Chapter Ten

The castle corridors were dark and dank with minimal light radiating from the small number of candelabra's that lined the walls. The air was thick with dust and the aged floor boards creaked eerily as small patters could be heard echoing down the long halls. A small ashen haired child made her way through the darkness before stopping at a closed shoji screen.

"Enter." A cold voice permitted from the other side. The young void entered into a large room that was completely empty except for her master who sat up against the right wall. The room was just as dust ridden as the rest of the castle and you could see the particles floating aimlessly in the beam of the moonlight that streaked through the open windows. Naraku sat with his back to the wall with one leg laid straight out and the other arched up supporting his arm. Crimson eyes turned to face the young girl as she approached.

"What news have you, Kanna?" Naraku inquired blankly, his bound midnight tresses cascading down his form. The young incarnation held a mirror up and it glowed before an image appeared in its misty refection. There in the glass was Sesshomaru leaping in front of Kagome and slaughtering a large and fearsome snake demon.

"Hm. How disappointing," he said dismissively. "I expected more from him, yet even with the aid of the jewel shard he was pathetic."

"Kagome remains with him." The small sweet voice relayed with a dark emptiness, her pure black hues staring blankly at the spider hanyou.

The corner of Naraku's lips quirked up in a sly smirk.

"I see." He turned his gaze away and out the window, focusing his attention to the skies as if they would reveal something to him. "This is unfortunate." The spider hanyou's tone suggested he was amused, yet he was clearly annoyed. Like the news was clearly distasteful but his psychotic nature allowed him to recognize the humour. As if the outcome could work in his favour regardless.

"What shall I do?"

"Keep watch. If Sesshomaru is protecting her, it could prove potentially problematic."

"What of Kikyo?"

"For now, forget her. She is no longer the threat."

"You cannot end her."

"No, Onigumo's heart still refrains me from doing so. However she is incapable of mine or the Shikon's destruction, therefore she is no longer pertinent."

Kanna nodded. "And what of the jewel shard that you gave to the snake?"

"Bring me Kagura. I will send her to retrieve it."

Kanna nodded and left the dank old room.

…

It was almost midday when Kagome awoke and the events of the previous day were the first memories to intrude her mind. The encounter with Inuyasha had been an emotional one and it had rendered her completely exhausted. It had been well into the night by the time she returned to camp the previous night and she had been slightly surprised that Sesshomaru hadn't gone looking for her to make sure she wasn't 'running away'. Jaken and Rin had been well asleep at the time but Sesshomaru had still been awake. No words had been exchanged between the two before Kagome settled and went straight to sleep. She'd dreamt about Inuyasha and his face had reflected her own. There was so much pain and anger and it made Kagome's heart ache for the hanyou, instinctively wanting to comfort him like she normally would.

Admittedly, yelling at him had helped dispel a significant amount of anger, allowing her considerable relief despite still remaining heavily weighed down. No, it wasn't his fault, he hadn't done it intentionally but the fact still remained that she could no longer count on him. He had let her die. Not that she could really count on Sesshomaru to keep her alive either and honestly, she was likely in more danger with him than if she had returned to Inuyasha. Yet strangely, she did actually feel safe around Sesshomaru. At least while there was something he wanted from her, but something inside her told her she was safe regardless.

The Miko knew she would forgive Inuyasha, and perhaps somewhere deep down she already had. He loved Kikyo and Kagome couldn't change that. Nevertheless it didn't stop it from hurting. However her time in the woods the previous night had been a contemplative one and what she came to realize was that she needed to keep her distance from him. Even if somewhere deep down she had forgiven him, the emotional wounds were too deep and were going to require significant healing time. She did not wish pain upon Inuyasha and she did not feel hatred towards him, just a gaping wound and she knew she needed to fall out of love with him. She knew he was never going to love her in the way that she needed and she could no longer subject herself to the hopes that he would. She would no longer subject herself to the hurt she would have to feel whenever Kikyo was in the vicinity, because now, it had literally gotten her killed.

It was unimaginable that she had turned to Sesshomaru and even more inconceivable then that, was that he had been the one to save her. A mere mortal. He had corrected his brother's mistake and she still struggled to fathom why. Sesshomaru, who had attempted – and damn near succeeded – so many times to kill her in the past was her saviour and now proceeded to even train her. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate what he had done, it just didn't make much sense. Besides, it wasn't so bad to travel with the dangerous Daiyokai. He hadn't been excessively violent like Kagome would have presumed he was. Sure he whipped her during training and even though it aggravated her, she knew it was just his way of making her stronger. She guessed she had just always assumed he was like any other blood lusted demon, but it appeared her assumptions were incorrect.

For the most part, the daiyokai kept to himself and refrained from meddling in affairs that did not concern him. He simply wondered about the countryside and Kagome wasn't entirely certain of what his mission was, leading her to wonder if he was lonely or attempting to find his place in this world. She wondered idly how many years he had been travelling by himself and now that she thought about it, she wondered just how old he actually was. To her, he only looked to be about twenty in human years but she knew that he would be much older than that. She suddenly had so many questions and so much curiosity that had never even occurred to her before, though she knew that these questions would likely forever remain a mystery.

"Lady Kagome?" Kagome was snapped out of her deep contemplation by the sound of a young child's voice. She realized she had been staring up into the sky absentmindedly. She cast her gaze down to Rin who was watching Kagome with genuine concern and it melted her heart. Kagome smiled warmly down to the child. "Is everything ok? You look sad."

"Oh I'm fine Rin. Just tired." She shrugged her off. It wasn't entirely a lie, Kagome had slept terribly. Rin merely smiled in response. Kagome still had difficulty understanding the child's consistent happiness and state of content. She turned her head and found the source. Sesshomaru. He was sitting by his tree and starring off into the distance, almost always in such a deep contemplative state. The demon Lord's demeanour was cold and dark at best but he brought something to the young human girl that was undeniable. Happiness. Even though he forever appeared ruthless, Rin could see something in him that nobody else could and Kagome…well Kagome was starting to see it too.

"I'm going to go clean up." Kagome informed. Bathing always seemed to be a good stress relief for the Miko and so she collected her things and headed downstream.

The small green kappa was nervously fidgeting with his haori, sizing up the risk of posing questions to his Lord as he awkwardly lumbered towards him.

"Uh…L-Lord Sesshomaru?" he started hesitantly, unsure of Sesshomaru's mood. "I was wondering…What do you plan to do now?"

For a long moment Sesshomaru didn't reply.

"In what aspect are you referring Jaken?" he finally questioned lazily.

"Well…how long…do you plan on keeping Inuyasha's wench around?" Sesshomaru didn't answer and so Jaken risked pressing on. "F-forgive me, Milord, but why do keep her with us…?"

Sesshomaru growled softly in irritation but indulged the kappa regardless. "There is something about the Miko. I am uncertain what it is, but I intend to find out."

"What do you mean?"

"The Miko is important to Naraku somehow. Tenseiga compelled me to revive her and I believe there to be a connection."

"A connection?" Jaken gasped.

"Yes Jaken, a connection." Sesshomaru repeated impatiently, his tolerance level reaching its end.

"She brings trouble, Milord. Inuyasha isn't going to stop coming for her. She is a nuisance."

There was a stronger growl and Jaken felt a hard sting as a rock connected with his head knocking him over. "I'm sorry, Milord! Please forgive me! I didn't mean to push my boundaries." Another rock hit his head.

"Silence."

"Yes, Milord. Sorry, Milord."

…

Inuyasha was visibly distraught in light of the Kagome episode. The group was venturing back towards Edo in solemn silence, the Hanyou mulling over the events of the last several days. He replayed the reunion with Kagome over and over and wondered if he truly done everything he could to get her back.

After Kagome had run, the hanyou had stayed in the ground for a short time in utter disbelief after Kagome had subdued him. Sesshomaru didn't even attempt to fight or kill him, just merely returned and sat by a tree while the rest of the occupants of the camp stood in confused silence. None of them really knew what to do with the news, but they knew the Miko needed space and so they were going to give it to her. Although Inuyasha was incredibly reluctant and when he had finally emerged from the ground he was vicious with rage. Not because of the subjugation but because Kagome was now with his brother. He didn't want to leave her there and yet there wasn't anything he could do. If he grabbed her and forced her it would only make the situation worse and so he had no choice but to leave her. Before he would leave though, he wanted answers.

"Tell me what you're planning, bastard!"

Sesshomaru merely exhaled heavily. "I will repeat myself just this once Inuyasha, my business is my own and none of your concern."

"It is my business! She's mine!"

"You have a strange way of protecting what is yours little brother."

"Like you would even protect her at all!" Inuyasha had scowled.

"Up until now, Inuyasha, I have been patient. If you remain in my sight any longer, I will not be so."

Inuyasha growled and was about to leap at his brother when the small human girl had stepped forward, causing the demon Lord to uncharacteristically flinch.

"Um, please Inuyasha." She approached carefully. "Lady Kagome will be safe. It has been difficult for her and she will need some time." Her voice was sweet yet cautious of the hanyou. She didn't want the brothers to fight. She always worried when Sesshomaru was in battle despite knowing he was more than competent.

Inuyasha had been thrown off by the young girl. If Sesshomaru was caring for a young human child, then perhaps Kagome might have been safe with him. Either way the hanyou yielded because there was no way he would get Kagome back that day unless he forced her. So the group left.

Losing Kagome was clearly heavy on all the hearts of the group. It was unusual for Inuyasha to wear his heart of his sleeve but he hadn't managed to conceal a single emotion since they had left Kagome.

They had set up a small camp that night and Inuyasha had found a branch in a nearby tree to sprawl out on.

"Inuyasha?" Miroku's voice came from below. "Are you alright?"

Inuyasha didn't even look at the Monk. He just sighed heavily from his perch.

"I couldn't save her." His voice was detached, as if he didn't even know he was speaking out loud. "I didn't protect her…"

"Inuyasha, don't beat yourself up. I think this is exactly what Naraku wants."

Inuyasha growled. "It doesn't even matter if it is!" he snapped through gritted teeth. "I fell for it! I failed her!"

"She's alive Inuyasha and that's all that matters right now. We need to focus on finding a way to fix this." Sango tried to reassure as she joined Miroku at the base of the tree.

"Yeah! She's alive because of Sesshomaru! He brought her back and now she's blinded by him! He's up to something and she's too vulnerable to see it!"

"Inuya-"

"No! I keep losing people and it's my fault! I let it happen!" Inuyasha's voice broke as a mass of tears escaped his honey orbs. The group didn't even know how to react. They had never seen the hanyou like this before. So Miroku and Sango walked a short distance away where Shippo had cried himself to sleep.

"Do you think Sesshomaru is up to something?" Sango looked into Miroku's navy hues with a fearsome worry.

"I don't know. I think she is safe for the moment though." he folded his arms together as he stared intently back at the slayer, as if her eyes held the answers. "However, I do believe this is all Naraku's doing. He outright attacked Inuyasha and Kagome that day, as if he knew Kikyo was nearby and that we were not with them. I just don't understand why."

"But it's Kikyo that he's after."

"I know. It doesn't make any sense. We need to speak with Kaede, she might know something."

Sango nodded and agreed. "For now, we need to rest. There is nothing we can do for him tonight." She nodded her head in Inuyasha's direction. Miroku nodded and sighed in agreement and so the pair settled and went to sleep.

…

Kagura begrudgingly walked towards the room Naraku resided in. Every fibre of her being despised the hanyou but he had her heart, leaving her without a choice but to serve him. She approached the shoji screen and waited for him to allow her entrance.

"Enter."

She entered the door and gritted her teeth at seeing him.

"You wanted to see me?" Kagura scowled as she walked into the room that Naraku occupied.

"Your attitude is unbecoming, Kagura. Do not neglect to remember still possess your heart." He warned the wind sorcerer sadistically.

"What is it you wish of me Naraku?" she submitted begrudgingly.

"Kagome has acquired a jewel shard of mine and you are to go and retrieve it. Do not return without it, Kagura. Do you understand?"

"Of course." The wind sorcerer nodded before she turned to leave.

"She is no longer with Inuyasha, but now travels with Sesshomaru." Kagure stopped in her step stiffening, scarlet eyes widening.

"What?!" she seethed turning back to Naraku.

"If you have the chance to kill either one of them, do not hesitate." The spider hanyou warned, ignoring her distaste. "If you allow your affections for Sesshomaru to get in the way, I will crush your heart to dust."

Kagura scowled but nodded. "I understand."

Naraku's lips quirked up in sadistic amusement as the woman exited. He did so enjoy tormenting her. She hadn't known that he was aware of her favour for the Daiyokai previously and he relished springing the knowledge onto her. The witch needed to be reminded that he was not so easily kept in the dark. Not to mention he loved to torment his incarnation that wanted to betray him so eagerly.

…

Kagome had spent a considerable amount of time in the river cleaning up. It was her way of navigating her thoughts, but this time it had proven futile. The Miko felt torn in two. Although she knew in her heart that she couldn't return to Inuyasha at this point, it didn't stop her from feeling guilty. Now that she had let loose on her anger, it had allowed the room for the guilt to settle in. There was no doubt she still loved Inuyasha but it wasn't enough this time. Her death, although temporary, had exposed Kagome to a certain darkness and this time it wasn't so easy to overcome. She often dreamt of that day, re-visiting that moment and what it was like to die. Kagome hadn't really feared death so much but what was heavy about the situation was the fact she had died alone. It wasn't something that even her optimistic personality could ignore.

Kagome finally returned to camp and Sesshomaru was waiting for her impatiently.

"Miko, gather what you need. You and I are leaving." He informed her.

"What? Where are we going?" she asked stunned.

"I wish to consult with an ally and your presence may be required."

"Oh…erm…ok. What about Rin and Jaken?"

"They are remaining behind."

"Why?"

Sesshomaru growled and narrowed his eyes at her. Kagome rolled her eyes but walked to her back pack and grabbed some things out to leave with Rin. She was surprised and quite frankly rather anxious to be going on an unknown trip alone with the demon Lord.

"Will you be gone long, Lord Sesshomaru?" Rin asked.

"I am uncertain, Rin."

It was surprising to Kagome that Sesshomaru indulged most of Rin's questions. If Jaken had asked, the kappa would probably find himself with a foot to the skull. Yet with Rin, Sesshomaru was relatively warm. He still sounded like his normal self when he spoke to her but there was a little something extra to it.

"Ok, I'm ready." Kagome told Sesshomaru as she saddled herself with her backpack, bow and quiver. Sesshomaru nodded and began to walk away as Kagome followed.

"See you soon!" Kagome smiled to Rin and Jaken. Rin ran up to Kagome and wrapped her little arms around her.

"Bye Lady Kagome! Bye Lord Sesshomaru!" the small girl waved, watching their retreating figures until they were gone.

XX

A/N: So here is Chapter 10. I am unsure if this Chapter is a little anti-climactic, but I felt I should reveal some more little tidbits as to where the story is heading plot-wise. I am so so sorry for the lengthy time in getting this chapter to you, (which is also why I feel this chapter is slightly lacking), I just feel it may be at least a couple weeks before I can get back into the full swing of the story again. I had family staying with me for a week and so I couldn't work on the story and I suffer from from bodily pains and due to the hectic week the pains went into overdrive, resulting in me being hospitalized for 3 days as I couldn't move. I've been out for 3 days now but I am still in immense pain and still struggling and the pain killers make it hard to concentrate on writing (as they practically knock me out). I've gone off them today just so I could try and get this Chapter done. So I do hope you guys like it, and it gives you's a little something to look forward to. Sesshy and Kags alone time *wink* :P

Thanks again for all the readers and reviewers! you guys are incredible! And I am so terribly sorry that the chapter output has slowed. I promise to try and have the next chapter out ASAP!