InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Tatsu's task ( Chapter 12 )

AN- Here is the next chapter for Sunset love, I will warn you that I do not know when I will be able to update again because of some personal things going on right now. So I pushed to get the next chapter to ya all. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Disclaimer- I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters but I do so love twisting their destinies to meet the demands of my twisted imagination. Do so hope they live through it…(insert evil laughter here).. hehe.. ENJOY!!!

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Chapter 12~ Tatsu's Task.

 

Kagome awoke to the comical appearance of Ozeki's swollen nose hovering several inches from her own. His intent gaze locked on hers and startled he pulled away embarrassed at being caught.

 

“I thought you'd stopped breathing,” Ozeki stammered out the simple explanation without looking directly at her. It gave Kagome the impression that he was telling her only a small lie as to what he was really doing. “I wouldn't want Lord Sesshomaru killing me cause his miko died under my watch.”

 

“I am not his miko,” Kagome replied forcefully while trying to sit up. Instantly, calloused hands shot out to help her and Ozeki's gentleness took her by surprise. Startled sapphire looked up to meet ebony and Ozeki gave her a lopsided, boyish grin.

 

“What? You won fair-n-square,” He gave a short deep bark of laughter that had the woman grinning up at him. Carefully, he helped her from the bed and then removed his hands quickly as she found her footing.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru wishes to see you,” Ozeki told her, settling back into his normal scowl. “Your friends are with him and Lord Inuyasha is quite angry with you.”

 

“That's nothing new,” Kagome rolled her eyes in exasperation. “He's always mad at me for something or another.”

 

“You've known Lord Inuyasha for a while now?” Ozeki asked, easily falling into step beside the young miko as they let the safety of the healer's tent into the darkness of night.

 

“Yeah,” Kagome replied softly. Sensing her reluctance to talk about it, Ozeki let the matter drop and the two continued on in peaceful silence until they reached the lord's study.

 

Before she had a chance to knock, the doors were flung open and she found herself once again crushed to a red clad chest.

 

“You had us worried!” his voice vibrated through his body and sent a wave of memories over Kagome, memories that were better left to the past. “Don't go doing that again.”

 

“I'm fine, Inuyasha.” Kagome laughed nervously pushing her friend away. She looked up at him with her best smile, trying to hide the uneasiness that was slowly creeping into her soul.

 

Inuyasha was never this protective of her when they were traveling together. What was wrong with him, she wondered, to cause him to act this way? Could it be that he missed her or that something was going on that she didn't know about?

 

Inuyasha looked down at her for a long moment and she shifted uncomfortably under his intense gaze. His gaze narrowed in thought before he sighed and stepped away from her.

 

“We need to talk,” Inuyasha stated in an eerily calm voice that sent a chill down Kagome's spine. His golden eyes drifted behind her where Ozeki stood watching the exchange intently. “Meet me in the gardens tomorrow night.”

 

 

“Okay, Inuyasha,” Kagome agreed quickly. Maybe she'd be able to find out what was wrong once she'd spoken with him.

 

His clawed hand came up to gently caress her right cheek, his golden gaze softening. “Just be really careful.”

 

“I will,” Kagome nodded heading into the room as he moved out of the way. Ozeki followed her inside with Inuyasha striding in behind them to lean against the back wall.

 

Inside her friends had gathered so they could discuss what the shadow demon might be after. Kagome recounted its attack and explained everything she had felt from the demon.

 

They talked until the moon was high I n the night sky before retiring to their sleeping quarters. Ozeki had escorted a sleepy Kagome to her rooms and left her with a promise of returning early the next morning.

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Scales glistened with the iridescence of gray jewels that not many had lived to see as the large dragon basked in the noonday sun. Closed eyes, soft breathing and relaxed wings gave him the appearance of one asleep but those foolish enough to test the theory soon found themselves in mortal danger.

 

The great dragon lord was countless centuries old and wished only for the serenity of a high mountain ledged warmed by the sun and to be left alone. But he had many duties to fulfill and he was not one to be lax in his responsibilities.

 

When he had been much younger, Tatsu had journeyed here from a distant land in search of adventure and he had found it in the high mountains of the Japanese lands. There he sought the approval of the many different species of youkai, quickly making a place for himself amongst their courts or during the various battles that would erupt between races. He had ruled as a great Taiyoukai for a century or so before becoming bored with everything that was expected of one so powerful.

 

It had been then that Lord Sesshomaru's ancestors had come to power in the Western Lands. The great Inu lord of the time had been one bound by honor and sought to protect all under his rule, even the humans were treated as though they mattered instead of being turned to slaves as many of the ruling youkai lords had sought to do. Intrigued, Tatsu had arrived to greet the young lord.

 

He had liked the silver-haired demon the moment he'd met him and something had drawn him to swear allegiance to the Taiyoukai. That had been more than a dozen centuries ago and Tatsu could no longer remember the in-youkai's name.

 

Tatsu had kept to his pledge, protecting and guiding the family line every since and watching as each new Taiyoukai took his rightful place in the Western Lands. Oh, it hadn't always been easy and there were a few that Tatsu had found to be a disgrace to those that had come before. There would always be a few bad ones, but he thanked all the gods that they were few and far between.

 

Always refusing to serve under the evil ones, Tatsu would return when a new lord took control to see if they would be any better. That was how he'd come to be acquainted with Sesshomaru's grandfather and father. Sesshomaru's father had not even been more than three years of age when Tatsu had once again taken up residence at the Inu-youkai's court.

 

Sesshomaru reminded Tatsu of his grandfather, the cold expressions, the aura of power, everything about him screamed that the young lord was his grandfather's child. Now, his younger brother, Inuyasha, reminded the great dragon of the boys' father, even in the way he displayed him emotions and were drawn to the humans.

 

Tatsu sighed heavily trying to push away the long dead memories of two great demons in favor of trying to solve the task at hand. The prior day's events had worn on his nerves greatly with the bustling festival, the attack on Kagome, and the resulting search. No trace had been found of the offender and it angered Tatsu that such a vile creature had found it so easy to attack such a pure miko within his lord's holdings. There was no dismissing the fact that the young woman must poise some kind of threat that she would be attacked so quickly.

 

Tatsu sighed again as he felt two powerful presences enter the forest below. He could feel their movements as clearly as one would feel the wind on the face yet he was unable to tell what the powers belonged to. It could be friend or foe and he wouldn't know until they stepped into the clearing where he could see them. He hoped they were just two youkai passing through and would not disturb his solitude.

 

Groaning, the great dragon tucked his nose under his right wing in hopes that whoever it was would just leave him to his contemplations and that it was not his lord's servants being sent to fetch him for another attack.

 

It was no secret that he came to this isolated spot whenever he needed to think, and right now Tatsu had to come up with a way to safe guard the fiery young miko from their enemies. It had been a task that Lord Sesshomaru had entrusted him with.

 

A toothy grin pulled at his lips as he thought about the stubborn young miko and his emotionally distant young lord. The two danced around one another as if they were too afraid to get too close, yet neither seemed to realize it. The slight attraction was plain enough for even the dimwitted to see.

 

The woman definitely held some effect over Sesshomaru and many of those she had come across. Even he had felt the effects of being in her company and against his wishes, Tatsu had found himself becoming quite fond of Kagome even though he too harbored hatred toward the filthy human race of this age.

 

Momentarily, forgetting those traveling his forest, Tatsu turned his thoughts fully to the strange young woman. Everyone believed she was human and with good reason too. She looked human, acted like a human, even dressed like they did with exception to the odd clothing she had brought with her, but her scent was like no other human he had come across in his many travels.

 

Kagome's scent was that of an ancient forest in full bloom, the sweet aromas of a thousand different flowers blooming amongst lush greenery. Her powers, when they surfaced, coated the air with the scent of a thunderstorm. A scent that always reminded him of the cleansing powers of nature.

 

The woman was powerful too, almost as powerful as the great Midoriko, yet Kagome had not yet shown the full extent of them, which led Tatsu to believe she still had much to learn. He saw great potential in her but she would need someone other than the demon miko, Kikyo to bring out that hidden well of energy.

 

Other things led the dragon to believe that Kagome was more than she let on, things he had noticed on their journey to rescue the captives.

 

The first had been when they rested after the long march the night the rescue party had set out. She had studied him passively, her eyes portraying every emotion she felt in those brief moments when they eyes had met and it humbled him.

 

Deep within those eyes he had seen her anger toward any who dared harm her friends, concern for those she traveled with, respect for all of them and a sadness he couldn't quite put his finger on. The one thing he did not find was a trace of the fear most human's displayed when traveling with powerful youkai. He understood she had been the one to aid in Naraku's defeat but still that did not explain her lack of fear toward demons.

 

Humans were inherently afraid of those stronger than they were and sought to avoid it or destroy it. Even his human allies, men and women he'd known since their birth tried to hide the fear that took hold every time he was near even though they knew he would never harm them. It was in human nature to do so, yet this slip of a woman did not exhibit anything of the sort. She held a respect for their power and strength, but that was it. Fear was not present anywhere in her unless it was for something she could not control. The attack had placed fear in her, yet it was a fear of the unknown and not of the demon itself.

 

The second thing had been when she had hesitated in healing Kuro's son. It had not stemmed from any hatred or disgust for youkai kind, instead she had feared for the cub's life, begging the general for aid and leaving the decision up to him. Once Kuro had given his consent to aid her, Kagome had instantly used her powers to control the lion's in order to heal Yasuo without fear for her own safety. Kagome had understood the risk and had not stopped to contemplate it in the face of the boy's injuries. Her quick actions had won the respect of many present; even Kuro's hatred of humans had lessened toward her.

 

She had a way of winning over even the most hardened of youkai and it surprised him that everyone in their group had taken a liking to the young miko, even if she was their sworn enemy. Kagome just had a knack of making peace with those around her.

 

Another thing that set his intuition off was the fact that she reminded him of a very young Kisho. Strong willed, stubborn as the day was long and bent on getting her way anytime she could but knew very well when to give way to something greater than her own needs. Lord Kisho was a lot like that when he was younger and then there was the unusual resemblance the two had to one another. If Tatsu didn't know any better, he would swear they were somehow related, yet that would be impossible if the girl were really a human.

 

Tatsu knew that he was not the only one to have noticed it either; he had over heard the kitsune twins speaking about it on their way to protect the Western Borders from the continuing raids. Sesshomaru also had over heard though he did not say anything, the slightest narrowing of his eyes had told the dragon that he too had noticed the resemblance.

 

Kisho had been with them as well and if he had heard he didn't let on, but Tatsu had noticed a far off look form in the golden eyes that stared off into the distance. Whatever was going on was a mystery too everyone there and Tatsu was drawn to find the answers out somehow. Answers only the young miko seemed to hold.

 

The last thing he had noticed was the fact that she had held her own against Ozeki in the challenge. She had not been allowed to use her powers yet she had won over the bear after a hard fought battle. Her strength and speed had surprised many watching, yet her own friends had not seemed to notice how well she was doing. It had been Inuyasha's attempt at protecting the girl that had distracted her long enough for Ozeki to get in a good blow. In the end she had outsmarted the bear, winning by knocking him unconscious. Everyone had been surprised not to mention those upset at losing their money over a human woman.

 

That had been a funny site, the woman winning against a giant bear while many other youkai stood stunned at the sure bet. Tatsu had been tempted to laugh in their faces when she'd been declared the victor.

 

Speaking of which, Tatsu wondered what she would do with Ozeki now that she was his mistress for two whole weeks. He knew that she would be respectable in her demands, not like so many others would but it struck him as unusual that the bear would be so willing to put himself up like that if there was not some sort of respect there. After all Ozeki hated anything that had to do with humans, yet like everyone else, the great bear had fallen under Kagome's spell.

 

Tatsu shook his head to clear it, these lines of thought were getting him no where in discovering a means to protect the woman form the outside forces. The question was how was he going to be able to do it without Kagome becoming angry?

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“Are you sure about this?” Ozeki's growl of disapproval startled the woman walking beside him. She had insisted that they seek out the dragon lord and request that he teach them. Ozeki had disapproved of the entire idea, knowing that Tatsu did not train anyone. He hated to disrupt the dragon's solitude for one of her harebrained schemes. The woman was unmoving though and he had sworn to obey her for the next two weeks, not one of his best ideas.

 

“I'm positive, Ozeki,” Kagome grinned up at him; she knew that her demand had taken the bear by surprise, but there was no stopping her now. She'd conquered one by winning his services in hopes that she would make a friend in the bear, now she had to convince the dragon to teach her. Kagome was determined to take the bear on the long road ahead as well, demanding that he give into being trained by the great dragon if they could convince him to do so.

 

“Lord Tatsu don't train anyone, many have asked him but he always refuses. Even killed a few who didn't want to take no for an answer.” Ozeki coldly informed her. He really liked living and didn't want to see it come to an end all because a slip of a human had won the right to command him. “Besides, I do not have to do anything that would lead to bodily injury. The rules were quite clear on that.”

 

“Oh come on,” Kagome grinned up at him, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief and amusement. “Don't tell me the great General Ozeki is afraid to speak to Lord Tatsu?”

 

“I'm not afraid!” He snorted, his nose climbing slightly higher in the air at the though of her questioning his abilities. “I just value my life.”

 

“I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.” Kagome giggled at his display of arrogance. “Tatsu won't kill us, we're suppose to be his allies. Besides what harm is there in asking?”

 

“He could kill us in a heartbeat.” Ozeki pointed out looking back down at her seriously. He wanted her to know just what she was trying to get herself into. “He doesn't like to be disturbed especially by someone who wants to con him into doing something he refuses to do.”

 

“Well, I'm not going to con him into anything.” Kagome replied her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword as she stared off toward the distant bramble. Something was tingling just at the edge of her senses and she didn't like it. It was not Tatsu's aura that she was feeling and a shiver of apprehension ran the length of her spine.

 

“You feel that?” Ozeki tensed beside her, pulling the heavy hammer from his belt. He took a few steps forward, positioning himself protectively just in front of her. Sesshomaru had commanded him to take great care of the young miko while he was in her service and Ozeki intended to keep his life.

 

“Yeah,” Kagome replied drawing her sword. The sensation was drawing closer, circling around them with a wary hesitation to it that had Kagome's back firmly against Ozeki's. “There appears to be more than one of whatever it is.”

 

“Let them come.” Ozeki's reply sent another chill down her spine as the two readied themselves for whatever was coming their way.

 

The did not have long to wait as several snake youkai slithered their way out of the bushes. Four in all from what Kagome could see, their eyes gleaming with some unknown power that set the hair on her neck on ends. The first lunged forward striking out at Kagome as the other's attempted to get around the bear in order to get at her better.

 

Ozeki knew instantly that the attack was meant only for the miko at his back as his hammer crashed down on one snake's head killing it instantly. These low-level demons would be no match for him or the miko but something was strange about the way their power fluctuated as though there were something else in control of their actions.

 

Kagome's sword flared with her power as the blade sliced through one snake's extended body as easily as if it were paper. The momentum carried her farther from Ozeki then she'd intended and instantly three more snake youkai materialized from no where to surround her.

 

Twisting through several attacks, Kagome could see that more had arrived and were busying trying to draw the bear away from where she was. One copper colored serpent reared up to strike at his exposed back and she felt a deep fear for him steal over her.

 

“Ozeki watch out!” She screamed in time for the bear to easily dodge the surprise attack, but the hesitation left her exposed to another attack. The large head striking her in the stomach sending the winded girl sliding backward to hit against a large tree where a second snake too advantage of the situation to coil his long body around both her and the tree effectively trapping the girl.

 

Kagome coughed as the breath was being crushed from her, her ribs threatening to crumble under the extreme pressure. The golden scales of the snake cutting deeply into her exposed skin and the long flickering tongue continually struck the side of her face giving her the impression that the demon was tasting her delicate skin.

 

“Eww,” Kagome struggled vainly to free herself from the coils while trying to draw her face away. “Get off of me!”

 

“Kagome!” Ozeki yelled fighting his way through the increasing number of snakes. They converged on him, determined to keep the bear from the miko and several had coiled around his body to keep him away. He struggled, his power fluxed and the worry of not being able to reach the miko in time lent him the added strength that he needed to forcefully untangle himself from the wiggling mass of snakes, but his process was slowed by the others that swarmed over him the moment he got free.

 

Kagome began to feel dizzy as her breathing became labored. Bright spots of light danced before her eyes as her lids drifted shut of their own accord. Suddenly she felt something surge through her as her fear for the bear's life deepened, her own life forgotten while the sounds of his struggle rang in her ears.

 

She forced her eyes open and stared at the snake holding her with a loathing that brought a tremble of fear coursing along the serpentine body. Her eyes glowed a deep pink, swirls of blue light drifted lazily in their depths and the pendant, unnoticed, began to glow with the same color.

 

“Ozeki!” Kagome screamed her powers rushing out of her slender body to connect with the snake holding her. A flash of terror ran through its eyes a second before it was purified under her assault. The wave continued outward, seeking out those who dared attack her friend and Ozeki watched in astonishment as the tendrils of power swept toward him. Instinctively he threw the snakes from his body, lunging for the safety of the ground.

 

All around him, snake demons exploded in purified dust as the tendrils emanating from the girl sought each of them out. Several dipped down to caress him tenderly and to his surprise he did not feel the biting aura of purifying magic instead it felt as though they were seeking out any injuries he might have sustained. It was calming, but he knew if he moved suddenly it might quickly change.

 

Looking over at where he had last seen Kagome, he watched in awe as her powers began to withdraw back into that slender frame. Her eyes were rolled up so only the whites were exposed, her arms thrown wide. Her ebony locks blow around her under the currents and when they subsided, the girl fell to the ground in an unconscious heap.

 

Certain that he could move, Ozeki cautiously made his way to where the woman lay. Her eyes were closed and she had a peaceful look on her face, but her breathing was still labored and the bear worried that she might not make it.

 

Fearing the worst, he scooped the woman up into his arms and raced to where he believed Tatsu to be. The dragon lord was sure to know what to do.

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Tatsu had felt the power in the air and risen immediately to investigate the occurrence. It had come from the direction that the intruders had been in. Shifting from his demon form had been done quickly, his large sword once more strapped to his back as he took off in the direction.

 

It had taken him longer than he'd wished to reach the bottom of the mountain where the forest began and a nagging sensation at the back of his mind kept him in a dead long run. Someone had dared defile the sanctity of his forest and whoever it was would pay dearly.

 

“Ozeki!” The woman's voice pierced the silence of the forest and instantly Tatsu knew who traveled his lands. There was fear and anger in that soft voice that sent his pulse racing. Kagome was in trouble once again and he had not been there to protect the young woman. How much trouble could one child get into in two days? He had to ask himself but when he spotted Ozeki crashing through the forest cradling an unconscious miko in his arms, all thoughts fled in light of worry.

 

Spotting the dragon lord, Ozeki hurriedly told him everything that happened and why they had been in the forest in the first place. Tatsu listened with deepening interest while he looked over the woman for any signs of injury.

 

She had already bore bruising from the previous day's events and some minor scratches, but the bruising was becoming darker and covering a large area of her delicate skin. Long marks led down into the folds of her clothing, hidden from his sight and her shallow breathing worried him.

 

“The castle healers will know what must be done with the child,” Tatsu told the worried bear, gently taking the woman in his arms. At first Ozeki wanted to protest but a stern look from the dragon told him it would be useless. “Travel on ahead and inform the lord of what has transpired, ye can travel swifter without her added weight. I shall tend the young one until the healers have a look at her.”

 

Ozeki nodded as he turned away to head toward the castle at a rate of speed that surprised the dragon. Apparently the bear could travel quickly when the need arose.

 

Tatsu carried the miko carefully as he choice an easier path to the castle. He wanted the opportunity to study the young woman while she was in his care. Even at rest he could see the resemblance to the Northern Lord and feel her power radiating off her.

 

Traveling at an easy pace that would not further injure the woman, Tatsu was surprised when her eyes fluttered tiredly open. She looked up into his face, smiled softly before snuggling closer to him as her eyes drifted shut. Her breathing evened out then, becoming stronger and Tatsu knew she would be just fine. He let out his own breath in a deep sigh of relief, but when her eyes snapped open again a few moments later he could see a worried look deep within those blue jewels.

 

“Where's Ozeki? Is he all right? Did the snakes get him?” she rambled on trying to twist around enough in his arms to look for the bear.

 

“Calm yerself, child,” Tatsu soothed her, “The oaf be well. He went ahead to inform the lord of what occurred.”

 

“Oh,” Kagome sighed, laying her head back against his chest with a weary thud. It brought a smile to his face that he tried unsuccessfully to hide. The young one's display of total trust was endearing even to one as ancient as he.

 

“Lord Tatsu?” Kagome's tired voice drifted up to him and he looked down to see that she still had her eyes closed.

 

“What is ye wish, daughter?” It felt right to Tatsu to use the honorary title given to those who'd won a place in his heart. For that is exactly what he was feeling toward the girl, a grandfatherly love that would have surprised him had it been any other than the woman he now held. He held the same fondness for the two Taiyoukai, Sesshomaru and Kisho, but with them Tatsu had had the pleasure of watching as young pups grew into great demons. Kagome was different in a way that Tatsu could not put his name on.

 

“Could you train me and Ozeki? Please,” Kagome sighed softly, the edges of sleep lingering in her voice.

 

“I not be training anyone, child,” Tatsu told her trying to sound as though he did not care what she was saying. Inside his mind screamed at him to take her up on the offer, telling him it was a way to insure that these continued attacks on her life be stalled.

 

“If you don't you'll never get rid of me,” Kagome yawned burying her face in his broad chest as she fought to stay awake long enough to convince him of the urgency of her need. “I'll follow you until you say yes.”

 

“Why do ye not think I will simply remove ye from existence if yer pestering becomes too great?” He asked her amused at the fiery will displayed in her attempts to fight off the unconsciousness. She was determined; he'd give the woman that.

 

“Because you're not like that.” Kagome yawned again, her body becoming more relaxed in his embrace. “Because you see beyond what other see.”

 

“Ahh, so ye be right,” He grinned knowing the girl could not see it with her eyes closed. “I shall train ye, but be warned it shall not be an easy task.”

 

“Nothing worthwhile ever is,” Kagome sighed, falling back into a peaceful, healing sleep.

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Tanaka once more stooped low before her master's throne but this time she had allowed the messenger to live. The young boar knelt beside her, his terror scenting the air around them calling to her predatory blood.

 

He had relayed Iyashii's message perfectly and they waited for the master to say something in response. The entire time the master had sat perfectly still, his face hidden by the shadows of his dark chamber.

 

“Tanaka,” her master's deep voice held a promise to it that brought a smile to her face. “The boar is yours,”

 

A squeal of fear broke from the grizzled boar a second before Tanaka's sharp claws dug a deep gash across his throat effectively silencing the creature. Fangs sank into the back of his neck pulling the shaking body to the ground. While Tanaka bent to her feast, her master's laughter rang through out the castle.

 

“So Iyashii believes the shadow demon is one of my own,” the rustle of soft silk brought Tanaka's eyes up to her master. He had stood and was looking through the boarded up windows at some distant place she knew was not just beyond the windows. It was more of a time when they had all been in service to another master.

 

“It has been too long brother Kage,” her master's soft words did not go unnoticed and her black ears perked forward to listen better. He turned from the window, pinning his pet with the intensity of her gaze and Tanaka could not help but shrink back under that gaze.

 

“If Kage wishes the miko dead then surely she must have some trace of Midoriko in her,” he spat out the miko's name as if it were poison. “Send Sora to inform Iyashii that he is on his own where Kage is concerned. I will have no part in attempting to sway my brother's attentions away from his intended prey.”

 

“Yes master,” Tanaka bowed her way out of the room to hurriedly do as she was bidding. There was something in the way he looked at her after hearing of his brother's return that did not sit well with her and she only wished to be away. Once her task was finished, then she would be required to return to her kill but right now she was glad to be away.

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Sesshomaru received the news of a second attack on the woman with mixed emotions. He carefully hid away the emotions from those around him even as he hurried from the castle to meet the dragon that carried her.

 

He found her battered form lighter than he remembered when he carefully took her sleeping form from Tatsu and returned to the castle. Sesshomaru looked down at her in wonder at her trust in the youkai she had spoken so highly of.

 

Kagome had confided in him the pull she'd felt toward Tatsu and Ozeki and then let him draw his own conclusions in the following silence. Her instincts had proven their worth many years ago when they had traveled to find the jewel shards, yet even now he found himself trusting them with a certainty that was so out of his character.

 

“What happened?” He heard a familiar voice ask him before footsteps joined with the small group on their return to the castle. Sesshomaru looked over to see the blonde haired inu-youkai that Kagome had taken to spending time with, Iyashii.

 

“The miko was attacked again.” Sesshomaru told him, careful to not let the other see any form of emotion.

 

“What?” Iyashii's growl of outrage startled the young lord and he sent him a scathing glare.

 

“Control yourself,” Sesshomaru warned him before walking away followed by Tatsu and Ozeki, leaving an angered Iyashii to stand alone outside the castle walls.

 

Sesshomaru carefully placed Kagome on her bed and sat down heavily beside the woman to await the healer's arrival. He had sent the others from the room wanting only for the woman to gain some rest.

 

Sharp-clawed fingers reached out to gently brush away the strand of hair that had fallen into the woman's face. At rest, the miko was even more beautiful than he remembered and it irritated him that he felt drawn to a human. He refused to allow himself be drawn into the same trap that his father and brother had been led into. Inuyasha had been granted redemption though when this slip of a woman had wished for his mate to become a demon priestess.

 

Kagome was always one to forgive, her heart worn on her sleeve for the entire world to see yet she always bounced back from whatever heartbreak she experienced. Time and again Sesshomaru had watched her from the shadows as she cried over something the irrational hanyou had done to her. She had loved his brother than, giving him up so that he might pursue his love of the dead miko, while silently bearing the heartache it caused her.

 

Sesshomaru had watched as she had made the wish that sealed her fate and saw that she had come to an understanding of the love she felt toward Inuyasha. A love that had shown in those bright jewels that looked back at them from the swirling mists of power that had engulfed her tiny frame.

 

He, like his brother, had been tempted to grab a hold of the woman, to keep her there with them and never let her go, a temptation he had fought to suppress. She had come to mean something to him, yet even now he did not understand just how deeply his feelings toward her went.

 

Sesshomaru remembered the way she had looked at him just before the power whisked her away to some untold future. For days after that his brother had sulked wanting nothing to do with anyone, only Kikyo had been able to console the upset demon over the loss of his best friend.

 

The monk had erected a small roadside shrine in her memory and Sesshomaru had caught word that the small group would travel to the area many times over the course of the ten years in her absence. He too had gone there wishing only to find her there, yet each time he went he had felt nothing.

 

There was no way he would allow this creature to know he felt anything toward her, but deep within his soul he was overjoyed at her return. Now something threatened to take her away from him again, someone who wished to permanently remove the woman from the world and the thought angered him.

 

How could anyone wish harm on one as sweet and loving as Kagome was? Given the chance the irritating woman would conquer their enemies with her loving ways and incessant babbling. They would probably fall quickly too; there was no denying her ability to sooth anyone near her.

 

Sesshomaru sighed his fingers gently tracing her cheek, his golden eyes softened under the assault of the memories and he wished once again they had met under different circumstances. A wish he'd had many times over the past few years.

 

A small pressure on his wrist startled the young lord as he found her hand gently gripping it. Her feather light touch sending a sensation of pleasure racing toward him and he looked expectantly to her face.

 

Her eyes remained closed a tender smile on her face and Sesshomaru knew that she was caught up in a dream that pleased her. She tugged causing his hand to cup her cheek in an almost loving manner and he watched in amazement as she snuggled into his touch. A soft sigh escaped her and she relaxed even more than he thought was possible.

 

“Please stay,” She mumbled in her sleep, her grip tightening around his wrist in an attempt to keep whoever she was dreaming about to stay with her.

 

Sesshomaru felt his heart lurch at that soft request, wishing that he were the one she dreamt of but knew it was not possible. Gentle he tore his arm free and stood just before the healer strode through Kagome's bedroom door.

 

Leaving her to the care of the ancient woman, Sesshomaru left the room with the excuse of having other matters too. He had to control these unfamiliar emotions before everyone knew just how he felt toward the human miko. One who was his sworn enemy just by her powers alone, and the one he desired even in his dreams but could never have. The fates would not allow such a union.

 

He had to do something that would drive the woman from his mind, so that he could concentrate on the battle ahead. The war was just beginning and already someone was beginning to find his weak points without even knowing it and that was something he could not allow to happen.

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Well the plot thickens..lol.. and we've been given some insight as to what Sess feels for our beloved kag. Poor guy's determined isn't he?..

 

Ayeka Penor ~ Thank you for letting me know the difference between the two words… conquer was really stumping me there for the longest time and I cannot thank you enough for letting me know the difference. I couldn't even find it in a dictionary because I completely forgot about the q!..lol.. I am terrible at spelling.. :)

 

Demonqueen~ Sorry hun, Shippo and Rin feel only a family love for one another.. but I do have other things in store for those two that will seal the brother/sister relationship.

 

Rin14~ Calm yerself hun, you want to know my secret?.. well its simple I know a great story takes time, to reread and correct what you can. Even rewrite it if need be. I'm kinda bad about doing it but given the time I like to submit something worth yer while in reading..lol.. so slow and steady as needed. (besides being sick really takes the inspiration out of a person.) Sorry it took so long, but I can make no promises in the future chappies.

 

Ninja-Wizards~ I hope this chapter answered yer question.

 

Ryuuko-chan ~ Kagome doesn't really know who's in her dreams because she can never see his face, but she's slowly coming around…:)

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I have started an update list for anyone who is interested in being notified when the next few chapters come along. Just give me permission and an email address you'd like me to mail it too and I will gladly let ya all know when I update.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it and thank each and every one of you for yer continuing support of my writing. It is because of yer interest and wonderful encouragement that I am able to continue this story. I appreciate the time you have given me. :)

 

Much Love~ DJ