InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nothing Left to Lose ❯ I Need You ( Chapter 24 )

A/N: Ha ha! No long pause this time, a huge thank you to my betas for the quick turn around. Harpersong and Vulcana went through this for me, and have tried their best to make it readable. Thank you ladies. Also thank you to my reviewers, I do try to keep Kagome in character since she really is the heart of the story. But I doubt you are here to listen to my chatter. Enjoy the fight scene, I thought we were due for a little violence. I own nothin'.

 

*~*~*~*

 

“Are you trying to kill me? Kumo, have you turned against me and decided to end my life?”

 

“Kagome-sama, do not be ridiculous. It is just one final layer.”

 

“Kami, I can't breathe in here!”

 

Kumo settled the last kimono into place, face shining with pride at the beautiful figure in front of her. Finally, her lady looked the part. Every piece of clothing, every strand of hair, every piece of jewelry was in place and exquisite. Layers and layers of rich silk floated around her while rich combs shimmered in her hair. She looked stunning, the picture of a proper noble lady.

 

`Oxygen would be nice.' Kagome could barely walk, the layers she wore forming a train behind her and swirling around her feet. She already felt warm, and Kumo had just finished dressing her. Why was she wearing so many clothes? It made no sense; you could barely see some of these layers. Kumo pulled her over to the mirror so she could see what the hours of work had produced.

 

“Oh, Kumo.” Kagome stared at the reflection. As much as she was a modern girl, and as much as she hated the fact that she could not move, the sight took her breath away. She looked like a princess from a story. Somehow, the ordinary girl had become a beautiful lady, even if it was only for one night. `And my Prince Charming is waiting for me.' She could feel Sesshomaru outside of her door, waiting. `And he's irritated. I don't know why, this stupid party isn't supposed to start till sundown.'

 

“Rin-sama, quit fidgeting.” Kumo straightened Rin's obi again, trying to keep the little bundle of energy looking like a young lady.

 

“Yeah, Jo-chan, no complaining. You're only wearing about half as many layers as I am.”

 

“Hai, Kagome-chan. It's just weird.” Rin forced her hands to leave her obi alone. Again. While she was not wearing nearly as decadent an outfit as Kagome, Rin was still out of sorts in her fancy clothes. Her sword was at her side, as always, and it did give her some comfort. Well, that and the fact that she could actually walk in her clothes, unlike Kagome-chan.

 

“Kagome-sama, we should move to the reception hall and make one last check.” Kumo tucked one of Rin's combs back into place as she spoke, fighting a losing battle with the girl's unruly hair.

 

“Go ahead with Rin, Kumo, I'll catch up after I find that darn fan.” The fan had eluded them all afternoon.

 

“Kagome-sama, you have five other fans you could take.”

 

“I know, but I really liked that one, and it went with this kimono so well. I just want to look one more time, I swear I saw it in the closet.”

 

“Very well, my lady.” Kumo herded Rin out the door and off to the kitchen. Her voice echoed back down the hallway. “Yes, my lord, she is still in the room, she is looking for something.”

 

`He can wait for a minute. Damn arrogant bastard.' Up on a shelf she found her missing fan under some of her clothes. Kagome did a little victory dance as she carefully backed out of the closet, trying not to trip over anything or mess up her hair.

 

“Kagome.”

 

“Eep!” She spun around to find Sesshomaru standing right behind her. “When did you come in here?”

 

“If you were paying attention you would know exactly where I am.” Amusement was threatening to destroy his bland expression. “There is something I wish to give to you.”

 

“Nani?” A small wooden box was offered to her, and she took it as though it was made with glass. Gently she slid the box open, revealing the contents. A beautiful pendant glimmered from the silk lined interior. It was in the shape of a crescent moon with a fabulous blue stone in the center. Kagome gasped as she lifted the necklace out. The silver pendant hung from a delicate chain that was a work of art in its own right. “Sesshomaru. . . “

 

“It belonged to my mother.” Sesshomaru watched with a guarded expression as Kagome stared at the pendant, looking entranced. `She already knows what this is, what it means. It would mean that she has accepted me. She has said that she will stay, but this is the final commitment.'

 

`I know what this is.' Kagome could not tear her eyes away from the gorgeous necklace. `He called it a mark, a sign of acceptance. If I take it, it means that this is official.'

 

`And your point is?'

 

`Hush, you. I know, I know, it's a moot point now anyways. I am his. And he is mine.' Kagome set the box down on a table, then held the necklace out to Sesshomaru. He went slightly pale, his eyes searching hers.

 

“Can you help me to put it on?”

 

Relief flooded his expression as Sesshomaru carefully took the necklace. Kagome turned around, allowing Sesshomaru to slip the necklace around her neck. The pendant glowed with it's own fire as it rested against the many layers of silk. Kagome gazed at it, her eyes soft with emotion. `I will never take it off.'

 

Soft hands pulled Sesshomaru's haori, pressing his body to hers. “Mine,” she growled, her mouth covering his. His answering growl was lost in the kiss.

 

With a frustrated groan Kagome broke away, one hand already moving to check her hair. “Damn. We have to stop for now, or Kumo will have to start all over again. We will finish this later tonight, when we are alone and I don't have to worry about messing up the hair.”

 

`I do not care about her hair or her gowns.' It was a great struggle, but Sesshomaru brought himself back under control. “Later.”

 

“Come on, if we don't get out of here quickly I'm going to change my mind. Lets get this nightmare over with so we can go back to fighting with each other instead of strangers.”

 

*~*~*~*

 

`It is just for one night. I can deal with this. If I get one more hairy eyeball directed my way I'm setting Sesshomaru on the lot of them.' Kagome and Rin stuck together, trying to ignore the nasty looks. Her mate was off dealing with some argument or another, leaving her to her own devices.

 

“Come on, Jo-chan, I want some fresh air.” Surrounded by guards the two ningen moved out into the gardens. The cool night air was a relief after being stuck with the unpleasant youkai.

 

`Just when I thought the hostility level couldn't get any higher, I show up with his family crest. Great. I think I'll ask Merkamou to send most of them home tomorrow. He'd do it for me, he's such a softie when I give him the big eyes.' Her guards were on high alert as they made their way to the koi pond.

 

“Kagome-chan, when are they leaving?” Rin's fingers were running along the hilt of her sword; stress in her every line.

 

“I'll ask Merkamou-sama tomorrow if some of them can go home. This is our home, Jo-chan, and we should be comfortable in it. Come on, we need to get back to Sesshomaru-sama before he starts to worry. Or starts a fight.”

 

Rin giggled. “Maybe he should start a fight.”

 

“Naughty, Jo-chan. He's not supposed to beat up his allies.” Kagome tickled the little girl, making her giggle. “He doesn't need any encouragement either.”

 

That feeling of threat seized Kagome again, making her snap her head up, looking for the source. Her guards were already being brought down, grunts and yells erupting as they were attacked from all sides. A barrier flashed to life, protecting herself and Rin, as the attackers finished off her guards and closed on the two females.

 

“Who are you? What do you want?” Kagome looked around her, making out shapes in the flickering light of the lanterns. There were many figures, at least a dozen, but she could feel more in the dark. More like two dozen.

 

“Unworthy bitch. You die tonight.”

 

There was a hiss as Rin drew her sword. Kagome had a slightly different plan.

 

“SESSHOMARU!”

 

“Save your breath, ningen. Do you think you are the only one that can erect a barrier? He cannot hear you or see you now. Will you at least die well, or will you die with screams on your filthy lips?” The shapes were moving again, some were striking her barrier, testing it.

 

Kagome could just barely make out the edge of the barrier around her as a deep blue shimmer, about fifty feet away from her. Between her and that outer barrier were many angry, armed youkai. Rin was in a guard position, glaring at the enemy.

 

“You will not touch her. I won't let you!” The small girl glared around the group as she challenged all of the attackers. Kagome was distracted from her plotting by the change in the little girl.

 

`Rin? No, focus Kagome, you have to get out of this. He can't hear you, so how do you get help? You can't take them all on yourself. You need something loud, outside of the barrier. An explosion. I would give anything right now for my bow and arrows.'

 

Desperate eyes found a tree just outside of the barriers, a big target. Kagome cast about for something to use as a weapon. She had her dagger, but she was reluctant to throw it away. What could she use? A plan formed in the miko's mind as she shrugged out of unbound kimonos. She snatched her dagger from her obi, determination on her face as she ran the edge of the blade across the back of her arm. `He can't see me or hear me, but I bet he will be able to smell that. Oh, ouch! That stings worse than I thought it would. Now for the explosion.'

 

The pink barrier pulsed as the youkai continued to attack, wearing her down. Kagome snatched a comb out of her hair, holding it in her hands to charge it as she stared at the tree that would be her target. `It's a long shot, but its my only chance.' She threw the comb, glowing like one of her arrows and flying straight to her target. It flashed once as it passed her barrier, then flashed again as it flew through the second barrier.

 

The explosion rocked the grounds, knocking several of the nearby youkai down and cutting them with flying debris.

 

`That should get his attention.' Kagome sank to her knees, desperately holding up her barrier as the youkai swarmed and pounded on it. They knew that Sesshomaru would be on his way, and that they had to overwhelm the miko now.

 

“Jo-chan, we're in trouble. Sesshomaru better get here fast.” Kagome threw all of her energy into the barrier, burning the youkai that were touching it. She pulled another comb from her hair, charging it. She glared at her attackers, picking out the one that had spoken to her. Her comb flashed as it flew through her barrier and slammed into the youkai, purifying him and leaving a pile of ash.

 

The traitors fell back, staring at the pile of ash that had been their leader. As one they swarmed her barrier again, attacking with anything they had. Kagome sent another pulse of energy through her barrier, burning any that were touching it, but the traitors did not care anymore. They knew that death was coming for them, and they were driven to finish their mission first.

 

Kagome's fingers went back to her hair, suddenly relieved that Kumo had spent so much time styling it and had used so many combs. Another comb flashed through the air, bringing down another of her opponents. Her stomach flipped over as her body was being drained of more and more of its energy.

 

`Sesshomaru, I need you.'

 

*~*~*~*

 

“My mate has requested that I not slaughter them.”

 

“Maybe next time. Or you can come to visit my lands, and we can do it then.” Merkamou was waving another noble away, trying for some peace.

 

A faint smell made Sesshomaru snap his head up. `Blood? Kagome? Where is Kagome?'

 

“What is it, Sesshomaru?” Merkamou whispered.

 

“Blood.”

 

Merkamou inhaled sharply. “Yes, very faint. Where is it? Wait, where are Kagome-sama and the fledgling?”

 

An explosion rocked through the palace. The flash of light was from the gardens, and Sesshomaru recognized that flash. “Kagome.”

 

The two lords flew through the courtyard, following the scent of Kagome's blood and the burning remains of a tree. There was no sign of the miko, and no sounds of battle. Sesshomaru slammed into a barrier, snarling as he landed in a crouch. `This is hiding my mate.' Tokijin flashed from its sheath, slamming into the barrier. There was a ripple, but the barrier still stood.

 

“Move.” Merkamou put both of his hands on the barrier, eyes closed. The barrier started to pulse, showing the battle scene that had been hidden from their eyes. Kagome was on her knees, her own barrier flickering as she weakened. Rin was standing over her, sword drawn and ready to defend her friend from the crowd of youkai that were swarming around them. There was a flash as Kagome threw something, purifying one of their attackers.

 

The demon barrier pulsed twice more, then started to collapse.

 

*~*~*~*

 

“Rin, look!”

 

The barrier around their battle was pulsing, and now they could see Merkamou and Sesshomaru trying to get in.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama!” The little girl smiled in relief, seeing her hero appear. “Kagome-chan, they found us!”

 

“They better get in here fast.” The pink shimmering barrier around them flickered again. Kagome had her fingers dug into the grass, trying to hold on long enough for the two tai-youkai to save them.

 

The demon barrier was collapsing, sending the attackers into frenzy. Not one, but two tai-youkai were waiting for them. Some of the attackers scrambled to flee, while the majority of them attacked the two lords, trying to overwhelm them. They held no illusions on their ability to flee, so they opted to fight.

 

With his mate and ward so close Sesshomaru could not unleash the full fury of Tokijin, and instead had to work his way through the attackers. These were not the low forms of youkai, these were nobles and warriors that had turned traitor. The two tai-youkai had a fight on their hands, as they cut a swath through the traitors. What the attackers lacked in strength or skill they were making up for in numbers.

 

Only two of the youkai were still worrying about the ningens. Kagome knew her barrier was coming down; she had no strength left for it. She yanked her last comb out of her hair, charging it and flinging it at one of the remaining youkai. A terrible screech filled the air as he turned into a pile of ash. The last burst of effort cost Kagome her barrier, and it collapsed around her. She staggered to her feet, pulling out her dagger and trying to stay between the remaining youkai and Rin. “You're next if you don't run right now, bastard.”

 

The youkai snarled back at her, flexing his claws. “You are too weak to make threats.” He lunged forward, trying to get his claws in the miko. Kagome fell back, getting out of the way as best she could and trying to get a hand on him. The youkai was quicker, delivering a sharp blow to her side that sent her to the ground. Her side was bleeding from the three slashes the claws had given her.

 

“Keh - yah!” Rin attacked while the youkai was distracted by the miko. His back was to the little girl that he had completely forgotten. Reflexes that had been drilled into her took over as she slashed down with her sword, slamming into his leg and sending him to his knees in the dirt. Yanking her sword free, she slammed her blade into his back, burying it to the hilt. It was a struggle to pull the blade back out, but she knew she was not done yet.

 

Youkai have a nasty way of coming back, fledgling. Don't just kill them, kill them a couple of times to make sure.

 

Rin slashed again, this time severing the youkai's head from his body. She felt the resistance as the sword passed through skin, muscle, and bone. For an instant she thought that she was not strong enough to finish the blow, but she made it. The youkai's body collapsed with his head a short distance away. Sucking in air and trying to not be sick, Rin turned back to Kagome. The miko was on her knees, staring at Rin.

 

“Arigato, Jo-chan.”

 

*~*~*~*

 

Traitor after traitor fell under Tokijin. Merkamou's whirlwind of burning air cut a swath through the traitors, leaving behind desiccated corpses. The numbers were dwindling quickly, letting Sesshomaru look for his mate and ward. The Captain had joined Merkamou in cleaning up the mess, freeing Sesshomaru to take care of his mate. He found her in the same place as before, but with no barrier. Kagome was on her knees, guarded by Rin. And there was blood on Rin's blade.

 

Sesshomaru knelt at Kagome's side. “Where are you injured?”

 

“Nothing serious, just exhausted.” She had never been so happy to see anyone in her entire life. “Are you injured?”

 

“Nothing more than grazes.” Sesshomaru pulled Kagome's arm to him, looking at the self-inflicted cut. His eyes found the slashes in her kimonos, surrounded by a rapidly growing red stain. A low growl escaped him at the sight of her blood. “You are seriously injured, miko.”

 

“I will be fine.” Kagome kept a hand clamped over her side, trying to slow down the bleeding.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama!” Merkamou's voice boomed behind them, trying to warn the distracted lord. One of the remaining traitors had made a suicidal attempt to finish off the lord's mate. Unfortunately, he had also forgotten the little girl. He stood frozen with shock as he looked down at the tip of the sword sticking from his chest. Behind him Rin was white as alabaster. She pulled the sword from his back, trembling. Sesshomaru finished the attacker with a swipe of his claws, slashing through his neck so that his head was barely attached.

 

Rin had reached her limits. She staggered a short distance away and retched in the grass, falling to her knees. Merkamou was at her side, rubbing her shoulders. “Easy now, fledgling. You did well.” The Captain was at her other side, scanning the area for more attackers. Now that his protégé was safe he would keep her that way.

 

Kagome struggled to her feet. She forced her exhausted body to move, staggering towards Rin.

Little sobs were escaping the young girl as the Captain lifted her up into his arms and carried her back to the palace. He went around the back of the palace, taking the long way up to Rin's room so she would not have to face the crowds that were coming from the palace now that it was safe. More guards were running about the property, making sure that the downed youaki were actually dead and looking for any survivors.

 

Kagome moved to follow the Captain, but Sesshomaru stopped her. “She will be fine. Now you must be seen. I will have the healer bandage your wounds, but then you will come with me into the palace.”

 

Pain sent Kagome back down to the grass, the world spinning in a completely unacceptable fashion. “You better hurry with that healer if you want me to be conscious.”

 

A barked order sent servants scrambling to find the healer. Fortunately he was near by and came across the gardens at a run. Seeing the expression in the lord's eye he kept his mouth shut and bandaged up the miko. She was weak from blood loss. He made her drink a nasty brew that would keep her up and going long enough to deal with the repercussions of the night.

 

Merkamou found Kagome's abandoned kimonos and brought them back to her. They were relatively unharmed and would hide the slashes and bandages. The miko wanted nothing to do with them, but she was convinced to put them on. Her hair was a complete loss, with all of her combs destroyed. She struggled with it, trying to make it lay back nicely. There was blood in her hair, and on her hands, making the whole thing feel pointless. “Lets get this over with, Sesshomaru.”

 

The medicine did its job and Kagome was able to walk next to Sesshomaru with no help. It seemed as though every person in the palace was in the courtyard and gardens, trying to figure out what exactly had happened, and who was going to die. Kagome kept her head up, noticing that the looks were not ones of disgust anymore, but ones of fear. Word had already reached the palace that Sesshomaru's mate had been attacked, and that none of the attackers had lived. The devastation in the gardens spoke volumes, making an impression that changed their view of the ningen. There was no question of Sesshomaru's bond, either. The miko wore his mark, and he had flown to her defense before any other even knew there was a battle.

 

Seeing the look in the lord's eye the servants scattered, finding important things to do elsewhere. The guests, advisors, and nobles cowered slightly as Sesshomaru and Merkamou glared at them. Sesshomaru knew that some of the attackers had been from his lands, and some from Merkamou's. He had recognized some of them, and knew whom they counted as allies. Three of the nobles in the hall were among those allies. They stood in a small huddle, close to one of the exits.

 

“Where do your loyalties lie?” Sesshomaru's voice came from right next to the guilty nobles, making them stumble back. They had not even seen him move. A clawed hand snatched the first noble off the ground, holding him by the throat. “Were you involved?”

 

“No, no my lord!” The noble struggled, trying to break free. Deceit hung around him like a cloud, his treachery a stench that burned Sesshomaru's nostrils. The claws tightened and crushed the traitor's necks, squeezing the life out of him.

 

The two remaining nobles made a break for freedom. Guards blocked their way, forcing them to turn back and face their deaths. Sesshomaru slashed both across the chest, sending poison into their bodies. He left them writhing on the floor, their insides burning away. He returned to Kagome, watching over her as Merkamou cut a larger swath through his own retinue. He would be returning home with only one quarter of the original group. Many had died out in the gardens, and their allies were now cut down in the hall. The Lord of the Southern Lands was disgusted with his vassals, vowing to himself to do some housekeeping when he returned to his lands.

 

Nausea was threatening to overwhelm Kagome as she saw the bodies littering the floor. The two poisoned nobles were still screaming, although it was quieter now. She tried to breathe deeply, tried to remain steady so that the impression tonight was of a strong female. The two tai-youkai dismissed the survivors, leaving the mess for the servants to clean up. Merkamou returned to his own quarters, nursing a gash across one arm from the battle. Sesshomaru lifted Kagome up into his arms and carried her to her own rooms. Kumo flew in after them, her face white. “My lady, are you well?”

 

“I've had better days, Kumo.” Kagome swayed a little as Sesshomaru started to pull kimonos off of her. Kumo darted about, finding a robe for her to change into and finding her bath supplies.

 

“Kagome-sama, may I suggest that we go to the baths?”

 

A low growl rumbled through Sesshomaru. He did not want Kagome out of his sight. His growl earned him an annoyed expression from his mate. “What? Do you want me to sleep covered in blood, sweat, and dirt? You should bathe, too. Slaughtering the masses is dirty work.”

 

“Come, Kagome-sama, we will have you cleaned up and in bed before your strength gives out.” Kumo used her position as a favored servant to hustle Kagome out before Sesshomaru could protest any more.

 

“Kumo, I need to see Rin.”

 

“She is sleeping, Kagome-sama. I put her to bed, and the Captain is watching over her. Please don't wake her.”

 

Relief made Kagome's knees go weak. “Poor Jo-chan. She should have never been through that.” She made it to the baths with some support from Kumo, leaning on the servant's arm when her reserves started to run out.

 

It was a nasty task to clean the lady up. She had managed to get blood everywhere, some from herself and some from her enemies. While scrubbing her hair for the second time, Kumo finally summoned the courage to ask about the battle. “My lady, what happened? Rin-sama was sobbing when she came up, so I simply put her to bed without questions. I know that you were attacked by traitors, but what happened?”

 

“I was in the gardens with Rin; we had my guards with us, I thought it was safe. They just attacked us, killed all of my guards before I could do anything to save them. I got a barrier up, so Rin and I were safe. There was another barrier to keep Sesshomaru from finding us, but I blew up a tree outside the barriers and he found us. There were so many youkai attacking us, Kumo, over twenty of them. Sesshomaru, Merkamou and the Captain took care of most of it, but Rin ended up killing two of them herself. Poor Jo-chan.”

 

“She killed two of them?” Kumo rinsed out her lady's hair, relieved that the water was finally running clear. “That would explain how upset she was. I don't believe she has ever been in a fight before.”

 

“She has not.”

 

Kumo squeaked and dropped her bucket, spinning to see her lord. She dropped into a bow, staring at the floor. Kagome had known he was coming, but had not thought to warn the servant. `Sorry, Kumo.'

 

“I will attend to my lady. You may return to your other duties.”

 

Bowing again, Kumo backed out of the room. Sesshomaru gazed at his mate, sitting on a bench with her wet hair hanging loose. The mark he had given her glimmered from her chest, softening his eyes. The bandages were starting to show red from the cuts on her side and she sagged against the wall, exhaustion taking over.

 

The inu-youkai moved quickly to wash the blood and gore from his body. There was no time for soaking, he needed to move his mate to bed before she collapsed on the floor. Once he was clean and back in a robe he dressed Kagome in one as well. He lifted her to his chest, carrying her through the palace and back to his own room.

 

Kagome woke up a little when she was settled into bed, familiar warmth pressed against her back. She took a deep breath, smelling his scent and the sweet herbs used on her hair. The night's events felt unreal, like a nightmare. A strong arm was wrapped around her chest, holding her against his strong body as though he was afraid she would disappear. Kagome turned her head to touch her cheek to his, her body relaxing.

 

“Thank you for saving me, Sesshomaru.”

 

“I will always save you, koishii.”

 

Exhaustion was dragging Kagome down, forcing her into sleep as her brain tried to wrap around this new puzzle.

 

`Koishii? Did he just call me…?'