Author Note: Hi everyone... I'm still alive. I'm so sorry that this took so long to happen. Life really did some crazy things, but I'm back to writing. I found myself stuck on how to continue with Red Strings, partly because I had really already finished what I'd set out to – to tell a story about how Sesshoumaru and Kagome fell in love. But there's more story to tell, so I've broken it into a Part 2. For those who enjoyed Red Strings Part 1, thank you! And I hope you stick around to enjoy Part 2.

For a beautiful moment the entire world had narrowed down to just Sesshoumaru and Kagome, the Demon Lord and his mortal bride. But such moments rarely lasted.

"Ah, man! Can you two get a room already?!" Inuyasha sniped. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he pulled away from Kagome's embrace.

"Kagome, is there a reason that This Sesshoumaru should not simply kill him now?"

Kagome gave him a sardonic smirk. "Well, its generally bad form to kill family."

"Tch."

Kagome turned towards the hanyou, and was surprised to find him back to an appearance of white hair, ears, and face markings, rather than the dark hair of his human form. It was dawn. "Inuyasha, I'm glad you're back to normal, but where's Kikyou?" she asked. The last time anyone had seen her was when the Inu hanyou and her had eloped months ago. He looked away and his ears fell. "She's dead."

Kagome felt her stomach clench. What did he mean, she was dead? She wanted to ask Inuyasha what he meant... had they already failed the prophesy? But before she could respond, a hoard of demons broke into the room, charging the Inu brothers.

"Tsk... one would think foes as weak as this would know better than to challenge This Sesshoumaru."

"Yeah, I think I owe these bastards some payback! How about I take 'em on, while you two love birds get out of here." Inuyasha grinned as his claws gleamed maliciously in the light of the sun as it spilled into the hall through a row of windows, a red dawn.

Sesshoumaru frowned. "I think not. This Sesshoumaru still has many questions for you, hanyou."

Instead of replying, Inuyasha rushed into the lesser youkai that had started to surround them. Even Kagome could see that his fighting style was more than reckless as he tore into his foes like a wild dog, his eyes glowing red.

"This isn't right," Kagome mumbled to herself.

To her surprise, Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement. "His Beast in control."

Kagome wasn't sure what that was supposed to mean, but it sent a shiver down her spine. "How do we get it back under control?"

Sesshoumaru was silent and Kagome glanced up at him. "You don't know, do you?"

He sighed. "It is not something this Sesshoumaru has ever thought much about," he admitted, and Kagome felt her heart warm a little. He really trusted her if he was willing to admit any area he felt he lacked, the prideful, loveable idiot. "But first, these cretins need to be dispatched."

"Right behind you," Kagome agreed, dropping into a stance as a golden bow of energy manifested in her hands, an arrow notched and ready. Sesshoumaru blinked, then smiled and launched himself into the fray. Kagome quickly realized that Sesshoumaru hardly needed her help, but she found herself covering Inuyasha as he kept leaving himself open to attack, not that he seemed to be slowed down by the injuries. His features were distorting, becoming more and more dog-like and Kagome felt her stomach twist.

Finally, as all other foes fell, Inuyasha turned towards Sesshoumaru and brought a clawed hand down towards his brother. Sesshoumaru caught the claws on his blade and Kagome winced as she saw the red blood flow from his hand.

"Inuyasha, stop! We've defeated them! We're your friends!" Kagome cried.

"Oujo-sama, you must help him by bringing his sword!" a small voice squeaked at her and Kagome jumped back as a small figure leaped into view.

"Ack! What the heck are you?"

"Myouga," Sesshoumaru replied as he casually dodged his half-brother's attacks. "He served my father and now serves the hanyou. You can trust him."

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama. Quickly, Oujo-sama, this way."

Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru. "I'll be back!" and dashed down the hallway.