InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Suffer The Fray ❯ Fickle Fate ( Chapter 28 )

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

Disclaimer: I hold no claim to the characters of InuYasha...Rumiko Takahashi does. I only claim ownership of Shunsoke, and I make zero profit from writing this.

A/N: I apologize for the length of time it has taken me to update this story. I never foresaw it being so long, but I hope you all continue to enjoy it regardless. A quick overview of the previous chapters- Naraku got his hands on Kagome's jewel shards and went after Kohaku's, killing Kagura in the process. Kikyo died and restored Kagome's soul, and Kagome was tricked into killing Kanna as Akago escaped. Jaken successfully located Inuyasha for Sesshomaru, who is locked in combat with Moryomaru. Meanwhile, Kohaku agrees to be possessed by Kagura despite Koga's warning and is discovered by Sango and Miroku. -That should do it.

I would like to extend many, many heartful thanks to my amazing beta- clnv. She has stuck with me and this fic throughout the droughts and helps my writing reach its full potential. Without her, this story would be plagued with my made up words and choppy flow, haha. Enjoy!

Pain was not something he was intimately familiar with, having crossed paths with it a few moments in his extended lifetime. The majority of those interludes had come at the hands of his younger sibling, Inuyasha, but he could deal with the offensive nature of such a fact knowing that it was his sire's blood that made the inu-hanyou strong enough to make him yield.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the creature bearing down on him and felt disgust burn black within him at the surety with which the inferior thing managed to inflict damage to his body by the mere advantage of the barrier.

Energy arched of the ground in jagged ribbons that crackled as they came into contact with the Dai-youkai's feet, skittering up along his tall body to snap off the end of the long blade held fast in his grip. Pushing up against the enormous jaws clutching Tokijin, Sesshomaru gritted his teeth and snarled in frustration.

The only reason this has gone on this long is because of my father's ridiculous barrier. I should be dispatching this filth with ease.

His demonic energy was almost completely sapped by the strength of the impediment his father left behind, and it felt as if an unimaginable weight was resting upon his frame. His back ached under the strain to keep his shoulders from slumping, and his raging aura created a small tornado of soil around him. The nerves around his right eye twitched uncontrollably as he forced his weight upward and jerked the sword down.

The blade groaned as it slid through Moryomaru's teeth, sparks and blood splashing to the ground as Tokijin was freed. The creature howled in discomfort while Sesshomaru reassessed his tactics, his lone arm throbbing with fatigue as his sword's tip scraped the gravelly dirt under his feet. Frustration ran rampant on his face as he stared down the beast before him, unable to fight at his usual skill on the very land he had belonged to from birth.

Curse my father and his inane desire for that half-breed sibling of mine and me to be family. If he thought he could force my hand, he was seriously mistaken. I'm going to make sure that insolent whelp bleeds when I see him next.

Sesshomaru tightened his grip on Tokijin's hilt and pulled the blade up, leveling it at Moryomaru's snarling dragon-like facade. The muscles along his jaws flexed furiously as he channeled his energy through the enormous blade, his mind no longer clouded by thoughts of his relatives and beckoned the beast before him with a turn on his wrist. The creature barreled toward him, surprisingly swift in spite of his size, as Sesshomaru raised his arm to strike and a brilliant azure glow engulfed his blade.

"Souryuuha!"

Energy exploded up from the earth below his feet, spiraling into the air around him in the sleek shape of a dragon. Moryomaru remained undaunted by the impressive display, colliding head-on with the raging yoki and charging through it with what looked to be only superficial blemishes.

Sesshomaru snarled in displeasure as his most impressive attack was so easily brushed aside and leapt out of the reach of the beast's claws. Forced to roll, the Dai-youkai struggled to his feet and had only a fraction of a second to react as the Moryomaru came at him again. Mirroring the lifted attack, Sesshomaru brought Tokijin down against the incoming fist with all the strength he could muster.

"Souryuuha!"

The force of the collision was deafening in its violence as cerulean energy splintering outward to carve out huge chunks of earth. It was then that the inu-youkai felt his energy falter under the stress of the barrier. There was a resounding clap of sound as Tokijin shattered into hundreds of razor-like shards, having finally succumbed to the intensity of Moryomaru's screaming aura and was destroyed.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened with realization. How can this be? Robbed of nearly all his power, he was too fatigued to avoid the unexpected backlash. How is it that I, Sesshomaru, son of the great Inu no Taisho, have been reduced to such weakness? He could only blink with complete disbelief as the glittering slivers of his former sword careened into his flesh.

The incredibly strong shrapnel slashed his lone arm to the bone before continuing its journey through his torso. Pain bloomed throughout his body like a raging wildfire, deleting any and all sensation with the intensity of its destruction. His haori shredded, and the fur was torn from his stole as the power from the crash left him staggering; blood pulsing from his wounds to splatter in pools on the ground.

Why, Father?  

Shutting his eyes, the Dai-youkai blocked out the bizarre feeling of being a spectator to his own defeat. It was beyond humbling, bordering on humiliation, to be bested so decisively on the land of his sire, and it was even more apparent that his father still didn't approve of him from the grave.

Why must you continue to punish me for what I was merely taught to believe as a pup?

His ears twitched as he felt his opponent move, his body howling with discomfort as he threw all of his physical strength into a right hook that sprayed blood when it connected with Moryomaru's jaw. Outraged, the shape-shifting beast responded instantly with a fist of his own, pummeling the inu-youkai into the dirt. Sesshomaru inhaled a pain-riddled breath and pulled together the dregs of his energy, forming his poison-laced whip and snapping it around Moryomaru's departing wrist.

The creature wailed with pain, jerking Sesshomaru to his feet as he wrenched back on his arm. Holding fast, the Dai-youkai swiftly relieved Tenseiga from its scabbard and swung with one fluid motion.

"Soury-"

An enormous blast of miasma-laden energy slammed into him before he could release his attack, battering him back and snapping his whip's hold on Moryomaru's wrist. Sesshomaru could feel his body succumbing and used the little strength he could muster to tighten his grip on Tenseiga. Grunting against the pressure, he could see the blade glow blue as it shielded him from the worst of the blow. When it finally passed, he was left panting and staggering on his feet.

Cracking open his burning eyes, he registered movement to his left, but his reaction was too slow as Moryomaru's newly-formed and massive tail whipped around and slammed into the left side of his ribcage. The force of the hit immediately crushed his ribs and sent him sailing toward the nearby cliffside.

Father, why do I find only more questions when I try to understand your intentions?

He received no answer from his dead sire as he collided with the earth, bones shattering as the ground crumbled inward around his body and left him in darkness. Chest aching, he allowed his exhausted limbs to settle in the jagged glove of rock that held him and finally closed his burning eyes, a faint scream echoing within his mind.

Rin swung unsure eyes from Kagome's back as she chased the child-youkai, and over to the one person that had caused her so much turmoil, and yet so much happiness. "Sesshomaru..."

Kagome may have been successful in destroying Akago's possessive aura, but an impenetrable fog had clung to her mind. It left her bewildered and clumsy, unable to clear her thoughts of the darkness that persisted there. She had been terrified that it was a permanent side effect of Akago's bite, but it was as if a vicious wind had blown away the fog when those steel doors had been obliterated.

It was in that moment she felt the overpowering clarity, like a barren grassland plagued by drought in the sudden presence of a downpour. It was a realization that something crucial to her being had finally been returned, but she was confused as to what it was- until she heard his voice.

Flashback-

"Where is she?"

Rin's eyes snapped open at the sound of his voice, heart thudding heavily against her breast. It's him! He came for me!

"Where is she?"

His tone was harsh, but even if the others couldn't hear it, Rin heard the desperate undertone in his words. She tried to pull her legs up under herself to stand, but her limbs wouldn't obey. Confused, her honey-brown eyes darted around in search for the reason why and only saw Inuyasha's companion, Kagome, standing before her.

"Rin's behind me, Sesshomaru."

Why can't I get up? Panic began to sink its teeth into her bones. What's holding me back?

Her Lord's voice seemed relieved. "Go. Now."

Kagome spun around, reaching out and snatching her kimono in her grasp. Rin felt her limp body being pulled up and wanted to scream in protest if only her voice would do as it was told.

Stop! Please, I need to go to him!

Inuyasha's miko failed to hear her pleading thoughts and she could only watch as she was dragged away from him.

Lord Sesshomaru!

-End Flashback

Rin inhaled deeply as she took in the sight of the Dai-youkai now, openly snarling as he battled the bizarre creature Akago called Moryomaru. Her lips frowned as she noted how little he had changed in the past five years, as if she was expecting him to have experienced some sort physical detriment by having left her behind.

He sounded like he was worried about me, but does he only feel that way when some part of Naraku is trying to kill me? Rin recalled those long five years she spent in that shabby village and his persistent absence from her life. Did you ache for me even a fraction of how much I ached for you, Milord?

Dragging her eyes away to keep from watching him struggle, Rin spied the wakizashi she had stolen from the youkai-taijiya while possessed. She reached out tentatively and grasped the hilt, lifting it from the sandy soil and catching the reflection of the crescent moon on the blade.

Just like the one on his forehead...

It still perplexed her that her body had remained unmoving when all she had wanted to do was dash into the safety of his embrace. None of the injuries Akago had inflicted upon her were serious enough to leave her incapable of standing, and she had left the security of that village with the intention of finding him. When her opportunity had finally presented itself, something of her heart's own making had kept her still.

Pushing to her feet, Rin ignored the throb of the hip Akago had tried to crush and hobbled closer to the warring youkai. Even as she surveyed her childhood hero's strength waver erratically, she knew he would find a way to defeat his opponent, even with the odds so thoroughly stacked against him.

If there was anything that Sesshomaru had proven to her in their time together, it was that he was a masterful fighter. Death was inevitable if one was to doubt his power. Her dark brows furrowed as she watched Sesshomaru release Tokijin from Moryomaru's dragon jaws, and she clutched her shredded kimono together with her sword-less hand.

Doubt? Her heart lurched as the inu-prince wearily lifted his sword, eyes pained despite their focus. Is that really the answer, Milord?

His deep, rich voice called out in reply as he launched his attack at Moryomaru, sending his stunning blue yoki forth in a dazzling display. Tears and sand stung her eyes as she braced against the swirling wind the battle created and whispered his name. "Lord Sesshomaru..."

Everything the enigmatic inu-youkai did, he did for a reason and Rin's body shuddered with the implications that knowledge brought. There must have something that kept him from coming to her, no matter how strongly she had yearned for him. He had resisted her like he never had before and it had managed to do what she thought was an impossibility- instill her heart with doubt.

She knew that Sesshomaru perceived almost everything and everyone with a deadly seriousness, and she had always thought of herself as the most important figure in his life. Perhaps she was simply spoiled by how highly he had seemed to value her that she had just assumed that she would remain that way forever; she had never even contemplated the idea of anything or anyone else being a higher priority.

Rin looked on as the man she held with so much esteem was forced onto the defensive, once again unleashing his most powerful attack under the stress of the barrier working against him. It felt like time had slowed as she continued to watch the conflict before her unfold and could only wish she had found him under different circumstances.

She couldn't bring herself to retain the anger she had once felt against him for not coming to her aid; she had never been a vengeful person, and although she could logically comprehend that there was likely a justification for his actions, she was still able to be heartbroken that his promise of safety in that village had been broken because to her, nowhere was safe without him. Having lived as long as he had, she knew he was well aware of the nature of humans and how easily they turned against their own.

It was this broken promise that had sent her to find him, to learn why he hadn't made sure it remained intact by giving her to people more like Inuyasha's friends, people with whom she held confidence. It was this poor choice that led her to doubt him and shatter the trust she felt so strongly for him.

Why?

Rin followed the swing of Sesshomaru's Tokijin and could only leave her confused musings behind as she witnessed with an increasing dread the faltering of the sword. The explosion of energy knocked her back, and Rin let go of her kimono to stop herself from being sent sailing by kneeling on the ground. She snapped her eyes up once it had passed and felt as if the air had been snatched from her lungs when she realized what she was seeing.

"Sess...Sesshomaru..." The blood marring his regal armor and glimmering on Mokomoko seemed to have no end as it drained from his mutilated arm; an arm that still clutched the hilt of the demolished blade in his hand. Rin blinked through the sudden blurring of her vision, utterly shocked to see him in a state she never conceived possible. "Oh, Kami..."

Oblivious to the severity of his wounds, the Dai-youkai continued to fight undeterred by the fact his surrounding were being painted by his blood. Rin sobbed helplessly as he was advanced upon without mercy, desperately wishing he would see reason and flee, all the while knowing he was incapable of such a feat.

Ignorant youkai!

Clenching the wakizashi painfully in her grip, she absorbed the sight of him being careened brutally into the ground. It didn't matter what she wanted to interrogate him for if he didn't live long enough for her to even look him in the eye and make him acknowledge her existence. All of her complaints seemed petty and insignificant when her worries were simplified down to black and white: life and death. She would have nothing if he were to fall in the line of battle.  

No, no more!

"Lord Sesshomaru!"

"Ko...Kohaku..."

Sango dug her fingers deeper into Kirara's fur, vainly trying to comprehend the scene unfolding below her. It was as if she subconsciously refused to understand the drastic measures her brother had gone to in order to gain the upper hand on Naraku. She had never once thought that his answer was to permanently join forces with a youkai, especially one such as Kagura.

"Aneue," Kohaku turned to face her. "I thought I told you not to follow me."

Annoyed, Sango clenched her jaw and pushed her confusion aside. "You didn't want me to interfere, but you said nothing of following you." She tapped Kirara's shoulder to send the nekomata to the ground. "Stop trying to divert the direction this conversation is going to go."

Miroku, stoically accessing the situation, addressed both the young youkai-taijiya and the ookami-youkai trying to become invisible in the neighboring shrubbery. "Where is Naraku?"

Kohaku glanced at his sister's husband and gestured the broken body that lay near his feet. "He is gone now, but not without missing the opportunity for death and destruction."

"How is it that the two managed to survive?"

"That was Koga's doing."

The wolf seemed tense under the weight of the eyes suddenly falling on him, holding up his hands. "I knew he had a jewel shard, so I made sure Naraku couldn't get to him." His eyes turned to Kagura's fallen flesh. "I only had enough time to protect one."

Sango watched the wolf prince's brilliant blue eyes darken as he replayed in his mind what looked to be a most brutal attack on a youkai he had despised more than any other. It seemed that despite the hate, even Koga knew that Naraku had gone too far with Kagura. Her final act of defiance had managed change his opinion of her character, and she could tell that as much as he wanted to continue loathing her, he was unable to do so.

Swinging her left leg over Kirara's shoulders, Sango caught Koga's eye and sent him a subtle nod of thanks as she strode toward Kohaku. "I hope you can understand that while I, at one time, wanted Kagura's death, I find no satisfaction now that it has come to pass." She took a deep breath and reached out to grasp her brother's shoulder. "I am sorry, Kohaku."

He gently pressed a hand over the recently renewed beating of his heart. "We were willing to use any means necessary, even if it meant giving up our lives. Life in and of itself was pointless if it was spent each and every day without hope."

"Kohaku,"

He turned his frustrated brown eyes in her direction at the sound of his murmured name. "I told that I don't want any of your pity. Save it for someone who is truly deserving of it."

"Why, Kohaku?" Her voice was an almost inaudible whisper. "Why must you make it so hard to love you?"

"Aneue, I..." He sighed. "I made a pact with Kagura that we would find a way to regain our freedom from Naraku by any means necessary."

Fury roared through her. "Allowing another demon to possess you is the answer? Naraku's taint will be even harder to resist now!"

The freckle-faced boy looked up at her and stauchly did his best to hide the feeling of disappointment that was welling within him under her confused gaze. "Aneue, I saw a chance of gaining leverage on Naraku and I wasn't about to pass it up. I have to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to me if I'm to ever avenge those souls that died by my hands."

She could see the emotion through his words, the fear that he had further disgraced his family name and the shame that he was reduced to needing a youkai's power to defeat his enemy. She wanted to be angry with him, but Miroku's supportive hand on her back had her recalling the words he spoken to her before.

Naraku is to blame, not Kohaku.

Her rage deflated, Sango could only exhale wearily. "I understand."

His brow pinched together in confusion. "Aneue?"

"I'm done trying to tell you what to do and always being a tornado of emotions when you don't listen to me." She turned her attention to the bandage protecting the gash on her husband's forehead, the words coming forth easier now. "All I need to do is trust you to do your part," she ignored Miroku's attempts to deter her, "and I need you to trust me to do mine."

Kohaku's features tightened in frustration. "How many times do I have to tell you that this is my fight? You don't need to be anywhere near Naraku." His hands clenched into white-knuckled fists. "You should go home where you'll be safe."

Sango couldn't help but smile; he sounded just like their father when they were young. "I'm sorry, Kohaku. I can't do that." She pulled away from Miroku and strode toward him, dropping down to her knees so she was able to look into his down-turned face. "This is my fight too."

"Aneue-"

"No, Kohaku." Her snapping response had his eyes widening in disbelief and she hated that she was forced to use such a reprimanding tone to her only brother. "You may want vengeance for the acts you were forced to commit, but I want to kill Naraku because he murdered my family and used you as the tool to do it." She ignored the tremble of pain that flashed through his eyes and continued. "I want him dead because he's killing any chance of a future family for me."

Kohaku stole a glance at the silent monk standing only a few feet away, remembering the curse upon him. It had never really occurred to him that someone else's life was being held hostage by Naraku, but without the fiend's death, Miroku would be facing his end as well.

The monk in question came to stand beside them, his unbound hand sliding affectionately down the tail of his wife's pulled back hair. "While I know my opinion may be unwarranted, I believe the two of you have reached a stalemate."

The siblings glanced up at him and then back to one another, shy grins of amusement slowly spreading across their shared features. Sango lifted the hand on her uninjured side and grasped Miroku's as she straightened up. "So it seems."

Kohaku smiled up at her, unable to deny the happiness at seeing her and knowing that she did not despise him. It stirred a hope inside him that the future was filled with something other than darkness. "Aneue?"

"Hmm?"

He inhaled a nervous breath. "Do you have hope for the future?"

She tilted her head in confusion. "Why do you ask?"

"I never really allowed myself to believe that anything would change for the better unless I made it possible, so that way I wouldn't be disappointed."

"Kohaku," Sango reached out and rested her hand on his head. "Hope is the one thing that keeps me strong in this fight. The belief that there's a better tomorrow is what pushes me forward every day." She moved her hand so see could look into his eyes. "I have hope because I'm not alone in my struggle. My friends are with me until the end and we are in this war together."

She smiled brightly at him. "That's why I have hope, Kohaku. You should have hope because you aren't alone." She gestured to those around them. "You have Miroku, Kirara, Shippo, and even Koga, along with me to stand with you. If Inuyasha and Kagome were here with us, they would be in agreement too."

Kohaku found himself suddenly struggling to control his emotions, his eyes burning as they held her steadfast gaze. "Aneue..." His voice was a strained whisper. "I...I...want to be a family again." He dropped his eyes to hide his tears. "So badly..."

"Oh, Kohaku." Sango dropped to her knees once again and pulled him against her in a fierce hug, tears spilling unchecked from her eyes as her heart soared. "I want that too."

Miroku decided to give them their privacy and quietly made his way over to where Koga sat cross-legged on the ground. He cleared his throat against the uncomfortable weight in the air. "So how is it that the two of you managed to avoid Naraku's wrath?"

Koga cracked open a lone eye to glance up at the Houshi, relieved at the chance to turn his attention away from the intimate reunion. "By the skin of our teeth." He shut his eye.  "Either we're the luckiest fools in the world or fate decided to throw her opinion into the situation."

Miroku's brow furrowed with confusion. "Are you saying something stopped him?"

Koga nodded slowly. "Yeah. After I grabbed the kid, he went after Kagura to find out where the boy had gone. One minute he was torturing her to death and the next he was gone, disappearing into thin air. The only reason Kagura survived long enough to give her heart to Kohaku was because something else came up, but whatever it was, was serious."

"How so?"

Koga shuddered. "The look on his face. As much as it would seem satisfying to see, the look of panic on his face terrified even me."

Miroku was silent a moment before speaking. "Perhaps Inuyasha has been successful in dealing him a powerful blow. He was battling Akago, I believe, the last time I saw him."

"And what makes that so special?" Koga huffed.

"Ah, I wasn't sure if you knew."

"Knew what?" Koga looked up at the monk intently.

"Akago possesses Naraku's heart."

Koga blinked and looked away, staring at the ground in thought.  "That sounds like a great theory, but-"

Miroku waited a moment for him to finish, but the rest of the wolf's thought never came. "But what, Koga?" He looked down at the ookami-youkai and found him as still as death, eyes trained on the trees on the opposite side of the clearing. "Koga?"

The wolf remained unmoving. "We aren't alone."

Miroku's grip tightened on his Shakujou apprehensively. "Friend or Foe?"

"Not sure." Koga slipped to his feet silently. "Whoever they are, they're masking their scent with something."

The two men feigned conversation as they slowly, but surely made their way across the clearing to where the eavesdropper was hidden. At Miroku's questioning look, Koga nodded that the intruder was indeed still hiding in the underbrush. The monk attempted to inquire as to how to go about catching their subject when the wolf prince launched himself directly into the woods before a word could escape his lips. The abruptness of the manuver caught the attention of the slayers and Sango came up beside him with her eyebrow raised in question. Miroku merely shrugged as the trio waited for the snarling to cease.

They didn't have to wait long. A tumbling ball of limbs, flashing red and black came bursting from the bushes and spilled out into the clearing in a cloud of dust.

Sango blinked curiously as she watched Koga physically overpower and expertly pin the stranger in question beneath his body. "Miroku, I know who that is."

Her husband nodded. "I do too."

Koga growled angrily as he instinctively gripped the throat of his victim, rage blanketing his vision. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just kill you now?"

"K-Koga," The strained voice that met his ears was feminine and familiar. "P-Please, Ko-ga. Y-you're hur-ting me."

The ookami-youkai instantly ceased his snarling and drew back his claws, blinking in shock. "Ayame?"

She rubbed at her sore neck and frowned up at him. "That's no way to treat your future wife, you know."

Koga's shock was short-lived as a scowl settled over his features. "That's what you get for slinking around in the bushes and masking your scent, Ayame."

She sagged into the dirt, her vibrant green eyes sad. "I've been looking for you for weeks, Koga. I covered my scent because I didn't want any unnecesary attention from the other tribes because I'm supposed to be secluded in the mountains."

A low rumble started in his chest. "You're there for a reason, Ayame."

Ayame sighed. "Only because of your big mouth. If you hadn't told the Elder about Naraku, I would have never become a prisoner of my own people." She glared at him. "Can I get up now?"

When he glanced down and realized he was straddling her hips in a very personal way, Koga moved faster than a lightning strike. Ayame rolled her eyes and stood up, dusting off her pristine white pelts as she stared at his broad back. "Don't worry, Koga. I'm not going pester you with promises of the past."

He whirled around to face her. "Then what are you doing here?"

She ran an unsure hand over her ginger pig-tails and sighed. "I came to tell you that the Elder has died."

Silence descended on the clearing and the only one brave enough to break it was the monk. "You have our condolences, Ayame."

The princess gifted them with a brilliant smile. "Thank you. I was very close with my grandfather."

"Your father allowed you to leave your sanctuary with this news?"

Her green eyes twinkled somberly. "No, my father has been gone for many, many years. I am the next in line to take over leadership of the Northern wolf tribe. As the new leader, I can do as I please and I left to find Koga."

"Why, Ayame? I'm not going to run back and marry you now."

"Koga!"

Ayame absorbed the sting of that barb and sighed, meeting the eyes of the outraged youkai-taijiya. "Please do not trouble yourself with his harsh nature."

Sango glared at Koga. "He's being downright cruel."

"While that may trouble me personally, as I said, that is the not the reason I sought him out."

The blue-eyed wolf growled. "Then why?"

"Naraku's presence has not only affected your tribe, Koga, but all of the wolf tribes spread throughout the land. As I have been the only female born to a noble in centuries, it is my duty to assume the role of Alpha."

"The Alpha?" Koga lifted a skeptical brow.

"Yes, the Alpha. You know that my tribe ranks the highest and when a female come into power, she assumes leadership over all the other tribes. Not only does my duty concern the wolves of my clan, but the wolves of all clans. As my first decision as Alpha, I felt it was in our shared interest to aid you, Koga, the most powerful warrior of our race, in your fight against Naraku."

Koga stalked up to her and glared down into her unyielding face. "I am not letting you anywhere near him."

She smiled shyly at him, heart racing in her chest with him so near. "While I am one of the most powerful of my bloodline, I am no match for you, let alone Naraku. I never intended to leave my people without a leader."

"How exactly do you plan to aid me?"

Ayame ignored the contempt in his voice and lifted a delicate hand to press reverently against the breastplate of his armor, just above his heart. "I am granting you the weapon of our ancestors," she looked up admirably into his raging blue eyes, "the Goraishi."

The shaking of the earth beneath her feet finally succeeded in snapping Kagome's attention away from the shimmering remains of Kanna, and she only caught a fleeting glimpse of whatever had been smashed into the cliffside overlooking Inu no Taisho's fortress. She canted her head to left as if her eyes had deceived her.

Was that...Sesshomaru?

Kagome dropped the broken mirror from her hands and shuffled the few feet it took to get out of the trees, disbelief tensing her body. She continued moving forward until she got to a point in the yard where she could clearly see the rock face. A startled gasp slipped out of her lips as her eyes noticed the tail of Sesshomaru's stole peeking out of a massive hole in the wall of earth.

Oh, Kami...

An anguished scream sent a knife of panic through Kagome's heart and she finally noticed the young woman dashing toward the fallen inu-youkai. The miko began moving as well, watching with dread as the one responsible for Sesshomaru's current condition stalked after his new target.

"Rin!" Kagome cursed her throbbing ankle, knowing she wasn't going to get to either of them in time to help. "Rin! Look out!"

Her cries befell deaf ears as she watched Rin bravely dart between the rubble and begin crawling in after Sesshomaru. Moryomaru gave a few beats of his enormous wings and closed the distance between them swiftly, and Kagome knew she had to do something now or Rin would be dead within seconds.

Shit, shit, shit!

Her huge brown eyes swung about her surroundings, desperately searching for something she could use to deter the beast. An odd glint in the moonlight caught her eye and she hobbled closer to the object half hidden in the dirt to her right. Dragging her fingers through the smooth sand, her hand took hold of something solid and lifted it up.

A hilt?

The hilt in her grasp was not that of a traditional katana, but of a more western design with a rectangular guard. The grip was wrapped in supple red leather and the pommel was in the shape of a brass disk with a leather tassel threaded through the disk's center. The rest of the sword was gone with the exception of only a couple inches of the double-edge blade above the guard. Her gaze fixated on the dark stains on the hilt and swallowed, knowing it was beyond stupid to believe they were anything other than blood.

I know this sword... Kagome chewed her lip, feeling none of the weapon's supposed evil aura. This is Tokijin's hilt. She looked toward the crater and felt her stomach drop. If Tokijin is dead, then...

Shaking her head, Kagome pushed away her dire thoughts and reminded herself of the task at hand. Moryomaru had reached the cliffside, but Rin was nowhere to be seen and Kagome hoped she had slipped far enough in to avoid the creature's reach. The monster seemed to have the same thought and began pounding the surrounding rock in an attempt to crush her.

"Hey!" Kagome hopped forward and waved her arms to catch his attention. "Hey, ugly!"

Moryomaru seemed oblivious and Kagome knew it was now or never. If she was ever going to help Rin or Sesshomaru, she had to make a distraction of herself.

Shifting her weight as she had earlier with Akago, Kagome put all her strength into hurling Tokijin's hilt at the beast. The energy she had infused within it gave the spinning weapon a pale violet glow. Her aim proved to be just as true, the small bit of blade sinking into the flesh of Moryomaru's upper back as her purifying aura flared on contact.  Moryomaru roared and spun, desperately trying to reach the offending object. He succeeded on the third try and yanked the hilt free with a snarl, raging eyes turning toward the culprit in split second.

Kagome took in the sight of his open jaws, that of a Chinese dragon, with dozens of razor sharp teeth and struggled to stop her knees from giving out. Now that she had his full attention, the part-man, part-dragon thing storming toward her was downright terrifying. His howling cry sent her heart into overdrive and Kagome suddenly realized she had no idea what she was going to do next.

No! Kagome clenched a fist. I haven't come this far to falter now. I made a promise to Kikyo to see this through and I'm not about to give up!

Pivoting on her heel, the miko put the many complaints of her body on mute and forced herself into motion. Kagome growled past the stabbing pain in her ankle until the limb went numb and ran. Setting her sights on the fortress ahead, Kagome refused to look back despite the raised hair on the back of her neck that told her she was dead if she stopped.

She kept her pace even as the bricks and mortar cluttered her path, using her momentum to propel herself up the pile. Her muscles burned agonizingly as she scrambled over the treacherous terrain, a ray of hope welling inside her chest as she successfully made her way into the building.

A thunderous crash broke her vow to not look back, her eyes whirling in time to see Moryomaru's tail come sailing toward her. The pile of brick joined in the fun, launching up from the force of the blow and sending her along with it. Arms flailing, Kagome did her best to avoid bracing for the impact with the floor and only partial achieved her goal.

Her left side took the brunt of the hit, pain searing through her body as she slid along the smooth stone floor. Smaller chunks of mortar pelted her as they fell, cutting into her already bruised skin and knocking her senseless. Black crept into the outskirts of her vision when she finally came to a stop against something equally unyielding and Kagome struggled to stay conscious. She vaguely registered the sound of Moryomaru's howling as she watched him approach, the bleakness of defeat staring her in the face.

I...I don't know if I can keep going... Salty tears blurred her already darkened vision, obscuring the outline of the misshapen beast before her. Inu...Inuyasha, I wish...I wish you were here.

Moryomaru bent over her, his breath hot in her face as he snarled. Instinct drove her to move, to do anything she could to keep from just lying still and accepting death. Pulling her aching arms to sit up, her right elbow brushed something smooth and her spinning vision registered the shape of a bow.

A bow? Blinking in an attempt to clear her sight, Kagome gingerly took hold of the smooth wooden weapon. This one's longer and darker than mine... The miko realized with a jolt that she was holding the bow that Kikyo had dropped when defending her.

Kikyo's bow?  Kagome's grip tightened with a renewed resolve. You may have thought you failed, but you're helping me now Kikyo. Her vision began to clear as she glared up at Moryomaru. You left me with more than you know.

Kagome felt hot spittle drip onto her skin from the beast's mouth and jerked the bow up with irritation, jabbing the stave into the soft underside of his lower jaw. Moryomaru leapt back in an instant, clawing at his face as his piercing cries echoed through the fortress. Kagome took the opportunity to roll away, pulling herself into a crouch as she pulled the lone arrow left from Kikyo's nearby quiver.

Moryomaru quickly recovered from the shock and flared his wings, screaming at her in an incensed rage.

"You are really starting to annoy me, you know." Kagome notched the arrow and drew back on the string, umber eyes narrowed with determination. "I think it's time you shut the hell up."

Loosening the Hama no Ya, Kagome watched with satisfaction as it sailed straight into Moryomaru's left breast and blazed to life.

She listened to his wails of pain and allowed herself a moment to relax now that Moryomaru had been dealt with, weary eyes slipping shut. Her body threatened to collapse if she lingered much longer and Kagome sighed as she straightened her shoulders, preparing to go back out and see to Sesshomaru and Rin. Taking a deep breath, Kagome opened her eyes and turned toward the gaping hole in the wall, glad to see that the debris was now cleared from the ground.

Just as she took her first step, her brain caught up with her vision and she froze. Kagome realized that the enormous creature that she had just supposedly purified was, indeed, still standing where she had shot him. Her mahogany eyes widened with confusion and she was rooted in place by it, even when she noted that he was rushing toward her.

Why?

His talon-tipped fist flew toward her and Kagome popped out from her stupor, throwing up her bow to block it. The clash was brutal, the force sending the bow back to glance her temple. Stumbling back, Kagome pulled her frayed control of her body together and bolted for the obvious exit.

Why isn't he dead?!

The miko vaguely observed that she was now bleeding from her head wound as she urgently searched for an answer to how Moryomaru could have possibly survived a direct Hama no Ya to the heart. She remembered Hakudoshi once saying he was special and not like any old regular incarnation.

What the hell did that little shit say?!

Kagome made it out of the fortress and back out into the yard, but found it exactly the same as she had left it only minutes earlier. A quick glance toward the cliffside told her that Sesshormaru had yet to recover from his battle, which only stacked the odds higher against her. If Moryomaru could brush off Inuyasha's stronger, elder brother, then she had little chance of doing any better.

I have the power to purify the souls of youkai, so why the hell- Kagome slowed her step as her brain discerned the error in her thinking. Hakudoshi said Moryomaru doesn't have a soul! He has a life force, but no soul!

Lost within her revelations, Kagome was unaware that she had nearly come to a complete stop, or that the creature occupying her thoughts had lashed out at her. She was caught by surprise when his talons carved away the earth beneath her feet and left her lying at his mercy.

"Ah!" Kagome only had a few seconds to catch up, twisting onto her back and throwing the bow up to block his claws. "Son of a bitch!"

Moryomaru lunged with his jaws, roaring when he smashed into the shield she was projecting through Kikyo's bow.

Kagome gritted her teeth and fought against him as well as she could. Her arms trembled uncontrollably from exhaustion and her power was sparking erratically as it weakened as well, her body struggling to keep from simply giving out. The ground beneath her was just as unforgiving and the panic of being crushed to death slipped through her mind.

"No!" The reborn miko growled and forced out more of her aura. "I won't let Naraku win like this!"

Moryomaru responded to her threat with a vicious punch, bellowing triumphantly as a crack split her barrier down the center.

The blow sent a shock through her as her energy was overpowered and Kikyo's bow snapped clean in two. Kagome's arms sagged until her elbows touched the ground, gaze fixated on the broken bow as tears spilled from her eyes.

Not her bow...

Kagome pinched her eyes shut at the sight of Moryomaru's descending jaws, with their guarantee of death, and defiantly screamed out all of her hurt and frustration as she waited for her end.

"Kagome!"

The shout drowned out her scream and she reluctantly cracked opened her eyes because she recognized the voice, her heart thumping with hope that she wasn't deceiving herself.

Kagome could see a figure falling toward her, silhouetted by the moonlight. She could discern the outline of his face and the fangs peeking from his lips, along with his long mane of hair and triangular ears. The other item she noticed was the large blade in his right hand, hilt flowing with fur.

Is that really you, Inuyasha?

Tears ran thicker down her cheeks as he drew closer and she could make out the bright red color of his hakama. A shine from his throat had a smile spreading across her face.

The Kotodama no Nenju...

"Kagome!"

Kagome watched as the falling figure's lips said her name, the strange slowing of time fading as she finally saw his blazing amber eyes. "Inuyasha..."

She caught movement in her peripheral and jerked her eyes back to see Moryomaru's teeth glint in the darkness as they flew toward her at full speed. No, no, no, no! Kagome screamed as the beast's breath blasted into her face.

"Inuyasha!"

"Kaze no Kizu!"

Kagome instinctively curled away from the blinding light and scorching heat of the attack, even though she knew Inuyasha could wield the attack perfectly. She had no idea if it was a direct blow or one aimed to just separate them, but it mattered not when she found herself nestled tightly to a warm, muscled chest.

A hand gently caressed her disheveled hair, lightly touching the cut to her temple. "Kagome, you are so fucking stupid."

Cracking open her swollen eyes, Kagome locked onto his worried tawny eyes and smiled weakly. "I know."

"What's wrong with you?" His voice was strained, the muscles along his jaw clenching as he looked down at her. "Why the hell would you run off without me?"

She could see the fear in his eyes, feel it in the trembling of his arms, and heard it in the wavering of his usually unwavering voice. Fear that he was unable to protect her. Fear that he would find her dead.

Regret swept through her and brought tears anew to her eyes, her hands finally finding life again to wind themselves around his waist as her feet once again found the ground. "I'm so sorry, Inuyasha." She buried her head into his chest, his forelocks gently hiding her shame behind them. "I made a horrible mistake and I..."

"Ssh," His arms locked around her and his nose buried in her hair. "I forgive you, Kagome."

Jerking back, Kagome pulled away and looked up into his face in disbelief. "But I-"

Inuyasha slid his claws through her hair and cupped her jaw with his Tetsusaiga-less hand. "Yes, I'm still pissed off and literally hurt," he gestured toward his side, where his stab wound was once again bleeding, "but I forgive you." He smiled. "I'll always forgive you."

Kagome hesitantly touched his barely-healed wound and watched sadly as it dripped to the ground. "I don't deserve you."

The hanyou snorted. "That may be true, but who else would always be there to save your accident-prone butt?"

She frowned. "A crazy person?"

He couldn't stop the grin that tugged at his lips. "Well, it finally makes sense."

"What does?"

"Why I'm always saving you."

Kagome stared at him warily. "You're not crazy, Inuyasha."

"Yes, I am." He tipped his head and pulled her up so she was flush against his body. A mischievous light twinkled in his eye. "For you."

She attempted to scoff, but he silenced her by planting a firm kiss on her lips. Kagome melted into him, reveling in the fact that he was alive and here and still loved her. She reluctantly pulled away when he relaxed and smiled shyly at him. "Inuyasha, I lo-

A rumble shook the ground under their feet and Kagome looked away from him to see the already crumbled rear wall of Inu no Taisho's fortress collapse. A shriek rent through the air as Moryomaru smashed his way out of the crater Inuyasha had put him in.

The hanyou's chest shook with a snarl. "Fucking bastard."

Kagome cocked her head curiously as she looked over at the creature from their hidden position in the woods. "That's strange..."

"What is?"

She glanced back at him. "I don't think I ever felt his aura before now."

Inuyasha's brow creased in confusion. "Kagome, that's not Moryomaru."

"Then who-" Her hands gripped his upper arms. "The barrier's gone!"

"Barrier? What barrier?"

Kagome dropped her head against his chest. "I'm so worn out, I didn't notice."

Inuyasha growled softly. "Noticed what, Kagome?"

She sighed as she leaned against him. "There was a barrier around the fortress, but I didn't really pay attention because it didn't affect me."

The miko felt him go still beneath her hands. "Let me guess, the only one affected by the barrier was Sesshomaru?"

"Right, but-" She frowned. "How'd you know?"

It was Inuyasha's turn to sigh. "Because he sent Jaken out to find me." He turned his eyes to the rampaging Moryomaru, then across the yard to the very ominous looking dent in the cliffside. "That's how I got here so fast."

Kagome's brain felt sluggish, but she could still put two and two together. "He needed you so the barrier would be lifted."

He gave a slight nod just as the ground quaked again and he had to catch Kagome before the force of the aura at fault knocked her out. "Holy shit!"

Pain radiated throughout her skull and Kagome gingerly pressed a hand to her forehand as Inuyasha gently set her down on her butt. "Holy shit is right."

"Hey, Kagome?"

She blinked up at the hanyou, worried by his suddenly serious tone. "What is it, Inuyasha?"

He stood up and tightened his grip on Tetsusaiga. "I want you to promise me that you won't interfere."

"Interfere with what?"

He snapped angrily. "It doesn't matter! Just promise me that you won't do anything but stay right here!"

Kagome found that with all she had done already and the insistence in his voice, that she couldn't refuse. "I promise, Inuyasha."

The words had barely passed her lips before the ground shook again and was followed by an explosion of rock from the cliffside. The overwhelming aura blanketed them all as a memorable swirl of red smoke exploded outward into the clearing. A thunderous growl vibrated through the air and Kagome knew without a doubt what was hidden within the smoke, something she hadn't laid eyes on in over five years.

Moryomaru bellowed once more and charged toward the smoke. As if on cue, the giant white inu-youkai sprang forth to meet him, his enormous canine head slamming into Moryomaru's chest. The soul-less creature yelped in pain, scrambling up from where he landed and launching up into the air with his leather-like wings.

Sesshomaru's tongue swept over his chops as he watched, waiting until the precise moment to spring. The Dai-youkai leapt effortlessly in spite of his missing foreleg, his foaming jaws latching onto one of Moryomaru's wings and dragging the thing back down to the earth. The dog demon wasted little time, savagely tearing the wing from the creature's back while his poison sizzled in the wounds. Wild with fear and pain, Moryomaru spun his remaining wing and knocked Sesshomaru back as he scrambled to get away. He didn't get far as Sesshomaru batted him around with a massive paw, diving onto the beast and sinking his teeth into Moryomaru's throat.

Kagome watched fixatedly as Sesshomaru literally tore Hakudoshi's minion apart, cringing as the inu-prince tore at the creature's throat. Moryomaru's strangled cries were enough to know that Sesshomaru had left his poison to do the real work and had moved his attention elsewhere.

Opening her eyes, Kagome felt her heart surge into her own throat.

Elsewhere had turned out to be Inuyasha and now the half-brothers stood staring down one another with their father's fortress as the backdrop.

"Inuyasha!"
The hanyou ignored her shout and lifted his sword at Sesshomaru, who returned the gesture by baring his dripping fangs with a snarl.  Kagome knew that both of them could easily die from their wounds should they suffer more and was helpless to do anything about it. Even if she managed to drag together the dregs of her power, she had made a promise to Inuyasha to stay out of it. This was a fight between them and only they could settle it.

She could only serve as a spectator as the battered and bloody brothers charged straight at one another, deja vu sending a shiver of fear down her back.

Inuyasha...

A/N: Just a little info- 'Souryuuha' or 'Azure Dragon Stream' is a technique Sesshomaru utilizies in the third Inuyasha movie, "Swords of an Honorable Ruler". I'm following the anime more so than the manga(Ayame definitely wasn't in the manga, haha), and I loved that attack, so I threw it in the mix. 'Kotodama no Nenju' are the beads of Subjucation Inuyasha wears. The 'stave' of Kikyo's bow is the tip where the wood and bowstring are joined. I'm also pretty sure I described Tokijin and the hilt accurately from pictures, haha.

Comments from the peanut gallery are warmly welcomed. XD




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