You and you alone can save me

Kouga

By: Kuraii-chan

Kuraii-chan: Bleh... I'm sorry it's taken so long to update. ::dies::

Seika: On with the chapter all ready!

Kuraii-chan: Okay! Okay!

Author Notes: Merp.

'Rin... My-Linh... Kyo... I promised you, but I'm afraid I won't keep it. I'm sorry, forgive me.'

And finally she reached the empty field. She crawled a few more unstable feet before she collapsed in a heap of exhaustion. She was faintly aware of her surroundings, and a wind that popped out of nowhere. She ever barely registered the concerned voice before drifting off into unconsciousness.

"K-Kagome?!" whispered a mortified Kouga.

"Kagome?! Kagome!" Kouga shook her gently, hoping to bring the miko he had so fallen for back from her slumber.

That mutt... he must have done this to MY Kagome! Sniffing her softly Kouga looked for proof of any kind that he could hold against the hanyou, but his scent wasn't anywhere on the young priestess. The only scents that could be detected were mud, the bitter saltiness of tears, a strong sent of depression, the usual vanilla and jasmine, and the faintest smell of Sesshomaru.

So what could have happened---- WHAT?!!?!??

SESSHOMARU?!

Growling fiercely Kouga sniffed again, and the smell was still there. What the fuck was Sesshomaru doing touching his woman?!!

"I swear I'll kill the bastard," he growled, "How dare he..." Why was Kagome anywhere near the Taiyoukai? What was their relation? And why didn't he smell that mutt face??

Well, the only place he could possibly get answers would be from Sesshomaru. But that meant not exploding in his face at sight, something that may take a bit of work. If it would get him answers though, then it had to be done. For Kagome's sake.

Very gingerly Kouga wrapped his left arm under Kagome's knees and his right arm about her shoulders, holding her in place somewhat against his chest.

(AN: ::twitch:: Much better than saying "bridal-style"!! Muahahah...)

"Hang on Kagome." He murmured more to himself than to the limp ningen in his arms. "I'll get answers, and I'll make sure you get better."

And with that he ran off in a whirlwind in the direction of the Western Land's castle, home to Lord Sesshomaru.

Kouga slowed his pace until he was right near the main doors. Guards positioned there glared suspiciously Kouga as he stalked up to them.

"Get Sesshomaru NOW." He growled harshly, holding Kagome closer.

"Why should we?" asked one cockily. Another jeered, "Yeah! Why should we? Just what makes you so special that you can just waltz up here and demand to see our Lord?"

Eyes narrowed dangerously, "If you don't get him I will personally see to your death. I'm not going to just let Kagome here die because you wouldn't let me see Sesshomaru."

"Kagome? As is Lady Kagome?!" All of them paled conciderably, "Why didn't you say so you baka wolf?!" Whimpered one as three of them ran off hastily to find Sesshomaru. Another ushered Kouga into the large hall.

"Come! That sort of weather can't be good for her condition." He said urgently, "And why is she even IN such a condition?!" The young guard regarded Kouga with such sudden anger it was almost amusing.

Almost.

"I found her as such. That's what I'm here to find out, she has traces of Sesshomaru's sent on her." He glared solemnly at the guard, daring the young one to accuse him of putting her in such a state.

He didn't, instead called out to a passing servant, "Get Hotohori immediately!" She nodded and ran off in search of the healer.

Kouga suddenly found himself in a spacious room.

"Set her down," Instructed the guard, watching Kagome with the attentiveness of a hawk.

She really must have made quite the impression on all of Sesshomaru's guards... Kouga thought idly, hugging Kagome even tighter to his chest as if in fear that she would break if set upon the couch. That's my Kagome. His mind whispered fondly.

Sesshomaru was at his desk, in the process of drafting an important document when one of his guards, Takiwaki he remembered, threw open his door and came bursting in.

"Milord! Milord!"

"This had better be good." Hissed Sesshomaru, a tinge of anger seeping into his voice. The guard took no notice, which seemed rather odd.

"There is a wolf in the sitting room with Lady Kagome! She looks like she has been through hell Milord, covered in mud, yukata torn, scratched up pretty badly too. You must come!"

But Sesshomaru had already risen at Kagome's name. A mask of pure rage distorted his features at the description of Kagome's current state, and he had already stormed out by the time that Takiwaki had breathlessly told the air, where Sesshomaru had once been, that he must come.

The guard blinked blankly for a moment, looking at nothing, before scampering after Sesshomaru.

A sharp intake of breath alerted Kouga that he wasn't alone.

"I already told you damn guards that if you fucking come in here one more time to ogle at MY woman again I'll-" Kouga growled as he turned to face the intruder, but it wasn't quite who he had been expecting...

"Or you'll what?" Asked Sesshomaru dangerously, his golden eyes glittering with anger and hate, "And when did she become your woman? As I recall no one has claim to her."

"Shut up! What the hell did you do to her?! I can smell you on her, so what did you fucking do?!" Kouga gently set Kagome on the ground, got up and glared at Sesshomaru. As if daring him to deny that he had at some point been near Kagome.

"How dare you accuse me of harming Kagome?" he hissed. "And in my own castle no less, what kind of moron are you?"

"Shut up! Just tell me what you did to her or I'll pulverize you!" clenching his fists tightly Kouga took a menacing step forward, glaring up at the taller Taiyoukai.

"I would never even THINK of harming her." Growled out the silver-haired inu youkai.

"Yes you would, you wouldn't have even thought twice about it two weeks ago! So what would make me believe that you wouldn't now?!"

At that choice moment, when Sesshomaru was just about to loose his head, yell at Kouga, and then kill him for being such an idiot Hotohori walked in.

"Where is she?" He asked, appearing to be calm. But if you looked more closely you could see his eyes darting around in a nervous search for the beloved miko and his hands twitching.

"Over there." Spat Sesshomaru, not even looking at Hotohori.

He rushed over, acting a bit more concerned than Kouga liked. "Don't you touch her!" he yelled at Hotohori.

"And why shouldn't he? You have no claim to the miko as I have already stated."

"Of course I have claim! She's my woman!" shouted Kouga irritably.

"And I'm the doctor of this castle." Added Hotohori randomly.

"SO WHA-.... What?" asked Kouga, dumbfounded.

"That's right you damned wolf, he's the doctor." Said Sesshomaru, his anger a little more under check by now. "Now explain."

Kouga blinked, and looked ready to challenge Sesshomaru again but seemingly thought better of it and complied.

"I found her out in the field on the way to see if she was at Kaede's..." started Kouga but was almost immediately interrupted.

"Kaede... Kikyou's younger onee-chan right?" asked Sesshomaru curiously.

"Hai, hai." Answered Kouga waving a hand impatiently. "This was how I found her, and at first it had been the stupid mutt but she didn't have his scent on her... Instead I found yours." Kouga shot a glare at Sesshomaru, "Which by the way I want to know why you were anywhere near Kagome."

"None of your business," Sesshomaru said breezily, "continue."

Gritting his teeth Kouga merely nodded. "So I rushed over here to find answers as to why she was in such a state, I figured that you might have something to do with it since you happened to be the only recent person with their scent on her."

"Foolish of you. Not only could you have worsened her condition by handling her so carelessly but you didn't even check the surroundings did you? There could have been a clue there as to what was wrong that possibly can have vanished by the time this storm lets up."

Kouga hung his head, letting this all sink in... he could have harmed Kagome even more...

"That's right, you've royally screwed up." Whispered Sesshomaru angrily, "And if she dies it will be your head I come after." And with that he stalked out of the room leaving Hotohori with silent instructions and an awkward silence that followed the slamming door.

"How is she?" asked Kouga hoarsely after a few moments.

"She isn't in the best of shape, and I fear that she has slipped into a coma." Admitted Hotohori sadly. "Her wounds will heal in time I believe but whether or not she makes it will depend solely upon her will to live."

Kagome sat up slowly... she didn't feel any pain at all.

Why?

Blinking curiously she inspected herself, there were no marking of any kind on her body. Her yukata wasn't torn as she remembered and it was no longer dumping.

So wait... where was she then? It looked much like the very same place she had been in previously and yet, it couldn't be.

"Kagome-sama." An almost musical sounding voice floated over the land.

"Ne?" Kagome asked, looking about for the unseen person. And just then before her this bright light appeared, not that it already wasn't bright enough but this was blinding. Soon enough the light faded and in its place was the most beautiful person she had ever seen.

Shaggy silver hair fell in gentle layers to its shoulders from where a pair of large soft feathery wings appeared, and lavender eyes seemed to sparkle with life. There was a lush green crescent moon with a small star in between the points adorning its right cheek that contrasted nicely with tanned skin it was sitting delicately upon. Despite such amazing beauty the person, or rather youkai, was wearing a simple black hakama and white haori with the same crescent and star on the back.

The youkai smiled and bowed deeply. Flustered Kagome sputtered, "You don't have to do that! Its okay, really!"

Nodding the figure straightened and stared straight at her. It was like looking into pools of spilled ink, beautiful and shiny.

"Kagome-sama," it began again, and she noted firmly that 'it' was male, "This is not where you should be. It is not your time yet."

"Not my time yet?" she blinked, utterly lost.

"Hai, it is not your time yet. You still have much to finish in Life."

Kagome paled conciderably, "Wait... you don't mean that I'm-"

"-Dead." He finished for her. "Iie, you are not. You are right at the crossing point though, but you see as I have said before it isn't your time just yet."

She looked at her hands, turning them slowly. So she was at the brink of Death? How was she to return to Life? And... did she really want to go back?

"Sir," Kagome began, "How come I am not dead, that I am only at the crossing point?"

"It is not yet your time," he repeated slowly, as if having to explain to a child, "And you would be in Death had your friend, Kouga I think it is, come just a few minutes later."

Kagome

"Ne?" someone was calling her... and yet no one else was here.

"It is Him. He is calling you back into Life." Whispered the winged youkai softly, "And you must go to Him."

"Him? Who is he?" Kagome asked. That voice, it sounded so familiar...

"You shall find out when you return, but for now you must answer his plea. You and He shall be the ones to bring down the Dark One."

"Dark One?" Kagome's brow furrowed, "You couldn't possibly mean Naraku could you?"

The youkai shuddered at the very mention of the name; well that was a blatant answer.

Kagome

"Go." He whispered.

"Tell me your name first!" Kagome answered as she was suddenly pulled up into the sky by an invisible force.

"Tsukasa." He answered just before she was dragged into a cloud. Looking around frantically she wondered just how she would get back into Life, and into her body.

She didn't have to wonder long though because she was soon shocked with an even more intense and bright light and searing pain spread through out her body, quickly alerting Kagome that she was finally back.

-------

Kuraii-chan: And this is where I shall leave it. Why? Because I'm like that.

Seika: ::grumbles::

Kuraii-chan: Oh hush you; at least this chapter is somewhat longer than usual.

Seika: Yeah yeah...

puffin: Eeh, I'm sorry for not updating sooner... but you see I've been rather busy. (Poor excuse I know but it's all I got.) Hoped you enjoyed this!

Leira,Frooky: Yes, we agree to disagree. So you liked it? Really? ::giggle:: Yay! That's wonderful to hear, and makes me feel a lot better.

Leira,Frooky: Of course! That's just the way it goes, but you see this way it makes things more interesting does it not? Inu will in fact end up alone. I despise Kikyou and would rather not see them together, but for all Kikyou-fans out there I will be nice to her. That's it though I don't want them together.

darkmikodemon: Aw, thank you! It means a lot to me to hear that.

Lady Mystic Saria: I have, do you like?

Lost Lioncourt: Thank you, and yes it is but as I have explained I don't think they would instantly start liking each other. I mean Sesshy has tried to kill her before, and it's amazing that he saved her at all. But then to just fall in love after not really knowing what love is, having an ice wall around his heart, and only actually getting to know her for about four or five days isn't really all that believable. I thank you for your intrest in my fanfiction and hope you stay with the story.

Raiyushin Takaniru: Of course it is strange, that is what I am after all, no? I'm sorry about that, but I thought I had replied? Hurrm...

Raiyushin Takaniru: Um, no. I'm happy with my number of reviews and that's not the way I intend for my story to go. And I rather don't like that sort of thing either way, it just, I dunno, defeats the purpose of having her as a human.

Cherry Dragon: Why thank you! I would insert a cute little smile face here but is being an evil little donkey so I can't... ¬.¬

InuLorien: How can I defile him if he was already that way? O.O;;; And please don't hate me! (besides, I think gay guys are cool!) I'm happy you liked it! Teehee!

InuLorien: I suppose it was a bit dramatic but think about it, she has been falling more and more in love with him for however long (three years I think) and then not only after expressing affection for her that she has yearned for she sees what she thinks is him kissing a clay pot. Maybe I am being overdramatic (of course, I do that to everything ¬.¬) but whatever, I already wrote it and everyone already read it. I'm rather happy with my work too. Teehee. ::insert smile face here::

JessyBelle: Wow, such high praise is flattering! I'm glad you found it funny, I do try, but then no one tells me that anything was funny and I begin to wonder if I'm actually any good at writing funny things. Incredible? Hardly, but knowing you think so highly of it makes me really happy. ::insert-smile-face-here::

Lady Hiei: Hehe, of course I can. I have written more for your reading pleasure, and I hope you liked this chapter as well. Thank you for such lovely praise! It is much appreciated.

Aleviel: Of course Kagome is Sesshy's! Well... heh, for this fic at least... ::snicker:: I do have plans for one where Kouga will finally get his chance! YES! Kira does doesn't he!

Moon Mage Goddess: Aw! Thank you! ::glomps:: You are such a wonderful reviewer, making me feel all special and stuff. AND you like the Kyo/Kira pairing! ::muah:: I know I shouldn't do this but you have become one of my favorite reviewers, tee hee!

Blackiecat: Yay! ::big smile:: I'm happy and yes it does rather clear the way (sort of) for Kagome and Sesshomaru doesn't it? Hurrm, I hadn't thought of that...

Blackiecat: Well, that was what I was hoping for. If he were expected I really wouldn't be doing all that good of a job as an author now would I? (I once was forced to watch this Mary-Kate and Ashley movie with my cousins and I predicted EVERYTHING before it happened. They kept asking me if I have seen it before... ¬.¬)

Spellcaster Hikaru: Aw, it's fine. I'm happy that you did review though and that you agree with me on what My-Linh told Sesshy. Heh, I would have told him off if I were her too. ::nodnod::

Spellcaster Hikaru: Here you are! I know it didn't come soon but at least I updated at all! ::nod:: I once read a fan fiction that hadn't been updated in over a year... ¬.¬

Love Me Princess Kagome: Thank you, I'm glad you like it!

Kuraii-chan: Thank you everyone who reviewed and especially all those who reviewed both chapters for me! ::grin:: Made me really happy it did!

Kagome: Wait... so where was I?

Inu: ::sigh:: She's hopeless...

Shippou: Don't say such things!

Sango: ANYWAYS! Yall know the drill, read and review! (AN: Sorry, 'yall' comes more naturally to me than 'you all'... betcha can't guess where I have been born and raised?)