An Education by UnknownRandomness

I Don't Do Charity

A/N: You can decide what happens with this ending. Hope you enjoy and please review. 

Prompt:  Couloir - A steep mountainside gorge.

Word Count: 347

Kagome could feel her shoulder going numb. That was better than the horrific burning sensation that had coursed through her straining limb a few minutes earlier. And even that had been better than the sharp wrench accompanying the audible rip as her muscles tore when she'd grabbed this root to stop her from plummeting to her untimely demise.

The woman had been navigating a particularly treacherous couloir in search of some rare herbs when a demon had attacked her, and in the skirmish, she'd gone flying over the edge and had only just managed to save herself- the creature had left her for dead then, not willing to brave the gorge to finish her off.

She cursed her own stupidity for coming all the way out here alone, tears coursing down her face as she felt her grip on the wiry plant start to loosen. Her other arm dangled uselessly by her side, dislocated from its socket. There was only so much her body could take before it gave in, and that time was coming inexorably closer.

"What are you doing down there, miko?"

A familiar voice crept into her ears, and she managed to twist her neck to catch a glimpse of the stoic lord.

"Please, Sesshoumaru-sama, save me! I was attacked by a demon, and I need your help!"

Silence met her plea, and Kagome whimpered as she slipped a few inches closer to her death.

"Why should this Sesshoumaru help you?"

The miko couldn't believe her ears; she was moments away from death, and he hadn't even agreed to help her! She cried out as she fell even further away from solid ground.

"Please! I'll do anything, I'll be your slave, just save me!"

His answering grin was dark and sinister, but Kagome didn't care. He was going to save her. Relief flooded through her veins, and she sobbed in thanks.

"...This Sesshoumaru has no use for a slave, miko. You'll have to do better than that."

Her eyes closed as her exhausted body finally gave in, her small form plummeting towards oblivion.