InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Windows on the West ❯ Not Quite the Last Part II ( Chapter 53 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Part II

Disclaimer:  I do not own the characters of Inuyasha.

~oOo~

The day dawned bright and clear for their trip across the water, and Kagome found herself oddly thankful for that.

She was in a rather melancholy mood, and fog and cloud cover would have been just a bit too much for her on that day.

With thoughts of the inuyoukai tribe running from their attackers, a much larger tribe of hawk demon, she couldn't help but think of the poor mother and child she'd buried.  It angered her so much that the hawks would chase down and kill a female, and a defenseless pup.  She wondered how many other tiny children they'd murdered, and couldn't help but want to cry with frustration over that thought.

Sesshoumaru, able to guess quite well where her mind was with her disturbed and unhappy aura, actually took a moment to pity the hawks – he would not want to be on the end of her wrath when it came.  He had been already a few times, and it was not amusing at all.

Still, while he said nothing, he did hold her closer than was strictly necessary, sharing his warmth with her and giving comfort as well.  

Satori watched the two interact silently with an inward smile.  Her son, much like she herself, had never been openly demonstrative, but what emotions he did have were deep – and lasting.  Now that he had found the one he wanted to wrap his soul around and protect, nothing would ever be allowed to interfere.

Not that she would even try.

Curious, she flicked a glance over at her former husband's second son, wanting to see his reactions to Sesshoumaru and Kagome.  She wasn't unaware that he had once held feelings for her... and in fact, despite his affections for his wife, still did have deep feelings for the little priestess.

There was a wistful expression on the hanyou's face, but with that, was acceptance, as well.  He knew that she could never be his, and though a part of him would always regret, he had no intentions of fighting it, or attempting to come between her son and the priestess.

That was a good thing, for his sake.  She had no illusions – though Sesshoumaru appeared to slowly be gaining acceptance towards his younger brother, if Inuyasha ever tried to get between he and Kagome, her son would not hesitate to kill him.

It was interesting to watch Kagome and how she interacted with Sesshoumaru, as well.  Her affection was deep, but quiet.  She was plenty demonstrative, but she was no longer as boisterous as she had been when younger – she had matured, and her actions showcased that.  

She was attentive to her male, taking care of him almost intuitively, without needing to ask most times what he wanted or needed, simply supplying whatever it was without question.  Even now, traveling at speed across the water towards battle, she soothed Sesshoumaru without even noticing she was doing it – gently caressing her son's flesh through his clothing and keeping her aura calm despite her own upset.  Her aura calmed his, something Satori had never thought to see – Kagome had become Sesshoumaru's control.

With her presence and aura, she kept him calm despite circumstances that might incite his rage, leaving Sesshoumaru to use his formidable strength for other things rather than wasting it on controlling his more violent youkai nature.

And of course, it was easy to see the love she felt for the daiyoukai in her eyes.  She made no attempt to hide her feelings, though she didn't speak of them outright very often.  Satori was pretty sure that was in deference to Sesshoumaru's own more reticent nature – she kept her own feelings subdued slightly for his sake – at least, when others  were around.

No... even if they found more Inuyoukai, Satori would not even think to attempt separating Sesshoumaru from the small priestess.  It would never happen, anyway, regardless of her own feelings on the matter, and she knew it.  For once, in fact, for the first time, ever, her son was actually happy, content with his life, and despite her less than maternal nature, she would still not want to take away his happiness.

But... if there were other inuyoukai out there... perhaps she could find some happiness for herself.  She had been alone for over two centuries, now, and had learned that life was cold if spent that way.  She had done her duty, birthed the Western heir, and been betrayed by her mate.  Maybe now, she could have the chance to do something for herself – if there were, indeed, any male inuyoukai left in the world.

It was something to think of...

Not long after reaching the southern shores of Kyushu, Satori and Sesshoumaru both picked up the scents of inuyoukai – and blood.  Putting on the speed, they soon came upon a battle, several inu, male and female both, trying to fight off a band of hawk youkai, while defending a  group of pups.  

Kagome's outrage at the sight was complete; with little thought, she took up her bow and shot at the nearest group of hawks...

And suddenly, the hawks had new worries, turning their attentions to their new adversaries, allowing those on the ground to regroup.

Inuyasha leapt off Kirara in midflight, drawing Tessaiga as he dropped.  He landed in front of the small group of inu, and quickly windscarred a few of the hawks that were still trying to attack the small group on the ground.

“Just defend the pups, and let us deal with the birds,”  he called to the group of inu over his shoulder as he watched his brother set Kagome down and then take to the air to chase several hawks down.  Satori had her own opponents, and with their strength, it wasn't long before the birds were all dead.

In the aftermath of the battle, Sesshoumaru quickly ascertained from the survivors that they were trying to escape to new lands, and that there were very inu few left in their home village.  Most had already fled.

Within minutes, he had the group heading back to their village to gather the remaining inu so they could escort them back to the West.

The surprise that was waiting them there, however...

Satori stopped the moment they entered the village to find a male warrior waiting for them, shock visible in her eyes for the first time, ever, as far as her son was aware.

“Shun?”

~oOo~

A/N:  And part three is to come!

Amber

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