A/N: So this one is kinda short, don't worry, the next one will be much longer. As always, read and review; oh and I don't own anyone but the ones I've created.

Chapter: 19
Bitten

It was three days later when Sesshomaru announced they were to leave and take out the panthers. Kagome knew Shippou would put up a fight, but she was surprised at how much Rin protested her departure. Taking the two to the side she prepared herself for the argument ahead.

"I know you don't want me to go, but I have to. I need to make sure that they know of the crimes they have committed when they came after the ones I love and care for. I need to be there, to know that in doing this you will be safe, the both of you." Her eyes had taken on a slight glow, but it didn't frighten the children, it made them realize how much she truly loved them.

"But Kagome-nee-chan, what if you get hurt worse this time? What if Sesshomaru-sama gets hurt too?" Rin couldn't help but mumble her concerns as she stared with wide, tearful eyes at her mother like figure.

"Rin's right mama, what if you get hurt?"

"Come here," She whispered before holding them close, "I'm going to protect you guys. I'm also going to make sure Sesshomaru doesn't get hurt, but don't tell him that. If I get hurt I think Sesshomaru will protect me, so you guys don't have to worry alright? I would never leave you guys, I promise."

Shippou just held her close knowing he couldn't stop her nor go with her; Rin mimicked him before rushing over to give Sesshomaru a hug as well. Kagome watched as Rin made Sesshomaru bend down so she could whisper something to him. Locking eyes with him she knew, without hearing it, what Rin had asked and could only come to love the girl more.

She watched as the children went to stand with Amata before she felt something brush up against her. She let her hand slide through Shinji's dense fur, glad that she had decided to let him come. She waited for Sesshomaru to announce their departure and from the corner of her eye she saw Jaken and AhUn stand next to the children. She breathed a sigh of relief knowing how many people would be watching them while she was gone.

When the call came she waved to them briefly before moving quickly into the trees and out of sight; it felt good to be on the move again and she couldn't stop the smile that crossed her face.

The pace was quick, but not brutally so, in order to cover as much ground as possible. It was late into the night when he called everyone to a halt and told them to make camp. Kagome pulled her bag from her shoulders and stretched relieved to get that weight off her shoulders. Pulling some blankets from her bag she made a small bed from them before sitting and relaxing at what she saw.

Setume and Sesshomaru were engaged in a deep conversation while Nakato started a fire to cook a late dinner; it amused her to see how human they were at that moment, behaving how her and her friends had. A small pang hit her, but she pushed it away knowing that they were alright and that she had promised to come see them sometime soon; she intended to keep that promise.

Smiling she let those thoughts fade away when Shinji came up to her and circled around her back before lying his head on her lap. Laughing quietly when he nudged her hand she let her fingers trail through his hair as she let her thoughts drift to a certain demon lord, who had just glanced at her when he heard her laugh, and she smiled in his direction. She wondered to herself as to how much he cared for her and what it could mean in the future, but for the life of her she couldn't bring herself to worry about it at the moment. She was content with what she had for the first time in a long time, it was something she had never thought she would feel, and it warmed her heart.

Thanking Nakato when he handed her a bowl of stew she settled back and smiled at the banter between the demons sitting by the fire so at ease with each other. It was good to see them in such high spirits especially when they knew of the possibility of dying when they came upon the panthers. Sighing at how morbid her thoughts had gotten she shook them off as she finished her dinner before standing and deciding a quick bath was in order.

Grabbing what she needed from her bag she told Nakato where she was going in case Sesshomaru asked, she didn't want to interrupt him, and headed off to where she could smell water. Thankfully it wasn't too far from camp and even though it was a small stream she could feel her face break out into a smile at the thought of being clean. Quickly stripping her clothes off she folded them setting them away from the bank before slowly wading into the slightly warm water, sighing at the feeling she sank down until the water was at her neck and let herself relax. Her hair floated lazily in the water around her a black that rivaled the night sky while her eyes glittered as she looked at the moon; it was peaceful to sit there, here mind as relaxed as her body.

Stretching languidly she started to wash knowing that she needed to hurry so that she could get some sleep before they moved out in the morning. Standing on the bank she shook herself off, laughing when she saw how fluffy her tail became because of it, before dressing in black a hakama and a tight haori of the same color. She wished she could put on some comfy pajamas, but knowing Sesshomaru they would be breaking camp early and she didn't want to have rush to change clothes then.

It didn't take long to walk back to camp, catching Sesshomaru's eyes she smiled brightly at him before moving back over to Shinji and curling up on her blankets. Immediately her dragon curled around her and as the warmth settled around her, her eyes grew heavier and heavier until she finally let sleep claim her.

"Kagome," she woke up quickly at her softly spoken name before sitting up and seeing Sesshomaru standing in front of her. The sun was just starting to rise and she could hear the others packing up and getting ready to move out, so standing up and stretching she smiled at him before grabbing her stuff.

"Morning Sesshomaru, I take it we are leaving soon?"

A nod was her answer as he went to stand at the end of the clearing waiting for the rest of his men to get ready so he could give the order to leave. Once she was done packing she went to stand near him knowing that he wouldn't talk to her like he would at home, but she was okay with that, they were on a mission after all and should concentrate on that.

The call didn't come too much later and once again they were on the move, this time at a slightly slower pace as they drew closer to where Sesshomaru knew the panther's territory started. Passing over the border the pace slowed even more, so they moved cautiously through it in case there were any scouts about. Sesshomaru sent some of his own out to go on ahead and take out any that they found on the way so that the coast was clear from them to continue on.

"Stop," Kagome whispered causing Sesshomaru to halt as well as his men behind them as she stared around them her eyes never resting as they scanned the area before closing as she searched with her aura. When they snapped open again they had taken on a bluish tint before she looked at Sesshomaru and whispered,

"We're surrounded," the slight tightening around his eyes let her know how angry he was at that fact before he moved his eyes to the trees around them.

"My, my, my, how observant you are kitsune. Unfortunately that won't stop you and your friends from dying today." As a figure stepped from the shadows, she felt more than saw Sesshomaru tense up next to her at the demon that emerged forth.

"Sesshomaru, it's been a long time since we've seen each other, hasn't it? Too bad you won't be alive long enough to enjoy our reunion."

"Big words from someone like you, Kurayami. You should have never of shown your face to me."

"Oh Sesshomaru, you're threats are so predictable. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, you're more than welcome to die!"

Demons burst forth from the trees attacking and soon all were involved in their own battles, Kagome cursed to herself at the fact that her bow was useless in a fight like this and she was forced to fight hand to hand. A tickling sensation on the back of her neck alerted her to the fact that jewel shards were in play in this fight, letting her senses drift while she fought she pinpointed them to the demon that Sesshomaru fought. It seemed that Kurayami had them and had dropped a barrier from around him as he fought the demon she loved.

'Loved? I love Sesshomaru?"

It was an odd thought to have in the middle of fighting for her life, but the smile that crossed her face at said thought confirmed it for her. Her smile bared her fangs to the demons approaching her while they thought she was distracted, stopping them in their tracks at the sight. Turning to them she fought through them trying to reach Sesshomaru and let him know that the leader had jewel shards.

"Ah Sesshomaru, I see that your bitch is trying to reach you, I guess I should put a stop to that shouldn't I? This is between us men." Laughing as Sesshomaru glanced in Kagome's direction, he watched as the demons he called forth overtook the small kitsune, her eyes widening in surprise and pain as she disappeared beneath their bodies.

He laughed as he dodged Sesshomaru's poisoned claws, the red eyes not fazing him as they continued to circle each other. His attention was stolen for a moment as an overpowering demon aura washed over him and turning his eyes to where the girl had disappeared he watched in disbelief as the demons were thrown from her before turning to ash as they fell. Dark red eyes stared at him as the figure covered in blood stood from the ground and he felt his blood run cold at the sight. Twisting out of the way of Sesshomaru's poison whip, he cursed his luck trying to figure out how to kill them both so he could come out the victor.

A smile contorted his face as he watched her eyes shift from him to look over Sesshomaru, making sure he was unharmed, and a plan in place he waited for the perfect time to strike. As she started to move towards him, he gathered his energy to his hands, before moving closer to Sesshomaru while evading the attack that would have decapitated him. A few more seconds and he sent black lightning racing towards the demon lord that was too close to avoid the attack and smirked when the kitsune took the bait and moved in a blink of an eye, throwing herself in the way to protect him.

He held in his glee as he watched Sesshomaru's eyes widen in surprise and fear as he caught the falling demon, before he unleashed another attack towards the distracted demon. He was unprepared for the barrier that blocked it nor was he prepared for when the girl turned her head and snarled at him in hatred. Dread crept into his heart at the sight of two pairs of red eyes staring at him and it was then that he knew he was done for.

He watched as Sesshomaru nudged the girl behind him as his hands started to glow an eerie green. Snarling at the unfairness of it all, Kurayami gathered the black lighting to his hands again, waiting for the demon lord to launch his attack. When it came he managed to duck one of the hands aiming at him before whipping his own fist around trying to connect it with Sesshomaru's side before it was stopped by a small unmoving hand. Using the last of his strength he pushed power into the small ring he wore and smiled when he saw the small snake slide off his finger to crawl onto her and bite the skin between her index finger and thumb. He only caught a glimpse of her grinning face, knowing that if he was going to die, then at least someone was going with him, and when pain erupted through him, he died with a triumphant smile upon his lips.

She could feel the red haze of hatred fading as well as her strength and before she knew it, she was sitting on her knees in the middle of a blood soaked battle field. She felt her muscles twitching as the remnants of the lightning coursed through her body trying not to let her muscles tighten up at the pain she was feeling. When a hand invaded her vision she looked up to see the still slightly red eyes of Sesshomaru and taking his hand she was surprised as he pulled her to his chest and held her tightly.

"Sessho…"

"Don't ever do that again, I will not lose you again." Shocked eyes turned up to meet his and she could see the demon he was looking back at her, showing her how possessive he was of her, and her heart warmed at the sight.

"I will not let others try to take what's mine," she whispered possessively as she hugged him tighter before trying to step away. When he didn't release her she met his eyes once more and knew that the discussion wasn't over, they would talk about this later. Stepping back from her once he assessed she was fine, just tired he surveyed the damage around them and was proud to see most of his men still standing, a few injured, but none dead. As he watched they glanced at Kagome to make sure she was okay and it dawned on him that they had fought so well in order to protect her and not let her down in case they could help her in anyway.

Shaking his head he watched as Kagome bent down tiredly to retrieve the jewel shards that lay innocently on the ground, purifying them instantly before putting them into the pouch around her neck.

"Well done men, come we leave to make camp for the night." It was all the praise he would give them, but Kagome could see the pride in their eyes as they helped those injured and began the trek to find a suitable space for camp.

A wave of dizziness washed over causing her to stumble for a moment before she regained her balance, telling herself the sooner she could get a bath and some sleep that she would be good. Shinji came to walk next to her and weaving her hand through his mane she followed behind Sesshomaru quietly, wondering to herself if he could come to love her like she did for him.

Camp was set up quickly, everyone tired, but ecstatic that they had won and by the amount of food they were preparing a feast was going to be happening soon. Gathering her bathing supplies to her, she mouthed 'bath' to Sesshomaru when he looked to her before nodding and she smiled at him as she turned to where she smelled water to be at.

Sighing at the feel of warm water surrounding her she was happy that she had come across this hot spring; it allowed her to soak her sore, tired muscles and wash the grime and blood from her body. Lathering her hair with her favorite shampoo she let her nails scrap gently against her scalp and groaned at the sensation it caused before ducking her head under the water and rinsing it out. Pouring conditioner into her palm she let her fingers comb through her long locks before letting it set as she looked up to stare at the night sky once more.

'What should I do? I love him, but what if he doesn't love me? Well I won't know unless I ask him and tell him about my own feelings. Can I risk rejection?'

Smiling Kagome ducked her head under water rinsing the conditioner out as she stared out at the hair that floated around her.

'Well I won't know unless it happens.'

Getting out of the water she shook off again before slipping on an outfit similar to the one she had worn earlier except it was a dark navy. Piling everything into her arms she trekked back to camp and stumbled when the dizziness came over her, blurring her vision, and causing her to put an arm out so that she could hold herself up as she gripped a tree in her path. Breathing deeply she shook the dizziness off and once she felt she was able continued on the way back to camp.

The smell of food reached her and she could hear her stomach grumble at the thought of the feast waiting for her once she returned.

The night passed quickly everyone eating and enjoying the time together before going to bed knowing Sesshomaru wouldn't call the to move out too earlier since it was only the trip back home they had. Kagome had been ecstatic when Sesshomaru came to sit near her before she curled up with Shinji and went to sleep as his warmth coursed over her. His eyes followed her into her dreams only one thought on her mind.

'Maybe he does care, even if it's only a little.'

The sun had been up for a few hours before Sesshomaru started to gather his men together so that they could make it home, he wanted to be able to relax in the comfort of his palace. If he was honest with himself, he wanted to see the kids, and to be alone with his miko.

'His? Yes, I like that.'

They had been walking for a few hours, growing closer and closer to home when Kagome felt the dizziness coming back to her, stumbling slightly she ignored Sesshomaru's glance and kept walking. When her vision darkened to black she lost her balance and came to rest against a tree to the right of her; that's when the pain started. Gasping at the intensity of it she was unaware of the widening of Sesshomaru's eyes as he moved towards her. She could hear his approach and the whispers of the others as they worried about her, but she couldn't move, couldn't say anything as she tried to ride out the agony that now flowed through her veins.

"Kagome?" she heard the softly spoken whisper of her name as he came to stand in front of her, moving her hand up she grasped onto his haori to anchor herself to the real world.

"Can't….see….so much…pain…" she choked out as the fire spread to her lungs, engulfing them and stealing her breath from her. It felt like there was something inside her trying to claw out from every part of her body and biting through her lip she held back the scream that wanted to be let loose. She couldn't hold it back for long and let out an agonized scream when it felt like something was gripping her heart, her legs giving out from under her. Thankfully Sesshomaru caught her before she could strike the ground and cradled her close to his chest, mindful of his armor as he did so.

"We move now!" Not waiting for his men any longer he sped off towards his castle feeling the woman in his arms moan with every moment he made. As he moved, he caught the smell of her blood and cursed as the scent of poison came with it, one he knew was especially deadly to demons, before wondering to himself how he had missed its scent for so long.

He couldn't dwell on that for too long as he started to feel her shaking in his arms and knew that her time amongst the living was growing shorter and shorter the longer the poison stayed in her body. Catching sight of his palace he pushed himself faster to reach it, calling out for Amata as he went. He watched as she caught the smell of the poison and turned quickly to lead him to the infirmary where she could treat the kitsune as soon as Sesshomaru laid her down.

He moved back, his hands clenched to his sides as his claws drew blood from the sight before him, hearing his blood fall to the ground he relaxed his hands, pulling his claws from his palm. Golden eyes watched every twitch she made and every grimace that crossed her face; he couldn't, wouldn't, look away from her, knowing that he had failed to protect her once again. Amata hovered around her, trying to figure out where she had been bitten when her eyes fell onto the hand that Kagome seemed to be cradling to her heart. Pulling it too her gently she saw the two puncture marks on the web between the thumb and index figure and cursed at how red it was. She couldn't bring the poison back through those holes like she wanted to, there was no time, and it had stayed in her system for too long.

Her options were cut short when Kagome's eyes rolled in the back of her head and she started to convulse on the bed before her.

"Sesshomaru! Grab her quickly!"

In a blink of an eye, Sesshomaru sat on the bed with the demon-miko in his arms, her legs pinned underneath his as he held her arms to her sides. One hand held her head underneath his as he looked to Amata as to what to do now, fear starting to seep into his usually emotionless eyes.

"You're going to have to share your poison with her. It's the only thing that can destroy it now; it's been in her system too long for me to be able to do anything."

"Amata, you know what I have to do in order to do that."

"I know, are you willing to lose her if you don't?"

Closing his eyes in pain at that thought, he opened them slowly feeling the girl in his arms start to give up, the pain becoming too much for her to fight through.

"Forgive me Kagome." He whispered as he let his eyes bleed red, his fangs growing, before leaning closer to the juncture between her shoulder and neck.

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