InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trust ❯ Chapter 29

When I started this story, I thought the battle would have come much earlier in the story, so I hope y'all haven't been bored waiting for it.

WARNING: I was the cute little girl in pigtails who grew up watching Arnold, and Jean-Claude, Bruce Lee and old school kung fu movies. My idea of classic literature includes the Conan the Barbarian books…so needless to say, some might consider some scenes to be a little gory. If that isn't your thing, here's your warning now.

I've marked this chapter Work In Progress because I'm tired right now, and I'm sure I missed a lot of things…but I still want to post. I'm sure I'll make changes in the coming days.

The battle begins…

Chapter 29

The fumes and thick air given off by the lava grew worse as the forces approached the chasm. The enemies began to take on shadowy shapes through the smoke. Sound was unaffected, however, and this combined to give the scene an eerie feel.

Sesshomaru called a halt, not willing to go any further with such limited visibility. He turned to his brother, who nodded in understanding.

Drawing Tessaiga, he channeled enough energy for it to transform from a normal looking katana-type blade to a weapon that resembled the fang of some enormous beast. It was at least 7 feet long, and a hand's breadth at the base. Stepping slightly forward and away from brother and allies, he concentrated and a vortex began to form about the blade. When it was at the strength he desired, he leaped forward with a growl and a sideways slash.

Tessaiga's Cutting Wind was released in a blast of air and flame, scoring lines into the earth. The force obliterated the screening smoke and revealed the scattered remains of part of Naraku's forces, and the surprised looks on the faces of the survivors. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at what else had been revealed.

Instead of the remains of bridges that he expected after the earlier attack by him and his mate, there were rough and jagged slabs of rock fused to either side of the gorge. They were easily wide enough to allow for a sizable number of attackers to cross at a time. His heart sunk as he realized that Naraku had drawn them into a trap. He had known that they would try something like using the lava to destroy the bridges. Sesshomaru and his mate had brought the lava up to the necessary level, and all Naraku had to do was draw enough heat out of the lava to solidify it enough to make crossing possible.

"Shit." He muttered. He looked around at his fellow fighters, and met his brother's smirking gaze.

"Well, they're not gonna kill themselves." Inu Yasha remarked blandly.

"Well put, little brother." Drawing Toukijin, he allowed himself a small, grim smile. Raising it above his head, he roared, "Forward!"

The army responded with a roar of its own, following the silver haired brothers as they ran forward to engage the enemy.

What Sesshomaru did not want was for the forces to meet on the crossing itself. So he sprang into the air, landing on the other side. He calmly pointed Toukijin at the advancing foe and summoned his energy. A pink wave of light pulsed out from the point of the sword. Spreading out in a wave, it sliced through everything it touched, leaving howls of pain and fury in its wake.

Giving them no time to regroup, Sesshomaru sprang forward, and whatever foe unlucky enough to be in his path was mowed down without mercy. Inu Yasha was to his right, just a few seconds behind him. The Domain forces poured over the crossing, keeping the enemy from crossing themselves. The bulk of the two armies met with a crash of metal and crunch of bone.

Blood and gore flew as the killing began. Screams of fury and agony assaulted his sensitive ears as Sesshomaru carved a path through Naraku's forces. None of the creatures he had met so far had been able to stand more than a few seconds in the face of his awesome skill, but he knew better than to let his guard down. He heard a sound of disgust from his brother, and saw him flicking some sort of ichor from his blade.

"These things are fucking disgusting!" He called out.

Sesshomaru didn't bother to answer, but wholeheartedly agreed. Already, the green and black fluids leaking from the creatures' wounds had mixed to form a disturbing mess of no discernable color. He pushed forward, focusing on his grim task.

Inu Yasha, to no one's surprise, had already taken a few minor wounds. Swinging such an enormous blade, even with his strength and speed, left the bearer vulnerable to attack. It was almost impossible to bring the blade back in time to parry every cut. But he fought on, if not with his brother's cool grace, with a power and intensity that awed those who had never before seen him fight.

Apparently, word of the slaughtering fury that was the two brothers had spread throughout enemy ranks, because suddenly the numbers facing them became even heavier.

*Inu Yasha-they attempt to wear us down. Stay mindful of that.*

*Right.* Neither man wasted breath on speaking that could better be used for fighting.

Inu Yasha missed having Conn and Miroku at his side during this battle. He would never admit it, but their familiar presence would have been a comfort during this chaos. But Miroku's gifts were needed on the flanks, and Conn went along to help defend him.

He lopped off a scaly arm whose claws had come within inches of his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Toukijin cleave another vaguely insect-like creature in two. As he watched, his brother calmly flicked its blood off his sword. He made for the next foe, even as his last lay on the ground, twitching in its death throes.

The younger brother smiled grimly. Although, there was certainly something to be said for having his brother around. Punching his opponent in the face, he then brought Tessaiga's hilt down on its skull with a satisfying crunch.

***

Kagome had had enough. The battle had been underway for an hour, and she was sick of standing and doing nothing. She knew her gifts would be of better use on the field, but was having a hard time convincing anyone else that her fighting skills would keep her alive long enough to use them.

So for the moment, she subsided. Her mouth was compressed into a thin line of worry. Those dearest to her were out in the thick of the battle, and she could do nothing to help them from here. This did not sit well with her at all. Especially since the bulk of the forces seemed to be concentrating on obliterating her mate and brother in law.

She looked to the flanks where the rest of her friends had been placed. She gasped at the sight of flashes where barriers had been attacked, and the corresponding screams where the energy backlash had hit people. This was on the right flank, which meant that one of those barriers being hit might be Miroku's. She winced, hoping he was all right. She knew Inu Yasha was fine for now, thanks to the Bond. But it didn't stop her from worrying, of course.

The other archers looked as tense as Kagome. After all, their friends and family were out there as well. Every once in a while, one of the enemy would attempt to penetrate the Pass from the air, only to be met with a volley of arrows. So far, none had made it through the Domain fighters to attack from the ground, but she supposed it was only a matter of time.

The left flank was where Sango and Zi had been placed. They had been more or less left alone, since the majority of the enemy seemed bent on attacking the right and center. Even the forces closest to them were out of arrow shot.

Kagome shivered. She got a bad feeling watching that part of the army. She squinted in order to get a better view, and wished once again for her mate's keen eyesight. They seemed to be milling around for some reason, not really getting any closer to one part of the army or another. She frowned in suspicion. That didn't make any sense. It wouldn't really be noticeable from the ground, but her perch atop the wall gave her the advantage.

There were the regular, vaguely human-sized monsters in that group, along with a pair of bright red things that seemed to be about twelve feet tall and covered with eyes. Her eyes slid past them and on to the creatures behind them, trying to pinpoint the source of her unease.

There. The shadow she had taken for multiple fighters was not moving like multiple fighters. No troop, no matter how well trained, could move as one being the way that shadow was. To her horror, it looked like one enormous thing bearing down on her friends. Their ambling movement seemed to be a cover for the fact that they were slowly but surely moving that creature towards the weakest flank.

Kagome had never seen the likes of such a creature. It was on its belly now, in order to attract less attention in the middle of its allies, but it must have stood fifty feet high, with green skin. A shadowy mass at its rear hinted at a long and powerful tail. She could not see any other details, but she didn't need to in order to know how dangerous it was.

No wonder they had thrown so many fighters at the center; they wanted to distract the two strongest fighters from the real danger. Given the way it was approaching, it could only be seen from the air, or an elevated position like Kagome's.

The left flank was in the most danger right now, especially since its numbers looked thinner than when they had gone out. They had evidently sent some of their people to shore up the numbers of the center. She knew she wasn't the most experienced fighter, but she was willing to bet none of her friends had dealt with anything like that before either.

And even if they had, she was unwilling to take the chance. If that thing broke through the left flank, not enough of the other fighters would be able to get back fast enough to keep it from the fort. She had to do something.

She looked around frantically for Masaharu or her father. Someone had to be notified. Asking the person next to her, she found out that her father was down in the court, but her father in law was further along the wall. Not bothering to explain, she left her post at a run.

As she weaved her way through the archers and siege weaponry on the wall, her eyes darted frantically for a familiar head of silver hair. Intent on finding Masaharu, she managed to plow straight into Malia.

Malia steadied her with two hands on her shoulders. "Child, why have you left your post? What's wrong?"

Kagome gasped for breath at the sudden stop. "The left flank! They're undermanned."

"Yes, due to the heavy presence at the front." She answered soothingly. Then her eyes sharpened. "You've seen something. What is it?"

Kagome gulped more air. "Malia, I've never seen anything like it before. It's on all fours, using the army as cover. But it's at least fifty feet long! I don't know if they can handle it with their reduced numbers."

Malia's eyed widened slightly. "Show me."

When she reached Kagome's post, she looked out where Kagome was pointing. "I don't see it, dear." She said.

"I'm not being hysterical, Malia, please! It's still out…there! Right there, in between those two red ones that are covered in eyes."

When Malia finally caught sight of it, she blanched. "That is enormous…what is he doing to produce these creatures?" She shook her head. "Hold on while I inform Masaharu." After a few tense moments, the faraway look in her eyes sharpened and she turned back to Kagome. "He will let our sons know, but one of them may not be able to fight their way through in time."

"They can't leave the front! There's too many of those creatures there!"

"I know, but there are no others who can handle a creature of that size." Malia looked frightened, but resolute.

"There may not be one…but a few of us could." Kagome's face firmed. "I'm going out there. Between me, Sango, Zi and the others out there, we can hold out."

Malia paused, looking at her determined face. "Are you sure, daughter?"

"We'll have to." Kagome said flatly. "Letting that thing get through is not an option."

"But how will we get you out there in time?" Malia wasn't against the idea, but she was not letting her son's mate run out there with a half-assed plan.

Kagome turned and called, "Kirara!" The cat ran up in her energy-saving smaller form with a questioning mew. "Kirara, I need to get out to Sango as quickly as possible. She's in danger. Can you take me?"

In response, the cat transformed in a burst of flame, then looked at her expectantly.

Malia laughed. "I guess that answers that. Please be careful. I couldn't forgive myself if anything happened to you. I'll have Zi informed so you don't have to waste time explaining when you get there."

Kagome hugged her warmly before jumping on Kirara's back. "Don't worry, Mama! I'll come back safe!" And with a wave she took off.

Malia looked at her in shock, then brushed away the sudden tears caused by Kagome's use of Inu Yasha's name for her.

Whispering a silent prayer, she watched until she faded from sight, then made her way back down the wall. Since Kagome was gone, she took a position midway between where the two had been in order to cover both parts. She would cover for her as long as it took.

***

"There's a what?"

Sango snapped her head around at Zi's sudden outburst. Her eyes had that faraway look she was learning to associate with shifters who were in an involved mental conversation. She kept quiet for another few moments until Zi's eyes snapped over to her and she said flatly, "We have a problem."

She called Padraig over and explained the situation as quickly as possible. Of all the groups, the left flank had been more or less left alone as the center and right got hammered. They had all crossed the chasm and could see the enemy, but they had made no attempt to attack as of yet. About fifteen minutes ago, part of the central force seemed to break off in their direction, but they were moving so slowly if was hard to be sure. It was unclear if they were moving with a clear purpose or if they were simply moving along with the tide of battle.

"Fifty feet?" Faolan said incredulously. There was a discouraged rumble from the troops.

"Whether it fights on two legs or four, it'll be quite a fight."

"That's what I love about you, Faolan," Zi murmured. "Your incredibly understated turn of phrase." He responded with a wink.

Padraig's green eyes crinkled. "Enough flirting. Unless you want to fight Sesshomaru."

Faolan's eyes widened. "Forget it. I'd rather stay here and fight this thing."

"Archers, we need to be careful for the next few minutes. Kagome is on her way on Kirara, and we don't want to take her down by accident." Zi called out. Those closest to her nodded, and passed the word along to the others.

"So, what do you think, Druid?" Sango asked.

"Can we see it from here?" Faolan squinted, but was unable to make out anything distinct in the heaving mass.

"Malia says it was in between two big red creatures covered in eyes." Zi reported.

"Covered in eyes?" Sango shook her head in disgust. "Just when I think these things can't get any worse."

"I think the best plan is to wear it down, attack from the sides, identify any weak spots and go in for the kill. Ever see a colony of ants bring down a larger animal? It can be done." Padraig looked around at his fellow fighters. "I suggest we leave any head on attacks to those of us with elemental gifts. So if we tell you to get out of the way, then move."

Everyone nodded.

"Sango! Zi!" Kagome called through the wind whistling during her descent. Kirara landed lightly and she tumbled off, breathless. "Thanks, Kirara. Is everyone okay?"

"Yeah, we haven't seen any fighting yet. Now we know why." Zi frowned.

"I'm glad I asked Kirara to stay behind. I thought she would just be useful helping to bring news from one part of the fort to another. I didn't imagine she'd have to do all this." Sango walked over and rubbed her friend's head in thanks. The firecat swished her tails in response.

"Kagome, it looks like we'll be part of the direct attack. Everyone else will be looking for the weak spots." Zi told her. The dark-haired girl nodded.

They were all silent for a moment. "I can't stand this waiting. It was bad enough when we didn't know what they were doing." Sango grumbled.

"As we seem to have some time, pack mother, I wonder if you would allow me that conversation I asked for earlier." Padraig's voice came from behind her.

"About how a black girl wound up with a blade once held by a woman who trained the greatest heroes of Erin and Scotia? One that is said to only protect true children of said countries? You mean that conversation?" She said blandly.

He smiled, his wet-looking green eyes shone with mirth. "Aye, that one. Do you mind?"

"Not at all." She stretched, the picture of ease. "My grandfather is a Scot. My grandmother met him when she decided to wander around for a couple of years. She had my mother in Scotia, but brought her back to Kush when she was old enough to travel. My mother has been to see him a few times, I think. I met him once when I was young." She saw a few others, including Kagome, Sango and Faolan come up behind the druid, listening in.

"Do you know his name?" The druid asked.

"Douglas. Douglas son of Niall, I think." She shrugged.

Padraig was silent a moment. "Son of Niall? You mean MacNiall?"

She blinked. "That's right-that's how she said it. Do you know him?"

"No, not personally. I know of the MacNialls, though. They are a proud clan."

"Apparently some of them were so proud they couldn't stand the fact that my mother existed. They tried to kill her and my grandmother more then once." Her eyes flashed briefly with anger. "I spent a lot of time hiding as a child because of that."

Padraig frowned, but did not look surprised. "There is still a lot of superstition and prejudice in the Highlands of Scotia, even today. But I'd like to think it's better than it was when your mother was born."

"Well, in any case, I'm rambling. My mother wandered for a year before meeting my father and having me. Then when I grew old enough, I took off as well. I found Scathach in a market in one of the ports along the Mediterra. Ever since she had been taken as loot in a raid, she had managed to bring bad luck to everyone who tried to use her. Everyone thought she was cursed.

"Well, I guess she was just bored and not ready to go home yet. I felt her calling me, so I bought her for next to nothing." She shrugged. "I later met a wandering druid who explained some of her history to me. I researched some, and she told me the rest."

"How long has it been?" Padraig asked, fascinated.

"About two years." She huffed. "Two years since this crazy bitch disrupted my life." She smiled. "I guess it hasn't been that bad. But the first time she woke me up to save someone, I thought I was insane."

Padraig smiled back. "You've lived quite a lot for someone your age."

"Yes," she stretched again. "I look forward to nothing more than to raise a family with my beloved." She batted her eyelashes. Her attempt as looking demure was utterly ruined by the way she swung her morningstar back and forth.

Kagome laughed. "I'm sure Sesshomaru will be pleased to hear that." The friends laughed, and fell silent once again.

Another few minutes passed, with the creatures seeming to get imperceptibly closer. Zi was edgy, and she wasn't the only one. Even if she hadn't been in heat, this waiting would have been irritating. As it was, it was bordering on unbearable.

Sango finally spoke up. "Does anyone see anything wrong with attacking them? If it's as big as Kagome says it is, I don't like the idea of letting it get even this close to the Pass."

"I agree with Sango." Zi said, all but bouncing on her toes.

Padriag smiled. "I can't find any fault with that. Faolan?" He looked at the other man, who smiled.

"Well, then, let's go." The troops began a march towards the enemy.

One of the creatures gave a roar when they saw the fighters coming towards them. Having realized their ruse was no longer working, they began to move faster.

Kagome felt almost like she was in a dream. This type of battle situation was completely alien to her; she was usually on the walls with the rest of the archers, never in the field with the foot soldiers. But she knew they needed her help down here, and she was determined not to fail them.

***

Sesshomaru wiped sweat from his brow, after beheading yet another foe. He wondered for a second how his mate was faring, then dismissed it from his mind. He would go insane if he thought about it. There was nothing for it but to have faith in her fighting skills.

Catching his breath, he paused. There was no one to fight immediately, so he might as well take advantage of the opportunity. He could hear the sizzles of spirit barriers over on the right flank, but there had been next to no noise at all from the left. That left him somewhat uneasy, especially since they were weak there now. He didn't expect Naraku to simply neglect one whole side of the field.

Inu Yasha paused as well, wiping his brow. "Where is that coward? When will he show his face?" he muttered. Left unspoken were his fears about Kikyou. He was still determined to save her if at all possible.

His musings were interrupted when the ground in front of him erupted. He flew backwards, flipping to remain on his feet. As he landed, he saw that another creature had burrowed through the ground to arise in front of him. Another spray of dirt and rocks hit him from behind as another one appeared. He jumped forward to avoid it, bent on attacking the one in front.

He didn't jump fast enough, though; he felt the sting of claws scoring him across the back. Ignoring the pain with an angry snarl, he knocked aside an arm and thrust Tessiaga into its chest, following with a slash to the throat. Fluid gushed over him as the thing died. Behind him, he heard another unearthly shriek as his brother took care of the second.

Naraku's fighters were no match for the brothers as they came, but even the mightiest can eventually be worn down. Inu Yasha put such thoughts out of his head as another creature burst from the ground.

***

Sango gave a battle cry from her position up front. The red creatures she thought of as guards for the great one were closer, revealing huge, heavily fanged mouths and wicked looking claws. Leaping into the air, she launched Hiraikotsu at the one on the right. It screamed as the bone weapon ripped through its shoulder. Catching it on the return flight, she shook the blood from it, and adjusted her grip on the strap.

Kagome followed her foster sister with an attack of her own. Loosing her arrow, she caught the wounded creature in the same arm that Sango hit, shearing it off at the joint. Howling in agony, its blood flew in a spray as it collapsed with a thud.

Turning, Sango next sent the enormous boomerang through the line of creatures advancing on them. Kagome let loose with a few arrows as well, staying in Sango's wake. When one of the fallen monster reached a bony arm to snatch at Sango as she passed, Kagome grabbed an arrow, infused it with her power and stabbed the creature in the chest. Bile rose in her throat as its flesh dissolved from the point of entry, but she swallowed it, snatched it back, and kept on.

The combat was becoming too close for arrows, so she suppressed her fear and drew her sword, silently thanking Sango for all those lessons.

Sango herself was completely in her element. Hiraikotsu was deadly even at close range, as those who fought against her soon realized. The boomerang was effective as both weapon and shield, and the young woman took advantage of her ability to both block and attack in almost one motion.

All traces of the almost painfully shy young woman were gone. In its place was a implacable warrior, tearing through the enemy like they were so much refuse. When two monsters attacked her, she simply drew her sword, handling Hiraikotsu one-handed. Holding one off with the larger weapon, she decapitated the first, then skewered the other.

Sango was an incredible whirlwind of motion, impressing more than one of her fellow soldiers with the numbers left in her wake.

Looking behind her, she saw Kagome parry an attack, then slash the creature across the middle. It fell to the ground with a grunt.

"Are you okay?" she called.

"Yeah." Kagome answered. She hated to do this, but she didn't want to take a chance on that thing playing dead. Steeling herself, she stabbed it where she assumed it kept its heart.

Nzinga was in full battle mode. Her senses were at their sharpest, and her blood was raging. She had lost her morningstar a few enemies back. It had gotten lodged in a skull, and she couldn't spare the time to take it out without getting stabbed in the side. So now she fought with sword only.

Catching a breath, she looked up to see her friends fighting back to back. Kagome had given up her bow in favor of her sword. She looked frightened, but determined, and was holding her own. On the other hand, Sango was the picture of cool professionalism as she dispatched one monster after another.

And, she thought sourly, as she brought her blade down on an unprotected skull, they still managed to only look sweaty and disheveled. While, she…she didn't even want to know what she looked like. She went to pull her blade out of her foe's skull and grimaced. She really needed to control the strength of her blows better. Maybe if she did, she wouldn't have so much blood and brain matter all over her.

Planting a foot on the thing's chest, she yanked at Scathach. A muted grumbling in her mind was the blade's only protest at the rough treatment.

Faolan came up behind and laughed. "You really ought to temper your blows, girlie."

"Shut up." She muttered. The blade finally came loose with a gruesome squeal.

The other fighters had managed to bring down the second giant red beast, but many of them lost their lives. There were less than twenty of them left to face the last, which until now had been content to sit back and watch the others fight. But as the numbers of its allies dwindled, it became more and more agitated.

Finally, it roared, rising to its full height. In its fury, it even killed some of its own with an angry backhand. Its green skin shone dully in the sun, and its fangs dripped disturbingly.

The friends watched in horror as it advanced.

Sango called for Kirara, and the two jumped into the air. Hurling her boomerang, Sango watched in dismay as the creature batted it aside. The two swooped to catch it. Sango called out, "Its hide is tough and thick! Be careful."

Kagome notched an arrow and aimed for its chest. Her arrow penetrated, and it gave a roar of pain. Sango tried to follow up with Hiraikotsu, but it whipped around its enormous tail and sent the weapon flying back at her.

"Sango!" Kagome screamed, right before the bone weapon caught her friend squarely in the front. She landed hard on the ground, and did not move. Kagome ran to cover her, as there were still creatures looking to exploit any weakness.

"No!" Zi commanded. "I'll watch her, we need you up here."

Kagome hesitated, then nodded and nocked another arrow, aiming for the creature's eyes.

Zi ran over to Sango and felt for her pulse. It was strong and steady, but Sango would be out of commission for a while until they could get her to a healer. Flinching as another scream rang behind her, she resisted the impulse to call for Sesshomaru. If he was still up front, he was needed there, and she couldn't distract him due to her own fear.

Whispering an apology to her unconscious friend, she grabbed the closest arm. *Kirara,* she sent. *Cousin, I think this blade will protect her, but she must taste her blood in order to tell what kind of person she is.*

Kirara growled, but assented.

Drawing a thin line across one arm, Zi let Scathach taste Sango's blood. "Shadowy One, she is not a Celt, but she is a good woman, and my friend. Will you protect her?"

The sword pulsed once in assent. Lying Sango on her back, she planted the sword in the ground in front of her. A green glow spread from the blade to cover the unconscious warrior.

"Thanks, crazy bitch. I owe you one." Nzinga took one last look at her friend before turning back to the battle. Shit. Now she'd lost both her weapons.

Her eyes lit up as they landed on a discarded weapon. Saying a quick thanks to its departed owner, she hefted it and ran back to help defend with her friends.

She hadn't used a battleaxe in a while, but she figured it would come back to her. This one was too long for her, and heavier than one she would have picked herself. However, she was stronger than a human, so this would do for now.

Kagome's arrows had brought the creature back to all fours, but she ran out and had to look for more among the dead. Without Hiraikotsu, there was no other weapon that could really do any sizable damage with one hit.

"Should we go for its legs?" she shouted.

"A sound plan." Padraig called back, wiping his brow. He concentrated, and sent a bolt of energy into the near leg. The creature roared in response, and began flailing around.

Kagome's arrows were hurting it, but its convulsions were taking out as many people as it would have if it had been attacking.

When debris came perilously close to Sango, Kagome made a decision. "Kirara! Take Sango back to the fort! It's too dangerous here." The large cat nodded and padded over to the barrier. Her questioning growl was met by the barrier pulsing, then receding. Kagome rolled Sango onto Kirara's back, and the cat took off as gently as possible to avoid her falling off.

"This won't hold," Faolan said hoarsely. We're not enough to hold against that thing." He looked horrible, having taken a fairly serious wound in the arm.

Kagome looked sick, while Zi and Padraig looked resigned. "Kagome, contact Inu Yasha. Hopefully they can spare someone."

"Ok." After a short pause, she said, "They're coming. They're sending who they can."

"We're not going to last very much longer. They'd better hurry." Zi grabbed Kagome and jumped out of the way of a slashing tail as the others scrambled for cover.

"This is fucking it." Zi heaved a sigh, setting her sister in law back on her feet. Kagome swallowed her surprise; she often forgot the shifter woman was stronger than a human.

Kicking off her sandals, Zi dug her toes in the ground.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Searching for anything we can use." The older woman responded. Extending her senses through the ground, she searched for anything that could help them. The lava flow was too far away, and any rocks she could bring up were too far below the ground. Shit.

She screamed as she saw Faolan collapse, his wounds finally catching up to him. It was only her, Kagome and an exhausted druid.

She darted in to hack at its legs with her axe as Kagome shot another arrow, her quiver newly filled from the supplies of the dead.

I don't want to die! She thought desperately, dodging a pained stomp and the corresponding tail slash. She looked around frantically for her friends. Kagome was barely hanging on, and she knew she wasn't much better. They were only chipping away at it; they weren't doing enough damage.

Where the fuck was anyone else? If this thing broke through the flank, the Pass was done.

She turned as Kagome screamed her name, but not quickly enough; the tip of the muscular tail caught her in the side and she gasped for breath as the wind got knocked out of her.

As she looked up she saw the creature's foot descending and she found herself breaking the promise she made earlier. Unable to draw breath to scream, she found herself screaming mentally for her mate.

In that split second, she saw the battle from his eyes, saw his foe fall after a particularly savage blow. She wanted to laugh at the irony-all it had taken was her near death to cause their Bond to reform. In that moment, all she could think of was how she wanted to be able to see him again before she died.

Fighting his way to her, Sesshomaru felt her scream. He saw the foot descending; he felt her heart-rending fear and then---nothing.

The sudden absence after the long awaited communion of the Bond was the last straw. All these creatures were keeping him from his mate, and that would no longer be tolerated.

He heard his brother's surprised cry seemingly off in the distance. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered but getting to his mate.

Inu Yasha watched incredulously as his brother's eyes turned red with rage. A fierce wind whipped up out of nowhere, and Sesshomaru began to glow blindingly bright.

The gale blew rocks and dust all about, Inu Yasha heard a ripping noise, followed by soft shreds of something being blown into his face. By the scent, he guessed they were what remained of his brother's white battle leathers.

When the light subsided, an enormous white dog stood where his brother had been. It was identical to his brother's animal form, except that this dog was at least thirty feet tall. He watched, dumbfounded, as the beast threw back its head and gave a bone-chilling howl. Belatedly, his mind registered what his nose was telling him-- that that was his brother.

Sesshomaru turned towards the left flank, ripping apart anything in his path. Inu Yasha retained enough presence of mind to run after him and catch onto his tail so he didn't get left behind. Good thing, too, because his brother evidently decided that ground travel was not fast enough, and took off into the air.

Inu Yasha scrambled up the tail to his brother's back, feeling like a pup scrambling over its father's body.

His heart stopped when he saw the carnage on the ground. Kagome was the only one left standing and she was down to her last arrow. He didn't see Sango or Zi anywhere, and Faolan and the druid were weakly attempting to gain their feet.

Kagome was tired. She was hurt, and frustrated.

It wasn't fair. Her friends had given their all, and they were barely standing. That thing was hurt, but still more than capable of doing the fort serious damage when it made it past. But she had promised. She had promised that it would not make it through to destroy her home, or anyone else's home.

This thing had hurt her friends, and its allies were keeping her mate from reaching her. No more.

"No more!" she screamed. Summoning the last of her waning strength, she loosed her power in a final, desperate attempt to destroy the creature. Waves of azure lightning crackled and spat, rolling outward from her small form. The energy licked at the lizard's skin, turning it incandescent before incinerating it in a roar of wind and spirit.

Rocks and dirt flew up in the wake of the energy wave, and the creature screamed as it was consumed in the fiery glow. Both brothers averted their eyes, and Sesshomaru paused in midair, unable to get any closer.

When they could see again, Kagome was weaving unsteadily, while Faolan and Padraig had yet to rise. The creature was blown to ashes, along with many of the corpses. There was still no sign of Zi or Sango. With a heave of his mighty legs, Sesshomaru once again moved towards the battlefield.

Inu Yasha jumped to the ground and ran to Kagome. Her arrows didn't have enough force behind them anymore, she sobbed. Inu Yasha tried to comfort her.

"Where is Sango? Where is Zi?" Inu Yasha demanded.

Through broken sobs, Kagome managed to tell him that Sango had been taken back to the fort.

"That thing was about to step on Zi! Isn't she here?" Kagome asked. One look at her mate's face and she cried even harder. All he could do was hold her through his own worry.

Sesshomaru cast his great head back and forth, but it was almost impossible to catch his mate's scent with all the blood and gore obscuring it. And he could not sense her at all.

He threw back his head and howled his anguish and fury.

Kagome flinched, and held onto Inu Yasha even tighter. He shuddered; never mind the fact that he had never seen his brother in this form before. He had never seen him in this kind of fury. He didn't know what to do.

The giant dog turned his head to his brother and gave a short bark. Inu Yasha nodded.

"I'm getting you out of here." He told her hoarsely. Maneuvering her onto his back, he walked over to the other survivors. They had the shell-shocked look of people who had seen unspeakable horrors.

"Let's go. Kagome, you have to hang on tight. We can't stay here, my brother is not himself." Faolan looked dazed, while Padraig managed a nod.

Taking one man under each arm, he leaped back towards the fort. Sweat burned his eyes, but he was determined not to fail. Kagome was exhausted, but in no danger. Once he got them back, he was coming back to help his brother.

The last time his sister disappeared, he was too young to do anything about it. But he would be damned if he sat by idly this time.

Tales would be told that day of the great white dog. How he tore through the army with a fury unheard of outside the fires of hell. How he rent flesh and bone alike with a swipe of a mighty paw. A snap of his jaws was enough to tear out the throats of the few left brave enough to face him.

And they would also tell that after he single-handedly caused the retreat of the greatest threat to the safety of the Domain, he sat and howled mournfully for his lost love.

***

When?

What?

An embrace, soothing and strengthening.

A cradle, warm and safe.

Time means nothing in the embrace of the earth.

But something tugged. Something would not allow rest.

Sorrow. Anguish. Pain. A sense of being incomplete.

A shining light, honey-gold. Follow it.

Follow it home.

***

Inu Yasha watched from the fort wall. By the time he had gotten Kagome and the others to the infirmary and run back out to help his brother, it was already over. Naraku's forces had broken and ran, and Sesshomaru had killed the stragglers. His brother's anguished howls tore at him, and he suddenly couldn't bear them any longer. He ran back inside to sit as Kagome's side. Her wounds had all been dressed, and she needed nothing more than rest.

Sango was in the bed next to her. She had been healed, but she was still unconscious, regaining her strength. Miroku should have been in a bed of his own, but he sat with his back against her bed, asleep. His hand had been pierced with a poisoned weapon, and was wrapped in bandages and ointment. A spelled rosary was also wrapped around it to counteract any effects of the poison. His face looked drawn and tired, like everyone else's.

Inu Yasha had refused anything but the most basic of care, figuring the time and supplies would go better to those without his healing powers. Maybe he could ask Zi-

He shook his head, willing away the burning in his eyes and the pain in his heart. Shit. His sister in all but blood was lost to him again. Sitting next to Kagome's bed, he lay his head next to her still body. Even asleep, her warmth and scent comforted him. He had no time to wallow in grief. His mate would need him when she awoke.

***

The great dog raised its head and began to make its way back to Kieran's Pass. His killing rage had drained, leaving only an empty husk in its wake. Every few steps, he would flinch as he remembered her dark eyes, or her sweet scent.

The memories were ruthlessly shoved down; he would deal with the pain later. After Naraku was killed, he would allow himself to mourn.

He stiffened as he neared the scorched earth where she had last fought. It was well past sunset, and both his allies and enemies had cleared the field after his last charge. Her blade still remained, point stuck in the earth. After a moment's consideration, he gently took it in his teeth and brought it back with him. She would not want it left for foragers.

The Pass loomed closer and closer in his vision, but it no longer represented the haven it once did. Nothing mattered now, except defeating Naraku. After that…who cared.

Once at the gate, he shifted back to his human form. He was let in quickly, a few glances reminding him that he was naked. But no one dared say anything to the man. Even had he not been carrying a naked sword, his cold countenance was enough to dissuade any. He barely noticed the movement around him. Healers were calling back and forth, and pages were doing their best to keep up with the demands. One person was bold enough to call out to him, but he did not acknowledge them by even the flicker of an eyelid.

Sesshomaru was not even sure where he was going, until the blade in his hand jerked. Looking down, he saw that Scathach seemed to be guiding him to a group of people in the middle of the court. He followed, tail twitching lethargically. What did it matter?

Tail? He paused; it twitched again. Turning his head, he noticed a luxurious looking fur over his right shoulder, apparently left over from his earlier unprecedented shift into the giant dog form. The surprise subsided; he could not bring himself to care. What mattered the addition of something as mundane as a tail, compared to a loss as profound as that of a mate? Apathy overtook him once again, and he continued on as guided by Scathach.

His father was part of the group, and he turned and looked at his son with some surprise.

"Sesshomaru. Are you alright?"

The younger man turned dead eyes onto his father; not deigning to respond.

Masaharu sighed. "Son…" he began.

Sesshomaru didn't want to hear any platitudes. He had only come because of the cursed blade, and he would wait to see why. Looking over the others in the group, his eyes landed on one woman, and it was like a blow to the gut.

She was the image of Nzinga, except this woman a colorful wrap around skirt and top, not the breeches and tunic his mate seemed to favor. Her eyes softened as she saw him, and she pushed past the others to his side.

He watched her helplessly as she raised a hand to his face, placing it on his cheek. "Child." She said, her low voice rasping his already raw nerves. Her voice even sounded similar.

He took a step back, forcing himself to focus on their differences. This woman was older than his mate. She was also shorter, and her skin was much lighter. She was dark honey where his mate was raw sugar. Her hair was also longer and straighter, and the dark mass had a definite reddish tinge in the torchlight.

"You…" he whispered.

"Yes, I am her mother." Uchenna responded. "And she is not dead."

***

A flare of emotion. Unsteady. Urgent.

The honey colored light fades, slightly. The color muddies.

Faster. Follow the pull of his need.

***

"How do you know this?' He rasped. He did not argue. If there was any chance…

"She is my child." She raised an eyebrow. The mannerism was so reminiscent he wanted to howl at the pain of it. "I would know if she died." The steel in her voice convinced him as nothing else would.

The immediate question answered, his conscience reminded him of his other responsibilities. The battle. His army. "Father, what of…?"

"Our army withdrew when Naraku's forces retreated." He responded. "Your brother brought Kagome back, and would have gone back to you, but it was already over. The right flank was hit badly; it seems most of their gifted were there. Miroku almost lost a hand." Masaharu swallowed; it had been difficult to stand back while his children and those he considered his children fought and risked their lives.

"How is Kagome?"

Masaharu frowned. "We've had to sedate her. She is exhausted, both by fighting and worrying about everyone. She was afraid she had killed Zi with her last attack."

Sesshomaru flinched. "Our losses?"

"Heavy…but not unexpected. Luckily we caused them just as much damage, if not more."

Honor satisfied, Sesshomaru turned back to Uchenna. "Where is she? When will she be here?"

"Soon, I believe. She is making her way towards us even as we speak." She turned. "In the meantime, you should rest."

"I will wait for her." He stated.

"Then wait for her in bed. You share a room?" At his nod, she continued. "Then go there. She will be somewhat disoriented, and she will more than likely go where she feels safest first."

Somehow, he found himself on his way to bed before he could argue. He snorted. Sent to bed, indeed.

He stood in front of their door. Her scent was evident even here, if faint. Steeling himself, he pushed open the door. Someone else had been here-he looked and saw a metal tub filled with water and relaxed. Someone had obviously been kind enough to ensure they would not need to visit the communal baths.

After a quick (and interesting with the new tail) bath, he climbed into bed. She would not have appreciated the dirt and gore that streaked his skin. He sat with his back against the wall, unwilling to sleep until she returned.

After another hour, he could barely keep his eyes open, but stubbornly refused to give in. He began to despair. If she was still alive, why could he not sense her? The Bond had reformed for that split second, then nothing. Why? He considered it carefully. He had not felt her die; what he was experiencing was an absence of feeling. From what he heard, the death of a Bonded was more like a wound than a vacuum.

He jerked; apparently he had dozed off for a moment, because he did not see how he could have missed the hand now coming out of the chamber floor. It was followed by another hand even as he watched. Both palms planted themselves firmly on the floor, and pushed.

The floor of the chamber seemed to shimmer; calling to mind water instead of the cold stone all his senses were telling him was there. She arose from the hewn floor, her head and shoulders appearing after her arms. She rested for a moment, not looking at him or the room, seeming only to concentrate fully on her task. His keen eyes could see how her brow furrowed, intent on her task. One lip was caught between her teeth as she pulled more and more of her body from its constraints.

Once her hips broke free, it became more difficult for her to gain purchase on the floor, and Sesshomaru was finally shaken from his stupor to assist her. Hooking his hands underneath her arms he easily pulled her from the floor. Holding her in his arms, his eyes darted back and forth between her face and the stone floor, whose ripples were gradually hardening back into solid rock, even as he watched.

He looked down at her face, to see her watching him curiously through heavy lidded eyes, before she heaved a sigh and buried her face into the fur over his shoulder. Confusion registered through the Bond, but she obviously did not feel threatened, as he felt her relaxation begin to smooth out into slumber.

He was a little disappointed that she was falling asleep, but that feeling was nothing compared to his relief and joy at having her back again. Questions could wait.

Zi nuzzled into him. She wasn't sure where she was, how she had gotten there…or even what his name was, but she knew that this man was the source of the honey-gold light that had called her.

This man was home.

A/N: Ok, that was the longest chapter I've written so far. I thought about splitting it up, but I couldn't find a spot I liked. So here y'all go, you get the whole thing at once. How did Zi get back? What's up with the dirty monk's hand? Has Kagome drained herself completely? Are these two ever gonna get to have sex?

Tune in next time, for the answers to these questions…along with the rest of the battle.

Oh, you didn't think they were done, did you?