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The Gates of Heaven & Hell	By : yukisan Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 1629 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
The
Gates of Heaven and Hell

Chapter Six
And So
the Journey Beg��ins

Yuki-hime

Guide:
��
�� the spoken words.
Any thoughts are in italics.
* for
definitions or notes at the end of the story.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The enormous sphere of cosmic
energy grew, engulfing the unusual trio.�
Naraku�s voice faded as well, and Inuyasha was left facing Muso.� The puppet wasted no time in distracting the
hanyou.� �Poor Inuyasha,� the laugh
echoed his master�s.� �What
have you got left but your revenge?!��
The demon swung his sword, missing when the target jumped
backwards.�

�Heh, you can�t hit me that
easily!� �Inuyasha yelled as he slipped
into the thick forest.� He would lure
Muso away from the village in hopes that Miroku could get everyone out in time.� Though he did not know what was going to on
with Kikyou and that woman, he was sure it could not be good. ��And
Sesshoumaru was right in the middle!��
The idea of his brother taking his place along side Kikyou fueled his
anger and strength in his current battle.�
He would not lose.� Not to
Muso.� Not to Naraku.� And not to his brother,
Sesshoumaru.

Kagura watched the scene
below.� Naraku�s presence had completely
disappeared when the light of the woman�s purity had awakened.� �Who is
she?�� She drew her fan back, waving
it to release more tornadoes toward the obstacle of power.� They were absorbed into the void.�

Suddenly, the globe pulsed and sent
shockwaves rippling out into the land.�
It knocked the fighting duo off their feet for a moment.� �Looks like Kagura is
tying up loose ends,� his voiced floated to Inuyasha�s ears.� His words were followed by laughter.�

�What exactly are
they planning to do?�
Inuyasha was asking himself.� He could
only see the flames of burning houses from their place in the woods.� �Whatever you are planning, I won�t let you
go through with it!�� The inu-hanyou
raised his sword.� The metal hissed as
the blade turned into a diamond.�
Sparkling shards of the hard rock burst forth from Tessaiga as Inuyasha
shouted to the heavens.� �KONGOSOHA!!!�� **

The ground shook as Muso seemed to
fade to dust against the bright light. Inuyasha was sure that he could not have
survived that attack.� He turned from the
several large ruts on the ground that was littered with broken trees to the
village.� Without hesitation, the hanyou
darted back home.� Kikyou was still in
trouble and he did not want her to slip through his hands.

When he reached the crest of the
forest, he was stunned into silence.� The
scene before him was unbelievable.� The
large orb was still resonating power, rippling out like purple and pink waves
over the land, homes, people and even demons.�
It was breath-taking, Inuyasha was mesmerized
as it washed over his bare feet, quickly moving up.� His body began to tingle and burn, opening up
his spirit and refreshing his energy.�
But it went beyond that as the hanyou felt his power grow a little.

His golden eyes opened, flashing
red before fading into their natural state.�
He focused on the people in front of him.� Kagura stood still, fixated as he was.� Kirara was beside the taijiya and houshi who
were staring wide-eyed at the globe.�
Another shockwave emerged that was followed by crackling blue thunder
bolts which spread over the area.� The beams
multiplied as they advanced, suddenly shooting upward to the sky, killing the
thousands of demons that had gathered unnoticed.

The power and light faded after a
few minutes, leaving the sphere still living.�
Inuyasha forced himself to move forward, eyes trained on the
destination.� �Kikyou!�� He recovered his voice, shouting for her as
he moved quickly past a still frozen Kagura.�

�Inuyasha STOP!�� The figure shouted at him.� �Don�t be a fool!� You felt it yourself.�� He stilled at her words.� Kagura�s outburst had seemed to shake sense
into the foolish youth.

The ball slowly began shrinking,
revealing the group as they had been before.�
Inuyasha took a step forward, uncertain of the dangers.� Kagome�s back was against the tall demon�s
chest with his arms wrapped in the embrace that saved her from Muso.� Her head hung down, shielding her eyes from
everyone.� Sesshoumaru was unable to
move, trying to soak in and decipher the information he had obtained.� The miko behind them did not move
either.� It was as if they were all in a
limbo.�

Inuyasha�s voice broke Kikyou out
of her state as she turned to see him.�
�Inuyasha?� her voice was uncertain as she tried to recall what had been
happening.� Her eyes surveyed the
area.� The homes that had been on fire
were now put out.� The mortally wounded
who were still breathing when the power erupted were now alive and healthy,
standing about observing the damage and the strange woman.� As were Sango, Kirara and
Miroku.�

All eyes were trained on Kagome,
the unusual miko that brought both destruction and peace where she stood.� And worst of all, she could feel them; feel all
of their eyes on her.� She just couldn�t
take it anymore.� The girl abruptly
turned in the surprised demon�s arms.�
She buried her face in his fabric as tears began to flow.� �Kagome,� his voice softly spoke her name.� �What
exactly did she see?�

�Please, Sesshoumaru.� Please take me away�� her words trailed off
as he picked her up, starting for Rin and the other humans.� He did not need to be told twice; she wanted
away from these people and this village.�
Away from whatever had just happened.

Eyes were drawn to the couple as
the lord stalked away.� Inuyasha was not
going to let things go that easily.�
�Let�s hope that your humans survived.��
His words rang an unspoken truth.

Sesshoumaru had indeed
underestimated Naraku.� Again.� For brief
seconds of what some might call sanity,
the lord began to wonder if this torture-loving creature would ever die.� Kikyou had been right those years ago. �Now he could see and understand what she
meant.� Naraku truly was deathly
dangerous.

* FLASHBACK *

It was strange indeed that
Inuyasha�s wench would request a private audience with him.� He was inclined to believe that his
half-brother did not know of such a meeting because he sure as hell would not
approve.� The breeze was soft as it
caressed his skin.� The miko chose a very
unusual place to speak.� The forest broke
away, leaving a clearing.� Sesshoumaru
noted the overgrown well, but what drew his attention was the large tree beyond
the rotten hole.

There was no mistaking it.� The demon lord had never seen such things
before, and though he had heard stories, he never believed himself to happen
upon one.

�It is beautiful, isn�t it?�� Her soft voice floated to his ears.� She walked up to his left, her gaze never
straying from the massive form in front of them.

�Yes.� I thought they were only myths humans made up
to ease their fears and worry.�� His tone
still held that icy touch.

�The *Goshin Boku is definitely not
a myth.� Lord Sesshoumaru-sama, if we can
not put aside our differences then I am afraid Naraku
may never be defeated.� You and Inuyasha
must combine your father�s fang.�

�You must have us mistaken
miko.�� His words were short and harsh as
he turned from the human.� The urge to
touch the godly tree had almost drowned him, if not for Kikyou�s sudden
appearance.� He submitted to no one, not
even himself.

* END FLASHBACK *

Inuyasha turned back to see Kikyou
staring at them as they vanished among the debris.� Her thoughts were a jumble as she replayed
the illusions shown to her.� �Kikyou��

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He would take Kikyou�s offer.� After the display of power that Kagome had
shown, she would need someone to train her with her new miko abilities.� He had found Rin with the guardians he left
for her; Ayane and Natsu.� The two women
had taken Rin and a few other children with them when they ventured into the
surrounding trees for a day of exploring,
or so they said.

When the demonic lord finally came
upon them, emerging out of the brush, his anger dissipated at seeing their
safety.� The fear and relief began
seeping out of his body.� He nodded to
the women before speaking, �Rin, we are going to be leaving.��

The woman in his arms had been
shaken more than he would have liked and she needed away from the ones had
frightened her, time to calm down.� So he
had taken the four humans with him to the hills that evening.� Sesshoumaru already knew of a place that his
group would be fairly safe at.� Afterall,
they were guarded by Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands and resided in his
half brother�s forest.� The only threat
that they might have to fear would be Inuyasha�s temper, which Sesshoumaru was
sure he could handle.

The two women set up the small camp,
while attending to the child.� When they
attempted to introduce themselves, she shied away; blindly wandering into the
forest.� The two exchanged glances and
looked to their master.� He nodded at
them to continue as he pushed himself off of the trunk he had been
against.� He would follow her and keep an
eye on the female until she returned to the site.

Ayane took Rin to the stream while
they fished for dinner, returning successfully to the site after a couple of
hours.� Natsu had collected berries and
some fruits to add to the flavor.� When
the trio returned, they found both their master and the female had returned to
camp.� They had obviously happened upon a
private conversation as Kagome stood abruptly and walked several feet into the
forest.

For the remainder of the night
Kagome kept quiet, not speaking and barely touching her food.� Sesshoumaru was aloof from the group as he
watched her actions.� She was distancing herself.� After the meal, Rin helped Natsu and Ayane
clean and dispose of the food.� Although
the child had tried, even Rin could not break the silent barrier Kagome had
erected.�

That night, Sesshoumaru kept his
guard over the humans, not willing to let Naraku get the better of him
again.� Rin was curled into Ah-Un�s
warmth with the other two women slept a few feet away.� The coals still glowed
red as he could hear their light snoring.�
Kagome had placed herself as far from them as possible while still in
the caresses of the fire.� And Sesshoumaru
had placed himself at her side when she finally fell under the sandman�s spell,
curled in a tight ball.

He let his thoughts wander
momentarily.� The extra guards he sent
for would be here in a matter of hours, then he would
be able to freely move around; free to exact his revenge, his
frustrations.� The woman beside him
stirred.� Her unexpected movements landed
her in his open lap.� She moaned lightly.

Her hair hid part of her face and
he moved to brush the locks away.� Her
cheeks were flushed and beads of sweat covered her features.� He could smell the fear and distress that was
rising in her.� She moaned again.� What was it about this woman?� Her strained voice broke him out of his
trance.� �Inuyasha��

Her whispered words brought anger
to the surface.� He had to check
himself.� This woman did not know
anything; nor could she remember anything.�
So why was it that she was calling out to the hanyou?� The prince reached out to touch her
skin.� She was burning up.� He looked to the sleeping bundles.� No movements.�
And the forest was quiet as well.�
His eyes focused on the female again.

The memory of seeing her the first
time floated to the surface.� His left
hand moved to the wound that Tessaiga left.�
What was it that had even made him look?�
Her aura?�
Her smell?�
There was something that pulled at him, urged him and on instinct he had
obliged.� �Damn Inuyasha.�� He growled.

She was obviously human and her
clothing led one to believe her a �free� woman.�
Yet, he had been wrong.� Wrong
about everything he had assumed when his eyes landed on her.� She had fled of course.� And he had followed, swiftly brushing
Inuyasha off.� He had to know what it was
that set her apart.� The youkai blood in
him pushed his restraint.� He slipped
into the treetops, stalking her as she ran frantically.� From his height he could see the drop and
swiftly moved himself to where he could obstruct her downward path.

The minute he felt her body, he
knew the answers to his questions.� She
was a priestess.� His demon blood itched
to run, yet he could not let her go.� The
purity flowed off her skin yet it did not burn him.� And she did not smell like any human he had
ever encountered.� There was something
else.� Then his pupils landed on the
jewel.� Was that what had attracted him?� The pull of power?� The pull of secret desires unfulfilled?� No.� He
was above that.� It was something
else.� Inuyasha�s shrill voice broke his
gaze.� �Kikyou?�� This was definitely not Kikyou.�

He looked at the woman again,
gently stroking her hair.� It had become
wet with her perspiration.� The forest
was silent and nothing stirred.�
Sesshoumaru surmised that humans were indeed weak when he wrapped his
arms under her body and lifted her into the air.� Her body shook slightly.� There was a spring not far and she had to be
bathed and cooled before it became too dangerous.� The demon was not a stranger to bathing
humans.� Rin would often complain about
not bathing.� Yet, Sesshoumaru just could
not stand the stench that humans accumulated when they were dirty.

However, this situation was very
different.� Rin was still a child and the
proud demon prince would never lower himself to that degree.� Kagome was not a child.� And the pull he felt in those first few
seconds coursed through him.� He growled,
putting himself in line.� This woman was
not a toy, and he could not think of her as such.� He was sure she held the key to Naraku�s
defeat, the jewel hidden in her body was proof.�
If the female survived after the hanyou was dead, then he might indulge
himself in those buried desires.�

The smell of water tickled his
nose.� He slipped from the tree line and
into the clearing around the spring�s banks.�
Sesshoumaru could not smell nor hear anyone around.� His demonic blood telling him that it was
safe enough for the moment.

A cluster of rocks and brush close
to the edge caught his attention.� The
couple glided over and he sat her down, slightly hidden from view.� He quickly disrobed, dropping armor and the
kimono and hakama clothing.� Pulling on
her tie, the under robe loosened.� He
lifted her up, letting the flimsy cloth fall to the ground.� She fit nicely against him, and he growled at
himself for the thought as they both entered the cool water.�

Her skin was indeed on fire.� When the liquid touched her, she violently
jerked.� �No!� Please don�t�� her whispered scream caught
him off-guard.� �I haven�t done
anything...please�� Please Naraku��

�Naraku?�
Was he torturing her in her dreams?�� He pulled
her closer, holding her so she could not flail about.� The demon dropped her into the water where
her head was just above the surface.� She
had to be cooled quickly and her nightmares were starting to become a
problem.� Her pleas were getting louder
and he did not want to gain the attention of any demon or human.� Frustration got the better of him and his
anger flared at her inability to overcome such an obstacle.� Humans were too weak.

�Kagome.��
The stern tone in his voice as he called her was lost.� His claws cut into her arms as he shook her.� There was no response.� He checked her flushed cheeks for a sign, yet
it seemed the fever spiked.� The icy water
was not able to counteract it, so it was up to him to quench the heat that was
threatening to engulf her mind, body and soul.�
Sesshoumaru had held little concern for humans in general, only a few
actually pulled at him, yet this human woman moved him into acts of compassion
that he did not know he was capable of.�

Thoughts of his father passed
through his mind.� Was this what Izayoi
had done to his father?� Had the human
female caused him to go insane with his desire?�
Blood hit his nose.� Blood mixed
with a foul stench of Naraku.� Miasmic
gas seeped out of her tiny wounds.� Now
he understood what she had meant.� Her
words held meaning that had been beyond him.�
Had the hanyou got to the girl when they had been separated?� What nightmarish horrors had he poisoned her
mind with?

Sesshoumaru knew that Kikyou was in
no place to perform another purifying ritual, so it was left up him.� And the only solution he knew of required
draining part of her blood so that the venom could escape.� She cried again; her tears falling into the
crystal waters.� The miko�s persistent
movements had quieted as his grip tightened, giving
him the chance he was waiting for.�

The youkai lord sank his teeth into
her shoulder.� Blood ran away from the
wounds across her creamy flesh.� He could
taste and smell the viral gas leak out through the two wounds his fangs
created.� Her warm blood filled his mouth
and throat.� She was a doll in his
embrace as he pulled away, licking his lips and looking to her for any signs of
change.� The demon checked her.� Her fever had broken.� His solution had worked after all.�

The two rose out of the water.� Sesshoumaru quickly grabbed his kimono,
wrapping it around her form before he pulled the hakama on.� Although the fever had dropped, she was still
in need of warmth.� He quickly returned
to the site; everyone was fast asleep, unaware of their departure or
return.� The female began to shake
slightly from the cool night air.� His
body heat was not enough warmth so the prince stoked the fire, adding several
logs to bring the blaze to life.�

When the fire was finally set, he
cradled the female close to the heat.�
Kagome�s expression was serene, no hint of the fear that had been there
an hour ago.� The two remained in the
position until daybreak, the prince moving to redress both.� �Maybe
this will calm her down a bit,� he thought, thinking back to her actions
earlier that night.� �Had Naraku been driving the woman to such crazy lengths?�� The silver-haired lord set the female down
beside the fire in front of Rin and Ah-Un.�

He could smell the guards
approaching and the youkai moved away from the side of the mystical miko, into
the tree-line.� Several demonic men appeared,
clad in armor with various swords and daggers.�
�Protect the women.� Do not let
them out of this camp or you will pay with your life.�� His words were sharp and cut the men into
action, moving to their positions.�
Sesshoumaru did not want failure, it was not an option.� Not at this point.� He had to relieve his tension and the rage
that had built up when he discovered Naraku�s secret hold on Kagome.� The hanyou was still able to control the way
things were going to turn out.� He had to
make this fragile female into a strong warrior if they were hoping to defeat
him.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kagura could not move her body,
leaving her exposed to anyone who wished to attack.� The power had immobilized her.� The wind goddess felt Naraku�s presence fade
as the orb grew.� Although this power
should have killed the demon, instead the youkai felt almost rejuvenated as the
deadly bolts missed her every time.� The
waves and lights disappeared.� Suddenly,
the foolish hanyou attempted to approach the energetic and very dangerous
sphere.

Before she could help herself,
Kagura called out to him.� �Inuyasha
STOP!� Don�t be a fool!� You felt it yourself.�� And it was true.� Everyone felt it.� The power began decreasing; revealing the trio,
who appeared unharmed.�

Her eyes narrowed to the
woman.� Naraku�s aura did not appear with
them like it had vanished.� What had
happened?� The minute the hold lifted,
she flew away in search of Muso or his remains.�
She had to find out what had happened.�
The people below her still stood as she had left them.

But what bothered Kagura more was
remembering the weight lifted from her shoulders as the miko energy caressed
her.� What should have killed her only
made her a little stronger.� Had she been
mistaken that she felt her heartbeat?� �Is Naraku gone?�

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sango looked about the
wreckage.� It was a lot of work and it
would take weeks for the village to even look normal again.� The truth was Sango knew that the people here
would never be the same.� Not after what
had happened.� She was sure that everyone
would hold a grunge against them because of the unwanted threat that was
brought upon the innocent lives.

And yet, human beings just kept amazing
her.� Even though Sango felt she knew
these people, she was surprised when they reacted in the opposite way.� Everyone was so grateful to the new
mysterious young lady, even though she was the one that brought the
destruction.� Sango was personally thanked
by every mother because she had taken care of the children during the raid.

Yesterday had been so completely
crazy, that between her concern for the children and being knocked out,
everything had become a blur for the taijiya.�
She had awoken with Miroku over her and the two small children in her
arms.� Her anger at his attempted
fondling was washed away as her eyes caught the bright light.

Last night, Kikyou spoke a little
about what had transpired inside the orb.�
The priestess told of the bloodshed that was covering the lands around
her.� Sango did not really understand
what had happened.

�Miroku,� she spoke as the monk
turned to her.� �It�s about
yesterday.�� Something was still
off.� Sango couldn�t place it but what
Kikyou and Miroku said didn�t add up.�
Her voice lowered to above a whisper.�
�What happened to Naraku?�

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The priestess needed time to
herself.� Time to sort through the images
she was shown.� Time to
sort through this situation that had suddenly become so much more complicated.� �How is
it possible?�� She just could not
wrap her mind around the small truths she had been shown. �Over the past couple of days, the entire
village was slowly rebuilding the homes that were burnt.� The huts that did survive were packed full of
families living together until there was more space.

* FLASHBACK *

She was no longer in the
village.� Sesshoumaru and Kagome were not
in front of her anymore.� Instead, Kikyou
was shown the homes of the villagers she protected.� The wind rustled the leaves as the faint
sounds of mats flapping against the wooden houses.� Something was wrong.� �Where
is everyone?�

She approached the nearest door,
peering inside to see it empty.� A sound
from behind caught her attention and the woman turned to see a ghostly image of
another priestess.� But her face could
not be made out.

* END FLASHBACK *

�Kikyou,� Inuyasha�s voice beckoned
her to come back to reality.� Even though
he knew she had come to the shrine for solitude, the hanyou could not simply
leave her to dwell in her thoughts alone.�
�Kikyou, are you okay?�� The
sincerity in his voice touched her for a moment.�

�Inuyasha,� she spoke as she kept
her back to him.� �Please, leave me
be.�� Her pose never changed from the
prayer stance.

�What are you doing?��

She kept her silence.� He stood his ground.� �I am praying for guidance Inuyasha.�

�Kikyou.�
You have to tell me what happened.�
I want to know.� Naraku was in
there with you.�� There was a cold look
in his eyes.� One full
of revenge.

Her whole body pivoted toward
him.� �How did you know?� Inuyasha who told you?�

�What should it matter who told me?� What did he say to you?� What happened
Kikyou?� Did he get his hands on that
girl?�

Kikyou stood, facing Inuyasha.� �Who told you that Naraku was there?�

�Why is it so important?�

She shook her head.� �I feel I must know.�

The name stunned the miko.� �Kagura.� She also knew that it was seemingly unsafe to
approach you after the power disappeared.��

Kikyou could not answer him for a
moment.� What would she say?� How would she explain what she had seen?� �Naraku was there.� We were split up, I
was alone so I assume they were too.� I
can�t tell you what he said to them, but he spoke in riddles.� And I was shown the beginning of it
all.�� Images of what had happened to
them nearly ten years ago.

�The beginning?�

�When Naraku tried to trick
us.�� Inuyasha nodded at her comment.

�What else did he say?�� The half-demon prodded, unwilling to give up Kikyou
understood, giving him enough to satisfy his thirst for knowledge.

�He spoke of her escaping
before.� Leaving him and
disappearing.�� She paused.� �Onigumo never spoke of any girl with power.� But I am sure that she is very special.� If she were from this area, or region, we
would have heard about her spiritual energy sooner.� She can not easily hide such a strong will,
and I am surprised she is still alive being unable to control herself.� I do not understand how she can not control
her abilities though.� They do not
suddenly appear over night.�� She looked
him in the eyes.� �She would have had to
be training her whole life or��

Inuyasha waited for her to
finish.� But Kikyou�s sentence was
disrupted as loud noises were heard from the hills his brother and that girl
had headed towards.� He turned, sniffing
the night air.� Laughter from the small
square could be heard and the smell of cheap wine and humans rubbing against
each other filled his nose.� Yet, there
were other demons about.� �We�ll have to
finish this later.�� The red cloth
disappeared through the door and into the dark.

The priestess turned to the shrine
that had been erected in Honor of the Shikon no Tama.�

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After Rin and the others had laid down, Kagome still sat across from him, unmoving and
lost in thought as the fire light licked her features for an hour.� When she was sure he was asleep, the miko
made her move.� His hooded eyes focused
on her figure from his perch.�� When she
stood and slipped through the bushes and into the dark, he followed.

Kagome just had to see for
herself.� She could not take the
nightmares another night.� Did he kill
everyone?� Every child?� Every animal?� The thoughts of seeing a bloody carnage, body
limbs hanging off of roofs and decapitated heads, made the young woman�s head
spin and stomach turn.� Yet she could not
stop herself from seeing the truth.� She
had asked to leave, check on the village to ensure that it had been an illusion
but Sesshoumaru had refused her?� Was it
true then?�

�Argh!�� She shook her head.� Everything had become confusing.� Was she awake or dreaming?� She never knew and could not tell the
difference.� Her memories were still as elusive
as ever and now she felt as though she really had nothing to do with what was
going on with the people she had met.� �Tonight I will know.� I will know if Naraku is telling me the
truth.�

She slipped away when she thought
the youkai had finally fallen under.� The
female charged through the undergrowth, ignoring the twigs that her white
hiyoku* was caught on as she purged forth.�
The burning desire to see other living people overwhelmed her.� Kagome was oblivious to the demons that were
stalking her in the dark.

Sesshoumaru was glad that she had
paid him little attention but that was quickly replaced when he realized that
she was blindly running in search of something.�
The presence of other lower youkai appeared around them and he shortened
the distance from her.� She stumbled and
started to fall forward into his waiting arms.�

�Sesshoumaru?� her voice full of
surprise.

�What are you doing?� he asked his
eyes on the forest around them.� He did
not relinquish his hold on her instead he stood the woman upright and pulled
her to his right side.� The other demon
guards he posted around the campsite would ensure Rin and the women�s
safety.� Better safe than sorry.� Before she could answer, he spoke again.� �The village is south of here.� You are going in the wrong direction.�

She paused, suddenly realizing that
there were others around.� She hugged her
body closer to the demon, suddenly very frightened.� �How
could I know that?�� Kagome buried
her face in the folds of his kimono and fluffy armor*, her own gown blending in
with his.� Her black hair was the only
contrasting element.� �There are so
many��

He did not spare her a glance when
she spoke.� �So she finally sensed them.��
A thin whip of light appeared and disappeared continuously as demons
fell before their feet.� He pulled her up
into his embrace as they speed off to the village.� �What is in the village that you seek so
much?�

She swallowed hard.� Her face had been buried in the demon�s neck,
his soft armor caressing her cheek.� �I
have to know if� if� there are still people��

He grunted.� �There are still humans alive.� Why is it important?�� Her breath was hot on his skin that was
exposed from his kimono.� Her fingers
absently played with the cloth at his collar which caused her to touch him on
occasion.

He heard the forlorn tone in her
voice.� �It just is��

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It had happened less than two days
ago.� The morning Naraku appeared.� After the dozen of people that had been
killed were buried, the residents gingerly started picking up the pieces of
wood and debris, beginning the long recovery period for everyone.� With the help of Inuyasha�s group, their
efforts were tripled and at the end of the second night, over a third of the
village had been cleaned and about half a dozen homes rebuilt.� Although there were still two dozen families
without anything, the banter of the crowd that night was joyful.

Sango and Miroku sat by the large
campfire and enjoyed the warmth from the flames and their friends.� The singing voices carried through the night,
disguising any other unusual sounds.��
Kirara sat at the taijiya�s feet, curled in a slumbering ball.� The couple watched as Shippou danced with the
other small children who were clapping a beat as well.

The group had not noticed Inuyasha
slip from them, several minutes ago.�
Yet, when Kikyou approached, her presence was praised.� Her name was on everyone�s lips.� She smiled and greeted the people with warm
words and encouragement.� Food was passed
to her as she sat beside the monk.�

�Kikyou, where is Inuyasha?� he
asked when she was settled.� The catfish
and bear meat on her plate was still steaming from the heat.

Before she could answer the houshi,
a cold voice called out from the dark.� �Priestess.�� Every
human adult and child froze in their spot.�
All eyes turned to the voice.� A
white form could roughly be made out.�

�Sesshoumaru-sama,� the woman
replied.

�May I have a word.�� His tone was diplomatic as he turned and
walked into the dark again.� She noticed
something off.�

�Did he just grow two
more feet?�� She stood.�
�I will be right back.�� The miko
disappeared after the demon.�

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Inuyasha was quiet as he slipped
through the trees tops.� The demonic
stench of several lesser youkai covered the area.� Yet, he had not seen any.� �Where
the hell are they?�� He growled.� It seemed hopeless.� His nose could not pinpoint their location.

His thoughts floated back to his
conversation with Kikyou.� He could only
guess that Naraku had slipped into the power ring with them, but he wanted to
hear it from the miko.� It unnerved him
that she did not trust him enough to tell him whatever had happened.� She still felt that the woman was keeping a
secret.

�He spoke of her
escaping before.� Leaving him and
disappearing. Onigumo never spoke of any girl with power.� But I am sure that she is very special.� If she were from this area, or region, we
would have heard about her spiritual energy sooner.� She can not easily hide such a strong will,
and I am surprised she is still alive.� I
do not understand how she can not control her abilities though.� They do not suddenly appear over night. She
would have had to be training her whole life or��

�Or what? How else could this girl exist?��
The sound a child laughing caught his delicate ears.� The hanyou paused.� Rustling bushes caught his attention.� It wasn�t a demon.� He stopped and stepped closer to see what had
caused the disturbance.� A small black
haired girl popped out of the underbrush and into his chest.� It took a moment but Inuyasha recognized her
as Sesshoumaru�s human companion.�

When she looked up, her face was
dirty and tear stained.� �Inuyasha?�� Her tone
seemed confused and he grunted at her question.�
�What she blind?�� The child took his response as she wished and
clung to his legs.� �Please save
Ayane-chan and Natsu-chan!� Demons
attacked after Sesshoumaru-chan left.�

He grabbed the girl and rushed in
the direction she pointed.� �Where was the woman?� And where was Sesshoumaru?�� What had been so important that he leave the
child and other women alone, unguarded?�
When they reached the site, it was in disarray.� What little human elements that existed were
scattered about the ground.� Inuyasha
could smell blood.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Red cloth swished as she
walked.� Her hitoe contrasted against the
darkness.� Kikyou kept her eyes trained
on the demon in front of her.� It had
taken her a minute before the miko realized that that girl was clinging to him,
hiding among his armor and clothing.� She
was not sure of where they were going but kept her silence.� Something had to be wrong.�

They walked into a clearing, the
Goshin Boku towering above them.� She
briefly wondered why he had brought her here.�
Suddenly, the girl darted out from under her protector as he stood still
in front of the ancient tree.� The silky
hiyoku made the woman look earth-real as she stood under the canopy of
leaves.� Her hand went to touch the
bark.�

Sesshoumaru�s words startled her
out of her daze.� The girl had mesmerized
her.� �Kikyou.� Does your offer still stand?�� It was the first time he had spoken her
name.� She turned, realizing what it was
he spoke of and nodded.

Their eyes locked. ��What were you shown?�� The question left her mouth before she knew.� His eyes never wavered, not that she expected
them too, but his words had the effect that she was expecting.

�Death.�
Both humans and youkai.�� She sighed.�
Just as she had thought.� It was the same for her.

She averted her eyes to the
woman.� She stood as before, like Kikyou
had seen in the vision.� A sudden wave of
fear washed over her.� �Kami only knows
what she saw.�� Her soft whisper brought
a flood of emotions into her heart.

It had been a very long day.� Everyone was exhausted from the work that had
to be done.� And to top it off, they were
not even close to being done.� Three
days.� Three days ago was when Naraku
attacked the village.� Three days ago
Kagome had awoken.� And three days ago
Sesshoumaru had made up his mind.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kagome could not keep her emotions
at bay.� It had become much harder to
control her feelings when they approached the old tree.� There was a strong and strange pull on her
soul.� The young miko felt a bond that
she could not explain the minute the Goshin Boku appeared.

There was a fog that surrounded her
and she felt herself slip back into faint and distant memories.� The forest around the miko faded away.� Her eyes were filled with a mist that clouded
her already unstable reality.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

AUTHOR�S NOTE:

*Kongosoha � Diamond Spear Wave �
This is an attack gained after Inuyasha battles Hosenki, thanks to that nasty
Naraku.� Hosenki is a diamond demon that
forged Tessaiga { and I think Tenseiga }.�
After Inuyasha defeats the demon he gains the power to shot spears of
diamonds with his Kaze no Kizu.� ^^� Naraku can�t stand up against this one.

*Goshin Boku � God Tree
*Hiyoku � the silk under-kimono
that women would wear beneath the traditional kimono

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- 5
- 6
- 7
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