I don’t own Inuyasha…

Desert Wolf: -blushing profusely- I am not that great.  Truly I’m not.  I just write…

Ok…on with the next chapter…

Chapter 7

An unknown meeting place…

            A lone figure made his way, grunting and groaning, to the top of a hill.  Another figure stood on top of the hill, looking down disdainfully at his companion.  “Truly, I don’t understand why we hired you” A voice sounded from the standing figure.  “I am truly sorry my Lord…” The Lord hissed violently and dragged his servant up to inspect his face.  The moon came up from the clouds and illuminated the figures.  The Lord who was strangling the messenger was none other than Lord Fujimaro.  And the one being strangled was a wolf demon, whose name was Hiso.  “Hiso, you had better have something useful tonight!” Fujimaro ground out.  Hiso told Fujimaro of Sesshoumaru’s interest in the Miko.  The cat demon’s face lit up in an evil grin.  So the Great Demon of the Western Lands was becoming enamored of the Miko he was supposed to dispose of.  Fujimaro dropped Hiso and kicked it back down the hill.  “I will return in a fortnight for more information.”  With that, Fujimaro took off.

Sesshoumaru’s castle…the hot springs…

            Kagome slipped into the hot springs chamber.  Inspecting the entire room, Kagome made sure that there was no one to spy on her.  Taking off her kimono, the Miko stripped completely and stepped into a spring.  It was rather late but Kagome could not sleep.  It was not worry for Shippo that kept Kagome awake but something entirely different.  She felt different…somehow altered in her personality.  After Inuyasha had passed, Kagome had lived through an awful time of mourning.  After that, Kagome had sobered down to a very serious demeanor.  Life seemed to have no meaning since he had gone…Kagome thought, striving for some sort of answer.  Now, in just a day’s time, her perspective on life had changed.  Now, Kagome wanted to live…for Shippo…for herself…Kagome felt tears slipping down her cheeks…the pain and anguish were still there, but somehow dulled.  Kagome wiped the tears away from her eyes.  New purpose woke inside the Miko.  Fires were relit and life had now a special meaning.  She had a pup to consider.  Kagome chided herself for neglecting her responsibilities.  Stepping out of the water, Kagome dried off and dressed again.  Walking back to her room, Kagome took out her Miko uniform and headed to the archery range.

Sesshoumaru’s private quarters…

            No matter how he tossed and turned, Sesshoumaru could not fall asleep.  Tail twitching in irritation, the Demon Lord put on a loose robe and ascended into his gardens.  The Rose Garden’s entrance called out to Sesshoumaru and he went through.  Inhaling deeply, Sesshoumaru stretched out some of his scrunched muscles.  Then, sensing a battle aura, Sesshoumaru’s senses went out and tried to see who it was.  It was the Miko…in the archery range.  ‘Why is she doing that this late?’ wondered Sesshoumaru as he went to spy on Kagome.

Archery range…

            Twang! Kagome’s arrow once again flew towards its target.  But this time, the arrow burst into flame and took the target with it.  Kagome smirked as she notched another arrow.  But she had no other targets to flame-broil.  Kagome sighed and put her weapon away.  Then, sensing a rather powerful youki, Kagome hurriedly notched another arrow and put a weak spell on the tip.  Pointing her charmed arrow towards the source of the youki, Kagome waited.  There it was…Twang! Then there was an audible thump on the ground.  Kagome went over and inspected her target. Gasping, Kagome went to Sesshoumaru’s side.  She had hit him! Cursing herself for not investigating, Kagome gathered her healing power and laid a small hand on Sesshoumaru’s shoulder (where the arrow hit…).  Growling, Sesshoumaru felt the pain in his shoulder subside.  Using his renewed strength, the Demon Lord wrapped his clawed hand around the Miko’s wrist and squeezed.  Kagome gasped in pain and tried to pull her wrist away.  “Never again will you try that again, Miko!” Sesshoumaru ground out, a growl rising low in his throat.  Kagome pulled away from the Demon Lord and ran.  Sesshoumaru smirked, once again in the mood for a hunt…

Meanwhile…back inside the castle…

            Shippo awoke about twenty minutes later, feeling a little lightheaded.  Shippo had remembered being attacked, but when did he get inside a castle.  The kitsune got up and started to wander around.  Five minutes later, a bundle of black hair and fluffy cuteness barreled into him.  “Oomph!” Shippo was knocked back along with the small girl.  Getting up and pulling the girl up with him, Shippo grinned at the child.  The girl backed away slightly, out of fear and confusion.  Shippo smiled more reassuredly, “It’s ok. I’m Shippo…who are you?” Feeling more at ease, Rin smiled shyly, “My name is Rin. Does Shippo want to play with Rin and Kagome-kun?”  Shippo’s smile widened, “You know Kagome?” Rin nodded and grabbed onto Shippo’s hand.  “Follow me!” called Rin.  Together, they went off in search of a fun adventure…

In the gardens…

            Kagome heaved herself to the ground, exhausted with her flight.  ‘He’s hunting me!’ the Miko thought as she stood up to run again.  But something tripped her and she was once again on the ground.  Sesshoumaru stood over Kagome; a wicked smile touching at his lips…now was the time to finish her off…

(Hiding behind wall anticipating rotten vegetables) to be thrown at me- Please don’t kill me for this cliffhanger…I thought it ended pretty nicely…most assuredly there will be more to come…

Aiwendil-It’s hard to keep Sess in character especially when I want him to fall in love with Kagome… Thanks for your kind review.