InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Double Vision ❯ Chapter 54 ( Chapter 53 )

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

Sesshomaru stared off to the east. He wanted to go and end the old dog’s life, or what passed as life, once and for all. He was torn because he knew he had a duty to Kagome, and his pack. As if he didn’t already have enough on his mind, something was amiss with Kohaku. After what had happened with Rin, he stopped himself from jumping to the conclusion that his boy was dead. Sesshomaru transformed, and took off running in the direction of his mate. When he came to a large lake, he charged right in, water splashing all around and shining like diamonds in the bright sunlight. After he got out, he rolled on his back in a snowy field, his tail thrashing from side to side, his big legs churning in the air. He got up and shook himself, hard. He felt much cleaner now, in more ways than one. His father was unimportant. A mere nuisance. This time when he took off running, it was with joy in his heart.

He hunted on the way back to the cave, taking the time to bring down a small boar to take back to his mate. He knew he should not have left her alone and undefended at the hot spring, but maybe the respectful offering of a suitable gift would win her forgiveness. He thought of all the times she had forgiven Inuyasha for similar infractions. Her fertile period would undoubtedly be over by now. His mind filled with images of the things he intended to do with his new mate. Suddenly the wind shifted, and he was alarmed to smell blood, and lots of it. Kagome’s blood, and Kohaku’s blood.

Sesshomaru’s heart was pounding hard in his chest as he changed into his humanoid form and walked into the cave. He dropped the boar at the entrance. He saw Shippou and Jakotsu kneeling beside Kagome, who was resting beside the fire on the fur robe. The two boys silently made way for their lord, who swept up to the girl and stood staring down at her, his face expressionless. “Mate. Tell this Sesshomaru what has happened here.” Kagome was terrified. Kohaku had been a part of his little pack for a long time, and she knew he cared for the slayer a lot, maybe even as much as he did Rin. How would he react to the news that she had killed his boy?

Jakotsu spoke up. “My Lord, there is much you do not know. Your mate is not well. I beg you to step outside with me, and I will tell you the news of what has happened in your absence.” Shippou’s jaw dropped. Jakotsu was stepping into the role of beta, and doing so with great dignity. He had just diverted, or at least delayed, what would surely have been a total disaster.

Sesshomaru, reacting to Jakotsu’s propriety, inclined his head graciously. He walked outside with Jakotsu. Jak pointed in the direction of Kohaku’s grave. He didn’t know what to say, but it was clear to him that Sesshomaru knew immediately who was buried under the large cairn. When Sesshomaru began to grab the stones that Shippou had placed on the grave and fling them to the side, Jakotsu touched his arm. “My Lord, let him rest in peace. He has suffered much, and there are things you need to know.”

It was much later when the two returned to the cave. Shippou left with the boar carcass, saying he was going to place it high up in a tree in hopes no scavenger would take it. Sesshomaru sat down cross-legged, and pulled Kagome into his lap, taking great care not to aggravate her injuries. He was ashamed when he saw the frightened look in her eyes, and even more so when he observed the protective stance Jakotsu had assumed when he approached his own mate. He ran the back of his index finger over one bruised cheek, more softly than the lightest feather. “I won’t ask you to forgive me, Kagome. That wouldn’t be fair to you right now. But I ask that you give me time. I will show you that what I have been to you so far is not the kind of mate I mean to be. I swear to do much better, if you will give me a second chance.” Kagome reached up and grasped the finger that he had used to caress her cheek, pulling his hand down so it rested over her heart.

Kagome was grateful for whatever Jak had said to Sesshomaru. She didn’t want to answer any questions. To do so would require that she remember what had happened between her and Kohaku, and she never wanted to think about that again. She had already relived the incident in her dreams. It made her afraid of going to sleep that night. She hoped that, if Sesshomaru held her as she slept, he might be able to hold the dreams at bay.