InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Minoue ❯ Confrontations ( Chapter 17 )

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

Disclaimers: I do not own InuYasha or any of the manga/anime characters. They belong to the wonderful genius Rumiko Takahashi. Any original characters do belong to me.

AN: Thank you very much to inufan625 for acting as my beta once again. An additional thank you goes to Knittingknots for her help as well. I greatly appreciate the time they've taken to help make me a better writer and this a better story.

Thank you very much for the reviews. I read each and every one of them, and greatly appreciate those of you that took the time to leave one. For responses to, please check my LiveJournal at doggieearlover.livejournal.com/176645.html.

Minoue

Chapter 17: Confrontations

Miroku and Sango seemed to have reached some kind of unspoken truce. The next couple of weeks passed without incident, and it was almost like the groping episode had never happened. In addition, even though both of them now knew for certain about the relationship between InuYasha and Kagome, no word of that was mentioned either. It seemed like things were getting back to normal.

If only it could have lasted.

Kagome was finishing up with the ookami females on Saturday morning. Ever since the flare-up of her own power during the incident with Kouga, she'd become more attuned to what was in her vicinity and had discovered there were youkai of varying degrees of power almost everywhere. Suddenly, she became aware of a presence she'd never felt before nearby. It was as if it had been cloaked and then abruptly unveiled. She noticed that all five of the girls stiffened at the approach, and then she felt InuYasha's aura flare. That sent her running out to the main training floor with the wolves following behind.

The male ookami had been coming in to get ready for their classes to begin. They silently moved towards the walls and out of the way as the parents who had dropped them off unexpectedly joined them. InuYasha and Miroku were in the middle of the training floor and were facing the entry way as if waiting for something. Kagome hurried to InuYasha's side while the girls ran to their mothers who had come in.

InuYasha's face remained passive. It was only through his aura that she'd been learning to read that Kagome could tell what he was feeling. He began to calm down when she arrived at his side but flared again when Kouga came strutting in with the two who had tried to grab her and Sango behind him. The ookami youkai was grinning like the cat that finally caught that canary. However, that wasn't the powerful aura that she'd felt. That one was following not far behind. She gasped when its owner swept into view, while all of the ookami youkai with the exception of Kouga bowed their heads to stare at the floor.

His similarities to InuYasha were what struck her first. He had luxurious, thick, long, almost white hair that reached his knees and golden eyes that scrutinized the room and everyone in it. His bearing was - regal; there was no other word for it. However, once you looked past the eye color and hair, the differences became more apparent. Where InuYasha had dog ears that protruded from his thick silver hair, this one had ears similar to a human's except for the feature of tapering to a delicate point, as those of the ookami youkai did. He had a deep blue crescent moon on his forehead, though it more resembled the sun as seen during a solar eclipse than a true crescent moon. It was if someone had slapped a “C” between the natural part in his bangs. That marking contrasted nicely with the twin magenta streaks on each cheek - two stripes like InuYasha had said his brother had. He was also taller than InuYasha and wearing what appeared to be a very expensive, custom tailored navy designer suit with a silver shirt and a linked pattern tie in shades of blue, silver, and brown.

“InuYasha,” he said as he stepped forward.

The hanyou raised an eyebrow since his brother normally greeted him with something more along the lines of “half-breed,” whereas, he would usually respond with “asshole” or something similar. It was just the way it had always been, even after they no longer fought - at least not for real. However, playing along with whatever he was up to, he responded, “Sesshomaru.”

Kouga snarled as he stepped closer. “That would be Lord Sesshomaru or Sesshomaru-sama to you, Half-breed.”

Ginta and Hakkaku chuckled at their leader putting the hanyou in his place.

Sesshomaru looked down his elegant nose at the ookami sensei and his followers with disdain. “My brother has never addressed me as such, and I doubt seriously he's going to start now.”

The smirks and grins fell off of the three wolves faces as his words sunk in.

The Daiyoukai declared, “InuYasha, Kouga has lodged a complaint that you have dishonored all hanyou and youkai by stealing his students away from his dojo. He swears that you have intimidated them in some manner in order to induce them to train in your dojo. Additionally, he claims that you hold a miko captive and compelled her to assail him after forcing her to submit to you, and that you have helped a human enslave a fire cat that was also coerced into attacking him. What have you to say to these charges?”

InuYasha couldn't help but to snort. “He said all of that, did he?”

Sesshomaru gave a curt nod in return.

“Why that lying, arrogant, asshole!” Kagome exclaimed as she stepped in front of InuYasha. “Give me my bow, and I'll show you-” She was cut off as InuYasha gently grasped her arm and pulled her back beside him.

InuYasha had to force himself not to smirk. He knew she could have a temper, but this was a side of her he didn't see very often. In an uncharacteristic public display of affection, his hand slid down her arm to take her hand and squeeze it.

Kagome bowed her head apologetically. “Please forgive my outburst, Sesshomaru-sama.”

Miroku couldn't help but to chuckle before he interjected, “How exactly did he explain grabbing me and threatening to break my neck, breaking a leg of one student, and an arm on another? Did he happen to mention that he came in and attacked without provocation?”

“Lies! How can you believe the words of those humans?” Kouga bellowed. “They'll say whatever that bastard half-breed tells them to! You can't possibly think-”

Sesshomaru had stepped up to Kouga and back-handed him across the face, sending him reeling into Ginta and Hakkaku before crashing to the floor. “You should not so easily believe what you read in the tabloids. That bastard half-breed is my half-brother and my father's son. You will address him as either `Lord InuYasha' or `InuYasha-sama'.”

Kouga was seething as he jumped to his feet. “You're a pure InuYoukai, and the Daiyoukai of Japan! How can you possible side with such filth? He's fucking half-human and should be a disgrace to your clan! I can't believe that you even acknowledge his existence, much less believe a word that he or these humans say!”

Sesshomaru was not about to admit that there was a time that he would have agreed with Kouga, but that was many, many years ago. They had made their peace, and InuYasha had never done anything more than ask to be left alone. Even after the incident with Kikyou, when he easily could have corrected the tabloid writers and exposed the clan as youkai, he kept his mouth shut and bore the brunt of their ridicule and speculation alone. While he did not really know his brother, what he did understand of him was that he was honest and honorable to a fault. “InuYasha, what have you to say in response to these charges?”

Sango had come in to the dojo to change and look for Kagome. An urgent meow from Kirara caught her attention and she looked quizzically at the cat, who was pacing just inside the entrance of the ladies' locker room. “What is it, Kirara?”

Kirara mewed again and stopped inside the doorway, facing out. “You want me to follow you?”

The fire cat twitched her tails in response and ran out towards the floor. She stopped where Sango could see what was going on and then jumped up into her arms. Sango absent-mindedly scratched her companion's ear as she surveyed the scene before her.

InuYasha immediately noticed Sango and Kirara's arrival. “Sango, would you and Kirara please join us? This involves you, too.”

Startled at hearing her name, Sango nodded and walked towards them, making certain to give all of the wolves a wide birth. Everyone noticed that when she passed by Kouga that Kirara's fur stood on end as she hissed at him. When she reached Kagome, she mouthed, “What's going on?” before turning to stand beside her and face the angry ookami she'd encountered once previously and the white-haired youkai she'd never seen before.

InuYasha started, “First, you should know the names of those involved. The student who just joined us is Sango. The fire cat with her that she supposedly has enslaved is Kirara. The miko he says that I hold captive is next to me. Her name is Kagome, and she is one of the teachers here though she was my student for the previous five years. He was not mentioned in the charges, but the man to my left is Miroku, who has been an instructor and student here for many years. He was also involved in that his life was threatened when he went to the aid of the ookami students that were struck down by Sensei Kouga.

“I did not make any attempt to take students away from the other dojo. They were dissatisfied with the manner in which they were being taught and wished to learn a different method. They came to me and asked that I accept them as my students. They have been coming of their own free will on a schedule that minimizes their contact with humans. Miroku and I instruct the males, while the females are taught by Kagome. I did not ask them to come here, but I will not turn away those who seek my help.

“Regarding the charges that anyone was forced to attack him, he brought it on himself. He entered my dojo and assaulted two of the students, breaking their limbs and rendering them unconscious. When Miroku ran to their aid, Sensei Kouga seized him and held him hostage, threatening to break his neck. While he was terrorizing my students and instructor, he had sent others to the private property behind the dojo to capture Kagome. They did not know which of the two ladies was her, so they tried to kidnap them both. It was at that point that Kirara revealed her true form and drove them away before bringing Sango and Kagome inside. Kagome had been outdoors practicing her archery and was so angry at the scene she found that she did aim an arrow at Sensei Kouga. Kirara was apparently incensed that her mistress had been assailed and did threaten him, though she did not physically attack him,” InuYasha concluded.

Sesshomaru looked at the three humans alongside his brother, and then the ookami youkai that lined the walls of the dojo. All were nodding their heads in agreement with the statement.

The father of one of the students stepped forward. “What they say is true. We must partially accept the blame because we had heard rumors of Kouga's plans, but did not believe them. We could not accept that a supposedly honorable sensei would resort to such tactics.

“We have also come to accept that we must learn of human ways if we are to blend more seamlessly into their world. Our own community is shrinking, as are opportunities within it. Here our cubs are learning not just martial arts, but how they should interact with humans. Our girls have informed us that Sensei Kagome instructs them not just in self-defense, but also in differences between the ookami and human ways. Sensei Kagome only wanted them to feel safe here, but we all now understand that she has never been forced to submit to Sensei InuYasha, as Kouga has insisted.

“Sensei InuYasha could have turned us away, but instead he said he was willing to help us. Our cubs were learning little more than to be bullies and thugs from Kouga. Here they are learning self-respect and self-discipline. It was with great hesitation that we initially decided to come here, mostly because of his hanyou heritage. However, I believe you will find that the majority of us agree that he and his staff have treated our cubs with honor and respect and have disciplined them in an appropriate manner when required. We believe that they will be stronger in the long run due to their instruction.” The father bowed to InuYasha and to Sesshomaru, and stepped back.

“I'll show you who's stronger! I'll get my students back and force your bitch to submit!” Kouga roared as he charged InuYasha.

The hanyou's eyes glazed over red at the ookami youkai's challenge. He shoved Kagome and Miroku away to push them clear of the attack. Kagome fell into Sango, and they both scrambled out of the battle zone while Miroku found the clawed hands of the wolves near him pulling him out of harm's way.

InuYasha had spread his legs and planted his feet to earth himself before Kouga reached him. As the youkai threw a punch at him, InuYasha fluidly leaned back and blocked it with his left arm. In the same continuous motion the hanyou wrapped his right hand around Kouga's neck and felled him to the floor. The ookami youkai found his throat in the claws of one very angry half-breed. When the wolf struggled to break free, he felt the grip tightening and discovered red-glazed eyes boring into his, along with elongated teeth revealed by a lip-curling snarl. Kouga's eyes opened wide as he realized that the scent of the hanyou's blood had changed, and that InuYasha now bore the markings of a full youkai. In a last ditch effort to free himself, he desperately grappled at the hanyou to try and throw him off. Instead he found his air being cut off, and then he blacked out.

“He murdered him!” Ginta wailed as he and Hakkaku backed away, afraid that they would be next.

“No, he didn't,” Sesshomaru stated as he strode towards the wall where the weapons were kept.

“He's going to kill us! Save us!” the pair screamed when they saw the Daiyoukai reach up and pull a sword off of the wall.

“Stop being so melodramatic,” Sesshomaru ordered as he strode back towards his brother. He noticed everyone else had backed further away except for the human girl called “Kagome.”

“InuYasha,” Kagome said softly as she slowly approached him. “It's okay now. He can't hurt anyone.”

“Be careful, Kagome,” Sango whispered. She had moved over near Miroku.

“I don't believe he'll harm her,” Miroku told her.

“Half-breed,” Sesshomaru called as he threw the sword in its scabbard to the hanyou.

InuYasha looked up and snatched the sword out of the air with his free hand. Almost immediately, his youkai blood began to recede. He stood and pressed the worn grip to his forehead, though he then pulled Kagome to him and buried his nose in her neck to sooth himself with her calming scent.

After the hanyou had released him and stepped away, Kouga began to stir. “He's alive!” Ginta and Hakkaku exclaimed with joy. They ran to him and dragged the downed wolf further away.

“Indeed,” Sesshomaru agreed as Kouga sat up. “It is clear that false accusations have been made against a member of the Nishimori family. Kouga, from this day forth you are not to set foot on any property owned by said family. You are to remain within the confines of the ookami territory. I will allow the elders of your tribe determine what additional punishment you will be given for your misconduct. If they choose to banish you from their holdings, you must leave Tokyo and the surrounding cities. If they allow you to stay, you must accept what fate they choose for you. If I am forced to deal with you again, you will be executed for your transgressions against my brother which I could have ordered today. Is that clear?”

“Ye… yeah… yes,” Kouga stammered, stunned by the turn of events. His two pack mates helped him to his feet. After roughly shaking them away, he turned and walked slowly towards the door. Hakkaku and Ginta followed after their deposed leader. Those that had gathered around the scene backed away in order to create an opening so that Kouga and his two followers could leave.

Sesshomaru addressed the remaining crowd. “Those of you who wish to continue training at this dojo are free to do so for as long as you desire. However, considering the events of this morning, perhaps it would be best for you to return to your homes and continue with your next scheduled class.”

There were murmurs and nods in agreement as the youkai begin to leave. As they started to make their way out, one of the girls ran up to Kagome and bowed. “Sensei, we know a few other girls my age who would like to come. They've never studied before but want to try.”

“Tell them that they would be welcome. Let them know they can come next Saturday morning if they would like to. They can watch your class, and then I'll talk with them afterwards, all right?” Kagome smiled.

“Thank you, Sensei!” The young wolf demon bowed again before she ran to join her mother who was waiting for her.

Once all of the ookami youkai had left the building, Sesshomaru faced his brother and said, “We need to talk.”

“I know,” InuYasha responded.

Sango, Miroku, and Kagome were standing aside, looking uncomfortable. The Daiyoukai glanced at them and said, “Perhaps you would like to give a more proper introduction now.”

Kirara jumped down from Sango's shoulder where she had been perched and strolled forward. She sat directly in front of Sesshomaru, looked up at him, and meowed.

“So you are the fire cat that was supposed to be enslaved. I can see why he would declare that and think he could get away with it,” Sesshomaru commented.

“What do you mean? I never-” Sango said heatedly but was cut off by a wave of the Inu youkai's hand.

“Calm yourself, I did not say that she was. The collar she wears helps mask her youki. It keeps weaker youkai from recognizing what she is. There is something similar to suppress a demon's youki and make them weak, but this is nothing like that. It simply helps hide her,” he responded. “And you are?”

“This is Sango. She is fairly new here since she moved to Tokyo recently to study at the university.” InuYasha stepped forward to make the introductions. “She and Kirara, the fire cat, found each other after she had settled here.”

Sango bowed upon being introduced.

Sesshomaru nodded for him to continue, so InuYasha gestured towards Miroku. “This is Miroku. He has studied here for years and has been an instructor for nearly five. In addition to his duties here, he is a graduate student and professor at the university where he teaches Buddhism. He's also my closest friend.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Miroku said before he also bowed. He was somewhat stunned at InuYasha's open declaration that he was his best friend.

Kagome nervously moved closer to InuYasha. She didn't know why she was feeling anxious, but she could tell that InuYasha was somewhat apprehensive as well. He looked at her and gave her a small smile of encouragement before he started, “This is Kagome. She has been my student for five years, and now is an instructor-”

Before he was able to finish Sesshomaru interrupted, “She is much more than that. We must talk.”

InuYasha froze, and Kagome restlessly shuffled her feet. She didn't know what was up, but the worry that now permeated InuYasha's aura was making her a nervous wreck.

“Since the half-breed has lost his tongue, I will introduce myself. I am his half-brother, Nishimori Sesshomaru. Humans know me as Nishimori Shuichi.”

Miroku's jaw dropped. “The National Art Center? When InuYasha mentioned his brother's art gallery, I had no idea…”

“Yes, I see he has an excellent likeness of our father on the back of your Keikogi. I do not wish to appear rude, but I do need to speak with my brother alone, and then with the young lady,” Sesshomaru stated.

InuYasha faced the three. “It's a few hours before the next class will be here. Sango, if you don't mind waiting, you and Kagome can go out back to practice a little later. Right now, would you please go up to the house and stay there? Miroku, you go with them but keep your hands to yourself.”

Not really certain what was going on and not wanting to cause any further problems for the hanyou, all three nodded and walked towards the back door. Kirara ran up behind them and hopped up on Sango's shoulder as they left.

InuYasha went to the wall where the weapons were hanging and replaced Tessaiga in its mounts. He sighed as he turned to face his brother.

“You have not been to see me in a long time,” Sesshomaru started. “Not since the incident with the last human woman.”

“I thought it was best,” InuYasha said softly, staring at the floor.

“And I did nothing to tell you otherwise,” the Inuyoukai agreed. “And this one?”

InuYasha looked up. “Kagome is nothing like Kikyou. She's known what I am since we first met five years ago, and she has never cared. It was only recently that we… we… started a relationship. She loves me as I am, and her family accepts me. I've wanted to bring her to you so I could introduce you, but I've been away for so long. I didn't know where to start, and the last time was such a fiasco. I wish you'd told me sooner that Kikyou was chasing you before she caught me.”

“So you intend to marry this girl in the human tradition?” Sesshomaru asked, ignoring his last comment.

InuYasha nodded. “She is human and will expect it. I don't think she'd go for the youkai version and shack up until we were tired of each other, found someone else, or produced the heir we wanted before moving on. I have to admit that my human half yearns for it, too. I know you can't understand that, but I was not going to ask her until I talked with you. Her mother has already given me her blessing. I just didn't know how to approach you.”

Sesshomaru took a deep breath. “Should we move this outside into the fresh air? This place still reeks of wolves.”

InuYasha nodded and followed his brother, wondering what else he wished to discuss.

“Kagome, what's wrong?” Sango asked while Miroku made them a pot of coffee.

“InuYasha, he was worried about something. I think it has to do with me.” Kagome was practically hugging herself. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her torso. “What if I offended him?”

“Offend InuYasha? I don't think it's possible for you to do so,” Miroku offered.

“Not him, his brother. What if I upset him? InuYasha was really nervous about something,” Kagome said. “What if his brother is angry with him because of me?”

Miroku shook his head in disagreement. “Kagome, InuYasha has not seen his brother since… well… in a long time. Just the fact that Sesshomaru showed up here may be what made him anxious. They were never really close, but they have been pretty much estranged for some time. I wouldn't read any more into it than that.”

“I hope you're right,” Kagome muttered.

Sango reached over to pat her on the back. “I'm sure he is. Sesshomaru-sama could just as easily be angry with me for snapping at him, but I don't believe he is. So neither of you had any idea that InuYasha was related to that Nishimori family?”

“I'd always suspected he was from a family with money, but I never considered anything like that,” Miroku answered.

“Why did you think that?” Sango asked.

Miroku just waved his hand to sweep the room. “Just look around you. He's never wanted for anything even if he isn't pretentious. Even back when he had virtually no students, he was never worried about income. All he'll ever admit to is that he's had some good investments on his inheritance.”

“What do you think they're talking about?” Kagome asked though she was talking more to herself than anyone.

“It could be anything,” Miroku answered.

“How long have you been having these transformations?” Sesshomaru asked as they walked along a well used path on the property.

“Since Kagome and I…” his voice trailed away in embarrassment.

“So she brings your youkai to the surface?” Sesshomaru verified.

“Yeah, she does - at least in certain… situations. Do… do… do you know what's happening to me? I don't understand. And how did you know about Tessaiga?” the hanyou asked.

“Myouga finally told me about the sword's properties to seal your blood. It was he who suspected that eventually something could bring your youkai blood to the surface. He also wasn't certain what you would do if that happened; he mentioned the possibility of bloodlust.” Sesshomaru had stopped and turned to face his brother.

“That old flea was brave enough to stick around and tell you that? I'm surprised since he was always terrified of you.” InuYasha couldn't help but to chuckle.

“Actually, he waited until tape recording devices came into existence. He left me a tape and then disappeared. I went to both Bokusenou and Toutousai to verify what he'd said.” Sesshomaru fell silent.

“So… did they?” The hanyou really wanted to get to the bottom of what was happening.

“No one was certain, but that was their best guess. I think Toutousai was wishing for his life to end because he told me to quit coveting your sword like some deprived three year old.”

InuYasha couldn't help but to laugh, but then furrowed his brow in thought. “The barrier on it always rejected you when you tried to take it before. What happened there?”

“The old coot also told me that once I truly no longer desired it, the sword would no longer reject me. When I saw you transform, I knew that everything they said was true. Maybe you should let the humans around you know what to do if that happens again,” Sesshomaru suggested.

“That's not the only thing that will make me revert back. Kagome discovered last time when Kouga attacked that she can. There's something about her that calms my blood. She's always had that effect on me,” InuYasha offered.

“Indeed. I believe it is time for me to meet her,” Sesshomaru said.

InuYasha nodded. “If you'll wait here, I'll go and get her.”

“I will wait.”

To be continued…

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Voting at the InuYasha Fanfiction Guild for the Third Quarter of 2007 (July - September) continues through Saturday, December 1st. Thanks once again to Mage Delbene, Shannah, Patty, malitiadixie, Farawayeyes , Quirkyslayer, Lady Griddlebone, thatsmyfiasco, Deborah, Priestess Skye, adeaneri, stonesneatstuff (aka knittingknots), LavenderRose, Ravenreux, akapiratequeen and dreaming_trees for the nominations and seconds received, or for even trying to (but someone beat you to it). I really appreciate it! I'm very grateful that everything eligible was seconded and made it to the ballots. Thanks so much to each of you.

Best AU/AR - Minoue

Best Drama - Minoue

Best Inu/Kag Romance - Minoue

Best Lemon - Come Undone

Best Oneshot - Art is Life

Best Inu/Kag Romance - Art is Life

Best Vignette - Reminders on the Wind

Best Canon - Reminders on the Wind

Best Characterization - Reminders on the Wind (Kagome)

I hope everyone who is a member of the IYFG will take a few minutes to go and vote for your favorite fics, no matter what they might be. I'm sure the authors will appreciate it just as I do. Thanks again and good luck to everyone in the polls!