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Awakening

Kagome watched, confused, as her mate-to-be unsheathed his sword. What was he doing? Sesshomaru stepped forward and closer into her space, and when he lifted his arm she gasped and tightened the hold she had on the child in her arms. Panic flooded through her, and her heart rate increased. Was he going to attack? No, that can't be right...Sesshomaru would never harm her!

"Kagome," came his deep voice. "Put the girl down."

"Why?" she managed to croak. She gripped even tighter onto the girl.

"Just do as I say," Sesshomaru huffed. A lump formed in Kagome's throat and she shook her head violently.

"No," she sobbed. "She's already dead. I will not...why are you doing this? I thought you were better than this!"

An irritated expression crossed Sesshomaru's face, and then he sighed. "I do not wish to harm her. Trust me."

His voice had softened when he uttered the last sentence. Kagome's eyes widened. He very rarely spoke with such emotion. She did not understand what was going on, but she did trust him. Even though his actions made no sense and worried her, deep down she knew he would never harm a child. Even a dead one. So there was something he was not telling her. And he wanted her to take a leap of faith.

"Okay," Kagome whispered. Her heart was still beating erratically in her chest and the lump was still in her throat as she lowered the child to the ground. She sniffed as she glanced at the girl's beautiful face. She shuffled back to give Sesshomaru some space.

Sesshomaru looked down at the child and felt his chest tighten. The girl had not deserved such a violent death. He silently vowed she would never suffer such pain again. His eyes narrowed at the minions of the Underworld gathered around her.

Kagome watched mesmerised as her mate-to-be glared at the girl, although his gaze was not quite focued on her. What was he looking at? Could he sense something she could not? What was he going to do?

She nearly screamed when he lifted his sword and slashed. She gasped and shuffled forward, worried. Except the girl was untouched. No sword wound, not even her clothes had been effected. Sesshomaru's expression turned to a calm and satisfied look as he sheated his sword.

"What did you do?" Kagome asked.

But before he could answer, the girl's eyes fluttered open.