(A/N: Howdy ya'll... demonwings737 here... I have gone back and made a few changes to Sesshomaru's Promise and revised it... hope you guys dont mind! Hehehe!)

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Chapter One: The Call

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"Inuyasha? Are you there?"

The small voice was barely audible in the seeping darkness that made up the forest of the Go-Shinboku Tree. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, casting a dreary gloom on the tree canopies. Usually twittering birds were now strangely silent. Nothing stirred. All was quiet. Too quiet.

Kagome Higurashi moaned as she helped herself out of the Bone-Eater's Well, the only connection to her time, besides her green and white school uniform, she had. Shivering slightly, she looked around her with her chocolate colored eyes, her raven black hair drifting momentarily with every movement of her head. Where was everyone?

"Sango? Miroku? Shippo? INUYASHA!"

The only answer that came was silence. A dark, empty void of silence.

"The nerve! How could they leave me behind again?!"

Sighing deeply, Kagome began heading to the Go-Shinboku. She was eerily aware of the quiet and the darkness that was welcoming the setting sun. A breeze picked up, sending cold shivers up and down her spine. With the wind came whispers among the trees. They seemed to call out for her, beckoning her to follow them to an endless time of agonizing darkness. Picking up her pace, Kagome tried to zone out the sounds, sighing with relief when she found herself at the base of the Great Tree. Suddenly weary, she plopped down at the roots, her back leaning up against the tree's serrated surface. Slowly, her mind began to wander.

I guess I did come a bit early. They'll find me tomorrow. Man, am I tired…

Then, with her next breath, she fell into her dreams.

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"Don't worry Inuyasha; I'll be back in two days. Ok?"

Kagome looked up into his deep, golden eyes and had to try hard not to fall into them. The half demon was standing in front of her, his back towards the well. His eyes were stern and his white, puppy ears were almost flat against his silver hair. There was a shadow over his face because of the rays linked to the setting sun at his back, but she could tell that his fangs were semi-bared. He acts just like a baby sometimes, she thought. Doesn't he realize that I always make it through his little barricade?

"You can't leave now. You just got here and we need to find the Sacred Jewel shards," Inuyasha growled. "Don't forget that you're the reason we have to find them in the first place!" His arms were crossed and his clawed hands were hidden in the long sleeves of his red haorie. "Besides, I don't want to go through another night having to listen to that brat of yours whining non stop."

Kagome suppressed a giggle as a vision of her little Shippo, a young kitsune, popped into her mind. Trying to be serious, she made herself a little taller and said, "Miroku will take care of him."

"Feh. All Miroku can care about is his sore cheek when his lecherous hands take over."

Another giggle threatened to escape her, but she kept it down with a small smile. "Then, after she is done beating Miroku, Sango will watch him. Her and Kirara."

Kagome could almost see the struggle on Inuyasha's face as he realized he was out of excuses. Finally, growling a little, he moved aside so she could get down the well. "Thanks Inuyasha. I'll be back in no time. See you in two days!"

But before she could jump down he grabbed her arm and looked deep into her eyes, making her melt on the inside. "You had better be here. And in one piece too. If you aren't here then I'm coming for you." He paused to let go of her arm but he stopped her again by adding, "Please stay safe."

Kagome turned and saw sincerity written in his golden orbs.

"Don't worry Inuyasha. I'll be safe. I promise…"

With that she jumped in and vanished into shining blue light.

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Kagome opened her eyes, only to find darkness everywhere. The sun had long since set and now a full moon had come to take its place. The wind had died down to a chilly breeze. But something was still amiss. Everything was still too quiet. A cold chill went down her spine as she closed her eyes once more.

: Help… me… :

Kagome's eyes snapped open as a small, feminine voice suddenly filled her mind. She looked around wildly, but was met with only the stillness of the night.

"Uh… Hello?"

: Please… help… please… help me:

The call was still distant, but it was growing stronger with every word.

"Where are you?" Kagome stood and tried to face the voice's direction.

: A hut… follow… my voice… help me priestess:

Kagome realized the voice was carrying on the breeze. She began to run against the wind, mindless to how far she was getting away from where her friends would surely be waiting for her. She just kept running towards the cry that was getting closer but weaker.

: Hurry… there isn't much… time… :

She had been running for about thirty minutes before Kagome decided to take a quick rest. Leaning against a tree, she tried to even out her breathing. Suddenly, a demonic aura slammed into her senses. She stared ahead of her in shock. Never had she felt one so strong from so far away! There had to be more than one demon in one place. Kagome strained her eyes more against the darkness.

It was then that she realized the call had disappeared entirely.

Her breathing finally even, Kagome began to head down towards the hut. The demonic aura was getting steadily stronger, and she silently wished that she had her bow and arrows. Her jewel shards where around her neck, and she stuffed them further into her uniform, knowing demons were fond of trying to take them from her.

Looking behind her only once, she began to run towards the aura that was chilling her to the bone.

I just hope that Inuyasha will be able to find me if I need help…

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The demon snorted with despair, her connection to the miko suddenly cut away by her tormentor. Keeping her fury in check, she reached out with her power to try to find the priestess, and soon found, with growing hope, that the girl was coming ever closer.

That's when she felt the jewel shards.

Fear rose to meet the anger, conquering her frustration with one fatal blow. The yokai could feel her master's aura grow with pleasure, and she realized that it was too late.

: What have I done:

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