InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Vying for Dominance ❯ Revelations ( Chapter 32 )

Revelations

 

 

The restless churnings of shock and outrage created by the miko's decree broke into a tidal wave of hard resentment and furious animosity that flooded through the arena when to her proclamation, Sesshomaru, their leader and most esteemed Lord, reached forward and took of the offering presented to him by the mortal girl. His hand closing over hers to hold the brilliance of her gift as he pulled her forwards and wrapped her in his embrace, he closed the distance between them and ripped apart the barriers that held them separate when he leaned down to ravish her lips.

 

Turmoil erupted all around the pair, voices of anger and hatred risen to call for retribution clashing against those that screamed of mutiny in their midst. Of coercion and deception, magic and dark curses; some argued it was she upon which to place the blame. Then of weakness and depravity, of injustice and betrayal; others turned their accusations to place the fault against him.

 

But then, there were some, those not held any longer by the biases that had ensnared so many, that saw this stand for what it was: simply of two beings whose worlds had been brought together so intimately that they could no longer live in them separately. For those few, though it was in silence they took in the scene, they did so with quiet understanding and unspoken support for the courage they knew it would have taken to make this stand, and for the strength that would be needed to see it through.

 

Of course, there were those, which though knew without contest on which side they would stand, that had been too long outside of the precedings to understand what they were seeing. And those, whose commitment would never waver, whose loyalties would never change; who still looked and saw something beyond comprehension, that went against all that they thought they knew and all that they believed they understood.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - -

 

“He has lost his mind!”

 

For one who had led their kind through battles and hardships, who had stood for so long to see their people brought to the glory and prosperity that they now partook of; to see the one who stood as the symbol of their strength, the embodiment of their purpose, the one in whose hands their future rested forsake everything that he was and everything that they represented to give his favor to a being outside of their Great Community, a creature who had for so long been their enemy, it was too much for Tannis to bear.

 

But beside the Golden leader stood one who understood the power of truth. “No, Tannis,” Takked corrected softly as he looked down on the pair, seeing in this moment's time how strong their bond truly was to be able to draw strength from each other even when surrounded by the angry and hateful currents stewing around them. “He has found his heart, and it beats within the breast of that mortal child.”

 

“How can you support this treason to our cause, Takked?” Tannis accused the elder venomously. “He incites revolt by openly claiming that girl!”

 

“Perhaps,” Takked acknowledged. But though he knew the unrest created by Sesshomaru's actions, he also knew that the decision had not been made lightly, and that Sesshomaru, more than any of them, knew what he was doing. “But it is not for us to judge him, Tannis. Our time has past, and if this is the future that Sesshomaru sees, then it is not our place to tell him otherwise.” Turning to the Golden one, Takked lifted his brow in a gesture of curiosity and equally of challenge. “Unless, of course, you see it fit to stand against him now, for no more reason than you have not approved of his choice of mate.”

 

“I shall never stand against Sesshomaru,” Tannis replied unflinchingly. And he wouldn't. His loyalty to the General's cause was just as strong as ever. “And as for his choice of mate…”

 

Though he wanted to be angry, wanted to see this rejection of the long-anticipated joining of their families into one as a humiliation and a shame against all they had endured; as he looked back to the young pair and saw the passion that burned between them, the way he held her as though he would never let her go and that she in turn clung to him as though he were the very air she breathed, he simply could not.

 

And she, she of such spirit and courage, of tact and wit, of graciousness and intelligence, she who held such incredible and perplexing powers, who had come to them as an outsider and still managed to form ties of friendship and brotherhood, who had earned the respect and support of even those of most unlikely candidacy, she who had moved even the most unmovable, who had brought passion to one who was passionless, and who had brought and new cause to one who for so long followed only the pursuit of power…

 

Releasing a heavy breath, Tannis shook his head in resignation. “She's perfect for him.”

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

“Did you know of this, waif?”

 

The hard tone of the grey couldn't stop Shaeda from staring in open disbelief at what she was seeing, neither did the firm grip he had taken on her arm or the hard pull he administered to get her attention.

 

“The…miko…?” She stuttered in muted shock. After all these years and Sesshomaru would choose a Human mate? And not just a miko, but one belonging to his own brother? Had he lost his mind?!

 

“Answer me!”

 

Another hard shake from where he had gripped her arm in a steely hold finally turned Shaeda's attention to Haiiro. “Get your hands off of me, you big lug!” she hissed out at him. “I do not answer to you!”

 

“Well someone has to answer for it!” Haiiro returned, his grip on the shade not giving way against her struggles. “You are his confidant. If anyone would know if this atrocity is the result of trickery or bewitchment, it would be you!”

 

“Do you imply that the Lady Kagome is responsible for this?” Miroku asked tersely as he stepped forward to face off against the Grey. “If anyone has been coerced or misled in this, it has been the Lady, not your Lord. Our Kagome would never give herself willingly to a ruthless, cold-blooded, killer like Sesshomaru!”

 

A low growl broke out of Haiiro. He released Shaeda abruptly and set his stance against the mortal monk. “You have defiled our sacred grounds for too long, human. It will be my great pleasure to see your taint abolished!”

 

Throwing his staff to the ground, Miroku brought his cursed hand forward in his own defense. “Try me, demon, and you will find your eternity in oblivion.”

 

“Enough!”

 

The ground between Miroku and Haiiro was broken by the hard impact of Hiraikotsu. Sango stood fuming over her weapon; her hard edge not lost on either her long-time comrade in arms or by the Inu justifiably wary of a demon-slayer's wrath. “If you fools would stop fighting each other long enough to actually open your eyes, you would see the truth. You would see a mortal girl trembling in fear for a creature that would never show it. You would see a woman living by her heart, and an Inu that would never betray his loyalties. You would see that even though they both stand now facing battle and possibly death, that even so, that they are together, they are happier than I have ever seen them.” Pulling her weapon back, Sango set herself in a solid defensive stance. “If you are looking for a fight, then I suggest you join those that have already chosen a side. I, however, have already done so. I stand for Kagome; and if that means fighting for Sesshomaru as well, then so be it.”

 

“Well said, Taijiya,” Jomon commented as he moved to stand by Haiiro. At the hard look given to him by his friend, Jomon rolled his shoulders and offered him a crooked smile. “I should have known there was more riding on this than sister Kagome's rights to a mate. But I have already given my word to Lord Sesshomaru on the matter. No one can challenge her choice without going through me as well; including you, my friend.”

 

“Do not think that I am fool enough to believe you are making this stand for your word or any loyalty to Sesshomaru or your wolf brethren, mongrel boy,” Haiiro shot back. But even as he voiced the well-accustomed degradation for his long-time friend, he felt for perhaps the first time the impact of it carry over to himself.

 

Looking back across the arena floor, he saw a contest between Silver and Black that could very well destroy the bond between their families, a family to which he belonged to both sides. Never in his life had he been forced to make distinction between them. They had always been of one kind, of one Great Community. And it was that Community for which he fought and for which he trained others to do the same. He could not, would not allow that to be broken; not by a leader who had lost sight of their greatness, not even by a friend bound by his word, his honor, and his love for a female.

 

But then, was it not such ties, such bonds of friendship and love that had first formed the Great Community under the General's guiding hand? Was it not his vision that had brought peace and the end of a terrible war? And Sesshomaru, was he not his father's son, did he not know as well as any of them the price paid for their prosperity? Did he not believe in his father's vision when it had be he that for centuries past had been the very embodiment of the future they walked towards?

 

It was foolishness. Of course Sesshomaru knew these things. And he knew as well that it mattered not who he chose as his mate, for however brief her time may be, it didn't change who he was or what he represented. Strength, power, leadership; and he displayed them all now more than ever by making a choice that he knew would go against so many, and by forcing the stand of his brothers and allies to root out those whose loyalties were not with him. Such was the place of a leader, and such was the responsibility left to Sesshomaru and Sesshomaru alone.

 

So then too it was the responsibility of a warrior to stand for his General's cause, even when they could not understand his reasons.

 

“Though I hardly see the draw of that mortal girl, no General of mine will face an adversary without his army.”

 

- - - - - - - - - - - -

 

“Damnit, hanyou, wake the fuck up!”

 

The violent shaking against his battered body shot pain through Inuyasha's entire being. A gurgling groan slipped past his lips in protest, but the shaking did not relent, and Inuyasha was forced into consciousness. His eyes opened despite the screaming protest of his overtaxed body that demanded he rest.

 

When he saw that it was Kouga that had been the one to wake him, he mentally cursed the idiotic wolf before grunting some vague insult and closing his eyes again.

 

But Kouga would have none of the hanyou's weak fortitude. He grabbed the front of Inuyasha's robe roughly and yanked the half-conscious hanyou into a sitting position. “I said wake up, mutt-face!”

 

A low growl broke over the groan of pain released by the injured hanyou. His eyes snapped open again, but this time taking focus to direct his anger at the mangy wolf. “What the fuck, Kouga?!” he snapped heatedly.

 

“What the fuck?” the wolf questioned tersely. “What the fuck?! You want to know what the fuck?!” Turning the hanyou roughly with a sharp yank, Kouga pointed towards the centre of the arena where Kagome, His Kagome, was locked in the iron hold of the Inu Leader. “That's what the fuck, you fucking hanyou!”

 

Inuyasha was so dumbfounded by what he saw, he might have fallen over in absolute shock had it not been for the wolf's tight hold on his collar. There, wrapped in the arms of his own brother, was His Kagome. And not only that, not only was he holding her; but she was holding him as well, pulling herself closer against him, giving herself over to what he was doing to her.

 

It was revolting, completely and absolutely disgusting to see them locking mouths with more abandon that Sesshomaru ever locked blades with another. It was repulsive. It was utterly depraved and so deeply sickening he could damn near feel his guts heaving at the sight.

 

What the hell was that girl thinking hanging herself over the bastard like that?! Had she lost her ever-loving mind?!

 

“How the fuck could you let this happen, you blasted mutt?!” Kouga's rants just barely registered in Inuyasha's addled mind. “I thought you hated Sesshomaru! What the hell were you thinking letting him get close enough to seduce My Woman!”

 

He hated Sesshomaru? The words drifted through the cloud of his spinning thoughts. He hated his arrogance, his superiority, his frigidness, and his nonchalance. He hated that nothing ever affected him, not even his own blood. He hated that his own brother would shun him and dismiss him as though he were nothing. He hated that it was only in battle against him that he could ever even approach him. He hated that no matter what he did, it was just never enough.

 

He hated, he hated because he could do nothing else, because Sesshomaru would allow nothing else.

 

But Sesshomaru was so strong, so steadfast, so completely sure of himself. He never worried about not being fast enough or strong enough, such weaknesses were beneath him, or at least beneath his ego. He was so proud, so dignified; he didn't even have to speak in his tone of Lordly condescendence to make others know unquestionably where their place was with him. And he was so much a warrior, always ready for anything, never showing any fear, remorse, hesitation, never feeling anything at all.

 

So then why was it, that one who feared nothing, who cherished nothing, who was moved by nothing; stood now risking everything for that which he claimed to despise, for that which he would say was beneath him, for a silly girl that if anything before this very moment was his enemy?

 

The answer was so completely obvious, and so completely absurd; that Inuyasha couldn't help but laugh at the dark and twisted irony of it all. “Idiot wolf,” he informed Kouga with another strained bark of mirthless laughter. “She ain't your woman.”

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

It might have only lasted a moment, but in a moment's time everything had been changed. Chaos had erupted around them, voices raised in conflict and confusion, words carrying mistrust, anger, resentment, fury, and wrath. It became a droning roar that hammered at them from all sides.

 

It was terrifying, shaking her through to her very core. But through it all, that he was with her, giving her of his strength by the way he held her and making her forget, if only for that moment, fear and pain as she tasted the passion on his lips; and despite everything around them, Kagome saw only him, felt only the comfort of his embrace, and knew only the lightness of her heart that rejoiced to know that as she wanted him, it was her that he wanted in turn.

 

And so she clung to him, needing to feel him with her one last time before the battle she knew was coming. Because he would fight, he would because it was choice to do so; and because it was for this that these contests were formed, and for this that he stood to protect as much as he did her.

 

When one voice arose to howl their fury even over the roar of voices, Kagome knew that their time had come. Pulling back from Sesshomaru as he did from her, she met his eyes for one brief moment that was more than long enough.

 

Be strong. Words unsaid and without need.

 

She flashed him a small smile before it was pulled down by the heavy knowledge of what lay ahead, and then turned quickly to make her way back to the protection of her wolf brother and her hanyou friend. But as she drew closer and she saw Inuyasha, as resilient as ever, clutching his sword in hands steeled for battle even as he lifted himself shakily from the ground on injured limbs; she realized that now he truly was her brother as well.

 

He, of course, refused her offer of aid when she reached out her arms to help. A gruff comment interspaced with some vulgar curse, he pushed her away with a determined swipe of his arm. But Kagome knew Inuyasha like no other, so she simply sighed at his stubbornness and turned to watch with him the powers rising on the arena floor.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

It was a battle cry, a call to arms from a Leader to their troops. The end of the line.

 

The insult had become too much, and no longer would Kuro stand for it. Sesshomaru's despicable shame would not be theirs to bear as well. He called for his sons and his brothers of the Black Inu clan. And in the fury of his voice, he called to still more of his Great Community, those who, like him, and like all those who stood with him, would not stand for this deplorable atrocity to be committed on their sacred grounds.

 

No longer. No longer would Sesshomaru be given their command. No longer would they follow one whose will was so weak it had been corrupted by a lowly human and her hanyou filth. No longer was his vision of their Great Community suited for the splendor of their strength. No longer would he rule.

 

A new Leader would emerge at last in their Great Community, and Kuro stepped forward, being joined with the numbers of his following, fully believing it would be him.

 

“Your reign ends here, Sesshomaru.”

 

“Doubtful.” Sesshomaru's eyes never left those of his opponent, but even without seeing them, he knew every Inu that stepped down onto the arena floor, knew their strengths and their weaknesses, knew their characters and their loyalties. And he knew that Kuro's confidence in the strength of his numbers was not completely justified.

 

Then again, it was always beneficial to marginalize your opponent's advantage.

 

“It is good to see that, unlike some, you remember you word, Jomon.”

 

Sesshomaru hadn't looked back when he spoke, nor could he see the noncommittal shrugging of Jomon's shoulders as he replied. “Would have been here sooner if you had actually let me in on this plan of yours.” Coming to stand by Sesshomaru's side, Jomon kept his sight trained on the gathering of the Black Inu's forces as he continued. “It would have been nice to be a little more prepared.”

 

“Haiiro seems well enough prepared,” Sesshomaru replied, knowing that the Grey that had taken his stand on his other flank was never without his full battle armor.

 

Haiiro's only response was a vague grunt, and Sesshomaru smirked at the Black from across their stand, taunting him with the fact that standing with him were two Ruling Lords of their Community, and in them two of their most accomplished fighters. But his taunting would not end there. More than the numbers moving in from the sidelines of the arena, and more than those standing in the crowd in tense face-offs that challenged loyalties and allegiance; there was one more player to be added to this game.

 

“Come now, Haiiro,” he commented smoothly, “Surely you are not disgruntled over my choice of mate.”

 

But, though he had addressed him, it was not to the Grey that he had directed his words. As he had expected, it was Kuro that has risen to the challenge.

 

“No mortal filth shall ever defile the greatness of our Community! For too long you have abused your father's good name and taken for granted the power his position has given you, Sesshomaru! But this disgraceful act shall be your last!”

 

“My father?” Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes sharply on the Black. “Who are you to speak of my father? You know nothing of my father, nothing of what he fought for or what sacrifices he made in his life. You know nothing of his vision of the Great Community.”

 

“I know,” Kuro returned, never backing away from Sesshomaru's challenge, “That the General would never allow a lowly human to bend his will, or let her bear such repulsive creatures as that hanyou by taking her as his mate!”

 

Then, in an action so unlike the stoic Lord, Sesshomaru surprised everyone in the arena by laughing outright at Kuro's stupidity. “You truly are a fool!” he mocked the Black openly. But his laughter died as quickly as it had come, and with a sharp gesture towards the spoken of hanyou, Sesshomaru called for his brother to step forwards. “Inuyasha,” he called his name openly, “Draw.”

 

“Well it's about fucking time!” the Hanyou bellowed angrily. He was sick of all this, and more than ready to cut his path out. Sword already in hand, Inuyasha unleashed the magnificence of the Tetsusaiga blade.

 

More shock swept through the crown in stunned recognition. Even Kuro, Sesshomaru could see, had taken the blow of the news.

 

“You see, Kuro,” Sesshomaru informed him smugly. “That hanyou, wielder of Tetsusaiga, is second son of my most esteemed father, and brother to this Sesshomaru.”

 

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You know, I kept getting this stupid thought throughout that chapter that `Boy, that must be the longest Kiss in history!' Lol, but it was supposed to be an over-lapped time-frame. You know, everything happening at once? It was a little trickier that I would have imagined. Then again, I didn't even cover every character XD So that, of course, means that there are still a few confrontations to deal with before this mess-a-la-grande can start getting cleaned up :) Yeah! And double Yeah for evil cliffie number…errr…how many chapters are there again? Kukukuku!

 

Right-oh! Later days!

 

Shadow