Moonlight fell across the room, the beams glinting on their fellows that had solidified to form the strands of his hair. She froze in the doorway watching him, not entirely certain of how she had gotten there.
"I've been waiting for you." His voice was barely more than a whisper, freezing Kagome again when she'd been about to back away. He turned to her, his eyes bright in his shadowed face. For a long moment they simply stared at each other, then he was standing over her, his eyes burning into hers.
"Wh…Why?" She couldn't understand why her voice wasn't working properly, why she was trembling so badly, "Did I do something to bother you?"
Sesshomaru smiled a little, framing her face with his hands, "You left me. I should not have allowed it. I will not again." She tried to speak again, but he silenced her, "No, no more. Come." His arm went around her shoulders, guiding her across the room.
She didn't think of resisting as he eased her onto his bed, stretching out beside her as he pulled her close, holding her tightly against him. Being in his arms again felt so completely right that she wondered how she had ever left his embrace.
Her clothes had vanished in the blink of an eye and they were beneath the blankets, his hands smoothing over her like silk, his touch worshipping and somehow possessive at the same time. She was trembling again and her blood had reached the temperature of magma. Her heart was racing in her throat and ears. He was whispering something that she couldn't understand, but not knowing made it all the more magical.
Her eyes fell closed as she offered him her lips again, offered herself to him, an offer Sesshomaru was moving to accept when a sharp snap brought Kagome's beautiful dream world crashing into reality. She blinked several times against the early morning sunlight and glared at Miroku who had snapped a twig while walking past her head. She decided instantly to hate him for waking her so early and from such a wonderful dream.
She rolled over, but quickly gave up on going back to sleep. She would have had to get up soon anyway. Kagome stretched, but slumped back in her sleeping bag, taking advantage of the momentary silence to think about Sesshomaru. It had been weeks since she'd seen him; the time could nearly be measured in months. Despite his absence and clearly obvious avoidance of her, Kagome's love for him was driving her crazy with its intensity. She had never thought she could miss someone so badly, and she wasn't sure how much more she could endure. This had to be love, because she couldn't loosen its hold on her. Dreams of him were becoming more common, she could hardly pass an hour without wondering about him and each time her prayers to catch a glimpse of him were deigned it hurt more. All she could do was try to keep herself occupied, try to keep from dwelling on it. Her strategy made each day bearable, but only just.
With a sort sigh she got up and began rolling up her sleeping bag. There was no point in making herself feel bad so early in the morning.
*
Night had set in several hours ago, but he did not slow for it, had no intention to. His suffering was worse at night, when dreams of her plagued him continually. A sweet maddening torture that had chased him from sleep many times until he gave up on it completely, classifying more than an occasional few moments of rest as an unnecessary luxury. He'd gone longer without sleep before.
As usual Sesshomaru had informed no one that he was leaving or where he was going. It was the business of no one except himself that he had chosen to visit him father's false grave. The remains were not there true, but it was where the demon's memory had been put to rest, where many had mourned him, and where Sesshomaru had visited only once, to ensure the body was not there. Now he was going for a different reason, one he was not fully willing to understand. He was simply doing something that he felt he should.
The pinprick of light flashed in the distance, but it was the breeze caressing his face that brought Sesshomaru to a stop, his eyes focused on the camp in the distance as he divided the several familiar scents, the strongest and easiest to identify was hers.
Under normal circumstances he would have continued no matter what lay in his path. This was not a normal circumstance. Avoiding them would cost him little, only some time, probably not even an hour, and still it was insulting to be forced to divert his course. He consoled himself with the knowledge that even the mightiest rivers were forced to work around mountains. Strange that his mountain happened to be a girl that barely reached to his shoulder, but had effectively and mercilessly altered his reality. He should want to hate her, but somehow could not muster even an ounce of irritation toward her, anything excluding fond thoughts turned against him. He altered his direction, intent on bypassing her.
Another breeze reached him, this one softer than the last and carrying only the soft, intoxicating scent of the human that had once been his. The he wanted so badly to reclaim, but could not. He attempted to ignore it, but this wind was persistent, circling rather than leaving him. His eyes were pulled back to the fire he knew she would be next to. She would be asleep, they all would. He could pass through without being noticed, he'd done so before. A glance would be enough, one more before he gave her up completely, and it would save him time.
The orange light momentarily dazzled his eyes that had adjusted to the darkness. For a moment he hovered on the edge of the camp, attempting to make himself go around, but realizing already that it was too late. He should never have come this close, but any chastising thoughts were banished when his searching eyes found her, and he was unable to keep his feet from advancing.
He found himself at her side, observing her closely to see how such beauty could be human. His fingers trembled with the need to touch her, and he curled them against the weakness, the tips of his claws sharp against his palms. He had become an enabler to his own addiction, and if he had been able to think of anything except her Sesshomaru would have hated himself for it. He waited for her to move, to wake or make some sound, but she did nothing but breath slowly, silently.
He couldn't force himself away from her, but knew that he could not stay any longer without running the risk of being detected, but that was only if he stayed. They would never know if he stole her away for a short time, only an hour at the most. His decision was made before he decided to consider the consequences his action could bring. His arm slid beneath her, lifting the girl and the strange fabric cocoon she slept in. He turned away from the camp, setting off into the trees as her head fell against his shoulder. She made a soft almost whimpering sound, but did not wake.
He was about to cry out when a hand went over his mouth to silence him. Miroku spun to the person stopping his voice and dropped any idea of fighting as Sango moved her hand and shook her head. "Sesshomaru is kidnapping Kagome again. We have to stop him."
"No, he won't hurt her." Sango looked at where Sesshomaru and Kagome had disappeared.
"What are you thinking Sango? We have to wake Inuyasha and go after them."
"No!" Sango grabbed his arm, kept him from walking toward the still sleeping half demon, "Inuyasha can't know. You weren't supposed to either. This has been hard enough for Kagome without the two of you ganging up on her for things she can't help."
"What are you talking about?"
Miroku wouldn't believe her if she simply told him. Sango sighed and stood, "Come with me, but be quiet." She snuck quickly from the campsite, Miroku silent behind her.
Sesshomaru placed her carefully on the ground, meaning to sit beside her, watch her sleep a little longer and return her before her absence was noticed. Yet as he stepped back the distance between them became unbearable, his arms felt useless and empty without her in them, and as usual the voice in his head was screaming to have her closer. He was suddenly tired, exhausted in a way he had never been before, and as his overworked mind began functioning on a much lower level it began to heed the demands of his body.
"Do you see now? Sesshomaru hasn't been coming around to hurt Kagome, he's been around because of Kagome."
"How long has this been going on?" Miroku stared at them as Sesshomaru set the sleeping girl on the ground and looked down at her.
"I've known for a while that Kagome is in love with him, but Sesshomaru only came around once or twice before this. He's never taken her away before, but he isn't going to hurt her."
"Kagome is in love with Sesshomaru? How did that happen?"
"I don't know either, but when she told me she was really determined that you should not know, and you can't tell Inuyasha any of this, no matter what." Sango pulled him away from where they had hidden, "Now let's leave them alone."
"I dislike this. How could Kagome do such a thing?"
"You can't pick who you love Miroku." She whispered.
"But of all the men she could pick, Koga, Inuyasha, me, why Sesshomaru?"
Sango glared at him, annoyed at the way he had said "me" as if it were the obvious choice. "Just get back to camp, and don't wake Inuyasha."
For a moment he considered the unusual fastenings holding the ends of her bedding together. His fingers found the small metal tag and he pulled it downward, watching the tiny teeth release. He did not take the time to admire the mechanism, that curious knowledge seeking part of his brain had been one of the first to switch off. Now helpless against her need to be close to her Sesshomaru slid into the one-piece bed with her, somehow keeping his hair out of the metal teeth as he closed them.
He turned toward her, his arms sliding around her to pull her closer in the cramped space. He hid his face in her silken hair, his eyes falling closed. He barely had a chance to savor her smell and enjoy the feeling of her small soft body against him before sleep pulled him into the calm blackness of oblivion.
Half awake she rolled into the warmth running down the length of her back, barely aware of the band around her, or anything else. She could hear someone breathing, and a steady heartbeat. Something twitched against the small of her back and Kagome reached the realization that the warm body she had been cuddling against should not have been there.
Her eyes snapped open and she recoiled slightly, inhaling in the form of a gasp. Her racing pulse only slowed when she recognized the person sleeping beside her. She blinked a few times, certain that she was seeing things, or that she was dreaming again, but in her dreams he had never been asleep. For a second she looked at him, his face as calm and blank in sleep as when he was awake. And somehow he seemed more altered than he had ever before. Looking at him now Sesshomaru seemed almost vulnerable, nothing like the vicious demon with dead eyes that so many trembled at the thought of. It was strange to think she had been afraid of him once too. She smiled a little, reaching to trace the moon on his forehead, her finger shaking just a little when he turned away from her.
The sound he made was almost a puppy's whine, his arms tightened around her, pulling her to and nearly crushing her against him. His entire body was shaking and his grip continued to tighten. "Sesshomaru, wake up. You're dreaming." It was almost as if he was attempting to squeeze the life from her, "Sessh, you're squishing me."
His eyes opened so suddenly she jumped, but otherwise he was unchanged. Slowly, inexplicably his face hardened, the change caused by something internal. His eyes became guarded and dull. He released her, began to move away.
"I didn't mean you had to leave. It just looked like you were having a bad dream."
"I should have thought it obvious I did not mean for you to wake." He murmured, still looking away.
"You just wanted to hold me, is that it?" Her smile dropped when Sesshomaru scoffed softly, "And you think I'm upsetting."
"You are attempting to drive me to insanity. By all rights I should kill you."
"But you won't. Because you're driving me as crazy as I've been making you, only you seem to be trying."
"That has not been my purpose."
"I know." Kagome swallowed, suddenly nervous in the silence. "Oh…I found something of yours, after the last time I saw you." She reached for the cord she had placed around her neck, "I figured you would want it back." When he was silent staring at the amulet in her hand Kagome faltered, then rushed to continue, "I didn't think you would want it left at Gorenchi's. If it wasn't for this amulet I'd be dead right now." She admitted softly.
In accordance with propriety she should be angry. She should be angry even if it wasn't the socially expected response. She should not be trying to smile at him, or returning something he had intended to give her, until her stubbornness had driven him over the edge.
"Sessh, are you okay?"
"Must I tell you again to call me by my proper name?"
"Say it all you want, but I'm not calling you Lord Sesshomaru," She paused, "I'm sure if I tried I could come up with something else, but it'll be a lot cuter."
"Cuter?" Where did she come up with these strange words?
"Yeah, like sweetie, or honey, or I know…fluffy." He actually looked horrified by the idea, but was trying to hide it. Kagome smiled, "See, Sessh isn't so bad, but if you really don't like it, I'll try not to use it." Her smile dropping she closed her eyes, her head dropping to her arm, "Goodnight Sesshomaru."
"You are not in the least concerned at being away from your camp?"
"You're here, so either I'm dreaming or I'm safe anyway. I know you won't let anything happen to me." She was nearly asleep again, and couldn't open her eyes as she mumbled her response.
"Woman, you have changed much since first we met." He informed her softly. She hardly resembled the girl that had threatened him with an arrow; "I would find such alteration in the short period of four years unusual in any other." She gave no reaction to his words and he studied her face. Only Jaken and Rin had dared to sleep in his presence before, and they were deluded fools. There were no answers to be found near this girl, no form of sense could be found in any of her actions, and rather than beginning to understand her motivations or thought process he only found her more confusing with each encounter.
The urge to stay with her was almost overwhelming, but Sesshomaru forced himself to back away and return her to her campsite.
This was an interesting development. Kikyo moved out of the bushes she'd been using to hide her presence. She followed the demon with her eyes until he had vanished. No wonder the little thief had been willing to give up Inuyasha, she'd already moved on.
She smiled, now she knew exactly how to keep Kagome from fighting her, and Inuyasha from helping. The half demon would not be pleased to know that the girl he'd been trying to use as a replacement for her had been consorting with his older brother. That left the only obstacle she would be unable to handle alone. The amulet. The charm was powerful, too powerful to be overcome, and as it repelled witchcraft Kikyo would be unable to handle it. The only way was to have Kagome remove it herself, or someone fast enough to remove it before anyone could stop him. Someone she could manipulate.
*
"You aren't Kagome."
"No, forgive my deception, it was necessary." She considered the wolf, the crestfallen look he wore. He would be the perfect tool.
"Necessary for what? Who are you?" Koga demanded watching the woman through narrowed eyes.
"I am Kikyo." From his reaction the wolf had heard of her, Kikyo had been prepared for this, "Whatever you have heard of me I ask you forget it for the moment, my intentions are pure." The lie fell easily from her tongue.
"What do you want from me?"
"Kagome is in danger, I need your help to save her."
"Why would you want to help Kagome, from what I've heard you're always trying to kill her."
"I have accepted that she is not who I should be angry with. Inuyasha is the one who deserves my anger." Kikyo paused for a moment, "Will you help me help the girl?"
"What does she need saved from?"
"She has recently been given a necklace, have you seen the thing?" When Koga shook his head she continued, "This necklace is cursed. Inuyasha has control of her heart whenever she wears it, and she cannot help but love him."
"I should have known." Koga spun on his heel, prepared to race to Kagome's side and save her from the half demon. This made sense, explained all of what had happened, how Kagome could have passed over him in favor of the dog-eared boy. Inuyasha would pay.
"Wait!" Kikyo moved to stand in front of him again, "This must be done delicately. If you do not take the necklace from her when she is alone the spell will not be completely broken. I would take it myself, but he has convinced her that I am not to be trusted, that I mean entirely and only to kill her."
"And why should I trust you? How do I know you aren't lying?"
"The medallion hangs from his hair around her neck. Inuyasha thinks to replace me with her. Would you allow this wolf?"
"Kagome's my woman, I would never allow something like this to happen to her."
"You must take Kagome away from Inuyasha and take the necklace to brake his spell."
"What's in this for you? Why tell me how to save Kagome?"
"Her soul is mine… was mine. I do not want to see her used in this way. It is insulting to my memory." Kikyo turned, "You should act quickly, before there are too many people around her. Inuyasha has left their camp, you could easily take the girl away from there in his absence." She glanced over her shoulder, to find he had already gone.
*
The stone structure rose before him, Sesshomaru's eyes followed the columns upward. They were all the same color, all built of the same large stones. Many of these memorials had been built following his father's death, he had visited them all over the years since, and now this was the only one left standing.
There was no door to the interior, only a long dark opening in the stone. His footsteps echoed slightly in the stillness. His gaze fell to the ground as he entered the main chamber, saw darkness vanish as torches sprang to life around the circular room. The flames alone dared to move, being braver than even the air that hung lifeless and stale. He forced his gaze upward and returned his father's silent stare.
*
"Koga! What are you doing here?" She hadn't seen him since his attempt to rescue her from Sesshomaru, and Kagome felt slightly guilty that she hadn't thought about him since that day.
"I'd like to talk to you Kagome." Koga was looking at the ground, not at her Sango or Miroku, and this odd behavior concerned her.
"Oh…um okay." Something was clearly bothering Koga, she couldn't just turn her back on him, "Let's go for a walk?" He accepted her offer with a nod and followed her from the clearing they'd been camped in. They had gone a long way before Kagome broke the silence, "What's bothering you Koga?"
"You're in love with someone else aren't you Kagome?"
"Oh… Koga you have to understand…" She nearly screamed as he rushed at her, his face set in angry lines. She attempted to move away from him and failed as Koga bore down on her. His hand swiped at her head and before she had a chance to block him his fingers hooked the woven strands of silver hair and the tore the braid away over her head, sending the necklace flying he caught her in a fierce hug.
"You're free now, it's okay." He murmured holding her tightly.
"Koga what are you talking about?"
"The mutt put a spell on you Kagome, that necklace he gave you was making you fall in love with him."
"Koga, Inuyasha didn't give me that, and there was no spell on it."
"But…" Cold laughter broke through the air, silencing Koga instantly.
*
He approached the figure slowly; his eyes taking in the statues perfect sculpting and poorly completed paint. For a moment he was silent under the stare of unseeing eyes. In the flickering light he could almost see the stone lips moving, as if to recite the words he'd heard throughout his childhood. His had flew compulsively to the fur over his shoulder, but he quickly moved it away. He circled the statue slowly, his eyes taking in the impeccably carved stone. "Are you proud of your son Father? He is well down the path you had set." He bit back the suddenly rising anger, trying to make himself composed and calm, trying to cling to the emotional numbness he had lived with so long. Perhaps he had slipped into insanity without noticing, what other excuse could there be for talking to a statue?
He did not want to be here, and each second he remained in this place Sesshomaru wanted to leave more. Yet it seemed appropriate that he be standing here, staring at a statue of what could have been himself, what someday might have been. All this time of living by his father's discarded rules, of attempting to at leave measure up to the demon's memory, it suddenly seemed such a waist of time. He looked at the statue again, seeing it this time not as his father's image, but as stone. "Well on the way to becoming you entirely. To think…" He looked bitterly to the ground, "After all my efforts we are still the same."
A strange prickling Sensation raced up the back of his neck, accompanied by a sudden sharp pain on the top of his head. He whirled to catch whatever was pulling on his hair, but found nothing. The sensation of tangling strands continued, almost absently he ran a hand down the back of his head to find nothing out of place. He paused for a moment attempting to banish the feeling he was imagining, but it persisted.
His eyes snapped upward as he realized what it was. He should have known instantly that this was connected to the lock of hair he had left with the girl. He glanced over his shoulder to the statue. Was this further proof that he was becoming his father? Another sharp pain stung his scalp. "It is pointless to live in fear of a memory or to attempt to please a ghost." He did not turn to the statue, "I am not and never will be you father. The charade is beneath me."
*
Kagome turned to the laughter, already aware of who would be standing there. She didn't speak as Kikyo stepped into view.
"You lied to me! You said Kagome was in trouble."
"And now she is. Your assistance was of use wolf, thank you."
"You tricked me into bringing you here! I won't let you hurt Kagome." Koga leapt in front of her, and Kagome heard Kikyo laugh again before watching the wolf go soaring across the clearing they had stopped in.
"I do not intend to hurt her, I only want my soul returned to me. If Kagome proves cooperative there will be no pain."
"We've covered this Kikyo."
"Then you intend to resist me? Very well. Without your amulet to protect you what can you do?" Kikyo sent a soul collector flying at her. For a second Kagome just watched the blue green creature come toward her, wishing that she had known to bring a weapon with her.
"Kikyo, what are you doing?" The soul collector fell in ribbons to the ground. Kagome watched it fall rather than look at the person stopping next to her.
"Inuyasha, you were not meant to be here."
"Are you alright Kagome?" Inuyasha asked, ignoring Kikyo's words even as he stared at her.
"I'm fine."
"Why are you doing this Kikyo? Why can't you just leave her alone?"
"I cannot allow you to interfere this time Inuyasha."
"You won't be able to hurt her Kikyo…"
"The amulet she wore has been removed."
"What?" Inuyasha glanced at her, "What amulet?"
"It doesn't matter now, Koga stole it." She murmured, her eyes searching for the amulet that had been thrown aside, but she was unable to find it.
"No good damn wolf."
"She tricked him."
"He was easy to trick."
Kagome's eyes continued to search for the amulet, covering the ground as quickly as she could. Her gaze froze, but not on a cord of silver hair, but on the wooden end of a bow and a quiver of arrows partially hidden by the underbrush. It had to be Kikyo's. She must have left it on the edge of the clearing before entering.
"This is between us Kikyo, leave Kagome out of it."
"Then she hasn't told you of our last encounter." Kikyo was laughing again, "This has nothing to do with you Inuyasha, and my purpose lies in meeting with Kagome."
"I won't let you hurt her again Kikyo." Inuyasha moved slightly, trying to position himself between the two women.
"Then I will ensure you cannot become involved."
The soul collectors moved and Kagome took a chance, racing toward the edge of the clearing, dodging the few that diverted from Inuyasha to chase her. She dropped to the ground, rolling away from the bluish creatures attempting to circle and capture her.
"Kagome, you're running the wrong way." Inuyasha snapped, struggling against the soul collectors that had bound him.
"No I'm not." Kagome rose to her feet, holding Kikyo's bow with an arrow already in place and aimed directly at the dead priestess. "Give this up Kikyo."
"You are more troublesome than you used to be." Kikyo turned from Inuyasha to the girl, "Have you been learning from your new protector? Or perhaps defense is not what he has been teaching you."
She covered the shock quickly, but was not able to defeat a violent blush from coloring her cheeks. How could Kikyo know? "Stop trying to buy time Kikyo. Let us go or I won't give you a warning shot." She snapped.
"I've discovered your secret Kagome. I know why you fight so desperately, and exactly for whom." Kikyo gave one of her little chuckles, "You are wasting your time of course, and I already have him as well."
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha asked the question, and despite the determination on her face, Kagome's arrow wavered slightly.
"Allow me to show you." Kikyo gestured to the top of the trees, where a blue-green and white blob was appearing.
Kagome's arrowed shook as she recognized the figure being carried by several soul collectors. She followed the blob to the ground, watched him slump lifelessly next to Kikyo. His name stuck on her tongue, coming out as nothing but a breath of air. The arrow trembled again, but she forced it to steady, and stared helplessly at him. "H…how…"
"He fought me of course, but this demon is not invulnerable to my spells." Kikyo's hand moved and the soul collectors constricted on Sesshomaru's limp body. His head fell back and his face turned toward her.
Kagome felt tears stinging her eyes as his opened. He struggled against his bonds before collapsing again. Now she could see the blood staining his clothes, hear his shallow breathing. Somehow she knew he was dieing, and it was her fault, if she hadn't had his amulet Sesshomaru would have been untouchable by Kikyo's spells. "Let him go Kikyo, he has nothing to do with this."
"Kagome! What are you talking about?" Inuyasha followed her gaze to the soul collectors that had dropped beside Kikyo. There was a wiggling mass of them, those in blue wrapped around a larger one with red skin and bulging glowing white eyes. "There's only…" He was silenced by one of the collectors holding him. Kikyo glanced at him, and then turned back to Kagome.
"I mean it! Let him go or I'll shoot you right now."
"That would be very foolish. His life is in my control entirely. Should you kill me he will die as well, even if I am only injured he will die."
Kagome stared at his blank face. It was almost as if he was asleep, but if she wasn't careful he would never wake up. She couldn't allow him to be hurt worse. Sesshomaru had never asked to be involved in this war of Kikyo's, he hadn't even wanted to be entangled in her life, and now he was dieing because she had dared to fall in love with him. The familiar heat of tears burned her cheeks, falling faster than she could count them.
"I will make a deal with you. I will trade his life for yours." Kikyo looked from the soul collectors next to her to the girl still holding the bow with shaking hands, the dark eyes overflowing with tears at the mirage that had been conjured for her sight alone, "The decision is yours."
For a second she stared at the bloody mess Sesshomaru had become. She couldn't let him die, not because of her; just seeing him this way was unbearable enough. And she had died once before, it wasn't really so bad. Her voice did not want to leave her when she spoke, barely able to keep the words from being broken by sobs, "Okay, just let him go."
"Kagome don't!" Inuyasha's voice was stopped as suddenly as it had broken through the clearing.
"I don't have a choice." She looked at Inuyasha, lowering the bow, "Tell him for me when he wakes up that I'm sorry, but I couldn't let him be hurt for me. Tell him…" She sniffed as her voice broke, and dropped her weapons, "Tell him I love him."
"How touching." Kikyo sneered as the soul collectors beside her soared to the girl. They circled her so quickly they blended together into a blur of greenish blue light. Kikyo looked away to the large red soul collector that had remained motionless beside her.
She didn't try to hold her breath this time. The orange light became red, and all she attempted to do was see through the cocoon to look at Sesshomaru one last time. She wasn't disappointed to find that it wasn't him beside Kikyo, only a large soul collector. She wasn't angry that Kikyo had tricked her; she didn't feel stupid for falling for that trick. All Kagome could feel was relief that Sesshomaru was most likely unharmed and had been in no danger.
The pressure wasn't as painful as it had been the last time, her head hadn't begun to spin yet, and her lungs weren't burning as they had before. Probably because she wasn't fighting. Sesshomaru might not have been in trouble, but if she did attempt anything Kikyo would go after him for real. This needed to stop now.
She could feel death coming closer, and still she wasn't afraid. Already she could see the angel that had come to escort her to the afterlife, his eyes a bright gold against his pale skin and silver hair. If she'd been able to speak she would have thanked him for letting her choose his form. At least she would be able to see him once more. Before she could smile her eyes unfocused and there was only a second of haze before her surroundings vanished into nothing.
"You will release the girl." He recognized the orange light instantly, even before he was the limp body inside the cocoon.
"No commands to move out of your way? I'm glade you have finally dropped the charade that she means nothing to you, but you are too late. Kagome has consented to this death, for you." Kikyo nearly laughed.
"Then you have tricked her into consent?"
"It does not matter. Leave Lord Sesshomaru, there is nothing for you here any longer."
"You will release the girl." He repeated softly, his eyes on her floating lifeless body that was barely visible through the orange light blazing around her, "I will not repeat myself again."
"You may have her body when I am finished, but I will have my soul returned to me."
Sesshomaru's response was not verbal. His eyes that had been previously fixed on Kagome shot to Kikyo, narrowing and flashing red as rage contorted his features. He moved suddenly at Kikyo, who fell sideways to avoid him. An entire piece of her shoulder was torn away, falling to the ground with the shattering sound of breaking pottery.
Kikyo stared at the broken clay on the ground, shocked to see slivers of light brown on the ground. Her false body was turning back to its previous element upon being separated from her. Sesshomaru did not pause. His hands continued to slash at her, ripping away pieces of flesh that turned instantly to clay again.
She tried to avoid him, but was unable to. Panicked she turned to run, only to find him in her path. She was lifted into the air, Sesshomaru's hand squeezing her throat his nails digging into her neck.
"Sesshomaru no!" Inuyasha's voice rang through the clearing, but the demon did not turn away from his intended victim. "Just put her down. She'll stop. Right Kikyo?" He fought against the soul collectors holding him, but Inuyasha was unable to escape them. "Sesshomaru let her go!"
"She has sealed her own fate." His left hand caught her neck above his right and with a slightly twisting motion he pulled them apart.
There was a strange cracking and a gurgling sound. Bright orbs escaped from her. For a moment longer he stared at her, then let the body fall, dropping the severed head to the side of it. He watched with satisfaction as it shattering into pieces that could have been particles of dust.
"Kikyo…" Inuyasha fell forward as the soul collectors around him disintegrated into nothing. "What have you done?" He shoved past Sesshomaru to gather her broken body and hugged the shattered remains to him, "It didn't do any good to kill her." He snapped, glancing at the orange cocoon that remained despite its creator's death.
"She died long ago, accept it." Sesshomaru stared for a moment at the orange cocoon. He would have to pull her through. His fingers had barely touched the swirling substance before it began to burn into his skin. Sesshomaru recoiled slightly. Even if he pulled her through the girl would be burned alive before exiting the cocoon. His eyes fell to the ground a short distance away, where the first piece of clay rested. "The amulet, where is it?" He demanded.
"I don't know. Kikyo could have put this down if you hadn't…"
"If you do not stop whining you will join the priestess in death. Find it." He grabbed Inuyasha's collar and threw him away from the body that was slowly becoming clay again. He had barely turned away from the still simpering half demon when his eyes found a thin silver cord hanging from a bush.
Sesshomaru barely felt himself move as he collected the amulet and returned to the cocoon, carefully closing the tiny disc and woven strands of his hair in his hand. As he had expected the orange vapors resisted him, coating his arm to burn his flesh. He plunged his recently reattached left arm into the cocoon, ignoring the pain that would have been crippling to any other. He tried to hold his breath to keep from smelling his own burning flesh. The excruciating pain vanished to numbness as he finally reached her, and it took immense effort to uncurl his fingers enough to drop the amulet around her neck. He nearly prayed it would word for the second before orange was chased away by silver light. She vanished for a moment behind the brightness, then appeared falling to the ground.
He stood over her, his eyes watching for the creatures that would come to claim her, creatures that he alone could see. The slight tension vanished when he realized that they would not come. "You are capable of breathing." He murmured, waiting for the soft sound of inhaled or exhaled air. She was still as he dropped to kneel beside her, his voice softer than before, "Breath, do not make me tell you again." He was close to panic when the slight rise of her chest betrayed the filling of her lungs. It was another moment before her eyelids fluttered open.
"Sessh? Then… you came… why?" She accepted his help to her feet. His right arm went around her shoulders, bringing her close to him.
He still could not feel his left arm. It might aw well have been removed again. Sesshomaru let the wounded limb hang at his side, shook his sleeve down to cover the charred flesh. She would only be distressed further by the sight of it. He felt her relax against him. For a long moment he was silent, then whispered the only answer he could, "You belong to me."