A/N: It's been awhile since I updated! Finals have kept me busy and away from the fic, but now I'm going on break so more chapters should be coming out soon. Thanks for all of the great reviews. )

Last time: Arago wants to mix Sesshoumaru's poison with Kagome's blood. Kikyou has imbedded herself with Inuyasha, and is seemingly following Arago's orders. Kagome and Sesshoumaru fight like children and come to the agreement of training in exchange for life…..

Prisoners

Chapter 5 - Fallen Angel: Part 2

Kagome tapped her finger on the cold stone floor of her cell. It had been one week since her deal with Sesshoumaru and things had been rather rough on the girl. He was a relentless teacher, demanding nothing less than perfection from her. Sesshoumaru had helped her to perfect forming shields in merely a day and her miko powers were already strengthening. She could feel the power flowing through her and was more in tune with the things around her. He had also taught her to use her powers to feel the things around her. She was already greatly in tune with his youki and could detect others when they walked by.

Her powers were not weak before, but with the guidance and grueling practice Sesshoumaru forced on her, they were growing rapidly. They trained for the better part of the day, stopping only to eat or when Kagome had exhausted her abilities. She would repeat exercises again and again until the Lord of the West was completely satisfied with her performance. He barely talked to her, preferring to send her deathly glares when she did not get something right and small nods of approval when she had done something well.

The only reason Kagome was not practicing right now was because guards had taken Sesshoumaru away for the "extraction." From the small amount of information she could pry from Sesshoumaru, they were collecting his poison. He would be allowed a few days to heal and for his poison to be re-supplied and then it would be extracted again. Arago's plans were still a mystery and Kagome was beginning to think Inuyasha would never come.

I wish you would hurry up, Inuyasha! Kagome silently seethed. She was beginning to think that she and Sesshoumaru would have to try to escape on their own if Inuyasha didn't come soon. She definitely wasn't ready to face anyone in combat.

She was shaken from her reverie by the large door creaking open and the heavy sound of a body landing on the cold stone. Picking up her bag of medical supplies, she began to tend Sesshoumaru's wounds as the door was slammed closed again. The inuyoukai did not move as Kagome gently cleaned his cuts and bandaged the wounded demon.

"Your wounds aren't as bad as they have been." Kagome smiled cheerfully. "You will heal in no time." She taped the last bandage over his cuts and put her supplies away.

"Hn." His only reply was a sound similar to approval.

Kagome rolled her eyes at the impassive response and leaned against the wall of the cell. What she wouldn't give for a nice, warm hot spring right now. Yes, Sesshoumaru was a very attractive, angelic, gorgeous being. But he was severely lacking in the people skills department.

But it suits him. Kagome thought. She would expect nothing less than regality from him.

"They are planning something." Sesshoumaru's deep voice again broke her thoughts.

"How do you know?" Kagome turned her attention towards him.

"My instincts are never wrong." Sesshoumaru informed her matter-of-factly. He watched the frustration flash across her face and sighed inwardly. "It involves you."

"Me?" Kagome asked. "What does he want with me? I still haven't figured that part out."

"I'm not sure." Sesshoumaru's brow was furrowed in concentration. He had a hunch as to what Arago was planning, but thought it wiser to keep the information from the girl. If he told her, she would do even more annoying crying and whining.

Kagome absently chewed on her bottom lip. She could tell Sesshoumaru was hiding something, thanks to all that practice tuning into youki. It was unsettling that he knew something but refused to tell her.

"You should practice." Sesshoumaru's smooth voice commanded. Kagome simply nodded and waited for her first assignment. Even when hurt and tired, he would not relent.

Slave driver. Kagome groaned to herself. It looked like she was in for another long training session.

Sango glared at the previous protector of the Shikon no Tama. The undead priestess was making herself quite comfortable in the arms of a certain hanyou.

"It's alright Kikyo. They know you only did those things because you were angry. We have all been deceived by Naraku." Inuyasha tried to comfort the distraught woman.

The past week had been very difficult for the demon slayer to take. Watching Inuyasha practically melt over the priestess' every word was making her sick. And she wasn't the only one being suspicious of the woman's sudden appearance.

"I just don't get it." Miroku spoke quietly to Sango.

"Can't he see it's a trap." Sango shook her head. It was all too familiar. Kikyo did the same kinds of things when Kagome was around, and was now using her absence to her advantage. Once the undead woman got some jewel shards, she would run off to give them to Naraku. She hadn't changed. She couldn't. Her entire rebirth was from hatred and nothing can change the unrest of a spirit.

"He's blinded by the woman she once was. It's sad really and I almost feel sorry for the guy." The monk sighed in half understanding.

"He doesn't even care about Kagome anymore." Sango growled out. "I won't let her just be replaced like this! She's like a sister to me. It kills me not knowing where she is or if she's okay." An arm snaked around her shoulders and for once stayed above her waist.

"I agree." Miroku spoke softly. "Maybe it would be best if we continued to search on our own." He suggested.

"You're talking about leaving Inuyasha and Kikyo?" She asked, receiving a nod in return. She had to give him some credit. It had been on her mind for days to get out on her own in search of Kagome. Now, she wouldn't have to go alone.

"So, what do you say?" Miroku stood up and offered Sango his un-cursed hand while flashing a charming smile.

"Let's go." Sango stood up and brushed the dirt from her outfit. Carefully lifting Shippo off of the blanket he slept on, she rolled up the various belongings they had set out earlier in the day. She quickly put them back into the giant yellow bag of Kagome's and prepared her own things. Her packing was interrupted by screams from the other side of the campfire.

"WHAT!" Inuyasha's voice shrieked.

"I said, Sango and I are taking Shippo and continuing the search for Kagome on our own." Miroku kept a straight face and tried to stay as calm as possible when one faced an angry hanyou.

"What the hell is this about!" Inuyasha was on his feet and in the monk's face. "Is this how you repay me for saving your ass in battle?" He asked, nearly foaming at the mouth.

"We're not the ones who replaced Kagome as if she were an unwanted toy!" Sango jumped in at this point, not worrying if her shouting woke Shippo up.

"What are you talking about? Kikyo offered to help us and she will." Inuyasha defended.

"Are you really that dense, Inuyasha?" Miroku scowled. "Have you not noticed what's been going on? We're heading in the opposite direction you last caught her scent. We haven't seen another living creature around. Can't you see she has lead us in the wrong direction?"

"Don't be stupid, Miroku! She can sense her own soul, you idiot! She's the one tracking her down and you're the ones always not wanting to follow." Inuyasha growled. Kikyo stood beside him, no emotion playing on her face. This was dangerous conversation and she did not want to reveal herself this soon in the game.

"I can't believe this." Sango shook her head in disgust. "Listen to yourself for once. You're too blind by your love for Kikyo that you can't see what her real intentions are. We're going to find Kagome and to hell with you and your dead bitch!"

How perceptive. Kikyo smiled inwardly at the demon slayer's comment. That is exactly what I intend to do in the end.

Sango stormed away from them, quickly followed by Miroku. A sleepy Shippo asked questions and received no answers as Sango picked him up along with the yellow backpack and climbed on the back of the transformed Kilala.

"Sorry it had to end like this." Miroku threw to his friend. It really was a shame that the group had to split up on such terms, but the monk knew that Inuyasha would come to his senses eventually and realize what was going on. He always did. Eventually.

"Yeah, well who needs ya!" Inuyasha shouted to the retreating figures. "You're just jealous you can't get a woman like this Miroku! Hope you all get eaten by a damn centipede." He crossed arms and pressed his ears to his head. Something they had said had struck a nerve.

"Don't worry Inuyasha. I will never leave you." Kikyo all too sweet voice reached his ears and his features softened.

"I know." He sighed and sat back down by the fire. His eyes glowed in the light and his mind wandered about everything that had happened, especially concerning the woman with him and the one still missing.

Kagome stood as still as she possibly could. Guards had taken her from the prison and brought her into a room just as grim as her holding quarters. Grey stone surrounded her and dim torches hung on the walls. Only one chair was present and she did not like the looks of it. Heavy leather straps covered the arms and legs, making it look more like a torture device. She had a bad feeling about this.

"My lady." Arago's chilling voice made her shiver. He entered the room with several guards. "I hope you have found my accommodations suitable."

Kagome cringed. She did not like this guy. Sure, he looked like an angel but anyone could see straight through this façade. He was the very incarnation of evil. It radiated off of him in waves that made her feel very threatened. His intentions were unclear, but they were undoubtedly malicious.

"The training is coming along I see." Arago's ice blue eyes caught her own in a piercing gaze.

He knows? Kagome panicked for a moment before she realized he would be stupid not to. Besides, he seemed oddly pleased to see she had strengthened.

"I hope you are not too tired today. You will need all of your strength for the absorption." Another cold smile graced his face and he reached out a clawed hand to her. Gently pulling on it, he led her to sit in the wooden chair positioned in the middle of the room.

"Absorption? What are you talking about?" Kagome tried to keep her fear in check. She couldn't fight him because that would be stupid. He had to be one hundred times stronger than her even with her miko powers.

"You will soon find out. Try to relax, it will be much more painless if you don't fight it." The glint in his eyes confirmed Kagome's suspicion. Something very bad was about to happen.

Kagome felt his clawed hands guide her own into the straps and secure them tightly onto the wooden arms of the chair. He drew the straps tight, careful not to hurt her but securing her tightly to the chair. She felt his hand trail from her knee to her ankle and strap her legs to the chair. Trembling, Kagome attempted to pull her wrists free from the binds.

"I warned you that struggling will only prolong your suffering." Arago sneered, revealing his sharpened canine teeth. Withdrawing from her, he reached towards one of the guards that had accompanied him and took a small glass from him.

Kagome eyed the glass suspiciously. It was about the size of a shot glass, but it wasn't the glass that bothered her. It was the glowing green liquid inside that made her stomach turn. Her mind spun as she made a connection.

"Sesshoumaru's poison?" She gasped aloud. Arago again smiled at her.

"Very perceptive. Can't put anything past you, can I?" He asked with a hint of humor. Kagome didn't find it funny.

"What do you want with me?" She growled out, suddenly feeling very threatened by him. His youki swirled with evil intent and she couldn't help but pick up the bad vibes coming from him and his devil like servants.

"You should be honored. You will be the gateway for my power." Arago stirred the glowing liquid and approached her.

"I don't know what you think you're doing, but you won't get away with it." Kagome told him defiantly, refusing to allow her fears to get the best of her. She could only imagine what he was planning on doing with that poison.

"Do you think the hanyou will come for you?" He laughed. "Why would he chase you when he has the undead priestess now?" He watched the emotions play across her face. Disbelief, sadness, and anger swirled beautifully in her chocolate colored eyes.

"You're lying." She accused, feeling the pin prick of tears in her eyes.

"Am I? Wouldn't he be here by now if he were searching for you?" He was beside her now, swirling the contents of the glass at her eye level. Kagome clenched her teeth, unwilling to believe what he was saying.

It made sense. She had waited day in and day out in that cramped cell with Inuyasha's half brother. There was no sign of battle near the castle, no shouting and wielding of swords. No Inuyasha. He wasn't coming. It was a revelation that hit Kagome like a ton of rocks. Inuyasha was not coming for her and she was completely at the mercy of this power thirsty demon.

"Now, let's begin." Arago set the glass to her lips. "Drink it quickly." He commanded, pressing the cold surface against her soft lips.

Kagome held fast. Was he crazy! He wanted her to drink the poison from the inutaisho. She had seen what that poison could do and there was no way she would drink it. She shut her mouth tight and refused to down it.

"Insolent wench." Arago grabbed her chin in his claws and forced the glass into her lips. Kagome clenched her teeth and grimaced as the glass pressed against her pearly whites. She tried to kick out at him, but the leather straps held her feed fast.

"I said drink." Arago's blue eyes became tinged with red and he grabbed her by the neck. Squeezing her neck hard enough to cut off her air supply. "You will do as you are told, miko." He snarled, letting his sharp claws cut into her sensitive flesh. Kagome tried to hold out, but she couldn't get enough air.

As hard as she tried, she couldn't keep her mouth from opening to gasp for air. As soon as her lips parted, the glass was tipped into her mouth and she felt the hot burn of the poison running down her throat. The hand holding her throat was gone but she her airway remained constricted. She couldn't breath and she could feel the poison trailing through her. It was hot and bitter, and the taste in her mouth was more vile than anything she had ever tasted.

Feeling the bile rise in her throat, she could not stop it as she spilled the contents of her stomach out onto the cold stone floor. Unfortunately, it missed the demon since he had already retreated to the safety of the doorway. Her vision was blurring and her entire body felt like it was on fire. She could feel the poison coursing through her veins, leaving a trail of pain behind it. Her body convulsed and her stomach clenched. She had never felt this kind of pain in her life.

"You're still not strong enough." Arago's voice echoed from the doorway. "That was but a taste of what is to come." He exited the room, leaving instructions that she was to be taken back to the cell immediately.

Kagome didn't even remember being freed from the chair or carried back to her prison. All she could feel was the pain. Her body was hot and she was disoriented. The guards tossed her ungracefully onto the cold stone floor of the cell and closed the door behind them.

Sesshoumaru glanced cautiously at the girl shaking on the floor. His suspicions were correct and he now knew they were in more trouble than he had first thought. He could smell his poison coursing through her body and did not have high hopes that she would live. Moving towards her, he pulled the girls shaking frame into his lap and felt her forehead.

"You're much too hot for a human." He growled out, feeling slightly annoyed that he would take such care of her. However, he did owe her for taking care of him and he was not one to not repay a favor. "You must concentrate, miko. Use your powers to overcome it."

The blank stare on the woman's face let him know she could not hear him. She was sweating and her body was racked with shakes. Her body convulsed in pain and she had tears coming from her eyes.

"He's crazy…" Kagome muttered incoherently. "…It hurts…" She tossed her head wildly to the side and the demon lord shook his head. Things did not look good for the miko. Consuming his poison was a death warrant and he knew she would not survive the night.

Despite his confidence in his poison's ability to kill, he wet a rag and placed it over her forehead to cool her fever. It was the least he could do to try and make her last hours comfortable. Sesshoumaru was not emotional, but he did respect the lives and deaths of courageous warriors. In his mind, this woman was a warrior. She had faced him in battle and did not waver in her determination. He could feel the power in her and the purity of her soul. She was a brave, if sometimes foolish being, and he would not ignore her in the last moments of her life.

It was sad really, seeing such an innocent being fade away right in front of him. Her once shining eyes were dull and swirled with green poison. He sighed softly and tried to soothe her incoherently ramblings. Her usually smooth and silky hair was limp and dull around her paler than usual face. Despite his dislike for humans, he had to admit he had never met one like her. She was beautiful by human standards and by most demon ones as well. Her aura usually shined brightly with the goodness in her heart and Sesshoumaru would never understand how this womancould have such good will towards others.Now, it was tainted with his own poison. Her body continued shaking and she still cried out occasionally in pain.

It's a shame that a creature of such beauty would die such a humiliating death. His golden eyes softened only a fraction as he looked down at the fevered girl in his lap. He tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear out of her sweat covered face and wet the rag on her forehead again to cool her fever. Letting out a sigh, he continued to keep watch over her. His eyes drifted over her face and he could not help but feel a little sorry for the fallen angel, broken and dying before him.

WildcatYST: Well? What do you think! Hehe. I've had so many plot bunnies running around in my head that I have barely had time for this fic. Don't worry, I'm still working on this one and I promise to get more chappies out soon.

Review? Please? Don't make me beg, because I will!