InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Made New ❯ Knowledge is power? ( Chapter 3 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: SirenSinger 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.02.2009 | Updated On: 03.23.2010 | Pages: 2 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 561 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.02.2009 | Updated On: 03.23.2010 | Pages: 2 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 561 | Status: Work In Progress
The cool air left his skin feeling fresh and the navy hue of evening gave a blue tint to the white of his cloths and the sliver of his hair. The forest surrounding the small clearing he had just stepped into was thick and green, and the ground was moist even without the rain. The last bird songs were playing for the night, but all the rest was still and silent. Almost as if the world was sleeping under a blanket of quiet.
The small, round clearing that Sesshomaru walked into absolutely reeked of his half brother and his dead consort. Sesshomaru fought the urge to snarl. Infidelity was deplorable in the Inu community and what Inuyasha was doing was inexcusable. If he had been anyone but his brother or pack, he would have killed him on sight. He had, much a credited to his distaste already taken Kagome as his. Once you take a bitch then you had to eithier make her yours, or undo all bonds before even thinking about taking another woman. Sesshomaru was ashamed to know one of his own blood was too much of a coward to break with the miko. Even now Inuyasha was off with his clay whore. Judging by what he knew of Kikyo's past with Naraku 'whore' was an understatement.
Sesshomaru remembered the day he had come for the monsters head. A smiling Kikyo was by Naraku's side, shoulders bare and lips bruised. She smelled like sex and semen. Sesshomaru left that battle due to Myoga informing him of a challenge to his station, but when he had returned to kill Naraku with the rest of Inuyasha's pack, Naraku had her in his tentacles and she seemed afraid. But he knew she was only a good actor. That was why she was not dead now. Inuyasha had no clue and it was not up to Sesshomaru to tell him.
He felt his youkai being pulled at slightly. It was just a slight twinge so he dismissed it. The energy that called him had not been more than a rabbit or a bird. Still, he threw his senses out in a search for something to kill. Something to relieve the anger he was working to hide. He felt the aura of his half brother not too far away and it seemed he was heading back toward the camp, so Sesshomaru decided to wait for him to return. He looked over the campsite once more incase a fight were to ensue. Better to know the landscape, than to find any surprises.
His golden orbs scanned the circle. Grass had been laid flat as if a body had been there recently, maybe two in a tight fit. Though he did not imagine Inuyasha and Kikyo had wanted much room between them. Disgust boiled inside him, but he let it pass and moved on. There were remnants of a fire, though from the scattering of the ashes and the plain, dusty look to them it seemed as though it had not been lit for a while. The demon lord glanced dispassionately to the hanyou sized hole in the other wise intact clearing. The hole was a land sore 'That had been what the miko was talking about.'He stepped deftly over. It smelled slightly of the priestess's own powers, dirt and the wild scent of the hanyou. The hole was deep and there seemed to be layers, as if he had actually been forced through the ground many times. 'Impressive.' He made a mental note to ask how this was done.
A soft rustle of leaves brought his attention to the return of the half breed "Hey bastard! What the hell do you want?" Inuyasha was already in battle pose. His sword held in front of him defensively, and he had a snarl on his face. Sesshomaru mentally scoffed at how the boy held his father's legacy as if it were a mere club. He was over wanting the sword, but to see it in the hands of this imbecile made him growl.
He narrowed his eyes dangerously "Inuyasha, stop being a fool. You have no hope of beating this Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha lifted his chin."Oh, yeah? Just try and stop me!" He charged, a blur of red coming in Sesshomaru's direction.
He easily moved out of his way but it only served to anger Inuyasha further and causing him to charge again. Sesshomaru had his poison whip out and lashed it across Inuyasha's face before the hanyo had a second chance to come near him. That stopped him and he waited across the clearing for Sesshomaru to do something else. Sesshomaru let his whip fall away. He had no time to play with the boy. "Tell me, Inuyasha, what are you planning to do with your claimed one now that she has left you?"
Inuyasha charged agin. "Don't you dare talk about Kagome"
"You should take better care of your bitches, lest they should turn on you." Sesshomaru side stepped the other attack. "But that is something you already know much about is it not?" He almost smirked at the pathetic look on the hanyou's face as he remembered Kikyo's betrayal so long ago.
Inuyasha paused "Just shut up and fight! I should have known you were too scared ."
Sesshomaru ignored him. It was getting colder outside and the air was pressing. For Rin's sake he had to cut this short. "You should also take care not to diminish our father's name. Your leching is inexcusable." Sesshomaru turned from his half brother then his golden eyes looked over his shoulder coldly "Do not become any more of a disgrace." With that order still ringing in the campsite he walked away.
"I don't take commands from bastards like you!" Inuyasha's voice reached him before he reached the forest.
Without stopping the demon lord said, "Then consider it a threat."
~*~
The meadow's long grass was tickling Kagome's legs and the irritating itch made her wake. She sat up slowly and groaned. Her back muscles were sore and her legs felt like jelly.'That's what I get for running all morning and falling asleep on the ground.' She opened her eyes and was taken by the scene before her. The meadow was a lazy blue, and bright almost like day where the three quarter moon was shining. The saucer was cut in half by a not too distant hill like a sun setting over an ocean. The star flowers twinkled at the twilight gleam it was giving. 'Must have been asleep for a while? Rin sure wore me out!' She looked to her left.
There on a crushed pile of flower rings was a sleeping Rin. She looked so innocent in her sleep. Even more so then when she was awake. Her cute child's face was set in a small, but wonderfully bright smile and her eye lashes fluttered softly as if she were having a good dream. Kagome gigged quietly when she looked at Rin's checkered orange and white kimono. It was covered with dirt and grass stains, and her chocolate hair was in completed disarray with flower petals and steams 'It seems I did a number on her too.' She smiled because she knew Rin did not care about being messy. In fact, she probably wouldn't spare it a thought. The cool wind blew the night air and made her shiver. Kagome sighed.
As much as she'd like to stay in this beautiful meadow, she had to get Rin next to a fire not to mention make camp for herself. "Rin?" Kagome placed a warm hand on the girl's shoulder. "Rin, wake up " She nudged her slightly.
Rin 's sleepy brown eyes half opened, and a sleepy grunt left her lips. "Kagome-sama?" She whispered.
"Yeah" Kagome brushed tousled hair out of the girl's face.
"Rin is still tired" She said sitting up.
Kagome softened her face. "I know but we should really get you back to Sesshomaru-sama." Rin perked up her beloved demon lord's name. "Wouldn't want to make him worry right?"
Rin jumped up as if something bit her. "Oh, no Kagome-sama! It's so late! Lord Sesshomaru-sama and Master Jaken will be most angry" Rin 's small fingers reached out for Kagome 's. " We must hurry!"
Kagome let the girl take her hand and followed as she tugged her toward the hill and into the moon. Soon Rin got tired of her going so slow and took off at her own pace. Kagome tried to catch up with the girl but settled for following close behind. Trying to ignore her tired body, she wondered at the panic filled expression on Rin's face. Why was she so afraid? Was Sesshomaru as scary to her as he was to the rest of the world? If that was the case then why was she still following him? 'Maybe she has nowhere else to go.' Kagome frowned at the thought but let it go as she realized Rin was getting a sizable lead. She concentrated on getting her burning legs up the hill. Not for the first time that day she cursed herself for trying so hard to get away from Inuyasha. She was no track star and all the running had her beat. Since she still hadn't had anything to eat, she simply didn't have much left in her.
Finally, Rin slowed down and Kagome tried to catch her breath. Her heart was beating so hard in her chest, she winced at each pulse. The young girl turned to her "We're here!" She smiled brilliantly, all of her fear apparently gone. Then her small pink lips turned down."Are you okay Kagome-sama?"
Kagome gave a reassuring smile "Yeah, just a bit tired" The child nodded and then walked over to a huge, grazing, pack youkai, which Kagome assumed was Ah– Un. Rin had talked about the dragon a lot today. The youkai had two heads with their own respective names Kagome guessed. They each wore slanted yellow eyes and long manes of what looked like course black hair. Their tan skin was scaly and shined in the moon light so that Kagome could clearly see each individual plate On his long back was a saddle that might fit three people and attached to that were bags of supplies.
Rin was rummaging through the bags when she noticed Kagome watching her. She patted the youkai affectionately on his side. "This is Ah-Un. Ah is very nice." The right head nudged her softly. "Un is sometimes nice and he is a really good fighter" The left head snorted in a very horse like manner. Rin grinned up him.
Kagome smiled "I'm sure they take great care of you" She turned her attention to looking around the campsite. It was little more than a fire pit, and a small lump on the ground she thought must be the sleeping Jaken. Apparently the demon Lord liked to travel light. 'Okay, so we have a Jaken but no Sesshomaru.' "Rin, where is lord Sesshomaru -sama?" Kagome added the lord part just for the girl. She could guess how much respect she had for him. The miko turned back to find a pile off blankets where Rin used to be standing.
"Rifm doft -" Rin's muffled voice came fromthe pile. Kagome grabbed half the pile off the girl's head. She smiled." Thank you Kagome-sama. Master Jaken usually helps Rin unpack, but he is too busy sleeping." She stuck out her tongue at the green lump. Kagome laughed and Rin, remembering herself, beamed at the attention.
"What were you saying Rin?"
Rin looked up at her oddly. "That Rin is glad you helped Kagome –sama." She pulled some wood out from Ah –Un's bags.
Kagome took the wood too after setting down the blankets. "No about Sesshomaru – sama is. "
"Rin does not know where her lord goes. But don't worry, Lord Sesshomaru always returns." Rin laid herself down in the blankets and let Kagome take care of the fire.
Kagome nodded, than she bent herself over the fire pit and began to work at starting the dreaded fire. "Are you by yourself a lot?"
"Oh, no, . . . Rin's lord would be . . . cross if he knew . . . Master Jaken was . . . sleeping" Rin closed her eyes. The toad was supossed to make sure she was in the campsite before he fell asleep.
Kagome looked behind her to see Rin all cuddled up on the ground next to Ah-Un. The girl was struggling to keep her eyes open. Kagome gave her a soft smile before finishing her work with the fire. The kindling was set in a nice circle, and smoke started to rise from the flint stick she found near by. It was a good thing she had so much practice, or she would never get that thing lit. "Good night Rin," she said, knowing she would get no reply. Then picked herself up and stood away from the heat of the flames. She felt like she lost a lot of her day sleeping. First she ran away from Inuyasha, and then she bumped into Rin and played most of the afternoon. The girl wore her out so much that they had fallen asleep.
As much as she hated to leave the girl without saying good bye, she really didn't want to be there when Sesshomaru got back. She felt like she only narrowly escaped with her life the last time they met. Sure, he had helped them in the final battle but that didn't mean that his opinion of them had changed. He did try to kill her after all! Even if that was a long time ago. Moreover, the man was just confusing. He would come and rescue her periodically even though he always seemed to have ulterior motives. He killed everything that made its self anything of an inconvenience to him, yet he was raising a human child. He was ridiculously handsome, even she had to admit it, but he was so damn arrogant and rude. No, he was not the kind of company she wanted to keep. He was not someone she could even hold a decent conversation with.
Kagome sighed as she walked over to the imp who was still asleep. She was beginning to miss her group more and more lately, especially Sango. She always seemed to keep Inuyasha in line when he got too out of control. She really felt like talking to her about the abusive hanyou.
The toad at her toes had wrinkled green skin that looked flaky and gross. She bent to wake him up and found that he smelled even worse then he looked. She really didn't want to touch him so she sent some of her miko powers out into her aura. He was a youkai so it should at least wake him up. The pink energy was meant only to shock the toad awake but as soon as she started concentrating there were negative and hungry aura's of some lower class youkai brought to her attention. They were not too close but it looked like she would have to stay until Sesshomaru got back. Should those youkai choose to come closer, Jaken could not handle them on his own, and Rin could not help, she was only a child after all. Kagome went back to sit back down by the fire and just about jumped out of her skin. Sesshomaru stood silently behind her. He was wondering why the miko appeared to be staring at Jaken with a rather contemplative look on her face.
"I didn't sense you" She raised an eyebrow at him "Were you trying to sneak up on me?"
Sesshomaru wanted to smirk at the fear and irritation radiating off of the priestess. She was far too easy to read. "What are you still doing here, Miko?"
Kagome held her elbow and raised her chin defiantly. She was tired of not being called be her name."This Miko, has been taking care of your ward while you were--Kami knows where--and your imp thing was sleeping!" She twirled herself away from him and huffed. "Besides I couldn't leave Rin alone there are youkai close by." Kagome peeked over her shoulder at Sesshomaru. 'Oh no! Did I really just yell at him?!' Kagome turned back to him and froze. His cold eyes were narrowed to the point of being almost closed and his aura felt more pressing and powerful then he had ever allowed before. She knew she had to do something fast or end up as dog chow ' What can I do? Apologize? No, it wouldn't mean anything to him coming from me. Um . . . um' He took a step closer to her and she doubled over.
Her imitation of a bow was ridiculous. She had her knees pointed out wards awkwardly and was pulling at the hem of her short green skirt. Her black-blue hair was covering up her face and the way she was bent was giving Sesshomaru a nice peek at her cleavage.
He lessened his anger. The girl's fright stunk. It was satisfying to be feared, but at the moment it did not serve him. The miko still had no idea that her aura had been tainted with the hanyo's. Nor did she know what that meant. Gods if he didn't want to just rip both the miko, and Inuyasha's head off and be done with this. For numerous reasons he could not. First, she a part of his was pack, as begrudgingly as he could admit tha,t it was still true. It was also the same reason Inuyasha was alive. Secondly, she was a Shikon priestess. If he killed her, his honor would make it his responsibility to look after the cursed jewel. That was a hell he would rather avoid. Finally, and probably the most formidable reason was Rin. Her wrath would be fearsome if she were to find out Kagome had died at his hands. She was far too attached to the girl. When Rin had first met her, she would not stop chattering on about how pretty she was. It was enough to make him rethink his decision to keep Rin alive. Not that he could leave her behind now. "You looked after my ward Miko?"
Kagome unbent herself and looked up at him cautiously "Yeah, Jaken was asleep when we got here."
The youkai came closer to her and Kagome started to shake. What had she done this time? He was almost less than a foot away when he said lordly "Move" She quickly complied.
Just then Jaken had received the rudest wakeup call in his life. Sesshomaru had effortlessly booted him probably thirty feet in the air. Kagome couldn't guess how far away he landed and she laughed. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled again. 'He really likes doing that eyebrow thing' He walked over to the fire- it's yellow flames almost golden-and sat next to it. Kagome had taken care of Rin so he supposed he owed her something. An explanation of her current state would neutralize the debt, he decided. "Sit, Miko we have much to discuss." Kagome did, as she was distracted by the way he looked near the fire, and how the flames lit and shadowed his perfect face at the same time. His silver hair caught both the blue shine of the moon and the orange light of the fire, making it molten with silver and golden locks. His eyes though thoroughly cold, and so iced over she felt she were going to freeze with just a glace, were in fact surprisingly deep, and now that she had a moment to look she'd say they were layered. As if, behind those thick sheets of ice was something else. Something that he kept hidden away, and behind that she couldn't see. Something told her she didn't want to. Kagome felt . . . odd. It was strange and pleasant sort of like what she felt when she first saw Inuyasha pined to that tree. Like she was finding something she didn't know she had lost. She squashed it before it had the chance to grow. ' Get it together Kagome'. This was Sesshomaru she was crushing on for Kami's sake! It was then she realized his lips were moving.
"Miko are you listening to me?" He caught her stare and not blaming her, he continued. "What do you know of Inu courting?"
"What?"
"Inu youkai leave a mark upon their intended mates." He ignored her obvious lack of cognitive abilities.
Kagome was trying hard but she just couldn't see where he was heading with this. "Um . . . so?"
"The 'so', Miko, is that you have been marked."
~*~
Inuyasha grumbled angrily as he sheathed Tetsusaiga. He was confused and decidedly lost at what just happened. 'What the fuck?' Sesshomaru had never been one for giving brotherly advice. In all fairness though, he was not really being all that brotherly. What was going on?
He thought he had his life figured out. Thought it was all going to be quite simple. He was going to use the jewel to become human and then live a happy life with Kikyo. Right about then Naraku stepped into the picture, and next thing he knew, the woman he loved had him pinned to a tree, but even then he had his life figured. He would rather sleep his cursed existence away then spend it without his beloved.
Fifty years later Kagome came along and turned his world upside down. She was happy and bright, so much warmer then Kikyo, so different yet they looked so alike, and he hated her for it. She was always getting herself kidnapped or in some kind of trouble; she was a pest. But she needed him and he needed the jewel. When Kikyo was resurrected, even with only hatred in her heart, he still could not bring himself to think of Kagome any kinder. He knew she had feelings for him, but he could never return them. Or so he thought. Somehow on their journey she had managed to get him, and he couldn't stand it.
He would pace and worry when she was away, get stupidly jealous and she was always making him blush. So, to sate his new need for her, he marked her. It happened such a long time ago, he had almost forgotten. She didn't know thank the Kamis. He didn't even want to think about what she would do to him if she found out. He looked down at the hole she put him in earlier and cringed.
Lately, he had been stealing himself against her. Trying to reverse his feelings for her. For Kikyo's sake. Kagome and he would find the rest of the jewel shards and then she would be gone. But Kikyo would stay, and she deserved all of his heart. Even as the thought entered his mind, he knew it would not work. He should have learned from before - he could never stop loving Kagome. It was too late. He tried to take his mark away from her, but as long as he still had any lingering feelings for her the bond would not brake. Now the only way to extract his claim from her was if another youkai were to challenge it and win. 'Too late'
When Kikyo came with a death threat to his new intended, he had no clue what to think. Thinking, he had been doing far too much of that lately. He was not the thinking type. Now he had to choose between the loves of his life again. Throw in an angry Sesshomaru and Inuyasha could safely say that he was thoroughly fucked.
"Inuyasha?" Kikyo's voice entered his thoughts just as she came in from the forest. He looked at her his eyes still far away in the land Kagome had taken as hers. A soul collector hovered at her shoulder carrying a faintly glowing lost soul. She opened her arms and embraced the spirit, took it into herself like a lover. A soft smile rested on her stone lips before she returned to her normal cold self. "Inuyasha?" She breathed again.
"Yeah," he said, his mind still gone.
"Your brother was here." She waded in the air over to him waiting for an answer to her unasked question. When none came she laid her hand on his shoulder. "Why?"
He flinched at the contact. "How the fuck should I know?" He never told her he claimed Kagome and he knew the news would not hold well with her. He knew he shouldn't have snapped so he flattened his ears to his head. "He said to take care of my bitches."
"Meaning?" She was growing impatient and she hated their demon code.
"Kikyo, there is something I haven't told you." He paused and Kikyo slid her hand off his shoulder. He continued again slowly. "I marked Kagome, that makes her a part of my pack. Sesshomaru was warning me to take care of her. He's our alpha so if you plan on killing her you'll have to get through him." Inuyasha kept his eyes and eyes down.
Kikyo had pain in her voice "Why have you never marked me?" He didn't answer. He didn't have one. "Well, take it back!"
"I can't" 'I won't, this it's my only way to protect Kagome without hurting Kikyo myself.'
"What?"
"I've tried," He staring down at the earth.
" Inuyasha . . ." She had her hands to her face. Her eyes set in betrayal. "I'm going to be gone for a few days I. . . need time." She turned from him. "Fix this Inuyasha." And with that she left him to the hammer of his thoughts. If he didn't take his mark of Kagome then she would be protected. . . even if Sesshomaru was her champion.
He didn't even try to follow her. He just stood there letting the guilt sink in. Of all the things he had ever done to Kagome this was the worst. There was one hope for her now. He couldn't protect her, couldn't fight Kikyo that only left- his brother.
~*~
Now Kagome never believed Sesshomaru to be a liar, so maybe he had finally lost it.' All that blood and fighting was bound to get to him sometime.' "I am not!"
Sesshomaru stared at her blankly. "Inuyasha has marked you. Making you his intended, although the bond is too weak for you to notice"
Kagome stood. "Seriously?"
"Indeed." He closed his eyes in irritation. It was the Sesshomaru's equivalent to a sigh.
She thought she was going to pop. "That baka!"
He felt her holy powers rage almost stinging him with their intensity and he opened his orbs once more. There was a new kind of fury in the blue of her eyes, a mixture of hurt and anger displayed in the fireworks of her aura. "How dare he!" After all the love she would have given him freely, and he denied her. He decided to reopen the wound he left. 'His intended!' She calmed herself enough to speak coherently. "Thank you, Sesshomaru- ama, I will be leaving here now."
Sesshomaru recognized the honorific and graced her with another blank look. He knew those signs in her in her eyes. He could read them as easily as a book and she made it too obvious that she was going to kill Inuyasha. Well, considering her disposition she was not really going to kill him, but certainly maim him in the least. From the spike in her power, he was sure she was planning on confronting the half demon now. He couldn't have that. She was likely to get herself in more trouble on the way and honestly he just didn't feel like rescuing her tonight. "Tomorrow," he said.
"What about tomorrow?"
Sesshomaru stood and the miko had to bend her neck upward to look him in the eye. "You will not confront him tonight. Think about what you aregoing to do, Miko. Inuyasha could not have placed that mark upon you if he had no feelings for you." Sesshomaru had no wish to console the miko but he the point he made was valid. Persuasion is better than force when it come to matters such as these.
An unbidden tear was falling from her face. "He doesn't get to have feelings for me!"
That was the last time he would allow her to yell at him. Apparently force would win this night. Sesshomaru lifted his arm he rested a claw on her out stretched throat. Kagome froze against the pressure of his natural weapons. "You will not leave until tomorrow. I have no wish to protect you, but it would seem my hand is forced, so it will be on my terms. And let me make one thing perfectly clear, Miko-" Kagome felt the cold rush of his stony claw near her collier."You will not disobey me."
~*~
A/N Hey guys thanks for reading! Sorry this took awhile to get out it just wouldn't stop!I still don't feel done with it but it has a good ending I think. Anyway, I would really like to hear what you guys think. Just knowing you guys are reading will keep me writing but it does help to know if you're enjoying the story.
~SongMiko
"If life is a road to heaven or hell then we are all bad drivers"
The small, round clearing that Sesshomaru walked into absolutely reeked of his half brother and his dead consort. Sesshomaru fought the urge to snarl. Infidelity was deplorable in the Inu community and what Inuyasha was doing was inexcusable. If he had been anyone but his brother or pack, he would have killed him on sight. He had, much a credited to his distaste already taken Kagome as his. Once you take a bitch then you had to eithier make her yours, or undo all bonds before even thinking about taking another woman. Sesshomaru was ashamed to know one of his own blood was too much of a coward to break with the miko. Even now Inuyasha was off with his clay whore. Judging by what he knew of Kikyo's past with Naraku 'whore' was an understatement.
Sesshomaru remembered the day he had come for the monsters head. A smiling Kikyo was by Naraku's side, shoulders bare and lips bruised. She smelled like sex and semen. Sesshomaru left that battle due to Myoga informing him of a challenge to his station, but when he had returned to kill Naraku with the rest of Inuyasha's pack, Naraku had her in his tentacles and she seemed afraid. But he knew she was only a good actor. That was why she was not dead now. Inuyasha had no clue and it was not up to Sesshomaru to tell him.
He felt his youkai being pulled at slightly. It was just a slight twinge so he dismissed it. The energy that called him had not been more than a rabbit or a bird. Still, he threw his senses out in a search for something to kill. Something to relieve the anger he was working to hide. He felt the aura of his half brother not too far away and it seemed he was heading back toward the camp, so Sesshomaru decided to wait for him to return. He looked over the campsite once more incase a fight were to ensue. Better to know the landscape, than to find any surprises.
His golden orbs scanned the circle. Grass had been laid flat as if a body had been there recently, maybe two in a tight fit. Though he did not imagine Inuyasha and Kikyo had wanted much room between them. Disgust boiled inside him, but he let it pass and moved on. There were remnants of a fire, though from the scattering of the ashes and the plain, dusty look to them it seemed as though it had not been lit for a while. The demon lord glanced dispassionately to the hanyou sized hole in the other wise intact clearing. The hole was a land sore 'That had been what the miko was talking about.'He stepped deftly over. It smelled slightly of the priestess's own powers, dirt and the wild scent of the hanyou. The hole was deep and there seemed to be layers, as if he had actually been forced through the ground many times. 'Impressive.' He made a mental note to ask how this was done.
A soft rustle of leaves brought his attention to the return of the half breed "Hey bastard! What the hell do you want?" Inuyasha was already in battle pose. His sword held in front of him defensively, and he had a snarl on his face. Sesshomaru mentally scoffed at how the boy held his father's legacy as if it were a mere club. He was over wanting the sword, but to see it in the hands of this imbecile made him growl.
He narrowed his eyes dangerously "Inuyasha, stop being a fool. You have no hope of beating this Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha lifted his chin."Oh, yeah? Just try and stop me!" He charged, a blur of red coming in Sesshomaru's direction.
He easily moved out of his way but it only served to anger Inuyasha further and causing him to charge again. Sesshomaru had his poison whip out and lashed it across Inuyasha's face before the hanyo had a second chance to come near him. That stopped him and he waited across the clearing for Sesshomaru to do something else. Sesshomaru let his whip fall away. He had no time to play with the boy. "Tell me, Inuyasha, what are you planning to do with your claimed one now that she has left you?"
Inuyasha charged agin. "Don't you dare talk about Kagome"
"You should take better care of your bitches, lest they should turn on you." Sesshomaru side stepped the other attack. "But that is something you already know much about is it not?" He almost smirked at the pathetic look on the hanyou's face as he remembered Kikyo's betrayal so long ago.
Inuyasha paused "Just shut up and fight! I should have known you were too scared ."
Sesshomaru ignored him. It was getting colder outside and the air was pressing. For Rin's sake he had to cut this short. "You should also take care not to diminish our father's name. Your leching is inexcusable." Sesshomaru turned from his half brother then his golden eyes looked over his shoulder coldly "Do not become any more of a disgrace." With that order still ringing in the campsite he walked away.
"I don't take commands from bastards like you!" Inuyasha's voice reached him before he reached the forest.
Without stopping the demon lord said, "Then consider it a threat."
~*~
The meadow's long grass was tickling Kagome's legs and the irritating itch made her wake. She sat up slowly and groaned. Her back muscles were sore and her legs felt like jelly.'That's what I get for running all morning and falling asleep on the ground.' She opened her eyes and was taken by the scene before her. The meadow was a lazy blue, and bright almost like day where the three quarter moon was shining. The saucer was cut in half by a not too distant hill like a sun setting over an ocean. The star flowers twinkled at the twilight gleam it was giving. 'Must have been asleep for a while? Rin sure wore me out!' She looked to her left.
There on a crushed pile of flower rings was a sleeping Rin. She looked so innocent in her sleep. Even more so then when she was awake. Her cute child's face was set in a small, but wonderfully bright smile and her eye lashes fluttered softly as if she were having a good dream. Kagome gigged quietly when she looked at Rin's checkered orange and white kimono. It was covered with dirt and grass stains, and her chocolate hair was in completed disarray with flower petals and steams 'It seems I did a number on her too.' She smiled because she knew Rin did not care about being messy. In fact, she probably wouldn't spare it a thought. The cool wind blew the night air and made her shiver. Kagome sighed.
As much as she'd like to stay in this beautiful meadow, she had to get Rin next to a fire not to mention make camp for herself. "Rin?" Kagome placed a warm hand on the girl's shoulder. "Rin, wake up " She nudged her slightly.
Rin 's sleepy brown eyes half opened, and a sleepy grunt left her lips. "Kagome-sama?" She whispered.
"Yeah" Kagome brushed tousled hair out of the girl's face.
"Rin is still tired" She said sitting up.
Kagome softened her face. "I know but we should really get you back to Sesshomaru-sama." Rin perked up her beloved demon lord's name. "Wouldn't want to make him worry right?"
Rin jumped up as if something bit her. "Oh, no Kagome-sama! It's so late! Lord Sesshomaru-sama and Master Jaken will be most angry" Rin 's small fingers reached out for Kagome 's. " We must hurry!"
Kagome let the girl take her hand and followed as she tugged her toward the hill and into the moon. Soon Rin got tired of her going so slow and took off at her own pace. Kagome tried to catch up with the girl but settled for following close behind. Trying to ignore her tired body, she wondered at the panic filled expression on Rin's face. Why was she so afraid? Was Sesshomaru as scary to her as he was to the rest of the world? If that was the case then why was she still following him? 'Maybe she has nowhere else to go.' Kagome frowned at the thought but let it go as she realized Rin was getting a sizable lead. She concentrated on getting her burning legs up the hill. Not for the first time that day she cursed herself for trying so hard to get away from Inuyasha. She was no track star and all the running had her beat. Since she still hadn't had anything to eat, she simply didn't have much left in her.
Finally, Rin slowed down and Kagome tried to catch her breath. Her heart was beating so hard in her chest, she winced at each pulse. The young girl turned to her "We're here!" She smiled brilliantly, all of her fear apparently gone. Then her small pink lips turned down."Are you okay Kagome-sama?"
Kagome gave a reassuring smile "Yeah, just a bit tired" The child nodded and then walked over to a huge, grazing, pack youkai, which Kagome assumed was Ah– Un. Rin had talked about the dragon a lot today. The youkai had two heads with their own respective names Kagome guessed. They each wore slanted yellow eyes and long manes of what looked like course black hair. Their tan skin was scaly and shined in the moon light so that Kagome could clearly see each individual plate On his long back was a saddle that might fit three people and attached to that were bags of supplies.
Rin was rummaging through the bags when she noticed Kagome watching her. She patted the youkai affectionately on his side. "This is Ah-Un. Ah is very nice." The right head nudged her softly. "Un is sometimes nice and he is a really good fighter" The left head snorted in a very horse like manner. Rin grinned up him.
Kagome smiled "I'm sure they take great care of you" She turned her attention to looking around the campsite. It was little more than a fire pit, and a small lump on the ground she thought must be the sleeping Jaken. Apparently the demon Lord liked to travel light. 'Okay, so we have a Jaken but no Sesshomaru.' "Rin, where is lord Sesshomaru -sama?" Kagome added the lord part just for the girl. She could guess how much respect she had for him. The miko turned back to find a pile off blankets where Rin used to be standing.
"Rifm doft -" Rin's muffled voice came fromthe pile. Kagome grabbed half the pile off the girl's head. She smiled." Thank you Kagome-sama. Master Jaken usually helps Rin unpack, but he is too busy sleeping." She stuck out her tongue at the green lump. Kagome laughed and Rin, remembering herself, beamed at the attention.
"What were you saying Rin?"
Rin looked up at her oddly. "That Rin is glad you helped Kagome –sama." She pulled some wood out from Ah –Un's bags.
Kagome took the wood too after setting down the blankets. "No about Sesshomaru – sama is. "
"Rin does not know where her lord goes. But don't worry, Lord Sesshomaru always returns." Rin laid herself down in the blankets and let Kagome take care of the fire.
Kagome nodded, than she bent herself over the fire pit and began to work at starting the dreaded fire. "Are you by yourself a lot?"
"Oh, no, . . . Rin's lord would be . . . cross if he knew . . . Master Jaken was . . . sleeping" Rin closed her eyes. The toad was supossed to make sure she was in the campsite before he fell asleep.
Kagome looked behind her to see Rin all cuddled up on the ground next to Ah-Un. The girl was struggling to keep her eyes open. Kagome gave her a soft smile before finishing her work with the fire. The kindling was set in a nice circle, and smoke started to rise from the flint stick she found near by. It was a good thing she had so much practice, or she would never get that thing lit. "Good night Rin," she said, knowing she would get no reply. Then picked herself up and stood away from the heat of the flames. She felt like she lost a lot of her day sleeping. First she ran away from Inuyasha, and then she bumped into Rin and played most of the afternoon. The girl wore her out so much that they had fallen asleep.
As much as she hated to leave the girl without saying good bye, she really didn't want to be there when Sesshomaru got back. She felt like she only narrowly escaped with her life the last time they met. Sure, he had helped them in the final battle but that didn't mean that his opinion of them had changed. He did try to kill her after all! Even if that was a long time ago. Moreover, the man was just confusing. He would come and rescue her periodically even though he always seemed to have ulterior motives. He killed everything that made its self anything of an inconvenience to him, yet he was raising a human child. He was ridiculously handsome, even she had to admit it, but he was so damn arrogant and rude. No, he was not the kind of company she wanted to keep. He was not someone she could even hold a decent conversation with.
Kagome sighed as she walked over to the imp who was still asleep. She was beginning to miss her group more and more lately, especially Sango. She always seemed to keep Inuyasha in line when he got too out of control. She really felt like talking to her about the abusive hanyou.
The toad at her toes had wrinkled green skin that looked flaky and gross. She bent to wake him up and found that he smelled even worse then he looked. She really didn't want to touch him so she sent some of her miko powers out into her aura. He was a youkai so it should at least wake him up. The pink energy was meant only to shock the toad awake but as soon as she started concentrating there were negative and hungry aura's of some lower class youkai brought to her attention. They were not too close but it looked like she would have to stay until Sesshomaru got back. Should those youkai choose to come closer, Jaken could not handle them on his own, and Rin could not help, she was only a child after all. Kagome went back to sit back down by the fire and just about jumped out of her skin. Sesshomaru stood silently behind her. He was wondering why the miko appeared to be staring at Jaken with a rather contemplative look on her face.
"I didn't sense you" She raised an eyebrow at him "Were you trying to sneak up on me?"
Sesshomaru wanted to smirk at the fear and irritation radiating off of the priestess. She was far too easy to read. "What are you still doing here, Miko?"
Kagome held her elbow and raised her chin defiantly. She was tired of not being called be her name."This Miko, has been taking care of your ward while you were--Kami knows where--and your imp thing was sleeping!" She twirled herself away from him and huffed. "Besides I couldn't leave Rin alone there are youkai close by." Kagome peeked over her shoulder at Sesshomaru. 'Oh no! Did I really just yell at him?!' Kagome turned back to him and froze. His cold eyes were narrowed to the point of being almost closed and his aura felt more pressing and powerful then he had ever allowed before. She knew she had to do something fast or end up as dog chow ' What can I do? Apologize? No, it wouldn't mean anything to him coming from me. Um . . . um' He took a step closer to her and she doubled over.
Her imitation of a bow was ridiculous. She had her knees pointed out wards awkwardly and was pulling at the hem of her short green skirt. Her black-blue hair was covering up her face and the way she was bent was giving Sesshomaru a nice peek at her cleavage.
He lessened his anger. The girl's fright stunk. It was satisfying to be feared, but at the moment it did not serve him. The miko still had no idea that her aura had been tainted with the hanyo's. Nor did she know what that meant. Gods if he didn't want to just rip both the miko, and Inuyasha's head off and be done with this. For numerous reasons he could not. First, she a part of his was pack, as begrudgingly as he could admit tha,t it was still true. It was also the same reason Inuyasha was alive. Secondly, she was a Shikon priestess. If he killed her, his honor would make it his responsibility to look after the cursed jewel. That was a hell he would rather avoid. Finally, and probably the most formidable reason was Rin. Her wrath would be fearsome if she were to find out Kagome had died at his hands. She was far too attached to the girl. When Rin had first met her, she would not stop chattering on about how pretty she was. It was enough to make him rethink his decision to keep Rin alive. Not that he could leave her behind now. "You looked after my ward Miko?"
Kagome unbent herself and looked up at him cautiously "Yeah, Jaken was asleep when we got here."
The youkai came closer to her and Kagome started to shake. What had she done this time? He was almost less than a foot away when he said lordly "Move" She quickly complied.
Just then Jaken had received the rudest wakeup call in his life. Sesshomaru had effortlessly booted him probably thirty feet in the air. Kagome couldn't guess how far away he landed and she laughed. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled again. 'He really likes doing that eyebrow thing' He walked over to the fire- it's yellow flames almost golden-and sat next to it. Kagome had taken care of Rin so he supposed he owed her something. An explanation of her current state would neutralize the debt, he decided. "Sit, Miko we have much to discuss." Kagome did, as she was distracted by the way he looked near the fire, and how the flames lit and shadowed his perfect face at the same time. His silver hair caught both the blue shine of the moon and the orange light of the fire, making it molten with silver and golden locks. His eyes though thoroughly cold, and so iced over she felt she were going to freeze with just a glace, were in fact surprisingly deep, and now that she had a moment to look she'd say they were layered. As if, behind those thick sheets of ice was something else. Something that he kept hidden away, and behind that she couldn't see. Something told her she didn't want to. Kagome felt . . . odd. It was strange and pleasant sort of like what she felt when she first saw Inuyasha pined to that tree. Like she was finding something she didn't know she had lost. She squashed it before it had the chance to grow. ' Get it together Kagome'. This was Sesshomaru she was crushing on for Kami's sake! It was then she realized his lips were moving.
"Miko are you listening to me?" He caught her stare and not blaming her, he continued. "What do you know of Inu courting?"
"What?"
"Inu youkai leave a mark upon their intended mates." He ignored her obvious lack of cognitive abilities.
Kagome was trying hard but she just couldn't see where he was heading with this. "Um . . . so?"
"The 'so', Miko, is that you have been marked."
~*~
Inuyasha grumbled angrily as he sheathed Tetsusaiga. He was confused and decidedly lost at what just happened. 'What the fuck?' Sesshomaru had never been one for giving brotherly advice. In all fairness though, he was not really being all that brotherly. What was going on?
He thought he had his life figured out. Thought it was all going to be quite simple. He was going to use the jewel to become human and then live a happy life with Kikyo. Right about then Naraku stepped into the picture, and next thing he knew, the woman he loved had him pinned to a tree, but even then he had his life figured. He would rather sleep his cursed existence away then spend it without his beloved.
Fifty years later Kagome came along and turned his world upside down. She was happy and bright, so much warmer then Kikyo, so different yet they looked so alike, and he hated her for it. She was always getting herself kidnapped or in some kind of trouble; she was a pest. But she needed him and he needed the jewel. When Kikyo was resurrected, even with only hatred in her heart, he still could not bring himself to think of Kagome any kinder. He knew she had feelings for him, but he could never return them. Or so he thought. Somehow on their journey she had managed to get him, and he couldn't stand it.
He would pace and worry when she was away, get stupidly jealous and she was always making him blush. So, to sate his new need for her, he marked her. It happened such a long time ago, he had almost forgotten. She didn't know thank the Kamis. He didn't even want to think about what she would do to him if she found out. He looked down at the hole she put him in earlier and cringed.
Lately, he had been stealing himself against her. Trying to reverse his feelings for her. For Kikyo's sake. Kagome and he would find the rest of the jewel shards and then she would be gone. But Kikyo would stay, and she deserved all of his heart. Even as the thought entered his mind, he knew it would not work. He should have learned from before - he could never stop loving Kagome. It was too late. He tried to take his mark away from her, but as long as he still had any lingering feelings for her the bond would not brake. Now the only way to extract his claim from her was if another youkai were to challenge it and win. 'Too late'
When Kikyo came with a death threat to his new intended, he had no clue what to think. Thinking, he had been doing far too much of that lately. He was not the thinking type. Now he had to choose between the loves of his life again. Throw in an angry Sesshomaru and Inuyasha could safely say that he was thoroughly fucked.
"Inuyasha?" Kikyo's voice entered his thoughts just as she came in from the forest. He looked at her his eyes still far away in the land Kagome had taken as hers. A soul collector hovered at her shoulder carrying a faintly glowing lost soul. She opened her arms and embraced the spirit, took it into herself like a lover. A soft smile rested on her stone lips before she returned to her normal cold self. "Inuyasha?" She breathed again.
"Yeah," he said, his mind still gone.
"Your brother was here." She waded in the air over to him waiting for an answer to her unasked question. When none came she laid her hand on his shoulder. "Why?"
He flinched at the contact. "How the fuck should I know?" He never told her he claimed Kagome and he knew the news would not hold well with her. He knew he shouldn't have snapped so he flattened his ears to his head. "He said to take care of my bitches."
"Meaning?" She was growing impatient and she hated their demon code.
"Kikyo, there is something I haven't told you." He paused and Kikyo slid her hand off his shoulder. He continued again slowly. "I marked Kagome, that makes her a part of my pack. Sesshomaru was warning me to take care of her. He's our alpha so if you plan on killing her you'll have to get through him." Inuyasha kept his eyes and eyes down.
Kikyo had pain in her voice "Why have you never marked me?" He didn't answer. He didn't have one. "Well, take it back!"
"I can't" 'I won't, this it's my only way to protect Kagome without hurting Kikyo myself.'
"What?"
"I've tried," He staring down at the earth.
" Inuyasha . . ." She had her hands to her face. Her eyes set in betrayal. "I'm going to be gone for a few days I. . . need time." She turned from him. "Fix this Inuyasha." And with that she left him to the hammer of his thoughts. If he didn't take his mark of Kagome then she would be protected. . . even if Sesshomaru was her champion.
He didn't even try to follow her. He just stood there letting the guilt sink in. Of all the things he had ever done to Kagome this was the worst. There was one hope for her now. He couldn't protect her, couldn't fight Kikyo that only left- his brother.
~*~
Now Kagome never believed Sesshomaru to be a liar, so maybe he had finally lost it.' All that blood and fighting was bound to get to him sometime.' "I am not!"
Sesshomaru stared at her blankly. "Inuyasha has marked you. Making you his intended, although the bond is too weak for you to notice"
Kagome stood. "Seriously?"
"Indeed." He closed his eyes in irritation. It was the Sesshomaru's equivalent to a sigh.
She thought she was going to pop. "That baka!"
He felt her holy powers rage almost stinging him with their intensity and he opened his orbs once more. There was a new kind of fury in the blue of her eyes, a mixture of hurt and anger displayed in the fireworks of her aura. "How dare he!" After all the love she would have given him freely, and he denied her. He decided to reopen the wound he left. 'His intended!' She calmed herself enough to speak coherently. "Thank you, Sesshomaru- ama, I will be leaving here now."
Sesshomaru recognized the honorific and graced her with another blank look. He knew those signs in her in her eyes. He could read them as easily as a book and she made it too obvious that she was going to kill Inuyasha. Well, considering her disposition she was not really going to kill him, but certainly maim him in the least. From the spike in her power, he was sure she was planning on confronting the half demon now. He couldn't have that. She was likely to get herself in more trouble on the way and honestly he just didn't feel like rescuing her tonight. "Tomorrow," he said.
"What about tomorrow?"
Sesshomaru stood and the miko had to bend her neck upward to look him in the eye. "You will not confront him tonight. Think about what you aregoing to do, Miko. Inuyasha could not have placed that mark upon you if he had no feelings for you." Sesshomaru had no wish to console the miko but he the point he made was valid. Persuasion is better than force when it come to matters such as these.
An unbidden tear was falling from her face. "He doesn't get to have feelings for me!"
That was the last time he would allow her to yell at him. Apparently force would win this night. Sesshomaru lifted his arm he rested a claw on her out stretched throat. Kagome froze against the pressure of his natural weapons. "You will not leave until tomorrow. I have no wish to protect you, but it would seem my hand is forced, so it will be on my terms. And let me make one thing perfectly clear, Miko-" Kagome felt the cold rush of his stony claw near her collier."You will not disobey me."
~*~
A/N Hey guys thanks for reading! Sorry this took awhile to get out it just wouldn't stop!I still don't feel done with it but it has a good ending I think. Anyway, I would really like to hear what you guys think. Just knowing you guys are reading will keep me writing but it does help to know if you're enjoying the story.
~SongMiko
"If life is a road to heaven or hell then we are all bad drivers"