After tea with Sesshomaru, Kagome made her way through the halls of the palace deep in thought. 'Sesshomaru is courting me… ME. The same Sesshomaru that tried to kill me when we first met...' Kagome quirked half a smile at that thought, wondering if he ever had any inclination that this would happen. Lost in her thoughts, she missed the flash of red that ran in front of her at the intersection.

"Eep!" She started, just knowing she was going to land butt-first on the hard stone. However, an arm dashed around her waist to steady her. Kagome blinked to clear her mind, following the red sleeve up to the amber eyes watching her with a mix of concern, anger, and confusion.

"You should really watch where you're going kags," he said with a small smile while taking his arm from around her waist, but still standing pretty close. Kagome eyed him as she righted herself, fixing her kimono and obi.

"I know I should." Kagome gave a small chuckle. "But, you know me. I could run into a wall when I'm lost in my thoughts." She looked up at her once best friend, taking a small step back to give herself some space. "So… Where were you off to in such a hurry?" She followed beside him as they continued walking in the direction he was previously heading. Her thoughts were now on him, and how he would react to the supper later that afternoon and the announcement that would be made.

"Eh, just getting some exercise. The damn snow is too deep. This side of the castle smelled empty when I started." Inuyasha cast her a look, smirking. "And what about you? What are you doing in wing?" Kagome was startled to discover she had drifted pretty far while lost in her thoughts.

"Honestly I was just getting away from the hustle and bustle. I love the people here, but they are very attentive." She shrugged her shoulders, tucking her hands in the sleeves of her kimono, the fire's warmth not reaching the secluded wing they were in.

"Feh. That's for sure. They keep their heads so far up Sesshomaru's a…" Inuyasha cut off at the glare Kagome shot him. "Speaking of which… what the hell is going on between you and the ice prince?" His tone was easily accusing, bristling Kagome for the first time in a while.

"Well, Inuyasha. As I said earlier, that falls under the category of none of your business." She stopped them to turn and stare at him. "Speaking of which," she started copying his tone. "Where is your mate?" Inuyasha looked shocked at the hatred in her voice, and immediately went on his usual defense of Kikyo.

"She had to stay an extra day in the village for a healing. We will go back by and get her." Kagome rolled her eyes, thinking that the dead priestess was most likely meeting with Naraku.

"I'm surprised she let you off your leash long enough to come without her." Kagome's flippant response, along with her beginning to walk away was enough to set Inuyasha off.

"Listen here, bitch!" Grabbing her by her wrist, he pulled her back to him, turning to effectively trap her between himself and the cold wall. Kagome's eyes widened, shocked at the hanyou before her. "You will not talk about her like that ever again! She is a better priestess and is more deserving of the being the Shikon Miko than you will EVER be. Got it?" His eyes were blazing, tinting red as he pressed firmly on Kagome's wrist. Meanwhile, Kagome was a mess of emotions. On one hand she wanted to put him through a wall in hopes of knocking sense into him. However, she could see that he was losing control, even with Tessaiga strapped securely at his side. At the same time, the darkness was creeping back into her mind, a tidal wave of negativity and self-hatred that was slowly consuming her.

"But, you know that don't you? Even with all your so called skill, you will NEVER amount to her. You're nothing but a shard detector, nothing but a silly little human." His voice was growing colder, and Kagome was sure that his face was growing darker. His eyes now completely red, his own markings coming out.

"Please." She whispered fearfully, desperately calling to her reiki. When nothing came forward, even her soul chilled to the bone, she searched for the part of her tied to Sesshomaru. As if sensing it, Inuyasha squeezed her wrist harder causing a crack, followed by a scream from the girl in front of him.

"Do you really think he loves you? How could anyone love such a pitiful creature. Look at you!" He began laughing, which had taken on more of Naraku's tone, dropping Kagome to her knees. She nestled her wrist to her chest, tears falling down her eyes.

"You're wrong! He does care about me." Where is everyone? She couldn't figure out where everyone was. Why were they not coming to safe her?

"Cares about you?! Your own friends don't care about you! You're just in the way. How could I care about you, wench?" Startled at the change in cadence, Kagome looked up to see the demon lord staring down at her. His face was normally passive, but his eyes were filled with disgust. "I just want you gone, and will kill you soon to rid myself of such a pathetic human." He sneered, his beautiful face now contorted with hatred.

Kagome was lost, her mind whirling in confusion as she sat curled up against the wall, her hands covering her ears. This can't be real. It's not real. Wake up, girl. Wake up! The man in front of her transformed again, this time to the form of Naraku. He knelt down then, running his fingers across her tear soaked face. His nails leaving little trails of blood along her skin before his tongue snaked out to lick it up.

"That's right my little priestess. Cry for me." His voice was haunting, chilling her to the bones. "Soon… soon you will be mine." He leaned then, ready to touch her face again as she screamed out. She pushed him away before taking off running. She soon realized she wasn't in Sesshomaru's palace. She was in a strange place, with black stone and a dark aura surrounding here. "Come back to me, Kagome. I can find you anywhere you hide…" He laughed again, her panting and footfalls lost in the laughter. Why can't I wake up? It feels so real… Sesshomaru!

Sesshomaru sat in his personal sitting room, reading over his letter to Chie. It was basically a thank you to the human man. Kagome had laid down in his bed after her tea, and he was more than willing to let her rest. Hopefully, he thought, she will feel better now that she is eating. His thoughts were lost in his miko, how he would go about courting her, being with her, but also how her friends would react to them. The demon slayer seemed fine with it, but who knew how the monk and his brother would react.

Suddenly the scent of salt hit his nose, along with a whimpering. With a frown, he stood and crossed to the sliding door connecting to his bedroom. He slid it open, shocked to see Kagome withering in the bed. He walked closer, suddenly overwhelm by the smell of anguish. He gently grabbed her wrist in order to shake her awake but was surprised to see her wrist was broken, laying awkwardly on the sheets.

"Kagome!" Sesshomaru looked on confused, shaking her other shoulder gently. "Wake up, koi." He was desperate, when suddenly four scratches appeared on her cheek, the blood mixing with the tears cascading her face. "This is got to be a spell." His beast was restless, not knowing what it could do. At that time, the monk appeared at the door, followed by some servants and the rest of her friends.

"What is going on here?!" His brother exclaimed, eyes wide at what was happening on the bed in front of him. Miroku cautiously approached the demon, now red-eyed with frustration. He laid his hand on Kagome's forehead, concentrating deeply.

"She's lost in some sort of trance, similar to a dream." He talked while still trying to sneak in past the darkness that was clouding her mind. Suddenly it lashed out at him, causing Miroku to stumble back wide-eyed. Ignoring the lingering negativity, he looked up at the demon lord. "Sesshomaru-sama, you must reach her. Wrap her in your aura. No outside stimulant will work." Sesshomaru looked down at the shaking girl in his arms, not willing to admit how scared he was. Closing his eyes, he focused on the light that was Kagome. His soul, his very being was anguished as he felt her pain and fear.

"Kagome, can you hear me? You must wake, little miko." He was shaking, something the others in the room noticed. He mentally dug through the darkness, ignoring as it began to attempt to prey on his own insecurities. "Sess….Sesshomaru? Is it really you?" He mentally sighed with relief as he attempted to wrap himself around her. Miroku and the rest watched as the two in front of them began to glow. Sesshomaru's light was pure gold, shining almost the exact color of his eyes. Kagome's was blue, but for the most part it was black at the moment.

"Unbelievable," Miroku's eyes widened. "Someone is controlling her, preying on her." Sango clenched her hand in his, scared for her friend, while Inuyasha's anger at seeing his brother and his best friend faded, leaving behind only a fear for the girl.

"Sesshomaru he's coming for me! How do I wake up!" Sesshomaru squeezed her closer, and the others watched as his golden light began to wrap around her, smothering the blackness out of her aura. "Follow my voice, little mate." His eyes opened then to look down at the girl in his arms. "Come back to me, koi." Within seconds, Kagome's body shot up, eyes wide and full of tears. She looked around dazed, seeing her friends and servants watching concerned before she turned to the man beside her.

"Sesshomaru…" She was hesitant, not knowing if she had truly woken. His fingers gently shifted into her tresses as his eyes met hers, filled with passion.

"Yes, Kagome. It's really me." His voice was ragged, filled with emotion he could not hold back. She immediately hugged him tight, sobbing into his chest as he held her just as tight. He met the eyes of the monk over her shoulder, face for once not impassive. "I am indebted to you, monk." His voice was smoother now, but his eyes burned with the seriousness. They all stood in awe, watching the usual ice cold demon, comfort the girl in his arms, placing kisses along her face and hair.

"I was so scared," she whispered, causing Sesshomaru's heart to clench. Everyone knew that they had just discovered what had been happening to their friend, why she had become so sad. She was being preyed on, tortured mentally. As Sesshomaru gazed down into the eyes of his soon to be mate, the only thought on his mind was how to exterminate the spider, once and for all.