You and you alone can save me
Hotohori and Fluff
By: Kuraii-chan
KK: Oh hai, I live!
Seika: Barley.
KK: Yah… Kuraii-chan had been recently grounded from the computer, which is why there were no updates for a while…
My-Linh: Sheesh Kags, you're just getting beaten up left and right…
Kagome: :weeps: Such cruelty towards me…
KK: Oh hush it you or I won't go on with this chapter…
Immediate silence
Author Notes: Oooh! Kuraii-chan has gotten an idea for a new fan fic and she is positively in love with it, it's called Bringing Honor and when she's done completing the plot and outlines it will go up for your reading pleasure! (Already have the first chapter done! :grins: I love it!)
And also, I received a question on if Inuyasha would really let Sesshomaru take Kagome, and so I decided I would answer it here as well as individually that way anyone who didn't ask it, forgot to, or doesn't review and was wondering the same thing will know as well.:
My understanding of it is that there was a mutual and silent agreement between brothers after the Kikyou incident. Sesshomaru was taking Kagome back to somewhere safe that she would get proper treatment for her wounds that couldn't be provided by anyone in her group. This also allowed Inuyasha some time to mourn the loss of the woman he had once loved. Inuyasha as figured that Sesshomaru wouldn't go out of his way to save Kagome if he was just going to have her killed. Too much hassle in that.
I hope everyone one now understands if they didn't before. It is also mentioned later in the chapter, so you'll get just what he's saying.
Kagome looked at the familiar bridge she was currently sitting on…where did she know this from? And this place it all looked…
"Kagome-sama?" that same soft comforting voice reached her ears once again.
"Tsukasa-kun?" inquired Kagome, "didn't think I'd get to see you again so soon!"
He laughed softly, "I was just about to say the same to you. Why are you at the In-between point again?"
Kagome frowned in concentration… "Well… I remember seeing Kikyou, and going to congratulate her on Inuyasha choosing her and she flared up at me… said something about how I shouldn't flaunt or rub it in.. I don't remember just what she said, but it was something like that. And then…"
Her hand immediately went to her throat as if reliving the pain from the dead miko's nails and her grip… "She grabbed me by the throat and lifted me up in the air."
She blinked as if seeing the truth for the first time, "I do believe she meant to kill me… and I was struggling at first before I gave up… and I think I remember seeing Inuyasha, they fought verbally for a little, and then the last thing I heard was Sesshomaru."
… Wait, Sesshomaru? He was there?
Tsukasa nodded, his expression caught between that of 'that's-to-be-expected' and 'haha-I-knew-it'.
His shaggy layered silver hair caught the sunlight, looking very pettable at the moment. And those sparkling lavender eyes… feathered wings and the lush green crescent with the star suspended between its points oh his tan cheek. Somehow she had almost forgotten what he looked like.
Tsukasa however knew just what would be the topic of conversation while she was here.
"Do you love Him?" Kagome looked blankly at Tsukasa.
…Him? Who is this 'Him'? Wait… wasn't someone referred to as Him the last time she was here? It had been… um… wait… Silver hair… beautiful golden eyes… magenta stripes……
Sesshomaru!
"Oh! D-Do I love him?" sputtered Kagome helplessly, "You mean Sesshou-kun? Are you seriously asking me that?"
"Hai" he responded solemnly, "Do you or do you not? Make sure to thoroughly examine your heart though before answering."
Kagome was at an utter loss of what to say… she wanted to eagerly deny being in love with Sesshomaru but something was telling her to check her heart, examine each piece and make sure that she truly hadn't developed feelings for the youkai that kept saving her rear.
"Alright. I'll examine it, but that means you may not get your answer any time soon, seeing as I don't know how long it'll take or when the next time I'll see you is."
Tsukasa just nodded though, looking satisfied with the answer. "That is fine Kagome-sama."
"So, ah," Kagome looked around, "Just what am I doing here again? Not to be rude Tsukasa-kun though! I am merely curious as to what brought me back so soon. Am I… am I ready for Death?" she asked suddenly as a new and horrible thought struck her.
He shook his head, smiling ever so slightly, "Iie Kagome-sama. You still are needed in Life and not yet fit to venture into Death." She sighed a breath of relief.
"Whew. Thanks Tsukasa-kun. I was worried there for a second."
"Worried?" questioned Tsukasa curiously, "Of what? Surely not Death?"
"Well," Kagome answered a bit sheepishly, "Hai, a bit, but more of not being able to see My-Linh, Kyo, Rin, Sesshomaru, Sango, Inu, Miroku, Shippou, and everyone again."
He nodded, "You needn't fear Death though Kagome-sama. It isn't painful as Life can be sometimes. You can't be hurt physically, though I suppose it's possible for one to be hurt emotionally in Death. I really wouldn't know though because nothing has been brought up to hurt me emotionally in Death and I hope it will be the same for you and your friends when you all cross over as well."
Kagome smiled, "Thanks Tsukasa. What are you by the way? I've been curious…"
"Ah, you know of Phoenixes right?"
"Hai."
"Well I am one, except, I'm a snow Phoenix." He grinned, "Never heard of one I presume? It's fine; I wouldn't expect you to have. We died out long ago."
"Aw, I'm sorry Tsukasa."
"Nah, nothing to be sorry for. Now you know though." his eyes twinkled merrily, "I wonder if you told anyone that we once existed if they'd believe you?"
Kagome laughed, "Well I'll tell them for you and we'll find out, mmkay?" He nodded and suddenly, she felt the invisible force pulling her back into the air as it had done the first time.
This time though, she just waved. "See you Tsukasa-kun!"
"Bye Kagome-sama." And he returned the wave with a grin.
Soon though he was well out of sight as fluffy clouds surrounded her… just as Kagome reached out to touch one they all disappeared and she was met with aching on her throat.
Well… it was good to be back all the same.
"Oh ow," whimpered Kagome piteously. "That hurts."
"Kagome."
Sesshomaru…"Mm? Konnichiwa Sesshou-kun." She whispered softly, having given up on speaking regularly; it just hurt too much.
A cool hand swept under her bangs pressing against her forehead.
"Fever has dropped." Mumbled Sesshomaru to himself, "About time too. Hotohori will be thrilled."
"Hori-chan?" Kagome smiled. "I don't mean to cause so much fuss for the poor dear."
Sesshomaru dismissed it airily though, "That's what he's paid for."
Kagome had just been ready to nod but one word in that sentence struck her.
"…He?" she asked incredulously. "C'mon! How could you call a girl who's so young and beautiful a 'he'?" Give me a break…
A silver eyebrow quirked, "'Girl'? I assure you, Hotohori is all man."
Hotohori chose that moment to walk in and smiled. "Lady Kagome! How are you doing? Feel any better?"
Touchie"Ohmigawd, it's flat!" Kagome stared in wonder and horror at the flat chest she was now apparently fondling before paling considerably.
Oh my god… oh my god…"Nothing above. A-And below is some mysterious object I know nothing of…" Oh my god… (1)
Hotohori laughed. "Didn't know Lady? I had wondered about that -chan thing. Hai, I assure you I am male."
Kagome wobbled back over to Sesshomaru, still in quite a daze.
"Hori-chan… is a guy…"
She should have been paying attention to what she was doing however, because then she could have avoided what happened next.
"Kagome."
She blinked, thrown from her trance-like state, only to find she was now sitting on Sesshomaru's lap.
"Wha-… oops! That hadn't been intended Sesshou-kun, honest!" she tried to get up, but a strong arm wrapped itself around her waist, keeping her where she was.
"All this moving cannot be good for your health. And this time you have no excuse to get up prematurely. The half-breed and others are coming here. Now you need rest."
Kagome yawned and nodded, leaning her head against Sesshomaru's chest comfortably, allowing herself to be lost in the feel of Sesshomaru.. How he smelled, the feel of his silk haori against her cheek and the gentle caress of a few silver strands of hair against her face.
Hotohori smiled to himself and quickly left the room, his mind focused on finding My-Linh and telling her what had just progressed here. She would find this bit of information rather interesting…
Kagome sighed contentedly, able to hear Sesshomaru's heart if she listened… and then a bit of her earlier conversation came to mind just out of nowhere. Do you love Him?
I'm… I'm not sure anymore. Maybe, just maybe I do.
She reached a hand for something grip and what she found, though she didn't know it, was Sesshomaru's hand. Immediately she held onto it and slowly their fingers intertwined.
Sesshomaru looked tenderly down at the miko in his arms, and softly squeezed her hand that so easily fit with his… maybe My-Linh was right… maybe it was time he admitted defeat and succumbed to these emotions he seemed to be unwillingly harboring.
Kagome's one free arm wrapped itself around his waist and she buried her face into his tail that was still wrapped around his right arm, and only then did she finally slip into a peaceful sleep.
Sesshomaru couldn't help but wonder what one would think if they walked in to find them in such a compromising position…
Inuyasha sat on a rock, idly waiting for them to finish packing.
"Inuyasha?" called Sango softly, as she appeared behind him, "Inuyasha, we're ready."
He nodded as Sango climbed onto the back of Kirara along with Miroku and Shippou. How he missed Kagome's reassuring weight on his back now…
"So Inuyasha?" called Miroku, "I believe you owe us an explanation."
"Feh." Muttered Inuyasha as he took off, "I don't owe you nothin'."
"Come on Inuyasha! We're worried all right? We want to know why Kagome is with your brother, where she's been all this time, if she's all right…" Sango trailed off softly.
Inuyasha sighed irritably, "Kagome is with Sesshomaru because he took her. I went to go find her earlier and when I got there she was being strangled by Kikyou, but before I could do anything Sesshomaru appears out of no where, wounds Kikyou, and takes Kagome from her."
He didn't add that he had been in shock during the whole thing, which is why he hadn't really done anything.
"And I let Sesshomaru walk off with Kagome because he has doctors who could take better care of her at his castle than Kaede could. Besides, we seemed to have this mutual agreement…" he couldn't really explain it though.. Not after hardly understanding it himself.
It's just… he let Sesshomaru take Kagome because he knew somehow that Sesshomaru wouldn't harm her no matter what, he'd have her well taken care of, and that he'd let them, Inuyasha Sango Miroku and Shippou, come and visit them because that would be only right.
"Has she been with Sesshomaru the whole time?" asked Miroku curiously.
"Dunno," answered Inuyasha gruffly. It would make sense though… over the short period of time he could have better gotten to know her and see that she wasn't just a worthless miko.
"And what was Kikyou doing there? Is she dead?" that one was from Shippou… leave it to the runt to hit that one dead on.
"Kikyou was mad at Kagome for something and was trying to kill her. And yes, Kikyou is dead."
All immediately went silent. Shippou had just asked the question, he hadn't actually expected it to have happened… and now he wanted to feel happy and relieved about it, but Shippou just couldn't muster it. It sounded like Sesshomaru and Kagome had gotten pretty close so maybe it wasn't Inu she loved anymore but his older brother.
… Nah.
And thus, Shippou had dismissed something that could have happened or is happening at the very moment.
Inuyasha had long since dismissed the notion and the idea hadn't even occurred to Sango and Miroku.
Poor dears, well they'd be in for a fun little shock.
… Especially Inuyasha.
"So?" asked My-Linh impatiently, "What do you have Hori?"
He smirked. "Well…" My-Linh stamped her foot impatiently.
"Come on already!"
"Lady was leaning against Lord Sesshomaru while sitting in his lap."
The kitsune squealed softly and danced a bit, "Hahaha! See? It's already happening? And he did nothing to stop it did he!"
"Nay, rather seemed to encourage it by not letting her up and using the excuse that she shouldn't move before she has fully healed."
My-Linh grinned happily, "Lets go and look in on them!" Hotohori sent her a disbelieving glance. "Hey!" she cried defensively, "I'll just say I had heard from you that Kagome was back and I wanted to see her. And I dragged you along."
She puffed up proudly.
"Lady Kagome has returned?' asked Kyo as he sauntered up, eyes dancing, "Well that was quick. How is she?"
Hotohori and My-Linh exchanged glances. So he hadn't heard yet…
"Kyo, she's getting over some new injuries. From what I've heard they were caused by the legendary miko Kikyou, and there has also been talk that Lady Kagome is the reincarnation of Kikyou-sama."
"She's hurt!" Kyo's eyes bulged, "So why are we standing around out here! Let's go see her!"
My-Linh smirked and followed the neko without a word. Hotohori could tell what she was thinking too, that Kyo provided the perfect excuse.
And so the trio hurried off to the room that Hotohori had left not all that long ago, each having different thoughts than the other two.
Kyo wasted no time with knocking, sliding the door open impatiently, and obviously not expecting just what he saw.
My-Linh smiled knowingly, Hotohori's eyebrows rose and a faint smirk could be detected, and as for Kyo? Well his jaw was in fair danger from being detached from his skull and dropping straight to the floor.
For, as earlier described, Kagome was in Sesshomaru's lap, one arm securely fastened around his waist, her other hand intertwined with his, and her face buried cozily in the fluffy mass of tail being offered as her pillow. Sesshomaru, who didn't seem to be objecting to the position, offered them a look at flatly said 'well-what-was-I-supposed-to-do?'
Kagome was sleeping so peacefully though, and it could be easily understood why he hadn't shaken the battered and clingy girl off.
"Milord," My-Linh began, "Congrats." Sesshomaru glared, though it didn't cause much of an effect other than a wide smile.
"We'll be going now Sesshomaru-sama." Said Hotohori respectfully, dragging both My-Linh and Kyo out of the room and shutting the door quietly.
"What did you do that for?" hissed My-Linh, "I wanted to commit the picture to my memory!"
Hotohori smiled mischievously. "He's free to be himself without us there to crowd him. Let him discover his feelings in peace, da?"
Kyo nodded thoughtfully, "I suppose. In the meantime I think we should spread the news. Lady Rin shall be particularly interested because seemingly with help from My-Linh here, she has developed a growing intrest to see Lady Kagome and Lord Sesshomaru together. She adores the idea of having Lady Kagome as her mother…" the neko shot the grinning artic kitsune a look. "I have the feeling she will also be interested in the fact that Lady Kagome is back again."
My-Linh nodded, "I agree. Shall I prepare Ah-Un? She'll no doubt want to go pick flowers for Kagome to wish her well." She received collective nods. "All right, I'll come to see Rin when I am finished."
And with that she was off to attend to her now task.
"I'll go tell Rin," offered Kyo. Hotohori smiled.
"Yes, and I'll be sure to prepare her a snack. Flower picking always makes her hungry, it'll be ready when she gets back."
So now the three plotting youkai were off to complete various tasks all the while thinking happily back to the prospect of Kagome and Sesshomaru settling together as mates.
(1) This has been borrowed from a certain manga, I wonder if anyone knows which one…?
KK: I know, and I'm sorry that it's not longer! :bows: I shall try and make it up to you lovely reviewers!
Seika: Gee… no cliffhanger, I'm astonished. :peers out a window: Is the world ending?
KK: Haha, very funny. :glowers:
inlovewithsesshomaru: Thank you! That's so sweet, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!
Italia Kendai: Hehe, yes. Doesn't that just make for the best possible way a bad situation can suddenly turn good?
Mystic Hanyou: Oh no, not at each other's throats. I do believe she only yelled at him to go get Kagome… I could be wrong though. Haha, all right, thanks for the approval though I'll probably feel really bad about it when the time comes but yes, Miroku will end alone. And I agree, Sesshomaru needs that push. A lot.
serenity2222: :grins: Not a total idiot… :D Thank you for the compliment though! I hope that if you like this one that you'll like Bringing Honor! I'm not quite sure when I'll post it and I haven't had time to get a description up for it yet, but I do have two chapters done, teehee.
Leira,Frooky: Aww, thanks! Here's another one. Yes, yes, Kagome is back with Sesshomaru, bwahah. I wouldn't have it any other way. :pulls out the cake and ice cream: PARTY!
raye the great: Haha, sure. You WAYYY owe me though.
evainuluva: Aww, thanks fine. Twins? Really? You're the second person! I met someone as absolutely insane as me just a few weeks ago and I officially claim her as my long lost twin. I don't doubt that we could be twins either:D Not after that, heh. And as for me being older, that's where I bet you are waaaaaaay off. Seriously. I've had people tell me I seem 17 and really? I'm like… four years younger than that. But shhh, don't tell anyone, mmkay:D
TwistedBlackAndRedRose: Schwa! :hugs the plushie happily: Thank youuuuu!
sessy love me, only me: I do too, which is why I added it. :D I do hope that this really happens to them, even if we don't get to hear it. And you didn't hear it from me, but probably in the next chapter…
Miko of Pure Souls: Why thank you! I do fret about that actually… :sulks: I'll proof it and post it, and find misspelled words and then beat myself over the head with a frying pan for it… :sighs: Oh well though, thank you and I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Kag-Kitsune: Thank you, here ya go!
Animeboytoykoi: Aw, thanks! Dunno though, not many seem interested in Will I remember you? so I promise you nothing. I do hope however that you will read Bringing Honor when I finally post it…
INUGIRL: Aww, sorry for the wait. Here you are though!
Spellcaster Hikaru: Haha, thanks for the support! Sorry for the terribly long wait!
rebxl: Sorry for the wait, and amazing. I don't know how you people do it… you are one of many to sit though and read the whole thing… I personally think the first five or six chapters are awful and need to be shot. I'll re do them though, eventually.
JJ (Jade): Me too! Yes, and I'm beginning to pity poor Kagome for it… perhaps I should be nicer to the girl…?
sheshyaddiction: Thanks, and I wonder about me too… and you know, I've been thinking about if I should or not… maybe, but if I do I'll probably have to up the rating… I've been reading too many graphic sex scenes not to apply what I've read to what I want to happen… :D;;
silver-fang9: Thank you! Hehe, and hopefully you shouldn't have to wait long for the next chapter…
arwen-evenstar2: Aw, thanks! I glad you like it so much, but you agree with me that the first five or six chapters need to be shot right? I don't like them, and I hope to redo them soon so I don't scare off any more potential reviewers… I'm glad I was able to keep you though! Thanks for the review!
saylam: Thank you, and I honestly wouldn't do such a thing to either the readers/reviewers or myself.
Bgotten: Thank you! Hehe, and here you are.
sveta89: Thanks. I just hope I can keep it up.
Ayva Trance: Yes, I was absolutely overjoyed when I wrote that, muhaha. I made sure though that at the end she didn't look like much and man-stealing dead clay pot that you just want to bash repeatedly with plastic chairs. I was good. :D
Atomic Toaster: Thanks. Nice name. :D
personwithnoname: Here you are!
Sora's Chi Aka Kaminari: Aww, thanks. And it was just some random twist I wanted to put in to confound reviewers. I rather like it too… certainly one thing that caught everyone off guard, no:D
Caladriel: Haha, thanks! Sorry for the long wait, and I hope you like this one too.
Sesshys-sweet-lil-phoenix: Actually it was suppose to go along with Kagome thinking she saw Inuyasha and Kikyou kiss.
Love Me Princess Kagome: Aww, thanks! Glad you did, it means a lot!
Kiki-chibi-chan: Thank you! Oh… thanks for the suggestion!
Kiki-chibi-chan: Aw, thank you! And yes, I have Will I remember you? out as of now, and as soon as I finally post it I think you might be interested in reading Bringing Honor.
mekahanyou: Oh no, it's fine. I believe there was a mutual, and silent, agreement between brothers over that. Kikyou was dead, so Inuyasha was allowed time to mourn that, all the while knowing that Kagome was safe with his older brother. He knew she was safe because he also knew from experience that Sesshomaru wouldn't save something he would just kill later. If you still see it as wrong though, I'm sorry.
SilverShadowKitsune: Haha. You don't like Kouga? Awww, I love him! I've really been portraying him as a little bare though, hm? Oh well, Kouga is just part of the story, how could I leave him out?
KK: Ohhhh! I have over 300 reviews! :big huge heart: THANK YOUUUUU!
Kagome: You mean to tell me people actually like this story?
KK: :tear: That's cold Kagome… :sniffs:
Kouga: Hn. Review? Or don't. I wonder… perhaps you shouldn't because I don't have a big enough part in this story…
KK: … Kouga.
Kouga: :sweat drop: Oi! Kidding, kidding! :shields self: Review then people… :whisper: (She'll hurt you if you don't, take it from me. Vicious thing Kuraii-chan can be…) :whisper: ((AN: Bwahah, I just noticed Kouga rhymed… trust me, it wasn't intentional.))