InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Healing a TaiYoukai ❯ Chapter Ten ( Chapter 10 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: MuteAngel 
Kagome faces another trial and finds out something concerning her and Sesshoumaru. Naraku makes his grand entrance and so does Sesshoumaru's group ^_^!
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Drama / Hentai / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 05.23.2008 | Pages: 6 | Words: 9.0K | Visits: 1.7K | Status: Work In Progress
Kagome faces another trial and finds out something concerning her and Sesshoumaru. Naraku makes his grand entrance and so does Sesshoumaru's group ^_^!
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Drama / Hentai / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 05.23.2008 | Pages: 6 | Words: 9.0K | Visits: 1.7K | Status: Work In Progress
Healing a Taiyoukai
-By: MuteShadow
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Disclaime r: I, MuteShadow, do not own InuYasha. Any InuYasha related items are strictly owned by Rumiko Takahashi and her producers/lawyers.
Author's Note: This fanfiction was originally written by SilentAngel [Selena Bervaidous]. The plot, ideas and story belong to her.
WARNING: Sexual Situations (Lemons, Lime etc...), Language, Gore/Violence and angst.
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Well here is the next chapter. A lot is exposed in this chapter and it is very emotional (at least in my opinion). I hope everyone enjoys it.
Read, Rate and Review;
-MuteShadow
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Chapter Ten
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She walked for what seemed to be an eternity however the black shadows continued to stretch on beyond her, consistently teasing the young priestess with their never-ceasing darkness. Kagome looked around her; misery grasping her and her little bit of hope, and sighed. This was hopeless. She had been walking around this hell-ridden black hole for what felt like a hundred life times and there had been no sign of any glimmer of improvement or, in the smaller case, light. The only light provided was the curious pink aura of chakra around her body and that didn't really give her much of a perception of her surroundings.
She ran a hand through her long hair, chewing her bottom lip. The Kikyou incident had more then startled her... to be honest it had scared the shit out of her and was now the cause of her nervous glances and slight trembling. She knew the appearance of the miko was a very bad omen. Her soul had been damaged and had turned inwards on itself. With that dangerous action, all of her inner fears and pains had been released like the demons in Pandora's box and were now lurking in the shadows, waiting to prey on and test their helpless victim twice-fold.
Kagome stiffened when she heard scuffling to her left. She swiftly turned and stared at the still-persistent darkness. She licked her lips and clenched her fists. Her body was shaking now. What lurked in the dark ready to test her cruelly as the Kikyou shadow had done? The sound of footsteps alerted her wandering mind. Perking up and straining her weak eyes, Kagome felt her gut begin to twist and roll rather uncomfortably as the anonymous person continued forward. A figure placed one red hakama leg out of the shadows and stalled. They seemed hesitant.
"Who's there?" Kagome shouted, staring at the bare clawed foot.
She stared at that familiar leg and foot and felt her heart drop. She knew who her next rival was. And it was probably the worst confrontation she could endure. Her sapphire eyes gathered tears and she bowed her head forward. Her body shook like a leaf in the autumn wind and she found her body had dropped several degrees. Suddenly it was hard to swallow. It seemed as if a nugget of ridiculous stature had lodged itself in her throat. She raised her hesitant eyes and watched the figure of InuYasha appear from the dark.
"InuYasha." she whispered.
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"Ungh... InuYasha...." Kagome mumbled, alarming her taiyoukai guard-dog.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes hardened when the name of the half-breed moron passed the girl's lips. His face remained blank but inwards his anger was uncoiling like a serpent in his chest. Kaede kneeled across from Sesshoumaru and carefully examined his response. She noted his face remained impassive but the intensified coldness in his amber-gold eyes was noticeable. The chilly aura around the demon held a bitter nip to its already chilling degree. Sesshoumaru looked blankly at the girl, his beautiful face stony, his mind filled with thoughts he would have preferred not to have.
"She is being faced with the worst of her pains." Kaede stated.
Sesshoumaru coolly glanced at the older priestess. "The half-breed?" he murmured, his soft voice cold and not attempting to disguise his disgust and contempt for the half-breed.
Kaede nodded. "InuYasha and Kagome have had a long path. One filled with many trials and many lessons only young love can discover." She looked at the silent youkai. "She has been hurt many times by the boy though he did not intend to do so unto her. She loves him. He loves her. But their stars are not aligned in such a joining. Nay, Kagome and InuYasha's fates are not to be romantically linked."
Kaede smiled softly.
"However, it is a bond strong enough to with stall all that has been thrown into their paths. It is a bond no enemy or force can divide."
Sesshoumaru absorbed the priestess' double-edged words. He cast a chilly glare at her. "This Sesshoumaru does not care for bonds. Bonds are for weak individuals who can not support themselves and need the strength of others to survive."
Kaede raised a brow at the youkai. Her aged face took on a grim smile. "For some that is the case, Sesshoumaru-sama. But for people like Kagome and InuYasha, their strength comes from love and the need to protect those they care about. InuYasha's strength branches from his love for Kagome and she for him. They have over-come anything thrown in their paths. Ye should know the extent of such a powerful bond. Did ye not see it in play when Kagome saved ye from the Kaze no Kizu?"
Sesshoumaru remained indifferent. "A bond was created between the miko and I without my knowledge. She performed the blood bond to save this Sesshoumaru's life." He reluctantly said. He glanced at the shocked old woman from the corner of his golden eye. "I do not believe the priestess and I would be as we are now if it were not for the blood bond."
Kaede absorbed this, confused. She looked at Kagome and sighed. How kind she was and so naive. Did she not know the repercussions of her bond with the taiyoukai? She looked at demon and noticed his claw rested on his knee that was but two inches from Kagome's prone body. The priestess shook her head. This was all becoming too confusing. The blood bond, the shouheki no ai and the hint of an actual sense of caring by Sesshoumaru towards Kagome were indeed mystifying.
"The blood bond indeed causes a certain degree of tie between the two individuals, Sesshoumaru-sama. It allows the two people to be more aware of each other physically. They know when one is far away or close. They know each other's strengths and weaknesses. However," she stared directly into his stony angelic face. "It does not create emotional ties."
The elder miko clenched her jaw. She would not allow the demon to disregard his small human trait.
"Emotions are things created by your heart and soul. They are responses that occur towards people ye care for or hate. It is not a human trait only. It is experienced by every being in this world. It is something the Kami both blessed and cursed us with. No matter how many blocks ye create nor how many times ye attempt to squash such feelings, they can not be ignored. Ye can only go on for so long with out caring. It makes ye as Naraku is now - evil and twisted. And even Naraku had to go to extreme lengths to de-emotionalize himself. He had to cut out his own heart to be able to ignore his love for my sister Kikyou."
Kaede stood and looked down at the silent lord, regarding his indifference to her speech. "Sesshoumaru-sama... Kagome is a special person. No one can meet her and not be affected. Do not ignore your reactions to her. Ye should know ye have been blessed by knowing her. There are very few people in the world like Kagome."
Kaede then left the hut, intending to leave Sesshoumaru to ponder this.
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Kago me stared into InuYasha's tanned face, searching his large golden eyes. She raised a hand as if to signal him over but paused. Nay, this was not InuYasha. This was his shadow. This was the InuYasha that had tested and hurt her for many years. Slowly, she placed her hand to her side and watched him. The hanyou walked forward and stopped at least five meters from her, his face indifferent and masked.
The two stared at one another. She devoured him hungrily with her eyes. She wished this was the real him. The real InuYasha would save her. This figure however was trying to do the opposite and she must remember that.
"Kagome." he said her name coolly, catching her attention.
The girl winced. This was already not going well. She felt her clenched hands sweating and shaking. What was this InuYasha going to say and do to her?
"Why." InuYasha whispered.
Kagome looked up and met his furious golden eyes. Her heart twisted and her stomach fell.
"Why did you let her die?" InuYasha demanded in a pained, furious murmur.
Kagome looked down at the ground, unable to face the accusation in those golden eyes. Closing her eyes tightly, trying to hold in her tears, she shook her head.
"I didn't let her die. She died by Naraku's hand. Not mine."
InuYasha hissed, tears pooling from his eyes and down his cheeks. "You liar! You didn't want me to be happy with her! How could you watch Naraku kill her? You saw I couldn't save her! You noticed I was injured!" he screamed. "Do you think it was right to let me see her die again? Was it part of your plan to let her die in pain like she did before? Did you not think of the fact that I love her and wanted to be with her? I love Kikyou! I will never love you!"
Kagome bit back a sob. Looking up into that furious, pained face, she felt her resolve slipping. She suddenly did not care if this wasn't the real InuYasha. It was still her InuYasha who was in pain because of her. Stepping forward, she began to open her arms to hug him. InuYasha placed his claws roughly on her shoulders and pushed her back, casting a loathing glare towards her.
"Don't touch me, wench! You are the cause of her death! You were only a shikon no kakera detector! What is so hard to understand about that? I wanted the Shikon no Tama to resurrect Kikyou... to give her a new body..." InuYasha whispered, his head bowing forward to hide his tearing eyes beneath his thick silver bangs, his shaking fists so tightly clenched blood dripped from his punctured palms. His body shook visibly from a pain she had caused him.
"I wanted to give her the life she never had. I wanted to be free from everything. I wanted..."
InuYasha raised his eyes and revealed a dangerous hatred now bare in his red-tinted eyes.
"I wanted her. But you couldn't let us be. Your jealousy and greed has done this. Now she has died and I'm left here with out her again. I'm left with only the knowledge I couldn't save her again. I have to live with knowing Naraku has killed her again and I couldn't protect her." InuYasha croaked, tears dripping from his red eyes.
"I love Kikyou. I wanted to grow old with her and be with her... I wanted a normal life with her. I wanted to show everyone that I'm not useless. I wanted to show Kikyou that I never forgot about her. That I would always love her..."
Kagome felt the tears quickly falling from her eyes. The pain InuYasha was in... was it really because of her and her inability to help him save Kikyou? She dare not try and hold him again. His eyes were red. His demon was awakening from the pain and hurt he was letting out and venting upon her. Kagome stared at the broken half-breed. How could she over-come this? This was more painful then anything she had endured yet. Seeing the cold stare of the boy, she met it hesitantly and whispered,
"I'm sorry InuYasha."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "No you're not, you bitch! I will never love you or want you! I want Kikyou! You are useless! All you do is whine, sit me and find shikon no kakera. Why would I ever want you? You're weak, selfish and annoying!" He spat on the ground by her feet to confirm his loathing of her. "I wish Naraku had killed you and not her! Why couldn't you have died? You were just a replacement! A copy!"
Those words were like small daggers and each was thrown acutely at her cold heart. Wincing, Kagome held back a sob and felt the tears drip down her face. Staring, shocked and hurt, at the furious boy, she sprinted forward and flung herself on him. Wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her entire body onto his, she buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed.
"InuYasha... I'm sorry. I never wanted her to die. At the beginning I did but now... I know you love her! And I know we can never be together like that! But I don't care! I love you, InuYasha! You are my best friend! If I could, I would have died for Kikyou to spare you both this pain!"
InuYasha's body remained stiff but he did not push her away.
Pressing herself closer into him, she croaked, "I love you, InuYasha. I did not want her to die and she did not deserve to die like she did. I forgive you and I hope you forgive me. I will help you find the shikon no kakera no matter what. If it makes you happy we can bring her back when the jewel is completed and Naraku finally burns in the depths of Hell! I will do whatever I can to help you, InuYasha. You are my best friend and I will love you and stand by you no matter what. You can push me away as much as you want but I will always come back. If you cut off my legs to stop me from following you, I will drag myself back with my arms. If you cut off my arms, I will drag myself back to you with my teeth. If you cut off my head, I will die knowing I didn't ever stop supporting you and being the best friend I could be to you."
Feeling his hesitant arms rise and wrap them around her and then tighten, she cried out all her relief and happiness when she felt InuYasha rest his chin on top of her head and allowed her to embrace him. They stood like that for a long time, just holding to each other. Then she felt InuYasha press his lips to her ear and murmur,
"Arigatou, Kagome. I love you too."
Then he faded away in her arms, leaving her alone in the darkness again. Kagome stared at the spot where InuYasha had stood, holding onto her and smiled a watery smile. She had done it. She had faced her worst fear. The miko blinked in surprise when the dome began to brighten slowly, the surroundings revealing one image. A massive tree stood in the center of the light, aged and welcoming. Looking down at the ground and seeing the dirt ground leading to it, she looked upwards and saw the Goshinbuko just a few meters from her.
Slowly, she walked towards the tree and stood beneath its cooling shade, staring at the swaying green leaves caught by the warm breeze. She blinked at the bright sun. Was this what her soul was linked to? The Goshinbuko?
"Kagome."
The girl flew around and met the blue-eye stare of a very oddly dressed priestess. She wore armor and was very tall and slender. Staring carefully at her, Kagome noted she looked a lot like Kikyou but even more fair and strong. She blinked in shock.
Could it be?
"Midoriko?" she stammered.
The priestess nodded. Stepping forward silently, her grace tell-tale in her smooth stride, she came near the younger girl, her calm face serene and gentle. The two examined each other quietly.
"You have passed all that has burdened you for too long. You share my soul and Kikyou's soul. You are the descendent of my noble line and that of the miko Kikyou." She waved her hand to the side and pointed to the line of women, all dressed in different priestess outfits from different time periods, yet all who bore some astonishing similarities. "Kikyou has passed on and now rests in the land of the dead with the rest of us, content and watching you. You have a purpose, Kagome-sama. You are to continue the noble and lonely journey to protect the world and its purity."
Kikyou stepped forward from the group of silent women, her brown eyes soft and kind. "Kagome... I ask that you take care of InuYasha for me. He is in a tremendous amount of pain right now. Even though we parted on better terms this time, his heart is still confused and in agony. His soul is threatened to be tainted if his pain continues." The priestess gave her a small smile. "Onegai, do not let that happen. He has much to live for. He simply does not know it yet."
Kagome nodded firmly. "I will."
Midoriko caught her eye. "Kagome, we need to also speak of the matter with the taiyoukai, Sesshoumaru. He is now bonded to you because of your choice to use the blood bond. However, there is more to that bond then you are aware of." Midoriko glanced at Kikyou. "It is the same bond that was formed between Kikyou and InuYasha. You are falling in love with Sesshoumaru, Kagome. If anything, you are already in love with him."
Kagome froze. Her eyes wide and her mouth limp and hanging open, she felt a very deep red flush spreading across her face. Shaking her hands in front of her nervously, Kagome stammered, "Wh-what?! N-no... it's nothing like that! I like him and everything but-"
"You can not lie to your soul, Kagome." Kikyou interrupted swiftly.
Kagome ceased her excuses and stared at the ground, blushing to her hair roots. Inside her mind, she was screaming.
'Why?! Why after all I have been put through in this place now I have to come to terms with Sesshoumaru?! Can't we just ignore he even exists and let me go back to the world?'
"No, we can not, Kagome. Sesshoumaru is a very important figure in your future." Midoriko stated calmly.
Kagome looked up, startled. Could they read her thoughts?
Kikyou smiled. "Hai, we can, Kagome. We are a part of you as you are a part of us."
Kagome blushed. Embarrassing much? She couldn't help but wonder if they could hear her heart beating as hard as it was, or feel the warmth of her heated body or-
"Kagome, please focus. Sesshoumaru and you have finally come together as was destined. Our time with you is limited. You will need to awaken soon for Naraku is on his way to the village to kill both you and Sesshoumaru in your weakened states. That can not happen." Midoriko stated firmly, her steely sapphire eyes so alike to Kagome's.
Kagome stiffened. "Nani?! Naraku is going to try and kill Sesshoumaru and me? I understand Sesshoumaru but... why me?"
Kikyou stepped forward. "He has become aware of your potential. You showed a dangerous increase in strength in InuYasha's and Sesshoumaru's Otou's tomb."
"But that was because of your arrow..." Kagome stammered.
Kikyou shook her head. "Iie, Kagome. That was your strength. You called upon your entire soul, including the half I held and with that, you unlocked your power. I was weakened after you shot that arrow because you almost called forth your soul from me. I fought to keep my half." Kikyou glanced at Midoriko. "Your powers have been split in half since I took half of our soul for my own. Now that I have passed on, you have acquired your entire soul and with that, your entire strength and miko chakra."
"Naraku noticed how strong you and Sesshoumaru are as allies. You almost defeated him. If you two were to combine your strength and add in InuYasha and the others, Naraku knows the repercussions of such a strong alliance. His defeat is plainly exposed and he will not risk you and Sesshoumaru knowing of your potential together." Midoriko pinned Kagome with a fixed stare. "Sesshoumaru will not accept your feelings for him gracefully nor his own for you. He even now refuses to believe he cares for you. He places the blame for his reaction to you on the blood bond between you. You must not give up on him, Kagome. No matter how hard he pushes you away nor how cruel he is towards you, do not let him force you from him."
Kagome stared at the pair of miko. "B-but... he does care about me?" she asked, trying not to sound hopeful.
Kikyou smiled and nodded. She waved her hand in the air and a blue light flashed and formed
a small orb. In the light blue sphere appeared the image of Sesshoumaru sitting beside the sleeping Kagome, staring down at her intently. Kagome walked towards it, her heart beating quickly. Staring hungrily at the picture of Sesshoumaru, she reached up and almost touched his face, longing to see him again. Kikyou waved her hand and the picture faded away in the same blue light of Kikyou's miko energy.
"He cares for you, Kagome. You must understand Sesshoumaru is a complex demon and will not accept his feelings easily. He would rather have his other arm severed then have any sort of emotional tie to a person... much less a human his brother loves." Midoriko continued. "Sesshoumaru has never cared for anyone, not even his own Otou-san. He rid himself of emotions and the dependency on others that such feelings cause long ago when he was young. He has had a lonely, cold life. He regards ties with people troublesome and weakening. Even now, he questions his acceptance of his group consisting of the dragon, little girl and the toad."
Kagome nodded. She would not give up on Sesshoumaru. She knew now what she was feeling was not wrong. She was not betraying InuYasha. She had been destined for Sesshoumaru. Noticing everything beginning to brighten, she looked to Kikyou and Midoriko.
"What do I have to do?" she asked calmly.
"Accept him and give him space. Do what you have been doing and continue being yourself and showing him tenderness and love. However, do not be weak and allow him to trample over you. He does not like weakness and would not find it attractive in his own female."
Kikyou smiled softly.
"Kagome... you have earned this happiness that will come from the union between you and Sesshoumaru. It is much like what I would have had with InuYasha. We all find our soul mates and yet we," she waved her hand to the line of priestesses, "have all been cursed to never have the chance to be happy. Now, we hope our soul in this life time, through you, will finally find the happiness we had all strived for with the men we wanted but never had."
Kagome looked at her former selves and pitied them. She looked to Kikyou. "Kikyou... I really am sorry about you and InuYasha." she whispered, eyes downcast.
Kikyou gave her a weak smile. "I have long come to accept it. I will wait for him until he passes on. Eventually we will be together and find the peace that we longed for. My time will come for happiness."
Midoriko nodded. "We are all waiting for our mates to come back to us. They have either passed on or not found us or are still living. It is common for our soul to fall for a demon." Modirko smirked. "It seems there is something irresistible about youkai. Forbidden as it is between a demon and priestess yet we always fall for one. Ironic but true." The priestess glanced up at the brightening sky. "You are about to awaken Kagome. Naraku is almost at the village. You will wake up a bit weak but time is of the essence. Sesshoumaru will be outside fighting. You must hurry to his side and protect him. Naraku has a devious plot up his sleeve and it will test your bond with Sesshoumaru."
Kagome felt herself beginning to float upwards. Looking down in surprise, she watched Kikyou, Midoriko and all the other priestesses begin to fade. Staring into Kikyou's gentle brown eyes, she felt her promise to the dead priestess become priority. She would keep her promise to Kikyou and save InuYasha. Midoriko looked up at Kagome, her blue eyes cool. Kagome nodded at her. She would do what her soul had told her to. She must save everyone from Naraku and the Shikon no Tama. Sesshoumaru was hers and she his. She was not going crazy or being a loose woman by being attracted to the demon Lord. It was right. She was not betraying InuYasha for this was meant to be.
"Thank you." she called down to them before the light consumed her.
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Sessh oumaru stood elegantly, intending to get some fresh air. He had not left Kagome's side for days and needed to stretch his long legs. Hearing her whisper, he glanced at the girl. She seemed a lot calmer and had not been expressing any sort of discontent or unhappiness for the last hour. Eyeing her carefully, he swiftly left the hut, his silver-white hair flowing behind him. Walking down the wooden steps and crossing the village, he ignored the frightened, curious stares of the village people. His head held arrogantly high, he walked silently, gracefully, his golden stare fixed ahead of him.
"Kaede-sama... why is that demon here and why does he not leave Kagome-sama's side?" A young woman, Sumi, asked the old miko.
The pair was in Kaede's private garden, picking herbs and vegetables and placing them in woven bamboo baskets. Kaede glanced up from the ashitaba herb she was carefully plucking. Puckering her age lips together, the priestess gave Sumi a warm smile.
"Ah it is a curious thing to me as well. He is a companion of hers. They fight together." she explained non-chalantly.
Sumi frowned. She turned and watched the demon walk towards the forest. He was so.... perfect. His silver-white hair, exquisite features that resembled an angel, his sharp hawk-golden eyes... Sumi sighed. Lady Kagome was indeed fortunate with men! InuYasha-sama, Kouga-sama and now the taiyoukai from the West! What was it about the priestess? Sumi scowled. It was more then likely her indecent clothing! Any woman would be able to grab a man's (or in this case demon's) attention with that sort of garment!
Kaede stiffened, her hand pausing before it grabbed the ikarisou herb. Her one eye narrowing, she glanced at the sky. Something was not right. What was this ominous feeling? Near by, Sesshoumaru halted at the beginning of the forest. His face void of any thought or emotion, he slowly raised his gaze to the sky, examining it carefully. His youki had been alerted. There was an intruder somewhere. He glanced at his injured claw. It was functional and he was able to eat now but it certainly could not hold Tokijin's massive weight. His eyes narrowed in irritation. He doubted he could even use his Dakkousa.
He turned and looked at the hut that contained the miko. He had made a promise to protect her. Despite his injuries he would not allow this menace to lay harm to the miko.
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Afte r landing and letting the screaming Jaken on, Ah Un the dragon had continued to fly through the air, ignoring their grumpy occupant. Rin sat on the dragon, waving her arms in the air and giggling as the wind tickled her nose and twirled her hair behind her. She turned and looked at the glowering Jaken and waved at him. He was curled up on the dragon's back, sleeping almost contently except for the annoying giggles and 'weee's the girl before him consistently let out. Digging his head further into his arms, trying to block out the sound of Rin and the fact he was hundreds of feet in the air, Jaken bit back a sob.
How he missed his Sesshoumaru-sama!
"Where is Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin asked her grumpy care giver as she looked down at the ground, frowning when she did not see the familiar white figure of her Lord.
Jaken opened one yellow eye grudgingly and continued to glare at the child with it. "Sesshomaru-sama said he would come back when he deemed it fit Rin! But you, you annoying pest, continue to search for our Lord! He will be most angered." The toad youkai mumbled accusingly.
Rin smiled at Jaken. "Ano... Jaken-sama... didn't you tell Rin to gather Ah Un and look for Sesshoumaru-sama?" she questioned thoughtfully.
Jaken raised himself like an angered porcupine and huffed. Of course the child had to remember that fact! Glaring at her, he stated sourly, "You stupid ningen child! I did not!"
Ah Un turned and glared at Jaken, silently accusing him. Jaken froze in his place. The dragon eyed him slowly, as if deciding to eat him or simply throw him off their back. Sweat-dropping, Jaken raised his tiny green claws before him in a placating gesture and gave a rather ugly nervous smile.
"Well... maybe not... I did of course want to of find Sesshoumaru-sama as well..."
The dragons snorted a puff of smoke rising from their nostrils and turned to their attention to the sky again. Jaken sighed in relief. He was going to live another day!
Rin looked down at the ground and blinked in surprise when she saw the forest thinning. Straining her eyes, she smiled when she noticed the small village on the outskirts of the forest. Prodding Jaken with her foot, she pointed at it, bouncing in her seat.
"Look! A village! Could Sesshoumaru-sama be in there, Jaken-sama?"
Jaken gave the girl a dangerous glare. "That is a ningen village, Rin. No, of course he wouldn't be in there!" he snapped ferociously.
Rin blinked at Jaken. "Demo..."
"No buts Rin! Continue on! Sesshoumaru-sama in a ningen village! How preposterous!" Jaken muttered to himself.
Ignoring Jaken's rude mumblings, Rin continued near the village. She felt Sesshoumaru-sama was around here! Looking forward, her hands tight around Ah Un's reins, Rin frowned when she noticed a large black mass in the sky, moving dangerously fast towards them. Only nine years old and quite innocent, she didn't grasp the danger of the situation. Instead, she questioned it.
"Jaken-sama, ano....what is that?" The little girl asked, pointing to the shadow in the sky.
Grumbling to himself in his annoyance, Jaken opened his eyes. His eyes then widened in horror as they saw the hurling mass of thousands of youkai approaching this way. Staring at the growling, snarling youkai, he sensed their lust for blood. Shaking, he screeched in horror and started to ready his staff to toast them all (to protect himself of course). At the head of the youkai, Jaken noticed a white horse and astride it, a little pink-hair boy.
'Hakodoushi!'
Remembering the danger and strength of the Naraku reincarnate, Jaken started to try and take Ah Un's reins from the confused little girl. The dragon roared in fury as the youkai continued forth towards them, a smiling Hakodoushi aiming for the small group.
"Rin! Land Ah Un now for Kami sake's!" he shrieked.
Rin looked down for a landing area and then smiled happily. "Jaken-sama! Look! Sesshomaru-sama!" she announced happily as she pointed down at their Lord who was heading towards them as a white flash, his golden eyes flashing red.
Screaming as they were enveloped in the mass of snarling, growling youkai, Jaken began praying to the Kami's as Rin's screams filled the sky. Seeing Sesshoumaru come in the middle of youkai, Jaken began to weep for joy, his large yellow eyes squinted and puffy.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! You've come to save me!" he screamed joyfully.
Sesshoumaru kicked a youkai away from the group and began to swipe his claw, tearing the demons apart and keeping his group safe. Looking from the corner of one eye, Sesshoumaru noted his group was safe. Feeling the warm blood of his victims dripping down his arm, he looked forward at the mass of youkai who now stood in the air a hundred feet from them, having retreated at the appearance of Sesshoumaru. Hakodoushi smirked coldly at the taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru glared at the small demon boy, intending to dispose of him first.
His eyes trained forward, Sesshoumaru stated coolly, "Jaken, take Rin to safety."
Jaken blinked away his tears. Sniffling, he noted Rin staring at Sesshoumaru, pale-faced and in a shocked sort of state. She stared at her Lord's claw, noticing the blood dripping from it. Memories of her parents and the villagers, torn apart and bloody, killed by thieves and wolves, ran across her mind. Her body shaking, she felt tears coming forth in her eyes. Suddenly, she froze. Something did not feel right about her Sesshoumaru-sama! Her large brown eyes widening, she looked up at him, staring at his silver-white hair.
"Sesshoumaru-sama..." she whispered, her small face revealing her immense fear.
She looked at his claw again. He was injured! Her Sesshoumaru-sama was injured! Sesshoumaru glanced at Rin and gave her a cool, blank stare. Catching her wet brown eyes, he stared at her icily.
"Go with Jaken, Rin."
He then turned his attention forward. Rin swayed on the seat and felt Jaken pulling her arm harshly. Her Sesshoumaru-sama was injured. She could not leave Sesshoumaru-sama... the blood... all the blood...
"Rin! Do as what Sesshoumaru-sama has told you! Bring Ah Un down to the village!" Jaken snapped.
"Sesshoumaru." a deep voice chuckled, echoing in the sky and magnified by dark magic.
The group stiffened all except Sesshoumaru who stood in the air, unperturbed. A dark orb appeared before Hakodoushi and faded purple. It then took on a human form and cleared. Naraku stepped forward from the black miasma, his ruby-red eyes fixed on Sesshoumaru. His pale lips turning upwards in a twisted grin, he examined the demon Lord, his eyes twinkling merrily at the absence of Tokijin in Sesshoumaru's claw.
"Still injured are we, Sesshoumaru-sama?" he purred.
His golden eyes narrowing, the taiyoukai questioned blankly, "What is it that you want, Naraku?"
Naraku raised a dark brow at the demon. "Did I not explain myself last time, taiyoukai? I am here to rid of you… once and for all. There will be no intrusions this time." Naraku smirked. "Also, I find myself here not just for you but your little priestess companion."
Sesshoumaru's eyes slanted dangerously, his fangs bared now. Glaring at Naraku furiously, Sesshoumaru twisted his claw and raised it before him. The spindly fingers cracked and readied to tear apart the dark demon. "You will not succeed hanyou. You are a disgrace and smudge upon this Land. Prepare to be demolished." the youkai Lord snarled, his eyes tinting red.
Naraku chuckled. "So protective over a ningen, Sesshoumaru-sama! And I thought you were already dishonored by keeping a ningen child as a ward." Naraku nodded his head towards the silent, pale Rin. "I think I may kill her too. How do you feel about her being fed to one of my youkai minions? They do like sweet, young children flesh."
Sesshoumaru felt his body become tight as his youki surfaced. His eyes slanting, his fangs elongating, the taiyoukai growled. "Do not touch what is mine, hanyou." he hissed.
Naraku smirked. "We shall see, Sesshoumaru. Let us begin." He then raised his hand in the air, signaling for his swarm to attack.
The youkai rushed forward and Sesshoumaru did so as well, becoming nothing but a silver flash. Within seconds, parts of demons were being thrown to the ground, their heads decapitated, their bodies split in half and random limbs torn and flung carelessly without mercy. Rin screamed when the youkai closed in on them, Jaken standing over her protectively, his staff sprouting fire in random directions, his scream piercing the say. Ah Un roared and shot lightening in the air, aiming at the enemy and tearing with their fangs and claws.
Suddenly, Rin was falling. Her hands reaching out to Jaken who in turn screamed her name and reached for her, his large yellow eyes wide with actual concern, Rin fell down into the massive youkai pool, disappearing among their twisting bodies.
"Rin!" Jaken shrieked.
Sesshoumaru froze and looked behind him to see Rin had vanished from Ah Un's backside. Swiftly scanning the area, panic hitting his chest, a fear and fury rising in him, Sesshoumaru saw the orange and white figure falling to the ground, unnoticed by the group of demons. Without thinking, Sesshoumaru turned and dove towards Rin, his eyes fixed on only her. Snarling and tearing apart any youkai in his way, he reached out towards the sobbing little girl.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin cried out, her tears falling to the far away ground.
Seeing her angel coming towards her, she reached out both her arms and screamed when Sesshoumaru's arm wrapped around her and tightly held her to his steel-covered armored chest. Pressing her face into his unarmored shoulder, the little girl sobbed as Sesshoumaru quickly descended to the ground where the villagers were panicking. The men had gathered together and were now armored and held weapons ready. Many were shooting arrows into the sky, aiming at the youkai.
Kaede bounded forward, her long grey pony tail swaying behind her. Her bow and quiver of arrows on her, she saw Sesshoumaru, blood-drenched and furious, holding a shaking little girl to his person. Seeing the men going towards Sesshomaru, she firmly ordered them to back off. Cautiously, she approached the furious demon Lord. Staring into his red eyes, noting the sharp lines now on his face and the electric quality to his youki aura, she opened her arms.
"Let me hide her safely, Sesshoumaru-sama. I am readying to place a large barrier around the village. She will be safe with me. I promise." she said gently.
Sesshoumaru heard the woman's words. Looking down at the sobbing Rin, he reluctantly handed her to Kaede. Watching the elder miko pass her to a middle-aged woman, Sesshoumaru turned his back to her. He did not need to thank her. She knew.
"Keep both her and the miko safe or you will all pay with your lives." he stated coldly.
Kaede nodded. "Of course, Sesshoumaru-sama. I will place the barrier up when you return to the battle."
Sesshoumaru then leapt into the sky, heading towards the demons again. Watching the strong taiyoukai go to battle, Kaede closed her eye and made a hand arrangement. Focusing her energy, a large purple-pink barrier formed around the entire village. Rin began screaming, reaching out to Sesshoumaru. Seeing him head into the battle, Ah Un and Jaken fighting beside him, the little girl cried, tears falling from her eyes, her body squirming in the strange woman's hold.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!"
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Kagome opened her eyes and saw the familiar wooden ceiling with its herbs drying on the brown yarn going across from banister to banister of Kaede's hut. Slowly, she sat up, pushing the blankets off of her. Her eyesight began to darken and she closed her eyes and held her head. She felt so weak. It was just as Midoriko said. Opening her eyes hesitantly, she looked around the hut for Sesshoumaru. She stiffened at the memory of Midoriko's instructions.
'Sesshoumaru!' her mind screamed.
Throwing the blankets off and standing quickly, ignoring the sudden rush of dizziness hitting her, she stumbled to the door and down the steps. Looking up and seeing the pink barrier around the village, she noticed the mayhem at once. Kaede was instructing men onto the roofs so they could fire arrows from there. Kagome felt her heart beating quickly and looked up into the sky. She froze instantly and her gut dropped. There was Naraku and Hakodoushi with a large army of youkai attacking Sesshoumaru and his group!
'Bow...arrow... need a bow and arrows!'
Kagome ran back into Kaede's hut and began frantically looking for the pair of her preferred weapons. Her hands cold and shaking, she grasped a very old bow and a half-filled quiver of arrows and ran outside, heading towards the shouting Kaede who was now ordering a group of men to the south end of the village.
"Kaede! Kaede-sama!" she shrieked.
Kaede blinked in shock when she saw Kagome stumbling across the village towards her, disheveled and a bow in hand. Waving away a group of men, Kaede ran towards her, worried. Grasping the girl's arms, she looked into her pale face, searching for any sign of hurt. Kagome panted and looked down at Kaede, her throat tight and her chest feeling as if it would rip open any second and expose her quickly racing heart.
"Kagome! How? Why? Ye are-"
"Kaede get me out of here! Let me through the barrier or I'll break it!" Kagome interrupted, her blue eyes flashing.
Kaede froze as did the onlookers. Staring at Kagome, she understood. The girl knew Sesshoumaru was in the battle. She looked at the girl carefully, noting how pale and tired she looked. She could sense the immense decrease in spiritual energy in Kagome. Her judgment told her to not let Kagome go while she was this weak and after what she had been through but she knew there was no use in trying to reason with the girl. Ignoring the whispers and murmurs of the confused villagers, Kaede pointed at a small opening in the barrier.
"Over there. It will only remain open for a few more seconds. Be careful, Kagome."
Kaede watched Kagome sprint to the hole and go through it and into the dense forest and out of sight. Looking up at Sesshoumaru, she frowned. She did not have a good feeling about this. Scanning the sky, she pressed her hands together, holding the barrier and closing the small passage.
'Please Kami; protect them, us and bring InuYasha and the others. Onegai. Pity this old woman.'
Having left the concerned Kaede and villagers without a second thought, unaware of Kaede's concern and stress over her, Kagome ran through the forest, her mind trained on only Sesshoumaru. All she could think of was the matter of his injured claw and Naraku, sadistic, twisted, relentless Naraku, was up there and his focus was on the taiyoukai. He had brought countless youkai slaves and to worsen the situation, the demon child, Hakodoushi, was present on his cursed steed. Jumping over a fallen tree and ducking beneath various low branches, Kagome panted as she strained her weak, tired body, never ceasing her run.
She needed to get to Sesshoumaru.
Hearing the roars and howls of the hovering demons, Kagome looked up and saw the twisting mass of demons surrounding Sesshoumaru and his group. She dug her feet into the ground and skidded to an abrupt stop. Seeing a silver flash, she instantly knew the dangerous silver beam was none other then Sesshoumaru who was soaring through the air with his untraceable youkai speed, a dangerous silver flash ridding of his rivals. Her heart pounding, she heard Midoriko's words echoing in her mind,
'His defeat is plainly exposed and he will not risk you and Sesshoumaru knowing of your potential together.
Chewing her bottom lip, Kagome cursed out loud. She was on the ground for pity sakes! How could she get up to where Sesshoumaru was? Frantically looking around her, Kagome noticed a very tall hill. An idea coming to her, she sprinted towards it, her heart racing and her body trembling.
'I'm coming Sesshoumaru! I won't let Naraku kill you. I won't let you die! I swear it!'
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A little far away, the inu-gumi was on their way to Kaede's village, anxious to see their injured companion. There was a stressed silence between all of them, not able to form words between one another. Shippou had long ago buried himself in Miroku's robes (again) to try and ignore the strained atmosphere. Sango strained her eyes and nudged Miroku who sat behind her, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Turning her head to him, she shouted over the wind,
"Houshi-sama! Do you see that?"
Miroku perked up, trying to focus his mind off of Sango's plump bottom pushing against his now sensitive crotch area. Looking in the direction she hinted too, he frowned when he noticed a dark mass in the sky. His handsome face becoming concerned, he turned his violet eyes to InuYasha who flew beside them, silent and fore lone. Looking to the hanyou and aware of his sensitive condition, the monk could only pray it wasn't a situation involving Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
"InuYasha I sense a large amount of youkai and Naraku's presence near the village!" the monk yelled, his voice strong over the gusting wind.
InuYasha turned furious golden eyes to Miroku and Sango, his face contorted in a look of rage.
"What?!"
Sango nodded. "Ya! I felt it earlier! There seems to be a lot of jyaki and youki over there! That is not a random attack! Naraku is attacking Kaede's village! Sesshoumaru and Kagome are there!" The slayer shouted her concern evident.
InuYasha turned his attention to the youkai mass and snarled. Kagome! She was in trouble and she was already injured enough.
'Chikuso, Naraku! What are you up to now you bastard!'
Not even warning his companions, InuYasha surged forward, becoming nothing but a red streak. Sango dug her heels into Kirara and shouted for the feline to hurry. Their robes and hair billowing behind them in the wind, the group raced through the sky, their hearts twisting with fear and worry. They should have accompanied Kagome and Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru was injured and could certainly not hold off both youkai and Naraku alone with an injured, unconscious Kagome on his hands! Approaching the village, Miroku nudged Sango and pointed to the large pink barrier that hovered over the village. Miroku scowled when he noticed many youkai attacking the barrier.
-By: MuteShadow
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Disclaime r: I, MuteShadow, do not own InuYasha. Any InuYasha related items are strictly owned by Rumiko Takahashi and her producers/lawyers.
Author's Note: This fanfiction was originally written by SilentAngel [Selena Bervaidous]. The plot, ideas and story belong to her.
WARNING: Sexual Situations (Lemons, Lime etc...), Language, Gore/Violence and angst.
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Well here is the next chapter. A lot is exposed in this chapter and it is very emotional (at least in my opinion). I hope everyone enjoys it.
Read, Rate and Review;
-MuteShadow
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Chapter Ten
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She walked for what seemed to be an eternity however the black shadows continued to stretch on beyond her, consistently teasing the young priestess with their never-ceasing darkness. Kagome looked around her; misery grasping her and her little bit of hope, and sighed. This was hopeless. She had been walking around this hell-ridden black hole for what felt like a hundred life times and there had been no sign of any glimmer of improvement or, in the smaller case, light. The only light provided was the curious pink aura of chakra around her body and that didn't really give her much of a perception of her surroundings.
She ran a hand through her long hair, chewing her bottom lip. The Kikyou incident had more then startled her... to be honest it had scared the shit out of her and was now the cause of her nervous glances and slight trembling. She knew the appearance of the miko was a very bad omen. Her soul had been damaged and had turned inwards on itself. With that dangerous action, all of her inner fears and pains had been released like the demons in Pandora's box and were now lurking in the shadows, waiting to prey on and test their helpless victim twice-fold.
Kagome stiffened when she heard scuffling to her left. She swiftly turned and stared at the still-persistent darkness. She licked her lips and clenched her fists. Her body was shaking now. What lurked in the dark ready to test her cruelly as the Kikyou shadow had done? The sound of footsteps alerted her wandering mind. Perking up and straining her weak eyes, Kagome felt her gut begin to twist and roll rather uncomfortably as the anonymous person continued forward. A figure placed one red hakama leg out of the shadows and stalled. They seemed hesitant.
"Who's there?" Kagome shouted, staring at the bare clawed foot.
She stared at that familiar leg and foot and felt her heart drop. She knew who her next rival was. And it was probably the worst confrontation she could endure. Her sapphire eyes gathered tears and she bowed her head forward. Her body shook like a leaf in the autumn wind and she found her body had dropped several degrees. Suddenly it was hard to swallow. It seemed as if a nugget of ridiculous stature had lodged itself in her throat. She raised her hesitant eyes and watched the figure of InuYasha appear from the dark.
"InuYasha." she whispered.
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"Ungh... InuYasha...." Kagome mumbled, alarming her taiyoukai guard-dog.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes hardened when the name of the half-breed moron passed the girl's lips. His face remained blank but inwards his anger was uncoiling like a serpent in his chest. Kaede kneeled across from Sesshoumaru and carefully examined his response. She noted his face remained impassive but the intensified coldness in his amber-gold eyes was noticeable. The chilly aura around the demon held a bitter nip to its already chilling degree. Sesshoumaru looked blankly at the girl, his beautiful face stony, his mind filled with thoughts he would have preferred not to have.
"She is being faced with the worst of her pains." Kaede stated.
Sesshoumaru coolly glanced at the older priestess. "The half-breed?" he murmured, his soft voice cold and not attempting to disguise his disgust and contempt for the half-breed.
Kaede nodded. "InuYasha and Kagome have had a long path. One filled with many trials and many lessons only young love can discover." She looked at the silent youkai. "She has been hurt many times by the boy though he did not intend to do so unto her. She loves him. He loves her. But their stars are not aligned in such a joining. Nay, Kagome and InuYasha's fates are not to be romantically linked."
Kaede smiled softly.
"However, it is a bond strong enough to with stall all that has been thrown into their paths. It is a bond no enemy or force can divide."
Sesshoumaru absorbed the priestess' double-edged words. He cast a chilly glare at her. "This Sesshoumaru does not care for bonds. Bonds are for weak individuals who can not support themselves and need the strength of others to survive."
Kaede raised a brow at the youkai. Her aged face took on a grim smile. "For some that is the case, Sesshoumaru-sama. But for people like Kagome and InuYasha, their strength comes from love and the need to protect those they care about. InuYasha's strength branches from his love for Kagome and she for him. They have over-come anything thrown in their paths. Ye should know the extent of such a powerful bond. Did ye not see it in play when Kagome saved ye from the Kaze no Kizu?"
Sesshoumaru remained indifferent. "A bond was created between the miko and I without my knowledge. She performed the blood bond to save this Sesshoumaru's life." He reluctantly said. He glanced at the shocked old woman from the corner of his golden eye. "I do not believe the priestess and I would be as we are now if it were not for the blood bond."
Kaede absorbed this, confused. She looked at Kagome and sighed. How kind she was and so naive. Did she not know the repercussions of her bond with the taiyoukai? She looked at demon and noticed his claw rested on his knee that was but two inches from Kagome's prone body. The priestess shook her head. This was all becoming too confusing. The blood bond, the shouheki no ai and the hint of an actual sense of caring by Sesshoumaru towards Kagome were indeed mystifying.
"The blood bond indeed causes a certain degree of tie between the two individuals, Sesshoumaru-sama. It allows the two people to be more aware of each other physically. They know when one is far away or close. They know each other's strengths and weaknesses. However," she stared directly into his stony angelic face. "It does not create emotional ties."
The elder miko clenched her jaw. She would not allow the demon to disregard his small human trait.
"Emotions are things created by your heart and soul. They are responses that occur towards people ye care for or hate. It is not a human trait only. It is experienced by every being in this world. It is something the Kami both blessed and cursed us with. No matter how many blocks ye create nor how many times ye attempt to squash such feelings, they can not be ignored. Ye can only go on for so long with out caring. It makes ye as Naraku is now - evil and twisted. And even Naraku had to go to extreme lengths to de-emotionalize himself. He had to cut out his own heart to be able to ignore his love for my sister Kikyou."
Kaede stood and looked down at the silent lord, regarding his indifference to her speech. "Sesshoumaru-sama... Kagome is a special person. No one can meet her and not be affected. Do not ignore your reactions to her. Ye should know ye have been blessed by knowing her. There are very few people in the world like Kagome."
Kaede then left the hut, intending to leave Sesshoumaru to ponder this.
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Kago me stared into InuYasha's tanned face, searching his large golden eyes. She raised a hand as if to signal him over but paused. Nay, this was not InuYasha. This was his shadow. This was the InuYasha that had tested and hurt her for many years. Slowly, she placed her hand to her side and watched him. The hanyou walked forward and stopped at least five meters from her, his face indifferent and masked.
The two stared at one another. She devoured him hungrily with her eyes. She wished this was the real him. The real InuYasha would save her. This figure however was trying to do the opposite and she must remember that.
"Kagome." he said her name coolly, catching her attention.
The girl winced. This was already not going well. She felt her clenched hands sweating and shaking. What was this InuYasha going to say and do to her?
"Why." InuYasha whispered.
Kagome looked up and met his furious golden eyes. Her heart twisted and her stomach fell.
"Why did you let her die?" InuYasha demanded in a pained, furious murmur.
Kagome looked down at the ground, unable to face the accusation in those golden eyes. Closing her eyes tightly, trying to hold in her tears, she shook her head.
"I didn't let her die. She died by Naraku's hand. Not mine."
InuYasha hissed, tears pooling from his eyes and down his cheeks. "You liar! You didn't want me to be happy with her! How could you watch Naraku kill her? You saw I couldn't save her! You noticed I was injured!" he screamed. "Do you think it was right to let me see her die again? Was it part of your plan to let her die in pain like she did before? Did you not think of the fact that I love her and wanted to be with her? I love Kikyou! I will never love you!"
Kagome bit back a sob. Looking up into that furious, pained face, she felt her resolve slipping. She suddenly did not care if this wasn't the real InuYasha. It was still her InuYasha who was in pain because of her. Stepping forward, she began to open her arms to hug him. InuYasha placed his claws roughly on her shoulders and pushed her back, casting a loathing glare towards her.
"Don't touch me, wench! You are the cause of her death! You were only a shikon no kakera detector! What is so hard to understand about that? I wanted the Shikon no Tama to resurrect Kikyou... to give her a new body..." InuYasha whispered, his head bowing forward to hide his tearing eyes beneath his thick silver bangs, his shaking fists so tightly clenched blood dripped from his punctured palms. His body shook visibly from a pain she had caused him.
"I wanted to give her the life she never had. I wanted to be free from everything. I wanted..."
InuYasha raised his eyes and revealed a dangerous hatred now bare in his red-tinted eyes.
"I wanted her. But you couldn't let us be. Your jealousy and greed has done this. Now she has died and I'm left here with out her again. I'm left with only the knowledge I couldn't save her again. I have to live with knowing Naraku has killed her again and I couldn't protect her." InuYasha croaked, tears dripping from his red eyes.
"I love Kikyou. I wanted to grow old with her and be with her... I wanted a normal life with her. I wanted to show everyone that I'm not useless. I wanted to show Kikyou that I never forgot about her. That I would always love her..."
Kagome felt the tears quickly falling from her eyes. The pain InuYasha was in... was it really because of her and her inability to help him save Kikyou? She dare not try and hold him again. His eyes were red. His demon was awakening from the pain and hurt he was letting out and venting upon her. Kagome stared at the broken half-breed. How could she over-come this? This was more painful then anything she had endured yet. Seeing the cold stare of the boy, she met it hesitantly and whispered,
"I'm sorry InuYasha."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "No you're not, you bitch! I will never love you or want you! I want Kikyou! You are useless! All you do is whine, sit me and find shikon no kakera. Why would I ever want you? You're weak, selfish and annoying!" He spat on the ground by her feet to confirm his loathing of her. "I wish Naraku had killed you and not her! Why couldn't you have died? You were just a replacement! A copy!"
Those words were like small daggers and each was thrown acutely at her cold heart. Wincing, Kagome held back a sob and felt the tears drip down her face. Staring, shocked and hurt, at the furious boy, she sprinted forward and flung herself on him. Wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her entire body onto his, she buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed.
"InuYasha... I'm sorry. I never wanted her to die. At the beginning I did but now... I know you love her! And I know we can never be together like that! But I don't care! I love you, InuYasha! You are my best friend! If I could, I would have died for Kikyou to spare you both this pain!"
InuYasha's body remained stiff but he did not push her away.
Pressing herself closer into him, she croaked, "I love you, InuYasha. I did not want her to die and she did not deserve to die like she did. I forgive you and I hope you forgive me. I will help you find the shikon no kakera no matter what. If it makes you happy we can bring her back when the jewel is completed and Naraku finally burns in the depths of Hell! I will do whatever I can to help you, InuYasha. You are my best friend and I will love you and stand by you no matter what. You can push me away as much as you want but I will always come back. If you cut off my legs to stop me from following you, I will drag myself back with my arms. If you cut off my arms, I will drag myself back to you with my teeth. If you cut off my head, I will die knowing I didn't ever stop supporting you and being the best friend I could be to you."
Feeling his hesitant arms rise and wrap them around her and then tighten, she cried out all her relief and happiness when she felt InuYasha rest his chin on top of her head and allowed her to embrace him. They stood like that for a long time, just holding to each other. Then she felt InuYasha press his lips to her ear and murmur,
"Arigatou, Kagome. I love you too."
Then he faded away in her arms, leaving her alone in the darkness again. Kagome stared at the spot where InuYasha had stood, holding onto her and smiled a watery smile. She had done it. She had faced her worst fear. The miko blinked in surprise when the dome began to brighten slowly, the surroundings revealing one image. A massive tree stood in the center of the light, aged and welcoming. Looking down at the ground and seeing the dirt ground leading to it, she looked upwards and saw the Goshinbuko just a few meters from her.
Slowly, she walked towards the tree and stood beneath its cooling shade, staring at the swaying green leaves caught by the warm breeze. She blinked at the bright sun. Was this what her soul was linked to? The Goshinbuko?
"Kagome."
The girl flew around and met the blue-eye stare of a very oddly dressed priestess. She wore armor and was very tall and slender. Staring carefully at her, Kagome noted she looked a lot like Kikyou but even more fair and strong. She blinked in shock.
Could it be?
"Midoriko?" she stammered.
The priestess nodded. Stepping forward silently, her grace tell-tale in her smooth stride, she came near the younger girl, her calm face serene and gentle. The two examined each other quietly.
"You have passed all that has burdened you for too long. You share my soul and Kikyou's soul. You are the descendent of my noble line and that of the miko Kikyou." She waved her hand to the side and pointed to the line of women, all dressed in different priestess outfits from different time periods, yet all who bore some astonishing similarities. "Kikyou has passed on and now rests in the land of the dead with the rest of us, content and watching you. You have a purpose, Kagome-sama. You are to continue the noble and lonely journey to protect the world and its purity."
Kikyou stepped forward from the group of silent women, her brown eyes soft and kind. "Kagome... I ask that you take care of InuYasha for me. He is in a tremendous amount of pain right now. Even though we parted on better terms this time, his heart is still confused and in agony. His soul is threatened to be tainted if his pain continues." The priestess gave her a small smile. "Onegai, do not let that happen. He has much to live for. He simply does not know it yet."
Kagome nodded firmly. "I will."
Midoriko caught her eye. "Kagome, we need to also speak of the matter with the taiyoukai, Sesshoumaru. He is now bonded to you because of your choice to use the blood bond. However, there is more to that bond then you are aware of." Midoriko glanced at Kikyou. "It is the same bond that was formed between Kikyou and InuYasha. You are falling in love with Sesshoumaru, Kagome. If anything, you are already in love with him."
Kagome froze. Her eyes wide and her mouth limp and hanging open, she felt a very deep red flush spreading across her face. Shaking her hands in front of her nervously, Kagome stammered, "Wh-what?! N-no... it's nothing like that! I like him and everything but-"
"You can not lie to your soul, Kagome." Kikyou interrupted swiftly.
Kagome ceased her excuses and stared at the ground, blushing to her hair roots. Inside her mind, she was screaming.
'Why?! Why after all I have been put through in this place now I have to come to terms with Sesshoumaru?! Can't we just ignore he even exists and let me go back to the world?'
"No, we can not, Kagome. Sesshoumaru is a very important figure in your future." Midoriko stated calmly.
Kagome looked up, startled. Could they read her thoughts?
Kikyou smiled. "Hai, we can, Kagome. We are a part of you as you are a part of us."
Kagome blushed. Embarrassing much? She couldn't help but wonder if they could hear her heart beating as hard as it was, or feel the warmth of her heated body or-
"Kagome, please focus. Sesshoumaru and you have finally come together as was destined. Our time with you is limited. You will need to awaken soon for Naraku is on his way to the village to kill both you and Sesshoumaru in your weakened states. That can not happen." Midoriko stated firmly, her steely sapphire eyes so alike to Kagome's.
Kagome stiffened. "Nani?! Naraku is going to try and kill Sesshoumaru and me? I understand Sesshoumaru but... why me?"
Kikyou stepped forward. "He has become aware of your potential. You showed a dangerous increase in strength in InuYasha's and Sesshoumaru's Otou's tomb."
"But that was because of your arrow..." Kagome stammered.
Kikyou shook her head. "Iie, Kagome. That was your strength. You called upon your entire soul, including the half I held and with that, you unlocked your power. I was weakened after you shot that arrow because you almost called forth your soul from me. I fought to keep my half." Kikyou glanced at Midoriko. "Your powers have been split in half since I took half of our soul for my own. Now that I have passed on, you have acquired your entire soul and with that, your entire strength and miko chakra."
"Naraku noticed how strong you and Sesshoumaru are as allies. You almost defeated him. If you two were to combine your strength and add in InuYasha and the others, Naraku knows the repercussions of such a strong alliance. His defeat is plainly exposed and he will not risk you and Sesshoumaru knowing of your potential together." Midoriko pinned Kagome with a fixed stare. "Sesshoumaru will not accept your feelings for him gracefully nor his own for you. He even now refuses to believe he cares for you. He places the blame for his reaction to you on the blood bond between you. You must not give up on him, Kagome. No matter how hard he pushes you away nor how cruel he is towards you, do not let him force you from him."
Kagome stared at the pair of miko. "B-but... he does care about me?" she asked, trying not to sound hopeful.
Kikyou smiled and nodded. She waved her hand in the air and a blue light flashed and formed
a small orb. In the light blue sphere appeared the image of Sesshoumaru sitting beside the sleeping Kagome, staring down at her intently. Kagome walked towards it, her heart beating quickly. Staring hungrily at the picture of Sesshoumaru, she reached up and almost touched his face, longing to see him again. Kikyou waved her hand and the picture faded away in the same blue light of Kikyou's miko energy.
"He cares for you, Kagome. You must understand Sesshoumaru is a complex demon and will not accept his feelings easily. He would rather have his other arm severed then have any sort of emotional tie to a person... much less a human his brother loves." Midoriko continued. "Sesshoumaru has never cared for anyone, not even his own Otou-san. He rid himself of emotions and the dependency on others that such feelings cause long ago when he was young. He has had a lonely, cold life. He regards ties with people troublesome and weakening. Even now, he questions his acceptance of his group consisting of the dragon, little girl and the toad."
Kagome nodded. She would not give up on Sesshoumaru. She knew now what she was feeling was not wrong. She was not betraying InuYasha. She had been destined for Sesshoumaru. Noticing everything beginning to brighten, she looked to Kikyou and Midoriko.
"What do I have to do?" she asked calmly.
"Accept him and give him space. Do what you have been doing and continue being yourself and showing him tenderness and love. However, do not be weak and allow him to trample over you. He does not like weakness and would not find it attractive in his own female."
Kikyou smiled softly.
"Kagome... you have earned this happiness that will come from the union between you and Sesshoumaru. It is much like what I would have had with InuYasha. We all find our soul mates and yet we," she waved her hand to the line of priestesses, "have all been cursed to never have the chance to be happy. Now, we hope our soul in this life time, through you, will finally find the happiness we had all strived for with the men we wanted but never had."
Kagome looked at her former selves and pitied them. She looked to Kikyou. "Kikyou... I really am sorry about you and InuYasha." she whispered, eyes downcast.
Kikyou gave her a weak smile. "I have long come to accept it. I will wait for him until he passes on. Eventually we will be together and find the peace that we longed for. My time will come for happiness."
Midoriko nodded. "We are all waiting for our mates to come back to us. They have either passed on or not found us or are still living. It is common for our soul to fall for a demon." Modirko smirked. "It seems there is something irresistible about youkai. Forbidden as it is between a demon and priestess yet we always fall for one. Ironic but true." The priestess glanced up at the brightening sky. "You are about to awaken Kagome. Naraku is almost at the village. You will wake up a bit weak but time is of the essence. Sesshoumaru will be outside fighting. You must hurry to his side and protect him. Naraku has a devious plot up his sleeve and it will test your bond with Sesshoumaru."
Kagome felt herself beginning to float upwards. Looking down in surprise, she watched Kikyou, Midoriko and all the other priestesses begin to fade. Staring into Kikyou's gentle brown eyes, she felt her promise to the dead priestess become priority. She would keep her promise to Kikyou and save InuYasha. Midoriko looked up at Kagome, her blue eyes cool. Kagome nodded at her. She would do what her soul had told her to. She must save everyone from Naraku and the Shikon no Tama. Sesshoumaru was hers and she his. She was not going crazy or being a loose woman by being attracted to the demon Lord. It was right. She was not betraying InuYasha for this was meant to be.
"Thank you." she called down to them before the light consumed her.
_________________________________________
Sessh oumaru stood elegantly, intending to get some fresh air. He had not left Kagome's side for days and needed to stretch his long legs. Hearing her whisper, he glanced at the girl. She seemed a lot calmer and had not been expressing any sort of discontent or unhappiness for the last hour. Eyeing her carefully, he swiftly left the hut, his silver-white hair flowing behind him. Walking down the wooden steps and crossing the village, he ignored the frightened, curious stares of the village people. His head held arrogantly high, he walked silently, gracefully, his golden stare fixed ahead of him.
"Kaede-sama... why is that demon here and why does he not leave Kagome-sama's side?" A young woman, Sumi, asked the old miko.
The pair was in Kaede's private garden, picking herbs and vegetables and placing them in woven bamboo baskets. Kaede glanced up from the ashitaba herb she was carefully plucking. Puckering her age lips together, the priestess gave Sumi a warm smile.
"Ah it is a curious thing to me as well. He is a companion of hers. They fight together." she explained non-chalantly.
Sumi frowned. She turned and watched the demon walk towards the forest. He was so.... perfect. His silver-white hair, exquisite features that resembled an angel, his sharp hawk-golden eyes... Sumi sighed. Lady Kagome was indeed fortunate with men! InuYasha-sama, Kouga-sama and now the taiyoukai from the West! What was it about the priestess? Sumi scowled. It was more then likely her indecent clothing! Any woman would be able to grab a man's (or in this case demon's) attention with that sort of garment!
Kaede stiffened, her hand pausing before it grabbed the ikarisou herb. Her one eye narrowing, she glanced at the sky. Something was not right. What was this ominous feeling? Near by, Sesshoumaru halted at the beginning of the forest. His face void of any thought or emotion, he slowly raised his gaze to the sky, examining it carefully. His youki had been alerted. There was an intruder somewhere. He glanced at his injured claw. It was functional and he was able to eat now but it certainly could not hold Tokijin's massive weight. His eyes narrowed in irritation. He doubted he could even use his Dakkousa.
He turned and looked at the hut that contained the miko. He had made a promise to protect her. Despite his injuries he would not allow this menace to lay harm to the miko.
_________________________________________
Afte r landing and letting the screaming Jaken on, Ah Un the dragon had continued to fly through the air, ignoring their grumpy occupant. Rin sat on the dragon, waving her arms in the air and giggling as the wind tickled her nose and twirled her hair behind her. She turned and looked at the glowering Jaken and waved at him. He was curled up on the dragon's back, sleeping almost contently except for the annoying giggles and 'weee's the girl before him consistently let out. Digging his head further into his arms, trying to block out the sound of Rin and the fact he was hundreds of feet in the air, Jaken bit back a sob.
How he missed his Sesshoumaru-sama!
"Where is Sesshomaru-sama?" Rin asked her grumpy care giver as she looked down at the ground, frowning when she did not see the familiar white figure of her Lord.
Jaken opened one yellow eye grudgingly and continued to glare at the child with it. "Sesshomaru-sama said he would come back when he deemed it fit Rin! But you, you annoying pest, continue to search for our Lord! He will be most angered." The toad youkai mumbled accusingly.
Rin smiled at Jaken. "Ano... Jaken-sama... didn't you tell Rin to gather Ah Un and look for Sesshoumaru-sama?" she questioned thoughtfully.
Jaken raised himself like an angered porcupine and huffed. Of course the child had to remember that fact! Glaring at her, he stated sourly, "You stupid ningen child! I did not!"
Ah Un turned and glared at Jaken, silently accusing him. Jaken froze in his place. The dragon eyed him slowly, as if deciding to eat him or simply throw him off their back. Sweat-dropping, Jaken raised his tiny green claws before him in a placating gesture and gave a rather ugly nervous smile.
"Well... maybe not... I did of course want to of find Sesshoumaru-sama as well..."
The dragons snorted a puff of smoke rising from their nostrils and turned to their attention to the sky again. Jaken sighed in relief. He was going to live another day!
Rin looked down at the ground and blinked in surprise when she saw the forest thinning. Straining her eyes, she smiled when she noticed the small village on the outskirts of the forest. Prodding Jaken with her foot, she pointed at it, bouncing in her seat.
"Look! A village! Could Sesshoumaru-sama be in there, Jaken-sama?"
Jaken gave the girl a dangerous glare. "That is a ningen village, Rin. No, of course he wouldn't be in there!" he snapped ferociously.
Rin blinked at Jaken. "Demo..."
"No buts Rin! Continue on! Sesshoumaru-sama in a ningen village! How preposterous!" Jaken muttered to himself.
Ignoring Jaken's rude mumblings, Rin continued near the village. She felt Sesshoumaru-sama was around here! Looking forward, her hands tight around Ah Un's reins, Rin frowned when she noticed a large black mass in the sky, moving dangerously fast towards them. Only nine years old and quite innocent, she didn't grasp the danger of the situation. Instead, she questioned it.
"Jaken-sama, ano....what is that?" The little girl asked, pointing to the shadow in the sky.
Grumbling to himself in his annoyance, Jaken opened his eyes. His eyes then widened in horror as they saw the hurling mass of thousands of youkai approaching this way. Staring at the growling, snarling youkai, he sensed their lust for blood. Shaking, he screeched in horror and started to ready his staff to toast them all (to protect himself of course). At the head of the youkai, Jaken noticed a white horse and astride it, a little pink-hair boy.
'Hakodoushi!'
Remembering the danger and strength of the Naraku reincarnate, Jaken started to try and take Ah Un's reins from the confused little girl. The dragon roared in fury as the youkai continued forth towards them, a smiling Hakodoushi aiming for the small group.
"Rin! Land Ah Un now for Kami sake's!" he shrieked.
Rin looked down for a landing area and then smiled happily. "Jaken-sama! Look! Sesshomaru-sama!" she announced happily as she pointed down at their Lord who was heading towards them as a white flash, his golden eyes flashing red.
Screaming as they were enveloped in the mass of snarling, growling youkai, Jaken began praying to the Kami's as Rin's screams filled the sky. Seeing Sesshoumaru come in the middle of youkai, Jaken began to weep for joy, his large yellow eyes squinted and puffy.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! You've come to save me!" he screamed joyfully.
Sesshoumaru kicked a youkai away from the group and began to swipe his claw, tearing the demons apart and keeping his group safe. Looking from the corner of one eye, Sesshoumaru noted his group was safe. Feeling the warm blood of his victims dripping down his arm, he looked forward at the mass of youkai who now stood in the air a hundred feet from them, having retreated at the appearance of Sesshoumaru. Hakodoushi smirked coldly at the taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru glared at the small demon boy, intending to dispose of him first.
His eyes trained forward, Sesshoumaru stated coolly, "Jaken, take Rin to safety."
Jaken blinked away his tears. Sniffling, he noted Rin staring at Sesshoumaru, pale-faced and in a shocked sort of state. She stared at her Lord's claw, noticing the blood dripping from it. Memories of her parents and the villagers, torn apart and bloody, killed by thieves and wolves, ran across her mind. Her body shaking, she felt tears coming forth in her eyes. Suddenly, she froze. Something did not feel right about her Sesshoumaru-sama! Her large brown eyes widening, she looked up at him, staring at his silver-white hair.
"Sesshoumaru-sama..." she whispered, her small face revealing her immense fear.
She looked at his claw again. He was injured! Her Sesshoumaru-sama was injured! Sesshoumaru glanced at Rin and gave her a cool, blank stare. Catching her wet brown eyes, he stared at her icily.
"Go with Jaken, Rin."
He then turned his attention forward. Rin swayed on the seat and felt Jaken pulling her arm harshly. Her Sesshoumaru-sama was injured. She could not leave Sesshoumaru-sama... the blood... all the blood...
"Rin! Do as what Sesshoumaru-sama has told you! Bring Ah Un down to the village!" Jaken snapped.
"Sesshoumaru." a deep voice chuckled, echoing in the sky and magnified by dark magic.
The group stiffened all except Sesshoumaru who stood in the air, unperturbed. A dark orb appeared before Hakodoushi and faded purple. It then took on a human form and cleared. Naraku stepped forward from the black miasma, his ruby-red eyes fixed on Sesshoumaru. His pale lips turning upwards in a twisted grin, he examined the demon Lord, his eyes twinkling merrily at the absence of Tokijin in Sesshoumaru's claw.
"Still injured are we, Sesshoumaru-sama?" he purred.
His golden eyes narrowing, the taiyoukai questioned blankly, "What is it that you want, Naraku?"
Naraku raised a dark brow at the demon. "Did I not explain myself last time, taiyoukai? I am here to rid of you… once and for all. There will be no intrusions this time." Naraku smirked. "Also, I find myself here not just for you but your little priestess companion."
Sesshoumaru's eyes slanted dangerously, his fangs bared now. Glaring at Naraku furiously, Sesshoumaru twisted his claw and raised it before him. The spindly fingers cracked and readied to tear apart the dark demon. "You will not succeed hanyou. You are a disgrace and smudge upon this Land. Prepare to be demolished." the youkai Lord snarled, his eyes tinting red.
Naraku chuckled. "So protective over a ningen, Sesshoumaru-sama! And I thought you were already dishonored by keeping a ningen child as a ward." Naraku nodded his head towards the silent, pale Rin. "I think I may kill her too. How do you feel about her being fed to one of my youkai minions? They do like sweet, young children flesh."
Sesshoumaru felt his body become tight as his youki surfaced. His eyes slanting, his fangs elongating, the taiyoukai growled. "Do not touch what is mine, hanyou." he hissed.
Naraku smirked. "We shall see, Sesshoumaru. Let us begin." He then raised his hand in the air, signaling for his swarm to attack.
The youkai rushed forward and Sesshoumaru did so as well, becoming nothing but a silver flash. Within seconds, parts of demons were being thrown to the ground, their heads decapitated, their bodies split in half and random limbs torn and flung carelessly without mercy. Rin screamed when the youkai closed in on them, Jaken standing over her protectively, his staff sprouting fire in random directions, his scream piercing the say. Ah Un roared and shot lightening in the air, aiming at the enemy and tearing with their fangs and claws.
Suddenly, Rin was falling. Her hands reaching out to Jaken who in turn screamed her name and reached for her, his large yellow eyes wide with actual concern, Rin fell down into the massive youkai pool, disappearing among their twisting bodies.
"Rin!" Jaken shrieked.
Sesshoumaru froze and looked behind him to see Rin had vanished from Ah Un's backside. Swiftly scanning the area, panic hitting his chest, a fear and fury rising in him, Sesshoumaru saw the orange and white figure falling to the ground, unnoticed by the group of demons. Without thinking, Sesshoumaru turned and dove towards Rin, his eyes fixed on only her. Snarling and tearing apart any youkai in his way, he reached out towards the sobbing little girl.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin cried out, her tears falling to the far away ground.
Seeing her angel coming towards her, she reached out both her arms and screamed when Sesshoumaru's arm wrapped around her and tightly held her to his steel-covered armored chest. Pressing her face into his unarmored shoulder, the little girl sobbed as Sesshoumaru quickly descended to the ground where the villagers were panicking. The men had gathered together and were now armored and held weapons ready. Many were shooting arrows into the sky, aiming at the youkai.
Kaede bounded forward, her long grey pony tail swaying behind her. Her bow and quiver of arrows on her, she saw Sesshoumaru, blood-drenched and furious, holding a shaking little girl to his person. Seeing the men going towards Sesshomaru, she firmly ordered them to back off. Cautiously, she approached the furious demon Lord. Staring into his red eyes, noting the sharp lines now on his face and the electric quality to his youki aura, she opened her arms.
"Let me hide her safely, Sesshoumaru-sama. I am readying to place a large barrier around the village. She will be safe with me. I promise." she said gently.
Sesshoumaru heard the woman's words. Looking down at the sobbing Rin, he reluctantly handed her to Kaede. Watching the elder miko pass her to a middle-aged woman, Sesshoumaru turned his back to her. He did not need to thank her. She knew.
"Keep both her and the miko safe or you will all pay with your lives." he stated coldly.
Kaede nodded. "Of course, Sesshoumaru-sama. I will place the barrier up when you return to the battle."
Sesshoumaru then leapt into the sky, heading towards the demons again. Watching the strong taiyoukai go to battle, Kaede closed her eye and made a hand arrangement. Focusing her energy, a large purple-pink barrier formed around the entire village. Rin began screaming, reaching out to Sesshoumaru. Seeing him head into the battle, Ah Un and Jaken fighting beside him, the little girl cried, tears falling from her eyes, her body squirming in the strange woman's hold.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!"
_______________________________ __________
Kagome opened her eyes and saw the familiar wooden ceiling with its herbs drying on the brown yarn going across from banister to banister of Kaede's hut. Slowly, she sat up, pushing the blankets off of her. Her eyesight began to darken and she closed her eyes and held her head. She felt so weak. It was just as Midoriko said. Opening her eyes hesitantly, she looked around the hut for Sesshoumaru. She stiffened at the memory of Midoriko's instructions.
'Sesshoumaru!' her mind screamed.
Throwing the blankets off and standing quickly, ignoring the sudden rush of dizziness hitting her, she stumbled to the door and down the steps. Looking up and seeing the pink barrier around the village, she noticed the mayhem at once. Kaede was instructing men onto the roofs so they could fire arrows from there. Kagome felt her heart beating quickly and looked up into the sky. She froze instantly and her gut dropped. There was Naraku and Hakodoushi with a large army of youkai attacking Sesshoumaru and his group!
'Bow...arrow... need a bow and arrows!'
Kagome ran back into Kaede's hut and began frantically looking for the pair of her preferred weapons. Her hands cold and shaking, she grasped a very old bow and a half-filled quiver of arrows and ran outside, heading towards the shouting Kaede who was now ordering a group of men to the south end of the village.
"Kaede! Kaede-sama!" she shrieked.
Kaede blinked in shock when she saw Kagome stumbling across the village towards her, disheveled and a bow in hand. Waving away a group of men, Kaede ran towards her, worried. Grasping the girl's arms, she looked into her pale face, searching for any sign of hurt. Kagome panted and looked down at Kaede, her throat tight and her chest feeling as if it would rip open any second and expose her quickly racing heart.
"Kagome! How? Why? Ye are-"
"Kaede get me out of here! Let me through the barrier or I'll break it!" Kagome interrupted, her blue eyes flashing.
Kaede froze as did the onlookers. Staring at Kagome, she understood. The girl knew Sesshoumaru was in the battle. She looked at the girl carefully, noting how pale and tired she looked. She could sense the immense decrease in spiritual energy in Kagome. Her judgment told her to not let Kagome go while she was this weak and after what she had been through but she knew there was no use in trying to reason with the girl. Ignoring the whispers and murmurs of the confused villagers, Kaede pointed at a small opening in the barrier.
"Over there. It will only remain open for a few more seconds. Be careful, Kagome."
Kaede watched Kagome sprint to the hole and go through it and into the dense forest and out of sight. Looking up at Sesshoumaru, she frowned. She did not have a good feeling about this. Scanning the sky, she pressed her hands together, holding the barrier and closing the small passage.
'Please Kami; protect them, us and bring InuYasha and the others. Onegai. Pity this old woman.'
Having left the concerned Kaede and villagers without a second thought, unaware of Kaede's concern and stress over her, Kagome ran through the forest, her mind trained on only Sesshoumaru. All she could think of was the matter of his injured claw and Naraku, sadistic, twisted, relentless Naraku, was up there and his focus was on the taiyoukai. He had brought countless youkai slaves and to worsen the situation, the demon child, Hakodoushi, was present on his cursed steed. Jumping over a fallen tree and ducking beneath various low branches, Kagome panted as she strained her weak, tired body, never ceasing her run.
She needed to get to Sesshoumaru.
Hearing the roars and howls of the hovering demons, Kagome looked up and saw the twisting mass of demons surrounding Sesshoumaru and his group. She dug her feet into the ground and skidded to an abrupt stop. Seeing a silver flash, she instantly knew the dangerous silver beam was none other then Sesshoumaru who was soaring through the air with his untraceable youkai speed, a dangerous silver flash ridding of his rivals. Her heart pounding, she heard Midoriko's words echoing in her mind,
'His defeat is plainly exposed and he will not risk you and Sesshoumaru knowing of your potential together.
Chewing her bottom lip, Kagome cursed out loud. She was on the ground for pity sakes! How could she get up to where Sesshoumaru was? Frantically looking around her, Kagome noticed a very tall hill. An idea coming to her, she sprinted towards it, her heart racing and her body trembling.
'I'm coming Sesshoumaru! I won't let Naraku kill you. I won't let you die! I swear it!'
_________________________________________
A little far away, the inu-gumi was on their way to Kaede's village, anxious to see their injured companion. There was a stressed silence between all of them, not able to form words between one another. Shippou had long ago buried himself in Miroku's robes (again) to try and ignore the strained atmosphere. Sango strained her eyes and nudged Miroku who sat behind her, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Turning her head to him, she shouted over the wind,
"Houshi-sama! Do you see that?"
Miroku perked up, trying to focus his mind off of Sango's plump bottom pushing against his now sensitive crotch area. Looking in the direction she hinted too, he frowned when he noticed a dark mass in the sky. His handsome face becoming concerned, he turned his violet eyes to InuYasha who flew beside them, silent and fore lone. Looking to the hanyou and aware of his sensitive condition, the monk could only pray it wasn't a situation involving Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
"InuYasha I sense a large amount of youkai and Naraku's presence near the village!" the monk yelled, his voice strong over the gusting wind.
InuYasha turned furious golden eyes to Miroku and Sango, his face contorted in a look of rage.
"What?!"
Sango nodded. "Ya! I felt it earlier! There seems to be a lot of jyaki and youki over there! That is not a random attack! Naraku is attacking Kaede's village! Sesshoumaru and Kagome are there!" The slayer shouted her concern evident.
InuYasha turned his attention to the youkai mass and snarled. Kagome! She was in trouble and she was already injured enough.
'Chikuso, Naraku! What are you up to now you bastard!'
Not even warning his companions, InuYasha surged forward, becoming nothing but a red streak. Sango dug her heels into Kirara and shouted for the feline to hurry. Their robes and hair billowing behind them in the wind, the group raced through the sky, their hearts twisting with fear and worry. They should have accompanied Kagome and Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru was injured and could certainly not hold off both youkai and Naraku alone with an injured, unconscious Kagome on his hands! Approaching the village, Miroku nudged Sango and pointed to the large pink barrier that hovered over the village. Miroku scowled when he noticed many youkai attacking the barrier.
He knew Kaede-sama had placed it up but she was old and could not possibly keep up the barrier for much longer under the strain of powerful demon attacking it ruthlessly. Reaching into his robes, Miroku procured a shaking, terrified Shippou and looked down into the kitsune's pale little face.
"Change into a bird and fly me to the barrier! We need to protect the village!" he ordered the fox demon.
Trembling, Shippou nodded and 'popped' in a burst of smoke and became a large eagle. Flying besides Kirara, Shippou yelled to Miroku he was ready. Miroku patted Sango on the shoulder and nodded at her.
"Be careful, Sango-koi! Watch over InuYasha and be wary of Naraku! There is something foul in the air!" he said before leaping onto Shippou's back and flying to the village.
Watching the monk head to the village, Sango shook her head, trying to rid herself of this ominous feeling. Miroku was right. Something was not right! Yet she could not think of that right now. She needed to aid InuYasha. Flying lower to try and find any snipers or hidden youkai, Sango gasped when a pink arrow flashed by her, startling both she and Kirara. Reining Kirara in, Sango looked down in confusion and froze when she saw a green and white figure atop of a large hill waving to her.
"Kagome!" Sango gasped.
Kirara roared in confusion and dove down. The pair came beside Kagome and noted her tired, pale look. Sango felt tears rushing to her eyes, so relieved she was that Kagome was safe and better yet alive. Holding back a sob, Sango managed to say to Kagome,
"Kagome-chan! You're alright!"
Kagome nodded and ran to Kirara. "Hai! Let me on and take me with you. Sesshoumaru is up there and he is still injured! I need to be by him!" The little miko ordered.
Sango frowned. "Kagome you were just injured yourself! I can't possibly-"
"Sango there is no time to argue! Take me or I'll get there another way. Either way, with or without you, I'm getting up there to Sesshoumaru and Naraku!" Kagome interrupted, her eyes flashing, her face determined.
Sango stared at Kagome in shock. Where had this power... this strength... come from Kagome? Noticing Kagome was already looking for another way up to the battle, Sango sighed. She could not argue with the girl. It was either Kagome was with Kirara and Sango and with at least some sort of protection or she tried to go there by some sort of dangerous way. Nodding to Kagome, Sango made room on Kirara's back.
"Hop on and hold on tight! It's going to be a bumpy ride!" Sango stated, her left hand holding her katana and the right holding Hiraikotsou to her back.
Smiling gratefully, Kagome leapt astride Kirara's back and notched an arrow in her old bow. Her eyes focused on the battle above, she tightened her knees along Kirara's ribs and did as she was told, tightly holding herself to the fire neko. Watching for Sesshoumaru, Kagome felt her heart race as she felt him near by. Their blood bond allowed her this small grace now. He was alright for now. She could feel it! However, his energy was on a rampage. He was furious. Concerned, Kagome shook Sango's shoulder.
"Sango get to the middle! I feel Sesshoumaru is there and the Shikon no Tama!" Kagome ordered as she released an energized arrow into a group of youkai, instantly disintegrating them.
"Naraku." Sango gritted as she cut a near by youkai with her katana and flung her boomerang with her other hand. She was able to multi-task like that.
"Hai. None other." Kagome agreed grimly.
Sango nodded. "Well then let's go! Kirara! Up!" The slayer ordered and the cat obeyed, swinging upwards.
The girls slashed through the demons relentlessly, ignoring the blood that painted their clothes and splashed on their cheeks. Sango cutting with her katana and Kagome releasing powerful arrows, letting a rainfall of demon limbs and parts and blood shower to the ground bellow, they battled ferociously to Sesshoumaru and Naraku. Their eyes trained forward, Kagome felt the bond between her and Sesshoumaru becoming stronger as she came that much closer to the demon.
'Hold on Sesshoumaru. I'm coming.' Kagome pleaded the taiyoukai as she fired another arrow.
_________________________________________
Tra nslations:
Demo: But
Ano: Um
Onegai: Please
Iie: No
Hai: Yes
Arigatou: Thank you
"Change into a bird and fly me to the barrier! We need to protect the village!" he ordered the fox demon.
Trembling, Shippou nodded and 'popped' in a burst of smoke and became a large eagle. Flying besides Kirara, Shippou yelled to Miroku he was ready. Miroku patted Sango on the shoulder and nodded at her.
"Be careful, Sango-koi! Watch over InuYasha and be wary of Naraku! There is something foul in the air!" he said before leaping onto Shippou's back and flying to the village.
Watching the monk head to the village, Sango shook her head, trying to rid herself of this ominous feeling. Miroku was right. Something was not right! Yet she could not think of that right now. She needed to aid InuYasha. Flying lower to try and find any snipers or hidden youkai, Sango gasped when a pink arrow flashed by her, startling both she and Kirara. Reining Kirara in, Sango looked down in confusion and froze when she saw a green and white figure atop of a large hill waving to her.
"Kagome!" Sango gasped.
Kirara roared in confusion and dove down. The pair came beside Kagome and noted her tired, pale look. Sango felt tears rushing to her eyes, so relieved she was that Kagome was safe and better yet alive. Holding back a sob, Sango managed to say to Kagome,
"Kagome-chan! You're alright!"
Kagome nodded and ran to Kirara. "Hai! Let me on and take me with you. Sesshoumaru is up there and he is still injured! I need to be by him!" The little miko ordered.
Sango frowned. "Kagome you were just injured yourself! I can't possibly-"
"Sango there is no time to argue! Take me or I'll get there another way. Either way, with or without you, I'm getting up there to Sesshoumaru and Naraku!" Kagome interrupted, her eyes flashing, her face determined.
Sango stared at Kagome in shock. Where had this power... this strength... come from Kagome? Noticing Kagome was already looking for another way up to the battle, Sango sighed. She could not argue with the girl. It was either Kagome was with Kirara and Sango and with at least some sort of protection or she tried to go there by some sort of dangerous way. Nodding to Kagome, Sango made room on Kirara's back.
"Hop on and hold on tight! It's going to be a bumpy ride!" Sango stated, her left hand holding her katana and the right holding Hiraikotsou to her back.
Smiling gratefully, Kagome leapt astride Kirara's back and notched an arrow in her old bow. Her eyes focused on the battle above, she tightened her knees along Kirara's ribs and did as she was told, tightly holding herself to the fire neko. Watching for Sesshoumaru, Kagome felt her heart race as she felt him near by. Their blood bond allowed her this small grace now. He was alright for now. She could feel it! However, his energy was on a rampage. He was furious. Concerned, Kagome shook Sango's shoulder.
"Sango get to the middle! I feel Sesshoumaru is there and the Shikon no Tama!" Kagome ordered as she released an energized arrow into a group of youkai, instantly disintegrating them.
"Naraku." Sango gritted as she cut a near by youkai with her katana and flung her boomerang with her other hand. She was able to multi-task like that.
"Hai. None other." Kagome agreed grimly.
Sango nodded. "Well then let's go! Kirara! Up!" The slayer ordered and the cat obeyed, swinging upwards.
The girls slashed through the demons relentlessly, ignoring the blood that painted their clothes and splashed on their cheeks. Sango cutting with her katana and Kagome releasing powerful arrows, letting a rainfall of demon limbs and parts and blood shower to the ground bellow, they battled ferociously to Sesshoumaru and Naraku. Their eyes trained forward, Kagome felt the bond between her and Sesshoumaru becoming stronger as she came that much closer to the demon.
'Hold on Sesshoumaru. I'm coming.' Kagome pleaded the taiyoukai as she fired another arrow.
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Tra nslations:
Demo: But
Ano: Um
Onegai: Please
Iie: No
Hai: Yes
Arigatou: Thank you