The Niles Edge by Viciousbeb0p

Encounter

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co.

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My name spells joy I can't remember darkness

except a dream,

you saved my life.

Do you wonder what you saw?

Floating softly at the Niles edge.

Alone

Wandering eyes commitments never can last

It feels so cold,

to know our name

I've never known you and I never will

what difference does indifference takes.

Do you regret what you saw?

Floating softly at the Niles edge.

Alone

Do you regret, regret what you did?

Floating softly at the Niles edge

Alone

*Vast – The Niles Edge*

___________________________________

Kagome emerged from the well, hefting her battered yellow backpack over the weathered lip of the Bone Eater's well before hauling herself up and over the edge. She stood for a moment, gazing up at the moonlit sky. Seemingly every star in the galaxy was out tonight, tiny pinpricks of light speckling the darkness of the heavens.

A warm breeze wafted through the clearing, whipping silky strands of Kagome's dark hair about her face. She ran her fingers through the unruly mass in a futile attempt to tame it.

The cool grass tickled the tips of her sandal-clad toes as she smoothed the pale blue fabric of her cotton dress before bending a bit to retrieve her bag from the ground. As her fingers closed around the strap Kagome looked up.

A figure clad in white stood just beyond the reach of the shadowy forest, bathed in the moonlight. His ivory tresses lifted with the way of the wind; his clothing, fluttering ever so slightly. Yet he himself remained motionless.

Kagome let the strap of her pack slip from numb fingers. She stood up straight, bringing herself up to her full height.

The demon and human eyed each other; Sesshoumaru delicately lifting his nose to scent the air. He closed his eyes, fangs flashing as the demon lord's lip curled sadistically. Kagome's breath hitched as an unsettling chill crept up her spine. She began calculating the odds on weather or not she would be able to make it back into the well faster than Sesshoumaru would be able to close the fifty feet that separated them.

Sesshoumaru's gaze flickered phosphorescent in the ghostly luminance as his eyes opened to fix on her once more.

Kagome's brows drew together. This was ridiculous. She wasn't going to let Sesshoumaru push her around. That was how he got his kicks; scaring people into a sick sort of submission. Well not this Kagome. If he wanted to kill her, fine. She would die honorably – not groveling like a slug at his feet.

With a resolute expression clear on her face, Kagome planted her hands firmly on her hips; feet set slightly shoulder-width apart. The wind picked up suddenly, forcefully whipping around her, making her feel wild and empowered for some odd reason.

Sesshoumaru sneered.

"Come on Sesshoumaru." She said flatly, knowing even though she spoke in a low voice, the tai-youkai's heightened senses picked it up. In an instant he was before her, gazing down at her haughtily.

Kagome faltered a bit, but didn't back down. If she gave up ground, she would lose this battle of the wills. With all the courage she could muster, Kagome glared up at the demon lord crossly.

"Now you're stalking people?" It was more of a statement than a question, but either way it cut right to business..

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes slightly. "You accuse this Sesshoumaru of such a lowly and disgraceful deed?"

"What else would you call it? You've been at this spot the last three times I've pulled myself out of that well." She huffed, recalling the two times prior when he had remained hidden. Kagome though, had sensed his presence...one of many which she had become accustomed to over the years spent in this era.

Sesshoumaru looked down as a stray lock of her hair brushed against the bone plating of his armor...the contrast between the two disturbingly mesmerizing. Kagome hastily gathered her hair together, lest the demon lord slice off the offending tresses. He flicked his gaze to her face, his expression cool and composed as usual.

"You intrigue me mortal." He said simply, as if that explained everything. Kagome's brows furrowed as she attempted to figure out if this was a good or bad thing. Although, catching Sesshoumaru's eye was probably not the best thing a person could do. She licked her lips nervously, the uncomfortable silence stretching.

"Where do you go?" he asked suddenly.

"What?" Kagome responded, wondering where on earth this conversation was going.

His eyes flicked to the well briefly before returning to her face.

"When you enter the well, where do you go? Your scent remains, yet your body is gone."

Kagome had a split second to decide whether or not to tell the tai-youkai the truth about the well. She decided though, that telling the demon the truth couldn't possibly hurt. It's not like he would believe her anyway.

"I go home; to my time in the future." Kagome said slowly, attempting to gauge his reaction or lack thereof.

Sesshoumaru seemed to be searching her face for any sign of mistruth. Kagome fidgeted under his scrutinizing stare. She let her gaze travel past him, looking towards the direction of Kaede's village.

'Inuyasha...' she thought vaguely. 'Why haven't you come?'

He knew she was coming back tonight, hell, he practically demanded it.

As if reading her thoughts, Sesshoumaru answered her unspoken question.

"He won't be coming for you tonight." he stated, watching her reaction closely.

Kagome closed her eyes briefly, her lips forming a rue little smile. She could only imagine what he was off doing...

"We have all night, you and I." Sesshoumaru stated.

Kagome arched a brow at that statement. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I have questions. You will answer them. Come." He said, turning away from her. Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru's back like he had gone insane. He expected her to just traipse along behind him like that toad and little girl.

'Humph.'

Calmly, Kagome turned and planted a hand on the lip of the well. She vaulted over and into the opening, only to be half-way home free when she felt Sesshoumaru's hand fist around collar of her garment, jerking her up out of the well. He swung her around so that she was looking him, turning the full intensity of his icy gaze upon her at that moment.

"Heh heh heh." Kagome laughed weakly.

"Don't play games with me mortal." He bit out, giving her one last look of warning before setting her down beside the wooden structure. "I'll win every time."

With that, he once more turned his back on her. "Come."

Kagome clenched her jaw, biting back a few choice words for the tai-youkai. She leaned down and grabbed her back, reluctantly following Sesshoumaru into the darkness of the forest.

~*~

They had been walking for a while now, Sesshoumaru leading her further and further away from the village, and Inuyasha. Kagome's grip tightened nervously on her pack as she glanced around, trying to gain her bearings. This area of the forest though, was very unfamiliar to her.

She began picking at the frayed ends of yellow canvas as she looked at Sesshoumaru, walking silently a few meters ahead of her. Kagome lost count of how many plans of escape she had invented over the past hour or so. She had to abandon each and every one being that they were all faulty to an extent, all having the end result of her death.

Kagome was startled when he stopped abruptly. She paused, waiting for him to indicate what her next move should be. Gradually he turned to face her, looking her over with an analytical gaze.

"Now we talk." He said.

Kagome looked around incredulously. They were miles away from the well in the middle of a rather wild area of the forest. The trees were so close together it was slightly claustrophobic.

Thick clusters of brush and bramble scattered the forest floor. As Kagome looked around, she realized that it would be very difficult if not impossible to run from the area without behind hindered a great deal. He trapped her without her even realizing it.

"Why did you bring me all the way out here to talk?" she asked warily.

"So no one will hear you scream." He said in a bored tone. His eyes though, betrayed his voice, flashing briefly with sadistic amusement.