Sesshoumaru looked up at the door to the shrine. He knew very well why the door was closed, but he was exceedingly anxious to know what was being said. After all, he had finished hours ago. The bow that he had set out to create was lacking only the string, which was to be gotten by Kagome. It would only truly be her bow if she were the one to set the string in place.

Finally, the shrine door opened, revealing Kagome. She smiled as she saw Sesshoumaru, sitting just outside the door, waiting for her. Though she did not quite think that a verbal comparison was in place, he reminded her of Inu Yasha, waiting impatiently as he was.

"I presume that the two of you had much to converse upon?" Sesshoumaru leaned forward to stand, but stopped when he felt Kagome’s hand on his shoulder. He looked up, into her gentle amber eyes. She smiled as she helped him to stand.

"Sesshou-kun… have you been waiting this whole time?"

Sesshoumaru looked into her gaze, as though searching for the answer to his question. "Well…"

Kagome stifled a laugh, interrupting whatever excuse Sesshoumaru would have provided. Her eyes shone as she reached into a pocket in her kimono and removed a small flask. "It took so long because we were making this…"

Sesshoumaru looked at the flask that Kagome held in her hand quizzically. The flask was made of a clear, glass-like material and inside, it held a slightly viscous clear liquid. "What is it?"

Kagome’s smile widened as she gestured for Sesshoumaru to follow her back into the hut that they had slept in. "Well, I’ve been looking for a way to repay you for saving me… and this potion is made so that an entire limb can be re-grown. When paired with my miko abilities, the result will be nearly instant."

Sesshoumaru nodded as he glanced down to his empty left sleeve. How he had longed for a way to replace his left arm—permanently. He looked back up at Kagome, whom was reaching for the shard in her chest. "You’re going to take the shard out?"

Kagome nodded. "If I do this now, we’ll know that it will work when we go to fight Naraku. Besides, you’ll need to be able to use everything you’ve got in that battle."

Sesshoumaru sighed, though inwardly glad that Kagome had decided to do this for his sake. "Alright, let’s try it."

Kagome took in a deep breath as she pushed her claws into the skin on her chest. She pinched the shard between her fingers and withdrew it from her chest. She felt momentary pain from the point on her chest that she had just removed the shard, but as all of the yokai energy in her body left her, the small cut in her skin repaired itself.

Sesshoumaru stared at Kagome in an emotion that was indescribable, even to him. Her once silver hair returned to its human color, a shining ebony. Her eyes dilated as their color altered as well, now no longer amber, but a sparkling sapphire. Her claws were shortened and became mere human fingernails, but Sesshoumaru still found her appearance… rather beautiful. He realized that never before had he seen her—especially not while in her human form—as being so attractive—until now.

Kagome gasped as she pulled a few strands of her hair forward and saw that—yes, she was indeed human again. She reached to the side of her head and was even surprised to feel that her ears had also returned to their normal position. "I guess I’m back to normal—for now. Come on, let me see your arm… we’ll see just how well this works."

Sesshoumaru moved closer to Kagome and removed the top half of his kimono. He held up the stump that was all that was left of his left arm. This was proof—a painful testament to his biggest failure. He hated to even look at the arm, much less subject someone else to the horrid sight. However, he was surprised when he saw that Kagome, rather than being appalled, looked sympathetic.

Kagome removed the cork from the flask and held her left hand under what was left of his left arm. She splashed the liquid out onto his flesh, causing a tingling sensation. She set the flask down and began concentrating all of her energy into her hands. She felt nervous about trying this, but seeing as she had been assured by his mother’s spirit, she trusted that no bad would come from it. Finally, a glow was emitted from her hands.

~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~

Kagome opened her eyes, noticing that she was no longer sitting upright, but instead, she was laying on the bed in the hut. She looked around, noticing that, once more, Sesshoumaru was not in the hut with her. She rose from the bed and exited the tiny hut, seeing that the day had not yet ended. She looked out to see Sesshoumaru walking out of the shrine, a noticeable smile on his face.

Sesshoumaru’s eyes softened as he saw Kagome, awakened from when she fainted. Of course, she fainted only because she had over-exerted herself, using all of the energy she had to offer. But he could not have been more pleased by the results—he now had use of his left arm once more.

Kagome’s attention was turned from Sesshoumaru to the air as the wind shifted direction and began violently swirling around the area. Kagome ran towards Sesshoumaru as dust flew into the air, causing lowered visibility in the area. Finally, the winds stopped just as soon as they had come. As the dust settled, a deep feminine voice was heard from the distance. "Sesshoumaru, I was not aware that you kept humans with you…"

Kagome’s mind flooded with panic as she realized the owner of the voice. Sesshoumaru stepped in front of Kagome and held his arms out, in a protective stance. He repressed a growl as he replied calmly to the woman. "I thought I told you—two days."

Kagura sighed as she waved her fan in front of her face. "Yes, but this time, I haven’t been sent by Naraku."

Sesshoumaru nodded, understanding. This hadn’t been the first time Kagura had come to him, but it certainly did seem annoying when she just barged in on his business as she did. He pointed to the small hut and gestured for Kagome to follow as he began heading into the building as well.

Kagome felt uneasy about being seen in her human form by Kagura. She also disliked that Kagura and Sesshoumaru were acting as… familiar as they if were, well, Kagome didn’t want to think of it that way. She followed the two yokai into the hut and followed suit as Sesshoumaru and Kagura sat on the floor.

Kagura took a long look at the human woman that had been clinging to Sesshoumaru earlier and quickly remembered the human woman that used to cling to Inu Yasha in a similar way. "I thought Naraku killed you…"

Kagome took in a deep breath as she looked to Sesshoumaru for assistance, seeing as he seemed to know how to deal with Kagura. She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. Her words rang of her poison thoughts as she spat, "You explain to her, Sesshoumaru. You seem to know her well enough."

Sesshoumaru stared at Kagome for a moment, confused and slightly hurt. Never before had Kagome spoken to him in such a way—not since he had revived her, that is. "Kagura, if you wish to be freed, I suggest that you say nothing of her existence to Naraku. If he must be told that I was here with a woman, tell him that I was here with the hanyou woman, Kana."

Kagura shrugged, still watching Kagome as though Kagome was going to attack her—which was fitting, as Kagome was glaring at Kagura as though she would do such a thing. "He doesn’t exactly know where I am right now. Listen, he’s going to try to use Sayaka as a shield whenever you or Inu Yasha attack. I suggest that you have your okami friend wait for a while before he comes into the battle. You, too, have to keep on your senses. He plans on taking you into his body if he gets the chance. I know that you escaped somehow last time, but I don’t think he’ll allow it this time."

Sesshoumaru growled at the thought. It was for that reason, that encounter with Naraku, that he had vowed unto himself that he would slay Naraku, no matter what the means. That was why he had Kagome with him now.

Kagura began tapping her fan, now closed, on her arm. "He seems to think that Inu Yasha would sacrifice himself in order to save Sayaka—she has taken quite a liking to Inu Yasha, you know."

Kagura looked up pointing to Kagome. "However, if you are there, he may try to use you instead. It’s hard telling. As for the other two, the houshi and the taijiya, he has the same tricks as usual for them. He’ll bring out Kohaku to deal with Sango and he’ll send out the Saimyosho for the houshi’s Kazaana."

Kagome shrugged as she considered that these were the actions that Naraku always took. "So, what else is new? He always does this type of crap."

Kagura sighed as she looked away from Kagome and back to Sesshoumaru. "I guess… I guess I just wanted to talk to someone one last time before all of this happens… I don’t know if I’m going to be able to live through this—Naraku may try to recall me into his body as a last resort for strength… and also, I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do once—if—I get my freedom."

Sesshoumaru nodded, he had been expecting such a thing from Kagura. "If you so wish, you may work as one of my vassals. My lands have been long without any truly strong and intelligent fighters. I expect obedience and proper etiquette from my vassals, but I don’t mistreat them."

Kagome lowered her eyelids in annoyance as she looked at Sesshoumaru, a sly sparkle in her eyes. "What about Jaken?"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "I let him live… despite how annoying he is…"

Kagura sighed as she stood and walked to the door. "My presence may be missed if I do not return soon…"

Kagome looked up at Kagura, surprised. "You aren’t going to tell Naraku about… well… me, are you?"

Kagura shook her head. "As Sesshoumaru said, if I want to be freed, I won’t say a thing…"

Kagome began to follow Kagura as she exited the small hut, but stopped as she felt Sesshoumaru’s hand on her arm. He shook his head. "She caught wind of something; don’t go out right now."

Kagome gasped as she heard the sounds of the Saimyosho bees following Kagura as she left. She looked back at Sesshoumaru, nervous. "Do you think that they saw us?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "They just got here a few moments ago."

Kagome nodded as she moved to sit on the bed. She crossed her arms and turned around, so not to look at Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru glanced back, taking note that something was wrong. He placed his hand on her shoulder, to gain her attention. "What’s wrong, Kana-chan?"

Kagome glanced back and saw Sesshoumaru’s concerned expression, but her scowl did not lift. "So, you didn’t tell me about you and Kagura being so friendly-like… how long has that been going on?"

"What?"

Kagome turned around to fully face Sesshoumaru. "I saw the way that you two were looking at each other! Don’t tell me that was just you being polite!"

Sesshoumaru’s jaw dropped as he considered Kagome’s angry words. [She’s… jealous?]

Kagome took in a deep breath as she concentrated as much of her energy as possible into not crying. Earlier, she had spoken with his mother’s spirit—what was said then… Kagome shook her head. "Never mind! I don’t care, just go away for a while!"

Sesshoumaru’s face softened as he moved to look at Kagome’s face. "Kagome…"

[He… actually used my human name… Is it because he only sees me as human or…?] Kagome’s lip quivered momentarily as she backed away from Sesshoumaru. Her hair shadowed her face as she leaned against the wall. "I thought you at least trusted me enough to tell me something like that."

Sesshoumaru shook his head, a thin smile on his lips. "If you’re assuming what I think you are, no, I’m not involved with Kagura. She only trusts me and comes to speak with me like that because she wants my help to destroy Naraku. I’ve been able to look at her as a friend, but not in the way that you seem to think…"

Kagome’s watery eyes cleared and burned in defiance. "Whoever said that I was worried about that anyway? I’m just mad ‘cause you can’t seem to trust me well enough to tell me that sort of thing."

Sesshoumaru moved closer to Kagome, brushing her hair out of her face. "But I do trust you… I trust you more than almost anyone I’ve ever known, but I knew that you and Kagura have been in… confrontations before. I was sure that you would not have trusted me in the least had I told you that I associated with someone who has tried many times to kill you."

Kagome’s face flushed scarlet as she realized that he had continued inching near her, for his face was close enough that they could touch. She felt frozen as golden eyes bore into her eyes—her heart, as well. She was not sure whether she wanted this, this closeness, to end—there was only one way to find out. "But… I’m a human…"

Sesshoumaru merely smiled as he moved closer—their noses brushed against one another as he replied, "I’ve learned… that doesn’t matter any more."

Kagome mumbled an ‘Of course’ as his lips touched to hers. Though she had long contemplated, she had finally made her decision. It was by Sesshoumaru’s side, not Inu Yasha’s, that she needed to be.

~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~

A.N. ^_^ There ya go!!! The long-awaited and easily foreseen (so many of you have been guessing!) decision! ~_^ YEA!!!!

*sighs* Well, that’s it for today, read, review, and remember: No matter how much you argue with someone, you can end the fight with a kiss. ^_^

Ja ne,

Ryoko Yuy / V Shape Otaku