InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Double Vision ❯ Chapter 39 ( Chapter 38 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Kagome came crashing out of the forest, followed by a huge black crow, bearing an injured Kohaku on its back.

“Sesshomaru! I’m so glad you’re here!” Kagome cried.

Sesshomaru went to the crow and lifted the demon slayer into his arms. He carried Kohaku to the cave, where he settled the boy onto the fur cape. He removed the upper portion of Kohaku’s uniform, examining his injuries. It appeared Kagome had used her powers to seal the wounds, but they should be sewn up as well.

Kagome was rummaging through Kohaku’s pack. “Shippou. Throw some logs on the fire, then see if you can make this cup bigger, and boil some water.” She found a needle and thread, and the toweling Kohaku had brought for her to dry herself after her baths. She had taken to using her purification powers on the bandages and medical supplies she used in the healing of humans. More lives were lost in this era though infection than through blood loss or trauma. She was confident that her powers sterilized the items, and she had never had a patient suffer an infection of any kind.

Sesshomaru knelt by Kohaku, supporting his shoulders as Kagome washed the crusted blood from around his wounds. The little priestess tried to make the tidiest stitches possible. Kohaku was sure to carry the scars from these wounds for life, but she was determined that they would not be disfiguring. Once she was done, Sesshomaru brushed his hand across Kohaku’s forehead. Kagome was amazed by the tenderness shown by the demon lord. He laid the boy down on the cape and stood up. Sesshomaru took Kagome’s hand and pulled her to her feet.

“I smell my brother’s blood. What happened?”

“In the past, Inuyasha always did his best to protect me, but I wanted to learn to be able to take care of myself. We thought it was best that I be trained as a slayer.” Sesshomaru took in Kagome’s new apparel. She had removed the green kimono so that it would not be ruined by Kohaku’s blood, and he thought she looked luscious in the tight black uniform. Kagome blushed at the look in his eyes. “While you were gone, Kohaku has been working with me on speed, strength, and agility. He decided it was time to advance to hand-to-hand combat and weapons training. Kohaku bought me a sword. We were in the forest, getting me accustomed to my new sword, when Inuyasha attacked. Kohaku tried to protect me, but Inuyasha was out of control and mauled him. I cut off his left arm with the sword.” She handed the sheathed sword over to her mate, taking care to do so in the proper manner. She wanted him to respect her, and she had been around warriors and nobles enough to know how important it was to handle one’s sword with dignity.

Sesshomaru held the sword in his hand, and swiped it through the air much as Kohaku had done at the pawnshop. “I know this sword. How did you come by it?”

“We went to the armorer’s in the demon village. The swords he had were all too big and heavy for me, so we went to the pawnshop. This sword seemed to call out to me.”

“It is a fine weapon. It was commissioned for the women of a very old and noble family. You have made a good choice, and you seem to have used it most effectively.” Sesshomaru suspected the sentient sword had played a hand in her proficiency. He returned the weapon to her, and she slid it back in her belt. He pulled Kagome close, burying his face in her hair. He made note of the kansashi and smirked softly to himself. His mate seemed to be taking to weapons with a vengeance. “When Kohaku has recovered sufficiently, he can train you in swordsmanship.”


Kagome was surprised. “Why don’t you want to train me yourself?”

“Kohaku is a satisfactory warrior, even by demon standards, but the katana is not his weapon of choice. He will train you to the extent of his abilities, and in the process become a more accomplished swordsman himself. When you have both attained an acceptable level of proficiency with the katana, I will work with you both. He grew serious. “You smell like Kohaku, Kagome.”

She blushed. “We didn’t know how the demons in the village would react to a human being mated to the Western Lord. Kohaku decided it was best to muddle our scents.” Sesshomaru had to agree with their fears. All hell had broken loose when his father had set aside his demon mate in favor of a human concubine.

“I hope Kohaku will choose to stay with us after he has healed. He doesn’t spend much time in Edo. He loves his sister, but he doesn’t get along well with Miroku. It will seem more like a family if he stays a member of our group.”

“You have made a powerful enemy, and I have yet to determine who it is. Kohaku can train you and stay with you when I am not able to be there to protect you, but I want you to be careful around Kohaku. He has been through a lot, and he seems to care for you. Sometimes men in such situations make foolish choices. I would hate to have to kill him. I have regarded Kohaku as a member of my pack for a long time, much as I have Rin.”

“How is Rin doing?”

“She will barely speak to me. She blames me for abandoning her in Edo. She is filled with anger to the point of unreason, and she refuses to acknowledge the pain she has caused you. She is so unlike herself, I feel as if she is possessed.”

“Have you ever thought that Rin looks an awful lot like me… and like Kikyo?”

“I noticed that the first time I saw her. I had hoped her personality would continue to be like yours, but she seems to grow more like the dead woman every day.”

“From the first time I saw Inuyasha, I felt compelled to be with him, even when he treated me badly. Maybe she didn’t have any choice about pursuing Inuyasha.”

“It is irrelevant. She carries Inuyasha’s pup, and you are now my mate. There is no turning back, Kagome. I told you that before.” Kagome had not known that Rin was pregnant. Kagome had never been a fan of “The Doctor Phil Show”, unlike many of her friends, but she was sure he would have a field day with their dysfunctional little family.

“I have no desire to return to the way things were. I feel as if I were under a spell that had been lifted. I am happy to have found someone who will treat me well. You are the most honorable, powerful, beautiful creature I have ever seen, and I am proud to be your mate.” He nuzzled against her hair, rewarding her loyalty with a show of affection.

“Do you know why Inuyasha came after me and attacked me?”

“I was having a discussion with my brother, when Rin interrupted. Inuyasha repudiated her, and claimed you were his mate. You know this to be false. He was mated to the dead priestess, and was only married to you in an invalid human ceremony under false pretenses. He lost control and changed to his full demon form and ran off to find you. I followed as quickly as I could. I can only be grateful that you were able to prevent him from taking you.”

“And what of Rin?”

“Rin is with Jaken, who is very loyal to her. I am sure he will protect her, and they will most likely return to Edo.” He was interrupted by a bellow from outside. “Kagome, Ah-Uhn has arrived. We have a visitor, and it is someone you have met before. I ask you to be tolerant of him, we need all the allies we can get.” Kagome had been through a great deal of trauma that day, but her curiosity overwhelmed her. She rushed to the mouth of the cave, and looked out into the clearing. Mounted proudly on Ah-Uhn was her old “rival”, Jakotsu.

“Great, just great.”