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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
- 7
- 8
�The Gates of Heaven and Hell

Chapter Eight
The Unknown Road

Yuki-hime

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

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

The dawn�s warmth reached the
sleeping miko a couple of hours after sunrise.�
Her eyes groggily opened.� She
felt the child�s heat at her side and carefully untangled her limbs from the
blanket, climbing out so as to not disturb her.�
There were no signs of anyone else and though she was sure that she was
safe, she did not know where she was.�
Kagome noted her tattered clothing and quietly stepped to the small
fire, finding a bundle of miko robes and a waiting breakfast.� Quickly, the woman changed. �Though there was little time for her to waste,
her stomach seemed to demand her current attention and she heartily ate a bowl
of the steamy soup.�

Sparing a glance back, a small
smile crossed her features.� The child
was sleeping soundly and a peace washed over her before she pushed it
away.� Kikyou was waiting and she did not
think it wise to anger her mentor any more than she might have already.

The young woman crossed the
bridge.� She could smell the river that
was a few yards away and she picked up her pace.� When Kagome reached the top of the hill,
which overlooked the small valley that the water-way has settled in, she saw
the priestess� form.� Kikyou turned and
motioned her down.

�I see you are well,
Kagome-chan.�� Her words held an unknown
meaning to Kagome, and one that she did not catch as she bowed.

�I�m sorry, Miko Kikyou-san.��

Her formal tone surprised the elder
of the two.� Sesshoumaru had taught her
some formalities, yet it was wasted.�
�You need not address me with such a formal greeting.� I am to be your mentor, your master from now
on.� Sesshoumaru may say different young
priestess, but he has requested my assistance in training your powers and you
will do as I say.�� Her tone was
demanding and hard.� The woman had to
know that she was in charge.

Kagome winced a little, but
nodded.� �I understand.�

�You may address me as
Kikyou-sama.�� She turned walking to the
flat stone near the edge.� �We must
bathe, Kagome-chan.� Come undress.� I assure you that this area is safe from any
prying eyes.� I would be able to sense
them before they were able to get close to do any harm.�

The girl nodded and followed
Kikyou�s movements as she disrobed and entered the water.� Kagome laid her clothing beside the elder�s
and waded into the cool liquid.� Out of
instinct, Kagome pushed herself deeper into its depths as she began the motions
of purifying herself.� The experienced
miko hid her shock.� �How does she know this?��
Stunned, Kikyou decided to wait until the right time and ask.� She had to remember that this girl was not
even conscious of it herself.� The woman adverted her eyes before the younger could notice.� �Who is
she and where did she come from?��
Questions flooded her mind. ��Why does she look like me?�

The ceremony took about an
hour.� The two retreated to the shore,
gathering their clothes.� Kagome had not
paid Kikyou much attention as she drowned herself in the strange but soothing
ritual.� It had brought a peace out in
her that she did not know existed, so it had been a surprise and shock when her
eyes saw the horrible scaring.� Kagome
quickened her pace, wanting to erase the images and questions that filled her
head.�

The female�s voice broke her out of
her daze.� �Come, we will meditate before
lunch.� I must see how well you can calm
yourself.��

She nodded in silent agreement as
the two began a short walk into the forest.�
Kagome started to wonder where they were going until a small shrine
appeared in a hazy fog of magic.� �Kikyou-sama,
what is this?�� She heard her voice but
had not known she had spoken.

�We are on holy ground Kagome, and
this is a holy shrine.� Only those with
pure intentions may even lay eyes on this place.�� The two ascended the wooden steps and entered
the double doors.� Kagome�s eyes had to
adjust to the dim setting.� The young woman
sat where Kikyou motioned as the miko went to light a few candles.� It was apparent to the young woman that this
was a very special place surrounded by incredible waves of spiritual energy.� �The first task is to clear your mind in
order to achieve a balance in yourself.�
You must not let emotions overcome you and cloud your judgment.� It will be your downfall Kagome-chan.�

The elder female sat down across
from her.� Their eyes connected.� Kikyou�s chocolate pupils pierced her
soul.� �Clear your mind.��

Kagome nodded slightly as her lids
closed.� She could feel the youkai
energies of nearby demons pushing on her, making it hard for her to breathe.� �Is
this what it feels like?� I can barely
breathe!��

�Steady your breathing Kagome.� You must not let them physically effect you.�� Kikyou�s command calmed her soul. ��Deep slow breathes.� Inhale.�
Exhale.��
Her voice was rhythmical and her coaching eased the pain on her chest.� The shadows did not disappear but she could
easily restrain them.

Kikyou�s voice faded into a
hum.� Kagome found herself floating,
surrounded by various shades of grays and blacks.� On occasion, she could catch glimpses of deep
blues, greens, and reds.� She felt sure
that these were the evil energies from before, but she could not feel the darkness
or malice hidden within.� Her thoughts
went to Sesshoumaru; his touch and warmth.�
She did not feel any malice in his heart, nor could she see any of the
darkness that Kikyou spoke of.

A searing pain caught the girl
unguarded.� Kikyou�s words rushed to the
surface; �clear your mind.�� Her eyes managed to catch a shimmer of purple
�before she involuntarily screamed.� Her
hands went to her chest; she could feel
the jewel burning with hatred.� Quickly,
she stood and darted out of the small
room, not waiting for Kikyou�s questions.�
It was hard to breathe and the youkai spiritual energy of that monster
had made her claustrophobic.� She needed
air.� And Sesshoumaru.� Her mind screamed for him. ��Sesshoumaru, where are you?!�

�Dammit!� she cursed.� �Why do
I think of him?� I was doing so good too.�� Tears
sprang up.� The pain had been horrible.� Her breaths were heavy as she slowly calmed
the turmoil of emotions raging in her chest.�
The image of Kikyou�s nude torso flashed in her mind.� �The
pain had been in the same area as her scar.�

�Kagome.��
The sound of her name startled the woman.� She turned to see Kikyou�s eyes trained on
her; the emotions masked underneath her exterior.� �We shall take a break.� Let�s walk to the village and eat
lunch.�� Her voice took a lighter tone,
trying to whisk away some of the horrors that she knew the girl must have felt.

She was a little shaken and had
expected the woman to question her, especially after her outburst inside.� The walk to the center of the hub was quiet
as they were both lost in the events of that morning.� The screams of the children greeted the two
mikos as they entered the square.�
Several girls and boys ran to Kikyou, jumping up and down.� Kagome noted that some had weeds and such in their
hands; �Those must be herbs.�� A small body crashing into her lower form
caught her off-guard.� She smiled warmly,
�Rin.�

�Nee-chan!�
Rin missed you!� Rin picked these
pretty flowers for you!�� The child�s
bubbly nature lifted her spirits.� How
could she keep her cloudy demeanor with her around?� Kagome desperately wanted to ask her where
her master was.� She needed to see
Sesshoumaru.

�They are beautiful Rin!�� She knelt to the girl�s eyes.� �Thank you, I love them.�� Before Kagome knew it, the child wrapped her
arms around her in a hug.� The miko
returned the affectionate hug and held her tears.� Kikyou had to be wrong.� �Not
every demon was like that.��
Sesshoumaru could not be.� The
proof was this little girl in her arms.

�Will you eat with Rin?�� Kagome nodded and stood.� The child took her hand and lead her to the stones around a circular pit.� She noticed that Kikyou was staring at her,
watching her intently as the miko was still surrounded by children.

Rin�s chattering voice brought her
back.� She heard Kikyou�s gentle
command.� �Come,
let�s follow Kagome-chan, shall we?� I am
very hungry.�

Kagome noted that there were only
humans around.� Although she felt
comfortable, there was an uneasy pulse underneath the calm.� �Where
is Sesshoumaru?� What about the other
toad-demon that Rin speaks of?� And Inuyasha?� What is
going on?�� Her head began to hurt a
little.� She knew there was something
wrong.� �What happened to me last night?�

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

It aggravated him to no end and he
kept the growling to the minimum so his younger brother would not guess too
much at his agony.� The ground was
sparkling as the light hit the dewy grass.�
The events from last night hung in his mind, but Inuyasha would have to
wait to be taught a lesson.� Sesshoumaru
however, was more interested in what Kagome had done the night before.� The morning light had not only brought the
false sense of security but the pungent smell of Naraku.� �Was
Naraku involved again?�� With a last
glance at the sleeping figures, he followed.

Inuyasha had darted off before he
had even made a move.� Though he did not
want to leave the maiden behind, the demon did not have a choice.� There were more important and dangerous
things within reach and Kikyou would not stray from her.� He could be at ease, at least for the
moment.� The danger was not close to
Kagome yet.�

The questions were, �was this the real Naraku?�� And if so, �why is he south?�� The
territories were known to be hostile to any outsiders, whether they were demons
or humans.� And hanyous
were slaughtered on site.� Though he did
not completely agree to the way the southern lord was handling his lands or people;
they lived in peace with no civil wars. �Sesshoumaru knew it was not his place to argue
about such matters.� He understood that Toshiaki
wanted to know who was within his borders at all times.� The peace that the demon had established was
well known throughout the lands and envied by all.

The noxious scent of miasma brought
the brothers to a halt.� Sesshoumaru
heard his name whispered on the winds.�
The prince turned to face the village they had left a several hours ago.

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

�Nee-chan?��
The small voice pulled her back.�
Her expression was filled with worry.�
Other men and women had gathered for the village lunch, taking up the
empty seats and spots on the ground.

�I�m sorry, Rin.� What did you say?�� The woman cleared her throat.� Her eyes looked about; she noted Kikyou�s heated
gaze on her.� �Where is Sesshoumaru?�

�Kikyou-chan said to eat this,� she
shoved the bowl and plate in her lap as she planted herself on the ground.�

She smiled, �Here Rin, please sit
beside me.� You should not always sit in
the dirt.�� The girl�s smile beamed.� Kagome could only guess that the child did
not really have any one that actually talked to her.� A strong urge to protect the adolescent came
over her.� It was as if it was the most
natural thing in the world.�

Kagome ate in silence as Rin
chatted on about her morning.� She had
attended to the chores like the other children.�
Then she told her that she secretly picked some flowers in a field
nearby.� Kagome knew why Rin spoke in
hushed tones.� One, the children were not
allowed outside of the village alone and two, she had felt her master had been
watching over her.� Though she did not
know why he remained hidden, Rin knew he was there.� She nodded.�

After about an hour, the villagers
and children dispersed.� Kagome and Rin
had wondered off to a hill overlooking the next valley.� Their raven silhouettes sat side by
side.� Kikyou approached the duo who sat
in silence.� She stood for a few moments,
patiently waiting on her apprentice.� All
eyes were trained on the horizon.� Kikyou
had not noticed the evil energy until Kagome refused to acknowledge her.� �What the hell�?!�
Kikyou�s voice broke the silence.

Kagome cut her short, �Shhhh!� You must be
quiet.� They will not hear nor see us if
you remain still.�� The woman returned to
her trance state.� Her voice, the look in
her eyes; she was not Kagome.� Rin looked
at the older miko.� She mouthed something
that the woman could not make out.�

The energy quickly
disappeared.� Coming out of her daze, Kagome
stood suddenly and turned bowing.� �I am
sorry, Kikyou-sama.� What did you say?�

The woman narrowed her eyes.� She looked to the child again, who was
clinging to her side, trying to support her.�
�What is going on Kagome-chan?�

The girl looked uncomfortable.� There was a pause before she spoke.� �I can�t tell you because I don�t really
know.� I can�t remember.� I have these blackouts.�� Hands rubbed her temples, her head really hurt.� �It�s foggy.��
She paused.� �Like someone else is
controlling me.� I�m in a daze, lost and
then I end up here.�

�Is this what you have been keeping
from me?�� The girl nodded.� �Is there anything else, Kagome-chan?�� Her stern voice brought the younger to meet
her eyes.� She shook her head no.� �Let�s get back to work then.�� The trio descended the hill.� Kikyou would have to investigate what was
going on south.� �Is that where Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru has disappeared to?�� The youkai auras were going crazy, wild in
reaction to whatever she had just seen.� Until
then, she could do nothing with but keep a close eye on Kagome.�

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

The demon was careful.� There were too many eyes watching for her to
slip up now.� Kagura sighed as she leaned
against the cave�s rocky wall.� Saimyosho
were everywhere, so flying was completely out of the question.� She was surprised when his aura filled the
forest.� No one had thought that he would
attack so quickly, not after the last encounter.� �There
has to be a reason.�

The wind goddess winced in
pain.� �What is he searching for?�� Her
wounds were slow closing and this had begun to worry her.� The minor damage she had received should have
healed by now.� The thoughts that
something had seriously happened to Naraku had crossed her mind several
times.� �Is he still alive?� Will I
survive through this?�

The human in Sesshoumaru�s arms had
been the source of this fiasco.� But the
burning question was, �why did she not
purify me?�

The insects slowly passed.� �What
are they looking for?�� The pain
stabbed her body again.� The woman moved
deeper into the cave.� She needed time to
heal.� Kagura was not in a state to
properly defend herself against Inuyasha or Naraku.

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

The two barely spoke as they
returned to the sacred shrine.� Kagome
settled into her meditation.� Her head
began to hurt.� She was in a daze when
Kikyou had found her.� �What was I doing?�� The look on her mentor�s face had spoken
volumes, but she had remained silent.�
There was a chill on her spine when she stood, and Rin�s support had
been a grateful welcome.� The young woman
did not know how the child had known.� Yet
the uneasy aura from earlier was prevalent, surrounding, enclosing in on her
form.� Kagome�s thoughts strayed to
Sesshoumaru.� �Why do I feel I need him beside me?�

Kikyou�s voice startled the
female.� �Kagome-chan you must put
Sesshoumaru out of your head.� He will be
your downfall.� If that same distraction
came while you were on the field of battle, then you would be dead.�� Her harsh words were true.�

�What would happen if
Sesshoumaru or Kikyou were not with me?��
Kagome
understood what she spoke of.� Thoughts
flooded back to her scar.� There was a
pain that continued to grow in the woman.�
Was it too inappropriate for her to ask what had happened?� �Kikyou-sama,� she took a breathe, �there has been something that I have wanted to ask
you.�� She needed her mind off of the
dark prince.� And the
ache that was gripping her heart.

There was a long silence.� It was as if Kikyou knew what she was going
to ask, and had wanted to prolong the inevitable.� �What happened to you?�� Both knew to what she was referring.� Kagome thought she was not going to answer
her question.� The violet aura had crept
upon her as the agony flowed and pain tripled.�
�Sesshoumaru�� she cried
inwardly.�

Her voice was full of bitterness
when she spoke.� �I was foolish, just
like you are.� I let my emotions get the
better of me Kagome.� This is the price I
paid and it is a constant reminder of what my duty is; to protect the innocent
from the conniving ways of demons.� There
is no one else but us.� We are some of
the last remaining.�� The woman looked at
her.� �I do not know where you came from
but it does not matter.� Sesshoumaru is a
very dangerous youkai.� He is the Lord of
the Western Lands.� Do you understand
what I am saying?�� A hard tone entered
her voice.� �Kagome, are you
listening?�� Kikyou inched forward,
closing the distance and putting her hand out to shake the younger miko.� The female had erected a barrier and the
woman winced as her hand hit the energy, but she drove forward.� When her fingers touched her body, the pain
that had filled Kagome seeped into the elder.�
The women cried out as their bodies were tortured.

The pain of her scar seared
forward.� The sound of footsteps caught
Kikyou�s ears.� The miko could not break
the contact with the younger woman but kept her eyes trained on the entrance.� She heard muffled yelling.� The door flew open revealing a blur of black,
pink, and purple.� She heard her name and
then felt the warmth of hands pulling her free.

Sango screamed as the anguish bore
into her core before vanishing.� The
female glanced over at Miroku to see the other miko out cold.� She spoke again, her voice full of worry as
she gently shook her.� �Kikyou?!� Kikyou?!�

Her eyes fluttered open.� �Sango-chan, is Kagome okay?�� Her words were anxious.� The woman nodded.� �Naraku� Sango, you must find Inuyasha�� the
pain cut her words off.� �Sesshoumaru� he
will come for her.� Please, do not let
him take her away.�� With her energy
drained, Kikyou fell unconscious, limp in the slayer�s arms.

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

Inuyasha stared at Sesshoumaru�s
back.� They had both smelled Naraku but
the demon was definitely not acting his usual self.� �Is he
actually worried about that unusual priestess?�� He could not believe it even as he saw it
with his own eyes; Sesshoumaru�s compassion and obvious distress at the current
situation.� The hanyou had to hold his
tongue out of simple wonderment.� Never
in all his years of knowing the quiet and stoic youkai had he seen him like
this.� Never had he seen Sesshoumaru
express true emotion.� He did not move.� �What
is he waiting for?�� Seconds later,
impatience got the better of him and he moved several paces past the demon
before his ice cold voice froze him.

�Do not touch what is mine.� I will only warn you once.�� His mask was in place as golden eyes promised
a bloody death.� In a flash, he jetted
past Inuyasha.�

�What the hell is going
on?�� Sesshoumaru was acting weird.� �A human, huh?�

Miasma suddenly poured out around
the brothers, halting the dark prince in his tracks.� Inuyasha went for his sword, �Naraku!��

A hideous laugh filled the
sky.� �Ku ku ku�� A bamboo
clothed puppet appeared out of the dense fog.�
Saimyosho surrounded the paper illusion as a familiar voice echoed in
the darkness.� �It seems you will not win
this battle.� You will never be able to
keep her from me.� Have Kikyou train her,
it will do you no good.� She will be
mine.� I will have the Shikon no Tama and
her soul.�

Sesshoumaru stepped around the
hollow form.� �Do not make promises you
can not keep.�� His cold voice whispered
in passing.� The words reached Inuyasha�s
delicate ears.� �Come, Brother, let�s not
waste time on a shell.�

He nodded unsure of the current
situation.� Naraku had only wanted to rub
Sesshoumaru the wrong way.� When he did
not bite the half demon did not push it and simply disappeared.� Things were definitely getting weird.� Inuyasha realized that they were now heading
back to the village.� �Did Naraku�s threat unsettle him that
much?�� The tone of his voice when he
spoke to him broke something in the hanyou. ��He called me �brother�.�

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

The demon slayer and monk took the
two women to Kikyou�s hut on the outskirts of town.� The miko�s words echoed through the duo�s
minds.� �Sango,� Miroku�s voice broke
their silence as they stared at them.�
�Do you think that Kikyou meant to keep Kagome away from Naraku or
Sesshoumaru?�

�It seems obvious to me that she
meant Sesshoumaru, but I wonder what she saw and what happened at the shrine?�

�Yes but what she asks is
impossible, Sesshoumaru us a much more formable opponent than Naraku.� Plus I think it is better to have him as an
ally in this fight.�

�Yes, I agree.� Very well then,� she stood, �I shall go find
Inuyasha.�

He nodded, watching her go.� �What
role does this girl play?�� The monk
could not understand the twisting knots of lies and deception that began
weaving itself before their eyes.� A few
hours later, noises from outside caught Miroku�s attention.� He left the two sleeping maidens to
investigate.� Inuyasha met him just
outside of the shack.� �Inuyasha, please
wait.�� He grabbed the hanyou stalling
him as Sango landed with Kirara.�

�Inuyasha, please!��
Her voice carried over.

�Where is Sesshoumaru?� Miroku
asked.

�I found them on their way back
from the southern region.� He has not
said why they were heading that way,� Sango spoke as she stood behind Inuyasha.

�Let me go.�� He growled at his friend in an attempt to
enforce his statement.

�Move.��
Everyone turned to see the dark prince standing behind them.

Inuyasha did not back down, he
faced his brother.� �You are not��

�Do not tell me what I will and
will not do.� You are not in any position
to be giving me order.� Move now or I
shall move you.�� His golden eyes burned
holes in Inuyasha.� The trio that blocked
his entrance moved slowly.� He kept his
pupils trained on the rash hanyou until it was clear.� In a swift move, he entered the dim interior
to find them unconscious.� He stood frozen, it was not until now that the striking resemblance
of the women caught him off-guard.� A
brief flash of green material darted through his mind.� Though the distinction between the females
was lost in the dark, Kagome�s smell was overpowering Kikyou�s.� Her spirit was untamed and he could feel the
bridal energy held within.

He stepped around the first body
and knelt to the second one.� The dark
prince touched her sleeping face, brushing away raven hair.� �What
happened?� What did Naraku do?�� Sesshoumaru dropped his fingers from her
delicate skin.� There was not much of a
choice left.

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

Inuyasha growled as the youkai
entered the hut.� The monk�s calming
voice echoed in his ears.� �What happened Inuyasha?�
Why were you with Sesshoumaru?�
Where were you two going?�

�I don�t know what game Sesshoumaru
us playing with Naraku, but I�m sure that that girl is in the middle.�

�Inuyasha, do you really believe
that he is capable of hurting Kagome?��
Sango asked him surprised.�
�Regardless of what you may believe,� she glanced around, �I think he
may hold more compassion for others than you know.�

�I believe she has a point.� It seemed that the Lord has stuck his neck
out for Kagome.�� The monk backed her
statement.

He growled.� �So then what do you propose we do?�� Inuyasha did not like where this was heading,
but at this point there was little for them to do.

�Let�s not be hasty,� he
replied.� �Come let�s talk elsewhere.�

The trio departed for the town
square.� The only prying ear that needed
to be avoided would not enter into the human village.

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

The elder miko woke hours
later.� Hazy images from the events
earlier slipped through her fingers.� Kagome
was a few feet away.� She stirred and
Kikyou watched her eyes open.� �You are
awake.�� The girl sat up, mimicking the
female, and nodded.� �What happened?�

She began to speak but the sound of
approaching people cut her short.� She
stood quickly and moved to the entry.�
Kagome�s mind was filled with so much clutter and with the recent brush
she had, the feeling and need to protect her mentor washed over her.� Kikyou stared at her, stunned by her
actions.�

The monk and taijiya filled the
doorway.� �You�re awake,� surprise filled
the woman�s voice.� She moved in, leaving
Miroku to stand alone.�

He kept Kagome�s gaze.� What Kikyou had spoken before she fell into
oblivion had bothered him.� �Kagome,
would you care to join us.�� Kikyou�s
words were a command and the woman obeyed.�

�Something feels
wrong.�� Her thoughts floated to the demon
prince.� �Sesshoumaru, where are you?��
Her eyes met Kikyou�s.�

�Kikyou, do you feel okay?�� Sango�s voice broke the silence.� She nodded though her eyes never left its
subject.� �What happened?�� The woman looked from Kikyou to Kagome and
then back.�

�Yes, please tell us Kagome.� What happened?�

She flushed at her statement.� �I�m sorry, but I don�t exactly know what
happened.�� How could she ease the pain
and worry on their faces?� �Please, tell
me, is Rin okay?�� Her question threw the
trio off.

�Of course,� the monk�s voice was
full of his surprise.� �Kagome, we would
not hurt Rin.�

Shame filled her face.� �I did not mean it that way��

�Then what way did you mean
it?�� Kikyou asked, bringing the
attention back to the subject at hand.�
The woman did not answer.� �Where
is Naraku Kagome?� �The other two people
stiffened as tension rose.

�Naraku�?� I do not understand.� I had asked Sesshoumaru who that was but he
only seemed to want to know what he spoke of.�
Do they know him as well?�� She momentarily
tossed around the idea of asking her question.�
Sesshoumaru had avoided her query but Kikyou might solve this puzzle for
her.� �Kikyou-sama, could you tell me who
this Naraku is?�

Even though Kikyou, Sango and
Miroku had given her a brief history of this Naraku, Kagome still felt that
they were not telling her everything.� She
felt that there was still something wrong.�
And it bothered her that Kikyou had been earnest in returning to the
shrine to finish her first day of training.�
The woman did not argue as they set out to purify themselves again.�

It had been easier to keep the
prince from her thoughts, especially since the ominous aura did not appear
during her meditation.� As night fell,
Kikyou broke the silence as she moved to light more candles.�

The woman settled back in her seat
before speaking.� �Kagome, if you want to
survive this you must understand that it will not be easy.� Naraku is a very dangerous opponent and not
someone to underestimate.� You will have
to learn a life�s education, work, and training in only a few months.�� The miko paused.� Fire flickered off of the women�s faces.

�I understand Kikyou.� I have no other choice but to move forward
until I have regained my memories.� This
is the only path for me.�� Kagome�s words
held an air of knowledge.� She completely
understood what her decision meant, her life or death.� The lives of innocents.� It was all in her hands.� She held her own future, her own destiny.

The female nodded.� �You must complete seven difficult
tasks.�� Kikyou turned to her side,
reaching for a hidden bundle and placing it between them.� �The first task is learning to tap into and
control the spiritual powers you possess.�
There are three types of spells you can use and,� she paused, revealing
three arrows, �attach to arrows in order to destroy or seal a strong demon, or
even several if you have enough power or amplifiers.�� Kagome watched as her delicate and milky
white fingers reached for the arrow closest to her, placing it in front of her.� �The first is the Hama no Ya.�� She reached for the second arrow, setting it
below the previous arrow.� �The second is
the Joka suru no Ya.��
The woman repeated the prior movement, reaching slowly for the third
arrow.� The apprentice seemed to note her
hesitation and felt an unwelcoming flood of despair and anger; her voice was
above a whisper.� �The third is the Fuin
no Ya.�� The
shaft was then laid with the others.�
There was a long silence that seemed to stretch on into oblivion.� �We will begin before day-break.� Every morning, we must cleanse ourselves so
we will meet at the river�s edge outside of town.� Do not forget.�

Kagome nodded and bowed.� �Thank you Kikyou-sama.� I am forever grateful for your help.�� The woman bowed graciously and turned to
leave.

�Kagome, what is the nature of your
relationship with Lord Sesshoumaru-sama?�

�Relationship�?�� The girl�s voice echoed the word.� �Do we
have a relationship?�� Images flashed
in her mind�s eye.� She saw herself and
Sesshoumaru sitting under a tree as Rin played in the field below.� He seemed to be smiling.� But it faded as quickly as it came.�

�You must ask yourself, Kagome,
what are his true intentions?�� Her voice
held a warning that sent chills down the female�s spine.�

She nodded as she walked out the
doors.� The cool night sky was sparkling
like diamonds.� The wide heavenly view
kept her silent, lost in her thoughts as she waited on her companion a little
farther down the path.� He had promised
to pick her up last night and he had told her to wait for him.� Kikyou�s warnings rippled to the surface.� What was she to do?� It seemed like everyone was against her, �Kikyou and�even Sesshoumaru.�� What had she done to incur his absence?� She had to remember that she was alone and
without any memories or the knowledge of who she was.� The taiyoukai had been kind and willingly to
help her but how far would that take her?�
Kikyou�s words tugged at her mind and heart.� �You
must ask yourself, Kagome, what are his true intentions?�

Thinking back to the night before,
she sighed heavily.� She had not wanted
to move from the Goshin Boku�s side, in fact, the
woman had first wanted to refuse, yet Sesshoumaru�s eyes told her
otherwise.� It was strange how the tree
had brought her a sense of security, and familiarity.� What was it she really saw when she first
touched its holy bark?� Flashes of
brilliant color and figures were jumbled in a whirling combination.� �The images were so confusing.�

Kikyou�s question surged to the
front of her mind.� �But his actions spoke differently.�
If he was cold and heartless then I do not believe I would even have my
life much less this jewel.�� Her hand
covered the spot on her chest.

She remembered the gentle tone of
his voice when he spoke to her.� �What did you see?� Sesshoumaru�s
question overrode her senses.� Her voice
seemed not her own when she spoke the words that he had wanted to hear, words that
held a deeper meaning; the words of another language.� Words that she could not
bring herself to speak. �Death and destruction as far as the eye could
see.�� That is what she had wanted to
tell him.�

Kagome desperately wanted
Sesshoumaru to know what Naraku had shown her.�
�Was it true?�� Would she be that destruction he spoke
of?� �And
who is this Naraku anyway?�� Sesshoumaru
did not seem to want to tell her the truth.�
And she was not entirely sure Kikyou�s words could be trusted.� Everything felt like a dream; any moment she
would wake and find herself in her bed� soft sheets.� Her head began to hurt again.

Flashes of a young girl�s room; a
bed with a table and window�� She grimaced
at the sharp pain.� The images continued
to flow, scattered in the wind.� There
was an old shrine, and a well.� �Yes, I remember a well.�� A surge of mixed emotions filled her,
bringing water to her eyes.� Love, grief, betrayal.�
Then she saw Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Kikyou, and Naraku.� Her power flickered, and then died.

The images that filled Kagome�s
head clouded her thoughts.� Was she too
hopeful that these might be her lost memories?�
And if so, had she known Sesshoumaru and the others?� Or were those scenes a possible future?� Could she trust this woman that only appeared
to her when she was lost in her mind?�
She thought of her time with Sesshoumaru; the night they reached the
camp after Naraku had attacked the village.�
At first, she thought that he had been uncaring, but that had not been
the case at all.� After he had told her
that she would be training with Kikyou, she had felt a wave of guilt wash over
her.� Why had she been so rude and harsh
with her words?

* FLASHBACK *

She was lost.� Lost in the words he had spoken and the
images he had shown her.� What was she
going to do?� Everything had been
blurry.� She was not sure if she was
dreaming as a warmth engulfed her body and mind.� The mists around Kagome began to clear.� Her eyes suddenly focused on the face in
front of her, on the golden eyes that seemed to see through to her soul and
heart.� She heard him whisper her
name.� The woman could only blink, still
dumbfounded from her trance.�
�Sesshoumaru?� her tiny voice broke the quiet barrier around her, full
of an unknown fear.

The warmth of his hands calmed her
as he spoke, demanding an answer this time.�
�Kagome, what happened?��

She nodded, her thoughts numbly
trying to piece together the reality around her.� �Is he
talking about��

�Tell me what happened back
there.� What did Naraku do to you?�

How could she tell him?� Despair and sadness overwhelmed her and
Kagome knew that she would have to do something other than just sit around and
wait for something to happen.� �Sesshoumaru,
I want to go back to the village.� I want
to learn about myself, about this power that is hidden within me.�

�We have to wait until the chaos
has passed.� The inhabitants are
unfriendly.�

She stared at him dumbfounded and
hurt.� Images of the desecrated villages
flashed into her memory.� The screams of
the people in the small colonies echoed in her ears as Naraku�s laugh
continued.� She could still hear his
words.� �Look at what you have done.��

�No.� That�s not good enough.� I have to see the village.�� Fear and desperation were laced in her words
as she tried to rise.� He was not going
to stop her.� He may not have been
welcomed, but she was still human.

His hold kept her still.� �Kagome, listen to me.� It is too dangerous for you to go back.� Even if Naraku is gone, you still have to
worry about Inuyasha and the villagers.�

�You don�t understand,� she pleaded
as tears sprang to her eyes.�

His voice became hard as he spoke
her name.� �Kagome��

She pulled from his grasp, towering
above him before running into the thicket of trees.� �He had
been completely unreasonable and unwilling to understand!�� The woman brushed the tears away from her
eyes.� How could she explain to the demon
that she had to know?� It was eating her inside out.� The same feeling that possessed her when she
laid eyes on the village took hold again.�
The need for that knowledge was burning her.� Memories of the charred homes echoed in her
conscious.� �I couldn�t have done that,
right?� she whispered to the trees.� �I�m
not like that am I?�� Tears began to flow
down her cheeks unchecked as she slowed to a stop.

A hand startled the woman as she
turned to see Sesshoumaru staring at her.�
�You will train with Kikyou, a priestess in that village.�

She shook her head.� �I don�t understand.�� Was she hearing things?�

�If you want to control that power,
it is the only way.�� He held her
gaze.� Anticipating her next words, he
spoke.� �I have arranged everything, but
until then you are to obey my orders.��

Kagome smiled guiltily.� �Thank you.��
Had she been wrong in judging him?

* END FLASHBACK *

Her eyes focused on the limbs above
her.� Kagome could not be sure if these
images were her memories or not but she knew that the feelings that had
overcome her in that short time were not false.�
There was some truth held there; somewhere within its branches. ��Where are you Sesshoumaru?�

The woman stood, shaking the cloth
at her legs.� Her mind was made up; she
would apologize to Sesshoumaru for last night.�
After her training with Kikyou and her time spent mediating, Kagome
understood what Kikyou was telling her.�
She could not turn back now.� She
had chosen to walk down the unknown road.

Maybe he was after the Shikon, that
was a good possibility, but Kagome felt that there was something else.� She couldn�t explain it and the woman did not
even know if the lord felt what she did, but it was there and she could not
deny the tug at her heart.� In the chaos
of her life, he had become her rock in the raging waters.

She sighed.� �It doesn�t look like he�s coming.�� Her voice floated on the gentle winds.� Kagome glanced at the wooden shack hidden
between the tree�s trunks.� �I suppose I
should begin the walk home.��

Shadows caught her eyes.� A flash of red.� Kagome�s pulse quickened like her pace.� Her breathing became heavy as she descended
the hidden stone stairs.� A sudden noise
behind her made the woman quickly pivot on her heels, throwing her off balance
as she came face to face with Inuyasha.� She
gasped as she lost her footing and landed in his arms.�

�Are you okay?�� His question held a tender tone.

A faint heated breeze hit her skin
as she tried to pull away from his hands.�
�Y�Yes,� she muttered as she blushed unable to free herself.� She did not feel any malicious intentions,
yet she knew she could not let her guard down.�
�Excuse me, Inuyasha.�

He tightened his grip until she
ceased her struggling.� Unexpectedly the
hanyou buried his face in her hair and took a deep breath.� �You look like her, yet you do not smell like
her.�

Her eyes widened, �Is he talking about Kikyou?�

�Where is the jewel, Kagome?� his
voice hung on her name.

�The jewel?�
But Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru will��

He growled cutting her off.� �Fuck him!�
Why won�t you answer me?� I am
going to be the one who destroys Naraku, not Sessho�� Inuyasha was interrupted by a sharp pain in
his side.� He felt hands on him as he was
thrown, hitting a tree and slumping down in a red heap of limbs.� He picked himself up to see his brother
standing in front of the woman who had been in his arms.

�Do not touch her again
Inuyasha.� The miko is under my
protection and you will not harm her.��
The demon�s voice dripped with the bloodshed he promised.� �I have already warned you once.�

Kagome moved to his side, reaching
for the silky kimono sleeve.� Her voice
was full of emotion.� �Where have you
been?�� Tears pooled in her eyes.� He turned to see her expression.� �Why did you leave me alone?�

He scooped her up, �Come, let�s go.�� They began to head west, away from the tiny
village.� He would speak to her later
about what happened.� �Why did Kikyou take her back to the shrine,
especially after what had transpired?�

�Huh?� What do you mean?� Are we not going to stay in the village?�� Confusion set in.

�What the hell are you talking
about?�� Inuyasha�s angry voice caught
the couple�s ears.� �Since when have you
ever cared about a human woman?!�� He
screamed at the youkai, drawing his sword.�
�Naraku is my problem and you have no business butting in!� Hand her over, she�s the key that we need!�� He growled as his brother stood there staring
at him.� �I won�t hurt her and I won�t
let anyone else hurt her either, I�m not a fucking monster ya
know!�

His hand moved from her waist to
the swords at his side.� �A half-breed
like you could not possibly protect a woman of such status and power.�� Golden eyes narrowed as he waited for the
creature in front of him to move.� He
could smell the fear that had crept up in the female behind him and reached out
to calm her again.� He would not kill his
younger sibling but he would make sure that Inuyasha knew who he was dealing
with.� If he thinks Naraku is tough,
Sesshoumaru would prove him wrong.

Kagome grabbed a fistful of the
white cloth before he had a chance to move.�
�Please, don�t.� Can�t we just go home
now?�� He could hear the exhaustion in
her voice and see the pain of the day�s training on her face.� He nodded and then glanced at Inuyasha,
growling.� The two disappeared into the
dark, leaving the hanyou to himself and his suspicions.

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

He had not spoken a word since they
left Inuyasha.� She was beginning to
worry that he could be angry with her.�
Though Kagome could see the demonic aura around Sesshoumaru, she felt no
evil intentions like Kikyou had mentioned.�
Instead, he seemed to be distancing himself.� She instinctively reached out, catching the
sleeve of his kimono.� �Sesshoumaru�� she
whispered his name.

�Kagome,� he began, not turning to
see her face.� He needed to know what had
happened with Naraku, and today with Kikyou.�
�What did the miko tell you?�� He was silent.� �Tell me.��
He felt her tense before leaning against him for support.

She was not sure of how to answer
his question.� Half truths were all she
could give him now.� �Kikyou asked me the
same question� I suppose� the images of death filled my mind.�� Her voice faded as the wind rustled through
the branches.� Her fingers slipped from
the fabric.� The woman walked past him
into the clearing and froze.� A cold wind
chilled her to the bone.� The scene
before her eyes brought fading memories to the surface.� In a daze, Kagome glided to the banks.� Sesshoumaru watched slightly confused by her
actions, he slowly approached her.

It was as if time had stopped.� Or she was merely an outsider watching with
little interest.� Laughter filled the
atmosphere as several figures appeared across the river.� It was two women and men with a small
child.� Shock consumed her.� She had seen them before, but their faces
remained hidden.� They vanished into the
fog.� Footsteps along the shore echoed as
a woman dressed in strange clothes emerged.�
Her face disguised by the mists, but Kagome heard her voice calling
out.� She turned to see the fading image
of the dark prince.� �Sesshoumaru?�

He closed the gap, catching the
female as she stumbled out of her dazed stare.�
�Are you okay?�� Her eyes were
clouded.� The strong scent of purifying
energy rolled off of her skin.� Though
she did not burn him, he could feel the heat from her.� �Kagome?�� His name was whispered on her lips as the
woman leaned in.�

The demon was unsure of her
condition.� His blood was boiling and his
skin was on fire yet he was not burning.�
The kiss had surprised him and had brought forth emotions that the stoic
male had suppressed in the past.

He turned quickly sensing the
inu-hanyou.� The girl was still paralyzed
from her trance in his arms.� �I have to
say that I was wrong about you.�� He
grinned.� �I thought that you would be
the last one to sympathize with humans�but it seems I was wrong.��

The prince growled.� �You do not know what you saw.�� Kagome�s actions were questionable but there
was something else she was experiencing and Sesshoumaru could not write off the
possibility of Naraku�s influence.

�My eyes do not lie to me.�� He spit back.�
�Do not lie to me.� What the hell
is going on?� Are you seducing her?�

�I do not need to seduce anyone.�

�Are you going to answer my
question?�� He stared hard at the demon,
not backing down.� He needed answers.�

�Meet me in an hour near the God
Tree.�� The prince turned with the woman
in his arms as he headed for the cave.�
Inuyasha knew where they were staying.�
Sesshoumaru assumed that the hanyou had followed Jaken when he had
picked Rin up at the human village.� �Dammit.�� With his brother breathing down his back,
Sesshoumaru would be distracted if Naraku were to attempt to get the jewel.� �I will
deal with Inuyasha.�

When the duo neared the hollow
cavern, they were greeted by a young girl.�
Rin bounced into the clearing.� �Sesshoumaru-sama!� Nee-chan!�� She jumped
into his path.� �What�s wrong with
Nee-chan?�� Her eyes held a fear that he
had not seen in a long time.

�She�s just sleeping.�� The child had the stench of other human
children on her, he would have to make sure she had a
bath before they retired tonight.

�Lord Sesshoumaru-sama, Lord
Sesshoumaru-sama!�� Jaken shouted as he
came running out.� �What happened?�

�Jaken, have you finished all of
the preparations?�

�Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru-sama, just
as you requested.�

He nodded and walked inside.� The palette was on the far side of the
burning fire.� Cooking food wafted over
the heat and to his nose.� He rounded the
pit, laying Kagome gently on the pile of hay and furs.� He stared at her for a moment.� �What
had happened?� Was Kikyou involved in
this?�� It was no coincidence that
Inuyasha was there.� He sighed
inwardly.� He stood.� There was other business to attend to
now.� Turning the dark lord met Rin and
Jaken�s eyes.� �Stay here.� Jaken, do not let Kagome or Rin out of your
sight.� I will be back shortly.�

�Yes milord, but where are you
going?�� The toad stuttered as he hobbled
after the taller demon.� His silent
response flustered the youkai as Sesshoumaru disappeared.

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

Kagome had woken shortly after the
prince�s departure.� Her head still hurt,
but Rin�s cheery disposition and the warm food waiting for her eased the last
traces of pain away.� When she asked
about Sesshoumaru, Jaken had told her that he left in a hurry, saying that he�d
be back and to stay put.� She huffed but
understood his reasons.�

Several hours passed, Kagome began
to get anxious.� She quickly rose.� Sesshoumaru had left in such a hurry earlier
that she was unsure of where he could have disappeared to but her feet carried
her away and Kagome followed.� The faint
cries of Jaken and Rin died as her steady breathing overtook her senses.� After a few moments, the woman recognized
that she was on her way to the Goshin Boku.�
There was a rustling and loud banging as she closed the gap to the open
field.� Faint memories rose to the
surface�� �This seems so familiar� like I have been here before.�� She held her breathe when she topped the
hill.

Sesshoumaru rushed the hanyou who
used Tetsusaiga to block the blow.� He
growled in frustration.� �What the fuck where you doing?�� He had let his anger get the better of him,
his youkai blood boiling with built up rage.�
�I warned you to not touch what was mine.�

Inuyasha grunted.� �Keh, I was under the
impression that a human mate was below you, Sesshoumaru.�� The name dripped from his tongue like venom.

A flash crossed the prince�s eyes
before he brutally assaulted him again.�
Kagome�s descending scent caught his nose, yet he did not relinquish the
upper hand.� She would not distract him
this time. �Her blue orbs caught silver
hair in the moonlight as the brothers fought.�
�Sesshoumaru!� her voice full of fear and anguish.� �What
is he doing?�� She ran down the hill,
slipping on the wet grass.� The woman
picked herself up and continued toward the duo.�
�Please stop this!�� The two
continued to fight as she fell again.� �Inuyasha, please!�
Stop this!�� Kagome looked
helplessly from one to the other.

He put his weight into the swing
and managed to slide his brother a few feet away.� �He won�t listen to anything you or I say,�
he spoke as he landed next to her.� He
gently pushed her away from him.� �Get
back to the village where it is safe.�

Sesshoumaru growled.� �Are you deaf half-breed?�� His eyes flashed blood red at the contact he
had witnessed.� �I told you to keep your
filthy hands off of her.� Is it not bad
enough that you have already tainted one miko?�

The statement sent Inuyasha off the
deep end.� �What fucking right do you
have to judge me? �You don�t know
anything!� he screamed as he blindly charged the figure.

The demon grinned, humans were so
easy to manipulate.� He was simply able
to dodge the swing.� Kagome�s cry caught
both of their attention.� �Please!�� Tears flowed down her flushed skin.� Images of the God tree filled her mind.� Desires, fears, destruction and determination
filled her soul.� She did not want to see
any one hurt anymore.�

The taiyoukai laughed again.� �Were you too blind to see that you were both
being manipulated by Naraku?��

The half demon growled.� �Fuck you.��
Anger filled his blood as he readied Tessaiga, �Kongosoha!�

A tremendous fear filled
Kagome.� Her whispered cry was deaf as
the sound of the energies echoed throughout the atmosphere.� Her feet carried her to Sesshoumaru�s side,
crying his name.� The woman�s face was
stained with tears as light engulfed them.�

He could do nothing as he watched
the stupid woman run into the path of his attack.� He screamed her name with a few obscenities
as he ran down the torn path.� Suddenly a
brilliant violet aura flooded to him.

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

AUTHOR�S NOTE:

God, finally done!� Took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r!� Lol.� I had a lot of
problems with this chapter.� There are
probably still typos but I did not feel like waiting for the beta to read it so
I posted it now.� Expect a revised
version a little later�..within a week.�
Promise!� If you have any comments
on the storyline, please let me know.�
That was one of my problems.� ^^

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- 7
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The Gates of Heaven & Hell