InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Embracing Destiny ❯ The Challenge ( Chapter 10 )

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

I do not own Inuyasha but I do own own the first season of Heroes.




Chapter 10



Sango smiled at the little girl twirling in the grass in front of her. Glancing over at Kagome, she realized that her friend truely considered the girl as her own. Her smile was one of a mother taking joy in her child. "Rin, why don't we make a crown of flowers for papa?" her friend asked her daughter. Sango blinked back tears as the little girl's smile widened and she shot off to pick flowers for her mother to inspect for their project. "She's precious." she said. Kagome beamed at her. "Isn't she? You'd be surprised that her background is so painful. You should see her with Sesshomaru. She loves her mama, but her papa is her world. She's so devoted to him." she said in wonder. Sango couldn't picture the stoic inuyoukai playing in the grass with a ten year old, but ever since their arrival, she could see that Kagome doted on him just as much as his adopted daughter. Knowing her friend, he had had to do something to deserve it. They lay back enjoying the heat of the sun and reminiscing when they saw Kagura sauntering over to them. "Kagome dear, there you are! I had just heard from Hiten that Sesshomaru has been giving you some lessons. Shall we spar?" she asked with a delighted glint in her eye.

Sango opened her mouth to tell the woman to get lost, but Kagome just smiled up at her. "What a fabulous idea. I told my daughter that I would make a crown of flowers with her, so as soon as that's done, I'll go ahead and join you in the dojo." she answered. Kagura gave her a mock bow then turned and walked away. "Kagome don't be rash! She hates you and she's a demoness for goodness sake." she pleaded. Kagome simply laughed as she saw her daughter rushing forward with an armful of flowers of every kind. "Don't worry so much Sango. I've been training hard and though she may have me on speed and strength, I have a secret weapon. If she plays dirty, then I will have to put her in her place." she said confidently. Sango shook her head and helped them make the crown.

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"Kagura heard you speaking. I suggest you both be very discreet when dealing with her. She's challenged Kagome to spar and we both know that's not a good idea. Kagura has been training for centuries. I'm afraid she might hurt Kagome on purpose." Miroku said as he, Hiten and Sesshomaru sat in the study sharing a cognac. Sesshomaru looked unconcerned. "If the silly woman would like to pit herself against my wife in a sparring session, then let her. I'm curious to see the outcome." he said amused. Miroku stared at his friend for a moment stunned. Hiten gave them both a worried look. "Are you sure, Sesshomaru. By youkai standards, Kagome is less than puny. Kagura could kill her accidentally." he commented. Sesshomaru's eyes flashed red before returning to amber. "I have been training her myself and she is efficent in hand to hand combat as well as with a variety of weapons. It is a fact that she is no longer 'less than puny'." he said dismissively. Miroku and Hiten shared another worried glance before letting the matter drop.

"I suggest we go meet the ladies and ensure that the fight does not begin outside of the dojo." he said blandly. They wandered outside of the cabin casually looking for the women. They spotted Kagome and Sango seated in a small clearing surrounded by flowers. Sesshomaru stopped and stared a moment before grimacing. He could smell the excitement of his daughter. Whenever Rin and Kagome got together in a flowerbed, it usually ended with him swallowing a large dose of his pride. Miroku and Hiten sent him an amused glance as they saw his hesitation, then laughed as his daughter rushed over to him followed by his wife and her friend. "Papa, look what me and mommy made for you! Put it on so you can look like a prince." she bubbled.

Sesshomaru knew what he looked like wearing one of her makeshift crowns and it was not a prince. He ignored the muffled laughter of his friends and sighed. Kneeling, he allowed Rin to place the crown on top of his head. She adjusted it in the way she liked, slipping her tiny hands through his hair delightedly, then skipped around him happily. "You are Lord Sesshomaru once again!" she bubbled merrily. Her yellow sundress blew in the wind and the gold buckles on her little white sandals glittered in the sun. Miroku clapped him on the back good naturedly. "Indeed you are Lord Sesshomaru once again. Shall we have a tea party to celebrate?" he asked as he watched Rin adoringly. Rin squealed and rushed over to Kagome while Sango took in the whole exchange with stunned amusement. "Mama, can we have a party for papa just like Uncle 'Roku said?" she asked eagerly. Kagome covered her mouth for a moment to keep from bursting into laughter. "If your papa says it's okay." she answered shooting her husband an innocent look when he scowled at her. Sesshomaru turned to give his friend a look that promised an early death. "Only if you make a twin crown for Uncle 'Roku." he answered. Miroku grimaced as Hiten burst out into laughter and Sesshomaru smirked in satisfaction.

They watched as Rin sped off to gather more flowers. "I am surprised you would agree to it." Kagome said as they all strolled toward the cabin. Rin ran in circles around them laughing as she gathered flowers along the way. "I would not dream of denying her." he said dryly. Sango smiled at him. She was stunned down to the soles of her feet. The great Sesshomaru InuTaisho agreed to be crowned with flowers and attend a tea party thrown in his honor by a ten year old. It as almost too much to take in, no wonder her friend was so deep in love. "I think it is a lovely idea." she said with a grin. Miroku put his arm around her shoulder and planted a kiss in her hair. "If Sesshomaru is a prince, then I must be a king or an emporer. Will you throw a party for me as well? A private one?" he asked seductively. Sango blushed all the way to the roots of her hair. Sesshomaru snorted in disgust. "Have some control of your lecherous tongue. You do not hear me propositioning Kagome every chance I get and she is my wife." he said disdainfully. Miroku grinned unrepentantly. "That may be so, but you also do not hear me or the beautiful Sango in the middle of our lecherous deeds. You however, have no restraint." he said shooting him a knowing glance. Sesshomaru growled as Kagome buried her face in her hands with a gasp.

Hiten laughed uproarously and Sango smacked Miroku in the chest. Before Sesshomaru could deliver his friend a blistering set down, they saw Kagura walking toward them. "Are you ready Kagome? Don't tell me you forgot about our match?" she asked trying not to look too scornful as she let her gaze wander to Rin. Rin stopped short behind her papa and stared at Kagura with a marked frown. She clutched his pant leg and shot Kagome a hesitant look. "I will get Jaken to look after my daughter while we meet in the dojo." she said as she reached out to the little girl who had turned her attention back to Kagura. "Your daughter? How quaint. You may do as you please." was all the demoness said as she watched her rival usher the little girl into the cabin quickly. Sesshomaru faced Kagura impassively. "You walk a fine line, Kagura." he said calmly. She laughed. "Do not worry so, Sesshy-chan. I won't kill the chit if that is what has you so worked up. Besides, what could a sparring session with her do other than give me a warm up for a hunt?" she asked arrogantly. Sesshomaru smiled. "You'd be surprised." he said simply.

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In the dojo Kagome stretched, her pristine white hakama moving with her elegantly as she bent and twist her body. Sesshomaru watched her intently, looking for signs of tension and watching to see if there was any uncertainty in her moves. She seemed confident enough, her face a mask of serene beauty. Kagura, her hakama a black and red, was smiling the smile of a predator that had an eye on its prey. Her eyes never left her opponent and she had an oddly feral glint in her eye. The first trickle of unease shot up his spine. If Kagura allowed her youkai to dictate her movements, Kagome might be in real trouble. He crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall of the dojo, his friends on either side of him watching with a possibly just amount of worry. The women stood apart from each other and the tension was palpable. "What are your terms?" Kagome asked frankly. For a moment Kagura looked surprised. "Surely beating you should be enough of a satisfaction?" she said smugly.

Kagome crossed her arms and smirked. "Don't think that I am unaware of who your newest ally is. You reek of him." she spat in disgust. Kagura bristled, then snapped her head to the side and looked at the others. They were far enough away that the comment, spoken in hushed tones, would barely be picked up. She knew from the sudden sharpening of Sesshomaru's gaze that he alone heard. The senses of an inuyoukai were unrivaled. "Do not speak of things you know nothing about, bitch!" she hissed. Kagome smiled. "You are here for a purpose, and it is not only to attempt to fill my head with doubt. I don't want to fight you , Kagura, but I will to show you that you are not worthy of my fear." she said. Kagura narrowed her eyes in raw fury. "You will pay for that remark." she said through clenched teeth.

Kagome eased into her fighting stance, legs slightly bent, body slightly turned and her hands frozen in a defensive position in front of her. Kagura flowed into her fighting stance, her body movement issuing a threat and her intent clearly to be on the offensive. "When I have knocked you to the ground I want you to swear to never mate him." she said with a cocky smile. Kagome raised her brows at her. "I thought you were convinced that it would never happen?" she asked with a knowing smirk. Kagura deepened her stance and Kagome could feel her youkai spread with deadly intent. "It will simply be an insurance policy. When you die, he will be free of you. I garrantee that he will come to his senses." she seethed. Kagome nodded. "And when I stand above you in triumph, I want you to free yourself of your new companion. This union will bring you nothing but pain and betrayel." she said.

Kagura's growl echoed across the room. "How nice of you to be concerned. Save it for the day you watch Sesshomaru touch me the way he touches you." she responded. For the first time Kagome showed signs of anger. Her jaw and fists clenched and her eyes became bright. "Say no more." she said calmly. Kagura's first strike came with a dizzying speed. She threw a high kick that almost landed on the side of Kagome's head. Ducking, she dodged the shot and struck out to connect with the demoness' chest. Kagura batted her hand away with a force that knocked her off balance but she recovered as she stumbled slightly, pivoting to the left as she sensed the ripple in the air when the other woman ducked and swiped at her feet. Flipping backward helped her avoid a high kick that followed rapidly and she sunk into a spit to avoid the swipe of claws that almost caught her across the chest.

The growl in the distance was ignored as Kagome eased her body forward on her stomach, bending her leg backwards and pushing upwards to catch Kaugura in the chin with her foot. Staggering backward, Kagura released a burst of wind that knocked Kagome back as she shot up to her feet. She sprinted forward and dropped suddenly under Kagome's guard to elbow her in the ribs. The pain that exploded across Kagome's abdomen caused her to suck in a sharp breath, but she ignored it and blocked another low blow and batted away a series of punches. Building the power in her as she ducked and sidestepped her foe, Kagome let loose a blast of miko energy that knocked Kagura off her feet and sent her sprawling across the ground with an agonized screech.

The demoness was not down for long. She shot up, her hand shaking slightly as the air sizzled. The blast had shattered the focus of her youkai sending bolts of stinging pain through her body. It was not strong enough to do permanent damage, but the knowledge of the very real pain Kagome could inflict on her made her movements more cautious. She gathered her youkai close before spreading in out more slowly. Kagome eased back into her stance and waited. Kagura was easy to read and she knew that the demoness would be the first to strike though her movements became unpredictable once she sprang into motion. As predicted, she shot forward, ducking under Kagome's guard once again but as Kagome moved forward to block the blow, Kagura pivoting left and landing another serious blow to Kagome's kidney's. Feeling the young woman's body tighten in pain, Kagura backhanded her with enough force to drop her to the floor with a dull thud. Thinking to end it quickly, she raised her foot to crack the woman's ribs further, when Kagome grabbed her foot and twisted sharply, sending her spinning.

She shot enough miko energy into the woman that she stiffened then collapsed, her body moving in convulsions as her youkai fought the purification. Kagome sprang back holding her side where both her ribs and kidneys were bruised. Breathing shallowly, she waited several moments before walking over to the demoness. "It hurts, doesn't it?" she asked coldly. Kagura glared helplessly as she fought the overwhelming waves of pain. Finally her body stilled. Miroku had rushed over and dropped to the demoness' side. He helped her stand and let her lean against him as she fought for composure. Both women held the tell tail signs of pain and fatigue. It took much energy for Kagome to keep up with Kagura's demon speed, and the miko power weakened Kagura to the point of incapacitation. "You will remember what I said." Kagome said to her as Miroku helped her walk away. It seemed the demoness was unable to respond.

Sango stood patiently behind Sesshomaru, her eyes wide in shock and worry. "Kagome, are you okay? What type of sparring match is that? You two looked ready to kill each other!" she said, her voice rising as she let her anger build. A sharp look from Sesshomaru cut her off as she opened her mouth to say more. Kagome gave her a weak smile. "I'll be fine and so will Kagura. I wasn't trying to do any lasting damage." she said weakly. She suddenly sagged, and Sesshomaru caught her before she fell to the floor. Sweat broke out on her brow as she struggled with the pain while her body weakened. "You were foolish to goad her." he stated bluntly. She smiled at him and although she could feel the tension in his body as he kept himself in check, she knew he couldn't wait to get her alone so he could tear into her. "Sango, please tell Kaede to prepare a drought for the pain while I ease my wife's muscles in the hot spring." Sango clearly wanted to argue, but she stormed off to do as he bid.

Without a word, Sesshomaru gingerly picked her up, bridal style and carried her out of the dojo and behind the cabin. The trail that led to the cave encasing the hot spring was short. He hurried in and laid her down beside the steaming water before undressing them both. He picked her up and slipped into the water, laying her across his lap and dipped her head back to soak her hair. She moaned and smiled though she kept her eyes closed. When she felt Sesshomaru's silky cheek against hers, her eyes popped open in shock. Her husband's arm had tightened around her shoulders and she could feel the distress pouring off of his youkai as he held it tight against them both. She turned her face against his and was stunned to see the fierce expression of possesive rage on his face. Red had bled into his eyes and he watched her with an almost animalistic gaze. She sat up in his lap, ignoring her pain, and clutched his face in her palms.

"I am fine, Sesshomaru." she whispered against his lips. He growled low in his throat. "You are in pain." he rasped. He was trying to control his instinctual urge to avenge her while his youkai struggled to comfort her. He licked up her chin, then nuzzled her throat, his voice roughened with emotion. A low rumbling rose from his chest and he licked along her jawline. The rumbling eased her somewhat and she let him touch her abdomen. He pressed lightly and she sucked in a startled gasp of pain. He whimpered softly and proceeded to lick her face again. She allowed him to continue his ritual of feeling out her injuries and licking her in contrition when he hurt her for an hour before urging him to take her back into the house.

As if warned, everyone gave them a wide birth when he carried her inside, both wet from the spring. Kagome knew it was in part the red of his gaze that put everyone off, but she also knew that Kaede would have also begged privacy for her employers. She took her into the bathroom where he was careful to wash her and dry her without causing undo pain, then he dressed her carefully in a nightgown and carried her to bed. Kaede brought the drought in moments later, her wary eyes on her growling employer. His eyes watched every move she made with a sharpness that was frightening. Kaede inched around him and handed Kagome the mug, then reached out to touch Kagome's shoulder. The responding growl was so fierce that both women jumped in surprise. "Sessho! Don't be like that, you know she won't hurt me." she scolded. Although he didn't aknowledge her, the growl subsided. He watched the woman as she left, then knelt by the bed to make sure she drank every drop of the drought.

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Miroku paced back and forth in front of Kagura's bed. "You are determined to get yourself killed, aren't you?" he asked as he stopped abruptly and spun around to glare at her. She had also been given a drought and though she drank it all, she grumbled about the taste. "I did not think it would have harbored such a response from him. Hurting her a little was supposed to be easy. Her defeat should have been quick. I never truly thought it would have been necessary to use that much force on her." she growled. Miroku laughed bitterly. "You thought it would have been easy? She is a miko with the power of the Shikon no Tama, for Kami's sake. Even if she hadn't been strong enough to knock your sorry ass across the room with just strength, you would have triggered her miko energy at some point!" he pointed out in fury.

Kagura siffed in anger. "Whatever. She cheated anyway. Using her miko energy was a cheap shot." she spat. Miroku rounded on her in fury. "And using your wind sorcery wasn't?" he asked incredulously. Sucking in a breath, Kagura shot him an agonized glare. "Okay, if you want then I will admit it. She took me by surprise, the bitch. All I wanted was to make a point. She cannot have him Miroku, it is not fair." she whispered. Miroku moved to the side of her bed and sat. "Who wants Sesshomaru more, you or your father?" he asked quietly. Kagura turned and watched him for a moment silently. "I want him the most. I will not be seen as a failure." she said soberly. Miroku's eyes narrowed in pity and disgust. "The only reason I haven't gone to Sesshomaru about what you are doing is because at one point you meant something to me, now I think the person I once cared for is long dead. If you do anything to hurt either Sesshomaru or his future mate, I will destroy you." he said coldly.

Kagura stared at him in shock. She had never thought he would truly turn against her. "You seem quick to defend her, Miroku. Are you sharing her favors as well?" she asked acidly. Miroku jerked back as if she had slapped him. "You are truly beyond my help." he said sadly. He stood and walked briskly to the door. "You cannot tell him about this Miroku! He will not hesitate to kill me. Our family's alliance will crumble and I will be stricken off of the family register, a pariah best forgotten." she pleaded with him. He turned back and stared sadly at her once intense beauty. She now held the taint of greed. "You hold the key to your own fate Kagura. I suggest you take the time to figure out what you want. Ask yourself, is the power you want worth selling your soul?" he asked her wearily. She blinked as she felt the tears run down her cheeks. "So you make your choice now, is that it?" she asked him desperately. He smiled sadly. "That choice was yours as well. You chose Sesshomaru." he said. He slipped out of the room and left her staring at her hands. Hands that had done a lot of damage over the last decade. When the tears came heavier and she felt the pain in her chest, she knew that something was about to change.

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It was the middle of the night when Kagome woke up, wincing as her abdomen clenched in agony. Muffling a desperate cry of pain, she shifted on her back. "I will wake Kaede." her husband whispered beside her. She turned to him with a weak smile. "Don't wake her up just for that, Sessho." she said softly. He cupped her cheek and planted a tender kiss on her lips. "I will not abide you being in pain. You have been shifting the entire night and I know it is getting worse. Let me, if only to ease my own restlessness." he said. The low rumble of his voice was soothing and she closed her eyes and smiled. She couldn't imagine what she would do without him. He had become as vital to her as her own breath. "Then hurry back to bed. I can't attempt to sleep without you." she said. He smiled down at her and stroked her hair out of her face. His expression suddenly sobered. "You risked much today." he said evenly as he stood.

She watched him walk naked to the closet where he pulled out a black silk robe and donned it gracefully. Watching him always caused her body to respond in a lascivious manner and he stiffened, then turned to her with a delicately arched brow raised in amusement. "Your hardly in any condition to be thinking whatever thoughts are blossoming in your perverted head. Though it adds to my ego knowing that even through pain, your body responds to mine." he finished with a mischevious glint in his eye. Kagome shifted again as she stuck her tongue out at him, trying to ignore the way his body looked with the moonlight shining in on him, giving him the silhouette of a porcelain God, standing proudly and arrogantly as he gazed at her. "I will return shortly." he said. She laid a hand over her abdomen and thought about Kagura to get her mind off of her arousal. The demoness was determined to have Sesshomaru. She hardly blamed the woman for wanting him, but she doubted it was what it seemed. Mere affection did not warrant such extreme choices as entering a pact with a creature such as Naraku.

She doubted anyone else was aware of it, but Naraku had tied the demoness to him somehow. She would have to find out how he bound her to him and why she would allow him to do so. Kagura did not love Sesshomaru, that she could tell. No one who loved someone would hurt someone close to them for their own selfish purpose. That was not love, that was obsession. Kagura was not the type to obsess out of infatuation, so it had to be something else. Pushing up in a sitting position, Kagome clenched her teeth and felt her stomch jolt at the thought of losing Sesshomaru. She thought of the family he and Rin had made together and smiled. She had been thinking of having another child. A child from her own womb that looked just like Sesshomaru. Her eyes watered as the thought brought intense emotion. He had been her first, he was now her husband and she would die his, she would fight for that.

He walked into the room frowning as he smelled her tears. "Here, drink this." he said firmly as he sat at the edge of the bed. She drank without complaint, but her tears did not let up nor did she meet his eyes. "Kagome, what troubles you? Is it that bad?" he asked rubbing her back carefully. He lay next to her once she was done drinking the drought, and linked his fingers through hers. He was afraid to touch her until the medicine worked and she was able to settle against him comfortably. To his shock, she pressed his palm against her stomach and smiled such a dizzyingly beautiful smile that he could do nothing but just stare at her. "One day I'll carry your child inside me. When Naraku is gone and we can live in peace, even if you choose not to mate me, let me have your baby. I promise I'll let that be enough." she said dreamily. He couldn't reply if he wanted to. She wanted him to pup her.

The thought had crossed his mind many times when he watched her with Rin. She was the perfect mother. Attentive, patient, thoughtful and loving. At times she even let her maternal instinct flow over into their relationship where she catered to his every whim, doting on him in a way that humbled him. He could not believe how vital she had become to his life when until recently he was unable to care for others in the most simple ways. Until her, he struggled even to give Rin what she needed, but Kagome showed him how easy it was to love his daughter. She showed him how little Rin expected of him, how pure her love was for her father and made him truly proud to have given her a home. Rin was always an open child, simple and affectionate despite her upbringing, but with Kagome, she had blossomed like a rose unfurling and exerting the full extent of its beauty.

She amazed him. He brought her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across her knuckles lightly. "I will give you as many pups as you want if you stay with me." he said earnestly. Her eyes widened and she stared at him. "Where would I go?" she asked in surprise. He sighed and gently leaned her back against him. Burying his face in her hair, he inhaled her scent deeply and let it wash over his senses before answering. "I have never had a woman stay with me for very long. I told you Kagome, being with me is a burden to most." he said. She turned in his arms and kissed him fiercely. "I would live a thousand lifetimes with you rather than live one without you. They were weak Sessho. I can't and won't walk away from you. I love you too much." she said firmly. He stared into her eyes and saw the truth in them. Unable to say anything, he rested his forehead against hers and cupped her cheek in his palm. As they drifted off to sleep, the last thing he remembered was his youkai shifting to the surface to watch her sleep. My mate.