Disclaimer: Inuyasha characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. Other characters are property of Dark Star.
Rating: PG-13: for language and just in case
Summary: [Sess/Kag] Eventually, one comes to know when they're not wanted, and Kagome has come to that realization: Inuyasha doesn't want her. Whatever the reason, she finds comfort with Sesshoumaru, seeks him as an outlet for stress. Thus, under a kitsune's enchantment, Sesshoumaru finds himself trapped in a childish game of lust with Kagome. It is only later, when a bond begins to build, that his own realization graces him: was it just a game? Or maybe, was there a purpose underlying their shows of physical attraction…? Either way, he begins to find himself lost in the captivating blue-gray eyes possessed by the girl named Kagome.
Genre: Romance/Drama
A/N: Thanks, always, to my proofers; I love you guys! ^_^ Special recognition to them: shikome kido mi, Hajnal, Forsaken Tenchi, shinkan neko, Kai, and Annie! ^_^
Enchanted Chapter TwoMarch 2003
The diminishing light cast a shadowed illumination across Inuyasha's face, making his features gain extra depth and giving him a sinister countenance. His strong jaw ran slack as the information processed in his less-than-nimble mind. When the cogs finally turned, the light bulb flickering on in the process, his jaw clenched along with his fists, knuckles bleeding a ghastly shade of white. The golden eyes flashed with anger and regret.
"What did the bastard do to you?!"
Kagome half-turned. Her eyes were dangerously narrow, as if she were in a trance, waiting to be roused from a mute and pleasure-less dreamland; they looked so empty that had Inuyasha not picked up her soft breathing, he would have sworn she was dead. The bottomless orbs focused on him, causing him to shrink back slightly in his stiff pose.
"Who?"
She acted as if he was stupid! Through gritted teeth he spat, "Who else? You think I'm that dumb? Sesshoumaru!"
Recognition flickered and vanished; anguish followed regret. She didn't answer verbally and only turned her back on him, cutting to the hut. The action only served to rile him, and he felt the urge to roar in fury.
"DAMN IT, KAGOME! I'll KILL that damned half-brother of mine!" he threatened, cracking his claws.
She stopped, gazing up into the treetops where the rising moon hid. A stray breeze played through her hair, lifting the silky tendrils to flow languidly. Kagome looked as if she was going to cry. There seemed to be so much heartache locked away in that cheerless stare. Anyone watching would've given his or her whole life to see this girl smile, so dead was her façade. But she had, seemingly, given up.
"Inuyasha," she called.
Inuyasha could take it no more. With a signaling growl, he turned on his heel and rocketed in the direction of the clearing.
"Osuwari."
He crashed to the ground, skidding against the firmly packed soil.
"He hasn't hurt me in any way, shape, or form…today," she added offhandedly. Kagome turned. "Leave him be."
"How can you say that?!" he argued through a mouthful of grass. "How many times has HE tried to kill you and me?"
She halted once more. "For the number of times, Inuyasha," she told him, "that you broke me, I don't think you have the right to accuse Sesshoumaru of any high crime. Let him alone, or answer to me."
Inuyasha stared in wide-eyed shock at her retreating back. How could she say such a thing? What had he done to cause her so much pain as to side with Sesshoumaru? He dejectedly lifted himself from the ground, hastily brushing at his long sleeves, before setting off quietly to the Goshinboku, where he would hopefully find peace.
~*~*~*~*~
He watched, blending in shadow with the silhouettes of towering boughs. Every word uttered was heard clear to him, and it had a very chilling effect when Kagome made direct eye contact, even through the obscuring weave of foliage. Her intent look revealed nothing; no pain, no sorrow, no regret; it was as if something had stripped her ruthlessly of all feeling, but the way the wind whirred around her suggested a magical being. It twisted her ebon locks and rippled her torn clothing as she uttered the words, directed toward Inuyasha but deliberately sent to Sesshoumaru.
"Osuwari." After the hanyou had struck the ground, she continued blatantly with a scathing tone, dead of all compassion, "He hasn't hurt me in any way, shape, or form…today." A pause. "Leave him be."
"How can you say that?!" his half-brother demanded, "How many times has HE tried to kill you and me?"
How true, Sesshoumaru reflected. There was no lie in the fact that he himself had attempted more than once to do away with both the hanyou and the girl. How would the girl react to this argument? There was no denying it, but she seemed not to care. She had already turned her head from him, now facing Inuyasha, so there was no way to read her emotions, however few there seemed to be.
"For the number of times, Inuyasha, that you broke me, I don't think you have the right to accuse Sesshoumaru of any high crime." Blunt surprise flickered in his furtive gold orbs. Even more rose with her next statement, a bold threat. "Let him alone, or answer to me."
Cold fury rolled in waves from her petite form, deceiving in its seeming fragility. Kagome had changed, more than he dared find out. What had caused this abrupt shift in emotional and psychological appearance? Somehow, her jubilance had gone with the wind, leaving in its wake an empty shell. With clenched fist and jaw, he reluctantly left his obsession to the fates; there would be nothing more he could attempt or achieve with her in such a state of mind.
Yet, he would come to know in just a few days…that the Fates had not intended for him to leave, and therefore, would not stand for a prolonged departure. Sesshoumaru would realize that leaving Kagome could prove much more damaging to him than attempting to soothe the raging storms of her soul…
A/N: It's a strange concept, isn't it? An author's note at the beginning AND end of a story chapter. ^^;; Well, thanks for reading! ^_^ You can still join the mailing list if you wish; I'll leave a link in my profile page. AIHSF, on another note, should be up in the next week or two. ^_^ Also, I'm starting a new system for organizing myself. I'm going to have deadlines; personally, I think I should decide them myself, but I might push it too far back or make it too early. So, I'm gonna ask for your help. ^_^ In your review, if you would leave behind a date by which the next chapter has to be written (written, mind you, not posted) by, then I would really appreciate it. =) Keep in mind that, I do have a slight idea of what's to happen in the next chapter, but nothing more (i.e. nothing written). Thanks again! I love you guys/girls! ^_^
[Single Spark Fanfic Awards] I think this story may have been nominated in the Single Spark Fanfiction Awards; I'm not sure, though. If not, then I've got others that were nominated…I know AIHSF was in, but I'm not sure about others. ^^;; Anyways, please vote for me (if you think I'm good enough, and I don't mean that in any…boastful way) at A Single Spark—please see my profile for the site address.
~*~*~Dark Star~*~*~