Ch 2 – Snow Blind

A/N: Finished this chapter earlier than anticipated and decided I couldn't wait to post. Enter our antagonist! The dreaded Winter!

Here we go!

ENJOY!

~oOo~

Stretching before Kagome, the winter landscape was an endless expanse of white, peppered with bare trees. No birds sang. No creatures stirred. The only sound to be had was the crunch of Kagome's boots as she carved a path into her uncertain future. Her breaths came in heavy pants that clouded before her as she swore, tripping over another hidden root in the drift. She had alternated her time between crying and cursing, and after several hours of trekking through the frozen wilderness – she was exhausted.

The sun was already partially set behind the western mountain, leaving twilight colors to dance and glitter upon the untouched crusts of ice. The world was muffled footfalls and oppressive silence. Then, it began to snow. Kagome tucked her hands further into her fur-lined sleeves and searched for a place to rest for the night. She had been given little instruction on what she was supposed to be doing.

Kaede had merely left her with, "Go into the woods, child, past the village's perimeter. Winter will find you, of that I have no doubt."

So here was Kagome – hungry, tired, and cold – blundering through the winter woods in hopes of some arctic demon finding her, and either taking pity, or putting her out of her misery. It was at that thought she couldn't prevent her laughter from bubbling up her throat. It was a nigh manic sound, one laced in both desperation and amazement. What a fool she had been, agreeing to this. She wasn't a hero. How was she supposed to convince a demon set on killing the humans in the valley, to leave them be?

Suddenly, her quest seemed hopeless. Futile.

Bone weary, she settled against a nearby sycamore tree that blocked the wind, shivering. Crossing her hands into her opposite sleeves, she peered up into the sky. Thick flakes landed in her lashes, her hair, and melted against her face. Time passed slowly, and still the snow piled higher. Somewhat warm in the shelter of the tree, with the steady sound of snowfall keeping time with her breaths, she couldn't prevent her cerulean eyes from closing.

I'll just close my eyes for a few minutes. Then I'll keep going.

Nestling deeper within her furs, she yawned, and drifted into chilled slumber.

~oOo~

The wind and snow had stopped, leaving a vacuum of sound that startled Kagome awake.

She was covered in a fine dusting of the latter, fingers frozen, an icicle had formed beneath her nose. The young woman shivered violently, eyes searching the forest. As if by magic, the grey clouds parted, revealing a luminous full moon. It's beams made the snowfall sparkle, as if the stars themselves had fallen from the heavens to coat the earth. It was eerie. It was beautiful.

A crunch in the distance made Kagome's head whip to the right.

She gasped.

Walking through the trees was a massive canine. It's fur was the color of the freshest snow, hackles raised in threat. Heavy paws tipped with blades of ice, left deep imprints as it stalked towards her. Head canted to the left, its long muzzle bore two slashing magenta stripes on either side, wicked fangs bared. Kagome's eyes skittered across the creature's muscular frame, before she became entranced by intelligent, vermillion eyes set beneath a blue crescent moon that anointed the beast's forehead. It's breathe came in thick pants as it observed her. Muscles tensed.

Kaede had been right – Winter had found her.

Kagome struggled to stand. Her body felt heavy, cumbersome, in a way it never had before. Gritting her teeth, she stood on icy limbs, and cautiously made her way to the creature. Winter's snarl caused goosebumps to ripple along her flesh, but she kept her course, chin held high, cerulean eyes determined.

"I have been searching for you, Winter," said Kagome, conversationally. She was proud at how steady her voice sounded. "It seems you and I are destined for one another."

Winter loosened a guttural growl. Then, to the maiden's surprise, the beast spoke directly into her mind. His voice was a deep timbre, hard and biting. "Destined? You must be mistaken. Why would fate waste my time with such a pathetic human?"

"Yes, destined. You see, I've been sent from the village to stop you."

Winter chuckled before sitting back on his haunches. His long tail wrapped around his paws as he considered her. "The village sent you?" He eyed her. "I sense no power from you, and I see nothing remarkable that would rouse my suspicion." He gazed around the forest. "And there are no others – so this certainly isn't a trap. What makes you think you could stop me?"

The wind whipped with sudden fury, blinding Kagome with snow. When it died back down, Winter was gone. The sudden heat at her back indicated his presence, and she fought the fear that trickled through her veins like ice water. The beast growled low and menacing from where he towered above her. Snow flew in all directions, a whirlwind of white, and they were in the eye of the storm.

"So small. So weak," purred Winter into her mind. "Yet you think you can best me. You humans never cease to amaze with your brazen idiocy. I am Lord Sesshomaru, ruler of these lands – and humanity has been found guilty of trespassing and sullying my domain. Your punishment…total eradication from my territory."

The snow kicked up another notch, until icy crystals bombarded Kagome. It became difficult to tell where the great white beast before her ended, and the storm began. Only his eyes, vermillion and cold, seemed to glow as they watched her. Her body trembled – whether from cold or terror, Kagome could not tell – and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself.

Well, if this is the end, I might as well be a bit comfortable. What else have I got to lose?

Winter's warmth called to her, like a welcoming fire after a long, difficult day. Without thinking, she closed the space between them, and tucked her icy face into that decadent heat of his chest. She was surprised to find his fur soft, instead of coarse. She cuddled herself closer into his warmth, burying her fingers into his ruff, and sighed.

Winter stilled beneath her touch, eyes narrowed. The storm eased off until only a light flurry remained. "You dare defile me with your touch?" he asked, bewildered.

"You're softer than I expected, Winter." Kagome said thoughtfully, ignoring his question. "And I guess I didn't expect you to be this warm either – I thought you'd be more, icy?" She petted his fur, absorbing said warmth, and enjoyed the startled look on the demon's face.

The beast huffed above her, but didn't attack or pull away like she had assumed he would. "Fool, cease calling me Winter. I am Lord Sesshomaru. And of course I am warm, I am a living creature after all."

"Hmm, Lord Sesshomaru is such a mouthful. Winter suits you better." She leaned back and smiled. "Now, about our destiny. Will you hear me out? All I'm asking for is a few minutes of your time, and if you don't like what I have to say, then you can eat me and be on your way."

"As if I would consume human flesh," mumbled Sesshomaru, shaking his head. "You are either very brave or a simpleton for not fleeing into the trees when you had the chance."

Kagome shrugged. "Probably a bit of both. And why waste the energy fleeing? It's not like I'd get far." She ran an admiring gaze over his form. Now that he wasn't growling and terrifying her to death, she found she could appreciate his beauty and cold grace. "You were built for this weather and terrain, and would catch me in no time. It's not like I had much to lose to begin with – the village sent me as an offering after all."

Sesshomaru's eyes zeroed in on the young woman, seemingly seeing her for the first time. He took in her finery, the way her hair was coiffed and adorned. Her beauty. One by one the pieces clicked themself into place, and the creature gave a startled laugh. The sound was sultry and thermal in Kagome's mind. She couldn't help the confusing blush that warmed her cheeks at the sound.

"They sent you as a bride, in hopes that I would have mercy on them? As if I would stoop so low as to wed a filthy human."

Kagome's cheeks now burned for a different reason. Coming from the beast's mouth, it did sound like a terrible plan. He was a massive winter dog demon, and she, a normal human girl. What had the elders been thinking convincing her they'd be a match? Or that he'd even want her to begin with.

She straightened her spine. "Yes, they sent me as a…a peace offering. I will gladly give myself to you, and in return – you leave the village alone. Hey! Hey! Where are you going?!"

Winter didn't turn from where he padded into the trees, but his voice flowed into her mind as if there was no distance between them at all. "I have heard enough of your nonsense, human. I reject your ludicrous proposal and have decided to remove humanity from my valley once and for all. I grow tired of whittling away your numbers year after year. This ends now."

Kagome watched with wide-eyed horror as he continued, unhurriedly, into the midnight forest.

Crap. I was supposed to stop him from slaughtering the village – not speed up their demise! I need to do something, fast!

Without waiting another beat, she took off into the frozen woods after him. The bells in her hair ornament jingled as she ran. Kagome didn't stop until she was beside the massive demon, panting at the effort it took to run through the fresh snow. Sesshomaru sent her an annoyed glare, but said nothing.

"I'm Kagome, by the way." The demon ignored her and continued his steady procession through the snow. "Are you sure there's nothing that I could do to change your mind? We don't need to be wed, that was just a suggestion. I could – be a servant maybe? I can cook and clean and do whatever you need done."

"I have enough servants," growled Winter.

"Oh okay. Well, I'm a pretty good seamstress."

The demon gave her a flat look. "Do I look like I need clothes?"

She blushed as she took in his silken fur and bestial form. "Uh, I guess not." She sighed. "Well, what do you need?"

"Humanity out of my valley," he said coldly.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Is there no way we can come to some sort of agreement? Negotiate a peace treaty or something? You said you were a Lord – can't we offer fealty to you and in return, we live in harmony?"

Sesshomaru snorted. "Typical selfish humans. You come into my valley, take without asking, then beg for forgiveness and leniency when repercussion strikes." He easily stepped over a fallen tree that had Kagome scrambling to catch up. "I've had enough of the chatter, begone woman."

"Please, is there nothing that I can do or say to convince you otherwise?" She hurried to stand before him. Cheeks wind chapped and flushed, she forced her rising panic down. "I'll do anything, anything for us to come to some type of resolution."

He stepped around her, paws leaving deep imprints in the snow, and growled, "There is nothing you can do. Be glad that I haven't destroyed you and leave me be."

Sesshomaru carried on and felt a modicum of relief as the woman stayed put. He wasn't quite sure what had prompted him to speak to her this long, or to spare her life – but he had had enough of the trivial conversation. Humanity had worn out its welcome in his territory, and that was that. Despite his certainty on the matter, he couldn't help but appreciate her persistence and her bravery in confronting him.

A begrudging sliver of respect buried itself like a splinter beneath his skin. It prickled his sensibilities.

There was a whistle as something flew through the air to hit him in the back of the head. Sesshomaru stopped dead in his tracks, and any measure of respect he was garnering for the woman was immediately lost. Slowly, he turned towards the maiden, disbelief written plainly on both of their features. His look was met with a snowball to the face. Winter shook his muzzle and growled, his attention focused on the remaining snowball in Kagome's hand.

"You dare assault me, woman?"

Kagome gave a nervous chuckle, packing the ball tighter. "I uh, didn't think my aim was that good. Will you please just stop and talk to me. I'm sure we can come up with a way to solve our problem if we work together."

Sesshomaru took a step toward her. Then, another. A snarl left his curled lips and it was enough to break her already faltering conviction. With a yelp she threw the remaining snowball, pegging the snowy beast in the eyes, before she took off into the trees.

Sesshomaru's ferocious bark had her screeching as she zig zagged through the woods. The beast was hot on her heels. Her only advantage was how close the trees grew to one another, which made it difficult for the massive creature to come for her outright. Winter snarled again, lunging for her through a gap in the foliage. Kagome threw herself to the right, narrowly avoiding the snap of jaws.

"It was only a snowball! It's not like it hurt you!" she panted as she righted herself.

Kagome quickly scanned her surroundings. A hollow in a tree to her left looked promising. She bolted toward it, sliding at the last second to avoid Winter's swiping paw. Not a moment later, an angry vermillion eye peered into her hiding place. She giggled – mostly out of fear, but partially out of exhilaration.

"I will give you to the count of three to come out and face me with dignity before I rip this tree, and subsequently you, apart."

"Let's not get too hasty, Winter!"

"One…"

"I'm sorry for hitting you with a snowball! It wasn't very nice of me!"

"Two…"

"But, you have to admit, it certainly got your attention!"

"Three!"

Two more snowballs were launched from the hollow, hitting Sesshomaru on the nose. He lurched backward, sneezing and Kagome couldn't stop the manic laugh that escaped her. The giant beast just looked so shocked at her insolence. All the fear she had melted away, and she laughed in earnest until her stomach ached and joyous tears ran down her face. The earth shook and Kagome yelped as powerful jaws ripped the tree up from its roots. She landed on her back in the snow, the air whooshed from her lungs.

Two paws bracketed either side of her body as Sesshomaru glared down at her.

She smiled brightly up at him. "You should have seen the look on your face. It's almost like you've never been hit with a snowball before."

The beast gave an obvious frown. "I have not."

"Never?" she asked incredulously. "Next thing you'll tell me is you've never played in the snow." He furrowed his brows. "Seriously! But you're Winter!"

"I am Lord Sesshomaru, and Lords do not play."

She waved him off and sighed dramatically. "You poor thing. No wonder you're so hell bent on destroying humanity. You don't know how to have any fun and that's made you grumpy."

"I am not grumpy," he said petulantly.

She grinned. "Case in point." Hesitantly, she reached for his paw. He tensed at her touch. Her face grew serious. "Is there truly nothing I can say to convince you to spare the village?"

"Nothing."

Kagome gave a sad nod before determination rekindled itself within her gaze. "Then can I ask for a favor?"

The beast quirked a brow and narrowed his eyes. "You'd ask me to spare you?" He sneered. "How predictable – humans are so selfish."

The maiden glared. "Not me – my brother, Souta. He's all that I have left in this world and I beg that you spare his life."

"And what of your life? Are you not going to beg and plead for me to spare you? Grovel at my paws so you may live another pathetic day?" Sesshomaru lowered his face to examine her, skeptical of her sincerity. "Won't you barter for your soul?"

"I don't care what happens to me, I forfeited my life to you when I left the village." Her voice cracked. "Just please, spare my brother. Please, Sesshomaru."

Winter scented the air and could detect no lie emanating from the woman. Tears trickled into her disheveled hair and he found himself captivated by her wide, blue eyes – so honest, and lacking any of the fear he had become accustomed to. He bent closer, and remarked again on her beauty and soft demeanor. Her hand still rested on his paw, unafraid and comfortable, as if they had known each other for years instead of hours. A shiver wracked through her and broke whatever spell he was under.

Gnashing his teeth, he pulled his paw from beneath her hand, and turned away. He had made it ten paces before he turned back, irritably, and said, "Well?"

Kagome had sat herself up in the snow, arms wrapped around her knees as she watched him. "Well, what?" she said, wiping her tears away.

The beast rolled his eyes. "Are you coming, or are you going to sit in the snow feeling sorry for yourself? I can assure you, only one option has you surviving the night."

Already the temperatures were dipping into dangerous levels. Kagome's lips were a pale blue set atop chattering teeth, fingers and toes painfully numb. Without waiting for her response, Winter trudged through the trees – opposite of his original path – towards the western mountains. Slowly, Kagome stood on frozen limbs. A soft smile graced her features as she hurried, as best she could, through the drifts in the great beast's wake.

She wasn't sure if Sesshomaru had decided to spare the village or not – and honestly, she was too afraid to ask – but it had to be a good sign that he was inviting her to...

"Wait, where are we going?" she called.

"To my fortress in the mountains," he said. "Walk faster, human. We don't have all night."

Kagome quickened her pace and prayed they'd be there soon. Cold nights such as these were known to be deadly.

~oOo~

Sesshomaru was annoyed at the slow pace that Kagome set. They had been walking for over an hour and had barely made any progress through the forest. He could have whisked them both to the fortress by now with little to no effort, but he was loathe to touch her any more than necessary. Something about the woman put him on edge. Perhaps it was because he hadn't spoken to another living being in years. Or, perhaps, it was the fact that she was brave and selfless in the face of danger and those were both qualities he respected. Or, maybe, it was merely her beauty and feminine charm that called to him. Either way, there was something enamoring about the girl that the beast didn't want to examine too closely.

Behind him, Kagome stumbled again into the snow; this time, she did not get up. With an irksome sigh, he turned his massive body and nudged the girl with his paw. She looked at him with bleary, unfocused eyes. Her face was pale and she had stopped shivering some time ago.

"Get up," he growled.

"Okay – just…gimmeaminute," she slurred. "I need to take off this kimono, it's too hot." Her fingers moved woodenly, fumbling with the ties as she attempted to undress.

Sesshomaru's brows rose in shock. There was no way the little female was warm by any stretch of the word. Her breathing came in labored pants and he could hear her heart make sluggish attempts at beating. She managed to undo the heavy, fur-lined outer layer and pushed it off her shoulders. Even that bit of effort seemed to drain her. Before Sesshomaru could stop her, Kagome undid the inner layers and shrugged them off as well. Left only in a thin shift, nipples pebbled through the fabric, she finally collapsed in her pile of clothes.

Winter made a frustrated noise in the back of his throat before nudging the woman with his nose. She lay in the snow, unresponsive. Cursing his misfortune, the beast transformed in a flash of swirling snow and ethereal light. The formidable canine of winter had disappeared, and in his place – a handsome man stood disapprovingly over the woman's form.

The man was tall and built in an athletic fashion – broad, muscular shoulders tapered to a narrow waist. He wore a silver hakama and matching kimono, the edges laced in dark blue. On his right shoulder, a long pelt that mimicked the beast's fur flowed behind him, and mixed with his long, snow-white, hair. His facial features were delicate, cheekbones high and sharp like ice. Two magenta stripes slashed both cheeks, and on his forehead, a blue crescent moon. Cold, citrine eyes regarded the woman and his lips pursed into a thin line.

"Damnit," he muttered, scooping the unconscious girl into his arms. "Pathetic human. You should have told me you were at your limit."

Keeping his gaze adverted to maintain her modesty, he wrapped her in his pelt, and tucked her into his arms. Kagome sighed weakly and nestled closer against his chest. Sesshomaru frowned as he watched her; then, on a whim, he tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. His clawed thumb caressed her cold cheek. The weight of the woman felt solid in his arms, and he gripped her tighter before launching himself into the sky.

~oOo~

In the village, the snowstorm that had been raging for the better part of the night began to subside. Kaede watched from her hut as the howling winds died and the snow stopped falling. The night was silent and cold. Peeking from behind heavy grey clouds, the full moon doused the winter landscape in its pale light.

The old woman gave a surprised grunt as she watched a shadow pass before the moon. An otherworldly man, carrying a bundle, circled the village twice, before streaking towards the western mountains. With a knowing smile, she returned to her pallet.

Winter had accepted their sacrifice.

~oOo~

A/N: One chapter to go!

Thanks for reading!

3FF