Between Heaven and Hell by DestinysTears

Stranger

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I profit from my writings. Inuyasha and all other characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

~"*"~

Kagome stared at the ground as she walked along, scanning each herb-like plant in sight. Sighing, she bent down to pluck another bunch and placed it inside the wicker basket. She straightened herself up slowly, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. Smiling, Kagome looked up into the cloud splashed sky.

A beautiful spring day! She sang pleasantly to herself.

However, her smile quickly vanished as she remembered the task at hand. Kagome turned, finding her sister busying herself on the opposite side of the field. With a huff of warm air, she resumed walking, picking another bundle of an olive-green plant.

It was a tedious task, but it was necessary.

A group of their village slayers had been sent out to slay a demon, but when they returned, the remainder of the assembly was reduced to a wretched third. Those who survived had literally come crawling back for the aid of the healers.

Kagome wondered how the men were doing. The wounds they had returned with were deep and severe - hardly treatable. She shuddered as she thought of what sort of youkai had inflicted such terrible injuries this time.

Youkai attacks and sightings were not uncommon. In a way, she thought, they were quite used to it.

But something about this whole situation bothered her.

It was strange; the fact that the demon never followed the slayers after their escape was unusual. The men who had remained in the village prepared for an after attack, but for some peculiar reason, that attack never came.

At any rate, the event caused a shortage in their supply of healing herbs, thus resulting in the current chore. A couple days had passed since then, and so, for the sake of the wounded, the elders deemed it safe to retrieve materials and medicinal herbs.

Kagome glanced at her sister. Her basket was filling up; they probably should be returning home soon.

She looked at the contents of her basket once again. Deciding to gather a bit more, she began to search the ground for more of the green, vine-like plants. Before long, a slight frown appeared on Kagome's face.

No herbs here.

She ambled forward, looking side to side across the ground for the small plants. When the young woman found nothing, she placed a hand on her hip with a frustrated puff. Could she already have been in this area before? They had been picking herbs for a while now, so that explanation was credible.

Finally, after minutes of searching, she found a small bunch of the plant. She looked ahead, seeing another bunch, and picked that as well. Kagome followed the patches diligently. Now she was beginning to see more of the little green plants scattered about the ground.

This will be easy! They're everywhere here! She nodded and began to pick away at the abundant number of herbs. Deciding to call her sister over to help, she left the wicker basket on the ground and stood, turning to face the direction of her elder sibling.

"Kikyo-" Kagome's call hushed as she looked across an empty landscape of forest. She scanned the forest every which way. The open meadow was nowhere in sight; only forest - miles and miles of forest. Kagome grabbed her basket and began to retrace her footsteps.

When she only found more forest, Kagome spun around and began to head the opposite direction

I went around this tree and came from the left... Or was it right?

Kagome's uncertainty grew as she realized she did not recognize the area.

She was lost.

Never had she been this far into the forest before; especially not alone. Horror crept into her, clouding her practical thinking as fear began to overshadow all else. "Kikyo!" she called as she inched forward.

What if that demon from before was lurking somewhere near here? No one would be able to hear her cries for help, let alone know what was happening.

Or if she could not find her way back, she would wander about the forest until someone found her, which could take days. And if no one was able to find her, she would sleep like a homeless traveler under the stars until youkai found her and devoured her, or she died of starvation - whichever came first.

"Kikyo!" Kagome screamed louder, running forward blindly. Her steps seemed to become heavier with each footfall. "Kikyo! Kikyo, please!" she cried as she ran through the trees, branches reaching towards her like ravenous and broken arms. Kagome ducked away from their reaching claws. Her futile running slowed to a stop while she clutched the herb basket tighter.

Kagome breathed in deep, glancing around herself. No, she shouldn't panic. They would find her. Besides, she probably wasn't too far off from the village. Kagome found a nearby tree and sat at its base. It was probably best not to move around too much; that way they would be able to find her easily. She sighed and waited.

It was eerily still, all except for the sound of chirping songbirds. Kagome could hardly see the sun, the cover of leafy branches obscuring the sky. Trying to calm her nerves, she hugged the basket close and hummed a familiar lullaby. Kagome looked at her surroundings, searching for any signs of movement.

A shuffle and a flicker of white disappeared into a faraway bush from the corner of her eye. Rabbit, she assured herself quickly when her heartbeat accelerated.

 As she stared in the direction of the small critter, something else caught her eye. It was white, just like the rabbit's fur. Taking a closer look, she shook her head mentally. Silver, she concluded. It peeked from around the trunk of the tree; sections of light that had found its way into the forest glimmered down upon it.

Then she executed perhaps one of the stupidest and most dangerous ideas that ever came to mankind. Despite the fact that that... thing, for lack of a better word, could be potentially perilous, Kagome slowly began to crawl forward in the direction of the strange, silver thing, leaving the wicker basket behind.

When she came closer to it, she realized the "thing" was in fact hair - long, silver hair. Kagome stopped mere feet away from it, noting that it was probably someone sitting with their back to the tree. Her heartbeat quickened, and suddenly, she felt unsure. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea after all. Of course, now of all times, she would think so.

Kagome began to steadily move backwards, away from the intriguing figure.

"Human," a masculine voice said from behind the tree.

Her eyes widened as she covered her mouth with her hands to suppress her cry of surprise. How did he know I was here? Did he hear me? She wondered in terror. Kagome shuddered in realization. He was a youkai, a demon. He would kill her, just like all youkai did to her people. Could this be the same one from before?

Kagome shut her eyes tightly, awaiting her impending death with apprehension.

"This Sesshomaru is aware of your presence," he continued when she was silent. "Show yourself." His voice sounded somewhat irritated.

Kagome barely managed to hold in a groan as she heard his name. The destruction of life!? Oh, just my luck, she whimpered. I'm so stupid!

Rising to her feet painfully slow, Kagome made her way towards the ominous demon. She paused behind the tree, knowing this could well be her last breath. Praying for some sort of miracle, Kagome stepped out from around the tree, and then turned to face the mysterious, silver-haired youkai.

Her mouth opened in an attempt to gasp, but it was silent. She stared into gold flecked irises; they were indifferent, yet hosted a slight hint of annoyance, all while portraying a demeanor of superiority. Silver tresses flowed down to his mid-back like a waterfall, free from any impediments. His kimono and hakama were a jet black, and a plain white haori was draped leisurely over his shoulders. Two magenta stripes spiked across his cheek bones; the same magenta lined his top eyelids, while a lavender crescent moon graced his forehead. His light skin looked firm and without a single blemish.

Two long swords were tied at his side, and though sheathed, held an aura of death and danger.

This "Sesshomaru" was most obviously youkai, but even more incredible to her was his flawless beauty. Growing up, youkai to her were murdering beasts, having no sense of graciousness or mercy. And parallel to their nature, their outward appearance was deadly, hideous; unsightly - even monstrous; but never beautiful. Sinfully, she was... attracted to this man.

"I suppose it was you who was making those ungodly noises earlier," Sesshomaru said as he rested an arm on a bent knee.

After shaking herself from her daydreams, Kagome nodded in confirmation of his statement. "I-I'm sorry, I just-"

"What were you thinking, coming here," he cut her off mid-sentence. "Do you value your life at all?" He stared at her, but not menacingly. The look was questioning and almost curious.

Her heart sped, reaching unfathomable speeds at the mention of her life. "Well, I-I didn't know at first, so I wanted to see, because I was curious, and when I sa-" she began to explain hastily, motioning towards the tree she had been at earlier before the youkai interrupted her for a second time.

"You ramble," he stated apathetically. Sesshomaru turned his head away as soon as Kagome was quiet. "This Sesshomaru will not kill you." Then closing his eyes, as if returning to rest, he added, "Leave, before I change my mind."

Kagome was certainly surprised, and grateful too, but leaving him now seemed all too surreal. To irritate a powerful and deadly youkai, and then to be let go so simply was astonishing. She had expected him to force her to plead for her life, at the very least. She wanted to ask him why, but all thoughts on that matter quickly evaporated from her mind as the sight of crimson red caught her eye.

"You're bleeding," Kagome muttered as she looked upon the opening in his kimono. The collar must have shifted when he had turned his head.

"It seems so." The youkai did not open his eyes, instead, continued his serene slumber.

When he became silent once more, he felt the female leave him, only to return again. Sesshomaru opened his eyes, looking to the young woman, now holding a basket in her arms. She kneeled beside him, an arm's length away.

Had she not learned? This human obviously lacked proper sense.

"Will you let me help you?" she asked him softly, laying her hands in her lap. He raised an eyebrow at her.

"This Sesshomaru needs no assistance." Did she honestly believe he needed help? Youkai were different from humans. Healing wounds took less than half as long for a demon. Stupid girl.

"But, leaving that out in the open like that," Kagome persisted, "you would get an infection..."

"I am impervious to disease, ningen. Now leave." The youkai turned his head away and closed his eyes, attempting to ignore the young nuisance of a woman. But she was stubborn; still, she did not budge.

Kagome's heart was beating wildly. She did not know him, nor did she particularly like his arrogant attitude, but he was hurt. It would go against every moral she had been brought up with to leave him like that.

He was a youkai; he was dangerous. He could kill her at any given moment, yet she could not bring herself to go. Again, it went against everything she stood for. Besides, even if she desired to leave, there wasn't anywhere else to go, seeing that she was lost in this never-ending forest.

"I am insulted," he remarked as she continued to sit there. "Do you not fear me?"

Holding her breath, she sat still as he looked her way again. He wanted to laugh. He could taste the fear emanating off her body; so why didn't she run? A strange young girl, he thought. Strange as well as stupid.

It took a moment for Kagome to find her voice. She fumbled for words. "To be honest, I fear you very much. You terrify me," Kagome admitted in a quiet voice, "but it is against my nature to leave you in such a condition." Her voice grew louder as she stated her reasons in a bold voice. Kagome balled her hands up into fists in her lap, forcing her gaze to match his.

The youkai watched her for a long moment, studying her lively eyes and features. He seemed to be contemplating something.

Sesshomaru sighed inwardly. She had made it clear she would not leave him alone until she had her way, and killing her here was unnecessary and out of the question. The sooner he let her help him, the sooner he would be rid of her. Indeed, this girl was truly troublesome.

Closing his eyes, he returned to his serene demeanor. "Then do as you wish," he stated plainly, almost weary.

Kagome was surprised, but pleasantly so. Though she knew it wasn't true, she delighted herself by saying how it was due to his newfound trust in her. It was silly, but it was natural for girls her age to dream fantasies like that, wasn't it? Smiling, she took the basket from behind her and removed the cloth lining at the bottom. Unfolding the large sheet, she tore it into strips. Kagome took a few herbs from the basket, and then looked for anything on the ground that could serve as a sort of crushing stone.

While she began to make the bandages, she attempted to initiate conversation between them. "My older sister is a miko. She's much better at this sort of thing than I am." When Sesshomaru did not reply, she continued on. Talking seemed to lighten the tense atmosphere.

"My sister and I were gathering healing herbs for the other villagers today. They were sent out a couple of days ago to exterminate a demon, but when they came back, they were covered in wounds and gashes," Kagome prattled on, keeping her eyes on her work. "So I'm guessing they didn't have much luck..."

Sesshomaru's eyes shifted underneath his lids. "How are you so sure it was not me," he asked, "who murdered your people?"

Kagome smiled faintly, "Well, I thought so at first..." Picking up one strip of the linen she approached the resting daiyoukai. She touched him hesitantly at first, moving his haori from his shoulders with tentative fingers. Kagome thought she saw him flinch, but she wasn't sure. "Will you let me touch you?"

Soon, she wished she hadn't asked; the question sounded awkward as it rolled off her tongue. It was a stupid question; he had already given her permission earlier, hadn't he? Kagome seemed to shrink as she braced herself for the utter mortification he was bound to condemn her to. But when he opened his eyes, it was not a look of rebuke and aggravation as she had anticipated. Instead, he raised only an inquisitive brow. Then turning his head, he moved his knee aside, allowing her better access to his body.

Swallowing her nervousness, Kagome reached forward, pulling the rest of the white haori away from his broad shoulders. Now, for his kimono... she thought. She began to pull the black cloth open wider, revealing his muscled and well-toned chest to her innocent eyes. The top of his kimono fell from his torso. Blushing involuntarily, Kagome lowered her gaze so that he might not see her reddening face. She grabbed the bandage and began to busy herself with it.

"What led you to believe this Sesshomaru was not the killer?" he asked her as she began wrapping him in the linen bandages. Kagome grinned.

"I guess..." Kagome started as she contemplated his question. "Well, you just didn't seem like the kind of man who would do such a horrible thing."

"Are you saying I am not capable?" Sesshomaru glared at her through half-open eyes.

Kagome gasped at her mistake. Her statement must have sounded insulting to him. Shaking her head vigorously, Kagome stumbled over herself for a sort of explanation while her hands roamed carelessly over his body. Sesshomaru twitched. "Well, no - I mean yes! I mean! It's not that-"she stuttered as her cheeks began heating up in discomfiture.

Sesshomaru hissed. He seized her by her wrists, confining her movements. Facing her with a livid glare, he reprimanded her through clenched teeth. "That hurts," he growled as he pushed her hands away from his wound. "Stop moving around so much." He stared at the girl, anger evident and coursing through his veins. But soon, his anger began to dissolve as he found that he could not look away. Now that she was in such close proximity, he had no choice but to look at her. He fixed his eyes upon her for the first time; he examined the small features and details he had overlooked before.

Her common black hair became ebony locks, falling freely about her as the wind caressed each raven wisp. Her mouth was revealed to be untouched, soft lips, a light and chaste pink; innocent, young, and enticing.

And under long, alluring lashes, hid her innocent eyes, staring straight at him with a hazy gaze. But it was the color of her irises that shocked him. They were a crystal blue, nothing like the ordinary brown he was used to seeing. They glimmered as they looked upon him, unsure and confused.

Sesshomaru released her hands, pushing them back with more force than he had intended. He turned his head away, avoiding her surprised look. "Be more careful," he told her before closing his eyes.

Kagome was stunned. She had never been so close to a man before; her heart was thumping wildly inside her. "Sorry," she whispered, dropping her head to hide the blush that was certainly there on her face.

After a minute of awkward silence, Kagome had worked up enough courage to speak again. "Why didn't you kill me?" she asked him softly. Her question was of genuine curiosity. She truly desired to know his reasons. Kagome heard a breath of air escape the youkai's mouth.

"What purpose would that serve," he began in his low, monotone voice, "to kill you?"

Kagome wrapped her arms around his body to secure the bandage behind him. She thought for a moment. "Well, because I disturbed your rest. Plus, you said if I didn't go, then you would change your mind about killing me..." Kagome said as she reached for another strip of herb coated cloth.

Sesshomaru did not answer for a while. Finally he spoke up, "This Sesshomaru never truly intended on killing you."

Her eyes widened. "What? But you said-"

"To frighten you. So you would leave me alone," Sesshomaru clarified, moving his arm so that she could reach around him. "Obviously that failed."

Suddenly, a strange, yet pleasant sound erupted from the female's throat.

She was laughing.

Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow as he looked at her shaking form.

"I'm sorry," she breathed, holding her small hand to her lips. "You caught me off guard." Kagome could not help but laugh. Who knew demons had a sense of humor? she asked herself, still giggling.

He watched her as she tried to calm herself; covering her mouth, holding her stomach, taking deep breaths. Sesshomaru decided: This was the strangest girl he had ever met in all his centuries lived here.

When she had calmed considerably, he continued, "If you believed your life was at stake, why did you insist on helping me?" Sesshomaru could not resist the urges of his newfound curiosity.

"Well, if you saw someone hurt, right in front of you, how could you not help them? Especially if it is in your power to do so?" Kagome tried to explain, though she knew she failed miserably as she caught the look of disbelief in his eyes.

Sesshomaru became silent yet again before answering with another question. "And if it was I who killed your people? What would you do then?" He was sure this time her kind demeanor would crack. She could not possibly be so charitable. No one could.

Biting back a smirk, he waited while she considered the idea. "I would still help," she decided.

"Impossible," Sesshomaru scoffed when he heard her answer. No one could have such a great capacity to love; no heart could be so pure. He could not believe her, even if he wanted to.

"No, truly, I would," Kagome attempted to justify herself. She paused in her ministrations. "Well, what would you want me to do? If I saw that wound and had the choice to pick whether or not I would stop and help you, which would you rather me choose?"

He made a face. "I had no desire for your help," he answered coldly. "I had no need for it."

"Exactly!" she sang, clapping her hands together.

Sesshomaru flinched away, his eyebrow twitching. This female... She made no sense. Perhaps she was stupid. He honestly had no idea what she was getting at.

"Okay, so think about it. They do those sorts of things, killing and such, I mean," she began, they being the people who were criminals or something of the like, "because they are bitter. They don't know love, and so they feel like they do not need something so trivial such as that. They think they can get on fine by their selves."

Sesshomaru listened carefully, furtively interested, to her reasoning.

"So maybe, if you show them kindness, they won't feel so bitter. Maybe they'll see that there are some people in this world that care for them," she smiled, finishing the last of his bandaging. "Maybe then, they won't feel so lonely."

Sitting up, Sesshomaru pulled his clothes back on. However, he left the haori lying on the ground in a pool around him. "And if they don't?"

Kagome smiled again. "Well, everyone deserves a second chance, don't you think? And even they don't feel any different then, sometimes change is little. Maybe that was just the first couple of baby steps," she said in a cheery voice.

Then, the two became still as the wind blew, carrying a small, distant voice along with it. Kagome's eyes brightened.

"Kikyo?" Kagome called, turning towards the source.

The voices became louder, and soon, she was able to make out the words. "Kagome! Kagome where are you?"

Excitement as well as relief spread across her face. "Kikyo! I'm here!" she yelled, putting a hand at her mouth as she stood.

She turned to the silent daiyoukai, still sitting, and flashed him a grateful smile. "I'm sorry for pestering you," Kagome apologized as she bowed graciously to him. "It was nice meeting you!" Grabbing her wicker basket, she started off in the direction of the calls.

Then she turned back to him as she remembered. "My name's Kagome, by the way," she added.

Sesshomaru looked at her for a moment. This is foolish, he thought quietly to himself before deciding to reciprocate. "Sesshomaru," he said coolly before settling back against the tree, closing his eyes.

"Well, goodbye then, Sesshomaru-san!" Kagome waved before she took her leave.

He lifted his lids, watching her go with a look that could be translated as disinterest.

Kagome.

He spoke her name to himself before retreating to the confines of his mind.

She was a strange girl. Stranger than any human he had ever met, or any demon, for that matter. Sesshomaru replayed everything she had said to him.

He remembered his first thoughts of her.

A stupid and troublesome girl.

Sesshomaru reconsidered the ideas.

Troublesome?

Yes; to some extent.

Stupid?

Sesshomaru closed his eyes in deep thought. The wind blew gently against his face, embracing his body in encouragement.

No, he decided. That Kagome, she was many things,

but stupid was not one of them.

~"*"~

Next time! : "Dream"