A/N: For the 'Fate' theme on Dokuga's LJ comm - 400 words, no more no less. Originally posted on April 11, 2011. This won first place! :D
A 'sacrifice' is when a fighter will get hit in order to set up a more devastating counterattack. Generally, it's something to be avoided at all costs, since the initial hit can take them out.
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Sacrifice
There were moments in that first night that Sesshoumaru almost turned back. He had done some terrible things in his days, and he expected no favors in any afterlife that might exist. For centuries, he had believed that his earthly fate would be no better. Why not start paying for his crimes a bit early? 'Instant karma', as his brother would say.
But Kagome had seen more in him than the killer and the beast. Although no formal declarations had been made and although they had only been on one real date, Sesshoumaru had felt a spark of possibility. Perhaps he could attain some sort of happiness, if he only had her. Even Kagome's short life would provide him more than he had ever had. That's why he had been so willing to risk it all for her - to work for Naraku, so that she might be safe.
He looked down at the man that his two companions were beating into a pulpy mess, and he knew that those sacrifices might include the very things that endeared her to him. He would gamble the scraps of compassion that she had stirred to life - he knew that Naraku would strip it all away soon enough. Even if Sesshoumaru managed to escape with both his and Kagome's lives, it was unlikely that he could prevent that. Then, she wouldn't recognize him, and he would be back to nothing.
"Stop."
The two goons paused and looked up at him, ignoring the muffled sobs from the shopkeeper on the ground. "What?" sneered one of them. "Having second thoughts, Taisho?"
Sesshoumaru gave him his most deadly stare. "If you kill him, how can he spread the message that Naraku will not put up with challenges to his authority? A body hidden away in a coffin is soon forgotten."
Naraku's thugs considered it. "Fine. Have it your way," said the other with a shrug.
The dog demon followed them out of the ally, the shopkeeper's cries echoing behind him. If Naraku had meant to test his loyalty, he had succeeded. He would face cruelty and even commit it again for her sake. He would be a beast again to save her from a monster.
Besides, he had lost her when he had walked into Naraku's underground club. He had become a criminal that night, and no criminal ever found lasting happiness with a cop.
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