Secrets of the Shinju (Part IV): Power of the Purified Shinju by Kilala81

A Moment of Safety

Sesshoumaru and InuYasha continued to move through the forest well into the night. Finally they had to stop for sleep, knowing that their human bodies had limitations.

Shortly after lying down Sesshoumaru could feel Kagome reaching for him. He closed his eyes, hoping that she would be able to contact him.

Finally he was pulled into sleep and found himself surrounded by darkness. He saw Kagome standing about ten feet in front of him; she was wrapped tightly in a sheet.

Instantly he knew something was wrong with her. Though she held no visible injuries, it was obvious that she had been hurt.

He rushed to her and was about to speak to her when she burst into tears. He put his hand on her shoulder and asked her what had happened to her. Her body was quivering and she continued to sob. Finally she asked him if they made it to Toshi.

"Yes, but it doesn't sound promising. There is another that wants the shinju, and she believes they will get to it. You need to come with me; you won't be safe with Naraku if that happens."

She looked up at him and sobbed again. "You know I can't."

Again she was in tears and hugged her close to him and stroked her hair softly.

"Kagome, tell me what has happened to you."

She shook her head and he again asked her to tell him.

Finally she told him that she had been unable to purify the shinju and then she began crying and clung to him.

He didn't need to hear the words to know what Naraku had done to her. He had saw enough in his earlier dream to know what Naraku desired to do.

"I will tear that half breed apart when I find him." He growled more to himself than to her.

Kagome felt herself slipping back into consciousness. She desperately clung to Sesshoumaru, not wanting to wake and face Naraku.

He looked down at her as she began to struggle with her breathing. He could feel her fear and he became enraged.

"I will come for you, and kill him." He said as he felt her disappearing.

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

Sesshoumaru woke in the forest and looked over at his brother.

"Wake up!" He shouted gruffly.

InuYasha's eyes snapped open. "What?" He growled back irritably.

"We are going separate ways. You will return to my castle and get the humans away. If you fail, brother, you will have to answer to me." He glared down at InuYasha. "I am going to Naraku."

He turned and grabbed his things.

"Why? What happened?" InuYasha asked getting to his feet.

"Nothing that concerns you, you only need to worry about getting to the castle."

InuYasha moved towards his brother, now speaking in an angry tone.

"If something has happened to Kagome, you better tell me." Sesshoumaru spun towards InuYasha.

"Do not order me around, brother. I have no patience for you right now. You will do as I've told you."

Sesshoumaru then took off in a full run in the opposite direction. Though he didn't have his demon senses anymore, he knew his lands well. He could also feel the priestess as if she were still calling to him.

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

Kagome woke and could barely move. It had taken all of her concentration and energy to go to Sesshoumaru. She had to know if they had made it to Toshi.

She glanced over at Naraku who was again sleeping next to her. She had already been asleep when he came to her. For reasons she didn't understand, he did not force himself on her when he came in. He merely came to bed and again pulled her to him.

She began to shiver slightly. The idea that she had drained all of her energy frightened her. If he woke, he would know what she had done and she wouldn't be able to protect herself from him.

She then thought back to Sesshoumaru. He had said there was another that wanted the shinju. She thought about who that could be, and quickly acknowledged how many demons wanted the power of the Shikon Jewel. Surely any that had heard the legend of the shinju would also desire to possess it.

She again felt Sesshoumaru's embrace and a warmth came over her. It was quickly chilled when Naraku moved and brought his hand to her hair.

She lay perfectly still, hoping that he wouldn't wake. She finally let out a small sigh moments later when she noticed that his breathing had again become regular.

Sesshoumaru's words again filled her ears. He was going to come for her and he would kill Naraku. She felt a tear roll down her cheek.

She needed to rest now and regain her strength. She wanted to go to Miroku and make sure he was ok. But she wouldn't let him see her. She didn't want him to know how it was that his wind tunnel had disappeared.

She closed her eyes and was almost asleep when she felt Naraku move again. This time he spoke.

"Are you still awake, priestess?" She cringed not wanting to answer him.

"It is in your best interest that you not play games with me." She opened her eyes and looked up at him as he leaned over her. "Good." He brought his face close to hers and spoke softly.

"Tell me how the shinju can be purified." She swallowed and brought forth the strongest voice she was able.

"I'm not sure how to purify it. My powers aren't strong enough, it is blackened with hate." He contemplated her for a moment, his look terrifying her.

"Very well, I will speak with Hitomi and see what she can discover about the purification." He then looked closely at her.

"You are very weak, priestess. What have you been doing?"

She spoke in a strained voice. "I wanted to see Miroku." She thought it would be better to lie than tell him that she had again gone to Sesshoumaru.

Naraku looked at her for a long moment and then asked. "Do you doubt my word? Do you not believe that I held up my part of the bargain?"

He held an angry look on his face. She started to speak but no longer had the strength.

"I will not tolerate you questioning me." She looked up at him with pleading eyes, knowing that soon she would be unconscious.

Being so close to him kept her powers subdued and she had used every ounce of energy she had left to go to Sesshoumaru. Her last thought before she passed out were not of Naraku, but of InuYasha. 'Why didn't I go to him? Why did I go to his brother?'

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

A/N: I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has sent me kind reviews! They are very much appreciated!