Chapter 8: Betrayed

"Half-breed." Sesshomaru said simply.

"S-Sesshomaru...I didn't mean to come here..."

"You are injured." He said, taking a couple steps forward.

Kagome wrapped her arms around herself, she was sore, cold, lost, hungry, and here she stood before the most feared demon.

"Who did that to you?" Sessshomaru asked, now standing inches before her, his eyes curiously scanning her bloodied body.

"Inu...Yasha." Kagome said.

"Hmm, follow me." Sesshomaru turned, and walked off.

Kagome stood where she was for a few seconds, which is how long it took Sesshomaru to notice her not following.

"Listen, I'm offering you my help, just this once. It's not safe for a wounded half-breed like you to be out in the open. For it draws full blooded demons." Sesshomaru said.

Kagome thought this over, if she had this chance to live, she'd better take it.

She followed after Sesshomaru.

He was silent throughout the walk.

'Does he ever stop?' Kagome thought to herself.

It was dark now, and blood was still lightly oozing out of her side, as she still tried to put pressure on it.

Suddenly, Sesshomaru changed direction that led to a dark cave.

"Sit down." Sesshomaru said when they were deep enough into the cave.

Kagome obeyed, letting out a light cry as her wounds reacted.

Thanks to her half-breed senses, her blue eyes lightly glew, adapting to the dark.

Sesshomaru knelt next to her, and lifted up her shirt, to see the wound that was there.

Kagome gasped when he laid his hand on the open wound.

"Is it...Ok?" Kagome asked.

"This wound has become infected. I can heal it, but I must have your permission." Sesshomaru said.

"Well, I don't want to go around with a puncture in my side. Please heal it." Kagome said.

Sesshomaru nodded, and lowered his head to the wound.

Kagome stared wide-eyed at the scene.

Soon, she felt a warm tongue on her side, sending a relief from the pain.

Kagome could only stare at him, her body filling with goosebumps.

After about a minute, he pulled away.

"Let me see your arm." He said.

Kagome held up her arm that InuYasha had scratched.

Sesshomaru examined the wound, "Why did he do this to you?"

"I- I don't know. He just came out of nowhere and attacked me. It's not like him." Kagome said.

"Were his eyes red?" Sesshomaru asked.

"No, he looked like his normal self." Kagome said.

Sesshomaru let go of her arm and sighed, " That will heal on its own. Rest now, and I will escort you back to that well of yours tomorrow."

"Why didn't you kill me? You said..."

"Because I am fascinated by you. You are human more than anything, yet you take the risk to come here." Sesshomaru said.

"Well, all of this stops tomorrow. I am going to help seal the well, and all will be forgotten." Kagome said.

"What of InuYasha?" Sesshomaru asked.

Kagome laid down on the hard ground, "I hope I never see his face again."

Despite the hardness of the ground, Kagome found sleep easily.

The next morning. Kagome felt stiff, but she didn't complain.

Sesshomaru was already awake, and was waiting for her.

"Do you wish to eat before we leave?" Sesshomaru asked.

"No. I can manage. I would like to get out of this place." Kagome said.

Sesshomaru barely nodded, and walked out of the cave.

Kagome silently followed after him.

After about an hour, Sesshomaru stopped, "This is as far as I plan to go. You can find the well from here."

Kagome was confused as to why he would just randomly stop and leave the rest to her.

"If you are ever to return. Don't expect me to help you again." Sesshomaru said.

"I won't be coming back." Kaogme said positively.

Sesshomaru didn't reply, but turned and left.

Kagome began to realize how close she was to the well, when she began walking through a field.

Now, she stood before the well, when a familiar voice that she hoped she'd never hear again, called her name, "Kagome!"

She bravely turned to him.

"A little early aren't you?" He stood before her now.

Kagome shot a glare at him, "Early? You've known I was here!"

InuYasha gave a confused look, "What?"

"Y-you attacked me in the forest yesterday, look what you did to me!" Kagome pulled down her right sleeve, revealing a deep gash that had now began to heal.

"What the...Kagome, who did that to you?!" InuYasha asked concerned, taking her arm carefully.

"You did you moron!" Kagome shouted, yanking her arm away from him.

"What! I didn't! I wouldn't!" InuYasha said.

"I know who I saw, and it looked a lot like you!" Kagome said.

"Kagome! I would never hurt you! You know that!" He said.

"No, I don't. I know what I saw." Kagome said,.

"I never caught your scent yesterday after you left, I was at Kaede's since you left. I only found your scent five minutes ago. Please, believe me." He begged.

A part of Kagome wanted to believe him, the part that still loved him. "I can't." She whispered.

"What an I do to make you believe me?" He asked desperately.

Kagome blinked away a tear, "I'm going to return home, and help Granpa seal the well, so we won't have to worry about anything else. We can forget about this over time."

"No, you can't. We're mates. Mates can't stay apart." InuYasha said.

Kagome shook her head, "We're not. Not anymore. You said so yourself."

"I never said that! Kagome, I love you. I've always loved you. And I can prove it." InuYasha said.

Kagome gasped as his lips met hers.

For a long moment, she was confused, 'Why would he kiss me if he said I wasn't good enough for him?'

Another part of her couldn't help but to kiss him back.

InuYasha brought her closer to him, and all felt right.

Even thought InuYasha was truly proving himself, she still couldn't let go of what he said and did to her.

Kagome unexpectedly moved away from him.

"I can't. I want to, but I can't. This is better for us." Kagome said, and she turned and jumped in the well, InuYasha's voice calling ater her.