InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ Battle Cry ( Chapter 28 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 28: Battle Cry

Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome fell into an exhausted sleep later that night, rolled comfortably in her bedding, then lifted his gaze to the night sky, and lost himself in this thoughts.

He was content - for the first time in his long life, he was perfectly happy right where he was. He didn't feel the need to be anywhere else - except maybe closer to his miko.

Soon. It is almost time. We will clear our lands, and then...

Firmly, he turned his thoughts away from that path - he needed to stay focused, and away from that part of things for now.

Instead, he considered his brother.

Earlier, after returning from the well with Kagome, he'd sensed him, watching the village from the cover of the trees, and was curious - why was he staying away? Was he still angered, still considering interfering between he and his miko?

I truly hope he is not - I have no real desire to have my brother's blood on my claws, but I will do what I must to protect that which is mine.

Inevitably, thoughts of fighting led to thoughts of the upcoming battles to clear his lands - and to thoughts of the monk, Ungai, and his so-called army. Kisho had said that they were using the upheavals as an excuse to call for the destruction of all demons, and he found that easy to believe.

Apparently, he and his followers were busy scouring the north for demons and battling them - but it was only a matter of time before he turned his eyes to the rest of the lands - including the western lands.

That is where he and Sesshoumaru would butt heads, because he had no intention of letting his lands be attacked by a bunch of crazed humans. The attacks by crazed demons that were currently going on in the west were bad enough, and would shortly be stopped, and he wasn't about to have some monk and his friends come along and cause even more havoc.

So... what to do?

Perhaps it would be best to think of this particular concern when his miko and the monk were awake - they would be the best ones to speak to about this, along with the elder miko, they were the ones with holy powers, and would be best suited to dealing with this issue.

He was pulled from his thoughts by a slight push against his aura, and coming to his feet, he immediately moved off into the trees. Within moments, the void child stood before him.

"Kagura is with your sorceress, my Lord," she said, her voice wispy and soft - if you weren't listening hard, you would not hear her at all.

He nodded, glancing at the girl's mirror, and it shifted, showing the meeting between the two. He was pleased - the wind demoness had no idea what she was up against in Nyoko.

Then something else occurred to him.

"Show me the monk, Ungai, and his followers."

The scene shifted abruptly at his command, and he found himself looking down on several battles, followed by the monk speaking to villagers and elders, garnering more and more support.

He considered for a time, weighing things in his mind. This was serious, and he remembered something that Kagome had let slip once - how there were no demons in her time.

It made him wonder if he wasn't watching the reason for that lack in Kanna's mirror right now.

"Keep track of him, and report his progress to me every second day - sooner if necessary. You need no longer hide yourself, come to me openly."

She nodded, then turned without a word and disappeared into the darkness.

He walked back slowly, irritation flaring within at the thought of all the trouble Naraku had caused - even his absence was a nuisance.

I almost wish I could bring him back with Tensaiga so that I could kill him for continuing to interfere in my life.

---wWw---

Inuyasha stared hard at the stranger sitting along the banks of the river near the village, seemingly content in the moonlight, and wondered what the hell he was doing here - and who he was.

Demon, obviously, he thought, disgruntled at that thought. But why is he so close to a human habitation? Most higher level demons such as he stay away from villages and the like.

His eyes narrowed in thought, and finally, he hopped down from the tree he was crouched in and strode forward, hand on the hilt of Tessaiga.

"Who the hell are you and what are doin' near my village?"

Kisho sighed, and shaking his head, turned and looked over at the newcomer. His brow rose into his hairline. "So... you're the youngest son of the Inu no Taisho, brother of Sesshoumaru. Interesting." His eyes openly roamed over him appraisingly.

"Yeah, and what of it? You still didn't answer my question."

"I am merely waiting 'til morning to join your brother when he leaves for his lands - he indicated that I should head south if I wished to get away from Ungai and his followers." He shrugged, then turned back to his contemplations of the sky.

"Ungai, huh?" He tightened his grip on the Tessaiga. "So he's stirring up more trouble. Keh, can't say as I'm surprised." He moved over and sat down near the demon, glancing at him, then looking away. "Bet Sesshoumaru wasn't happy to hear his name, either."

"It was obvious that he had had an encounter with the monk before," he agreed, "and not a pleasant one."

"So... you're gonna be traveling with us, at least for a while. Friend of the frigid bastard's, are ya?" Inuyasha eyed him, curious about this demon.

"Does your brother even have friends? If so, I am not aware of them." They both chuckled. "And it's funny, I just said the same thing to him earlier - the frigid thing." Kisho looked over at him. "What do you know about the young miko that was with him?"

Inuyasha's head whipped around, and he stared narrow-eyed at him. "Kagome?"

Kisho nodded. "Yes... I believe that is the name he called her."

"Why do ya wanna know? he asked, suspiciously.

"I find her... fascinating. He claims she is his, but I may just challenge him on that."

Inuyasha growled, but then something occurred to him, and instead, he started laughing, causing Kisho to stare at him, a confused, affronted expression settling on his features.

"Why is that thought so funny, half-demon?"

"You may as well not bother, cause ya ain't got a chance. Even if you were to fight my brother and win, you'd never have Kagome - the minute you tried to touch her, she'd purify you straight to hell. She chooses her mate, and she already chose Sesshoumaru."

His brow lowered in a scowl. "How do you know so much of the woman if she belongs to your brother?"

Pain flashed across Inuyasha's face for a minute, then was resolutely cut off. "Because once... she could have been mine," he said, voice low. "I was just too much of a fool, and I let her get away. She's been one of my traveling companions for several years - I knew her before my brother ever met her."

Kisho frowned. "Still... were I to challenge, and win - demon law, I would have rights to her."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "She ain't a demon, stupid. Kagome is nobody's fool, and I won't warn you again - if you tried it, she'd kill you. She would never let anyone but herself choose who she wants to be with - and for some god-awful reason," he shuddered, "she's decided she loves him. If you want to stay alive, get those thoughts out of your head."

He snorted. "Funny, your brother said the same thing."

"And he meant it, too, I can guarantee you." He glanced at him. "Look... straight out - I may only be a half-demon, but I can sense auras as well as you can, and his is much, much stronger than yours." He raised a brow at the others snort. Kisho was well aware himself that he was no match for Sesshoumaru, he just didn't want to admit it.

"Wouldn't do you much good to lust after Kagome just to end up dead - kinda defeats the purpose, so to speak." He laughed then, amusement creeping into his voice. "Just ask the wolf prince."

Kisho looked thoughtful for a moment, still frowning, then his brow cleared. "Do you mean Koga?" At Inuyasha's nod, he asked, "Why?"
"That stupid wolf pelt has had a thing for Kagome for years, constantly claiming her as his, even though she denied him every time. Just a few days ago, he showed up, grabbed her, and took off with her - and when Sesshoumaru caught up with him - well, let's just say... the wolf tribes no longer have a prince. My brother left him lying on the field - in pieces."

"Huh," Kisho huffed. "Dead?"

"I ain't never seen anybody any deader - except maybe Naraku when Kagome finished with him."

Kisho stared off into space. Maybe I should just leave it alone - the two sound like they make a deadly combination.

But...

---wWw---

Bright and early the next morning, the group gathered near the village and prepared to depart. It had been decided the evening before that all of them, including Kikyou, would be going along - the villages and humans within the confines of the Western Lands would need to be protected while they were taking care of the demon infestation.

Just as they were packing up the last of the necessary items, Kisho wandered in, and everyone stared first at him, then at Sesshoumaru. Miroku, Kikyou, and Kagome had all felt his aura flare with irritation, although he kept a straight face.

Only Kagome knew why he was annoyed, however.

Kisho, in the meantime, stopped and stared in confusion when he caught sight of Kikyou, and his eyes went back and forth between the two of them in surprise.

Pinning Kagome with a hot blue gaze, he asked, "Your sister, perhaps, miko?"

Kagome glanced over at Sesshoumaru for a moment, then looked at Kikyou, before letting out a highly amused chuckle. Kikyou's gaze was also broadcasting amusement.

"Nope. No relation."

Kikyou shook her head as the handsome demon's eyes landed on her, and she felt a faint thrill at the heat of it... fire elemental, she thought vaguely, as she drowned in his devouring gaze.

Kisho bowed towards the woman who could be a twin of the one he'd first met yesterday, although her aura was nowhere near as powerful as the younger woman's, it was still strong.

"My Lady. May I ask what your name is?"

Everyone had watched the odd reactions from the two to each other, and Inuyasha's eyes narrowed angrily as he broke in before she could speak.

"Keh! Her names Kikyou, and she's just as off-limits as Kagome, dumbass!"

Kikyou glared at him, embarrassed that he would act like that. "Inuyasha!" she hissed. "Mind your manners! That was rude. And what do you mean I'm off limits? Don't you think you need to talk to me before you make statements like that?"

With a growl, he grabbed the angrily glowering woman and tossed her onto his back, then pushed off, calling over his shoulder, "Let's go, fools! We got places to be and demons to kill."

Sesshoumaru stared after his younger brother with an amused glint in his eye. So, Kisho seems to have developed an interest in the elder priestess... I have no problem with that - if he's chasing her, he will not be chasing my female.

He held out a hand to Kagome. "Come, miko."

As he pulled her to him, he formed his cloud and they took off, the rest of the group following along behind, leaving a rather annoyed fire elemental behind - cursing the sons of the Inu no Taisho, and their seeming luck with women.

It only took him a few moments to get himself under control and flash into his energy form for travel, and soon there was a streak of fire flashing across the sky - chasing the group of people heading into the west.

Kikyou... and Kagome.

Those names echoed in his mind all day as they traveled towards the west, and stayed even through the several battles that the group ended up in as they crossed the borders of the Western Lands and began the task of clearing the destructive lower level demons from them.

---wWw---

Ungai studied the village that lay in the valley before them, surprised. It was protected, somehow, by a barrier of holy power - and it was strong. From what he could see, there was the energy of at least one miko, and a monk, possibly more. And that was a curiosity - because as far as he knew, the only group containing monks and priestesses, was his.

Normally, miko, the practitioners of the shinto religion, and monks, the followers of the Buddha, did not really work together. They didn't fight or oppose each other, but they tended to keep to their own beliefs... which is why this little village had so surprised him.

His brow furrowed in thought. Perhaps there were allies to be had here? Other monks and miko that would join in his cause? Turning to his closest followers, he gave several orders.

"We will stop here and rest - send a monk, and a priestess into that village and see if they have any need of our help."

The order to stop and rest rippled through the large group of people, and soon, they were spread out in a large meadow, eating travel rations and speaking desultorily to each other.

Ungai himself stayed where he was, watching as the miko and monk chosen to go to the village walked off.

He really hoped to gain those responsible for that protective barrier as allies - they were obviously powerful - he hadn't sensed anything that strong in many years. Usually, it took a group, like the one he was now traveling at the head of, working in tandem to create something so strong.

Glancing behind him, a righteous fervor swept through him, and his body tightened in exaltation. It is my destiny to rid the lands of demons, foul, evil creatures that they are, and the proof is at my back - no one has ever gathered an army for the sole purpose of eradicating this plague on the land...

Save this Master Ungai.

The chosen of the Buddha to bring peace to the world through the destruction of demonkind. He smiled.

Maybe that should be my battle cry.

He was pulled from his thoughts when the two sent into the village returned, shocked, uncomfortable looks still on their faces, and he frowned as he waited for them to speak.

They bowed, and the monk spoke. "Master Ungai, this village thanked us, but said they had no need of our help and did not wish any trouble in their lands."

"Trouble?" he asked slowly. "They see us as trouble?"

"Sir, according to the village elders, when the demon scourge hit here, a traveling group consisting of a monk, two miko, a demon slayer, and a hanyou came through, destroyed the marauding low level demons, and enclosed their village in the barrier you see before you, for protection."

Ungai scowled at that. I know of such a group - it is an abomination. Demons and humans should not mix.

"Gather the warriors. We leave this accursed place now." He turned on his heel and began walking.

I will not stay where demons and humans work together.

It is perversity.

---wWw---

Sugimi stared out at the horizon, deep in thought.

So... it has begun. The waves of fights between demon and human - nothing good will come of it. He sighed. Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha... my sons. I hope you are strong enough to withstand what you must - the fate of all our kind rests on your shoulders.

You must not falter.

And Kagome as well. Her fate is the same as yours, Sesshoumaru, and I am glad you found your happiness... the one you were meant to protect and care for. She has been your saving grace - and she will continue to be so.

Inuyasha. You... I am not so sure of any longer. Your mother was right - I did believe that your only choice was Kikyou - but I was wrong. There is another...

If you only keep your heart open.

He chuckled, then, at that thought.

If you don't, I am sure your mother will force it open, one way or another. She will not allow your chance at happiness to slip through your fingers.

"She has always been so strong-willed, my Izayoi," he said aloud, another chuckle rumbling through his chest.

"I think that's why you are so stubborn, my son. You got it from her."

"Really, my Lord Husband? And are you not stubborn and strong-willed yourself?" Izayoi asked archly, a small smile on her lips as she thought of the centuries she'd spent with this demon - and all the ways he could show that stubborn streak. Some of them were rather... interesting.

He turned and grinned playfully at her. "Perhaps, wife... but we both know that while you do not show your stubborn streak often, when it does show..." he trailed off suggestively, and she laughed.

"But it is better that way, is it not? If I were to show it as often as you do, we would spend all our time fighting," she laughed again as he winced, "and as much as you enjoy a good fight, I do not think even you would enjoy a several century-long battle."

He held his hand out to her, and she joined him in gazing out at the sunset, and with a deep sigh, she dropped her playful manner and asked, "So it has begun, then?"

He was silent for a few moments, then nodded. "Yes." He squeezed her hand, and smiled slightly down at her.

"Let us hope that they are able to defend the lands against this threat - both my sons are going to be needed."

He looked back out at the heavens, eyes going far away.

"I pray to the kami that they are strong enough... for everyones sakes."

Izayoi nodded solemnly, gazing at his face in profile, noting the worry.

I hope so, too, husband.

---wWw---

A/N: Okay, hope this chapter is enjoyed by everyone - I don't know when I will be able to post on the story again, the next few weeks are going to be very hectic as we pack, move, and try to clear base housing - which is an adventure all on it's own. I will try to write another chapter up soon, but I cannot promise. By the end of January, though, things should be calming down again, and I will be able to get back on schedule with updating. Please do not worry that I will abandon any of my stories - I will not.

Hope everyones Holidays are Happy, and also A Happy New Year to all!

Amber