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Glossary:

Miko: priestess

Hanyou: half demon

Youkai: demon

Osuwari: sit

Ramen: Japanese noodles

Haori: the red coat Inuyasha's wearing

Katana: sword

Kaze no Kizu: Wind scar

Senkonketsu: Iron Reaver Soul Stealer

Baka: Idiot

Inu: Dog

Chapter 9

The sun had risen, casting its gentle rays on the land. Inuyasha was back in his Hanyou form, but still, he lay in Lady Kaede's hut, unconscious. Kagome could only sit by his side as she watched him sweat profusely. Recalling what Lady Kaede jut said hours ago, she bit her lips and fought back tears.

"He's poisoned, and there's no antidote. I could only give him some herbs to slow down the poison from spreading, but..." Lady Kaede broke off and shook her head solemnly. Kagome knew the outcome would be like this, she knew Inuyasha's condition was severe. After all, its youkai poison they're talking about. Even a true youkai wouldn't stand such a blow.

However, her heart was still aching, aching and guilty. "I should be the one lying here, not Inuyasha..." She thought as misery threatened to engulf her in its darkness. Her mind once again flashed back to the fighting scene, the moment Inuyasha dashed out in front of her offering the unwanted protection.

"Look out, Kagome!" These precious few words rang in Kagome's ears. Holding one of Inuyasha's icy cold hands, she whispered, hoping that somehow, her voice would be carried to him. "Wake up, Inuyasha, stop sleeping..." Still, he lay motionless. The lack of response pierced her heart a million times. Tears fall, wetting the hanyou's hands. How she missed that Hanyou who bickered with her over every little thing. How she missed him...but does he know that?

A gentle knock was heard. Kagome quickly wiped her tears dry, but whoever that knocked the door had seen it. Scurrying as fast as his tiny paws could take him, Shippo reached Kagome's side: "Kagome, are you alright?"

"Yes, Shippo. I'm... I'm just a bit tired, that's all." She forced herself to smile, just to assure the kid, but Shippo's way clever that that, he understood the atmosphere, he knew the pain. Staring at Kagome and staring at Inuyasha, he suddenly remembered something. Perhaps it was a gentle reminder from his father, he suddenly knew something that would make both Kagome and Inuyasha better.

"Kagome let Inuyasha lie on your lap!"

"Huh?" She was apparently bewildered at his strange suggestion.

"Just let him lie on your lap, it'll make him better!" Shippo said excitedly. Kagome did as she was told.

Although Inuyasha remained asleep, but the change was distinct. No longer was his breathing ragged and uncoordinated, in addition to that, calmness spread over him. Kagome was glad she could help, at least he looked like a living person. Touching Inuyasha's forehead as softly as a feather, she whispered: "Thanks, Shippo."

Shippo beamed. He remembered such a similar incident before. The night they first see Inuyasha in his human form, the night they were attacked by eight legged freaking spiders, the night Inuyasha was poisoned, the night he requested to lie on Kagome's lap, and perhaps... the very night that triggered Kagome's feelings for him.

She may not remember it, she may not know that how alike the circumstances were, but the Hanyou remembered. Was it merely innocent sleep talking, or was it words from the bottom of his heart, they never knew. Whatever it is, it had the same effect on Kagome when she first let him lie on her lap, so long ago.

Speaking for the first time since he lost conscious, Inuyasha said: "I like your smell Kagome, it's very nice..."

Out at the open field, a proud youkai stood. He allowed the cool midnight wind to play with his beautiful long hair, but never would he allow his enemies to play with him, treating him like a clueless fool, for he isn't.

"Never." He's heart raged, though, his face was still devoid of emotions.

The human girl and the toad were gone. No longer were they making a racket around him, for they were captured, captured by a mysterious vixen. It was daring of her to go against this aristocratic assassin. If she isn't careful, her head would soon fall, her body severely slashed, and she would be savoring the ruthless killing of the lord in her very own throat. Alas, she's no idiot. Traces of her were wiped away from the land right after she kidnapped the lord's followers, for she knew that it was humiliating for him that she had took the child and the toad without his consent.

Proudly he stood there, and proudly he vowed: "Anyone who dares defy me..." "Shinkt!" His claws were out, poison dripping from the pointy tip of his every finger. "...dies."

Blood shoot out of the headless body. The youkai who tried to attack was slain. Blame on his stupidity. How could the mighty Lord Sesshomaru not know he was surrounded? And how in the world would that particular bull youkai think that he could survive after launching an attack on the lord? Measly youkai who had just witnessed the killing of their general gasped in horror, but still they would not retreat. It might be pure loyalty, or in another perspective, pure fear, for if they dare to flee, a deadly invitation would be given by the mistress which rules them all. They charged mindlessly out of their hiding place, while Sesshomaru gazed at them without a trace of panic, ignoring that there were hundreds of them, and there was only one of him. To him, they played a small role, but whatever it is, he would still have to give them the honor to die at his hands as well as sacrifices to appease his anger.

A lop-sided battle scene was formed, but sympathies should be given to the warriors, for Sesshomaru was gaining the upper hand. Placing his delicate fingers on the hilt of his demonic katana - Tokijin, Sesshomaru felt the pulse, than the excitement radiating out of the vibrant katana, lusting for the big kill. Total destruction awaits.

A blue blast took down half of the army. The remaining ones would have to make do with other form of killings. Sesshomaru surveyed the battle scene for a moment, than started running as swiftly as a wild horse, slaughtering any youkai that stands in his way. Blood was splattered on the blade, but it did not dampen the shine on it. Some youkai were ripped into pieces, and another much unluckier portion suffered Sesshomaru's poison, thus a slow and painful death.

The killing went on and on till the first ray of the sun touched the land which reeks of despair. The silhouette of the lord could be seen against the dawn sky, the only victor in this cruel game of survival. Corpses were strewn all over the field, and their blood splattered on the greenness of the grass like crimson red flowers. Silently, he turned and walked away, struggling not to show fatigue. Though, sad to say, the hero finally buckled and fall, heart full of unspeakable bitterness, far from the help of people who concerned and far from the salvation of his soul.