InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shivering Sands ❯ Glare ( Chapter 19 )

A/N: Thank you so much for the kind reviews. I had just been really busy lately but I am determined to finish out the story quickly and soon. :)

 

It was snowing heavily once again, the slush hitting the windows combatively before sliding down the window as thick, languid sleet.

 

Kagome stood quietly gazing out of the window in the great room for some time before turning away and curling upon a soft couch. Her brow was creased furtively as if she was in heavy thought.

 

`I need to finish the rest of my shopping,' she thought absently, before the visions that had been plaguing her for weeks reentered her conscience. She shook her head as if she was emptying the thought from her head and lay down as the familiar drowsiness washed over her.

 

Sesshomaru reentered the castle sometime later, having returned from deep within the woods. He traipsed upstairs to shower, noticing as he entered the bedroom that Kagome wasn't there. After a prolonged shower, he sought her out, finding her in the large great room that had become her favorite place to be.

 

He gazed at her curiously for a few moments, as she appeared to alternate between dozing and drowsy wakefulness. She then blinked heavily and her eyes focused upon his and she smiled sleepily as she spoke to him. “Hi.”

 

“I didn't wish to wake you,” he said, his eyes taking in her softly flushed cheeks. If anything, pregnancy had made her even more beguiling. She was absolutely glowing with health.

 

“Its okay,” she said softly. “I was waiting for you.” She indicated that she wanted him to sit beside her and he did so.

 

She winced slightly as she sat up. He noticed and raised his brow questioningly. “Its nothing,” she said with a little smile. “He's moving a lot more now.” She placed his hand upon her abdomen, and he felt the continuous movements of his son. “Its something to get used to.”

 

The baby kicked strongly, and she winced further. Sesshomaru issue a soft tsk of sympathy before he gave her stomach a gentle pat. “Enough,” he said firmly.

 

The baby seemed to quiet after a few more movements. Her eyes met his, and she raised her brow. “Another demon ability?” He nodded slowly. “He doesn't understand the spoken word, but the inflection behind it nonetheless.”

 

She laughed softly. “You get all the advantages,” she said, shaking her head at the irony. “He's already listening to you over me.”

 

Sesshomaru continued to stroke her belly, particularly her now distended navel. She watched him with a hooded tenderness. “Two more months until your delivery,” he said quietly, his eyes flickering to hers. “I know,” she said absently. “April. It doesn't seem like I'll make it that long.” She sighed and he patted her hair in sympathy.

 

She settled herself upon her side, facing him and she grew silent, contemplating his departure the next day. He brushed the hair behind her ear in a continuous movement; his touch was gentle and comforting.

 

“You understand that I must go, do you not,” he asked, seeming to guess her thoughts. She nodded slowly. “I know,” she said.

 

She was quiet for some time before she spoke again. “I know its crazy that I'm worrying like this when we used to fight a different battle almost every day. I wasn't afraid, I just did what I had to.”

 

“I guess that's because I was there with InuYasha, right in the thick of things. I honestly know that this battle is nothing to you. But with all that I've lost,” she said slowly, “and this time…I have so much more to lose.” She gazed upward at him. “I don't doubt you. I know that if anyone will survive anything, it will be you.”

 

He tilted his head slightly in acknowledgement. “I understand,” he said. “Do you,” she said softly. He nodded. She gazed at him for a few moments before saying, “I think I'm going up to bed.”

 

He trailed his finger across her ear. “I will as well,” he said softly. He wanted to stay by her side, and assuage her fears. She sat up slowly and stood with his help. As they reached the staircase, he took her hand, assisting her up the stairs separating the third floor from the fourth and the fifth.

 

They reached their room and she sat upon the bed with a barely audible sigh. “I get tired doing the easiest things.” He turned out the lights, the only light in the room being the red glow of the fire.

 

She felt the bed dip slightly as he sat upon its edge, attending to his claws upon his hand. She gazed outside, observing the trees whistling as the wind whipped them about. “What time are you leaving,” she asked, in a voice that sounded strange to her ears.

 

“Late morning,” he said slowly. “When do you think you're coming back,” she asked in a small voice. “I am not certain. I don't expect it to take longer than a week but that could change.” She sighed nearly inaudibly but his sensitive ears heard the sound.

 

She bit her lip, hating that she felt so needy, and then released it slowly.

 

He turned his head slightly in her direction, but she had turned to gaze out the window.

 

The room fell silent as she lay watching as the sleet spattered upon the windows. `More snow,' she thought. She inhaled softly as he turned her face slightly and kissed her gently.

 

His lips delved against hers in an exploratory fashion, and his eyes lowered as he felt that now familiar quiet sensation of delight. Her lips caressed his tenderly as she matched him kiss for kiss. It was a kiss not passionate in nature but rife with something more.

 

As he released her, she was absolutely breathless. His golden eyes glowed with the amber firelight as they met her own. “Everything will be alright,” he said quietly, tracing his finger along her jaw line.

 

She touched his face gently and nodded.

 

~~~

 

 

Sesshomaru awoke before the dawn, his eyes but half open as he took in his familiar surroundings. He looked to his left, gazing at the nearly prone form of Kagome.

 

She lay almost as close to lying upon her stomach as she could. He shook his head. She was clearly uncomfortable at this stage in her pregnancy and yet had a few more months to endure.

 

Her shirt had ridden up slightly and he could clearly see the blue-veined, protruding belly. She frowned slightly as the child began moving vigorously for a moment then quieted, and she slept on.

 

A flicker of contemplation crossed his face as he thought of her nervousness the night before. She didn't want him to go. `I go as much for her than anything else,' he thought resolutely.

 

His involvement in the matter was iron clad; there was no escape after what happened. But Ronin and Mae both were the closest thing he had had for family for centuries. He would have gone for them in any case.

 

With that thought, he raised up slowly, sitting upon the edge of the bed for a moment before heading to the steam room.

 

~

 

Kagome started awake just before he reentered their room. Her eyes were wide as they met his. “Kagome,” he said quietly, realizing she was still half asleep. She blinked slowly, relaxing as she realized he was still with her.

 

Sesshomaru stood near the side of the bed, his weapons splayed in the corner. “I leave within the hour.” She shifted slightly and sat up in the middle of the bed. Her eyes were upon him as he slid on and fitted his body armor. There was a fixed silence between them as he did so.

 

“There is a barrier,” he said finally, maneuvering his chest shield. She nodded. “Once I depart, it will only recognize you and your mother and family.” He began tying the sash around his waist.

 

“I wish for you to stay here until I return.” She nodded once more. “Do not leave the castle, no matter what happens. The barrier will protect you from fire or any other disaster as long as you do so.”

 

Her eyes flickered up toward his. “Okay,” she said tonelessly. Yet a slight reserve was in her eyes, and he noticed. “You'll be safe,” he said quietly.

 

She glanced out the window to view the snow-covered treetops. “Is Ronin coming here,” she asked him, glancing at his face. He nodded. “I guess I'd better get dressed,” she said, sliding off the bed and disappearing into the bathroom.

 

He watched unobtrusively as she pulled on a comfortable pair of cotton pants in grey with a matching long sleeved shirt.

 

She watched him as he slid on a pair of full-plated, spiked shoulder pads, and after a moment, he managed to clasp the one together. Seeing this, she touched his arm and looked into his face for a moment before helping him clasp the second.

 

These were something she hadn't seen before, but she thought that his father wore something similar. She felt her throat tighten slightly and turned away. “I'll be downstairs,” she said softly before walking past him.

 

His eyes flickered slightly and he held out his arm before her and then gently grasped her wrist, causing her to pause and gaze up at him. He was on the verge of speaking when he heard a movement below.

 

“Kagome,” her mother called as she entered the house. Neither moved for a few moments before he shook his head almost imperceptivity. He released her, and she gazed at him curiously before saying, “I'll coming, Mom.”

 

~

 

“Hi,” Kagome said, walking into her mothers outstretched arms. “Hi,” Sana said softly. “You're okay?” Kagome nodded, holding her mother for a few more moments before releasing her.

 

“And my grandchild,” she asked, smiling as Sesshomaru reached the bottom step. “He's been quiet today,” she said, as her mother returned Sesshomaru's greeting.

 

“You'll be here for the week,” he asked Sana. “I will. I'll check on Souta and Grandpa every day or so.” He nodded. “My offer for them to stay here stands.” Sana gave a little laugh. “Yes, but you know Grandpa.”

 

“Oh yes,” he said dryly, which caused Kagome to smile slightly. He glanced at the window, realizing Ronin and Mai had arrived.

 

“Kagome,” Mai said in greeting as she and Ronin walked across the back veranda. “How have you been feeling?” “I've been okay, nothing serious lately,” she said as they both embraced. She smiled gently at Ronin as greeted her quietly. “We'll end this quickly. You have my word,” he said.

 

“I know,” she said a bit wistfully. She turned slightly and indicated Sana. “This is my mother,” she told them both as greetings were exchanged all around. She looked at Mai. “Where is Mine?”

 

“Safely stowed away with my parents where she can be spoiled to death. They weren't going to leave me out of this one,” Mai told her. “I didn't go the last time because I was carrying her.”

 

“She still wanted to come,” Ronin said dryly and Mai rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “We should go if we are to have the element of surprise,” he told Sesshomaru, who nodded.

 

“Kagome, we'll return swiftly. Don't worry and be safe,” Mai told her as she and Ronin began walking across the lawn.

 

Kagome nodded and looked up at Sesshomaru who now stood before her. They eyed one another silently for a few moments.

 

Then he spoke.

 

“Take care of yourself,” he said, his eyes gazing into hers.

 

She nodded, a faint smile upon her lips. They didn't touch; they had said their real goodbye last night. “You too.”

 

He turned and began walking away, eventually reaching Ronin and Mai near the forest and setting the barrier before they all disappeared as orbs of light.

 

She heard footsteps as she watched him depart and knew that her mother was near. “Come inside,” she said, putting her arms about her shoulders and ushering her in. Kagome sat upon the couch and shivered.

 

“Are you cold,” Sana asked as Kagome nodded. “I'll make you some tea and you'll feel better,” she said bustling into the kitchen. Kagome smiled wistfully before she wrapped herself in a nearby blanket and stared at the flames contemplatively.

 

~~

 

“We're almost there,” Mai said quietly as they walked along. She was silent for a few moments before she ventured, “Kagome seems very edgy.”

 

“Well, she would be after what happened,” Ronin said, slowing and drawing his swords. He looked around. “I expected him here awaiting us with an army.”

 

Sesshomaru surveyed the area and could detect no one there. “We'll wait,” he said. “We may have won the advantage of surprise.”

 

~~

 

The house seemed strangely empty to Kagome, as she and Sana reclined upon the great-room couch, side-by-side, watching the flames dance upon the hearth.

 

“What's Souta been up to,” Kagome asked curiously. “He went on a date,” Sana said mysteriously. “A real one,” Kagome wondered in surprise. “Last night,” her mother said sagely. “I would have called you but I decided to wait.”

 

“Anyone I know?” Sana shook her head. “New girl at school. Met with her parents the other day. Nice people.” Kagome shook her head. “My little brother's growing up,” she said with a laugh.

 

“He misses you,” Sana said with a smile. “I miss him too, and you and Grandpa,” Kagome said quietly.

 

“But you're happy here,” Sana said wisely. “That's all I've wanted for you. Especially after all that happened before. Do you think you've moved past all of that?”

 

Kagome nodded. “I think so.”

 

~

 

Hours had passed and the moon was enormously silver-white as the trio remained awaiting their enemy in a field. Ronin looked up to the sky. “No show,” he said ominously. “Do you think he decided to end it,” Mai asked as she scanned the earth before them.

 

“No,” Sesshomaru said slowly. “I believe he wants us to come after him, on his lands.”

 

Ronin nodded. “And we will.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded. “He has grown tiresome.”

 

~

 

Kagome awoke to the sounds of cabinets opening and closing. She blinked twice as she realized that she was downstairs and that her mother was searching the kitchen. As she sat up, her mother cheerfully said, “Good morning.”

 

“Morning, Mom,” she said stretching. She inhaled deeply. “Are those pancakes,” she said, smiling appreciatively. “Mhmm.” “I love your pancakes,” she said, sitting down at the table.

 

The both ate and chatted over breakfast. “Do you still talk to your Eri and Ayumi and Yuka,” Sana asked.

 

Kagome nodded. “Not as much. We're just going in different directions now. And everything was different after I returned from the past anyway.”

 

She relayed the story of the movie date and Sana laughed. She nodded. “I understand. You don't love them any less, you're just at different places in your lives,” she said, picking up the dishes and heading toward the sink.

 

After washing them, Sana glanced at her watch. “I'm going to check on your brother and grandfather. Souta had a project for school, and I want to make sure Grandfather has lunch ready for him.”

 

Kagome stood slowly. “What time will you be back,” she asked tentatively.

 

“Oh, I'll be right back,” Sana said laughingly as she grabbed her coat. “I shouldn't be gone longer than an hour or two at the most.”

 

“Okay,” Kagome said reluctantly. She watched as her mother left the house with a wave and got inside her waiting vehicle.

 

She shivered as the wind crept into the house, and she clutched at her arms, her fingers resting upon her white sleeping gown. It was cold and overcast with a hint of snow to come.

 

~

 

The trio raced across the deserts sands, still warm despite the dark of night, until Ashur's domain loomed before them. The delicate, marble palace gleamed under the silvery moonlight, marked by golden pleasure domes created in the architecture of the east.

 

“Not much protection,” Ronin said low.

 

“Startlingly so,” Mai breathed. “I don't see anyone.”

 

“He's here,” Sesshomaru said calmly.

 

“How are we going in,” Mai asked.

 

“Ambush,” Ronin said. “I'd prefer to kill him only. Anyone else is unnecessary.”

 

“Agreed,” said Sesshomaru and Mai nodded. “His probable location is upstairs,” he said, drawing out the Tensaiga

 

Mai splayed her fingers to reveal her Shuriken, a star shaped weapon thrown at the enemy that retracted between her fingers that she appropriately called her “Flaming Stars.” Ronin with drew his Tanto swords, dual swords utilized in tandem.

 

Their eyes met, and after nodding, they each took their light forms and leapt into the air to crash through the domed roof.

 

~

 

Ashur Khan's eyes flew open at the sudden sound of the roof in his hall caving and he looked to find four sword points resting upon his neck. His eyes looked incredulously past the swords to see Ronin, Mai and Sesshomaru staring down at him as he lay upon his bed.

 

“Its time,” Ronin said quietly.

 

“What the hell,” Ashur shouted. “What are you doing here? What the fuck are you breaking in my palace for?”

 

Mai started slightly, “We could ask you the same thing.” Ronin raised his brow. “After your actions, you really have to ask,” he said dryly.

 

“What the hell are you talking about Ronin? I haven't seen you lot in ages. Frankly, at this moment I don't care if I ever did.”

 

“This is tiresome,” Sesshomaru said coldly. “Deny that you appeared to me in Kyoto? It doesn't matter if you do, you'll be dying anyway.”

 

“Hell yeah I deny it! I've been in Uzbekistan for the past month,” Ashur spat furiously, attempting to rise but settling at the warning look in Ronin's eyes.

 

“I don't believe you,” Mai said in disbelief. “We saw you.”

 

“I don't give a shit what you believe,” Ashur growled, but Ronin's eyes glimmered warningly. “Be careful,” he said, nicking his sword against Ashur's neck, who shifted uncomfortably before continuing.

 

“I was with Shah, now my father-in-law, to take his youngest daughter to mate. I can't be in two places at the same time; even I'm not that good. Ask her,” he said sullenly, jerking his head toward the wide-eyed young demoness, who had obviously quickly dressed after a shower, in the doorway.

 

“Siran?” Mai asked in surprise at seeing her distant relation in the room. “Mai,” the little hazel-eyed demoness asked in confusion. She stared at them all blankly.

 

“Tell them where I've been,” Ashur yelled stridently. “He's been with me, at my father's fortress the past few months,” Siran told them, recovering her equilibrium. He hasn't left at all.”

 

“That does not mean he couldn't have departed,” Sesshomaru said sibilantly. There was an attack two days ago upon me and mine.”

 

“Two days ago we signed the contracts, and we were bonded. You know what that means,” Ashur said quietly, having calmed, as the situation seemed to diffuse.

 

They did know. The particulars of the ritual left demons physically unable to move for hours. It was their most vulnerable time for attack.

 

The trio lowered their swords and Ronin spoke. “I had received threats from you to invade my lands,” he said. “And you threatened Sesshomaru in Kyoto just a few days ago.”

 

Ashur shook his head. “It wasn't me. I'm over what happened when we were young.”

 

Sesshomaru fixed his eyes upon Ashur's and knew he told the truth. “And if it wasn't you, it was someone pretending to be you,” Ronin said slowly. “But why? To get us away, to remove you?”

 

Ashur stood and his brow furrowed in thought. “If someone wanted to remove me, they would have done so,” he said slowly. “I've had no threats upon me at all. I've mellowed; I have no interest in fighting anymore. None of the central Asian lords are feuding. Now, we are all connected by family, alliances.”

 

Ronin frowned heavily. “Since we were away, then our territories were unprotected. But that doesn't suffice, because there would just be a battle and we'd regain it anyway. What was left behind?”

 

There was a long pause before Mai spoke haltingly. “The person who was attacked…was Kagome,” she said, feeling her skin prickle with the realization.

 

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed menacingly, his golden lights intensifying with each passing second. `She was it, the whole time,' he thought darkly as he realized how neatly the trap had been laid. His eyes met Ronin' who returned his gaze seriously.

 

“Kagome,” Ronin said slowly, “is in grave danger.”

 

~

 

Kagome glanced at the wall clock from the couch that she had been resting upon. `Mom should be back by now,' she thought absently. Her stomach growled hungrily and she laughed. “You are such a greedy baby,” she said, splaying her fingers across her stomach indulgently.

 

“What should we eat,” she said as she slid off the couch. “Frosted Flakes sound good to me too,” she exclaimed, walking to the fridge to get the milk.

 

After pouring the cereal into the bowl, she happily took a few bites before heading toward the couch. As she passed near the large arched windows, she took one glance outside, dropped the cereal and screamed. Sana lay in a heap upon the lawns, a gentle layer of snow upon her back.

 

Kagome burst outside. “Mom,” Kagome screamed as she began running to her, the cold slicing into her skin but she was beyond caring. She ran cumbersomely across the lawns, the wind causing tears to form in her eyes.

 

She was half way to her mother when she stopped with a sickening feeling. `Trap,' she thought with panic. `It's a demon.' The vibrations surrounding her were very strong.

 

“Kagome,” it said in an oddly familiar male voice as it lifted its head. It was the form of Jin, her friends' friend, the one who seemed determined to go out with her. “We just can't seem to stay away from each other,” he said, and as it cackled in that knowing neurotic way, it sent chills of remembrance up her spine. `Naraku,' she thought suddenly. “No,” she whimpered in despair.

 

She turned and began running toward the house as fast as she could, knowing that her life and her baby's life depended on it. She stumbled up the outside steps as he called to her. “I had hoped you would have made this easier,” he said tauntingly.

 

As she flew across the living room and neared upstairs, she slipped and fell forward. With an instinct only an expectant mother had, she twisted her body to fall on her side.

 

She winced in dizzying pain as she cracked her hip but she knew she had to keep going upstairs to their bedroom to grab the second sword Sesshomaru forged, the Rakujitsu. Her thoughts were frantic as she sped up the stairs, grappling the rails. `The sword, it will burn him if he touches it,' she thought as she continued on.

 

She reached the top of the stairs, gasping heavily. She heard the gentle mocking laugh of Naraku behind her as she lurched from the last step, out of breath but determined to save her son.

 

She ran to the bedroom and wrenched the sword off the wall just as he entered the room. Kagome unsheathed the sword and threw it forcefully in his direction.

 

He caught it with a mocking laugh that died as the contact began to scald his whole body and his face actually mirrored his intense pain. As he was distracted, she grabbed a smaller knife and slashed it across his chest, leaving an arc of blood and a searing wound.

 

He smiled coldly as he dropped the sword. He reared back and kicked her viciously in the stomach, and she fell to her knees as stars exploded behind her eyes.

 

Rakujitsu fell to the floor with a clang. Naraku chuckled slightly as he wiped his already healed chest. “That hurt,” he said calmly.

 

She coughed once and vomited over the floor. She kneeled with her head lowered, as her abdomen was engulfed in searing pain. “This could have been easier if you had cooperated,” he said calmly.

 

He gazed down at her, in her submissive position, totally helpless to his will and he reveled at his power over her, and Sesshomaru. He smiled cruelly. “I'm going to enjoy every minute of this.”

 

Kagome looked up at him unseeingly as she reeled from the force of her pain. Blood leaked out of the side of her mouth as he grabbed her by her hair and lifted her to him.

 

He carried her like a limp rag doll through the house and outside, where they disappeared.