Disclaimer: I was recently made God, and so I took InuYasha for my own. But then people claimed I was abusing my power, and they kicked me out. So Rumiko Takahashi still owns InuYasha.

*** WARNING ***: This episode has major influence from InuYasha episode 104. While many things are different, it is still a 104 spoiler. You have been warned!

Wow! Seems like forever since we got to see the Sesshoumaru we all know and love. I actually had to go back to chapter 4 so that I could figure out what had already happened between Sesshoumaru and Kagome. But just to let you know, there will be much more Sesshoumaru going on here. Scouts honor!

Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming presence of Ao and Kin, they will not be in this chapter. This is entirely dedicated to Sesshoumaru and Kagome!

TO BE PROTECTED


It had been nearly a month since Kagome had been home, but for once, she couldn't complain. She really hadn't gotten the time, to be honest. The trek in the North East, where the monkey god had told them Naraku was headed, had been long and hard. Kagome wasn't the type to bother others with her complaints when everyone was tired and dirty. And then when they had finally gotten somewhere, they had heard of the Band of Seven, a band of mercenaries who had been killed nearly fifty years ago. They now roamed again, their lives returned by the shards of the Shikon no Tama.

Normally, they would be playing their usual cat and mouse game: they chase, the enemy hides, the enemy ambushes, they fought back, they killed the enemy, they moved on. Only this time, their enemy had decided to change things up. One of the Band of Seven, a sword master by the name of Jakotsu, had deliberately drawn attention to himself in hopes of meeting InuYasha. Kagome realized with a giggle that the resurrected mercenary was flirting with InuYasha as they started wrapping up the verbal foreplay to their confrontation.

"Jakotsu!" InuYasha growled, his voice low and dangerous. He missed the way Jakotsu shivered at the sound. "I'll ask you one more time. Was it Naraku who gave you the Shikon no Tama?"

Jakotsu, one of the resurrected Band of Seven their group was now hunting down, looked behind InuYasha to the group behind him. They stood there so innocently, though the houshi was too ugly to consider. But the way that his beloved InuYasha stood between him and the group suggested that he cared about them. Perhaps Jakotsu's love had a reason for keeping them alive that he did not see. Seeing InuYasha's impatience, he scratched his chin in thought. "I'm not really sure." He answered gaily. "I've never met the man."

InuYasha growled again and settled Tetsusaiga in front of him. "That's it!" He declared, his patience spent. "I've had it with your stupid little jokes!" He lifted the Tetsusaiga, and was just about to swing, when from the hill nearby a thick cloud of black smoke rolled down. InuYasha froze midswing and stood and watched as the smoke approached, sweeping over everything like an opaque black fog.

"Just when it was getting fun. Damn you Mukotsu!" Jakotsu said bitterly. He turned to InuYasha as he swung his sword onto his shoulder. "InuYasha! You had better leave while you are still able."

"What the heck are you talking about!" InuYasha demanded. But by that time the smoke had reached him. All it took was a touch to his foot and he yelped. With one leap he landed in front of the others, his foot smoking. He panted and groaned until his foot cooled enough for him to set it down. "What is that stuff?"

"It's poisonous gas." Kagome answered, shock in her voice. She remembered it from learning about mustard gas in school. "We have to get away before someone breathes it in!"

"I'm not leaving until I get that bastard and wring the answers out of him." InuYasha protested.

Kagome fumed, unwilling to use sit in such a situation. Luckily, as she was about to speak, they heard Jakotsu's shout. "See you soon, InuYasha."

InuYasha growled as he sheathed Tetsusaiga. "Man is he annoying."

"I think that's the least of our problems at the moment." Miroku pointed out. Already, he and Sango had climbed onto Kirara's back. "Take Kagome, InuYasha. We can come back later to see if we can find any clues as to where this poison came from."

InuYasha grumbled, but allowed Kagome to climb on his back so he could sprint away. Kagome hesitated a moment before she climbed up, and that hurt him more than he could say. He gruffly growled before taking off, though he was careful that he didn't bruise her as they traveled. They quickly exited the area, missing the white figure that chuckled before withdrawing, taking with him any evidence that would point him out as the maker of the poison.

Sesshoumaru really wanted to growl out his annoyance. He had followed the rumors to the North East, where Naraku was whispered to be hiding. But so far, there had been no scent, no youkai, no nothing. He was beginning to think he was being made a fool of.

"Oh, that Naraku. Just wait!" Jaken shouted. "I'll show him a thing or two, I can assure you!" He chuckled, and Sesshoumaru mentally winced at the toad's grating laughter. He reminded himself to ban laughter around his person as he continued to walk, pretending to ignore his minion.

"I was wondering, Sesshoumaru-sama." Rin asked gently. "Why do you seek Narkau?"

Jaken snorted. "Don't you know anything? It's because Naraku abducted you."

"Huh?" Rin asked, before the knowledge set in. Then a smile bloomed over her face. "So it's all because of me?"

"Don't be so conceited, you silly child!" Jaken snapped. "It's not about you! Sesshoumaru-sama's honor has been insulted."

Sesshoumaru stopped to reprimand his servant when a familiar scent hit his nose. I can smell him. He thought. Naraku's servant, the boy. And the scent of. . . graveyard soil, ashes, and death? He began planning, almost missing the next bit of the conversation behind him.

"Don't let his calm demeanor fool you. Underneath, he is a boiling, seething mass of-"

Jaken's statement was cut off when he collided with Sesshoumaru's leg. Said daiyoukai turned a heated glare over his shoulder at the toad before bashing him over the head. He walked away, feeling much less stressful. The stress lessened even more when he heard Jaken continue.

"I've got to learn to keep my mouth shut."

Kagome was currently riding her bicycle in search of a town where they could replenish supplies. "Stupid InuYasha." Kagome grumbled to herself, pretending she was speaking to the kitsune who lay in the basket of her bicycle. "What is he thinking, going off on his own like that? That poison would affect him too, you know! Maybe it wouldn't kill him, but it would certainly slow him down. Honestly, is it too much to ask that the baka not go off like this?"

Shippou looked up at Kagome speculatively. "Aren't you not going after InuYasha anymore?" He asked innocently.

Kagome sighed. Even though she swore she was over it, InuYasha's betrayal still hurt her. She still hadn't forgiven him, though they were trying to rebuild their friendship. "I'm not." Kagome assured Shippou. "But he's still my friend, and I worry.'

Shippou nodded before looking around for a distraction. "Kagome, look!" He pointed ahead to a small village. "I can see a well from here!"

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. We really need some water." She pedaled a bit faster, wanting to get back quickly. Something was telling her that there was going to be some big trouble real soon, and she wanted to be around to help when it happened.

They entered the village and quickly headed towards the well. It didn't strike Kagome until they had reached their destination that they hadn't seen a single person in the entire village. She nearly breathed a sigh of relief when she saw someone at the well. The urge to sigh quickly retreated when she saw the woman was slumped over the well, dead.

"Shippou, stay in the basket." Kagome ordered. Ignoring the kit's protests, Kagome got off her bike and headed for the woman, confirming that she was dead. It almost seemed as if she had simply drifted off, and Kagome could see no reason for her demise. She looked up at the sky, just wondering how long it would take for the others to come looking for her, and she finally saw it. A black haze covered the sky, nearly an exact replica of the poison they'd seen before.

Panic set in as Kagome raced for her bicycle. "Shippou, we're leaving right now!"

"But Kagome, I'm thirsty-"

"I said we're leaving!" Kagome shouted, nearly growling at his whine. "Let's go!"

Shippou didn't understand, but he did know that when Kagome spoke like that, it was for a reason. He quickly strapped himself into the basket as Kagome climbed back on. For a moment, he thought maybe she'd gone insane. But then a malicious laughter cut through the deathly silence of the town, and a fresh wave of black smoke engulfed them.

"Shippou, cover your mouth!" Kagome ordered. "Cover your mouth and run!"

Shippou didn't question this time. He practically tore free of the bicycle and fled, expecting Kagome to be right behind him. Kagome too had every intention of joining Shippou. She went to place her right foot in the pedal strap when a wave of dizziness tore through her. With a small gasp she slumped in place, landing on her knees.

"No one can escape Mukotsu's poisons." The owner of the malicious voice announced. Kagome went down to all fours as the poison just kept pouring over her. "So Kagome." Kagome shivered in disgust at the sound of her name on that man's lips. It sounded like a curse. "It's you who has the shards of the Shikon no Tama, correct?"

Kagome resisted the urge to laugh. It always boiled down to those stupid Shikon shards. "Yes, I do." Kagome bit out, forcing the words passed her tightening throat. "But do you really think I'm stupid enough to carry them around with me?"

The voice just chuckled. "Such bravado. I assure you, you have no reason to fear me, as I have no intention of killing you." He chuckled again, and Kagome tried to force herself to stand. It didn't work. "Oh no, my pretty. You see this is my special poison that will paralyze your body. But your mind will remain alert."

Kagome felt hands in her hair and she jerked her head away. "It's too bad you sent the kitsune away. The poison has no affect on demons."

Now he tells me. Kagome mentally screamed. But it's good that Shippou got out. At least he'll be safe.

"You leave Kagome alone!" Kagome wanted to shout as a familiar orange ball of fur clamped his teeth around Mukotsu's wrist. The man howled and jumped back, swinging his hand in an attempt to loosen Shippou's hold. Shippou stayed on until he was finally flung off and into a tree. Kagome wanted to scream, but all she could manage was a small whine.

Mukotsu started to advance on Shippou, but the fox cub was saved when Sango's hiraikotsu slammed into the man's side. Kagome breathed a tangible sigh of relief when she heard Sango's voice, muffled by her poison mask. "Miroku stay back!"

"No problems there." Miroku answered, taking a few steps back and covering his nose and mouth with his sleeve. "Just make sure you get the guy who's making this poison."

Kagome tried to warn them, but she could no longer make her lips move. Sango, Miroku! Run! Just leave me and run!

Suddenly from behind her, Mukotsu's laughter sounded again. Kagome desperately tried to reach her miko powers, but something was blocking her. "I'd imagine that by now, you're wondering why you can't summon your powers. When I said that it was a special poison, I meant it. It will effectively block access to your powers."

Kagome saw Shippou sneaking off, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Probably going to get InuYasha. Good. At least he'll be out of the way.

"You must be one of the Band of Seven!" Miroku shouted. Kagome wanted to smack herself. How had she not figured that out on her own? "What is it you want with Kagome?"

"I am Mukotsu!" The man shouted. "The Poison's Master!" A hand grasped the back of Kagome's shirt and lifted her up. The pressure on her chest made her wince as her air was slowly cut off. "As for what I want, I've been promised whatever it is I can take."

"Promised by who? Naraku?" Miroku demanded.

"I haven't the faintest idea. You'll have to ask the captain." In one fluid move, Mukotsu dropped Kagome and opened up a bottle of poison he had hidden behind his back. "If you live that long!" A cloud of smoke burst out of the bottle and engulfed the others.

Be okay! Kagome begged. Get out of the smoke! Get out and show me that you're okay! Sango, Miroku, Kirara!

Any hopes she had were destroyed when the smoke cleared, leaving nothing in its wake but ash.

"That certainly did the trick." Mukotsu crowed. "Now, let's take our leave, shall we?"

Kagome's only answer was the twin pair of tears that were somehow able to escape the paralysis and slide down her cheeks.

Sesshoumaru listened distantly as Rin hummed to herself quietly. His previous blow to his vassal had effectively shut Jaken up, and now the journey was blessedly silent. He was enjoying the quiet, and would have almost been in a good mood for the first time in days.

He would have, but unfortunately, that quiet was broken by a voice screaming and shattering his beautiful silence. "InuYasha!" Sesshoumaru growled as he recognized the voice of the Miko no Shikon's kit. So his brother's group was in the area, and the hanyou had disappeared. How typical. He was probably chasing after that dead woman, a pathetic venture befitting of the hanyou. He remained unaffected as the runt flew by over head on an enchanted toy, in the form of a flying horse.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, isn't that Shippou-chan?" Rin asked. Sesshoumaru didn't answer, but somehow Rin knew that he was saying yes. "Sesshoumaru-sama, he sounds worried. Maybe he's lost."

"That is not Sesshoumaru-sama's concern, Rin!" Jaken squawked. "It is the child's own fault if he has been separated from his companions."

Rin looked down at her hands, idly playing with a flower. "I think that if I was lost, and Shippou-chan found me, he and his friends would help me get back to Sesshoumaru-sama." It was a silent reprimand and request, one that Sesshoumaru found he couldn't deny. Not only was she correct, but he was too proud of her manipulative request to get truly angry at her. It would appear he was rubbing off on her.

"InuYasha!" Shippou called again. Sesshoumaru sighed, knowing that he would have to deal with a screaming kit, then jumped up. His youkai was forced into a physical manifestation at his feet, forming the cloud that could carry him upwards. He hated using the cloud, and only did so out of necessity. It took too much energy and made him a target.

Sesshoumaru rose up behind the kitsune, deciding that if he was going to give in to his ward's desires, then he was going to have fun with it. Besides, playing with the kitsune would be good for him. So, with this sadistic pleasure in mind, he grabbed the kitsune before the kit was aware of his presence and pulled him off the floating horse. His screams made him feel a bit better about bending to Rin, but not much. As such, he didn't feel a bit of remorse when he dropped the kitsune onto the ground, nor when the toy he'd been floating on landed on his head.

"Shippou-chan!" Rin's cry caused the young kitsune to stop squirming long enough to recognize who had taken him. It was only then that he stopped screaming long enough to return Rin's greeting rather enthusiastically.

After a few moments of chatter between the two children, Sesshoumaru growled to catch the kit's attention. "Kitsune." Shippou froze at the sound of his voice and turned hesitantly. "Why are you searching for the half breed?"

Shippou bit his lip, almost as if he were refusing to answer. Of course, that couldn't be the case, but just to make sure, Sesshoumaru let out a small warning growl. Shippou instantly began babbling. "Kagome's been kidnapped, and I need to find InuYasha so he can save her!"

That perked Sesshoumaru's interest. The miko had been kidnapped? Why hadn't his idiot brother been around to stop it? Was he the only one who realized how important the Miko no Shikon was to the destruction of Naraku? He growled, and the kit jumped back to hide behind Rin. Rin, of course, hadn't heard the growl, and so looked at Shippou in confusion before shrugging it off.

"Who has taken the miko?" Sesshoumaru demanded. If it was Naraku, he was going to hunt his brother down and rip him apart limb by limb. If Naraku got a hold of her, even he would have a hard time defeating the hanyou.

"One of the Band of Seven, Mukotsu!" Shippou wailed.

Sesshoumaru growled again, and the kit whimpered. "Do not lie. The Band of Seven are long dead."

Shippou shook his head. "They all have a jewel shard keeping them alive. We think Naraku the one who gave them to them, but we don't know for sure. But one of them has poisons, and he took Kagome!"

Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to growl again as the kit began to cry. He was not cut out to deal with children. He forced himself to calm before he spoke again. "Where is InuYasha?"

Shippou sniffled. "He went after Jakotsu, another of the Band of Seven. He said that Miroku should stay behind to protect us, but he's only human. He can't do anything against poison."

Sesshoumaru wanted to snarl, but he held himself back. Honestly, the idiot. He lifted the kit. "You should continue to look for the hanyou."

"Wait! Can't you help?" Shippou screamed.

"I am not the miko's protector, and as such, her safety is not my duty." Sesshoumaru answered. "Find your hanyou."

Shippou's lip trembled as he moved from behind Rin to pick up his toy. "Fine! I guess InuYasha was right. You are an uptight bastard!"

Sesshoumaru ignored him and simply walked away, hearing the familiar trod of Ah-Un behind him as they picked up Rin. They were quickly followed by a squawking Jaken. The only sound he didn't hear was Rin's usual chatter.

Something was niggling at the back of Sesshoumaru's mind. It was that same nudging that had reacted when the Miko no Shikon had told him of her kidnapping, when InuYasha had pushed her to the side, when she had nearly fallen into the fire to save Rin's gift, and when she had asked him to spare Naraku's puppet. While he would admit that he found himself with a grudging respect for her, he could not understand why this particular part of his mind insisted on popping up whenever the miko was mentioned. It was rapidly becoming annoying.

It definitely warranted further investigation, at the very least. With a sigh, Sesshoumaru realized that if he wanted to investigate the strange urges, he would have to rescue the miko from the resurrected bandit. He stopped in the middle of the road, ignoring the looks he received from his retainer. "Rin." She looked up at him, a pout visible on her face. "You will remain with Jaken and Ah-Un."

The little girl looked over at him and nodded, clearly unhappy about something. Sesshoumaru didn't have time to find out what exactly was bothering her. He jumped, landing far enough away to be out of sight of his companions. Then he started heading in the direction the kitsune had come from.

Kagome was pissed! She was dropped to the ground in a hut that very much resembled Kaede's, except for the fact that this particular hut was obviously abandoned. And of course, she couldn't move a muscle because of the paralyzing poison Mukotsu had filled her with, not to mention that it was somehow suppressing her powers. She was sore from the rough handling she had received, as well as from being in the same position for so long. All this did not a happy miko make.

Before her, Mukotsu laughed as he pulled a white cloth from his bag. "We're surrounded by a barrier of poisonous gas." The Poison Master's nasal voice announced. "No one can disturb us."

Famous last words of every evil villain. Kagome thought. Oh wait, that's actually "You haven't seen the last of me!"

Kagome's thoughts were interrupted as Mukotsu leaned over and stroked her face. "My, what a rare beauty. I'm so fortunate, getting married to such a pretty girl."

WHAT! Kagome's mentally screamed. Marry! Please kami, tell me he's joking!

Mukotsu released her and straightened, removing the white cloth that had hidden half of his face. "You see believe it or not, there are some who find me unattractive."

Kagome saw his face, and understood why people would say that. The man's face was pudgy and uneven, mangled by years of working with toxins. Perhaps he had once been handsome, but that had long since disappeared. As it was, his face was etched with hate and betrayal, and Kagome couldn't bring herself to find any beauty there.

He laughed again. "First the bridal preparations, then we'll have the ceremony."

CEREMONY! Kagome shrieked, though she couldn't make her lips form the words. Over my dead body, you disgusting pervert!

Mukotsu laughed and placed the white sheet over Kagome's head like a veil. "I have my faults, but I'll be a good husband to you." He wrapped an arm around Kagome's shoulders, and she longed for the urge to shudder away. Mukotsu laughed again and pulled Kagome up, surprising her with his strength. "Now, it's time for the ritual marriage dance. Try to keep up."

As Mukotsu began to sing, he pulled Kagome along in an adapted waltz. Kagome desperately tried to move, but it all pulled fruitless. A small part of her, the part that was still the immature brat who had fallen down the well three years ago, screamed for InuYasha. It swore that he would save her, that they could depend on InuYasha, that he would protect them. . .

Stop it! Kagome ordered herself. That's not going to happen. She pushed herself away from falling into her usual pattern of the damsel in distress and forced herself to think. Okay, the larger limbs aren't working. Why don't I start small and work my way up? With this in mind, Kagome focused on her fingers, trying to make them bend.

Suddenly, they jerked to a stop, and Kagome found herself being brought down to a kneeling posture. Out of the corner of her eye, Kagome saw a glimmer of purple. A Shikon shard! Kagome nearly squealed. That's it! If I can manage to move, if just a little, maybe I can get that jewel shard. He'll be dead again without it!

Mukotsu lowered her down from the kneeling position back down to the floor. "You're such a good bride, Kagome." Kagome wanted to shiver in disgust at the way the undead bandit said her name. "I think I'll reward you with some rice wine."

The bandit reached over, but as he moved to bring it to her, the roof of the ruined hut collapsed. From the hole in the roof, three familiar figures fell to the floor. "Kagome!" Kagome would recognize that voice, even covered up by her poison mask.

Sango! Kagome cried, wanting to grin, and finding with triumph that her lips were twitching. The poison must have started to wear off. But at the moment, Kagome was just too relieved to know that her friends were alive. Tears started to form in her eyes in relief.

Mukotsu, however, did not share her relief. "How dare you interrupt the marriage ceremony!" He cried, indignant outrage in his voice. Swiftly, Mukotsu reached behind him and grabbed a container of poison before releasing it on Kagome's friends.

"Leave it to me!" Sango announced. She jumped in front of Miroku and held up her hiraikotsu, effectively blocking both him and Kirara from the poison. But even after the poison was blocked, everything in front of her suddenly turned red.

Mukotsu laughed as Sango gasped. "That little mask of yours won't work. This poison seeps in from your skin!"

Sango collapsed to the ground even before Mukotsu finished speaking. "Sango!" Miroku cried, rushing over to his friend. But before he could get there, he too collapsed. Kirara, being a demon and less susceptible to poison, growled and leaped forward. But Mukotsu was ready for her too. He exhaled and blew a poisonous gas directly into Kirara's face. She yowled before transforming into her smaller self and landing by the poison master's feet.

Mukotsu laughed again, and Kagome decided that she was really getting sick of his incessant, superior laughter. "That's everyone. Looks like you're not nearly as dangerous as Narkau seemed to think." He laughed again as the poison swirled around him. "Of course, I am immune to the poisons. Nothing can harm m-"

He was cut off by a chopstick to the throat. Kagome, though she was unsure how, had felt lighter as she watched her friends fall one by one. As Mukotsu had laughed at Kirara's whimpers, Kagome had had enough. With strength she hadn't known she'd had, she grabbed the object closest to her and shoved it into Mukotsu's neck, praying that it hit the Shikon no Tama.

For a moment, Kagome had hope. The Band of Seven member didn't move, and didn't make a sound. But just as she was starting to relax, Mukotsu's arm reeled back and slapped her across the face. Kagome literally had no strength left; she fell to the ground, exhausted.

"How dare you!" Kagome was amazed to hear that the resurrected man had the nerve to sound betrayed at the fact that Kagome had tried to kill him. With an angry jerk, Mukotsu removed the chopstick from his neck. Then he dropped to his knees in front of her, and he shocked her again when tears began to leak from his eyes. "Oh, Kagome, say it isn't so! Does my face repel you too?"

Kagome glared up at him, and suddenly found herself able to speak. "I don't know what you're talking about." She managed. "Besides, that's hardly the issue here!"

Mukotsu continued to wail. "Kagome, though it pains me to say it, you are not fit to be my bride!" He reached down and wrapped his hands around her throat. With a sad look in his eyes, almost as if he regretted what he was doing, he began to squeeze, ignoring the gasping and struggling girl in his hands. "But I'll keep your dowry of Shikon shards!"

NO! Kagome yelled. I am not going to be the damsel of distress again! There has to be something! As Kagome struggled, she failed to realize that she started to glow. Just as her sight started to go black, something shone brightly in front of her. Mukotsu shouted and released as he clutched at his throat. Kagome gasped for breath and looked up to see what had caused Mukotsu to release her. She realized with a start that the Shikon shard in his neck had been purified.

Mukotsu choked, and for a moment, Kagome thought she saw him starting to decay. But then the darkened hue of a tainted Shikon shard returned, and Mukotsu could breathe again. "It would appear that I will have to take precautions with you, Kagome." He reached down for his poisons, laughing as Kagome tried to move. "You can't get away, Kagome!" He lifted a container and grabbed Kagome's chin, forcing her mouth open. Then he shoved part of the container into her mouth and squeezed her nose shut, forcing her to swallow the poison. "Now, die like the ungrateful enchantress that you are!"

Mukotsu started to laugh again, when he was suddenly cut off with a choked cry. Something in his chest glowed green before it enveloped his entire body and he fell to the ground, making a very good impression of a dead body. Kagome sat up shakily, having a very good suspicion as to who it was who saved them. She smiled as her suspicions were confirmed.

"Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru stared down at the nuisance of a female who had brought him to this place. Not that the poisons had bothered him any. His own poisons were strong enough to overcome this human's pathetic replicas. But really, why in the world was the miko staring up at him as if she had been expecting him. Her eyes nearly sparkled with gratitude, even as her arms began to shake. Sesshoumaru could smell a formidable amount of poison within her, much more than was safe for a human.

He dragged his eyes away from the miko and surveyed the small hut. He tried to smell, and nearly growled when he found that the annoying poisons were blocking his sense of smell. He once again turned to the miko. "Where is InuYasha?"

Kagome tried to answer, but she could only manage a whisper. "After Jakotsu. Another of the Band of Seven."

Luckily, Sesshoumaru heard her. How was it that the half breed had not sensed that his pack was in danger? Though Sesshoumaru had left his pack alone, he would instantly know if there was trouble. In addition, he had left Rin with Jaken and Ah-Un, who would provide them with adequate protection from anyone stupid enough to think they could touch that which belonged to him. But InuYasha had left his humans in a dangerous area proven to be filled with Naraku's presence. Was the half breed really so stupid?

"Who are you!"

Sesshoumaru turned to the man he had thought he'd slain, who was lying on the floor glaring up at him. He returned to glare, though his was more effective. "That is the question I put to you."

Mukotsu stared at him in horror. "You tried to kill me and you don't even know who I am!" He grabbed a box nearby that Sesshoumaru could smell was filled with poisons of various potencies and forms. Sesshoumaru was amazed to see that he could actually get up as he ran out the door.

"You felt the pain of my poison claws, and yet you have not died." Sesshoumaru commented, an indifferent tone in his voice making him all the more frightening. "It has not even weakened you." He followed the man outside, catching the scent of death and ashes as he exited the hut. It was reminiscent of the resurrected priestess of his brother's.

Mukotsu halted just outside the hut, two poison containers in his hands. He laughed as Sesshoumaru stalked forward. "Take this!" He used his thumbs to flick open the containers, shooting the poisonous gases directly at Sesshoumaru. "Taste my poison, demon scum!" He laughed all the more, his confidence soaring.

His laughter died quickly when the poison cleared, revealing an unharmed and rather annoyed looking Sesshoumaru. As the daiyoukai continued forward, Mukotsu fell backwards. "No, wait! Please, forgive me!" He turned his back on Sesshoumaru, beginning to sob. "I'm sorry, I was too hasty! Please, I didn't mean it! Just let me live, and I swear I'll serve you faithfully. Please, spare me! Let me live!"

Sesshoumaru ignored the cowering man's entreaties. He had heard much more convincing and pathetic begging before, and he could hear the falsities in the man's voice. But he was curious as to what the dead man's plans were, and so humored him by stopping just a few feet away.

The man's quivering stopped as soon as the sound of footsteps ceased. "To show you my sincerity, here's a little present!" Mukotsu whirled, toting the largest canister yet. He ripped the top off, and an overwhelming cloud of poison engulfed Sesshoumaru yet again. He laughed, once again confidant of his victory. "Good-bye, my friend. This poison is strong enough to kill even the most powerful of demons!"

He laughter was once again cut off as the smoke cleared. Once again, Sesshoumaru stood there, unaffected by the poison. "It's not working!" Mukotsu shouted. "Why isn't it working?"

Sesshoumaru smirked, and Mukotsu collapsed on the ground in terror. "Your primitive concoctions are no match for this Sesshoumaru's powers." In a move too quick for the Poisons Master to see, Sesshoumaru swiped at him with Tokijin. The blue light from the sword engulfed Mukotsu, slicing him in half and relieving him of his Shikon shard all in one strike. Without the Shikon shard, Mukotsu crumpled into ashes, as he had been when the Shikon shard had been planted.

Sesshoumaru sheathed his sword and bent forward to retrieve the Shikon shard. He held it in his palm for a moment, and could hear the voices of the Shikon no Tama whispering to him. They promised power, wealth, everything he had dreamed of. . .

Sesshoumaru shook himself with a growl. He would not succumb to some mere trinket. Deliberately, he turned and walked to the Miko no Shikon. She looked up at him, saying nothing, but stretching out a hand. Sesshoumaru easily handed her the Shikon shard, and watched in fascination as it turned from a dark black to a shining purple. Her smiled brightly and placed the shard into a bottle which was passed to her by the other female in their group. Then she collapsed, unconscious.

"Kagome!" Sango shouted, catching Kagome as she fell. "Kagome, no!"

Sesshoumaru could smell the scent of death on the miko, and his eyes widened. While the slayer, the monk, and the cat had not been in the poison long enough for it to be toxic, the miko had. Added to that the fact that there were two other poisons in her system, and the miko's chances were not good. Sesshoumaru found himself. . . upset. That feeling that had been changing his actions when around the miko was back, It was unsettling, thinking about the miko's demise.

In a rare act of haste, Sesshoumaru made a decision. "Slayer, remove yourself."

Sango dared to glare up at him. "Don't you dare tell me what to do! She's dying, for kami's sake!"

Sesshoumaru growled before turning to the monk. "Remove the slayer form the miko."

Something in his voice must have convinced Miroku, because he gently tugged at Sango's shoulder. "Sango, listen to him." He whispered in her ear, and Sesshoumaru didn't bother to listen. All his focus was on the miko who lay dying in front of him.

Finally, the slayer moved away from Kagome. Sesshoumaru knelt beside her, and lay his head down against her chest, just above the lungs. The breaths were erratic and short, and the miko was obviously struggling for breath. He moved up towards her neck and listened to her pulse. Her pulse was weak, but still present. Sesshoumaru nodded to himself. As long as her heart was still beating, this could work. Deciding to take the risk, Sesshoumaru raised his arm so that the sleeve of his haori fell to his shoulder. The length of fur around his arm, the parasitic demon known as moko-moko-sama, wrapped around the end and held it in place with a simple mental prodding. Sesshoumaru pulled the miko onto his lap and gently prodded her mouth open. Ignoring the

protests from the slayer, Sesshoumaru held his hand over her open mouth and dug his claws into his hand. His scarlet blood trickled delicately from his hand into her waiting mouth.

Kagome choked slightly, but Sesshoumaru growled softly, much like a mother to her pups. It seemed to calm the miko enough to swallow. Sesshoumaru tightened his fist as his healing abilities tried to close the wound, forcing more blood out of his palm. He kept Kagome drinking, until she had drunk at least three tea cups full. Only then did he remove the claws from his palm and allow the gouges there to heal.

At first, there was no change. But then Kagome's heart beat grew stronger, and her breathing evened. The bruise on her face and the ones around her necks slowly faded, becoming a motley yellow before disappearing all together. Then slowly her eyes opened. "Sesshoumaru?" She whispered.

"Kagome!" Sango was at her side in a second, pulling her adopted younger sister into a tight hug. "Oh kami, Kagome! I thought we'd lost you."

Miroku was there a moment later, though he was too manly for a hug. "You are well?"

Kagome cleared her throat before speaking. "I can honestly say that I don't think I've felt this good in my entire life." She turned to see Sesshoumaru starting to stand. "Wait, Sesshoumaru?"

Though it was probably unwise, Sesshoumaru stopped himself from leaving and turned to the miko. Her eyes were shining with gratitude, though that was swiftly being overtaken by curiosity. "What happened?"

Sesshoumaru considered not answering, but that same annoying part of his mind urged him to answer. "The toxins in your body were too much for it to handle." Sesshoumaru answered. "This Sesshoumaru gave you my blood in order to counteract it."

Kagome thought about that for a second before understanding shone on her face. "Just let me make sure I have this right. Because you are poisonous yourself, Mukotsu's poisons had no affect on you, because the poisons you carry naturally are more potent than his. When you gave me your blood, you also gave me both the poison you carry and its antivenin, which overpowered the poisons I had in my body." She looked up at him. "Do I have that right?"

Sesshoumaru was stunned. He'd never heard something so intelligent come from the mouth of a female. Not that he'd ever tell her. "That is correct." Sesshoumaru answered.

Kagome stood shakily, slowly regaining her strength. "Are there any other affects I should be worried about?" She asked. "I'm guessing that I won't have to worry about being poisoned, at least for a while."

Sesshoumaru's surprise grew. To think, she was not only powerful, but intelligent as well. "The after affects of demonic blood in a human are varied depending on the power of the individuals and the type of demon that the blood is taken from. It will take time to determine how my blood will affect you."

Kagome nodded. Then, to the shock of everyone, she fell to her knees and placed her forehead to the ground. "Kagome!" Sango yelled in shock. She started to try and pull her friend off the ground, but Miroku's hold on her shoulder stopped her. She turned on him angrily, but a clam shake of his head cooled her anger.

Sesshoumaru almost took a step back in surprise. She was bowing to him now? As if Sesshoumaru could not be more surprised by this female.

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru." Kagome said, her voice muffled since her face was looking at the ground. "I owe you my life twice over."

Sesshoumaru felt the strange feeling grow as he watched Kagome remain in her humbled position, in full view of her friends. Another feeling grew as well, and Sesshoumaru was surprised to discover that he actually respected this human. Something in him hated the sight of the miko bowing down to him like a beggar. Against everything that made him Sesshoumaru, he spoke. "Get up, Miko no Shikon."

Kagome rose slowly, meeting his eyes in surprise. Sesshoumaru was silent for a moment before he spoke. "If you wish to repay your debt to me, then destroy Naraku as you have sworn to do. And when that is done, banish the Shikon no Tama from this world as you are meant to."

Kagome smiled, and Sesshoumaru could swear that that annoying feeling would soon overtake him. "It will be done as you've said, Sesshoumaru." She said, a bow sealing the deal. "I will not let you down."

Yes. Sesshoumaru thought as he nodded and walked away. The Miko no Shikon is worthy of this Sesshoumaru's respect.

"He has harmed you."

"He was just angry." Kagome protested.

Kin snapped. "If his response to anger is violence, then he is dangerous."

"He's not dangerous, and he's not violent. . ." Kagome could hear the doubt in her own voice, and hated herself for it. But she couldn't bring herself to lie to Kin. Finally, Kagome shook her head. "He loves me. I know he does."

Kin growled. "Do not insult me."

Kagome looked up with a start. "I don't-"

"By your definition, if you love someone, you will beat them and undermine their confidence." Kin snapped. "Do you really think I could ever do that to Ao, now or ever? Do you think that I would risk my life for her if that was a basis for love?" Kin returned to his seat. "Do not ever insult myself or Ao in that manner."

Kagome stared at him, and tears pricked at her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't. . . I mean, you know. . . I'm sorry."

Kin sighed and leaned back in his chair. For a moment, Kagome thought he was going to tell her to leave. But then he spoke again, so softly she almost didn't hear. "Kagome, I want you to listen to me. If you love someone, you protect them. You don't do it because it's expected. You don't do it because it's right. You don't do it because you want to. You don't even do it because they want you to. You do it because when that person is in danger, there's no time to think. You do it because when they are in danger, all you can think about is protecting them. When you love someone, your first instinct is to protect them, no matter what the cost."

Kagome was quiet for a long while before she finally spoke. "Like you did with Ao today."

Kin nodded. "And as Sesshoumaru did today with you."

Kagome woke up from her dream with a start. She breathed deeply as shock coursed through her. That had definitely not happened in the hospital that day. She looked around the quiet campfire, for a moment convinced that her dream had not been a dream. It wasn't until she knew for sure that she was in the Feudal Era that her breathing slowed.

"Kagome?"

Kagome jumped as InuYasha landed beside her. "All kamis, InuYasha! Was that really necessary!" Kagome demanded, breathing heavily. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

InuYasha had the grace to look sheepish. "Sorry. About that."

He looked at the fire, and uncomfortable strain on his face. Kagome sighed and pulled herself up. "What's up, InuYasha? Even you normally sleep when it's not the new moon."

InuYasha looked at her, and she saw the guilt in his eyes. "Kagome, I'm. . . I'm sorry." He whispered. "I shouldn't have gone off on my own. It should have been there to help. Then that Mukotsu guy wouldn't have gotten you, and then you wouldn't be obligated to finish this with us in order to repay Sesshoumaru."

Kagome smiled at him and put a hand on his. "InuYasha, you don't know what would have happened if you had been there. Mukotsu might not have attacked at all, and you'd still be berating yourself like this. As for the obligation?" She looked around the campfire before locking eyes with her friend. "I've always had an obligation to fight Narkau. He's caused my friends too much pain to let him go."

InuYasha shook his head. "But I'm supposed to protect you!" InuYasha protested.

Kagome sighed and gently stroked his hands. "I don't expect you to do that anymore, InuYasha." She smiled at him, trying to make him understand. "After all, you have to make sure that Kikyo is safe. I won't get in the way of that." Unless she tries to drag you to hell. She thought. Then the bitch is mine.

A look of hurt crossed InuYasha's face, but he covered it quickly. "Right." He whispered. "Well, try to get some sleep." He jumped up into his tree, and Kagome sighed. But she couldn't concentrate on InuYasha for long, because Kin's words kept echoing in her head.

When you love someone you protect them.

Author's Rant

Horse Wolves: Update Five of the Lost Muse Obsessive_Goddess. We still have no idea where OG is, and things are starting to get desperate –

Kagome: Yo, wench! There's some frilly blond dude here that wants to talk to OG!

Horse Wolves: OH MY GOD! Are you LEGOLAS!

Legolas: Yes, I am. And I want to lodge a formal complaint about that horrible muse that visited our fandom.

Horse Wolves: Wait. You've soon OG?

Legolas: Yes, and she was quite awful! She walked into a Legolas/OC fic, which wasn't a problem. But then she started on the Aragon/Legolas fics, and she threw a hissy fit at how terrible they were. Aragon was very offended!

Horse Wolves: But she's in the Lord of the Rings fandom?

Legolas: Of course not! We don't tolerate flamers in the LOTR world. We kicked her out two days ago!

Horse Wolves: Do you know where she went?

Legolas: As if I bothered to keep track!

Sesshoumaru: HW! We're, like, totally out of hairspray! How am I supposed to make my hair tubular if we don't have any—Why, hello gorgeous!

Legolas: Well hello yourself. How would you like the chance to see a new fandom.

Horse Wolves: BACK OFF BLONDIE!

End of Author's Rant