Passion

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

A/N: I want to thank the many, many people who reviewed this fic in the last few weeks. Thank you all so much! Especially to A. King, ME, ivorycoral, Anon, kinoko, Flightoffancy for your so lovely reviews! No, I haven't taken writing lessons, but I have twelve years of practice. And so far I haven't published anything, but I'm working on it.

A few words before the next chappie starts. Some people want Kagome to turn into a demoness, others don't want. I have to disappoint the first: she won't. It's not necessary. She's is absolutely perfect just the way she is now. Second: people wonder why she's not yet pregnant. Do you know that a woman is fertile only for four hours in her cycle?? That's not much. If you don't hit the time "¦ You get the idea. Actually, I'm quite surprised how many girls get pregnant on "first shot". Anyway, you'll get the baby soon. Can't say too much about it, though. Wait and see.


And now: enjoy!

Chapter XXII "“ Two Steps Closer


Kagome sat by the fire and gazed up into the night sky. The ink-black velvet above her head was bright with stars. Her companions sat around her, talking softly to each other, busy with their own matters.

She sat huddled on her sleeping bag, an extra blanket wrapped around her shoulders as protection against the chilly air. The fire was warm on her face and hands, and she welcomed its heat. Summer had given way to autumn, and the nights were decidedly cold now. Kagome often wished for her duvet. But more often she wished for a warm body close to hers that would protect her even better from the cold; from the cold of the early morning as well as from the cold of her lonely heart.

A silent sigh heaved her chest. For a moment Kagome closed her eyes. The quiet voices of her companions died away. The world faded until all she was aware of was her heartbeat.

Thirty-four days. It had been thirty-four days since she had last seen him.

Kagome opened her eyes and went back to gazing at the starry sky. She shivered in spite of the warmth of her blanket and the fire. But the cold came from inside, and nothing but his presence could warm her.

Thirty-four days. Kagome was sure she would soon go insane. She missed him so much. Every fibre of her body was aching. Every heartbeat was painful. She felt empty without him. Everything else had become unimportant but her need to see him, feel him again.

She had returned to the past earlier than she had planned. After her breath-taking realisations that she was not only married to her demon but also deeply in love with him, her stay at home had become unbearable. Being separated from him by five hundred years had been too much for her. So she had returned.

But it had not helped much. The pain of missing him had not lessened. It had intensified. Now it was not five hundred years that separated them but her mission and her own words. Knowing that he was somewhere near and that she only had to say one word to see him was almost too hard. Because she could not say the word.

Occasionally she thought she felt him. Sometimes she could have sworn he was near, was watching her. But she never saw him, and he never came to her.

Kagome lowered her head and rested her chin on her knees. Her eyes stared unseeingly into the fire.

Shard hunting had become decidedly difficult for her. She was barely able to concentrate on the feeling of shards. In addition to that they had not heard one single rumour about Naraku. He was clearly hiding somewhere, cooking up new sinister plans.

Inu Yasha's mood had been very foul indeed until they had, two days ago, got wind of a rumour about a demon possessing jewel shards. Now they were following these rumours, hoping they held at least a grain of truth.

It has to be true, thought Kagome as she watched the flames. I have to find the missing shards! I have to! And quickly! I don't know how long I can go on without Sesshomaru.

The voices of her friends were an indistinct hum in her ears. She let it wash over her, not trying to understand what they were talking about.

She had recently been feeling oddly distant from her friends. She could not remember when this feeling started, but she was aware that it had been growing for some time now. It was not that she did not like them or did not care for them anymore. She did, in a strangely detached way. It was just as if their fates did not concern her anymore. It was as if she was merely an audience to their play.

Sometimes she wondered if this was due to, or part of, the emotions Sesshomaru had predicted she would be experiencing.

"You will come because you cannot deny it any longer, because you can no longer stay away from me, because your life will simply no longer make sense."

And yet, she could not say that her life no longer made sense. There were still the tasks of collecting shards and destroying Naraku. They were her obligations, her sense in life. On the other hand, it was admittedly true that she felt she could barely stay away from him for much longer. She needed to be with him, or she would go insane.

Kami, she missed him so much! She loved him, yearned for him, wanted to be with him! But he was so distant that it hurt. It was a physical pain to be without him. The thought of him burnt inside of her, scorching her heart and her soul.

Yes, she mused, sometimes it feels as if all the emotions I once had for my friends were transferred to him. Which cannot be. I don't see how it could have happened. Besides, I still love them all, Sango, Shippo, Miroku and of course Inu Yasha! It's just "¦ She shrugged. Yes, it was just.

Kagome sighed and huddled deeper into her blanket. She felt wretched. She was in constant pain of missing her demon, and though thinking of him did not make it any better there was hardly anything else she thought of. He was forever in her mind, day and night. And it hurt.

Missing him so fiercely exhausted her body and spirit, and it strained her to hide this fact from everybody. She could not let them know she was not in her best condition. They would become worried and ask awkward questions she had no answers to.

In addition, she felt still harassed from hiding the marks on her body, although there was no real reason for her to fear. She had perfected her mask. The half-moon on her brow was hidden by a cover of water-proof make-up in the exact colour of her skin. So far, nobody had noticed she wore it.

The bite mark on her neck was hidden by a new shirt she had bought while at home. Its collar encircled her neck closely, and not even Shippo clinging to her shoulder could accidentally drag the cloth aside enough to reveal the scar.

But still she worried. When she was bathing with Sango and Shippo, she worried they would see the bite mark. When she changed clothes, she expected them to discover it. When she renewed the make-up, she trembled with fear someone would see her. And even though none of her friends had even commented on her new shirt, she felt strained from hiding her secret.

It hung like a dark cloud over her head. She might no longer feel as close to her friends as she used to, but nevertheless she felt guilty for having this secret. She had even once or twice had the urge to tell Sango everything, like she had told her friends in her own time, and chat about her man like millions of girls all over the world chatted about their boyfriend.

She wanted to tell someone. She wanted to share her feelings, her misery with someone who would understand her and soothe her. She wanted to relieve her stressed emotions. If she told someone, would it would become better? Maybe she would be able to bear the situation better as soon as she no longer had to keep the secret. If all her friends knew about it, this load would be taken off her shoulders.

Yes, she might feel better. But would that justify telling her friends?

Kagome looked up from the fire and let her eyes travel over the faces of her friends. Miroku and Sango, sitting closely together, involved in a serious discussion. Miroku's hands stayed surprisingly where they ought to be. Inu Yasha and Shippo were gesturing and grimacing, laughing at their jokes.

She sighed and bent her head. She had thought about telling her friends the truth. She had more than once thought about it. And it was not so much her dread of their reaction that had held her back each time. Of course she was nervous when she thought of their possible reaction, but what held her back was the very question: What good could it bring? And would it bring any good? Or would it only help her to relieve her guilty conscience?

Her eyes returned to Miroku's face. He was smiling at something Sango said to him, and she remembered that she was no longer alone with her secret. He knew it, too.

His hints and behaviour had indicated as much. It had worried her for some time, and she had kept wondering just how much he knew and what he would do now. One day now two weeks ago she had gathered her courage and intercepted him when he returned from meditating.

He had smiled at her when she had stepped out from behind a bush, yet this had done very little to relieve her nervousness.

"Miroku-sama, I "¦ I need to talk to you."

The monk stopped and looked at her enquiringly. She was standing in front of him, wringing her hands, not knowing what to stay exactly, only that she needed to know what he would do.

"Yes, Kagome-sama? What is it?"

"Miroku-sama "¦ You - You know, don't you?" she blurted out, blushing nervously under his gaze.

"If you are referring to your somewhat secret relationship with a certain youkai, then yes, I know," he answered finally.

Her worried eyes searched his. "H-how?"

He smiled kindly. "Dear Kagome-sama, I have eyes to see, and a little experience. I know how a woman reacts around a man she's attracted to. Besides, I'm less prejudiced than others."

Kagome's blush deepened and she looked away.

"And what "¦ what will you do now?" she whispered.

"What do you mean?"

"Will you "¦ tell them?"

Miroku regarded her for a moment, and then he shook his head slowly. "No. No, I won't tell anybody."

When she looked back quickly, a relieved smile on her face he added, "You should tell them."

Her smile fell. "I can't."

He nodded. "Well, it's you decision."

She cast him a cautious glance from the corners of her eyes.

"You are not "¦ angry with me? Or disgusted or something?"

That had really surprised him.

"Angry? Disgusted? Why should I be?"

She shrugged. "Well, he's a demon, and he's been our enemy for the longest time."

"Hm. Of course I can't say that I'm delighted with your choice or that I understand it. But then, I barely know him and I certainly can't judge if it's right or wrong. It is, after all, your decision. If you feel okay with it I'm not the one to tell you it's wrong."

"Thank you, Miroku-sama."

"Huh?" He blinked at her tearful eyes and watery smile.

"I "“ I was a little afraid you "¦ would see it "¦ well, differently," she said with a helpless gesture.

"Kagome-sama." He took her hands between his and held them tightly. "You are my friend. Actually, you are one of the very few people, and even less women, whom I call a friend. You were the one who invited me into your group. You may call me a pervert but you never lose patience with me and my "¦ er, antics. You accept me as I am "“ why do you think I would not treat you the same way? I don't say I understand your choice and I don't say I like it, but if it is your choice I shall accept it. I don't say I understand your behaviour and secrecy but again, it's your choice. I won't interfere. And whatever happens I'll always be your friend. Never think otherwise. And please, do stop crying. You're making me very nervous."

That elicited a little laugh from her, and she stopped crying. Miroku smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her against him.

"Thank you, Kagome-sama. I feel immensely better now," he said, gently teasing her.

Kagome opened her mouth to thank him again, but was interrupted by two angry voices.

"Miroku!"

"Get away from her, you perverted monk!"

Surprised, monk and miko looked up and had met the angry faces of demon slayer and hanyou. Kagome blushed, embarrassed at being found in such a situation and at a loss of what to say, but Miroku was as calm as ever, even in the face of Inu Yasha's snarling anger.

"Well, pervert, what've you been up to? Eh? Why were ya squeezing Kagome like that?"

"Oh, she has just agreed to bear a child for me and I was expressing my gratitude," Miroku said with an innocent smile on his face.

"What?!" Inu Yasha was about to explode. Sango looked torn between murderous and annoyed.

Kagome, more thankful than ever for Miroku, stopped the hanyou as he was about to attack. "Oh, Inu Yasha, stop it! Don't you see he's just kidding?"

Inu Yasha eyed the monk suspiciously. "Just kidding?"

Miroku cast a glance of fake hurt at Kagome. "Why, Kagome-sama, you wound me! You are a very cruel woman. I see now that you've only been playing with my heart."

Later, when Inu Yasha's wrath had died down, even he had been able to laugh about this, and nobody had shown any desire to ask what had really been going on between Kagome and Miroku.

Kagome smiled softly as she remembered that scene and felt another warm wave of gratitude for the worldly monk. He knew of her relationship and yet he did not think ill of her. He had promised to stay her friend, which had relieved at least one of her worries slightly.

But even though he knew it, she felt the burden of the secret weighing heavily on her. He had made it clear that he considered her silence to be wrong, which had added to her burden. Yet, she was still convinced that telling Sango, Shippo and Inu Yasha was not the right way.

Now, they were only mildly worried for her on occasion. Sometimes Sango remarked about Kagome's paleness, or Inu Yasha complained about her absentmindedness when she was supposed to look for shards. How would they react if they knew the truth?

Shippo? He would probably take a similar view as Miroku had. He would not be delighted with her choice but he would come to accept it. After all, he himself was a demon, and he would not think it impossible for Kagome to fall in love with someone of demonic nature. And he would accept Sesshomaru as soon as he heard that the demon lord had promised to protect Kagome.

Sango? Kagome frowned. She was not sure if Sango would understand or accept. Granted, she had accepted Koga as a kind of loose ally, but that did not imply she would accept Sesshomaru as the "¦ well, husband for lack of better expression, of her friend. She was a demon slayer; she had been trained from early childhood to despise and kill demons. Could she accept Sesshomaru? Well, maybe, for the sake of her friend.

But Inu Yasha would definitely never accept, nor understand it. No, Kagome thought a little sadly, he'll never accept my choice. He will feel hurt and betrayed, even though he might remember he choose Kikyo and has therefore no right over me. He'll never accept that his decision have freed me to make my own decision. And even if he could one day come to accept that, he'll never forgive me for Sesshomaru.

She sighed and pressed her brow to her knees. No, Inu Yasha would never forgive her choice. She remembered vividly his reaction to what had then been only a suspicion on his side. The mere hint that Sesshomaru was interested in her had completely unhinged the hanyou. He had transformed and been about to attack Miroku for simply standing in his way! Kagome shuddered.

What was more, he was even more protective of her than before. How he had reacted last time to Koga's claims! He had been on the edge of transforming again, and he had never before so seriously tried to kill Koga. And in comparison to the hanyou's relationship with Sesshomaru, he and Koga were best mates!

Apart from the fact that she had no death wish and did not want to see Inu Yasha dead either (for she did not doubt that Sesshomaru would kill his younger brother if he hurt her), she did not want to see Inu Yasha hurt. She had always tried her best to protect him from being hurt and now to be the one to inflict this pain? No, no, and thrice no again!

So, she really could not tell her friends the truth. She would never tell Inu Yasha, and therefore she could not tell Sango or Shippo either. She would not let them in on her secret and keep Inu Yasha out. He would feel they knew something he did not and would demand to be told. If they did "¦ Even if they did not, he would be hurt as well. And that meant she had to keep her silence.

No matter how she wished to tell everybody to unload her heavy heart and guilty conscience, no matter how she wished to make things easier, it would only bring pain to her friends. Doing something because she benefited from it while it only caused grief to others? No. It was a selfish desire and she could not do it. Besides, even if her friends knew and miraculously accepted, it would not help her situation much, would it? She could still not leave her friends, her task, and go to him!

Another huge sigh heaved her chest. It would bring no good if she told them. It would only help her "“ perhaps "“ and she could not act so selfishly. There was no way out for her but one, and that one was the way they all wanted to go: find the shards, complete the shikon no tama and defeat Naraku.

Because then, when everything was over, Inu Yasha would keep his promise to Kikyo and follow her to hell. Then, it would not matter anymore if she, Kagome, was with his brother. It would not hurt him.

But, please, God, let it be soon! I can't go on like this for much longer!

"Kagome-chan!"

The cry next to her ear and a hand shaking her shoulder abruptly jerked her from her thoughts and she raised her head. Sango was kneeling next to her, a faintly worried expression on her face. Kagome blinked and tried to adjust her mind to reality.

"Hm? Sango-chan? What is it?"

"I've called your name three times! But you didn't hear me! Is something wrong? You've been so silent!"

Kagome smiled feebly. "No, no, Sango-chan, I'm all right. I was just "¦ thinking. About the shards. How many might still be missing and how we can find them."

Sango eyes her suspiciously. "Are you sure you're all right?"

"Why? Because I was thinking about the shards?"

"You usually don't do that. At least, not to the extent that turns you blind to the world around you."

"Sango-chan! Am I really this irresponsible?"

"Oi, Sango!" shouted Inu Yasha from across the fire. "If she's thinking about the jewel, let her! At least she's doing something useful!"

"Inu Yasha!" cried Sango in outrage. "How can you say that? Apologise! Now!"

"Keh!"

While Sango, Shippo and Inu Yasha were engaged in a loud argument on whether the hanyou was a rude, insensitive ass-hole or not Kagome caught Miroku watching her. She shrugged, smiled in apology, and tackled the task of soothing ruffled feathers.


* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *


Two days later shortly after midday Kagome felt the distinctive prickle in her neck that announced the presence of a shikon shard. She stopped and closed her eyes to concentrate on the feeling, pushing the pale face away she saw every time her lids closed.

"Kagome-chan?" Sango stopped next to her friend and eyed the girl worriedly. Her face was too pale for one having travelled all summer, and something about her features disturbed the demon slayer greatly.

"Kagome-chan, what is it?"

Inu Yasha turned, excitement brightening his eyes. "Shard?" he asked curtly.

Kagome nodded.

"Yes, I can feel a shard. No, wait "¦" She frowned. "It's two, three maybe. The feeling comes from somewhere further down the mountain "¦ and it's moving."

"Moving?" prompted Miroku. "In which direction?"

"Hm "¦ It feels .... Well, it feels as if it's running in circles." Kagome shrugged and opened her eyes. A small smile tugged on the corners of her mouth up as she saw the brightly sparkling eyes of her friends.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" grinned Inu Yasha. "C'mon!"

They set off, Kagome and Shippo on Inu Yasha's back, Sango and Miroku on Kirara's. Hanyou and neko youkai ran and skidded down the mountain, following Kagome's instructions.

She clung to Inu Yasha's shoulders, wind tugging at her hair. Her heartbeat accelerated as adrenaline shot through her body. She took a deep breath as a familiar, long forgotten feeling flooded her: the thrill of the hunt for shards, and inwardly she sang; she had felt the shards and now they would get them. Two steps closer.

She prayed that the way was not too long.

As the shard hunters came closer to their prey, they heard the screeching of falling trees and the stomping of many feet. A roar rose into the air, followed by a clacking sound and a hiss.

"Inu Yasha!" shouted Miroku. "I think there are two demons fighting with each other!"

"I know!" retorted the hanyou. "Kagome, do they both have shards?"

Kagome squinted her eyes. "Hm "¦. No, I don't think so. The shards are too close together to belong to two demons."

"So, one demon with shards fighting a demon without shards?" resumed Sango.

"Yeah, so it seems."

"Keh, no problem! Sango, Miroku, you take the one without, and I'll get the shards!"

"Why not the other way round?" asked Sango irritably.

"Because I won't let that lecher suck my shards in!"

Kagome yanked at Inu Yasha's haori. "That was rude, Inu Yasha."

"Keh."

"What's more, it was unnecessary. Miroku-sama won't risk the shards, and he doesn't have to rely on the kazaana to destroy a demon."

Inu Yasha growled. "Yeah, go on defending him, wench. You've become mighty friendly!"

Kagome started at the hanyou's tone. She blinked. Then she laughed softly.

"Oh, Inu Yasha! We're friends, nothing more! I wouldn't dare to cross Sango-chan!"

"Eh? What's Sango got to do with it?"

Kagome rolled her eyes and merely grinned. Shippo, however, called Inu Yasha a blind and stupid idiot, an address that Inu Yasha answered by plucking the fox off his shoulder and dumping him. Shippo wailed as Miroku picked him up.

"And I thought we were going to fight a demon for shards," sighed Sango.

Inu Yasha glared at her over his shoulder and ran on, followed by Kirara, who was now carrying one passenger more.

Not long afterwards they reached the edge of a valley basin whose lovely scenery was torn to pieces by two fighting demons. One was an over-sized boar with enormous, black tusks, the other a huge scorpion with a human upper body. The boar's tusks where glistening wet with some dark green slime, its eyes glowed red, and foam flew off the snout. Its flanks were red with blood. The scorpion was dragging one leg, the human face was contorted with rage and pain, and the sting whipped through the air, trying to hit the boar.

Inu Yasha set Kagome hastily down and drew Tessaiga.

"Who's the one with the shards?"

Kagome scrunched her nose. "Uh "¦ the boar."

Inu Yasha dashed into fight.

Kirara landed behind Kagome and Miroku slid off the cat's back.

"What's he doing?" asked the monk exasperatedly.

Sango huffed. "Getting his shards. Come on, Kirara!"

The cat took off again and crossed the fight overhead, nearing the demons from the other side.

Miroku handed Shippo to Kagome.

"You'd better stand back, Kagome-sama."

Kagome nodded. "Okay. The boar's the one with the shards."

Miroku groaned, "Oh, great, the scorpion for us!" and hurried to help Inu Yasha, who tried to slay the boar while dodging the scorpion's sting.

"Sango! Cut the sting!" the monk shouted.

Sango nodded and grabbed her boomerang. Kirara moved to present her mistress with a better angle, and the huge weapon whirred through the air.

But the scorpion saw the danger and dodged.

"Lowly humans!" it screamed. "I'll smash your bodies! I'll crush your bones! How dare you come between me and my prey?"

It attacked Sango, who managed to get away in time, howled as Miroku hit it with an ofuda and another leg was injured, and ferociously swung its sting at the attackers, thus engaging both Miroku and Sango wholly into the fight.

Inu Yasha was meanwhile trying to get the boar's shards. Unfortunately, there was too little space for him to use kaze no kizu, and he was forced to use his sword in the more traditional way. But the boar was very fast and agile, dodging each attack of the hanyou who was hampered by his friends' fight behind him.

Kagome watched for a while. It was evident to her that as long as the scorpion was in his back, Inu Yasha would not be able to concentrate fully on the boar-demon. The sooner the scorpion was dead the better. So, she cautiously made her way around the fight, sat a frightened Shippo down and got her bow ready. She waited until her friends were safely out of the way and fired an arrow at the human body's unprotected back.

The demon noticed at the very last moment the danger and tried to sidestep the arrow. It was only partially successful. Instead of hitting its back, the arrow grazed the right arm of the human body. The demon screeched as the right hand side of the body sizzled into nothing. The head swung around, and the small, hard eyes fixed on Kagome.

"Presumptuous wench! I'll make you pay!" hissed the gnarled mouth, and the scorpion shot forwards.

"Kagome-sama!" shouted Miroku. "Get back!"

Kagome hurriedly retreated some steps, and the demon's progress was stopped by a growling Kirara and Sango's boomerang. The demon howled and concentrated on the demon huntress.

Miroku ran to where Kagome stood and roughly grabbed her arm.

"I told you to stand back!"

Kagome blinked in surprise at the monk's worried face.

"I'm okay, Miroku-sama. And I won't stand back! I can help!"

Miroku gave her arm a hard shake. "Don't interfere," he growled. "That's not your business here!"

With these words he let go of her and returned to the fight, arriving just in time to rescue Sango from being trampled over.

Kagome stared after Miroku with wide, bewildered eyes. What was wrong with him?

Shippo hopped onto her shoulder.

"Wow, Miroku was angry!" he said. "Why was he so angry, Kagome?"

Kagome shrugged. "I don't know."

A loud, dull thud made her whirl around. The boar had just smashed Inu Yasha into a tree. The hanyou scrambled to his feet, pressing a hand against his ribs.

O damn! cried Kagome inwardly. He's hurt! This takes too long! We must kill this scorpion so that Inu Yasha can use Tessaiga!

Resolutely, she sat Shippo down and, not heeding the child's shrill protests, she ran forward and aimed another arrow at the scorpion.

I must divert him, she thought. If he's not paying attention to Sango-chan and Miroku-sama, they can cut off the sting and kill him!

She let her arrow fly.

This time, however, she missed completely. And yet her effort was not in vain, for the scorpion turned to her again. It hissed dangerously and cowered down. The tip of the sting began to glow in a dark, sickly green. The demon whipped its tail, but the movement was too slow and Kagome easily evaded it.

A greenish fog escaped from the glowing sting and trailed a line through the air. The line quickly drifted apart, and the air was full of floating, green clouds.

Kirara roared and abruptly changed her course to evade such a cloud. Sango gave a surprised sound, coughed suddenly, and nudged Kirara further away. One hand covered her mouth, and she panted for air.

"Sango!" yelled Miroku, his voice thick with concern.

Sango, from a safe distance, waved one hand at him while the other one frantically pressed her mask to her face.

"It's poison, Miroku," she shouted back. "Be careful! Kagome-chan! Don't go close again!"

Kagome waved her hand to show she understood and took some steps back. Her eyes darted to Inu Yasha again. The boar was now limping on three legs, the forth being "“ urgh "“ half cut off. But it was still quick, and Inu Yasha had to take care. At the moment they were circling each other, huffing and growling and grunting, eyes fixed on the other, searching for a weakness to attack.

For a moment Kagome pondered on helping Inu Yasha with firing an arrow at the boar. But hanyou and demon were moving too quickly, and Kagome did not trust herself enough to dare and shoot. She might accidentally hit Inu Yasha. So, she turned to the scorpion again, determined to help her friends defeat that one speedily.

The scorpion was labouring under several injuries. Sango's boomerang had cut the black armour on the demon's back, and it was bleeding. But its sting was still slashing the air, aiming for monk or huntress and spraying poisoned fog.

The fight had become a little desperate on both sides. Due to the poison Miroku was not able to use the kazaana and he could not get close enough to attack the demon with his staff. He could only divert the demon's attention so that Sango was able to attack. Sango fought vigorously, but her arm tired and she had difficulties throwing her boomerang with enough force to cut through the scorpion's armour.

Kagome aimed another arrow at the human body, concentrated, and let the arrow fly.

A ball of brightly pink light hit the scorpion body on the back. The armour crackled and then exploded, leaving one part of the insect's body unprotected. The demon screamed, collapsed, and twitched wildly on the ground. One flailing leg knocked Kagome off her feet. She landed on her backside, her teeth clanking together, and the hard contact elicited a soft cry of pain from her.

"Kagome-chan!"

Sango's voice was filled with panic, and Kagome looked up in time to see the sting come closer. She scrambled to get onto her feet but knew she was too slow. She closed her eyes with a faint whimper, waiting for the pain.

Something hard barrelled into her and knocked her backwards, rolling her out of harm's way. The impact pressed all air out of her lungs, and she gasped for breath.

"Don't breathe," murmured Miroku's strained voice next to her ear.

Kagome cracked an eye open, saw a greenish cloud hover just above the monk's head, and tried to stop in mid-gasp. But it was too late, and she felt something burning in her throat and lungs. She coughed, panted, inhaled more poison and coughed again.

Miroku pressed his hand on her mouth and she could not gasp any longer.

The scorpion, believing these two humans dead or at least seriously injured, turned its attention back to Sango and Kirara. Which was lucky, for it gave Miroku time to get to his feet and drag the coughing Kagome up and away.

He pushed her behind a fallen tree. Kagome slid down, coughing and gasping. Miroku was panting for breath as well, and leaned weakly against the trunk.

Kagome looked up into the monk's face, which was sweaty and dirty.

"Thanks, Miroku-sama," she tried to say but barely managed more than a coarse whisper.

Miroku raised his head and grimaced.

She noticed that the robes around his left leg were torn and bloodied.

"Oh!" she panted. "A-are you hu-hurt?"

Miroku shook his head. "It's nothing. But!" He gave her a hard look. "You stay here! Don't get out there again!"

Kagome wanted to protest, but another coughing fit seized her, and so she coughed and nodded.

Miroku limped back to help Sango deal with the scorpion.

The demon was wild now. The prospect of getting jewel shards was gone. It was seriously injured and the human wretches were still fighting. Pain was raging inside of its insect's body. Its heart and lungs were working hard to keep the body up and going, keep the poison flow into the sting. The demon was no longer fighting for shards, but for his life. So, it redoubled its efforts.

Unfortunately, this ended up in ferocious, but aimless fighting, which made it doubly difficult for Miroku and Sango. Had they before been able to foresee the scorpion's moves they could now only guess where the sting would stab next.

Kagome, still choking violently, watched them fight through a veil of tears that her coughing had forced into her eyes. They blurred her vision, but for some reason she was not able to raise a hand and wipe her eyes.

From seemingly far away to her left she heard a loud crash, and she turned her head, peering vaguely into the direction the sound had come from.

Two shapes moved up the slope of the valley basin, one brown and running on four legs, the other red and jumping from tree to rock in hot pursuit.

Kagome stared at the two shapes, somewhat at a loss of what to make of this. Her brain seemed to be having problems with understanding what she was seeing. And why did they suddenly move so slowly?

She blinked and shook her head, but her vision did not clear, and the things still did not make sense to her.

A high-pitched scream made her turn around again. Something large and dark was looming above her. Sharp, black edges flashed in front of her eyes. Behind the black mass a small figure was standing above a dark bundle on the ground, a larger white shape next to the figure that was crouching in a position even Kagome's addled brain recognised as ready-to-attack. The figure shouted something that Kagome did not understand, and suddenly darted forwards.

The black, flashing mass staggered closer to her, and a tiny voice in Kagome's mind told her she should run away. But while her mind was still processing how running away was accomplished, something hard hit her with an incredible force.

Everything went black around her as every breath was once more knocked out of her lungs. Pain shot through her body, and the world toppled over and swirled around her. Cold air rushed over her, and she felt her stomach twist in an unpleasant way as she fell.

Then her back collided with another hard something. Sharp edges dug into her skin, small pains adding to the great one. Her waist was encircled in a vice-like grip. Her head fell back into white softness.

With a third impact, the sensation of falling through the air stopped, and Kagome moaned in pain as the sharp edges dug even deeper into her body. Someone hissed next to her ear, and the grip around her waist tightened. Something white and silky brushed over her face.

For a heartbeat the world stood still. Kagome blinked up into a grey sky. Then she world shifted again as she was rolled around. She ended up lying on her back, now blinking up into a pale, worried face and dark golden eyes that watched her searchingly.

Kagome smiled, and all pain and queasy feelings in her stomach were forgotten as the world slowly came into focus again. The past thirty-four days vanished, taking worries and doubts with them, and she raised her heavy arms to wrap them around his neck, a sensation of calm peace flooding her soul.

"Sesshomaru "¦"

He looked down at her, an oddly haunted expression in his eyes. His voice sounded ragged and hoarse when he spoke.

"Are you all right?"

Kagome's smile deepened and she cupped his face with her hands. Her chest felt as if it must burst from the overwhelming, sweet warmth that blossomed in her heart.

"Yes," she breathed, her voice vibrating. "I'm fine."

How could she not be perfectly fine when he was here with her?

Sesshomaru was apparently not satisfied with this, for he quickly and thoroughly checked her body for injuries. Kagome meanwhile trailed her hands through his hair, sighing with pleasure at this touches.

Finally, however, he was convinced that she was, indeed, not hurt. Sesshomaru sighed, his tensed body relaxed. He lowered his head and touched her brow with his.

Kagome shivered at the touch. A tender ache surged through her body, and she longed to embrace him, to hold him close to her. The feeling of rightness grew with every heartbeat. Her soul sang. Tears of utter joy filled her closed eyes.

For a moment neither moved. Then, Sesshomaru jerked his head up and tensed again. At the sudden change in the mood Kagome's eyes snapped open and widened when they saw his face. He looked beyond furious, eyes narrowed, mouth set into a thin line, and uneasiness pierced through the rosy fog in her brain.

He sat up abruptly and pulled her with him until she was kneeling in front of him. Kagome gazed at him, a blank look in her wide eyes. What was wrong now?

His grip on her arm tightened, and his claws pierced through her clothes. She gave a soft, protesting sound at this treatment, and "˜eeped' in surprise as he began to shake her roughly.

"Foolish girl," he growled through clenched teeth. "What were you thinking?"

Kagome blinked at him. "Wha -? Sesshomaru?"

His eyes flashed. His claws pierced her skin.

"Have you taken leave of your senses?" There was a hint of wildness in his voice that she had never heard before. "How could you act so thoughtlessly? No, brainlessly is the better word! Are you really as dim-witted as the rest of your kind?"

Kagome's lower lip began to tremble. How could he be so cruel?

He paid no heed to the signs of her distress and went on, accentuating every word with a shake.

"Are you out of your mind? Why did you do this? You turned your back to the demon you had attacked! You did not run away when it threatened to trample you! Do you wish to die?!"

It dawned upon her confused mind that he had been worried.

"Sesshomaru "¦"

He paused and looked at her, his breath hissing through his teeth. His eyes were dark and troubled, and her heart constricted painfully. She tried to smile and calm him, but her lips trembled too much.

Sesshomaru groaned and pulled her roughly against him. His arm slid around her waist to hold her securely to him, and he buried his face in the nape of her neck. His laboured breath brushed over her in hot waves. Kagome wrapped her arms around his shoulders, snuggled closer, ignoring the cold metal and sharp edges of his armour, and rested her cheek on his bent head.

She felt a faint tremble in the arm that held her. The last traces of hurt at his harsh words faded. Her hands dug into the silk of his clothes.

"I'm fine," she whispered into his silver hair. "I'm fine. Nothing happened to me. You were there."

He shuddered and tightened the embrace.

"I might not have been," he murmured barely audible, and then added, even quieter so that she could only guess his words, "I might have lost you."

Kagome turned her head and kissed the tip of his ear, eliciting a soft, strangled sound from him. She felt his hand slip under her shirt and his claws trail gently over her back up to her shoulder. He traced the mark with his fingertips, and the touch sent jolts of electricity through her body. She felt it between her legs, in the hardening tips of her breasts, and in every tingling fibre of her body.

"Sesshomaru," she whispered for a third time.

He raised his head. Their eyes met. For a second their gazes locked. Then she tilted her head and their lips met.

In that very moment, Kagome felt all her stressed and pent up emotions of the last five weeks crash down on her. Her loneliness, her need for him, the aching yearning of her heart, it all came back with a vengeance, and she plunged into the kiss with a desperate whimper.

Sesshomaru hesitated for a moment before he sighed and kissed her back with barely constrained fervour.

They clung to each other, lips locked in a passionate kiss. Their tongues slid around each other in an erotic dance, and every soft moan spoke volumes of their mutual longing.

Kagome's heart beat madly against her ribcage, and an odd feeling constrained her throat as she tasted her loneliness on his lips. Something heavy settled in her stomach as she realised that she had not been the only one who had suffered from their separation, and she felt a pang of guilt. But this emotion, as well as everything else, soon drowned in her need for him.

She had forgotten about the fight somewhere behind her. Inu Yasha, shards, Sango standing in front of Miroku, Shippo huddling with frightened eyes behind a trunk "“ it had all faded from her mind. The only thing she knew of was her mate whom she loved and whom she had missed so desperately.

"I missed you," she murmured against his lips. "I missed you so much! I "“"

Her words were cut short as he claimed her mouth with another searing kiss. Kagome moaned in painful bliss. God, how she had missed him, had missed this! It had been too long. She wanted to press closer, feel him, wanted to crawl inside of him and stay there forever. She never wanted to leave him again.

The terrible feeling of being incomplete, of missing some vital part of her soul vanished. She was with him. She was complete.

For a brief eternity everything was all right.

But then reality interrupted, and Sesshomaru raised his head. Kagome whimpered and tried to pull him back down to her, but was alone all of a sudden and lost her balance. She landed flat on her back, her mind unable to comprehend what was going on, only aware of a sharp feeling of loss. She pushed herself up on her elbows and glanced around.

Several steps away, with his back to her, stood Sesshomaru, his body tense and rigid. She was confused and a little hurt at this sudden rejection, but when she had managed to sit up and was about to call his name, he began to growl. Kagome blinked, now thoroughly bewildered.

Then she heard the answering growl.

Her head shot around, and though her sight blurred again very disturbingly at the swift motion she was able to recognise the silver-red shape that landed opposite her mate. The hairs on her back rose.

"Sesshomaru," snarled Inu Yasha. He held his sword at an angle that enabled him to raise it every moment. His eyes darted from his brother to Kagome and then back, narrowing dangerously. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Indeed." Sesshomaru's voice betrayed no emotion, but Kagome could tell from the tension in his shoulders and his flexed claws that he was furious. Her poor brain could not ascertain the reason of his anger, but she supposed that it had something to do with the danger she had been in and with the general presence of his younger brother.

Inu Yasha's face was red with anger, and he almost choked out his words. "What, you bastard! Do you think I'm dumb? Do you think I didn't notice how often you are hanging around Kagome lately?"

"Someone has to protect her," Sesshomaru retorted icily.

"Oh yeah?" The hanyou fumed. "Not your business! Nobody needs you!"

The demon lord sneered. "Indeed."

Kagome felt a cold premonition seize her. Her mate was infuriated. He had never liked his younger sibling, had been forced to see the sword he had wanted in Inu Yasha's possession, and it was the hanyou who kept his mate from him. Now this hanyou had failed to protect her, and he longed to take out his latent fury and frustration on Inu Yasha. Kagome shivered. If they fought "¦!

"Yeah!" shouted Inu Yasha, his hands tightening spasmodically around his sword's handle. "You can bugger off! We can do on our own! Why did you help anyway?"

Sesshomaru eyed his younger sibling disdainfully.

"Oi! Why're you so suddenly to eager to protect Kagome!"

"She is important."

Kagome froze; her heart leapt into her throat. Was Sesshomaru so enraged that he was going to tell Inu Yasha the truth in order to end the present situation? She could not be annoyed at him for this wish. She wished for it herself! Just not in the same fashion.

Don't! Please, don't! she cried inwardly. Please, don't tell him! He would kill you!

Inu Yasha, however, was at the moment far from attempting to kill anybody. His grip on Tessaiga had slackened, and the tip of the blade pointed downward. He gaped at his brother in utter surprise, blinked, and looked again from Sesshomaru to her and back.

"What?" he stammered. "What are you talking about? Why's she important? What for??" His voice rose with every word until he was yelling. "Oi, answer me!"

"If you do not know, I am not going to tell you."

"Wha-?! No, not again!" Tessaiga rose, ready to be swung at the enemy. "You won't walk off again after throwing this gibberish at me, mister high and mighty! You'll answer me, plain and simple, or I'll make you!"

Sesshomaru tensed, his usual self-control wearing thin. He shifted minutely, readying himself for an attack.

Kagome groaned softly. She had to stop them! They mustn't fight! She did not want them to fight!

Her tongue lay curiously heavy in her mouth, and for some reason it was extraordinarily difficult to find the words, but she managed to whisper a frantic, "Don't! Please, don't!"

Two pairs of golden eyes turned to her, one furious and worried, the other cold but equally worried. She raised her hands in a pleading gesture and tried to gaze imploringly at the brothers, but her sight was still blurred and she was having problems to focus on either of them.

"Kagome? You okay?" asked Inu Yasha, deep concern lacing his voice.

She nodded faintly. The world around her began to spin.

"Yes," she murmured. "Yes. But, please, don't "¦"

She pressed her fists against her eyes in the hopes that after some rubbing her sight would be better. She heard Inu Yasha grunt something very uncouth which was answered by a low growl. Footsteps followed that stopped in front of her. She let her hands fall into her lap and blinked up at her mate. He was studying her face with a very thoughtful expression in his eyes.

Kagome smiled faintly at him and tried to find the right words that would express her gratitude to him; words that would tell him how much she had missed him, how much she loved him and how much she longed to come to him. She wanted to tell him that they had found two more shards, and that her task would soon be fulfilled and then she would come and stay with him forever. But her mind was a tangled mass of half-thoughts and intense emotions, and she could not find the words. Besides, this was not the right moment to tell him.

She raised a hand and held it out to him, hoping he would somehow catch her meaning. Please don't leave me alone for so long again!

He regarded her seriously. Then he shook his head.

"You must come to me."

She was never sure if he had said those words out loud or not, but whether they were silent or not, she understood. He would leave her alone again. He would not call for her. It was her turn now to act.

Kagome felt tears burn behind her eyes and hung her head. The sweet warmth in her heart died down. She felt incredibly cold and lonely. How could he do this? How could he be so hard and cold? Did he not feel like she did? And yet he had kissed her with the same desperation she had felt! How could he change so quickly?

A low growl, a gust of air, and Inu Yasha was standing in front of her, facing Sesshomaru.

"You!" he hissed. "I don't know what you plan or why you suddenly decided Kagome's important. But I don't like it. Stay away from her! Whatever you have in mind, I won't let you do it! Or I'll show you Tessaiga's true strength. And this time even Tenseiga wouldn't be able to save you!"

"Do you think your pathetic threats are more then childish ramblings to this Sesshomaru?"

"Ha, I'll show you pathetic, bastard! You'd better beware, the Bakuryuuha defeated Ryuko "“ Oi! Sesshomaru! Don't you dare to simply walk away! Dammit! Listen to me! Bastard, come back!"

Kagome raised her head and blinked owlishly. In the distance she saw the white figure of her mate disappear between the trees. Closer to her stood Inu Yasha, Tessaiga raised, and yelling abuses. In spite of her heart-break at seeing, feeling Sesshomaru leave her she could not help a little laugh. So like him!

Inu Yasha stopped yelling and turned to look at her. The next moment he knelt down beside her, and she blinked up at him.

"Kagome?" He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Are you all right?"

A shiver ran through her, and the tears that had been lurking behind her eyes burst forth. She buried her face in her hands and began to sob hysterically.

Inu Yasha froze.

"Kagome? What -?"

He stared down at her, worry, confusion and rising fury warring inside of him. He did not know what to make of her reaction. Hell, he did not know what to make of the whole situation!

He had not seen what had happened to Kagome because he had been busy with the boar-demon. He was horrified when Sango had told him, on his return to his friends with the two shards that he had taken out the boar's body, that the scorpion's sting had hit Kagome and sent her flying. Immediately, he had left his companions to look for the miko, only to find that apparently his brother had saved her again.

He had been very thankful for Sesshomaru's intervention but at the same time very angry. Angry with Sesshomaru for coming near Kagome, as well as angry with himself for not being there when she had needed him. He had not been there to protect her!

However, his feeling of guilt had quickly been drowned first in confusion "“ at the demon's astonishing exclamation that Kagome was important - and then in rising annoyance, anger and suspicion.

Sesshomaru had again been near enough to save her. He considered her to be important. Why? What for? Why had Kagome stopped him from getting the answers to this question? More important, why had Sesshomaru acquiesced to her plea? And what had he said to her before he had left? There had been something in both his and Kagome's stance and expression that had made him very uncomfortable. And why in the name of the kami was she crying now?

"Wench, stop crying!" he ordered, hiding his uneasiness at her tears. "Has he threatened you?"

Kagome sobbed and hiccupped.

Inu Yasha interpreted that as a yes. Concern gave way to fury.

"Hey! Sesshomaru!" he hollered after the diminishing figure of his brother. "What have you done to her?! Bastard, answer me! You -!"

He was about to run after Sesshomaru when he heard rapid footsteps and Sango appeared. She cast a glance around, and then shot over to Kagome.

"Kagome-chan! Oh, I'm so glad to see you! You okay? I was so worried when I saw that scorpion hit you!"

She fell onto her knees next to Kagome as she raised her tear-stained face.

"Kagome-chan? What's up? Inu Yasha? What's been going on? Have you said something to hurt her?!"

Inu Yasha bristled. "No, I only asked her if she was okay! She started crying for no reason at all!"

"I'm okay, Sango-chan, Inu Yasha," croaked Kagome.

Sango eyed her. "Are you sure? No injuries? Nothing broken or sprained? I was sure you had at least broken a leg or something. That demon threw you so high into the air!"

Kagome shook her head slowly and mumbled something unintelligible.

Sango looked questioningly at Inu Yasha, who growled. "Sesshomaru apparently caught her."

Sango gasped. "Sesshomaru?"

Kagome swayed and fell against Sango's shoulder. Sango wrapped her arms around the other girl to hold her up.

Inu Yasha did not see this. He stared down the path where his brother had disappeared.

"Yeah, Sesshomaru," he repeated. "That's the third time he came to save her! I wonder why he's doing this!"

He cast Kagome a piercing glance.

Sango frowned at him.

"Don't start that again, Inu Yasha!" she warned him.

The hanyou grunted.

"Oh? Why not? You must admit it's suspicious! Why should he think her important?"

"Does he?"

"Yeah, he said so."

Sango shrugged.

"Maybe because of the shikon no tama? If he thinks she's the only one who can purify it and thus make it impossible for Naraku to use it "¦ He doesn't know Kikyo, does he?"

"Dunno," grumbled Inu Yasha sulkily. He did not like Sango's answer. It sounded too reasonable, and he was convinced there was something more between his brother and Kagome. He looked at the two girls with a scowl on his face.

Sango was not paying any attention to him because she was trying to get some intelligible words out of Kagome. The miko smiled vaguely and squinted straight past Sango's face.

"Kagome-chan? Are you listening? Kagome-chan?"

"M'roku-sma?" mumbled Kagome.

Sango nodded and patted Kagome's hand.

"He's okay, only some little scratches. He's looking for Shippo and "“ oh, see? There he is!"

Kagome swayed alarmingly and ignored Sango's nod into the direction where the monk had just appeared.

"L'ng "˜own," she slurred and went about to do so.

Sango and Inu Yasha watched her worriedly as she lay down and rolled up into a foetal position.

"What's up with her?" Inu Yasha asked the universe.

Sango shook her head and got up to greet Miroku. The monk was very pale, and the hands that were holding Shippo to his chest were shaking slightly. Sango frowned. Her eyes darted from Miroku's face to Kagome's, which was equally pallid.

"So you've found her," said Miroku with a relieved sigh, looking at the lying girl.

Sango nodded at the monk as he slid from Kirara's back.

"Yes, and what's more she's not broken anything. Inu Yasha said that apparently Sesshomaru caught her before she fell down."

Miroku's eyebrows rose and he smiled.

"Oh, he did, did he?"

Shippo spotted Kagome, and with a squeal he jumped down and ran over to her.

"Kagome!! Oh, I was soooo worried! I thought you died!" He fell down next to her and shook her. "Kagome? You're not dead?! Are you!?! Kagome!"

Kagome groaned.

Thus reassured that she was alive, Shippo began to fire questions at her and Inu Yasha, who was standing at her side, sword still drawn, and looking somewhat undecidedly between her and the forest. He got no answers whatsoever, and only when he asked Inu Yasha if Sesshomaru had really caught Kagome did he get any reaction.

Inu Yasha scowled at the fox.

"Shut up, brat." He looked over to Sango and Miroku. The huntress was studying the monk's face while he smiled at Kagome. "I'll go after him!"

Both looked at him.

"What?" Sango asked. "After whom?"

"Keh, what do you think? Sesshomaru, of course!"

"What for?"

"What for?! He owes me some answers!"

"I-nu Ya-sha," whispered Kagome.

Everybody turned to look at her. Her eyes were still closed. She was deathly pale.

"Kagome." Inu Yasha kneeled down.

She sighed. "Don't go."

"Eh? Why not?"

She moaned softly.

"I suppose she doesn't think it a good idea at the moment," remarked Miroku.

Inu Yasha looked up. "Yeah?"

The monk smiled, but it was a strained smile. Little beads of sweat glistened on his brow, and he clutched his staff so hard his knuckles turned white. He opened his mouth to answer, but suddenly his knees gave in and he fell down.

"Miroku!" Sango knelt down next to him. "What's wrong?"

"Are they ill?" ventured Shippo.

Inu Yasha shrugged. But his wide, worried eyes belied his indifference.

Sango looked up at the hanyou.

"I think it's from the poison."

"What poison?"

"The scorpion was poisonous. Not on impact, but his sting sprayed the poison. I had my mask, but Miroku and Kagome-chan were unprotected and breathed it in. I think that's the reason why Kagome-chan didn't run away when the scorpion almost ran her over. The poison must have paralysed her."

"Ohh, will they die?" wailed Shippo tearfully.

"Shut up, brat!" scoffed Inu Yasha. "Kagome sure has something in that white box of hers that can make them better."

"Right," agreed Sango. She helped Miroku to his feet and onto Kirara's back. "We better find Kagome-chan's bag and a place for the two to rest. Inu Yasha, take her, but be careful."

"Keh!"

Inu Yasha sheathed Tessaiga and took Kagome in his arms. As he lifted her up, her lashes fluttered and she became a little green about the gills.

"Uhn," she mumbled faintly. "Feel sick"

Inu Yasha had barely time to set her down again before her body spasmed and she vomited violently. Poor Inu Yasha turned a little green himself, but held her steadily until her stomach was empty. Sango wiped her mouth gently with some leaves. Kagome glanced weakly up at them and then lost consciousness.