InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Reunited ( Chapter 26 )

AN- Please pay attention to the Author's Note at the end of this chapter. Thank you everyone for your continuing support with this and my other stories.

Side warning- This contains bits of cussing in it.

 

Disclaimer - Forget it, I'm never going to own Inuyasha, cause if I did I'd be able to sit here and write twists and turns for our favorite couple all day long and not have to tolerate this chaotic life I lead.

----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Chapter 26 - Reunited

 

They stood there staring at one another; one radiating anger while the other held a slight smirk of amusement at the predicament the first found himself. Dark eyes clashed with crimson as Ozeki tried desperately to get free from the impossible tangle of swords that Tatsu had entrapped him in for the second time that day.

 

“When will ye be learning not to be miscalculating the moves of yer opponent?” the dragon youkai chuckled softly as he leaned against the tree to watch the bear's struggle. “Twice now, I be showing you that move an twice now ye be entangled in it.”

 

“Humph! You just wait till I get free of this, then I'll teach your scaly hide a thing or two!” Ozeki roared in anger from within the net of blades. The first time the dragon had pulled the powerful move on him, he had been completely taken by surprise as the net had wrapped around him and the sharpened blades tangled around his bulky frame with little more then a few scratches.

 

The second time though he had know it was coming but he had not had the time to dodge the attack. He, of course, refused to take the blame for any of it and instead swore that the dragon youkai was somehow cheating in order to ensnare him.

 

“Here let me be helping ye with that,” Tatsu's deep chuckle erupted as his clawed fingers wrapped around the hilt of the large sword whose blade was partially buried in the earth. Giving it a sharp twist to the right broke the spell that kept the bear in place. The blades suddenly dissipated in the blue threads of the youkai's magic, the same threads that had wrapped around him just before the blades had materialized.

 

At being released, the bear roared loudly as he hefted his large hammer and moved forward to attack Tatsu for the embarrassment to his person. Much to his frustration and utter annoyance, the dragon simply moved out of the way, grabbed up his sword and parried Ozeki's continuing attacks. The entire time, the larger youkai continued to bark out various instructions that had the bear paused to listen to would only have helped to improve his battle techniques.

 

It was the ring of weapons and the string of curses that spilled from the bear that first drew their silent observers. One of the two who watched struggled desperately to keep from letting her mirth slip past her clenched lips but no matter what she seemed to be as amused as the older Inu youkai that stood beside her.

 

“That be it, bear, drop the anger and allow yer battle sense to take over. The angrier you be the harder it be for ye to think properly.” Tatsu's amused voice seemed to slowly roll over the enraged bear but did little good as Ozeki rushed forward again, his large hammer swung with bone crushing force. The attack only skimmed through the air, as once again the amused dragon was not where the bear had hoped he would be.

 

Another string of curses fully brought out the mirth of the woman who stood watching and when an almost delicate snort of amusement came from Tatsu, Kagome found herself doubling over with laughter. “Ozeki, he's trying to teach you, you big oaf. Why aren't you paying attention?”

 

“What!” Ozeki roared with outrage again and turned scream at the person that had just had the audacity to call him a name. What met his eyes instead of enraging him further only served to completely banish any thoughts of what he had been about to do. To his utter amazement the very woman who had sworn to protect, but had failed miserably.

 

“Kagome!” was all the stunned bear could manage to rumble out. Even as she heard her name, said miko found herself wrapped up in a bear hug, literally. Ozeki had swept her off her feet and twirled around with her before she could even blink.

 

“I…I…need…to…breath,” she finally managed to blurt out though hesitantly returning the hug of welcome. Though from her point of view it was more like hanging on for deal life to the very same boulder that continuously rolled over you.

 

“Huh?” her voice managed to seep into Ozeki's happy mind and he looked down into an almost red-faced Kagome as she struggled for each breath. Though his darkened skin hid it somewhat, an embarrassed crimson stain spread across his cheeks as he lowered the miko to the earth. “Feh!”

 

Though it took her a few moments to catch up on the much needed oxygen, she never the less gave the bear a bright smile. “It's good to see you too, General.” She finally managed to say as she turned and gave a bit of a bow to Lord Tatsu.

 

“Tis good to be seeing ye again, lass.” Tatsu stepped forward to more gently envelop the petite woman with his massive arms. A gentle gesture that she readily returned even as it took her somewhat by surprise.

 

Ozeki snorted softly from one side and stepped forward as the two separated, his dark gaze portraying his concern for her. “Are you certain you wish to be here, Kagome? I mean…”

 

Kagome turned to smile up at the bear, her eyes glittering with determination and a spark of some unknown emotion as she nodded. “Oh yes, this is my home. I had to return.”

 

Ozeki nodded slightly not wishing to push her on the subject but still he could not shake the worry that engulfed him. He glanced toward the Western Castle where he knew the lord was currently holed away in his study before looking back at the miko. It was then that it struck him; her scent had changed, becoming more powerful then it had been before and it sent a shiver down his spine.

 

The corners of Kagome's lips pulled further up as she caught his quick glance. She knew or rather felt his worry radiating off of him in waves and she stepped close enough to lay one small hand against his arm in reassurance. “Do not worry, I'll be careful but we both know I must do this.”

 

“Humph!” Was all Ozeki replied and turned away, his nose tilting slightly higher in an appearance of haughtiness.

 

That brought another string of musical laughter from Kagome. She had missed her family here in the Feudal Era while she had been away to recover. It had not surprised her in the least to discover that she had enveloped these youkai into her ever expanding family, after all she had adopted a Kitsune while she was nothing more then a child the first time she had been here right along with a perverted monk, a demon slayer with a wicked right hook, and an irritating hanyou who had tested her patience many times.

 

While she had been away she had realized just how much her new family here meant to her as well as that of her old one. Ozeki, a lot like Inuyasha in various ways, had become like another brother as well as the Kitsune twins, Tatsu she looked upon with as much fondness as she did her grandfather in the modern era, and Kuro had, in her mind at least, become like a favored uncle.

 

Even if they never learned how she felt about them, she knew she would always look upon them as such, no matter their lineage or race. They had all been there when she needed them the most, even as she had done her best to help them. Their acceptance of her had cemented their places in her heart for all time and eased the burdens she always seemed to carry with her.

 

With a happy sigh, Kagome indicated that they should continue onward toward the castle and what awaited her there. She would worry about that when the time came, right now she plagued them with questions on what had happened while she had been away.

----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

 

Iyashii grunted softly as he felt the weight of the armor settle about his broad shoulders. It was time for those chosen to begin their march toward the Western Castle and for old enemies to try to heal the rift that his treachery had caused. Behind him, her could hear his daughter shifting slightly from one foot to the other impatiently as he finished fastening the straps that would hold the bone plating in place.

 

With a soft smile he sat down on a low stool and pulled his long hair free of the armament. “Alright, Mitsuko, go ahead.”

 

The excited giggle was the only warning that Iyashii had before his daughter's tiny fingers began gripping the strands of his long hair. A smile stretched unbidden across his pale lips as his only child took great pleasure from being allowed to braid the platinum strands. The smile remained in place even as she pulled a little too tightly for his comfort and he had to grit his teeth to keep from rebuking the girl. After all he was still learning what it meant to be a father to the precious gift that Lady Kana had given him.

 

He had brought her to Hayashi's stronghold only after making certain that her safety would be ensured amongst the rough soldiers that trained within. At first she had been shy towards the men, tagging along behind him asking a myriad of questions whenever they were alone. Soon after she had discovered that there were also other children running amok within the walled area and she slowly began to make friends with them. It took only a short while after that for her to begin asking her questions of the various soldiers she met on a daily basis.

 

Upon his return from meeting with the Southern Taiyoukai, Iyashii's heart had plummeted within his chest and his anger stirred as he came upon one of the older soldiers holding his tiny daughter face down in the dirt with her arm crooked behind her in one hand while the other rested on her shoulder. A predatory growl had escaped his throat at the harm that was being done to his daughter but strangely he could not scent her tears or fear. It should have coated the area heavily and its absence was the only thing that restrained him enough to keep from instantly removing the youkai who dare mistreat his child from the face of the earth.

 

As he stalked slowly forward, his predatory gleam focused upon the pair, the soldier's whispered words reached his sensitive hearing and caused him to hesitate.

 

“That's it child, now remember how I showed you to react to this situation?” the old bird youkai croaked out harshly, the words so soft that a human would have had trouble hearing them.

 

Mitsuko nodded without a word and to her father's great surprise, twisted slightly at an odd angle away from the shoulder that was being pinned. Though the movement was slight in itself, it allowed the child enough freedom so that one of her small legs could kick back and upward connecting the older youkai in the groin area, a spot that his hunched over position had left open. If he had been actually using his weight on the child she would not have been able to make such a kick.

 

A small flicker of pride swept through Iyashii's golden eyes as he noticed the soldier barely flinch. “Good, good,” the whispered praise drifted to his hearing even as he watched the bird back away and help his daughter to her feet. A gentle hand brushed away the dirt that had collected on her simple gray kimono in a grandfatherly act before the soldier knelt down to meet her eye level.

 

“You are improving greatly, child.” The bird youkai reached up to gently pat her head in approval. “Now run along we will practice again at another time.”

 

Mitsuko had smiled brightly at the soldier then, giving him a big hug then skipped happily to where her friends were playing at the corner of the courtyard. Not once had she noticed her father had observed the entire time she had been training.

 

Once the child was out of hearing range, Iyashii had approached the youkai with deadly intent in his steps. The bird had turned, knowing that the protective father had been watching and bowed his head as he awaited his coming punishment. He knew to train the child without her father's approval might sign his death warrant but Mitsuko had begged him not to say anything. She had wanted to surprise her father but from the looks of it the surprise was spoiled.

 

“How long?” Iyashii asked as he came to a standstill several feet from the humbled soldier.

 

“A week, milord,” was the calm yet whispered answer.

 

Iyashii's eyes narrowed as he studied the youkai intently. The bird's refusal to speak up might be viewed as disrespectful but being a soldier at one time himself, Iyashii could read the battle wounds that decorated the exposed flesh of the bird well. A long scar ran from just bellowed one tufted ear to disappear under the bird's chin to reappear on the other side of his neck but slightly lower then the beginning of it. Someone had tried to behead this particular youkai and that had left his voice not but a whisper. It was surprising that the bird still retained any of his vocal cords at all.

 

“Status report,” Iyashii finally broke the silence as his face settled in the mask of one in command.

 

The surprised youkai fought the urge to gape at the Inu youkai but the long years of training kicked in and he straightened, his eyes fixing off to some point over the commander's shoulder as he diligently reported the girl's progress. “She improves immensely with each lesson I give her, milord. At present her only training has been that of defense.”

 

Iyashii nodded slowly as he looked toward the approaching demon aura he had learned to associate with Hayashi. The demon had been slower to return to the training yard but had arrived in time to catch the last bit of the bird's report. He cast a questioning glance at the dog demon curious as to whom the bird was speaking about but the quick glance by Iyashii in the direction of his daughter told the leader all he needed to know. Nodding his silent approval he continued on to where the majority of the higher-ranking officials of his army had gathered to await word on the days events.

 

Turning back to the soldier, Iyashii narrowed his eyes again in thought as he mulled over what sort of punishment he would inflict upon the youkai. In this day in age, he knew the need for even the children to be prepared should the stronghold be invaded and it only took him a breath in time to come to a decision.

 

“You are to continue training my daughter, with my blessing. You may also step up her training to more offensive maneuvers as you see fit.” His eyes turned a colder shade of amber as a small threatening growl colored his next words. “In my absence, it shall be your responsibility to see to her safety. Guard her with your life or I will see to it that your failure will be rewarded in a most painful manner.”

 

“Yes, milord.” The soldier saluted him quickly knowing the burden that had been placed upon his shoulders but relieved at the same time to be granted the commander's permission.

 

Iyashii had dismissed him then for he had more pressing business to attend to. He had to speak with his daughter and inform her that he was going away for a while and could not take her with him. It had been a conversation that had torn his heart up as her tears feel but the child had said she understood.

 

Even now as she stood behind him happily twisting his hair in the semblance of a braid, he could feel the sadness radiating off of her. It broke his heart to have to leave her alone but he knew it was the only way to make certain the Master could never threaten her again. He would not allow her to fall into that monster's hands.

 

Once the child was done she moved to stand in front of him, grinning happily as he inspected the length of braid over his shoulder. There were loose strands sticking out here and there, far from a perfect plait but he grinned at her in approval all the same. Then he picked her up in his arms as he stood, hugging her to him as he memorized every detail about his treasured child before he had to leave.

----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

 

Kagome sighed deeply as she stood outside the door to Sesshomaru's private study. Everyone she had met on the way here had warned her to his current state of mind. To say she was worried would be a harsh understatement; in fact she was down right scared to confront him. He might very well kill her this time but there was no way she was backing down either. She hadn't done it before now and she sure wouldn't turn tail and run now.

 

The longer she stood there thinking about it, the more she realized she was getting angry. How dare he go and do this when she had done everything she could to make certain he would be able to take care of his people. Hadn't she given him enough of her blood to snap him out of whatever spell Sora had placed on him? Why must he continue to torment her this way, he should be out there seeking this Master's death instead of sulking behind closed doors like some child.

 

Each new question spiked her anger higher and higher till her eyes glowed with the soft pink light of her powers, her teeth gritting together in determination to keep the anger shouting from spilling out into the empty corridor.

 

With a huff, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, her eyes sweeping the expanse of the room in order to locate the errant youkai lord. A low growl of warning came from the corner of the study where a large pile of scrolls, books and other odds and ends were piled too high for her to see who was making the threat. Her fingers curled into small fists as she marched forward.

 

Skirting around the large desk, she glared angrily at the still growling Taiyoukai her powers flaring up under his crimson-eyed gaze. Kagome knew that in his grief he yet to recognize her and she was determined to put an end to it.

 

“Stop that growling right this minute, Sesshomaru!” her finger wagged at him as she continued to scold the still seated youkai. “You need to get whatever stick was shoved up your ass out and start working to try and find this Master! I did not, I repeat, did NOT give myself to you just so you could hole away in your study and sulk like a child without his new toy while people are dying out there!”

 

The last was almost screamed out as she glared at him. To her disappointment the great Western Lord merely blinked as if taken by complete surprise. It didn't last long though, his youki rising as he stood to glare down at her. “You dare yell at this Sesshomaru within his own home?”

 

“Well someone needed to,” Kagome pointed out glaring back. “It seems like everyone else is too afraid to.” She would not let him get way with his sulking any longer. It had been far too long since he had been himself and she was fully prepared to beat him back to normal if she had to. Not that she could stand up to an irritated Inu Taiyoukai mind you, but damn it someone had to do something. This was getting far too ridiculous for her liking.

 

His eyes narrowed, the crimson fading into icy gold. “Perhaps they have good reason to be, reason your feeble human mind seems to lack at this moment.”

 

“M…my f…feeble human mind,” She stuttered through gritted teeth her aura rising up around her as her anger reddened her cheeks and darkened her eyes until they were stormy midnight pools. Her fingers caught at the edge of his desk, wrapping around the lip, so that she could steady herself before doing something she would come to regret, something like purifying the Western Lord to a pile of ash. Unknown to her, the tortured wood splintered and cracked from the extreme pressure of her grip. “This feeble human, as you put it, saved your sorry ass a few times now and damn it I didn't do it just so you could lock yourself away in here!”

 

“I do not recall seeking your aid in any matter concerning this Sesshomaru.” He growled low not allowing his surprise show at her display of strength. He wondered if it had been an effect of the mating that had brought about her sudden possession of youkai like strength. Her scent had also changed slightly, becoming stronger, more storm like in it's turbulence as her anger radiated around her. He could also detect his own scent mingled with hers, it had not faded over the time they had been apart and a stab of guilt went through his heart as he was once again reminded that he had marked her as his without her permission. His foul essence would linger there until she decided to bed another, yet at the same time it would keep any possible youkai suitors at bay. All those bound by honor would steer clear of her but at the same time it would draw those wishing to hurt him to her with unerring eagerness. His foul stench would make her a possible target, the enemy believing her to be another of his weaknesses.

 

“No you didn't but I gave it anyway,” She said quietly, her anger vanishing under his cruel words. Kagome felt as if a bucket of ice-cold water had been thrown over her in that moment and she shook her head, her eyes dropping away to focus on the floor at her feet. Unbidden tears stung her eyes and she stubbornly refused to allow them to fall in his presence.

 

“What is it that you wish in return for this aid, Miko?” he growled again. Sesshomaru could smell the salt in the air that betrayed her sudden sadness. He didn't like it, but he hated the fact that he was the direct cause of those emotions.

 

She raised determined eyes to stare directly into the frozen pools of amber, one corner of her lips drawing back in an impressive imitation of a snarl. “I want nothing more then you to be who you are. Not this…” lost for words she waved her hands towards his rumbled appearance. Though nowhere near the matted and filthy mess she had come upon at the cave, his appearance was still unkempt looking. His pristine appearance marred by the presence of his guilt and rage.

 

Shaking her head slightly again she knew now there was no way she could even begin to tell him what she had been going through lately. There was no hope that he would ever accept her as she was, nothing more then a filthy hanyou just like his half-brother had once been. She knew he knew what she was because Kisho had explained to her everything that had happened on their way back to the Western Castle. He had told her how he had discovered the truth of her lineage, how no one was certain of what she was, and of the disbelieving looks that had crossed both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's faces when they found out.

 

“Most would require rewards.” He smoothly told her as he reigned in his fleeting anger, his face becoming the stoic mask she was so use to.

 

“I am not like most,” she huffed softly then glared down at the floor again long enough to collect her thoughts, but as the silence continued between them she huffed softly in frustration. Her dark eyes rising to stare directly into his, “Look, what's done is done. This bickering is getting us nowhere and quite frankly it's making me feel a bit nauseous. If you want to stay locked away then do so, I'll not deem it worth my time to bother your royal person with such trivial things as my upset again. From now on you do as you like, I've got better things to do with my time then stand here butting heads with you.”

 

Her shifting mood only served to irritate Sesshomaru even more. Here was his chance to attempt to make amends with Kagome and try to make things right between them but instead his anger was getting the better of him. He watched unmoving as she turned to leave, his mind working overtime as it tried to convince his mouth to say something that would keep her from leaving, but for the life of him he couldn't seem to come up with anything. Instead, he decided to try and irritate the woman further by telling her exactly what he was guilty of.

 

“Does it not bother you that this Sesshomaru marked you as his mate without your consent?” his voice rolled out like deep velvet, caressing her skin with each syllable. Her back stiffened visibly as she turned to stare at him in what he mistook to be disbelief.

 

After a moment of just staring at him, Kagome released a world-weary sigh and shook her head again, her eyes lowering away from his own. Sadly, she turned her back on him and continued toward the door where she paused briefly after sliding the door open. One hand rested on the wooden panel while she cast a glance toward him over her left shoulder. “You are wrong Sesshomaru, this Kagome gave her consent to the possibilities of it happening the moment she decided to take your burden as her own.”

 

With that she left the stunned demon standing amongst his cluttered study, her heart feeling even heavier then it had been when she returned home to heal. A nervous flutter in her belly sent a wave of nausea through her as she struggled to hold back the threatening tears. She needed to be well away from everyone before she would allow herself the chance to cry out her heartbreak. Not that she had come here with a hope of becoming the lord's mate in the eyes of everyone, but she had hoped that she would be able to talk to him before his anger was unleashed. After all, she did have a great deal to tell him, like the fact she was still changing and did not know what to expect. Some small part of her had even hoped that maybe he would be able to help her learn what it meant to be the child of a powerful Inu Taiyoukai but all hopes had just been dashed upon the ragged edge of his words.

----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

 

Wow I just realized that on April 27th Sunset Love will be celebrating its 2nd birthday. It is the day that I first began posting it on Fanfiction.net and from there it has been posted on several other shards. It is in thanks to everyone that has ever read or reviewed this story that it has grown in such popularity and I cannot thank everyone enough for that especially those of you who have nominated my story on the various award sites. Looking over my story I have noticed, and it has been mentioned on several occasions, at the various errors that are found within the story.

 

I've also noticed that my inspiration for this story has waned to the point that I am not certain exactly where to end the story as of yet, though I do have a general idea. Since that is the case, there will be no new chapters after this one for a little while since to celebrate it's birthday I am going to begin to rework the story. It will be a minor editing/rewording so as to correct my many mistakes. This editing will help me to regain the vision I had for the story when I first started it two years ago and further any ideas that I am working on for it now. I will do this as time permits and it maybe slow going at first.

 

Be patient with me as I regain my vision on SL, but worry not for I fully intend to finish up this story at some point in the future. As I am rewriting it I will also be working on the future chapters so I hopefully will have one or more chapters to upload once the editing is through. I will also be adding a new story to keep you all busy during this time… I hope that you enjoy it as much as you enjoy this story. It will be an AU paranormal romance type story that combines with a demonic encounter. I have not yet decided on what to name it but feel free to keep an eye out for that as well.

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sunsetlove/

 

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. It is greatly appreciated.

Much love to you all
DJ aka AuroraNyte/l3lackroze