InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trust ❯ Chapter 32

Ugh…I'm sorry. I just have had little inspiration to write for the past few weeks. I guess I was due for some writer's block…I've been able to update fairly regularly for the past few months, so I can't complain.

I appreciate your sticking with the story. I never expected it to turn out as long as it has. Since we all want the next chapter to come out sooner than this one (I hope), how about this; I'll keep writing if y'all keep reviewing. OK?

Chapter 32

There was a reunion of sorts in the dining hall. Sango and Miroku met Inu Yasha and Kagome in the baths, and they made their way to breakfast where Malia and Masaharu already sat.

There was a commotion when Zi and Sesshomaru arrived. She was surprised at the fuss, until she was notified that she had been missing in action. She looked at her mate who shrugged.

"You don't remember anything?" Kagome asked.

Zi shook her head. "Nothing past the battle."

"Why didn't you tell her? What were you doing?" Inu Yasha demanded of his brother.

Sesshomaru regarded the younger man evenly as Zi fought to keep a straight expression. When it became obvious that neither one was going to answer, Inu Yasha's response was simply an aggravated, "Keh."

Suddenly, his ears lay back and he got a hunted look on his face. He moved to stand behind Kagome, who looked at him, puzzled.

"Crazy old lady…" he muttered as Adamma walked into the room.

"Gramma?" Zi blurted out. "Mama?" Her friends watched amazed as their self-confident friend turned into a young girl right before their eyes.

She carefully folded the old woman in her arms, then turned to hug her mother. She looked suspiciously at the huge redhead standing over her mother's shoulder.

"Who's that?" she asked, then flinched as her grandmother turned a dark eye on her.

"That is your grandfather, little girl. Show a little respect."

Everyone turned to look in surprise at the enormous man towering over the two women. His hair was long and dark red, with a small braid at each temple. His eyes were dark, his nose straight and thin, and his mouth looked as if it never smiled. He wore the traditional attire of a Scot. His rough spun shirt was partially covered by a plaid, and his kilt left his powerful legs bare below the knee. He dwarfed both his wife and daughter.

"Glad to see you've got some height to you, lass." He boomed. "Not all stumpy like these two."

Adamma glared at her husband. "I'm not the one who looks like a tree trunk, jackass."

Uchenna sighed. "Mama, Father…"

He scowled. "What have I asked you to call me, girl?"

Uchenna cleared her throat. "Excuse me…Da. You're embarrassing Nzinga in front of her friends."

Her parents both scoffed, unconcerned. Uchenna and Zi both closed their eyes, faces identical pictures of forbearance.

"What I want to know is who's the man what married my granddaughter?" Zi's grandfather fixed sharp eyes on all the men present.

Sesshomaru stepped forward, as everyone else stared, fascinated at the scene playing out in front of them.

"I am Sesshomaru, pack leader and son of Masaharu of the Green Valley sept of the Dog Clan. Your granddaughter is my mate." He stated, meeting the other man's eyes.

"I am Douglas, son of Malcolm, of the clan MacNiall. I hope you do not mind my speaking to you more on this at a later time."

"Not at all." Sesshomaru inclined his head.

Zi looked back and forth, irritated. She didn't know this man, grandfather or not, and it irked her that he'd managed to embarrass her and challenge her mate all on their first real meeting.

Adamma stepped up to look at Sesshomaru more closely. "You're related to that foul mouthed one, aren't you? Malia's boy?"

"Yes, I am Masaharu's son by his first mate." Sesshomaru answered.

Adamma looked at him critically, mouth pursed. "Well, you certainly have better manners than that one." Inu Yasha choked in rage in the background.

"Thank you." Sesshomaru was not sure what else to say. His mate was no help; all he could feel from her was overwhelming resignation and burning embarrassment.

"I'm hungry." Zi blurted out. It wasn't her most graceful subject change, but it would have to do. She looked around at everyone's faces. Her mother took pity on her and stepped forward to take her arm.

"So am I. Come, let's see what they have." Uchenna gracefully drew her daughter out of the center of attention and over to the breakfast spread.

***

"Mama, Gramma…not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?" Zi asked as she finally settled at the table.

The two older women looked at each other for a moment before Uchenna answered. "We finally decided we wanted to live as a family again. So we traveled to Scotia for your grandfather. Apparently, most of the people who wanted us dead are dead themselves, so they are no longer a threat." She paused to take a sip of water. "We heard word of the attack on our trip back. Da wanted to join the fight…and Mama and I could help as healers, so we agreed."

Sesshomaru interrupted. "But after the battle…how did you know? How did you know she was not dead?"

Zi looked at him puzzled, as Adamma cleared her throat. "Most of the women in our line have a strong earth affinity, which has made us good healers. If we're close enough, this allows us to sense when a certain technique has been used. Nzinga used it to save her life."

"What do you mean? I don't even remember getting back to my room." Zi asked.

"You…merged with the earth, child. You became one with it and in that way were able to travel through it, to emerge from any earth or stone."

Zi looked puzzled. "But…" She turned to her mate. "How did I get back to our room?"

"You came through the floor." He said calmly.

"What do you mean, through the floor? There was no damage when I woke up."

"I mean, through the floor. The stone rippled and you pushed your way through it as if it were water. I have never seen anything like it in my life." Her mate responded.

Zi was silent for a moment. "But I've never heard of that. How was I able to do it?"

Uchenna answered, "It only happens when you are at the brink of death. Your body instinctively transformed itself to elemental energy to avoid being killed. There are similar techniques for anyone strong enough in a certain element." She looked at Sesshomaru closely. "You…you have great control over air. You could do the same. That child," she motioned to Kagome, "could do it with any element, being as strong as she is in spirit. There is no sense of time or self while in that state, so I'm not surprised you don't remember anything. You are drawn by instinct only back to a place where you feel safe."

As everyone watched, Zi looked down at her plate, considering. After a few silent moments, she picked up a slice of bacon and chewed thoughtfully. Her grandmother scoffed.

"That's it? You don't have anything else to say?" Adamma demanded.

Zi looked up and shrugged, still chewing. "Nope."

After that, everyone hurried through the simple meal, careful to avoid anything too heavy. Talk was minimal, everyone's minds on the upcoming day.

After eating, everyone made their way to the front wall, to watch and wait. To their surprise, there was no sign of Naraku's army. No one was optimistic enough to think he had simply given up. After a few minutes of watching, Masaharu turned to find the Commander.

"I think we should get moving. If nothing else, we can keep them from crossing that gap." He nodded to everyone as he left.

About a half hour later, the troops were assembled and ready to advance from the Pass. Just before they made to advance, an alarm from the front walls pulled them up short. A young man came running, pushing his way through the soldiers to the front.

"There's a woman out front, under a white flag. She wants to discuss terms." He panted.

"Terms?" Masaharu raised an eyebrow. "I don't trust that. I'll meet with her myself."

"Begging your pardon, Clan Leader, but she asked for your son and his mate-Inu Yasha and Kagome."

Inu Yasha looked stunned, then slightly ill. Kagome uttered his unvoiced thought. "Kikyou. It must be her."

Before Inu Yasha could respond, Kagome answered coolly, "Let her know we're on our way." He looked at her in surprise, and she snapped, "I am your mate! I don't need to hide from your former lover like a dirty secret."

His ears swept back in surprise. "That's not what I meant." He muttered.

"It doesn't matter! Let's just go." She said sharply. There goes my good mood, she thought to herself.

Knowing better than to argue, he remained silent for once. At his nod, the gate guards opened the smaller door, and the two headed into the morning sun.

As their eyes adjusted, they made out the shadow of a woman carrying a white flag a few hundred yards in front of them. Kikyou had made it very close to the fort before the alarm had sounded. She did this to prove the point that she could have attacked at any time, but chose not to.

Inu Yasha and Kagome stopped a few yards away from the other woman, and Kagome got her first look at her mate's former lover.

She was slight, with dark hair, and a cool, polished beauty. Her robes were worn with a casual elegance in the midst of battle that Kagome struggled to achieve on formal occasions.

It didn't help that the two women shared a strong physical resemblance.

Kagome couldn't stand her on sight.

Inu Yasha wasn't sure how he felt. He still wanted to save her if at all possible…but she didn't look like a woman who wanted to be saved. She looked like she was fully in control of her situation.

"Hello, Inu Yasha. It's been quite a while." Kikyou said calmly.

"It's been quite a while? Quite a while?!? Kikyou, we all thought you were dead! What the fuck are you doing fighting for Naraku?" Inu Yasha spat.

She flinched slightly. "It was either this, or death. I have made my choice, and live with it."

Inu Yasha looked at her in anger. This was not how he had imagined their meeting. He had expected her to be more scared, happier to see him, and eager for the chance to escape from that madman's clutches.

"Kikyou." Kagome spoke suddenly. "I ask this for Inu Yasha's sake, and I will only ask it once. Do you want our help? Will you let us help you?"

Kikyou looked at the other woman in surprise. "Why would you ask me such a thing?"

Kagome spoke evenly. "It pains my mate to see someone he cares about in such a position. If I can spare him that pain, I will. Now, what is your answer?"

Kikyou kept her conflicting emotions from her face. As much as she wanted to accept the other woman's offer, she knew it was not to be. "You cannot help me."

Inu Yasha closed his eyes, while Kagome nodded slightly. "Fine. What message do you have for us?"

"Naraku proposes this: Certain of your fighters meet and battle with certain of his. If his fighters win, then you allow him through the Pass. If you win, he will withdraw."

"Which fighters?" Inu Yasha growled.

"The two of you. The monk with the wounded hand, and the woman with the boomerang. The redhead who protected the monk in battle. Kouga, of the Wolf Clan. The giant dog from the end of the battle. And the two of berserker blood."

"Berserker?" Inu Yasha questioned.

"He did not name them." Kikyou shrugged. "He asks for your response in two hours."

Kagome nodded. As Kikyou turned to leave, Inu Yasha blurted out, "Kikyou! I'm...I'm sorry I couldn't save you. I'm sorry I wasn't there."

Kikyou closed her eyes for a moment, the only sign of emotion she'd shown during the entire conversation. When she spoke, her voice was sad, yet resolute.

"Forget me, Inu Yasha. Some people are not meant to be saved." With those words, she turned and began the walk back to Naraku's army.

He looked after her for a moment, then with Kagome's hand on his arm, he turned back towards the Pass.

***

After making their report to the Commander and Masaharu, Kagome and Inu Yasha went to find their friends. Miroku was sitting morosely staring at the ground, with a handprint on his face, while Sango seethed next to him. Sesshomaru was watching Zi, who was arguing with her grandfather.

"Your mother's name is bad enough…but I can't even pronounce yours." Douglas complained. "She was supposed to name you after me."

"She got as close as she could without making it obvious that we were kin, Grandda." She said through clenched teeth.

"How?" At her silence he shook his head. "So difficult you are."

Zi merely grunted in response. She knew she was being childish, but the fact remained that she did not know this man, and did not appreciate his being so familiar with her, not to mention her grandmother and mother. In her mind, any man who deserved to be called a man wouldn't have left his wife and child to fend for themselves.

She could feel her mate's disapproval of her treatment of her grandfather, but she ignored it.

"Inu Yasha." Sesshomaru's voice cut through the low murmur of the group. "What news?"

His younger brother drew in a breath. "Kikyou brought Naraku's terms. He wants to put some of our fighters against some of his for travel through the Pass."

Miroku went pale. "He expects us to just let him through if he wins?"

Inu Yasha said quietly, "I don't think he has the numbers for another frontal attack. This is probably his last shot."

"Who does he want out there?" Miroku asked. His insides froze; if Sango was named and not him, he did not know if he could stay behind.

Kagome and Inu Yasha exchanged a look. She answered. "They asked for Inu Yasha and me. Also, Miroku, Conn, Sango, and Sesshomaru." She frowned. "He also asked for the two berserkers, but we didn't know who he meant."

Zi didn't say anything, but she did move closer to her mate. She was not happy about not having been named while all her friends were in danger. Moving slightly behind Sesshomaru, she nuzzled her face into his arm and tail, seeking comfort. He turned his head slightly, and placed his hand at the curve of her hip.

"Two berserkers? Are you sure he said two berserkers, lass?" Douglas startled them all by asking.

"Yes, I believe so." Kagome concentrated. "His words were, `the two of berserker blood.'"

Douglas frowned. "Bastard. He knew I was coming."

"You mean it's you?" Zi burst out. "What the hell else is wrong with you?"

The big man scowled. "Wrong with me? Shut your mouth, girl."

Zi exploded. "Don't fucking tell me what to do! I don't even know you! I spent half my life running because you were my grandfather. You show up out of nowhere and just want to take your place in the family like nothing happened? Fuck that. Fuck you, MacNiall." The last was spat out savagely.

Her friends looked on in amazement as the Scot and the Kushite faced off. "You know," he said mildly, "your grandmother would never stand for such talk."

"Are you going to go get her?" she taunted. "Hide behind her? Why not? She raised and protected your child while you were off doing gods know what…why should you have to deal with anything concerning me?" She was practically trembling in her fury. "And now I find out you're some battle crazed killer?"

"If I am, than you are as well, little girl." He said coolly. "You carry my blood, do you not?"

Zi stood speechless as he continued. "How many times have you blacked out in battle, to come to and find yourself covered in blood? How many blades have you snapped off in your enemies as you twisted it in their flesh? How many times have you lost a weapon, because one of your strikes had lodged it so deeply into a skull you had to leave it behind?"

He was relentless as he walked towards her. His words beat into her brain as she unconsciously backed away from him. "You cannot tell me that all of those actions are outside your experience. Even if you do not acknowledge it, you are the other he named."

Nzinga felt her throat and chest begin to burn, and she fought back her tears as she stared into his dark, fiery eyes.

"Bastard." She whispered. "You have no right."

"I have every right, little girl."

Sesshomaru recovered from his shock and reached to bring Zi back up against his body, but she was having none of it.

"Now you move. Now you do something. Wait for the woman to take the brunt, then swoop down after the fact." She said bitterly. "Leave me alone."

She slapped his hand away and ran from the concerned faces around her.

Kagome looked worried. "Aren't you going after her?" she asked her brother in law.

"No." Sesshomaru said coldly.

"But she's so upset!" Sango blurted. She looked at Sesshomaru's stone face and then over at Kagome. The two women exchanged a look, then went in search of their friend.

***

The men waited for word from the Commander, and no one was really surprised when they heard that Naraku's proposal had been accepted. Some of the elders were infuriated by the idea of allowing Naraku passage into the Domain. They finally were swayed by Malia's coolly ruthless statement.

"The Pass itself is fairly short. The exact words were that we allow Naraku through the Pass. We can let him through, then kill him upon his exit. It's not exactly true to the spirit of the agreement, but this is war."

After that, there wasn't much else to say.

Malia made a point to come down and see both Inu Yasha and Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru was especially surprised and touched that she made such a fuss over him and the new tail.

"I was so angry at your father for not giving anyone warning about this. I suppose it was a great shock to you?"

"I…did not really have a chance to be shocked. There was...a great deal going on at the time."

Malia nodded in understanding. "Your father tells me there is Dragon Clan blood in your family, which lets some of you gain enormous size in your dog forms. We can only guess as to why the ability showed up now." Surprising her stepson, she suddenly embraced him tightly.

"I was so worried." She whispered. "I didn't know what it would do to you."

To his surprise, Sesshomaru found himself with a lump in his throat. Even though Malia had never treated him with anything less than maternal care, he still found himself startled by the evidence of the depth of her caring. He hugged her back.

"I am fine, Malia. Please do not worry about me." He said softly.

Pulling away slightly, she reached up and cupped his face in her hands. He bent enough to allow her to kiss his forehead. "Be careful." She then stepped away to wish Inu Yasha luck as well.

The maternal gesture gave him a warm feeling, and he was almost able to forget that the two hours Naraku gave them were almost up. Kouga came into the small courtyard in his normal whirlwind, kicking up dust with his arrival.

Inu Yasha sneezed. "Fucking wolf. Stop showing off."

Kouga laughed. "Who's showing off, dog turd? Just because you have no sense of style is no reason to hate me."

"Ass." Inu Yasha muttered.

"It's almost time. Where is everyone else?" Miroku asked. He delicately refrained from mentioning the fact that only the women were missing.

"We're coming!" Kagome's voice rang out, as she and the other women walked into the court. Sango's gaze went immediately to her husband, who smiled reassuringly. Kagome looked irritated, and Inu Yasha flinched. He wasn't sure how she had taken the meeting with Kikyou, and was worried.

Zi did not meet anyone's gaze, instead concentrating her attention on the slab of pie in her hand.

"How's that pie?" Conn asked.

She gave him a small smile around a mouth full of crust and meat. She was still angry at her mate, but not stupid enough to needlessly provoke him by standing closer to another man. Making her way near him, she stopped just close enough to appease his instincts.

She swallowed in surprise when she felt Sesshomaru's tail wrap around her waist and give a short but insistent tug.

Wiping her mouth, she sauntered over to her mate, the very picture of unconcern. One hand stroked the luxurious fur that still remained around her body.

*Do not shut me out. We go to battle.*

*You wound me, mate. How petty I must seem to you.* Zi responded coolly.

"Do not do this." He repeated in a low voice. He said nothing more, content to keep his tail around her waist. She also remained silent, not quite happy with him, but not willing to fight about it.

Inu Yasha watched as Kagome came closer to him. For some reason, she was making him feel cornered with out having said a word or having made any threatening movement.

As is common with all animals who feel cornered, he decided to go for the attack.

"Why are you looking at me like that, bitch?"

Kagome tilted her head slightly. "How am I looking at you?" she said calmly.

"Like I did something wrong. Like I'm about to be sorry for it." His eyes grew wild and his voice grew louder. "I didn't do anything; I know I didn't! So whatever you're mad about, it's something you came up with in your own twisted fucking female mind!"

He eyed her suspiciously as every fiber of his being screamed at him to run away. She continued to give him that strange look. He was about to give into his instincts and just leave, when she shocked him again by smiling.

"You're right, Inu Yasha. This is a female thing." She walked up to him and poked him in the chest. "But I'm not happy that your supposedly dead ex-girlfriend looks like me. You never mentioned it, and I didn't like finding it out when I met her."

Inu Yasha blinked, not quite believing his ears. She was mad at him because there was a likeness between her and Kikyou? He had of course noticed it before, but never thought about it again after their first few meetings. He continued to eye her warily as he inched away.

"You're fucking crazy." He muttered, sidling over to Conn's side. "Bitches are crazy."

He looked around at the other women. Zi and Sesshomaru were doing their best to ignore each other. This despite the fact that he kept his tail wrapped around her waist, and she unconsciously let one hand stroke the fur from time to time.

Inu Yasha wondered where she had gotten the sandwich in her other hand.

Sango was shaking a fist at her husband, and Inu Yasha did his best to block out their argument. Bitches are crazy, he thought firmly.

"Sango, please…" Miroku had lost count of how many times he had uttered that phrase today.

"No. I will not run and hide while you are in danger. I am going out there, and that is final."

"I would not dream of asking you to stay behind. I just want you to be careful." He said calmly.

"Of course I will be careful. What do you take me for?" Sango muttered.

"Sango, Naraku is notorious for using his enemies' weaknesses against them. He chose us for a reason, so it is not unreasonable to assume he wishes to exploit us in some way. Just bear that in mind."

Sango was warrior enough to see the validity in his statement and she nodded slowly.

Her husband sighed in relief. "Thank you."

Sesshomaru's voice cut through the low noise. "We are all present. Unless anyone has an objection, we should leave now."

Tongues stilled and faces smoothed out into serious lines at his statement. After a moment of hesitation, he unwound his tail from his mate's waist. Still not looking at him, she nonetheless gave it one last caress as it slid from her body. He sighed to himself. The too of them were just too proud to bend in public.

The group exited the fort under the watchful eyes of their comrades. Masaharu received word from the walls that Naraku's handpicked warriors were backed by the remainder of his forces. With a grim smile, he ordered his forces to proceed as well. They had orders not to interfere, but there was no harm in reminding Naraku of the tenuousness of his position.

The advance fighters continued on over the chasm, watching as their enemy grew closer. Kagome's hand flexed continually around her bow. Unlike the last battle, she found herself filled with calm. Her nerves were steady, due to her implacable resolve that the enemy forces not make it past them.

Kikyou stood at the front of Naraku's fighters, as cool as ever. She was surrounded by the cream of Naraku's fighting forces. At her side, a small girl in white stood holding a round mirror.

Slightly behind the girl was a woman. Her intricate hair and beautiful robes were out of place on the battlefield, but her seductive air couldn't hide the feral light in her red eyes.

A dull eyed man with white hair crouched in a cage to her side. He made no sign that he was at all aware of his surroundings, but no one was foolish enough to dismiss him. His very stupor was eerie.

Next to the cage, two men leered at the advancing women. One was of medium height, and quite handsome with his lean build and long dark braid. The other was quite grotesque; large and squat with a misshaped bald head.

To the rear, an enormous creature stood. It had thick leathery skin and a lizard like head, and its teeth were large and looked wickedly sharp. The knowing gleam in its eyes was particularly unnerving.

"I take it you accept the challenge?" Kikyou looked resigned.

Inu Yasha drew Tessaiga in response. The enormous blade flashed in the morning sun.

"Let's just get this over with, Kikyou." Inu Yasha said flatly. "Who wants to die first?"

The ogre spoke, in a gravelly rumble. "How about the mongrel whelp?"

Inu Yasha bristled, while Kagome drew an arrow. "Who are you calling a mongrel, you filthy piece of shit?"

"Goshinki…" Kikyou said warningly.

"Not you." He turned his head towards Sesshomaru and Zi. His teeth flashed as he laughed cruelly. "Their mongrel. It's barely alive, but I can sense it. Its chances of survival are so low anyway, I might as well put it out of its misery."

The man with the braid shook his head while the ugly one with him laughed along with the ogre.

Sesshomaru drew Toukijin, eyes narrowed. No one would lay a finger on his mate or pup.

Zi placed a protective hand over her stomach for a moment. How could he know? There hadn't even been enough time for her to sense it yet.

"You just wondered how I could tell? I can read minds, even one as new and undeveloped as an unborn child a few hours old." Goshinki boasted. "Don't even think about attacking me, Sesshomaru. I can dodge any attack you can think of."

Nzinga's eyes narrowed as she felt rage overtake her mind. "How about we leave my baby out of this?" she said, in a deceptively mild tone.

"And how do you plan to stop me?" Goshinki jeered.

With a snarl, Inu Yasha sprang to the attack, only to have his foe melt to the side in an effortless dodge. Sesshomaru followed his brother with a lightning swift slash to the creature's side.

Goshinki turned aside Sesshomaru's blow at the last moment, but not before a line of blood appeared across his arm. He looked surprised, then angered. "That is the last time you will draw my blood, dog. Your child will die before it even has a chance to live."

Sesshomaru did not respond. After locating Zi's scent to make sure she was still behind him, he prepared to attack again. She knew without being told that he would not allow her to participate in this fight. It was his job to respond to the threat to his mate and unborn child, and with a short growl, he asked his brother to stay out of this.

Goshinki's smug expression slowly disappeared as the fight continued. Sesshomaru's self-control was such that he could mask many of his thoughts from the ogre. And when Goshinki did pick up on his movements, the shifter's superior speed was such that his opponent could not keep up, and it made no difference.

Finally, Sesshomaru summoned his whip in his left hand. Leaping into the air, he flicked his wrist, and the glowing line looped around the monster's neck. Jerking on the line, he caused the creature to stumble.

With a powerful, one-handed slash, he sliced the creature's head from its shoulders, easily avoiding the splash of its ichor-like blood. Letting the whip dissipate, he landed lightly on the ground next to the severed head.

His cool gaze raked over his assembled foes, then rested on his foe's carcass momentarily. Nodding once, he turned back to his friends and family.

Inu Yasha planted Tessaiga's tip in the ground and leaned on it as he laughed. He looked at the faces of his enemies, all of whom had lost their superior expressions.

"Who wants to die next?" he growled.

A/N: For those who didn't understand that argument between Nzinga and her grandfather, his name means "dark river" and her name means "of the river" or "daughter of the river." So the names are connected in meaning if not origin.