"Wow. That's an interesting tale. I think I like this Sesshomaru guy," Haku replied coolly.
"Yeah you would like him. You act just like him sometimes."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Anyway, so what's the deal with Lord Sesshomaru anyway?"
"Well, Kagome, he's just a little…cold-hearted and…cruel at times but I assure you there's a heart somewhere inside of him."
"Inuyasha didn't have a problem leaving his woman with his brother? If she's as beautiful as you say then wouldn't Sesshomaru think so too?" Haku asked curiously. Kaede let out a chuckle.
"Well, it's not that simple. Let me tell some more of the story…"
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"Kagra, I sense a little disturbance."
"Really? How so?"
"Don't play coy with me Kagra. My samiyousho tell me that Kikyo is no longer under the care of your demon Shoji."
"Uh…well, it's not my fault. Blame that damn Inuyasha. I had everything under control until he arrived with his little friends."
"Is that so? But were you not hiding in the clouds like a coward?"
"Doesn't matter. I think he's suffering from it anyway. Shoji has his little Kagome with him and as for Kikyo; I saw big brother Sesshomaru riding off with her."
"Interesting. Keep an eye out for Sesshomaru. I'll be needing the priestess soon, right Hakudoshi?"
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"I just know that puny demon couldn't have gotten far!" Inuyasha said, sniffing around in the air.
"Yeah, well traveling by air is the fastest way to travel you know," Miroku replied.
"I just…I'm growing impatient. For two days we've been traveling through these same woods and haven't come across anything!" Suddenly a big gust of wind came out of nowhere and Kagra appeared before them, blocking the rest of the path.
"What the hell are you doing here Kagra?"
"Inuyasha, that's not a very nice way to greet an old friend."
"Kagra, I am not in the mood. Tell me where Kagome is."
"Kagome? Hmmm…let's see…Kagome…Oh, right your other woman."
"She is NOT my other woman. She is a good friend and I need to find her so tell me where she is dammit!" Inuyasha yelled withdrawing his tetsaiga.
"I don't know where she's at and I don't have time to play around with the likes of you. In fact, I'm looking for your older brother. Now he's worthy of my time," she replied with a smirk.
"What do you want with Sesshomaru?" Miroku asked.
"Not that it's any business of yours but he has something that belongs to Naraku."
"Has something that…"
"Inuyasha, I think she's talking about Kikyo," Miroku said grimly.
"I don't have a clue where my brother's at and even if I did I wouldn't tell you."
"Naraku isn't a very patient man."
"Nor is he brave. Why won't he show himself?"
"He doesn't need to."
"Picking on a dead priestess…very mature. So he's afraid of her…he should be," Inuyasha said with a smirk. "My Kikyo will rid the world of him unless I get to him first."
"Inuyasha, I don't know about that," she said laughing.
"WHAT THE HELL IS SO FUNNY?!"
"When was the last time you saw your precious Kikyo?" Kagra asked.
"Well…I…"
"Trust me—It wouldn't take much to finish her off. I bet you've seen her soul collectors around haven't you?"
"No, but…"
"That's because there aren't any souls around to collect. Kikyo is hanging on by a thread. If she loses a few more souls then she's done for." Inuyasha didn't say anything. He just stared at the ground lost in thought. Kikyo…
"I thought that would shut you up. Anyway, if you see big brother make sure he takes care of Kikyo. Naraku wishes to do her in himself. Gotta fly!"
"Damn."
"Inuyasha we have to hurry and save Kagome so that we can go and make sure Kikyo is safe," Miroku said impatiently.
"I know…but I can't help but to worry about Kikyo right now. My brother is not the most reliable person…and, I wonder…"
"Wonder what?" Miroku asked.
"Why did he save Kikyo? It's not like my brother to help anyone but himself," Inuyasha said with a frown.
"Hmmm…well, my guess is that Sesshomaru isn't as coldhearted as he makes himself out to be."
"But why Kikyo? He could have just as easily rescued Kagome too you know. He was only a few feet away and my brother gets around a whole lot faster than that demon Shoji."
"I'm not sure but look at it like this—at least the woman you love is still alive, uh…sort of. Don't worry about Sesshomaru…he can take care of himself and Kikyo if he needs to." Inuyasha reluctantly agreed and off they set after Kagra.
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"Do you ever eat anything Lord Sesshomaru?" Kikyo asked smiling up at him.
"It seems that you are feeling a little better priestess."
"You haven't left my side in two days."
"So you've noticed." Kikyo laughed as she tried to sit up. "You need not try to get up. You're still very weak and your soul collectors still have not returned." Kikyo pushed herself up anyway and sat next to Sesshomaru, who was staring out across the stream. "My, aren't we the stubborn one."
"Well, I can't lie around forever. I need to find that giant soul collector and dispose of him…unless…" She let out a laugh.
"What is it that you find so amusing priestess?"
"I was thinking…maybe this is the way it's supposed to be," she replied softly, also looking towards the stream.
"I don't think you and I are supposed to be stranded here together. If anything, you were supposed to be stranded somewhere with my little hanyou brother," he said coldly.
"Sounds like someone is a little bitter," she said laughing. "Sesshomaru, why are you here? You do not have to watch over me you know. I can take care of myself."
"Oh really now?"
"I've been doing it for quite a while now."
"Well then priestess, I shall leave you and be on my way now."
Sesshomaru got up and made his way through the bushes and into the forest. He had not gotten far when he spotted an ominous cloud…or was it? He kept watching until he spotted a pair of eyes looking straight at him. I wonder…The huge, whale like figure flew right at him.
"That was a mistake." Sesshomaru withdrew his sword and with one strike, tore right threw the demon. The demon disintegrated and immediately, hundreds of little white orbs flew out into the sky. Moments later Kikyo emerged from the bushes, joining him.
"Feeling better priestess?"
"Oh yes, much better. I came to thank you for your help."
"I do not need any thanks for I did not help. That pathetic demon looked at me wrong and got what was coming to him."
"Yes, but because you disposed of that giant soul collector, my own soul collectors were able to revive me to full strength."
"If you say so priestess."
"Very well then. I shall be on my way. Until our paths cross again."
"Be careful priestess." Then they both went their separate ways.
AN: Sorry that this chapter wasn't very long. I've been working on some other things like that story for SoulCalibur and Tekken. Bleh--It's all over the place right now. Well, it may be a while before my next update. I have some research to do before I write the next two chapters. Hope you enjoyed anyway.