AN: well, here's the next chapter for your amusement. I wasn't originally going to have a complicated storyline, but some of the reviews made me question a few things, and now I actually know where this is going. So never fear, those of you wondering what the heck has gotten into Inu, all will be explained in time!

Going Under

Inuyasha found her sitting alone by the god-tree, letting the warm sun dry her off. He was surprised to note that the claw marks he left on her arms had been bandaged; she hadn't taken her bag when she left. "I thought I told you to stay at camp." His expression was angry, but the words held no real venom. Kagome turned to look at him, seeing his eyes take on a pinkish tinge. She sighed and turned away.

"Did you hurt Kikyou?"

The hanyou shook his head. "Iie, why would I do that?" he demanded. "I could never harm Kikyou."

Kagome nodded, satisfied. "I once thought the same about me." she pointed out dryly. "If you ever do harm her, I'll purify you to ashes." If she's smart, she'll leave before that happens. Before she's bound to you like I am.

Inuyasha stiffened. "There's no need for threats." he assured her. "I won't hurt Kikyou – and I won't hurt you again. I love you, Kagome, I just don't want anything to happen to you and I – I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

The first of the chains had broken. She knew that the instant she realized she did not believe him. Still, he had far too much power over her, enough to make her stand up and follow him back to camp.

At the edge of the clearing she turned and looked behind her. He saw her look away from his brother, searching for him, he r eyes shining with frustration and anger as she was led away. They both knew his brother's words were lies, but he knew she was not yet strong enough to break free of Inuyasha.

He wondered how long she would survive like this.

---------/

Kikyou and Kagome sat side by side outside the hut, staring up at the night sky. "Are you all right, Kagome?" Kikyou asked. "He hurt you pretty badly."

Kagome shrugged, her face blank. "I don't know." she admitted. "I'm drowning in him, and I can't seem to surface. It's probably gonna kill me one day." She looked at Kikyou, concern in her eyes. "You should leave, before he drowns you too." Before Kikyou could speak, a cold voice stopped her.

"You speak as though you were already dead."

Kagome smiled at that. "But I'm not," she said thoughtfully, "am I? Still, I don't know if I will survive this parting."

Sesshoumaru knelt down in front of her, his gold eyes locking with hers. "What holds you here?"

"What do you care?" Her voice was filled with pain; she was far too much like Rin when the child first started following him, and it was all he could do not to flinch. "I'm just a lowly ningen, after all."

There was a brief silence. "This Sesshoumaru is merely curious." he said blandly. Kagome laughed softly.

"Maybe that is true." she conceded. She hesitated, then admitted, "I'm too loyal for my own dang good. I promised I wouldn't leave him." Her tone was bitter, regretful.

"It's not only the hanyou." he observed. "Do you feel a debt to miko-sama as well?"

Kagome's eyes flashed. "I won't let him hurt her."

"Do you have a problem with using people's names or something?" Kikyou interrupted. She cringed immediately, expecting the cold taiyoukai to kill her, but he merely shrugged.

"I do not know your names." he admitted. Kagome smiled gently, the motion feeling foreign on a face so used to pain and loneliness.

"I'm Kagome." she said. "This is Kikyou, my sister."

Sesshoumaru frowned in confusion. He knew Kikyou was not Kagome's siter, even though the woman seemed pleased at the title. In fact, he was sure that Kikyou was Kagome's incarnation – but then again, hadn't Kikyou once walked among the dead? What had changed?

He stood up, mentally shaking his head in frustration. There were too many questions. "I need to go." he said tonelessly. "I do not like to leave Rin under Jaken's care for long." Kagome nodded, an odd look in her eyes.

"Will I see you again?"

He hesitated only a moment. "Hai." he said, and walked off. Kikyou stared at his retreating back with a frown.

"He's lucky Inuyasha isn't' here."

Kagome just chuckled.