InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Awaiting the Warmth ❯ Enter the Command ( Chapter 4 )

Angeltiger: Welcome back everyone! Glad you could make it!

Inuyasha: Get on with it.

Angeltiger: Right, with this chapter I'll either make some good friends, or bad enemies.

Sesshomaru: You've already pissed me off enough, there will be others!

Angeltiger: Pfft. Anywho, I think most of you will really like the surprise ending. If you make it to the ending. I felt bad for not updating so soon sooo… This chapter, ladies in gentlemen, is long. I don't mean a little long. I mean over 16 pages long. My average is about 6-9. Sooo…for those of you who are still here and haven't fled in fear of a long read, I bid you good luck, and farewell. Enjoy!

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"It's about time you got back."

"It's good to see you too."

"Bah. Did you get my ramen?"

"Right here."

"Good, took ya long enough."

"So is it safe to assume I get the first shift while you eat."

"Mo Shmift."

"Great, I want this part done my way anyhow."

"Mait muh mimute!"

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The reading of the letter went pretty well, save for the frequent comments and side-marks from the peanut gallery. At least, that's how every one else seemed to view it. Sesshomaru however, was seething.

So his brother had intended to let that whelp of a girl control him the very same way he himself had been controlled, huh? The ass of a hanyou even knew the effects would be more severe on him considering he was one of full demon blood. And who would believe the great Demon Lord of the Western Lands would become nothing more than a lapdog for an untrained priestess; the very thing demons rivaled themselves with most in this world. The thought was laughable, as he was sure a few in his youkai society would be so bold to snicker in his face, but they would get theirs. Oh yes, the day of reckoning would be sweet indeed...

The only thing holding him from slaying the girl was the threat that hung in the air: the threat of losing his powers. What his brother had written was true, as he had gone out to make sure one last time that he was incapable of transforming, or even of using more than a small bit of demon energy. Nevertheless, such a feat was impossible, and he was stuck to his leash while his "master" walked on, unknowing that she was the cause of his distress.

The now familiar giggling of two children reached his ears, as well as the incessant squawking from a rather irritating servant. Ever since he had begrudgingly brought his followers to travel with him and the miko's allies, the two had hit it off, much to his ear's distain.

"Would you two stop running around for five seconds?!"

"Ooh! Look at the pretty flowers, Jaken!"

"I don't give a darn about the blasted flowers, Rin!"

"Be nice to her you ugly toad!"

"Incompetent brat!"

He could see Kagome sighing out of the corner of his eye, obviously just as displeased with the show as he was. Her eyes were downcast, searching out the road as she walked as if in deep thought. It wasn't until he saw her look up at him that he realized he was staring.

"What do you think he left for you?"

The question hung in the air, silencing the children and their bickering towards a certain spoil-sport cretin, and leaving the two humans walking in front to slow their steps in an attempt to eavesdrop.

Not a single thing went unnoted from Sesshomaru's watchful eye as he pondered about the question. In truth, he had been thinking over the possibilities ever since the wench had read that letter. Now he was being asked to share in his theories, which was something the demon lord had not been accustomed to. He decided to swallow his pride anyways, after all, it's not like it could get much worse. "His sword?"

She shook her head slowly, "That's what I thought at first, but..."

An eyebrow arched, "But?"

She patted the red head that had hopped up on her shoulder, probably sensing her troubled thoughts and coming to console her out of instinct. She reached inside her mind and pulled out all the things she had come up with through the day. "If he had left the sword for you, what would you do with it? It's not as if you can just pick it up and use it..."

He nodded; the thought had already crossed him before. "It's not the fact that I can use it. It's the fact that such a sword that holds so much power should rightfully belong to me."

Kagome rolled her eyes, ignoring the foreboding rumble in his chest. "My, you're humble aren't you?"

Nothing but silence answered her, and she happily took it as a 'no'. "So that's the only thing you could come up with? He did say 'goodies', that usually means more than one."

"With my brother's lack of schooling I would not be surprised if it were a mistake in wording."

A sad smile crossed her lips, "You really are an ass."

It took every ounce of restraint not to make her head roll, but he had his motivation. The two humans in the front were not helping things with their ill-hidden snickers, oh how he would wait for his revenge. "We will have to wait until we get there to see what he has left." he retorted in a clipped tone.

Miroku cast a backwards glance to Kagome, "It was at the Goshimboku tree where you two first met, correct?"

"Yeah. How far are we?"

"Another twenty minutes or so will do it."

She clasped her hands together eagerly, "Really?" Oh this was great! She could get the stuff from Inuyasha, go see Kaede and some of the more familiar villagers, go back to her own time and take a nice warm bath...

Condemn her friends to an inevitable death by leaving Sesshomaru with them.

She blanked out of her cheery mood just as quickly as it had come. Suddenly the thought of setting her sight from the Taiyoukai for more than a minute disturbed her. She was interrupted from her musings by a small hand tugging her ear. "You ok, Kagome?"

She waved it off, "Fine, Shippo dear. Why don't you go play with Rin?"

He flashed her his cutest smile, "Right!"

She chuckled softly as he tackled the little girl to the ground, both eager to continue their games while Sesshomaru gazed down upon them as well. It was made clear to him that the little girl may have been lonely with no one to accompany her but the idiotic toad. Hardly a playmate unless one was of the sadistic nature and loved to kick things. Allowing her a temporary retreat with the kit would do well for her until she had to leave. Therefore he decided to leave their rolling bodies alone until one of them was hurt, but knowing he would allow the miko to take over for him in that department. Maybe having her in his presence would not be so bad. As long as nobody important knew of course...

The journey to Inuyasha's forest went by quickly with everyone calmly chatting to each other, or in Jaken's case: screeching in pain. Kagome and Sesshomaru even talked a bit, though most of their discussions ended in his restraining the instinct to kill, and her restraint of the single word that could cast him down. He could tell she was struggling not to use that word, and he had to admit a bit of respect, she could have downed him thirty some-odd times in the past fifteen minutes, but she kept her teeth clenched. Such control of a human was rare.

The temperature cooled considerably when they went into the shade of the forest, watching the stray limbs and roots that made travel harder than it should have been. A clearing came to sight, and the gasp of a little girl roused the Taiyoukai from his private thoughts. "Sesshomaru! Can I go play in the flowers?"

A stern look had her jumping to right herself, "Please?"

At his curt nod, she squealed in delight and nabbed Shippo by the arm, "C'mon, let's go!"

His eyes glanced up to the miko, "Kagome?"

She smiled, glad it was her he came to for permission and making her feel a little special. "I don't see why not."

"Yay!" The both yelled, taking off to the field and shouting at their discovery of a small pond.

"Jaken." Sesshomaru spoke the well-used command without a hint.

The frog sighed rather dejectedly, "Aye, milord..." He dragged his staff and headed after them on his master's newest mission: Babysitting.

Kagome smiled at the scene, knowing that, though he may be a jerk, Jaken could fend off smaller demons until they could get back if something were to arise. But this forest was generally peaceful, so there was really no need to worry.

They came to the small section of trees surrounding the Goshimboku and the priestess let out a gasp. Immediately Sango and Miroku were at their battle ready poses, looking around for any threat. At finding none, they gave her curious glances. She shook her head, eyes not leaving the scared tree, "Look."

The humans did as they were told, turning around to gaze at the tree they had been journeying to, only to find...nothing. "Lady Kagome," the monk started, feeling a bit off, "is there, something I'm missing?" Sango nodded in agreement while Kirara perched on her shoulder, turning her neck in confusion.

Kagome gave her attention to Sesshomaru, just to ensure herself that she wasn't seeing things. At the taiyoukai's nod, she knew she was right. There were three items there, but they were all surrounded by a barrier. A weak barrier, but just enough to keep those who weren't supposed to see or sense the items uninterested. Kagome drew her bow and notched an arrow, letting it fly straight into the barrier. The two humans looked on, now noticing what their friend had seen.

A tiny box sat in the center of the ring, the stained wood old and chipping in places. To the left sat something long and thing covered in yet another barrier. It looked to Sesshomaru like it was bouncing around inside.

Finally, on the right of the mysterious box sat the one thing Sesshomaru and Kagome knew they would see: Tetsusaiga. The rusted old blade sat against the tree, completing the set.

Sesshomaru, of course went straight for the sword, while Kagome headed for the box and sat as Miroku, upon Sango's urgings, begrudgingly marched to the item with the visible barrier.

The demon lord tried to grasp his treasure, though it predictably repelled him. Snarling, he gripped the thing in defiance and thrust it into his belt, completing his set of three swords. He smirked in satisfaction even though his had was smoking and burnt in some places, though it didn't seem the Tetsusaiga could hurt him through his clothes.

Kagome was having her own trouble getting the small chest open. It seemed rusted shut on the edges, though the front lock was in pieces. She ran her nail along the side of the box, her finger melting away the enchanted rust. It clinked open loudly, and she opened it eagerly. She felt what was in there before she got to see it.

A lone Shikon shard sat in the center on purple silk, like a ring in a gift box back home. It sparkled joyously at her, the light allowing her eyes to catch what lie beyond; an item that resembled a letter that made up the back. With a squeal of triumph, she yanked both things out

Stuffing the shard into her jar, she grasped the letter addressed to her and let her eyes gaze over the chest. It must have been places under some sort of spell for protection, for she had no idea that a shard had been inside. Useful little bugger…

Before opening her letter she turned herself to watch Miroku, while Sesshomaru and Sango joined her, as he contemplated how to get inside. He poked the side of it gently, earning a sharp bolt of electricity and a yelp from Sango. The monk's hair stood on end from the electricity.

"It's got to be Sesshomaru's, whatever it is." Kagome announced, unintentionally drawing their attention from Miroku's steaming finger and spiky hair.

Sango looked slightly confused, "How would you know?"

Kagome smiled knowingly, "Because he said that he had left a few things, remember?"

Miroku looked slightly relieved at the information, "Well then, my Lord. Why don't you claim your prize?

The sarcasm was not missed, but ignored as Sesshomaru brushed past him to sweep up the item, only to drop it instantly when another shock came after him. "Damn." He muttered. That thing stung worse than Tetsusaiga.

Kagome looked at the two males of her group with pity whilst Sango beside her was trying hard not to snort with laughter. Sighing, she decided to take matters into her own hands and drew yet another arrow while she still sat on the ground. Loosing her weapon of choice, there was a collective gasp as the arrow collided with the green light of the barrier and bounced off, heading straight for her.

Sesshomaru's hand intruded her vision as it caught the arrow in mid-flight, nearly and inch from her nose. She and the others heaved a sigh of relief and Kagome turned grateful eyes up to him, "Thanks."

"Hn, can't have you dying on me."

To his surprise, she didn't roll her eyes at him, instead merely smiling at him and crawling further towards the barrier no bigger than her arm. She grabbed the arrow from his still outstretched hand and tapped the metal head against the green light, receiving a less dangerous result as it simply bounced to the ground.

"Hm…"

Kirara mewled softy in condolence and rubbed up against her folded legs. She reached down absentmindedly to scratch the fire cat, hand passing through the barrier on accident. She yelped as it held her there, refusing to return the appendage.

Everyone was on guard and alert around her, Sango even grabbing her arm and trying to pull it out along with Kagome, grunting with each heave while Kagome went into a fit.

"Stop this." Sesshomaru commanded.

They paused, each looking up at the Taiyoukai with a different expression: Miroku's clueless "Huh?", Sango's annoyed "Excuse me?", and Kagome's desperate "What?!"

"Reach in further, girl. It obviously allows you in."

Realization settled on her slowly. The barrier wasn't actually hurting her, just holding her there. With a dejected, "Duh," she set to work, hand skimming across something warm…leather-like.

Unintentionally her mind's eye followed down the length of her arm and into the barrier, allowing her to see a piece what was hiding in the sea of green. "I think I can see it," she announced, still studying that one spot. Whatever it was, it was awfully pale…

"What do you see?" Sesshomaru demanded, coming to a crouch beside her.

She shook her head and closed her eyes, concentrating on the vision she had somehow acquired. Could she do this with all barriers?

She groped around for a few seconds, wondering just what that leathery feeling was coming from. She ran her fingers across it until they came across smaller, narrow…she paled and swallowed loudly. She grabbed one of the suspected things in a panic, feeling the sharp, plastic-like covering that tipped off the end.

"Cripes!" She screamed in a panic, trying in vain to jerk herself free. The two humans were alarmed, yelling out questions as the demon Lord stared hard at her glazed over eyes. "Snap out of it, girl."

She swallowed hard again, curling her fingers together so she wouldn't have to feel the object anymore. She could feel the blood on her fingers from where she had cut herself. Miroku was the first to take advantage of her silence, "What is it?"

"An arm." She breathed, closing her eyes yet again and controlling her breath. "An arm, with stripes on the wrist." She cracked open an eye and glanced at Sesshomaru, who was crouching way to close for her comfort. "Your arm." she finished.

His eyes widened in realization, then quickly darted to where her own arm was a quarter encased by the barrier. His arm? His brother was giving it back to him? He reached to grasp the inside but was instantly repelled. A hiss was his reply to the disobedient thing.

Kagome sighed and grasped around the wrist, only able to cover about half of it, and tugged. It moved towards her, and part of her hand returned to her until the arm reached the edge of the barrier. From there it refused to budge; it was like trying to drag it through a brick wall.

"It won't come out!" she cried in exasperation, dropping the limb and trying to retract her hand and not succeeding.

"Maybe the letter Inuyasha left will explain it," Miroku offered, grabbing it from her free hand and unfolding it.

Cloth rustled as Sesshomaru stood up to look down on the monk, "Read it aloud," he demanded.

He nodded, not at all offended at the taiyoukai's lack of manners, and began to read.

Dear Kagome,

Nice to know you and the Sesshomaru are getting along enough to get here. I knew you would figure out where we met, easy huh? Still, I can't take the chance of someone picking these up before you.

By now you all have probably gotten your hands on you're presents. Kagome, the shard was one I chanced across while traveling, and the box is a gift from a "friend" of mine who you'll run into later. I told him I'd like him to stick with you. You know, for extra support. I'd keep it, as whatever lies in it stays unknown to the world while it's closed, no matter what it is or what powers the being looking for it has.

Sesshomaru, I know you went right for the sword, though what you want to do with it I have no idea. You can't wield it now, though there is a way. But I know you don't want to hear it because you already know, so I won't bore you.

But I know the third gift has you guys confused. The barrier on that one wasn't my idea, but I also have a friend that happens to be a necromancer of sorts, and she suggested putting that around it to keep the contents…fresh…

Though I know everyone's tried to get into it and received the shock of their lives, I also know that on Kagome's turn her hand went in, and stayed there. Sorry `Gome, but only a priestess can penetrate that barrier by hand. Yet the objects that are in there are Sesshomaru's so only he can pull them out.

According to my friend, Sesshomaru, you have to slide you're hand down her arm into the barrier, grasp your "thing" and pull it out with her all while keeping in contact with her. Let go once, and the barrier will fry the fuck out of ya, though I do wish you would do it once, for me.

The other thing that's in there is attached. And though it rightfully belongs to Sesshomaru, I'd like it if Kagome wore it, she'll understand later. Though it is the "Demon Lord's" say, so it's up to him.

One last cheery bit of news: Naraku's got some new baddies, crafted from his own design. Though I've only seen three personally, I know he has many more. And believe me, the three that I saw were enough to shut me up, I just hope you don't run into them any time soon, though I know it's gonna happen in the long run..

Hope you all are getting along well, and I have a feeling we'll meet up with each other before this is all over. Say hello to Miroku, Sango, and the brat for me. Oh, and my next little tidbit of information will be at our favorite weapon smith's cave in about a week's time. Until then, I hope you can occupy yourselves. And tell Miroku to keep you're damn hands off of you or I will personally rip them off if I see him.

Inuyasha

Miroku paled after reading the last few lines, heart hammering at Kagome and Sango's smug looks and Sesshomaru's confusion. "Well," he forced out, "at least we know how to get the arm and whatever else is in there…uh…out."

Sesshomaru caught Kagome's nervous glance, obviously she didn't want him running his hand down her arm any more than he did. But, however detestable, it had to be done.

Ignoring the teasing jabs the taijia was sending the monk, he slid his fingertips down the length of her arm from her elbow down just a few inches from the barrier. He placed them lightly, not enough to hurt her, and not enough to actually "touch" her, just enough for admitted contact.

He could feel her muscles tense in her arm, smirking in satisfaction at her nervousness at their close proximity. Normally he wouldn't have a human other than Rin any less than ten feet from him, but the two girls were an exception to his rule. Being too close to humans made his head swim in nausea from their smell. The two females' scent he could stand, while the rest of the human population rolled in their own filth, though the reason for Rin's improvement on hygiene was himself.

Slowly he slid his fingertips into the barrier, slightly surprised that he had not received a violent shock. He smirked as he dug deeper until he felt where her fingers were wrapped around his wrist, then wrapped his own hand over hers.

His huge hand covered hers completely and them some, and the tips of her fingers fell in sync with the beginning of his. "Pull." He commanded in a low whisper near her ear.

She yanked with a sudden might, expecting to be meet with wall like she had all the previous times. Instead her hand came flying out with both of his and would have hit her if he hadn't slowed her momentum.

He snatched the separated limb from her hand and popped it back to it's rightful place before she had time to blink.

Sango and Miroku were staring at the pair in a mix of awe and confusion. Kagome herself was still in shock, apparently that had been way to close for her comfort.

Sesshomaru felt something dangling in his returned arm. Looking down, he discovered a very similar purple pearl. Apparently Kagome realized what it was as well, for her eyes had widened and her mouth hung slightly open.

"Isn't that-"

"It is."

"Is what?" Miroku asked, confused. Sango nodded, both of them searching for answers.

"Their father's grave." Kagome said lowly, eyes not leaving it.

The demon lord had noted the hook attached carefully to the end, intended for someone to wear as an earring. Without another thought, he carelessly tossed it to her.

She caught it quickly, carefully shielding it from it's offender. "Sesshomaru! That's you're father's tomb!"

"No use of it now is there?" He asked in monotone.

She was already putting the hook through her ear. Lucky for her she had her ears pierced a while back; she had wanted to grow them in, but she figured for this she could make an exception.

"You have no respect." She accused.

"I do not respect the weak." He retorted.

"But it's your father!"

"A weak father, never there to fulfill his duties. Always attending his weak half-breed son."

A sliver of ice crested itself across Kagome's heart, and her eyes flashed. The Taiyoukai had unknowingly hit a soft spot on the issue of fathers, and to top it of he insulted her best friend. She would not have it.

"Sit!" she yelled, making the two humans beside her flinch as the demon lord hit the dirt. She didn't miss another beat marching up alongside him and thundering in his sensitive ears, "You take that back !"

Without any protest, Sesshomaru gracefully pulled himself off the hard forest floor when the spell was lifted, dusting the front of himself with his two hands. "I will not," he replied.

Kagome was livid, "You…you…JERK!" She screamed, smirking in satisfaction as Sesshomaru's ears gave a twitch of pain. She turned on her heel, fully intending on marching herself back to Kaede's village, and eventually, the well. Her friends be damned, she needed a break!

She would have made it without incident too, had the Taiyoukai not snatched her up by the collar of her shirt and pulled her back to him. "You will kindly refrain from ordering this Sesshomaru as you please," he warned, a hint of a growl underlying his tone. "And you will cease these barbaric means to send me to the ground."

With a click of her tongue, Kagome ducked under his grasp, turning to face him and backing up a few paces to give herself some room. "Sesshomaru?" she asked sweetly.

Though the Demon Lord may have been naïve to the ways of Kagome, Miroku and Sango were not. They, too, backed up feeling slightly uneasy while Sesshomaru watched what was going on around him in confusion. "What wench?"

"SIT boy!" she gave an apologizing glance to the two wide-eyed humans behind the lump of Lord before turning once again to resume her march to the village, while Miroku's eyes followed the pearl that hung at her ear…currently glowing pink.

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"Are you done yet?"

"I though you were eating."

"I finished twenty minutes ago!"

"You want a cookie?"

"Ooh ooh! A cheesy cookie!"

"Not that again…"

"Go get some, I'll take over from here."

"I think not."

"Yeah yeah! Go! My turn!"

"What the hell have you been eating?"

"Just a few dozen Pixie Stix, why?"

"Pixie what?"

"Something I brought back from my time. Now will you go?"

"Fine, do not mess this up."

"Heh heh, I won't…this is my favorite part."

"Oh no…"

"Oh yeah!"

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It felt wonderful to make that arrogant jerk hit the dirt like that, more so than it had been for Inuyasha. At least with Inuyasha he didn't make feel quite so stupid and...well…at fault for being human.

She fingered the tomb-made-earring with agitation. How could a son insult their own father like that? At least he had had one, while hers… No, she wouldn't think about that now. She'd made herself promise to abandon those thoughts all those years ago.

A branch snapped behind her, and she froze out of instinct. "Sesshomaru, I swear I'll let out a string of `em if you don't leave me alone!" she warned.

But "Sesshomaru" didn't stop; instead he kept right on, leaves and twigs snapping loudly at his feet. It hit her slowly: Sesshomaru made little-to-no sound while walking, even in the noisiest areas.

She spun around in panic, eyes darting back and forth trying to determine where the sound was coming from. Shippo's cry was heard from the distance, followed quickly by Rin's scream and Jaken's war hoot. Surely Sesshomaru heard them right? With his superior hearing and all…

It didn't take long for her former Sesshomaru to show itself, emerging from the thick underbrush like a child from the womb. Its body was covered in a thick layer of orange, sour smelling sweat, and it threw its head back and let out a screech that had her covering her ears in pain.

She dropped to all fours, holding her head in her hands to block out the sound. But even the little bit that was able to make it through was enough to make her feel as if he head was splitting in two, like the creature was taking a hammer and just bashing it to her head.

Clenching her teeth and forcing her eyes open she stared, wide eyed as it continued its deafening song. It smiled at her suddenly, its song ending almost as abruptly as it began. Black saliva dripped down its sickeningly long teeth.

A burst of flame engulfed it from behind right in front of her eyes, and her hands once again went up to her head as it howled in agony. It fell before her as a small green toad waddled atop, webbed feet making sounds on the film.

"Weak human!" Jaken snorted in disgust, leaping off the unholy creature with a final "plop". "Get up now! You must release the spell from Lord Sesshomaru!"

Kagome ignored her savior altogether, opting instead to get a good look at the monster while it lie dormant.

Its body still held that nasty sheen of orange that looked at least six inches deep from its black skeleton. The ribs and other bones were clearly visible as was the skull, in full skeletal shape. It seemed as if the goo held it together though it acted as a skin, merely see-through. Thin, greasy-looking strands of long reddish hair clung to it, fanning out along its back, some of it still aflame.

"Girl!" Jaken squawked, bashing her in the shin with his Staff of Heads. "Get moving! The fight's over there!"

She took her eyes off the strange creature and followed his pointed fingers and barreled through the brush uncaring as the stray branched and thimble cut open her legs. The only thing she cared about was the children. If Jaken had been here then were they ok?

She finally came to a tripping stop at the edge of a small clearing, gasping as Hiraikotsu came flying back to its owner and bashing her in the chest. Miroku stopped in his attempt to suck in his opponent when it was clear that the orange film holding the creature was not moving from the ground and was going nowhere near his Wind Tunnel. Instead he wrapped it up in his beads and dashed back to pick up the injured Sango.

She watched in dumb shock as the Demon Lord struggled with his own offender, narrowly missing a swipe that he should have been able to dodge easily. He was still faster than the average demon, though that didn't seem to be much for these creatures. They were anything but average.

Sesshomaru struck with his claws, but only managed to tear out a shimmering trail of orange while the monster attacked on, seemingly unfazed. The Taiyoukai threw up his arms in a cross as his defense and let out something akin to a roar as the goo touched his skin. When he finally shook it off, there were steaming burn marks left in its wake.

Luckily for her, her pack had been grabbed, probably by Sango, and by the looks of it been thrown aside at the sight of the demons. She snatched up her bow and notched an arrow, aiming for the orange accented demon that was aiming to strike Sesshomaru.

The Demon Lord ducked to the side just in time when he felt the rush of holy energy come hurling at him. The arrow head hit the "skin", and not a moment later dissolved the immediate area with a sizzle, gravity pulling the arrow down with it, making a deep trench in the demon's body.

It cried out to its brethren, trying in vain to get the arrow out as every time he touched it, it sent a visible purple shock throughout its body.

Sesshomaru turned back to Kagome as she notched another arrow, instantly letting it fly towards another creature that was quickly making its way towards the downed Sango. Miroku had his staff at the ready, though the arrow that whizzed by him alerted him that it wasn't necessary.

The first demon halted its screams, drawing attention from the rest of the group watching as the arrow fell to the ground, little droplets of thick liquid following it to form a puddle.

Now free of its torture, the demon hauled its head back and screamed its siren song, causing everyone's hands to fly to their ears, including the regal Lord. Kagome wondered for a moment how he could stand it with his own hearing while her head felt like it was being split in two.

Quickly the Demon Lord lashed out, Kagome's eyes unaccustomed seeing the action, and sliced the creature's head off its shoulders. The head made a few sick gurgling sounds before finally rolling to a stop a few feet away from the priestess

"Oh that's just SICK!" she screamed at the head, punting it away from her and receiving orange goop on the tip of her shoe as punishment.

The head rolled right by its body, and in an action so fast Kagome could barley follow, a few strings from the neck layer jerked out and suctioned itself to the layers of the head, dragging it back in place. With a final squishing sound it righted itself, then stood back up to face its opponents as if nothing had happened.

Sesshomaru had been busy defending himself from another attacker as this happened, completely unaware that the one he thought he had slain was currently creeping up behind him.

"Sesshomaru!" she screamed, notching another arrow. "Behind you!"

Heeding her words, he ducked and lashed out in a circle, damaging the legs of both attackers. The holes he made quickly filled in and they both began attacking at once, the ordeal completely forgotten.

"This is crazy!" Kagome cried, trying to take aim for the third time that afternoon. "We can't hurt them."

Movement in the bushes behind her caused her to stiffen, and she barely had time to register what was going on as something hit her in the side and dragged her away.

Sesshomaru set her aside harshly, growling at the demonic creature that seemed to just realize that it had missed its target. He tightened his grip on her wrist.

"I need my youki."

Kagome blinked, she had forgotten that she controlled his power level. No wonder he had been fighting so sluggish. "I don't know ho-"

"Figure it out!" He bellowed, giving her a violent shake before snatching her up and landing beside the humans as two monsters collided together at their previous spot, trying desperately to pull themselves apart.

Sesshomaru released her and stood at the front of the four, preparing himself in a defensive stance. Miroku looked more than winded, and Sango was still down for the count. Kagome glanced around worriedly as a group of seven or eight demons gathered around them from the front, fanning out in a semicircle.

The wind picked up, wrapping around the group and tossing their hair about their faces, making it harder to see. Sesshomaru's lips were pulled back in a feral snarl as they began to approach, hair whipping around his face and looking for all the world like a ferocious dog. It clicked, and suddenly Kagome know how to unlock his powers, though she knew he would hate her.

"Sesshomaru?" she called loudly over the roaring wind.

"Wench?" He answered.

"…Sick `em!"

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

"I love that part."

"You would."

"Oh, you're back! Where's my cookies."

"In the kitchen, go get your own."

"That's not how you're supposed to treat me!"

"And you are supposed to show respect to the male. I see no respect."

"I see no cheese cookies."

"Touché. Come wench. We will dine together."

"Kick ass!"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Angeltiger: There ya go, it's like…three chapters in one… But you made it!

Inuyasha: Enough with the sarcasm already! Jesus…

Angeltiger: Fine fine. The next chapter to Silence should be up by the end of next week, check my bio page for more info on the likes of updates, and ATW should be up after that. Real Roses Have Thorns will be back as soon as I re-write most of the chapters, what a bore. But until then, thanks to all you wonderful reviewers, and thanks for putting me on your lists SF. You have no idea how much I appreciate it when you guys do that. *glows* It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside…

Inuyasha: *gags*

Angeltiger: If you like the chapter, hate it, or just want to comment by all means: Review! Lemmie know what you think about the ending! Mwaa haa haa…