Chapter 19: Reveal Your True Feelings

Sesshoumaru ran after the bandage with demon speed that no human or hanyou possessed. Images flew past him in a blur, the ground barely touched his feet, and his focus was on one thing and one thing alone.

That damn bandage that will lead him to Kagome.

Despite his ungodly speed, Sesshoumaru did take notice that sun was setting. And if his memory was correct, which it always was, he had sent Kagome away just as the sun completely set, which meant...

Naraku has had Kagome for at least a day.

And that thought alone fueled his speed. He needed to reach Kagome and save her before that hanyou did anything to her. Why? He did not know. He did not know why the hell he cared for this girl so much, or why the thought of another man touching her fueled intense heat of jealousy. He didn't know.

But he did know one thing: He had to save her.

Pushing all thoughts aside, Sesshoumaru's golden orbs became fixated on one thing, the flying bandage. It led him through the thick forest quickly, zigzagging around trees, going under low-lying branches and it too seemed to be driven by an intangible force possessed with unreachable speeds.

Sesshoumaru followed it, around trees, under limbs, faster and faster through the thick forest. The wound from the ninja fight no longer painful, the scratches from the branches didn't make this youkai flinch.

With all of his being... he kept going.

He was going to save her.

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Inuyasha and the group ran after the bandage as well, but they were no where near Sesshoumaru. He had taken off once the Haruka muttered the word 'follow'. Now the group followed the trail, but was a ways away from Sesshoumaru.

Guilt was the one thing that was eating Inuyasha's heart at the moment. Guilt for everything. Guilt for being jealous, guilt for getting angry at Kagome, guilt for denying their friendship, but most importantly...

Guilt for not protecting her, and letting her get captured once again.

He had a lot of explaining to do. But his fear was that maybe Kagome didn't want to hear the explanations. Maybe she has had enough and she's finally through with his excuses.

He didn't know what he was going to do if he lost her friendship. Because in all truths she meant more to him than nothing. She meant a whole hell of a lot more.

And now he was scared that he was going to lose it all.

"Come on guys!" He yelled over his shoulder and picked up the pace. He needed to get there the same time Sesshoumaru did, he needed to save her and make up for all the shit he did over the past three weeks.

He wanted...no...needed to carry her to a place where it could be just him and her and explain everything and beg for her forgiveness. And he needed to do that before Sesshoumaru got to her.

It was a slight feeling, no... not a slight feeling, a deep gut-level feeling that something was going on between Sesshoumaru and Kagome. Something had to be going on between them. How else would the chain have broken without the completed shikon no tama?

And if Sesshoumaru did in fact care for Kagome more than his own soul, then all would be lost. A sinking feeling of doom filled Inuyasha's heart. He could never, ever, win Kagome back if she had also fallen for his brother. It was a no contest win.

If Sesshoumaru cared for her, he wouldn't waver, he wouldn't change his mind, he wouldn't back down, he wouldn't hide it. He would show everyone that they were not to touch his Kagome, he would care for her with all of his being, and protect her with all of his power.

Inuyasha could never compete with that.

He had fucked up with Kagome so bad he didn't know if she would ever be his friend again, much less anything else. Especially if she knew that he still was having trouble dissecting her from Kikyou.

His brain was rattled, his emotions jumbled, and his thoughts unclear.

All he was doing now was racing to find her.

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Naraku paced his bedroom chamber. Back and forth he walked, his mind rolling over the last sequence of conversations he had with Kagome. Yesterday he had kidnapped her, so easily he had taken her, but now that she was here he was getting no where with her.

He had thrown out everything, every insult to her looks, every comparison to Kikyou, everything he knew to say, he said it. And nothing. Not a single tear, not a whimper... nothing.

Kanna sat on the floor, holding her mirror that showed an image of Kagome sitting in her cell. That was all she would do, is sit. Occasionally she would sigh. And sometimes she would sleep, but most of the time she sat, looking bored.

BORED!

Naraku couldn't stand it. He was doing everything that he had done the last time he had her and nothing was sinking in! She should be in a daze of pain by now, his cruel words rolling over in her head and she should be crying.

Crying dammit!

But no, she just sat there. Looking bored. No tears, no cries of woes, NOTHING. And it was driving Naraku insane. He stopped pacing and abruptly sat down. Leaning his head against the wall, Naraku shut his eyes and began to breathe deeply.

If he tried to take Kagome by force, he might succeed but Naraku knew with her feistiness, he would end up getting hurt. And that was a risk he did not want to take.

So the only option was to put her in a mental daze of pain so she wouldn't have a clue what was going on and he could have his way with her without subjecting himself to any pain.

But that way was becoming more difficult than originally planned. Everything he said to her just bounced right off and nothing seemed to be sinking in. It was as if she didn't care.

...As if she didn't care...

Naraku's eyes snapped open. He shot his head up and looked at the image of Kagome. Of course! A sly smile spread across his face. He didn't know it was possible but it actually had happened.

Kagome didn't care about Inuyasha.

Because she cared about Sesshoumaru.

It was something that Naraku himself didn't believe could happen. But it made sense now. Of course Kagome would care about Sesshoumaru and not Inuyasha. She had spent a little over three weeks with the man and that alone could make anyone care for someone.

Naraku licked his lips and then crooned at the mirror, "I've found something, Kagome my dear. You shall be mine yet." He touched her image. Oh yes, things were looking better now.

Now that he knew the right brother.

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Kagome closed her eyes. Her butt hurt from sitting for so damn long, she was hungry as fuck, and really could use a nice chug of coke. Kagome sighed. Someone...anyone needed to save her soon.

She was worried about Sesshoumaru though. But then part of her wasn't. He was the Lord of the Western Lands. She didn't doubt that he could take care of himself. She just wished that he wouldn't haven sent here away.

'I bet you regret it now.' Kagome thought with mild amusement. If, no, when he found out that she had been capture he would be pissed, might inflict some pain on Inuyasha and then find a way to save her.

She didn't doubt him. He could protect her.

"I will not let you have this girl."

Sesshoumaru's voice rung in her head. Naraku wouldn't hurt her. Sesshoumaru wouldn't allow it.

Until he came, however, Kagome was going to have to put on a show that she was actually caring about Naraku's words. That way he wouldn't try and take her by force.

Kagome's stomach became queasy at the thought of him touching her.

The door to the dungeon opened slowly. A dark figure stood in the doorway and then stepped in. Slamming the door shut, it made its way over to Kagome.

"Hello, pet." Naraku leaned over her and stroked her face.

Kagome jerked her head away only causing Naraku to laugh. He stood up and slowly made his way to the tiny window in the corner of the room. Leaning his head against the wall, he peered outside and then began his monologue...

"You know Kagome, I was sadly mistaken." Naraku started. He waited for Kagome to reply but she didn't. "All this time I thought I had you right where I wanted you and this time there would be no escape. But...I realize I've only wasted time."

"Pity, we all have such short lives, time is something that shouldn't be wasted." Kagome said sarcastically.

"Well I wasted my time over these last twenty-four hours. Do you want to know what I've wasted it on?" Naraku asked. Kagome sat silently so Naraku continued. "I've wasted it on you, my pet. You see all this time I thought I was inflicting emotional pain on you when really you couldn't give a shit."

"Took you twenty-four hours to realize that? And here I thought you were cunning." Kagome bit out harshly.

"You don't care about Inuyasha Kagome. I know this now. You care about someone else. You care about Sesshoumaru." Silent hung in the air. Kagome didn't respond and Naraku took this as all the confirmation he needed.

He let out a laugh. A dark evil laugh that gave Kagome goose bumps. "Kagome, my pet. You are a foolish girl." He met her eyes and in the darkness it was hard to read the sapphire orbs. "To think that a heartless youkai could ever return your feelings is a foolish thought."

Kagome remained silent.

"This is too rich. Kagome, Sesshoumaru cares about nothing except himself and his power. His heart is made of ice and in his eyes you are nothing except a worthless bitch." Naraku's voice dripped like burning acid. His words were meant to sting and burn holes in her fragile heart.

But the darkness hid Kagome's face from him. He couldn't see her eyes glitter with amusement, he couldn't see them shine with defiance, and he couldn't see the large arrogant smirk her face held.

"You are certainly not good enough for him." Naraku continued.

'But the chain broke.' She countered him in her mind. Closing her eyes images of their journey flashed across her mind. The last one ended on Sesshoumaru hovered over her, shielding her with his body.

Nothing Naraku said could be true.

Because...the chain...was broken.

"Sesshoumaru-"

"Naraku." Kagome cut through his long speech. "I just want you to know that you are wasting your time right now. So... if you value it just get out and walk away. Nothing you are telling me is going to effect me."

Naraku snapped his head from the wall and looked at her. "What did you just say?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"I said, You. Are. Wasting. Your. Time." She broke down the sentence for him. "Get over it." She hissed. "All the shit you said about Inuyasha is probably true. But you know nothing of Sesshoumaru."

"You bitch!" He snapped. His patience gone, his plan out the window. Naraku had lost it now. He lunged at Kagome and with all of his force and ripped her chains right out of the wall.

Using his poison, he burned the metal right off her and it melted into nothingness. He grabbed a fistful of hair and began to drag her out of the dungeon.

But Kagome didn't go down without a fight. She kicked and screamed the whole way there, scratching and pinching his hands. Naraku flung open the door to his chambers and threw Kagome inside.

She landed against the wall on the other side with a thud. Quickly she got to her feet. Naraku entered the room and slammed the door shut. Kagome wiped blood from her mouth and smirked.

"You just can't stand it can you?" She watched Naraku grind his teeth in anger. "You can't get to me like you use too. I'm stronger now you sick son of a bitch-ass bastard! Oh so much stronger." Now her words were filled with acid.

"Listen you bitch, I'll have you screaming in a little while. Now get on that bed and beg you whore!" Naraku charged at her, but now Kagome's arms were free.

She crossed her arms in front of her and Naraku hit the barrier head on. He flew backwards into the wall and hit it with a thud.

"How does it feel, Naraku, to get your ass kicked by a copy? Tell me, how does it feel? I really would like to know." Kagome mimicked his voice as she taunted him.

Naraku slowly stood up. He wiped the trickle of blood that ran from his bottom lip. His body literally shook with anger. His black orbs swirling with fury. Anyone who was timid would stop with the taunting now.

But Kagome was far from timid.

"You know, I guess you're getting your ass kicked right now because you are just a hanyou. Did you ever stop to think that you don't belong anywhere?" Kagome continued.

Naraku, never the one to rashly attack someone, was blinded by fury and he charged at Kagome. But he was sent hurling backwards once again when hit her force field.

"Humans spit at you." Kagome smirked as he stumbled to his feet. "Youkai sneer at your tainted blood. But you know what the sad thing is Naraku." He stood as still as possible, although he was shaking with anger. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he spit out blood. "Hanyous are disgusted with you. For you are lower than them. For you aren't even of pure youkai blood. You are a disgusting mutt of disgraceful demons."

Naraku's eyes flashed. His mind was clearing up now. He knew how to get past her barrier, with one of his own of course. He surrounded himself with his barrier and then laughed. "Playtime's over bitch." He charged at her.

Kagome crossed her arms, but it was useless. His barrier was much more powerful than hers. Naraku chuckled. "Talked out?" He reached out and grabbed her throat.

Kagome clawed at his hands, but the attempt was futile. Naraku raised her tiny body in the air so that she was eye level with him. Kagome coughed and wheezed as Naraku just stared into her eyes, his black depths dancing with enjoyment.

"I'm going to enjoy fucking you." He said.

"Go..." Kagome coughed. "Go...to...HELL!" She screamed with all her might. Naraku laughed and threw her body onto his bed.

"Now, let's have some fun-" Naraku stopped in mid-sentence, he felt a strong youkai energy coming straight at his castle.

Before he knew it the door and the wall around it exploded with such force that it caused the entire wall to crumble. Kagome sat up and looked as the dust cleared.

Sesshoumaru stood his eyes crimson red, his fangs showing, and his hands in tight fists. "Die." He said and charged at Naraku. He pinned the hanyou to the wall and quickly drew Tokijin.

With a quick force he stabbed the hanyou in the stomach. Naraku coughed up blood as Sesshoumaru drove the sword all the way through. In an instant the roof of the castle flew off. Kagura and Kanna were riding on Kagura's feather high above. Bees swooped down and filled the room with miasma as Naraku escaped.

Kagome stood and watched as the castle began to blow away. High winds destroyed the building. Rain began to pour in large, fat, droplets. It wasn't long before Kagome and Sesshoumaru were soaked.

Once the miasma cleared and all the debris from the castle had vanished, Kagome and Sesshoumaru realized that the big distraction had been a perfect chance for the hanyou to escape, and now he was gone.

Kagome's gaze shifted from the dark black sky, to the demon a few feet in front of her. He had saved her. She knew he would save her. And he did. Slowly the demon turned around and met her gaze.

The rain continued to fall as the two stared at each other. It was cold and wet but all Kagome could feel was the deep fire of passion and yearning she had to be in Sesshoumaru's arms.

She ran to him. Her heart pounding, she ran to him. He went to her with his quick demon speed and their two bodies collided.

Sesshoumaru wrapped one arm around her waist while the other was tangle in her wet hair. Kagome pressed herself to his chest, her arms folded against his torso as she clutched his kimono.

Their lips met in a searing kiss. Passion swept through Kagome's body as they kiss. Sesshoumaru deepened their kiss and swept his tongue through Kagome's mouth tasting her sweetness.

Heat erupted through Kagome's entire being with just one kiss. She felt Sesshoumaru's tongue colliding with her own and she never knew she could get so much enjoyment with a kiss.

They pulled back and gasped for air.

Kagome touched Sesshoumaru's face. "I knew you would come." She whispered. She met his orbs. "Don't ever send me away again." Sesshoumaru captured her with another kiss.

"Never." He said when he pulled back.

Kagome could sense Inuyasha's aura and knew Sesshoumaru could too. "Inuyasha's coming." She whispered.

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed red. He pulled back from Kagome and she nearly whimpered from the lack of warmth. "Kagome, I will kill him. If I see him, I will kill him for letting harm come to you."

"Sesshoumaru..." Kagome began but Sesshoumaru took a step back.

"I don't want to cause you pain, Kagome. I will watch over you at a distance, I will make sure that-"

"NO!" Kagome clutched her fist and slammed her foot down. She knew what Sesshoumaru was doing. He was thinking of her and how she promised she would help Inuyasha find the shards once the chain was broken, but it was different now. Sesshoumaru was involved and she didn't want to leave him. "No dammit that's not good enough!"

Kagome met his eyes. Rain made steady streams down their faces. "I want to be with you, take me-" Sesshoumaru had already scooped up her tiny body and now they were off to the Western Lands.

Rain pelted against their bodies but Sesshoumaru didn't slow down. He reached his balcony at amazing speed and quickly opened the door. They went inside, Sesshoumaru gently set down Kagome and then went back to shut the door. There was a small click and then not a sound could be heard except for the soft pounding of rain on the windows.

Kagome's hair stuck to her face, her clothes were drenched and left little to the imagination. She watched as Sesshoumaru slowly turned around and made his way to her.

He cupped her face and held it with both hands. His softly kissed her lips, and then traveled down to her jawbone, all the way down to her neck. Slowly he moved her closer to the bed and then gently laid her down on it.

His mouth reached her lips again and he deepened his soft kisses and gently peeled off their wet clothing.

And then... he took her as his mate.

End of Chapter

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Moonchild: Ok. So, sorry no lemon. I just don't have the gift people. But at least I left you with enough so you can use your imagination if you really want lemon that bad.

Kagome: By the way, this is another THE chapter.

Moonchild: You are so right Kagome. This is THE chapter.

Inuyasha: Now why the fuck is this another THE chapter!

Sesshoumaru: Dammit you stupid son of a bitch do we have to explain every fucking thing to you? This is THE chapter because it's THE chapter Kagome and I have our first kiss. And THE chapter I take her as my mate.

Inuyasha: You can't take her as your mate! She's my damn wench!

Kagome: Sit.

(Thump)

Inuyasha: (mumbles) Bitch...

Moonchild: Will Inuyasha ever learn? Find out next time on Chained to You. Thank you so much for reading. And thank you for all the wonderful reviews you have given me. I love them. Please continue to send them! But no flames! They really make me not learn!

Kagome: Inuyasha...learning...now THAT'S an oxymoron.

Moonchild: I concur.