A/N: Hello, dear readers. Some of you asked me, in a rather rude manner, why I have posted my story as complete when it's not. Now, I did that to encourage myself to write it faster. I have a bad habit of starting a story and never knowing when to stop… Prolific writer… Now, I wonder why some of you would even mind. Even if it's not true, that doesn't mean the story, as it is right now, can not stand without an end. There are stories out there that would let you guess the ending. But never mind that. I will end it sooner or later – probably sooner- , so you should feel happy about this.

Thank you for reading it.

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FINALITY

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"Milady, we should go. These parts of the woods are not as safe as they seem." Miroku's warm voice rang in her ears as she took one step back from the person she never thought she would ever see.

'My little brother… my own little brother…' her mind repeated over and over again, the loop of her thoughts making her dizzy, yet the surprise, the wonder of all this would not let her calm down.

Her heart screamed that this was where she belonged, that the grown up boy she was holding so close to her right now was really her little brother. Her own blood was coursing through him, making his blush deepen as she stared at him, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. He had been but only a baby when her family had disappeared both from the kingdom and her mind as well, yet he was there with her, squeezing her arms as if to reassure her. Her little brother was there! She had a family to protect.

Nodding towards the quite large group of people that had gathered around her and Sesshomaru she stepped forward, her smiling face making the beauty of the sun dim down. But just as sudden as her happiness had come it disappeared as worry laced her being. Spinning on her feet, Kagome's eyes focused on the barely walking king, his pale face a clear mark on the dark canvas of the forest.

"Milord Sesshomaru?" she whispered, her hands reaching forward as to catch him, though no such thing crossed her mind.

What she really wanted was to touch his face and see if he was still there with her. He was so very pale. It scared her, the thought of him departing this world before she could even tell him her feelings. She wanted at least to confess if her dream would never become reality.

Hearing his name whispered by the only woman that was more interested in him than his title or wealth – the wealth and title that he had lost once the war had been over -, the lost king turned his stunning face towards her, the violent bruise on his neck showing its splendor to her. His stoic façade was back on, yet the pain shone from time to time from his eyes. With each swallow his throat constricted and he felt as if sand-paper was being forced down his wind-pipe. It was one type of hell he didn't particularly like, yet he could do nothing but wait for it to pass.

A deep sigh escaped him as he motioned forward, his body quivering as he forced himself to stand straight. He didn't feel good but knowing that there was still someone out there that wanted to take care of him, he would walk on his own, showing that he had yet to be defeated. Even if his pride suffered from time to time, this woman had managed to mend it every single time, making him rise from the ashes he had turned into.

'If only the curse was not the only thing that united us…' his mind reeled, his face showing nothing as he dragged his heavy body through the lush forest ground.

He could still feel the cold fingers of death gripping his heart as he forced himself to walk forward, to get away from the gruel experience that had marked his last hours. He tried to walk passed the fear, the dread of letting his ward alone in this cruel world. His eyes widened minutely as he abruptly stopped, Kagome almost colliding with his back, his stiff shoulders turning slowly but surely towards the crowd that obediently fallowed him.

"Rin…" he managed to croon, his voice raspy and almost unusable.

Coughing, the motion almost sending him to the ground, his body still week, Sesshomaru pointed towards all of them, his eyes continuing the question, though he still tried to search for her with his eyes. Nothing… No one dared answer as they looked at one another, the tension palpable as they averted their gazes from his. So she wasn't with them? Then, that meant that his ward's life had been taken by that brutal murderer that wanted to call himself a king.

Rage bubbled up in his body as he snarled, a deep growl rumbling in his chest, rising and rising until they all covered in fear. All except one. Blue eyes filled with tears searched for his, ignoring the redness, the rage and most importantly, the madness that they surely found in his. The markings on his skin grew jagged as he shook with a fury that he didn't even knew could find its place in his heart.

And just when the curse threatened to take over his sanity completely, his mind spinning with the realization that his Rin was no longer there, a small hand touched his heated cheek, rubbing off the madness and making the rage subside. Blue eyes searched again for his as his ragged breathing forced his body to shake, his nostrils flaring as his still red eyes fixed on everything but the girl before him.

"She is safe, my liege." She whispered, both her hands cupping his face, dragging it down to her level, forcing him this time to look her in the eyes.

Strong hands grabbed her shoulders, long nails digging into her skin drawing out blood. A low growl, something very close to a canine threatening sound, escaped his lips as he was unable to utter intelligible words.

"She is well taken care of, Sesshomaru… I send her far away from this battling ground. She will return to your side once we take over the kingdom once more and give you back your throne. You should not despair, my liege." Her warm voice continued to whisper as she tugged at his form, his body falling forward into her arms.

Hiding his face in the crock of her neck, Sesshomaru tried to catch his breath. She had been speaking the truth, he could tell that from her expression. Loosening his iron grip on her arms, he cringed internally when he felt his nails dig out slowly from her flesh. He had hurt her… After she had endangered not only her own health but that of dozens of men to save him. She had been there for him every step of the way, catching him when he would fall pray to the curse's evil might and yet he had rewarded her with snarls and growls and with wounds that will surely heal hard.

"Pay no mind to this, my king." She continued to whisper as her hands wrapped around his throat, securing him there, her dainty fingers rubbing soothing circled on the back of his neck.

But how could he not? He had done nothing good to this girl and yet she had stayed with him and will continue to stay to protect both her cause and him. An almost soundless whine hummed from his chest, an apology just for her, meant for only her. And the teary smile that brightened her face eased his heart once more.

"Thank you…" her own whispered gratitude made his eyes widen, as she gently pushed him away from her, her face never loosing its brightness.

Bowing his head as he once again stood tall before them, Sesshomaru turned around to walk to the secluded camp, his ears straining to pick up sounds that meant that Naraku's army was approaching. Nothing reached him. Nothing… not even the sound of birds or bugs. The wind didn't howl its painful cry, the grass didn't crunch beneath his feet. Nothing. An emptiness of sound and life surrounded him, making his heart grow cold and unmoving.

"Do not fall pray to this sorcery. We have taken refuge in a dark forest and it shall eat whatever fears you may posses if only to drain you completely." Miroku's voice hummed, reaching everyone as sound once more rose around them.

The strange spell lifted as they proceeded to walk further ahead, Sesshomaru stealing glances from time to time to look around him. Yet, every time his eyes wandered from the path ahead, they fixed themselves on the little vixen that so happily walked right next to him. A small blush colored her cheeks as they sped up their pace. The sun was falling so very beautifully on her cream colored skin, her hair no longer onyx but blazing with a power unknown to any of them.

She was a force to be reckoned with and Naraku will find out just how powerful she was. Sesshomaru, on the other hand, suspected even more from her. Wanted even more from her. Biting his tongue, the mighty king fixed his honeyed gaze on the road and never once looked back.

Kagome looked dejected. She was feeling very shy whenever she caught the king's eyes wondering over her, yet she never wanted him to stop. The scene earlier and her pulsing wounds had given her what she had hoped for: a bit of closure with the lonesome king. She had been so happy, ecstatic even, when she had felt his strong body shivering under her touch. If she had not eased the fury that had taken over his mind, then everything would had been lost, including her life. Even as week as he was now, Sesshomaru would had made quick work of disposing of all of them. He had enough power in that body of his to kill anyone that opposed him in any way he saw fit.

A shiver racked her body as she looked straight ahead, disappointment disappearing from her mind as worry, dread and terror replaced it. She could feel the spirit of the forest circling them, growling, humming its doomful song as it closed behind them. None saw the disappearance of life all around them? Could they not feel the anger that rose from the blackened ground? The angry souls of those that had paved the lush ground here were extending their skeletal hands towards them, wanting company and revenge for their timely departure from this world. She could tell their evil intentions were going to drive some of her men mad but she hoped that she could stop that from happening.

'And at the same time keep my curse in check. I can feel that ugly feeling growing inside me, bubbling, strengthening even though I try to keep it subsided. My feelings are reacting with that curse and I can do nothing… ' she told herself, her eyes wide and frightful as she looked around, despair coloring her whole being.

"Relax, little one. This one shall let no one do you harm." A deep voice, a baritone so dear to her, reached her fretful mind.

Looking to the owner of said voice, her shaky smile made him frown as his large hand cupped her cheek. Her eyes widened as her blush deepened. Was he serious? Their eyes were locked as they stopped, leaving Miroku to lead the men forward, too absorbed in each other to care at the moment.

He could see! He could see her insecurities, her pain. And she could see his! Was this the other side of the curse? Or was she hoping in vain? She surely didn't want to believe that she was the only one that felt this way. Was he really letting her in? Was he really showing her something that he had yet to show anyone?

"You… " she tried to let him know what she was feeling.

"You are not wrong, Kagome." His deep, almost monotone voice hummed through his hand and into her body, her insecurities flying out the window as her blush deepened.

Her heart hammered in her chest as his face closed half the distance between them, that secret part of her soul, the tainted part that she tried to keep under a constant lockdown, vibrated in its cage, trying to find a way out, a way into the light to unite with its other half. Was that even possible? Was the one that had put the curse on both of them thinking so far ahead? Or was it just a side effect? She hoped that it wasn't that, that the witch or whatever he or she was, had made this curse to unite them.

Tip-toeing as she closed her eyes, Kagome felt the first warm brush against her lips, her heart leaping into her throat, beating faster and faster as she could feel Sesshomaru's warmth seep into her own clothes and then into her skin. Another silky brush against her lips and then another and another, until she could no longer take the languid and careful touching, her hands flying up into his hair pulling him down to deepen whatever contact they had. A pleased hum vibrated through her lips, sending shivers to her nether regions.

"You really like this, do you not, little princess?" his amused purr made her puff her cheeks as he almost but not really put some distance between them.

"It is not right to tease, my lord, for that may cause… an unexpected development." She warned, lips glossy as she watched him smirk, face inching forward once more.

"Hn" was his obvious response as he kissed her again, this time with enough force to make her sigh, the pleasure that bubbled up in both of them drawing out more passion that they thought possible.

Tongues peaked behind full lips as they both engaged in something that had been on their minds from the first time they had laid eyes on one another. Languid licks from his part made her tremble as he invaded her mouth, sucking gently on her lips, his arms drawing her closer and closer until not even a breath could pass between them. She, on the other hand, felt so very alive, so complete that it scared her. She had figure that, when this moment would finally come, he would make her feel more than happy, yet this was beyond everything she had thought of. He was warm, careful, something she could never picture him be, yet he was proving her that there was even more to him that what she had found until that very moment. Passion rose as they locked lips, tongues battling, hands caressing and pleased hums vibrated through them. It felt so right to be besides him. It felt right to have her in his arms, to cares that milky skin that had haunted his dreams time and time again. This was destined!

"Do not forget, my children: I left you like this for a reason! Before that mission is complete, you shall not find release in the need you feel for one another. This story has yet to receive a happy ending!" a sinister voice, though warm and strangetly detached from any specific gender, rumbled in their heads as they cringed, moving away from one another, the pain almost unbearable.

"No…" Kagome's whisper broke the heavy silence as her eyes searched for his, the terror that had risen until that very moment – unknown to her – breaking free from its restrains.

"Kagome, do not…" but his warning was too late as he watched her being engulphed in a mass of blue light that soared through the trees, burning his skin.

Hissing, as he stepped back, Sesshomaru refused to search for cover as her piercing scream echoed through the forest. He watched in horror as dainty fingers burried themselves in her locks, pulling relentlesly. She screamed in agony as she fell to the ground, the powers that had been given free rein over her body made her skin burn. It hurt so very much, yet, even though she could feel her eyes watter, no tear fell to alievate her pain. They disappeared in the roaring heat of her curse. She wanted for this to end, she could take no more. The world around her shilfted and darkened as her pain reached new extremeties. But before she could faint, before she could abandone her cruel destiny, Kagome felt a pair of strong arms circle around her body, making the curse subside. She heared a pitiful whine and the smell of burned skin asaulted her nose, yet she could no longer open her eyes to see the world around. Her agony had drained her of any and all energy as she slumped against a hard chest, head heavy and body an open wound. Why had she been cursed again? What had she done to deserve this?

And what about him? Had he ever done anything to be doomed to such a fate? She had known him for years and besides his very stoic and detached persona, not to mention the quite cruel punishments that he had implemented to keep his kingdome safe, nothing had been done to permanently angry someone. So why had they been made a sacrafice for the world?

She heard nothing but the soft rythm of her own heart as the world around her blackened further. This was pure hell. Not only had she lived without a family almost all her life but she had been abused and cheated by those that she believed were good. Now she had nothing.

'You are wrong… You have everything.' Her mind suplied, trying, desperately to make her rethink the world's spider-web system.

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He hissed, pain numbing him, agitating him, agravating his already damaged heart. She was alright, for the time being, only minor burns on her pristene skin, yet he was far from being in a good shape. Black skin mared his hands, rivulets of already coagulating blood running down his arms from deep cuts made by her immens power. She had cut through him with a force so powerful that, if he had not been his usual self, it would have definitely killed him.

Grimacing in pain, the still young lord hoisted the heavy body off the ground, ignoring the deep stains that blossomed like wild flowers, red as the lips he wanted so badly to kiss, on both their clothes. He refused to call for any of the souldiers that had started to search for them once they disappeared from their sight.

"My lord, Sesshomaru!" Miroku's voice finally reached them, the relieve he felt once he had laid eyes on him subsiding and being replaced by terror as his violet eyes fell on the young princess, her pale skin making a striking contrast on the surrounding nature.

It was so wrong to see them battered up, blood dripping from them, blood that was greedly being sucked up by the blackened earth, no traice of their pass being left behind. Though this forest was curse, thriving from the panic, pain and terror it induced, it was serving their escape quite efficiently. Gulping down a breath as the stoic lord pasted him, nothing but coldness coming off of him in waives, Miroku shuddered. He could only vagually imagine how the wounds he had breafly saw hurt and he for one would have never survived the damage. But what had happened? Was it the curse he had heard of? Was it anything at all? Had something happened that shouldn't have?

"My lord... Can I aid you?" he tried to speak, though his voice cracked as only a cold look was shot towards him.

"It is not necesary. Walk ahead and show this one the way. We have to treat the princess." Were his only words as he vagually pointed ahead, through the woods with his chin.

Nodding, though he felt his chest constric in pain, his breath barelly passing his parted lips, the brunette all but ran past the two, trying but not succedding not to feel the smell that came off of them. Burnt skin, roasted by something very unpleasant. It made him sick, his stomach contracting and refusing to sit quietly where it belonged.

"This way..." he mumbled, his pace increasing as he felt the walls of the forest coming closer and closer as if surrounding them in their attempt to trap and devour them.

Several long minutes passed as they walked in a heavy silence, only small grunts and moans of pain permiting the air, those being the only sounds. Not once did Miroku or any of the souldiers turned around to look at the tall male that consisted their center. Nor did Sota, who – dumb struck to see his sister for the first time up close – had watched her intently right after she had hugged him. No one dared to look the king in his eyes, because whatever they would find in those special orbs of his would doom their souls forever. And they needed to be strong to fight the upcoming evil. They needed...

"We are here..." Miroku's voice rose from his dry throat to announce their arrival in the secluded area, the trees finally humming with life and peace. Whatever was protecting this area, it was doing a good job.

Wood creaked, moaning, the earth under their feet gently vibrating as the trees up ahead moved, their branches swaying as they made a small but crossable passage for them to move forward. Apprehension shone on all their faces as they looked from one sculpted tree on which a face could be seen to the other, so none moved, not even when all activity stopped. None but the tall Adonis figure as he stepped forward, urgency in his steps and heart, though none of that could be predicted by the outside.

"This way, my liege! You must hurry... please save my sister..." Souta rushed in the second the king passed the trees, his eyes darting from the road ahead to the obviously tired king.

He looked as if he was ready to collapse with the girl, barely breathing, in his arms. Yet he was forcing himself, setting examples, passing normal and even abnormal barriers only for this one person that rested in his hold. Souta was greatly impressed, not that he didn't already owe the silver headed male his life and knowledge. His life, his long-lost sister's life were both in Sesshomaru's hands and he was partially very happy for that. He had grown knowing the king and listening to stories about the princess so he partially knew about them. It was now time to heal and help them both. It was time for him to show his worth to the majestic king and very strong willed princess.

Running ahead and pushing branches out of his way, Souta reached the center of the camp were only one small cottage lay hidden between large boulders that had no place being there. Runes were carved both in the ground and on the rocks runes that Sesshomaru, somehow, remembered. In mere seconds, the boy he had saved out of mercy so many years ago, disappeared into the building, emerging with someone else, his loud voice and quite deep tone reaching his ears before he saw what was happening.

Scrunching up his nose as his eyes narrowed, the moon kissed king took one step back as an old man, older than time itself it seemed, gently emerged the shadows, fallowing the ever-loud boy that explained something to him in a language Sesshomaru had yet to hear of. Small nods were the only indication that the old croon even acknowledged that he had heard anything as he approached the imposing male.

"So young... and with such a heavy curse resting on your shoulders... you remind me so much of you dear father..." the raspy sound of the new arrival's voice made Sesshomaru think of an old toad, though he did not resemble one.

Observing him, just as he was observed, Sesshomaru could only narrow his eyes further at the sight of the man: big, bulging eyes with wisps of gray hair and a long pointy nose were the first thing that stood out on his otherwise plain, scrawny figure. Hunched forward, he didn't seem to be in very good health as he sometimes shook with no apparent reason. He was so old that even time had passed him without letting death claim him.

"How do you know of my deceased sire?" his deep baritone imposed, eyes so cold that it made the old bat take one shaky step back.

"I have treated him of the same disease... but it has been a long time... too long..." the old one shook his head. "I am Totosai, the one that has delivered you from your mother's womb, the one that had watched my dear sire die in hopes of letting you have a better future." The gray and wise mage hummed, though more for himself, as his bulging eyes took on a glossy look.

"I am not interested in the past, old fool. This one only requires help for the princess." Came the chilly response as any and all possible conversations were cut short.

"You do not want to have your own curse removed, young one?" Totosai asked incredulity shinning in his tone as he watched the silver headed male snarl.

"I do not require simple magic for my own good. If you can help Kagome, then I am..." but just as he was about to continue, the small package in his arms stirred to life, dainty fingers rubbing gentle circles on the markings marring his face.

"You should save yourself while you still can, my liege. My life is yet to be in danger." Kagome's dry tone made Sesshomaru growl as he lowered his face still their noses touched.

"You have saved me and bared the same burden I have for many years now. You are not obliged to do so any longer. Why refuse the change to..." yet he was cut off again by her small touches.

"Because, through this, we are stronger, my king." She whispered, her face turning towards the old male that had watched them with interest, amusement flickering in his dark orbs. "You know of our ailment, do you not?" she asked as Sesshomaru lowered them both on the ground, trying, though not completely succeeding, to hide his pain from the young woman.

"Yes... and I even know the antidote to that, small princess." He smiled, his almost empty mouth showing them the decaying sight of one who had been lost to time.

"Then please... can you..." Kagome tried to say before she shook violently, the pain that had left her only moments before returning full force.

"Only after I have healed you, young ones." Totosai smirked, his hands coming together to grip a stick that had appeared out of thin air right in his right hand. "Souta, can you aid this old timer?" he turned his wrinkled face towards the boy that had went back to get the other to the clearing without letting the trees defend their territory against them – thus saving them from being eaten alive.

Blushing when he was his bigger sister staring at him with wide eyes as if not believing, though trust shone in them brighter than anything he had ever seen, the youngest of them all nodded once and took his place on Totosai's left side, his eyes closing as he raised his hands, palms facing the two kneeling creatures before him. His chanting accompanied the old man's as they hummed something that sounded so very close to a lullaby that both Kagome and Sesshomaru closed their eyes, their foreheads resting against each other, their breaths mingling.

"The answer to your curse if your love... the love that has blossomed between you two is the one that will save you... you have to make it stronger, little ones. You have to let it grow... And grow shall it and consume you it shall... unite body and mind in the old ways... You shall be free but only together." The oldest chant they have ever heard in a language that was not their own reached through their minds without vibrating in the air around them. It came through the grown and into their souls as they felt even the trees nod in agreement.

Kagome blushed so deep that she almost fainted due to the sudden rush of blood to her head as the magic around them subsided, all her wounds healed. She could feel Sesshomaru's breath on her skin, could see the look in his eyes as they both though of the same thing: they had to do what the witch would not allow even if their curses would start acting against them. But where... and how...

"There is but one place, little ones. One place that unites them all, one place that defies them all: the Tree of Souls. As him permission and he shall grant your wish." Totosai's final words reached them as he disappeared once more into the darkness he called home.

"Th-thank you..." Kagome called after him as she got up, pulling Sesshomaru gently after her, her eyes fixed on the dark space that engulfed Totosai's home, her hands never letting go of the king's hands. Yet his eyes did not fallow the old crook's whereabouts. His eyes had remained glued to his desired female, the deep rumbles of the beast he had been forced to live with and accept sounding very pleased to him.

"You should rest for today... " Souta's shy voice broke the mirage as both Kagome and Sesshomaru turned to look at him.

"My brother..." Kagome whispered as she took one step towards him. "Come... Please..." she called, finally letting go of one of Sesshomaru's hands and extending it to her long lost sibling.

Looking at his savior, the young boy bend it head a little as if asking for permission and blushed deeply when a smile was his answer. Extending his own hand, much bigger than his sister's, Souta shuddered at the feminine touch. He had longed for this, dreamed of the day when he was able to touch his sister, to see her and talk to her. That day had finally come and he was beyond happy.

"We are finally here... finally complete..." Kagome whispered, looking from one male to the other, her gaze resting in the honey orbs she loved so much.

"Not quite yet..." was the only rumble she received from Sesshomaru as his eyes focused on her and the on some distant tree only he could see.

Not yet... not yet...

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A/N: well, ladies and gentleman, this is the third chapter. I would be glad to write more and as soon as possible so bare with me. Reviews please! They are the ones that fuel me.