At What Price

SUMMARY: Kagome heard the threatening, yet composed tone. For once, in her short stay here at Sesshoumaru’s palace, she did just that. Leave. She wasn’t too worried about the consequence of her action.

Author's Note: Hey everyone, here is the latest chp. Disclaimer? Look at the first chp. Enjoy.

CHAPTER 28: A FURIOUS DEPARTURE
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Kagome had been debating whether or not to follow Sesshoumaru to the study. But, the need to do so was, for some reason, over whelming. She hadn’t heard the telephone conversation, but she sure had witness his childish behavior, much to her amazement. Kagome stood there in total shock and alarm of Sesshoumaru’s display of anger. Never, and she mean never had she witnessed anything like that in her entire life time. Nor, did she think that he, Sesshoumaru, was capable of such a rash act. Sesshoumaru was normally unexpressive, calm, calculating, and didn’t give into such childish temper tantrums. This, however was a far cry from his impassive stoic attitude.

Sesshoumaru knew the moment her feet made it to the study, but it was too late. What was done, was done, and he could do nothing about it. And he would be damned if he was going to apologize for his behavior, or explain himself. It was his residence, and he, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Land would do as he damn well pleased. “Leave woman! Now!” He roared in an eerie light tone, yet it all but screamed, ‘heed my warning.’

The color drained from her face as she heard the viciousness in Sesshoumaru’s voice, and for once, in her short stay here at Sesshoumaru’s palace, Kagome did just that. Leave. She wasn’t too worried about the consequence of her action. Sesshoumaru wanted her gone, then so be it. Kagome, at the moment, was willing to comply. Beside, it wasn’t her fault he had left the study door open. ‘If Lord High and Mighty had wanted privacy than he should have shut the freakin’ door.’ Kagome fumed. Sesshoumaru, in his childish temper tantrum, did just tell her to leave, ‘now,’ and heaven help her she would. Kagome held her head high as she walked away from the study to the front door of the palace estates. When she opened the doors that led to her freedom, Kagome ran. She didn’t care where the hell she was going, but just wanted to get out of there fast.

With every step, her vision blurred until hot tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘Damn that taiyoukai! Why do I care if he is mad? Sesshoumaru is just a business partner, nothing more. He can be just like Inuyasha sometimes!’

‘Give it up Kagome!’ that small voice of reason answered. ‘All you have to do is marry him, live with for a year, and have sex with him so that he will have an heir.’ The last part almost made her blush, but she wasn’t going to.

Her feet led her to the back of the estate. Kagome didn’t know that though, she was too deep in thought to pay attention to her surroundings. That was until her side ached from lack of air. Lush green trees gave shade and green grass sprawled out like a carpet beneath Kagome’s bare feet. Wild flowers were sprinkled all over the landscape, teasing the Kagome’s senses. There was jasmine, roses, lilac, freesia and much more. Her eyes roamed the wild but beautiful background around her. But, it did nothing to help still the war of emotions raging inside Kagome.

‘If he thinks he can yell at me just because he loses temper and act like a spoiled, self-righteous, arrogant, cold,….’ Kagome stopped as another thought crossed her mind. ‘This is going to be some marriage,’ she mused wistfully. Kagome’s thoughts wonder free, like she did on the property.

‘Well, Kags just make the best of it.’

‘Me?’ she squealed. ‘I didn’t do anything! He is the one that kissed me and made me feel…’ Kagome faltered on that thought process.

‘Oh, where did that come from Kagome?!’ that mocking voice shot back.

‘Stop, while you are ahead in this deal,’ she warned.

Full steam ahead, was all that Kagome’s feet were now doing, and she didn’t even look back. A chilly breeze wrapped around the area that she was in, and a lock of her wavy onyx hair tickled her, as it caressed her face. Kagome brushed the bothersome hair out of the way. That’s when she saw it.

‘What is that? It looks like a small cabin. I wonder, what is in there?’ Kagome was drawn out of curiosity and impulse to explore the rusty old building laid out in front of her. Before Kagome knew it, she was at the door seeking entrance. It was old and weathered over time but looked sturdy. The wooden door groaned when she pushed against it. Strong static energy filled the air and crackled against Kagome. It was like it was trying to repress her entry inside. Kagome however, wasn’t one to give in and pushed harder. It drained some of her energy trying to get past the barrier which was unknown to her. The door gave way a little, however; it was enough for Kagome’s small frame to squeeze through.

“Wow!” Kagome’s eyes scanned hundreds of weapons stored within the building she found. The sheen of metal reflected Kagome’s image as she gazed upon them. But, what had really caught her attention wasn’t the slew of sacred swords, staffs, shield, scroll wards, etc. It was the bow and arrow, a little of to the side in the back of the room. It was made from rose wood, which according to folklore was suppose to be enchanted and had the ability to increase the wielder’s power.

‘I wonder if I can borrow it for a while,’ she thought to herself. ‘I haven’t used a bow since high school when I was in the archery club. I wonder if I still have a knack for it. Well, no harm no foul I always say. Besides, no one will know.’ Kagome took the bow and arrow outside and scouted for a place to practice.
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“Jaken, have you seen Kagome around the estate?” Sesshoumaru’s emotionless voice asked.

“No, Lord Sesshoumaru, I haven’t. Do you wish your faithful servant to send someone to find her?”

“No.” Sesshoumaru felt a twinge in his gut, but fought to repress it. “She isn’t in the palace, of that much I am sure.” Sesshoumaru rose from his desk and looked out the window. ‘Where did she run off to now?’ Kagome wouldn’t dare defy him and leave the palace grounds. He almost snorted. ‘Yes, she would. That is, if this Sesshoumaru gave her the chance.’
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Kagome found an old tree trunk about fifty yards away from the weapons storage building. ‘This should do just fine for a target,’ she told herself. Kagome set down the pack of arrows but took one out and stung it to the bow. She counted off about twenty feet from the tree trunk and turned and began to carefully aim. Kagome pulled the string taunted with the arrow and took aim at the heart of the tree trunk.

A pure white aura surrounded her as she focused on her target. Sinking deep inside herself, Kagome searched for the peace of mind that would help her deliberate. Releasing the arrow from her hold she watched as it sailed to its intended target. Kagome’s spirit began to speak to her. It was singing a poignant melody which she heard over and over the past couple months as she idle between hopelessness and sometime total despair. But, now things desired change, and she couldn’t seem to stop it; even if she wanted to.

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Overcome the emotion that drags you down.
Let your spirit set you free.
Hang onto me baby. I can’t slow down.
I never said this was going to be easy, but wait and lets see.
What I want and what I do does not always concern you.
I’m sorry I’d hurt you. I'm sorry you cried.
But hang on baby, lets give this a try.
I might not be perfect, and may not deserve you.
But my love is true, and I can’t help but seem to want you.
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*BOOM*

Off in the distance, high tuned ears heard something exploded.