InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Exchanged ❯ Battle Zone ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: All I possibly own is the storyline…Takahashi-sama owns the characters!

 

A/N: Coarse language and violence alert…yes, Devon, a LARGE can of whoop-ass is about to be opened…borrowed your line, too.

 

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Exchanged: Part Seven

Battle Zone

 

Kazu paced along, trying not to jar me very much. I was staring around like a rube on a spree in the big city. So many dogs… so many demons. And this was only one clan. I wondered how many more dog clans there might be. As we moved through the pack, a soft chorus of woofs and yips began to swell, until Inuyasha was serenaded with full-throated howls when he stepped forward to lift me down from Kazu's back.

 

“Oi, Rin…wave to acknowledge these bastards, because they won't stop until you do!” he shouted up at me over the din. I twisted around and waved wildly in all directions; the howling died down immediately, except for the lone joker who yipped like a coyote a couple of times in the silence.

 

Inuyasha's eyes grew large when I slid into his arms. He took a couple of really deep sniffs. “Holy gods, Rin…you're pupped for sure!”

 

I just managed to not roll my eyes. “If one more demon reminds me I'm impregnated, I'm going to yank their pointy little ears. Didn't you know that on Monday morning?”

 

“Nope. You just smelled like mating; that's why Sesshomaru didn't let you clean up first, before introducing you to the court. He wanted to make sure everyone knew that he was claiming you… it takes a couple of days for the pregnancy scent to develop. Sesshomaru would never have let you go if he knew you were carrying his pup.”

 

“He couldn't stop me from rescuing Tai.”

 

He grinned at me. “He would have tried…even if he had to tie you up himself. He's been impossible to live with for the past day or so…glad you're back.” He took my elbow, just like on that night in Asakusa, and guided me towards Kagome, who was sitting poised and ladylike on a small outcropping.

 

I stopped, and whispered, “Inuyasha, Koga is planning an attack tonight on the land forces.”

 

His face turned dark. “When?”

 

“The third hour after moonrise.”

 

“Damn that fucker straight to hell…how do you know this?”

 

“He showed up at Kagura's compound just before we left…Inuyasha, he intends to kill you.”

 

This time my brother-in-law smirked ferally, the tips of his canines jutting out. “The stupid asshole has been trying for the last few years, Rin… Kagome just won't accept that his brain's gone warped from all that time with the tainted Jewel shards in his wimpy body.”

 

I dropped my voice further. “He's also planning to kill Tai and Tsuki, and then force Kagome to mate him.” Inuyasha stiffened, and his eyes bled crimson, faint ragged stripes coming startlingly to life under the skin of his cheeks. He snarled, a dark and dangerous sound. I stepped backwards a pace.

 

Inuyasha shook himself a bit, obviously trying to control himself. “The kids are at the clan building, with a sizeable force, including Shippo and Kirara protecting them.”

 

“So the land forces are split again… they may only attack us as a diversion here.”

 

His eyes sharpened. “Sesshomaru said you were always pretty good at tactics…what do you think they'll try?”

 

Me? Good with tactics? Maybe in trying to wangle an extra day off from work, or when mooching a coffee…

 

My brain started turning over, anyways. A really horrifying thought occurred to me. “Could Lady Kagetsu have planted some explosives around the building?”

 

“Doubt it; someone would have smelled them.”

 

“Even if they were plastic explosives? What if… oh, no…”

 

“Oh, no, what?”

 

“Has the parking garage been searched for a truck bomb?”

 

He looked a bit startled, but expectant, while I frantically searched my brain for the relevant details of the Oklahoma City bombing. I grabbed his arm. “Someone has to check for fertilizer and diesel smells in the garage…and then get the vehicle in question out of the enclosed space…it could bring down a building easily.”

 

He was surprised; I was even more so. Since when did I know how to tie shit like this together? Right, of course… Recovering, I straightened up, and grinned at him. “I found all my memories while Kagura had me, so there was an upside to being terrorized…”

 

Like General Tsume, Inuyasha took a couple more deep experimental sniffs, then caught my chin in his fingers. “Whose blood-scent is on you, Rin?”

 

“That bastard Moto's”

 

It was easier to say this time; the words didn't stick in my throat anymore.

 

His grin was even more animalistic, with his longer fangs gleaming in the moonlight. “Good girl… everyone said that you had it in you… the dagger came in handy?”

 

I thought back to the whole gory event. “Ummm, sort of…I'll give you the details later.”

 

He nodded. “Rin, you need to tell Kagome what Koga's intentions are, because she's in some serious denial. I'll send word to Shippo to search the garage and the building again. Fertilizer, you said?”

 

“Any smell that isn't where it should be, or have a reasonable excuse to be there.”

 

We moved snappily, until we reached Kagome's perch. I noticed that she was wearing an outfit similar to mine, including the leather jacket and high-collared reinforced vest. A couple of extra bows and a packing crate of arrows were at the base of her rock. She slid down and wrapped me in a surprisingly strong hug for a tiny woman that barely made my chin. “Thank you for Tai, Rin. I can never repay you…”

 

“Take me for cooking lessons with your mom…that'll do.” Inuyasha was giving me significant looks before he turned away to confer with an aide; I took Kagome's arm and led her slightly away from her mate. “Kagome, Koga is planning an attack on us tonight.”

 

She rolled her eyes, sighing. “Koga is an old friend…he'd never do anything serious…he's always trying to embarrass Inuyasha, just like he did five hundred years ago…”

 

My voice sounded steelier than it ever had before. “He's going to kill Inuyasha and the children, then force you to mate with him, Kagome. I met him at Kagura's compound…I believed him completely when he told her his plans for you. Kagome, he's not the friend he used to be…he was in a rage because Kagura had traded Tai for me. His plan was to bring Tai here, and kill him in front of you and Inuyasha…I'm sorry, but it's true.”

 

She was in shock; her hand flew to her mouth and she stared at me with wide eyes. She started shaking her head; I slowly nodded mine. “I'm sorry, Kagome…but if we meet Koga tonight, you can't show him any mercy. He wouldn't have shown your little boy any…” An arm slid around her shoulders, and I stepped away as Inuyasha enfolded Kagome in his arms, holding her snugly against his chest as she cried.

 

Seiji crooked his finger at me; I hopped down the rocks towards him. He handed me a spear, smiling. “I trust you know how to use this, my lady? It always was your weapon of choice.” I looked up the long shaft, noting that it had what looked like a very sharp sword blade mounted on the end, and then grinned weakly at him.

 

“The pointy end is the sharp one, right?” His eyes widened in disbelief. I shrugged. “I have all my memories…but not abilities.”

 

He whistled through his teeth. “This could be trickier than we thought…”

 

“Oi! Seiji! Bring `er back up here…she's going to spot for Kagome. You lot come with them, and stay in humanoid form,” he pointed a claw at Dai, Jin and Kazu in turn. “You're hereby designated to be Rin's personal guard. I don't have to tell you how much shit you'll be in if she gets hurt, right?”

 

“Thanks for asking for volunteers, your lordship,” Jin muttered.

 

“I heard that, mouse-breath…Seiji, you're in charge. Rin, you watch Kagome's back and keep an eye out for those damn ravens sneaking in overhead. Try not to poke anybody with that spear…unless they're a wolf, of course.” Inuyasha turned, and was at the top of the rock outcropping in a fluid leap. He raised the Tetsusaiga overhead, and emitted a howl that made the hair on the back of my neck go up. Every head snapped up; hundreds of eyes focussed on the statue completely silvered by the brilliant moonlight.

 

He looked like a god…until he opened his mouth.

 

“Listen up, ya mangy fuckers! We have extra guests arriving tonight! The ravens are bringing a large pack of wolves, so we'll be about even.” He paused. “Give no quarter, and expect none! It's time we finished this…For your info, that asshole Koga is mine…anybody who takes him out will be dealing with me, so stay out of his way. He's gonna kill me…” Loud shouts of laughter broke out among the ranks; Inuyasha grinned, and made a whistling swipe with Tetsusaiga. “The wimpy wolf thinks big, as always…watch out for those damn ravens trying to rip out your backbone…ask Kusumi what that feels like, if you really want to know. Sesshomaru and Tsume are still busy with Kagura, so we may have to do without their help…shouldn't be a problem, right?”

 

The chorus of howling and barking that erupted had me plugging my ears. Someone touched my shoulder, and I swung around. Kagome jumped back, holding up a hair elastic. “I was just going to tie your hair back, Rin…it might get in the way.” I nodded, and allowed her to quickly braid my hair. When she was done, I turned to thank her, and she hugged me tightly again.

 

“Kagome? Are you okay?” She was trembling, and close to tears again.

 

“I just can't believe…Koga…he really wants to kill Tai and Tsuki?”

 

“He's not the demon you remember…something is twisted and dark inside him, Kagome; I'm really, really sorry.” I wrapped my arms around her and just held her.

 

A voice attached to a very large smirk interrupted. “I like a little girl-on-girl action as much as the next guy, but we really do need to take up battle stations, ladies.” We broke apart, and both turned scorching glares on an inu-youkai that was just a little too pleased with himself. He didn't even flinch, just spun the hilt of his katana in his hand before he sheathed it.

 

“There are times when I really wish I hadn't taken off that rosary…” Kagome grimaced.

 

“I'm glad he's yours…If he was mine, I'd probably have killed him by now… and I've only been around him since Saturday night!”

 

A series of short, sharp howls from the far perimeter caught all our attention. “Here they come…get your arrows flaring, itoshii…there's demon-extermination to be done tonight.”

 

Kagome and I scrambled to the foot of the rock; she took double fistfuls of arrows to complement those already in her quiver, and then Inuyasha scooped her up and sprang to the top. Sighing, I gabbed a couple of handfuls myself, and began picking my way up and around to join them. They were in the middle of a deep, passionate kiss. I kept my back to them, and pretended to be looking for ravens against the moonlight, while wondering when I would see Sesshomaru.

 

The heck with it. I wanted a kiss, too…and a hug, and maybe even a discreet grope to buck up my morale, preferably from a tall, handsome taiyoukai with spiffy facial markings. And sexy hair. And a firm, muscled…

 

Instead, I was squished in a rough embrace by a rude, crude, dog-eared hanyou with a `tude. “Don't worry, Rin… Sesshomaru will be here soon…but until he shows, I'll guard you and the kid with my life…” I grabbed for his ears; he caught my wrist, tugging me toward Kagome, and showed me how to pick out the dark silhouettes of the ravens against the darkened sky.

 

“I'll sweep the perimeter of this outcropping…Seiji! You got that motley crew of yours organized yet? Lady Rin is up here, so don't you think you ought to be as well?”

 

“We didn't want to interrupt your fond farewell to Lady Kagome's tonsils, sir…”

 

“Kazu, that'll be an extra week of latrine duty…”

 

A sharp yell from over on the right.

 

Game on.

 

I spent the first part of the battle crouched at Kagome's feet, feeding her arrows as she sent aloft blazing streams of light that looked for all the world like elaborate fireworks. It occurred to me that it was also making it really, really obvious for Koga, if he wanted to know where she was, but then I wondered if he was here at all.

 

What if he was attacking the building? Damn…

 

“Inuyasha! Is Koga even here?”

 

The hanyou bounded up to us, flicking the blood off his claws. A fierce light burned in his eyes, and I realized that those frayed cheek stripes and elongated fangs were very much in evidence. “He's here, all right…I can smell him. Keep your eyes peeled, girls…Damn, I can't use the `wind scar' because our forces are mixed together, so it's all hand-to-hand…” He dove off the outcropping, and disappeared into a surging, writhing mass of bodies that made me think of a mosh pit. A mosh pit with claws and fangs as well as sweat.

 

I felt something swish over our heads; I reacted, and swatted at it with the spear in my hand…and received a hair rinse that I didn't want to think about. Kagome was spattered, too, and her grey eyes were wide when she looked over at me, blood dripping down my face. She grinned suddenly and leaned over. “Keep your eyes open until you make contact…then close `em so you're not blinded if you get sprayed with something!”

 

I could think of a certain TV hostess-with-the-mostest who would cringe at that piece of advice. File that along with `how to get red wine stains out of linen table cloths'…

 

Smearing sticky raven-youkai internal fluids off my face and wiping my hands on Moto's hakama, I jumped down to grab more ammunition for Kagome; she continued to fire, using arrows from her quiver. Dai came up from the perimeter and stood behind her, a long sword in his clawed hands, watching for ravens. Kagome had managed to pick off at least two dozen so far; and if an arrow was undamaged, it seemed to find its way back up to the outcropping for re-use. I had a momentary, dizzying vision of little demonic ball-boys and -girls, racing between the battling adults, retrieving fallen arrows to return to us.

 

Wimbledon, this ain't, and those weren't tennis racquets. The image in my head made me hesitate just a moment too long. Something whooshed past my head, so close that I instinctively ducked, dropping the arrows as I brought my arm up.

 

Koga stood above me; I could see his tail swishing back and forth about six feet above my head as he balanced lightly on the rock. I grabbed my spear and raced around and up to join Dai and Kagome. They appeared frozen; but I noticed that Kagome had an arrow charged up, and was aiming it at his chest. Koga didn't seem to have a blade in his hand, even though I could see a katana hilt poking out from under his arm.

 

Then I remembered that his claws were the most dangerous part of him. His eyes glittered darkly, and a most unpleasant smirk crossed his features as he slowly raked Kagome up and down. The smirk changed to a snarl when he tore his eyes off of her long enough to notice me beside her.

 

“Well, well…the two bitches of the Western Lands…Kagura obviously fucked up somewhere if you're here, Rin…Take a number…I'll kill you after I'm done gutting that mutt…”

 

“The only death here will be yours, Koga!” Kagome's voice trembled, but held. Her hands barely shook at all. “You want to kill my pups and my mate…I'll never forgive you for even planning to do that, you bastard!”

 

“Now, Kagome, that's no way to address your new mate…if all went as planned, your pups are already dead, and your so-called `mate' is soon to follow…” I heard a sharp intake of breath when he said that. Koga began to stalk forward; Kagome didn't budge, but just calmly drew her bowstring right back to her cheek. I could hear her counting under her breath. The wolf prince crouched, tensing for a spring…and then there was a flare of light, a sizzling sound, a shout…and Koga lay neatly bisected on the rocks, a glowing arrow protruding from his chest, a look of surprise on his face, his intense blue eyes filming over rapidly. Inuyasha stood over the body, his eyes hidden by his bangs, Tetsusaiga's blade glistening red.

 

Déjà vu all over again… I edged over behind Dai, standing back to back with him, and looked up at the stars again, counting slowly until my stomach stopped flipping. Behind me, I heard Kagome whimpering softly, and then Inuyasha's voice gently rumbling. I glanced over. They were wrapped in each other's arms, the rest of the world shut out. I got the distinct feeling that a page had been turned in their lives; I hoped it would be a positive one.

 

Apparently the wolves decided to avenge Koga's demise, instead of retreating in disorder.

 

Bad move, as a retreat might have saved both sides a great deal of misery.

 

The battle, which had paused momentarily at the drama on the rock, rejoined with intensity. The wolves began pushing harder, fighting like creatures deranged, with the result that the perimeter around our position began to shrink as the dogs were forced back. Simultaneously, Dai and I noticed Seiji, Kazu and Jin in difficulties, facing down at least twice their number as they tried not to stumble in the face of the wolves' frenzied attacks. Dai bolted down to reinforce them; I followed.

 

Then Kazu took a spear thrust in the chest, and fell beneath their feet. The boys couldn't do anything to help her, and the wolf that downed her began dragging her into their lines.

 

That icy anger exploded inside me, and I raced down the rocks. My spear suddenly felt just right in my hand; I reached the line, and drove the tip deep into the wolf's chest. Seiji roared, and swung the battle-axe he carried with two hands, taking the wolf through the ribs. I yanked the spear out, ignored the resulting gushing and spewing, and dodged around behind Seiji to protect his unguarded left side. He reached down, gripped Kazu by her armour, and threw her back behind us before swinging to square up to his next opponent. Only then did he seem to register that it was me at his shoulder. “Go back, Lady Rin…get Kazu out of here!”

 

Running to the fallen demon, I got in behind her and locked my arms around her ribs, under her arms, and began dragging her upslope towards Kagome's position. Kazu was damned heavy as a dead weight; I already knew that from hauling her butt home from a few bars, but I'd managed before without so much adrenaline surging through my veins. When I laid her out next to the other casualties, I realized that the damage was in her shoulder, and wasn't likely life-threatening. As I leaned over her, she opened her eyes and regarded me fuzzily. I grinned, and ruffled her bangs. “It's your lucky day, Kazu-chan…you get to see my shining face, and you owe me a beer for saving your ass.”

 

I stood up, spear in hand, and looked around. Another demon had come up to provide backup for Kagome, who was still firing arrows; ravens and wolves were dying like, well, flies, but they seemed to keep coming. Inuyasha's blade was flashing, down in the middle of it all, but as he cleared a space, it would fill again with bodies charging at him. Our perimeter was shrinking a pace at a time… Desperate, I threw a thought into the ether, something along the pithy lines of `Dammit, Sesshomaru…where the hell are you?'…

 

…And on cue, the air cavalry arrived. Hot damn.

 

I knew exactly how a trapped unit felt in the jungles of Vietnam when they heard the distinctive chop-chop-chop of a Huey, loaded and ready for bear, heading towards their position on a rescue mission.

 

The first signs of the tide turning were dark bullets falling out of the stars. Ravens exploded into bloodied balls of feathers, and wolves started screaming as sharp talons drove into their bodies. The hellish sounds grew in volume…

 

…and then Sesshomaru arrived. His eyes were aflame over thoroughly frayed cheek stripes, his white clothing, armour and pelt were thoroughly splattered with dark red, his claws and sword were coated in dripping gore.

 

He was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

 

From a height of around fifty feet, his eyes locked on mine; I flushed, and waggled my spear at him. He seemed to understand whatever it was I signalled, because he nodded. Wiping off his blade on his hakama, he sheathed it, then turned…and became a massive airborne white dog. He was easily twice the size of any other dog on the battlefield. Touching down briefly, shaking the ground, he dropped his massive head to sniff at Koga's corpse, then raised his muzzle and howled…and then in the moment of silence that followed, he charged into where the fighting was thickest.

 

It was sheer butchery that followed. I watched through my fingers, flinching.

 

“Rin! Up here!” Kagome beckoned. From a slightly higher rock, we were able to see the exact moment that the wolves broke and ran. Sesshomaru was easy to pick out, as his size and his glowing coat were rather obvious, but we could also see flashes of silver as Inuyasha helped him mop-up. Another howled command stopped our forces from pursuing the rabble any further.

 

Kagome produced a canteen from somewhere. We both took a long drink, and I rinsed my face with a handful of water. We both nearly fell off the rock we were sitting on at the sound of feathers rustling softly behind us. With matching yells, Kagome and I swung around, arrow flaming and spear pointing…to find a large brown owl blinking sheepishly at us. His silhouette wavered and shrank…and General Tsume looked up at us. Kagome shook her arrow at him.

 

“Sesshomaru wouldn't have been too pleased if I'd purified his best general…”

 

He inclined his head. “It would have been my fault entirely, Lady Kagome…I should know much better than to come up on either of you without announcing my presence.”

 

She `humphed' in response.

 

He cleared his throat. “I also wished to inform you that the attack on the building was successfully beaten off, with very few casualties. There was a car bomb, as Lady Rin guessed, but if it was defused without damage. Master Tai and Mistress Tsuki are safe…” That was as far as he got, before Kagome launched herself at him and hugged him tightly before kissing him on the cheek. He still looked rather dazed when Jin came over to make a report…

 

I noted Seiji crouching next to a still-prone Kazu, and slid down the rock, intending to go to them. I was forestalled when Seiji held out his hand, and she reached up to grab it, and then slowly stood up. She then walked with him over to a group of transformed dogs, and they began chatting as if nothing had happened. I was still goggling, when Kagome elbowed me.

 

“Remember, it's hard to kill them, short of decapitation…and they heal really fast. Kazu's wound mustn't have been too deep, even if it knocked her out for a while. Oh, here come our boys…!” She dashed off to throw herself at a very ratty-looking Inuyasha, who caught her on the fly and swung her around with him. Sesshomaru alighted about ten feet from me, back in human form and cleaning his hands on his bespattered kimono sleeves. He watched Kagome's enthusiastic greeting of her mate…and then looked at me.

 

My first instinct was to follow suit, and fling myself at him, but instead… I froze. That etiquette book would come in really handy about now… I had a very strong feeling that Public Displays of Affection were found on a page entitled Do Not Attempt in large, bolded print. Inuyasha had cleared the room before we said our goodbyes on Monday… my memory banks were inconveniently empty.

 

Fuck the demonic Emily Posts. I wanted a piece of taiyoukai ass.

 

Oh, my. I'd been hanging around Inuyasha and his mouth too much.

 

What the hell…the etiquette books were long-overdue for a re-write anyways.

 

I dropped the spear, and pounced. Sesshomaru obviously had the same idea, because we met halfway, although I was the one nearly taken off my feet by a rush of silver and white. I found myself being held slightly away from his body, while being kissed very, very thoroughly by a very, very intense Sesshomaru. When he finally let me catch my breath, I just stared at him for a moment, then went to throw my arms around him. He held me off, and I thought I'd overstepped some boundary, until I realized he didn't want me skewering myself on his spiky breastplate.

 

Can't you see the headline? “Lady of the Western Lands Meets Her Demise In Passionate Embrace / See Page Three for the Exclusive Story!”

 

A couple of cords were loosened, and Sesshomaru let the sharp bits thud to the ground. His golden eyes darkened as he slid his arms around me, and he kissed me again until I melted into him; then he seemed satisfied, and held me tight while he breathed in the scent of the skin next to my ear. It had to smell better than the leave-in rinse of youkai guts my hair was sporting… After a moment, he pulled away slightly, and brought up a hand to cup my chin. His golden eyes, with their beautifully-etched markings, studied my face carefully.

 

I saw many things in his eyes at that moment, his emotions flickering through the whole gamut of concern, relief, happiness, love. I understood the shades and tints of those eyes, knew I was meant to be with him, knew that he was mine. My mate. I felt like a restraining band had been removed from my heart, and I smiled, reaching up to run my fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck, and pull his lips down to mine. When we broke for air, I pressed my cheek against his stripes, fluttering my eyelashes against his warm skin. “I love you,” I crooned softly, enjoying the feeling of having him near, warm, solid and safe.

 

“Beloved…” His breath sighed over my ear, and I trembled slightly. I tightened my arm around his waist, and took a gentle grip on the back of his neck, pressing myself closer to him and rubbing my cheek against his. I was rewarded by a fine tremour going through his slender frame. I suddenly felt quite daring, and a bit mischievous.

 

“As soon as we get home, I'm personally inspecting you for damage…and I'll gut whoever interrupts me…” I whispered. He snorted lightly, then tilted his head so he could see the sparkle in my eyes, and the blush on my cheeks. A slow smile lifted the corners of his mouth, and reached all the way to his eyes, giving them that molten quality that promised a great deal of pleasurable interaction in the immediate future.

 

“As you wish, Rin…so long as I am permitted to return the favour.” Sesshomaru rubbed the tip of his nose against mine, then suddenly dipped and burrowed his face against my throat, between my skin and the collar of the vest. I felt two deep inhalations…and noticed out of the corner of my eye that Inuyasha and Kagome were watching us intently.

 

Sesshomaru pulled back, looking deeply into my eyes, a wide smile lighting his features. “Aisai, you smell absolutely….”

 

“Please don't say pregnant!” I groaned.

 

“…wonderful.”

 

Inuyasha yelped with laughter. “Geez, Rin, and here I was hoping I'd see you tweak Sesshomaru's ears for reminding you…”

 

That smile still in place, Sesshomaru lowered his lashes for a moment, his gaze fixed on my lips. “My lady can tweak anything she likes, so long as she takes pleasure in it…” then gave me that look, which nearly buckled my knees, and I just had to kiss him again.

 

Somebody cleared their throat behind us, and we both turned and glared at General Tsume. He shuffled his feet a bit. “My lords, and ladies, it nears dawn…we should return to Tokyo. The casualties have been taken care of, and the forces are ready to move out.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded. “Very good, General. Give the necessary orders, and we will meet with you tomorrow evening to review the course of the battle, and plan how to strike back at Kagura before she can regroup.”

 

He tightened his grip on me when I stiffened in shock. “I apologize, beloved; the wind witch escaped us at the end. She left her troops to be slaughtered and fled, like the coward she is. She will not harm you, I swear it.”

 

I met his eyes. “She'll try again, I know she will…especially now, because it would hurt you even more…” His only answer was to clasp me close again, his chin on my shoulder, his hair slipping forward to shield us. After a moment, I stepped back; his hands fell to my hips. I riffled my fingers through his pelt, which was looking rather the worse for wear and felt rather grimy, and then looked up at him with a grin.

 

“You looked like something the cat dragged in, and I can imagine what the raven-gut hair treatment is doing for my scent, so I think its time we went home, danna.”

 

“Can we catch a ride home with you, Sesshomaru? I want to see my babies as soon as possible…” Kagome's voice was sweetly pleading. He extended an elegant hand to her; she took it, smiling broadly, and pulled Inuyasha close to us. I linked my arm through Inuyasha's free one, and then we were all enveloped in light and speeding away from the battlefield, towards the lights of Tokyo and home.