Disclaimer: Not mine! All characters are the property of dear Rumiko Takahashi! (Except for the ones that I made up.)
Shout Outs:
Shadow miko, congrats, you got me writing again with your email. ;)
Esk42, I added in a character that you requested more of in this chapter…hopefully you like it.
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"Steep hill," Kagome gulped, looking upwards at the path that the monk, Zen, had indicated they should follow.
"Will it be possible for you to make this journey," Sesshomaru inquired, following the miko's gaze with some apprehension.
"I sure hope so," she replied, smiling weakly.
Sesshomaru's brow furrowed and he closed his eyes, hardly able to believe what he was about to suggest. He should not allow emotions to control his actions…but what harm could it do? He pitied the frail girl, and yet he also somehow…respected her? Yes, that was it, as crazy as it seemed. She was somehow different from everyone else that he had ever known. Why was that? What was it about the human that made Sesshomaru now feel so strongly compelled to help her?
"Well, are you ready Sesshomaru," Kagome asked, still smiling.
Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open. There it was. His reason. This human girl…accepted him. She wasn't asking him to be stronger, or to hide his emotions. That was another unique trait. She showed her emotions without fear. In every way Kagome was real. She never pretended to be anything that she wasn't. This meant, Sesshomaru concluded, that the human was either very brave, or very foolish. Whatever the case, Sesshomaru felt that he owed her something for her unconditional acceptance.
"Come here," he instructed. Kagome did as she was told, although she was puzzled by the strange command.
"You shall have to hold onto my shoulders tightly," Sesshomaru sighed. "Otherwise you may fall."
Kagome tilted her head, looking at the demon with an expression of complete confusion. Suddenly, the dawn broke and Kagome's eyes widened in understanding. "You mean…you'll help me over the mountain?"
"Hurry up, before I change my mind," Sesshomaru sighed.
Kagome hopped onto Sesshomaru's back and wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders.
"Ready," the demon questioned.
"Yeah." Sesshomaru began his swift ascent up the side of the cliff, and Kagome found herself clinging to him for dear life. She closed her eyes tightly against the whipping wind, and prayed that she'd make it to the other side alive.
Kagome was surprised when Sesshomaru announced that they had reached their destination. She swiftly let go, and stood up with a quick "thank you." He nodded in acknowledgement of her words, and then grimaced.
Kagome smiled. "I take it that we're close to the swamp?"
"Very," Sesshomaru replied, frowning. "The scent is rather…strong."
Kagome bit back a laugh. "That's what Inu-Yasha said too." Realizing who she had been talking about, she inhaled sharply, and clamped one hand firmly over her mouth.
Sesshomaru quirked a brow at her, but remained silent. There was no point in asking the girl questions that she didn't want to answer, although he suspected that she was a bad liar. Perhaps she was merely trying to avoid the swamp's stench by covering her face.
"So," Kagome said, trying to redirect the conversation back at the swamp, "how far do you think we still have to go?"
"Less than one mile," Sesshomaru told her. Despite the stench, he was in a rather good mood. He was finally going to have a challenging fight.
"Great," Kagome exclaimed. "Um, I've been wanting to tell you this, and I guess that now's as good a time as any. I just wanted to say…thank you. For coming with me, I mean."
"Hm."
The companions were quiet for several minutes, walking slowly. The ground made strange squelching noises wherever their feet touched it, and Kagome was careful not to step anywhere that was obviously muddy. There were a few sickly little trees sticking up here and there, some cattails, and quite a lot of grass, but there was nothing that would do her much good if she got stuck in the mud. She didn't think that she could pull herself out by tugging on a blade of grass.
"So," Kagome ventured, trying to fill the awkward silence that had manifested itself since she had last spoken, "We aren't having very nice weather are we? It looks as though it's going to rain again, doesn't it? All cloudy…"
"How fortunate I am to have such an observant companion."
"I'm so sorry," Kagome huffed. "I'm just…well, let's just say that the thought of some terrible demon lying in wait to dismember us isn't exactly calming. I'm kind of nervous, okay? We can't all be perfect. I am only human."
"Of both points I am increasingly aware."
Sesshomaru's eyes softened when he saw the hurt look on Kagome's face. "Go on then," he told her. "We'll talk. Not about the clouds though. I can see them well enough. Tell me about something that is important"
Kagome blinked several times. "You want to know about something that is important…to me?"
"If you wish to talk, then yes," Sesshomaru replied.
"Oh." Kagome took a moment to digest this information. "I guess…what's most important to me is my family…and my friends."
"Tell me about them."
"Okay," Kagome said, taken aback. "I live with my mom, my grandfather, and my little brother, Souta. Gramps runs this little store selling loads of old 'treasure.' It's mostly junk, really. Actually, he's the reason I'm here in the first place, but I don't want to talk about that. Souta is incredibly annoying, but he's really a pretty good brother. He's a bit of a coward, but he was brave when it counted. He saved my life. And then there's Mom…she helps me all the time. I don't know what I'd do without her."
"Indeed," Sesshomaru said quietly. "And your father? What of him?"
"He's not…he's not with us anymore," Kagome told him with a pained smile.
A long silence stretched out between them before Sesshomaru spoke again.
"My mother…is dead as well."
Kagome's eyebrows drew together, and her mouth opened slightly. "I'm…I'm so sorry, Sesshomaru. I never even thought…"
"No," he told her, "she died a long time ago. It does not matter."
"Of course it does," Kagome whispered sadly.
"Our adversary could be anywhere," Sesshomaru noted, changing the topic.
"Right," Kagome said, determination to succeed outweighing her nervousness. "Would you give me just a second to get my bow ready?" It was a rhetorical question, and Sesshomaru did not reply. Instead he simply stopped and waited while she prepared.
Kagome shrugged off her pack and readied her bow, notching an arrow. She pulled her quiver over one shoulder, and a single backpack strap over the other.
"Alright," she said, taking a deep breath, "I think I can sense a demonic aura. Let's go."
……………………
"Help! Guards! Somebody—help!"
Finally, Inu-Taisho thought, something interesting. The great demon lord had been walking for days, but had only come upon a few minor demons. They posed absolutely no threat, and so he had left them.
"Please—Aaaii!"
Inu-Taisho increased his speed, dashing past many trees and shrubs. He could smell human blood very faintly, and also the scent of a demon. Straining his ears, he could still hear a woman's desperate cries for help. He hated women's screams. They reminded him so much of his wife's final moments…the time when he had truly failed. He had not been able to save her, but there was no reason why he couldn't save the human.
He broke through the branches of an obstructing tree, and then he was next to the demon that had caused the commotion. It was a great spider, and it advanced on him immediately, making a low warning noise. Inu-Taisho struck out at the creature with one arm, severing it in two.
All was still in the forest nearby, save for the ragged panting coming from behind Inu-Taisho. He turned around, and his gaze fell upon several women, dressed in the finest silks, blood staining their fine clothes. Spider webbing clung to their still forms. All were dead except one, who looked up at him with fear-filled eyes, and then down at her fallen companions.
"Akina," she whispered. "Please, Matsu, answer me." The woman began to cry silently, tears running down her alabaster cheeks. "Guards," she called weakly, "help my hand maidens." No help came, and she turned, once again, to the demon nearby. "Please, can you tell me…are they dead?"
Inu-Taisho nodded slowly, and then spoke. "You shall follow them shortly if you do not stop the blood flowing from your wounds."
"It is nothing more than I deserve. This is my fault," the woman wept. "It was my wish to walk away from our normal path. I just wanted…a change. Look what I have done." She ran her snow-white hand down the cheek of her closest companion, staining it a brilliant crimson. "Dear Akina, you should have run…"
The woman looked up at Inu-Taisho, her tear-filled eyes bright. "Thank you…for stopping…that…demon," she whispered, falling back onto the grass. Her spirit was departing for the netherworld, and the forest was silent at last.
One that was so selfless and caring ought to live a long and prosperous life. It didn't seem right that this woman be punished for seeking out the hidden joys in life. Inu-Taisho had always been exactly the same way. He was content with his lot in life, but he didn't want to miss anything. He wanted to live every moment to the fullest, and not have any regrets. The demon Lord couldn't say how, but he knew that the woman before him was the same way. Sadly, she had died with the deepest regret of all; the pain of failing those she loved. This was a pain that the Lord knew all too well.
There was a soft grinding sound, as metal slid against metal, and then Inu-Taisho was holding Tenseiga, the sword that he had created after his wife's death. It had been too late to bring her back, but her still kept the sword with him…it reminded him of his failure, and of the woman he had loved.
Inu-Taisho closed his eyes briefly, focusing on locating the pallbearers of hell. Finding them, he sliced through the air with the Sword of Heaven, before swiftly returning the weapon to its sheath.
Inu-Taisho stepped forward carefully, and knelt beside the delicate human woman. Reaching out with one strong hand, he checked for a pulse. As he did so, the lady's eyelids flickered open. Her long lashes bobbed as she blinked, trying to clear her vision, and then her face turned to him as her eyes focused, the ochre orbs shining with confusion.
"I have brought you back to life, my Lady," Inu-Taisho explained quietly. "Your hand maidens are alive as well, although for the time being they are unconscious." With these words he rose to his feet, and turned to leave.
"Wait," he heard a soft voice from behind him request. "Please my Lord…why have you done this?"
"I knew your pain," he said simply, looking back at her over his shoulder.
There was silence for a moment, and then the woman whispered, "Thank you," her voice brimming with heartfelt emotion. "Thank you. Thank you. Please, how can I repay you?"
The demon Lord looked at her for several moments before responding. "If it is not asking too much…perhaps you might tell me your name," he finally requested, smiling slightly.
"Yes, of course," she told him with an answering smile. "My name is Izayoi."
……………….
"Are you feeling quite well," Sesshomaru questioned, glancing over at Kagome as they walked.
"Yeah," she said quietly. "Sorry about this…Lady Asherah told me that the demon's hatred mainly affects humans…"
Sesshomaru stopped suddenly, inhaling slowly and deeply. "The demon that you seek is close by. Kagome…be careful."
Their eyes locked for several seconds, and thoughts whirled crazily through the young miko's mind. Then Kagome blinked, and Sesshomaru was walking again.
He used my name, he used my name, he used my name, echoed in Kagome's head.
"Hey Sesshomaru," she called, making him turn back to look at her, "same to you. Be careful."
Sesshomaru nodded. "I shall be."
"How charming," a cold voice observed from a clump of cattails ahead of them. Kagome started, and took an involuntary step backwards while Sesshomaru whirled around to face the enemy, his hand already at his sword's hilt. "A human and a demon…traveling together…wishing each other well… It makes me sick."
Sesshomaru remained silent, listening carefully to the voice so as to pinpoint the enemy's exact location. His careful concentration was rewarded when the other demon spoke again.
"By befriending that girl, you lower yourself to the level of a human." The demon spat out the last word, seemingly disgusted by it.
"You will find me to be much stronger than any human," Sesshomaru said calmly, all traces of warmth now gone from his voice.
Whispery laughter came to Kagome's ears, and she felt herself shiver. There was no doubt in her mind that whatever was concealing itself in the reeds truly and deeply loathed her. She also knew that she did not want to see the creature that hated her so much. Its feelings for her were tangible, and Kagome could feel its anger piercing her resolve even without actually being able to see the demon of the swamp. She shuddered and clutched her bow to her body. Kagome knew that by doing this she was putting herself at a disadvantage, but she was desperate for even the tiniest bit of warmth and comfort. More laughter came from the vicinity of the reeds.
"Are you scared, human," the demon asked Kagome, mocking her.
"Are you," Sesshomaru inquired, throwing the question back at the other demon. "Why will you not show yourself?"
"Very well," the demon hissed, stepping from the reeds, "Let me introduce myself."
Kagome observed the enemy carefully. He moved with such grace as to appear to be sliding over the ground. The demon of the swamp had olive green spirals upon his cheeks, his skin was dark, and his shoulder-length hair was jet black. She wished that she could have spotted his weapon before looking away, but a round of introductions had begun, and Kagome was forced to concentrate on what he was saying instead.
"I am the great demon Kanaye, and this is my land. Because you have ventured here, you shall die."
"I am Sesshomaru, heir to the title of Lord of the Western Lands. You delude yourself if you imagine that you can kill me."
Kagome felt like she should say something. After all, wasn't this her mission? "I am Kagome Higurashi," she stated tentatively, surprising both demons, "and I am friend of Lady Asherah, whose village you destroyed."
Kanaye's eyes narrowed. "A friend of Lady Asherah's," he hissed. "Another miko… You shall be the first to die!"
Why did I have to say anything, Kagome wondered, fumbling with her arrow. There was a spray of blood overhead, and she covered her head in with one arm, a look of surprise on her face.
"I am your opponent, Kanaye," Sesshomaru said, holding out his sword. "Leave the human alone." His weapon dripped blood as he spoke, spattering the muddy ground with crimson droplets.
"Fast, aren't you," Kanaye sneered, barely glancing at his wounded arm. "I see that I'll have to take you seriously. What an honor for you, to see me in my true form!"
Kanaye's neck began to elongate, and his legs seemed to be fusing together. As his arms melted into his sides, Kagome saw fangs erupt from his widening mouth. He's a snake demon, she realized, watching the final moments of his transformation.
Sesshomaru smirked at the reptilian demon before him, and sheathed his sword. Kanaye reared back in outrage. "You would do well not to misjudge my strength," the demon of the swamp hissed angrily.
"I could say the same to you," Sesshomaru noted, his smirk growing abnormally long, while the whites of his eyes filled with red.
Sesshomaru is reverting to his true form…I hope that gives him an advantage, Kagome thought. It suddenly dawned on her that Sesshomaru was definitely going to live through this fight since she was going to meet him in the future. This was his past…but it was her present. She was the one at risk. This line of thought did nothing to calm her fears, and Kagome's grip on her bow tightened.
The two demons advanced on each other, Sesshomaru growling, and Kanaye hissing warningly, his mouth opening to reveal poisonous fangs.
Watching the scene play out, Kagome suddenly felt the weight of the situation hit her. If it weren't for her these two great demons would not be fighting. If it weren't for her Lady Asherah's village would not have been destroyed. If it weren't for her the Shikon Jewel would not have been broken into hundreds of tiny shards.
If it weren't for me Inu-Yasha wouldn't have to hide his love from Kikyo.
Kagome shook herself and refocused on the battle. There would be time for such thoughts after today. For now, she needed to concentrate on keeping both herself, and Sesshomaru alive. She was quite determined not to add 'If it weren't for me Sesshomaru would still be alive,' to her list of wrongdoings. She didn't need a death weighing on her conscience.
Looking out at Sesshomaru and Kanaye, Kagome could see that they were fairly evenly matched. Sesshomaru was definitely the stronger of the two, but he was less experienced than Kanaye when it came to killing.
The sight of blood on the ground yanked Kagome completely away from her previous thoughts, and as the two demons pulled apart, Kagome scrutinized them, desperately searching for wounds. Much to her horror, she found them. Both Sesshomaru and Kanaye were bleeding heavily from gashes spread across their bodies, and Kagome could see that both were struggling to continue the fight.
I have to do something, she thought frantically. She had ducked down in the reeds before to avoid being attacked, but now she straightened up and started to edge her way over to a rock for firmer footing. She didn't make it.
Kanaye noticed the human girl's movements from the corner of his eye, and lunged out for her. The move was reckless, but he knew it was dire that he finish the battle soon. His strength was failing him, and one well-aimed snap of Sesshomaru jaws would sever his weakened body.
Kagome screamed, and loosed her arrow, slipping backwards in the mud as she did so. Her arrow went straight into Kanaye's open mouth, and down the length of his body, purifying him completely. Before Kagome's head connected with the rock she had been walking towards, she just had time to see the white glow of her purifying arrow as it slid right past the body of a gigantic white dog…
…………….
When Kagome awoke, the sky was already dotted with stars. She shivered as the wind pulled at her damp clothes, and she rubbed the back of her head, where a bruise had formed.
Why is it so dark? Am I…in the swamp? If I am then where's…
Sesshomaru. She sat bolt upright, her wet hair sticking to her muddy school uniform. An image was appearing before her eyes, and it scared her.
The white glow of a purifying arrow as it slid past a gigantic white dog demon…
Kagome got to her feet quickly, and felt blood rush to her head. She raised a hand to stop the throbbing in her forehead before looking at her surroundings. It was so dark outside that she could barely see. In fact, all she could make out were the objects that were of the lightest colors. She squinted down at the white objects on her right, and wobbled towards them, her arms outstretched. Her hands connected with two things that were very smooth, and she traced the objects until they ended. The knowledge of what she was touching suddenly dawned on Kagome, and she pulled back with a sharp intake of breath.
Snake fangs.
Kagome struggled to her feet, and stumbled towards the only other white object in the area.
"Sesshomaru," Kagome whispered questioningly, reaching out to lay her hand upon his chest. She felt no movement, and when she removed her hand it was wet with blood.
No…It isn't fair. None of this was his fault. This wasn't supposed to happen! He was supposed to live… Clenching her teeth, Kagome tried desperately to stop the tears that suddenly wanted to fall.
"Sesshomaru," she said more forcefully. A tear slipped down her cheek when, once again, he did not respond. "Please," she quietly pleaded, "Open your eyes." Kagome drew up her legs so that they were close to her body, and encircled them with her arms, laying her chin upon her knees. Sesshomaru was dead, and it was her fault.
"What have I done," she whispered to the night. "I've killed him…"
"A human, kill me," rasped a voice from beside her. "I find it highly unlikely."
Kagome gasped and raised her head. Sesshomaru returned her gaze with his golden eyes half open.
"You—you're alive," Kagome stammered, hastily wiping tears from her cheeks.
"I do seem to be."
Although Kagome could barely see him, Sesshomaru was able to see her quite clearly, and he immediately noticed her damp cheeks. "Were you injured," he asked, frowning.
"Oh no," Kagome replied. "I'm perfectly fine; don't worry."
"Then what is wrong?"
"I thought," she said quietly, "I thought that you were…gone."
At first, Sesshomaru didn't understand. Then her words sank in, surprising him greatly. She had been crying…for him? Surely there was something that he should say, but his mind was drawing a blank, and he couldn't find the words. He finally dredged up something to tell her that he hadn't said to anybody in a very long time.
"Thank you, Kagome."
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Please Review!
Hopefully it was worth the wait…? Thanks for reading this! Sorry for the slowness, and for the weird battle scenes. I am not skilled at writing violence, although I tried. --.--'
Since you all had to wait for this for so long, I extended the chapter…Er, so yeah. Please don't hate me.
A-te Louise- Why didn't they ask about the camera? I think that they probably just decided to tolerate it, and not ask questions, lest they be blinded by the flash…lol, honestly, I'm not sure why. They probably should have been more curious about it.
creitros- Thanks! Yeah, I'm sure that Sango and Miroku will—would, I mean would—have interesting reaction to that photograph…
forthright- Thank you very much. I always enjoy your reviews. You have a lovely way of saying things. (Have I said this before…?)
SaBrIeL of the MoOn- Hmmm…how to answer you question…well, all I'll say is this: there are still some conflicts to be resolved in the feudal era that Kagome knows, and I imagine that she'll be going back. ;)
Silverstar871- o.O Thank you so much! I hope that I can live up to your expectations with the upcoming chapters…I'll do my best!
Tally Mark- Thank you! Lol, glad you liked the math genius thing. :)
Megumi-san- Lol, thank you!
If I say I love you- Oh no…I'm sorry that this took so long! I'm so glad that you like it so far though!
princess of the western lands- Thanks! Heh, I've really thrown you for a loop on this one, eh? You keep coming back to that scene…I guess that it does raise a lot of questions. Anyway, you'll just have to wait and see how everything plays out to find your answers! ;)
Inu-child- Ahhh…I failed you…I'll update again as soon as I can! Sorry, my summer is going crazy, and I've had a lot going on. Thank you!
animelover- Thank you! I'm glad that you liked it!
Lady-Sess08- Thank you so much!
aninaig- You hate…to wait… --.--' …Sorry…and thank you for reading!
NekoYasha101- Well, she just might… ;) Thanks for reviewing!
mangadreams- TT.TT Thank you so much! This review made me really happy!
Hiei'sCrazySpaz- Thanks! To answer your question: yes. I think that it just might.
aimdiscord- Lol, yeah. Definitely need to get the blackmail pics now. ;)
Golden-Eyed-Girl- Thank you! I'll just pretend to be sweet and innocent and not understand what you're implying there, lol. ;)
Kira- I know, not much happened in the last chapter, but hey, at least this one had a lot of stuff in it, right? Thanks for reviewing!
HeroInTheShadows- Thank you! Yeah, I know, I hate the little splotches of light you see after the flash, lol.
kagomeangel- I'm not really sure when I'm going to finish this, or how many chapters there will be. I can tell you that I will finish it though, however slowly. (Hopefully not too slowly…I'll update whenever possible.)
tenchi- Well, just in case you are able to relocate this fic, I'll reply. Thank you very much for the kind words!
Duzellluver- Thank you! I'm so sorry that this took so long!
shadow miko- Thank you so much for both the review and the email! The review made me very happy, and the email made me pick up the pace on writing this chapter…thank you!
dragonruler212- Thank you so much, and I apologize for not updating sooner!
seshhomaru's babe- Thank you! I'm sorry that I didn't update very quickly!
My thanks go to golden-kitsunebi, Kaori Roselyn, blurosepunk, Geredian Knight Rhiannon, Kagura134, katsheswims, vampire fang, FluffyLover7, Cold-Hearted-NightFox, lifeisadream, tearsofthefallen, zookie78, nil, Kagome Forbidden Miko Kitsune of Purity, EverD, Shinagami Darkness05, angelyukira, PandylBas for all of your wonderful reviews!