It's time for the next (and longer) chapter! I happen to really like it, but…uh...it's not intended to anger any Sesshomaru fans. As you all should well know (unless, of course, you aren't familiar with my other stories, such as Only For Her and Tears Shall Fall) I just love messing with him. I simply can't help it. So, please don't hurt me! Oh, and I don't know if Sess actually has a castle or not, but I'm giving him one.

Disclaimer: If I was the proud of InuYasha, my death would be brought about by my best friend, who would then inherit all rights to the wonderful manga/anime, and it would be all about Sesshomaru, and how he would go about killing Naraku. Be thankful that I don't own it.

Sesshomaru had been startled by Kagome's unwillingness to live. Never before had he known a mortal to give up on life so completely. That, combined with the powerful anguish that surrounded her, unsettled him. So, over the next few days, he watched her closely as she followed wherever he led, refusing to allow all but water to pass her lips. It was as if she was a ghost, silently moving through a world she was not a part of.

There was a time when he would have walked away without a second thought. But, for a reason unbeknownst to him, he wanted her to live. His unquiet evolved into the first sparks of genuine concern as her condition steadily worsened. He resolved to do something about it, as soon as he could.

But he didn't know what. He could try commanding her to eat, but she never seemed to hear anything. And it was futile to try intimidation; if anything, it would only result in stubborn defiance on her part. By the time that they reached his castle, he was growing desperate. Not even Rin's pleas had any effect on her. And of course, Jaken was no help at all. There was only one more thing he was willing to do, though the very thought of it disgusted him. But he would give it a try, if only to restore Kagome to health.

Kagome lay on the bed in the room that had been given to her, staring at the wall. She hadn't moved from that spot for some time, shivering under the light blanket. She heard someone come in and walk across the room, standing nearby for a moment before sitting beside her.

"Please, eat something," Sesshomaru said quietly.

Kagome turned her head to look at him, surprised. Had she heard him correctly? Did he really care what happened to her? It must have been difficult for him to actually be polite. Maybe it was because he never showed concern, but she felt she couldn't just ignore him. She should at least try.

"Maybe just a little." There was no mistaking the flash of relief in his eyes as he handed her a piece of bread. Reluctantly taking a bite, she found it was delicious, with different vegetables baked into it. She suddenly felt famished, and it wasn't long before the bread was gone. Sesshomaru left without another word.

The next morning, Rin brought her some food. But she couldn't eat. Just the thought overwhelmed her, and she couldn't overcome it no matter how hard she fought with herself. Eventually, Rin left, distressed. Alone, with unwanted food in her hands, Kagome began to cry. Sesshomaru swept in and came down to her eye level.

"Why will you not eat?" he asked firmly.

She looked into his stern golden eyes and felt her tears stop. "I don't know," she whispered. "I just…can't."

"You must."

She felt a spark of strength rise within her. Slowly, she nodded, and forced herself to take the first bite. After that, it was easier, though she felt no better. Sesshomaru watched her, his expression unreadable, leaving only when she had finished her meal.

From then on, it was he who brought her food, though he hated the task. He knew there was no other way, and his efforts were rewarded as she began to regain her strength. But she still radiated grief, and he could think of nothing to cheer her up. It was Rin, ever helpful, who came up with an idea which held promise, and he decided to give it a try.

So, several evenings later, after Kagome had finished her meal, Sesshomaru did not leave as usual. Instead, he stood, and instructed her to follow him.

"What?" she asked, surprised and confused.

He turned and looked at her. "Come." She struggled to her feet and stumbled after him. They walked down a long, plain corridor, Sesshomaru deliberately slowing his pace to match Kagome's. She had quickly fallen behind in her weakened state, and her efforts showed in her labored breathing. Not for the first time, he prayed this was the solution he was looking for.

Soon they came to a door leading outside, and he led her through it. Kagome had to pause in the doorway for a moment, her eyes adjusting to the evening sunlight after days spent in a dim room. When she was finally able to see again, she was awed by what was before her. The courtyard was a wondrous garden, filled with flowers of more colors than she could name. Trees and shrubbery of all kinds grew along a stone-paved path which wound its way through an elaborate design. A stone bench was placed under some nearby trees, and Sesshomaru walked over to it.

"You may sit here," he said, his voice carefully guarded.

Tired from her first excursion outdoors since arriving, she obeyed, letting her eyes wander. She soon spotted Rin, playing with some demon children. Jaken was nearby, keeping an eye on them and muttering something to himself. The children were laughing happily, and Kagome felt the first spark of happiness she'd had since her encounter with Kikyo.

It wasn't long before Rin spotted her. The little girl scooped something off the ground and excitedly ran over. "I picked these flowers for you, Kagome!" she exclaimed. "I was hoping they'd make you feel better."

Kagome accepted the bouquet, managing a small smile. "Thank you Rin," she said quietly. "They're beautiful."

Rin turned to rejoin her friends, but they were running for the castle. Jaken rushed over to explain what the problem was. "Lord Sesshomaru!" he called breathlessly. "A demon is fast approaching!"

"Take Rin inside," Sesshomaru instructed, eyes intent on the sky. Kagome followed his gaze as Jaken ushered Rin into the safety of the castle. She couldn't see a thing, but she knew the demon standing beside her, with his keener eyesight, could. He stepped forward, awaiting the demon's arrival.

All at once, a foul stench washed over them. Kagome gagged, frantically trying to cover her nose. She didn't know how Sesshomaru could continue standing there like he hadn't noticed the smell. But the thought was pushed from her mind as the demon flew into view. It's great, bat-like wings propelled it forward at an unimaginable speed, and its large yellow owlish eyes held a piercing and frightening look. Below its snout were large fangs dripping with yellow saliva, and it's long, rat-like tail lashed back and forth.

When it neared, it stopped and hovered midair, wings flapping lazily. "So," it said in a horrible, ear-piercing rasp. "The great Lord Sesshomaru has returned at long last. I was starting to miss the fun."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. "What do you want here, Chentei?" (A/N: pronounced CHEN-tay)

Chentei laughed, a sound which made Kagome's ears hurt. "The same thing I always want!" It lashed out at Sesshomaru with its tail, which stretched to compensate for the distance between them. He easily dodged, glaring coldly at his attacker.

Kagome cried out in pain, but Sesshomaru kept his attention on Chentei. "How dare you come here," he said angrily, preparing to retaliate. But before he could do so, the enemy demon swooped past and flew away, laughing maniacally.

Only then did Sesshomaru turn his attention back to Kagome. She had moved from the bench when Chentei arrived to keep hidden behind the tree. It was a smart thing to do, since she probably would have been attacked instead of Sesshomaru. It was safer to stay out of sight. However, when Sesshomaru had avoided Chentei's tail, it had continued past him and sliced through the bark of the tree…and also hit Kagome's arm. Now she was sitting on the ground trembling, clutching at her wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

Sesshomaru paused, surprised. Surprised at himself for being upset that she was hurt, even though it was only a minor injury and posed no threat to her health. But, he realized, he was still worried about her. And that worry, little though it was, was enough to compel him to do something he would have never done before.

Crouching before her, he asked, "Are you alright?" What a stupid question that was, he thought.

Kagome looked up at him, her brown eyes wide with fear and filled with pain, and nodded. "It's not that bad." Even her voice shook.

"Let us go inside," he said, helping her to her feet. Much to her embarrassment, she could not stand unassisted, and had to lean on Sesshomaru's arm while he escorted her back to her room. What little strength she had possessed had deserted her, leaving her exhausted both emotionally and physically.

After the struggle to return to her room, Kagome was more than happy to sit on her bed and allow Sesshomaru to bandage her wound. (A/N: I'll never know how he did that with only one arm…) But she was clinging to wakefulness, and it wasn't long before she was nodding off. "Sesshomaru," she whispered, eyelids drooping.

"Yes?"

"I don't…want to…die." The last of her strength gone, she fell asleep. Sesshomaru found her leaning against his chest, and as he looked down at her, he was startled to find emotions welling up within him. He was glad that she no longer wanted her life to end, and was still concerned about her condition. He remembered her as being a strong person who didn't give up easily. But there was something else, something he couldn't identify. It made him want to—no!

Gently laying her on the bed, he quickly left, deeply troubled.

Well, this chapter was going to be longer, but I felt this was a good place to leave my readers in suspense! Hurrah! I bet you're wondering what Sess was feeling that has him "deeply troubled", right? Hehe, review with your thoughts, and I won't leave you hanging for long. Or, at least I won't do it of my own choice…computer access is another matter altogether…

Sesshomaru: How dare you…

Me: O,o eep…uh, please don't tell them what you and I already know!!!!

Sess: You will die…

Me: uh, uh….BYE FOLKS! I PROMISE I WON'T GET MYSELF KILLED BEFORE I CAN FINISH THE STORY!!!! –run away, run away-