InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate - ON HOLD ❯ PART TWENTY-TWO ( Chapter 22 )

 

 

DISCLAIMER - The ownership and general brilliance that is the original Feudal Fairy Tale remains the property of its honored and rightfully revered creator Rumiko Takahashi without whose brilliance we would not have fodder.

 

Edited by: Meara

 

DEPICTIONS OF VIOLENT SITUATIONS - You have been warned.

 

Reviews are fuel *reverent bow*

 

 

Part Twenty-Two - This Sesshoumaru Needs Not A Mate

 

"While Eeyore frets ...
... and Piglet hesitates
... and Rabbit calculates
... and Owl pontificates
...Pooh just is.”

 

Two days. It had only been two days and yet a lifetime away from the day-to-day realities of one Western Lord, feared elder son of the Inu-No-Taishou.

 

It seemed laughable now, his original dictum on mates and their purpose, regardless of their nuisance factor, emotional neediness, and tiresome tantrums.

 

Sesshoumaru stood on his chamber's private balcony, overlooking the rough sea and the grounds below and mused.

 

`Her subtle scent pervaded their chambers. It was a delicate mixture of ylang-ylang with just a hint of patchouli.'

 

Sesshoumaru's usual impassive expression softened. He remembered the softness of her skin and the exhilarating feel of her body's assiduous embrace, as he gave in fully to his bestial nature, taking her almost brutally, while she egged him on. The Priestess could rival any courtesan with the sheer depravity of her cries and actions as he pounded her relentlessly, in answer to her enticing entreaties. He would have to be gentle with her this night, perhaps foregoing their agreed upon tryst, in the hot spring he thought with a hint of regret. She was not a demoness, and quite unused to such ferocity when it came to rutting, regardless of her willing complicity.

 

“Where is the insufferable Onna?” said the Taiyoukai, to no one in particular. Still oblivious to her missing aura, he focused more so on her immediate absence from their chambers, and how best to handle her tantrums in the future, without resorting to violence that is.

 

True, the Miko was rather irritating at times, the Taiyoukai reminded himself, refusing to admit, he had returned to their chambers in hopes of finding her there already. A delicate female would undoubtedly open their chamber's shoji any moment, with luck, full of piss and vinegar, ready to give him a piece of her mind, which she always felt compelled to do, while prodding him with her delicate, little finger for emphasis.'

 

“Tiresome, little Onna, forever taking your fragile life in your hands,” said the taiyoukai in a whisper, smiling softly.

 

A slight scuffling sound at the closed shoji, caught the taiyoukai's attention.

 

“Let it go idiot! Find something else to do, before I kick your ass!”

 

The shoji opened then with a bang. A disheveled, miserable, and tired looking Inuyasha stood glaring at Sesshoumaru, with the Miko's disreputable satchel slung over one shoulder.

 

“Have you no sense of decorum, Hanyou? You will cease immediately intimidating Shou. This Sesshoumaru suspects he is mentally deficient and your apparent, constant, goading does nothing for his longevity or, for that matter, his sanity.” said the Taiyoukai coldly. He masked his disappointment that it was not the Priestess' scent, but that of her pack, before turning back to the less than peaceful view of the ocean's waves.

 

Inuyasha snorted, and threw the pack onto the palette.

 

“So where is she? What have you done to piss her off now? I warned you,” said the half-demon, before coming to stand with the taiyoukai on the balcony.

 

Sesshoumaru looked askance at his younger sibling, before returning his gaze to the well worn cobbled path below, observing the cherry trees. No longer in flower, ripe berries hung, having come to fruition. They gave off a mildly sickly-sweet scent.

 

“The Miko has selected to defy her Lord, and has undoubtedly chosen to walk off the grounds, to make a ridiculous point, in hopes of worrying this Sesshoumaru,” said the Taiyoukai with feigned indifference. He was getting worried, regardless of her ability to defend herself.

 

“You two need to get your shit straight. It is so obvious you love each other but neither of you can compromise. Sesshoumaru, she isn't a bitch of our time. You can't just TELL her what to do. You have to humor her and at least pretend to give her good reasons for everything. Since you want her, you're gonna have to adapt,” said the Hanyou, as he looked out to sea with a sad expression on his face. “I learned that the hard way, with Kikyou.”

 

Sesshoumaru blinked, “I am the Taiyoukai. I need not stoop to supplication, most especially not to my Mate. It is her place to serve this Sesshoumaru and obey his commands without question. Should she continue to defy me…” said the youkai Lord indignantly, flicking his long silken locks over his shoulder for emphasis, refusing to finish the sentence.

 

The ocean's breeze was becoming rough and biting, like his temper.

 

Where was she?

 

He was tempted to release his jyaki in search of her, but then she would sense his emotional turmoil and desperate need for her presence. This was not acceptable. It would only encourage her behavior in future. She must return on bended knee and apologize, of her own accord. The sooner she learned the basic tenets of feudal mating rights, and her position as bitch within the bond, the better. His beast growled in annoyance. Sesshoumaru chose to ignore it.

 

Inuyasha chuckled. “Sesshoumaru, cut the bullshit, or save it for someone who actually believes you. I totally get Kagome in ways you clearly don't, or refuse to. You, Lord Asshole, are in love, and I'm here to tell you that's okay. Stop fighting it. Behead everything and everyone in your path, just not your Mate, and anyway, who are ya kiddin? You'd never touch her… like that,” Inuyasha cleared his throat and blushed, as recent memories at the shrine resurfaced.

 

“I'm use to you being the Icicle Prince, and I don't expect you to change, but you need to show Kags your vulnerable side. Be her Mate, not her master. Teach her what must be done for appearances, but leave it outside the shoji of your private chambers,” said Inuyasha with unaccustomed patience in his tone. Never did the hanyou think, he would be counseling Lord Frigid Drawers on how to be a proper Mate.

 

Sesshoumaru turned to Inuyasha with an icy imperious expression. One well arched silver brow was raised, clearly taking umbrage with Inuyasha's patient tone and impudence at daring to give him advice when it came to his handling of the wayward bitch.

 

Inuyasha held the taiyoukai's gaze, warm amber eyes becoming icy cold.

 

“Sesshoumaru, if you ever hurt my best friend, I would stop at nothing to kill you, and I would succeed.” said the Half-demon, in his own deadly quiet baritone.

 

For the first time, the Taiyoukai recognized their registers were similar; a gift from their father.

 

Sesshoumaru tried to regain a firm grip on his emotions. This was becoming increasingly more difficult with the return of his beast, who remained, for the most part, silent and yet constantly interfered with his Lord's emotional stability, when it came to his fractious Mate.

 

The Western Lord sighed and inclined his head in thought, “It would only be honorable for you to `attempt' to do so. Your bloodline dictates this, along with your longstanding bond with the Miko,” said the Taiyoukai, looking at the Hanyou, his citrine eyes vaguely amused at the young half-demon's ambitious belief that he could best him in battle.

 

“It will, of course, never come to this, Inuyasha. The Western Lady will acquiesce and learn her place, in time.” said Sesshoumaru. He looked down to see Rin, running at full speed from the main garden with a colorful bouquet of roses bunched with purple lisianthus, pepperberry and greens.

 

“Rin” said the Lord in a warning tone, the Youjin's steps slowed, closely followed by Shippou, who looked up apologetic as his small form followed his playmate towards Sesshoumaru's private study.

 

Inuyasha began to snicker under his breath, “Face it Sesshoumaru, you are pussy whipped. The sooner you accept this, the better,” said the Hanyou in amusement. `So even Lord High and Mighty could be an idiot for love,' thought the Hanyou, with a small smile.

 

The frigid glare, previously reserved for the top of his ward's head, was leveled at the Hanyou.

 

“You will cease and desist in giving unwanted advice to this Sesshoumaru, in the handling of his mate, unless you desire to be garroted where you stand, insolent pup. Your unfortunate proximity to the Miko has profoundly influenced her undisciplined emotional nature,” intoned the Taiyoukai.

 

The term the hanyou had used was unfamiliar. He could, however, surmise its meaning. Ruru twitched involuntarily, as the Taiyoukai remembered his recent feast of delectably fragrant… pussy.

 

Inuyasha furtively glanced at his brother through his bangs, entirely aware of his brother's arousal. `Yeah, he's got it bad,' thought the Hanyou, with a wry smile.

 

“It's not a bad thing Sesshoumaru. My woman is, for all intents and purposes, dead and I adore her. I was willing to go to hell with her, for a time. Consider yourself lucky. Kagome is alive, and carrying my niece,” said Inuyasha, his face taking on a morose express, as he folded his arms within his sleeves and grew silent.

 

The Taiyoukai sighed. Jaken was approaching the open shoji, undoubtedly to tell him everyone had gathered for the meeting.

 

Without turning, the Taiyoukai spoke.

 

“Jaken, serve refreshments to our guests. Inform them there will be a short delay. I have things to discuss with Inuyasha. We will be in the dojo. They may return to whatever they were doing until the noon meal. See to finding the Western Lady immediately. She seems to have forgotten her pressing appointment with her Lord in our chambers,” intoned the Taiyoukai in quiet annoyance, neglecting to inform all parties concerned there had been no such appointment.

 

Slowly turning to face his retainer, he gave his final order, his eyes glacial as he took in the nervous retainer.

 

“Inform her, she is to await her master's return. Should my lady prove… diffident in the matter, have her forcibly detained in our quarters by two female guards.”

 

The Western Lord paused for effect.

 

“Jaken, no harm is to come to her person. Should I find she is damaged in the ensuing `discussions', their lives, and of course yours, will be immediately forfeit. The Western Lady is with pup and somewhat argumentative at the moment.”

 

Inuyasha shook his head and sighed, mumbling the word “Asshole” under his breath.

 

Jaken stood, head bowed, a tad confused at the Lord's final order, gulping involuntarily at the not so veiled threat to his youkai.

 

Speaking in his usual frightened pubertal tone, Jaken took his life into his own claws, for the second time while in the service of the Taiyoukai, “Surely, the Western Lord had no intentions of disgracing his Lady?” said Sesshoumaru's retainer, before he could think better of his query. The words were out before he could stop himself.

 

Somehow, this order displeased the kappa. `Though annoying and a ningen, she had done nothing sufficiently wrong to merit being paraded about the palace in such an undignified manner. This was not befitting her new found station, as Lady of the shiro,' he thought in fear and some indignation on her behalf. She had been one of the few beings to show him kindness of late.

 

The Western Lord stared at the kappa as though her were a small bug beneath his shoe, equally confused, by the retainer's unheralded effrontery. His jyaki began to spike, and the air in the Lord's private chambers crackled with an electric current of foreboding.

 

Inuyasha stepped forward, his own hairs at the back of his neck beginning to stand on end. He had a feeling there would be swift and painful retribution for the little toad's unsolicited query, and though it would be pleasurable to witness, it was not justified in this instance.

 

“My…Lord?” said the Kappa in a squeaky tremulous voice, anticipating a painful reprisal for speaking out of turn, “Your humble servant Jaken will find my Lady, and return her immediately to my Lord's chambers, it will not be necessary to …to.”

 

“JAKEN!” barked the Taiyoukai, growling for emphasis, and baring his fangs.

 

The kappa squealed, bowed and dashed out of reach of the Taiyoukai, who made for him, but Inuyasha noted, not with any great speed.

 

Inuyasha glared at the taiyoukai, grinding his teeth impatiently.

 

“Oi! Make this quick so you can get your stubborn ass bitch, or I will. Knowing Kagome, she is probably outside walking off her pissed, and wondering if she can find a way to Osuwari your sorry ass into the ground. She might be strong enough to take out anything in her path, but still I would feel better if we found her soon Sesshoumaru. Why don't you just reach out or some shit like that? You can do that can't ya, being inuyoukai and stuff?” said Inuyasha, somewhat annoyed and growing agitated with each passing moment. Something might be wrong. Now that he thought about it, he scented her earlier, but now it was as if she had vanished into thin air. These two were going to be the death of him with their bullshit need for dominance. Deciding, he had made enough enemies in the shiro, Inuyasha gnashed his teeth and kept silent.

 

“Commander Daichi, where have you buried the body?” said the Taiyoukai, giving the pack a suspicious glance and a sniff, before heading back through the shoji. “Accompany this Sesshoumaru to the dojo,” said the Taiyoukai imperiously. Inuyasha growled then followed.

 

“Coming…Asshole…”

 

sks

 

“You'd be surprised how many people violate this simple principle every day of their lives and try to fit square pegs into round holes, ignoring the clear reality that Things Are As They Are.”

 

Sango circled the Priest, sweating, as she twirled her naginata, its bladed tip glinting in the sun's light with each perfect rotation. `This is exhilarating,' thought the demon slayer, smiling happily. `There's nothing like a good work out with a worthy opponent, and Miroku is that.'

 

Miroku smiled mischievously along with the slayer, `So far she has managed to dodge all my moves. Sango seems exceedingly adept at reading the angles of attack because I have allowed her to see his intent. Not this time,' he thought, as he leapt over her head, in an attempt to bring his staff's wood shaft to her throat, constricting her movement further.

 

Sango countered, placing her own weapon to her chest, effectively blocking his intended strike to curtail her movements further.

 

She relaxed into his hold briefly, causing him to re-adjust his grip to maintain his hold of the slayer, keeping her in position. He had fallen for it. That momentary slip would cost him. The taijya swiftly bent and flipped the unsuspecting priest over her shoulder with ease. Sango stood proudly over the priest's prone form, the blade of the naginata at his throat.

 

`Damn! What a beauty,' thought the Houshi.

 

An equally sweaty houshi looked up at the triumphant slayer and smiled softly, causing her own smile to slowly fade. Her heart beating rapidly, she reached one callused hand down to her opponent, averting her gaze. He took the pro-offered hand, easing himself up with a sinuous catlike motion.

 

Sango attempted to loosen his rather intimate grip of her hand then, without success. Miroku continued to look deeply into her chocolate brown eyes, his amethyst one's looked teasingly into hers with innuendo, making her decidedly uncomfortable. She began to blush.

 

“Priest… stop It! Why do you do this? You always tease. Let go. We have no future together. We both want different things, and I have come to accept our differences. Please, I would like to maintain our friendship. You will never change and neither will I. What is more, I cannot hold you to principles you are incapable of abiding by,” said Sango without recrimination, having finally spoken her heart.

 

Though painful, she felt lightened of her emotional load. Kagome had been right.

 

It had been her intention to retreat from this uncomfortable situation. Unexpectedly, the taijya found herself pulled into the priest's arms. The houshi held Sango firmly about the waist with one hand, pressing his body into hers, making his intentions clear, as his other hand pulled at the linen binding that held her damp ponytail, releasing her dark brown tresses, softening her beautiful tanned face.

 

“I want you Sango, as I have never wanted another woman,” he said, returning his attention to her soft lips. She closed her eyes and moaned into his impetuous kiss involuntarily, pulling him to her equally as forcefully, deepening the contact.

 

The naginata fell to the tatami, forgotten, while Sesshoumaru looked on with one quirked brow in mild interest, and Inuyasha blushed, in a fair imitation of ripe tomato.

 

sks

 

“The wise are not learned; the learned are not wise.”

 

“Sesshoumaru….mmm, baby, not now. I really have a headache,” moaned the Miko, turning away from her Taiyoukai into the soft silken pillow, before being held forcibly down. Her head was throbbing and the sheets felt unfamiliar. The room smelt oddly too, and to top it off she felt sick to her stomach and just wanted to sleep.

 

“Oh no, my Lady, you will submit. Consider it punishment, as I could find the shards nowhere on your person. I should be rewarded for my patience in thus far allowing you to continue breathing. Kan'na has summarily been dispatched, having failed in her simple task of retrieval, of both you and, more importantly, the shards.” said the Hanyou in a dispassionate, well modulated tone.

 

“All things being equally, I must admit a deep fascination with what must lie between your legs that so enslaves the Western Lord. I intend to partake of his favorite current delicacy, so you might as well enjoy. I will,” said the Hanyou sibilantly, lowering his head to her neck.

 

The priestess felt her legs roughly parted, as unfamiliar clawed hands moving up her inner thighs roughly, drawing blood. This was not Sesshoumaru! Kagome's eyes opened fully in fright, seeing double. The image in front of her looked familiar, it was Sesshoumaru, but no… his scent was all wrong, as was his touch, and aura. Her vision cleared, as adrenaline coursed through her body, effectively nullifying the drug. It was Naraku.

 

Muffled frustrated cries drew her attention away from the male who hovered above her menacingly.

 

There was Kouga bound and gagged, bleeding profusely, she could not tell from where. What she did feel was his shards. The Miko breathed a sigh of relief. They would require his speed, if they made it out of here alive.

 

A cold rage welled in the Miko suddenly, as she looked back into blood red eyes with hate. Naraku's eyes hooded, as he tried to read the emotions he saw playing within her own. She had become aware of his illusion too soon.

 

The Miko raised her legs and kicked the hanyou in the stomach, dislodging him, albeit temporarily, as he pounced once more.

 

“How quaint. Someone seems to have grown stronger due to mating. All the better for my enjoyment. I do like a bit of fire in my bitch while rutting,” were the words the Miko heard before she was back-handed forcefully across her face. So hard in fact, she tumbled off the palette onto the tatami at Kouga's feet. Her head throbbed, as she struggled to right herself. This could not be happening, her mind screamed.

 

Kouga summoning the last vestiges of strength, toppled his chair. He fell next to the Miko who lay there stunned, blinking confusedly. The Ookami looked at her with fearful, apologetic blue eyes filled with tears of frustration and anger. He felt impotent and unable to protect his friend from what surely would come.

 

“Kouga,” the Miko whispered somewhat incoherently, `What is Kouga doing here? Where is here, for that matter?' she thought groggily, unable to piece together what had happened. The last thing she remembered was leaning down to retrieve her pack and bow, then the mind numbing darkness that immediately followed.

 

“See Miko, we even have an audience for our little tryst. Get back on that palette and spread those long, silky legs. This should not prove so difficult, as the Western Lord has, by all appearances, broken you in nicely. To my understanding, you have come to enjoy being on your back. Why change matters at your life's end? Or would you prefer I take you from behind, like the dog's bitch that you have become?” Naraku said derisively, enjoying his own play on words.

 

Kagome was capable of great many things. Playing victim wasn't one of them. Her ire rose at hanyou's hateful words. Easing herself off the floor, she stood slowly on shaky legs, leaning against the chair that held her friend bound and gagged. The Priestess looked about the room. No ready means of escape was evident. What she did know was she had to get both herself and Kouga out of there, alive.

 

The Miko's fighting spirit had returned.

 

Naraku lay on the palette, his blood red eyes appraising the Miko's swelling jaw, and blackening eye with pride. His vision took in the gossamer like, pale material of her kimono lewdly.

 

“An excellent choice, don't you think?” said the Hanyou, pointing one finger at her ensemble, lazily. Kagome looked down in horror, finally realizing she was no longer wearing her jeans, or her shirt, or under-things. She was naked beneath the thin material. Naraku had made his second mistake. This only exacerbated her anger, as she began to glow white, seething inwardly.

 

“Why am I here, Naraku? Better yet, what have you done to Kouga?” spat the Miko, fully enraged. The tell tale signs of her new power was coursing through her limbs. When she was done with Naraku, he would be ashes. She had to maintain control; she might only have one opportunity.

 

The best line of defense always being offense, Kagome charged the palette, unadvisedly, succumbing to blinding anger. Her Miko powers not coming to her aid, she discovered too late, as she struggled with the hanyou.

 

Naraku was perplexed by the strength of will the Miko was showing. He had expected her to quake in fear, begging for her life, that of the unborn pup, and the waste of space that was the Ookami. She did none of this, and then there was the presence, for want of better words, lying dormant within the priestess, one that caused him actual fear. The presence shifted, splitting off into myriad forms. It was reminiscent of his own true being, composed of many demonic forces.

 

He smiled knowingly. She has no control. In order to harness this force, the miko would have to quiet her emotions, and this she had not yet learned. Excellent, thought the hanyou with malevolent glee.

 

He had an agenda, beyond Sesshoumaru's much desired humiliation. It would not do to kill her …yet. Rolling off her lazily, he stood away from the palette, and examined the claws of one pale tapered hand meditatively, as he mused.

 

“What the hell is the point of this Naraku?! You can see I don't have the shards. Apparently, Kan'na failed to realize, I wasn't wearing them,” hissed the Miko, as she continued to glare at the hanyou. She took the opportunity of his retreat to stand slowly and painfully walk over to Kouga, using her body to block Naraku's sight of him. For whatever reason, the hanyou was watching the prince with renewed interest. He would have to get through her first.

 

`Satori must survive, so must Kouga,' she said like a mantra within, leaning down to stroke Kouga's damp hair. He had fainted, from the loss of blood.

 

Naraku eyed the Miko suspiciously, “Yes she did fail, and I don't accept failure. First Rin, and now you. Do not touch him Priestess. Be thankful, I have allowed you the liberty of life. It would be so very easy to kill you both, but I have questions. Then I will take my pleasure of you, allowing the besotted fool to watch, should he select to regain consciousness, and then kill you both…or not!” said Naraku, dismissively.

 

The half-demon was a blur, as he was once again by her side. The next two blows opened her bottom lip, as she careened into the far wall.

 

Naraku reached down for her unconscious friend, pulling at Kouga's hair, revealing his neck, one claw extended. Kagome screamed, as a blinding white light flew at the hanyou, and he too crashed against the opposing wall, screaming in pain, holding his lifeless blackened limb against his chest, unable to move - paralyzed.

 

Kagome began to laugh, almost hysterically at Naraku's frightened expression. Kouga was a crumpled mass, but still alive. A dense gray black fog rose from the floor around Naraku. Kagome began to cough, as she slowly made her way across the floor to Kouga on her knees. Naraku blood read eyes watched in mixture of confusion, fear and anger. She should be dead by now. No mortal could stand the miasma.

 

While she had the upper hand, Kagome struggled, her fingers numb, but she managed to release the Ookami from his bindings. Slinging one arm over her shoulder she lifted him as best she could. She had sustained injuries, and that coupled with the effect of the miasma had made it rather difficult to think, much less to breathe.

 

The hanyou remained paralyzed. The only motion, his eyes, blood red and frightened at this sudden turn of events. This was not how it had been planned. The Miko had grown stronger through her mating bond, and something more, something he had never anticipated. He chastised himself for retreating all those years ago in the face of that flea infested little nekomata's untimely interference.

 

“Kouga? Kouga?” sputtered the Miko, as she gently patted his face, while keeping an eye on the hanyou, who lay frozen to the spot, glaring at her with hatred.

 

He was out for the count. How in Kami was she going to save herself, her child, and him to boot, thought the Priestess desperately. She struggled with his body towards the open fusuma, that suspiciously appeared within the miasma-filled room.

 

Kagome felt herself roughly tugged in the murky darkness, upward, at a rapid pace. Another set of doors flew open then, and she found herself on a cliff's edge in the bright light reflected in the morning's mist.

 

“Go! Now!” hissed a low, female voice in haste. The Miko crumpled to the ground with the dead weight of the wolf prince. Her barely there kimono was covered in blood, and dirt, as she shivered in shock and cold.

 

“Kouga we're alive…. thank Kami,” said the Miko, as she struggled for breath, pulling him closer to retain both their body's dwindling heat. His pallor beneath his soiled tanned face did not give her comfort. She felt for his pulse. It was faint, but there.

 

Kagome remained confused as to why her powers had failed when she called upon them in self-defense, and yet, she had managed to incapacitate Naraku, all because he threatened Kouga's life, and that of her unborn pup, however indirectly.

 

Her hackles rose, as she felt a presence, a familiar one, as she stood, unsteadily and rounded on the being, arms raised.

 

A soft familiar feminine voice spoke.

 

“You won't be, if you remain. Kagome, all this will have been for naught. I will deal with the filthy hanyou, as you make your escape. Do so now with the aid of my shikigami who will see you safely to the western shiro,” said Kikyou, leaning against a large bolder jutting from the cliff's edge.

 

The effort required to ascend, even with her shikigami, had been too much for her. Twin balls of light landed and transformed into two small beings, one beside the Shikon-no-Miko and the other next to the unconscious prince of wolves, still prone.

 

Kagome looked up at Kikyou, and despite her shock and fear, she bowed thankfully.

 

“Come with me, Kikyou. I know Inuyasha wants to see you. He loves you like no other, though he is a bit of an ass and can't seem to admit this to the one woman who deserves to know. It's a Taishou thing,” said the modern Miko conversationally. Kouga began to stir, coughing, as he raised his head bleary eyed, before losing consciousness once more.

 

Kikyou's ghostlike countenance smiled at her, “Consider this our last encounter Shikon-no-Miko, a life, for a borrowed life. Take care of Inuyasha. I will not survive this, and with luck, neither will Naraku,” she said blandly, bowing with respect to the female now stooped at her feet, nursing the Ookami.

 

`She remains pure of spirit, despite everything,' Kikyou thought with amazement.

 

`Kagome truly was the right choice, after all,' thought the older Miko, humbled by this sudden realization. The shikigami transformed back into light with Kagome and Kouga shielded within their barrier.

 

The formerly solid rock face vanished and as the dark doorway reappeared, Kikyou entered. The Wind Sorceress stood aside, allowing the Priestess' entrance. Her ruby eyes watching the bright light's progress across the sky as it headed westward. She smiled secretively, following Kikyou to her destiny and perhaps her own. Naraku would not, be pleased.

 

sks

 

The oozing mass, and stench within Naraku's private chambers caused the demoness to gag as she entered, covering her nose. Naraku had not been able to maintain his humanoid form, post the Miko's attack. This is promising, thought the Wind Sorceress.

 

“We have found Kikyou. She is not in the best of health, but she is currently in the main hall, awaiting your judgment, Naraku. What do you wish me to do?” she said bowing low, as a tentacle reached about her waist and pulled her into the oozing mass of decaying flesh, and demonic power.

 

“If I find that you have had anything to do with the Miko's fortuitous escape, your death will be the stuff of legend, Kagura,” echoed the Hanyou's voice against the stones of his chamber's, as he threw the demoness towards the fusuma violently.

 

Seemingly unperturbed by his wrath, Kagura adjusted her bun, reorganizing her feather for anchor and averting her gaze, from the putrefying slime that was Naraku. She stood, bowed and left his chambers.

 

`Things were looking up, indeed,' thought the demoness with a smirk, unaware Kohaku stood in shadow, observing the play of emotions across her face.

 

sks

 

A silent scream, yes, that would be the appropriate description.

 

The walls of the dojo were soaked, as rivulets of liquid, blood to be exact, followed gravities course, down its walls. The Western Lord's pale visage could barely be seen, beneath the gore, his eyes a matching crimson, with black irises. His hair matted with the drying former life giving force. Sesshoumaru howled in seeming pain, partially transformed, rocking back and forth. He was oblivious to the presence of Miroku, Jaken and Kaede, who surrounded him in a make shift barrier. Two trusted guards, risked life and limb, attempting to remove the gutted, dismembered forms of one Shou, and his acolyte, Megumi.

 

*FLASHBACK*

 

Jaken prostrated himself on the bamboo floor outside of the fusuma of the dojo, as two guards stood behind him, with the trusted servants Megumi and Shou, who looked the worst for wear. The little kappa trembled as he raised his head, to look up at the implacable, vaguely questioning expression of his master. He did not know what to say. All of this had been indirectly his fault, he was sure, and now the Western Lady, was in danger. His life was forfeit, he knew this, and accepted his fate.

 

“Stand, Jaken. Explain their presence,” said the Taiyoukai, who released his jyaki and growled. Though he sensed the Miko vaguely and one other, he had grown tired of her childish need to worry him. He would find her, as soon as this current situation was resolved. She would never do this again, he vowed.

 

“Ooooh, my….Lord, I …I,” Jaken stuttered, unable to contain his sorrow, his large eyes filled with tears of self-recrimination.

 

Inuyasha's brows furrowed, with a sudden thought. Lifting the kappa out of his way, Inuyasha grabbed Shou's throat, digging his claws into the fragile withered neck, as the servants eyes bugged in fear.

 

“Where is Kagome?” growled the Hanyou in a quiet menace, as he squeezed for dear life.

 

The Western Lord, kicked the kappa out of his way, and swiftly, took Inuyasha's place. Lifting the servant effortlessly he threw him to the inner chamber of the dojo, and then the cowering Megumi, who began to plead for her life.

 

The sudden noise startled both Miroku and Sango, who stood stunned, only managing to get out of the way of the elderly servant's flight path, in the- nick-of-time. A loud crack was heard, as a leg broke, and then another. The eerie silence, as the Western Lord, gave into his true nature, caused Miroku, to pull Sango behind him. She did not protest.

 

Inuyasha had disappeared from the outer entrance to the dojo. Only the guards remained, and the crumpled, pewling, toad youkai.

 

Carefully hugging the walls, Miroku and Sango approached the little green retainer, and Sango stooped, and lifted him gently, while casting a fearful eye in the direction of the Taiyoukai.

 

“Where is Kagome, Jaken?” she said worriedly, looking for where the naginata had fallen and that of the houshi's shakujo, in case they would need them in defense.

 

She need not have bothered. The priest held both, as he faced the Western Lord with Sango and Jaken to his back, protectively, while he watched the progress of the servants' dismemberment, in awed fascination. He really was the Killing Perfection. The Western Lord's aura, which he had seen on more than one occasion in battle, held a new element, a chaotic force, not previously seen. Miroku squinted. He was right.

 

The unknown force seemed to originate somewhere near the Taiyoukai's upper chest. This was not good. The Taiyoukai was clearly unreachable in this state, operating purely on instinct and would soon prove a detriment to all concerned, unless stopped. But… how?

 

Jaken began to sob, green viscous snot pouring from his nose onto Sango's sleeve. She wanted desperately to recoil, but resisted the urge. Instead, the slayer chose to shake the little, distraught youkai back to his senses. She was thankful for Miroku's presence at her back; something she would not soon forget.

 

“Please Jaken, what happened to Kagome? Where is she?” said Sango, becoming frantic about her friend's safety and whereabouts, while Megumi uttered her final scream. This had all the earmarks of Naraku's doing.

 

“I found them both in the kitchens….they… they were talking, about the Western Lady, and… and how they had to leave, before my Lord found out,” wailed the kappa, his eyes red with tears and broken capillaries. His bulbous, repulsive, orbs swiveling about in terror, as Shou's severed head, came to rest beside him. The eyes wide and vacant, the mouth open, bloodied - without a tongue.

 

Jaken fainted in Sango's arms, as the Taiyoukai roared, and the room shook. Miroku's staff began to vibrate in his hand, the circular golden charm atop the staff becoming red hot, while the two inverted crescents glowed a rich gold. They moved through one another, forming a perfect circle. The three golden rings on either side of the holy circle chimed in unison, catching the Taiyoukai's attention. He turned to face the Priest, his own crescent glowing in response. Sesshoumaru's beast had taken hold.

 

The terrified guards, who had seen much, parted, allowing Kaede to enter the room quietly and slowly.

 

“Ye must approach him Priest, but very slowly. Make no sudden movement, maintain eye contact at all times,” said the elderly healer forcefully, as she looked about her at the carnage.

 

Turning to Sango, she spoke.

“Sango, I left the children in the teahouse. Keep them there. Fear not child, Kagome remains unharmed. Go now,” said the Miko, as Sango, bowed. She turned only once, to look with trepidation, as Miroku bravely began to approach the bloodied demon Lord, who towered above the houshi with a glazed otherworldly expression.

Kaede looked to the quivering mess that was the kappa, who began to crawl backwards out of the room whimpering, with his staff of two heads in one trembling claw.

 

“Jaken, your moment has come. Ye must join the Priest with the staff of two heads, which was given to you in trust by the Western Lord, so very long ago. Our lives depend on controlling Sesshoumaru-sama's beast. Naraku must not be allowed to win by default,” said Kaede.

 

Jaken blinked at her in a stupefied fashion, and gulped, slowly standing. There in front of him was his master, completely out of control. This pitiful ningen expected him, a lowly servant, with no true abilities, to do what exactly other than die a hideous death?

 

True heroism in life is often found, not by those possessing brute strength alone. Case in point, a small kappa demon, knowing his own intrinsic limitations, and yet, overriding them, in the silent spaces of his heart, having been touched, by compassion.

 

*END FLASHBACK*

 

sks

 

Even now he could smell the blood of the deserving bastards, but still he ran in search of Kagome. It would be an hour hence, before a distant glow caught his attention coming through the trees.

 

Large, tired amber eyes recognized the mode of transport. `Kikyou's shikigami,' thought the Hanyou with relief, as he finally scented his friend and one other, Kouga. There was blood, but most of it was his - thankfully. She was alive, as was Satori.

 

sks

 

 

The sight that greeted the bloodied, bruised, Miko, caused her to place blood-smeared trembling fingers to her own lips, as she ran to her Taiyoukai, crashing through the barrier that disintegrated under her greater force.

 

Unthinkingly, she held the tall being's head to her chest, and rocked him gently. “Oh Sesshoumaru…Sesshoumaru, my love, what has become of you?” said Kagome sadly. She finally gave into full-blown tears, wiping his face with her equally bloody white kimono, continuing to rock him gently.

 

`Naraku will pay for this,' thought Inuyasha, who stood and watched his family, before turning and silently exiting the dojo, unobserved.

 

Miroku sank to the ground, but remained alert, as the unknown aura the Taiyoukai had previously displayed, merged with the Miko's own strengthened aura. Miroku's eyes brightened in sudden recognition. He had seen this before, a very long time ago.

 

EP