InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ The Last Amulet ( Chapter 48 )

Chapter Forty-Eight:

The Last Amulet

It was peaceful here. The wind was blowing softly across the open plain. The grass was as green as he had ever seen it before. A few flowers grew here and there, giving the grass color. The sun was hidden behind the white fluffy clouds in the deep blue sky. Toramaru sat quietly under a tree, eyes closed, enjoying the peace and quiet. He did not have chances such as this to relax very often. With his position as Elder he bore a lot of responsibility. At times, he hated it, and yet most of the time he enjoyed it.

"Enjoying yourself, little brother?"

Toramaru's eyes snapped open. That voice. He recognized that voice. It couldn't be.

"InuTaisho?" he asked, "Is that you big brother?"

"Who else but I would call you little brother, Toramaru?" the voice said with a chuckle.

On his right, a few feet away from him, a figure appeared. Hazy at first but soon cleared. The figure was none other than his big brother, InuTaisho. He looked just as he had the day he left. Strong and handsome, silver hair pulled back in a high ponytail, golden eyes wide and piercing, his aristocratic features set in a serious expression. That had happened after Izaoi had died. He had become serious all the time, his laughter and joy no longer easily brought forth.

He even wore the same cloths; an expensive blue kimono and hakama and gleaming armor.

Toramaru stood and slowly approached his big brother, almost afraid if he moved the wrong way he would disappear.

"InuTaisho." he breathed.

InuTaisho graced him with one of his rare smiles and held out a hand to Toramaru.

"It's been a long time, little brother."

They clasped hands, Toramaru holding on a bit tight. The emotion welling up in his chest was almost too much. After all this time, his brother was here. They had been as close as two brothers could possibly be. Almost as close as twins. Hell, they looked so much alike that they were often mistaken as such. InuTaisho was decades older than Toramaru however.

"Where have you been? What happened to you?" Toramaru asked impatiently.

"That is not important at the moment. My fate will be revealed in time. For now, tell me of my sons. How do they fare?"

Even though he wanted to know now, Toramaru decided not to push. It'd be useless anyway; trying to get information out of his big brother. It had always been that way.

"InuYasha has your temper big brother, only ten times worse."

InuTaisho smiled fondly at that.

"A bit of an outcast because of his hanyou blood though. I am ashamed to say I cannot protect him from everything."

InuTaisho nodded solemnly.

"I had not expected you to. I knew well what the consequences of my mating Izaoi would bring him."

"He is a good pup. A bit rough around the edges and wild, but good at heart."

There was a pause between them. Toramaru knew what InuTaisho wanted to ask. He could tell by the pain that filled his amber eyes.

"And Sesshomaru? Does he still…" InuTaisho could not finish his question, but Toramaru knew what he meant.

Did Sesshomaru still hate him? Toramaru chose his words carefully.

"I am sorry to say that Sesshomaru's….feelings for you have not changed." He said softly.

InuTaisho turned and paced away from Toramaru, sadness rolling through him in waves. It was hard for Toramaru to watch his brother in such pain. InuTaisho had made a mistake, that much was true but hadn't he suffered enough? As long as Sesshomaru felt the way he did InuTaisho would never forgive himself. He would never heal.

"He was young when this happened. He did not understand at the time and because it was not explained to him, he does not understand it now. You cannot continue to blame yourself for this InuTaisho."

InuTaisho stood silent.

"InuTaisho-"

"Yet it is my fault."

"It is not your fault!"

"It is!" InuTaisho said fiercely, turning on Toramaru, "It is my fault do you not see? He was grieving the passing of his mother. I was not there for him. I was too intent on mating Izaoi, too focused on my own goddamn happiness to pay heed to his pain. He grieved alone. I was happy with my new mate while his mother lay cold in the ground."

Such pain filled his amber eyes that Toramaru had to look away. Toramaru had tried to be there for him back then, but Sesshomaru had shut everyone out. He had turned cold and angry, isolating himself from his entire family.

"I failed him." InuTaisho whispered.

They sat in silence awhile before InuTaisho spoke once more.

"There is something I have to tell you…"

Toramaru opened his eyes slowly. The high gray ceiling in his room was the first thing he saw. He stared up at it as he tried to piece together his dream. He had not dreamed of his big brother in centuries, but lately he'd had these dreams over and over. It was long ago but he still remembered feeling crushing sadness afterwards. He didn't this time. He felt almost hopeful. Hopeful for what he did not know. It was strange.

What had big brother wanted to tell him? What message was he trying to convey? Sitting up, he climbed from bed and walked to the bathing facility. Bathing leisurely, he wonder over and over what it could be that InuTaisho had to say. And each time, he came up short. The only thing he knew for sure was that it somehow had something to do with Sesshomaru, but that was not so unusual. Before InuTaisho had left, he had said he had wanted to speak to Sesshomaru about something but had not been able to find him.

They had both known it was because Sesshomaru had not wanted to be found. He had not wanted to see his father off on his battle, knowing it could have possibly been the last time he would ever see his father alive again. The knowledge of knowing that Sesshomaru had purposely avoided him, that his hatred for his father ran so deep and strong had cut his brother deeply.

Toramaru sighed, climbing from the water. He dried off and dressed, his mind still on InuTaisho and Sesshomaru. He would have to talk to Sesshomaru about his father soon. InuTaisho was long dead, the time had come for Sesshomaru to forgive and let go.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Them crops is mine, my Lord. That there part of the land he planted on is part of my land, so them plants belong to me," a peasant male by the name of Rinji argued.

The settling of disputes had been going on for a few hours and already, Sesshomaru was starting to lose patience.

"Nay my Lord!" his neighbor Ginchi exclaimed, "That land is mine and so is them crops! Do not listen to 'em my Lord! My Father gave me that land afore he died!"

"Nay! He lies! I've always had that there piece of land! He had no right to farm on that land!"

"Lying scoundrel, I've a mind to gut ye where ye stand!"

"Enough!" a soldier said, "You will show our Lord proper respect and keep your voices down. Address your concerns to Lord Sesshomaru or be gone,"

Rinji glared at Ginchi before turning to Lord Sesshomaru and bowed.

"I apologize my Lord," he said.

Ginchi followed suit.

"As do I my Lord,"

Sesshomaru said nothing, his amber eyes boring into their bowed heads.

"This Sesshomaru will not tolerate any more shouting in his castle. Any that continue to shout will suffer the consequences. You have all been warned,"

"Yes sir," everyone said unison.

"My Lord, here is the map of their lands," a soldier said coming forward, scroll in hand.

"Lady Kagome! Lady Kagome wait!" a woman screamed.

The soldier stopped, turning to look at the double doors where the shouting voice had come from. The sound of running feet could be heard passing quickly by the doors. The two soldiers guarding the doors began to shout as well. As the foot falls quieted the doors suddenly opened and a soldier barged in.

"My Lord, the Hoikushi and Lady Kagome just ran out the front door!"

The crowd began to stir; everyone talking at once, wondering what was going on. Sesshomaru ignored them all. He was up and out the door in an instant, following after Shusui and Kagome. The crowd followed, eager to see the outcome as well as have something to gossip about tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shusui had no idea what was going on. One minute they had been sitting at Kagome's vanity, styling her hair for the midday meal and the next thing she knew Kagome had gotten up and started running. Shusui had taken off after her of course, but every time she got close, Kagome danced away from her grip, or even used force to escape. Shusui's face was still sting from the blow she'd received from the wayward woman.

"Kagome stop!" she called to the running woman before her.

Kagome didn't even acknowledge her as she rushed down the stone stairs. Shusui felt her heart leap from her chest. If she fell down she could hurt the pup. She held her breath as they ran down the steps, letting it out only as Kagome finally stepped off the stairs and continued to run at break neck speed.

"Hey! Stop!" one of the guards posted at the Great Hall doors shouted after them as they ran pass the Great Hall and outside.

'Where in the hell was she going?' Shusui thought to herself.

A flash of white rushed past her. Shusui stopped in surprise as Sesshomaru caught up with the woman, grabbing on to her shoulders and successfully stopping her. Spectators crowed around the couple, curious to see what was going on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome walked down the hall. Even though she was a bit used to the smell, her nose still scrunched up in distaste as the smell of rotting bodies caressed her nose. Bodies were everywhere. She was no expert on death and dying but from the looks of their bodies, they had endured various forms of torture before death. It was hard to look at some of them. More than a few were missing parts of their bodies. Kagome looked away in disgust at the corpse scattered at her feet.

It was a young male; the top part of his head had been cut off, his pink squishy brain infested with maggots and flies. Her stomach clenched. Covering her mouth she stepped over the body and continued down the hall, trying not to look at the dead.

She turned the corner and began walking down another hall. It was worse than the first hall. This time, not only were there elderly males and females, but also children. Kagome could not even look at their little bodies abused and bloodied, their little face twisted in pain and horror.

Her hand moved down to her own child, nestled safely in her womb.

Though she had only been pregnant a few weeks, she loved the little being in her belly. To see children, infants even, dead and rotting in this house of horrors, it brought tears to her eyes.

Wiping her eyes she walked pass the little bodies. At the end of the hall was a door. Reaching out a hand to the door, she felt the pulsing of the amulet. Her brows drew down in confusion. Beneath that pulsing, she felt another pulsing. It felt strangely familiar and yet she had never felt it before.

She opened the door, and a foul smell hit her. Covering her mouth and nose she looked around the room, further disgusted at what she saw. Their were bodies hanging from chains. The chains had been lifted so that the person hanging had to balance themselves on their toes or risking breaking their arms, so that just standing was a form of torture. On a table nearby, bloody tools lay gleaming and sharp. She didn't even what to think about what those things were for.

"You…should not be….here…." a voice said.

Kagome turned to the source of the voice. One of the males hanging from the chains looked over at her. Kagome gasped. One of his eyes were hanging from its socket, his arms were broken. Having been too tired to continue standing on his toes, his legs had given out, yanking his full weight down on the chain, breaking both appendages.

"You can see me?" she asked in surprise.

This was the first time she had interacted with a person in one of her visions.

"I….am on the….edge of death…..I can see many….things….. Those who have died…..I've seen them here….."

Kagome ran over to the male, intending to get him down. To her surprise, her hands went right through him.

"I'll get you out of here,"

"I…am already…..dying; you…cannot save me," he said, "Leave this….place…."

"Where is this place? Tell me where you are," she said.

"Nitsau….mansion….I was a…soldier here…He came…and….took over….."

The sound of foot steps grasped both their attention.

"He….comes…." the male said.

Kagome looked around. There was no where to hide. The room was entirely open space. She gasped in panic as the door burst open and in walked a male. The male was beautiful, long golden hair and deep blue eyes. The expression on his face however spoke volumes. Such anger, such rage and hatred blazed on his face. Evil radiated off him waves making her head spin.

He approached her with long, quick strides.

Kagome stood frozen to the spot. To her surprise, he walked through her, over to the table of tools. Kagome looked behind her at him.

He seemed oblivious to her.

He picked up a long sharp knife and walked over to the hanging male. Grabbing his face, he opened the beaten male's mouth, roughly pulling his tongue out. Kagome closed her eyes as the golden haired male brought the blade down on his tongue.

The make screamed in agony.

Turning away from the horror scene she focused on locating the source of the pulsing. She found herself at a door in the floorboards. Opening the wood door, she had to hold her breath against the smell. Stone stairs led down into the darkness. Taking a breath, Kagome descended the stairs. Darkness closed over her. She could barely see her hand in front of her. She walked slowly until her vision cleared and she was able to see better, reaching out to the stone walls to steady herself.

As her hand ran along the stones, she felt something squishy. She stopped. A chill ran up her spine as she closed her hand over the squishy spot.

She pulled her hand away. Her hand came back covered in a gooey liquid. Kagome looked down at her hand. Slowly she turned to look at the wall. A skeleton face looked back at her. Its eyes were empty except for two bright red slits. Saliva dripped down its mouth.

Its mouth opened, hissing at her.

Kagome didn't waste any time. Turning, she ran. A growl echoed down the stone walls after her. The skeleton burst free of the stone wall and gave chase, his loud growl waking the others. More skeletons burst from the walls and gave chase, shrilling and screaming.

Kagome never slowed. She rounded a corner, nearly colliding with the wall. It was a dead end. Although she could feel the pulsing of the jewel, there was no hall to go down. She panicked, her breathing sawing from her lungs. The screaming of the skeletons grew closer.

They were coming.

Running over to the wall, she ran her hand over the stone, looking for any sign of a secret entry.

Low growls reached her ears. Turning, she gasped. Skeletons stood a few feet away, their mouths salivating, their piercing red eyes fixed on her. Kagome turned back to the wall, her hands running desperately over the cold stone wall. As a skeleton charged forward, a loud roar echoing in the small space, her hand moved over a loose stone. Kagome pushed it in.

A wall dropped from above, separating her and the skeletons, while lifting the wall in front of her.

The path led into more darkness. Kagome took a breath before journeying down into the shadows. She could feel the pulsing in earnest now. She followed it all the way down to the end of the tunnel. Inside a circular room bathed in a green light, the amulet floated in the air. Kagome approached the amulet.

Reaching out, her hand closed over the amulet. Pulling back she was surprised that she was still in her vision.

Usually, her vision ended once she obtained the amulet.

Why was she still here?

Looking down at said amulet, she marveled at its beauty. It was an anklet, a beautiful golden anklet with a hanging chain; on the end of the small golden chain, hung a small emerald. Lifting up her kimono, she bent over and opened the clasp of the anklet; put it around her ankle, before reclosing the clasp again. She stood quickly as the amulets began to glow. She always wore the amulets so they would remain safe, not once had they ever given off energy as they were doing now.

The ground began to shake. Kagome grabbed onto the wall to steady herself. A few feet away, a golden structure began to rise from the dirt. Kagome let go of the wall as the structure rose to its full height, rising up to the stone ceiling. As the rumbling ceased, Kagome walked over to the door.

It was made entirely of gold. There were carvings in the door, symbols. She didn't understand what they meant. Reaching out she traced the symbols, surprised when a bright green light followed her finger.

Kagome pulled her hand back, looking down at her hand. Her hand was fine. She put her hand to the door.

Energy spiked up her arm.

The ground shook again as the door began to open.

Inside, led into more darkness.

Kagome sighed.

She was so tired of wandering around in the darkness, but of course ventured inside anyways. Even with her night vision it was still so dark she could barely see. She walked no more than a few minutes before she came upon chains. They were broken chains, rusted and bloody. She walked past the chains and headed deeper into the cave. She could hear shifting in the distance. Like soft footsteps. She stopped as a dark figure walked towards her.

Kagome squinted, trying to make out the figure, but it was so dark she couldn't see anything. The figure stopped as well, golden eyes looking back at her. A scrape of metal reached her ears. A sword gleamed in the darkness, pointed at her.

"Who are you?" the dark figure demanded.

His voice was low and guttural, raspy, as though he had not used it in a while.

"Who are you? I'll not ask again," the figure said stepping closer.

Kagome backed up a step. Seeing the movement the figure advanced on her, sword in hand. The figure grabbed her, his hands grabbing her upper arms. She stared into the eyes of Sesshomaru.

"Answer me woman. Are you alright?" he asked.

Kagome blinked, looking around. She was outside the castle. People were staring at her, whispering. Kagome turned back to Sesshomaru.

"Yes….yes I'm fine," she said.

"Kagome-sama," Shusui called as she broke through the crowd of unfamiliar faces.

Kagome turned to Shusui.

"My Lady, where were you going in such a hurry? You should not be doing such dangerous things in your condition!" she scolded wagging a finger at her.

Kagome gave an apologetic smile.

"Sorry to worry you Shusui," she said.

"Have you had a vision?" Sesshomaru asked.

Kagome nodded.

"Vision?" Shusui asked, glancing between Kagome and Sesshomaru.

"Come inside, we will discuss this," Sesshomaru said.

Sesshomaru turned to address the crowd.

"Today's hearing will be postponed until next week. Leave,"

The crowd grumbled but dispersed none the less, returning to their homes in the village. Kagome squawked in surprise as Sesshomaru swept her into his arms and headed back to the castle, Shusui and his soldiers following.

Kagome was hot!

Wiping her forehead, with the sleeve of her kimono once more, she fanned herself with her hand, though that didn't really help her much. She had not expected the Southern lands to be so damn humid. Immediately following the vision, Sesshomaru had dispatched soldiers to gather Lord Yamiko, InuYasha, General Ensei and Lord Sarinji and Kagome had explained what and where the last amulet was located as well as the dangers that awaited them.

Yamiko had recognized Nitsau Mansion as an old structure built a few decades ago not to far from his castle in the Southern lands. Two days after her vision, they had all made the journey to the Southern lands. Shusui had reluctantly stayed behind after arguing that Kagome should have stayed behind as well in her condition, but after explaining that Kagome was necessary in order to find the amulet, she had settled down. Unhappy with the decision but seeing as she had no other choice, she had let it go.

They arrived in the Southern lands in a day and a half. Traveling to the mansion would take another half a day. They had decided to walk, the heat too in tense to rush. Sesshomaru had even brought his two head dragon Ah-Un for her to travel on. Kagome had been a bit hesitant to ride the two headed beast, having never seen such an animal, but Ah-Un was such a sweetheart, she could not have rejected the adorable beast.

Reaching up, she stroked both heads, earning her a content growl from the beast. She looked ahead at Sesshomaru. He walked a distance in front of her, holding the reigns of Ah-Un. Even he had dressed down for the trip. Instead of his normal silk white kimono, he had settled for a white cotton kimono and hakama with a simple light blue floral design on the right shoulder, though he had still donned his armor. His hair had been pulled back and up in a high pony tail.

She was glad he had told her it would be hot. She had dressed in a green cotton kimono and red obi, her hair completely up in a bun. She would have died out here if she'd worn a silken kimono with all her hair down. A frustrated growl reached her ears.

"Why the fuck is it so damn hot!" InuYasha complained, "Who the fuck would want to live in this shithole?"

Kagome turned around. InuYasha was sweating profusely. Obviously he had not gotten the message everyone else had gotten about the humidity of the Southern lands because he had worn his silken red kimono and hakama. In this heat, his silk clothing was literally cooking him alive.

Next to him, Yamiko didn't even look as though the heat bothered him at all, which made sense since these were his lands and he was no doubt used to the heat. However, the look on his face was as heated as the weather.

"Shithole? Fuck you InuYasha! Don't complain just because you can't handle a little heat! Stupid half-breed, why the fuck did you wear silk to the South?" Yamiko responded in anger.

Kagome sighed as the two began to argue and bicker with each other. Those two never got along and yet at times she could swear they were the best of friends. It was strange to say the least, their love/hate friendship, but it seemed to work for them.

"Will you two shut up?" General Ensei asked in exasperation from behind the arguing pair.

Kagome looked back at the sweating male. He had dressed in a cotton kimono and hakama and put his hair up as well, however, he was still visibly suffering from the heat. She glanced at Sarinji. He had done the same. It was very awkward having him with them after what had happened. The looks Sesshomaru gave him, the way he would pull her away if she was even an inch to close to Sarinji; it was embarrassing to say the least.

But she refrained from fighting with him when he got that way because she knew that if she fought Sesshomaru, Sesshomaru would in turn fight Sarinji. She damn sure did not want that happening again.

Sarinji had stared death in the face once and escaped with his life, she was sure he would not be as lucky if such happened again.

Surprisingly, Sarinji didn't seem to mind Sesshomaru constantly pulling her away from him. He usually pretended not to see, or didn't acknowledge it. She hoped that meant he was done pursuing her. Although she still felt bad for him. Looking at him now, he was quiet, his mind seemingly far away on thoughts that did not seem to bring him any happiness.

She sighed.

Even though she wanted to, she could not help him.

Kagome turned her attention back to Yamiko and InuYasha who were still arguing, but not against each other but both against General Ensei. Kagome giggled. She was convinced now, their love/hate friendship worked just fine for the both of them. Kagome turned back around, wiping her brow again. This heat was unbearable, but the land was overall very nice and lush. The grass was a dark healthy green, the trees tall and full of leaves, various animals roaming around freely.

Without the constant heat, this was a very nice land.

Yamiko said the heat would let up around late afternoon. She sure as hell hoped he was right.

After a few more hours of travel, Sesshomaru stopped the group at a lake, stating he did not want Kagome getting too hot in her condition. She was thankful for that, as was everyone else. Standing at the bank, Kagome rolled up the sleeves of her kimono and the bottom up to her knees and stepped into the cool water, sighing in relief. They were only a few minutes away from the mansion; she could feel the pulsing of the amulet from where she was. Sesshomaru came to sit next to her, his kimono sleeves and hakama rolled up as well.

"Your condition?" he asked reaching out a hand to feel her swelling belly.

"I'm fine, no nausea, no pain," she answered.

Her stomach growled in hunger. Kagome blushed. She had forgotten the Rinjiki seasoning to make sure she stayed full. She had been meaning to get the seasoning from Shusui but must have forgotten. Sesshomaru stood.

"I will return with food. Do not leave the lake," he said.

Kagome nodded as he turned and walked away. Kagome turned back to splashing in the water. Dipping her cupped hands into the river, she scooped up water and splashed her heated face and neck. Yamiko and InuYasha joined her; Yamiko sitting at her left, InuYasha at her right. She knew they had come on Sesshomaru's orders. Protecting her from not only enemies but Sarinji as well. She shrugged inwardly.

That was fine with her, it was too hot to argue anyway.

"So," InuYasha started.

"Hum?" Kagome said turning to her right.

She shrieked in surprise. His face was inches from her own, his golden eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"What kind of kid ya having; devil of a boy or a satanic little girl?"

"Neither, I am having a precious, precious child, no matter the sex," Kagome said narrowing her own eyes at him.

"Keh," InuYasha said lying down on the grass, his arms folded behind his head, "What ever you say Kagome,"

Kagome rolled her eyes. InuYasha just could not get over himself soon enough.

"Hate to say it Kagome, but with a father like Sesshomaru what kind of kid can ya expect to have? Little devils," Yamiko said dramatically.

Kagome giggled.

"I'm serious!" he said with a feigned horrified look, "Little devils that run up and bite you at the ankles!"

Kagome laughed harder.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you're scared of little children, Yamiko?"

"Any child with the a direct connection to the devil himself scares me shitless,"

Kagome punched him playful with a laugh.

"Just you wait until you have children of your own, Yamiko. They'll be worse than anything you can imagine my child being,"

Yamiko shuddered.

"No way in hell that could happen,"

Kagome laughed again.

General Ensei and Sarinji sat a few feet away behind the group. Sarinji sat quietly, stealing glances of Kagome here and there. He had decided not to openly pursue her anymore. Even he was not so foolish to butt heads with Sesshomaru again. He sighed inwardly. He had come so close to carelessness, youthfulness. Had had a taste of recklessness and had enjoyed every moment of it; the pain, the adrenaline, everything. It would be a memory that he would venture down often in his mind. In spite of the way things had turned out he was more than happy with the way things were now. At his age, feeling such things again were next to impossible, but he had, and to him, that was one of his greatest accomplishments.

Sesshomaru returned within minutes, a dead boar thrown over his shoulder. He made short work of the animal. Skinning it, gutting it and cutting the meat into squares in a matter of minutes, and placing the squares onto a large leaf. Taking the leaf over to Kagome, he glared down at both Yamiko and InuYasha.

"Alright, alright, we're going," InuYasha said standing.

Yamiko followed suit and the two walked away as Sesshomaru sat down next to Kagome as she began to eat.

"When we arrive at the mansion, I do not want you going in alone. If I am not available, you are to find InuYasha, Yamiko, or General Ensei. If they are not available, then and only then will you seek out Sarinji,"

Kagome sighed.

"I already know what's inside that mansion; I think I can handle it on my own,"

"Nay, Kagome. You spoke of a male inside that place. We know not who he is or what his motives are. You will stay where there is someone to protect you,"

Kagome swished her feet around in the water as she took another piece of meat and popped it into her mouth.

"Do you understand?" Sesshomaru asked.

Kagome nodded.

This time Sesshomaru sighed.

He got the feeling that even though she nodded at him, that she planned to do exactly what she wanted to do.

Once Kagome finished, the group once more began to travel. As they rounded the corner on the main road, the mansion came into sight. It was large and foreboding, a dark energy hang over it. It was a fairly new building and yet it seemed to be crumbling already. The white paint was dirty, parts of the ceiling caved in, overall it look as though no one had taken care of the structure in months, and considering what had gone on in that place, there was not one alive to take care of it.

Kagome felt a chill crawl up her spine. Something wasn't right, she could feel it. As they neared the opened gains, the foul scent of death reached their noses. Kagome covered her mouth and nose. It seemed wherever the members of the Evil Six went, the scent of death always hung heavy in the air. As they entered the courtyard, and headed towards the front double doors, one of those doors opened. The group stopped, all hands going instantly to their weapons.

"I am….so pleased you've arrived…" said a voice.

All eyes turned to the door as a male stepped out into the sunlight. It was the male from her vision. He looked different though. He was completely unkempt. His hair was mussed, dark, deep bags had formed under his eyes, and his clothing was wrinkled, bloodied and dirty. His cold blue eyes scanned the lot of them. A vicious smile formed on his lips as his eyes landed on Sesshomaru.

Amber eyes stared back.

"You will die this day," he said.

Sesshomaru smirked.

"Your brethren said much the same thing," Sesshomaru said.

Instant anger lit up his deep blue eyes, his energy crackling.

"What is your name?" Sesshomaru said, "This Sesshomaru wishes to kill you in correspondence to your name,"

More anger erupted into those blue eyes.

"Tourcher," he said, "I will show you the reason why I was given such a name," he hissed fiercely, "I will show you the true meaning of torture!"

Sesshomaru moved to stand in front of Kagome as the ground began to shake.

"You will not leave here alive…..I swear it on the lives of my fallen brothers!"

The earth split in front of him. From the gaping hole arms reached out, gripping the earth, their bony arms pulling themselves from the ground. They looked far more hideous than in her vision. Their bodies were made of ivory white bones, their mouth salivating. As their eyes bored into their own, pure hunger reflected in those beady red eyes. Wasting no time, the skeletons attacked. More skeletons pulled themselves from hole.

Yamiko and InuYasha were first to leap into the fray, swords swinging.

"First to fifty!" InuYasha called out slashing through one skeleton.

"You're on!" Yamiko responded beheading two skeletons at once.

As more skeletons poured from the crack in the earth, General Ensei and Sarinji joined the fight. Sesshomaru stayed in front of Kagome, cutting down any skeletons that came his way. Ah-Un covered his back, breathing fire at any that approached from the rear.

Tourcher narrowed his eyes at the group. A scent caught his nose. His eyes widened slightly. Reaching out, he immediately connected to Vishious.

'She is pregnant big brother Vishious,' he said.

The line was silent a moment, but Tourcher knew Vishious had heard. His anger was like a living breathing entity, the likes of which made even him shiver.

'Get rid of it…' he hissed back.

'Aye big brother,'

Reaching into the sleeve of his kimono, he pulled a gleaming short sword. His eyes sought out Sesshomaru. Instant hatred flooded his body. Since his brethren had died, he'd been so damn empty. His entire life felt as though it had gone to hell. He was no longer the same. No longer did he care about the things he had once cared about. Torturing the inhabitants of the castle no longer gave him pleasure.

Keeping his appearance clean, tidy and well kept was not something he cared about any longer. With a burst of energy, he attacked, his body a blurred ball of gold as he maneuvered between the battle taking place.

Sesshomaru saw him coming a mile away. Pulling his sword, he leapt forward. Their swords clashed and the battle was on. Pushing him back, Sesshomaru took another swipe at Tourcher with his sword aiming for his head. Tourcher ducked, leaping backwards and up, landing graceful on the roof of the mansion. Sesshomaru pursed him, leaping up onto the roof.

Their swords clashed again, sparks flying.

Ah-Un blasted another six skeletons. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru and Tourcher disappeared. There was no way in hell she was going to sit here and wait for someone to babysit her. She looked over at the door. The path was clear. Kagome scooted down off of Ah-Un and stood in front of the two heads.

"I need you to keep the path clear for me, Ah-Un," she said to the beast.

Ah-Un looked upward to where Sesshomaru had disappeared as though wishing to ask his permission before she left.

"Please, Ah-Un," Kagome said.

The creature turned their heads back at her, nuzzling her neck.

"Thanks Ah-Un," she said turning.

Taking a breath, she made a dash for the door, Ah-Un blasting the skeletons in her way.

"Kagome!" Ensei called out, slashing through another skeleton.

"I'll be fine!" she called out as she disappeared into the mansion.

Ensei cursed as a skeleton latched onto his forearm. Slamming his fist down onto the bony head, the skull cracked into pieces. Tossing the body aside, he took off after Kagome.

He caught up to her in no time and joined her as she ran down hall after hall.

"The room with the amulet should be just up ahead!" Kagome said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

He awoke to the sound of footsteps above. Opening his eyes, he looked upward at the stone roof above him. Picking up his sword, he stood. It had been days since he had awoken, and in those days, there had been no noise except for the rats scrapping around in the cave. He walked towards the noise….

~~~~~~~~~~

The door opened and the two walked inside. Ensei was surprised to see what the room contained, the bodies hanging, and the various tools of torture on the table. This truly was a place of torture.

Kagome headed for the door.

"This is it," she said opening the door and carefully climbing down the stairs.

General Ensei followed her down. Darkness closed over them.

"There are skeletons down here as well. Be careful," Kagome said.

"Aye," Ensei said pulling his sword.

They walked no longer than a few minutes before the skeletons made their appearance.

"Run!" Ensei said as they burst from the walls.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The noise was getting closer, the footfalls louder. He could hear voices. Someone was definitely here and coming his way. Eyes narrowed, he gripped his sword as he hurried towards the sounds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

General Ensei ran his sword through the skeleton. Pulling out he beheaded another. Kagome ran towards the dead end. Feeling along the wall, she felt for the loose stone. Finding it, she turned to General Ensei.

"I found it! Come on!" she said.

Slamming his fist into another bony face, he turned and ran towards Kagome as she pushed in the loose stone and the wall above dropped down, separating them and the skeletons. The stone wall behind them opened and the two entered. The darkness closed over them once more.

"The amulet is just up ahead," Kagome said as they rounded the corner.

A soft emerald light illuminated the walls. As in her vision, the amulet floated in an emerald light. Ensei looked at the light, mesmerized. Reaching out, Kagome pulled the amulet from the light. Wasting no time, she placed the anklet on her ankle. Her body began to glow as the other amulets interacted with each other. The ground began to shake.

From the ground, the golden door emerged. Ensei looked up at the large door in wonder. He had never seen anything like it before. Kagome walked over to the door, placing her palm against the door, the ground shook again as it opened.

Kagome led the way into the darkness. When they came upon the broken chains, they stopped.

"Chains?" Ensei asked in confusion.

"I'm assuming that the man that attacked me in my vision broke free from them," Kagome said.

Ensei took a position in front of her as they continued down the path, his sword in hand. Walking in silence, Kagome looked around the cave for any sign of the skeletons. Suddenly Ensei stopped, putting out a hand to stop her as well.

Kagome stopped.

"What is it?" she whispered.

"Someone approaches,"

From the darkness, a figure appeared, amber eyes piercing through the night. The energy radiating from him was astounding.

"Who are you?" the figure asked.

"General Ensei," Ensei said.

"General Ensei?"

"Aye," he said, "Who are you?"

"InuTaisho,"

Shock ran through their systems. Kagome moved from behind Ensei, peering into the darkness.

"InuTaisho? Are you….Sesshomaru's father?" she asked.

The figure stepped closer, his face visible. Kagome's eyes widened in shock. He was the spitting image of Sesshomaru and InuYasha. His face a mask of concern, he looked over at Kagome.

"You know my son?" he asked.

Mouth agape, Kagome nodded.

"Yes, I know your son,"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you all enjoyed!

Laters

~Sessakag