Roses and Thorns
Prologue
The sound was so constant it had become silence. The fountain's waters flowed softly across stone in the same never-ending pattern. New droplets of water created a constant shape and sound. An enchanted harp played the same song over and over again. If someone had painted a picture of the scene, it might have looked beautiful, because they probably would have had the sense to omit the grime and dirt that covered everything, and the dank smell of filth cannot easily be communicated by the painter's brush.
Unfortunately, Sesshoumaru could not bar from his senses the layers of dirt, the vibrant smell of a body that hadn't been washed in ages. She was sitting on the ground, back resting against the base of the fountain. Her grimy hair hung limply over a pale forehead. Her tattered clothes revealed patches of dirty skin and the overall shape of a girl who was clearly starving to death. She did not seem to notice his presence.
He stared at her, standing in the small courtyard. He stood regally, looking quite out of place, unable to quite comprehend that the ruined girl before him was the one he sought, the one who could save him.
"Miko." He spoke her title with measured authority. Unsurprisingly, she did not respond. "Miko, I require your assistance." Again, no response. A surge of anger swelled up in his chest. He did not have the time for this. Gritting his teeth angrily and ignoring the smell with difficulty, he leaned down towards her and scooped the minute form into his arms.
The response this time was instantaneous. Her eyes focused on him sharply, intently. He was shocked at the level of alertness suddenly present in the previously listless form. "What are you doing?" Her voice defied explanation; it tickled his ears but grated unpleasantly all the same.
"I require your assistance."
"You are… taking me from this place?"
Sesshoumaru looked at the girl as if she were as simpleton. Was this not obvious? "Yes."
Her eyes widened suddenly, in terror, he realized. "No…" The word was spoken softly, weakly.
He wasn't planning on giving her a choice in the matter; he needed her. He started to walk towards the gate.
"NO!" she screamed, and suddenly she was active, a kicking, violent mess in his arms. She pounded against his chest, her eyes wide and panicked. "No! You can't! I won't leave! NO!" She screamed and kicked, her words soon lost in her terror. Formless sounds escaped her contorted lips.
Sesshoumaru held fast. He had not quite predicted this response, but he was prepared to do whatever it took. Kagome was coming with him, whether she wanted to or not.
It hurt, though, because in that moment, her face was alive, and in that moment, she looked like Kikyo.