InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cannot Be Broken ❯ To Save One Life ( Chapter 1 )

Crack!

 

“Good, very good.” Kikyo nodded.

 

Kagome beamed from the praise given by her mentor and sensei.

 

Kagome was now eighteen years old, and as such had many years training, and even fighting, with the woman beside her. Kikyo was a stern teacher and rarely passed out compliments. This made Kagome appreciate the praise even more.

 

Kikyo's arrow had been impaled by her student's arrow, only after her own arrow just pierced their target. “Your aim has much improved and your aura is much better focused on your arrows. I am happy you have kept up your miko studies, considering you have been truant with others.”

 

Kikyo regarded her student on the sly. She has come a long way from the baby they rescued only fifteen years ago. Kagome stood tall and proud, slender but strong. Her blue-black hair reached her middle back, and was tied in a copy as her own. Many had thought they might have been sisters since they so resembled each other, but Kikyo had something Kagome tossed away with a whim, and that was discipline. Although intelligent, witty and agile, Kagome was also wild, passionate and a down right tomboy.

 

Aside from facial similarities, Kagome was Kikyo's polar opposite. Even down to her clothes. Kagome made it a point to stand out. Today she was wearing boys' pants and a torn shirt that should have been made into rags. This one in particular showed off her toned stomach. The only thing her father could not dissuade her from doing was dressing like a boy after a fistfight, namely because any dress the young Lady of the Western Lands wore would end up in tattered rags by night fall.

 

Kagome cringed at the rebuke of her lack of study habits, but then shrugged her shoulders. “What is the point of learning geography and poetry? Lands will be fought over and claimed time and time again and their borders changed, and the poets will sing their bloody praises. All I care about is where I am and what I think about now, not have some romantic fool peddle love and death over the most trivial of circumstances that can't be controlled.” She cocked another arrow to the string and concentrated on her target once again, a sack filled with hay three hundred feet away.

 

“I would not have Kaede know your lack of attentions in her lessons. She harbors enough grudges against you for your…sense of humor.” Kikyo grinned slightly.

 

The old tutor, Kaede, was one of the few who stuck around to teach the young woman, and if it weren't for Sesshomaru, Kagome would not allow herself to be taught at all. Leave it for her adopted father to quiz her regularly on everything, and leave it to Kagome wanting nothing more than to please the demon lord.

 

“It was Kaede's own undoing, thinking moving our classes to the top floor of the manor would keep me from running away from her boring lessons.” Kagome let loose the arrow and watched it arc through the air to land a fraction away from her last arrow within the sack. She frowned slightly. She was a bit of a perfectionist when it came to the bow.

 

“She is an old woman, with enough sense to know a young woman would not jump from a third story palace window just to escape math lessons.” Kikyo smiled at her apprentice not unkindly. “But now she knows not to have any sense at all with you around.”

 

Kagome looked at Kikyo appalled and her eyes flashed a violet storm. She was about to argue she jumped into a nearby tree to climb down and it wasn't as bad as it sounded, but her eyes switched quickly into a gray haze as she laughed. “Yeah, I suppose you're right.”

 

“You had better be careful from now on. Lord Sesshomaru is in no mood to put up with any more of your antics. The war against his brother has turned against his favor now that the fox tribe and humans from the eastern territory have joined with InuYasha.”

 

“Otou-san would never allow that bastard to overpower him. And if those idiots follow a selfish savage in battle against him, they will know where the true leader of the people really resides. I, for one, will see to that when I go with Otou-san into battle.” Kagome smirked and aimed once again, but her attention immediately turned to the aura coming quickly behind them.

 

“You in battle? That'll be the day.” A laughing growl emitted behind her.

 

Kagome and Kikyo turned to see a male wolf demon looking cocky back at them a few yards away, eddies of wind fading around him.

 

In a rush, Kagome let her arrow fly at the wolf boy, who quickly but narrowly missed it as it shot by him.

 

“Kagome….” Kikyo rebuked.

 

“What?” Kagome looked innocent, “It was just an arrow. I never even charged it up. And after what he just said, he deserved it. Besides, it's just Kouga, who would miss him?”

 

Just as well, she wouldn't have hit him anyways. She and Kouga grew up together within the manor. The wolf demons were scouts of the Western Lands. Kouga's father was one of Sesshomaru's most trusted spies and as such he allowed Kouga to `benefit' from education too, though he quit early on to join the scouts after his father died. Though they were often at odds, since both of them were strong willed, they were close friends. She would never cause him serious harm.

 

“Ouch, Kagome, that hit me right here.” Kouga now stood beside her with his arm around her shoulder, his other arm raised as he patted his heart. “You would not miss me, my love?”

 

“As much as I would not miss your hot dog breath sniffing my ass in greeting,” Kagome laughed, crossing her arms and looking into the feigned hurt eyes of the tall, young man beside her, “I would have to say your presence would be missed, even if all you're good for is bringing home fleas.”

 

He looked down at her and his blue eyes glinted in humor. She never backed down from anything he would dish out at her. He sighed, if only she wasn't the demon lord's daughter. He would make it a point to be the best warrior for Lord Sesshomaru to prove his worth to claim Kagome as his, but until then, he will take pleasure in being with her now, behind the demon lord's back that is.

 

“You know, I can do more than sniff…” He growled and bit at her.

 

“Ulgh…. You hentai!” She kicked her leg to knock the back of Kouga's knees and elbowed him in the chest.

 

“Oi…uffff!” He hit the ground hard on his back. The long brown hair he had tied back in a high ponytail now covered his face.

 

Kagome bent down and parted the hair. She giggled, and then in a singsong voice said, “Better not have Ayame hear that.” She got up and joined Kikyo, who frowned over the whole endeavor.

 

“Come, Kagome, it is time to learn the medicines.” Kikyo glanced down at Kouga who had turned over on his side to look as if he meant to be on the ground, leaning his face on the hand his body rested on. “And you should head back to the barracks.”

 

“Bye, Kouga!” Kagome laughed.

 

The two women walked away, chatting and laughing quietly, leaving Kouga to silently fume. Ayame was a cute girl who he knew had a crush on him. She was also a wolf demon, but she had a temper, one that could rival Kagome's. But he didn't care for Ayame. She could never amount to Kagome. As he watched the women walk away, Kagome's hips swaying, he grinned a boyish grin. God, he loved that woman.

 

-+-

 

“Lord Sesshomaru.”

 

The demon lord looked up from the table he was standing at in the Great Hall. His eyes narrowed on the wolf youkai messenger in front of him. “Speak.”

 

The wolf demon scout bowed low in reverence to his Lord. “The Hanyou has pushed out the eastern army and has taken control of the manor at the river outlet and the surrounding forests. He now has settled there, and his armies have not moved beyond the eastern territory. The few who have not joined with InuYasha have migrated into other territories. The migrants have called for leniency, asking your Lord for mercy and sanctuary. Many have claimed that with it, they will join your army against the savage hanyou.”

 

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at the news. He growled in frustration. Having human men join an army where they will be led as lambs to slaughter was pointless. Already the humans who were under his charge have now dominated his own land. Over the last few centuries their population had grown, concerning the Great Lord that they will soon outweigh the demons. The only reason why he tolerated them so far is because they grew food for themselves as well as the demon lord's army and charges.

 

But now word of a harsh sickness was spreading through their villages, leaving many weak and dying, and few able to gather food for themselves let alone for his forces. Upon hearing the territory the main river was in was now claimed by his worthless half-brother, Sesshomaru realized it had crippled his resources ten fold. Worse, the half-breed had taken over the river manor left by their father. True, Sesshomaru never had care for the manor since it was barely comparable to his own palace, but the principle that the hanyou had taken it over irked him to no end.

 

His eyes narrowed in suppressed rage, which dripped like venom in his tone, “What need have I to add the frailty of humans to a demon army in a demon war? It is that worthless half-breed who brings men into where they do not belong.”

 

“Hai.” The scout replied. “But if I may speak freely?”

 

Sesshomaru regarded him closely, but tilted his head in acquiescence.

 

“The hanyou lord has initiated many among his army; human, hanyou and lower demons. Where they are lacking in strength, he has outdone in numbers and stealth. Now with our…your resources minimized, I fear your forces will not last the winter. Especially with the sickness now taking hold and killing many. I believe another tactic will be needed to protect the Western Lands.”

 

The demon lord growled in contempt. But his spy was correct. With the number of humans on his lands, and little in the way of space and resources, thanks to his bastard brother, his own defenses would soon break and worse, will be easily taken once the upcoming winter thawed. Which would mean any enemy could forge past the mountain pass that protected the Western Lands. It was bad enough he had his half-brother as a challenge in the eastern territory of his Lands. He looked at the scout, who stared back in silent discipline.

 

“Hai,” the lord finally nodded. His eyes seemed distant as he thought, quickly forming a plan in his mind. He turned to an Inu sentry standing nearby. “Give the order for the eastern army to fall back, that land is now waste for us to hold onto for the moment. Have them join numbers with the south and north armies. Take as well the human refugees. They may not be useful in the fight itself, but they will be put to use in gathering food. The northern mountains and southern plains still have plenty of resources and protection for the time being. He may have control of the eastern province, but the Western Lands…are still mine.” He looked fiercely at the sentry, who bowed and left the hall with the wolf scout.

 

Looking down at the map in front of him, Sesshomaru skillfully let his mind enact his next move. Before he was able, Kikyo entered the Great Hall.

 

“My Lord.” She bowed. “Please, it is Rin.”

 

His head shot up quickly and he stared the miko down. Not waiting to give any response he moved deftly around the desk and out of the hall. Kikyo was fast on his heels.

 

He made it to his chambers within the manor mere moments from Kikyo's announcement. He entered his bedchamber and stopped short. The smell of sweat and sickness filled his senses, almost sending him backwards. Healers moved about and out of his way. Going to the bedside of the great down filled futon, he sat to look at the frail human woman laying in it, heavily pregnant in her seventh month.

 

“Rin,” he sighed.

 

The woman woke from a fever-induced sleep. “Oh Sess,” she smiled weakly, her dark eyes looking up at him adoringly. She made a move to get up, but her body was too weak. She laughed airily. “I guess you already know I'm sick.”

 

He swept her dark hair from her wet face, and took a damp cloth from the bedside table to wipe her brow. “I thought you had a slight cold, you should have told me…” Her face was hot to his touch, and his golden eyes looked at her in concern. To everyone else his face was impassive and stern, emotionless and devoid of care, except towards the two women who held his heart, and more so the woman lying in front of him. He loved his mate more than his own land, power and life. He would move mountains on top of one another and place the heavens in her hands if she asked. But all she ever said she wanted was he. Seeing her like this tore at him like a rusty dagger. He had been o busy with battle plans he had not come to her for days. But like the wonderful woman she was, she understood and never rebuked him. Guilt stabbed hard in his chest as he watched her struggle to breathe. He should have been here to take care of her.

 

Kikyo stood behind him. “She was handling it fine this morning, but the sickness has been progressing, and acts quickly. Rin can easily overcome this, but I fear more for….”

 

Sesshomaru looked back at the miko, his trademark stoic face apparent, before turning liquid gold eyes full of angst to his mate who sighed deeply.

 

“Kikyo fears this sickness will kill our baby.” Uncontrollable tears leaked out of Rin's eyes. “Oh Sess…” she mouthed, grabbing his hand in her own. She inhaled deeply and whispered, “I can't let our baby die, I'm so scared, I don't know if I can survive losing another one.”

 

Sesshomaru opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. For years they have tried for pups, but had lost them before they were born. This pregnancy was the first to almost go to term and it was a blessing and a joy in a time of such transgressions. Could he honestly calm his mate with false hopes and wishes? He looked expressionless at the miko again before becoming emotionly strained when he saw that behind her stood his daughter.

 

Kagome gasped when she saw the prone woman on the futon and had rushed to kneel at her adopted mother's side. She placed her cool hands on Rin's face and wiped away the tears streaming down her mother's flushed cheeks.

 

“Okaa…” she whispered with child like innocence in her voice. “Oh Okaa-san, it will be all right, Kikyo had just told me of a medicine that can cure this. We will get that and all will be better.”

 

Sesshomaru turned his head quickly to the miko behind him, his golden eyes turned amber in suppressed rage. “What medicine does my daughter speak of? And why has not its reserves been met to alleviate this disease?”

 

“My Lord,” Kikyo bowed, “the medicine in question is rare and now resides in InuYasha's domain. It is the only place by which this plant grows, and we have not the ability to gather it. Even if we did, whatever supply we could gain would never meet the need of all those inflicted. We can only hope to infiltrate and gain back the land to gather said herb, or wait out the illness on its own.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded. “Then tell me where and what it is, and I will return by night fall. I only need enough for one.”

 

“NO!” Rin coughed, trying to reach for him.

 

Sesshomaru turned to quickly ease his wife down to the bed, hushing her with a low purr-like growl in his chest.

 

“No,” Rin sighed when her coughing eased. “InuYasha's forces know you, he will know you are there, he will kill you on sight. I cannot survive knowing you are in danger. I need you here. I'm scared…” she hiccupped a sob. “I'm so scared.” Her heart rate was increasing and her breathing rapid. He could feel the stress being placed on their unborn child.

 

“Rin…?” Sesshomaru looked at her pleadingly, placing his hands on her round stomach to have her see reason, but knew it was pointless to argue. Rin could be more stubborn than himself, and with her being pregnant and sick, there was no point in argument. There was nothing he could do but wait. His heart fell and the weight of the world felt like it was crashing down on him.

 

Kagome looked up at her father from her kneeling position near her mother's frame. She never saw him look so weak and sad. It stabbed at her heart and she couldn't breathe.

 

“Leave.” Sesshomaru whispered.

 

All within the room quickly left their tasks and hustled out of the chamber. Kikyo waited by the doorframe and watched Kagome kiss her mother's brow and turned to hug her father. He squeezed back numbly before letting go. She stood and kissed the top of his silver head before moving beside Kikyo at the doorframe. Kagome looked back for a moment. A hard look grew on her face and a sudden resolve flitted in her eyes.

 

Kikyo knew this look and grabbed Kagome's arm. She rushed her out of the chambers and out of hearing to all who was around. Swinging around a corner, she finally let Kagome go. She looked into the girl's eyes with all due seriousness. “No.”

 

“Kikyo….” Kagome attempted to explain.

 

“No, Kagome, you are not going. It would be suicide and worse, if InuYasha found out you were in the eastern territory, he will hunt you himself to claim you as prize and use you against Lord Sesshomaru. There are too many risks. Your father knows this. He would only volunteer himself if he knew the task would end in casualty. He would not send anyone else if the risk was this high. Too much can be lost.”

 

“I know.” Kagome looked at her sensei before casting her eyes to the far wall. “Of those losses are Okaa-san and the baby. That is why I must go. I cannot let anyone suffer the loss or look like Otou-san does right now, not when I know I can save them.” She looked directly at Kikyo then, her eyes were fierce and pleading all at once, begging for her mentor to understand.

 

“Kagome….” Kikyo sighed. The look on the girl's face was not good. Unless she was sealed in a room, and knowing Kagome's will it would not be for very long, nothing would deter her from her decision. Kikyo could not even try to dissuade her, not when she herself saw the necessity of the girl to go.

 

“I am a human, I can easily slip in unnoticed, and I am a woman, even more easily ignored. Aside from those in the manor, no one knows my relation to Otou-san. All anyone could know is that he has a daughter, but what I look like and who I am is a mystery. He has never let me go out of the manor grounds, for gods sake.” Kagome huffed in frustration.

 

Kikyo frowned. “Lord Sesshomaru has only wanted your safety. Beyond the Manor is war and worse. If they found you….”

 

“If they find me, whom would they think me as? If for some reason I was caught I can say I am getting medicine for the Hanyou's people. I am sure they are under the same sickness.”

 

Kikyo opened her mouth to argue, but decided against it and swept Kagome's arm under her own and led her towards her chambers. Once inside and secure, Kikyo started on her plan.

 

“You must go immediately, before anyone discovers you're gone. If you ride east by horseback without stopping you will reach the area of the red clover by dawn near the river's mouth. You must bathe in the clothes you will be wearing and use specific herbs to mask the scent of Lord Sesshomaru and the palace. If a demon catches wind of you, you must smell like an ordinary human. You must not use your powers, if anything else, you must suppress them more so. However, to any who possess a strong aura, they will associate you as a miko, you must act so accordingly.” Kikyo gripped the girl's shoulders. “Gather as much red clover as you can but escape quickly to the western territory at any sign of danger. Do not talk to anyone or InuYasha will find out of your presence and all could be lost.”

 

Kagome smiled. “It's a big territory, I'm sure I can get in and out unnoticed.”

 

Kikyo frowned and shook her head. “You only know of stories of Lord Sesshomaru's brother. Not all should be taken seriously nor should any be taken lightly. He is strong and he is ruthless. He lacks judgement and acts on instinct. He can be very deadly. If any he or any demon senses you, they may find out what and who you are, and if they do catch you…oh Kagome, don't let anyone catch you, for they will take pride in trying to break you and use you and your powers.”

 

Kagome looked almost nervous, but then confused. “May find out who and what I am and use my powers? Kikyo, what does that mean?”

 

Kikyo stopped short while she was gathering herbs from a chest for Kagome's bath. No one had ever told Kagome of her past. She only had her own memories and the knowledge that she was rescued and brought here. No one ever told her of the cause of the death of her village. What child could cope with the knowledge that they, in a fit of extreme emotion, destroyed their home and the life in it? They could have told her, let her know what powers she contained, what she was capable of and maybe even train her, but could anyone trust someone with knowledge of that power? Only she and Sesshomaru knew the possibilities contained within this girl. She had abilities, extraordinary abilities, but that was passed off to her as high miko powers, and trained minimally as such. Only during fits of extreme emotion would anything serious occur, and few times had anyone let that happen. It was probably the reason why Kagome got away with as much as she has. But as she grew older, she was in more control of her emotions, and less likely to lose control. Sesshomaru had also made a point to teach Kagome to actively subdue her aura and thus, passively suppress her hidden powers without her knowledge. As for Kagome, all Kagome remembered was watching her mother die, and that the demon lord brought her here and raised her as his own.

 

It was decided that that knowledge was all she needed to know, and that she would live her life secluded from the fact that she was no ordinary girl or miko, she was a weapon, possibly even the legendary Shikon no Tama. The less she knew, the less harm she could create, either from herself, or someone else. With any knowledge of what Kagome could be, anyone could try to use her, especially InuYasha. Too much war and bloodshed has erupted over power alone with his half brother. To have all turn against Sesshomaru to take his adopted daughter would be too much for any to comprehend.

 

Kikyo recovered quickly. “The Lord's half-brother could find out who you are - the daughter of his most hated enemy. He could use you as ransom or bait, or force you to do things against your will against your father. Your father should never have to make the choice between you and all under him.”

 

Kagome nodded her head. She could never see her father in pain, and she would rather die than cause him any.

 

“I will have it look as if you are immersed in your studies and are upset with the Great Lady's illness and wish to be alone. That will buy you time, but you must be back by tomorrow evening, or there will be suspicion.”

 

Kagome nodded and took the herbs handed to her from Kikyo. Minutes later, after more direction was given by Kikyo, a cloaked figure on horseback raced in the growing dark to the sparsely, wooded area beyond the manor. Kagome quickly dunked herself in a pond within a secluded glade and lathered the herbs over her clothing and body. She rinsed and stepped out of the pond, sopping wet. She wrung out quickly whatever she could and not waiting to dry, rode to the open east.

 

A lone figure stood cloaked behind a high window of the manor and watched her go.