Battle of Wills (revised)

Sesshoumaru landed gracefully against the grass outside the well, Kagome’s hands gripping against his clothes as he gently set her down. She had missed the quiet blue skies of the feudal era, and more importantly, she missed her friends desperately. She had so many new things she wanted to tell Sango, even though she was unsure of how they would be received.

“OIY!” She heard a familiar voice beckon from behind them, causing her to bit her lip fiercely as Sesshoumaru turned to face him.

“Inu Yasha.” Kagome smiled weakly as she was reluctantly released from Sesshoumaru’s arms.

“Where have you been?” The hanyou grunted loudly as he approached the girl, concern in his eyes. “I went to bring you back and you weren’t there.” Inu Yasha wrapped his arms around the small girl, squeezing her tightly.

“Well, that’s a long story.” She stated hesitantly as Sesshoumaru growled lowly beside them. Kagome gave the demon lord a pleading glance as she separated herself from grabby hanyou.

“Kagome!” A small kit cried directly behind her. “We missed you! What did Inu Yasha do this time?”

Kagome giggled as Shippo jumped into her arms. She beamed as her other friends worked their way into the clearing. “Sango! Mirokou!” Kagome could hardly make out the words as her friends bombarded her with questions and their gladness to see her. They walked back slowly, Sesshoumaru a few paces behind the excited mob. ‘Why hadn’t they said anything?’ Sesshoumaru knew his presence no longer held the same weight as it once did, but surely they would have questioned Kagome as to why he had come through the well with her.

He followed them quietly, biding his time in silent contemplation. ‘Could this be the work of Kagome’s wish?’

Eventually the group settled in around the camp fire comfortably. Each seemed completely at ease as they found their place around the fire. Kagome noticed the strange behavior of her friends for the first time as she finally had a chance to think. ‘Why haven’t they asked about Sesshoumaru?’ She wondered.

“Kagome, what happened to you?” Shippo chirped as he lay in her lap. Slowly, Kagome told her story. She went into great detail, describing the cold of this strange place, skipping over the parts she felt were too personal.

“So you see,” Kagome finished her story, “if not for Sesshoumaru I would not be alive.”

Inu Yasha’s expression was blank as he blinked at the young miko. “Who’s Sesshoumaru?”

Kagome hesitated, thinking she was being teased. “Your………brother?”

“Keh!” Inu Yasha barked, “I think I would know if I had a brother.”

She opened her mouth to argue when Sesshoumaru walked over and sat beside her. “Kagome...” he began as he waved a hand in front of Inu Yasha’s face. “They can’t see me.”

Kagome stared at her comrades. “I don’t think any of them can see you.”

“Kagome.” Shippo squeaked, “Who are you talking to?”

Inu Yasha quirked his head at the young girl. “Are you all right?”

She groaned as she slumped, lowering her head against Shippo as he lay in her lap. “No, I’m not well.”

Sesshoumaru chuckled lightly.

“Don’t be so damn happy about it.” She growled at the demon lord who sat beside her.

“Why would we be happy if you’re sick?” Sango questioned as she approached the girl with concern in her eyes.

Kagome bit her lip, “Oh, I wasn’t talking to you….I was….” She looked at Sesshoumaru glaring at the smirk he allowed to grace his lips, “talking to myself.”

“Oh…..” Sango trailed off. She was still a little confused but willing to accept the answer.

“Your mother was a whore.” Sesshoumaru stated coldly as he stared at the hanyou, crouching directly in his line of site.

“That’s mean!” Kagome yelped turning to face Sesshoumaru as she stood up knocking the small kit out of her lap.

“Kagome?” Inu Yasha questioned as his eyebrow twitched, “Are you sure you are all right?”

She turned to face Inu Yasha her arms folded across her chest. “Your mother was NOT a whore.”

“Ummm…..Thank you?” the hanyou answered his confusion heavy in his voice.

"They cannot hear me either." Sesshouaru added.

Mirokou bit back a giggle as Sango gave him a very serious look. “This isn’t funny.” She stated as she glared at the lecherous monk.

Sesshoumaru could not help himself as the smirk on his face grew wider. “I could kill him quite easily in this state.”

“You better keep your hands off him.” Kagome growled back

Sango blinked back at her friend, “I had no intention of touching him.” She murmured as she turned to find Mirkou inching closer to her. “That was not an invitation!” She screamed as her hand sounded loudly against his face.

“I assure you Kagome, I will not attack the hanyou in his current state, as I would prefer he saw me coming.” Sesshoumaru stated coldly.

“Good,” Kagome mumbled as she again sat against the ground. She turned to face her friends again only to be met by their blank expressions.

“Oiy! Kagome, you should really get some rest, your not making any sense.” Inu Yasha commanded, still unable to see the Sesshoumaru crouching directly in front of him.

“That’s a good idea” Kagome huffed as she held her spinning head.

She slowly unrolled her sleeping bag against the ground, eyeing the demon lord who hovered just above her. “I can’t talk to you without them thinking I’m crazy.” She whispered quietly.

Sesshoumaru crouched beside her meeting her gaze a smirk gracing his lips, “We could go somewhere where they couldn’t hear us.”

Kagome eyed him suspiciously, smirking herself at his implications. “No…..I really am tired.”

“Perhaps tomorrow then?” He questioned with a hopeful look in his eyes. “I would like to show you my lands. I have much to catch up on due to our absence.”

“Fine.” She mumbled as she pulled her body into the sleeping bag, and was only half listening to what he was requesting.

“Very well.” He stated as he straightened, towering over the girl once more. “I shall return in the morning.”

“Why in the morning?” She questioned with a yawn.

“I need to test the severity of the spell.” He answered in his monotone voice as he slowly walked away.

“What about the morning?” Inu Yasha questioned as he stepped closer to the girl as she lay against the ground.

“Oh…” she mumbled, “I promised a friend I would go with them to their village, in the west….I just remembered. I’ll have to leave first thing in the morning.”

“I’ll go with you.” Inu Yasha gruffed as he leaned against a tree.

“No!” Kagome almost exclaimed as she sat up.

“Why not?” the hanyou whined.

“They are very fearful of youkai.” She lied, “and I don’t think they would appreciate me bringing you along.” Kagome finished attempting to turn her lie into some semblance of truth.

“Keh!” Inu Yasha exclaimed as he crossed his arms across his chest.

Kagome gave him a warm smile as she lay back against the ground. What a day she had had. Escaping the barren wasteland, the heated shower with Sesshoumaru, wishing on the shiko-no-tama, dinner with her MOTHER, and now she was back, back with everyone she really cared for, and who really cared for her.

“Are you sure you’ll be all right for traveling tomorrow?” Inu Yasha questioned as he eyed her with concern.

“I’ll be fine.” She mumbled as her last ounce of strength left, her body drifting into a peaceful sleep.

Inu Yasha eyed the girl suspiciously, laying against a tree with one eye open until finally allowing himself to fall into a shallow sleep.