InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Kagome ❯ Chapter Nine ( Chapter 9 )

A/N: I do not own the characters (or their previous incarnations) Takahashi-Sama does, I only play with them (sometimes nice and sometimes mean) and do not receive any kind of financial benefit from doing so. (I smile and nod to earn my bread :P) I do not wish to offend anyone so here is a friendly...

WARNING: MATURE THEME – Profanity, Violence, Adult situations, Sexual Innuendo and Content.

THIS CHAPTER: Rough and tumble graphic gore and violence.

Chapter Nine

“Call off your pets, bitch,” Sesshoumaru commanded, venom in his voice.

Inuyasha followed the demon's gaze as the glowing whip curled back into his hand, leaving only the light of the fully transformed Tetsusaiga to illuminate the scene. Unable to see clearly, he sniffed at the air to find a faint scent radiating above the musk of the beasts below them, coming from high in a tree just beyond his sight. It was the scent of a female youkai, and it was vaguely familiar.

“Why would I do that?” came a low, feminine drawl. “You are trespassing and you know it, dog! This is our territory.”

“The land is Federally protected parkland, no one owns it,” he countered, unemotionally.

“Human illusions... we don't acknowledge their bureaucratic tripe,” she hissed, jumping lightly to a branch on a closer tree, within view. Inuyasha gaped as he recognized this mature Demoness.

“Ayame,” he muttered under his breath, taking in the wild beauty that she had become.

“Ah, the doggie brought a friend, I see...” Then raised her nose to the air, “ and he stinks of hanyou,” a look of distaste marring her features.

“She carries the scent of that asshole,” he remarked under his breath to his companion.

“She would,” and Sesshoumaru nodded toward the female who had tilted her head to the side, leaning forward to get a better look at Inuyasha, exposing an obvious mark of ownership. “She's his mate.”

“That fucker sniffed after Kagome for so long, I guess I just never thought of him as mated.”

“This one can be very patient, hanyou,” came that sultry drawl again. “It was only a matter of time, waiting for that halfbreed to wear the weak little miko out with his quest... and then Koga would see reason, and choose me over that old hag.” The Demoness preened herself, running fingers through her hair, and examining her claws.

“Kagome was NEVER an old hag, you bitch!!” Inuyasha growled angrily.

The pack below them swelled with renewed snarling and snapping, as some tried to get up the trunk of the redwood, at the intruders.

“Oooo, testy one, isn't he, doggie?” Ayame clicked her claws together, calculating.

Inuyasha glanced down, holding Tetsusaiga out like a torch.

“Methinks thou dost protest too much... Hanyou.” Her accent was pure Elizabethan, and yet a low drawl, only the tone could he understand.

“What the fuck did she just say??” He asked, unfamiliar with the language. He spied a limb up and to his right, to which he promptly jumped.

“It's a quote from Shakespeare,” Sesshoumaru replied, not taking his eyes off of the Demoness. “It means your reaction to her comment about the miko was... too strong.”

“What the hells is a Shakespeare??”

“An English poet.... I am surprised you are familiar with the bard, Ayame.” He glanced from the corner of his eye to see Inuyasha's sword raised, then slashed down, effectively severing the branch as he deftly jumped away and back down to rejoin his companion. He watched as it careened down upon the horde of beasts below, wreaking havoc as yelping and howling ensued.

“YOU...”the Demoness snarled, “you are... Inuyasha!” Her tone was accusing, “I knew there was something familiar about you... I... I thought you were dead...” she danced to another limb, widening the distance between them.

“Far from it, bitch...” he snarled, “but you won't be able to say the same, if you don't tell us where Koga is...” and he raised his sword threateningly. The wolves had regrouped and were again snarling and snapping below.

“He is... away,” she maneuvered, as she danced to yet another limb.

“Call off the wolves, Ayame!” Commanded the Inu-youkai.

“Mmm... no... think not,” she glibly responded.

“I don't know about you, Jackass... but I have about had enough of this shit,” Inuyasha hissed.

“Agreed,” came Sesshoumaru's answer. “The monster isn't here, and I don't believe she knows where he is. I could sense her... anxiety... at the question.”

“I can hear you, doggie... whispering does you no good, “ taunted the Demoness.

Sesshoumaru drew Tokojin and nodded to his brother... And they simultaneously jumped twirling in opposite directions down from the tree, cutting into the wall of frenzied wolves that awaited them. Inuyasha swung Tetsusaiga in full circles, dancing through the sea of fangs, as fur and gore rained began to rain them. It seemed as though there was no end to feral mob, as the horde seemed to ebb, and then flow back at them. He desperately wanted to use more advanced technique with the Tetsusaiga, but feared that his elder brother would gut him for damaging this pristine forestland.

In the chaos, a wolf connected with Sesshoumaru's calf, and he quickly sliced downward to decapitate the beast, the fangs still clutching, locked on his leg. They could hear Ayame barking from the trees, issuing orders to her minion to continue the fight. He grimaced and shook the head loose, as he began transformation to his true form.

Ayame, began to panic, and soon she was transformed to her true nature, and the two snarling demons snapped and parried in the air, as Inuyasha saw even more beasts moving in around him.

Where the hells did they get all these wolves??

A loud yelp and low whine reverberated through the forest, and mid swing Inuyasha glanced up to see that Sesshoumaru's form, so like that of their father, had Ayame's throat, fangs deep and blood flowing freely. His distraction allowed a wolf to catch him by the forearm, fangs equally as deep as his brother's were in their mistress's throat. Muscle tore and Inuyasha gasped as he dropped Tetsusaiga, watching with horror as it reverted to the ancient, rusty blade.

“FUCK!” He growled savagely, as he pounded the beast repeatedly with his free fist. A feeling of lost control overwhelmed him, as his eyes bled red, and crimson markings began to appear on his arms and face. Snarling, he plucked the beast off of his arm like it was a flea, and threw it into the wide trunk of a tree, grabbing yet another, before the loud crack of broken bones bounced among the redwoods. He roared, as he plowed through the wolves, one by one tossing them to their deaths.

The one's that were foolish enough to get up, were met with feral claws, and soon Inuyasha was covered in blood, both his own, and that of his enemy. When there were no more, he continued to shred any that were still... whole. He did not stop until the last of them lay small cold pieces.

Sesshoumaru held the throat tightly, tasting the foul blood of the Demoness. His intention was to strike at the heart, and the heart had come right to him, practically begging him to do his worst. And that he did, as he yanked and pulled with all the savagery that had ever been dealt out by this pack of vile creatures. There was no mercy in him as he ripped her throat out, completely, and she fell far to the forest floor, lost in the trees.

Her blood covered his chest., as he coughed and spat the taste from his mouth. Pale morning light had begun filtering through the trees. Divested of his full demonic form, injured, reeking, and covered in blood he made his way back to where he had left the hanyou to fend for himself. He had seen what Inuyasha could do with Tetsusaiga first hand, and knew there would be evidence left of the battle.

What he didn't expect, was the scene that he found.

Braced against a round of burl at the base of an ancient tree, was a shirtless, blood covered hanyou, surrounded by chunks of meat, and swatches of hide. Tetsusaiga lay forgotten some 50 feet away, and Sesshoumaru, finding his own sword, inspected the mess. Not one wolf remained intact while gore was splattered on the trees, and ravens had gathered for a feast, clucking to one another discussing the menu, a few loudly cawing invitations to more. Approaching Inuyasha, cautiously... he saw only faint remainders of the demon marks.

“Uhng,” the hanyou moaned, as he rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand. “Make those fucking birds shut up, would ya?”

“Have a headache, little brother?”

“More like a head throb, and I feel like I'm gonna...” and he leaned over to the side and wretched.

“I see that you didn't need any help here,” commented Sesshoumaru.

“You were a little preoccupied with the bitch...” Inuyasha brought his legs up and stuck his head between his knees. “So what happened? You're a mess...”

Hn... you should see yourself... we have accomplished our task”

“Do we know where Koga is?”

“He will find us, of that this Sesshoumaru is certain.”

“So... you killed her...” Inuyasha looked up at his half-brother.

“We struck at the heart, we will know soon what his intentions are.”

“Uhng.”

“Come, halfbreed,” Sesshoumaru scanned the scene with distaste. “Let's leave this place... we should clean and dress that arm of yours. Get your sword, it's time to go home.”

“Right... um...” and he looked around, unsure. “where is it?”

“Over here,” and his brother led him to the ancient, rusted blade, abandoned on the battlefield. Once it was safely back in it's sheath, they proceeded to retrace their route, back to the waiting limousine.

Taking their injuries and exhaustion into consideration, they made the trek at their ease, and on the way they stopped at the river, to wash away as much of the gore as possible. Inuyasha dunked his head into the water, then shook himself wildly, showering Sesshoumaru with the spray. Scanning the area, he found the boulder where they had crossed the night before. The sun was fully risen, and there was no sign of the carcass that had drawn them in this direction.

“Where's the deer?”

“ELK, halfbreed... it was an elk.”

“Ok, whatever... where the fuck is it??”

“Hard to say...” and Sesshoumaru scanned the area as well. “Perhaps rangers picked it up.”

“This far from the road?”

“Or perhaps scavengers, or poachers...” The demon speculated.

“Hn”

They rested for a while by the river, Sesshoumaru taking the break to share some of his knowledge of the land they were in.

“There are panther, and bear-youkai here, in these woods. Though their numbers have greatly diminished, or so... I have been told,” he glanced toward his brother as he picked up a pine cone, examining it. “The ancient peoples of this region worshiped them, and would hold sacred dances in their honor. They spoke of them as 'Brother Bear' and 'Brother Mountain Cat', often calling on their aid in the hunt. None of them would run from a kill... not ever.” He tossed the pine cone to the side, bringing up one knee and resting his arm on it.

“You've been here a long time, then... eh, Jackass?” Inuyasha peered at the Demon Lord. “This place has gotten into your blood.”

“Hmm... Perhaps,” Sesshoumaru, let his gaze wander to the ancient trees that surrounded them. “I know I feel more at home... here... now.” His half-brothers scrutiny prompted him to elaborate, “the trips to Tokyo were a... diversion, yes...” and he pulled in a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, focusing on the hanyou, “Now that I have finally found you...” and he looked to the sky, “there isn't much reason to return there.”

“Come, halfbreed,” and he rose to continue their trek back to the limousine. Inuyasha rose, and brushed at his legs, joining him.

“So you really weren't kidding,” he vocalized his thoughts, “about coming to find me...”

“This Sesshoumaru is not predisposed to... kidding, “ and he raised a brow at as he glanced sideways at his brother.

“Oi, Jackass... You weren't doing too bad when you picked out that particular shirt for me back in Tokyo!” Inuyasha smirked.

“Hn,” acknowledged the demon. “ I must admit... it seemed... appropriate, considering how you lived your life those last years, after the miko... passed. And after last night, I have no doubt as to how accurate the proclamation is.”

“Uhng,” Inuyasha moaned. “Don't remind me.”

They walked in companionable silence for a short while, each stoically refusing to acknowledge
their injuries, though the demon was noticeably limping. Inuyasha brushed a hand across the deepest of his gouges, the tear on his right arm, as he flexed the muscle he saw that the yellow discoloration of healing had already begun.

“Halfbreed,” Sesshoumaru broke the silence, “What was the last thing that you remember, about last night?”

Inuyasha scratched the back of his head, as he tried to pull the scene to memory. “You had the bitch by the throat, I saw it... then one of the wolves latched onto my arm and I lost my grip on Tetsusaiga. I tried to pull my arm loose... then... I ...blacked out.”

“So, you have no memory after that,” the demon appeared to be having deep thoughts, and Inuyasha's ears drooped noticeably, just before he stumbled on a stone, which drew a curse from him.
He halted, and turned back to pick up the offending rock, tossing it up and catching it in his left hand, as adeptly as he would have in his right.

“I really fuckin' hate it when that happens...” and he threw the rock forcefully at a low growing myrtle tree some distance away, causing a loud THWACK! And startling a flock of sparrows into the air. He stared after the birds for a short time, as his elder brother joined him.

“Kagome was my only real link with that side of myself,” his gaze remained to the distance. “She would always wait, until I was rested... back to myself.... before she would tell me just what horrible thing I had done. She was always so gentle about it, so accepting. She really knew me...she knew my heart...” he looked over at the Demon Lord, fresh tears brimming in his eyes.

Looking at his half-brother's unreadable expression, he snarled, “So now you KNOW!!! ALRIGHT?? Why I couldn't use the Shikon. I make a weak excuse for a human, and an even lousier Demon!! That mess back there??? That kind of mess would just be the BEGINNING!!” And he stalked off in the direction they had been traveling.

Sesshoumaru didn't move at first, taking in the outburst for what it was, frustration and grief.

“Inuyasha...” he spoke softly, and the hanyou stopped at the sound of his name, not looking back. “This Sesshoumaru would have to disagree with that statement,” and he limped to him, placing his hand gently on the younger brother's shoulder for emphasis. Inuyasha's ears came to full attention, as he looked on this demon that seemed to want to be his brother. “The worth of a Youkai is not measured only in his strength. It is also measured by his conscience. Both of these things, little brother, you have... in abundance. It is the control that is vexing you, and it is my belief that we can, together, work on this problem.” Sesshoumaru graced him with a warm, and quite genuine smile.

Inuyasha was again, left speechless, able only to gaze slack jawed at the golden eyes that reflected his own. The bastard is sincere... and for a moment, he felt shame for his distrust. Sesshoumaru stepped back a pace to examine the exhausted, and banged up visage before him.

“How long has it been since you have really slept?” he asked.

This broke Inuyasha's muted trance, and he responded, “You mean besides the naps during the flight?”

“Yes, I mean really slept.”

The hanyou held up a clawed hand, looking at it as he ticked off a count.

“Right... Hmm... about... 500 years,” he replied with a completely straight face. Sesshoumaru grimaced only slightly as he reached his arm about his brother's shoulders, a little more for his own support now, than to comfort, as they continued their walk to the waiting vehicle.

“That joke... is getting old very quickly, halfbreed,” and the edges of his lips twitched upward.
“Let's go home.”

* * *