A Mirror's Reflection

Lady Nefertiti

Last time: "Do you feel that Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha said stopping suddenly. It couldn't be? Could it? "Hn." Sesshomaru said. It was a powerful blast of purification energy and a shudder ran through their demon blood.


Chapter 13: Shatter part 1

-Kimiko-

Dammit! She couldn't believe that she fell down! Her life was on the line and she was about to get killed or worse kidnapped and just now she decided to be clumsy. No doubt Hiko was already in their chambers to find her missing. Hopefully he wouldn't be angry with her, rather worried. Sporting a few bruises and cuts now, kimono torn, she was officially ticked off at Hitoshi. Hiko could kill him if he so desired. This was her favorite kimono too! It wasn't like Hiko would buy her another one just like it but that wasn't the point! Damn demons were on her tail and it was annoying her more than scaring her. 'I'm not here to hurt you.' The demon had said. Screw that thought! Hiko would have their heads and now she was cold. Suddenly a crash came through the clearing and she sighed. Well looked like they'd caught up to her and she felt something stir in her blood. Purification energy….powerful energy.

She looked up to see a human woman standing by her side. Huh? Who was she? Had they met before? She winced as she heard the screams and yells of the demons (who had caught up to her) being burned by the miko purifying powers. Scary lady….whoever she was. Unluckily the demons weren't being purified to a crisp. Looked like Hitoshi, damn him, picked the best demons that he could find and make sure that they weren't weaklings who would die fast. The lady grabbed her arm and pulled her up. Then the both ran as fast as they could, it didn't matter what direction, but just to get away was what mattered most at the minute.

She supposed she should say something like a 'thank you' to the lady who had a determined look on her face now. "Umm…Miss…." Kimiko started.

"No time to talk now. I can feel their demonic energy and closing in on us." The lady said as the both ran.

"Um...what direction are we going?" Kimiko asked. She was sure that the lady would not respond but she did.

"South-east." The lady said. Kimiko nodded. Wait…south-east? That's where Haru lived! Okay sure Hiko didn't like him (because he thought Haru was too friendly with Kimiko.) In other words, 'find your own mate otherwise I'll kick your ass.' But he was a friend of the family! And she was, the both were in need of help right now.

"So ah what's your name?" Kimiko said trying to make conversation. She could run faster but kept up a light pace with the human female, which might prove to be bad for the both since the demons were gaining on them but they were almost south-east.

The female looked over not really knowing why she saved this strange talkative demoness, perhaps she wanted to redeem herself in front of everyone, to show that she wanted to be a part of everyone's lives and not be shunned away for her previous bad deeds and the many people she had hurt. She wanted so desperately to have a life with friends, family and being carefree.

"My name is Kikyo." She said trying to be friendly, which was proving to be difficult for her, but she would try.

"Well thanks for protecting me lady Kikyo. My name is Kimiko-sama and I am lady of the eastern lands. My mate is Hiko and he will be most grateful to you for helping me. Are you mated? Do you have any pups? I mean children, considering you are human? Well you are a Miko and you would have to mate a human male, oh wait Miko's don't mate at all right? Something about keeping their holiness and purity. The same with Monks. Well that's what I heard anyway…." Kimiko started.

"Haru, a friend of the family…well my family at least, lives south-east, he should help us. Hiko doesn't like him a lot. He thinks that Haru likes me. But that isn't the case at all! He's just a good childhood friend! But Hiko respects me but threatened Haru that he'd castrate him and send him to hell if he did anything to me at all. That doesn't sound very pleasant does it?"

'And do you ever shut up?' Kikyo thought inwardly. What an interesting demoness, kind unlike other females she'd met. Sort of 'thought out loud' though. Perhaps it was time to not be so narrow minded in thinking that all demons were evil and killers. Kikyo cracked a small smile and shook her head. "No Kimiko-sama that doesn't sound to good. Perhaps should heed Hiko's words." Kimiko giggled despite the situation right now. She liked this Miko.

-Sesshomaru and Inuyasha-

Sesshomaru had this weird feeling and decided to stop by Kaede's village before they went back to the palace. Inuyasha was grumbling behind Sesshomaru and about his 'royal pain' of a brother. Kagome had told him that her friend/sister Sango, the slayer was expecting and almost due. Could this be the weird feeling he was having? Knowing Kagome she would be as reckless to run out of the palace to help out her friend, without the protection of her personal guard and the palace guards.

Was Kagome in danger perhaps? His inner beast growled at the thought of anyone harming his mate-to-be. Why would she need to display such powerful energy? Inuyasha, still walking behind him, saw his brother's shoulders tense. So he thought Kagome was in danger? Nah…that girl could put any demon in their place and have him cowering, begging for her forgiveness. Besides she was safe in the western palace, locked up probably thinking up evil things to do to Sesshomaru. He knew she didn't like being locked up and he grinned as he thought of Kagome yelling and hurting Sesshomaru for his audacity to lock her up. Kikyo was in the village…but he knew that she was still the un-dead, not living, not dead….there was no way she could possess such power.

They made their way to the front of the gates, as the villagers gave them a wide berth, not liking demons, even though they knew they were friendly….still they were demons and could not be trusted, especially when their inner beast took over. Inuyasha walked a little ahead of Sesshomaru, which oddly he didn't object to and wish Inuyasha for a slow and painful death thinking he was the alpha male….or perhaps he was just in deep thought and worried about his mate Kagome.

"Ah here we go…" Inuyasha said, his pace becoming faster as he approached the hut. He pushed the screen/door open to reveal Sango sitting with a baby and Kagome?! How had she gotten away from the palace? Undetected? And what Baka let her out?! But she had been here for Sango in her time of need hadn't she? Now to see Sesshomaru's reaction to it all. He was an understanding and reasonable demon right?

Kagome looked up at Inuyasha and Sesshomaru not looking too shocked to see the both of them. She looked at Sesshomaru who was just walking into the hut. So business had been settled already and Hitoshi was dead? She doubted it. Wouldn't Hiko save his 'dear younger brother' for torture or something? "Umm…Hi? Am I in trouble?" Kagome began laughing nervously.

"Hn. That remains to be seen." Sesshomaru said. Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he made himself comfortable. The two of them….he knew that Sesshomaru wouldn't do anything to her…..

"So did ya both feel that surge of purification energy coming from the forest. I'm guessing that wasn't you Kags…" Inuyasha said. Kagome shook her head. Even she didn't have the training to achieve such a level of energy. It had to come from a Miko with a great deal of power or an advanced healer with the knowledge.

"Kagome…I believe we should talk." Sesshomaru said advancing towards her. He didn't seem pissed or angry.

"We should? Right…" Kagome said and then before she could get another word in, he took her by the arm and the pair walked out of the hut.

"Umm…Houshi?" Sango said watching the pair walk out of the hut. She hoped that Sesshomaru wasn't upset. Well he shouldn't be because Kagome was only helping! But with demons you never knew, even if she had extensive knowledge about them, their ways.

"My dear is this about having more kids?" Miroku said grinning at her.

'….'

BONK!

-Kagome and Sesshomaru-

Kagome followed Sesshomaru and bit her lip. He better not be mad at her! Who the hell was he if he thought he could tell her what to do and when to do it?! She wasn't some feudal era obedient female! If he said anything or got mad at her she'd tell him to shove his mating idea and go mate someone else and she'd go home! There were always be more males in the world…Still this was Sesshomaru though….no others like him…well she could probably meet him in the future somewhere.

No doubt he'd be hot….

No doubt he'd be powerful…

No doubt he'd be a rich C.E.O of some famous company with girls fawning all over him….

No doubt he'd still be cold and unemotional to any girl's advances….(and threw away their numbers at that too!)

No doubt he'd want nothing to do with a girl like her…..

The reflection….She was the mirror image of the better one….the mirror's reflection….

Kagome sighed as she stared at his back. Well he was different than Inuyasha right? They walked to a clearing, out of earshot of everyone, like anyone would dare follow Sesshomaru anyway. Kagome giggled as she thought of the possibility.

'You dare follow this Sesshomaru and invade his personal space? You shall perish now!'

"So…you were going to say?" Kagome started as he turned to look down at her. He shouldn't be upset with her but he was...

"You ran away from the safety of home." He said in his usual cold voice. Kagome's eyebrow twitched. So it was that was it? She should've guessed that it would be. Males were so predictable.

"I had to help out a friend, a promise made years ago! And I left with a guard too!" Kagome said in her defense. Why was she defending herself? She said she'd go back home to the future and to hell with Sesshomaru! But her legs weren't moving towards the bone-eaters well.

"You could've been seriously hurt or injured…." Sesshomaru continued. Kagome tapped her foot in annoyance. Where was he going with this? He was just pointing out facts.

"Sesshomaru." Kagome said. He pulled her to him and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Huh? What was he doing? Kagome's face was starting to turn pink, a blush on her face.

"Promise this Sesshomaru you will never be so reckless as to make dangerous decisions by yourself and run off without telling me." He whispered to her. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle it if he found out something ill had befell her while he was away. Kagome smiled.

So he wasn't going to be a jerk and tell her that she was stupid for leaving as Inuyasha would've said (which showed that he just cared about Kagome that is….) She hugged him and said, "I promise."

-Kimiko and Kikyo-

The both ran away from the demons as fast as they could but the demons were gaining on them. Why was Hitoshi ever so persistent? She shook her head and then heard Kikyo the Miko shout something and then she turned back around and then BAM! "Owww…my head." Kimiko said rubbing her head and started to waver before strong arms grabbed her and she fell on her ass.

Kimiko looked up to see concerned eyes looking down at her. She looked happy and hugged Haru who grimaced and looked around him. Obviously, he was looking for Hiko who would no doubt tear him to shreds if he saw the embrace. Not that he hated Kimiko but with Hiko, Haru would rather be safe than sorry. Kimiko was traveling with a Miko who smelled of death and decay. "Are you alright?" he asked her. 'And please let go of me while you are at it….' He said inwardly.

Kikyo watched this exchange in silence. Then she looked over to see a couple of demons entering the clearing and gave them a bored look. This world was surrounded by demons! Trying to attack humans…Why couldn't the two just live in peace? The demons saw Lady Kimiko holding onto a demon…..which wasn't her mate….. who she claimed to love and they'd caught her red-handed. Not that they would ever tarnish her reputation by spreading lies.

One demon who had been chasing her stupidly blurted out, "What kind of demoness are you anyway? Do you run off like some whore or prostitute, going after money if you see a male demon to your liking? Hugging and touching him? And ruining the reputation of the royal youkai court?"

Kimiko's face went white and she blushed in embarrassment backing away from Haru like she'd been burned. She'd feel a lot better if Hiko was here but it looked like she was on her own for now. "How dare you insinuate…" she started. Haru stopped her before she said another word and glared at the demons who winced.

"Had the lot of you been paying any attention at all, you would see that you are the ones that have caused her distress, chasing her and she feared for her life and she hugged me in relief knowing and hoping she is in safe arms…." Haru said. Kikyo shifted her feet from one to the other. When was this going to be over? Demons were so overdramatic…..

'She hugged me in relief knowing and hoping she is in safe arms.' Kimiko smiled from behind Haru as he spoke to them. It was nice to know that he would always be there for her.

'Thanks Haru….thank you for not loving me…..'


Lady Nefertiti: please read and review.