Sesshomaru sat in the chair next to the bed Kagome was asleep in, she had passed out seconds after he had dispatched the demon and would most likely be very weak for the next few days. The human had upset Sesshomaru, something he didn't like. If she had just gone to the limousine after school like she was supposed to, none of this would've happened.

She was lucky I was there. Sesshomaru thought. Had I decided to attend the stock meeting in Hokkaido she would be dead.

The demon who had attacked Kagome screamed in pain somewhere in the dungeons underneath his estate. Sesshomaru wasn't worried about it waking Kagome as only his sensitive ears could hear through the soundproof room. After Jaken had put Kagome in the car Sesshomaru had collected the demon's body and brought it back to his home, a simple strike from Tenseiga and he was returned to the world of the living. He was now in the dungeon, Jaken busy loosening his tongue.

This was no random attack, Kagome had been targeted specifically, Sesshomaru just wanted to know why. In truth, Sesshomaru never thought Kagome would be in any real danger; demon attacks were usually executed by the young and stupid and rarely ever planned out. They were sudden and swift, usually leaving a human dead or permantely lame. Most of the community let these occasional attacks go, they thought it wise to remind humans their betters still existed.

But not this time. It worried Sesshomaru, the time of great demon lords battling for territories and power was long over. Nowadays a demon's worth was determined by his business connections and monetary status; battles were fought in board rooms and at stock exchanges. Only the truly foolish thought they could bring back the old days.

Sesshomaru was brought from his thoughts by the sound of Kagome stirring. The young woman was finally coming to. She had been asleep for almost eighteen hours and would've had the police out searching for her had Sesshomaru not gone to her home and explained the situation to her mother. Another annoyance as Kagome's mother had obviously been in heat when he arrived.

"Where am I?" Kagome croaked

"In my home would be the response to that clichéd question." Sesshomaru answered. "In a bed in one of the spare rooms. Now, don't you think you should be thanking me for saving your life? "

Kagome managed to force her face into a scowl, though it took a lot of energy to do so.

"Of course," he went on "had you come to the car after your classes were finished, there would have been no need for me to save you and ruin my favorite suit."

Kagome wanted to shout and scream and destroy him verbally, but she was too weak even to open her mouth. Sesshomaru was aware of that, which is why he continued to taunt and berate her. It would be another few hours before Kagome was well enough to talk and what a sweet few hours they would be for him.

Her weakened state was also something he could use to keep her safe. The demon that attacked her was far too weak to be more than an errand boy, there was obviously someone much more powerful pulling the strings. As long as they were out there Kagome was in danger and Sesshomaru would have to protect her; which was easier if she was at his home where no creature could enter without his consent.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken called through the door.

"Yes Jaken, come in."

The Kappa entered in his original form, his human guise not necessary in his master's home. His robes were spattered with blood and he was carrying the pink jewel the demon had used to drain Kagome's energy.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I wasn't able to get the lowly bug to tell me who he's working for, but I did discover what this jewel is."

"And what Jaken" Sesshomaru snapped "does that have to do with anything?"

"The jewel contains the soul of a powerful demon Lord Sesshomaru, and it was absorbing the girl's soul as well. At least part of her soul."

"Part of it? Why would it only absorb part of it?"

"The part of her soul that it was trying to absorb was Kikyo's essence."

"Kikyo?" Kagome whispered

"Yes," Jaken answered "whoever sent this demon after you wanted her soul."

"Why would they want Kikyo's soul?" Sesshomaru asked "That woman has been dead for centuries, what use would she be in modern Japan?"

"That's just it Lord Sesshomaru, they don't want her power per se. They want her to fight the demon inside the jewel. You see the soul trapped inside is Narauku's."

"Wait a minute!" Kagome said, forcing herself to speak louder "If there's already a powerful demon trapped in the jewel and they wanted the soul of a powerful priestess trapped with him then they must be…"

Kagome stopped herself; she didn't want to finish that sentence. After all this time for it to start all over again.

"They were trying to recreate the same power as before." Sesshomaru finished "Someone is trying to create a new Shikon no Tama."