A/N: You guys are so awesome :D Here's another chapter, just for you reviewers!

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Chapter Eighteen: Ice

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Winter mist—

Memories of embracing

And being embraced

~~~ Masajo Suzuki

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"You're looking rather pathetic, 'Subi."

Kagutsuchi's glowing black eyes regarded me coolly. "I could say the same to you, Mizuhame." He spit feebly in my direction. "Come to gloat? Or, maybe you've finally decided to rid the world of me?"

I smirked. "Eager for death, brother?"

Kagutsuchi grinned back, his fanged teeth apparent even in the dark. "Well, if you aren't here to end my suffering, then why areyou here?"

"Can I not visit with my only family?" I circled him slowly, taking in the effects his prison was having on his body. "Since you appear to be on knocking on death's door, I want to spend whatever time I can with you, Homusubi."

He snorted derisively. "Even after all these thousands of years, I cannot understand you, Sesshoumaru. Who would've thought you were one for torture?"

I came to a stop behind him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're not the only one surprised. I've been known to have violent tendencies." Tracing my fingertips along the shoulder blade, I wondered at the satisfaction I felt as ice embedded into his skin. "But I've shocked myself with my cruelty towards you, dear brother."

Laughing painfully, Kagutsuchi shook his head in disbelief. "And they say I'mthe monster. I'm impressed and, dare I say it, proudof you, Sesshoumaru. You're well on your way to corruption."

"Corruption?" I barked a laugh. "Perhaps if you were innocent, Kagutsuchi. But we both know that's not true." I continued my circle, dragging my hand along his skin. "I saw Kagome today and, I have to say I was not at all pleased."

"Are you still going on about that?" Kagutsuchi clucked at me disapprovingly. "How many times have I told you to stop blaming me? I didn't make her leave."

"I know." Nearly every inch of his exposed skin was blue and frostbitten. "I also know that I'm an essentially selfish being and that bringing Kagome here in the first place was foolish and irresponsible. But I've been telling myself that, maybe if she were happier with her family, I could bring myself to leave her there. However, that doesn't appear to be the case."

"Then bring her back." Kagutsuchi's face twisted into a grotesquely malignant expression. "Bring her back. There's nothing stopping you."

"That's where you're wrong." I extended my hand and covered his face. "You're turning out to be quite the problem."

Frost coated his skin, and I watched his black eyes turn white. "Contrary to what you may be thinking," I said over his muffled screams, "I'm not enjoying this. While part of me is very satisfied seeing you suffer divine retribution, you're my brother, Kagutsuchi." I pulled away and let him take deep, heaving breaths. "I've never understood why you've hated me the way you do."

"Do you think I don't remember?" he bit out once he caught his breath. "Do you think I don't remember what Mother said to you before she died?" He struggled desperately with his icy restraints. "She told you to killme, Sesshoumaru! And maybe you didn't do it then, but you will eventually, so pardon me for trying to save my own skin!"

I blinked in disbelief. "Kill you?" Abruptly, all my frustration swelled within me and burst out at once. "Kill you?" I was at a complete loss for words. "You . . . Kagutsuchi, you're absolutely ridiculous. No wonder you're a lunatic."

I snapped my fingers and his manacles instantaneously melted. He collapsed on the floor, his ice-covered body trembling. I knelt beside him. "Mother never told me to kill you, Kagutsuchi."

His eyes, still white, rounded in astonishment. "What do you mean?" he wheezed out. "I heardher . . ."

"Heard wrong, it seems. The only thing she ever told me to do," I said gently, "was control you. She knew you would be wild and unpredictable, Homusubi. Someone had to look after you."

Kagutsuchi opened his mouth, but didn't seem able to form words. I stood and made for the door. "Perhaps now that you know the truth, you won't be so against Kagome being here. But, should you ever threaten her in any way again," I said darkly, "I will show you no mercy, Kagutsuchi. Consider yourself lucky."

I left him lying on the floor, wrapped in self-doubt.

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A/N: ^-^ Please review!