InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Blood is Thicker than Water ❯ Miko's Retribution ( Chapter 18 )

18.Miko's Retribution

 

 

“Kagome?” Inuyasha inched closer to his mate, reaching out to her, hopeful to spark some recognition in her cloudy eyes, where was his true love within that body? Inuyasha's hand came to close sending the unnatural blue flame lapping at his outstretched fingers, sending the hanyou leaping back with a frostbitten hand, Tetsusaiga dragging in the ensanguined earth next to him. “What the hell?” Inuyasha starred at his blue tinted skin, rubbing the appendage on his haori trying to get the blood to flow once again, Inuyasha felt at if his hand was turned to ice in a split second.

 

 

“Inuyasha, you must allow them to finish their undertaking, there is a higher being at work here.” Sesshomaru sidestepped taking his form from the woman's path.

 

 

Naraku continued to back away, his mind fighting to understand what was happening in the span of minutes, his armies had once held the upper hand, and then they appeared. What were Kikyo and the other being of great strength doing with Inuyasha's wench? Why did the other female, definitely a long dead miko, seem so familiar to him, as if he knew but was denied the name? Was this the power possessed by Inuyasha's bitch that Angelique wished to seize from the mortal miko? Naraku peered deeper into the vacant eyes of Kagome shuddering at the pure aura radiating from the girls body. Damn that European witch for not absorbing this energy, then again Naraku doubted the ancient siren even could take in such a font of power.

 

 

The crimson eyes of Naraku watched as Kagome came closer, fifteen feet, ten feet, stopping her track toward him, it was at that moment as his eyes broke the gaze from Kagome that it sunk into Naraku's black, slippery, yet stunned brain that the wraiths were no longer behind the human miko. Where did they go? Had they extended the limit of their power making themselves visible? Only then did Naraku see the vision of Kikyo to his left side, reflexively Naraku sent two barbed tentacles at her transparent form only to have his wriggling appendages burst into a freezing blue flame when they came in contact with the dead priestess's apparition. Naraku quickly retracted the appendages only to have near half the length shatter in a shower of bloodied ice, leaving damaged stubs to be pulled into the body.

 

 

“Do you think you have harmed me? I, Naraku am invincible, especially against a mortal girl and the spirits of two dead miko's.” The cocky smile returned to Naraku's lips, the barrier around him intensified. “Just try. Your puny arrows cannot penetrate this barrier, and you can cause me no harm.” His vile laugh filled the night air.

 

 

“Naraku!” Kagome drew Naraku's attention back to her. The despicable youkai glared at the girl, Kagomes arms were raised above her head, as were the arms of the spirits. Kagome held his gaze with an unsettling smile on her lips. “It is time to give your pound of flesh Naraku, for all those you have wronged.” The energy radiating from the miko's spiked once again, crushing the barrier Naraku boasted would protect him from all harm. Only to be replaced by a barrier of the three miko's making.

 

 

“What?” Alarm sounded in Naraku's once overconfident voice. The tables had suddenly turned, Naraku thinking the miko's would not be able to bring his shielding down, but they had; now he was once again vulnerable. The multitude of youkai within his body began to writhe within his armored torso, feeling the purification burn from the miko's presence.

 

 

The apparition of the armored miko stepped forward lowering her translucent hands, her eyes boring through Naraku, and those ghostly eyes locked on his chest. From within Naraku's body searing pain erupted feeling as if great-unseen claws were ripping through his chest.

 

 

“I will not allow you to further taint, that which I relinquished my life to seal such evil. You will return the Shikon no Tama to me unholy beast.” The miko stepped closer to Naraku as he continued to back away, with an outstretched hand the form of Midoriko called the incomplete jewel to her, to the great pain of Naraku, and a laugh from Inuyasha enjoying the pain inflicted upon his mortal enemy.

 

 

“Mi…Midoriko? How?” Naraku screamed out in pain, his ruby eyes falling upon the amused Inuyasha who stood to the wayside.

 

 

The mass of tentacles burst from his body, writhing in agony from the call of Midoriko over the jewel. The pretentious Naraku hit the ground on his knees, his mind flying in no clear thought of reason, how could he escape. The invisible claws that were tearing through his chest stopped their incessant digging through his body finding the quarry it searched for. A scream split the air, Naraku; surprised the voice filled with agony was his own. Looking down the armor incased crimson eye on his chest exploded outward, his black blood covering the ground with bits of his flesh that were not regenerating, the mounds of flesh lay in miasma covered dead lumps. The glow of the tainted Shikon no Tama burst from the gaping cavity in his chest, the orb which he wished to claim for over fifty years, so close to completion, was now returning to its creator, and Naraku was powerless to stop it. He found himself paralyzed with pain that he had not felt since the days of being mortal. Days which he played off as only a dream, but now the pain reminded him of the weakness of mortals, why was he capable of feeling such acute pain? He was full youkai, no dead miko should be capable of harming him in such a way, yet in was not only one miko, but three spanning the rivers of time, the strongest of their era.

 

 

The jewel softly hovered in the ghostly palm of Midoriko, Naraku powerless to stop her, pain racked his body, and his eyes fixed on the ghost who held his jewel. He was knelt in the dirt, contemplating a way to escape the confines of the three miko's barrier; oblivious that Kikyo has drifted up behind him.

 

 

“Kikyo.” Inuyasha spoke to himself, his clear golden eyes took in the softness of her form, this was the Kikyo he knew fifty years ago, not the hateful clay embodiment Urasuy resurrected. Hearing her name Kikyo met Inuyasha's gaze, a smile spread across her lips, as she gripped Naraku from behind by the shoulders. “Kikyo.”

 

 

“For you Inuyasha.” Kikyo softly spoke as spiritual energy poured into Naraku through her hands.

 

 

The youkai fought to come free of her grip but found himself powerless in her grasp, the wildly slashing tentacles that came into contact with her form turned into ice shattering to the earth unmoving, the miasma fumes beginning to cloud the miko's and their prey from outside eyes. His body was refusing to regenerate, it had to be the barrier erected by the three women, and their power was rendering him immobilized.

 

 

“Kagome!!” Inuyasha screamed running the few feet toward the barrier, Tetsusaiga struck the miko's barrier, but refused to transform the red blade. “What the hell?”

 

 

“As I said there are other forces at work here, you will be unable to breach that barrier. Trust in your mate Inuyasha. Do you have so little faith in her abilities?” Inuyasha responded with a frustrated growl. “Patience in not a strong suit of yours brother.” Sesshomaru looked down to the agitated hanyou. Halfbreed.

 

 

Sango ran up to the brothers, the look of awe on her face readily showing what they all were feeling. “Kagome. What happened? She was just there.”

 

 

“Naraku's miasma. I guess we wait and see.” Inuyasha sheathed Tetsusaiga. “I hate waiting. Especially when my mate is in there with that bastard.”

 

 

“But, Midoriko and Kikyo are with her.” Sango added trying to relive Inuyasha's anxiety, well knowing nothing said would alleviate the fears that gripped his heart in worry for Kagome.

 

 

“Come on Kagome, you can make it out of there.” Kouga spoke under his breath, hoping no one would hear; yet of course his mate did.

 

 

“You know she'll walk out of there Kouga, you wouldn't have wanted her as a mate once upon a time if Kagome was week.” Ayame took his hand in hers as they watched in anticipation, standing behind Kagome's pack.

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

Within the castle walls, Kagura sat in attendance to the wounded monk, Sesshomaru's, servant Jaken aided with the wound as much as he could. Kagura left Miroku to pace around the room; the silence on the battlefield worried her to the core of her being. Was Sesshomaru even alive? The InuTaisho had suddenly taken a place in the mind of the wind witch, if only she had possession of her heart. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Kagura's body pulsed, forcing the breath from her lungs, Kagura collapsed to the tatami floor, unable to move.

 

 

“You witch, what is wrong with you?” Jakken questioned shuffling to the head of Kagura. “Get up. I do not want milord finding you prostrate on his chamber floor.”

 

 

Kagura tried to mouth a word, but was unable as her body pulsed again, causing Kagura to gasp pulling in a deep breath of air, finally finding the ability to move after a few seconds. Cautiously Kagura pushed herself up into sitting, her entire form shaking, and tears began to leak from her eyes, her rational mind unaware as to why, but her body knew full well. With a shuddering breath Kagura put her hand to her chest, whimpering in surprise when her astonished hand felt a beat from her heart. Blinking back the flowing tears Kagura looked to the shoji door that was sliding open to reveal the form of her older sister Kanna.

 

 

“We are free.” Kanna spoke in a quiet monotone voice.

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

Makkura, Rin and Shippo were still flying in the night sky when a changing wind accosted Makkura's sensitive nose. Turning around, the castle was far out of sight, but the wind was telling the wolf pup a different story.

 

 

“Shippo we gotta go back.” Makkura anxiously shouted to his friend.

 

 

“But milord said to go-“ Rin tried to protest.

 

 

“I don't care what he said, we have to go back. Rin you can go on to the temple if you want, but I'm going back to the castle.” Makkura looked to Shippo who recognized the urgency in his eyes.

 

 

“You're not leaving me alone you two, if you're going, I'm going too.” Rin voiced, turning Ah-Un around in the starry night sky, heading back toward the castle. Shippo flying next to them, not sure what to expect when they arrived back, hoping his friends would still be alive.

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

 

The acidic smoke of the miasma was nothing to the spirits, and it seemed not to affect Kagome adversely as well. Naraku was struggling to keep his wits about him, but the pain, the blinding pain, simply from the touch placed upon his body from Kikyo.

 

 

“I will have my retribution for the life you stole from Inuyasha and me. You repaid my compassion as a miko with blood and betrayal, as I nursed your broken body out of kindness, yet you sold your soul to the darkness of the youkai. Did you think you would harm so many and come away unscathed?” Kikyo put more pressure on Naraku, seeming to pin him into the ground.

 

 

Naraku felt a cool touch on his chin, lifting his face to look into the eerie eyes of Kagome. “Get away from me.” Naraku tried to yell the words, but they came from his lips as a murmur.

 

 

“Your pound of flesh Naraku.” Kagome placed both hands on either side of his face, pouring the energy from her body into the creature knelt before Kikyo and her self. “For the pain you have caused to those I love.”

 

 

Naraku erupted into fits of screaming. Each fiber of his being, down to the cellular level was on fire, the mass of youkai that made up his body were trying to escape the purification energy, each youkai attempting to flee at once, tearing Naraku's body asunder. The youkai that were escaping his flesh, were purified the instant they approached the barrier created by the three priestesses. All youkai that made up Naraku were fleeing for their own survival that they would never have. The creatures were leaving what was left of Naraku to thrash about in agony of the mortal and spirits hands upon him. Naraku's eyes bled the black miasma that flowed through his veins, a acidic trickle of the stuff flowed from his gaping mouth as the hundreds of demons tore themselves away from Naraku's core. The body left was a quivering, a pathetic looking creature, the humanity that was left returned to him in his moment of demise.

 

 

“You are released Onigumo.” Midoriko came to the right hand side of Kagome, placing her hands over Kikyo's, and Kagome's.

 

 

The entire barrier filled with blinding light, and exploded outward, sending the shocked onlookers back, all except Inuyasha, plunging Tetsusaiga into the ground standing firm against the power, and Sesshomaru, who was not going to be pushed back by a bit of wind. Kouga and Ayame stood near the courtyard wall, dusting themselves off, surprised at the force of the blast. Sango was tossed to the foot of the stone steps leading to the castle, other than a bump on the head she was standing concerned for Kagome running to Inuyasha's side abandoning Hirakotsu.

 

 

“Kagome!!” Inuyasha ran into the slowly dispersing dust cloud, the grit making his vision even harder to clear. His eyes could not be trusted, so he turned to his nose, following Kagome's scent to his mate crumpled on the ground beside an sickly looking lump of flesh. “Kagome.” Inuyasha knelt to her picking her limp body into his arms. “You did it Kaogme. He's gone.”

 

 

“Inuyasha give her to me, you have one other thing to do. Look.” Sesshomaru pointed to the lump of molted black flesh that once lay beside his love.

 

 

It took a moment for it to register, the instant it did Inuyasha forced Kagome at his brother, Sesshomaru having to unceremoniously fling Kagome over his shoulder for lack of an arm. Inuyasha glared down at the flesh the undeniable burn mark of the spider plain as day.

 

 

“Figures this is the only piece of him to survive. Get back with Kagome.” Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga, glancing at Sesshomaru making sure that he was at a safe distance. A wicked smile graced his lips. “Been looking forward to this for a long time you bastard. WIND SCAR!!” Inuyasha actually laughed as the power from Tetsusaiga disintegrated the only part remaining of his bitter foe. “He's gone.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.Loose Ends

 

 

Sango, and the new ally Kanna sat in attendance of a beaten Miroku; the wound would surely kill a mortal. Kagura, and Kanna both knew the slim possibility that the monk would survive his injury. The unending sleep his body had put in him was even more cause that the monk would never again recover to hold his distraught fiancée once more in his arms. The newly freed Kagura seemed to make the most of her time since Naraku's demise, gaining the favor of the stoic Lord of the castle. Sesshomaru seemed mildly amused. Or, the possibility that the Lord saw favor in her at all was seemingly too much for Kagura to hope for. Now that she and her sister were free women the thought occurred to them as to where they would call home, Kagura wished that Sesshomaru would offer his expansive mansion; perhaps Kagura was getting to far ahead of herself. The wind witch could not help but smile in remembering the way Sesshomaru had held her before the battle with Naraku began, not to mention the fact that he allowed her to stay in his private quarters. No, there was something there, and Kagura was not going to let the emotionally guarded InuTaisho go so easily.

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

 

“You did it Kagome.” Inuyasha's voice was uncharacteristically happy as it sang in Kagome's ears. “You were amazing.”

 

 

Kagome felt her body being lowered to the softness of a futon, her eyelids felt heavy and she really wished to sleep, but knew that Inuyasha would continue to pester her until she spoke to him. Kagome's right hand was aching fiercely, and the pounding in the confines of Kagome's skull was enough to drive her mad, but she was alive, Inuyasha was alive, but what of the others. Damn she had to get up, but kami Kagome felt like she did after loosing so much blood to Kikyo's arrow, Kagome's body was a week as a newborn kitten, and sleep was screaming out to her.

 

 

Kikyo, she was there with me, helping me again. Midoriko, she was there too right? Did I imagine it all? Even the inner dialog within Kagome's head was having a hard time grasping what had happened, it seemed like a vivid dream.

 

 

Kagome abruptly sat upright on the futon, scarring the daylights out of Inuyasha who fell to the floor on his butt, watching Kagome wide eyed. Hoping that his mate was not about to purify his ass, even as cute as Kagome said it was to her, the concern was still lingering. Okay no blue flame thingies, her eyes are still normal, and my blood isn't boiling. So am I safe? Inuyasha inched forward cautiously, uncertain as to what his awakened mate would do, be it to kiss him or kill him.

 

“K…Kagome?” The hanyou placed a nervous hand on Kagome's bruised and dirt-covered thigh. Inuyasha pushed himself up to his knees to come closer to her, still wary about what she could do. “You okay?”

 

 

Kagome turned to Inuyasha, the look on her face unreadable, but she quickly grabbed Inuyasha around the neck hugging her to her chest tightly. Surprised, but happy to be smothered in his mates' breasts Inuyasha let a lecherous smile slip across his lips.

 

 

“Now this I can deal with.” Inuyasha nuzzled his face into her with a gentle growl. “Why don't we do this more often?” The happy hanyou thickly spoke.

 

 

“Sickening.” The flat emotionless tone of Sesshomaru floated into the room.

 

 

Kagome's head snapped to the open shoji to find a disgusted Sesshomaru standing in the doorway. Kagome let out a surprised squeal shoving Inuyasha away from her with such force Inuyasha's head bounced off the wall, once again on his posterior. Sesshomaru simply shook his head walking off after sliding closed the shoji.

 

 

“You do know these things offer more privacy when closed. If you are going to be in this one's home, I would wish not to bear witness your carnal desires.” The InuTaisho's voice trailed off as he continued walking down the hall, leaving a very red faced Kagome, and annoyed Inuyasha with a bump on the head, and sore rear end.

 

 

“Does he try to spoil my fun?” Inuyasha moved to sitting on his heels intently watching Kagome, his eyes seeming to glow with a playful luster. “Where were we?” Inuyasha raised his brow as he leapt to the futon, pinning Kagome beneath him.

 

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome yanked her right hand away from him; her knuckles were white and cramping for keeping a tight fist for so long. “Get off!”

 

 

“I would if you'd remove the uniform.” Inuyasha began trailing kisses down Kagome's neck.

 

 

“Hentai! Come on! I just killed Naraku, I'm exhausted, and sore, and you're acting like I'm in heat!” Inuyasha looked down at her face, a wily smile on his lips, he was acting like a… like a puppy! Inuyasha noticed nothing but a resolve to get to her feet looking back at him in Kagome's eyes. Reluctantly Inuyasha released Kagome, standing at the foot of the futon, looking at her. “Thank you Inuyasha.”

 

 

“No one wants to play with me, this is the first time in years that we can breath a sigh of relief, and everyone is so damn serious. What's so important that you can't spare a intimate moment with your mate?” Inuyasha turned his back to Kaogme, an exasperated growl rumbling in Inuyasha's throat. “I'll get you later wench.”

 

 

“Inuyasha.” Kagome stood next to him, her legs wobbled, and Kagome grabbed his haori to keep from falling. Inuyasha turned to her steadying Kagome on her feet. “Inuyasha.” The hanyou did not wish to meet Kagome's eyes; the overwhelming urge to jump Kagome was almost too much. “Inuyasha, look at me.”

 

 

“Why? There is something different about your scent now, not that I haven't noticed it before, but it's making me a bit frisky, an' now that Naraku is defeated... oh, hell Kagome I don't want to do anything you don't want to I mean you're a hero, or heroine, something like that.” Inuyasha rambled on. “I still can't believe you-“

 

 

“Inuyasha.” Kagome tried to interject.

 

 

“You were fucking amazing and you're my bitch, I mean mate.” Inuyasha remembered Kagome was not to keen on being called a bitch. “Sesshomaru has got to take you serious now, not that I care what the snob thinks.”

 

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome sternly yelled out, finally getting his attention.

 

 

“What is it? You don't have to yell at me!” Inuyasha met Kagome's eyes.

 

 

“Look.” With some effort Kagome pried the stiff, numb, white knuckles to unfurl, no wonder her hand was cramping.

 

 

“By the Kami's. Is that-“

 

 

“Yea.” Kagome whispered trying to grasp how it ended up in her possession. “How did I get this?” Kagome stared unblinking at a nearly completed Shikon no Tama.

 

 

“The Shikon jewel.” Inuyasha amazed sat to the futon, staring at the glimmering jewel in Kagome's palm.

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

 

Shippo and Makkura giggled searching the halls for a hiding Rin, the three were acting as children should, playing games, and driving Jaken completely out of his little Kappa mind. Of course Rin was never able to hide for long, as she was at a loss against the noses of the kit and wolf, but they had fun nonetheless. Sesshomaru had never seen the girl so happy and relaxed as she was with the other children, perhaps another young one in the castle would be good for her. The thought rattled the Taiyoukai, since when did he care about another's well-being? It had to be Inuyasha and his nigen mates' fault, that was all there was to it. But still, Rin needed other children to play with if she was going to grow into a well-rounded adult. Of course he taught her schooling and battle tactics, but the ability to interact with others was vital to a child's mind. Sesshomaru had shown reserved relief when the three youths returned to the castle, in the back of the Lord's mind he was wary that the two youkai would be unable to protect his young charge if Naraku's horde came in contact with them, but now with Rin back in his home, his world could return to some since of normalcy.

 

 

No, there was nothing normal about his home now, the peace and quite had been shattered, and the many unwelcome guests now roamed its majestic corridors as if they owned the place. How could he force the woman who single handedly destroyed Naraku to leave, even though her presence was now beginning to bother even him, not only because of her human blood, but the bitch was going into heat, it would reek havoc on all of his male subjects, and Sesshomaru could not be there to protect the girl at all times, his brother would have to deal with her safety. Sesshomaru walked contemplating how his home had become a place of refuge for his brothers' pack, the wolf youkai tribe, Kagura and her sister, who else was going to show up?

 

 

Sesshomaru walked into his room arguing internally over the blatant display of his brother and mate, stepping into his quarters, sliding the shoji closed, the familiar scent of Kagura wafted to his nose, turning to his bed, there she lie, those ruby orbs of hers locked onto his form, a devious smile on her beautiful lips, and her hair falling loosely around her nude form as she sat up to greet him. How was he to ignore this? Throwing her out into the hallway did cross his mind, but then again…

 

 

“May I be of some assistance?” Sesshomaru spoke with a raised brow, well knowing the answer, if she even gave him one.

 

 

“I wanted to get your attention milord Sesshomaru.” Kagura purred, as her fan snapped open hiding her face, all but her eyes. “You seem displeased.”

 

 

“That is not a word this one would use to describe a situation such as this.”

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

Kagome was excited to let Sango know that she now was the possessor of the Shikon Jewel, but she was not looking forward to asking her friend for the shard that was imbedded in Kohaku's back for so long. Inuyasha and Kagome walked through the castle, Inuyasha was having a difficult time keeping his paws off of her, and Kagome was becoming even more annoyed with each touch.

 

 

“What you don't like me touching you?” Inuyasha whispered in her ear following it by a nibble to her ear lobe. The nip sent a pleasant chill through Kagome's body. “See, you do.”

 

 

“Geeze dog breath gonna take her in the hall or what?” Kouga approached the two his chest puffed out, and a sneer on his face.

 

 

By the Kami's he still hated the fact that Kagome had chosen the mutt over him, secretly the youkai had hoped that Naraku would have killed the hanyou so Kouga could add Kagome to his own pack, even though he probably would have lost both of his balls to Ayame for even suggesting such a thing. But the fact that Kagome was going into season was driving him mad with want for someone he could no longer have, he could smell the woman from miles away, each male in his pack had taken notice to the miko's change in scent.

 

 

“Kouga!” Ayame knocked her mate upside the head, smiling at Kagome the whole time. “So you're awake Kagome, good, Kouga was so worried about you.” Ayame's brief statement brought a deep growl from Inuyasha, who began glaring at the wolf prince, his happy mood turning instantly foul.

 

“Oh Kouga, I'm glad to see you.” Kagome smiled stepping away from an irritated Inuyasha. “We need to talk.” Kagome took Kouga by the arm leading him a few steps down the hall whispering in his ear. Kouga turned over his shoulder slyly smiling at Inuyasha, and then turning his attention back to Kagome.

 

 

Inuyasha went to follow, but was halted by Ayame. “So, you two going to be having pups next spring too huh?”

 

 

“Wh…what?” Shocked by Ayame's question Inuyasha forgot about the wolf in Kagome's presence. “What do you mean?”

 

 

“Oh come on Inuyasha, the whole castle knows about Kagome.” Inuyasha stared at Ayame with a witless expression. “Gosh Kouga was right about you, you are thick.” Ayame rolled her vivid emerald eyes at him. “Hey, baka, you know your mate's in heat, so you gonna do something about it or what?”

 

 

“I…I…I mean we haven't really talked about it, she just woke up, and she's got things going on at home, I don't know. But, every fiber in my being is screaming at me to jump her.” Inuyasha blushed realizing maybe he had said too much. “What business is it of yours anyway? Kouga put you up to it?”

 

 

“Nah, just curious, it would be great if my pups could be friends with Kagome's pups. Kouga would just love that.” Ayame snickered. “You know he still thinks he loves her.”

 

 

“I really don't want to hear this Ayame.” Inuyasha watched as Kouga suddenly stopped in his tracks down the hall, the look of the wolf's face was pure shock. Kagome produced the nearly complete jewel from her pocket, shoving it in Kouga's face.

 

 

“No!” Kouga huffed; pacing back to Ayame leaving Kagome standing stunned a few feet away. “She wants me to give her my shards! Can you believe it!”

 

 

“Yes, and you will.” Ayame got up on her tippy toes looking his square in the eye. “You will give Kagome those shards Kouga.”

 

 

“No I won't.”

 

 

“Yes you will! She defeated Naraku, that's the least we can do for her.” Ayame glared into the angered azure eyes of her mate. “If you don't you will have a long, cold winter alone Kouga.”

 

 

“Ayame, you wouldn't.” Kouga's look changed to disappointment.

 

 

“If you ever want to have more pups with me you will.” Ayame looked fiercely at Kouga daring him to push the matter further.

 

 

“Damn bitch.” Kouga growled, his eyes meeting the amused face of Inuyasha. “You knew she was going to do this?”

 

 

“Yea. Only three shards left, and you happen to have two of `em. Give them up, I'll help if you want.” Inuyasha acted as if he was going to draw Tetsusaiga. “Don't move to much of I might take off both legs purely by accident.”

 

 

“Inuyasha.” Kagome rejoined the trio, her eyes pleading with Kouga. “Please Kouga.”

 

 

“Ah fuck Kagome, for you.” Kouga sat against the wall of the hallway plunging his clawed fingers into the calf of his right leg removing the crimson covered shard, handing it off to Ayame. The wolf grimaced a moment before doing the same to his left leg. Standing back to his feet, small streams of blood running form the wounds, Kouga eyed the shard in his claw briefly, before handing it to Kagome. “I sure hope it's worth it.”

 

 

“Damn I was hoping to get those out for you.” Inuyasha smiled, receiving a cold glare form Kouga.

 

 

“Thank you Kouga.” Kagome took the second shard from Ayame; Kagome brought the shards together with the larger jewel clasping her hands around the gem. Kagome closed her eyes focusing her energies on fusing the loose shards into the larger sphere. “There. All that's left now is the one that was in Kohaku.”

 

 

“Good luck with that Kagome. See ya around.” Kouga slightly limped off with his arm around Ayame. “Oh and good luck with the pups.”

 

 

Inuyasha coughed wishing to throttle the wolf, which knew full well what he was doing with those words.

 

“What is he talking about Inuyasha?” Kagome looked to Inuyasha who was nervously scratching at his head, trying to keep from looking Kagome in the eye. “Inuyasha?”

 

 

“Nothing. Lets go see how Miroku is doing.” Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's hand leading her down the hall.

 

 

“What did Kouga mean by pups?” Kagome's voice was full of suspicion.