InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Daring Rescue ( Chapter 6 )

A/N ~ My deep apologies for the long wait, unfortunately I had to work a double shift this week. Hopefully I'll be able to make the updates regular again. ~ DJ

 

Disclaimer ~ I do not own the anime Inuyasha nor any of the characters there in. I'm just borrowing them for the entertainment and enjoyment of torturing them endlessly.. heheh..

 

Warning ~ Lord Tatsu's speech is a bit more medieval than the others because he is the oldest of them and clings to some of the ancient ways.

 

Chapter 6 ~ Daring Rescue.

 

A dark moonless sky, broken only by the scattered pinpricks of starlight, loomed high overhead as a small group of human soldiers waited silently while one of the guards at the northern gates looked over their orders.

 

The others not occupied by the missive shouted insults and degrading remarks at the dirty humans that stood in two lines waiting for the gates to swing open. The group remained silent under the guards' scrutiny; grim looks covered clenched jaws as they fought to stay silent under the onslaught.

 

There were seven soldiers total in the group, all dressed in the base equipment given to human soldiers. They were the expendable ones, warranting only the tattered peasant clothing and rusty swords that were tied on by frayed strips of cloth around their waists. Smudges of dirt covered their skin, while the long lines of white scar tissue covered more than one of them.

 

Their commander stood straight, baring the brunt of the insults while his men shifted nervously behind him. None dared say anything for this was the way of things. The strong dictated the actions of the weak and only a fool would say otherwise.

 

One of the soldiers stirred angrily when one of the heinous insults was directed at the oafish looking human's mother, but a glare from the helmeted commander stopped the man were he stood, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

 

The guard overlooking the missive nodded swiftly, not wishing to question his lord's orders and hurried to open the gates for the small troop to pass through. He shot a heated glare at his fellow guardsmen when they yelled out several more deplorable insults and threats at the humans' retreating backs.

 

Once they were past, the guard swung the gate shut and barred it against any outside attack. He sighed taking up his position by the gate house hoping that his fellow guardsmen's behavior did not reach Lord Sesshomaru's ears, he did not wish to face his lord's anger any more than he would want to face down a god.

 

 

“I can't believe you let them talk to us like that,” The large oafish human snapped as soon as they were well into the forest, his massive arms clenched tight as large hands balled into fists at his side. A long scar stretching down his left cheek to end at the corner of his mouth, giving the man a sinister appearance. “I should have been allowed to teach them their place!”

 

“That would only have succeeded in alerting everyone to our departure,” the deep growled response came from the slender soldier behind him.

 

“Besides to everyone else we are human. So we must act as such.” The second voice chimed in from the front.

 

“How much longer do I have to put up with this disgusting appearance?” the large human demanded, the anger evident in his voice.

 

“Until I say otherwise,” the commander's smooth voice held a hint of annoyance.

 

“Why did you ever bring me? I don't know anything about skulking around in the shadows.” He continued to complain oblivious to the rising anger of the others around him.

 

“Stop yer squawking, Ozeki,” the deep rich bass sounded odd coming from the tall gangly human at the front of the oaf. He appeared to be the oldest, his thin graying hair hung limp around a gaunt face. “T'was the young Miko's choice that brought ye here. Tis by her choosing we all be here.”

 

“What?” the one called Ozeki stopped suddenly, the one behind him was unable to stop and the resulting collision almost knocked both men from their feet.

 

“Move bear!” the man growled shoving Ozeki hard, shaking the stunned man from his stupor. Ozeki snorted in irritation as he fell back into step, his heated glare resting on the young man marching silently beside him. He was short, more boyish appearing than the rest of them. His long black hair was drawn up in a tight topknot.

 

“Be silent!” the command stopped Ozeki from saying anything else. Grumbling under his breath, the oaf kept in step unanswered questions forming as he kept glancing toward the boy on his right.

 

Dawn was peeking over the horizon when the soldiers stopped to rest near a waterfall. Formation broke as they scattered to find their own resting spots.

 

“Jodan, you can drop the illusion,” the commander said taking up a seat under a large tree.

 

A puff of smoke filled the clearing as the spell broke to reveal the soldiers' true nature. Instead of the seven humans, six high-ranking youkai shook of the last remains of magic as a lone human female sunk quietly to the ground needing the rest.

 

Kisho leaned back against the tree his eyes trained on Kagome as she pulled the topknot from her long hair. He had intentionally set the pace hard, driving everyone to the brink of endurance. They had stopped only when necessity demanded it.

 

Golden pools of dark sunlight drifted from Kagome to the bear that sat glaring at her with hatred in his dark eyes. Ozeki, the brash young general the girl had taken a liking to, had been the only one to complain about the march. Something Kisho had expected, knowing the bear was more of a brawler than an agent of stealth. He wondered if perhaps Kagome had mistaken what she saw in the self-absorbed bear.

 

His eyes shifted back to the woman, the one he'd expected to complain had surprised him by holding her silence. Most of the females he had known, both human and youkai alike, would have displayed their objections before the first half of the march, more than a few would have demanded a rest within the first few moments. Not Kagome though, she had remained centered, marching alongside Ozeki as if it were the most natural thing in the world for her to do. She had kept the pace as effectively as any of the others had, neither stumbling nor falling behind as if she were use to traveling this way.

 

The cavern was still half a day's march away, the last village before the cavern was located just on the edge of their objective and that was where he would purchase the carts they would need. Once the carts were underway, Kisho would allow the others to rest while they finished their journey. After they were safely in the bowels of the cavern, then he would allow them to sleep until nightfall, when it would be easier to rescue their friends.

 

A year earlier, Kisho and a handful of his men had escaped through a hidden door expertly constructed into one side of the lowest dungeon. The door had been assurances created by his ancestors centuries ago for just that purpose and Kisho hoped that the usurper had not discovered its secrets yet. It was risky but that door was the only hope of getting the scouting party out.

 

Silently, Kisho cursed the lack of intelligence he had on the usurper. Even the betrayer's name was nothing more than a whispered speculation in the dark recesses of Kisho's mind. Soon, he hoped, they would find out something about this secretive individual, something that would help get his lands back before too much damage could be done to them.

 

 

Kagome sighed, it felt so good to just sit in one spot and rest. Her petite fingers deftly made their way through her freed hair trying to dislodge some of the tangles that had taken up residence in the massive locks.

 

During the march she had concentrated on the anger she felt at Shippo being captured, the guilt she felt at leaving him the first time, and the horrifying thoughts that she might not make it in time to save him or Inuyasha from whatever it was they were forced to endure in the dungeons of the Northern Castle. These disturbing thoughts had steeled her will, giving her the strength she needed to keep up with the men around her. Her shorter legs almost working twice as hard as theirs just to keep from falling behind. It was this reason she suspected that Kisho had ordered the kitsune twins to stick close to her. Joban had taken the front to keep his illusion from slipping, while Hoben took up the position just behind her. Maybe it was an assurance that the others in the party did not harm her either, thought she doubted that either Tatsu or Kuro would have tried anything while she had a purpose to serve, but Ozeki was a hot headed bear with a short fuse that seemed to use his brawn more than his brain. Kagome was not certain if it was or not, but she was grateful to Kisho for setting up the formation as such.

 

Kagome took the time to study her companions, wanting to memorize them should she be dragged into the midst of battle. It would do no good to accidentally purify the once who were suppose to be on her side. Besides no good miko would needlessly take a life if she could help it, be it human or youkai.

 

First her eyes settled on the twins that playfully joked beside the flowing water. Their bright shocks of red hair and sparkling green eyes reminded her so much of Shippo it made her heart ache for the kit. They had not displayed any of the others animosity toward her, accepting her for who she was instead of hating her for what she was.

 

Dressed in matching black hakama and red haori, they had tried to draw her into their conversation earlier but she was so intent on making it through the night she had just smiled and shook her head. The twins seemed to understand, giving her those mischievous grins Kitsunes were famous for. Their long tails were tipped with black, the only difference in appearance between them and her son, while their magic was surprisingly strong.

 

A small smile threatened to escape when she thought over the legends from one of her collage classes. Kitsunes held a special place in the myths; ones riddled from both sides as Kitsunes both protected and harassed humans whenever the need arose. One of her favorite myths dealt with a Kitsune who wove an elaborate illusion to house a man who had become lost. The human had fallen in love with the Kitsune's sister and help to protect the family he had come to love even after he found out what they really were. It was a beautiful tale, one that made Kagome wonder just what the extent of the twins' power was. Kagome hoped that Shippo had found someone to teach him the ways of his race.

 

Kagome tore her eyes from the twins only to have them settle on Ozeki. The bear sat sulking quietly against a large rock, glaring at her with hatred and distrust. A dark forest green haori and rich brown hakama spoke of a deep connection with the mountain forest, while a black obi barely supported the weight of the large hammer at his side. A thick black headband kept his unruly dark brown hair out of almost black eyes that were trained on her.

 

She gave the bear one of her innocent smiles and was rewarded with a snort as he tore his gaze away from her. Kagome stifled a laugh as his rounded nose climbed a little higher into the air, giving her a standoffish appearance. It was as if he was too good to look upon a filthy human miko and he wasn't afraid to show it. His hatred of her combined easily with that of two others and wiped the smile from her face quickly. No matter how he acted toward her, Kagome still liked the big oaf. Something deep within her kept nagging at her to make friends with the irrational creature, no matter what it took. A voice she planned on listening to if she could get him to cooperate.

 

Shaking her head slightly she looked next to the figure pacing restlessly back and forth just beyond the shadowed tree line. His black kimono helped him to blend in with the fading shadows, while his tawny eyes glowed slightly with an inner light. He reminded her of a caged tiger Kagome had once seen in a zoo back home. The pacing spoke of impatience, yet the lion youkai kept his face as stoic as that of the two Taiyoukai she knew. His face was that of a lion, the upper lip splitting up to the triangular pale nose. Black outlined his mouth and eyes, while small almost invisible whiskers sprouted from tan cheeks, giving him an untamed appearance.

 

General Kuro had good reason to be irritated; his only son was amongst the ones captured along with her own. Kisho had explained that lion youkai were very protective of their children long after the young grew into adulthood. It was something Kagome understood as she too felt the need to get moving course through her. Her son needed her and she wondered if Kuro was dealing with the same type of guilt she was at having let the young lion go on such a dangerous mission.

 

From the corner of her eye, Kagome caught movement and turned to look directly into the crimson gaze of the dragon lord, Tatsu. He was perhaps the oldest youkai she had ever seen. His long white hair and beard, tamed by various colored cords gave him a Viking appearance, while pale grayish-blue scales covered his entire body. He wore only a pair of gray hakama leaving his upper torso bare to the elements. Several scars were etched deeply through the scales making Kagome wonder how anyone had penetrated the hard shell.

 

Free of the illusion, Tatsu was the biggest of them, great strength evident in the massive arms and broad muscular chest, while his seven foot something height dwarfed Kagome. Standing beside him had made her feel as if she were a small child looking up in awe at the giant. Large black boots adorned his feet while an oversized sword was strapped to his back.

 

Kagome felt a shiver run through her as she continued staring into those naturally red eyes. He was looking at her with an expression that was hard for her to discern, but it seemed he was trying to look into her very soul. She didn't know what he was trying to find there, but she hoped whatever it was would be something that eased the hatred he felt toward her. Kagome didn't need to be a mind reader to see the look of disgust in those eyes, even though he sat only several feet from her.

 

Overall he carried himself with a confidence that spoke of a man forged in the fires of many battles. Tatsu was a proud youkai that had seen many centuries and survived when many others had not. This alone gave Kagome hope that whatever destiny had planned for them; he would know what the appropriate actions to take were. She placed her faith more in this one individual than the others, a deliberate gamble against fate's cruel twists and turns.

 

Kagome felt the invisible thread that linked her with this great dragon as well, that small voice commanding her to learn from him, trust his judgment and befriend him if she could. It was as if her life might come to depend upon his broad shoulders and Kagome was always one to follow her instincts.

 

For a moment longer she let him see that she was neither afraid of him nor did she harbor any ill will toward any of the youkai present before tearing her gaze away from his to study Kisho.

 

Kisho was also studying her, a slight confusion in the golden orbs that looked at her. Kagome grasp her pendant as she thought about the great lord.

 

His knee-length ebony hair had been pulled back into a high ponytail leaving the twin black stripes that adorned his cheeks a stark reminder that he was every bit the Inu-youkai that Sesshomaru was. He wore a dark blue silk kimono, a breastplate exactly like Sesshomaru's and a lighter blue sash with Sakura blossoms embroidered in silver thread. The silky black fur of his long tail moved with the breeze as it wrapped around his feet, to her he appeared to be the picture of tranquility.

 

Kagome did not feel the hatred toward her kind coming from him as she did the other three. Both he and the twins readily accepted her no matter what she was. His manner was friendly, yet stern. His face every bit as trained as Sesshomaru's, almost impossible to read. Only his eyes gave her a chance to see anything of the limited emotions he might be inclined to show.

 

Looking down Kagome shook her head slightly, a deep sigh escaping as she allowed her eyes to slide closed for a moment. Her thoughts centered on the ones around her as she wondered if she was going to survive this test of fate as she had with the Shikon. Something deep inside of her asked if perhaps the Shikon was just a test, something to get her ready for what was going to happen this time around. It was a question that Kagome didn't have any answers too.

 

Even with her eyes closed she could feel Tastu, Ozeki and Kuro's openly displayed hatred of her. In their eyes she had committed the two biggest sins, one she was a human woman trained in the art of combat, and two she was born a miko, their natural enemy. Kagome didn't have to be a psychic to know it; she could see it in their eyes or the way they acted toward her. It irritated Kagome but she accepted it for now, she had grown accustomed to the way things were the last time she was in the Feudal Era.

 

A faint smile emerged though her thoughts were chaotic as she thought about Shippo. What would these three stern youkai think of her when they found out that the “son” she worried about was a grown Kitsune? They would be surprised no doubt, but she wondered if they would take it well or just faint from shock.

 

“Lets go!” Kisho orders broke through her thoughts, bringing Kagome quickly to her feet. She was close to her son now, and would soon be able to make sure he was all right. Her mind steeled for whatever was to come, Kagome set out with the others determined to help any way she could.

 

 

 

“Hey runt! Wake up!” Inuyasha's harsh cry startled Shippo from the light sleep he had finally been able to drift into. His groan of protest earned him a “Feh” from the older demon. Shippo begrudgingly opened his eyes to glare at the irritating Inu-youkai for a moment wondering if he would ever outgrown the nickname Inuyasha insisted on calling him even though he was taller than the demon by several inches now.

 

“What do you want?” Shippo's demand was as harsh as Inuyasha's. His parched throat hurt with the effort and he was extremely tired, wanting only to catch some rest before the executioner returned to cart him back to the chamber of torture. Each time the pain became worse there, causing him to hover just beyond death's doorway and each time the pig-faced executioner brought him back with soul-shattering lethalness. On top of that Inuyasha had regularly been waking him up as if to make certain he were still alive.

 

Only a few of them lived now, Inuyasha, himself, and about ten other youkai had been strong enough not to succumb to the cruel bit of the torture weapons that had been used in colorful methods to torment them. Lately, Shippo had been wondering if it were even worth it to keep fighting to stay alive, thought that it might be better to follow the humans and hanyou that had already fallen to the brutal devices.

 

“You hear that?” Inuyasha asked his chains rattling as he shifted to get a better look around the dungeon.

 

“Hear what?” Shippo demanded wearily, straining to hear anything out of the ordinary. At first he heard nothing except the labored breathing of the men around them, the dripping of water and the scuttling sounds of the vermin and insects that inhabited the damp dungeon.

 

Disgusted, Shippo was just about to give up and let sleep over take him when he heard the first faint scraping sounds. They seemed to be coming from the wall directly in front of him. Green eyes narrowed a bit trying to get a better look at the solid stone several yards away from his feet when a portion of it suddenly collapsed inward.

 

Several shadowed figures stepped through the yawning hole and he instantly recognized three of them. Tatsu and Kuro, two of Sesshomaru's best warriors, emerged first. Behind them came Lord Kisho and two Kitsunes that Shippo had never seen before. The men spread out to check the chains on various prisoners.

 

“About time you guys showed up.” Huffed Inuyasha even though his voice resembled the rustle of ancient parchment.

 

“Silence, Lord Inuyasha, lest ye inform the infidels of our presence.” Tatsu's reprimand earned another “Feh” from Inuyasha even as the Inu did as he was told.

 

“Lord Kisho, these chains are charmed. I cannot remove them,” General Kuro whispered, frustration and anger evident in his growl.

 

“I was afraid of this,” came Kisho's soft reply as he knelt beside one of the prisoners.

 

Shippo watched with a sinking feeling in his heart as each tried to remove the chains through various methods. As each one failed, he felt despair well up and did not notice when someone lifted the chains between his ankles.

 

“What will we do now, Milord?” one of the kitsunes asked as all eyes turned to Kisho, when not even the great dragon's immense strength could break the chains away.

 

“I can help,” a soft voice replied near Shippo's feet and he turned in surprise to see the black robed figure stand. A hood covered her face but Shippo knew instantly who was concealed within it. “But it will let everyone know we're here.”

 

All eyes turned toward the slender figure as she pulled the hood down. Shippo's eyes grew wide as her ebony hair fell down over her shoulders to past her hips, well remembered sapphire eyes that was glowing with a soft pink light making him wonder if that was how she was seeing in the pitch blackness of the dungeon. He glanced over at Inuyasha to see the same bewildered look that he knew he must have at this moment.

 

“Kagome?” Shippo whispered, not daring to believe his mother had returned to him. Only when she looked down at him did he know for certain that his was not another dream, but reality. Her grim smile and tear filled eyes were all the proof the young Kitsune needed. His dreams were always of her smiling brightly, love filling the deep blue orbs as she cuddled his child's body close to her, like she had so many times during the days they searched for the Shikon shards.

 

“Understood,” Kisho replied quickly. “Lord Tatsu, General Kuro, guard the door. Jodan, Hoben, stay close to the lady should any trouble arise. Ozeki, stay near our door, keep it clear if things get to bad in here.” Nods were swift as each followed through with their orders.

 

Kisho turned back to her and asked. “What would you have me do Lady Kagome?”

 

“Two things,” Kagome's voice sounded like music to Shippo's ears as he watched her raise two fingers. “First I want everyone to understand it may burn them as I do this, and second, keep Kuro from attacking me if his son cries out.” A low growl of warning hung in the air as Kuro glared at her from his position at the door. Kisho cast him a glare that shut him up immediately.

 

“Done,” came Kisho's reply.

 

Kagome knelt down beside Shippo, one slender hand resting on his cheek in a loving caress. “I'm sorry Shippo, I should never have left you. Forgive me because this might hurt.”

 

“It's ok Mama,” Shippo replied softly leaning into the caress. He trusted her fully, happy to see her return safely to him even if it was in the deepest dungeon around. “You didn't leave because you wanted to. I understand.”

 

He had seen the tears in her eyes, the guilt ridden darkening of those beautiful deep blue gems he often dreamed of finding again. He was just thankful he didn't have to wait five hundred years to see her again.

 

Everyone stared at the two in disbelief as the kitsune called the miko Mama. Even the great dragon's eyes grew a fraction in concealed surprise. It was rare for one race to take in the young of another, but it was unheard of for an enemy of demon kind to rear one of them.

 

How can this be? Kisho wondered as he watched the way she tenderly caressed the fully grown man's cheek as lovingly as any mother would their child. She was barely old enough to have a child, let alone one this old. He knew this was a story well worth hearing and couldn't wait to find out how this had all come about. Patience was one of his stronger points though and wait he would until he knew ever detail surrounding this strange girl.

 

Everyone watched as Kagome reached out to grab the chains tightly in one hand. The faint pink glow of her powers as they surrounded the chain links and ran down its length to the four shackles around wrist and arms. Hair stood on end as the miko powers electrified the air around them, the scent of her magic assaulting their nose.

 

Shippo hissed loudly as it bit into raw flesh. The burning sensation traveled through him like wild fire, threatening to boil his blood and burn his body. His eyes clinched tightly bringing tears of pain to pool just under the closed lids. Faintly, a snapping sound reached his ears and he felt the chains fall away. Just as quickly, her powers pulled away from him, leaving him breathing hard as he struggled to stand.

 

A tingling sensation swept over him as Kagome's small arms reached around his chest to help him stand. He leaned on her momentarily while the blood rushed back into his legs from sitting so long, but he found that the pain had ceased all together. No longer did his cracked ribs ache with each breath as they had done earlier.

 

His eyes grew wide in understanding as he swept the girl into a tight bear hug and heard the muffled sob that came from his chest. “I'm sorry,” reached his ears where Kagome's head was buried against his bare skin, and he squeezed her reassuringly.

 

“There's nothing to be sorry about, Mama.” Shippo told her gently, pulling away from her. “Go help the others and well talk about it when we're free of this damn place.”

 

Kagome smiled reaching up to gently caress his cheek again. Somehow her son had grown into a man and she silently thanked the gods that had seen fit to bring her back to him.

 

“Hurry,” Shippo whispered as she released her grip on him to go to where Inuyasha still sat, a dreamy look in his golden eyes.

 

“Hurry it up, wench.” Inuyasha managed to choke out, a string of curses followed as Kagome's power surged along the chains. Once free the same tingling filled him as she helped him to his feet. He hugged her than, just as fiercely as Shippo had, keeping the threatening tears at bay. Inuyasha knew the tingling came from her healing powers but was too stunned at her sudden appearance to say anything else.

 

Kagome pulled away from the stunned demon to kneel beside the next prisoner, leaving Inuyasha to stare after her. Shippo moved to stand beside him where they could both watch Kagome work.

 

“Instead of standing around Inuyasha, go help Ozeki guard our way out.” Kagome's sharp command brought Inuyasha back to the present.

 

Inuyasha blinked for a second before a grin spread slowly across his face, brightening his amber gaze instantly. His best friend had returned, almost as if she had never left. A surge of joy raced through him and he was about to yell at her for bossing him around when a stern look from Shippo brought him crashing into reality. But for a moment it had been almost as if they were back on the shard hunt, when he took joy from his arguments with her. Something he knew they both had enjoyed at one time, even though he knew the necklace wouldn't be there to smash him into the dirt as it had before. She had removed that long ago, before their final battle with Naraku.

 

“Keh!” he huffed, but took a spot by the door anyway, his wide grin evident for all to see. He didn't care who knew how happy to see Kagome, because now that she was back everything would be all right, or at least it was in his mind.

 

Kagome made her way around the room, freeing each prisoner that she came upon. Her powers blanketing the air with the scent of a thunderstorm, her aura glowing brightly in the darkness of the surrounding dungeon as each one took less time than the one before. She was growing confident with the spell and each one rose healed, but sore. Half way through a commotion in the passageway they had entered by caught her attention and she looked up in time to see Ozeki swing the hidden door closed with audible curses from Inuyasha.

 

“They found the secret,” Ozeki warned the others looking for a way to secure the door closed.

 

“Damn it!” Inuyasha swore his fingers opening and closing in thin air. “I need Tetsusaiga back.”

 

“They're coming this way too!” Kuro shouted as he peered through the small barred window of the dungeon's wooden door.

 

“Keep going Lady Kagome, we'll hold them off.” Kisho ordered drawing the sword and readying to engage the enemy if they got through the door.

 

Kagome hurried as the sounds of the approaching guards outside echoed through the dungeon. Her mind blocked out the noises as she broke the chains. Only when she reached the last prisoner did she hesitate.

 

“Kami,” she breathed in horror as she sank to her knees. Her hands traveled carefully over the exposed chest of the young lion demon desperately searching for any signs of life. His injuries were the worst she had seen yet and she felt her stomach rebel forcefully at the sight of his torn and bloodied body.

 

The clawed tips of his fingers had been burned, while deep marks were seared into the tan skin over his chest and legs. Large gashes traveled down his side exposing several glistening ribs. His breathing was shallow, yet he hung on by a thread fighting for his life even as an infection coursed through his veins. It was slowly killing him and even now Kagome doubted he was strong enough to withstand her miko powers. Even healing him might kill him quicker than the poisons were.

 

“Kuro!” Kagome yelled, fighting back the tears at the horror she was witnessing. “Kuro I need you to help me!”

 

The lion was at her side in an instant letting one of the freed prisoners take his place at the doorway. His clawed hands gripping the young miko's in a vice like hold that was almost painful.

 

“Why do you hesitate to free my son?” he demanded staring in her glistening eyes. What he saw made him catch his breath. Rage burned behind the glistening of tears, pooling like liquid fire around some other emotion too strong for him to identify. For a single moment he thought that he had inspired the rage when realization dawned on him. The extent of his son's injuries had angered her, a righteous fury that spoke of retribution.

 

He also saw a deep sadness in her eyes as Kagome bowed her head, a single shining tear sliding from beneath her closed lids. She didn't even attempt to pull away from him even though he was crushing her hands.

 

“He's to weak to withstand my powers. Even healing him would only succeed in killing him faster.” She whispered sadly, trying not to cry over the pain she knew the noble youkai might never allow anyone see.

 

Stunned, Kuro looked over at his son, he had seen the injuries when the chain refused to break and knew that it might be impossible to save the cub. Now he got a good look at what she was talking about and felt his heart fall, hope withering away at the prospect of allowing his only offspring to perish here in the filthy bowels of his enemies holdings. He was about to pull his hands away from the miko's when her firm grip stopped him. Her brightly shining eyes looking deep into his: though she was his enemy he saw in those eyes the desire to help him.

 

“You must help me save him,” She whispered holding tightly to his hands even though her own hurt from his earlier grip. “Only your youkai will heal him where I can not.”

 

“What must I do?” Kuro heard himself asking even before he could understand her words.

 

“Understand that you must fight for him, you must guard his life with your own and you must fight the impulse to kill me even though it will pain you extremely.” Kagome told him her eyes never looking away. “You must trust me.”

 

“Whatever it takes.” Kuro said as she released him.

 

Behind them the others were barricading the doors as best they could, while outside the shouts and banging could be heard as the soldiers tried to get in. The others strained to hold the dungeon door closed.

 

“Hurry Mama, the door won't hold much longer!” Shippo cried, shoving his shoulder against the door along with the others.

 

“Hold him,” Kagome instructed moving out of Kuro's way. She gave him enough space to allow him to gather the limp body in his arms adjusting so that his chains did not pull against the extensive injuries. Once he was settled, he felt two small hands pull his haori open enough to plunge inside, the feather like movements coming to rest against his skin.

 

“Ready?”

 

“Do it,” Kuro growled his eyes sliding closed even as her small weight came to rest against his back.

 

The others watched in anticipation as Kagome knelt behind Kuro, her body resting against his for support. After a moment her pink aura surrounded her and Kuro's red youkai surged up to meet hers. To all who watched it seemed as if the two auras fought for a brief second before Kagome's reached out and surrounded Kuro's then shoved it hard toward the son he held so tenderly.

 

Only Kisho noticed the faint blue glow that came from between the two, a matching blue light barely shone from her sword's sheath. The blue spread between the two auras and swept downward toward the cub along with the other two. Kisho's senses allowed him to see this because he was sensitive to any magic, just like he had known the well had transported someone into his world. Now as he looked at Kagome, he knew without a doubt that she had been the one to emerge, the powerful presence he had scented on the air that day. This only brought more questions to mind, ones he planned on asking her about once they got out of this mission.

 

Even now the rotten wood of the door was threatening to give way under the soldiers assault. Once that did, they would all be too busy fighting for their lives to think about the future and that was something Kisho was determined to see. He and the others turned away from the two figures crouched in the back of the room toward the door, ready for anything.

 

Kagome felt as if she were on fire, her powers strengthening Kuro's aura with her healing even as she sent it down into the still form of his son. She felt Kuro struggle to dominate his inner beast even as she fought to keep from purifying him. She felt their powers merge, swirling around each other in an angry spiral that twisted and turned much like circling animals before attacking each other.

 

Just as she thought she was going to lose control, she felt a cool sensation travel the length of her spine giving her strength she never knew she had. It spread outward, coming between the two powers like a conductor, siphoning hers into the enraged youkai. She felt the powers merge and rush down into his son and she felt the cub's response immediately.

 

At first his spirit was weak, but grew in strength steadily. His heartbeat synchronizing both hers and Kuro's with his until his heart could beat on its own. Even with her eyes closed tightly, Kagome knew the moment the boy opened his eyes, knew when the chains feel away and heard the door of the dungeon splinter inward.

 

The next few seconds passed in a blur of motion for the woman as her spirit felt Kuro's anger, felt the rush of adrenaline that went through his son's body and her own rage mingle with Kuro's. Kagome pulled away, letting her power flow back into her body like water, her sword being drawn as she stepped away from Kuro and his son.

 

She knew that Kuro would need to catch his wind after the merging, she could do with a rest herself, but she stood ready to protect them with her life. In an instant the dungeon filled with soldiers ready to kill each of them, pushing her companions back toward her as they fought the oncoming demons.

 

Kagome's own blade met the downward slice of one sword, pulled away to thrust her glowing blade into the stunned youkai's belly, her purifying powers pouring into the unsuspecting creature. She didn't even take time to see what she had fought against as she stepped around the falling demon to block another soldier intent on getting to Kuro.

Three more fell before the general joined the battle. He took up a position beside Kagome, while his son hung back to allow her healing to finish sealing his wounds.

 

“Time to get even,” Kagome hissed between clenched teeth her anger rising to wash over those in the room.

 

Those who did not know Kagome hesitated not understanding the onslaught of the strong emotion. The distraction was enough to give the others time to cut their way through the soldiers in the room. Together the group made their way toward the door wary of others that might be lying in wait just beyond.

 

Cautiously, Ozeki stepped through before Inuyasha shoved roughly by him. “I got to find my sword!”

 

“I want the one responsible for hurting my son,” Kuro growled as the rest of the group made their way through the door. Luckily for them, the secret door had held out the rest of the soldiers that were trapped in the caverns below.

 

The large group surrounded Kagome as they drifted through the dungeon levels. Kisho let Inuyasha lead the way toward the torture chamber in hopes that there would be weapons for the rescued prisoners. All were on alert, suspecting an ambush at every turn. When it did not come, Kisho began to get suspicious. He suspected a trap but did not know from where it would come.

 

Inuyasha led them into a room decorated with chains. Several corpses hung from some of them in various stages of decay while dried blood stained stonewalls where it had been carelessly splattered. Various devices lay scattered around several stone slabs that had restraints buried deep into them.

 

On one wall rows of weapons were stored covering from floor to ceiling. Among them Kagome instantly recognized three different swords, swords that were too powerful and noble to be cast into such a dingy display. Instantly, Inuyasha was pulling Tetsusaiga from its moorings, the dull looking katana instantly transforming into the large fang Kagome remembered from five years ago.

 

Unable to bring herself to leave Sesshomaru's swords in such poor surroundings, Kagome sheathed her own sword. Before anyone could stop her, her hands clasped around both blades and pulled them down. Instantly, Tokijin flared to life its evil spirit seeking to overwhelm the one handling it, but her pure miko aura flared calming the evil within.

 

Inuyasha was surprised that she had calmed the vile blade so easily, but had little time to think on it as several more soldiers rushed in. In the lead was the executioner brandishing a large spear ready to deal out punishment to anyone who dared get near him.

 

The room erupted in a chaotic battlefield as the unarmed prisoners scrambled to arm themselves, while the soldiers sought to kill them. Kisho studied the lay out of the room as he fought off several low-level youkai. His castle had never had a room such as this and it dawned on him that this was once the servants' bathing chamber. The natural stream that had supplied the small pools in the room had been blocked off while the tubs had been built up into the stone tables. He let his gaze roam across the walls as he pinpointed one of several hidden doors in the castle.

 

Whatever ancestor had built this place must have been either paranoid or knew what he was doing because the castle was literally littered with the secret passageways and hidden doors. Kisho didn't care which the ancestor had been but he was grateful for the design because now it came in handy. Signaling to the others, Kisho made his way toward the wall.

 

Ozeki plowed his way through the low-levels to stand before Kisho buying him the time he needed to find the mechanics that opened the doorway. When the door finally sprung open, Kisho looked back to see Ozeki standing with Kagome and the two lions as they worked to keep the men away from him.

 

A swift thrust of Kuro's blade dropped the pig youkai who had tortured his son just as Kisho pulled Kagome through the open doorway. Swiftly they filed inside, Tatsu felling the last man as he dashed through the open door. Once everyone was in, Kisho secured the door and directed them through the twisting maze of tunnels and passageways that doubled back into the great cavern where they had entered.

 

By the time the last one tripped through the opening, the group found themselves near the hidden wagons. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the three hay wagons were untouched.

 

“They must have returned to the castle.” She heard one of the men say as if to explain the absence of the guards that had been waiting outside the dungeon doorway. Kagome didn't really care as she watched Hoben go to retrieve the horses from outside the cavern, the only thing she wanted to do was have a long soak in a hot spring and sleep for the next three days.

 

Healing Kuro's son had taken a lot out of her, followed by the ensuing fight. It had been a good day. One she hoped would stay that way. As the horses were hitched to the four wooden hay wagons, Kagome climbed in the back, snuggled securely in her son's warm embrace with Sesshomaru's swords clutched tightly against her and let the desperately needed sleep steal over her.

 

Ok sorry this took so long to get to you guys. In answer to one question ~ it usually only takes me a couple of days to get out the next chapter, but this one gave me an unusual amount of difficulty due to working a double shift this week. Hopefully it won't take long to get the next one out.

 

Thank you for all your reviews I appreciate you guys taking the time to let me know how you feel about the story. Thanks again ~ DJ