InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Another Opens... ❯ The Aftermath ( Chapter 4 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Namiyo11 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 199 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.3K | Visits: 199 | Status: Completed
Chapter 4- The Aftermath
Recap: Earthquake!! Oh, yes yes.
No, I don’t own Inuyasha or related characters. Really. Yotogi, Lady Yumi, and the Dokueki are mine.
A deep rumble as mountains shifted...as a small cavern trembled and it’s ceiling collapsed...the ground moved...and villages, castles suffered...and passes changed under the unforgiving pressures of Earth forces below.
***
A sudden feeling of intense danger. Both brothers felt it. The packbond, pack was in danger-Kagome! Inuyasha ignored the unstable ground, not just pack...mate was in danger, no, please no...not her!
Sesshomaru was right with him as he leapt a fissure that had just opened. When it came-it was a hammer blow. Like something snapped, Inuyasha actually whimpered, a sound forced out of the throat without conscious direction. His half-brother had no such reaction. Only the horrible fading sensation of a packmate...dying. They hurried...
***
To find Miroku standing, concentrating, one hand on the sad pile of stone that had been the cave opening...and slumping suddenly as he felt no living aura within the rockfall. Sango choked on a sob.
Between the group outside, it wasn't hard to start tunneling. Grimy, bloodied white and green, a crumpled, nearly crushed little form lay there, bow in a slack hand, curled around her backpack. She’d nearly made it out, before-
"Damn it!" Inuyasha growled as he freed her, shoving rock away that cut at his hands. The hanyou gripped her pack as he hauled Kagome out as fast as he could. She was deposited on the grass as gently as if she were made of spun glass, and Sesshomaru looked down impassively at the dead hanyou. Inuyasha was just staring at her hopelessly, cradling her head, tears forming...she was gone. He’d had her back at last, and she was gone. They’d fucking argued last night! No. No.
Sesshomaru, however, drew Tenseiga.
“Do my will,” his half-brother said gravely, and swung.
"My Lord! Remarkable as always!" Jaken was beside himself with ill concealed relief as Rin clapped her hands.
A dazed, rock dust and dirt covered hanyou opened her eyes, and found herself looking up into two matched golden gazes peering down at her. One grim-the other...she smiled up at Inuyasha, who knuckled his eyes and muttered about grit. Her pack was with her. Kagome felt good. Fine, actually...and she realized that Sesshomaru was sheathing Tenseiga. Miroku and Sango were seated near her, and looked-awed.
‘And Sesshomaru claimed Tenseiga was useless,’ the Monk thought with no little wonder. They’d seen it used once before, but even when the Souunga was being sealed into hell they hadn’t had such a view of it’s proper power. One that meant no mourning for a dear friend.
“I-died...didn’t I?” Kagome breathed. She went to sit up cautiously, and blinked. Nothing hurt. She remembered stone falling, something struck her head hard, she recalled with a shiver as she saw blood on her clothes-her own. Then she was yanked into an embrace.
“Damn it! What the hell did you stay inside for?” Inuyasha demanded with enough pent up emotion to choke a horse.
“I didn’t know what it was!” Kagome told him tartly, but her eyes went to the place that had been his-theirs...her hands clenched in his clothes.
“Oh, Inuyasha...our home,” Kagome’s shoulders slumped, and he shrugged, just as upset, but too relieved to worry too much about it at the moment. He didn’t answer, just held her. Their home. She’d said so. But he’d make her a new one. A better one, he decided grimly.
“You’re all right, Kagome, that’s what matters!” Sango commented, beaming with relief. They’d thought they’d lost her.
“Not so useless, is it, my Lord?” Kagome managed a soft smile of gratitude at Sesshomaru as Rin hugged his leg, and the Lord gazed at her with a quirk of a smile.
“It is useless. See you do not make such an error again. Unacceptable,” he informed her dryly as their bond reassured him all was well. She was bound to him and Inuyasha, for as long as one of the three lived. Even in the afterworld such links lingered. It had been the sudden reassertion of packbond that had alerted Sesshomaru that it was truly his Father’s presence in the world again when he’d returned. That bond had started them down this strange road together. As packmates, at least.
However, other bonds were not made that way. Two brand like marks, symbols of love and chosen intimacy, not endless binding...had faded and vanished when Kagome had slipped away. They did not return when she did from the border of the afterworld. Inuyasha had felt their bond break, not just as packmates...but when he’d become a widower.
***
Elsewhere, at a now ruined fortified manor...
Yotogi didn’t know it, but the quake that just leveled his beloved holding...had saved his people. His broken arm was being set as the warriors dug up survivors and they did what they could for the injured.
“The stores are gone, and there will be little game here, my love,” Lady Yumi fussed over her Lord’s wounds with her usual fluttery grace as she chattered, tallying what was left.
“I am aware of that, my dear.”
“Then you know we have to go! They will not turn us away!”
“Kouga-”
“The outrunners reported the pass is closed off, you know that, dearest Lord. Do stop being stubborn! Lord Inutaisho sited his keep well and used his strange allies in it’s construction, I’m sure they are fine. Come now, you merely don’t like to travel,” she sighed. Yumi knew it was more than that, but nonetheless comforted her Lord by giving him an outlet for complaint. Refugees. That is what they would be, seeking succor from their Clan Lord as was their right, but undoubtedly hard on him. That other packs would also be doing so was not a soothing thought.
He grimly gave the order to begin transporting the wounded and young, and for the entire pack to travel.
***
Thin screams of raw rage echoed.
Ayami was horrified. The wall of the pass had collapsed...taking her late Lord’s children with it. Three Dokueki gone, and more with them. Her allies had scattered, the ones who had gathered to feed, it would take time to recollect them, with easy pickings from quake ravaged villages.
She turned her gaze to the valley in outrage. She‘d lost a half-dozen here as well, they‘d panicked in their barriers, unable to flee the oncoming quake-and the damage to the place wasn‘t entirely due to the trembling earth. The anchors had been disrupted, and they’d begun to fight one another in brief madness as some of the magical cages had broken. It had taken her such effort, such care-and now everything was in ruins.
No! No no no!
“I need...useless!!” she shrieked. She needed more then troublesome creatures, more then cowardly youkai too foolish to return at once! Ayami needed real allies, help, things she lacked. Time. The wolf found it harder and harder to remain focused on her self-appointed tasks each day...there had to be a way. She would find one, avenge her Lord...Ayami didn’t even notice she was pounding her fists into the rock she crouched on until they bled.
***
Kouga and his brothers were fortunate. In open ground, it was hardly an issue. He did, however, go back to spy on Kagome’s favored village...or was it? They had some huts down, but no deaths, he saw, that jumpy miko was overseeing the injured-Kagome’s replacement? The old hag was about-and the little brat with her. Fine.
He would be able to say he’d gone and seen about them to his woman. Returning to his packbrothers, he lifted Ginta and began to run. Sesshomaru’s keep. He’d probably be there if the Clans had suffered as much as the mortals.
His own people, he trusted their survival urge, hoped they were well-he had things to do, help to fetch. A score to settle.
***
Then the party left for the keep to check in with the Clan, see to any problems before they set out to stop Kouga. But first, Sango and Miroku took a flyover of the village on the lower slopes, Miroku spoke to them, damaged, yes...but not ruined, they could manage without help for now...the journey was interrupted by a messenger that afternoon. Koumyou.
Sesshomaru read the note as Kagome greeted the Inu with pleasure, rubbing his ears and making a soothing fuss.
“I know you! Yotogi’s friend. No wonder you’re named Koumyou. Such a good boy, finding us!” Kagome glanced at her pack leader as she gave Koumyou food, who frowned as he absorbed the news. Kouga loose in his lands, then? Interesting. He handed her the sheet, and she scanned it, handing it off afterward to Inuyasha.
“That-I’d bet it’s Hakkaku and Ginta with him. So, we don’t have to go far. He’ll probably come to find us, I think.”
“Hm. Makes it easier,” Miroku noted.
“Go. Inform Yotogi it will be dealt with,” Sesshomaru ordered the lesser Inu, who whined once, understanding.
***
They made camp that night. The Inu fretted...for different reasons. Kagome worried about her Clan, Sesshomaru as well, and not just about them. Inuyasha was nervous about what would be awaiting them. To Miroku and Inuyasha’s surprise, Jaken had done all of the camp work, setting out sleeping bags and fetching wood and water, while both Sango and Kagome took it in stride. The female hanyou grinned at their expressions, and when Jaken asked, she ran her claws along the tinder, setting it alight and he readied their supper, pulling packages out of Ah-uhn’s bags.
Kagome hadn’t packed any, having been furious at him...but Jaken had. Now, the hanyou was sitting in front of the fire, impatiently watching the water heat to a boil. A treat he hadn’t had in months. Ramen! Jaken gave him a look when he barked at his mate.
“Well, wench? Get pouring already, I’m starved!”
“A Lady such as her does not serve in such menial tasks!” Jaken noted, disapproval in his voice. He took over the supper work, Sango stifling a laugh.
“Welcome to travel with Jaken,” she commented. There were grins.
“I could get used to this,” Miroku noted, amused as Jaken groused, bringing each of the them their food. Inuyasha started to dig in, and an elbow dug not so subtly into his ribs. Sesshomaru had yet to eat.
The hanyou looked at Miroku awkwardly as the monk pulled his elbow back. The Lord was amused as he took a bite, and Inuyasha sighed to himself. Like he deserved that kind of respect. He glared at his own supper, put off by it, and after a moment noted-Miroku, Sango, Kagome and Rin-were all watching him with various amused and impatient expressions. And not eating. Not a one. Sesshomaru was eating neatly one-handed, and eyed him curiously. Baka.
“What the hell are you looking at?” he asked.
“Could you eat before our dinners get cold-my Lord?” Kagome asked finally, his title rich with irony...and Inuyasha was speechless. She rolled her eyes.
“You never did that before,” he mumbled, hastily taking a bite and the rest dug in.
“Well, you are a Lord now, Inuyasha. A real one. That-changes things, after all, Sango and I are merely your humble vassals, and your good Lady in Kagome’s case,” Miroku said easily. It was true though, it was proper to show respect to him now...as scary as it was. Come to think of it, they’d hesitated when they’d eaten in the lair...like they were-crap!
“He only wanted me for the noodles, you know. Didn’t think past it,” Kagome joked, earning her a glare. She just grinned.
“Keh, you didn’t bring any! I looked!” Inuyasha felt much better when she swatted him. More normal. After supper-she pulled out the deck of cards. Wishing for a decent bath, not the hasty wash she’d gotten this morning, she shuffled them.
“Who’s up for a game?” he settled to one side to watch them as usual...and blinked when Kagome dealt four hands. Her, Miroku, Sango...Jaken wasn’t playing, neither were-oh no. His mate smiled at him and patted the ground next to her.
“He plays, you know,” she said to her friends, and Miroku scowled.
“What? I was stuck with you for months, and we could’ve had something to do! Annoying youkai,” the monk muttered, and there were giggles. Scowling, Inuyasha sat in, picking up his hand and frowning.
“Pushy,” he muttered.
“Yep,” she ruffled his ears, and he pushed her hand away. That night though, he held her as she fell asleep, wishing they could slip off for some privacy as Miroku and Sango had. But-he had the middle watch to take, and she was tired.
The trip back was slowed as Miroku and Inuyasha, for the first time, saw the kind of resources Sesshomaru had at his disposal. More messengers arrived as they came closer to the Keep. Details of pack strength, tallies of the damage. There would be several Inu waiting for them at the Keep itself, homeless now, and quite a few problems to be seen to.
That afternoon they camped. Soon enough they’d tackle those problems, they’d be there in the morning. Inuyasha worried more. He saw Sesshomaru walking away from camp-and elected to follow, taking his courage in both hands.
“What do you want?” the Lord asked, not pleased at the company.
“Sesshomaru. When we get to your Keep...I don’t want her seeing it if...well. You know what will probably happen.”
“If you are challenged? Why would you desire her to be kept away?”
“Why? Why the fuck do you think? It’s not like they’ll be happy a hanyou is over them...” Inuyasha stopped dead. They wouldn’t be happy. But one had been for months. Oh, sweet kami. But-her packmate would have protected her! He paled and realized he was being peered at in mild puzzlement.
Several things came into focus that he'd ignored.
Kagome was good at fighting now. Extremely. She'd fought Dokueki before, other youkai...was his brother's packsecond, and an exemplary one. That meant her place was more then merely his packsister. That they respected and well-feared her enough to accept her orders and decisions without question. She'd stepped right up when they'd talked about the Wolves in his lair, like a leader, a warrior. Kagome had been utterly ruthless when they fought, fearless. The problem was-you only got that kind of skill by fighting for your life against opponents as strong and smart as you were, not weak, stupid youkai.
Pack challenge was a right. To force a higher ranking Clan member to prove their worth in combat. The challenged could be merciful-and leave the challenger alive to be exiled if they won...but the one who offered it had to kill their opponent. She'd tried to tell him, and he'd ignored it. That youkai thinking! Kagome was a hanyou who‘d held her pack position!
'You don't know me anymore...' That’s what she’d said-and looked so worn, so wary...so very competent.
"You bastard!" Inuyasha growled, realizing at last what Kagome had done. "How many fucking Inu did she fight for that damned mark pendant?!"
"Twenty. All kills,” Sessomaur was equally blunt with his answer. Both were leaning forward, eyes locked.
"You did this-you made her-" Sesshomaru looked outraged at the comment that was coming.
"You dare attempt to lecture me! She is hanyou. She survived. Prospered. What do you believe she was doing...embroidery?" Sesshomaru asked coldly. Inuyasha felt sick, physically ill at the thought of what she‘d faced without him.
"She's not a killer! My Kagome-"
"Our packsister is a very skilled one. I merely completed her training, gave her the tools she required to live in her new situation. Kagome chose not to die of her own will. You blame her for this choice? She had no one to undertake her safety or fight in her stead. Or need I remind you of this?"
"She could have spared them!"
"That would have shown weakness. Hanyou have to be strong, do they not? Kagome is fond of saying so. You were not there, you have no right to judge her. You lost that, when you abandoned your chosen and your duty to her, Inuyasha. The wonder is she forgave you for it," Sesshomaru told him, throwing Inuyasha's own credo back at him. Horrified, the hanyou didn’t know what to say. It was true, he’d abandoned her to the tender mercies of the Clan. To Sesshomaru’s hands.
“INUYASHA!!” A familiar scream indeed.
Kagome and Sango had taken little Rin away for a bath. Well, she screamed for him-and got two heavily armed youkai, a warrior monk, and an imp in the bargain, all arriving to see Kagome sitting next to Sango by the water’s edge, dressed, staring down at her bared shoulder with the help of a hand mirror. When Inuyasha saw, his jaw dropped. There was no mating mark. He yanked at his own collar, tried to see-
“Interesting,” Sesshomaru commented, frowning.
“You don’t have one either. Sesshomaru! What happened? Did you-” Kagome started to ask, but he shook his head.
“No. Hm...” Sesshomaru’s hand brushed Tenseiga’s hilt-and he understood. Kagome had died. Brought back, yes, but she had died. He noted as much, and she stared at her former spouse in shock. Inu didn’t mate once for life, her packmates were proof of that. Born of different mothers, sired by the same youkai.
“Rin, let’s go. I think they need to talk,” Sango said, and everyone left the pair alone. Kagome was just sitting there numbly, and Inuyasha settled beside her.
“Kagome,” Inuyasha began, looking into her eyes with a peculiar expression.
“Inuyasha?” she rested her head on his shoulder, upset. Kagome expected comfort, perhaps more, but he just sat next to her, looking lost. “I’d-um...” when she turned to kiss him, he...pulled away?
“Kagome, what did you do while you were with Sesshomaru?” he finally asked, making her frown and look uncomfortable.
“What?”
“What did you do!?” he demanded, taking her shoulders and turning her to face him. What he saw-made him shiver. Her eyes went cold as ice again even as her ears drooped. There was a long silence as he willed her not to say it...
“What do you think?” she said at last. “Does it matter?”
“Yes! Yes, it damn well does! Tell me!”
She yanked herself away, looking upset, angry-and hurt. “You don’t want to know.”
“Kagome...”
So, she told him tonelessly. Everything. Names. Locations. Everything she’d done. There were ugly words for some of it. Sesshomaru tolerated no challenges to his rule, to his decisions...and his loyal packsecond had carried out those orders even when it sickened her. It was more efficient to slay the leaders of a an incipient revolt then to have their packs turn on the Clan and have to kill the lot. Kagome had understood that. She’d helped him do it.
“Sango didn‘t tell me-”
“Sango doesn’t know half of it! I never told her everything! If I had-she’d have tried to help me and been killed out of hand for interference. She’s a mortal. I protected her.” Or...she’d have tried to stop her.
“By lying about what you were up to? You could’ve spared them! Nobody made you kill them, Kagome, you decided on that by yourself!”
“Why not? It’s no worse than what I did for three years. How much blood was on my hands as a mortal? I pointed-you, Sango and Miroku killed whatever youkai was holding shards. No questions, no quarter. How many did I purify with spiritual arrows? How many humans and youkai died because I broke the jewel and let Naraku start collecting them? Dokueki were his creations. Kagura. Kanna too! Do I have to remind you how many graves we dug for their victims? The only difference is I did it, not you! How many youkai did you kill to stay alive before we met?” Kagome demanded, standing up. Inuyasha followed, looking ill.
“That’s different!”
“No, it isn’t. You know it isn’t, Inuyasha. You just feel guilty because your precious protectee had to stand on her own. Why didn‘t you teach me weaponswork, Inuyasha? Why did Sesshomaru have to do it? It scared the heck out of him when he realized I hadn’t gotten any real combat training! You never let me even learn how to be a real miko!” He gaped at her, horror in his gaze. Shame.
“How dare you look at me like that? It was so easy for you back then, wasn’t it! You had your brave little wench who was dependent on you, well you know what? She’s dead. She died last fall when a snake bit her and killed her, and she can’t come back. I really thought you understood,” Kagome finished bitterly.
“Kagome,” Inuyasha tried to understand as he stared at her.
“I’m not proud of some of the things I did. I didn’t have a choice-either I was ruthless, or I’d have to keep fighting until somebody killed me, Inuyasha. I did what I thought you would, and waited for you,” her eyes closed. “But you didn’t come back, and I had to do what I thought was best. Hanyou have to be strong, just like you said. Is it wrong that I didn’t want to die?” Kagome’s bleak words struck deep. He had said that. She’d listened. He ought to be proud of her, as Sesshomaru was, not ashamed. But he was ashamed, and they both knew it. Kagome just didn’t understand why he felt like that.
Inuyasha was ashamed because Kagome was never meant to live like that. His beloved was too kind, too gentle, too sheltered. For her, he’d slaughtered and slain, and nearly gotten killed more than once-but had done it to protect her. As apparently she’d done for the people she loved. Waiting for him. Inuyasha sighed. His fault. Well, he’d fix it, she’d never have to deal with that again. She could get over this and never have to think about it again. He’d protect her from all of that now just like he did before and remark her now.
He told her as much firmly, and took her in his arms to kiss her, but she twisted out of them with pain in her eyes.
“Try again. I told you, Inuyasha. I’m of the House of Inutaisho and so are you. It’s what we have to do. Maybe...it was a mistake to think we could be more then packmates now,” Kagome whispered sadly.
“No! Kagome. I...I love you,” he tried, looking away, and she shook her head.
“I love you too. But you’re ashamed of me, and I can’t be married to someone who can‘t even look at me. You deserve better. I deserve more.”
“No. You-I shouldn’t have left...it’s my fault. Damn it, Kagome! You shouldn’t have-.”
“Maybe it’s better that you did,” she sighed. “If you’d stayed, I wouldn’t have found out what I could be. What I am now.”
“I never wanted you to be like this,” he told her.
“But I am. I think you need to get used to that. Because you‘re going to need me as I am, packbrother,” she left, bath forgotten. Females of the pack didn’t cry in public, after all.
Author’s Notes- Ahem. So. Not much to add here. Gotta love the Tenseiga. Things are rarely easy with them, are they? I warned you things weren’t going to be happy for long. So, yes, they were together...and aren’t now. And Kouga’s on his way. Will they get together? Eh, wait and see. Anyways, thanks for reading!-Namiyo
Recap: Earthquake!! Oh, yes yes.
No, I don’t own Inuyasha or related characters. Really. Yotogi, Lady Yumi, and the Dokueki are mine.
A deep rumble as mountains shifted...as a small cavern trembled and it’s ceiling collapsed...the ground moved...and villages, castles suffered...and passes changed under the unforgiving pressures of Earth forces below.
***
A sudden feeling of intense danger. Both brothers felt it. The packbond, pack was in danger-Kagome! Inuyasha ignored the unstable ground, not just pack...mate was in danger, no, please no...not her!
Sesshomaru was right with him as he leapt a fissure that had just opened. When it came-it was a hammer blow. Like something snapped, Inuyasha actually whimpered, a sound forced out of the throat without conscious direction. His half-brother had no such reaction. Only the horrible fading sensation of a packmate...dying. They hurried...
***
To find Miroku standing, concentrating, one hand on the sad pile of stone that had been the cave opening...and slumping suddenly as he felt no living aura within the rockfall. Sango choked on a sob.
Between the group outside, it wasn't hard to start tunneling. Grimy, bloodied white and green, a crumpled, nearly crushed little form lay there, bow in a slack hand, curled around her backpack. She’d nearly made it out, before-
"Damn it!" Inuyasha growled as he freed her, shoving rock away that cut at his hands. The hanyou gripped her pack as he hauled Kagome out as fast as he could. She was deposited on the grass as gently as if she were made of spun glass, and Sesshomaru looked down impassively at the dead hanyou. Inuyasha was just staring at her hopelessly, cradling her head, tears forming...she was gone. He’d had her back at last, and she was gone. They’d fucking argued last night! No. No.
Sesshomaru, however, drew Tenseiga.
“Do my will,” his half-brother said gravely, and swung.
"My Lord! Remarkable as always!" Jaken was beside himself with ill concealed relief as Rin clapped her hands.
A dazed, rock dust and dirt covered hanyou opened her eyes, and found herself looking up into two matched golden gazes peering down at her. One grim-the other...she smiled up at Inuyasha, who knuckled his eyes and muttered about grit. Her pack was with her. Kagome felt good. Fine, actually...and she realized that Sesshomaru was sheathing Tenseiga. Miroku and Sango were seated near her, and looked-awed.
‘And Sesshomaru claimed Tenseiga was useless,’ the Monk thought with no little wonder. They’d seen it used once before, but even when the Souunga was being sealed into hell they hadn’t had such a view of it’s proper power. One that meant no mourning for a dear friend.
“I-died...didn’t I?” Kagome breathed. She went to sit up cautiously, and blinked. Nothing hurt. She remembered stone falling, something struck her head hard, she recalled with a shiver as she saw blood on her clothes-her own. Then she was yanked into an embrace.
“Damn it! What the hell did you stay inside for?” Inuyasha demanded with enough pent up emotion to choke a horse.
“I didn’t know what it was!” Kagome told him tartly, but her eyes went to the place that had been his-theirs...her hands clenched in his clothes.
“Oh, Inuyasha...our home,” Kagome’s shoulders slumped, and he shrugged, just as upset, but too relieved to worry too much about it at the moment. He didn’t answer, just held her. Their home. She’d said so. But he’d make her a new one. A better one, he decided grimly.
“You’re all right, Kagome, that’s what matters!” Sango commented, beaming with relief. They’d thought they’d lost her.
“Not so useless, is it, my Lord?” Kagome managed a soft smile of gratitude at Sesshomaru as Rin hugged his leg, and the Lord gazed at her with a quirk of a smile.
“It is useless. See you do not make such an error again. Unacceptable,” he informed her dryly as their bond reassured him all was well. She was bound to him and Inuyasha, for as long as one of the three lived. Even in the afterworld such links lingered. It had been the sudden reassertion of packbond that had alerted Sesshomaru that it was truly his Father’s presence in the world again when he’d returned. That bond had started them down this strange road together. As packmates, at least.
However, other bonds were not made that way. Two brand like marks, symbols of love and chosen intimacy, not endless binding...had faded and vanished when Kagome had slipped away. They did not return when she did from the border of the afterworld. Inuyasha had felt their bond break, not just as packmates...but when he’d become a widower.
***
Elsewhere, at a now ruined fortified manor...
Yotogi didn’t know it, but the quake that just leveled his beloved holding...had saved his people. His broken arm was being set as the warriors dug up survivors and they did what they could for the injured.
“The stores are gone, and there will be little game here, my love,” Lady Yumi fussed over her Lord’s wounds with her usual fluttery grace as she chattered, tallying what was left.
“I am aware of that, my dear.”
“Then you know we have to go! They will not turn us away!”
“Kouga-”
“The outrunners reported the pass is closed off, you know that, dearest Lord. Do stop being stubborn! Lord Inutaisho sited his keep well and used his strange allies in it’s construction, I’m sure they are fine. Come now, you merely don’t like to travel,” she sighed. Yumi knew it was more than that, but nonetheless comforted her Lord by giving him an outlet for complaint. Refugees. That is what they would be, seeking succor from their Clan Lord as was their right, but undoubtedly hard on him. That other packs would also be doing so was not a soothing thought.
He grimly gave the order to begin transporting the wounded and young, and for the entire pack to travel.
***
Thin screams of raw rage echoed.
Ayami was horrified. The wall of the pass had collapsed...taking her late Lord’s children with it. Three Dokueki gone, and more with them. Her allies had scattered, the ones who had gathered to feed, it would take time to recollect them, with easy pickings from quake ravaged villages.
She turned her gaze to the valley in outrage. She‘d lost a half-dozen here as well, they‘d panicked in their barriers, unable to flee the oncoming quake-and the damage to the place wasn‘t entirely due to the trembling earth. The anchors had been disrupted, and they’d begun to fight one another in brief madness as some of the magical cages had broken. It had taken her such effort, such care-and now everything was in ruins.
No! No no no!
“I need...useless!!” she shrieked. She needed more then troublesome creatures, more then cowardly youkai too foolish to return at once! Ayami needed real allies, help, things she lacked. Time. The wolf found it harder and harder to remain focused on her self-appointed tasks each day...there had to be a way. She would find one, avenge her Lord...Ayami didn’t even notice she was pounding her fists into the rock she crouched on until they bled.
***
Kouga and his brothers were fortunate. In open ground, it was hardly an issue. He did, however, go back to spy on Kagome’s favored village...or was it? They had some huts down, but no deaths, he saw, that jumpy miko was overseeing the injured-Kagome’s replacement? The old hag was about-and the little brat with her. Fine.
He would be able to say he’d gone and seen about them to his woman. Returning to his packbrothers, he lifted Ginta and began to run. Sesshomaru’s keep. He’d probably be there if the Clans had suffered as much as the mortals.
His own people, he trusted their survival urge, hoped they were well-he had things to do, help to fetch. A score to settle.
***
Then the party left for the keep to check in with the Clan, see to any problems before they set out to stop Kouga. But first, Sango and Miroku took a flyover of the village on the lower slopes, Miroku spoke to them, damaged, yes...but not ruined, they could manage without help for now...the journey was interrupted by a messenger that afternoon. Koumyou.
Sesshomaru read the note as Kagome greeted the Inu with pleasure, rubbing his ears and making a soothing fuss.
“I know you! Yotogi’s friend. No wonder you’re named Koumyou. Such a good boy, finding us!” Kagome glanced at her pack leader as she gave Koumyou food, who frowned as he absorbed the news. Kouga loose in his lands, then? Interesting. He handed her the sheet, and she scanned it, handing it off afterward to Inuyasha.
“That-I’d bet it’s Hakkaku and Ginta with him. So, we don’t have to go far. He’ll probably come to find us, I think.”
“Hm. Makes it easier,” Miroku noted.
“Go. Inform Yotogi it will be dealt with,” Sesshomaru ordered the lesser Inu, who whined once, understanding.
***
They made camp that night. The Inu fretted...for different reasons. Kagome worried about her Clan, Sesshomaru as well, and not just about them. Inuyasha was nervous about what would be awaiting them. To Miroku and Inuyasha’s surprise, Jaken had done all of the camp work, setting out sleeping bags and fetching wood and water, while both Sango and Kagome took it in stride. The female hanyou grinned at their expressions, and when Jaken asked, she ran her claws along the tinder, setting it alight and he readied their supper, pulling packages out of Ah-uhn’s bags.
Kagome hadn’t packed any, having been furious at him...but Jaken had. Now, the hanyou was sitting in front of the fire, impatiently watching the water heat to a boil. A treat he hadn’t had in months. Ramen! Jaken gave him a look when he barked at his mate.
“Well, wench? Get pouring already, I’m starved!”
“A Lady such as her does not serve in such menial tasks!” Jaken noted, disapproval in his voice. He took over the supper work, Sango stifling a laugh.
“Welcome to travel with Jaken,” she commented. There were grins.
“I could get used to this,” Miroku noted, amused as Jaken groused, bringing each of the them their food. Inuyasha started to dig in, and an elbow dug not so subtly into his ribs. Sesshomaru had yet to eat.
The hanyou looked at Miroku awkwardly as the monk pulled his elbow back. The Lord was amused as he took a bite, and Inuyasha sighed to himself. Like he deserved that kind of respect. He glared at his own supper, put off by it, and after a moment noted-Miroku, Sango, Kagome and Rin-were all watching him with various amused and impatient expressions. And not eating. Not a one. Sesshomaru was eating neatly one-handed, and eyed him curiously. Baka.
“What the hell are you looking at?” he asked.
“Could you eat before our dinners get cold-my Lord?” Kagome asked finally, his title rich with irony...and Inuyasha was speechless. She rolled her eyes.
“You never did that before,” he mumbled, hastily taking a bite and the rest dug in.
“Well, you are a Lord now, Inuyasha. A real one. That-changes things, after all, Sango and I are merely your humble vassals, and your good Lady in Kagome’s case,” Miroku said easily. It was true though, it was proper to show respect to him now...as scary as it was. Come to think of it, they’d hesitated when they’d eaten in the lair...like they were-crap!
“He only wanted me for the noodles, you know. Didn’t think past it,” Kagome joked, earning her a glare. She just grinned.
“Keh, you didn’t bring any! I looked!” Inuyasha felt much better when she swatted him. More normal. After supper-she pulled out the deck of cards. Wishing for a decent bath, not the hasty wash she’d gotten this morning, she shuffled them.
“Who’s up for a game?” he settled to one side to watch them as usual...and blinked when Kagome dealt four hands. Her, Miroku, Sango...Jaken wasn’t playing, neither were-oh no. His mate smiled at him and patted the ground next to her.
“He plays, you know,” she said to her friends, and Miroku scowled.
“What? I was stuck with you for months, and we could’ve had something to do! Annoying youkai,” the monk muttered, and there were giggles. Scowling, Inuyasha sat in, picking up his hand and frowning.
“Pushy,” he muttered.
“Yep,” she ruffled his ears, and he pushed her hand away. That night though, he held her as she fell asleep, wishing they could slip off for some privacy as Miroku and Sango had. But-he had the middle watch to take, and she was tired.
The trip back was slowed as Miroku and Inuyasha, for the first time, saw the kind of resources Sesshomaru had at his disposal. More messengers arrived as they came closer to the Keep. Details of pack strength, tallies of the damage. There would be several Inu waiting for them at the Keep itself, homeless now, and quite a few problems to be seen to.
That afternoon they camped. Soon enough they’d tackle those problems, they’d be there in the morning. Inuyasha worried more. He saw Sesshomaru walking away from camp-and elected to follow, taking his courage in both hands.
“What do you want?” the Lord asked, not pleased at the company.
“Sesshomaru. When we get to your Keep...I don’t want her seeing it if...well. You know what will probably happen.”
“If you are challenged? Why would you desire her to be kept away?”
“Why? Why the fuck do you think? It’s not like they’ll be happy a hanyou is over them...” Inuyasha stopped dead. They wouldn’t be happy. But one had been for months. Oh, sweet kami. But-her packmate would have protected her! He paled and realized he was being peered at in mild puzzlement.
Several things came into focus that he'd ignored.
Kagome was good at fighting now. Extremely. She'd fought Dokueki before, other youkai...was his brother's packsecond, and an exemplary one. That meant her place was more then merely his packsister. That they respected and well-feared her enough to accept her orders and decisions without question. She'd stepped right up when they'd talked about the Wolves in his lair, like a leader, a warrior. Kagome had been utterly ruthless when they fought, fearless. The problem was-you only got that kind of skill by fighting for your life against opponents as strong and smart as you were, not weak, stupid youkai.
Pack challenge was a right. To force a higher ranking Clan member to prove their worth in combat. The challenged could be merciful-and leave the challenger alive to be exiled if they won...but the one who offered it had to kill their opponent. She'd tried to tell him, and he'd ignored it. That youkai thinking! Kagome was a hanyou who‘d held her pack position!
'You don't know me anymore...' That’s what she’d said-and looked so worn, so wary...so very competent.
"You bastard!" Inuyasha growled, realizing at last what Kagome had done. "How many fucking Inu did she fight for that damned mark pendant?!"
"Twenty. All kills,” Sessomaur was equally blunt with his answer. Both were leaning forward, eyes locked.
"You did this-you made her-" Sesshomaru looked outraged at the comment that was coming.
"You dare attempt to lecture me! She is hanyou. She survived. Prospered. What do you believe she was doing...embroidery?" Sesshomaru asked coldly. Inuyasha felt sick, physically ill at the thought of what she‘d faced without him.
"She's not a killer! My Kagome-"
"Our packsister is a very skilled one. I merely completed her training, gave her the tools she required to live in her new situation. Kagome chose not to die of her own will. You blame her for this choice? She had no one to undertake her safety or fight in her stead. Or need I remind you of this?"
"She could have spared them!"
"That would have shown weakness. Hanyou have to be strong, do they not? Kagome is fond of saying so. You were not there, you have no right to judge her. You lost that, when you abandoned your chosen and your duty to her, Inuyasha. The wonder is she forgave you for it," Sesshomaru told him, throwing Inuyasha's own credo back at him. Horrified, the hanyou didn’t know what to say. It was true, he’d abandoned her to the tender mercies of the Clan. To Sesshomaru’s hands.
“INUYASHA!!” A familiar scream indeed.
Kagome and Sango had taken little Rin away for a bath. Well, she screamed for him-and got two heavily armed youkai, a warrior monk, and an imp in the bargain, all arriving to see Kagome sitting next to Sango by the water’s edge, dressed, staring down at her bared shoulder with the help of a hand mirror. When Inuyasha saw, his jaw dropped. There was no mating mark. He yanked at his own collar, tried to see-
“Interesting,” Sesshomaru commented, frowning.
“You don’t have one either. Sesshomaru! What happened? Did you-” Kagome started to ask, but he shook his head.
“No. Hm...” Sesshomaru’s hand brushed Tenseiga’s hilt-and he understood. Kagome had died. Brought back, yes, but she had died. He noted as much, and she stared at her former spouse in shock. Inu didn’t mate once for life, her packmates were proof of that. Born of different mothers, sired by the same youkai.
“Rin, let’s go. I think they need to talk,” Sango said, and everyone left the pair alone. Kagome was just sitting there numbly, and Inuyasha settled beside her.
“Kagome,” Inuyasha began, looking into her eyes with a peculiar expression.
“Inuyasha?” she rested her head on his shoulder, upset. Kagome expected comfort, perhaps more, but he just sat next to her, looking lost. “I’d-um...” when she turned to kiss him, he...pulled away?
“Kagome, what did you do while you were with Sesshomaru?” he finally asked, making her frown and look uncomfortable.
“What?”
“What did you do!?” he demanded, taking her shoulders and turning her to face him. What he saw-made him shiver. Her eyes went cold as ice again even as her ears drooped. There was a long silence as he willed her not to say it...
“What do you think?” she said at last. “Does it matter?”
“Yes! Yes, it damn well does! Tell me!”
She yanked herself away, looking upset, angry-and hurt. “You don’t want to know.”
“Kagome...”
So, she told him tonelessly. Everything. Names. Locations. Everything she’d done. There were ugly words for some of it. Sesshomaru tolerated no challenges to his rule, to his decisions...and his loyal packsecond had carried out those orders even when it sickened her. It was more efficient to slay the leaders of a an incipient revolt then to have their packs turn on the Clan and have to kill the lot. Kagome had understood that. She’d helped him do it.
“Sango didn‘t tell me-”
“Sango doesn’t know half of it! I never told her everything! If I had-she’d have tried to help me and been killed out of hand for interference. She’s a mortal. I protected her.” Or...she’d have tried to stop her.
“By lying about what you were up to? You could’ve spared them! Nobody made you kill them, Kagome, you decided on that by yourself!”
“Why not? It’s no worse than what I did for three years. How much blood was on my hands as a mortal? I pointed-you, Sango and Miroku killed whatever youkai was holding shards. No questions, no quarter. How many did I purify with spiritual arrows? How many humans and youkai died because I broke the jewel and let Naraku start collecting them? Dokueki were his creations. Kagura. Kanna too! Do I have to remind you how many graves we dug for their victims? The only difference is I did it, not you! How many youkai did you kill to stay alive before we met?” Kagome demanded, standing up. Inuyasha followed, looking ill.
“That’s different!”
“No, it isn’t. You know it isn’t, Inuyasha. You just feel guilty because your precious protectee had to stand on her own. Why didn‘t you teach me weaponswork, Inuyasha? Why did Sesshomaru have to do it? It scared the heck out of him when he realized I hadn’t gotten any real combat training! You never let me even learn how to be a real miko!” He gaped at her, horror in his gaze. Shame.
“How dare you look at me like that? It was so easy for you back then, wasn’t it! You had your brave little wench who was dependent on you, well you know what? She’s dead. She died last fall when a snake bit her and killed her, and she can’t come back. I really thought you understood,” Kagome finished bitterly.
“Kagome,” Inuyasha tried to understand as he stared at her.
“I’m not proud of some of the things I did. I didn’t have a choice-either I was ruthless, or I’d have to keep fighting until somebody killed me, Inuyasha. I did what I thought you would, and waited for you,” her eyes closed. “But you didn’t come back, and I had to do what I thought was best. Hanyou have to be strong, just like you said. Is it wrong that I didn’t want to die?” Kagome’s bleak words struck deep. He had said that. She’d listened. He ought to be proud of her, as Sesshomaru was, not ashamed. But he was ashamed, and they both knew it. Kagome just didn’t understand why he felt like that.
Inuyasha was ashamed because Kagome was never meant to live like that. His beloved was too kind, too gentle, too sheltered. For her, he’d slaughtered and slain, and nearly gotten killed more than once-but had done it to protect her. As apparently she’d done for the people she loved. Waiting for him. Inuyasha sighed. His fault. Well, he’d fix it, she’d never have to deal with that again. She could get over this and never have to think about it again. He’d protect her from all of that now just like he did before and remark her now.
He told her as much firmly, and took her in his arms to kiss her, but she twisted out of them with pain in her eyes.
“Try again. I told you, Inuyasha. I’m of the House of Inutaisho and so are you. It’s what we have to do. Maybe...it was a mistake to think we could be more then packmates now,” Kagome whispered sadly.
“No! Kagome. I...I love you,” he tried, looking away, and she shook her head.
“I love you too. But you’re ashamed of me, and I can’t be married to someone who can‘t even look at me. You deserve better. I deserve more.”
“No. You-I shouldn’t have left...it’s my fault. Damn it, Kagome! You shouldn’t have-.”
“Maybe it’s better that you did,” she sighed. “If you’d stayed, I wouldn’t have found out what I could be. What I am now.”
“I never wanted you to be like this,” he told her.
“But I am. I think you need to get used to that. Because you‘re going to need me as I am, packbrother,” she left, bath forgotten. Females of the pack didn’t cry in public, after all.
Author’s Notes- Ahem. So. Not much to add here. Gotta love the Tenseiga. Things are rarely easy with them, are they? I warned you things weren’t going to be happy for long. So, yes, they were together...and aren’t now. And Kouga’s on his way. Will they get together? Eh, wait and see. Anyways, thanks for reading!-Namiyo