InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ For The Last Time ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter Dedication: To all those who review my story. Thank you.

I am going to try to update as often as possible on this story for the next few days. I want to get this complete so I can start on my next story which is previewed in my new "collection" Random Scenes.

Explanation: single quotes (‘’) are Beast talk, double quotes (“”) are normal speech.

Disclaimer: I don't own this show. But I do own this story line, what I am going to do to Hojo, and the new characters I have introduced.

For The Last Time

Chapter 13

Previously in For The Last Time...

Tired and frustrated, Kagome backed up before taking off at an all-out run and ramming into the weak spot in the wall. To her surprise and dismay, the wall threw her back and she landed back in her mind. The shock of it all knocked her out, sending her flying a few feet to land on her back. She lay there; hair and clothes soaked with sweat and caked in dirt, completely unconscious.

Sesshoumaru sighed slightly as he stood. She most likely tried to ram the wall. That is not the way to get through. Each person is different and she must find a way to do it that is her own. He walked over to her prone body, kneeling down and gently picking her up. The white dog carried her back to his room, gently placing her in the bed. That is enough training for today. We will pick up tomorrow. He knew his wife well enough to where she would want a bath before she went to bed so he ordered some female servants to change her clothes and clean her up somewhat.

While they were doing that, Sesshoumaru returned to his office, putting the papers in stacks according to importance before blowing out the braziers and closing the door for the day.

oOoOoOoOo

Kagome awoke the next morning with another headache. The first thing that registered in her mind was the warm arm wrapped around her waist and the slow breathing of the Taiyoukai behind her. Turning over to face her husband, the priestess smiled happily as she watched his sleeping face. Bringing one hand up to gently trace his ancestral markings, the young woman leaned in and gently placed a kiss on his lips.

Her eyes opened wider as she felt him respond to the kiss whole-heartedly. The white dog's tongue ran across her lips, asking for entrance into her mouth. She smiled slightly, opening to grant him access. The young woman couldn't help but giggle as their tongues battled for dominance. Sesshoumaru almost always came out as the victor and this time was no different. He pulled his tongue back into his mouth and gently began to knead her lower lip between his fangs.

The priestess groaned at the feeling, slightly painful yet entirely pleasurable. Her hands, which had developed a mind of their own, snaked around his head to twine themselves in his hair. After a few minutes, they broke apart, breathing heavily and faces flushed.

Kagome slid her hands down to his chest, making small circles and following the play of his muscles as he massaged her back. She dropped her head to his shoulder, simply relaxing and enjoying the free massage. Forget massage therapists in the future, I've got a great, free massage here in the past. Mmmm...

"Uggh," she moaned, her headache returning with extreme force. "Good grief, what on earth happened to my head? Did I get hit by a semi-?"

"I will not ask what a semi- is but no, you did not get hit by one," Sesshoumaru replied, a bit of a smirk on his face.

"Well that's comforting to know, but it still doesn't answer what happened to me," the priestess groaned, massaging her temples. Her head was killing her!

"Tell me, what do you remember about yesterday's training?" he questioned, moving his hands to massage her head for her. He sat up, leaning against the headboard and pulling her to sit between his legs as he did his best to soothe her headache.

"Well, you told off Obsydian, took me out of the stuffy dojo and to the arena and tried to get me to break through the wall of my power..." She frowned slightly at this. "You didn't tell me how so I rammed it. Next thing I know, I wake up in your arms." Which isn't unpleasant.

"Hn. It is as you said; you rammed the wall of your power. I had not suspected that you would resort to that," he explained slowly, "as you generally seem to be averse to violence. If I had, I would have warned you that ramming is not the best way to go about it. I did not listen to my father and tried and was unconscious for a few hours afterwards. He, however, had listened to his father and had not attempted it. Needless to say, he was very bemused by my actions." Sesshoumaru scowled for a moment before his features smoothed out once more.

Kagome laughed gently and relaxed a little more in his arms, comfortable to simply be with him in this manner, assured that he would not force the issue of consummation. Now, the young priestess was well aware that the deed would have to be done sometime in the future, but, for now, he did not mention it and neither did she. They had come to an unspoken agreement to let their feelings and relationship develop before they took that particular step.

Her head was feeling better and Kagome was feeling grateful for the relief. "Sesshoumaru," she all but moaned. He grunted in response, not trusting his voice at the moment. "I'll need to go back soon. I'm out of painkillers and low on my...other necessities." She blushed. It was still a little embarrassing to talk about such...private matters with him. "Plus I need to check on Souta and make sure he's still good on groceries and isn't bugging...Stacy too much."

It had been agreed upon in a brief conversation between the couple that they would speak as little as possible about the future around others, not including her former pack. When it came to speaking of the future Obsydian and Kyra, they had decided to use the aliases the females went by in that era. It was a simple understanding, but it took some effort, though, to follow through. Kagome was so used to speaking rather freely about her time with her friends, it was hard not to when she and Kyra had become fairly good friends. There were times when the younger simply itched to spill a little knowledge from the future when the filly would worry about hers and Obsydian's life in the future or their friends in the Americas.

"Hn, I doubt it. She shows a love for children even now, I cannot imagine it dissipating as the years pass on." He shifted behind her, doing his best to hide his growing arousal from her. He didn't want her feeling pressured to finish something she had inadvertently started by something as simple as sitting in his arms. The dog still massaged her temples, though, glad of her talkative nature for once.

The priestess giggled. "Ya, I guess you're right. She really likes Rin and Shippou. Speaking of them, I can hear them in the garden. It sounds like Shippou is trying to teach Obsydian, Kyra and Rin the concept of 'Hide and Go Seek'." She smiled as she titled her head to listen. Apparently, the kit and company had appropriated the East Gardens, the ones placed right below Sesshoumaru's bedroom balcony.

"Now, you guys go hide and I'll count to fifty then I'll find you!"

"Ah, Shippou-kun, Rin wants to be it!"
"Rin, sweetie, you can't count past ten yet."

"Oh, Kyra, shut your trap and let the kid have her fun. I'll tell you what Rin, you can be it next time."

"But that's not how the game works!"

"Really? How does it work Shippou?"

"Well, Kyra, I'm glad you asked. You see..."

Sesshoumaru’s smile was brief and fleeting, but completely genuine.

Kagome saw and smiled her own 110 watt smile. Leaning her head back and lifting herself up slightly, she placed a kiss on his cheek before moving to get ready for the day. She shifted to the edge of the bed and tried to stand, only to nearly collapse as her knees buckled. She would have hit the floor if Sesshoumaru had not been fast enough to catch her. He stood with her in his arms, her own wrapped about his neck.

He frowned slightly when he felt the fine tremors run through her still-exhausted body. “Where do you think you are going?” he all but scolded. “Your body is still exhausted and weak from your ordeal yesterday. You should not be moving about.”

The young woman scowled fiercely. “Oh yeah? Well then, Mr. I-know-everything-there-is-to-know-about-everything, what do you suggest I do for the day? I certainly do not plan on staying in bed, even if I can’t train.” Which is a rather welcome relief.

Sesshoumaru scowled in return. “Whatever you do, you should take it easy. I will not allow you to strain yourself simply because of your stubborn pride,” he all but growled. He looked at the hurt that was beginning to show in her eyes before she tore her gaze away from his. The sudden tingling in his nose told the Taiyoukai of her impending tears. The white dog sighed slightly. Seating himself back on the bed, he cradled her in his arms while gently nuzzling her temple. “Do not cry,” he nearly whimpered. “This Sesshoumaru is merely concerned for your health.”

Her sniffling was killing his heart and his beast was anxious to reassure his female. Give into her request! Take her anywhere she wants to go but don’t let her remain angry with us!! it whined. Sesshoumaru planted a soft kiss on her jaw, then another a short distance from it. Slowly, he kissed his way to her mouth where he gently took her lips in his. A reassuring, rumbling growl formed in his chest, leaking out and vibrating the female in his arms.

“I am sorry,” the white dog whispered, leaning close to the miko’s ear. He increased the volume on his soothing croon, hugging her small form closer to his own.

Sesshoumaru was immensely relieved when she turned in his arms, wrapping her own about his neck and hugging him lightly. “I forgive you,” she whispered in return. “Just, please, don’t make me stay in the room all day. I’d go crazy. Can you help me get ready and take me to the gardens? I’d very much appreciate it.” The little priestess smiled brightly up at him, begging him with her eyes and every unconscious movement she made.

“As you wish, little miko. If you desire to see the gardens you have seen every day, several times a day, since your arrival, then so be it.” He smirked at her frown. “Now, what is it you wish to wear today?”

“Um, I was kind of hoping you’d let me go with my jeans and a t-shirt. I really don’t feel like dressing up today, it’s hot outside.

The Taiyoukai eyed the little female in his arms warily. “What t-shirt do you wish to wear?” he asked, suspicious of her motives. Her grin did nothing to alleviate his sudden nerves.

“Oh,” she replied flippantly, “you’ll see.”

Twenty minutes later, Sesshoumaru exited the final door that led to the gardens, a giggling Kagome in his arms. She was dressed in a faded pair of blue jeans, flip flops and a form-fitting black t-shirt with the words “Bite Me” written in red across her chest. Sesshoumaru had readily informed her that he would gladly do so if asked. This statement sent Kagome into extreme blushing mode; her face was nearly as red as the writing on her shirt.

She had pulled her hair back into a ponytail, saying she felt too lazy to do anything special with it. Her husband didn’t mind, it showed off more of her neck to him and boy did he love to look at her neck!

The Taiyoukai set them both down on a garden bench, making sure his wife was secure before removing his arms completely.

Kagome settled into the stone seat with a contented sigh, happy to finally be doing something other than training. She watched with a broad smile as Shippou did his absolute best to impart the knowledge of the game of “Tag” to his playmates.

“So,” Rin asked slowly, “we just run around and hit somebody on the shoulder and yell ‘tag’?”

“Tag!” Obsydian shouted, slapping Kyra hard on the back and running off.

“Why you!” Kyra growled rather impressively for a horse. “Get back here you little twerp! Oops, my bad! You’re not so ‘little’ anymore!”

“Hey!” Obsydian shouted indignantly. “Take that back!” She kept running, though.

“Not until you get back here! Coward!”

That was the last straw. Obsydian abruptly stopped, turning on her heel to throw a baleful glare at the horse. “Call me ‘coward’ one more time,” she warned, gritting her teeth.

“Cow–” However, Kyra was unable to finish her defamation because of Shippou suddenly landing on her shoulder and clamping both of his little hands over her mouth.

“That’s not how the game is played either!” he whined, hands still locked over the filly’s mouth. “You don’t get ugly at each other, and that’s not how you decide who is it!”

The chestnut horse sighed through her nostrils, gently removing the kit’s paws and gathering him in her arms. She whuffed softly in his hair, willing him to calm down.

“Alright, Shippou, how do you play the game and decide who is ‘it’?” Kyra asked in a soothing tone.

The red fox sniffled slightly, wiping his hand under his nose before continuing. “You decide who is it by somebody volunteering or by whoever says ‘not it’ last. When it is decided, everyone takes off running and the person who is ‘it’ tries to catch somebody. The first person they catch is the next one to be ‘it.’ They yell ‘Tag! You’re it!’ when they touch them. Then that person chases somebody and tags them and so on until you feel like stopping.”

The filly smiled indulgently at the young youkai in her arms. “Is that it?” At his nod, she looked up. “Anyone willing to be it?” When no one volunteered, she set Shippou on the ground and waited until he nodded again before shouting: “Not it!”

A quick chorus of “not it” s echoed before it was finally decided Obsydian was it. It was mutually agreed upon that the youkai would slow their speed in fairness to the human girl in their midst. Nobody really minded of course.

Kagome smiled as she leaned against her husband, watching her adopted son and daughter play with the other two youkai. The morning dragged on as Sesshoumaru kept watch over his impromptu pack.

At this point, the priestess had seated herself on the ground, leaning against the Taiyoukai’s leg while teaching Rin “patty-cake.” Both females smiled and laughed as the game advanced. They even conned Sesshoumaru into giving Rin “piggy-back” rides and “horsey” rides on his shin (much to his embarrassment when he caught the faint sound of his guards snickering).

A sudden ruckus sounded outside the gate, alerting the adults within the garden to possible intruders. The dogs took a sample scent in the air, the elder of the two curling his lip in anger and disbelief.

Impossible! he snarled mentally. I killed the wretch myself! How is it that his scent is on whatever is outside the gates?!

However, when a miko’s aura flared, one that did not belong to his miko, he noticed the true strength of the despised scent. True, it wafted off the priestess in revolting waves but it was not as strong as it would have been if the hanyou had been present.

He stood, placing his daughter and wife on the stone bench and moving to stand in front of them.

Kyra quickly dumped the kit next to his adoptive mother and stood to the right of Sesshoumaru while Obsydian took up a stance on his left. Together, the three created a nearly impenetrable triangle of defense.

The destruction of the gates heralded the arrival of the undead priestess and several lower class youkai. Shouts of rage rang across the gardens as guards were seen battling the horde and doing their best to protect their Lord and Lady. Some of them were felled but the majority of the fallen were on the attacker’s side.

A few breached the barrier of the guards and rushed the small group. Before they got even remotely close, the lord of the castle struck out with his whip and destroyed them. However, there were more to take the dead’s place. They continued their rush in a murderous onslaught, death and destruction visible in their eyes.

This time, Obsydian and Kyra stepped forward, attacking their foes while defending their friends. They were surprised when they heard Kagome’s voice ring out.

“Duck!” she called.

They couldn’t see why she wanted them to duck but their knowledge of each other prompted them to do so. Just in time, too, as several orbs charged with pure energy flew past them and landed in the torsos, legs and faces of the advancing demons. A moment later, all who had been touched by the orbs exploded, raining body parts and gore everywhere. Those close to the explosion where also injured or killed, depending on their proximity to their former comrades.

The two friends quickly regained their footing, dodging the miko’s attacks while slowly advancing through the demonic horde. Their target was the apparent leader of the small force: the undead miko. The horse and dog pitied no one and any who got in their path were killed, and several who didn’t get in their path but were unlucky enough to be spotted by them.

Sesshoumaru remained by his wife’s side while continuing to attack those that made it past his cousin and her friend. All around him youkai were falling, due either to his poisonous whip or Kagome’s exploding spiritual orbs. He kept all his senses stretched out around him, keyed to Rin’s, Shippou’s and Kagome’s heart and breathing rates, the cries of his guards and the progress of his cousin.

Just as suddenly as the attack began, it stopped. The remaining demons turned and fled in a pell-mell fashion, not bothering to watch out for each other or the attacks of the guards. Those who fell were quickly trampled and left behind for the owner’s of the castle to do with as he pleased.

Looking up, Kagome found the reason why. Kikyou, for it was so obviously Kikyou, had been wounded. Although she did not bleed, some of the dead souls that sustained her false life were fleeing through a vicious wound in her chest, one that would have been fatal to a normal human. Her eyes no longer glowed the savage red they had upon arrival, meaning the spell over the demons had been released. She looked down in shock and disbelief at the gaping hole in her chest. Her sudden cry of anger and sorrow had Obsydian, who had caused the wound, and Kyra to jump back several feet and prepare for an onslaught of priestess energy.

However, they were not expecting the sudden appearance of the undead’s shindimachu. The eerie, little worms wrapped around their mistress and began to lift her into the air and towards the safety of the hidden lair. There, her wounds could be repaired and more souls given to her.

Obsidian growled and jumped, swiping at the foul creatures with her claws. She managed to strike one, but not with enough for to cause any true damage. Forced to stand and watch as their enemy was lifted into the air, Kagome and her family were righteously peeved.

However, Sesshoumaru’s anger quickly faded and was replaced with worry when Kagome suddenly slumped back against the stone bench. In an instant, he was by her side, carefully checking her over for any wounds.

“I’m fine, Sesshoumaru,” she managed to breathe out. “Just exhausted is all.” The young woman swatted away his ever-worrying hands, annoyed that he had no simply let her be. “Honestly, I’m fine. I just need to rest a bit then I’ll be back to normal.” She scowled when he still didn’t completely back off. “Do I need to get a rosary for you to?! Because, if so, I know Inuyasha will be more than happy to help!”

“Quiet your tongue, woman,” Sesshoumaru commanded, not at all phased by her threats. “Now, if it is rest you so desire, then rest you will get.” Effortlessly he scooped her up in his arms. Carrying her bridal style through the garden, he delicately picked his way through the field of fallen bodies until he came to the first of many doors that led to their room. He readjusted his hold on her to open the door before striding through like he owned the place (which he did).

In the span of a few short minutes, they had reached their room. This time, the servants had been expecting him and the door stood open, waiting for their entry. He walked through and shut the door behind him with a swift motion of his foot. Crossing the expansive floor, he gently placed her in the oversized bed before covering her up in a cool sheet. “Now, rest while I take care of things outside,” Sesshoumaru said softly.

“But-” Her attempts at protest were silenced by a single clawed finger across her lips.

“No ‘buts’. You will remain here until it is deemed safe. Understood?”

Kagome glared at him but decided she was too tired to care. “Fine, whatever. I’ll be good.”

“Good.” She merely glared again, the force doubled this time, until he had turned his back. Once he was no longer watching her, she flipped him off. “Miko, I suggest you put your finger down before you lose it in an…accident.”

“But-how–what? Oh forget it. Just go.”

OoOoOoOo

You know the drill! On to the muse!!

OoOoOoOo

FL: So tell me, where is Dreamish?

Sess: evil/scared look on his face Yes, Little Brother, do tell.

Inu: flattens his ears; looks desperate; suddenly comes up with an idea I promised I wouldn’t tell!

Sesshoumaru looks slightly relieved

FL: Oh really? Then I guess you don’t care that she’s the one who pushed Kikyou into the whole Sesshoumaru dug?

Inu: looks shocked No! She told me Kagome did it!

Kags: suddenly appears out of the well and stomps over to him; taps her fingers angrily on her arm Oh really what else did that low down little wench tell you?!

Inu: really, really scared Uh…that you seemed rather bratty and stuck up. And that Kikyou was better than you! Cowers Don’t hurt me!

Kags: turns red in the face Why that…

FL: back in her human form Okay! Before Kagome starts cursing a blue streak that would make a sailor blush, let’s end this muse with a question that I want all of your opinions on. Okay? Okay. Now, if we go by my book, then there are five chapters and an epilogue left. However, all of them would be short chapters like this. So, the question is: do you want me to combine every other chapter to make it three chapters left? That would mean no epilogue but, what would have been an epilogue would be the second half of a chapter. It would also mean that we’d get done with this story twice as fast.

Sess: dryly Which apparently she is very eager to do. She wants to start her newest form of torture on me.

FL: rolls her eyes Oh shut up will you? It’s only another story, Brothers Then and Now. It’s even been previewed in my collection “Random Scenes”! So quit your bellyaching. It presents you in a much nicer light than this one started out with and a helluva nicer light than many people paint you in. Plus, I’d even bet you’d like it. So there! sticks her tongue out at Sess

Sesshoumaru grabs FL’s tongue

FL: in a panicked voice Mmm!! Mmphh!! Mmfffmpph!!

Sess: Well, readers and reviewers, leave your vote. She even accepts anonymous reviews, which is more than some do. Ja ne.

Kagome is still fuming about what Dreamish said. Inuyasha is cowering in the dirt. FL’s tongue is still held captive by Sesshoumaru.