Chapter 18

A Drop of Blood

Kagome yawned as she sat up. She blushed remembering her conversation with Sesshomaru last night, and what he had said to Inuyasha. Her attention turned to the warmth she felt around her waist. Sesshomaru was holding her, he must've been when she was sleeping; too. She blushed madly, as Sesshomaru sat up, his hair shining in the suns reflection, as she took in her surroundings. They were back at the place they decided to camp out with their friends.

"Good Morning." she yawned once again, and laid her head on his chest.

"Same to you." Sesshomaru responded, playing with her hair. He was glad she felt happier, but knew after everything that had happened so far, there was still more pain that she had in her eyes; and obviously more to come.

Sango smiled, "I see you two are getting along nicely now." Kagome smiled at Sango, and then looked at everyone around her. She blushed once more; yet she was very happy that Sesshomaru decided he would show his affection.

"I'll be right back." Kagome said, taking her head from Sesshomaru's chest and standing. Sesshomaru looked up and watched her carefully, wondering where she could be going.

"Where is it you are going." he asked, sort of demanding to know for her safety.

"To…pee." she laughed, and began to walk. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Oh, and where's Kagura?"

"She said she had to go." Miroku told her, as he sat beside Sango.

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"Kagura. I see you've come back." Naraku grinned that horrible grin that sent shivers down anyone's spine. "I will have to punish you later, for you will be retrieving Kagome once I gain control of her with the jewel shard that is in her still."

Kagura's eyes widened, she had almost forgotten. She took a deep breath, and responded. "When must I get her?" she asked; knowing if she said something wrong she'd be tortured.

"Right away. She is alone now, it is the best time." Naraku chuckled. "By the time you get there, I will have control."

"Fine." Kagura replied shortly, and left the room.

Naraku's plan was brilliant. The miko was still in pain, he needed to do something more, something that would completely finish her off, her heart shatter into over a million pieces. He was excited for the events that would happen; being the twisted and sick person he was, he couldn't wait to see the excellent outcome. He'd break her down finally, he'd have her on her knees in front of him. She'd be begging for him to let her go, begging to spare her friends lives.

Maybe he'd offer her life for theirs; yes that sounded like a reasonable deal. One life to save the lives of others? Or maybe he'd turn her against everyone, and allow her to be completely aware. She was weak, and her miko powers wouldn't be able to do much when she was that weak. His plan was going to be perfect, Kagome would shatter. He would be able to crush Inuyasha and his half-brother; Sesshomaru. He doubted anything could stand in his way now, with that jewel shard still within Kagome, anything was possible. He thought for a moment, where had he put it? Ah yes, it was in her wrist. If they tried to remove it, she could possibly die.

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Kagome finished her business, stood up soon enough to crouch right back down in pain. Her wrist was in agonizing pain. She suddenly once again remembered. "The Jewel Shard." she whispered to herself, gasping as the pain became more agonizing. She fought for control over her own body, losing due to her weak state. She held on for dear life as she fought against the evil surging through her body, slowly gaining control. The only thing that wasn't under control, was the fact that she knew what was happening. She didn't want to know, she didn't want to be aware. She turned unwillingly to see Kagura swoop down and grab her, fling her over her side onto the feather with her.

"Forgive me." Kagura bit her lip. "I don't want to do this, but I know we'll get through this." Kagome wanted to shout, to say something. But she couldn't she could only listen and watch. She feared for not her life, but for her friends lives. They were far more important then her; they meant the world. Especially Sesshomaru.

"Kagome. Has anyone ever told you 'The further you fall, the stronger you are when you climb back up'?" Kagura asked. "Well, keep that in mind; even though you cannot respond to me." they landed, and began to walk into Naraku's castle.

They soon enough arrived inside of Naraku's room, and Kagome wanted to cry, and scream. But she couldn't do either of those things. She was trapped; once again in his control.

"Hello, my dear miko." Naraku said, in a velvety voice.

Kagome nearly puked in her mind, "Hello, master." she responded unwillingly, bowing.

"I have a task for you today." he smiled evilly.

"What is it, master?" she asked, dying inside as she failed to fight for control.

"Your first job, is to make sure Sesshomaru is aware that you do not love him. That will be all for today. Also, I found an object that will allow you temporary wings, for you to return without Kagura's aid." (Yes I totally added in wings because I could and don't want Kagura to be a taxi anymore, Hah.)

Kagome screamed in her mind. No! I can't, I wont! I need to gain control! I love him, I love him, I LOVE HIM!!!!! Pain swirled in her eyes, uncontrollably. "Yes master, I will do my task." she retrieved the item that Naraku held in front of her. She had no control over her body, whatsoever.

"Also, my miko; I should give you a new weapon if you are attacked, so…" Naraku handed her a katana and began that laughter which made any person shudder.

"Yes, master." she grabbed the katana, and attached it to her side.

"You may leave now." Naraku dismissed her, and laid on his bed. "Oh, and for the wings, just swallow that."

Kagome looked down at the item, it was like a pill. Soon enough without any control, she obeyed and left.

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Sesshomaru had thought he smelled Kagura's scent, but then it had washed away quickly. He thought he was just being over-protective, until Kagome hadn't come back for over twenty minutes. He stood up from where he was recently sitting, waiting patiently for Kagome to return. Sesshomaru's coldness began to come out as he realized it was Kagura, and she did take Kagome.

"Half-breed. Did you not notice that Kagome is gone." he demanded to know whether or not he simply sat around not caring or if he just didn't notice, being the idiotic half-breed he was.

"What?!" Inuyasha and his friends all said at once like an immediate alarm had just went off.

"Kagura has her, you idiot. I will go after her." Sesshomaru told them, beginning to walk. He wouldn't let her take in so much pain.

"Wait!" Sango exclaimed, running to him. "Please let us come with you, she's our friend as well." Sesshomaru looked at Sango, and nodded. It was alright then; she was right. They were her friends, too. He decided, for this one time he would allow the damn half-breed to come along in Kagome's rescue. Her other friends, he had no problem with.

Sango; Miroku, Shippo and Kirara followed close behind Sesshomaru. Inuyasha appeared to be very far behind them walking, being the stubborn person he was.

Rin and Jaken came from the corner, and tried to follow along. "Jaken. Take Rin somewhere safe, this is not the time." Sesshomaru demanded, and continued walking while Inuyasha and his friends tagged along behind him. He followed Kagome's scent as it grew stronger. They'd been walking for about ten minutes, and Sesshomaru could smell her.

"Half-breed, can you catch her scent yet?" Sesshomaru asked, smirking.

"N-No, Shut up!" Inuyasha growled, walking slowly.

"I smell her scent, and we're drawing close; as is she to us." stated Sesshomaru, keeping his eyes on the path in front of them. He heard Inuyasha mumble something and smirked, not moving his eyes from the path that lay in front of him. He was certainly going to have a word with Kagome about doing absolutely anything by herself for the time being. But when they came into view of her, they hadn't expected what they saw.

Kagome approached them, but halted a few meters away. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow in confusion. Why hadn't he felt the warmth of her small figure in his arms yet, why hadn't she run to him yet. Those questions repeatedly crossed into his mind, but he couldn't find a proper answer. Inuyasha couldn't stand the silence any longer and spoke.

"Alright, Kagome. Is something the matter?" he asked, certainly there was something up.

"I need to speak to Sesshomaru alone." she stated, smiling lightly. Yet inside, pain struck her like a dagger to the heart.

"So be it." Sesshomaru walked over to her and leaned down. "You may whisper."

In a moment Sesshomaru's expression for once changed. Something unusual coursed through his body, a fear and pain. Those simple words, he never thought they meant anything, and she had said it so seriously. Could it be she was just playing a sick joke? No, she would never joke of such a thing. Disbelief soared through him like lightning. Those words. I do not love you as I once said I did. That sentence, it threw him off. He was… bewildered. He looked into her eyes, pain showing, expression completely shown. The one thing he could not hide this one time, pain.

"What?" he whispered to her, in disbelief. It was almost inaudible, but she managed to hear.

"I am leaving. Do not ask where to. Do not as why. I do not care for any of you. I have realized this." Kagome said unwillingly in a serious tone. Sesshomaru searched deeply into her eyes for any sign of pain. After a long moment, he found only the slightest pain. It was either well hidden, or she utterly meant it.

Kagome stood back, and lifted her arms into the air. Before she left, Naraku had stopped her with instructions to the use of her new wings. Even though painful, she just had to wish it and they would grow. Same for them to retreat back into her skin, which made her want to shudder. Tears welled up slightly in her eyes as the wings tore through her skin and she flew off. Sesshomaru lifelessly reached out a hand into the blowing wind that she had left behind, the open space. And then something wet fell into a hand, it was hers. A Drop of Blood.

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Well, it appears that's complete.

Reviews or I might lose confidence =)