InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trust ❯ Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Nzinga, after having wheedled a meal from her mate, curled up and went to sleep. Sesshomaru watched over her, meaning to talk to her more when she had gotten some rest.

Unfortunately, the alarm was raised. A scout had returned the night before, badly wounded and exhausted. Naraku had indeed been slowed somewhat by the earlier attacks on his men in the surrounding villages. His cause was also hurt by the fact that all the villagers he had planned to use as hostages were now safe in the Pass.

This caused him to move up the date for his full-scale attack. His vanguard was only a day away, with the main army following mere days behind them. The Kieran's Pass fighters were looking at a long siege and battle.

All the fighters were summoned to hear the announcement from the Commander. There was a guarded excitement among those gathered. The fort had been on alert for weeks, and they were all ready to see some action. Most people had family who were dead, missing or displaced due to Naraku's attacks. Everyone wanted a chance for revenge.

Kagome was eager for the chance to retaliate, but she could not help worrying when everyone she cared for was going to be at risk in the upcoming battle. Inu Yasha in turn was worried about Kagome. This was their first battle since the fight in the village weeks ago. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel her gut-clenching panic when she realized she was about to die. He didn't know if he could go through that again.

She would just have to stay out of it, he decided. How could he concentrate if she was around?

He winced. It was easier to sound firm in his head…but he had no idea how he would actually make her do it. She would be angry, and understandably so, as she had trained as a fighter almost her entire life. It wasn't due to any weakness of hers that he wanted her out of the way…it was due to his own.

Not that he would ever put it that way himself, of course.

"Shit." He muttered to himself. There was no reason to put it off. He would just tell her after they were all given their orders.

The address was short; everyone had been drilled on their duties over the last few weeks and needed no reminder.

The Commander regarded the people gathered in the large main courtyard of the fort. The fighting force consisted of regular Pass fighters, shifters who had responded to the call for help, and militiamen from the surrounding villagers.

They would soon all find out if their combined strength was up to the task.

"We all know the importance of the stand we make here." The Commander began. "This attack is a direct challenge to the strength of the Domain and its right is exist in its current state.

"We have all heard stories of life in Naraku's realm. People are not free to live as they choose. Dissenters are both publicly and gruesomely executed...or they simply disappear one day, never to be heard of again. That is not the life I want for my children…or their children." He caught Kagome's gaze, and smiled slightly. "So I fight. So we all fight. We will hold this Pass until reinforcements arrive.

"May the gods be with us all." Naota gave a salute to his men, and was met with a thunderous roar in response.

Sango drew her sword and began to strike it against Hiraikotsu, cheering along with her fellow fighters, while Kagome did the same, holding her bow on high. Others banged weapons on the ground or against shields. Shri, one of Sesshomaru's followers and one of his experts on siege fighting, began a howl, and was soon joined by her cousins. Kouga picked it up, the timbre of his howl lower and rougher than the females'.

Miroku raised his face to the heavens, eyes closed, and a slight smile on his face, looking as though he wished nothing more than to join in. Inu Yasha made his way to his cousin's side and slapped him on the back companionably before joining the howl himself, effectively bringing him into the communion.

Sesshomaru added his own baritone, managing to look as regal as ever even then. Nzinga watched it all with a pang; there were no other felines present with which to give voice. Just then, a large head nudged her hand. She looked down to see Kirara in her larger form, watching her expectantly. She laughed out loud before giving her own cry, the peculiar scream/roar particular to panthers. Kirara nodded once in approval, before adding her own voice.

Naota watched it all with pride swelling in his chest. The gods knew they would need every ounce of spirit in the coming fight.

***

Later that day, up on the fort wall, Inu Yasha sighed for the third time in as many minutes. He was putting off talking to Kagome, but he knew it had to be done.

Steeling himself, he got to his feet and sent a thought to his mate. "Where are you?"

"At lunch." She responded. "Where are you?"

"I needed to do some thinking. I …I need to talk to you. I'll wait in your room."

A short pause. "Alright. I'll be there soon."

Walking towards Kagome's room, he began thinking about how to tell her his decision. He did not want to make her angry, but he would gladly deal with her anger if it meant she was safe.

Sitting on her bed, he drew Tessaiga and laid it across his knees. He ran a hand lightly along the sword. Soon, its shining blade would be stained with blood as he fought for his life and the lives of everyone in the fort.

He enjoyed fighting. He did not enjoy killing. He would do everything in his power to keep Kagome away from the ugliness of battle. And if it hurt her pride, then so be it. Nothing mattered but keeping her safe.

"That looks like it hurts," Kagome said softly from the doorway. Inu Yasha looked up at her.

"What does?" he muttered.

"Whatever you're thinking about." She crossed the room and took a seat on the bed next to him. "You're thinking so hard I can practically see it." She smiled to take any sting out of the words.

He remained quiet, still running a hand along Tessaiga. Kagome waited patiently, as whatever he wanted to say was obviously of great importance.

"This battle…" he began haltingly. "It won't be like anything we've seen before. Naraku knows how hard the Pass is to attack, so he will be sending his people in to overwhelm us with his numbers." Kagome nodded, wordlessly encouraging him to continue.

"There won't be any safe places…but some are safer than others. I want you to stay behind the walls. If they decide to take the fight out to the enemy, stay on the higher walls…I need to know you'll be all right. I need you safe." He finished, waiting for her anger, her protestations…

Her laughter was cool balm on the ragged edges of his nerves. She took his hand, looking into his astonished eyes. "Inu Yasha, I'm an archer. Where did you think I would be during a siege?"

Realization dawned in his eyes, followed by disgruntlement. After all his worry over how to forbid her from entering the thick of the battle…all that fucking stress…

His surly thoughts were interrupted when Kagome leaned forward and shyly pressed her lips to his. Setting Tessaiga aside, he wrapped both arms around her and deepened the kiss, returning it wholeheartedly.

When they finally parted, Kagome kept on hand on his cheek in a light caress. "Is that what you've been so distracted about all this time?"

Inu Yasha grunted in response, not meeting her gaze.

She laughed again. Using the hand on his cheek, she turned his face to hers. "Now you have to promise me you will be careful."

"Keh!" he snorted. "Like any of Naraku's tricks could kill me." He tightened his arms around his mate regardless.

"I mean it!" She insisted. "I know you're strong, but…please. Just be careful."

"Silly bitch," he muttered, without heat. "Why would I go and get myself killed when I just found you?"

Kagome didn't answer, simply nuzzled into his neck, smiling to herself.

"Pup," Nzinga called. "I need to talk to Kagome. Is she with you?"

"Yeah, what do you need her for?"

Nzinga paused. "I'm almost certain she controls spirit. I want to find out for sure in case she can use it in battle."

Inu Yasha eyebrows lifted in surprise. "What?" he blurted out loud, surprising Kagome.

"Are you serious?" he sent.

"Why would I fucking joke about something like that?" she snapped back.

His ears pressed back to his head, he responded. "Alright, alright. Shit, you don't have to get pissy. Are you coming up here?"

"Are you in her room?" she asked.

"Yeah." In his pique, he didn't notice how easy it was for him to communicate with her this way even though they were not blood related.

"Then I'll be right there." She answered.

Inu Yasha broke off contact to see Kagome watching him curiously. "Who was that?" she asked.

"It was Zi. She's coming up here to see you."

"Is she okay?" Kagome looked concerned.

"She sounds quite healthy." He said sourly. "But she wants to test you for spirit."

Kagome looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Inu Yasha sighed. "You know of the five elements, right?"

"Yes…earth, water, fire, air and spirit." Kagome blinked. "You mean she thinks I control spirit? Why?"

"How should I know?" he muttered. His feelings were hurt. He was worried about his sister for days when she disappeared, then she just yells at him like that?

Kagome felt his hurt feelings through the Bond, but wasn't sure what brought them on. She reached over and gently rubbed one of his ears, hoping to calm him. He closed his eyes in bliss, leaning into her touch.

They sat in this way, not speaking during the time it took Nzinga to reach Kagome's room. She knocked, entering at Kagome's assent.

Inu Yasha stood up when she came in, feeling somehow fidgety and not knowing how to act around her. Nzinga smiled at him and walked over, taking his face in her hands. She kissed him on the forehead, then embraced him. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"I wasn't scared." He said. But he returned her embrace, holding her tightly before releasing her.

She raised an eyebrow, but only said, "Then I'm sorry I left without telling you." She looked over, including Kagome in the apology.

"Whatever," he answered, nevertheless looking much happier. Zi rolled her eyes.

"I swear…how do you put up with him?"

Kagome simply laughed in response.

"Kagome…has he explained what I want to do?"

"Yes…but I just wonder why you think I have this…power."

"Well…it's more of a sense really. One clue is that your Bond formed on first sight. I don't know if Inu Yasha told you how rare that is…but it's unheard of for it to happen between a human and a half-human.

"Those types of Bonds are the strongest because they require so much spirit to go as deeply as they do. That means both people must have the gift. I want to test you and maybe help you learn to use it." Zi explained.

Kagome nodded. "What do I need to do?"

Nzinga sat on the bed beside her friend and took her hands. "Just try to relax. This won't hurt, but it may feel strange."

Kagome nodded and closed her eyes, trying to relax. She then felt Inu Yasha tug her backwards against his chest, momentarily breaking Zi's hold on her hands. He began emitting a soothing rumble that she both heard and felt through her back. As Nzinga retook her hands, she felt herself begin to truly relax this time.

For a few moments, Kagome simply reveled in the warmth and calming growl that was coming from her mate. Then she felt something probing at her. The feeling was so alien that she started. Inu Yasha simply tightened his arms around her until she relaxed.

Nzinga was almost positive now that Kagome had the gift. She felt the particular tingle that meant you were in the presence of concentrated spirit. Her gift had not yet emerged, so Nzinga had to make a choice. Does she prod it, or leave it to manifest on its own?

As she continued to search, she decided. If it was close to emerging, she would prod it. If it looked as though it would stay dormant for some time, she would leave it be.

She pulled up short in her search. She could sense the gift now…and it was enormous. Kagome's spirit gift would be unrivaled among humans…the only other human Nzinga had heard of with this kind of power was Inu Yasha's mother.

And of course, it was ready to emerge any day now. The Bonding had most likely been the catalyst.

She grimaced. This was going to hurt.