A/N:Hi guys! Before I start, I want to give special thanks to those who have already reviewed my story. I'm sorry I didn't do it on chapter 2 but it's just that I'm still learning how to use the site and how things work here! I get a little lost sometimes. XD Also, I've been writing like a maniac, trying desperately not to lose my inspiration or forget the ideas that are floating aimlessly in my head. But believe me, I'm very grateful for your feedback, it really made my day!

ColdKikyo: Thanks! It really means a lot to me that you liked it!

SweetRubyMoon: You really motivated me to continue writing. I feel more confident now about my writing

skills (if you can call it that ;)) Thanks a lot!

Stupidisstupiddoes:Constructive criticism is the best there is! Your feedback really helped, thanks for pointing out all those things… but at times it almost seemed like you could read my mind …scary O.O Thanks again!

- Ice is not Unbreakable – Chapter 3

Naraku's grotesque hand extended, dividing itself into three frightening tentacles that slashed the air with brutal speed. They made their way straight into the fallen miko's body. The priestess Kikyo kneeled on the ground clutching an injured shoulder; pulsing miasma invaded the wound. She knew her time had come, and the bitter realization of her impending second demise dulled her eyes even further. But as doom seemed to swallow her spirit whole, she ordered her eyes to remain open. She would stare death in the face, a last struggle to maintain her pride. But death did not come. She instead witnessed a silver blur materialize before her with inhuman speed, as the sound of blade against blade shrieked into her ears. Before her, Sesshomaru stood between her and Naraku, Tokijin in hand. Just an instant before, he had blocked with his superior yokai strength, the tentacle attack that Naraku had let loose upon the very incredulous miko. The very one that would have meant her sure demise, not for the seriousness of the injury if she had received it in full force, but for the intention for which it had been unleashed upon her. It would have pushed her over the cliff, to where a deadly sea of miasma awaited to end her pitiful life. Too weak from her injuries, she would have been completely devoured by the horrendous yaki. But it was not to be. Sesshomaru had intervened not a minute too soon, being drawn there by the powerful aura of Naraku.

"You would go through all this trouble simply to kill a woman?" His monotonous tone tinged with contempt and mockery. Naraku completely ignored Sesshomaru's condescending address. He was not pleased. His plan foiled, he now stared intently at the injured miko with a murderous look.

"When I take your life, Kikyo, I shall take the time to savor it." His words laced with a malicious lust for her blood.

"Kisama iisugo su."(You talk too much) Replied the serene form of the taiyokai. Without waiting for a response, he leapt with elegant ease into the air and with a swift movement of his wrist, unleashed a terrible strike against his hated enemy.

"I have not the time, nor the desire to deal with the likes of you." Spatted the calculating hanyou, and just like a squid that releases its ink to confuse and flee from its enemies, Naraku instantly countered Sesshomaru's attack with a thick cloud of powerful miasma. Sesshomaru was quickly engulfed in it and all traces of him disappeared.

"Sesshomaru!" She heard herself scream, but quickly composed herself. Still a tinge of apprehension remained in her heart. Her eyes never averted from the dreadful mist.

"Farewell, my lovely corpse." The words bounced from the round purple barrier that quickly took flight and carried her despised nemesis safely away. She paid no mind to it or his remark, all her attention remained trained upon the toxic yaki that had swallowed her savior minutes ago. As she tried to rise and go to his aid without avail, Sesshomaru emerged unharmed from the deadly trap. His form shined, as his tall, white figure greatly contrasted with the dark purple vile that surrounded him. He leapt backwards, returning to the ground, and spared a glance towards Kikyo, as if aware of the maiden's distress and wanting to put her mind at ease. His eyes returned for a moment to the still tainted sky. He made sure Naraku was long gone before he made his way towards her. His eyes were stern from the battle but yet they had a soft quality to them. Some could dare say it was concern. After returning Tokijin to his side, he bent a knee on the ground and faced the injured miko.

"Are you alright?" His voice remained calm and monotonous; his heart was another matter…

Kikyo kept clutching her shoulder, the sting of defeat hurting more than the physical pain ever would in this body of clay. His closeness made her avert her eyes to the ground, eyes that showed both pain and embarrassment. She could not face him after such a pitiful display.

"I was a fool… How could I let my guard down?" She replied defeated. "Are you hurt?" She braved a look upon his fine features.

"No." He simply said, still locked with her in an intense stare.

The two proud figures stood there, overwhelmed by their mutual concern for each other, and yet neither one had the courage to admit to it. They were lost for words. They just remained like this, neither one wanting to break the silence as if their close presence was enough to heal their battle-weary souls. But the moment did not last, for Sesshomaru's calm demeanor quickly tensed. He could sense Inuyasha quickly making his way towards them. He looked to the side pondering…

"The air is thick with this filthy miasma." He stated. His voice deep and soothing to the ear, yet firm enough to be respected. He returned his gaze towards Kikyo and added: "If we remain here you will not be able to purify that wound."

"Hai." She agreed, looking around the desolated battleground. As she attempted to rise she realized she was too weakened by the loss of souls and tainted flesh to remain standing. As quickly as she rose, she fell back to the ground. "Juso." She cursed.

Sesshomaru wasn't about to wait around for his brother and Kikyo to meet once more. He just couldn't deal with their awkward exchanges: Kikyo's sorrowful stares and Inuyasha's constant drooling over her. It made him sick. Things had changed, Kikyo was his now… his ally, he mentally corrected. She had to concentrate on their plans and in Naraku's defeat, nothing more. He wasn't about to admit to himself that he was jealous. He wouldn't go as low as to feel envy towards his hanyou brother or infatuation towards an undead miko. He considered what he felt for his brother as contempt instead. He had meddled in his affairs for far too long, he wouldn't stand now between his and Kikyo's plans to defeat Naraku… he'd make sure of that. Kikyo? His interest on the woman was a simple matter of fulfilling their agreement and getting their revenge, nothing more… nothing more! And yet…

Sesshomaru glanced towards Kikyo, wondering if she too had sensed Inuyasha's presence. By the look on her face, it seamed her mind was still preoccupied by the earlier events to notice. Maybe his yokai energy was masking his brother's weaker one. Whatever the reason, he knew he shouldn't linger there for long. Without saying a word, Sesshomaru slid his arm around Kikyo's waist and picked her up.

She was taken back by the unexpected gesture from the usually indifferent taiyokai. She stared, not understanding what had happened. By instinct, she pushed her hand against his chest, even thought her body didn't object to the closeness they shared. What had gotten over him? She thought. She hesitated; to be carried away by another was unheard of for this strong willed miko, even as hurt as she was. Never had she shown weakness before others, may they be human or yokai, and especially not to this arrogant taiyokai. But the reason for her hesitation was not only her pride but also it was a matter of honor. The promise she made to Inuyasha still echoed strongly in her mind. Before her eyes, that fateful day when he had saved her from Naraku's giant shinidamachu came to life. She saw herself being embraced by the silver haired hanyou. She remembered her initial apprehension, but being wrapped in his tenderness and love, made her forget about their bitter departure. She became overwhelmed by raw emotion and suddenly heard herself utter a pledge to him.

"Never would I let another man touch even a strand of my hair."

But this was no ordinary man, she mussed. She knew she couldn't reject such a gesture from the mighty Sesshomaru. He had lowered himself to help her. She knew she would dishonor him if she refused and this would give him just cause to flare his temper towards her. So she made up her mind; she would allow it simply to leave that forsaken place as soon as possible and to appease his yokai ego. Deep down she must have known they were only petty reasons to silence her growing guilt. Guilt fueled by her desire. She quickly removed her before unyielding hand and placed her arm around his neck for better support. Secured in his grip, she found herself mesmerized by the rhythmic rumbling of his breathing, very much like a purring lion. Her anxiety seemed to be dissolving away and a sense of peace slowly healed her mind.

Never had they been so close before, in such a warm embrace. But what really took Sesshomaru by surprise was the miko's response to his touch. She actually went along with him carrying her? He thought he had to force her to go with him and was ready to do so when she tensed in his arm. He knew that as weak as she was she wouldn't be able to oppose him; he just had to be careful not to aggravate her injury. But instead of resisting him further, after a mere moment of doubtful staring and tense posture from her part, she finally had welcomed his embrace and she herself had willingly held him close to her. So close, he could enjoy her intoxicating scent more deeply. Her scent had changed greatly from when she was alive, but still remained as alluring as it was back then. Now Death and flowers, winter and spring, misery and innocence, all intertwined in her body of clay in perfect harmony as if they made perfect sense together. In her they did. He flinched, what was he thinking? He pushed those thoughts aside and focused on leaving that dreadful land as soon as demonly possible. He carefully wrapped his arm tightly around her and with an effortless leap was instantly airborne.

…..,-----'''''-----,…o..,----'''''-----,…..

Inuyasha could only stare in disbelief. He was dumb folded by what he had just witnessed. His lovely Kikyo badly injured, and by the choking miasma in the air, it had to have been Naraku's deed. That alone would have been enough to anger him beyond belief. But what sent him over the edge was seeing his vile brother Sesshomaru embracing her and carrying her away to who knows where.

"How dare him! How dare he put his hand on her!" But his anger quickly dissolved into defeat. "Why Kikyo? Why would you go with him? Why would you let him touch you?" His eyes deeply hurt.

With clenched fists, he lowered his sight to where her broken bow now laid discarded. He hadn't been there to protect her… again. Not only had he failed at that, but it was his hated brother the one to take his place as her savior. Him of all people! Guilt and jealousy chained his heart to the spot, and he did not move until his friends came to him. They called his name many time, but their voices seemed like distant echoes in the wind. The previous scene still playing over and over in his mind. He only aroused from his personal nightmare after Shippo climbed on his shoulder and began screaming in his ear.

"Baka! Are you deaf? We have been calling you all this time and you haven't said a word!" The little fox demon quickly closed his eyes and braced himself, knowing full well that his brazen scolding would earn him a knuckle sandwich from the hanyou. But it never came. He didn't even yell at him. He only pushed him off his shoulder with a weak and indifferent shove of his hand. This complete disregard hurt the little demon more than any punch or fist Inuyasha ever delivered his way. His indifference was a slap to his little heart. He whispered his name and silently returned to where Kagome was standing, with his tail between his legs.

"Inuyasha…" she whispered with concern. She wondered what had happened to him to be in such a hurtful demeanor. Then her eyes diverted to where Kikyo's bow was. It was broken in half and tainted with dark miasma. She gasped; her hand over her heart.

"What happened Inuyasha, where is Kikyo?" her voice revealed true concern. No matter how she felt towards Kikyo, she knew how much Inuyasha still cared for her. It hurt her to see him so sad and distressed. How could she comfort him, she thought. By the look of the place and the destruction that surrounded them, they all guessed that Naraku had killed the miko, since no one could have been able to survive such a potent attack and the overwhelming yaki that still permeated the air. As she was to place her hand over his shoulder, he turned around and walked away, not wanting to feel her touch just now. He did not even spare her a look. It hurt too much, their faces so alike…Half way he stopped.

"She's fine." He finally replied. "Not thanks to me…" This he only whispered and carried on.

The group only stared at the awkward exchange between the two of them. Kagome stood there motionless and rejected; her bangs veiling the tears that brim her hurtful stare. Inuyasha walked away with half his spirit and with misery over his shoulders. They did not dare add more to Kagome's humiliation or to Inuyasha's unusually serious and unfriendly disposition. They would get no answers from the hanyou it seemed so, with resignation, they all made their way down Mt. Hakurei. Inuyasha was leading the way many yards in front; Miroku followed the trail with closed eyes and deep in meditation; Shippo and Kirara marched quietly side by side; Sango walked hesitantly, giving Kagome many discrete glances; and at the end of the line Kagome, who looked at no one and walked as if the very life had been sucked from her. Confusion clouded her mind while feelings of betrayal chocked her heart. She felt that, when Kikyo was involved, she would always get the short end of the stick. They would call her Kikyo's reincarnation, they would compare their skills (hers being the weakest), Kikyo could take care of herself while she had to always rely on the hanyou and her friends, and with Inuyasha, there just would never be a place for her in his heart… at least not the place she wanted. She could not compete with her… she didn't want to compete. She just wished to be by Inuyasha's side no matter what. She just didn't understand why Inuyasha was acting so harshly towards her when she only wanted to help and comfort him. He was the only person that could make her feel so happy and so miserable at the same time. That night at camp, they all retired early but hardly anyone got a shred of rest, for their minds still struggled with the bitter feelings the day's events had aroused. Up in a tree, Inuyasha rested alone as usual; tetsusaiga held tightly over his chest. He watched the full moon that shined over him, completely mesmerized. Its pale beauty only helped to remind him further of Kikyo. Down on the ground, bundled up in her sleeping bag, Kagome observed him with the corner of her eye. She could guess what was in his mind… who was in his mind, and she could also feel her heart plunging deeper into despair.

…..,-----'''''-----,…o..,----'''''-----,…..

To be continued…

A/N: The next chapter may take a while to be posted because there are still some things I'm trying to work out in the plot, like their past relationship and there is this scene where Kikyo and Sesshomaru are… hmm, I think I'm saying too much already. I prefer to keep you all in suspense, bwa ha ha ha! O well, don't lose hope! I'll try to update as soon as possible, I promise! Thanks for your support!