A/N: Alright, I've never seen what happens in the beginning of this story done before, but maybe it has. I won't pretend to have read all the stories on ffnet so hopefully this will be something new, like fresh baked beans, not that whole leftover refried beans junk.

Chapter 11

"Don't kill him!" begged Kagome, "Release him from Naraku's control!"

"Is it possible?" asked Sango, her voice high-pitched from holding back her sobs.

Kagome turned to her and said, "I believe it is." She turned back to Sesshomaru, "But it will only work with your help."

Sesshomaru looked curious but said nothing, allowing Kagome to continue, "Kohaku is kept alive by the sacred jewel shard in his back. Naraku placed the shard there shortly after the boy's death. It is only through this shard that Naraku can pollute Kohaku's mind and gain complete control over Kohaku's body. The shard keeps Kohaku alive, but it also has preserved the boy's body and soul to that of a recent death. If I remove the shard from him, the boy will die, but, Sesshomaru, if you use your Tensaiga, you can bring him back to life. I get a jewel shard, Sango gets her brother back, and Naraku loses another servant and a bit of pride."

"What do I get?" inquired Sesshomaru, an unfamiliar gleam shining in his gold eyes.

"You get to test Tensaiga," said Kagome after a few moments of consideration, then whispered so lightly she knew only the demon lord could hear her, "and maybe a little something later."

Sesshomaru hid his amusement by becoming very interested in pulling Tensaiga from its sheath. "Very well," he said, "I will cooperate."

Kagome gave him a quick smile before rolling Kohaku onto his stomach so that she could get at the jewel shard in his back. Her fingers paused on the edges of the shard as the young priestess looked into the female demon slayer's eyes, "Sango, are you sure you want us to try? There are no guarantees that this will work."

Sango sniffed and crossed her arms, shivering despite the warm breeze in the air. Miroku put an arm around her shoulder for comfort, mercifully avoided her butt-al region. she leaned into him and hid her face in his shoulder saying a very muffled, "Yes. Try it. It's for the best."

Kagome nodded with resoluteness and dug the jewel fragment from Kohaku's back. The boy's body went completely limp and his breathing stopped, yet the body didn't disintegrate. "That's a good sign, right?" Kagome asked herself silently.

She quickly moved away from the body as Sesshomaru took a step forward, holding the Tensaiga out. The demon lord narrowed his eyes for the second time that night, searching for the embalmers of the afterlife.

Sesshomaru saw the unfortunate creatures and sliced them apart with his sword. He slid the Tensaiga back into its sheath and stepped back into the corner of the small hut- he had no want to be included in the forthcoming emotional reunion.

Kohaku opened his eyes and rolled over onto his back. There was a collective release of held breath from the room. Sango took a half-pace forward questioning, "Kohaku?"

"Sister, I'm sorry..." apologized Kohaku, but he couldn't say more as Sango rushed in to hug him.

A half hour later, Sango seemed to run out of tears of happiness and the group had moved outside to sit around a small campfire.

Kagome finally had the courage to ask Kohaku, "Do you remember anything from your time with Naraku?"

Kohaku gazed into the fire, sadness coming to his face, "I do. Many terrible things, both things I did and things Naraku did. He sent me here to kill you, Kagome. I didn't want to, but he forced me to. He has absorbed Kanna and Kagura into his body and he is as strong as ever. He will know by now that I failed and could be searching as we speak for a way to kill you."

"Is there anything more you can tell us?" asked Sesshomaru, speaking for the first time since he agreed to help. He was sitting by the fire next to Kagome, sneaking glances at her whenever he could. He longed for them to be alone. Inuyasha threw him a dirty look- not even the first one that night Sesshomaru had noticed. The half-demon kept staring from Kagome to Sesshomaru, seeing how they kept secretly looking at each other. While the others in the group were being nice to Sesshomaru since he helped bring Kohaku back, Inuyasha still had only animosity towards his older brother and it seemed to have increased since he had suspected there was something between the two.

Kohaku answered Sesshomaru question as Inuyasha thought of all the ways he'd like to kill the demon lord, "No. I know no more other than Naraku's castle does not stay in one place for more than a day. It makes it nearly impossible for people to find. I have no idea as to how Naraku plans to attack next, though I could warn you that he will specifically target Kagome. I think you've injured his pride."

Kagome gave a determined smile. "I'll do more than that by the time I'm through with him."

The group fell into silence. Kagome had said it all. They each knew what had to be done.

Finally Sesshomaru broke the silence. "If that is all that needs to be discussed, we will be leaving now."

"HOLD ON!" roared Inuyasha, breaking the once peaceful night, "Just who exactly do you mean by 'we?'"

Sesshomaru gave him a cold glare, "Myself and Kagome, of course."

Kagome's head popped up in surprise, yet she didn't look angry, just curious.

"And why should I let you take her? What right do you have?" spat the half-demon.

"I would think the reasons were obvious," replied Sesshomaru calmly. "Have you so easily forgotten tonight's events? Kagome died under what you call 'your protection.' Now, this boy has pointed out that Naraku will specifically target her again. I will take her with me and protect her to a better end. May I suggest asking her opinion in this matter instead of yelling at me?"

Inuyasha went wide-eyed and his gaze switched to Kagome. "Kagome?" he asked suddenly sounding lost and scared.

Kagome peered from her friends to Sesshomaru. She had been planning on leaving them, but now it seemed so hard. She knew she would miss them, even stubborn Inuyasha who had broken her heart with his inability to make up his mind on who he wanted. But if she stayed now, she knew she would regret it. Her heart yearned to be with Sesshomaru, and she couldn't even explain it to herself. Their relationship may had been rocky at first- that whole trying to kill her thing would do that to any relationship. But they had slowly become friends from their little unexpected meetings. He comforted her, perhaps not intentionally, but he did. And he saved her life at the river and encouraged her to become stronger. Then, he had kissed her. That had jolted their relationship up another notch. Her lips still desired to feel his lips against them once again. 'It could be lust,' she thought, 'but it just seems so much deeper than that.' She wanted to break this cold demon's emotional barrier, to see what others had yet to know was even there. She had seen his worry in his eyes as she awoke from death earlier that night. His eyes seemed to hold so much more emotion now than ever before. She would miss her friends greatly- that was only to be expected, yet she could still visit them again. However, she may only ever have this one chance with Sesshomaru, and she didn't want to miss it.

Kagome stared at each of her gathered friends in turn, silently telling them goodbye. They already knew her answer before she said, "I will go with Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru released a breath he had unconsciously been holding before standing up and extending a hand to help Kagome up.

She pulled herself from the ground saying, "Let me grab my bag and then we can leave." Sesshomaru nodded and reluctantly allowed her hand to slip out of his.

Shippo wouldn't give in so easily though. He fastened himself to Kagome's leg crying, "Kagome! Don't leave me!"

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru for approval. The demon lord considered it for a moment before he nodded, "I will allow the kit to come as well."

Kagome practically beamed at Sesshomaru, as she scooped the little kitsune into her arms and then picked up her bag. Sesshomaru's stomach seemed to flip as he watched the young woman. He could get used to her strange clothing, he thought silently. 'It may leave little for the imagination, yet it is strangely appealing.' He forced himself not to growl in possessive satisfaction as he turned to the surrounding woods. He paused long enough for Kagome to hug each of her friends goodbye, even Inuyasha he noticed with a twang of jealousy. The young priestess caught up with the demon lord and fell into step beside him.

Inuyasha watched his brother leave with a look of disgust on his face, "I can't believe she chose him," he said.

Sango's eyes were full of joy, "I think they're in love. I didn't see that one coming. I wonder how long it has been going on?"

Inuyasha growled and jumped up in a tree to sulk. "Love? Whatever, that monster of a brother has no heart to love with. He'll soon break her heart and she'll coming running back to us."

"Or rather, come running back to you, you hope," commented the monk, having to quickly dodge out of the way of a tree branch Inuyasha threw at him.

O0o.o0O

Naraku was sitting on the floor in the dungeon of his castle. He had just absorbed many new demons into his body to make it stronger. Saimyosho buzzed in front of him, communicating what they had witnessed.

Naraku's eyes flashed in anger, "So she has escaped death and lost me a servant? Despicable creature. She should have just died. Now, I'll have to torture her," he told the night air. He had a sudden idea, "Ah, I am still not without options. I shall kill that priestess, Kikyo's reincarnation. It seems fitting." He laughed evilly to himself and stood up to make preparations for his new plan.

O0o.o0O

They only traveled for an hour before Shippo fell asleep in Kagome's arms. His soft snores caught Sesshomaru's sensitive ears and the dog demon stopped and said, "We will camp here for a short time. The night is nearly over."

Kagome gently placed Shippo on the ground and erected a small barrier around him.

Sesshomaru noticed this and asked, "He means a lot to you?"

"He's like a son. I feel better just knowing that he's safe," answered Kagome, thoughtfully considering the sleeping kitsune.

"It was noble of you," Sesshomaru said.

"What was?" asked Kagome, genuinely confused.

"Saving the life of the boy that killed you."

Kagome blushed slightly from his light praise, "It wasn't his will, but Naraku's. I couldn't hold a grudge against someone who really meant me no harm."

"It was still noble."

"Was that a compliment? And from you to a human?" teased Kagome.

"Perhaps the closest thing to a compliment to a human that will ever be murmured from these lips," answered Sesshomaru, encouraging her tease.

"I don't believe you. I think you're really sympathetic, really, really, really deep down inside."

"I've killed demons and humans for insinuating less. However, I think I shall let it pass this time. I still remember the little deal you made me earlier and I'd hate to have to wait till the afterlife to collect on said deal."

"What deal was that, may I ask?" toyed the young woman, stepping tauntingly close to the demon lord.

"When I asked what was in helping the boy for me, I distinctly remember you saying that I might, 'get a little something later tonight.' I do believe right now is considered 'later tonight.'"

"Well, I do not ever recall saying such a thing. Do you have any witnesses to back up your claim? I believe I said that you got to test out your sword for helping the boy." She was dangerously close to the dog demon now and could feel his hot breath against her skin.

"You are absolutely correct," agreed Sesshomaru gently. "You didn't say anything. You teasingly whispered it so only I could hear." He was nearly at her lips, they were locked eye-to-eye, each knowing exactly what the other one meant and wanted.

But Kagome wouldn't play that easy to get. She hovered her lips a hairsbreadth away from Sesshomaru's, "I suppose I did insinuate such a deal...but," she drew herself away from the dog demon, "I never said it was a promise."

Sesshomaru licked his lips, feeling a primitive instinct ripple through his body. He wanted her, and she seemed to know it and knew how to make him show it.

He voice was caressing, "Are you trying to tease me?"

"Maybe," answered Kagome, drawing near to Sesshomaru again and putting a puppy-eyed look on her face, "What is the punishment for my crime against the high Lord Sesshomaru?"

Now, Sesshomaru took it as his turn to toy with her, "I was going to let you off easy with a quick kiss, but now that you've committed such a crime against me, I'll have to think of something more severe."

She pressed her body against his, stealing a quick brush against his lips with hers and feeling his body quiver, "What did you have in mind?"

"I think I'll just have to show you," whispered Sesshomaru, sweeping her off her feet and then jumping deeper into the trees, landing in a isolated clearing.

"Why did you bring me out here?" asked Kagome as Sesshomaru set her back onto her feet.

"We wouldn't want to wake the kit," said Sesshomaru, gathering Kagome into his arms and wrapping his tail around both of them.

Kagome giggled, "I think I might like this punishment." All other words were put to an end as Sesshomaru captured her lips in a searing kiss that Kagome returned eagerly with interest, gliding her tongue across his lips and being granted entrance. Later, they tried a few more interesting things too.

O0o.end of chapter.o0O

A/N: Kinda a fluffy chapter, but ya got a have a few in a SessKag story. Yeah, they're going to try a few 'interesting things,' things that don't require shoes or a shirt for service. Okay, enough extended symbolism. The next chapter will probably be up next weekend, unless I can find some time to write this week.