InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shikon no Kakera Hunters ❯ Nozomi vs. Sesshomaru ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any other character form the manga or anime series. I only own the characters I have created.

The Shikon on Kakera Hunters

Chapter 6: Nozomi vs. Sesshomaru

From the ground the sight was amazing: Two youkai locked in battle just above the treetops. As they struggled with their locked swords, causing leaves to fall from abused branches, they seemed to be standing on the treetops, weightless, ignoring gravity's law.

Sesshoumaru forced Nozomi back with his sword. She quickly regained her balance and lunged forward bringing her sword around. Her attack was blocked by toukijin. Sesshoumaru maneuvered his fabled sword with ease, efficiently blocking Nozomi's attacks. They moved like dancers, fluent and graceful.

"I had heard that you were excellent with a sword. Yet these moves are amateur and very disappointing." Sesshoumaru said calmly as he dodged another attack. I had hoped she would present more of a challenge. She has a reputation of being a powerful and dangerous opponent, defeating many youkai that came to prove themselves as potential mates. I wonder why she is fighting so poorly?

Nozomi did not waver from her effort; she spun around low in one quick and graceful motion, attacking Sesshomaru's legs. He leaped back, avoiding Nozomi's sword. She anticipated his reaction and forced her body forward, thrusting her katana towards Sesshomaru's stomach. She again found herself blocked. She took hold of her sword with both hands and struck rapidly, going for head attacks, bringing her katana right and then left, each time meeting toukijin.

I wonder why he only uses one hand? Maybe he is mocking me. He is blocking every attack using only one arm! She felt the anger rising within her, and she quickly stifled it. She cleared her mind and focused on her opponent. Each attack she made was meant to analyze his reaction and defense.

"This Sesshoumaru grows bored of your childish effort," he stated. "You will die now!" He swung toukijin swiftly towards Nozomi, but she only smiled. Her patience was rewarded with an attack, and her sword caught his. Using toukijin for balance, her blade slid to the hilt as she ducked under his. Once free from the strike, she straightened and brought her katana gracefully upwards, through Sesshomaru's armor. He watched as it fell uselessly through the canopy to the ground below.

"You should never underestimate your opponent, Lord Sesshomaru." Nozomi stated, a mask of indifference firmly placed upon her face. "That's a flaw of humans!"

Keade entered the room, with Tomie perched on her shoulder. She kneeled beside Kagome and placed her hand on her forehead.

"My child, you are flushed. Have ye a fever?" she questioned. Kagome could sense InuYasha's amusement over the situation. She knew if she could see his face he would be smirking.

"No, Keade it's just hot in here this morning," she answered, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks again. Tomie tilted her head and studied Kagome. "Umm…Keade, when did you get a bird?"

"It's Nozomi's retainer," InuYasha said, raising his head. Tomie left Keade's shoulder and landed on InuYasha. He reached up and stroked her soft black feathers. "If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have made it on time." The last part came out almost as a whisper. "She is also the one who saved you from Kagura."

"Well then," Kagome said getting up and walking to InuYasha and Tomie. "Thank you," she smiled stroking the bird youkai. Tomie leaned into her hand to show her appreciation, and Kagome giggled at the gesture. InuYasha couldn't help but stare at her as she seemed to light up before him. Kami, I would do anything for that smile.

"Ye, should also thank InuYasha. If not for him, you'd have surely perished." Kagome turned to InuYasha, who suddenly found his claws very fascinating. "He gave ye some of his blood, ye had lost so much from your wounds. Ye would have died," Keade finished.

"Is that true, InuYasha? Did you give me some of your blood?"

"Hai," he answered, still investigating his claws.

"Keade, what about my miko blood? Wouldn't it try to purify his youkai blood?" Kagome asked.

"Hai, it would but I believe your miko power recognized InuYasha `s youki. Ye must have had complete trust in him. If there was a shred of doubt in him, his blood would have been purified. More than likely killing you in the process."

InuYasha jumped to his feet. "Wait a minute! You knew that my blood could have killed her?!"

"Calm down, InuYasha I knew she trusted you with her life," Keade retorted. InuYasha looked at Kagome, who was silently blushing. The first thought that came into his mind was how pretty she looked with the red tint across her pale cheeks. "And more importantly your youkai blood knew it and also wanted to save her," Keade added. This time InuYasha blushed. He knew what she meant about his youki. His youkai side had already chosen Kagome as its mate, and it would do anything to protect her.

The atmosphere around the two youkai was charged with rival energy. Both fought fiercely. The high pitched screams of metal on metal echoed through the air. Sesshomaru had a neat slice down his chest from Nozomi's surprise attack. The wound was trickling, but the demon lord hardly noticed. Sesshomaru slid toukijin into its sheath. Nozomi lowered her sword, but kept a questioning eye on her opponent. As he pulled his hand away from his weapon, he held up his index and middle fingers. Nozomi seemed confused. She did not understand the gesture, but with one lightning quick reflex she realized her error in judgment. An energy whip flowed from Sesshomaru's fingers, striking Nozomi's arm, knocking the katana from her hand.

"You should never let your guard down, Lady Nozomi." Sesshoumaru said calmly. Her cool guise slipped slightly as her mind registered the wound in her arm. Nozomi shook off the pain and regained her composure almost instantly. Her claws elongated as she willed her armor to reinforce itself. Bringing her hands together, blue energy gathered in her palms. She aimed the blast towards Sesshomaru and released her Ryuu Kon-hi (Dragon Spirit Fire). Sesshoumaru disappeared before succumbing to her attack. He then suddenly reappeared in front of her, and slashed her with his dokkasou. Her side screamed in pain as his claws made contact with her flesh.

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Keade left the room to check on the stew she was cooking for a late lunch. InuYasha stole a glance at Kagome, who was still blushing from Keade's comments. Tomie moved from InuYasha to Kagome and rubbed her head on Kagome's cheek. She stared giggling again. I have to tell her, InuYasha thought to himself. I have to tell her before Shippo smells me on her.

"I didn't know Nozomi had a retainer," Kagome stated.

"Makes sense most upper youkai have retainers. They are usually gifts from either the parents or are discovered and choose to remain completely loyal to their master," InuYasha responded.

"When did you get Myouga?"

"When I was about 5, I think." InuYasha grew quiet for a moment as a distant look passed through his eyes.

"What's wrong, InuYasha?" Kagome asked, unable to keep the concern she felt from her voice. She lightly touched his arm, effectively bringing out of his trance.

"I got Myouga around the same time my father died," InuYasha responded softly.

"Gomen"

"It's ok. You didn't know." Tomie suddenly sensed Nozomi. She moved from Kagome to the window, and stared outside intently. She opened her beak and released a small high-pitched sound. The karasu youkai could feel her mistress's distress.

"Tomie, is something wrong?" Kagome asked. Tomie tuned and looked at her, then returned to her vigil. She needed to go to her.

"Maybe Nozomi is nearby," InuYasha offered as he moved towards Tomie, but she flew out the window.

"I hope everything is alright," Kagome said with her hands clasped in front of her chest.

"She probably went to meet them." InuYasha said, but Kagome still looked worried. "I have to talk to you about something." The seriousness of his voice instantly drew Kagome's attention.

Nozomi's armor took the blunt of his attack, and pain radiated from her side, proving that her armor just wasn't enough. Her instincts reacted, and she felt a shift in her body as she took her true form. Her azure eyes flooded with red as her body lengthened. Her black-feathered wings grew in size and became more membranous. Nozomi's true form was a large blue dragon with black stripes, beautiful and deadly. Sesshoumaru had a moment to notice this before he found himself thrown back by her massive tail. She roared at her opponent, warning him of her intent.

Sesshomaru landed against the bark of an ancient tree, the impact almost causing the tree to give under the strain. He lifted his head, revealing burning red eyes. The atmosphere swirled around him. His face elongated as his body transformed. When the air around him settled, a giant white dog stood menacingly in its wake. He released a monstrous growl in response to Nozomi's threat. Nozomi opened her mouth and released a blast of Ryuu kon-hi. Sesshomaru jumped to the side to avoid impact and prepared to pounce on his prey. That was when she noticed the Tai youkai was missing his left arm. She was surprised at the revelation and that moment cost her. Sesshoumaru pounced, knocking Nozomi into the trees. She roared, enraged at herself for losing concentration. She righted herself and leaped towards Sesshomaru, slashing him with her claws. He retaliated, clawing at her tearing the membrane of her right wing. Nozomi howled in pain. She stood up bravely knowing that her wings were now useless. Sesshomaru crouched down, ready to attack. Nozomi braced herself for impact as she prepared to blast him again, this time at short range. Then it happened: She felt herself weakening from Sesshomaru's poison. Her transformation had accelerated the effects. Intense pain radiatied from her wounds. Sesshomaru leapt. She felt him make contact, forcing her to the ground. Nozomi struggled as he pinned her to the earth with one paw. He caught her throat in his jaws. Nozomi froze. He growled from her throat to insure she got the message: He had won. Nozomi emitted a soft growl in response. Sesshomaru released her throat, but did not allow her up. He looked down at the Ryuu youkai in his grasp. His instincts were screaming at him that, she was strong, brave and held no fear of him. Even now, when she was obviously dying from his poison, he smelt no fear. This intrigued him. Only one other person had stood up to him before, that wench of his brother. She showed no fear when he trying to kill InuYasha and take possession of Tentsaiga. She'd stood before him arrow drawn and warned him to release InuYasha or she would kill him. He had to admit his baka brother was fortunate to have her.

He gave Nozomi a low growl meant to relax her. She looked up at him curious. In one swift motion Sesshomaru found himself sinking his fangs into her neck, marking her. Sweet warm liquid flowed into his mouth like wine. Nozomi roared as he pierced her skin. Her instincts told her to bite back, and she did. His blood welled into her mouth, and she swallowed, savoring its flavor. Sesshomaru drank hungrily from her. Nozomi felt his blood course through her body, elimating the poison. Sesshomaru felt that the texture of the skin beneath him had changed. They had reverted back to their human form without knowing it. He gently licked the wound on her neck. Nozomi also began to seal his mark with her tongue. He looked down at her, noticing a little of his blood on her lips. He lowered his head and licked the blood from her, and she opened her mouth to welcome him. She could taste her blood as she slipped her tongue into his mouth. He felt himself become lost in her, and a heat he had never known before burned within him. It felt so strange, but so good at the same time. He needed her and he had never needed anyone before. Then he heard a voice coming from across the field, not within sight but moving quickly. He broke the kiss and stood. He sensed a youkai with Nozomi's scent. Tomie landed a few feet from her mistress. She looked at Nozomi and her wounds. Nozomi sat up and smiled at Tomie. "I'm alright, Tomie." Sesshomaru helped her to her feet. She was exhausted, and near sleep.

"I must go now," she said. He just nodded and helped her onto Tomie.

"We will have to discuss this new situation," he said.

Nozomi smiled at the demon lord. "Yes. And we will." With that Tomie took to the sky. Nozomi looked down at Sesshomaru. His sliver hair flew around him in her wake. His face portrayed no emotion. She smiled to herself. She would have to fix that.

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"Sesshomaru-sama?!" a child called.

"Rin, Sesshomaru-sama told us to wait by the river!" Jaken yelled to the child who was ignoring him. Why my lord keeps this human child around is beyond me? But if anything should happen to her while left in my care he would surely kill me. Aun and Un walked behind Rin, keeping a close eye on her. Unlike Jaken, the two-headed dragon liked Rin very much, and would protect even if not ordered to by their master.

Sesshomaru appeared from over the hill that blocked their view of the field beyond.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" cheered Rin as she ran up to the demon lord. "Sesshomaru-sama, you were gone so long. Please do not leave Rin" she pleaded. He stopped and looked down at the human girl. She gingerly slipped her hand into his. He continued to walk and did something he never did before: He closed his hand around hers.

AN: Ok, that's it for now! I really, really, really sorry for taking so long with this chapter. You have no idea how hard it was to write. Sesshomaru has got to be the hardest character to write for, he is so complicated. But I hope I meet with your approval with this chapter. I will update this as soon as I can. It shouldn't be to long. It was the battle scene in this that took the most time. Well, again, thank you to my unofficial editor and to all of you who reviewed this story so far. You have no idea how much I appreciate it! Oh, before I forget please reread the first chapter. It has been completely rewritten (I really screwed up on that one!). It explains Nozomi's origins, which will play a role later on in the story, so please give it a chance. Thanks again!

Ja ne!

RavenShadow