Sesshoumaru stared out over the balcony—yes, the one in Kagome’s room—at his vast lands as far as the eye could see. The cold wind bit at his face as a natural fog began to set in for the evening. Had it truly only been the day before that he had been lying in that shack, unable to move? Was it really only the previous day? After all, so much had happened in that small frame of time.

Sesshoumaru sighed as he once again remembered what it was that Michiko wanted. It was a rather powerful item, but also one that Sesshoumaru wished to leave lie. It had been buried with his mother, so of course he didn’t want to retrieve it. After all, who would want to dig up their own mother’s grave to retrieve such an object? Not only would that be admitting that he had a weakness, it would be showing how desperate he was to undo the weakness.

(Kagome… However will I get you back? I… I don’t want to fail you… but I’ve already lost to Michiko’s abilities—unless I am to fight blindly, I’ve no way of directly facing that woman…) Sesshoumaru tightened his grip on the balcony’s railing in frustration as his bangs shadowed his face. He had not even considered whether he would be able to fight Michiko just yet. Then again, the fact that she held Kagome’s life in her hands did not make his decisions any easier.

Now, the more he thought of it, the more the idea of simply retrieving Kagome and sending her to her own home appealed to Sesshoumaru. He wasn’t sure how he felt about not seeing her for such a long time, but he also knew that he wasn’t about to let anything happen to Kagome. As it was, he still felt regret for having allowed her to be injured while she was essentially saving his soul. He knew not how he could have prevented what had happened, yet he cursed himself for bringing his dearest Kagome in danger in such a way. Yes, the more he thought of it, the more he realized that the only rational, unselfish thing he could do for Kagome was to send her home.

~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ -^_^- ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~

Sango swung her katana through the air in forceful motions as she fought an imaginary opponent in the courtyard. She had relied so heavily on Hiraikotsu in recent battles that she now realized that if she somehow were unable to use her favored weapon, she’d be nearly defenseless. It had been nearly three years since she had actually practiced with her katana—far too long to be able to fight a difficult opponent such as Michiko or whomever Michiko may have assisting.

Kagome had helped Sango to rescue Kohaku. Sango couldn’t help but to realize that she must have been a terrible burden to her friends while she was worrying about her younger brother. Not only that, but Kagome had been there to slay Naraku and therefore saved Miroku from certain death. Kagome had saved two of the people whom Sango loved the most all in one day. Sango gritted her teeth as she sheathed her sword. (I owe Kagome… I have to save her…)

Miroku quietly approached Sango. He knew just as well, if not better than anyone that Sango was frustrated about her best friend’s capture. However, he realized that perhaps not everyone else realized just how frustrated Sango happened to be. She hadn’t even bothered talking to Miroku about how she felt on the matter since it had happened. Upon hearing Sango’s nearly silent sobbing, Miroku wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Sango, it will be okay… Kagome-sama will be fine, I know it."

Sango allowed herself to relax against Miroku’s body as she glanced back at him. "How can you be so confident?"

Miroku gently rubbed Sango’s right palm as he replied, "We were the last ones to see Kagome-sama… She didn’t look scared. What’s more, the fact that the kidnappers took the time to make sure that she left with them on her own and uninjured tells me that the last thing they’ll do is to bring harm to Kagome-sama."

Sango slowly turned around, her chocolate eyes boring into Miroku’s violet orbs. She felt her heart skip a beat as Miroku pulled her closer to himself. Considering all the times that they had been this close, she couldn’t begin to understand why she felt like this now. The longer she stared into his eyes, the more she felt like she was melting in his arms—until finally, she collapsed against his chest altogether. "Miroku… Thank you."

Miroku managed a thin smile as he ran his hand through her hair. (If only she could know just how beautiful she is in my eyes…) Miroku felt an uneasy chill run down his spine as he remembered how helpless he had felt when they had met Michiko. He knew that without the Kazaana he now held the ability to lead a normal life—what he had longed for. He also held very little power in battle aside from his ofuda spells and his staff. Yet, as he held Sango in his arms, he couldn’t help but to feel invincible—she was truly all he needed. Soon enough, they would face a life without all of the harsh battles and trials.

Sango’s eyes suddenly lit up—she had obviously pushed all of her worries from her mind—and she ran into the castle’s rear corridor. She hesitated just long enough to see Miroku follow after her as she continued up the staircase. She glanced down with a playful smirk, which was quickly returned by Miroku. She made her way down the long hall and paused before entering her room, leaving just enough time for Miroku to follow quickly after her and to shut the door.

~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ -^_^- ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~

Kagura sighed as she heard the door to the taijiya’s room slam shut. She had known that the two humans were bound to wind up doing such a thing soon, however, Kagura hadn’t imagined that they would do so while one of their friends was in such danger. Kagura chided herself for having looked down upon the two when she remembered her own feelings. True, worrying about Kagome was important, but one could not drown one’s self in worry when enjoyment of another’s company could be had.

As it was, Kagura had spent much of the past hour in self-debate over whether she would allow herself to have feelings for a certain other yokai taking temporary residence in Sesshoumaru’s castle. She knew that she definitely felt something for him, she just wasn’t exactly quite sure what it was. But, she did know more than anything, she wanted him to completely forgive her for what she had done. She did feel regret while she was under Naraku’s control, yet she could not completely feel remorse for having done things such as her attack on the wolf clan.

After all, she had no problems doing what she had until Inu Yasha nearly killed her with his sword. She knew that the fact that she held little remorse and that she had, at the time, enjoyed the small power trip allowed to her via the deaths of the wolf tribesmen, all gave Kouga little reason to forgive her for her actions—ever. Yet, she still yearned for his forgiveness, to know that she no longer seemed to be such a terrible evil in his eyes. She wanted to prove that there was more to her than what was shown then.

If only she could gain that one person’s respect, then she would be able to go on without any regrets. She didn’t care what Inu Yasha thought of her, she could give a thought less to any human’s opinion, and she already saw how Sesshoumaru regarded her. She simply wanted someone else at her level, not above or below her status, to acknowledge her with respect. (But… is simple respect all I want?)

~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ -^_^- ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~

Michiko leaned back in her throne, watching the candle light flicker. The vibrant colors of gold and orange from the flame instantly reminded her of Sesshoumaru’s eyes. How was it that after so many years, she could not yet bring herself to hate those golden eyes?

After all, he chose to take no woman by his side after the death of his fiancé, Aki. Michiko had fought hard to show her loyalty unto her Taiyokai and her worthiness as his bride during the invasion of the Western Lands. She had suspected Aki’s betrayal long before Sesshoumaru was able to return to his fiancé. She, in fact, had been the one to tell Aki of the assassin that had supposedly been sent for Sesshoumaru—all along, the target had been Aki. In the months following Aki’s death, Michiko desperately attempted to woo Sesshoumaru into taking her own hand, but to no avail. Now it seemed as though he did not even remember her.

Vengeance was the only thing that Michiko could think of. How dare he completely disregard her, his loyal servant, only to later choose a human mate? At this rate, she knew that she would not be able to legitimately come to power in the Western Lands, yet she could overpower Sesshoumaru. It wouldn’t be easy, but she could do it if she played her cards right. As for the human girl, she would be disposed of, regardless of Sesshoumaru’s actions. If she, a full-blooded and powerful yokai, were denied Sesshoumaru’s attention, why should it be that a human would receive his affections?

With the snap of a finger, Enryomaru appeared at Michiko’s side. She side-glanced at her most loyal servant in annoyance. He really wasn’t the type of person that she had expected to end up as her servant—no, he was too honest and straightforward about things. He’d rather help someone whom he saw as innocent or ‘the underdog’ than to harm that person. Even his name had a more noble meaning—‘enryo’ meaning ‘reserve’—than what he was made to do. She knew quite well that he sympathized with the human that they had taken captive, but at least he was loyal enough not to release her.

"Enryo-san, do you have the faintest idea what it is that I’ve asked of Sesshoumaru-sama?" Michiko leaned forward, anxious for Enryomaru’s answer. She knew quite well that he hadn’t the slightest idea of what they were doing, yet he would never ask. Indeed, he was reserved; he could be dying of hunger and yet he would not dare indicate to her that he wanted food.

Enryomaru shook his head stoically. He knew that his mistress was rather wily, yet he dared not let her see that he thought of her in such a way. She had saved his life when he was but a helpless child and until he was able to properly return the favor, he was indebted to her.

Michiko straightened, a sly grin spreading over her features. "Since I am unable to gain control of the Western Lands fairly, by marrying the Taiyokai, I am forcing him to give to me the most valuable item within his lands. Like many of the other blades associated with the Inu clan of the Western Lands, this too, is very powerful. The only reason that Sesshoumaru has chosen not to use this blade yet is because of his on pride.

"This sword, though nameless, has the mystic power to cause your greatest weakness to be your greatest strength. I could easily rule the Western Lands and become powerful enough to make any Taiyokai—nay, any God tremble in my presence. So now, I assume that you see why it is essential for me to get that blade, correct?" Michiko chuckled as Enryomaru’s eyes widened and he nodded. For so long she had bided her time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now, she was poised and ready to sink in her wicked fangs that would seep poison into Sesshoumaru’s place as ruler of the Western Lands. The mere thought of the power she was about to gain made her mouth water, hungry for the position she was soon to gain.

~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ -^_^- ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~

Kagome shivered as she leaned against the stone wall of her cell. The hours had seemed like days to Kagome. She knew that it was now nighttime, but she wasn’t sure just how late it was. She longed for Sesshoumaru more than anything now. As she stared up at the empty ceiling, her thoughts raced with memories of when they had been together. Those thoughts then would turn to brief daydreams of when she would see him next. Dozens of scenes made their way into her mind of how she would run to him and leap into his arms. But, the more often she thought of how she wanted to hold him once more, the more she felt her own sorrow.

Time itself seemed to stop as she wondered how much longer she’d have to wait for Sesshoumaru to come to her. The fact that he’d probably have to fight when he got there never seemed to make it across her thoughts. Danger wasn’t even one of her main concerns at this point. She didn’t care what she had to do, she’d find a way to get back to him or to get him to come for her as quickly as possible.

~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ -^_^- ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~ ~

A.N. Well, once again, a long wait… I’ll not make any excuses or any of that—it won’t do any good. So, I’ll be honest and tell you all that from here on, expect a while between updates. I know it’s hard to wait, but I can’t always put my life on hold to sit at my computer for hours straight, agonizing over how I’m going to word something or who’s going to like who or how Kagome’s going to get out of the latest fix, etc.

Meanwhile, I have seen the rest of the third Inu Yasha movie. I also have some very sad news—Japanese production on the Inu Yasha anime series has stopped. Episode 167 was the last of it—for more information, go to where I found out at http://www.inuyashaworld.com .

As for my personal life—well, I’ve had my ups and downs, though it feels like I’m rapidly moving towards down right now, I’m plenty sure things will get better. In the mean time, I’ve been getting very well acquainted with my Kittie CD ‘Until the End’. Great CD if you’re a fan of metal. If not, well, don’t worry too much, you’ll understand some day ^_~. Lol, seriously, just getting to update is making my day a little bit happier. ^_^ I love you all so much!!!

Ja ne,

Ryoko-chan