InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Longest Journey ❯ Detrimental Desires ( Chapter 12 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 12: Detrimental Desires

Sugimi was well pleased with the blade that he'd gotten from Totosai. It was like having two of his original three swords - only in one. No, Ketsuekiken couldn't function as Tensaiga, but it could, and did, function as well as Tessaiga and Sou'unga - without the attitude.

But now it was time to move out, and he could feel Kagome's apprehension - she knew it was only a matter of time before she would once again be facing her friends.

So much had changed in the last year - she was almost a totally different person. She was an adult - not a child any longer, and one who was promised to a powerful daiyoukai. She was also the Shikon no Miko, fully cognizant of her identity and purpose - not the desperate little girl of a year ago that stood in such awe of Kikyou because of her power and poise.

Even her looks... her body had matured, she knew that, she was a bit taller than Kikyou now, she was slender but curved in all the right places. Her features, well, she really didn't resemble the older miko at all anymore, if she ever really had.

It made her wonder... would her friends even recognize her when she finally saw them again?

Sugimi eyed his onna for a moment, then turned to Myoga. "Listen, flea. I want you to find Sesshoumaru. Tell him that the 'Sakura blossoms never fall at his mother's palace'. He will know that means you have spoken to me - you may tell him that I am back - but do not mention Kagome to him. I will tell him that myself. Then, once you've explained things to him, tell him to meet me at the border between the Western Lands and the Northern Lands - near the valley where I fought Ryuukotsusei, in one week's time. He will know of where I speak."

As Myoga bowed, he said, "Do not fail me, flea. Oh... and Myoga?" He waited for the squeaky voice to pipe up, then finished, "You will be with him. I know you are a coward, but you will not run this time. Is that understood?"

Kagome giggled silently to herself. Poor Myoga.

"Yes, my Lord!" He fell silent for a moment, then asked timidly, "But, my Lord... what about Master Inuyasha?"

Sugimi was no fool, he knew what Myoga was asking him. "Do not concern yourself with my youngest son, Myoga. He will be dealt with."

Myoga merely bowed unhappily, knowing there was nothing he could do - the situation between the miko, the daiyoukai, and his hanyou son would play out the way the kami willed it.

Calling to his crow, he hopped up and disappeared into the cool morning air.

Kagome narrowed her gaze on Sugimi. "Tell me, dear one, what were you and Myoga talking about with regards Inuyasha? Why does he need to be 'dealt' with?"

"He may be a friend of yours, koi, and your former love, but he is my son and there are certain things that are just between he and I - at least for now. If necessary, you will find out later."

She hummed to herself at that. There was something going on, and whatever it was, he didn't want to tell her about it. Oh, well, she could wait. She'd find out sooner or later, she was sure.

"Fine - be that way. But how are we gonna find him?"

"Totosai can always feel Tessaiga's location, Kagome, my dear. Right now, my son is on his way this direction, coming from my lands. I'm not sure why he was up there, but..."

Kagome looked up at the sky thoughtfully. "Probably hunting shards - either that, or he's chasing Naraku. With him, it's always one or the other. So what are we going to do?"

Sugimi kept his eyes on the path ahead... sometimes getting down from this mountain was as much a challenge as breathing the caustic air. Kagome had it easy, floating along on Kisho's back.

"We will intercept him, of course. We should, if we travel hard, be able to meet up with him in three day's time. After that, we will all head to the rendezvous point that I gave Myoga."

Kagome sighed. The next few days were going to simultaneously drag, and yet rush, by.

D-Day: 36 hours and counting.

---zZz---

Two days.

It had been two days, and Inuyasha had barely stopped for anything, even sleep. He was pushing harder than he'd ever pushed - but Kikyou knew that if they didn't keep the pace, he'd leave them all behind.

She had to admit that he'd scared her. When Sango had told him that the Northern Lord was courting the girl, she'd feared that he was going to lose himself to his youkai side, he'd been so enraged. It had taken him several hours to completely calm back down, and when he had, he had become this icy, driven bastard that didn't care about anything but getting to Kagome, and destroying the male that he saw as threatening his claim on her.

Even Sango and Miroku feared what would happen when they finally caught up with the two - he'd caught them off-guard as well with his violent reaction to the news that some other male, a male of power, was actively pursuing Kagome. They'd hoped that the news would bring him to his senses - that while he might be mad, he'd get over it, and when they caught up with the two, and found that it was true, he'd finally give up.

He'd proved that that was merely an empty hope.

If they could have seen inside his mind, they probably wouldn't have stayed with him - maybe gone running in the opposite direction for safety's sake.

Inuyasha was furious. No, he was beyond it. As far as he was concerned, Kagome was his. She had loved him for years, and even though he'd been an idiot, not realizing sooner that he loved both Kikyou and Kagome, instead of one or the other, he had every intention of fixing that problem the moment he laid eyes on her. He'd displace any claim any other fucking male had on her, that was for damn sure, and he'd do it fast. If the idiot tried to fight him, he'd destroy him without remorse.

He knew that Kagome would not agree to let him take her as his second mate right away. Knowing her, it would probably take a while. But he felt confident that eventually, he could wear her down, and get her to agree. And he had every intention of doing so.

The other thing he had to contend with, besides Miroku, Sango, and Shippo, was Kikyou. As primary mate, she would basically have first priority in most things, and would be the one to give him his heir. Not that he had anything to leave an heir at this time, but the point was, she would be pupped first, and it would be their first son that would inherit anything he did end up acquiring in his life.

However, any pups he had with Kagome would also be cared for, no questions asked. The thing with her being second mate, would be that Kikyou would have a certain amount of authority over Kagome - and while he didn't think she'd like that, she was already pretty submissive when it came to her previous incarnation, anyway. As for Kikyou, he'd make damn sure that she didn't use her authority to torment her or make her miserable just because she was angry and jealous that Inuyasha loved her, too.

They'd damn well have to learn to get along - because he sure as hell wasn't giving either of them up.

Soon, my Kagome. Soon, I'll see you again... and this time, I won't be stupid enough to let you get away.

---zZz---

Kagome sighed.

They'd been traveling for two days now, and should be getting ready to stop for the night soon. She knew they would meet up with her old companions tomorrow - she could already feel the shards that they held - and, more disturbingly, Inuyasha's aura.

It was inflamed, that was the only way she could describe it. That was the only reason she could feel it, actually, because it was so elevated, even though it wasn't full youkai, it didn't feel like it would take much to push it over the edge. She wondered what could have caused that reaction.

Sugimi could also feel his son's aura, and knew where his group was. The odd thing was that he was pushing hard, coming straight for he and Kagome, not giving his followers much rest at all. He wondered what Inuyasha could be running either from, or after.

Casting a quick glance at his beloved, he noticed the droop in her shoulders, and relented, knowing that if they stopped now, and just sat tight tomorrow, the other group would eventually stumble onto them - and it would give his love a chance to sleep in. He was well aware that she'd not been sleeping well, and she needed to be well rested for the coming confrontation - even at it's most benevolent, it would take a strong emotional toll on her.

Keeping an eye out for a likely site, he finally came across one that was perfect. It was a small clearing out of sight of the road, yet close enough to it, and it backed onto a small hot spring. He grinned for a moment - he was sure she'd like a bath, and the chance to get clean always put her in a good mood.

"Come, koi, it's time to stop." He let his cloud dissipate as he landed gracefully, and waited as Kisho dropped back to the ground, letting his passenger dismount before transforming into his smaller form.

She looked around, catching sight of the hot water just yards away, she let out a delighted squeal, and dragging her bag, immediately headed for the rare treat.

Sugimi chuckled, shaking his head, he got a fire going, then directing Kisho to guard his Lady, went on a short hunt. If they were going to be in this spot another day, then he'd make sure his precious onna had plenty of food. That was his job as her mate - and as far as he was concerned, that's what she was - the actual act was only a formality.

She already belonged to him.

Returning with several plump rabbits already cleaned and spitted, he set them over the fire, then glanced back towards the water. Kisho was still laying on a boulder near the edge, so he assumed his miko was still in the water, and a wicked urge hit him.

Walking silently over to the hidden edge of the pool, he quickly disrobed, then asked, "Kagome? Are you enjoying the water?"

"Oh! Um, Sugimi! I didn't know you were back already, but yeah, the water feels wonderful."

He smiled slowly. "Well, I think I will join you, love. I would enjoy the hot water as well." And before she could say anything, he waded in, laughing at her outraged yell.

"Sugimi! What are you doing!?" He glanced over at her, only to see her so far down in the water, only her face was visible - and boy was that face red.

"Bathing, my dear," he said, nonchalantly. "Is there a problem?"

"Yes! I'm still in here!"

He chuckled softly. She hadn't once opened her eyes since he'd climbed in. "Kagome, my love, just what, exactly are you worried about? Am I not going to be your mate - and fairly soon? There is nothing to fear."

She shook her head, resolutely turning her face towards the edge of the water, she moved forward and grabbed the towel she'd set there, before rising and wrapping herself in it.

She sighed. "That's not it, Sugimi." She turned slightly haunted eyes on him, flushing hard at the sight of him half-submerged in the water and smiling sexily. "I'm not afraid - but this mating might take place sooner than you'd like if I stayed in there with you." She met his now curious gaze and held it, despite her embarrassment. "I want you too badly to be able to resist - so now I'm going to get dressed, and get ready for bed, while you bathe."

Sugimi was actually just a bit caught off guard at that. He'd known the deep desire he felt towards her was reciprocated, but as innocent as she was, he'd not been aware that she felt the loss of control as deeply as he did.

And then the visual that he'd just gotten, all smooth, creamy curves, long legs, and an ass that was made for grabbing, hit his mind - and he groaned.

Yup. This mating was definitely going to happen sooner than he'd planned.

Much, much sooner.

---zZz---

Inuyasha was tense, and he wasn't the only one. They'd all felt an extremely powerful youkai aura waiting somewhere directly ahead since late last night. It wasn't moving, and it was right in their path. Not one of those present here had ever felt a more powerful aura, not even from Naraku. Whatever, or whoever it belonged to didn't have the dark taint that Naraku did, however - this aura was, in a strange way, pure.

There was no way to get around it except by going overland, and since that would add days to any journey, Inuyasha wasn't willing to attempt it, instead choosing to stay on the road. The others were torn, not sure if they wanted to meet whatever was out there, but also curious as hell about something that was so entirely strong.

As they drew closer to the aura, Inuyasha began to get a bit confused. It was... familiar. In some ways, the aura reminded him of Sesshoumaru - only not quite. Whatever this was, it had something to do with him, and he knew it. There was just no coincidence that an aura that was so similar to his brother's was waiting just up ahead, and he had every intention of finding out what the hell it was - and then continuing on after Kagome.

Miroku also was frowning. He knew that aura. He'd come up against it before, somewhere, but it wasn't recently, he was sure. He cast his mind back, thinking over his travels, and where he could have come across something so powerful. Because this aura was definitely the most powerful youkai aura he'd ever felt - it was immense... but, thankfully for them, he could detect no ill-will in it - he believed that whoever wielded that power was not a threat to them.

"Uh, Inuyasha?"

"What'dya want, bouzo?"

"Does that aura feel familiar to you, as well? It's like I've come acrossed it before - but I can't place when."

Inuyasha cast a quick, concerned glance at Miroku. "You feel that, too, then? And it's the same for me - I can't place it. It's making me nervous as hell," he confessed wryly.

As the two had started speaking, everyone had slowed their pace, and were now just at a leisurely walk. It was a bit past midday, and everyone was already pretty tired, not to mention disturbed by the youki ahead of them. The only one that didn't seem bothered, was Kirara.

Miroku nodded, catching the look Sango sent. "Well, whatever it is is aware that we're nearby, and I feel no ill-will from it at all, merely curiousity. And Kirara doesn't seem bothered by it."

The three startled for a moment when Kikyou spoke up; she hadn't spoken much in weeks now, so when she did, it caused some surprise.

"There are also a large amount of jewel shards up ahead, coming from the same area." She frowned thoughtfully. "But they aren't tainted. I've never felt anything like the level of purity coming off those shards - there's no taint in them at all. And that shouldn't be possible."

"What do you mean, Kikyou? Don't you purify the jewel shards we have?" This was the first time Sango had spoken to Kikyou since that confrontation weeks ago where she'd had to threaten her.

Kikyou glanced at her, a neutral expression on her face. "There is a limit to that. If you notice, the shards are a light purple. That is because there is still a small taint in them - nobody, miko or not, is completely pure, so no one has the ability to completely take all the taint from them... at least, no one should have the ability. But what I'm sensing form those shards - they are completely pure. If you were to see them, they'd be clear... almost like glass."

"Well, whatever is out there, is right over this next hill, so everyone, be ready for anything. We don't know what we're about to meet." Inuyasha clenched his hand around the hilt of Tessaiga, then caught everyone in his gaze. "Let's go."

As they started forward, Shippo scurried into Miroku's robes, hiding, staying close to the monk's chest. Being the smallest sucked - he was frightened, and everyone knew it.

Kirara led the way, and her companions were somewhat comforted by her casual attitude - she looked like she was trotting daintily off to meet a good friend... if only they'd been able to mind-speak with her, they'd have known that there was nothing to fear ahead - well except for Inuyasha. He had those desires towards the miko that would become very detrimental to his health if he didn't let them go, after all, but Kirara wasn't that worried. Sugimi-sama had always had a great deal of control, and wouldn't want to hurt his own pup... too much, anyway.

As they group cleared the top of the incline, they stopped suddenly. Ahead of them, at the bottom of the incline that they were standing atop, was a strikingly tall figure, dressed in armour, and wearing obviously costly clothing. He was armed, but was merely standing there, in the middle of the road, as if waiting for them, and as they began to cautiously move closer, Miroku's eyes began to widen, and his breath caught.

It couldn't be!

And then Inuyasha stopped so suddenly that Kikyou, who was directly behind him, ran right into his back. In a shocked, disbelieving voice, Inuyasha spoke.

"Father?!"