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Midsummers Eve	By : NovaAlexandria Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 15740 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: : I do not own Inuyasha, or it's plot, characters, etc. etc. However, this storyline in mine. Nor do I make a profit

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
Chapter 8

Confrontation

"Kagome was kidnapped by Naraku?" Miroku asked to reconfirm what Sango had told them.

"Yes." Sango answered as they raced towards Mt. Sentera.

Kouga and Inuyasha ran in the lead with Miroku, Shippo and Sango following on Kirara.

Inuyasha was being strangely silent. He hadn't said a word after Sango's report, simply standing up and heading towards the mountain. He ignored Kouga's barbs, ignored Shippo's ranting antics about how Kagome could already be dead, and seemed to be thinking deeply, something that disturbed the others.

"Sango?" Inuyasha called back to her, his voice calm, startling the others.

"Yes, Inuyasha?"

"Why do you have Toukijin and Tensaiga?" Inuyasha asked, not even hesitating in his running nor looking back at her.

Sango had left that part out of her tale.

"Naraku told Sesshomaru to come unarmed and alone, but never said anything about us showing up and giving him his weapons back. I'm playing caretaker until then." she answered.

"And how much longer do you think you can control Toukijin?" Inuyasha asked.

Sango blinked at him. So far she hadn't had any trouble, but then again the sword was strapped to her back and she hadn't actually physically touched it.

"I haven't had any problems, or any thoughts of killing you, so I must be fine as long as I don't hold the sword. Besides, I can handle anything if it will kill Naraku." she said firmly.

Inuyasha just nodded his head and continued on in silence, the mountain raising up before them. Kouga also ran silently, haven given up on trying to get some sort of reaction out of Inuyasha. His mind was now concentrated on Kagura, and what he was going to do to the woman who had dared to kill so many of his kin. That and rescuing Kagome of course.

　

　

The mountain was silent as he walked calmly up the trail leading to an old hunter�s cabin. Naraku's markers could be clearly seen and the hanyou would pay for ever drop of blood he had spilt from Kagome to cover the red strips with. Even blind he could have followed the trail, the scent of her blood causing his own to stir in anger that the hanyou had dared to harm her. No one took or damaged something that belonged to him, rather he desired it or not.

The cabin came into view, a simple dwelling with smoke rising out of the chimney. The scent overwhelmed his sense of smell, giving him a slight headache and confusing his senses. He let none of it show as he walked towards the cabin, slow and steady as if in no rush.

He stopped when someone appeared in the doorway. All he could see was a shadow, his sense of smell unable to pick up the person's scent beneath the smoke, which was starting to give him a migraine.

"Sesshomaru-sama. How nice of you to come, and unarmed I see," came Naraku's voice from somewhere.

"Naraku," he said simply.

"I trust you are willing to listen to my demands, seeing as how you mate, your unborn child, and your wards lives are all in my hands."

"You assume I care for them. A human child, a mate taking only in Midsummer's heat, and a hanyou child the world would be better off not seeing. You presume much of this Sesshomaru, Naraku."

Naraku's laughter came from all around him. His senses strained to find where Naraku was hiding, but he was having a hard time with the smoke clogging and confusing them. His headache was worsening, his eyes and nose were burning from the putrid smell. He let none of it show.

"You care not at all for your mate? Not even a little?" Naraku asked, chuckling.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. Where was Naraku taking this conversation? It was all just pointless bickering, but why? Naraku had to be up to something. But what?

"She is nothing more than an item I was saddled with due to the heat of Midsummer's Eve that honour demands I cannot kill, nor permit to be killed," he answered coldly, his head swimming.

Naraku chuckled again. "There you have it my dear. You are nothing but a useless object to him. An unwanted bed warmer that can never produce children he would care for."

The smoke from the house swirled up and around them before creating a dome. He couldn't help but to cough a little as it stung his lungs, eyes and nose. Now that the house was somewhat clear he caught sight of who had been standing in the doorway.

"Kagome!" he realized, slightly surprised.

Her eyes were hard and cold as she faced him, a bow poised in her hands with an arrow aimed at him. Never before had he ever seen her so cold and distant and it bothered him for some reason. Not in all the times she had fired an arrow at him while he was fighting Inuyasha had she ever stared at him with such cold anger.

"Die, Sesshomaru," she said simply as her arrow was released.

He barely had time to notice it as it flashed with purifying energy towards him. His senses were shot from the strange smoke. He jumped aside, but the arrow still managed to graze his left side, burning it and drawing blood.

He hit the smoke dome, and nearly lost consciousness as he inhaled a large amount of it. He coughed and choked as he landed again, his senses all but gone now. It was pure instinct that he dodged to the side, another arrow tearing a hole in the fabric of his left sleeve. Had he still had his arm, the arrow might have hit it!

He tried to blink his eyes to clear them, the smoke making them water as his headache worsened. It felt like a thousand hammers were slamming into his skull and his vision was very blurry. He stood up and tried to find her, all but blind, deaf, and scentless.

He caught another flash, but this time he wasn't able to dodge it in time. He snarled as her arrow tore into his right leg, causing it to buckle and he fell to the ground, completely disorientated. The arrow burned and he tried to remove it, but a purifying barrier prevented his hand from touching it.

"Kagome," he snarled. "Stop it."

"It is what you deserve you raping, murdering bastard. I was a fool to even think for a second that you might have learned to live with your despicable action. I had even gone so far as to forgive you for it, blaming you blood and the time. I was even stupid enough to think that, in time, I might have meant at least something to you, if not a lover than at least a friend.

"A fool four times over I am. I should have known you would be no different than either Inuyasha or Kouga, seeing me as only a way to increases your power. Kikyo had it right. Prepare to die Sesshomaru, and may the world be a better place for it."

While she ranted at him, he tried to regain his senses. He crawled back to his feet, putting his weight on his left leg and leaned back against a tree. His eyes cleared just long enough to see her fire another arrow, a look of pure hatred on her face.

His eyes widened as pain flared in his right shoulder. He felt his world slipping away.

"Kagome�. I do not�. see you�. as an�.. item� to be�. Possessed," he managed to get out as his world darkened.

He felt like he was falling, not in death, but sleep. She sealed him, he realized as his world darkened. Naraku had told her to kill him, but she had not! Why? She couldn't love him. She hated him for what he had done to her. Perhaps she had forgiving him and truly did want to try and work things out.

No. That was a foolish thought, even if it was a pleasant one. For some strange reason he suddenly understood how Inuyasha must have felt fifty four years ago when Kikyo had betrayed him, tricked by the very same hanyou that had caused his mate to seal him.

"You would have thought the bastard would have thought of something new?" he thought unamused as he lost full consciousness.

　

　

"There!" Sango shouted as she pointed at the smoke dome ahead of them.

Shippo's eyes rolled to the back of his head as the smell of the smoke hit him. He fell off of Miroku's shoulder and to the ground. Kouga and Inuyasha were covering their noses, the smell affecting them as well. They came to a stop and Kirara de-transformed, mewing pitifully as the smell overcame her as well.

Sango recognized the scent. It was a smoke used to hunt powerful youkai with a strong sense of smell. It was ineffective against humans, but almost deadly to youkai.

"We'll have to leave them and go on," Sango said, not liking the idea but not seeing any other choice.

She checked on Kirara and Shippo before hiding them under some bushes and running to catch up to the others, Kouga and Inuyasha both starting to cough from the smell, but were far too stubborn to give up.

Blades of wind smashed into the ground before them, causing everyone to jump aside at the last second.

"Kagura!" Kouga snarled.

"Ookami," Kagura greeted coldly.

"Kagura, get out of my way. You know I can kill you with one swing of Tetsusaiga," Inuyasha said calmly, not even bothering to draw the blade.

"I can't. I am being watched," she said simply as she pointed to the giant hornets flying nearby.

"Inuyasha, go. I'll deal with Kagura," Kouga snarled.

"Keh," Inuyasha snorted as they ran on, leaving the ookamiyoukai to fight the wind witch who had killed so many of his kind at Naraku's command.

Kagura tried to whip her fan out at them to stop them, but Kouga leapt up and threw a punch at her, causing her to back away in a hasty retreat and call her attack off. The others continued on, leaving Kouga alone to fight with his most hated enemy.

The dome of smoke came closer. Inuyasha's eyes and nose were burning, a headache beginning to blossom. He ignored it, thinking only of getting to Kagome. The last week had giving him time to think about their relationship and he was shocked at what it had revealed to him.

She was right, he had realized grimly. He saw her as a replacement for Kikyo, and it had hurt him when he came to that conclusion. How could he have been so stupid? She was the best friend he had ever had, his first friend to be specific. She had loved everything about him for him.

Looking back he knew he could never love her for her, not with the shadow of Kikyo between them, a shadow he knew would always be there. No, he loved and valued her as a friend, a friend he didn't want to lose. His best friend. His first friend.

He snarled as he forced himself closer to the wall of fog, surprised when it started to dissipate. He grounded to a halt, pulling out Tetsusaiga and holding it ready. Miroku held his staff ready as Sango got Hiraikotsu ready to throw.

A figure became visible, then another. The fog blew away on a gust of wind and they stared in shock at what they saw before them. Kagome stood with her bow in her hand, her stance suggesting she had just fired it.

Pinned to a tree was Sesshomaru, one arrow sticking out of his right leg, another out of his right shoulder. He appeared to be unconscious, or sleeping. Blood was dripping from a wound in his side and stained his white clothes scarlet.

"Kagome-sama!" Miroku cried.

Kagome turned to face them, her look of rage melting to shock as she spotted them.

"Inu�. yasha?" she questioned, confusion in her voice.

Her eyes suddenly hardened as she drew another arrow.

"You left me with him," she snarled at him. "You knew the dangers of Midsummer's eve and didn't even escort me to safety. You knew Sesshomaru was in the area. There was no way you could not have known. You deliberately handed me to him so you would have no more obstacles between you and Kikyo!" She roared, firing an arrow at him.

The arrow flashed in purifying power even as it raced towards him. He stood rock still, shocked beyond belief. Sango jumped in front of him and blocked it with Hiraikotsu. It held up for a few minutes, than shattered, sending her flying backwards into Inuyasha.

The arrow, now spent, dropped to the ground.

　

　

She couldn't think straight. Her mind was in a black fog. She could hear and see everything, but she couldn't think coherently. Her world was covered in a haze of red hate. She saw him standing before her, weak and unable to efficiently defend himself.

She remembered every evil thing he had ever done. She remembered as he tried to kill her with his poison, how he had tried to kill her best friend. She remembered all the times he had attacked them.

"Yes. He is evil. He raped you. Forced you to mate with him. Took away your virginity. Got you pregnant with a child he despises. He denies you your freedom of thought or action. You are a puppet to him. A plaything to parade before the other lords."

She fired her arrow. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew what she was doing was wrong. That the voice was wrong about everything. Yes, he had taken her that night, painfully and against her will, but that had merely been instinct. Did you punish an injured cat for scratching you while treating it? Of course not.

Still, that reasoning was far away. She knew only rage and a need to kill. She fired a second arrow, hitting him in his leg. He collapsed. She drew another arrow. She was quivering by now. He was helpless before her. She could kill him.

She held her shot though, that little nagging voice was back. She fought with herself, knowing that killing was wrong, that it wasn�t her. She couldn't kill him. It was wrong.

"Kill him!" came the scream in her mind.

"I can't," she whimpered.

"Kill him. He hurt you and your friends. Tried to kill you all numerous times."

"It's wrong," she argued.

"KILL HIM!� the voice roared.

She fired her arrow. The voice laughed, than stopped when it realized she had not killed him. No. He was pinned to the tree, much like Inuyasha had been. The voice laughed louder, liking this change of events even more. There was something sweeter about it.

The dome of smoke disappeared, blown away by the wind now that there was no longer any need to hold it there. The taiyoukai was defeated. The smoke had done its work.

"Kagome-sama!" a voice called.

The voice in her mind grew silent as she turned her red hazed eyes towards the new intruders.

"Him!" the voice screeched in her mind. "The one who handed you over to your tormentor. The one who casts you aside over and over again for a dead woman."

Her anger reached a new level as she stared at Inuyasha, remembering all the times he had left her to be with Kikyo. All the times he had been rude to her and referred to her as a shard detector. All the times he had failed to protect her after promising to do so.

The words came out of her mouth without even thinking about them as she challenged him. She couldn't hear what she was saying, but his eyes widened in shock. She saw the arrow fire at him, and saw Sango jump in the way.

"No!" she screamed at the voice in her mind.

"Let her die," the voice ordered coldly.

"Never. Sango-chan is like a sister to me. She has never done anything to hurt or harm me in anyway. Get out!" she roared at the voice in her head.

　

　

Naraku felt the power feeding painfully back into his mind. Snarling, he gave her one last push before being forced out of her mind. He opened his eyes as he lost control of her. He had achieved most of what he desired anyhow.

Smiling, he stood up and left the safety of his mansion, heading where Kagome had pinned Sesshomaru to a tree. By the time he got there Inuyasha and the others would be miles away, chasing down Kagome. More than enough time to find and absorb the taiyoukai and his powers.

Such a power boost; such pure, powerful youkai blood might just finally destroy the lingering traces of that wretched Onigumo. Then again, perhaps with a few corrupted jewel shard he could control the taiyoukai. Such a powerful slave would most certainly suit his needs. He could always absorb the taiyoukai later.

He came across the tree soon enough. He approached the pinned Taiyoukai, chuckling in amusement at the sight before him. It looked as if Sesshomaru was merely sleeping, granted with two arrows stuck in him.

"Ah, Sesshomaru-sama, to be laid so low by a mere human woman. How insulting to one as prideful as you."

"She is my mate. This Sesshomaru would not lose control to any just any mere human."

Naraku stared at Sesshomaru in surprise as the taiyoukai opened his eyes to glare at him. Naraku could tell the inuyoukai was struggling to stay conscious, but found it astounding the Western Lord could awaken at all so soon after being sealed.

"A pity," Naraku sighed. "Awake I dare not attempt to control you. I regret that I will just have to kill you instead."

Naraku drew his blade. Sesshomaru attempted to reach for Toukijin, but couldn't move enough to get to the blade, not that it mattered since it was not there. He had given it to Sango to carry for him. He suddenly cursed himself for his stupidity.

Naraku chuckled as he advanced, raising his own sword for the killing stroke and bringing it down, only to be flung back by a bright barrier that flared up around the pinned youkai.

"What?" Naraku snarled.

Sesshomaru almost widened his eyes in surprise too, but managed to suppress it at the last moment. He had truly thought he was going to meet his end and had meant to go with head held high and eyes devoid of fear.

He looked to the arrow in his chest as it pulsed, than looked up to see her. Her eyes were glazed over in a rage he had never seen before and was silently glad was not aimed at him. Even he would have felt a quiver of fear as her power pulsed around her.

"Naraku," Kagome challenged coldly.

Naraku spun around to face her, surprise written all over his features. Kagome positively glowed with purifying powers. It crackled around her in purifying waves. Sesshomaru had not felt this much power coming from her since Midsummer's Eve.

"Did you truly think I would kill him? Did you truly think you could turn me against him so easily? I know your schemes Naraku." She challenged coldly. �If you knew anything about me you would know that I am no killer.�

Her friends stood beside her. Inuyasha had Tetsusaiga drawn and ready. Miroku had his hand on the cover of his beads. Sango held her katana, her back up weapon, ready. Kagome stood with an arrow aimed straight at him. Kirara roared in her full size with Shippo standing next to her, little hands clutched in fists.

　

　

Kagome ran, as was Naraku's last power driven order. She made it a fair distance before Inuyasha caught up to her and brought her down. She thrashed against him until she finally regained control of her senses.

Her mind numbed in horror as it replayed the events of what Naraku had forced her to do. She thought of firing at Inuyasha, of how Sango had jumped in the way, her weapon being destroyed by her purifying arrow. She thought of how she had pinned Sesshomaru to a tree when and helpless at the time due to Naraku's smoke, leaving him defenceless. Most of all, she thought of what Sesshomaru had said to her before the sealing spell had taking him.

　

"Kagome�. I do not�. see you�. as an�.. item� to be�. possessed."

　

That statement ran through her mind over and over. The look of pleading for her to understand that had briefly flashed in his eyes tormented her. For once, he had not been in control of a situation and she had no doubt in her mind it had frightened him.

He never said he cared for her, just that he didn't see her as a possession. For some strange reason, that comforted her a little, made her feel more human. Perhaps he didn't despise her for what had happened after all.

He had yet to get truly angry with her. Not once had he shot her down, even when she had made mistakes, and had even complimented her on her successes. And not once after Midsummer�s Eve had he forced her to mate with him, as would be expected of her as her station as his mate.

"Kagome!" came Inuyasha's frantic cried, breaking her out of her thoughts.

Her mind snapped aware, looking up at Inuyasha, who was straddling her and shaking her, a look of terror and worry on his face.

"Inuyasha. I am alright now," she said calmly.

A look of relief crossed his face as he got off of her and helped her up. She allowed him to. The moment she was off the ground he had her in a tight embrace.

"I am so sorry," he whispered to her, taking her by surprise. "You were right. I did know Sesshomaru was in the area, but I never figured he would lose control. I knew he cared nothing for humans and figured he would leave you alone. His quarrel had always been with me and he hasn't been all that interested in fighting with us in a long time," he admitted.

She looked at him stunned, her emotions raging from surprise to anger.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked calmly.

"I didn't think you would honestly be in any danger from him. Please, forgive me."

She looked at him, studying his face. She could see the pain in his eyes. He truly was sorry. So sorry he was in pain. He had made an error that had cost her her life and freedom. She could never be the free spirited woman he had met four years ago. Her innocence had been violently stolen from her and her future taken.

"Inuyasha," she smiled at him warmly, a smile he realized he had missed. "I forgive you."

Her head snapped up suddenly.

"I feel a jewel shard, no, I feel the jewel. Naraku is nearby. Sesshomaru!" she shouted. "He's defenseless. If Naraku absorbs him there will be no stopping him."

"Get on," Inuyasha ordered.

She jumped onto his back as they raced back the way they had come, passing a surprised Miroku and Sango, who had tried to keep up with a running Inuyasha and Kagome. Both houshi and taijiya turned around and followed them, demanding to know what was going on.

"Naraku is nearby," Kagome answered, not going into further details. "It is good to see you again." She smiled as she looked back at her two running friends.

Miroku smiled back. With a roar, Kirara and Shippo suddenly joined them, having recovered from the intoxicating smoke that no longer filled the area. Miroku and Sango jumped onto the nekoyoukai's back and Inuyasha picked up the pace even more as they rushed back to the clearing in a race against time.

They burst into the clearing; Kagome staring in shock at what she saw. Sesshomaru was awake! Somehow he had overcome her sealing spell!

"Well, he is a taiyoukai. If Inuyasha could overcome Kikyo's arrow, than overcoming mine must have been easy for someone of his power."

Naraku held his katana ready to strike. Kagome felt her anger rise and raised a shield up around Sesshomaru, using her arrow as a focus. She drew an arrow to her bow and aimed it at the surprised hanyou.

"Naraku," Kagome said coldly, catching his attention.

Naraku spun to face them, a look of surprise on his face.

"Did you truly think I would kill him? Did you truly think you could turn me against him so easily? I know your schemes Naraku."

Naraku actually looked scared. Kagome was dimly aware she was cackling with power and that Inuyasha had taken a step away from her to avoid being burned.

"Step away from my mate," she said coldly.

Sesshomaru looked at her in surprise, as did her friends.

"Kagome. I was under the impression you would be pleased to see him dead. It would set you free."

"I am not so dishonourable as to wish my mate dead, even if I don't agree with the ceremony used," she said coldly, her arrow never wavering an inch. "Last chance Naraku. Step away from Sesshomaru."

He was tempted to try her, but something in her eyes told him it would be wiser to retreat. She was glowing with purifying energy. It crackled around her and was visible even to Sango and Miroku. She was furious.

Naraku was wise enough to step away from the taiyoukai. He was outnumbered at the moment. Snarling, he unleashed his jakai in a cloud of black smoke. Everyone instantly covered their eyes and noses.

Kirara, with Miroku, Sango, and Shippo, flew up and away from danger. Kagome, on the other hand, rushed towards Sesshomaru, erecting a barrier around them and purifying the jakai trapped with them.

"Are you alright?" she asked as Inuyasha joined them, having gone forward instead of back, worried about Kagome.

A simple nod of his head was given in answer.

"Keh. Now you know how it feels to be pinned to a tree by a human," Inuyasha commented with a giant smirk, trying to lighten the mood.

Kagome glared at him and he offered a devilish smirk in return. She chuckled, unable to hold it back, than burst into laughter. It felt good to let it out. It lightened the mood considerably.

"Inuyasha," she scolded, though it wasn't serious.

"You going to leave him pinned there forever or what?" Inuyasha asked. "He could always wait fifty years for your reincarnation to come free him," he chuckled, rather liking the thought of gloating over his brother for fifty years.

Kagome sighed as she reached up to grasp the arrow. As had happened four years ago when she released Inuyasha, the arrow disintegrated in a flash of light. Sesshomaru collapsed to the ground. She gasped as she knelt next to him, all but ripping his blood stained shirt off to look at his injuries.

The wound to his side was still dripping blood as the wound in his shoulder oozed it. She removed the arrow from his leg as well, having to cut that one�s head off with Tetsusaiga and pull it out, resulting in even more blood going everywhere.

"I do not require your assistance," he said gruffly as she tended his injuries.

"It is my duty to see to my lord�s health," she said calmly. "You would not wish for me to shirk my duty and ruin my honour, would you?" she asked, locking her gaze with his.

He didn't answer, but did nod his head in agreement.

"Inuyasha, is my bag still here and did you bring it with you?"

"It's at our camp."

"Go get my first aid kit," she ordered.

He nodded his head and bolted off.

Sango, Miroku, Kirara and Shippo returned.

"Miroku, set up wards in a twelve metre radius around us. Shippo, go gather wood for a fire. Kirara, go with him. Sango-chan, I require your assistance."

"Right. Kagome-sama, what of Kouga?" Miroku asked

"Kouga-kun?" she asked confused. "He was here?"

"He was fighting Kagura," Shippo answered.

She concentrated and found the presence of two jewel shards nearby that were moving slowly.

"He's over there. Sango-chan, can you go find him?"

"Of course," Sango said as she headed off in the direction Kagome had pointed.

Finally, she was alone with him. Without hesitation, she managed to get the rest of his clothes off, searching every inch of him for further injury before shredding his shirt to use as makeshift bandages. It was covered in blood and ruined anyhow.

She wasn't at all embarrassed at his lack of clothing; she was used to it by now.

"I'm sorry," she apologized softly.

"You were not at fault," he assured her.

"I should have fought his control stronger, but the things he whispered in my mind were hard to refute," she said sadly, tears threatening to spill as she tore up his shirt.

"What did he say?"

She grimaced as she kneeled beside him, waiting for Inuyasha to get back with her medical supplies.

"He said the truth, in a way. He pointed out how you raped me and forced me to mate with you. How you took ripped away my innocence and knocked me up with a child you will despise. He said you see me as nothing more than a possession to flaunt before the other lords and that you deny me my freedom of thought or action. He used just enough truth to make it seem real," she answered, her voice sounding strained.

"What do you mean?" he demanded coldly.

"Midsummer's Eve�.you had no control. It was partially my fault as well. You were holding out fine until I foolishly bolted. I should have held still, I knew better than to move. Inuyasha knew you were in the area and he should have warned me. You were no more responsible for our mating then I was, or Inuyasha.

"I know I am not a possession to flaunt to the other lords as they care nothing about a mere human, Miko though I may be. You do not deny me my thought, and only restrict my freedom, although you do this without realizing it. You expect me to live in a culture I know nothing about.

"You have displayed great patience with my bumbling and have never taking advantage of the fact that we are mated, despite the fact that I do not have to power to stop you if you truly wished to have me. And�..I do not think you will despise this child of ours, no matter the fact it well be a hanyou. I will only live for fifty so odd years. You can always have a full blooded child after I am dead to take as your heir."

　

　

He was honestly stunned. For once in his life he was confused and frightened. She understood so much and had forgiven him for things he could not control when others would have held a grudge.

It was her last statement that had put him into shock. She expected to die and that after he would mate with a true youkai and produce his heir. Unlike other women, she didn't demand for it to be her child, technically his eldest, to be his successor, as so many other women seemed to do.

She was concerned about his own honour and pride over even her own. Her loyalty to him shocked him, despite the fact she should despise him. Many youkai in her position would have hated and feared him, trying to find any way to kill him off to be free of him, while many others would be all but climbing in his bed, trying to weasel away his power.

"Just rest and worry about getting your strength back for the moment," she ordered calmly.

"I do not need your assistance," he tried to deny.

Kagome gave an exasperated sigh.

"Just lay still," she ordered tiredly. "And wait until after I have treated those wounds."

"This Sesshomaru does not surrender to anyone," he said, trying to sit up.

She rested her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back down, finding it disturbingly easy.

"Well, this Sesshomaru is going to do as his Mate commands rather he likes it or not," she snapped at him in irritation.

"I have no time," he snarled. "Kanna has Rin's and Jaken's souls trapped in her mirror."

Kagome frowned in annoyance.

"I thought Inuyasha was the one without a thought process. Going after them now in such a weakened state is all but begging to be killed," she chided. "We will deal with Naraku soon enough. One of my arrows will release the souls. Would Tensaiga not be capable of the same? It worked when you used it on that giant nekoyoukai two years ago," she pointed out.

He blinked. It had never even crossed his mind to try. He could have gone back in time and strangled himself for having allowed his emotions to have clouded his mind so fully.

He was truly proud of his mate. After getting the jewel and wishing for her to be a full youkai, he would truly be the most powerful lord and his honour would be restored and even elevated. His eldest would be a full blooded taiyoukai and have astounding power.

"Kagome."

"Hmm?"

"We will find the rest of the jewel fragments and kill Naraku."

She smiled at him. Sango returned at that moment with a wounded Kouga. The ookamiyoukai was in rough shape, but it was nothing a bit of rest and bandaging wouldn't fix. Noticing Kagome's position, Sango tended to Kouga, ripping up the rest of Sesshomaru's shirt.

Shippo returned next with an armload of fire wood and set about setting up the fire as Miroku came back from setting his wards. Inuyasha was right behind them with Kagome's bag and a bucket of water.

Kagome smiled up at him as she took the bucket and her medical supplies and started to treat Sesshomaru's wounds. Not once did he make a sound to indicate how much pain he was in, but she could tell from the tightness of his mouth that he was in bitter agony.

Miroku, Shippo, and Inuyasha set camp and prepared something to eat. Sango returned Sesshomaru's swords to him, or rather Kagome, who refused to let him have them until tomorrow morning, knowing from dealing with Inuyasha that the taiyoukai would have recovered by then.

　

　

When Kagome was done treating his wounds, she moved behind him, took his head, and rested it in her lap. She brushed his bangs out of his face and he tried to move his arm up to stop the action, but the pain in his shoulder stopped him.

She noticed it and smiled, knowing it burned his pride to be seen so weak, especially in front of her friends, after such a little scuffle. The poison from the smoke and the purifying power from her attacks had drained his youki so low it was a wonder he was still awake. Once again he tried to sit up, only to be easy pulled back down by her, which severely worried her.

"Stubborn mule," she thought. "Inuyasha and Sesshomaru have more in common than they would care to admit," she had to stop a chuckle from that thought. "I have been obedient to you thus far, now it is your turn to be obedient to me," she said firmly. "Where I come from, mates are equal and so help me you are not moving a muscle until I say so. Are you going to surrender peacefully or am I going to have to get you a rosary as well?" she asked sternly.

He growled at her, wondering what a rosary had to do with anything and recalling a vague memory of a full youkai Inuyasha with a wall of fire between them and Kagome yelling 'osuwari,' followed by what has sounded like a thump coming from his brother. He had a feeling he was better off not knowing.

Apparently, she took that as a yes. He settled down again and took in her scent, letting it calm him and suddenly understanding why his brother had spent so much time with her. Somehow, her scent relaxed you no matter what the situation was.

While he hated to be in a camp with his brother, Inuyasha was showing surprising restraint. In fact, Inuyasha didn't seem overly upset over the fact that they were mated and hadn't screeched at him once about taking Kagome from him. It was very unnerving.

Kouga slept, Miroku leaned up against a tree and seemed to be lost in thought, every once in a while glancing up at them. Kirara was silent, but watchful of everything around them. Inuyasha was up in a tree, keeping a diligent watch over everyone. Sango tended to Kouga every once in a while.

Shippo, on the other hand, approached them carefully, clearly afraid of him, but clearly wanting to see Kagome.

"It's alright Shippo-chan. Sesshomaru-sama won�t hurt you," she smiled at him.

Shippo broke and ran to her, launching into her arms.

"Kagome. I was so worried," Shippo cried.

"Shh. I know. I was worried about you too."

"You were?" Shippo asked, wiping his tears away.

"Uh-huh. I was worried Inuyasha wouldn't protect you properly, or that you weren't getting enough food or sleeping right."

"Kagome," Shippo smiled, then nestled down next to her and fell asleep.

Sango came over with two blankets and kagome offered her a smile and thanks. She set Sesshomaru�s head down and wrapped the first on up to set under his head before wrapping the second one around him to keep him warm. She crawled in next to him, yawning lightly before going to sleep.

Her adrenaline had finally run out. Exhausted from the use of her miko powers, her mind battle with Naraku, her wild physical exertions, and the emotional drain from the day, she was out cold next to him in seconds, snuggling up against him for warmth.

Shippo also shifted until he was curled up in her arms. She rolled onto her side and hugged the kitsune close. It was an endearing sight and Sesshomaru knew she would never despise their child. That she would show it the same love as she did to Rin and Shippo. He continued to stare up at the tree branches above him.

He could have moved now, but knew she would awaken the moment he did. Sighing in sufferance, he closed his eyes and sought slumber. The monk�s wards would warn them of approaching danger and he didn't doubt for a second Inuyasha would be up all night.
- 7
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Midsummers Eve