...I'm still alive! Eh, well don't be angry with me..I haven't updated anything...That doesn't make it any better, does it?

Chapter eight: Getting just a little closer
Kagura stared out into the Western lands from her "prison" window as she affectionately called it. Nearly two and a half weeks had gone past and no one had heard anything from Sesshomaru. The events of their last meeting played back in her mind

"Why did you leave the castle?"

Startled she jumped from the water and turned to face the voice. Quickly she covered her naked body.

"What the hell are you doing here, you pervert?"

"Why did you leave the castle?" Sesshomaru repeated, unfazed by her naked form.

"I needed to get out of that damned castle."

"Never leave the castle grounds again."

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama." Kagura retorted sarcastically.

"Lets go."

"I would, but in case you haven't noticed, I'm NAKED! You damned pervert."

Sesshomaru took another glance at the wind maiden before turning his back. "Dress quickly."

"What difference does it make? It's not like you have anything important to do."

"Dress quickly and make your way to the castle. I have something I need to take care of."

After Kagura was dressed she was atop her feather in no time and on her way towards the castle.

She could have sworn that when she looked back she saw something charge after Sesshomaru. In fact, she had. But why had it just come to her mind now? Quickly she changed, and headed for the hot spring where she'd last saw him.

Looking around she caught sight of nothing. No dried blood, no corpse, nothing. She rubbed a hand through her wavy midnight black hair and sighed audibly. This feeling she had, she couldn't quite place but it felt a lot like sadness.

Touching her face, her fingertips met a warm liquid. Only a drop at first more came after until she found herself lying on the ground, dirt and grass stains covering one of her many kimonos.

Her body shook with years of unshed tears and sadness. How long had it been since she was allowed this pleasure of showing her emotions? How long had she been hiding behind her own ignorant facade?

Sesshomaru walked slowly towards his lands, holding Toukijin at his side. He was exhausted, so exhausted that he couldn't even place his sword within it's sheath. He'd never felt this tired in his life. It was unlikely for him to ever become this tired but after his fight with that bear youkai he was forced to allow his wounds to heal on their own. Not to mention he was lured a great distance from his lands. His weakened state wouldn't allow him to use his youkai cloud so he was forced to walk. And the fact that he was poisoned didn't help. Looking at his surroundings he came to the realization that he was close to his lands. For once in his life he was grateful to be heading back. His mind quietly counted out the people he would be thankful to see, Kagura being one of them. Silently he asked himself how the wind sorceress was doing and hoped like hell she hadn't gotten herself killed when an all too familiar scent reached his nose.

Sheathing Toukijin he rushed towards the clearing of the forest finding a sniffling Kagura curled into a ball.

"Woman, why did you leave the castle again?"

Kagura lifted her head, her eyes meeting golden depths. It took her a whole second to realize that she was in the presence of Sesshomaru before she launched herself at him her slender body fitting neatly into his.

"Where the hell have you been? You had us all worried, and Rin wouldn't stop crying and Jaken-"

Sesshomaru couldn't find the words to say to her as he was taken aback by her actions. The wind sorceress with a heart as cold as his was embracing him?

Oddly, he felt himself wrap his arms around her and embrace her back causing her to cut her rambling short. She sucked in air, surprised by his actions but found herself strangely comforted. She'd never felt this type of comfort before and it was heaven. Suddenly she felt something heavy on her shoulder only to find that he was leaning on her, completely unconscious from all the bleeding he'd done. Obviously the poison had spread and was manifesting within his body all that time. Quickly she began to make her way to the castle, dragging the demon lord with her.

She placed another damp towel on the Sesshomaru's head making sure not to come in contact with any of the wounds on his body.

"How did you go two weeks like this? Even now your wounds won't stop bleeding." Kagura's normally hard crimson eyes were soft with sadness and more unshed tears. Her time for crying had come and gone. Now she had to be strong, for Sesshomaru's sake.

"Lady Kagura." Sachi called from the doorway. "Please eat now. You haven't eaten since you returned with the lord and that has been nearly three days now."

"No thanks, Sachi I'm fine." Kagura said, her eyes never leaving Sesshomaru. "But if you could I need more herbs for the medicinal paste."

"I'll get some now, but please consider having something to eat."

Kagura nodded but never turned to face her. She couldn't eat, she wouldn't eat until she was sure he was okay. He was all she had right now. Actually, he was probably all she'd ever have. No one had done anything for her but him, and it was her obligation to make sure he made it.

"Kagura, eat something." A raspy voice commanded.

"I'm fine, you need to rest."

"I will not have you arguing with me, woman."

"I'm not going anywhere, damn you!"

"I said eat, now!"

"I said NO!"

Sesshomaru lifted his body slightly to grasp Kagura at the shoulders. He pulled her down only mere inches away from his face.

"I realize that you want to help but if you die from starvation you'll do nothing but cause more problems for everyone in this castle. Don't you realize that you're burden enough?"

Kagura shivered at the feel of his warm breath on her cheek. She looked into his golden eyes which portrayed a softness she'd never known him to have. Although his words were harsh she realized that he'd only meant well. Sighing she retreated from his bed chambers so she could find something to eat, if she could that is.

Sesshomaru watched Kagura walk from the room and grinned inwardly. She was not as cold as she made one think, but then again, wasn't the same true in his case? Sighing at his ignorant thoughts the demon lord closed his heavy eyes intent on regaining his lost strength.

I realize how long it's been since I've updated but time flies by so fast that before I knew it it'd been nearly four months since I'd updated. Forgive me.