InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trust ❯ Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Sango and Kagome ran into breakfast a little while later (once they realized the show was over) and joined Nzinga at her table. She sat thoughtfully, eating some bacon and bread.

"I don't want to talk about Sess right now," she said before either girl could open her mouth. "I'll tell you everything you want later."

They looked at each other in surprise and shrugged. Kagome dug right into her meal (feeling understandably drained after last night), but Sango followed Zi's gaze across the hall. It fell on Sasha, one of the other shifter females to respond to Inu Yasha's Call. Sango herself had not seen much of her, but even she knew about her woman's relentless pursuit of Inu Yasha's brother.

"That woman is going to be trouble," she muttered.

Zi looked at her in surprise. "You think so, too? I thought it was just me."

"No, no," Sango said softly. "She's too harsh, too shrill and too quick to claim insult."

"Yes," Nzinga sighed and washed down her last bite with some fruit juice. "But if we've considered it, Sess has. And since she is still on the mission, he must think he can handle it."

"True." Sango nodded, then started on her own breakfast.

Nzinga looked up and saw the maid who brought her the blankets last night. "What's her name?" she asked.

Sango followed her gaze. "Sarah. Why?"

The Kushn stood up. "I want to thank her for helping us out last night. Don't let them clear my plate, I'll be right back." With that she walked over to the young girl. Sango watched as Sarah's face flushed with pleasure, and she gave the woman a curtsy. Nzinga gave her a cheerful smile in return and came back to their table.

"What did she do?" Kagome asked.

"Well, there were still some people passed out in the garden at the end, so I asked her for some blankets for them." She snorted. "There was no way I carrying them to bed."

Kagome regarded the dark-skinned woman. She could curse like a sailor, yet was affectionate and mothering to the most unlikely people. She had lived a harsh life, but had not let it change her for the worse. She was shockingly candid about mating relations when giving advice, but blushed when Sango pointed out that Sesshomaru had not taken his eyes off her since he entered.

"Well, he's just mad because I won earlier." She stated.

"Won what?" Sango wanted to know.

"He wants to rattle me, but I can give as well as he can." Her eyes narrowed, and she stared into the distance for a second before coming back to the conversation. "Anyway, it's not important. I said I'd talk about him later, if you really want to know."

The foster sisters exchanged glances that said "Damn right we want to know!"

"And we can also talk about that you and that monk," Nzinga casually mentioned as Sango took a sip of juice.

Choking, she spluttered, "Nothing! I mean there's nothing going on! What makes you bring that up?"

"He was always a little too curious for his own good when it came to girls, but he was a good boy. Loyal, brave, smart, charming…but a sucker when it came to women. Even at that age." Zi shook her head. "All I'm saying is please don't judge him by his busy hands. He's a good man, and he really seems to care for you. His father was the same way, and he's managed to get Miroku's mother to stay with him all these years."

Kagome laughed. "That's what Inu Yasha said."

"Have you two packed yet?" Zi asked absently.

"Yes, Mama," Kagome giggled.

She laughed. "Sorry, sorry. Ok, I'll leave you alone." She stood and stretched. "I'll go and inspect my weapons, see if I can get any minor repairs done before we go."

She waved and walked off.

"We may want to do the same." Sango sighed. "At least, I should."

"No, I haven't done it yet either. We'd better go. It'll time to leave soon enough."

Two hours later found all three women in the courtyard, caring for their weapons. Kagome had earlier begged three whetstones from the blacksmith, and gave them to her friends when she found them later.

She looked around her at the bustle around the fort. She had grown up here, and it had been her home for as long as she could remember. She felt a pang at having to leave it under these circumstances, but she knew she would be back soon enough. The sight of Sango reminded her of the price of staying behind fort walls while Naraku's army was out there.

Sango had polished Hiraikotsu and replaced the carrying strap. Nzinga was currently caring for her morningstar, a positively wicked looking weapon.

"I've never seen a woman wield one of those before," Kagome remarked.

Zi shrugged. "It's mean looking, it has the force of a club, but can puncture the skin. Also, it can wrap around a shield whereas a sword is at a disadvantage. The only drawback is that it's hard to clean."

Kagome blinked, trying not to imagine what became stuck between the spikes of a morningstar.

"And your blade?" Sango asked.

Nzinga glanced at the sword sitting at her side. "She's fine. I don't use her as much as I do the morningstar."

"She?" Kagome asked. "Does your blade have a name?"

Nzinga hesitated. "Scathach. She's best used…sparingly."

Her friends caught the tone in her voice, and kindly refrained from asking further. The three women continued to work in a companionable silence.

At dinner that night, the Commander wished the departing troops good luck, and thanked them for taking on this mission without knowing the specifics. Kagome and Sango said their goodbyes to Naota later in private. Right before they left his presence, he called out to Sango.

"You know your father is my best friend. If I didn't have a responsibility to this fort, I would be leading this mission myself."

Sango's face softened. "I know Commander. I don't blame you for any of this. Thank you for allowing me to go and search."

"I would expect nothing less from Leilani and Hiro's daughter." He stated simply.

Blinking back tears, Sango saluted him and quickly walked off.

"Kagome, please ask Inu Yasha to come by here before leaving." Naota asked.

Kagome wasn't sure how she felt about that, but nodded her assent. Walking into the courtyard, she sent out a questing thought, and found him immediately, as he turned his head in her direction. I'm really getting used to this, she thought. Of course it has been stronger since we…

He walked up to her, an unreadable look on his face. "My father would like to speak to you."

"I expected as much." He lowered his voice. "Are you alright? Not too…sore?"

She blushed and avoided his gaze. "No, it's not too bad."

"Good." He still looked hesitant. "No regrets?"

She snapped her gaze up to his, startled. "No!"

His face relaxed and he looked faintly smug. "Good. I'll be back soon."

Near the front gate stood Nzinga, Conn, Miroku, Sango, Sesshomaru and Sasha. She was fawning over the older shifter at present, and he bore it with his normal distant look. Kagome wondered how dense someone would have to be in order to continue in the face of that kind of discouragement. She looked at the girl again, and was surprised by the look of hatred that flashed on her face when Sesshomaru wasn't looking.

Kagome was taken aback. That was not the look of a girl with a simple crush. That was a single-minded woman who could be dangerous to any who got in her way.

And that look of hatred was focused on Zi, who was demonstrating the correct way to hold the morningstar, oblivious to the seething spite in the woman just a few yards away.

Kagome determined to mention that to both Zi and Inu Yasha before it could get anyone hurt…or jeopardize the mission.

A few moments later, her mate appeared at her side. "Did you have a good talk with my father?"

He smiled slightly. "We understand each other." And he would speak no more on it. All she could get through the bond was a sense of relief, and the thrill of the upcoming mission.

Once everyone was gathered in the courtyard, Sesshomaru looked over the group, and motioned for the smaller door in the fort gate to be opened.

He led the way, a stream of people and horses behind him. The humans rode, while the shifters went on foot.

Kagome was towards the middle of the pack, per Inu Yasha's wishes, but as she could pin point his location at any given time, she was not worried. Nzinga ran alongside a riderless horse…it carried her weapons and supplies, as she planned to shift and scout ahead as soon as she could. She wore a strange one-piece garment that covered her torso and split like breeches at the legs ("I was tired of ruining clothes shifting," she would explain when asked. "This is easy to get on and off.").

About an hour out from the fort, she ran to the front of the group. "Sess?" she asked. He nodded to her, and her evil look was all the warning he got before he got a face full of fabric. He heard Miroku choke, and pulled the garment off his face to see Zi running naked ahead of him, laughing wickedly as she made her way into the forest on the side of the road.

Seconds later a panther-shaped shadow became visible at the edge of the forest.

Did she remember the meeting place? A disgusted hiss was his response, of course she did. He smiled to himself, still holding her garment. Her scent rose from it, and he frowned slightly. She had about a week at the absolute latest before she came into heat…

"Shit." He muttered, to his brother's surprise. He then refused to speak for the rest of the night except to bark orders.

Throughout the night, Zi sent back reports that kept them out of sight of other traveling parties.

"How is she doing that?" Sango wondered.

"Shifters can speak mentally to each other over distances," Miroku explained, raising his voice to be heard. "She is relaying information to Sesshomaru as she scouts."

Kagome was surprised. She had sent Inu Yasha emotions, but not actual words. She wondered if they had that ability.

"Inu Yasha!" she called. She saw him stumble, and shake his head as if to clear it.

"You don't have to be so loud, bitch," he responded sourly. "What is it?"

"Why didn't you tell me we could do this?" she demanded.

"Because I didn't want you chattering at me all the damn time. Besides, I knew you'd figure it out eventually," he grumbled.

You forgot, didn't you? Kagome thought to herself, then sighed.

"Can you do this with everyone?"

"No…since I'm only half shifter I can only send to family. It's more difficult to contact anyone else, although I can hear them." She could sense that was a sore spot with him, so she dropped the subject.

Sesshomaru called a halt about an hour before dawn. They would rest a few hours, then split into smaller groups and search in different directions to hit as many villages as possible.

Nzinga slunk into camp, still in panther form. She walked up to the seated Sesshomaru, and looked at her garment, which he still had with him.

"Give it to me." She sent to him.

He raised an eyebrow. "I thought this was a gift. Are you taking it back?" He responded in kind.

She sighed, looking irritated. "I'm tired. Give me my clothes."

"You can sleep in your current form." He said out loud.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" she thought, with a dangerous low purr.

He made no verbal or mental response, only continuing to look at her.

"Sesshomaru," Kagome called softly, "why don't you give it back? You know she can't change without it."

Inu Yasha snorted. "They can keep this up for days. I've never seen two such stubborn people."

Miroku choked at this statement, while Kagome tried to stifle a giggle.

"What?" Inu Yasha frowned, as everyone else avoided his gaze. "Keh," was all he said, as he crossed his arms on his chest, looking disgruntled.

"Well, maybe they can last for days, but it doesn't mean-" Kagome broke off, gasping. Everyone followed her stunned gaze to Zi and Sesshomaru. Where there had been a panther face to face with the silver haired man, a naked woman now knelt. She snatched her garment from his suddenly loose grip and leaped into the trees, out of sight. She reappeared dressed a moment later, grabbed her gear from her horse, and arranged her bedroll on the ground near the other women, ignoring the stares and snickers from her comrades.

Sango opened her mouth to speak, but Zi beat her to it. "I don't want to talk about Sess right now." She rolled over, braids flying, signaling the end of the conversation.

A pair of eyes flashed with anger. Kagome looked up to see a pair of silvery blue eyes seething with hatred in Nzinga's direction. She frowned. Sasha had limited herself to snide remarks and cutting looks so far. However, she had heard from others that the woman had been known to offer challenge to those who she felt were hampering her pursuit of the shifter leader.

She sighed. Hopefully she won't let any petty jealousies get in the way of our goal.

"Stop thinking so much." Her worrying had apparently reached her mate. He sounded surly. "If you've considered it, then my brother has." Then more gently, "Just go to sleep so you don't slow us down tomorrow."

She sighed, and rolled over to comply. However, once she stopped worrying, that let other thoughts keep her from sleep…mainly those concerning the previous night with her mate. Even the memory of the act had the power to warm her. Suddenly her bedroll seemed stifling. She got up quietly, and walked away from the sleeping group, She didn't go far, but the lack of light within the trees made her disappear from sight immediately. Once out of the presence of the others, she reached over her head, stretching every muscle possible.

Inu Yasha watched her leave. He could tell she was thinking of last night, and a satisfied smile crossed his face. He felt much less…tense now that they had actually mated. Now that his claim was secure and their Bond complete, it was one less thing to worry about. He fidgeted as he remembered their first night together…

"Inu Yasha. You are broadcasting your…eagerness like an adolescent. If you want your bitch, follow her." Inu Yasha started; his brother had appeared to be asleep. He then shrugged and stood to go after Kagome.

Kagome had settled herself on the riverbank, head tilted back to watch the stars. Suddenly, her arms were caught in a firm grip at her sides, and a pair of soft lips worked their way down the side of her throat. She had been so lost in her thoughts she hadn't realized he was approaching. Her breath escaped on a sigh as her head dropped back and she leaned against him. She smiled at his growl of approval, thrilling at the feeling she aroused in him.

"Who needs sleep?" Inu Yasha muttered as he slid his hands up her shirt.

In the morning, the women bathed in the river. Some rocks about five yards out from the bank broke the current. This resulted in the formation of a small pool calm enough to wash in. It was a beautiful spot, however, there was no time to linger as the force needed to split up and move out as quickly as possible.

After Sesshomaru gave the orders, each group went in a different direction, in accordance with where the intelligence claimed Naruku's forces would next strike. Kouga was in charge of one group, while Torin, a Kieran's fort fighter, led another. Jaken, another shifter, accompanied that group. Shaya, a small, dark haired woman, led the third group, and Sasha was assigned for communications. Finally, Sesshomaru led the last group, which included his brother, Kagome, Nzinga, Sango, Miroku and Conn, in addition to the fighters from the fort.

Sasha looked disappointed at being separated from the object of her affection. ("I never thought I would ever consider a beautiful woman's attentions to be distasteful...but even I draw the line at stalking." Miroku commented.) She forbore from complaining however, when Sesshomaru turned an impassive gaze on her.

The members of each group wished each other luck before separating. Sango looked resolute as they made their way towards her home village of Ran. Word was that Naraku's men were heading in this direction after they hit Ran. The plan was to try to cut them off before they could do too much more damage.

After traveling four days, the forward scout came back with word of Naraku's men. Apparently their recent victories had prompted them to rest in the next village. They had taken it over, demanding food, spirits and women. The remaining villagers had been scared into providing everything from their own stores.

Kouga's group had met with trouble much earlier, on the second day. They lost no fighters, and suffered no serious injuries. Jaken reported no sign of the invaders as of the fifth day, and Sasha's account was no different.

Kagome was concerned for her friends. Sango was understandably tense as they prepared to meet the invaders. She planned on avenging her village and kin. However, Zi had also grown jumpy for some reason she would not discuss. Sesshomaru seemed to make her particularly edgy, as she flinched back from him at times. He in turn watched her thoughtfully, but made no remark. Inu Yasha, with his normal empathetic self, did not notice, while Miroku was too concerned about Sango's emotional state to make his customary pointed observations. This unease spread to the whole group.

As the next morning dawned, Kagome woke up, dislodging Inu Yasha's arm from her waist. As she made her way to a nearby stream to wash, she noticed a movement in the trees and froze.

Nzinga was seated on a tree limb, legs stretched in front of her. She turned her head to Kagome and waved to her friend, but did not speak, apparently deep in thought.

Relaxing, Kagome continued on her way. She hurried through her morning rituals and returned to find almost everyone dressed and ready. Nzinga strode in from her musings, dressed differently than before. She wore a fitted vest of green leather and matching breeches. With the brown of her skin, it was no wonder she had blended in so well among the trees earlier.

Sesshomaru looked around at his companions. "They were celebrating again last night, so we catch them as they're sleeping it off." He suppressed a smile at the thought of the three women in front of him doing the same just days ago.

"Remember, we are not entering as an overwhelming force. Our advantage is the element of surprise-do not assume it will last. And if I call a retreat, leave as soon as you can and meet back here."

Everyone nodded. He looked at Nzinga. "If this starts to interfere with your ability to function-"

"I will inform you." She sent back, her "voice" rougher than usual. He frowned. She sounded unstable already, and she wasn't even in full heat yet. He would have to watch her.

At his motion, they all set off for the village.

As they crept up on the outer buildings, they saw it was as they had suspected. Their victory had made them lax, and few guards were set. Those few were asleep at their posts.

Inu Yasha gave a feral grin. "Let's wake them up." His cousin responded with a smile of his own.

Sango stepped up, removing Hiraikotsu from her back. "Allow me." Both men deferred to her.

She eyed the building where the drinking had apparently taken place the night before. There were bodies and empty wine jugs visible through the windows, as well in the open doorway. One side of her mouth curled up.

"Hiraikotsu!" She let out a battle cry, letting the weapon fly into the inn. There was a terrific crash as it tore into the building frame, ripping through the wood.

She caught it on the return, the force driving her back a few feet. Confused shouts could be heard, and the formerly sleeping guards were jolted into awareness.

Only to be knocked unconscious again as Miroku and Nzinga both attacked, she with bare hands, he with his staff.

Inu Yasha ran to meet the men staggering out of the now decimated inn, sword in hand. Kagome stayed back, putting her archery skills to good use, picking off fighters from a distance.

This was the day that everyone learned how Sesshomaru earned his status as pack leader. It was not simply due to an accident of birth.

Kagome had inched closer and closer as she shot her arrows without realizing. Suddenly, a man on the ground she had taken for dead rolled over and lunged at her.

Feeling her panic, Inu Yasha's head shot around from where he was standing. His eyes widened in horror. "Kagome!!" he screamed, turning to leap to her aid.

Kagome was certain she was about to die. Her bow was no defense against his sword, and she couldn't draw her own fast enough to block. Suddenly, a silver and white form blurred in front of her, catching the strike on his own blade. His other hand pushed her out of the way, knocking her to the ground.

Sesshomaru forced the man back with one hand. With a cold fire burning in his gold eyes, he slashed the air with his sword. The sword pressure alone was enough to rip through his opponent. He died, a look of horrified disbelief on his face, as the blade never even touched his skin.

This all in the time it took Inu Yasha's desperate leap to carry him to Kagome's side and get her out of the way. After that, the battle was over. The few remaining enemy fighters lost their nerve, and surrendered. They were rounded up for interrogation while Miroku and Sango went to coax out any remaining villagers.

Inu Yasha was too busy berating himself to be of any help, and refused to let Kagome leave his side. He wouldn't listen to anything she said, insisting on blaming himself for her close brush with death.

Sesshomaru sought out Nzinga. She was guarding the prisoners, morningstar in hand. She eyed them intently, totally unlike her normal self.

"Your yearly heat comes at an unfortunate time." He kept his mental voice non-committal.

"Monthly." She responded verbally. "Since I was born human, it happens once a month." She kept her responses verbal, the intimacy of mental communication too much of a strain during heat.

He felt dismay creeping over him. He didn't know if he could deal with this again in a month. She turned that intense gaze on him, and he was shocked to find her eyes had lightened to a shade near his own, like a true panther. Her heavy scent wafted towards him and his nostrils flared involuntarily, drawing more in. Her breath quickened, noticing the effect she had on him.

"I should leave," she said abruptly, voice made rough by strain. "I am…a distraction."

He started to bare his fangs. "You doubt my ability to lead?" He knew it was unwise to goad her, but he was having problems restraining his own impulses.

Her scent spiked as her eyes flashed. "Are you insane?" she hissed. "Are you trying to provoke me? Go! I'll leave as soon as I'm relieved. Just tell me where to meet you all."

A growl rumbled its way up his throat. He turned abruptly. "Inu Yasha!"

"What?" His brother's response was just as ill tempered as the summons.

"Nzinga needs to be relieved. She can no longer guard the prisoners."

"Why?" He was immediately concerned. "Is she hurt?"

The thin thread of Sesshomaru's patience snapped. "Use your nose, boy!"

Inu Yasha was shocked enough at his brother's loss of control that he didn't argue, just asked Conn to go over and relieve the woman.

Conn, being the perceptive man that he was, immediately sensed the tension in the air and took his place without comment. Nzinga smiled at him, feeling bad for getting him in the middle of this. Unfortunately, she let her eyes linger on his tall muscular frame, and took a deep breath as heat shot through her body.

Of course, with Sesshomaru's every sense attuned to her, he couldn't miss this. His eyes sparked red and the very air around him grew heavy. Conn tried to look both as innocent and as occupied as possible---difficult when his task was to monitor men who were bound hand and foot.

Nzinga started running out of the village at an easy lope. Her comrades watched as she left the village.

"Shit…" Inu Yasha breathed.

"What's wrong?" Kagome inquired, worried by the scene.

"Zi's…fertile." He said slowly. "It must be affecting my brother for him to act this way. I've never seen him lose control like that; he actually raised his voice."

Kagome blushed. That explained her friend's edginess.

"What's going to happen now?" Kagome asked, concerned about her friend.

Inu Yasha concentrated, then shook his head. "I don't know. My brother won't answer me." He shrugged. "We'll just complete our mission here and wait for them. We can't help them, but we can help these villagers."

Kagome nodded. They would just have to trust them.