InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Misplaced Lady ( Chapter 21 )

A/N: And here is the other half. A little short, yeah, but it's just the other half. I just noticed, I'm over 1,000 reviews! You guys ROCK! Oh, and Lyn Green Tea, you're so awesome. How many months now? You're nuts.

 

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Shippou and Yuriko stood outside of the door, staring in horror at the scene in front of them. A youkai had an unresisting Katsuro with a dagger at his throat, watching as violent power swirled around Kagome and Sesshomaru.

 

Evidently the stranger had seen enough. Shoving Katsuro into the inferno that still raged around the couple, he bolted for the door.

 

Even through the haze Kagome could see her son falling into the chaos, could hear him cry out and disappear in the storm.

 

`No!' The two minds cried out in unison as they saw their son fall, unable to stop the destruction.

 

“No! Katsuro!” Shippou struggled against Yuriko, trying to push his way into the room that was a storm of energy.

 

“Stop it, Shippou!” It was almost more then Yuriko could handle, to see Katsuro disappear in burst of spiritual energy and to hold Shippou back from the same fate. “You would be purified out of existence! It would not do any good for you to die!”

 

“Let me go! Katsuro!”

 

“Not this time.” Kagome and Sesshomaru spoke in an eerie unison, both pairs of eyes open, aware, and locked on the fleeing Takanou. A barrier blocked the youkai's escape, and he slowly turned to look at the source of the storm.

 

The hawk realized what was coming, and instinct took over.

 

“Run!” Yuriko shoved Shippou hard, forcing him to flee as the combined power in the room flared. “They are going to destroy everything!”

 

As they ran the building behind them went incandescent, then exploded. Debris sprayed everywhere, knocking the fleeing pair to the ground.

 

Shippou sat up slowly, shaking his head. “Kagome? Katsuro?”

 

Kagome was being held up by Sesshomaru, standing in the epicenter of the destruction. Fury spent, the storm had faded to nothing and left the miko and her mate exhausted.

 

“Katsuro.” Shippou broke away from Yuriko and ran through the rubble.

 

There was nothing left of Takanou but some ash, and Kagome could not force herself to look for what was left of her son. She stayed against her mate, unable to even force her eyes back open. `I killed him. I killed him.'

 

`You did nothing of the sort.'

 

`I did. He died because of my spiritual powers. Your youki didn't kill him.'

 

Sesshomaru tightened his grip around Kagome. `The healer harmed him, not you.'

 

`But . . . `

 

`No. You did not kill him. The healer unleashed a power he could not control, and sacrificed Katsuro to escape.'

 

Slowly, the miko lifted her head to look up at the taiyoukai. `I can still hear you.'

 

`Another trip to Bokusenou may be in order. And do not give up on your son so easily.'

 

“Katsuro! Where are you? Katsuro!”

 

Shippou followed his nose through the debris, shoving the remains of the building away. Underneath he found a badly burned, very still hanyou.

 

“Wake up! Say something!” Shippou grabbed his friend by the shoulders and gave him a hard shake.

 

“This is the lousiest day I've ever had.” Katsuro's voice was a croak as he blinked slowly, his eyes unfocused. “And quit that.”

 

“You're alive! Do you know who I am?”

 

“From the smell and annoying voice it's got to be Shippou.”

 

“Hey!” The kitsune dropped his friend none too gently. “You're looking right at me!”

 

“Doesn't mean I can see you. Or much of anything else.”

 

“Katsuro!” Kagome flattened her son, hugging him as tightly as she could. “How? It's impossible! You should've been purified!”

 

“It sure felt like I was. I'm still feeling pretty singed. Ow.” Katsuro ran a hand over his own face, flinching at the burns he found. “I guess having a miko for a mother has its benefits.”

 

“Unless of course she loses control while her son is in the room and almost kills him. I wish there was enough left of Takanou to bring him back and kill him again for this!”

 

“Mama, don't. Really. I'm the baka that let him throw that in my face and make me helpless. It wasn't just being blind, something in it confused me so much I couldn't really fight. The good news is that when you blew up the building you fixed that little problem. I'm not confused anymore. Singed, but not confused.”

 

Kagome let go and sat up to wave a hand in front of her son's face. “But you still can't see?”

 

“Not a damn thing. What did he use on me?”

 

“You will heal.” Sesshomaru knelt down to peer at his son's eyes. “It will be a few days.”

 

“Days? Oh, I hope Ki-chan doesn't come back until this is over.” Katsuro sat up slowly, his ears swiveling. “Yuriko?”

 

“Right here.” The little hawk moved closer.

 

“What's going on with your father out front?”

 

“Papa!”

 

----

 

A building exploded, the bright glow making the complex as clear as day.

 

All three of Merkamou's opponents turned to stare in wonder at the show of power.

 

“Baka.”

 

A punch dropped one to the ground, while the other two were blasted away by a wall of wind. A sword flashed into existence, finishing the downed dragon before turning to face his partners. “What kind of a warrior is distracted by a flash of light?”

 

“Flash of light? You did not sense what that was?” The dragons stood a short distance away, watching both the taiyoukai and the now dark complex.

 

“It would seem Sesshomaru-sama has freed Kagome-sama. You may wish to flee now.”

 

The dragons hesitated. “Do not be ridiculous. We will not run from a ningen.”

 

“It is your funeral.”

 

The two dragons transformed, catching Merkamou off guard. `Damn, I did not think they were strong enough to transform.' When they blasted the area with poison he flashed away, taking to the sky for refuge. Once clear of the toxic gas he changed to his hawk form and screamed a challenge.

 

His opponents took the offer, chasing him through the nighttime sky.

 

`Ingenious, Merkamou. Two dragons chasing you and not a soul to fly in and assist. Very clever. Since I am not in the mood to be poisoned today I will need to do this carefully.' The hawk spun to blast fire at his opponents. The dragons swerved away, but showed no signs of retreating. They split up to circle around the hawk, trying to trap him.

 

`Youngsters always think they are so clever.' The sharp gold eyes tracked a streak of white. `They will never see this coming.'

 

Lightening ripped across the sky, hitting one of the dragons in the side. Howling, it dropped to earth.

 

A second bolt completely missed the remaining dragon and instead sent Merkamou fluttering backwards. An undignified screech was shot at the older taiyoukai.

 

“This is not exactly something that can be done with complete accuracy, Merkamou-sama.” Mayu was not successful in hiding her smile. “I suggest you get out of the way. You can never be too sure where lightening will hit.”

 

Still hissing, the hawk dove away so that there was some distance between himself and Mayu's prey. The sky lit up as Mayu called more lightening down, this time hitting her target. The dragon snarled and dropped closer to the ground, but refused to accept defeat. Merkamou circled in closer to try and convince the dragon with a blast of flame.

 

The dragon tried to make a break for it, but Merkamou was having none of that and chased him down. Another blast of flames herded the dragon back towards Mayu, who was impatiently waiting for her partner to get out of the way. “If you wish to keep your fancy feathers unharmed, MOVE!”

 

----

 

Kagome started snickering when she topped the wall around the lord's home and heard Mayu's yell. The leopard had her best mother's voice in use, and Merkamou did an effective eye roll even as a hawk. Of course, the two taiyoukai had never gotten along. Mayu thought the hawk was rude and brash, while Merkamou called Mayu a `nosy know-it-all'. Even this much cooperation amazed the miko.

 

“What are they doing?” Katsuro's ears moved constantly as he tried to discover what he could not see.

 

“Oh, not much. Just arguing over who gets to kill the last dragon.” Kagome bit her lip to stop laughing, but it just didn't work.

 

“Second to last.” Sesshomaru gestured to the downed dragon that was moving again. “I would expect Merkamou to forget a downed opponent, but it is surprising in Mayu.”

 

“She's too busy arguing with Merkamou.” Kagome glanced around. “Yuriko-chan, can you see any bows around?”

 

“I believe so.” Yuriko handed Katsuro off to Shippou and whistled for Ah-Un. The dragon left off harassing the remaining ningen forces to race over and catch Yuriko as she dropped off the wall. The pair swooped down on a small group of archers that were distracted by the battle outside of their walls. There were some yelps of protest as a bow and quiver were snatched away and delivered to the waiting miko.

 

“Arigato, Yuriko-chan!” An arrow was quickly nocked, aiming at the forgotten dragon that was now on his feet. “Mayu-sama, move!”

 

----

 

The sound of Kagome's voice giving an order made Mayu swivel around to stare. Her eyes locked on the dragon that was now looming over her, her every muscle going tight. A flash of pink was her warning and sent her running for cover. The arrow hit its target and a pink glow spread over its body as it howled and thrashed.

 

Merkamou attacked the still air borne dragon while it was distracted, driving it down to the ground. The howls stopped as a final flash of lightening lit up the sky, finishing off all of the youkai except for the hawk's prey.

 

“Stay here.” Sesshomaru gave Kagome a look that was not meant to be argued with and dropped to the ground.

 

“Bastard.” Kagome folded her arms and glared.

 

Merkamou was still mantling over his prey, glaring at the taiyoukai that was approaching.

 

“Merkamou-sama.”

 

The hawk stared for a moment longer before backing away from the dragon and transforming to his usual form.

 

“There is no point in questioning him.” Mayu came up from the other side, glaring at the dragon. “I already know why they are here and who they answer to.”

 

“Hn.”

 

“Go ahead and kill me, dog. Your time is at an end.” The weakened dragon had transformed to his smaller form, but continued to glare at Sesshomaru.

 

“They are from some lord in the East who is trying to take over.” Mayu already looked bored, her attention back on the focus of the rescue mission. “I take it that Kagome-sama is fine?”

 

“My daughter and her mate have already gone to the East. Your lord's attempt has failed.” Sesshomaru took the dragon's suggestion and finished him with one stroke from Tokijin.

 

“Mate? When did that happen?” Mayu whipped her head back around to stare at the inu-youkai.

 

“They were not mated when they left, were they?” Merkamou tapped a talon against his lips. “I may not have the nose that the dogs do, but it is usually quite easy to tell a mated pair.”

 

“I certainly did not think they were mated. You would think someone would tell me that my grandson has taken a mate. Why am I the last to know?”

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, when did this happen?”

 

“It has not happened yet.” Sheathing Tokijin, Sesshomaru stalked away to retrieve his mate and son.

 

“If it was anyone but Sesshomaru, I would fear for his life if Mizuki-san ever found out about that.” Merkamou swept a look around the complex, quiet now as the ningens hid inside. “Now that we have recovered the misplaced Lady, what is the plan?”

 

“We go to the East. I will not stand by as my son's lands are stolen.” The leopard tapped her foot impatiently. “This Tsuki creature is a bother and needs to be taken care of.”

 

“Agreed, but we need to drop Katsuro off at the exterminator's village.” Kagome walked over to the group and grabbed onto Katsuro's sleeve before he bumped into his father. “He had a little run in with a psychotic former healer.”

 

“Mama, could you stop jerking me around? There's nothing wrong with my ears.” Said ears were pinned flat against the hanyou's head as he glared in the general direction of his mother.

 

“Oh, Katsuro.” Mayu pulled his face around so she could examine him. “Nasty little concoction, I can still smell it on him. We must take him somewhere safe.”

 

“Still not deaf, still standing right here.”

 

Kagome freed her son from the well meaning taiyoukai. “We'll split up, send some back to the village with Katsuro and some can go East. I'm going after Mizuki-chan, so that means Sesshomaru is going.”

 

“I am going, too.” Mayu took two aggressive steps, then fainted dead away.

 

“Damn it all!” Merkamou caught Mayu for the second time in as many days.

 

“She has pushed herself too hard again. I do not think she has recovered from yesterday, and here she is in battle again. Let's get her onto Ah-Un.” Yuriko took Mayu's other arm. “With any luck she will not wake until she is safe with Hideaki-sama.”

 

“Yuriko-chan, can you and Shippou take these two back? I would like to assist Sesshomaru-sama and Kagome-sama.” Merkamou secured Mayu as best he could to the two-headed dragon.

 

“Hai, Papa.” Looking suitably disgruntled, Yuriko took Katsuro's arm. “Let's get this one loaded.”

 

“Still not deaf!”

 

“Fine, fine, Katsuro. You're not deaf.” Shippou took over for Yuriko as the hanyou in question dug in his heels and refused to move. “Just get on Ah-Un so we can get you to a healer before your sister gets home.”

 

Katsuro had no problem sniffing out Ah-Un and climbing on without disrupting Mayu.

 

“Knew that would get him. We'll tell everyone at the village where you are, and we may even be able to send some more help.”

 

“Be careful, you guys.” Kagome sagged against Sesshomaru as she watched the party heading back to the village. `I hope they'll be okay. Yuriko and Shippou can take care of everything, right? Right.'

 

`They will be fine.'

 

“Hey! Knock that off, you . . . you . . . you . . . eavesdropper!” Kagome whirled around to glare at her mate.

 

“Then stop thinking while touching me.”

 

“It's going to take a while until I get used to this one. In the mean time, keep your mind to it's self!”

 

“I take it that you two had more of an adventure then you planned on?” Merkamou looked positively delighted with the squabbling pair.

 

A threatening index finger was waved at Merkamou. “Don't start with me, trouble maker. I've got enough to deal with already.”

 

“Very true. The heavens alone know what Mizuki-san and Seiji-san have walked into.”

 

----

 

“This is the most foolish plan I have ever participated in.”

 

Mizuki was hidden in the brush with Seiji, watching the home of the Lord and Lady of the East.

 

“You did not wish to try my plan.” The dragon glanced at his partner out of the corner of his eye.

 

“Having me seduce the guards into opening the gate was not foolish, it was absurd in the extreme. I prefer foolish.”

 

“Come now, Mizuki-san. Just flash them a come hither look with . . . “

 

“You would do well to not finish that statement.”

 

“Perhaps it would be more effective if you would not size everyone up as though they are prey.”

 

Mizuki resorted to a tactic that worked well with her brother. She smacked Seiji in the back of the head.

 

“So I take it that we are proceeding as we had originally discussed?”

 

“Hai.”

 

“Then I will go and initiate our foolish plan. And Mizuki-san, one last thing.”

 

“What is that, Seiji-san?”

 

“Do not die.”

 

Mizuki swallowed hard. “And why not?”

 

“I shudder to think what my parents may suggest should you need to be replaced.”

 

The sapphire eyes narrowed even as a small smile tugged at her lips. “Seiji-san?”

 

“Hai, Mizuki-san.”

 

“Nobody is allowed to kill you but me. Understood?”

 

Seiji echoed her smile. “Understood, Commander.”

 

“I am serious.”

 

Leaning in close enough to ruffle her hair with his breath, he whispered. “Be careful, Mizuki.”

 

Mizuki's eyes slipped shut as she clenched her hands into fists, trying to ignore the way her heart had accelerated.

 

“Good luck, Seiji.”