InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angel ❯ Going Their Separate Ways ( Chapter 51 )

Chapter Fifty-One:

Going Their Separate Ways

Sesshomaru sat quietly as InuTaisho spoke behind him. Early that morning, Sesshomaru had been summoned to the large room to discuss the group's next move. Sesshomaru did not once turn to look at his father seated a few chairs away to his left; however, InuTaisho's amber eyes bored holes into his head. Sesshomaru paid him no attention as he recounted the last days he remembered.

"I left the castle and journey to a village named Hikaku. There was a rumor that I wanted to investigate that originated in said village. I met with a male by the name of Neji. He had made contact with the Evil Six and survived. The only living survivor I had ever come across. He told me of a sword that could be used to destroy the Evil Six….."

"Are you sure you want to do this, big brother?" Toramaru asked.

InuTaisho paced away to the balcony over looking the western lands. The land was a mere shadow of its former glory. The trees were gray, leafless and dying, the grass brown and brittle, death and illness hung on the air, from both the land's inhabitants and animals, destroyed villages and suffering as far as the eye could see. His heart ached for his lands and people.

His people were suffering.

He was suffering.

It could go on no longer. He could not sit here and do nothing. He had to get out there and at least try and defend his people, even though he wished to stay in his dark room and continue to morn the death of his beloved Izaoi.

He could not.

It was time for him to step up and be the leader he had been raised to be. It was just so damn hard without Izaoi at his side. He closed his eyes. How had his life gone so wrong? Sesshomaru was no closer to forgiving him than he had been ten years ago, Izaoi had died, and his people were slowly being slaughtered like animals.

Surely he was in hell.

"What other choice do I have, Tora?"

Toramaru sighed, standing from his seat on the bed, he walked over and stood next to InuTaisho. He knew his brother was right, but he didn't want InuTaisho to go. Though he tried to hide, Toramaru knew he was torn up inside about all that had occurred in the last few decades.

His brother had not even begun to heal. How could he go into battle in his state of mind and hope to be successful, let alone return alive?

"You cannot leave and expect to be victorious in your state of mind, you know this InuTaisho,"

InuTaisho sighed, hanging his head. His mussed hair hung down his face, covering his saddened eyes. He knew he was not in a good state of mind. The day to day burden was so heavy at times he wished to put himself out of his own misery. Many a night he sat up in bed, a blade in his hand, dark thoughts running through his mind.

And many a night he had taken that blade and pressed against his jugular, his hand shaking, tears running down his face.

Each time, a vision of Izaoi would pass through his mind, both of his sons faces would surface soon after, driving the knife from his hand. He knew he was no where near fit to take on such a mission, but he no longer wanted to wallow in his own misery.

He would not shrink in his duty to his lands and his people.

"Whether I am victorious or not, I am going. It has to be done, this you know Tora,"

Toramaru sighed, closing his eyes.

"At least give it time. Wait until you are in a better frame of mind. Wait until-"

"My people are completely slaughtered? Until the western lands is nothing more than a wasteland?" he questioned, lifting his head, "I cannot wait that long, I will not wait that long,"

Toramaru whirled on him, his eyes alight with anger.

"Stop this! Stop this right now dammit!" he said fiercely, "You cannot drown your pain in battle! Do you think rushing into battle will help dim the pain? You have two sons, InuTaisho! Two sons that need their father!"

"One of which would gladly see me dead," he said softly, his amber eyes gazing blindly out at the deep blue sky.

"Give him time InuTaisho! Give both of you time! You made a mistake. Surely, if you two sit down and talk he'll come arou-"

"You know that is not so," he said sadly, "Sesshomaru is as stubborn as his father. We've sat down, and talked and yelled. His heart is dead set. I cannot be forgiven,"

"InuTaisho, you made a mistake,"

"Aye, I made a mistake. You know well that there are prices to pay for mistakes," he said turning away from the balcony, "This mistake will cost me one of my sons,"

Toramaru clenched his fists as InuTaisho walked back inside his bedroom.

"So you've decided then?" Yashiko asked.

The large room was completely silent as the group of males waited for InuTaisho's answer. InuTaisho looked around at the males seated at the large table. His eyes touching each every one of them. He considered each every one of them his friends.

Yashiko stared back at him. He was a very handsome male. Long black hair, yellow exotic eyes, his beauty was second only to InuTaisho, or so the women, peasants and aristocrats alike, liked to say.

Yashiko was the Territory Lord of the Southern lands. He and his mate Lynshi had just had a child a few decades ago. Their son, Yamiko, was the spitting image of his father. InuYasha and Yamiko had played together on three separate occasions though at times, he could swear that the two children hated each other, and yet other times, they seemed to behave like brothers.

It was not so strange though, InuYasha treating Yamiko like a brother. His own brother seemed to hate the very air he breathed.

His eyes wondered over to Sarinji, his once childhood friend. A few years younger than him, Sarinji had come to power long before InuTaisho had. His father had died early in his childhood, placing him in the Lord's chair. He had had to grow up fast. He stared back at him, his blue eyes serious.

At times InuTaisho had felt sorry for the older male. When he thought no one watched, his eyes often drifted to the nearest window, looking out as if the window contained his freedom.

For long moments he would stare, various emotions crossing his face, and then, sadness would bloom in those weary blue eyes.

His eyes shifted once more to the next male seated at the table. Hishiko, the only human seated at the table looked back at him, his brown eyes reflecting compassion. InuTaisho had to admit, he had never thought to see a human at this table. The warring between youkai and humans had finally come to an end some hundred and fifty years ago. Hishiko's great grandfather purposed a truce between the Northern lands and the Western lands.

InuTaisho's father, Kokujun, tired of the death and fighting, accepted the truce without delay, and on that day, a human had sat at the royal table and together, the two had gone over a of action to coerce the remaining two Lords to join their alliance.

It took ten years of compromises and more compromises atop those before the other Lords agreed, but eventually, a final accommodation had been reached and the Territory Lords were established.

These males, they were all his friends. He did this not only for his own lands, but for them as well. With so much destruction taking place, only one of them could be spared to search for clues on the Evil Six. Once a solid lead had been found, the four males would join together and seek out the Evil Six.

"Aye. I've decided," InuTaisho answered, "I will not be swayed from this,"

More silence.

"If you are still suffering from personal issues, it is best not to-"

"With all do respect, Yashiko, my personal issues have naught to do with my decision. This attack on our lands by the Evil Six has gone on long enough. I will not sit here and do naught while they roam free bringing destruction to all that cross their paths,"

"I understand, InuTaisho, however we are all aware that you are not as you should be right now. We understand that the last few years have been extremely taxing. We do not want you to go out there and-"

"I've made my decision, and I will not be swayed," InuTaisho repeated firmly.

"InuTaisho," Hishiko started.

InuTaisho shook his head.

"Nay old friend, I'll not hear any more. The decision is mine to make. It has been made, I merely called this meeting, not to debate my leaving, but to inform you all of my decision," he said standing, "I leave in six days time, my brother, Toramaru will see to things in my absence,"

InuTaisho bowed.

"Gentlemen," he said as he straightened, turned and walked out the door.

"When will you be back father?" InuYasha asked, staring up at his father.

InuTaisho smiled down at his son. How could he tell a child so young that he may never return?

He couldn't.

"I know not son," he said picking up the child and placing him on his shoulders as they continued down the path to the stream. InuTaisho smiled as InuYasha's small arms wrapped around his head, his small chin resting atop his head. His little demonic aura was coated with sadness.

"You need not worry so InuYasha, I shall return before you know it,"

"But if you're gone, I'll be all alone. Big brother Sesshomaru doesn't like to play with me, and Yamiko is leaving with his father when they go back to South,"

"Your uncle Tora will remain behind to play with you,"

"Uncle Tora is always as busy as you father. He won't have time to play with me,"

InuTaisho smiled, Toramaru was indeed as busy as he. Shouldering his elder brother's work so that he had time to spend with his son. He owed his little brother so much. His smile vanished. This was why he was doing this. For all the people that supported him, for all the people counting on him.

"Can we go swimming today, dad?" InuYasha asked breaking him away from his thoughts.

"Aye, munchkin, we shall go for a swim,"

"Hey!" InuYasha exclaimed in indignation, "I ain't a munchkin old man!"

InuTaisho laughed as they approached the spring.

"Do you know where he is?" InuTaisho asked Toramaru again as they approached the double doors leading outside.

"…Nay…..I know not. He is not here," he responded.

InuTaisho stopped in his tracks, the pain in his chest nearly unbearable.

"I see,"

His own son had not come to say goodbye. It killed him to know that, and yet, deep in his heart, he knew that Sesshomaru would not actually come, but he had hoped. Prayed even. But his prayers would go unanswered this day.

Toramaru placed a hand on his shoulder. InuTaisho reached up, placing his hand over his brother's hand.

"You need not worry, Tora,"

"I disagree,"

InuTaisho smiled.

"You've always been the worrying type,"

"Perhaps so,"

Toramaru squeezed his shoulder.

"Return to us," he said softly.

"Aye, I will," InuTaisho said taking a step towards the door.

Stopping again, he turned to look back at his brother.

"Take care of them," he said.

Be fore Toramaru could say a word; he turned back and walked out the double doors.

"I must warn ye, my Lord, he is not going to last much longer," the village woman said.

He nodded. He had not expected him to. The scant few that made contact with those demons and survived never lived long afterwards. The two headed to a secluded hut. A few feet from the hut, the woman stopped. He turned to look back at her.

"I can go no further InuTaisho-sama," she said, her brown eyes looking at the hut with apprehension.

"Why not?" he asked.

"His disease, we humans are not immune to it, I can go no further,"

"I understand," he said as he turned and continued on to the hut.

InuTaisho entered the small hut. It was dark and damp. A small fire crackled in a small pit in the middle of the hut. In a straw bed, tucked away in a corner lay a male. InuTaisho sniffed. From the smell of him, he was a dying male. The scent of decaying flesh entered his senses. He could not help but scrunch his nose at the offending odor.

He walked over to the male. Though his body was covered with a rank old sheet, a part of his chest was exposed. InuTaisho was surprised to see that the male seemed to be rotting from the inside out. His skin was blackened and sunken in, the disease eating through his flesh.

It was the wasting disease that had been plaguing the lands for the last year and a half. Even youkai were not completely immune to the disease. InuTaisho's mastery of poison made him almost completely immune to the deadly malady however.

"Are you Neji?" he asked the male on bed.

The man looked at him with sunken in eyes, his thin decaying chest rising and falling slowly. He looked more like a breathing scarecrow than a man.

"Aye," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Rumor has it that you know of a way to stop the Evil Six,"

"Aye," he said taking in a shallow breath, "A priestess…..spoke to me about a sword…."

"A sword?"

"Aye…..I know not what the sword…..is…."

"Do you know where I can find it?"

"She said…it was near…caves…..in the southern lands…."

The male coughed, his chest heaving. InuTaisho stood, placing a hand on the withered males decaying hand.

"Thank you," he said before turning and walking away.

He left the hut, headed for the Southern lands.

InuTaisho stood outside of the cave. These were the last caves in the Southern lands. The sword had to be located here. He had searched each and every cave in the Southern lands and had not found the mysterious sword Neji had told him about.

As he neared an oppressive and malicious presence lapped at the edge of his senses. He would know that aura anywhere. From the few encounters they'd had, InuTaisho remembered that aura.

He pulled his sword.

The sound of metal clashing against metal rang through the land.

"You really are a fool," Vishious said.

InuTaisho pushed him back with his sword, retreating a step.

"You are the only fool here. Surrender and go to your death with honor, fiend,"

Vishious laughed.

"You truly are a fool! Coming here alone…..You must have a death wish!" he cackled in amusement as he raise his sword high above his head and slammed it down into the earth.

A flash of intense light blinded him…..

"That is the last I remember," InuTaisho finished, "though I suspect I was ambushed by the Evil Six that day and imprisoned in the caves,"

InuTaisho looked at his son once more, trying to gauge his reaction to the story. He sighed inwardly. Sesshomaru was just as emotionless as he had been when his tale began.

"Now that you have returned, InuTaisho-sama, our next move will be to track down the remaining members of the Evil Six and exterminate them," Sarinji said.

"Aye, I agree," Yamiko said, "I say we take those fuckers down,"

"Nay," Sesshomaru said.

The group turned to face him. It was the first time he had spoken since the meeting began.

"Why not?" General Ensei asked from his place next to Sarinji.

"In order for the sword to have the power to detect the Evil Six, Kagome must bond with the last amulet. This Sesshomaru will not allow anymore harm to come to his mate. She will remain home, away from danger until our pup has been birthed and Kagome has recovered. Until such time, this Sesshomaru will not allow her to be involved with any actions that are dangerous or hazardous to her health,"

"But we're close! We have the sword, we have the last amulet!" Yamiko exclaimed.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, his temper barely in check. His energy snapping. His aura, usually one of barely restrained violence, had turned into violence hanging on by a mere thread. InuYasha's eyes widened at his brother's mood, even InuTaisho looked at him strangely. Ensei and Sarinji tensed as well. Yamiko backed down, staring at him in surprise.

"My mate will see no more battles until her pregnancy has been carried to term. You, however are free to continue your search. This Sesshomaru and his mate will retire to the Western lands this eve,"

That said, he seemed to calm himself, retreating behind his mask of indifference.

“I have decided, will not be swayed," he informed the group as he stood and left swiftly.

The room was quiet as the door closed behind him.

"Great, now what?" Yamiko muttered.

"We will have to wait until Lady Kagome gives birth. An Inu youkai does not take the life and well being of his mate or pup lightly, Yamiko. Sesshomaru let her go once, he will not be swayed a second time. I cannot say I blame my son; such things are not done in the first place. I am surprised he allowed it at all," InuTaisho said, "The best course of action is to return to each of your respected Territories until the pup has been birthed and Lady Kagome has healed from the birthing process,"

The room was silent.

Yamiko sighed.

"What other choice do we have?" Yamiko muttered, standing.

"None," Sarinji said as he stood as well, "Then it is agreed. Everyone will return to their Territories until the pup has been born and Lady Kagome has healed from the birthing of the pup,"

There were no objections. With the decision made, the meeting came to a close.

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

Kagome lay in bed, four cold hands roaming her body. She would never get used to this. Even though she'd seen demons with multiple arms and hands, she had never actually had one touch her. It was weird. But Doctor Yashi was very gentle, so she did not mind as much. She just wish he had warmed his hands before poking and probing her body.

In order for the examination to be done, Kagome had had to undress. Even though a fire blazed in the fire place a few feet away, not all of the chill had been taken from the room. Naked under the furs, his cold hands made her even colder than she already was.

"Everything seems to be fine for now, my Lord," Yashi said to Sesshomaru, "as long as she takes it easy and takes the medication as ordered, the pregnancy should be carried out normally,"

Sesshomaru nodded.

"She is clear to travel?"

Yashi nodded.

"Aye, she is,"

"Thank you doctor," Kagome said, her hands stroking her belly.

She was so relieved everything was okay.

The doctor bowed before turning and walking out the door. She looked over at Sesshomaru who stood silently watching her. She could tell he was not in any way, shape, or form, pleased with the situation. He didn't seem to be the, rub it in your face, 'I told ya so' sort of person.

Kagome was glad because he was in a perfect position to do so.

"Your days of adventure are over until this child is carried to term," he informed her.

"I understand," Kagome said.

And she did. She had no intention of further endangering their child. Whatever needed to be done to use the sword would have to wait. She couldn't continue to put their child in danger.

"We made a deal. The last amulet has been found as well as the sword," Kagome said.

Sesshomaru nodded, clearly pleased with her response.

"We will be leaving here. It has been decided that you will not bond with the final amulet until the pup has been birthed,"

"What about everyone else?" Kagome asked.

"They will return to their territories and will be back when the pup has been birthed and you have healed from the birthing,"

Kagome nodded.

Sounded reasonable. She could wait until the baby was born to track down the remaining members of the Evil Six. She sighed inwardly. She was most agreeable to the decision because it would postpone her confrontation with Rykotsu. She wasn't ready to face him yet.

"Before we leave, can I have a bath first?"

Sesshomaru nodded. Kagome sat up, intending to get out of bed. Sesshomaru was on her in an instant, scooping her up from the bed and into his arms.

"I can walk you know," Kagome said as he carried her to the bathroom.

Sesshomaru said nothing as he entered the room. Slowly, he lowered her onto the stone steps leading into the bath before turning on the water. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru took a bathing cloth and liquid soap from a shelf attached to the wall. Setting the items down near the edge where Kagome sat, he undressed himself.

As the silk slipped from his hard body, revealing muscle and succulent flesh, she could not help the heat that entered her eyes. It seemed like years had passed since they had been intimate.

Submerging himself in the steaming water, he approached her.

"Nay, woman," he said.

"Hm?" Kagome said in confusion.

"I will not be intimate with you at this time,"

"Why not?" She asked.

"You were injured just yesterday; you have not even begun to heal,"

"He never said we couldn't"

"I care not," he said picking up the cloth and soap.

He poured soap into the cloth and rubbing the cloth together, working up a foamy lather. The smell of citrus fruit filled the air. As he cleaned her body with the soapy cloth, Sesshomaru could not help but be aroused himself.

As soap dripped down her lush body, Sesshomaru knew he would always be attracted to this woman. There was something about her that boiled his blood like none before her ever had. He wanted her, there was no doubt about that, however, his intent was to treat her gently, to allow no further trauma to touch her in any way. That was the way it was to be for the time being. She would be protected from all, himself included.

Sesshomaru bathed her quickly, his arousal growing by the second. Once done, he picked her up and placed her gently on her feet, holding on to her in case she toppled over.

Kagome rolled her eyes at the overly protective gesture.

She had never seen this side of him. He was careful with her, yes, but now he seemed to be taking cautious to the extreme. When he had bathed her, his hands had been gentle on her body. Even his voice had been gentle and soothing, murmuring to her softly when giving her an instruction to move a certain way in order to wash a certain body part. He seemed more shaken by yesterday's incident than he let on.

"I'm not a fragile piece of glass Sesshomaru," she said.

Sesshomaru said nothing as he dried her legs off. He was a bit irritated with himself over the whole situation. He should never have allowed himself to be compelled into allowing her to continue to search for the amulet and sword. Not only had they almost lost their pup, but now his father was back from the grave.

He did not want to even think about the complications such a thing would bring to his life.

Kagome huffed.

Reaching out, she laid her hands on his cheeks, pulling his head up to look at her.

"I'm fine, Sesshomaru, I can walk and bathe myself," she said.

"Do not argue, woman. I am well aware of what you can and cannot do," he said standing.

Though he knew she could walk and bath herself he could not seem to help himself from trying to limit her activity as much as possible. His more primitive instincts had been roused, and the beast inside him was fearful. It was afraid to let her move too much, do too much, fearing the pup would be loss if it allowed it.

It was a foolish worry, even Sesshomaru knew that, yet he could not stop the feeling. However, he allowed her to walk from the room, back into the bedroom where they both dressed. He kept an eye on her however, watching for any sign of distress. Seeing none, he allowed her to walk down stairs without assistance.

Yamiko was waiting for them as they stepped from the stairs. Standing before the soldiers guarded double doors, he looked much like a mature Territory Lord. Dressed in the formal clothing of a lord, his hair pulled back in a high ponytail, he looked more mature than she had ever seen him.

"My Lady," he said bowing, "I am relieved to see you are well,"

"Thank you for you hospitality," Kagome said.

"You are very welcome," Yamiko said, "I want to thank you for all you've done," as he said this, his hand unconsciously traced the area where the scar had once marred his handsome face, " and you are welcome to call on me whenever you find yourself in need,"

Kagome smiled.

"As are you," she said.

Yamiko turned his attention to Sesshomaru.

"My Lord, you have my thanks as well, the offer extends to you as well,"

Sesshomaru inclined his head.

"I will see you both in a few months," he said stepping as side, "Ah-Un has been prepared for your return home, as well as an assortment of food and drink for your journey,"

"Thank you, Yamiko,"

Yamiko bowed, watching as the two walked out the double doors, and the soldiers shut the doors behind them. He sighed. Well, that was that. It'd be at least seven months before they could completely wipe out the Evil Six. For the time being, he would focus on returning his lands back to their former glory, as well as catch up on the ass load of paper work he was sure was waiting for him in his private study.

He groaned.

He hated paper work, hated the tedious, endless stream of work. It was ridiculous. He walked up the winding stair case, the sense of his impending death by paper work lying heavily on his shoulders.

"What the hell's your problem?" a voice asked at the top of the staircase.

Yamiko stopped, a smirk on his face. As much as they fought with each other, InuYasha was the one he would miss the most. As much as he hated to admit it, he had learned a lot from the wayward hanyou.

"None of your goddamn business," he said.

"Keh, whatever," InuYasha said crossing his arms.

The two stood in silence, neither one knowing what to say. They were so much alike, Yamiko realized. They were both unable and unwilling to show any other sort of emotion other than anger. Anger and arrogance. They had their own little way of communicating through various fist fights and insults.

InuYasha crossed his arms.

"Later," he said.

"Much later, mutt-face,"

InuYasha began to descend the stairs. He stopped a few steps from Yamiko.

"In the next competition, I'm gonna rip ya apart," he said arrogantly.

"Dream on dog-boy. How much training can you possibly obtain in seven months time? Seven months won't change a thing, I'm still gonna whop ya," Yamiko responded.

InuYasha rolled his eyes as he continued down the stairs.

"We'll see," he said as he walked towards the double doors, a smile on his face.

Yamiko continued up the stairs, a similar smile gracing his features.

"Aye, we'll see,"

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

Sesshomaru lifted Kagome onto the back of Ah-Un. Kagome stroked both of the beasts' heads.

"Good morning Ah-Un," she cooed to the animal.

Kagome smiled as the two nuzzled her cheeks. Ah-Un was such a sweetheart. Taking up Ah-Un's reigns, Sesshomaru began to lead the beast to the main gates.

Sarinji stood by the gates speaking quietly with InuTaisho. Ensei stood a few feet away from the two, holding a conversation with one of the gate guards, while InuYasha leaned against the large green gates, sweating profusely under the intense sun, mumbling to himself about the heat.

Sesshomaru stopped before the group. All eyes turned to him. Sesshomaru eyed Sarinji, their eyes clashing and locking. Sesshomaru still didn't trust the male as far as he could throw him. He knew for a fact that he stilled looked upon Kagome with want when he thought none looked his way, however, he had heeded his warning and kept his distance. In light of that, he would endeavor to be civil with the male.

"You are returning from here?" he asked Sarinji.

Sarinji seemed to be a bit surprised that he'd asked; his blue eyes widened a fraction.

"Aye, Ensei and I will return to the Eastern lands from here," Sarinji said.

Sesshomaru nodded.

"We will see you in seven months time," he said.

Sarinji bowed as Sesshomaru passed by him, ignoring both his father and brother as he exited the gates. Sesshomaru climbed atop Ah-Un, placing his arms around her waist. Tapping the beasts' side with his heel, Ah-Un took off skyward.

Kagome looked back at the rapidly shrinking group of males below.

"Aren't we going to wait for your father and InuYasha?" she asked

"Nay," Sesshomaru said a bit shortly, clearly a bit angered at the harmless question.

Kagome sighed. She had expected nothing less. He really did hate his father with all his being. It was sad, because she was sure his father had meant no harm, but had made an honest mistake, at least that's what Shusui thought about the whole incident. And from the way InuYasha and Sarinji spoke to InuTaisho as if speaking to an old friend, she was inclined to believe Shusui.

She knew for a fact that how hard it was to deal with Sesshomaru. Kagome leaned back against Sesshomaru, her mind working over time. It would be best for all if Sesshomaru forgave his father. At least that's what she thought.

But sitting down and speaking to Sesshomaru would not be enough….Nay, she would need a course of action. A plan…..

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

Kagura sat in her room, legs pulled up to her chest, her head resting on her knees. She had no idea how long she had been that way, and frankly, she didn't care. Nothing mattered at the moment but what she had been ordered to do. Her heart constricted. How could she do what he was asking of her?

How could she hurt her that way? How could she get out of it? There was no way Vishious would allow her to disobey such an order. He had been absolute and firm in his order. Disobedience would mean her death, or worse, Ensei's death. Kagura picked up the stuffed wolf next to her, hugging it to her chest tightly.

What could she do?

Squeezing her eyes closed, she held on to the wolf for dear life.

There was no other choice. She had to protect Ensei.

She had to obey her orders.

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Thank you all for reading!

Laters!

~Sessakag