InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Centre ❯ Don't Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth ( Chapter 41 )

Anon: You made me laugh hysterically! You think I'd end this fic without lemons? This chapter shall not be the last….no worries. Happy endings….I think….which should mean everyone gets laid.

Thanks for reviewing everyone! Only 6 more to go before I'm at 100!! Normally I don't beg for reviews….but I have 112 on mm.org….so is it so much to ask for to being in the triple digits?

Chapter 41: Don't Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

"Higurashi shrine?"

"The shrine where the Higurashi family lives?"

"Yes, yes," Inuyasha agreed quickly. "Which way is it?" he asked the two newt demons lounging at the side of a pond. He had actually stopped for directions…and was finding it to be more trouble than it was worth.

"Way? To the Higurashi shrine?" one said to the other.

"Yes," Inuyasha said through clenched teeth, his minimal patience wearing thin.

"The shrine where the Higurashi family lives?" the second newt demon replied.

"Oh fuck it."

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Kagome looked back and forth between the now loose demon and the sacred tree with waves of miasma threatening to break the barriers.

`I can do this,' she thought. `I just have to figure out how to separate the power. Enough to hold him back and keep the barrier up.'

Naraku's smile widened as Kagome stood her ground. This was looking more and more like Midoriko's last battle. If he was lucky she would simply die. If he was unlucky, she'd end up like Midoriko and still be around. Either way he would win. And this time he would get the jewel. He could feel its power calling him, it seductive call pulling for him. The demons within her knew him. They wanted freedom. They wanted their power unhindered.

`Don't think,' Kagome said to herself. `Believe you will do it and DO IT!'

She didn't have time for second thoughts. The purple haired demon's eyes narrowed only a fraction before he moved at a deadly speed, heading straight for her.

Time slowed as he neared and Kagome closed her eyes.

`He will not get me nor will he break the barrier. I REFUSE TO YIELD!'

Naraku's grin widened as he prepared for the final blow to the little miko. The miasma was being purified at an even faster rate, indicating where she had chosen to put her power. `Not that it will matter when she is dead,' he thought. `I can't leave such obvious witnesses.'

Kagome felt the power within her pull. She wanted it to split….which was against its nature. It resisted, fighting her hold over it once again. `Oh no you don't. I may not have control, but you aren't pulling this….SHIT NOW!'

Something within her let go….the resistance gone. Time seemed to stop. Kagome slowly opened an eye to see whether her death was coming….or if she had failed to protect the barrier. Naraku was still smiling, but as she locked eyes with him, that smile quickly faded. The demon before her had stopped, frozen in the air not ten feet from her, eyes blazing in fury. Looking behind him, hope flared within her as she saw the miasma still being pushed back.

She'd done it. She'd done what no one thought possible.

"You should not be able to do that, miko!" Naraku snarled and his face twisted in rage. "The power may answer your call now, but let's see how long you can convince it to bend to your will!"

Snapping his wrist, Naraku picked up the chain to the demon's neck, yanking the creature back. He ripped the creature from her clutches, sending a backlash of power back at Kagome. She staggered as the power slammed back at her, breaking the weak control she'd had.

Pain shot from her side, sending Kagome to her knees. She looked up at Naraku and realized the purple haired demon was nowhere in sight. Holding a hand to her side she looked down, surprised to see blood covering her hand.

"Pay attention, little miko. If you want to die so easily, you might as well stop putting up such a weak resistance. It will only make your inevitable death more painful," Naraku said with a laugh.

Movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention. The demon was now behind her, blood coating his claws. Her blood. In front of her, Naraku just smiled.

"HIRAIKOTSU!"

The large boomerang came flying through the air, whistling at high speeds toward Kagome. Stunned, she merely stood there in disbelief.

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"Sess, it's just a couple of kids," Rin said, hands on her hips. "What if they were kidnapped like I was?"

"2 disgusting humans and a fox demon kit? I would rejoice," he said without emotion. "Forget it. I'm not babysitting."

"You can be such a party pooper," she replied. "I don't know why the hell I love you. Must be hormonal…."

Rin barely had time to gasp as a steel-like grip wrapped around her wrist and yanked her backward. She soon found herself pressed to a very muscular chest as golden eyes looked down into hers.

"You love me for the same unexplainable reasons I seem to return the silly affection. However, that affection does not extent to the rest of your race." Sesshoumaru's face was as stoic as ever, his eyes set and determined to remain unchanged. Rin smiled softly and reached up to trace a finger along the stripes on his cheek.

"You changed a little for me," she pointed out. "Therefore I'll never stop trying to get you to open up a little more."

"That could take a long, long time," he replied, looking unamused.

"I got a couple hundred years. How about you?" she teased. "Speaking of which, how much do you want to bet Inuyasha has no clue how to get to Kagome's family shrine?"

"This Sesshoumaru knows a sure loss when he hears one."

"And you are most reluctant to help in any way, am I right?"

"Your intellect does seem to be increasing of late," he retorted, his lip slightly raised in distaste. Now what was she going to ask of him? He'd be damned if he was going to give in to her demands this time.

"Anything," she said, looking up at him with a serious face. It was rare to see such seriousness without anger in her face. He was slightly confused. Sesshoumaru hated being confused. It was not an emotion he often sported.

"In return for…?"

"Help Kagome," Rin said with a smile, "by heading to the shrine….via Inuyasha."

"You want me to first find Inuyasha, then lead him to the Higurashi shrine and in return you will do anything?"

"Anything, no limits."

"Even research and find my mate?" he asked, tone utterly serious. Rin's eyes suddenly turned pained and downcast.

"Anything," she repeated softly. "I am asking you to go against your nature, it is only fit you be able to ask the same of me."

`What I would give for you to be a full demoness,' Sesshoumaru thought.

"Very well," he consented. "But we need to travel fast."

Rin stepped back as energy began to swirl around him, golden eyes turning red. The leaves around them lifted off the ground, pulled into the whirlwind around him. Rin watched as his eyes darkened, claws lengthened and the stripes on his cheeks seemed to glow. Knowing what was to come, she backed away, giving him more room. Sesshoumaru bared his teeth, a low growl in his throat as the energy picked up.

The leaves around him suddenly snapped, ripping in half in midair. A flash of light temporarily blinded Rin as she shielded her face from the flying debris. Then the wind died, leaving broken leaves to flutter their way back to the ground around the transformed dog demon. Brushing herself off Rin looked up at the enormous white dog with the moon crescent. He looked immensely pleased with himself.

"Why is it you demons can't do anything without turning it into some sort of performance?" Sesshoumaru merely shook his head, his great white fluffy ears flapping back and forth. "Aww, what's a matter love? Can't talk when you're all big and fluffy?" she teased.

Her reply came in the form of a growl and an audible snap of his jaws, small specks of poisonous saliva dropping down below.

"Ok, ok, no more fluffy comments, I promise," she said as he bent down before her. Grabbing a handful of fur she pulled herself up until she sat upon his neck, taking great handfuls of fur to stabilize herself.

"Hi Ho Fluffy, AWAY!" Rin shouted, pointing forward.

Sesshoumaru didn't budge. She could feel bunched muscles beneath her legs…twitching in an effort to not slam her into the nearest tree.

"Ok, ok, you can beat me for that one later…" she said with a sigh. `Honestly, no sense of humor in dog demons these days…'

********

"Higurashi?" the raccoon repeated. "Hmm, I'm not sure I've heard of Higurashi. Are you sure it's Higurashi?"

"Yes," Inuyasha sighed in exasperation. "Higurashi Shrine."

"Not Kinkakuji?" the raccoon asked.

"Kinkakuji? That's a fucking temple! I'm looking for a shrine!"

"Shrine….temple….is there a difference?"

"Shrines are Shinto. Temples are Buddhist."

"There's a difference?" the raccoon repeated.

"Yes, a big difference."

"Huh," he said, thinking. "Can't say I've ever heard of Higurashi Temple…"

"SHRINE YOU IDIOT!" Inuyasha shouted. "SHRINE!!" The raccoon didn't have a clue. Fed up, Inuyasha stalked off in a huff. "Doesn't anyone know anything around here?!"

A familiar stench clouded his nostrils, only angering him further. Turning with a snarl he waited for the youkai he hated the most…even above Naraku, to approach. Within seconds the great white demon landed at his feet, sending a shower of dirt, dust and leaves all over his half brother. The raccoon let out a yelp and high tailed it out of the area, dropping the basket he'd been carrying.

"What do you want you fucking asshole?" Inuyasha asked, cracking his knuckles. He needed something to take his frustration out on and Sesshoumaru was as good a victim as any.

"Attack him and you'll never reach Kagome in time," came Rin's voice from atop Sesshoumaru's head. He could barely make out the tiny woman amid the waves of white fur. Inuyasha's head snapped up at the mention of Kagome's name.

"Where's the shrine?!" Inuyasha demanded. Sesshoumaru gave a great sigh, looking down at his paws in boredom.

"Ask nicely, Inuyasha," Rin said.

"And give this asshole the satisfaction of seeing me beg?!" he cried indignantly.

"Is Kagome's life worth it?" she asked. "Cause he doesn't seem to think so.

Inuyasha weighed his choices carefully. On the one hand he never, EVER, wanted Sesshoumaru to have the satisfaction of seeing him beg for ANYTHING. On the other hand…Kagome was in danger. Sesshoumaru wouldn't care if she lived or died and Rin only had so much sway with the demon. She was pushing her luck.

Inuyasha hit one knee, fists clenched in rage as he bowed his head.

`Who does he think he is? A noble?' Sesshoumaru thought with a growl.

"I….b-b-beg of you," Inuyasha said, nearly inaudible to normal ears.

`He calls that begging? I've seen humans do better.'

"I've never asked anything of you," Inuyasha snarled. "But don't let her die due to your prejudice!"

Sesshoumaru gave a great sigh. People were so ungrateful these days…especially arrogant, asshole half-brothers.

`I'm getting soft. After this is over I'm going to go kill 5 random humans….well, maybe not random ones. Council members would be more satisfying. Starting with that uppity miko.'

Inuyasha looked up, pissed off at Sesshoumaru's lack of response. The demon didn't bother looking at him as his legs tensed, suddenly launching himself into the air. Rin looked over her shoulder down at the unmoving Hanyou.

"You coming?"

******************

Kagome screamed and held up her arms as the boomerang came right at her. She braced herself for the inevitable pain the blunt weapon would ensue. She'd seen the weapon slice youkai in half…even through bone and armor. It wouldn't leave a bit of her intact.

The impact never came, but a large noise caused her to open her eyes. It sounded like something heavy connecting with something else. Looking up she saw what.

Hiraikotsu lay next to her and the purple haired demon lay knocked to the side. Sango's throw had saved her.

"Damn I'm good!" Sango said, running forward with Miroku right next to her.

"I thought you were going to hit her for a moment there," Miroku commented, his hand clutching the prayer beads around his covered hand. "I thought I might have to pull it back."

"Oh yee of little faith," Sango teased, picking up the weapon. Kagome looked between the two, a grin breaking out on her face. Where there was Miroku and Sango….surely Inuyasha was not far behind?

No silver hair or dog ears appeared behind the couple. No Hanyou. No Inuyasha. Kagome's chest suddenly felt heavy, like it was being pressed.

What had she done?

"Uh oh, I don't think that's so good," Miroku commented. Both women turned in the direction he indicated. The purple haired demon was rising from the ground, seemingly unhurt. The mask on his mouth tilted to one side, the right chain breaking. It fell to one side, leaving his mouth exposed. A thin stream of something white began to ooze from the corner of his mouth.

"That's disgusting…and it can't be good," Sango grimaced, hoisting the heavy boomerang onto her shoulder. As she spoke the demon's mouth opened slightly.

"Shit, get down!" Kagome cried, shoving Sango to the side as a streak whirled past them. Pain shot through her arm as she rolled to the side, picking herself up as quickly as possible.

"Where'd it go?" Miroku asked. "I saw something…I don't know what it was…"

"Kagome, your arm!" Sango gasped. Blood was dripping down the young miko's arm, pooling on the stones below.

"Don't worry about me. Listen, Miroku, can you get to the tree over there where my mother and grandfather are?"

"Sure I can-" Miroku began, only to cry out as something flashed by his legs. Sango spun around, looking at the stone below.

"It's under the ground…whatever it is, it's under the ground."

"Miroku! Go!" Kagome yelled. Not wasting a second thought he began to run, a small trail of blood following his footsteps. Kagome knelt before the ground, her hand touching the sacred stone with a murmur.

An ear piercing scream was heard as flash of something shot from under the ground to land by the purple haired demon, coughing and sputtering. It looked up from its bigger brother, snarling at Kagome and Sango.

"Holy shit," Sango said, taking a step forward in interest. "I'd only heard about that type. The bigger one is less deadly than the smaller. Good thinking on your part Kagome. He can't get at us from the ground now. Why did you send Miroku away?"

"If he keeps the barrier up, I can focus on the demon."

"Uhhh…" Sango said hesitantly.

"What?"

"Maybe now is not a good time to tell you he can't do shit without his staff."

"You mean I sent him over there for nothing?" Kagome responded, looking at the now panting monk. Her grandfather was muttering something about young men these days having no stamina.

"Worry about that later," Sango said, pointing to the demon.

"Impressive," Naraku exclaimed, clapping his hands briefly. "But even a demon slayer and a sorry excuse for an ex-monk won't help you."

"Sango, can you hit the bigger one?" Kagome whispered. "I think I can hold the smaller one long enough."

"I can hit a peach from fifty yards away," the demon slayer said. "I think I can manage to hit one damn youkai."

"Was the peach moving?" Kagome asked.

"Funny you should mention that…."

"Play times over girls," Naraku sneered.

"THE FUCK IT IS!" came a powerful shout across the yard. As eyes turned to the side at the intrusion. A great white dog demon was perched atop the shrine's tall entrance gate, Rin sitting atop its head with a triumphant smile. Below Inuyasha stood with one clawed hand upon his hip, transformed Tetsusaiga casually posed on one shoulder.

"It's not over," he said with a fanged grin. "I just got here!"

`Dammit!' Naraku swore to himself. `They were separated before. What the hell united them so fast? Damn that fucking Hanyou!!'