InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Malice ❯ Alliances: The House of the West ( Chapter 19 )

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

Chapter 19: Alliances: The House of the West

How could I have miscalculated so badly?! I have been fooled! This Jewel of Four Souls, a deceptive name if ever there was one...there are no words for the deception that has been perpetrated on me! Now all my plans are in ruins - there is no taint strong enough that I will be ever be able to use the jewel for my purpose. After all the effort that I have put into reassembling and tainting this thing...!

How was I to know that that stupid round ball is nothing but a fake? It is not the true power, only a device to distract. The true jewel, the true power - is Kagome herself! But how do I make a wish on a person?! Everything that I have ever believed about the sacred power was a lie! And even my attempt to taint her has not worked as I planned, as I expected!

That bitch Midoriko.... she planned this, I am sure of it. For this deception, this lie, they will all pay. I may not be able to use the jewel to become full youkai like I had planned... but I can and will take all of those fools with me - straight to hell!

Inuyasha watched Kagome from the corner of his eye as she moved about their small campsite packing everything up as they prepared to leave and re-join their friends. She seemed to be okay, although his attempt at pain relief had somewhat worn off again. But she appeared to be holding her own, the deep, overwhelming despair that she had been subjected to no longer quite so intense.

Keh. It seems to be helping her heal faster, and that's all I care.

Kagome was well aware that he was watching her, and smiled softly to herself. It's going to be awhile, Inuyasha. I'm not healed yet but.... I'm finally starting out on that journey - and I'll be okay, as long as you're there with me.

"I'm going to be okay, Inuyasha - someday." She shook her head, a tiny smile lighting her face as he flinched. "Yes, I know you've been watching me, you really aren't that subtle. Now stop worrying about it. I won't fight you anymore," she frowned, eyes darkening for a moment, "I may not understand why you want to be with me after - everything - that's happened, but... I won't try to get away from you anymore, I promise."

He looked at her, watched as she spoke, paid close attention to the expressions on her face, the look in her eyes - and heaved a relieved sigh when he realized that she was being totally honest. She had finally accepted that she belonged to him, and that he wasn't ever giving her up.

"Good. It's about time you realized that you're mine, wench. I'm a possessive asshole, and I don't intend to ever share.... or let go." He gave her a small smile. "Let's get everything shoved back in that bag of yours and head out. We can get back to the others by nightfall, and start planning what we're going to do from here on out."

Her face took on a determined look. "Hai. We have a lot of planning to do."

"Then let's go, onna." He glanced at her as she thrust the last few items into her bag, then knelt for her to climb on his back. As she slid against him, he shivered.... it felt so good to feel her again, to know that she didn't fear him or his touch!

He would possibly have started worrying if he had been able to see her face in that moment, for she was deep in thought - so deep that she was almost unaware of her surroundings, or of the speed that Inuyasha was displaying in his haste to return to their friends. He wanted Naraku to pay... and the sooner the better.

Kagome wasn't just in thought, she was almost in a trance, and the hanyou would have been most shocked if he could have overheard the coming discussion.

She had had the oddest compulsion to take out the little jar that held their shards as she'd climbed on his back... she'd given in to that compulsion.

(Awaken, she who is us. It is time for you to understand who we are, what we are.)

Did... the shards just... talk to me?!

(You should not find this so surprising, you are as we are. It is time to open your mind to all that we truly are.)

What do you mean? Are you trying to tell me that you are... me?

(Yes. We are one. We are the physical manifestation of your power, of your aura.)

The shock that ran through her at that was almost more severe than it was at the assault that Naraku had unleashed on her. But that's... it's not possible! Midoriko gave life to you, not me!

(This is so. But remember: Kikyou took that life away when she burned us with her at her death. When you were born, we were inside your body, thus we were re-born, in you. It is you that has given us life this time.)

So you're saying that everytime someone uses the power of the shards, they are actually calling on my aura, my power?

(Yes. Our mind is your mind, and your will is ours. It is time to take that back - your will has been overtaken by others, because of your misunderstanding of the true nature of that which you have unleashed.)

So how do I do that? I mean, it's not like I knew anything about all this, no one ever told me anything about Miko's and jewels and all. So you can't blame me for not knowing.

(There is no blame, there is only power. Power that you must learn to call, that you must learn to wield, and that you must learn to accept. Naraku does not understand us, even now - he believes that we are a diversion, that you are the true power. He is most--discomposed--at believing this, for it makes him think that all his plans have been in vain. He still does not realize that we are you.)

So... wait a minute. If that bastard doesn't realize any of this--

That means we have the upper hand! All we have to do is figure out how to use this!!

(No. That is not all you must do. You must learn.)

But who's gonna teach me for something like this? Kikyou?

(We will train ourselves. It is not difficult. This learning is done best when your mind is relaxed and at peace... we will begin when you sleep this night.)

Kagome shuddered as anxiety spiked within her. I hate to tell you this, but I'm not so relaxed and at peace at night anymore. Most nights I have horrible nightmares. I'm sure, if you really are me, you know what about.

(We are aware of what transpired with the hanyou. He is weak, and seeks to use trickery and deceit to dominate. It is that propensity of his to use illusion that we will use to utterly destroy him. When we are done... he will not even have a soul left, he will never be re-incarnated. His destiny as we have deemed it now is utter destruction. But that is a concern for later. We can take care of the nightmares. We will not be bound by dreams. We will not be bound by anything. The only bond we will accept is our bond with the inu hanyou.)

Silence then, as thoughts of complete dissolution of a soul ran through Kagome's thoughts.

A simple statement, with no arrogance displayed, no emotion at all. Just words - and in those words, a soul was judged, and the sentence for his deeds determined.

Absolute dissolution. Wiped out of existence for his crimes. In that instant, Kagome almost found pity in her heart for her deadliest enemy.

Almost.

Sesshoumaru sat in the tree he had concealed himself in and watched the camp in the clearing ahead of him. He had been somewhat surprised to find the undead priestess with these particular people, and Inuyasha and Kagome not.

He was well aware of the enmity that this priestess had always held towards the younger miko, and was not quite comfortable with the knowledge that she was with their group. He watched her interact with the two people in the camp, and realized that while she was accepted within the pack, it was begrudgingly, and she wasn't fully trusted, wasn't really part of the group.

He wondered what would bring the members of Inuyasha's pack to even speak to her, let alone allow her even temporary status as a pack member. He frowned as he realized that it must be something very serious... the undead priestess wasn't well liked by most members of the group - especially the taijiya.

He considered his options. He could stay here, unknown to the group in the camp, and wait for his brother and the miko to return, or, he could go down and approach them, and see what his presence could stir up while waiting.

Both ideas had their merits, but he enjoyed the thought of the consternation his sudden presence in their midst would cause - too much to let that idea go - and so he chose to approach them. This could get interesting... and even more so when my brother reappears. I just might enjoy this day after all.

Leaping lightly down from his perch, he flared his aura, allowing it to flow over the entire area. He watched, inwardly greatly amused, at the immediate, panicked reaction from the humans and the undead now standing before him. It is always amusing to me to see the reactions of fear from them... even though they try so very hard to hide it.

He stayed silent for long moments, looking from one to the other slowly, meeting each ones eyes. He knew perfectly well the effect he was having on them, he could smell the heightened fear and confusion from them - except the undead priestess, of course. With her, the only scent she ever gave forth was graveyard soil and old bones, and even that was faint. It was her eyes that gave her away.

Finally, he returned his gaze to the taijiya. She showed the least fear, and her scent carried courage and determination. He could respect that.

"Where are my brother and the miko?"

Sango bowed her head slightly, showing a modicum of respect, then spoke. "We are not sure where Inuyasha took Kagome, however, if you are willing to wait for them to return, he said that they would be back today."

Sesshoumaru watched her expressions carefully, all the while maintaining his normal, stoic look. He considered her words carefully.

"Why is she here," he asked, tilting his head pointedly in the older miko's direction. "Is she no longer considered a danger to your young priestess?"

Sango's face hardened slightly, a fact the daiyoukai noted with interest. So, she truly does not trust the woman yet... likely she never fully will. She has always been completely loyal to the younger woman.

"She has been... helping Kagome and Inuyasha with some... problems Kagome has been having," she said delicately. "You will have to ask them about that if you want more information - I cannot in good conscience betray my friends' trust. It is not my place to speak of it, my Lord." She gave a slight bow in apology.

"Hn." He kept his gaze on her for a moment more, then glanced at the other two, noting the uneasy expressions, and the worried expression of the monk. Something is going on.... and if I don't miss my guess, it's nothing good - and it's centered on Kagome.

"My Lord, may I ask why you seem concerned for Kagome? She is, after all, merely another human, and all of Nippon is aware of your dislike for us as a race." Miroku was nervous, but curious as hell at this point; for the daiyoukai to show the slightest bit of concern for Kagome was astonishing, and confusing.

Sesshoumaru turned a measuring gaze on the monk, who tried valiently to maintain a straight face. His internal amusement soared, and after a moment's thought, he decided to answer the man.

"The Lady Kagome is... unusual - for a human. She has honor, courage, and a purity of spirit that even one such as I can admire. She earned the respect of this Sesshoumaru when she risked her life for that of my ward. I would not see her harmed by the undead," he settled a deadly gaze on Kikyo for a moment, before sliding his eyes back to the monk, "or anyone else, if it is in my power to assist her."

Turning and moving towards a tree at the outskirts of the camp, he spoke once again. "From your reactions, it seems that something has indeed, caused harm to the miko. Therefore, I will wait for my brother to return with her." Left unspoken was the fact that once Inuyasha returned, he would find out what had happened. When he wanted information, he got it.

Sango watched as the daiyoukai sat down, back against his chosen tree, one knee up and his arm draped comfortably atop it. As far as she was concerned, if he was willing to show her sister respect, then he was welcome to stay.

He had an almost over-developed sense of honor, and deemed it beneath him to lie. If he said he would protect Kagome and that he had concern for her, she was willing to take it at face value. Nodding, she sat down and went back to polishing her weapon, completely at ease with his presence.

Her companions were not so sanguine, but seeing that she was accepting of him, they simply accepted it as well and sat back down.

He leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes. Something is going on with my brother's pack - and whatever it is I am positive it's what caused his two transformations. I am also sure it has something to do with the miko.

Perhaps I will offer Inuyasha an alliance... because as surely as night follows day, it is certain that whatever has happened, was caused by Naraku. With this group, it is always that foul half-breed.

It would be worth having to deal with his brother to rid the world of that filth.

Inuyasha had set a fairly brisk pace back to their main camp, content with the feel of his beloved against his back, grateful once again that she no longer seemed to fear his touch. It had been many weeks now since the assault on her... and only in the last few days had she really begun to allow him - or anyone for that matter - to really touch her.

And yet he was aware that most women would still be unable to allow a male close to them, and Kagome probably wouldn't be comfortable with anyone else touching her yet, either. The only thing that saved him was the bond they shared. Now that she had accepted that he wanted her, accepted his claim, the bond between them had strengthened and settled deep into her mind. Because of that, she could no longer fear him in any way.

That wasn't to say that she was ready for a sexual relationship yet, and he knew it. It would still be a while before that could happen, and while he desired her with everything in him, he wanted her to be her again, more than he wanted her body. So he would wait, and be happy with just being able to touch her, and be even happier when she touched him.

Shaking his head, he pulled himself out of his thoughts and focused on the landscape ahead. They were coming up on their main camp, and he spread his youki out around him, testing the area, expecting to find that his pack were still waiting and untouched. What he found instead made his hackles rise.

Sesshoumaru! What the hell does he want? Slowing his pace, then coming to a halt, he set Kagome down off his back. "Stay behind me wench. No matter what, do not move from behind me until I tell you to, got it?"

Kagome was a bit confused as to what Inuyasha was doing, but she knew he must have sensed something dangerous, so she didn't argue, just nodded, before sending her own senses out, blanketing the area with her aura. Her eyes showed her surprise when she realized what he had sensed.

I see. Sesshoumaru is there, in the camp. And Inuyasha isn't sure what his motives are. I need to calm him down, get him to understand - Sesshoumaru won't hurt me.

She reached up and grabbed his shoulder, nuzzling her nose into his back at the same time. "Inuyasha, it's okay. Sesshoumaru isn't here to fight. He just wants to talk... you know you two had claimed a truce before - well before all this happened. Why are you so unnerved by him being here now?"

Inuyasha growled, his youki still upset at the presence of his brother. True, they had come to somewhat of an understanding in recent months, no longer trying to kill each other, and even helping each other out once in a while. But he still didn't want the other male anywhere near his mate, now that she'd been hurt. He wasn't sure how Sesshoumaru would react towards her anymore.

Most youkai would not hold rape against her, what Naraku had done was something that would normally earn him a death sentence in youkai society. Rape just wasn't acceptable. But everyone knew his brother hated humans... and he didn't know if his brother's youkai disdain for the act of rape would carry over to a human victim. It probably would, but....

Kagome loosed her grip on him and moved around to his front, sliding her hands up his chest to his shoulders, she waited for his attention to settle on her, then lifted onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his softly, before pulling back from the stunned hanyou. She smirked slightly on the inside.... she'd shocked him into immobility with one tiny little kiss.

"Now that I have your attention, Inuyasha, can we please head into camp? Sesshoumaru knows we're here by now, and if we don't go in there, he will come out here. You know this. There's no reason to run, no reason to fight." She gazed at him earnestly, letting him see that she had no fear of his brother. "Please?"

He stared hard at her for a minute, wanting to make sure she was okay with this, and sighed when he realized she really wasn't frightened by his brother's presence. "Alright... we'll go in, but stay with me, okay? Stay by my side."

She nodded, looking earnestly up at him. "I will, I promise."

"Let's go then."

He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her forward, preparing himself to deal with the stubborn bastard that fate decreed should be his only remaining family. Damn the kami anyway, sticking me with that uptight ass. Couldn't find anyone easier to get along with, could they? He snorted lightly. Just not my luck, I guess. Oh well. At least they gave me Kagome - that more than makes up for anything else the kami have ever thrown at me.

Sesshoumaru was well aware that the two had arrived back at the camp, he, as well as everyone else in a several mile radius, no doubt, had felt the flaring of both of their auras. The sheer power of them combined sent a shiver down his spine, and he was abruptly aware that the two were bonded. His mind sparked with triumph at the thought.

He has finally honored father's blood. She is the only candidate for a mate for him that would be appropriate... I had not even hoped that he would realize it. He has always been a dangerous child - it was not till he found her that he became a deadly adult. She has cuased him to grow up into something I can almost respect.

I am satisfied with this alliance - the Shikon Miko, and my father's blood. The power of the House of the West now eclipses all other houses...

That was as it should be.

As the two moved into sight, however, his pleasure in the alliance of the couple was overwhelmed by rage, as her aura came into vivid relief against the evening sky. Where before, only bright, shining purity had existed, now, that same purity was under attack by darkness. It twisted and flared, black against the light, desperately trying to overcome the beauty of her soul.

He could see that she was fighting it, but the thought that anything had dared to touch something that belonged to his father's house completely enraged him, and within seconds, he stood before her, staring into her eyes.

Kagome was not surprised by Sesshoumaru's actions, and amazingly, neither was Inuyasha. Both stood still, waiting for him to speak, aware that his youki was angered, but also both aware that it was not by them. Those still sitting by the fire were too stunned to move or interfere, simply watching with mouths hanging open.

Sesshoumaru stared into her eyes with an intensity neither she nor Inuyasha had ever seen from him before, then spat out one word. "Naraku."

Kagome paled, but held his gaze, gathering all her courage to face the shockwave his name sent through her entire being. "Hai." Her voice held poison, and the daiyoukai was certain as to what had occured. It was evident within her eyes, he could see all that she had suffered so far, and what was still to come.

His eyes flashed red for a moment, and he turned to his brother, who was still holding Kagome's hand, and patiently awaiting his brother's attention.

Inuyasha had known as soon as he'd seen his brother's aura that Kagome truly was in no danger from him, and that he was appalled and enraged by what had been done to her. He accepts her as my mate then... that's good.. Even if he hadn't though, it would make no difference to me, she would still be mine. This just makes things easier.

Sesshoumaru's gaze locked onto his, and Inuyasha nodded. "Allies, then. We will destroy Naraku together."

He shook his head. "No, little brother. We will stand together against him but," he turned his gaze back to Kagome and locked red-rimmed eyes on her own chocolate colored ones, "Kagome will be the one to destroy Naraku. She already knows that she will."

Kagome nodded, returning the daiyoukai's fiery gaze with one of her own. For just an instant, her gaze became hard, an almost crystalline awareness flashing through it. "Hai. He will find destruction at my hands." Her gaze softened then, returning to it's normal, open expression, and a sad, weary smile crossed her face.

"But for now, I want to return to the camp. I'm tired, ready for food and sleep." She yawned then, as Inuyasha nodded and pulled her forward, motioning for his brother to follow.

"So, Sesshoumaru, where's that toad of yours and the kid?"

"I sent them home. They will be safe there while we hunt the spider. As well, little brother, I have some questions to ask of you," he glanced at Kagome's sleepy visage, "but I can wait till you have settled your mate."

Inuyasha nodded. "Fine. Come on, Kagome." He raised his eyes ahead to the people still sitting around the fire. "Oi, Sango! Get a bowl of whatever it is you're makin' for Kagome - she's tired and hungry." As they got near the fire, he grabbed her backpack from her shoulder and, letting go of her hand, he opened the bag and pulled out her sleeping bag, setting it up under his chosen tree, then sat her down on it.

She smiled tiredly up at him for a long moment, before slumping slightly. I feel so drained all of a sudden, and it's not even late... hell, the sun isn't even all the way down, but all I want to do is sleep.

He rubbed her shoulder for a minute, only pulling his hands away to take the bowl of... looked like rabbit stew... and settle it in her hands. "Eat, woman, then go to sleep. You need it." He looked up at the others, catching each one's eyes firmly. "As soon as she's done eating, she's going to sleep, so all of you better leave her alone."

Kikyou stirred and started to speak, but he cut her off. "No. Questions can wait till tomorrow, Kikyou. I mean it. Leave her be, or you'll deal with me."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened just slightly at his tone. He had never spoken to the undead one with that voice. This was another surprise - it seemed his brother's pack was full of them lately.

Oh yes, Inuyasha - I have many questions, questions that you will answer... tonight.

A/N: I apologize to all my readers for the time it took to get this chapter out - real life has been a kick in the ass lately - and still is actually. I have a special thanks to send to cherry blossom love. This talented lady created an AMV dedicated to Malice on youtube. It is done to the song Whispers by Evanescence, since that's the song I quoted in one of the earlier chapters. Please, go check it out and comment! Also, a thanks to Rhonda for bringing to my attention the fact that Malice has been nominated by someone (I would love to know who) at the Fuedal Association for Best Angst! I am extremely honored that someone was enjoying my story enough to nominate it for an award. I was totally caught off guard by this, so again, thanks to Rhonda for bringing it to my attention. I guess that saying is true... I truly was the last to know! Anyway, hope everyone enjoys the new chapter... I deliberately left some things hanging with Sess - but I'll be rounding his part out some more in the next few chapters, so don't get too confused! - Amber