Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha. If I have to say it one more time, I'll never write again!

Last Time:

Sesshoumaru disappeared, only to be dragged back a few seconds later. "Why don't we try this, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome said. "Sesshoumaru, scout ahead for a place to stay."

The order took effect, and Sesshoumaru was able to move. As he went Kagome couldn't help singing softly to herself.

CHAPTER 16: SESSHOUMARU'S PLAN

Kagome carefully tended to the fire, smiling as it continued to grow. The cave seemed to have been built to retain warmth, because as soon as the fire started, the cave started heating up. It wasn't long before the cave was as comfortable as Kagome's room at home. Kagome glanced at the entrance every so often, searching for Sesshoumaru. He'd dumped her here, and then tried to go hunting. Unfortunately, whenever he went too far, he got dragged back. Kagome had finally just ordered him to hunt, and that had done the trick.

Kagome stared at her wrists, which were still sore. The red hand prints there kept reminding her of Kaimaru, so she forced herself to focus on something else. Unfortunately, everything that circled in her mind somehow led back to Kaimaru. In a huff, she went to her pack and rifled through it, then smiled as she found her math book. "Normally, I would avoid you at all costs." She told the book. "But I'm desperate." Grabbing a notebook and a pencil, Kagome opened to a chapter that her class had yet to get to. "Limits." Kagome said with a frown. Looking at the graph in front of her, she smiled. "This is going to be difficult."

"What will be?" Sesshoumaru's sudden appearance made Kagome jump.

"Criminy, Sesshoumaru! Don't sneak up on me like that!" Kagome snapped, trying to keep the blush off her face. She hadn't even felt him coming.

Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow. "Do you feel well, miko? Or are you just too lazy to keep vigilant? I was not even trying to hide my aura."

"I just went through a traumatic experience." Kagome snapped. "How about giving me some time to recover?" She turned back to her calculus book, and began working on limits.

At least, she did until Sesshoumaru snatched away the book. "Miko, do not lie to this Sesshoumaru. Even when you were blinded with pain, you knew this Sesshoumaru's aura. And now suddenly you cannot sense this Sesshoumaru at all?"

"Sesshoumaru, I am not in the mood." Kagome growled snatching back her book. "So just leave me alone, alright?"

Normally, Sesshoumaru would leave it at that. But something was majorly wrong. He hadn't seen the miko's power this low since she had replaced Kai's arm. "Miko, what happened?" Kagome turned away, ignoring him. With an internal growl, he grabbed Kagome's shoulder and whirled her around. "Miko?"

"Just leave me alone, Sesshoumaru." Kagome whispered. "I just need to sleep, and I'll be fine."

Sesshoumaru nodded and released her shoulder. Kagome walked slowly to the back of the cave and sat on her sleeping bag. I can't tell him. . . I just can't.

Sesshoumaru stared at her, wondering what had made the miko start to crack. He watched her carefully through the night, as she readied for bed, as she put away her things, and finally as she lay down to sleep. Then he crept to her side and stared at her face. It was covered in sweat, and in sleep, she couldn't hold her brave face. She whimpered as she dreamed, and Sesshoumaru could only stare. What did Kaimaru do to her?

!# Kaimaru #!

Kaimaru snarled, trashing his room. "Where the hell could they be?" He hissed, throwing a vase into the wall. "How could they have disappeared?"

"Throwing a tantrum isn't going to solve anything."

Kaimaru whirled to see Unmeikeirai sitting on the bed. "Where the hell were you? You were supposed to be helping me!"

"I am helping you." Unmeikeirai answered, an amused smile on her face. "It is not my fault that you were idiotic enough to let her escape. Or, to be more specific, let Sesshoumaru circumvent your protections to rescue her."

Kaimaru growled. "How dare you laugh at me!"

"I dare because I'm not the one who screwed up so badly." Unmeikeirai slipped off the bed. "Now, chin up. They'll come around sooner or later. After all, Sesshoumaru will want his title back."

Kaimaru grabbed Unmeikeirai's arm. "You're in this too, Unmeikeirai."

Unmeikeirai smiled. "Of course I am. But I'm an instigator. It's up to you to finish the project." With that, she flipped Kaimaru onto the ground and placed a foot on his stomach to stop him from moving. "And if you lay a hand on me again, you'll find that hand will go missing." With that, she disappeared.

Kaimaru stood slowly. What is that woman? She's certainly not human or demon, that's for sure.

!# Sesshoumaru #!

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome rebuild the fire for breakfast. "Ramen, ramen, ramen." She mumbled to herself, unaware that Sesshoumaru could hear every word. "I must be turning into InuYasha, I swear. But I don't feel like anything else at the moment."

Sesshoumaru saw how she spoke to herself, and knew she was doing it to help her work up her courage. With a raised eyebrow, he spoke. "Miko, if there is something you wish to say, then say it."

Kagome jumped, and chuckled nervously. "Right, well, that might be easy for some people."

"Does it have to do with Kaimaru?"

Kagome dropped the bowl she held. She gulped as she picked it up. "Yes it does." She hastily wiped the bowl down before sitting over by the fire. "But mostly, it has to do with me." She raised a hand, and concentrated on it. After several minutes, a light pink glow surrounded it. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow as Kagome released a breath, panting from effort.

"Is there something wrong with your power, Miko?" Sesshoumaru asked, confused at the sudden change. Normally, she wouldn't even have to think to do something like that. Now it seemed like she was pouring effort into such a simple task.

Kagome pulled down the neck of her shirt, revealing the junction of her neck and shoulder. A black symbol was now in place. "Kaimaru placed a seal on my power." She whispered. "I can barely light up my hand."

Sesshoumaru was at her side in a second. When she jumped, he grabbed her. "I need to see the mark."

"Why?" Kagome asked. "It's just a binding spell."

Sesshoumaru glared at her before looking at it. Slowly, he introduced his youkai, trying to see the mark's reaction. Don't glow, don't glow, don't glow. The mark didn't react at all, except to shrink a small a small sigh of relief, he released Kagome and returned to his seat.

"What exactly were you checking, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked, replacing the shoulder of her shirt.

"There are many ways to bind a person's power. Particularly a female." Sesshoumaru answered. "One way is to mate them." Kagome froze. Quickly, Sesshoumaru continued. "I had to check to see that Kaimaru had not mated you. Fortunately, he merely used a basic binding. It should be easily removed."

Kagome glared at him. Quickly, she grabbed her pillow and launched it at his head. Sesshoumaru dodged and straightened. "Is there a reason you have attacked this Sesshoumaru?"

"For giving me a heart attack!" Kagome snapped. "You did that on purpose!"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Sesshoumaru snapped back.

"You totally did that on purpose, you evil jerk!" Kagome shouted back. "You wanted to see me freak out!"

"I did no such thing." Sesshoumaru growled. "I have better things to do with my time than, as you say, 'freak you out.'"

Kagome glared at him once more before grabbing her ramen bowl and beginning to eat. Silence stretched between them for a moment before Kagome finally spoke. "Can I have my pillow back?"

Sesshoumaru stared at her. "You just threw it at me! Why should I give it back?"

"Cause I need it." Kagome said simply.

With a sigh, Sesshoumaru tossed the pillow to her. She smiled before setting it back on her bed. "So, how do we remove it?"

Sesshoumaru didn't answer for a moment. "I. . . would need to consult my library."

Kagome stared at him for a moment, then smiled. "Oh! I get it! You don't know." She frowned. "Can't you just say it?" Sesshoumaru glared at her, and she raised her hands. "Just a question. No need to get defensive." Seeing that he was still glaring at her, she quickly changed the subject. "So, what's the plan?"

"I will challenge Kaimaru for the title of lord." Sesshoumaru said simply. "As lord, he will have to accept. I can very easily defeat him."

Kagome stared at him. "Wait, so that's how you become lord? By defeating the previous lord?"

"Or inheriting it when the lord dies." Sesshoumaru answered.

"So doesn't that mean that you're still the lord?" Kagome asked.

Sesshoumaru thought for a moment. "Technically, yes. But technicalities do not matter when Kaimaru controls the Western Palace."

"What's so great about the Western Palace?" Kagome asked. "It's just a building."

"It is the center of the Western Lands." Sesshoumaru explained. "Everything that happens is reported there. If you control the palace, you control the information. And information is power."

Kagome nodded. "What about the staff? Can't they help you out?"

Sesshoumaru considered that. "They may be able to help." He allowed.

Kagome smiled. "Okay. You make a plan then. I'm gonna head to bed." She stood and stretched. "Let me know when you're ready."

Sesshoumaru watched her head to bed, and a small part of him smiled. When did she start trusting me so completely?

Probably around the same time you started trusting her.

Who said I trusted her?

Right. Just keep deluding yourself.

!# Kai #!

Kai patrolled the edges of the barrier, aware that Kaimaru would never let him enter the barrier. If there was one thing Kai was known for besides his infamous guarding abilities, it was his loyalty to Sesshoumaru.

However, while he couldn't get in, it didn't mean he couldn't cause some trouble. For the past three days, not a single piece of information had entered or left the Western Palace. He'd intercepted every messenger and taken the message. And the best part was, no one knew but the Western Palace, and the messengers were only too happy to cause trouble.

Kai heard a sound to the right, and he tensed, checking the aura carefully. With a smile, he recognized Yuri, and after seeing that his aura held no sign of attack, he relaxed and waited for his old friend. Yuri came a few moments later. "Good to see you're keeping yourself busy, Kai." Yuri said with a smirk.

"It helps to pass the time." Kai said offhandedly. "Which reminds me, I have a messenger coming in in about three minutes. You can wade through this stuff till I get back." With that, he vanished.

Yuri shook his head with a smile, then looked at the giant pile of scrolls. "He couldn't have at least organized them?" Yuri said with a sigh.

Three minutes later, Yuri had three piles: national security, domestic information, and random bits that were interesting. Yuri smiled in satisfaction at the perfection. So of course Kai had to ruin it by running through all three piles in his entrance. "So, what I miss?" Kai saw Yuri's annoyed face and looked around him at the scrolls that lay everywhere. "Did I do that?"

Yuri closed his eyes. "Yes. You did."

Kai shrugged. "Sorry. It wasn't important, right?"

Yuri's eye twitched. "No. Of course not." He turned away and sat across from Kai. Strangling him is a crime. A very serious one. And it wouldn't even work.

"So what's happening inside?" Kai asked.

"Kaimaru is being the stereotypical tyrant he was before InuTaisho removed him from power." Yuri said with a sigh. "Treating everyone else like shit, insisting that he's right. . . you might remember a little of it."

"Barely. I was really little when InuTaisho took power." Kai said. "All I remember is the Lady telling Sesshoumaru that he had to act like a lord now."

"Yes, she was a bit. . . too into Sesshoumaru being the heir." Yuri said with a sad smile. "Anyway, where is Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Inside the barrier somewhere." Kai said. Yuri sputtered and coughed, and Kai smirked. "What's the matter, Yuri? You act like it's impossible."

"Because it is!" Yuri shouted. "Kaimaru specifically set up the barrier so that Sesshoumaru and you wouldn't be able to enter."

"We're talking about Sesshoumaru here." Kai said with smirk. "That guy's done so many 'impossible' things, I would think he'd be able to do anything. You should know better than to say impossible around Sesshoumaru."

Yuri shook his head. "Unbelievable." He stood. "If he comes back, tell him that the staff of the Palace are waiting for him to return. We won't make a move until he instructs us."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be loyal to the Lord of the West."

Yuri smiled. "We are. To the true lord."

"That is good to know, Yuri." The sound of a new voice had them both turning, tensed for a battle. "That is useful-"

THWACK! "Knock it off, Sesshoumaru!" Kai and Yuri looked at each other and held back smirks. "How does anyone put up with you for long periods of time?"

"Miko!" Sesshoumaru hissed.

"Don't you 'Miko' me!" Kagome called, entering the clearing where the two demons waited. "You intentionally gave them both a heart attack just for the fun of it. How were they supposed to know it was you if you get all mysterious like that?"

Sesshoumaru followed after her, pretending that the book-shaped red mark on his face wasn't there. "How I deal with my employees is none of your affair, Miko."

Kagome laughed. "In case you've forgotten, there's a reason I'm here." She turned to Yuri and Kai. "Ignore him. He's annoyed that he has to drag me everywhere."

Kai growled. "That is no way to talk to Sesshoumaru-sama!"

Yuri coughed. "Not to be counter productive, but you talk to him like that all the time."

Kai sputtered. "That's not the same thing!"

Sesshoumaru whacked him. "If we can get to business." He said. Kai and Yuri sat quickly.

Kagome sat beside Sesshoumaru. "So, first order of business." She turned to Sesshoumaru. "Your attitude. I mean, really. You need to get the whole 'I am the greatest thing since sliced bread' tone out of your voice."

Kai stared at her. "You can slice bread?"

Sesshoumaru and Yuri looked at one another and nodded. Simultaneously, they whacked the person beside them, sending them both into unconsciousness. "Now, what is your plan, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Sesshoumaru smiled, one of his You will never live to see me smile again smiles. "Here's the plan. . ."

!# Kaimaru #!

"Where is she?" Kaimaru growled, pacing the room.

Yuri sat before him, and was barely keeping back a look of disgust. Is there nothing he can think of but the human girl? I mean, what about Sesshoumaru? He's a much more urgent and lethal threat to him. But no. It's all about the miko. "We are doing our best to find her, Lord Kaimaru." Yuri said for the twentieth time. "It may be that she has already left the barrier."

"That's impossible. I specifically set up the barrier to keep her in." Kaimaru growled. "She has to be here somewhere."

Yuri resisted smirking. You have no idea how stupid you are. And as soon as Sesshoumaru kills you, I will laugh t my heart's content. "We will find her, my lord. No reason to worry."

Kaimaru waved a hand, and Yuri stood to leave. "make no mistake, Yuri. If that girl is not mine by tomorrow, it will be your head."

You won't be lord tomorrow, so I don't care. "I understand, my lord."

Kaimaru watched him go, then stared down at his empty desk. Why haven't there been any reports for the past week? Has Sesshoumaru completely ruined the Western Lands, and nobody pays attention to it anymore? Or is he just so lazy that he doesn't bother planting spies everywhere? What sloppy work!

!# Kagome #!

Kagome sat in the tree line, just a few feet away from the clearing that surrounded the Western Palace. "Are you clear on the plan, human?" Kai asked.

Kagome twitched at being called human, but figured that this was not the time to mention it. "I will be fine." Kagome answered. She looked up into the trees, and felt a bit better when she saw Sesshoumaru sitting there. "So you can't leave my hearing distance, right?"

Sesshoumaru nodded would be the hardest part of there plan. Sesshoumaru could not be seen until the last crucial moment. Any sooner, and Kaimaru would know it was a trap. "Do not do anything stupid, Miko." Sesshoumaru warned. "Or else this Sesshoumaru will be very displeased at having his plan ruined."

Kagome was half tempted to glare at him, but she heard what he refused to say. That the plan would be ruined because he would come and save her. That unspoken fact made her half smile. "I'll be careful, Puppy dog." Sesshoumaru sent her a warning glare, but she missed it as Kai gave her the thumbs up. With all the speed she possessed, she ran further into the forest.

After a few moments, a clawed hand reached around her and pulled her back. "Finally!" A low voice growled. "Now we can go inside where it's warm."Kagome pretended to struggle, and the guard whacked her at the base of her neck. With a small smirk, Kagome went limp, pretending to be unconscious. "Humans. Such a weak hit would have never hurt a demon." The guard muttered. He started running, and Kagome worked to keep herself limp

I hate running.

Sesshoumaru watched her go, then turned to Kai. "Get going. Do not fail."

"You can trust me, Sesshoumaru-sama." Kai said with a bow. Sesshoumaru ran after the guard and Kagome, keeping just out of sight with his exceptional skills. Kai started running around the castle to the back, where Yuri waited at the opened gate. Come and get me, Kaimaru. You'll regret taking away Sesshoumaru's title. You'll regret even thinking about it.

!# Kaimaru #!

"Kaimaru-sama!" Kaimaru turned to see Yuri enter his study. "We found the miko!"

With a grin, Kaimaru rushed out, heading for his throne room. He entered and saw the guard holding an unconscious miko. Instantly, his good mood changed to bad. "How dare you hold my future mate in such an intimate fashion!" The guard quickly placed the miko on the floor, and Kaimaru growled. "Don't lay here there!" The guard looked at Yuri beseechingly, and Yuri sighed.

"Guardsman, I am surprised at your conduct!" Yuri thundered, giving the guard a go along with it look from behind Kaimaru's back. "From this moment forth, you are confined to your quarters until you prove you have learned your lesson!"

With a look of relief, the guard bowed and quickly left.

Yuri turned back to Kaimaru, but found him already by Kagome's side. "Now, now, my dear Kagome." He whispered. "Wake up now." Kagome remained still, and Kaimaru growled. "She'll learn." Kaimaru stood. "Yuri. Take her my chambers."

"Yes, Kaimaru-sama." Yuri said with a bow. Yuri picked Kagome up carefully, and started running. Yuri had just left the throne room when he felt nails digging into his skin. Looking down, he saw Kagome glaring up.

"Don't. Run." Kagome hissed.

Yuri nodded surreptitiously. He slowed to a walk, and the two spent the rest of the walk in silence. They made it to Kaimaru's chambers in five minutes, and found Sesshoumaru waiting for them. "What took you two so long?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Kaimaru was being annoying." Kagome answered before Yuri could make a sound. She hopped out of Yuri's arms and plopped on the bed. "I don't have to do anything else, right?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "You just have to keep Kaimaru distracted so he does not notice me until it is time."

Kagome fluffed her pillow. "Fine. Then I'm gonna take a nap until Kaimaru gets here. I'm rather tired."

Yuri stared at the miko as she made herself at home in Sesshoumaru's bed. He turned to Sesshoumaru, who also stared at the miko. Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to say something, then shut it. What's the point? She'll just ignore me anyway. With a sigh, Sesshoumaru sat behind the door, waiting for Kaimaru. Yuri opened his mouth, but Sesshoumaru cut him off. "Did you bring the scroll, Yuri?"

Yuri reached into his robe and pulled out a scroll. "This is the scroll that Kaimaru used to find the spell that was placed on the miko."

Sesshoumaru opened it quickly, and within moments found the section that described the mark on Kagome's shoulder. He saw that it was a basic spell, and probably only sealed Kagome's power because of the power Kaimaru poured into it. No wonder he'd had no problem taking Kagome. "Miko, come here." Sesshoumaru ordered.

"Say please first, and then I'll consider it." Kagome mumbled tiredly.

Sesshoumaru felt his throat tighten even as the words burst forth. "Please come here, miko."

Kagome bolted upright. "Did you just say 'please?'"

Sesshoumaru growled. "Thanks to this ridiculous arrangement, yes, this Sesshoumaru did. Now come."

With a sigh, Kagome slid off the bed and bounced over. "What's so important?"

Sesshoumaru lifted the scroll, and looked closely at the spell to undo the binding on Kagome's power. With a small shock, he realized that in order to undo the binding, Kagome would have to drink his blood. Something that he knew she would never agree to. So Sesshoumaru resorted to option two. "Yuri, pour me a glass of wine."

"Wine?" Kagome asked as Yuri complied with Sesshoumaru's request. "Why wine?"

"It is a part of the spell to undo the binding on your powers, Miko." Sesshoumaru said shortly. "Now remain quiet."

"Or what?" Kagome demanded. "I think I have a right to know what you're doing."

Sesshoumaru looked at the spell again and grimaced. Why is it that such a basic spell had to have a more complicated removal procedure? "Either do as I say, Miko, or I will be forced to physically remove the mark from your skin."

Kagome blanched. "Okay. Shutting up."

Yuri handed Sesshoumaru the cup of wine, and Sesshoumaru refocused his attention on Kagome. "Now close your eyes, Miko." Kagome obliged. "Now, relive the moment when Kaimaru placed the binding spell on you." Kagome began to think. While she did so, Sesshoumaru used his claw to slice his palm. Before Kagome could open her eyes, Sesshoumaru deposited the blood into the cup, while quietly saying the spell to activate his blood's power.

"Cruor est vox

Vox est vita

Per is vita EGO have

EGO excito vox

May meus cruor orior oriri ortus

Quod tribuo mihi victoria.*"

The cup glowed softly before returning to its normal state. Sesshoumaru placed the cup in Kagome's hands. "Drink this now, while thinking of the start of the binding spell."

Kagome slowly sipped the cup, making a face. "This has got to be the worst wine I've ever tasted." She muttered.

"Miko."

"Sorry, sorry." Kagome whispered, refocusing on her memory. In a minute, the cup had been drained. Sesshoumaru watched with satisfaction as the mark slowly faded from her skin, until at last it disappeared all together. Kagome opened her eyes and handed Yuri the cup. "Did it work?"

"Test it, Miko." Sesshoumaru said. Kagome lifted a hand, and it instantly glowed. Kagome smiled as she felt the familiar power hum underneath her skin. "Miko. Do not forget your role."

Kagome sighed as she placed her power under its traditional restraints. "Yes, grandfather." Kagome muttered. Sesshoumaru glared at her before none too gently throwing her back onto the bed. "Jerk!" Kagome accused.

Sesshoumaru settled himself behind the door, ready to wait for Kaimaru's arrival. "Don't you have a job to do, Yuri?"

Yuri bowed, then took off, one thought echoing in his mind. When did Sesshoumaru become comfortable having someone in his bed?

!# Kai #!

Kai looked at the group of guards that had assembled at the southern end of the Western Palace. He grinned as he looked up at the walls that Kaimaru had hastily built to try and keep Sesshoumaru out. "For Sesshoumaru-sama!" He shouted.

"For Sesshoumaru-sama!" The guards shouted back.

With that, they released the flaming boulders in their catapaults. Right after, the other groups in the north, east, and western parts of the Western Palace let loose their own catapaults. "And the walls came tumbling down." Kai said with a smirk.

!# Kaimaru #!

"Kaimaru-sama, it's horrible!" Yuri shouted, rushing into Kaimaru's office for a second time that night. "The guards have defected and joined the former Lord Sesshoumaru! They're attacking all sides of the Western Palace."

Kaimaru took a second to let the information sink in. When it did, he began to panic. "um . . . well. . . GAH! Yuri! What do I do!"

Yuri barely held back a snicker. This'll be too easy. "Send every available guard, including myself, to fight them."

Kaimaru stood. "I just got a brilliant idea!"

Oh no. This can't be good.

"Yuri! You lead all the available guards to fight the former guards in battle!" Kaimaru shouted. "I will remain here to. . . oversee the reports you send me."

Yuri bowed. "As you wish, my lord. You truly are brilliant."

Kaimaru nodded, then left the room. "If you need me, I will be in my chambers with my new mate."

"Very good, my lord." Yuri said, watching him leave. Pompous ass. I hope Sesshoumaru-sama eats you alive.

!# Kagome #!

Kagome could feel Kaimaru coming. Well, that, and Sesshoumaru jumped out the window the moment he heard Kaimaru coming. But the point was, she knew he was coming. So she pulled herself together quickly, and most importantly, got off the bed.

Kaimaru entered with the air of someone who expected applause just for entering. Well, he's getting nothing from me. Kagome thought. "Why did you bring me here yet again?" Kagome demanded.

"You know why, my dear girl." Kaimaru said, walking over to her slowly. "To finish what I started two nights ago."

Kagome glared back at him. "If you honestly think I'll just sit here and let you make me your mate, then you are very sadly mistaken." Kaimaru chuckled, which only peaked Kagome's irritation. So of course she said something she shouldn't have. "Then again, I really don't think I have to worry. It's not like you have anything down there you can use."

The next second found her on the ground, pain searing through her face. "You will learn your place, bitch." Kaimaru hissed.

Kagome's anger grew. "And who the hell do you think you are, trying to teach me anything!" she shouted. "I hope you fall into a pit of misery and despair, and your children are born with polo and die within the first month of life! And I hope that they haunt you until the day you die!"

Kaimaru raised his hand again, only to find himself being pulled backwards. He hit the wall with a loud resounding smash. As soon as he hit the ground he stood, and saw Sesshoumaru in a protective stance in front of the miko.

Sesshoumaru worked to keep his inner youkai under control He. Hurt. Kagome!

Stop it! If you do not calm yourself, you will harm her.

His inner beast retreated just enough to grant Sesshoumaru control. "Miko, I do believe I told you not to ruin the plan." Sesshoumaru said softly.

Kagome shrugged. "Sorry. He was really annoying me." She stood, wincing at the pain in her leg.

Sesshoumaru saw and gave her a worried look. "Miko? Have you injured yourself?"

Kagome glared at him. "No. I did not 'injure myself.' I just bruised my leg. I'll be fine." Her cheek throbbed, but she wouldn't give Kaimaru the satisfaction of seeing her complain. "Just kill him, please."

Sesshoumaru was surprised to see that Kagome possessed a more violent side. He smirked as he faced his uncle. "I intend to."

Kaimaru laughed nervously. "You think you can defeat me, Sesshoumaru? I have an army at my disposal!"

"Had an army." Yuri's voice preceded his entrance. He bowed to SEsshoumaru. "The army has been reformed, and awaits your orders, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru nodded, keeping his attention on his uncle. "Perhaps you should do the wise thing and surrender, Uncle."

Kaimaru snarled. "Never!" He charged forward, reaching for Kagome. Sesshoumaru intercepted him, and the two youkai crashed through the wall and into the courtyard below.

--------------------------------------------------------------Author's Rant--------------------------------------------------------------

InuYasha: So when do I come in to save the day?

Obsessive_Goddess: What do you mean? Looks like Sesshoumaru's got it down okay.

InuYasha: Yeah, but I always have to save her.

Kagome: Sit, boy!

Obsessive_Goddess: If this was the actually show, or an Inu/Kag, then yes, you would. However, this is a Sess/Kag, and will be treated as such. [thinks carefully] Or is it a Kag/Sess? I'm never quite sure. . .

Sesshoumaru: [rushes in] WOMAN! There is a human woman here stalking me!

Obsessive_Goddess: [gets up] Let me check. [leaves and returns] Silly! That's my friend, Horse Wolves!

Horse Wolves: OMFG! It's Sesshoumaru!

Obsessive_Goddess: You see, I'm having a bit of writers block, so I invited my good friend Horse Wolves to help me out. She's just as big a Sess/Kag fan as I am.

Horse Wolves: Sesshoumaru! [walks forward creepily] Must have!

Obsessive_Goddess: Later. Now, we need to write. [sighs as Horse Wolves continues chasing Sesshoumaru] I will cancel this fanfic!

Horse Wolves: [suddenly appears next to Obsessive_Goddess] Let's get to work already!

--------------------------------------------------------------End of Author's Rant--------------------------------------------------------------

*

Sesshoumaru's spell: "Blood is power/ Power is life/ With this life I have/ I call forth the power/ May my blood rise/ And grant me victory."