Chapter 16: The Savior

They quickly left the village that night, setting out to rescue Haruko. Surprisingly, Inu-yasha said nothing to discourage them. Actually, he was even helping fervently with tracking her down by way of scent. And what was strangest of all was that it was the first time that Sesshoumaru and Inu-yasha ever truly formed a truce. They worked together; no fights, no arguments. They were talking like comrades in a war. They were talking like brothers.

They decided to set up camp at a rather small clearing that night. Quickly Inu-yasha was at his perch up a tree. Shippou had uncharacteristically been quiet the whole time but then again so was Kagome. Miroku tried to cheer everyone up by being caught being a pervert but he only succeeded in getting a good beating from the very strong Sango. It seemed that the whole group was gloomy that night.

Sesshoumaru quickly isolated himself to the farthest portion of the clearing. He didn't want to be disturbed by anyone at the time. He was too busy keeping his rage in check. He was angry. He was angry at Inu-yasha, at Shippou, the taijiya and the monk for not protecting his daughter well enough! He was angry at Kagome for not being strong enough! He was angry at himself for not being there! He was angry at Haruko for not fighting back! He was angry at her for not breaking free of that lowly bitch's hold! He was angry at that bastard Kouga for trying to pillage his lands! If that damned wolf hadn't come, he would have been there to protect his daughter!

"Sesshoumaru…" he looked up at the one that spoke his name so softly. Her voice was subdued, her eyes were seeing past the ground she was staring at. Bandages covered her legs and he himself had applied bandages to her fractured ribs earlier. It wasn't serious, but he wanted to take every precaution. She shouldn't have been traveling but Kagome insisted. "Dinner's ready." Of course there was a struggle before she would let him wrap bandages around her.

He looked away, "I have no need for your food."

Her eyes became sadder at his cold tone. "You should really eat some food—"

"Why must you pester me, woman?" he snapped coldly. He expected her to go, to be angry, and to hate him even. That would have made things easier for him. Then, he would be able to hate her with his everything. But she didn't say what she was supposed to say.

He heard a thud and turned to her, his eyes widening considerably. There she was, in all her beauty, in all her grief, kneeling in front of him, tears falling from her tightly shut eyes. She kept her head down in shame, her shoulders violently shook. "Gomen…" she sobbed, "Gomenasai….Gomenasai!"

Everyone turned to the two, seeing Kagome kneeling in front of the Taiyoukai of the West. He merely stared down at her coldly as she continued to cry. Inu-yasha's fists tightened unconsciously, his heart aching with every tear she shed. "I couldn't—I couldn't—I was too weak… gomenasai…"

Kagome became silent and opened her eyes when she felt Sesshoumaru's cold calloused hand on her cheek. Gently, he guided her into looking at him. She had a hope that she would somehow; someway see forgiveness in his eyes. A hope inspired by his gentle gesture. But she was gravely mistaken. What she saw in his eyes was nothing, complete emptiness.

"Your apologies will not get back what you have lost."

This pained her even more and she turned back to the ground, her tears falling once again and her fists tightening on her skirt.

"Oi, Sesshoumaru!" Inu-yasha shouted angrily, knowing that what his half-brother told Kagome wasn't helping her feel any better. And it only served to inflame his rage. Was Sesshoumaru really that heartless!

"Silence, half-breed!" Sesshoumaru barked out, never taking his eyes from the woman who cried before him. "The truth may be painful but it is nothing compared to lies. You cannot hide her from the truth so long as she lives. She made an error because she is not independent enough and she must pay for it…learn from it. Be stronger, be wiser."

Somewhere along the lines, Kagome became silent again and Inu-yasha worried for her.

"Do you understand me, woman?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Hai." Kagome replied softly.

"I need not your tears any more than I need your apologies. If you cannot handle this situation, you may throw away any chance of saving Haruko right now." You need to be stronger, Kagome. I will not let you be weak all of your life!

Kagome's eyes hardened at that. No. She would find her daughter. She would rescue her daughter! She would be strong and save her daughter! She wiped away her tears and stood with her head held up high. "I understand." She said.

"And never forget," Sesshoumaru said, standing and coming closer until she had to crane her neck to look up at him. "Weakness is not a fitting trait for a queen. Much less mine."

Shame. Completely shameful. She was ashamed of herself. She froze. She just stood there like a frightened little girl; a frightened defenseless little girl. Her father was surely ashamed of her now. And her mother? She hoped she was alright.

She coughed on the floor and sadly, blood came out of her mouth. Her whole body ached and felt completely useless. Kanna was right. But what could she have done? She was not trained to fight with fists and weapons. She was a sorceress. Her body was too weak for her to be a warrior.

He looked at her with interest, curiosity at its peak. "Tell me your name." she gave him no answer. She didn't look at him.

"I heard you were a sorceress of the elements. You've made quite a stir, little girl." She still said nothing. "Tell me…" he leaned forward with his fingers entwined in front of him. "What is it that you want?" she still had no words to grace him with. "Tell me and it will be yours…so long as…you help me conquer the Western Lands." Still she had none to say to him. Naraku felt his patience running thin, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. But then he smiled and looked away, "Perhaps it's better if I give you time to think of it. You have until dawn. Kagura."

Kagura came inside and grabbed Haruko roughly by the arm and yanked her not so gently out. Haruko went along with her with as much grace as she could muster through gritted teeth. It was the only way she found to regain her pride somewhat.

She was taken to a room where Kagura roughly pushed her in and closed the door behind her. Haruko was left sprawled on the floor, still feeling the sting of her wounded pride. She became conscious, though, when she noticed a presence from across the room. Hidden in the shadows of the night, there was a little girl. Her hair was short and snow white, her skin was pale as a ghost. Her eyes were black and lifeless and in her hands was a mirror. She sensed the powerful Ki of this child as she sat up right and adjusted her clothing.

She looked at the child again looking at her. Without warning, or reason, she smiled to the little girl. Perhaps out of habit, or perhaps out of nervousness. All she knew was that in that little girl's eyes was the very same thing she felt in herself. Emptiness. "Hi, there. What's your name?"

Silence ensconced them like a thick blanket before she replied. "Kanna." Her voice was small and subdued but absolutely beautiful. It seems like the little girl doesn't speak much. Haruko believed that the less one uses their voice, it becomes more concentrated and therefore more beautiful. This only proves that silence is truly beautiful.

"I'm Haruko."

The child gave a ghost of a smile and said, "Nice to…meet…you." Although it was not the cheeriest greeting—actually it was quite the opposite; it made Haruko a bit more comfortable. They were like that for many hours.

"He'll hurt you, you know." She suddenly spoke in a deadpan tone. Haruko looked at her, focusing her attention on the little girl. "If you don't do what he wants you to…he'll hurt you…"

Before Haruko could reply, Kagura had already come to take her back to Naraku. He asked her again, offering her anything and everything she could ever want. Again, she gave him silence. Only this time, Naraku stood until he was looming over her. He lifted his hand to touch her peerless face but she coldly turned her head away before he could make contact. She didn't see the infuriated look on Naraku's face. The next thing she knew, she was already on the floor, being beaten and battered, hearing his sadistic laugh all the while.

Naraku laughed at her again and said, "Tsk, tsk, tsk! Such a rude little girl." He turned from her to face Kagura who merely looked on with disgust. Kagura herself didn't agree with the beating of this girl. But what choice did she have? It was either that hanyou or her.

Haruko glared angrily, berating herself for being such a weakling. Fight, fight for yourself! Fight! She looked around for anything, any element she might find. She looked around. Aha! There was a lampshade at the corner of the room just past her arm's reach! Fire! But wait—she hadn't trained on fire that well yet. She wasn't specializing in it. What if it fails? No! It's worth a try! You have to fight for yourself, Haruko! With all her might, she reached out to the fire.

She sought control over it with her mind and thanked God it moved! Kagura noticed her strange ministrations and Naraku, in turn, noticed Kagura's expression. He turned only to shield his face from a large entity of flame that lunged at him. Haruko took the time to dash through the door as fast as she could, gathering all and any strength left in her. She could hear Naraku cursing from behind her and she ran even faster.

No, where was she running to? She didn't know where to go! She turned a corner and stopped to see Kanna there with her mirror, looking up at her blankly. She panted, staring at the quiet little girl. Kanna pointed to a dark hallway to her right. "Escape."

Haruko felt so grateful, she ran to the child and gave her a quick hug before running into the darkness of the hall. Kanna felt the warmth of the other girl's body even after she left. Strange. She was…strange. She seemed…numb to her, Kanna, the child of spirits and death. She didn't seem to care what Kanna was or what she did. The moment she smiled at Kanna…was the moment she decided to keep her alive.

Kagura was coming with great speed. It was time for this child of spirits to disappear.

It was very late that night and Kagome had just found a nice little pond to bathe in. it wasn't too far away from camp so she didn't find it necessary to have anyone with her. And besides, she needed the time alone to think. She quickly took off her shirt and discarded it to the floor. She could feel the cold breeze of the night on her upper torso even though it was covered in bandages. She stared down into the water.

Sesshoumaru. Why was he that way? She couldn't understand him, what he felt and what he was thinking. He was too complex for her. At first he hurts her with such heartless things. But then he'd say something that helps you understand everything so clearly. She understood now, he wanted her to be strong. He wanted her to be more independent so that she won't have to depend on other people any more. Was he trying to make her a better person? Why?

And never forget, weakness is not a fitting trait for a queen. Much less mine.

Did he mean what he said? Was he actually saying what she thought he meant?

Much less mine.

Was he calling her his queen?

"What do you think you're doing?" She gasped and tried to cover herself as much as she could at the sound of his voice. She quickly turned to her side where he sat at the oversized roots of a tree, looking at her with a raised brow.

"S-Sesshoumaru! What're you doing here!" she blushed madly, wishing she would just disappear.

"Resting." He simply said.

"You pervert! Couldn't you at least have looked away! Turn around already!" she yelled, pointing at him accusingly.

"Cease your incessant shouting woman. I've seen more appealing bodies than yours."

"Wha—how dare you!" she put her hands to her hips in indignation. "I admit I'm not like one of those super models in the magazines! But my body is appealing enough, thank you very much!"

Her defensive compulsions made the Taiyoukai smirk with amusement, though he had no idea as to what a Magazeen was. Kagome couldn't help but blush at the sight of him. The Full moon's rays poured down upon them. Some light reflected from the lake illuminating his eyes, making them glow in the night.

He then looked at her with such…softness that she completely forgot her—um, bare—condition? With grace only an angel could possess, he raised his arm as a gesture for her to come hither. As if in a trance, she came closer. She even stepped on her own uniform on her way towards him.

She stopped before him and sat on the ground like a young Japanese lady should. Sesshoumaru's hand found its way to her cheek as it once did. Only this time she blushed at the contact.

"Why are you here…?" he spoke softly. His eyes were covered by his bangs but that didn't break the hold he had over Kagome's mind.

"I…couldn't sleep." She spoke softly. "I guess I became an insomniac after all." She smiled her fake smile, hoping to fool him.

But Sesshoumaru was not an imbecile. He quickly saw through her and frowned. "You know I despise lies."

She sighed and diverted her gaze guiltily, "I was too…worried. This must be what it feels like… to be a mother, sending her child out to a fieldtrip without adult supervision." She scoffed softly at herself, "I'm completely frightened."

"What do you want?" there he was again, prying into her mind. Seeing right through her. Making her feel like she couldn't escape. And in truth, she couldn't. He was her only connection to Haruko now. He was all she could grasp. He was everything she had right now.

"What?"

"Need I repeat myself to you?" there is no escaping him.

As if a criminal about to confess, her shoulders shook. "I…I just want… I want her safe in my arms! I want to see her smile again! I just—I just—I just want to know that she's alright! I want my daughter back!" with every word she spoke she shook her head, covering her teary face with her hands. How pathetic she must have looked in front of him.

Sesshoumaru stopped her from shaking with his hands on her wrists and gently took her hands away from her face. He then used a finger to make her look at him and when she did; she saw nothing but…sincerity. "Haruko is…our daughter."

When her mind registered what he just said, another tear fell. Another and another until she launched herself at him and her tears fell on his fluffy boa. "I'm such a worthless mother!" she sobbed even though her ribs ached. "I couldn't even protect her." Her heart beat wildly in her chest at the very thought of saying what she was about to say. But with every emotion coursing through her very being, she had no choice but to say it. "And now…"

Sesshoumaru pulled away, looking Kagome straight in the eyes but she avoided eye contact with him. "And now only Kami knows where she is and what's happening to her…While I'm here…" only then did she look up at him. "Falling in love with you…" her voice quivered.

Sesshoumaru was not sure, for the third time in a long time, on how to react. "Why must you weep like a little child so habitually?" he was supposed to say it spitefully but it came out softly.

Kagome shook her head, and struggled to smile. That lonely smile. So that was where Haruko got that heartbreaking smile.

With one last breath, he pulled her closer for a kiss. It was deeper, sweeter, and more passionate than anything either one of them had ever felt. This was typical for Kagome since that was her first kiss (A/N: first French too actually. Ufufufu!) But this was completely unexpected for the Great Taiyoukai of the West for never had he felt so much…yearning before. Kagome complied shyly to this guilty pleasure. Oh how the mighty hath fallen. And tonight, the mighty Lord of the Western Lands…hath fallen.

Unknown to them, a pair of saddened amber eyes were watching them from a tree branch opposite them. He had followed her in fear of where she might be going and was surprised when she went to Sesshoumaru. He heard everything, saw everything. And with every moment they spent together…his heart fell and bled. She was kissing him under the full moon, on the lips, in (technically, her chest is bandaged) her underwear. So, he thought, it was all my doing then? Is this how they fall in love? It's my fault? I brought this unto myself then?

Haruko ran as fast as she could, out into the forest. Run, run, run! She could feel Kagura coming closer, she as gaining on her. No, please! Let me escape!

"You're causing me a lot of trouble, hanyou!" Kagura yelled from behind, sending a slash of violent wind her way. Haruko jumped up into the air and landed on a tree branch. But then her legs gave in because of the beating they received earlier. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt herself falling. She felt the hard, dusty ground collide with her shoulder and she bit her lower lip to keep herself from screaming. Pain! Her shoulder was in great pain! Tears threatened to fall but she fought the urge.

Touya! Her mind screamed. Akito! No, she shouldn't! She shouldn't depend on them her whole life! Tetsuda! They aren't here. Rin-sama! Tetsuda! No one was there. Father! She stood up and ran again, against her bodies violent protests. Mama! Where was she running to? Nowhere. Anywhere. It's pointless.

Kagura caught up with her and was too close for comfort. She prepared for one powerful strike that would surely knock the hanyou out. Anyone! It was hopeless.

"TETSUDA!" she fell to her knees just as Kagura made her move. The wind came hurtling towards her and she anticipated the pain, curling down to her knees like a turtle. But then a stronger wind came, like a twister! It spun around her, making her hair and clothes fly all around. It seemed to have reflected the weaker wind Kagura made. Kagura gasped and hissed angrily at the sight of the man that stood arrogantly before her as the wind and dust subsided.

Haruko sat up straight as she turned her whole body to look up at the man that saved her. Long black hair, lean body…he was young, perhaps a few years older than her. Her eyes widened. He had two shards! On both his legs, she analyzed. But then her eyes narrowed. His tail, his armor… Wolf.

"I've been waiting a long time for this." Kouga said with an evil, triumphant gleam in his eyes. He squatted into a fighting position, ready to charge at the wind witch. "I've been waiting for my chance for retribution for long enough!" he yelled.

"Kouga…" Kagura hissed through gritted teeth. She was tired of fighting this wolf all over again. He was persistent and very arrogant, in short, annoying.

Kouga smirked and Haruko watched with her lips slightly open with interest. Kouga is the name of…her savior.

(Just for the info, tetsuda means 'help')

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