A/N: Some of you have commented that you thought the romance between Kagome and Sasuke came on too fast. I want to point out that when Kagome says that she's falling for him it's a twenty something recognizing the stirrings of feelings. This is not Kagome developing a crush on Inuyasha the very first episode. The two of them have been working on it for a while but Kagome was busy pushing all of her feelings and friends away. Now that she has knocked the walls down those feelings are pushing their way in. There probably won't be any action on their feelings between Kagome and Sasuke until the planned sequel. As I've explained to others this will be, as I call it, double one-sided meaning that both believe the other feels nothing.

Chapter 18

The enemy ninja turned to look at her. The skin of his face was melted revealing his true face. He smiled at her shocked expression. No. Her knees hit the wood of the branch.

"Amazing. To be able to use the sharingan so well at this age, you truly are the one who carries t Uchiha legacy. Just as I thought, I want you." The enemy said with a crocked smile. "I had fun teting your powers. You really are brothers. I sense power in your eyes that surpasses Itachi."

His words echoed in team 7's ears. All three conscious members were frozen under his monstrous aura. There was no hiding her fear and Kagome trembled on her knees below the actual fight. She had thought he might come but she had never expected it. What did he mean by that? He wanted Sasuke? Why? There was little more that could be done to hurt him. There had to be a personal gain for him if he wanted Sasuke. It didn't matter, she would stop him. She wouldn't let him destroy any more lives.

"Who the hell are you?" Sasuke stuttered.

"My name is Orochimaru and if you to see me again then survive and pass this exam."

"What are you talking about? We'd never want to see you again!" Sakura yelled and Kagome envied her strength.

Orochimaru laughed. "I wouldn't say that…" He cast a jutsu. His neck became longer until it resemble a snake unto itself.

"No!" Kagome yelled as she saw the flash of fangs.

She leaped up to try and stop him. She was too slow. By the time she was near enough to do anything Orochimaru was beginning to withdraw. He looked over at her and reached out with his arm to grab her. No matter how she struggled she could not get her to release her. He smiled at her before looking at Sakura. His fingers dug deeper into her arm as he spoke.

"Sasuke will seek me to gain power." Orochimaru said. He withdrew completely.

Sasuke collapsed in pain. In response Kagome struggled harder. No, she wouldn't let this happen. She wouldn't lose another family. He tugged her arm and threw her sharply into a tree farther ay from Sasuke and Sakura. With his speed he was on her in seconds, his hand wrapped around her throat. The force of his hand on her windpipe was cutting off all the flow of oxygen to her brain and she was struggling to remain conscious. Behind Orochimaru Sasuke screamed in pain and Sakura began yelling at Orochimaru who only laughed.

"Let me go." Kagome managed to grind out.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Tell me, Miko, do you have feelings for the boy?" Orochiaru asked.

"Ka-Kag-ome," Sasuke stuttered out in pain. "Let her go."

"Does he have feelings for you?" He laughed. "Don't forget. You'll be seeing me soon."

He let her go and she ran to Sasuke as soon as she could stand without immediately falling over. He yelled out again and she wrapped her arms around him. He laced his fingers with hers as he struggled through the pain. What had the bastard done? He screamed and squeezed her hand tighter. Her own pain dulled as she watched him struggle. She needed to save him. Naruto was injured as well and Sakura was badly shaken. Shifting, Kagome got Sasuke on to her shoulder.

"Sakura, can you get Naruto, we need to get them somewhere safe?" Kagome asked standing.

Sakura nodded. Soon enough they were a good distance away. They found a type of clearing with a cave made from the roots of a giant tree where the boys could rest out of sight and somewhat protected. The whole time Sakura couldn't help but notice the way Sasuke responded to Kagome. He was still trying to hold on to her hand as she lowered him down to the ground. Surprisingly, Kagome didn't let go or run away from his touch. She had a guilty look in her eyes, like she couldn't help but blame herself for what had happened. Finally she pulled herself away from him and pulled out her supplies. She prepared dinner for the two of them before returning to try and give some medical aid to the boys.

"Hey, Sakura." She called from within the cave.

"Yeah?"

"Can you keep watch, I want to try and heal the damage but I need someone to watch my back?"

Sakura blinked. "Sure."

Kagome pulled her hair up and began examining Naruto. His wounds weren't serious but the severing of his connection with the Nine-tails had slowed his healing. She couldn't do anything to reconnect the Nine-Tails. Someone with more knowledge of the seal would have to help him do that. She focused on the physical damage and the damage to his chakra network. If she could make sure Naruto was healed they would be able to move on. She then moved on to Sasuke. Whatever Orochimaru had done to him his body was now rejecting it. She placed a wet cloth on his forehead to try and keep his temperature down. Beneath her fingers he trembled as his body continued to fight. She couldn't help but wonder if he would go to Orochimaru for the power he needed to take his revenge on Itachi.

Shaking her head she forced erself to focus on healing him. His wunds weren't as bad as she had feared. The worst was on his leg where she could only assume he had stabbed himself to break away from Orochimaru's control. The tissue came together without even a scar. With it gone she moved to the bite on his neck. Just centimeters away a strange symbol had formed. She touched his check gently. Even if she could heal him it would hurt. Be strong, Sasuke. She presses her hand to the symbol and pushed her energy in to it. The last thing she heard was his agonizing scream. Then she passed out.

(With Sakura)

She turned when she heard Sasuke scream. It hadn't crossed her mind that he might still be in danger from what the snake guy had done. Just as she turned though she watched Kagome collapse on to Sasuke's chest. She ran over to help the other girl. Her eyes were open but Sakura could tell that she was unconscious. Gently she moved the other girl so she was next to Sasuke. Subconsciously, their hands were just barely touching their fingertips together. Heart broken, Sakura sat back on her heals. She should have seen it coming. Sasuke had always admired Kagome and Kagome had never seemed to care but she understood him more than Sakura ever could. She walked back out to stand guard. She was tired too and she reacted to every small sound. She almost killed a squirrel. It ran a way almost as soon as it was seen.

A/N: So, this was originally going to be longer (I cut out like 900 words) but I haven't been able to work on it because of school. I may post a little filler soon.