A Simple Phrase by Yukari Youkai

Part One The words that slipped

I love you.

The words had slipped out so easily, like silk across her skin. He turned his tawny eyes on her, his face a mask of cold disbelief. It was a simple phrase that conveyed a simple sin. A blessed sin. Yet, how she wished she could take it all back.

I love you.

He stared at her, his golden gaze piercing the mist of the rain. She stood up bravely, staring back. She couldn't take it back. She couldn't deny what she felt, but to have it slip out in such a fashion...She could have done better.

"Why?" he replied.

Why? Kagome scrambled for an answer.

Because...I...just do.

His perfect face turned away from her, his hair slick with rain shielded him from her. He exuded a coldness that surpassed feeling, almost completely detached. And she couldn't take it. She couldn't believe she had been pulled into this trap twice.

But she couldn't leave him. Couldn't deny his presence. He was all she had left.

Sesshomaru?

He didn't respond, made no sign of hearing her.

Sesshomaru?

Was it all just a lie? A ruse? Had she trusted him only to be presented with this shadow, a shadow of what could be, of what could never be? No. She had trusted Sesshomaru, and for a fleeting moment, Kagome thought he trusted her as well. But she was wrong.

Helplessly wrong.

Whatever she thought she had was a fabrication, a twist of reality. She never had Sesshomaru in the first place...just like she never had Inuyasha. Everything she believed in, everything she hoped for was an apparition. An empty shell of the word.

And it wasn't fair.

It wasn't fair she had to suffer, had to grieve over broken dreams. What had she done? Who had she crossed? It wasn't logical. Nothing made sense anymore.

He was one thing she thought she could attain. His affection one thing she could reach for. But it was pulled away, ripped and shredded, burned to ashes before her eyes, like diseased clothing.

Kagome didn't dare open her mouth, fearing the sobs that would escape.

Something tingled on the edge of her awareness, she acknowledged it too late. An arrow streaked toward her. Sesshomaru pushed her out of the way, getting clipped in the process.

Sesshomaru! Are you Ok?

He gracefully jumped to his feet, facing the forest where the arrow came from. Kikyo appeared, seemingly untouched by the rain. "What is it you desire?"

I wish for her death.

The sentence shot through the air like a blade, smothering the field like a wet blanket.

My death?

Kikyo turned her dead eyes on Kagome, staring her down like mud on a clean kimono.

Sesshomaru watched the exchange with the same aloof attitude he watched his everything else with. Kikyo notched another bow.

I wish for your death.

Kagome's eyes widened as she ran the opposite way to escape the arrow. She wasn't a coward, but she was defenseless. The forest...that would give her enough cover to make it to -- a dull thud stopped her train of thought. She turned, fearing what she would see.