InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Intended Mate ❯ The Battle of Brothers and Rescue of a Battered Miko ( Chapter 17 )

Dun dun dun, just what you've been waiting for! I think the chapter title explains it all here ^_~ I almost said battered `maiden' but that's not exactly accurate, being pregnant and all. I've gotten numerous reviews on the last chapter, most good. I appreciate your enthusiasm, though I knew you guys were going to get agitated ^_~

 

Honored place for reviewers:

Inugrrl, thank you for your lengthy reviews, chica! You never cease to crack me up with your humor and wit! You always make my day.

Andrea Moon Dog, another howl to the moon! Especially for this chapter….

Sapphire Blade, put DOWN the bleach! I thought that was funny, but I hope you enjoy this! ^_~ You can curse all you want as long as you're enjoying my stories even if they put you through the wringer.

Chirsten, aka Cherished Agony, Thanks for the emails, and reviews! You continue to brighten my day.

 

FF.net: Inuyasha's only miko, you know who you are ^_~ Thanks for the support, but I refuse to walk through seven layers of hell!

Inu-osuwari, were you offline again?? I'm on a roll! Hope to hear from you again soon!

Harai, I think you summed up Sessh in one poignant word: RAPIST!

ZehBohemian, a new one here! Thanks for the punny pun. It made me laugh!

Kiraransango…you're much too kind! (blushes) And I agree, I don't want Kagome with Sessh either.

Kayathewolf, Silver Magicky one 131, Hitomi Daremo, lady Kcassandra, AngelofDiamonds, Animefanatic1632 thanks for your reviews!

 

If I forget anyone, I apologize. But I think you all want to read what's going to happen! Enjoy, and as always, please review!

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha in any way, shape or form, but does claim to be Inu

 

While there are mates, there can still be….?

 

 

“Intended Mate” chapter seventeen

The Battle of Brothers and Rescue of a Battered Miko

 

Previously on Inuyasha….

 

“Sesshomaru!!!” Inuyasha screamed, looking up and catching sight of his brother.

 

Sesshomaru stood motionless and uncaring.

 

“Inuyasha…”he purred.

 

Okay okay I'll start the fic, don't kill me please…. (Rubs prayer beads and begins the fic)

* * * *

 

Inuyasha broke his fierce eye contact with his brother up on high and looked back over his shoulder.

 

“Wolf, you go find Kagome! Keep her safe while I deal with him,” Inuyasha growled. His transformed sword shook in his hands, itching to begin the vengeance of the harming of his mate. Koga nodded seriously, sure that Inuyasha was up to the challenge. He clapped his new friend on the shoulder and whirled around to his brothers.

 

“Hiko! Ginta! Help the humans clear out this mess!” Koga barked. Hiko and Ginta took up positions near Sango and Miroku and nodded.

 

A legion of youkai guards ran in to greet the gatecrashers and they stood ready.

 

“Yes, Koga!” Hiko yelled. “Go find Kagome-nee-san!”

 

Koga readied himself for the wind to carry him into the palace halls, when a small form jumped on his shoulder.

 

“I'm going with you!” Shippou declared. “Kagome needs me too.” Koga nodded and patted his back.

 

“Hang on tight!” In a whirl, Koga was inside the nearest hallway and running hard.

 

Sango and Miroku spun in a circle, weapons flying. Inuyasha shook Tetsusaiga at the upper window and howled a bloody dirge.

 

“Get down here, NOW!” he roared. The palace grounds beneath his feet pulsating. Sesshomaru patted Tokujin's hilt, and drew it as he glided down to the courtyard.

 

The brothers stood glaring at each other until they ran to clash steel in large sparks and clashes. The battle had begun.

 

* * * *

 

Koga ran, following what traces of Kagome's scent he could find. It was laced superficially with Sesshomaru's and the ookami gagged at the smell as he leaped and smashed over guards that got in his way.

 

Shippou's little nose was working hard too and he clung to Koga's shoulder plate tightly. “She's close!” he assessed and Koga snarled, putting his foot through a guard's face. He went down easily and Koga wrenched his leg free, splattering gore across the hardwood floor.

 

“Let's go!” Koga swore, taking off with a vengeance. Traces of Kagome were coming stronger and stronger and he literally followed his nose around two more corridors coming face to face with a legion of small youkai shugenjas.

 

“…Eeep!” several yelled in unison and Shippou was put in mind of a group of toads caught by a predator.

 

“You can't disturb the Lady Kagome!” one sputtered, hiding behind the whole mob of magic users. “She needs her rest! You can't go in! You can't….”

 

“Out of my way, runts!” Koga snarled, lashing out with fist and claw. Shippou hopped off his shoulder.

 

“Fox fire!!!” A wave of green flame burned three shugenjas raw. They slumped to the floor in shock and Shippou darted in after the wolf prince.

 

Koga kicked several away, killing or injuring indiscriminately, and dashed into the room. Shippou was hot on his heels and the two stood numbly looking down at the bed. Kagome lay on her side in a rumpled kimono, tears streaking her cheeks. She was surrounded by a weak pulsating purification barrier and her exhaustion spoke through the waves of light surrounding her as they almost went out with each new breath she took.

 

Koga could smell traces of Sesshomaru on her, but he wasn't sure if that was still superficial or not. He frowned sadly, hurt at seeing a woman he cared about in so much pain. `She's carrying his pup! She shouldn't have been hurt!' he thought angrily. He stood near the bed, gathering his courage. Sure he could smash a million guards with his legs and fists, but see a woman of his heart battered and broken…he would take the guards any day.

 

“Kagome?…” he whispered. Kagome looked over her shoulder wearily, face wet in tears.

 

“…Koga-kun?” she dared not blink for he could fade from her like a mirage. Koga was here?… How could he be here?…

 

“Kagome!” Shippou wailed, leaping up on the bed. He didn't dare touch her barrier knowing what it meant for his hide if he did, but stood close by wringing his paws.

 

“Shippou?…” Kagome murmured, eyes blinking slowly in exhaustion. She had to be dreaming now.

 

“Kagome…we need you to put your ward down,” Koga whispered gently. Kagome looked at him in confusion and her resolve wavered.

 

“I can't…I wont' let him touch me again…” fresh tears spilled from her eyes and Koga cursed to himself, hoping Inuyasha was cutting that brother of his in half.

 

“He won't…” Koga promised. He stretched his hand out, near her barrier. The hair on the back of his neck stuck out with the near current. “Lower your defenses, Kagome… I have you.”

 

Slowly the light surrounding Kagome dimmed then flickered out, leaving the miko curled in her fetal position. Koga lifted her to sit up as Shippou hugged her arm.

 

“Koga-kun….” She sniffled, ashamed he saw her this way. Koga shook his head, almost hearing her thoughts. He did not see a defeated woman. He saw a very hurt and marred woman who didn't deserve what had happened.

 

“Kagome, don't worry….” He whispered, touching her cheek with the back of his hand, eyes shining in concern. “I won't let anything else happen to you…”

 

Shippou bounced on the mattress, nose working again. “Nor I! Peh!…Why is Sesshomaru on….” He faltered and shut up as Kagome burst into tears again.

 

Slowly Koga pulled her to his chest in a warm hug, stroking her hair. Kagome clung to her friend desperately, hanging onto his familiarity, willing it to chase the nightmare away that had just happened to her.

 

Shippou hugged her side carefully like a good son. “Inuyasha's out there, and we'll all leave soon!” he assured her.

 

Koga stiffened when Kagome smiled through her tears. “I knew he was alive….” She whispered and closed her eyes against Koga's chest. The ookami held her with gentle hands lest she break.

 

* * * *

 

“Inuyasha, you shouldn't have come here,” Sesshomaru growled lightly, amused at his half brothers appearance. He was disheveled and furious and growling as proudly as an inu lord.

 

“I'll come anywhere I want cause you took my woman!” Inuyasha howled in rage. He feinted a swipe and got a good slice into his brother's side. Sesshomaru's eyebrow rose, as his blood leaked through his fine kimono.

 

“Brother mine, you never knew your place did you” he murmured slowly. Inuyasha barked a laugh.

 

“You took my Kagome! You touched her! You're going to pay for that!” Inuyasha ranted on.

 

Sesshomaru gestured to his bleeding side with Tokujin's blade. “Surely my blood is tribute enough to satisfy your temper tantrum, Inuyasha.”

 

Inuyasha smacked Tetsusaiga across Tokujin wildly, knocking his brother's arm to the side. Sesshomaru watched him placidly, though he had to admit he was curious as to Inuyasha's new strength.

 

“SHUT UP!” Inuyasha roared and the palace grounds shook. Sesshomaru stepped back as Inuyasha grew in size, his clothes ripping in areas. Tetsusaiga roared flame in his hand and Inuyasha smiled toothily, eyes gleaming a bloody red. Sesshomaru watched motionlessly as always though he had to wonder as why the ancestral spirits favored this halfling who dared defy the lord of these lands they guarded.

 

“Brother, you don't know the power you hold in you right now,” The InuLord sighed tediously, arm holding Tokujin ready.

 

Inuyasha howled an echoing dirge that stopped Hiko and Ginta across the courtyard, making the wolf brothers drop to their knees from the power behind the high decibels.

 

“You tried to take my mark from my mate! You will die!” The thing that Inuyasha became roared, shoulders pulsing. Sesshomaru watched mildly as the thing that was Inuyasha elongated to a higher inu beast.

 

Sango and Miroku stared in astonishment as the Inuyasha-beast reared on its hind paws and howled yet again.

 

“He's…he's never done that before!” Sango gasped. Miroku shook his head and took her arm in his hand.

 

“Let's leave Sesshomaru to him!” he suggested. Hiko and Ginta ran to them and the small group stood in a close mass to watch the outcome a safe distance away.

 

“You were dead. I was merely claiming her as my rights as…” Sesshomaru drawled as Inuyasha reared down on him, front paws digging him into the dirt.

 

“MINE! MINE MATE!” Inuyasha roared in bloody rage. His fangs glistened wetly, desiring to break Sesshomaru apart piece by piece. His youkai had transformed into something far more bestial and wild. It was a hint of power shown by his father and even Sesshomaru who could transform into their hidden selves at ease, but for Inuyasha who could never hope to do this, it was something far more different and terrifying.

 

“You wish to fight equally??” Sesshomaru demanded and smacked his brother off of him. He started his transformation into his giant dog form but Inuyasha smacked him down easily. The fight was over before it began. Inuyasha took bites and swipes out of Sesshomaru's smaller man like form with his fangs and claws, slavering and howling his delight at revenge.

 

Sesshomaru hated to admit that his strength was being called into question, but damned if he would call for help or surrender. He would rather die in combat under Inuyasha's fangs. His blood leaked from him in several cuts and bite marks and stained the dirt of the courtyard.

 

Sango and Miroku, Hiko and Ginta could only watch in horror as Sesshomaru was slowly being devoured in front of their very eyes. The Inu lord's pride would not ask for aide or a truce. Inuyasha would kill him!

 

A small cry sounded from the nearest hallway and a small form dashed out into the dangerous arena, sandals flying off and kimono trailing behind her.

 

“RIIIN! Rin, come back!” a voice pleaded horribly shrilly and Sango turned to see Jaken racing after the child he called by name.

 

“The girl! She'll be killed!” Miroku gasped. He and Sango stepped forward slowly as Rin dashed up to the giant Inuyasha-creature.

 

“STOP! Get off of Sesshomaru-sama!” Rin sobbed, darting around Inuyasha's huge paw. Sesshomaru opened one bloodied eye to see his ward fall on his injured chest, shielding him with her body.

 

Inuyasha-creature howled in discord, upset at the interruption of his bloody meal.

 

“Inuyasha, stop!” Sango called. She and Miroku paled as Inuyasha's huge red eyes lolled in their direction, but they wouldn't let him rampage all over a young human girl.

 

Rin shook in sobs and shrieked as Inuyasha's eyes turned back to her and his target. “Don't touch Sesshomaru-sama! You can't take my Sesshomaru-sama away!” Rin screamed, tears soaking Sesshomaru's ruined kimono front.

 

“Rin…” Sesshomaru barely had the strength to say even her name. “Rin, get away from me.”

 

“No!” Rin sobbed, shaking her head. “Rin won't leave Sesshomaru-sama. Rin won't let you leave!”

 

Even as he knew he was about to die, Sesshomaru was strangely touched by his ward's absolute loyalty.

 

Inuyasha-creature growled, pawing the dirt in anger at having to wait.

 

“He will die!” tumbled from the beast's open muzzle, followed by a series of laughter.

 

Rin hid her face in her lord's chest and wept.

 

“Inuyasha!” Sango called. Miroku struck the dirt with his priest's staff.

 

“Inuyasha!” he too called out.

 

Inuyasha ignored them all, shaking his head at the girl Rin, ordering her silently to get off of his kill.

 

Then a precious voice as dear to him as his own heart, called softly across the ruined courtyard.

 

“Inuyasha….”

 

Inuyasha turned his large dog's head to the small woman carried in that mangy wolf's arms. His mate….his one…. She was far from unhurt, but she was alive…and she was calling him.

 

Inuyasha's heart sank in exhaustion and he snuffed down at Rin's upturned tear streaked face.

 

“Keep him, then, child,” Inuyasha rumbled. “But know, that I could have killed him for what he did!”

 

Sesshomaru watched with his one tired eye as the ground and mountainside stopped pulsating and his half brother shrunk down to his usual form. His fire rat's robe was torn open in many places, exposing pale flesh, and his hair hung wildly to his waist, tangled from his transformation. Rin clung to his chest, hurting his wounds.

 

He allowed his eyes to close as Rin and Jaken both babbled at his side, expressing their sincere desire that he live. For now, he would. Although he had been defeated in his own territory. He would deal with the shame inflicted upon him. For now he wanted the short oblivion of sleep.

 

Inuyasha shook off the last feelings of ultimate power that flowed in his veins, letting his mate's smaller, but more subtle link clasp him through their bond. He staggered towards Koga, and took the small miko into his arms.

 

Koga gave her over carefully, eyes in pain at the hurt Kagome's face reflected. Inuyasha looked down at her, begging forgiveness for the outrage she had witnessed, even if it was for her sake.

 

Kagome hugged his neck weakly and sobbed. Inuyasha sank down to his knees and held her tightly, tears blurring his eyes as Kagome spoke what was in both of their minds.

 

“I thought I had lost you…”

 

Sango and Miroku stood with Koga and his brothers, Shippou hanging back with them to let the couple have this moment.

 

Sesshomaru lay prone across the courtyard in a pool of his own blood, injured to the point of death. No one was killed (despite a number of guards) and revenge had been exacted.

 

“Kagome…Kagome…. I had to…” Inuyasha wept, his face pressed close to Kagome's neck, inhaling the scent that was his own and hers. Kagome clasped her arms behind his neck, holding him to her.

 

“Oh, Inuyasha…. please take me home,” she begged. They cried in the ruined courtyard of the Inu palace.

 

Far below the palace corridors tucked deep in the mountain, a large stone statue in the home's shrine hulked over an altar, content.

 

End for now

 

~~~~ I think I wrote Rin as having a very `Sasami' moment. (laugh) Sasami was always one for going for the emotional, hmm? I loved the Tenchi Muyo series… watch a classic anime today! I realize Tenchi is only about a decade old, but go watch it anyways! That and FY. That's about as old.

 

Well…this came out exactly as I had planned. It's a bit short. But I hope you enjoy. Why would Rin save someone who raped Kagome? She's clearly in love with the Sessh, and a very giving child. But we'll let them deal with what he did some other time.

 

It's Healing Time next. I hope you enjoyed this. I do have a few more chapters in mind for this fic, but the hard points are all over with.

 

Thank you for reading once again. (Bows deeply)

Sincerely yours, penpaninu 10/02/05