the time she had finished, the herbs had already cooled down. When Kagome squinted her eyes to focus on the ground with messily melted wax, her eyes almost popped out.

"Eight hundred!"

Jaken mumbled curses in his sleep but continued to snore, whilst Rin closed her smiling eyes and nodded. Kagome stood there, not understanding how anyone could look so youthful, dashing and yet so strong and agile when he was a good eight hundred years old. A muffled sound shook her out from her trance and she tensed, inwardly praying hard that his attacker was not behind her. But another muffled sound reached her ears, and Kagome scrambled to her patient in the inner cavern, with Rin tailing behind her and they almost tripping each other.

"Rin..."

Kagome gasped loudly, while Rin lunged forward and cried loudly into the taiyoukai's chest. Kagome placed her ear near Sesshoumaru's mouth and heard his dry brittle voice calling out to Rin a second time. She drew herself up and hugged Rin tightly, the corners of her mouth curling up and unable to stop the tears that trickled down her cheeks.

Kagome knew that she was right, that somewhere deep inside his right chest, Sesshoumaru had a heart, and a soul. As she stroked Rin's small head, she had never felt more sure of saving him than now.


Kagome returned with her trusty backpack full of instant ramen, snacks, ground herbs, sugar and an extra wintercoat for Rin. She had thought of bringing another one for Jaken but there was none that would fit him and she convinced herself that Jaken's slimy skin would have likely blocked out most of the cold.

Rin was only too happy and grateful to see the wintercoat and her silent smiles were all that Kagome needed. Even though Rin had remained stubbornly silent, Kagome knew that she would talk again. The incident that happened last night was proof to her that Rin was not mute. Kagome knelt beside Sesshoumaru and brushed his heavy silver bangs aside, gently tracing the outline of the crescent moon on his pale forehead, if only you will wake up...

His forehead was dotted with beads of cold damp perspiration, and she could see that his eyebrows were burrowed into a light frown, while his pale dry lips were slightly parted. He must be having a nightmare... Kagome thought to herself as she tucked her hair behind her ears and leaned forward to remove the wet green gauze around his head. The distinct medicinal scent of the herbs wafted into her nostrils and Kagome could not help but to scrunch her face and hold her breath as long as possible. Once the gauze was removed, she realized that the mossy green herbs had turned a dark green shade. So dark and intense was the green that it was almost black.

"Sou ka... these herbs actually suck out the poison..." Kagome marvelled to herself at Jinenji's knowledge and use of the herbs. She scraped the blackened herbs carefully away from his face and applied a thick layer of fresh green paste. Kagome wondered to herself how long more she would have to take care of him, not that she really minded but her mind was on Inuyasha and her friends. She was eager to visit them but it was just impossible for her to leave Sesshoumaru with Rin and Jaken. Rin was too young to take care of Sesshoumaru, while Jaken was too small, and honestly not very helpful nor powerful to defend them from attacks or unfriendly intruders.

She pinched the bridge of her nose in an attempt to relieve the mild headache that was coming up. Kagome had not thought over the matter much when she had acquiesed to Rin's request, and now she was starting to feel a little angry and worried. Angry that she did not think carefully before promising Rin, angry that she had allowed herself to be soft-hearted, and angry that she had to lie and keep this matter from Inuyasha's knowledge. She was doing something behind his back, and she knew that it was not something that he would be happy about. She was not technically betraying him, but she knew that Inuyasha would not understand.

And Kagome was worried too. If Sesshoumaru would never recover, or go blind, what could she do? What would she have to do? And what would happen to Rin and Jaken?

All of a sudden, she felt as if a whole load of responsibility was dumped onto her head, and she was not even part of their entourage, not to mention that Sesshoumaru had attempted to kill her and Inuyasha before. Besides.. it's not as if I can protect them either. I'll probably get myself killed without knowing and it's not even my fault that this happened... She pressed her fingers firmly onto her temples, hoping that the irritating headache would go away and sighed to herself. Kagome closed her eyes drearily and thumped her fist lightly against her forehead, "what have you got yourself into baka?"

"Mi..."

Kagome opened her eyes and stared at Sesshoumaru, "nani? Sesshoumaru?" She was not sure whether she had heard him talk. The twitch in his lips caused her to press her ear to his lips as near as possible without touching it. The rough weak voice reached her ears again as she strained to hear what he was trying to say. "Mi..zu..."

"Ah! Chotto matte!" Kagome sprung up like a cat and immediately rummaged her bag for her waterbottle. When said item was found, she instantly dipped her fingers into the cool drinking water and moistened his lips, hoping that this would somehow quench his thirst. She was amazed that his healing had progressed so fast, since she did not expect him to wake up nor talk so soon. But the little water that Kagome tried to smear onto his lips were not enough and this time round, his moan was louder and more insistent.

"Mizu... mizu..."

Kagome frowned and pouted her lips, she was not sure whether she wanted to feed him water but it seemed cruel of her not to do so. Besides, she was not one to take promises lightly, especially to children. She slumped her shoulders and let out another defeated sigh, there was no way she could escape this. To ask Rin to feed him was just simply not right, and Kagome doubted Jaken would dare to do such a thing, even if Sesshoumaru was half-dead or unconscious.

As she pressed her lips against his moist ones firmly, releasing the cool water slowly, Kagome could only hope that Sesshoumaru would have no remembrance of this. She simply could not imagine what Inuyasha would think of her and what would happen to their strained and awkward relationship. He'll probably lose his head and try to kill Sesshoumaru again...

When the mouthful of water was emptied, Kagome tried to draw herself up but realized that she could not. Her eyes widened in horror as Sesshoumaru tried to suck at her lower lip, and that his hands were fisted tightly in her long wavy hair. Kagome stared at the tip of his nose for three seconds before she realized that he had wanted to drink more water. After some forceful struggling and tugging, Kagome managed to pull her mouth away for some air.

He must be damn thirsty! Fancy latching onto my mouth like that! Kagome blushed deeply as she took another swig of water and returned to her patient, wondering how silly she must look to bend over a full grown man and kissing him nonetheless! She had lost count of how many times her mouth had to return to and fro between the waterbottle and his mouth, until his fists finally relaxed his hold on her hair and she could pull herself away.

Kagome trailed her tongue over her swollen lower lip, inwardly cringing at the force of his suction, all for the sake of water. She shook her head, trying to dispel the depressing thoughts that she had not only lost her first kiss to someone that she did not even remotely like, but had to continue to give her precious kisses away. "Kawaisou..." Kagome sulked to herself as she tightened the cap of her waterbottle and proceeded to prepare the boiled herbs for him.

Even till late at night, Kagome could not sleep as she tried to nurse her red and swollen lower lip. It was so sensitive that she could feel the tingling pricks all over her lip and she had to lick it gingerly while she listened to Rin's soft breathing and Jaken's long snores. Well at least he didn't bite... Kagome prodded her lip gently with her cold fingers, desperately wishing that she had brought a mirror along with her to assess the damage herself, since she could not possibly ask Rin, nor risk answering the ridiculous questions that would be raised by Jaken.

She turned on her side, and rested her head on her left arm, again wondering what her feudal friends and her family were doing. She let out a soft sigh and looked up to her patient. Under the weak moonlight that filtered into the cave, she could see the gleam from his long silver hair and his chest heaving up and down slowly. The actions were oddly soothing and she was slipping into her dreams when a loud choke woke her up.

Kagome instantly sat up and grabbed for her bow, her eyes wide and scanning around for any unfamiliar presence when she heard it again. She turned her face and realized that Sesshoumaru was moaning out loud, in pain. Still wrapped in her thick black trenchcoat, Kagome got out of her sleeping bag and crawled to Sesshoumaru, resting her hand against his forehead. "Atsui!" Kagome gasped to herself, his forehead was so hot that she did not know whether it was because her hand was too cold or that he was running a terribly high fever.

Sesshoumaru frowned and squeezed his already shut eyes hard. Dark hazy images were flitting through his mind as if he was flipping the pages of a book hurriedly. In his mind, he saw a tall man with dark hair, attacking him relentlessly. Blood, dark red blood was in every image that appeared and he could feel the sharp stabbing pain through his abdomen and left chest. His clawed hand subconciously went up and pressed hard against the wound, hoping that the pain would go away.

He could hear someone crying, it was high-pitched and loud, and it sounded familiar. It was a child, a female, crying and calling out for him, even though he could not hear it clearly, but he knew she was calling out to him. Sesshoumaru tossed his head from side to side as another image of a small girl, clad in orange-checkered kimono, knelt on the ground crying hard. He wanted to go to her, to pat her head, but the image disappeared and the next one was filled with blood-curdling shrieks, and more blood splattered around the walls. He knew that it was the child's blood, and his heart twisted around itself in agony and in anger.

Rin.

The name came to his memory and at that very moment, he felt as if his eyes were on fire, and they hurt so badly that he almost could not breathe.

Kagome tried to pull his hand away before his claws ripped open the newly closed tender wound, but it would not budge no matter how hard she tried. Sesshoumaru was thrashing around on his furry pelt and she knew that he was waking up, in the middle of the night where no one could help her. Whether he was moaning, or crying, she could not be sure. She tried to pry his fingers off the shirt, hoping that it would work before the whole wound re-opened itself. Kagome could feel the damp sticky sensation of his blood on her fingers and she panicked, "Sesshoumaru! Yame ro! Sesshoumaru! Okite kudasai!"

Her shouts woke Rin and Jaken up, who rushed to her side the next instant and tried to calm the agitated taiyoukai down before he inflict more wounds onto his yet healing body. All three were trying their very best when Sesshoumaru suddenly sat up and flung his right arm out, roaring out in pain. Rin and Jaken were flung back against the walls of the inner cavern, obviously shaken and frightened to their core. They had never seen their lord behaving as such, he would not even mutter a sound in pain, but now, he was shouting and roaring so loudly that their eardrums shook.

Kagome in the meanwhile held onto his arm tightly, digging her fingernails into his muscles as Sesshoumaru shook his head hard, his mind reeling from the pain. He could see the flames of fire licking at his face and he thought he would go blind from that intensity and brightness. With one forceful swing, Sesshoumaru flung Kagome away and immediately try to pull the bandages off from his head. Kagome instantly got to her feet and latched herself to his right arm tightly like a leech, "yamete Sesshoumaru! Dame yo! Yamete!"

Rin and Jaken were stunned and shocked as they sat jaw-loose on the ground silently and motionlessly, not daring to move an inch as they watched Kagome trying to prevent their lord from hurting himself more. Before they knew it, Sesshoumaru had gotten to his feet and swayed around dangerously, knocking into the odd bend of the wall as he howled out in pain like an angry dog. Kagome was terrified beyond description as she was swung around like a lifeless doll in the air. She knew that Sesshoumaru was pained beyond his threshold of tolerance but there was nothing that she could do other than to hold onto his right arm and yell out his name, hoping that he would wake from his pained trance as soon as possible before anyone got hurt.

Or killed.

It almost hurt her heart, to see the Great Sesshoumaru, who had never ever showed his fear or indicated his pain, to be in such torturous pain that he could not free himself from, Kagome thought to herself when suddenly a stream of bright moonlight and cold air hit her face.

She opened her eyes in shock and realized that Sesshoumaru had wandered out from the cave and was tottering dangerously on the precipice. Her mind froze as her legs were dragged around on the snow-covered ground, they could fall over any moment if... But she had no time to think as her weight tipped the balance and her feet left the edge of the cliff. Both fell over the edge like dominoes, Kagome first and then Sesshoumaru as she pulled the subconscious taiyoukai down with her.

All she saw and heard were Ah-Un's curious yellow eyes staring at them and Rin's high-pitched screams, resounding through her ears and swiftly disappearing as cold blasts of wind blew past her face and flew through her hair hard. She felt as if she was weightless and yet at the same time, ironically dense as both followed the law of gravity.

Kagome felt herself being flipped upwards and blinked her eyes, seeing that Sesshoumaru was now beneath her, and both her hands were still gripping onto his right arm for her dear life. She could see the dark crowns of the forest conifers behind him and was not sure whether he was conscious or not. His silver hair was flying around wildly, covering part of his face and he was motionless. Kagome was feeling dizzy and nauseous as they whirled down, headlong into the forest. Never had she imagined that she would die in such a way. She could not even cry, shock and fear swamped her mind and she did the only thing she could think of.

"SESSHOUMARU!"


A/N: Yes, I know that Kagome seems to talk and think to herself a lot, I see it as keeping her sanity amidst all these chaos. And I really love the last part. ) And the reviews I receive have that amazing ability to unclog my brain, just so you know. ;p

minna - everyone mitte - look!
asoko - over there
daijoubu ka - alright?
otouto - younger brother
sou ka - I see/so that's it
baka - idiot
nani -what
mizu - water
kawaisou - pitiful
atsui - hot
yame ro - stop it!
okite kudasai - please wake up!
yamete - stop it!
dame yo - no good/don't!