(I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters… Sadly.)

Cruel Gift

By PinkGrenade

Chapter Four: Black Orb

A/N: I am sorry I have not updated in a little bit… We were moving and have just moved into our new home so I am once again really sorry about that.

"Sesshomaru…" Kagome whispered under her breathe. He was holding her waist as she stared into his golden eyes. She could feel his muscular body pressed against hers and she whimpered slightly.

"General Kagome, you should be more careful of where you are going… You wouldn't want any accidents to happen now would you?" Sesshomaru asked in his emotionless voice. She nodded and stood up while giving a quick bow. 'I feel so stupid right now…'

"I am very sorry for bumping into you Sesshomaru-Sama and it will not happen again… That I can assure you," Kagome quickly stated before walking through the doors to go find Shippo. She came to a dark red room and thought this to be the others room. She quickly pushed open the doors to find Shippo playing around. He turned when she opened the door and ran into her arms.

"MAMA!" he shouted as he held onto her. She laughed slightly and hugged him tightly. 'I am glad momma is okay and safe…'

"Shippo I have something to tell you," Kagome whispered into her son's ear. He looked up and asked, "What is it?"

"I have already made the ranking of commander! Isn't that great?" Kagome asked in a funny voice. Shippo nodded his head but then a youkai lady came up to them.

"Lady, you can leave your son here… There is a meeting for all of the commanders and generals with Sesshomaru-Sama," she said in a whispered voice as Kagome handed Shippo to her.

"I will see you later sweetie," she said in a motherly voice as Shippo nodded. Kagome then turned and started out the door and down the hall. 'I don't know if I really made the right choice by coming here… Sure I am not hassled by others anymore but I still feel like something is missing that I should have…' Kagome came upon a large oak door and pushed it open to find nine demons in there including Sesshomaru. Two were standing up and leaning against the wall while the five including Sesshomaru were sitting at the table. They raised their heads to look at Kagome.

"I am sorry if I happen to be late," she said in a low voice. Sesshomaru nodded to her as she went and leaned against a wall. She couldn't help but feel she was being watched and she let her eyes travel to the table where one of the generals was staring at her. 'What the hell is his problem…' She narrowed her eyes slightly then turned away.

"Commander Kagome I suggest you listen," a cold voice spoke. She turned her head to see Sesshomaru looking at her.

"I am sorry once again and yes I will listen so no need to worry about that…" she said in a whispered voice as they continued what they were speaking about.

"The Lord of the Eastern lands has proposed to become an alley… But what will it do for us? We have the strongest army so we certainly don't need their help," a cocky general spoke. She rolled her eyes slightly not believing what kind of an attitude he had. Then she heard a soft voice and raised he head.

"It may do us some good so we do not have an enemy out of the East… You never know it may come in handy for times of war," Kisho spoke calmly. Kagome stared at him and smirked slightly but then hid it. 'He has a very good head on his shoulders…'

"That is very wise of you Kisho… I think I may just listen to what you have to say, and as far as I am concerned this meeting is over," Sesshomaru spoke in his cold voice. Kagome then stood up and walked out the door.

"What is the plan?" a dark figure asked. It was completely pitch black and you couldn't see anything that was in front of you. The other dark figure walked over to the first and sighed.

"We cannot awaken the powers within our daughter yet… We haven't even seen her since she was a baby. I still think we made a mistake about giving her away all those years ago," a cold whispery voice replied. The first dark figure came and rapped his arms around the second's waist and held her close to him.

"We will get to see our daughter again, and just don't worry about it. I know she will understand why we did it… After all it was for her safety that we did do it," he whispered into her ear. She nodded in agreement as he turned her around and hugged her.

"For now we will protect her from a distance until she is ready for her powers," he said once again as she nodded slightly. She walked out of his embrace and to a mirror and placed a pale hand on the mirror. On the mirror showed a girl with black-silvery hair as she walked down the halls of a palace.

"My daughter…" the woman said in a cold whispery voice. Her eyes trailed along as Kagome went and picked up her son. The woman looked over at her mate and whispered, "I miss her so much… I wish I could go and hug her right now but I know that would ruin everything." The male sighed as he nuzzled her neck with his nose.

"Do not fear my mate for we will see our daughter again no matter what, that I will assure you," he said with a slight sadness longing for his daughter… She nodded and looked at the mirror but then another mirror appeared and showed a certain inu youkai.

"He is so much like his mother, don't you agree?" she asked in her cold voice. He nodded and smiled down at his mate.

"Why do you say that my dear?" he asked in an amused voice. She looked up at him and a smile tugged at her lips.

"It is only common sense you know… He looks like her and even acts like her. Cold when with others but warm with the ones you love though he hasn't found anyone he loves yet but I am sure he will in time. I wonder though how will our daughter do being under his castles roof…" she stated. He looked down at her and nodded and watched the mirror.

"I will at least give her some of her powers for she will need it being in that castle… Anything could happen," she said sternly and her mate sighed and nodded in approval. She raised her pale hands out in front of her and started chanting a forbidden language. A black orb appeared in her hands and she sent it into the mirror. They watched as it went into Kagome's body…

Kagome crouched down and let go of Shippo. She felt the dark orb shoot into her chest. 'What is going on!' She was confused and she felt her blood heat up. Shippo looked at her with confused eyes as he saw his mother glowing black…

"S…h…i…p…p…o," she choked out as she breathed heavily. His little eyes widened in shock as his mother collapsed onto the ground shaking in pain. 'What is happening? It is like I cannot breathe… Am I dieing?' Her eyes turned dark at the thought. She couldn't leave Shippo alone so she struggled more. The last thing she saw was Kisho picking her up then she fell unconscious into his arms. He sighed as he walked down the hall with her in his arms. Shippo followed closely behind him. They came to a dark black door and he pushed them open. (Details: The first room is like a resting room with black furniture and drapes. Shippo's room is red and had a red canopy bed with a dresser. Kagome's room is the same but it black and they also have a private hot spring in there… There is also a storage room.) Kisho walked to her bedroom and opened the doors once again and set her down on the dark black bed. He turned around to come face to face with a very concerned kitsune…

"Will mama be okay?" he asked in a low voice. Kisho nodded and walked down the hall leaving the two alone. Shippo sat up and crawled into the bed with his mother.

"Momma… Momma… Momma please just wake up," Shippo whispered in a concerned voice. Kagome slowly opened her eyes. She weakly smiled at her son Shippo. There was sweat dripping from her forehead.

"I was so concerned!" he cried as he clung to her frame. Her heart sunk when she saw the sadness in his eyes. He had been extremely worried about her. 'I must have worried him so much…'

"I am sorry for worrying you Shippo… I must have not been feeling so well," she spoke in a barely audible voice. 'My voice… I am sure it well get better tomorrow.' Shippo nodded and stood up.

"I think I am going to go to bed now… I will see you in the morning mom… I just hope you will be feeling better," he whispered before walking down the hall to go to sleep. 'I am so weak… I know what Inuyasha would say. Your too weak and nothing like Kikyou, she would handle this like it wasn't a big deal and you cannot. No, I will not think like that.' She sighed as her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell asleep.

"Sesshomaru-Sama, I have a letter for you from the Lord of the North," a cheetah demon said in a cold voice as he handed the letter to Sesshomaru. He opened and scanned the letter.

Dear Lord Sesshomaru,

I will be having a Lords ball and expect you to attend. Of course you may bring any body guards you desire not that you would need it. There will be humans there so fighting is not allowed. I expect you to attend for it will be in 30 moons.

Sincerely,

Lord of the North

"Interesting…" he mumbled to himself as he read the letter.

Her eyes fluttered open when the sun hit her pale skin. Kagome sat up letting the sheets drop from her small frame. 'A new day means a new start… At least I hope it's a good start.' She sighed heavily as she stood up and walked over to the closet. She pulled out a black kimono with a red obi and put it on. She then fastened her swords to her side the tied her hair up into a high pony tail. 'Looks good I guess… It will just have to do.' Kagome was about to walk out the door when an orange fur ball flew into her stomach almost knocking her down. She sighed and put on her cheery smile.

"What is it sweetie? Is there something wrong?" she asked him. He looked up at her to see she was much better this morning so he gave her a bright smile.

"Actually everything is perfect today! So come on lets go mom!" he shouted as he pulled her hand. She laughed slightly as they walked out the door, but once they were in the halls of the palace she pulled on her emotionless façade.

"Let us go eat now, shall we?" she asked. Shippo nodded quickly as they walked down the halls. Kagome seemed to be lost in thought when she felt her body collide with a hard rock surface. When she looked up she saw Sesshomaru. 'Not again…'

"Sorry Sesshomaru-Sama, Shippo why don't you go ahead and I will catch up with you later," she told him as he nodded and walked away. She looked up to Sesshomaru and bowed slightly.

"Kagome I have a queston I need to ask you," he said in a cold voice. She looked up at him and nodded for him to continue. He then spoke, "I am in need of an escort to the Northern Lords ball in 30 moons and I was wondering if you would be my escort…" She looked shocked then smiled slightly and bowed her head down.

"I would be honored Sesshomaru-Sama…" she replied calmly. He nodded and started to walk away. Kagome sighed slightly and went to go catch up with Shippo. She finally made it to the dining area and went to go sit down with Shippo. He had already gone and gotten their food. She began sipping her soup calmly as he also sipped his. There was a loud noise coming from the dojo so she told Shippo to go back to their rooms and he did so. Kagome then stood up and walked towards the dojo and opened the doors.

"You are really a fool if you thought you could beat me," a cold voice said to a lower ranking soldier. She raised an eyebrow at his antics. 'He is handsome…' His long red hair that reached to his waist and his green eyes that seemed to pierce her very soul. He had to red stripes on the right side of his cheek and had a very muscular build.

"Now apologize for even trying to defeat a general," he spoke deadly but calmly. Kagome was shocked but then she remembered him from earlier today. The lower ranking solider got to his knees and bowed down to the man.

"I apologize to you General for being out of line," he stated calmly before the general kicked him with his boot. He gave a huff before turning around to continue practicing. Kagome seemed to be in a daze by his movements but didn't show it.

"I see you are the new commander… Kagome if I am not mistaken," he spoke calmly and sweetly to her. She nodded dumbly as he walked over and placed a kiss on the back of her hand.

"You are deadly but beautiful, care for a spar?" he asked with a smile. She smirked slightly and shrugged her shoulders.

"Depends whether or not you willing to give me your name," she replied with slight sarcasm. His smile widened when he heard this.

"I will give you my name after we spar," he stated quickly then charged at Kagome with his sword raised. She quickly brought up both swords into an x formation to block the attack. He did a back flip over her head and swiped his feet under hers knocking her down. She smirked slightly and jumped up doing a back flip over him. She swiped her sword down but he caught it with his. She sheathed her sword as did he. Kagome ran at him and tried to throw a punch but he caught it and twisted it around her back. She kicked him from behind and was let loose. Kagome then took out one of her daggers and knocked him down while straddling his waist. She had the blade to his neck.

"I would say I win," she said with amusement but then her face dropped when she felt the cold metal blade pressed against her stomach.

"I would say that would be called a draw for now…" he spoke heavily with amusement in his eyes and she nodded dumbly.

A/N: I am sorry for not updating sooner and also for the chapter being so short. It is kind of hard with moving and all. Well thank you all for reading and please do review! The reviews keep me going…

sveta89: I am glad you think it is good so far and thank you for reviewing!

lyn: Here is more and thank you for reviewing!

hermonine: Thank you! Thanks for reviewing!

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fluffymagnet: Well I am glad you like it so far so thanks for reviewing!

fluffymagnet: Yea I agree she did to a lot of damage to those guys… Thanks for reviewing!

Your Crimson Death: Thank you so much and thank you for reviewing!

silver pup(anon): Lol… All I have to say is funny. Thanks for reviewing!

Katsuragi-child: Thank you and I really hope you do and thanks for reviewing!

Katsuragi-child: Well here is an update. Thank you for reviewing again!

sexylucifer: Yea I did and thank you for reviewing!