Choice: Chapter 4 + Chapter 5

                                        Chapter 4: Shattered Eyes


‘Where in the world could those two be?’ Kagome quietly asked herself. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the tree, letting her mind wander. Her thoughts slowly turned back to the fear of being alone. The solitude that takes her back to the feeling of her body being torn and pierced, the fire that burned her lungs so she couldn’t breathe anymore. His laughing still reverberated in her minds eye taunting her. Tears fell down her face.

Gradually power started to build up around her to protect her against the invisible invader in her. Her mind screaming for help that the mouth could not. She felt the calming of someone’s hand on her arm, calling her name. “Kagome?”
Her eyes snapped open to see the red eyes of Kagura, concern etched on her face. Through blurry eyes she looked down at her arms that were cradled by Kagura, to see her whole body radiating with a warm pink light. “What happened?” Kagome asked more to herself then to anyone else.

Sesshoumaru stepped closer to her, his indifferent mask still on his face, slowly studying her. “You fell asleep again, when you got frightened you miko powers started to take over to protect you.” explained Kagura.

Kagome looked around to see the surrounding landscape burned from a burst of her powers. “How did you survive?” she asked her voice incredulous.

“Your powers only attack those you feel threatened by.” Sesshoumaru stated then continued in a more irritated tone. “Prepare yourselves he is almost upon us.”

“Who is almost upon us?” Kagome asked.

“Inuyasha.” Sesshoumaru only said the one name, but that was all she needed for her fear to exculpate. Kagura gave a reassuring squeeze on her arm. More silent tears fell down her face. ‘Inuyasha’

After a minute of waiting Inuyasha burst through the bushes Tetsaiga battle ready. He silently looked at them each in turn, then froze when his eyes met Kagome’s tear stained face. “Kagome?” he gasped and walked towards her only to have both Sesshoumaru and Kagura step in the path. Everything went still.

Sesshoumaru broke the silence when he spoke. “Little brother I think it’s time for you to depart.” His smooth silky tone broke Inuyasha’s shock.

“Like hell I am leaving my Kagome to you two monsters. I am taking her back, now get out of the way.”
Sesshoumaru and Kagura’s face twisted with disgust, as he had the gal to claim her. Kagura laughed distain staining her tone. “I thought you loved the undead Miko, half-breed.”

Kagome’s face went blank. ‘His Kagome, his! He left me to Naraku to save his beloved Kikyo. Then he waits till AFTER I am rescued to come after me!’ She was pulled from her mental rant by Inuyasha’s words.

“Kagome is coming with me. You have no right to have her, she’s mine, and I don’t plan on letting you hurt her any longer!” He took a step forward when he finished talking determined to take “his” Kagome.

Before either Kagura or Sesshoumaru could move they felt Kagome’s power building with her rage.

“How dare you.” She said he voice dangerously low “You call me yours yet you used me and then ran off to your clay pot. I stayed by your side yet when my life was on the line you saved, Kikyo a woman who has been dead for 54 years! I was tortured for days and where were you? WHERE WERE YOU?!” her powers jumped a notch with her words. “Kagura and Sesshoumaru saved me yet you call them monsters. You are the only monster that I see.”

“Kagome you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Inuyasha yelled out. “Don’t make me force you?” After that left Inuyasha’s lips both Kagura and Sesshoumaru took a defensive stance in front of Kagome.

Kagome took a deep claming breath and addressed the others “Inuyasha I am not returning with you I am staying with them. However if you continue this stupidity I will be the one you fight against, not Kagura and defiantly not Sesshoumaru.”

****************

Sesshoumaru turned to face Kagome while she spoke. Her eyes were void of emotion. Her power was rising to a dangerous level. Slowly her skin started to glow an iridescent pink.

“You want to fight me, Kagome? Don’t make me laugh, now come with me.”

‘I am surprised he is stupid enough to fight with her power at such a high level.’ Sesshoumaru thought as he and Kagura moved closer to Kagome as if they were drowned to her.

**********************

The hairs on Inuyasha’s nape stood on end. His instincts screaming at him that he was endanger but he couldn’t back down.
A warning shot of Miko energy rippled toward Inuyasha causing his skin to burn and his insides to twist. Before he could think he pulled Tetsaiga back and attacked “Kaze no Kazo.” Inuyasha instantly regretted it. ‘I just killed Kagome, again.’ First there was a bright light then nothing. Inuyasha peered through the smoke to see Kagome safely behind her barrier, with the others.
A light shot from Kagome towards Inuyasha, He closed his eyes and waiting for the impact, which never came. Cautiously he opened his eyes and peered at Tetsaiga to see Kagome’s power flowing through it, causing it to transform back right in front of his eyes.

Angrily he threw the, now useless, sword to the side and ran to pretend to attack Kagome, before the last moment when he switched his target to Kagura. The attack hit the barrier and was forced back at him.

“Inuyasha turn back now, and you may leave unharmed” came Kagome’s voice laced with power and another female voice echoing through it.

Inuyasha stood up bleeding from his “self” inflicted wounds looked Kagome in the eye. “No Kagome, you are coming back with me” his voice wavered toward the end “No matter what.”

“Well then it seems I have no choice.” Her voice infusing with her new build up of power. Show slowly raised her arms in front of her letting her power flow through the air.

Inuyasha instantly shied away from burning bright light. His lips curled up into a snarl as his stomach twisted with discomfort. Kagome’s blank eyes gradually turned a dull pink. That’s when all hell broke loose for Inuyasha. Before he knew what happened he was on the ground, with to perfect hand marks on his chest. Slowly he hoisted his torso off the ground with his arms to support him.

He blinked once, then twice, and stared disbelievingly at the scene in front of him. Now he knew that he was dead, because what he was seeing couldn’t be possibly be true. Sesshoumaru had just protected his life.

*********************

Sesshoumaru watch passively as the miko and his hanyou of a brother conversed.  It was only after she declared Inuyasha’s death did he understand her intentions. He felt her power rise but still doubted that she would continue with her declaration.

He stiffened when he felt her voice in his mind ‘I will no longer be the victim’ That’s when he knew he could not let her continue on her triad if he was going to use her any time in the future.

Kagome shot of at a speed that could rival his own. Her power drench hands slammed into Inuyasha’s body. All he could do was throw her away from him and hope that the damage wouldn’t be too permanent.

She whirled through the air before she righted herself, landing gracefully on the ground. To say that he was impressed by her little antics would be an understatement, but it was all easily concealed in his unmovable mask.

Many emotions passed through her eyes first there was confusion to why he had acted, then understanding, relief that she hadn’t killed, and finally rage for being stopped her perfect revenge. Slowly she moved her body back into attack position this time she had a different target. ‘hmmm… interesting. I think I’ll enjoy this.’ Sesshoumaru thought with a smirk.

Kagome’s face mirrored his own then she shocked him, “Enjoy? Oh, yes you will!” and she was off charging, she was at his face when he finally reacted.

He gracefully sidestepped her attack, as if it was nothing. “so you’re a mind reader now, miko?” he stated more than questioned. She just merely laughed and charge again this time disappearing from sight.

Sesshoumaru sensed her power building from behind but didn’t stop her. ‘The little miko thought she could play with him, so why not let her?’ An instant later her breath was on his neck as she spoke so soft that only he could hear. “Mind no, Emotions now that, that is a different matter all together.” She laughed as she yet again disappeared from sight.

Sesshoumaru didn’t know how to handle this new information. One side of his mind, the logical one, told him to cut his loses and just kill her, but the other side wanted to see how this would turn out.

Kagome soon got tired of her version of “Hide-n-Seek” and decided to turn to attacks. He had to admit she had more skill then Inuyasha could ever have, not to mention her techniques were extremely creative. The thing he like most was the fact she was playing with him like some little game.

They “played” for a couple more minutes, Sesshoumaru carefully concealing his amusement in his indifferent mask. He smirked for a mere second when she landed a blow to his right shoulder.

“Looky looky, that is one point for me, and zero for poor Sesshy.” Kagome said in a sing-sang voice.

She was about to land another blow when she stopped dead, her emotions erasing from her face, while her power slowly build up again.

“Inuyasha, I thought you would be gone by now.” She shrugged “either way I guess I will have to repeat my show for you.”

Inuyasha face turned red. “What the hell Kagome!? What do you think you are doing?” confusion seeped through his
voice.

                                      Chapter 5: Blood is thicker than water


“What the hell is my problem well let me think… First I was captured in battled, then left behind so a dead women could be saved because, Kami forbid that anything happen to her. Thirdly I was tortured for days on end. And finally when I get saved, and try to heal you come bursting through the trees like you own me.” Kagome said.

Inuyasha opened his mouth but faltered when he couldn’t think of what to say. ‘She was right, what could he say to that?’ Inuyasha asked himself. He barely noticed when her power faltered, it was enough to attack, but he couldn’t. Not now after all they had been through and all she had been through alone.

The closer he looked at her fast the better he could see the dark circles under her eyes. ‘She was exhausted, she must be over using her body and her powers, just to keep me away.’ Inuyasha couldn’t stop the waves of guilt that washed over him. He did the only thing he could he apologized.

At first he was met with silence, which was then broken by the sob that escaped from Kagome’s mouth. He wanted to go to her but knew she didn’t need, or want that right now. Hesitantly he just step back and sat down, he would wait for her to decide what to do next.

*******************

Kagome didn’t know what to do she was living off the anger of Inuyasha and here he was taking it all away. ‘Selfish Bastard’ she thought as she slowly lifted her body from the ground. She stared at Inuyasha he seemed so helpless waiting for her to forgive him. Well, she thought wirily he is going to be waiting for a very, very long time.

“I need to be alone.” Kagome said moving towards the tree line, she glanced at Sesshoumaru and Kagura before disappearing from site.

Kagura took this time to retreat as well, there was no reason in letting Naraku find out what she has been up to. No matter how entertaining the events that unfolded here today were, she still needed to keep up pretenses.

Taking a feather from her hair she looked at the stoic lord, who was stilling staring after the already gone Kagome. She smirked, and said her goodbyes easily drawing the Lord form his musings.

Soon only the Inu brothers were in the clearing. Sesshoumaru lifted his head toward his half-brother, taking in his obvious distress, serves him right it was after all his own stupidity that put him in his current situation.

“Inuyasha, it would appear that you companions have started making their way here. You should be wise and hold them off, if the miko wishes to return then she will if not, then stay. Understood” Inuyasha merely nodded in return to his brothers questions.

Satisfied Sesshoumaru glided after the young miko that had disappeared from the clearing.

*******************

Kagome could barely walk, her whole body stiff and sore from over use. She slowly made her way to the hot spring that was near the clearing. She needed to rest and be alone.

She sigh contentment as the steam rose off the water and wafted through the air. Kagome walked to the edge of the water and pulled off her borrowed kimono and easily slide down into the heavenly waters.

She dove in the water raking her fingers through her hair, loving the feeling of it running through her fingers. Only when the need for air became painfully aware she resurfaced and sighed. If only I could just stay like this forever, then I would be happy for life. Closing her eyes she let herself lean against the rocks on the banks and drift in a light slumber.

“You should have killed him. He left you for dead, didn’t even bother to try and save you, and when you thought you might make it through your pain he came and brought more. He doesn’t deserve his life, he is probably with that clay pot of a miko laughing at how easily fooled you are.”

Kagome let the tears fall from her eyes as her hands griped the hair, while shaking furiously trying to stop the voice. “I wont hurt you my little miko, all you have to do is say yes and I will make sure that you never feel the pain that He inflicted on you again. Just say yes”

“NO! Leave me alone I don’t believe you!” Kagome cried out. Her powers yet again arising to assault their imaginary opponent. Naraku’s laughter just increased as she tried fruitlessly to remove his presence from inside her. Tears trickled down her face, why couldn’t she just escape him?

A light appeared in front of Kagome, its calming presence drowning out Naraku’s evil one. Cautiously she opened her eyes, awed at the powerful presence in front of her. She reached her hand out to touch the light only to feel her hand glide through the air as if it was nothing.

“What are you?” she asked in a daze, the presence approached her slowly then she rather felt then heard it’s answer, “I am a spirit of your past. You no longer have to worry young miko of the shikon no tama, I will help guide and protect you. However first you must learned to trust in life once more before you can accomplish your task and return home.”

Kagome smiled at the spirit her first real smile since the whole ordeal happened. “Thank you, but how will I know what to do?” she asked her voice barely above a whisper. “Fear not my child, you will know when the time comes. Now you must rest and prepare for your journey ahead.” Kagome nodded at the spirit, and watch with awed fascination as the spirit entered her body, automatically destroying any trace of Naraku that had been there.

Kagome stood in the water and walked her way to where her borrowed kimono laid. She slipped into the heavenly fabric and smoothed over the wrinkles. She looked around and notice that she didn’t remember what direction she had came from. Huffing she sat down on a rock and decided to wait till someone comes to look for her.

Only after about five minutes of waiting, came in all his glory, the all mighty Lord Sesshoumaru. He looked around the area before turning to her again with a raised eyebrow. Annoyed Kagome just huffed saying “I didn’t remember how I got here, okay happy now.” With only a nod he turned on his heel and headed back to the clearing, leaving Kagome to follow after him.

When they were still out of earshot of the clearing, Sesshoumaru turned to look at Kagome. She stopped and asked, “What’s up Sesshoumaru, why did we stop?” He looked back in the direction of the clearing one more time before finally turning around to face her full on. “Your traveling companions, are waiting in the clearing, if you wish to avoid them, then we need to head in that direction.” he replied with his claw hand pointing west.

Kagome felt herself pale when she heard the mention of her friends. Of course she wanted to see Sango, Miroku, and Shippo; the only problem with that would be that Inuyasha and Kikyo will also be there. She didn’t know if she could trust herself around Inuyasha just yet. Looking past Sesshoumaru she could imagine her friends around a campfire, Miroku and his perverted ways, Sango keeping him in line, Shippo playing a trick on Inuyasha. Of course after Inuyasha is done beating on Shippo he will go to..... I am stopping right there I refuse to imagine what is going on in that campsite anymore. Looks like we’re going west!

“To the west!” Kagome said, marching past Sesshoumaru more then ready with leaving the campsite they had been occupying.

It was dark and Kagome still refused to stop, and rest. She knew that once they stop she would get sleepy, and once that happens then the nightmares will come again. Even if she has her own personal spirit savior, she wasn’t going to take a chance, not tonight.


******************

Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome through the corner of his eyes, as she yet again yawned. He was surprised that she hadn’t asked for a break since they left, but he also found her constant yawning annoying. He slowed down to a stop and turned to the frustrating woman-child. “Miko, we will stop her for now.”

Kagome’s head whip around to look at him. “What?! Why? We don’t need to I am not tired (yawn) and if we keep going (yawn) then we will get to where we need to go faster...(yawn) right.”

He just stared at her blankly. Why won’t she just rest already! “Miko, we will rest here to rest your human body, and to put an end to your constant yawning which is getting on this Sesshoumaru’s last nerve.”

“Well, I am so sorry, for being human, the next time I will try to constrain my self. Till then thou this Kagome will do whatever she damn well please!” Kagome practically yelled out. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes while Kagome’s eyes widened, her hands immediately covering her fly- away- mouth. She was pretty sure she just signed her death warrant.

Sesshoumaru, however, didn’t know what to think, he has never had some on os openly defy him, and human no less. Not for the first time today he wondered if what he had plan for this girl was worth the pain of keeping her alive. Unfortunately he thought that if my plan is to be successful then I will need the infuriating woman-child alive.

“Miko, I will ignore your stupidity for now, but the next time I will not be so lax next time. Now, we rest.”

It was a small clearing were Sesshoumaru had insisted they rest in. Kagome took a spot next to the fire, while Sesshoumaru merely laid against a tree face toward the sky.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Kagome woke in a cold sweat, another nightmare, only this time she was fighting Inuyasha with Naraku encouraging her to take the finishing blow. She slowly looked around the little makeship camp, the dieing flames cutting down on what she could see.

Getting up Kagome threw a couple more logs, and stroke the fire back into life. She turned and looked at her traveling companion, and really took in his features. His dark colored markings contrasted with his flawless pale skin, his features were sharp but graceful. He is probably the only man that beautiful actually fits, Kagome mused. The wind picked up a little, drawing her attention to the silk he called hair, oh how she just wanted to feel it run through her fingers.  

That’s when Kagome realized she had been walking towards the demon lord and was now only half an arms length away. Maybe since he is asleep, then he wont know that I even touched him, said the traitorous voice in that back of her head. She took another step forward and whispered his name, nothing. She said his name in her regular voice and still nothing. Figuring that she wouldn’t mind dieing just to be able to touch his hair, she let one of hers has gingerly run through the silken strands.

She gasped at the feel, she thought it looked of silk, but it felt better than silk. Kagome losing herself, and maybe even her mind, began to stroke his hair loving the way it felt. Kagome almost lost her balance when he moved, she began to panic, then realized that he was still sleeping. She sighed.

Letting her hand fall, having enough of a heart attack for one night, she caught the empty sleeve where his arm once use to be. Guilt overtook her when she knew that she was the cause of his discomfort. Kagome carefully placed both hands on his shoulder and started to concentrate her powers into Sesshoumaru.


*****************

Sesshoumaru tense as a strange feeling erupted in him, he snapped his eyes open to see the miko sitting practically in his lap, her hands on his shoulder. He could clearly see the pink glow from her hands, narrowing his eyes he threw the girl off him. Startling the girl silly.

“What do you think you were doing woman?” Sesshoumaru asked dangerously low.

Kagome whimpered at his harsh voice and answered in a whisper. “I just wanted to return your arm to you.” Slowly rubbing her sore back that had hit the ground with his reaction.

Sesshoumaru glared at her once more, for good measure, than rested his gaze on his new arm. He angrly got up and glared death at the girl. “What makes you think that I would want a ningen, miko no less, touch this Sesshoumaru in any way.”
Kagome could barely hold in the tears, as he thanked her for all her work with hate. “You know what I don’t need Inuyasha so I DON’T NEED YOU!” she screamed, before turning on her heels and running deep into the forest.

Sesshoumaru sighed. He hadn’t mean to be so harsh, its just that he fell asleep, which he never does, dreamt about her, so when he awoke to see her so close he didn’t know what to do. Then he say her hands, and thought ‘that’s what you get traveling with humans.’ He threw her off before he even knew what she was doing. sigh.

He slowly looked down at he knew arm, and inspected it. It was isn’t fake, he could barely see where the scare from where it had been severed was. She even had the stripes that rested on his wrists. He groaned as he realized he owed the girl, for this newly acquired arm.

^^^Meanwhile with Kagome^^^

Kagome sniffled as she replayed everything that had happened. Well nice work Kagome, that was a great plan... He had a right to be mad to a point. I mean I did just go to him while he was deep asleep to return to him his arm. He probably thought that I was trying to kill him why he was sleeping. Kagome sighed Well that’s one way to get him to like you. She thought sarcastically to herself.

“Damn insufferable Male Demons!” yelled Kagome very frustrated with her new situation. She jumped when a figure came out of the bushes in front of her. How could she have not felt a demon around her, a very powerful one at that.

“You know not all male demons are bad, my little pet.” came the silky voice, Kagome squinted he eyes to see him as he slowly walk into the moonlight. She gasped at the sight in front of her. He was tall, almost as tall as Sesshoumaru, with long red hair in a high pony tail. His eyes a bright blue, he was almost as handsome as Sesshoumaru, but his skin much darker hiding most of his demon markings. He also wore a kimono like Sesshoumaru only in black with red flames on the hem, and sleeves.

“W-who a-a-are you?” she asked the nervousness radiating off her in waves.

He grinned at the girl wolfishly “My name is Kanaye.” he boomed.

Kagome just nodded and mouthed “O”

“I am surprised that you are human. I have been looking for a mate for a while and when I felt your strong aura I knew to look no further.” Slowly Kanaye closed the gap that was between them. “Our kits will be strong with our combined powers.”

Kagome let what Kanaye was saying sink in there felt her heart jump into her throat. “I...I... don’t think that is such a good idea our children would be hanyous, and a great demon like yourself wouldn’t want to soil his line.” Kagome said trying to appeal to his mind and ego at the same time.

His grin grew as he brought his lips down to hers. Kagome trying to call her powers but realizing that she had exhausted them out on Sesshoumaru’s arm. So she did the only thing she could do bite. To say that Kanaye was surprise would be an understatement. He pulled back a licked his lips “Feisty, aren’t we. Oh how I am going to love dominating that fiery spirit.

He flipped Kagome on the forest floor covering her with his own body. He ripped open her ‘borrowed’ Kimono, and presided to take off his own. Kagome bucking wildly trying to break free. His hands pushed her shoulders back to the ground, while simultaneously slamming her head on the ground, stopping her struggles. Slowly he bent his head to her ears “Oh how I am going to love taking away your sweet innocents. Mate.” He whispered letting his jaki rise and surround them. Lowing his fangs to the juncture of her neck, he let his fangs sink deep within her skin allowing his jaki to flow through her and claim her as his own.

She screamed with all her might when she felt the teeth seep into her skin and his jaki invading her. This is how my life is going.... One torturous moment after the next! She thought bitterly, in one more final attempt at survival she did the only thing she could think of. She screamed for him, the devil incarnate.

“SESSHOUMARUUU!”

Not even a moment after she yelled his name did she feel Kanaye go limp on top of her. Then thrown unceremoniously to the ground away from her. Kagome slowly got up and readjusted her kimono and looked to her savior.

She couldn’t help herself, she ran to Sesshoumaru and hugged him with all her might. It was when the body that she was currently clinging to went stiff, did she remember just who she was hugging, and jump away like he was fire.

He just simply stared at her, while she nervously laughed and looked everywhere else. “Wow... I mean where did that come from?....hehe....I didn’t think you would come, I am glad ya did I kinda grew found of ya fluffy.” Kagome said in-between her nervous giggles.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow “Fluffy?”

She looked at him and smirked at his amused expression. “Well it suits you.... kind of.” her face turning twenty different shades of red.

Now he had been enraged when he saw that male youkia on her, then surprised when she yelled for him none the less. Then she hugged him, and now she was calling him fluffy. He inwardly sighed this girl was just to much sometimes.

“Well, um...thanks and all for saving me again.” Kagome said rather meekly.

“I was just paying back the debt for the arm, wench do not get the wrong impressions.”

Kagome’s face visibly fell at what he said, further confusing the demon lord until she went off.

“You know what this is all your fault. If you would get the stick out of your ass then maybe you would have appreciated that I spent most my energy returning your arm. Then I wouldn’t have ran off into the forest without weapons, my powers, and any direction and get attacked by an over zealous demon wanting to mate! Now you say not to thank you because you owe me well sorry for being thoughtful, something you know nothing about. Lets go!” and with that the very angry miko walk, and continue to the west.

Sesshoumaru just sighed and pinched his bridge of his nose, trying and failing to ward off the coming headache. I should have let the damn neko take her! He thought as he followed the young miko.