[[Disclaimer: This is simply another small addition. You see, it's rather late here, and I felt bad for not posting for so long. Thank you for reminding me that I needed to update! You know who you are. Anyway, this is a small installment. The next will be rather long, and the plot will be really "twisty and turny" from here on out. I promise yummy goodness! Or.. Something like it! And.. Angst. ;; Not to mention more fighting, apparently. Hope you enjoy~]]

"If they take my life… They take yours as well."

Sesshomaru turned away from Naraku then, clenching his hand tightly into a fist. Naraku was a fool to think-… There was… No way out, was there? For a moment, there was nothing but mind-bending silence around them. Sesshomaru wasn't thinking right then. There were many problems that he'd come across before, but none of them were this complicated. The weaker side of him, which had never reared its ugly head, wanted to ask just why the hell Naraku wanted the dog as a mate in the first place. It wasn't "love". Sesshomaru would have laughed in his face had he claimed that. One in love would never threaten with the life of the one they claimed to love. Unless it was deadly obsession. But they had only met over his lost arm… And that hadn't been long ago. Sesshomaru did not believe in such human emotions anyway. His father had been to feel such a weakening thing, "Naraku…" The lord said softly, as he pulled the sheet away from his body and rose. He was wearing white linen pants, much thinner than what he'd had on before, and his torso was mostly covered in bandages, "I am going outside. I need time on my own." The spider didn't move to stop his mated, he simply nodded, watching as the silver haired male paced out of the room.

He padded past the sleeping imp and down a long hall, to an opening in the wall, which he exited through. The air was cool around him. His bare feet were soft against the branches and such on the ground as he moved deep into the trees, though not too far. Once he felt alone enough, he jumped to the highest branch in one of the trees and relaxed, letting his eyes fall half closed.

How could he have been so foolish? He sought answers. Answers and revenge, and yet… He'd lost in a battle he knew would mess everything up. What on earth had clouded his judgment then? He should have just killed him when he had the chance. But then… His heart… Sesshomaru would have died as well, and he still had Rin to look after. Whether he said it out loud or not.. Whether it was shown in his actions or not.. He loved that girl like a daughter. He'd do anything to give her a good life. She was the only human who'd ever shown him any sort of kindness without seeking something in return. She was unlike any of them. And he would fight for her, even in the face of something like this. But… Where would it go from here? Would he ever be free? Was there a way out that he wasn't aware of? There had to be something. Perhaps he was overanalyzing? His pale fingers came up to softly touch the un-bandaged shoulder, where the damn beast had bitten him. A low growl resounded in his throat and he dug his claws into his own flesh. If only there was a way to get rid of it! Bloody hell, there had to be!

"Clawing at it won't make it go away." The golden-eyed man sent a glare over his shoulder when he heard that female voice, but he said nothing. Kagura just sighed, sitting in a branch barely five feet from him, "I know what it's like. You don't want to be here. I can see it in your eyes." The demon looked away, up toward the moon, and, still, he said nothing, "…Since I was created, I've longed to be free as the element I control, you know. I would give anything to be a normal woman. To be detached from that beast.."

"Why are you telling this to me?" The dog asked coldly, taking a short breath and tucking some hair behind his ear.

"Because you and I are the same. We're trapped. You were tricked into having to stay here. You can't leave because he will die. And, thusly, you will also die. But… I know of a way out." This got Sesshomaru's attention. Amber eyes met that red gaze and Kagura had to catch her breath. She could see why Naraku would want this man as his mate. So stunning… A blush crossed her cheeks and she looked away, sighing to take away the tight feeling in her chest, "You see… If you were to fight him, he could not hurt you, for you are his mate-"

She was answered with a hiss, "I am no such thing."

Her red eyes closed and she took a deep breath, "Still, he won't attack you. He'll simply block you. So, fight him good and hard. Bring the man to his knees, and, just before you finish him off, I'll steal your heart from him. Then you and I can both be free."

Sesshomaru eyed her long and hard, contemplating whether or not it was worth it. She seemed rather determined to stab Naraku in the back, which was good for him, because it meant she would be loyal and do as she promised. If it was a way out, and since he could find no other, he didn't have much of a choice. The dog looked away from Kagura and jumped out of the tree, touching down softly, "Tell me, wind sorceress… Where are my blades?"

Kagura followed him down, landing just as lightly, the wind swirling around her a little, making the leaves dance at her feet. There was a smirk on her red lips. Excellent… She could nearly taste her freedom now.