InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Through your Heart ❯ The Heart's Cry ( Chapter 11 )

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Through your Heart

Chapter 11: The heart's cry

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Usagi turned in her sleep and moaned softly when the pain from her wound decided to come back. It felt more like a dull ache but it still hurt like hell.

2 sets of eyes turned in her direction when they heard the rustling coming from their leader's bedding and the 2 curious demons got up and kneeled beside the sleeping blonde. The first one got too fascinated and started to smell her, lightly poking her in the process with his fingers.

The second one scowled and, even if he really wanted to take a sniff too, refrained from doing so. He slapped his friend's hand away and said, in an annoyed voice; "Will you stop that? Kagome nee-chan won't be happy if we hurt her and if Kagome nee-chan isn't happy, you can be sure that the boss won't be either! I don't want to get beaten because of your curiosity!"

"Hey! Watch it! Aren't you even just a little bit interested in her?!" the first one whined. They both turned and stared when the blonde woman whimpered softly and shifted on her back.

Usagi felt something poke her on the arm and she woke up without opening her eyes. Just by the smell, she knew she wasn't where Kagome and she had been last night, heck! She was sure she wasn't even out in the open. The place felt humid and when her senses cleared slightly from her deep sleep, she wondered why she heard water nearby, the sound being amplified somewhat as if she was surrounded by cave walls.

"Hey Ginta? Do you think she'll wake up soon?" The first youkai asked curiously, his head dropping lower to gaze at the strangely exotic human's face.

"I don't know, Hakkaku. Hey look! Her eyes are opening!" The one named Ginta also dropped his head lower in anticipation and stared at the young woman who was beginning to shift on the bedding.

Usagi heard whispering way too near her and she decided to check if she was in a dangerous situation, all tense and ready to jump away at any threatening movement. The first thing she saw, though, was 2 sets of wide eyes mere centimeters away from her face. Not a good thing to wake up to. "AAAAAHHHHHH!"

The 2 demons yelped and scrambled away as the loud surprised scream reached their sensible ears. Footsteps were heard outside the cave where they stood in and soon another demon shot through the water at great speed, carrying someone in his arms.

"Kagome!" Usagi exclaimed in bewilderment as her friend just told the one who carried her to let her go. She narrowed her eyes as she suddenly felt the power of the Star Seed that was the Shikon no Tama and it wasn't from Kagome's part of the shards. The demon let her go without complaining and Kagome ran to the rabbit who was still sitting rather uncomfortably on the rocky ground.

"Usagi-chan! You're awake! I was so scared last night when I saw you were injured! I'm so sorry! This is my entire fault!" Kagome launched herself in the rabbit's arms and started to sob again in relief while Usagi held her again as last night's events came back to her. The 3 demons looked at the pair and decided it was best to leave them together for the moment.

"Shhh, Kagome-chan. It wasn't your fault. I've just been reckless is all, I'm sorry I scared you so much."

Kagome sighed and calmed down at her friend's peaceful voice and got up, helping Usagi in the process. The blonde girl winced slightly but other than that, she didn't complain. Usagi gazed at her surrounding in curiosity and turned to the miko, her head cocked on the side. "Ne Kagome-chan? Where are we? And who were those demons earlier?"

"Oh! I know them, don't worry! They're all wolf youkai and we're in their territory. The 2 silly ones who woke you up are Ginta and Hakkaku; they're really good friends and they always call me Kagome nee-chan!" Kagome giggled while Usagi looked at her a little weirdly.

"Kagome nee-chan? Why would they call you sister when you aren't even a youkai?"

The miko stopped giggling and sweatdropped. "Oh yeah…*THAT*. Well, the 3rd demon you saw is the one who found us yesterday night. He's the leader of this wolf pack and his name is Kouga. To make a long story short, he's kind of a little too fond of me, if you know what I mean. He's proclaimed me as his woman, although I always refuse his advances. He's a little brutal sometimes but he has a soft heart and he really cares about his friends. I can't really ignore him either since he possesses 2 shards of the Shikon jewel. I decided that for the moment Kouga could keep those shards to protect his pack, but I'll need them back when we finally face Naraku. It's either that or Naraku kills him to have his shards, so I hope Kouga will give them to me without complaining."

Usagi nodded to the answer and gazed at the waterfall which was blocking the way out. Kagome took the blonde's hand and urged her to follow her. "Come on! I'll show you the way out so you won't be stuck taking a premature shower!" The miko giggled and passed on the side of the cliff, showing Usagi the way out.

Ginta and Hakkaku soon smelled Kagome approach but didn't dare move since Kouga was checking the entry of their cave with a watchful eye. When the miko finally came into view and waved at them, they just couldn't stay put and started to run towards her just as Usagi was exiting on the side. They stopped short and just stared at the blond woman who was now trying to shield her eyes from the sun's rays.

"Oh! And who is this? Can we eat her, Kouga?" a couple of other youkai licked their lips from their place on the rocks in anticipation and lust.

Usagi looked up to see them staring at her and she sneered. "Try me and you'll be sitting on your asses for a couple of days, got it?" She ground out menacingly, although for them she didn't look menacing at all, being somewhat short and delicate looking.

A big wolf youkai started to advance on her and as he was about to retaliate against her un-submissive behavior, Kouga growled at him to stop at once. The big youkai immediately flinched and backed away when Kouga got up to investigate his new guest.

He ignored Kagome for the moment and walked around Usagi, who stood her place, as if he was evaluating her. "I've never seen any anybody like you before. You intrigue me, human! Your scent is unlike anything I've ever smelled before too. Just for this I should be suspicious of you…" Kouga stopped for a moment and glanced at Kagome.

"But since my woman trusts you and you saved her against one of Naraku's detachments, I guess it's okay to let you stay here." Kouga finished with an arrogant look, while Kagome slapped her hand on her forehead when he called her his woman again.

Usagi raised an eyebrow at his overconfident demeanor but he looked nice nonetheless. She bowed to him slightly. "Thank you, Kouga-san. With all that happened yesterday, we really need to rest."

Kouga frowned a little and walked back beside Kagome. "What did happen yesterday? Kagome didn't want to tell me anything. And where's dog-turd? He better not have something to do with this!" The black-haired wolf leader said with conviction, his fist brandished in the air in front of him.

The miko just bowed her head and closed her eyes tightly as if to shield the memory away and Usagi clearly saw that kagome didn't want to tell it herself. "Unfortunately, InuYasha has something to do with this. Not the fact that I was hurt, but the fact that Kagome ran away. I don't know if you know the whole story of InuYasha's past but the undead miko Kikyou showed up again."

Kouga interrupted her with a growl and put a protective arm around Kagome's shoulders in reflex. "I know about her all right! She's the one who keeps stealing souls around the lands and leaves a horrid stench everywhere she passes. I should really go kill dog-turd for this! If I ever get my hands on him!..." Kouga let the others imagine the horrible things he would do to the hanyou but Usagi suddenly giggled, getting the attention of Kagome and the others.

"Oh, I think he already got his punishment. He didn't only make Kagome angry, but me too. When we go back to the group, I think you'll be pleasantry surprised to see his left cheek."

Kagome stared at her with her mouth wide opened. "You mean you slapped him!?"

Usagi shrugged with a grin. "He was acting like a total idiot and he deserved it, that's all I have to say for my defense."

Kouga blinked and then let out a big bark of laughter, marching to her and putting a hand on her shoulder with a big grin. "You, girl, are officially my friend and welcome here anytime you like!" Usagi and the other started to laugh at Kouga's sudden happy behavior.

*~*

Kagome and Usagi spent the rest of the afternoon with Kouga's pack. The miko was having a lot of fun for once in the Sengoku Jidai as she played with the children of the group. Kouga and his followers were watching them sing and dance away on the grassy area and the wolf leader was just floating on cloud nine since Kagome was here with them instead of with InuYasha.

Ginta elbowed his leader who was gazing at the miko with glazed eyes and he snickered with Hakkaku when Kouga eyed them and blew a raspberry. "What are you laughing at, you dolts?"

Ginta made a surrendering motion and moved his gaze back to the dark haired miko. "Isn't it great that Kagome nee-chan asked to stay here a little, Kouga? The kids have never been so happy!"

Kouga nodded with a grin. "Yeah! My woman sure has it with children! And it looks like the pups like Kagome's friend a lot. They stayed with her all afternoon."

Since Kagome was healthy enough, the kids of the women of the tribe had asked the miko to play with them. But since Usagi was still recuperating from the earlier incident, she had decided to lie down on a patch of moss near the waterfall. The wolf pups all came to her immediately, seeking attention under the watchful eyes of their parents. Now, Usagi was surrounded by at least 7 little wolf cubs and they were all dozing off peacefully, making a cute picture, to say the least.

Unfortunately, all good things have an end and Kagome soon joined Kouga, asking the children if they could play without her. "Hey Kagome! Thanks a lot, the kids needed to let some energy out. Their parents were really beginning to get tired." Kouga said as Kagome came to them.

This statement got nods and grumbles from the other members of the pack. Kagome sat down beside Kouga and smiled. "It was no problem! I really like kids! But I really miss Shippou now and the others are probably very worried about us. We should really get going." The miko finished silently.

Kouga gave her a hurt look but sighed and nodded nonetheless. "Then I will bring you and your friend back to your group, but you know you're always welcome here, right?" Kouga took her hands in his and gave her a hopeful look and Kagome nodded with a sweatdrop.

"Of course I know. You've only told me at least a dozen times, Kouga…Let me get Usagi and we'll be ready to go." The miko ran to her friend and she giggled when she saw the dozing rabbit. "Oh! They're so cute!" Kagome cooed.

Usagi had 2 cubs sleeping on her legs and another one had claimed its place on her belly. Its little paw was twitching in its sleep a little and Kouga snorted at the picture they made when he came to get Kagome, wondering what was taking her so long. "Those pups! They're always seeking attention! Come on guys! Wake up and let our guest go!" The wolf leader spoke out loud, awaking the pups who gave half sleeping barks and whines.

Their parents came and took them all by the scruff of their necks to get them away. Usagi woke up with all the commotion and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Is it time to go, Kagome-chan?"

Kagome nodded and helped Usagi to get up. "Yeah. Are you sure you can travel or do you want to rest a little bit more?"

Usagi shook her head and smiled. "I'm okay. That little bit of sleep helped me recuperate enough, don't worry. But how are we going to rejoin the group from here?"

Kouga put a hand on his chin, not having thought of that. He then whistled and a wolf ran to them and stopped beside Kouga. Kagome was awed at the creature. The she-wolf was really enormous, even for a wolf. Her fur was a lovely shade of pale gray and her eyes were an iridescent gold.

"This is Soranamida. I'll take Kagome with me and Usagi? You can mount her, no problem. Soranamida is able to travel great distances really fast even with someone on her back."

Usagi nodded and petted the she-wolf, who barked happily in return. "Okay, let's go!" The blonde said while mounting Soranamida's back. The creature was so warm and the fur so soft!

Kouga took Kagome in his arms and she blushed a little from the treatment. As they were going, Ginta and Hakkaku waved at them happily. "Goodbye! Come back! Hey, Kagome nee-chan? Take care of Usagi nee-chan for us!!!" They shouted, and Usagi mouthed 'Usagi nee-chan?' to Kagome, who only giggled in response.

Kouga smirked at the blonde who was riding the she-wolf beside him. "It looks like my pack adopted you, Usagi. You know, I kinda have taken a liking of you too on friendly terms, of course, and like Kagome you are welcome to come back on my territory anytime you like!"

The rabbit nodded with a smile and the rest of the trek was spent in silence.

*~*

Far away from Kouga's den, a small human girl was running towards her Lord's study as fast as her little legs could carry her. "SESSHOUMARU-SAMA! Can we go see Usa-chan now?" Rin clamped herself on the Taiyoukai's kimono making Sesshoumaru go stiff.

He usually put a hand on Rin's head as a sign of affection, but this was just too much. Everyday now Rin came barging into his private study just to ask him about the rabbit and he was beginning to become very impatient. Nobody seemed to notice that he, too, desperately wanted to see her again but when he glanced at his paperwork, he almost growled aloud.

The other Lords were starting to rally their troops for the war that was to come. Naraku wasn't showing any signs of stopping his daring attacks and the other Lords were starting to get restless. The sooner they would have his head, the better.

He took a calming intake of breath, barely noticeable, and patted his ward on the head. "Soon, Rin. This Sesshoumaru still has many papers to fill, go play with Jaken."

Go play with Jaken. It seemed to be his favorite phrase nowadays. The word 'soon' made Rin grin happily and for once she exited the room with a smile. But before she disappeared from the door frame, she turned around and spoke up to him with a pout. "Rin will go play with Jaken, but why doesn't Sesshoumaru-sama play too? Filling papers is no fun unless it's to draw! Rin thinks that Sesshoumaru-sama's job is boring!" With that said, she went away to search for the little toad.

Sesshoumaru just stared at where Rin had stood just seconds ago and shook his head slightly. 'Truly, truth only comes from the children's mouths, as the humans say.' Sesshoumaru watched the enormous pile of paper in disdain and bared his fangs at it, wishing he could claw them into shreds. 'The papers will have to wait. There is only one person who could soothe me in those hard times.'

Sesshoumaru put on his armor and jumped out the balcony in one smooth movement. He decided to get Ah-Un and quickly the 2 headed dragon flew away with his master. One thing rang in the Taiyoukai's head, though, and it irked him. 'I better not tell Rin I went to see her or This Sesshoumaru will never hear the end of it…'

The moon was high in the sky when the Taiyoukai finally arrived at the village. When he saw the ruins of the now destroyed houses, he urged Ah-Un to descend faster and lept down as silently as always. His heart jumped just a little when he saw the ruins and he put a clawed hand on his chest and gave a confused look at nothing in particular.

Was he starting to get sick?? But youkai were never sick! But each time the image of Rin and her little friends appeared in his head, he couldn't help but grunt uncomfortably as the irksome feeling returned. He gazed at the many graves and at the rotting carcass of a youkai which was laying a little farther in the outskirt of the village.

Suddenly, Sesshoumaru ran off in a mad sprint towards the woodlands, his heart beating abnormally fast as if this simple movement was too much of an effort for him. He clutched at his chest even tighter as he neared *her* house, a feeling of dread invading his senses.

He stopped dead in his tracks when the house came into view and just stared at it with empty eyes. 'Why?' It was the first time Sesshoumaru was rendered completely speechless like this. The house, or what was left of it, was completely burnt down to the ground.

He couldn't smell anything, no traces of battle or struggle on the ground, not even her scent, which meant this had happened quite a while ago. Ah-Un, who had joined his master and kept its distance, watched as the Taiyoukai walked slowly to the garden which had expanded without the young woman's care. But even if small weeds had covered some of the ground, one couldn't help but to marvel at the multiple roses that were now covering a good part of the area.

Sesshoumaru kneeled in front of a rose bush and unconsciously smelled the gorgeous flower, his fingers touching the plant softly. Suddenly, he clutched at his chest again and seemed to strain against something as he gave off an earsplitting roar.

Ah-Un reeled back when his master so openly showed his angriness. As soon as he let go of that roar, he became silent and emotionless again and got up, walking back to Ah-Un. "To the Western Lands, Ah-Un."

The 2 headed dragon's eyes were wide but he obeyed his master dutifully and took flight again.

*~*

When the Taiyoukai finally arrived at his castle, his servant Jaken was already outside waiting for him anxiously. "Where were you, Lord Sesshoumaru-sama? This lowly Jaken was scared you might have left him alone with the human girl again! Milord?" The small toad gazed at his master with inquisitive and concerned eyes as the silver haired Inu youkai said nothing.

It wasn't his silent behavior that was worrying him, though, but the way his Lord kept his hand on his chest. His eyes were colder than usual but Jaken could clearly see that his master seemed to be in some sort of pain. "Master Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken asked again with a small voice as not to pry and Sesshoumaru moved his icy gaze onto him.

"Jaken, ask the healer to come into my quarters." This said, the Taiyoukai disappeared into his castle without any explanations.

Sesshoumaru was sitting on his bed staring at the walls when a knock made him blink into focus. "Come, Shinji."

The old healer came in as soon as the order was given and bowed to his Lord. "My, my, Sesshoumaru. It is very rare when you require my services! What could the matter ever be? Is it because of your missing arm?"

Of course, no youkai except one close to the Lord would ever dare to talk to him like this without being scared of being ripped in half! And since Shinji had also been InuTaisho's healer long ago, Sesshoumaru had kept the youkai here even if he rarely asked for his help.

Sesshoumaru put his hand on his chest again and shook his head, his eyes now staring out the window. "This Sesshoumaru has gotten used to have one arm missing. I never thought I would say this, but there is a pain in my chest that keeps coming back over and over again. This Sesshoumaru doesn't not know what to do about it. It has never happened before."

Shinji nodded and checked Sesshoumaru up after asking the permission. "When did it first happened, if I may ask?"

Sesshoumaru put his upper kimono back on gracefully and it didn't take him much time to answer, seeing as he never got this type of pain…ever. "It started tonight when I went to see a friend. It was her who accommodated us while Rin recovered from an attack on her person."

The healer nodded again and put a hand on his chin. "Ah yes! I remember this story from Rin when I made sure she was okay when you told me she had gotten injured. This…human woman? If I remember correctly? She did a very wonderful job when she healed our little Rin. I would very much like to meet her, seeing as she survived your all mighty presence for an entire week without going crazy!" The old youkai chuckled to himself at his little joke but Sesshoumaru didn't found it funny at all.

He bared his teeth for only a second so Shinji didn't notice. "Unfortunately, old one, the village near where she resided was completely destroyed when I arrived there. When I went to her house, it was completely burnt down to the ground. That is when the pain really started. It comes and goes but This Sesshoumaru has never felt something so troubling in his 900 years of life." When the Taiyoukai finally finished his explications, Shinji hummed to himself, deep in thought.

At least, he had a lead and if Sesshoumaru confirmed his next question, he was dead right. "Tell me, Sesshoumaru-sama. This 'pain' in your chest, does it comes only when you think about something or someone in particular? Oh…Let's say…This young human woman who took care of Rin and you?"

Sesshoumaru blinked. 'The healer must possess some divination powers…' "Yes, you are correct. Now, tell This Sesshoumaru how to get that pain away. I do not have the time to deal with this right now. The other Lords will soon gather with their troops and I will have to join them for the oncoming war."

Shinji shook his head sadly and turned to exit his master's private quarters. "I am very sorry to say this, My Lord, but time is what you will need to heal. This sort of pain cannot be taken away by means of medication, I apologize again. Maybe you should try to find what causes this pain alone. Your heart knows the answer already; you just have to listen to it." Then, the old youkai bowed and went back to his rooms, leaving a very silent golden eyed youkai behind.

'Poor Sesshoumaru-sama. Open his heart? I ask a miracle from him. It is a pity, though, that the woman who was beginning to open it had to leave the land of the living. Humans…their mortal blood is their ultimate downfall, it's sad, really. And the poor little Rin who kept asking our Lord if they would soon see her again…' Shinji thought sadly while preparing himself for bed.

Meanwhile, Rin cracked the door of the Taiyoukai's rooms open to see if he was okay. "Sesshoumaru-sama? Are you alright? Rin is worried…And Jaken is too!"

Behind the little girl, the toad sputtered. "Uhh…I tried to put her to bed, Sesshoumaru-sama! I really did! But the dreaded child did not listen to your humble servant!" Said servant sweatdropped when he noticed that the girl was already beside his Lord who was on his bed, the words of the old healer still fresh in his mind.

"Lord Sesshoumaru-sama?" Jaken said carefully, judging his Lord's action as he slowly approached the large bed.

Sesshoumaru merely motioned for them to come nearer and he gave something to Rin, his eyes never leaving the human-child. Rin took a rose and gasped happily. "This is from Usa-chan's garden!" Then, she pouted. "You went to see her without Rin! But does this mean Rin will soon see her?!" The girl asked with happy hopeful eyes.

Jaken, too, was full ears even though he was looking as if he wasn't interested. Unfortunately, we all know Sesshoumaru tells things as they are. He shook his head negatively while his heart constricted again -'Damned pain!'- and his gaze alone told the rest of the story.

Old Shinji and most of the castle's inhabitants shivered at the sound of heart wrenching sobs and words of denial coming from their Lord's quarters. 'The poor child…' Shinji told himself again, while closing his eyes tightly. He could just imagine the child clinging onto the Taiyoukai as if her life depended on it and Jaken retreating to his rooms to stay alone to mourn.

But his master…was the one who was worrying him the most.

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Eternal Cosmos ^_~