Chapter 3

"There is one thing you can do for me" said Sesshomaru.

He was now face-to-face with Kikyo. For a moment, Sesshomaru was captured by her pure and innocent eyes, losing his ability to speak. The more he stared, the harder it was to look away, and eventually he just gave up trying.

"I came on a mission…" he began, not sure how to phrase the rest of his statement. Kikyo held a finger up to his lips, hushing him. Her sudden movement caught Sesshomaru off guard, and he immediately shut-up.

"I'll bet Naraku sent you to me" Kikyo said, filling in where he had left off. Her hand moved from his lips to his face, tracing the stripes that marked his cheek. Jaken watched with astonishment as this woman touched his master. Surely Lord Sesshomaru will rip her head off! But nothing happened. Kikyo continued to speak, and Sesshomaru let her.

"Just tell me this. Why did Naraku send you?" she challenged. "I hardly believe that you, a youkai lord of such power, would seek me out on your own terms."

Sesshomaru knew that priestesses had a knack for discerning the truth, so lying would be totally pointless.

"Ah yes, it was Naraku. The foolish half-breed who can't even take care of his own dirty work. Alas, I cannot expose the reason for which I was sent."

Kikyo frowned, unsatisfied with his answer. "I see…" She decided to probe deeper, thirsty for knowledge. "Well then, would I be wrong to guess that you are here to kill me?"

Sesshomaru veered his gaze to the ground, and then Kikyo knew she was right. She grew agitated, but did her best to keep a straight face. Kikyo did not fear death; it was the way she was to die that concerned her. Her main aspiration in life since she was ressurected was to go with Inuyasha to the next world, and she couldn't allow Sesshomaru to ruin her plans. Aggravated, Kikyo snatched an arrow and strung it across her bow, pointing it straight towards the youkai's heart.

"I will not allow it" she stated plainly. Though her voice quivered, her hands remained steady on the weapon.

Without warning, another arrow came shooting out from between the trees and struck Jaken in the head. He collapsed, the blood trickling down his forehead. Both Sesshomaru and Kikyo whirled around, caught by surprise. A young lass stepped out of the shadows, followed by a dog demon.

Kikyo's bow and arrow dropped to the ground as soon as she saw Inuyasha's face. "Inuyasha…"

"Kikyo!" he cried, brandishing the Tetsusaiga.

Kagome watched them gloomily, feeling awfully jealous.

"Little brothers can be such pests!" Sesshomaru hissed. He quickly grabbed Kikyo, and held the Tokijin to her throat. "Come one step closer and I'll slice this woman's head off."

"What the hell do you want with her?" Inuyasha shouted, fiery blood raging through him.

"What business is that of yours?" Sesshomaru said calmly. Kikyo stood perfectly still in his grasp, making no effort to escape. Her eyes were glued to Inuyasha's, and she did not avert them.

Inuyasha was fuming with hatred for his brother, and he knew that there was only one way to solve this. His eyes began to turn dark red as he made the transformation to full demon.

"No! Inuyasha, you can't!" Kagome cried, realizing what was about to happen. But there was nothing she could do. The hanyou would become a killing machine, and would stop for nobody, including her.

"Inuyasha…." Kikyo spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't do it. Is my life worth the deaths of all your friends?"

At first it seemed as though even Kikyo's voice could not reach him, until his face lightened and his eyes returned to their normal color. Before Inuyasha could act, Sesshomaru summoned a cloud and took off, taking Kikyo with him.

"You won't get away over my dead body!" Inuyasha barked, springing into the air after them. He managed to grab Sesshomaru's leg and hang on. Sesshomaru dug his claws deep into the flesh of Inuyasha's arm, immediately spurting blood everywhere. Inuyasha's grip slipped, and he plummeted a great distance to the ground. Kagome ran over to where he had fallen and knelt by his side. Her eyes began to swell with tears; not only because of her jealousy, but also from seeing Inuyasha in such a state. He scrambled to his feet and tried to chase after the flying cloud, his hand throbbing with pain.

"Inuyasha, you're wounded! Come back!" Kagome shouted worriedly, following.

But Sesshomaru had already gotten away with Kikyo. They were just a speck in the distance. Inuyasha slammed his fist into a tree, leaving a big red stain on the trunk.

"SON OF A BITCH!" he yelled, losing his temper.

Kagome came up behind him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He nudged it off roughly and walked away, heading to who-knows-where. Kagome watched him leave, a salty tear running down her cheek. She looked down at her hand, which was smeared with Inuyasha's blood. I see it now she thought. Kikyo followed you to her death, and now you'll do the same for her. There's no way I can compete with that. Kagome turned around reluctantly, and trudged away in the opposite direction.

Sesshomaru looked down at the woman in his arms. She hadn't struggled or uttered a single word since he had taken her hostage. Kikyo just lay limp and allowed herself to be carried away. The only sound that could be heard was the whistling of the wind.

"Where are you taking me?" Kikyo said finally, and Sesshomaru felt his heart beat slightly faster.

"You will know soon enough" he responded. Sesshomaru knew he couldn't kill this priestess, so bringing her to Naraku was the only thing left to do. Why was such a simple task so difficult for him? Sesshomaru stared at the approaching mountain range. Naraku's temple was just beyond it. Kikyo's fate would soon be decided.