Tag In The Rain by KawaiiSanosuke

Fates Spin the Twine

Kagome sat under a tree silently as she read the book currently residing in her lap. Truth to be told, it was a math book. She had three days to learn everything she had missed so she could at least pass the math exam back in her time.

"And It's never going to happen" She said to no one in particular.

She had no clue where she was. In fact she never really knew where the Inu-tachi was heading until they got there. That is, unless it was extremely important. At the moment they seemed to be off to the side of a mountain. Nothing large and fancy, just an average mountain... They had just finished lunch and decided to camp out for the night, which was great for Kagome because that math test, and all.

"This is never going to work!" She scratched her head in frustration.

She decided to give it a quick break and gazed over her group. Shippou was drawing with the crayons that she had brought him. Her backpack was so full of drawing that it threatened to break as if it wasn't already on the verge of a melt down. Sango was busy grooming Kirara and Miroku was nursing a bruised cheek. She wondered if they would ever act like a normal couple. It was common knowledge that they were engaged now but they acted the same as before. Kagome had guessed they would have been a little more lovey dovey.

"I guess things are different in this time...a lot different" Kagome mused.

She thought about her cousins and other family members who had gotten engaged. They were so giggly about it and touchy. Of course, they didn't have to deal with demons and jewel shards. Kagome felt so much sorrow for her companions. Each one was brought to her because of Naraku. She was so blessed to know them but sometimes wished she had met them in a different, happier, way.

Kagome looked around camp for a familiar fuzzy eared grump, but found no trace of him. She didn't remember him leaving but she could easily blame that on her math book...

"Sango-chan, did you see where Inuyasha went?"

Sango looked up from Kirara puzzled. She glanced around camp quickly before meeting Kagome's gaze.

"No, I didn't." She shook her head. "Where do you think he went?"

"I don't know, but I'll find out soon" Kagome said.

She got up and dusted the grass and dirt off her skirt before waving to Sango and heading down the hill toward the nearby forest. She suspected that he would be there.

"Be careful Kagome-sama, there are dangers everywhere." Miroku called after her.

Kagome picked up her bow and arrows that were leaning against the tree she was residing under.

"I'll be ok Houshi-sama!" and with that she made her way down the hill.

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When she had said she would be ok, she never expected the forest to be so dark and spooky. Every shadow was a hungry yokai waiting to jump out and devour her.

"It was so sunny a second ago..." She murmured.

She jumped when a movement in her peripheral vision spooked her. As expected, when she looked in that direction there was nothing.

"For once...can't I have a normal day?"

"Little miko, what are you doing away from your...companions?"

Kagome jumped as the voice scared her witless. She swirled around, her arm rising to the arrows on her back. She felt the tension lessen a little when she realized whom it was.

"Sesshoumaru..."

Of course not too long afterward, she realized the absurdity of her attitude. She shouldn't be relieved that it was Sesshoumaru. In a way, he was just as big of a threat as Naraku; Different reasons, same out come.

"That is Sesshoumaru-sama to you, miko."

Kagome cringed inwardly at the way he spat out her adopted title. It wasn't as if she carried the plague. It almost made her sad...almost.

Right now she was just scared stiff.

"Forgive me, Sesshoumaru-sama" Boy, was she pushing it...

The only reaction she got was a slightly arched eyebrow. For a split second, Kagome cheered at the small victory.

"If your looking for the hanyou, you won't find him" Sesshoumaru spoke uncaringly.

"How would you know?" Kagome spat out annoyed.

"He is consorting with the other miko."

That one simple sentence was a blow to the gut for Kagome. Kikyou... It figures. Kagome wasn't sure whether or not to believe Sesshoumaru or not...did he have something up his sleeve? She looked around her for any sign of Inuyasha but found none.

"Then I better go back" She felt dejected. Kagome slowly turned and began to walk away.

"I do believe you are defenseless..."

Kagome felt a forbidden chill run up her spine. It was if everything began to take the shape of nightmares.

"I suggest you run"

She heard the sound of metal sliding on metal and knew he was drawing his sword. Sesshoumaru wouldn't really sink that low would he? She didn't wait to find out.

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Kagome ran.

The forest was dark and eerie, and the farther she ran, the more she wanted to scream. Scream for help, for Sango, Miroku, INUYASHA!

As much as she hated Inuyasha right now, she needed him. She didn't scream though. She was trying to stay hidden. Keep safe. So far she hoped it was working.

No! he was doing this on purpose! He knew exactly where she was. That stupid, no good son of a-

"Ack!" She tripped and fell.

Frustration was sitting in now. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she slowing got up, surveying the area around her. It was completely dark and every shadow was another threat, but she was tired of running. This was worse than anything, knowing that your life was in the balance and you had no way of protecting yourself. She reached behind her and came up with nothing, her bow and arrows were lost somewhere in the forest. She got up slowly and gave the area around her a quick survey.

"Damn it!!"

If only she hadn't run off like she did! Inuyasha could have taken care of himself without her there to baby him. If she had stayed nearby she would still be safe with everyone else instead of out in this cold god forsaken forest all alone and-

"You stupid idiot! Quit playing with my life!!!! If you got something to finish, than do it now!!"

"Now that wouldn't be any fun now would it."

The hair on the back of Kagome's neck stood up at the sound of the deadly sweet voice of her hunter. It was husky and violent, a predator's voice. She went to turn around and face him, but was refused the privilege.

"I will kill you if you turn around."

It wasn't a threat, it was a promise and Kagome felt it to her core. Every instinct she had was screaming for her to run but like any predator he would surely pounce at the first movement she made. It was a hopeless situation with no way out but into the fire.

"Then so be it."

Kagome turned around.

"Sesshoumaru..."

Kagome took in his new image. It seemed that during the chase he had done away with his armor, no doubt to increase speed and what not. Without his armor he looked almost fragile. Kagome laughed derisively in her head. It was quite a strange word to put to the yokai lord but that was what it was best summed up as. Although he was incredibly strong, the power came from his yokai and not bodily strength so much. He was tall and graceful dare she say beautiful? It wasn't that far of a stretch. His beauty could make anyone swoon, regardless of gender.

"You did not heed my warning miko." His eyes flashed with something akin to approval even as he said that.

"And your point?" Kagome bit out defiantly.

Sesshoumaru laughed out loud then, and continued to smirk as if he was in on a private joke she did not know of. Kagome wasn't sure if she had heard right, but had the 'great, cold as a glacier, lord of the western lands' just laugh? As foreign as the sound was it held no candle over the shock that she now felt.

His laugh is just like Inuyasha's.

"Your half-breed will not save you" He looked to the sky as he continued. "In fact, it will be days before he will find you; alive or dead"

At that moment, it seemed that the heavens were waiting for this line.

The sky began to cry...

"No..." Kagome felt her hopes shatter as the warm summer rain came down upon her almost mockingly. The rain would wash away her scent and make it impossible to for Inuyasha to find her.

She gave up.

"Just get it over with Sesshoumaru."

She didn't look up to see the strange look on Sesshoumaru's face...

She didn't look up as he walked up to her...

She didn't look up as he reached out to her...

She closed her eyes and raised her head proudly to the sky, letting the rainfall down on her in small drops of comfort.

Suddenly she couldn't feel the rain anymore. She opened her eyes to come face to face with the yokai lord, his eyes searing into her soul.

"Why do you give up so easily, miko?"

Sesshoumaru lifted his hand and slide it across her cheek slowly. Kagome could see a slight amount of wonder in his eyes as he studied her.

"What makes you so different? I wonder..." He drawled out in and unconcerned manner.

`Is this for real?' Kagome thought as her eyes closed on their own accord.

Kagome felt the feather light touch of his hand as it drew across her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked at Sesshoumaru in confusion. He looked back in amusement.

"Tag, you're it"� the sentence held the slightest amount of humor.

Kagome stared at him blankly.

"w-what?"

Sesshoumaru snorted and backed away. His hand fell to his side and he turned. Within a matter of seconds he was gone.