InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Fateful Encounter ( Chapter 20 )

A/N - I rushed to get this chapter out to all of you instead of making you wait until April. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Disclaimer - Sadly I do not own Inuyasha… I am just borrowing them for the pleasure of playing god with their lives… mwahahaha.

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Chapter 20 - Fateful Encounter

 

Hayashi scurried through the almost empty hallways of the Western Castle. His beady eyes shifted back and forth nervously as he watched for any of the Lord's servants that might happen upon him.

 

Those who did encounter the strange, balding human, believed him lost in the maze of twists and turns. A belief that he played on by seeking directions to some obscure location he knew to be in near his general surroundings.

 

The youkai servants would reluctantly give him the necessary directions then hurry on their way, casting suspicious glances back at him to see if he would take their advice. None believed the heavy set human dressed in tattered robes to be any kind of threat.

 

Hayashi stooped giving all who saw him the impression of aged weakness letting the youkai believe he was no danger to anyone but himself. Nor had he bathed since coming to the castle, allowing the foul stench mask his true scent so that no one could memorize it.

 

His lip curled in disgust at the filth covering him but knew it was needed. He had even allowed a long scraggly wisp of chin hair to grow out to complete the disguise.

He had fooled everyone in the castle with one exception, the miko had seen through the disguise, the one called Kagome.

 

She had spotted him in the war council several days ago and had told the others, Hayashi was certain of it. He knew this because the others were now being watched closely and a search for a human was still underway within the castle walls, or so the whispered rumors of servants claimed.

 

Since hearing the rumors, Hayashi had kept to the shadows, slinking along as if he were a thief.

 

Having finally explored the castle a month or so earlier, Hayashi knew every twist and turn of the sprawling castle. It was along this corridor he hoped to obtain a new disguise, one that was just as good and would keep them off his tracks at least until the miko came back.

 

Up ahead were the chambers, Sesshomaru had so graciously housed the majority of his human allies. These were the human lords and servants, though most of the lords were away, the demons' youkai servants still kept an eye on their human counter parts.

 

Hayashi planned on acquiring a new set of clothing from one of the unlucky lords or maybe a servants garb if he chose to lower himself to that level; after all they possessed the ability to pass almost unnoticed through the stately halls. It just depended on finding something that would fit him properly.

 

The tattered clothing he wore now was overly large, adding to the illusion of bulk while he kept his hands hidden in the depths of the sleeves so no one could get a close look at them.

 

Hayashi hated this appearance, hated the feeling of weakness that Kage had forced upon all of them. Originally, their had been thirteen spies placed in various positions around the Western Castle but one had been slaughtered by Kage's lover Sora when he had failed to kill off the hated miko and another had disappeared under mysterious circumstances not to long after they started being watched.

 

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Hayashi wondered if it was possible that Kagome had picked up on the potions that suppressed their powers.

 

He had been the unlucky one that had been chosen to become fully human by Kage. Once the second strongest to the shadow demon, Hayashi now could not take on even a youkai child.

 

A flurry of activity caught his attention and broke him from his thoughts and he pushed farther back into the shadows that darkened the hallway. Slinking his way forward to see what it was, he spotted a group of female servants flitting around one of the various lords' wives. They were headed away from where he hid, giggling and whispering about something or another as they went. Most likely they were headed to the baths that Sesshomaru had temporarily set up farther down the corridor.

 

Once they rounded a bend, Hayashi scurried forward to begin his search. Careful not to enter the room where they women had just left he chose from the remaining doors.

 

Methodically, Hayashi searched each room for what he needed, his frustration growing with each failure. At each new door he listened carefully for the telltale signs of life, passing by those doors that hid their occupants from his piercing gaze.

 

Finally, as fear of being caught started to set in, he found several plain grey haori and hakama that would fit him in the second to last room.

 

Taking only one set of clothing, Hayashi fled down the hall back toward his private chambers. He had already paced his few belongings in a wrap, ready for his quick escape or so he hoped anyway.

 

Encountering no one along the hall had allowed him time to finish formulating his new disguise. Once he had switched roles he would reenter the castle, be placed into the servants' quarters and try to become as invisible as possible around the castle.
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The scent surrounded him, making it almost impossible to breath and Sesshomaru found that he was fighting on his instincts alone, his eyes continually searching for its source. Then suddenly the enemy parted and there she was, her golden gaze locked with his and he felt his mind slowly become clouded.

 

Sesshomaru felt rooted to the spot, his only movement being the sway of his sword as it felled all who sought to kill him in his distraction, his eyes never leaving the seductive sway of the approaching female.

 

Those that dared attack her was thrown away by some unseen force, her eyes never straying from his captured gaze. Her approach was slow and to his surprise, Sora's body began to shift and change.

 

Sesshomaru watched in amazement as her hair darkened to deepest ebony, twin bolts of lavender flame appearing around both sides of a heart-shaped face. Her beauty was even more breathtaking then the inu-youkai she had been.

 

Her slender body filled until her curves were more luscious then before, rounded and full with a trim waist. It was the body of a goddess made to grant wild pleasures any man or demon could only dream of.

 

He knew this was truly her, Sora's real form, revealed on a whim to prove the passion she promised with each step she took.

 

Her golden eyes turned to a deep azure, desire clearly shone as they roamed freely over his captive body.

 

Sora stopped only inches from him, so close he could strike her down with a single swipe from his poisonous claws, yet Sesshomaru could not force his body to react to any threat but the soldiers who attacked them. They fell easily and even before their bodies could strike the ground desire for the youkai fired his blood and tightened his groin against his still will.

 

A strange power wrapped around them keeping any who dared approach away. Through the clouded haze of his mind, Sesshomaru could hear the curses of Kisho and his brother, their attacks united on the force that kept then from rescuing their friend.

 

Sora stepped closer, her large breast brushing against his plated chest but he felt the surge of electricity course through his veins. A growl escaped his throat as he struggled against the affect her nearness had on him. Sesshomaru knew in that instant he would be lost and fought it with all he had to no avail.

 

“Kiss me,” Sora's voice was a throaty whisper, full of the promise her body spoke of. Her face turned up to his, full lips parted with invitation and her azure eyes watched him through heavy lidded desire.

 

Slowly, as if driven, Sesshomaru lowered his head, his will shattering under her soft command.

 

“Sesshomaru, don't! You must resist her!” the voice of an angel broke through the partial haze and he strengthened his resolve. Hesitating only a few centimeters from her promise of fulfillment and the pleasure she would give to him.

 

“Do not listen, my love,” Sora's voice wrapped the haze tighter. She saw the confusion and conflict Kagome's voice had brought and sensed a moment of panic that she easily hid. “She only wishes to keep us forever apart.”

 

“Mine,” he growled casting an angry glare toward the place the miko's voice had come from, his arms possessively wrapping around Sora's slender waist and crushed her to him.

 

Gone were all traces of the stoic lord, in his place a snarling demon was left. Passion and desire had consumed him, chasing the rebelling beast and superior mind deep inside where none could reach them. His lips crushed hers in the lust induced frenzy and Sora gloated in victory.

 

“Sesshomaru, no!” Kagome's heart wrenching cry rang out a second before purifying waves struck the energy barrier keeping the others out.

 

Sora, bathed in the potion and her lips coated with a curse, pulled away from the creature left in the Western Lord's place and turned to meet the trembling miko. A smirk pulled at her lips even as Sesshomaru's arms pulled her back toward his chest to hold her in place.

 

Her head tilted to one side allowing the enchanted demon Lord to nuzzle lovingly against her slender neck. The effect was not lost on the slender girl as Sora noted the telltale shine of tears in the stormy eyes.

 

“Let him go, Sora!” Kagome's voice trembled as she felt her heart breaking even as the battlefield grew strangely silent around them.

 

“He is mine now, miko,” Sora sneered, one arm rising to wrap possessively around Sesshomaru's neck. He was growling low even as his fangs nipped lightly at the demoness' delicate skin while crimson eyes stared at the one who dare try to take Sora from him, hatred clearly evident to all. No recognition burned in those eyes and all of them knew that the Western Lord was fully under the witch's spell.

 

Behind Kagome, the others gathered, ready to attack the demoness who dared enchant their Lord. Inuyasha huffed out a string of curses, joined by Ozeki in voicing their opinion of the situations. The others were silent observing the scene from a warrior's perspective.

 

“Release him, vile sorceress,” Tatsu's voice boomed from behind Sora and Sesshomaru.

 

Sora laughed, glancing up at the demon that clung to her. “Do you wish to go to them, Sesshomaru?” Her voice dripped with honey a velvety texture that resounded through the silence of the field.

 

“Mine,” Sesshomaru growled, sounding more animalistic then human. He drew her closer and sent the others a look of warning.

 

“As you can see, my friends,” Sora stared at them smugly, “the Western Lord is now mine. It is useless to thing to free him and even in my death he shall remain mine.”

 

“What do you want?” Kisho asked barely retaining the calm he did not feel.

 

“I have what I want,” Sora laughed, “With Sesshomaru by my side I shall be unstoppable in my conquest of the world.”

 

“What!” Inuyasha yelled, “He'll never help you!”

 

“Ah, but he will, dear Inuyasha,” Sora laughed again. "He is no longer the brother you once knew.”

 

“Half-brother,” Inuyasha grumbled, sulking he backed away. He didn't like what he was seeing but could not figure a way to get Sesshomaru away from the wench.

 

“Kill these fools for me, my love.” Sora pointed to the small group and smirked. “Kill them all so we may never be separate again.”

 

As if something had snapped within him, Sesshomaru sprung into action. Growling and snarling, he lunged toward Kagome ready to kill. Only Ozeki and Inuyasha's quick interception saved her from his deadly claws.

 

“Bind him!” Kagome yelled to the others, dodging away from the onrush of the group. Enemy soldiers sensing the turn in battle sprung forward praising their good fortune and the Western army was hard pressed to defend against the onslaught.

 

In the chaos, Kagome fought her went after Sora, intent on freeing Sesshomaru from her evil spell.

 

Seeing the miko advancing on her, Sora grabbed a dead man's sword and turned to face her enemy with a sneer. “I would not attempt anything rash, bitch. He will mindlessly protect me against even you.”

 

Kagome heard the shouts of her companions' behinds her as they tried to reason with the Taiyoukai, heard the struggle to capture him, and faced Sora with even more rage then she thought possible. She had not even felt so angry when they had faced Naraku.

 

“I would rather see you dead then control him,” Kagome lunged, pink and blue sparks erupting in the air around them as their swords met.

 

They were quick but Kagome pressed Sora back away from where the others were. Her sword flashing with pink flame, Kagome fought as one possessed, causing Sora to dance away before returning the attack but she had left herself open and the miko took advantage of it. Her sword flashed in, cutting a deep gash along the demoness' side, the smell of burning flesh permeating the air around them as the purifying powers seared the wound.

 

Sora screamed in both pain and rage, redoubling her efforts only to find she could not get close to her enemy. “He is mine! You will never have him, Miko.”

 

“Nor will I allow you to keep your claim to him, Youkai,” Kagome spat in disgust. “Tell me how to lift the spell you have cast and I will allow you to live.” Her voice was cold and calculating and a distant part of her mind wondered if she had been the one to say it.

 

Sora lunged forward at Kagome's hesitation, her sword leaving a shallow cut across the miko's thigh. “There is only one way to break the spell, Miko, a way so harsh that it will destroy both of you.”

 

Kagome heard the malicious glee in the demoness' voice and inwardly cringed. It was not exactly what she was expecting to hear. “Tell me!”

 

“Never!” Sora smirked, her blade once more finding an opening. She felt its sharp edge bite through soft flesh and sinew as it sank deeply into Kagome's arm. A blast of power sent her sprawling backward, instantly killing the lesser demons she was thrown into. She knew she was getting weaker, too much energy had been expended trying to hold the form of Kage and she was beginning to fear for her life. Her scream echoed across the battlefield to be answered by a howl of rage and frustration and it told her that the demon lord was trying to get to her.

 

Before she could gain her feet, Kagome was on her, the sword sinking deep into her right shoulder as tightly controlled purification powers burned through her blood stream. She screamed again, her body feeling as if it were on fire.

 

Kagome leaned forward, driving the blade even farther, her teeth clenched tightly under the strain of controlling her powers. She wanted to purify the demoness but knew she needed to free Sesshomaru and Sora was the only one who knew how.

 

“Tell me!” she ground out, her eyes flashing to a silvery pink for only a second as she glared down at the writhing youkai.

 

Sora glared up at her with hatred, her ears trained for any hint that the Western Lord had broken free and was on his way to rescue her. Knowing that the truth would distract the woman until he could save her, she began to speak.

 

“Fine!” Sora growled, “Only you can remove the spell but at a great cost. A cost that once paid will easily destroy him!”

 

“What do you mean? What cost?” Kagome demanded, twisting the sword slightly to prove she was not in the mood to be toyed with.

 

“When I made the potion for the spell,” Sora groaned as wave after wave of pain coursed through her. “I used your blood and combined it with his hair. It causes the lust of a demon to rise turning him into a mindless slave to the caster. Without me to control him, his lust would take over; an animalistic urge to rid himself of such would drive him to attack anyone that crosses his path. I alone can control him now!”

 

Angrily, Kagome drove the blade deeper, her eyes flaming with rage. “You lie!”

 

“No!” Sora gripped the sword, struggling to be free but it was no use, she was too weak. She turned up her eyes and there was a look of triumph in them that set Kagome's nerves on edge. “I speak the truth, only by giving yourself to him, will the spell be broken, the binding of blood and hair shattered. He will take both your innocence and your life and when he comes back to himself your death will destroy him.”

 

“No,” Kagome gasped, fear and sadness combining in her eyes. Shock caused her to loosen her grip on the blade enough so Sora could rip if from her arm. Sinking to her knees the miko could only stare at her in disbelief.

 

“It is true,” Sora gloated, raising her own blade to strike the miko down. “But I shall kill you before that and insure he will never be free of my spell.”

 

Her laughter rang through the air, her blade poising to finish the strike while she had the advantage but her laughter soon changed to an exclamation of astonishment as she stared down at the sword sprouting from her chest.

 

Kagome stared up at her, her mouth drawn in a grim line of determination. “You shall never have him.” She snarled, twisting the blade deeper. Purification swept into Sora's body, tearing one last scream from burning lungs.

 

An answering scream of age filled the air as Sora's body flamed pink and began a slow disintegration, her disbelieving eyes locked with Kagome's until the last.

 

The aura continued to grow, purifying any enemy soldier within several yards of the two combatants, leaving only the Western soldiers to wonder why they too had not been destroyed in the powerful wave.

 

An eerie silence settled over the field as Kagome rose to her feet, broken only by the continued struggle of Tatsu, Kisho, Inuyasha, and Ozeki while they tried to restrain the crazed lord. Sesshomaru's howls of rage permeated the air from time to time as he struggled to be free.

 

“You should have run when you had the chance,” Kagome whispered to the wind, a glimmer of sorrow shining in her eyes. She turned to look at the Western Taiyoukai and he seemed to quiet under her intense stare.

 

Crimson eyes stared back at her with hatred and lust; a shiver ran down her spine at the thought of what she must do. There was no other choice left to her now.

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Iyashii sat staring at the cell door, his ears straining to catch the sound once again. Around him the four guards listened as well, alert to the possibility of a rescue attempt.

 

All of them had heard the distinct sounds of a scuffle outside the cell door followed by the sounds of something falling to the floor. Two things in fact, the exact number of guards positioned to guard the cell doorway.

 

This is it, he thought with reluctant amusement. Soon I shall be reunited with my mate and pup.

 

He believed the master would now want him dead and strangely Iyashii did not care. His only regret was the fact he could not take the malicious demon with him.

 

Another thud sounded from the other side of the door and Iyashii saw his guards tense, weapons at the ready for any signs of an attack. They watched with nervous anticipation as the heavy door slowly started to open. Its progression was halted only a few inches keeping the unknown assailant from view.

 

Two of the guards moved forward ready to kick the door open but when a scraping sound was heard they halted, bring their weapons higher. With almost blinding speed something was hurled into the room and shattered inches from where Iyashii sat. It had been some sort of clay pot, fragments flung in all directions as a green liquid oozed over the floor and splashed against the walls and those inside. A foul mist rose from the liquid.

 

It stung Iyashii's eyes causing them to water and he found himself coughing, fighting for the precious air that refused his lungs its life-giving essence.

 

Around him the guards were bent over from the effort, he could hear their strangled coughs and gasps as they fought to stay conscious.

 

A string of curses was the last thing Iyashii heard before slipping into the oblivion of sleep. He did not hear when his guards hit the floor or even when large hands reached out and picked him up off the floor to carry him from the small cell.

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The enemy had made a hasty retreat after witnessing the miko's powers first hand. Messengers were sent running in all directions on both sides, yet somehow Kisho was left feeling as though it were only the beginning of hard times ahead.

 

His mind pulling back to the scene he had witnessed earlier, his thoughts reeling with the significance behind it.

 

Not once did the pendent or blade's magic combine with that of Kagome's. The strength of immense power had been hers alone. He had felt certain that the artifacts would have flared to life the moment her life had become endangered, but it had not been so.

 

“Maybe they only reached to certain circumstances or perhaps she unknowingly calls upon their power at times.” Kisho mused aloud. He was beginning to believe that she had no true knowledge of either objects power.

 

“If only I could get a closer look!” Kisho's frustration showed only momentarily even though he was alone. He allowed himself to slump back against the tree, deep sadness running through him at the thought of what would happen, knowing that soon Kagome would be lost to them all.

 

She had told them everything once Sesshomaru had been secured in youki dampening irons, telling them that she was determined to attempt it even if it cost her life. The miko had stood firm against Inuyasha's screaming protests, Ozeki's demanding and bullying and even Tatsu's reassuring words of finding another solution fell on deaf ears.

 

She had easily stopped them all, one slender hand raised, her tone as calm as a midsummer's eve. Her words and determination had even brought the headstrong Inuyasha to heel.

 

“If this is the destiny that allowed me to return,” She had glared meaningfully at the ex-hanyou, “then I will accept it without fail. We do not have the luxury of time, I'm afraid, for Sora was only one we must contend with. The others will soon come upon her heels.”

 

An argument from several had gathered but quickly put to rest as she began speaking once more.

 

“My life would mean nothing if I did not attempt to save him,” She had said quietly, her eyes moving to each one present. “I cannot allow him to suffer if there is something I can do to end it. He is the one needed to defeat the armies of our enemy. Lord Sesshomaru is needed now and as soon as a suitable place is found, I shall willingly go to him. Now if you will all excuse me, I must make preparations and… and,” her voice had begun to break as tears gathered in her eyes, “say my farewells on the off chance I do not survive this.”

 

She had fled from the room, unable to look at any of them then.

 

Kisho sighed and stared up at the night sky, the beauty of it not lost to him. His mind wandered to his lost love. Kagome reminded him so much of her, the two held the same fiery determination and caring manner, the same love of life, and the same powerful presence that had nothing to do with her miko abilities and everything to do with her outgoing personality. The girl was an enigma, one that plagued his mind constantly.

 

She had spent the better part of the day consoling Inuyasha and her adopted kit Shippo, then spent time with each of the others in turn.

 

Kuro had finally returned with reinforcements and when he found out the events he had argued with the miko to no avail. Knowing the miko would not change her mind, the lion youkai had set off to find her a suitable and private spot. He was determined to make the experience as comfortable for her as possible.

 

There was a feeling of utter sadness hovering over the entire camp and Kisho found himself wishing for the enemy to return just to elevate the stifling atmosphere of the soldiers.

 

Everything would be ready for Kagome by tomorrow night, Sesshomaru already being chained to the selected cave's wall.

 

Even now the effects of the spell tore at the once proud demon lord, leaving him writhing and moaning in unfulfilled lust deep within the cavernous hold. Kisho knew if it were not for the chains that bound him, Sesshomaru may well have killed half their soldiers in his haste to satiate the driving madness.

 

None would have been spared; Kisho knew having once seen something similar along time ago.

 

A lower youkai had been gripped by a driving lust that led to the rape and slaughter of two human villages before he was destroyed by Kisho's own hand. At the time no one had understood why a once gentle and kind Kitsune would suddenly be driven to such lengths but now the northern Taiyoukai believed it had been Sora's doing, or one like her. A test perhaps of what was to come later, one he could no longer prove with her death.

 

A weary smile escaped Kisho as he rose, tomorrow would be an eventful day, one in which he would need his rest.

 

Slowly, making his way back to the encampment, a soft noise reached his ears from farther down the embankment they camped on. The smell of salt hung heavily in the area and drew him farther into the camp.

 

Curious as to what it might be, he carefully made his way through the sleeping soldiers until he stood outside Kagome's tent. Instantly he knew she was crying and the desire to comfort her gripped his heart.

 

Pushing his way through the heavy canvas material, Kisho knelt beside the sobbing woman. Before she could protest, he swept her into his warm embrace and held her head against his shoulder. “Go ahead and cry, child, no one will think ill of you for it.”

 

And she did, burying her face against him, she released her sorrows. Her slender frame shook as the muffled sobs wracked her body and Kisho gently rocked her as if she were a small child, whispering words of comfort and reassurance.

 

Slowly, between muffled sobs and halting speech, Kisho began to understand that she cried for her friends, cried because she had let everyone down, but most of all she cried for Sesshomaru. Not knowing what to tell the distraught woman, Kisho just held her while she cried; comforting her the best he could until Kagome had cried herself to sleep. Even then, after carefully placing her on the sleeping pallet, he remained to watch over her, calming her when she cried out in the grip of a nightmare or whimpered in distress much the same way a distraught father calmed his child's fears.

 

And somewhere deep in his heart, buried beneath the pain of losing a loved one, Kisho knew if he ever had a daughter, he would hope she was everything that Kagome was. The miko would bring honor to any family, human or demon alike.

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The dawn of a new day settled over the Western army with an air of suppressed anxiety and depression. Preparations to move farther into the Northern Lands were under taken with whispered words of grief and well wishes for the miko's fate.

 

Kagome felt the weight of the world on her shoulders each time one of the soldiers blessed her for her upcoming sacrifice, even youkai who barely tolerated her presence would find a way to speak with the heartbroken woman briefly to wish her the strength of the gods.

 

“De poor, poor chuld, if only she be of youkai blood, den maybe de gurl survive de lust,” one old soldier sadly shook his head not knowing the girl in question was within hearing range. His strange accent placed him as being one of the peasant classes of the Southern Lands.

 

Kagome knew that a regiment of five thousand men and demons had been sent up to aid in the war against the usurper and another ten thousand were promised to arrive later in the month. It was a part of the treaty that Sesshomaru had signed with the Southern Lord and now that treaty was in jeopardy of becoming void with Sesshomaru in no shape to enforce it.

 

It saddened her to know that so much depended on her at this point and her willingness to be the “virgin sacrifice” as Inuyasha had so bluntly put it. Leave it to the irritable ex-hanyou to spout out a babble of nonsense words and make her feel worse then she already did.

 

Kagome did not need him to remind her just how badly she had failed to protect the demon lord from Sora. Maybe if she had gotten there sooner or even if she had been able to travel with him this would never have happened.

 

“Sesshomaru brought this upon himself,” Kisho had told her not long after hearing the old soldier. “Do not blame yourself for his downfall. It is enough that you are committed to save his arrogant hide from the trap he opened himself to.”

 

Kisho's minute rant had been slightly amusing to Kagome. To see the calm almost stoic expression of an Inu Taiyoukai slip was as miraculous as it was unexpected and she had to suppress the giggle that threatened to erupt when he showed the aggravation he felt.

 

Her mirth caused Kisho to start, none dared to laugh at him before but somehow coming from someone as kind as the young miko, he felt neither enraged nor insulted. Instead he grinned sheepishly, knowing only she would see it, glad he could bring a smile to her lips even in the darkest of times.

 

As the day wore on and the army marched toward the gained land, it was decided that Kisho, Ozeki, and Tatsu would remain at the old camp with Kagome, where they would remain until the ordeal was over. Even though she protested against it, she was still glad that they were there for her.

 

Once night fell, she left instructions with them on what to do with her body the moment Sesshomaru was free of the spell. She knew her strange desire to be thrown in the Bone-Eaters-Well confused them but she made them swear to do it anyway if she could not be resurrected.

 

Kagome held no illusions that she might live to talk about it, but she did harbor the small hope that Sesshomaru would be freed in time to restore her life. If there was enough of her body left, that is. It was a desperate wish for continuation she knew and kept silent about them even though she suspected they held the same hope.

 

The appointed time came as the sun disappeared in the horizon and with one last hug for all of them and words of thanks for their support, Kagome set off toward the cave that Sesshomaru lay chained in.

 

A shimmering blue barrier ominously reflected the light of the rising moon and sent a shiver down Kagome's spine. She knew the barrier had been placed there as a safeguard in case the Western Lord broke free of the enchanted chains. It had taken the wolf youkai a half a day to strengthen the barrier and tune it to both Kagome and Sesshomaru.

 

In theory, as the demon explained, turning it into their specific auras at present should allow Kagome to pass through without her purifying it and drop the second Sesshomaru's changed. He felt certain that once the Taiyoukai was free from the spell his aura would change. Nothing was guaranteed though, but it was good enough for Kagome and the others.

 

So the moment the barrier fell, Kisho and the others would enter the cave and see if Sesshomaru was back to normal and to do what they could for her. It was a small comfort to Kagome and did nothing to ease her fears but she proudly held her head up as she took the first step toward the barrier.

 

Lifting her hand to slide it along the shimmering wall, Kagome noticed the ripple that went through it and she felt her powers stir enough to cast a pink glow around her but not enough to disperse the barrier. She watched in fascination as she effortlessly pushed through the wall, the pink glow of her powers acting as if it were protecting her from the spell caster's magic.

 

Low moans of anguish filled the void drawing her attention immediately toward the chained youkai. A small gasp escaped when she saw the torment he was in.

 

Gone was the immaculate and pristine vision of masculine beauty to be replaced by that of a tortured creature. His long silver tresses lay tangled and saturated with sweat, while small rivulets of it left dirty streaks over paler then normal skin. His markings were strangely darker then she remembered them and thicker looking, reminding her of the first time she had seen him transform into the towering dog in his father's tomb.

 

A fine layer of dust covered his lean body turning the white silk of his kimono to a dingy grey. His furry pelt was filthy and matted where it wrapped around his right shoulder, and his head was tilted back into it, his eyes clenched tightly shut as if in pain.

 

With each moan Sesshomaru's body twisted and writhed, his hips thrusting upward only to drop back to the floor when he started panting heavily. His body shivering under the exertion the spell was putting him through.

 

It was heartbreaking to see the noble demon reduced to such a state and the treat of tears pricked at Kagome's eyes. Forcing herself to look away, she tried to study the rest of the cave Kuro had selected for her.

 

A second barrier had been erected effectively cutting off the dark passage that led deeper into the mountain side. It created a sort of small, but secure chamber that was dimly lit by several torches that lined the walls.

 

Soft fur pelts had been placed along the cold floor and piled high in several places giving the illusion of slight comfort.

 

Tensaiga had been reverently hung above one of the soft pallets from a wooden stake that had been driven deep into a small crack in the unforgiving stone wall. She could feel its healing powers emanating from the black sheath.

 

Soothing incense scented the air though she could not see a brazier anywhere in the part of the cave she stood in. Kagome assumed that it hung somewhere behind the second barrier.

 

A low growl echoed softly through the cave, drawing Kagome' attention back to Sesshomaru, his eyes was still closed but he seemed to be sniffing the air between pants. His face was contorted to a look of pure concentration.

 

As she watched, the expression changed, becoming almost calm before a strangled howl tore from his throat and echoed harshly through the passageway.

 

Crimson eyes opened to glare at Kagome, a look that promised untold torment and pain. A shiver ran the length of her spin and she knew she looked death in the face.

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Well another evil lil cliffie…mwahaha… I could not resist. Anyhow I hope you enjoyed the latest installment of sunset love. Hang on the edge of your seat folks the rides about to become bumpy for our two lovebirds. Tune in next time to find out if our beloved miko will survive her encounter with sexy sessy or if he'll literally will be the death of her. And exactly who has Iyashii now? Is it friend or foe.

 

Until next time, I wish you farewell and many pleasant dreams of our fateful two.

 

Much love to you all
DJ aka AuroraNyte/l3lackroze