InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Pride (In the Name of Love) ❯ Chapter 140 ( Chapter 140 )

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

Pride (In the Name of Love) 140 / ??
Written by Jezz-Ra
Warnings - Not all warnings apply to all chapters.  Yaoi, Het, Rape, Lemon, Violence, Torture, Language, Angst, Incest, Dark (at times).  It's a massive story, folks, it's got a little bit of everything.
Disclaimer - I don't own Inuyasha, don't make money off it.  Wish I did.

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// Blah // indicates thoughts.

A/N - I really should have written what I originally had planned for this chapter with like half of the last chapter instead of writing the whole thing last night. XD  Oh well.  Thank you to all of you whom are reviewing via anywhere but ff dot net that I can't reply directly to - It's so very much appreciated.  You have all made my time worthwhile.  I've been bouncing around squeeing for the past couple days every time my email indicator lights up.

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The trip had taken them a few hours.  By the time they got remotely close to the hill, Inuyasha no longer had any need for the guidance of the wolves.  He smelled blood, and a lot of it, with painful clarity.  It was all too familiar.

Gritting his teeth, the hanyou put on extra burst of speed, exploding past the treeline and taking the hill in two strides, although he nearly choked as he skidded to a stop and caught sight of his two friends.  Miroku was in a bad way - he was covered in gouges and scratches.  His hand was jerked out at an awkward angle, the broken wrist badly swollen, but it wasn't anywhere as bad as the ugly, dark purple swelling on his shattered leg.  The broken bone had torn through skin and muscle.  Inuyasha could smell the dangerous scent of infection, even if the nasty coloring of the wound hadn't made it apparent.  Miroku's breathing sounded wet and raspy, never a good sign.

But for as bad as gruesome as Miroku's injuries were,  Sairex had gotten the worst of it.  Inuyasha was afraid to go near the raven, not wanting to confirm his suspicions.  He was sure, just from a glance, that there was no way he could possibly be alive.

Kouga hesitated a few moments before slowly making his way over.  He intended to at least get Sairex off the thick branch that had impaled him and held him still - he had no intention of leaving the raven there.  Even if it was the way of his own clan, he knew the others would want to give him what they felt was a more proper burial.

It was with complete shock that the wolf king noticed the raven's body hadn't gone cold.  His eyes widened as he hesitantly leaned in closer.  The raven's breath was so light as to barely be felt, his heartbeat impossibly faint.  "Holy fuck...." he whispered, jerking back in surprise.Inuyasha blinked up, startled, from where he had been working to get Miroku prepared to transport him back home so they could, hopefully, get him fixed up.  "What?"Kouga almost choked at the horror of Sairex's condition weighed against his discovery.  "He's still alive."

"What?!"  Inuyasha gasped, unable to believe their good fortune.  "But...""I...fuck me, I don't know what isn't broken on him..  He's got a fence post through his gut, his skull is cracked...holy shit, his neck is broken....the wings are a mess....its impossible.  There's no way he can still be alive."

"We need to get them back as fast as we can."Kouga gave Inuyasha a very worried look.  "Inuyasha, I don't know if we can move him.  If I try, its bound to kill him!"

"Yeah, well, if we leave him here he'll die for sure.  We have to at least take the risk and TRY!"

Kouga frowned, reaching hesitantly for Sairex and then stopping.  "You stay here with em.  I'm going to go to the castle and get your brother...and he can do his zappy thing and take you all back to the castle.  It's about the safest method I can think of to minimize how much they get jolted around.  And that way Kagome and everyone can be prepared to help them out as soon as they arrive."

Inuyasha nodded, knowing the wolf could cover the distance in half the time he could if he went all out.  "Alright.  I'll stay here with them.  Just...hurry."

Kouga nodded and then sprang off in the direction they'd come.

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Toga sighed softly at the aggravating mound of scrolls piled on his desk and shifted Aliana in his lap a bit.  Much as he wanted to comfort the sad little girl, he knew he was going to have to deal with some of these problems in person, and he couldn't very well take her with him when he bounced off to some neighboring towns to talk to various dignitaries.  

Sesshoumaru saw his father's look.  "Would you like for this Sesshoumaru to take care of matters, my Lord Father?"Toga sighed and leaned back.  "No, my Sesshoumaru.  I'll have to go in person.  Its an annoyance, but you know as well as I do that some of these ridiculous creatures we're forced to deal with on a daily basis would take it as an offense if anyone BUT the reigning Lord answered their petitions."

Sesshoumaru bared his fangs in distaste, a low growl in his throat.  "I'm well aware.  Its utterly absurd.  They should be grateful we cater to as many of their whims as we do instead of imposing restrictions on us!"

"As much as I agree and would love to put some of them in their place, it serves multiple purposes.  They are content thinking that they are getting our most serious and direct assistance in response to their requests.  It proves that we value them as allies and members of our kingdom.  However, it serves another purpose.  It reinforces the position of our strength and dominance as well.  You know as well as I do that a healthy dose of the respect we're granted by others is due in part to awe and part to fear.  A confirmation of our power in the flesh goes a long way to quelling thoughts of rebellion before it even begins to form.  And since we're being so helpful and merciful in light of our obvious ability to deny them beyond anything they could hope to do to us..."

"This Sesshoumaru hears and understands, but I do grow tired of the political dance at times.""Well, 'this Sesshoumaru' gets to stay and care for the castle and matters while I'm gone."Aliana looked up, blinking huge yellow eyes at Toga.  "Can I go with you, Uncle Toga?"Toga offered her a smile.  "No, my dear little bird, you have to stay here.  This is very important and I have to take care of things on my own."Aliana looked about ready to panic at the thought of him leaving.  "But Uncle Toga, I...""You have business with this Sesshoumaru, girl."

Aliana blinked, her protest clipped short, and turned to regard Sesshoumaru in mute surprise.  Toga's expression matched hers, and Sesshoumaru had to refrain from smirking.

"Yes.  It is high time you were learning to fight against strong opponents and working on your combat training."

Toga blinked.  "My Sesshoumaru...."   He let his protest die, however, noting the vaguely curious look the little raven girl was giving his pup, obviously thinking about that.

"But Uncle Shomaru, I'm going to be a monk.  I exercise demons an'.. an' put talismans on them."

Sesshoumaru gave her an imperious scowl - he was very good at them - his voice somewhat disdainful.  "What, you think all that monks can do is throw paper and pray?"

"Thats what my daddy does..." Aliana's tone lacked conviction, though, at the intriguing possibility that she might be wrong.

Sesshoumaru scoffed, and Toga's eyes lit up in amusement, gratitude and pride at his pup's actions.  He had been at a loss with how to care for the little girl while he was gone and hadn't known how to deal with the situation.  Sesshoumaru taking on the task was a pleasant surprise.  "Your...daddy... does far more than that, girl.  He has fought me before, he has fought my Lord Father before, he has fought my brother before, and he has done it well.  I have seen him strike down several demons in combat.  He is a trained and skilled fighter, for a human."

Aliana's eyes widened as she stared at Sesshoumaru, her melancholy melting as her interest was piqued.  "My daddy can beat up demons?  Why would he want to fight you and Uncle Toga?"

Sesshoumaru's eyebrow twitched a bit, but he managed to retain most of his composure.  "We were...practicing.  But yes, he can beat up demons with his shakujou very well."

"Whats that?...."  The girl paused, then brightened.  "Oh, you mean his stick?"Sesshoumaru paused for a moment before nodding.  "Yes."  Toga could scarcely hide his good humor at this particular exchange and really wished he could stick around to see how it played out.  

"Oooh...can you teach me how to fight too then, Uncle Shomaru?  I need to learn how if I'm going to be the best monk ever!""This Sesshoumaru has many things to do..."Aliana hopped up and bounced over to him, grabbing hold of the leg of his hakama pleadingly.  "Please, Uncle Shomaru?  I'll be the bestest learner ever and I promise I won't hurt you!  Pleeeeease?"

Sesshoumaru appeared to consider this for a long moment, shooting Toga a glare as the elder inu bit his lip to contain his laughter at the thought of his son being beaten up by the mini demoness.  "Very well.  I will give you a lesson.  Go change out of that dress.  Have Rin or Kagome get you something more appropriate."

Aliana's face lit up in a huge smile.  "Thank you, Uncle Shomaru!  I'll be back!!"  Without further ado, the girl tore out of the room and down the hall.

"Do take care, my Sesshoumaru...I'd like to come back and find you in one piece."

Sesshoumaru scowled, giving Toga a glare, although there was no heat in it.  "This Sesshoumaru is more than capable of handling a small, untrained child."

Toga laughed and clapped Sesshoumaru on the shoulder.  "Famous last words, my son.  I recall several occasions where you caught me by surprise."  Toga's tone softened.  "Thank you.  I'm grateful for this.  I should be back this evening or tomorrow morning."  Before Sesshoumaru could wave the gratitude away, he leaned in to give him a brief kiss before releasing him and heading for the door.

Sesshoumaru watched him go, then waited for Aliana to arrive so he could show her to the practice arena.

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Sesshoumaru eyed the practice sword with some disdain as he lifted it.  He had to be armed to show he was taking the little girl seriously, but he did not want to dare risk swinging a real sword around.  No matter how good his control, his father's words rang in his mind.  He had, indeed, caught his father by surprise on occasion.  The damage he'd done to the elder inu was of course always negligible, but he didn't trust his own reflexes enough to want the added risk.

Aliana had dressed in an outfit similar to the gi Rin usually wore during her own combat lessons.

"You may choose a weapon that you think will suit you," Sesshoumaru stated, gesturing to the rack of weaponry along one wall.  

Aliana immediate picked up a short staff - well, short to a full-grown person at any rate - and smiled widely.  "I'll use a stick like my daddy."

Sesshoumaru nodded.  "Very well."  He turned on his heel to head towards the center ring, wondering how he should start the lesson.  The moment he completed his turn, a sharp explosion erupted in his skull as Aliana's staff connected with the back of his  head.  With a surprised snarl, the taiyoukai whirled to see the little demoness brandishing the stick like an absurdly long club and grinning fiercely in triumph.

The taiyoukai was about to inform the girl that their practice session didn't start until they were both in the ring and he had given her some basic instruction.  Almost immediately, a sharp pain, accompanied by a tiny, squeaky little growl bit into the back of his leg.  Sesshoumaru's sword snapped down instantly, coming back up with a shadowy little beast gnawing on it fiercely.  It was roughly the size of a rabbit, its body round with small triangular legs and arms and cartoonish, triangle-shaped teeth jutting out of its shadowy, colorless mass.  It let out another squeaky growl and clung stubbornly to the practice sword, chewing rabidly.

Sesshoumaru looked between the little fiend and the fiercely grinning demon girl and resisted the urge to slap himself in the forehead.  This training session might turn out to be a lot more than he had originally bargained for.
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