X-stasy

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha.

Chapter 13: -Stargate-

Kagura, flying through the air in her feather-boat, soon came across Sesshoumaru, who was still futilely trying to find the familiar scent of the woman he loved. Alas, her scent had changed unbeknownst to him. Frustrated, Sesshoumaru used his spare sword to cut an entire fifty-foot oak tree in half down the middle, wrapping the sword in his yoki, demonic energy, which glowed blue.

Sesshoumaru then heard clapping and was surprised to see Kagura hovering above him. When had she gotten there? Why had he failed to sense her presence? Had he really become so emotional in his inability to locate Isane that he had become careless? He made a mental note to not let something so foolish happen to him again.

"Bravo." Kagura laughed still mock clapping at Sesshoumaru's feat of felling the oak.

"Kagura, what do you want?" Sesshoumaru bared his teeth at her.

"As always you have a horrible temper, Sesshy. I'm here to help you of course. You're looking for Isane aren't you? Well, then I can lead you to her."

Sesshoumaru looked at Kagura with distrust. "And why would you want to help me?"

Kagura smiled, "A woman's heart holds many secrets."

Sesshoumaru nodded deciding against trying to waste time in getting her motives out of her. "Take me to her."

"As you wish." Kagura agreed flying off in the direction of the Lunar Rainbow, Sesshoumaru following close behind.

By the time they arrived Isane was almost to the top of the Lunar Rainbow.

"What the?" Sesshoumaru questioned seeing the phenomena before him. He then noticed Isane's person, like an apparition, traveling up the rainbow towards what could only be described as a hole in the atmosphere, a swirling void of energy surrounded by the light of several spinning stars. "Kagura what in the seven hells is going on here?" Sesshoumaru once again found he felt an unknown feeling well up inside of him-fear. Sesshoumaru was rarely caught unawares but the sight before him made no sense. And that fact alone thoroughly unnerved him.

"Isane seems to be traveling up the stairway of heaven to the Stargate." Kagura exclaimed dispassionately. "You better hurry and fetch her before it's too late. Once she passes through the Stargate she'll be lost to this world forever."

Sesshoumaru tried to process the nonsense that Kagura was saying. In the back of his mind this all seemed vaguely familiar. As if he had heard something similar before. Perhaps...his mother. No, now was not the time for a trip down memory lane. He had to get to Isane before it was too late. As he saw the woman he loved once again eluding him, he felt fear. Fear that he would fail to protect the woman he loved. It was his greatest fear to fail to protect those he cared about. That was why after the lose of Haruna and then his mother he had set emotional barriers around his heart and soul, so as not to care for anyone again, and not to feel such fear or helplessness again. To not be hurt again.

That was the reason for the emotionless mask he wore. It was only when Rin came into his life that his barriers were tested. And it was only when he met Isane that the barriers around his heart began to start tumbling down. He never in his wildest dreams had expected to ever fall in love. Love-a weak human emotion he had said more time than not.

"Isane, I will not fail her." Sesshoumaru said more to himself than to Kagura as he sped towards the Lunar Rainbow.

Kagura held her breath as Sesshoumaru neared the rainbow wondering if he would land on it or pass right through...she knew she wouldn't have been able to travel to heaven but wasn't so certain Sesshoumaru could possibly possess the ability to do that either.

Sesshoumaru neared the Lunar Rainbow and made as if to land on it.

And he did.

Kagura let out the breath she was holding and watched with baited breath as Sesshoumaru sped up the Lunar Rainbow towards the fleeting form of Isane. She was almost to the entrance of the Stargate.

Sesshoumaru was surprised when his feet touched the translucent and multicolored rainbow to find it solid. He quickly shook off his surprise and made his way as quickly as possible towards Isane. She seemed different to him. Her aura, her scent, her yoki, everything was different and yet it was her.

"Isane!" Sesshoumaru yelled towards her.

Isane turned her head to look behind her and for the hundredth time Sesshoumaru wished she wasn't wearing that infernal mask. She was surrounded by a golden and silver glow, even her mask was glowing.

"The little bird flew away from her golden cage long ago but now she must return to where she belongs..."

That voice...was not Isane's voice. It almost made his ears bleed to listen to that otherworldly voice speak. It was like nothing he had ever heard before. He was almost unable to comprehend it. It was so many things all at once. Haruna's crying...Rin's laughter...His mother's sad sigh.

She seemed to radiate indifference as she looked back at Sesshoumaru and continued upon her way.

"Isane no!" Sesshoumaru cried using his youkai speed to close the distance between them.

She was about to pass through the Stargate. He had to stop her. Had to reach her in time. Why was she always running away from him?

Sesshoumaru stretched out a clawed hand towards Isane trying to reach for her. "Isane don't go! Come back to me Isane! I won't let you take her!"

Kagura saw what was happening and knew what Sesshoumaru intended to do. He was actually planning on following Isane into the Stargate if he failed to reach her in time. "Sesshoumaru! Don't do it! It's too late! Turn back now!" Kagura pleaded as tears began to flow freely down her face. She couldn't believe this was happening, she would lose Sesshoumaru forever. She had to stop him. She started to fly towards the gateway.

Isane was passing through the swirling mass of silvery energy and was almost gone. Sesshoumaru reaching out to her could only continue to pursue her. He reached his hand into the abyss, searching for his Isane. He would not let her escape. He pushed against the resistance he found in the spiral of energy and began to force his way into the Stargate. His body was wracked with extreme pain and he cried out from the force of it unleashing a howling sound. His skull felt as though it was being ripped apart. Even so, he continued to push his way through the Stargate. Using all his yoki he forced his way through.

The resistance began to give way and suddenly he was being pulled into the portal. Sesshoumaru began to panic at the sensation that he was not in control. But then he realized it was as if he was being guided...

Darkness.

He was surrounded by darkness when suddenly...

Light.

A light so bright and pure it blinded him and hurt his yoki. His yoki, demonic energy, a pure essence of evil, which could not stand to be in such light. He felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside out. Not only his body but also his own soul. When would the pain ever end? And then he saw her-Isane.

She was just ahead of him in this strange place that was flooded with unending light. He had to reach her. Using his yoki, which hurt to be used in this holy place he sped towards her. His hands reached out to grasp her and he managed to grab her arms.

"Isane." She was there in his arms and so many different emotions flooded through him. He vowed he would never let her go. That he'd never lose her again. That they would be together forever.

But then in an instant she vanished.

"Isane!" Sesshoumaru howled out to the abyss of light and hung his head in defeat. He had failed. He had once again failed to protect a loved one. He allowed himself to succumb to the light...

ooo

Kagura watched in horror as Sesshoumaru passed through the Stargate after Isane. "Sesshoumaru no!" Kagura cried as she tried to follow. The Lunar Rainbow seemed to fade beneath her as she sped over it on her feather. And as she neared the Stargate she saw that it was becoming unstable. No, she couldn't lose Sesshoumaru to some heavenly abyss of darkness and light. She would follow him to the ends of the earth if she had to in order to bring him back.

But fate didn't seem to be on her side. Kagura flew towards the Stargate and was prepared to pass right through it, but as she touched the barrier pain flooded her being and a force so powerful it was beyond words pushed her back and away. Kagura went flying through the air away from the Stargate and the Lunar Rainbow. She was unable to stop herself as she fell downwards crashing through the nearby forest's trees. The sound of snapping branches and bones was heard as she fell towards the earth. She finally landed with a dull thud upon the soft forest floor.

Kagura coughed up blood and tried to push herself up only to collapse on the cool earth once more. "Sesshoumaru..." She whimpered as a pool of blood formed around her.

ooo

Kouga's whole body ached and his eyelids felt heavy. Making an effort to open his blue-gray eyes he was surprised to see an angelic face hovering over him...

So beautiful...

"Angel..." Kouga thought incoherently not realizing he had spoken aloud. 'I must have died and gone to heaven...and this woman must be an angel. Funny, I always thought I'd go to hell.'

The woman broke out into musical laughter. "Angel? Oh, Kouga you're so funny."

Kouga started. He recognized that voice. He blinked his eyes up at the face that was hovering over him and greedily took in the sight of her...her bright, emerald green eyes, her amber-colored hair that was styled into two coy pigtails on either side of her head, her delicate nose and mouth. "Ayame?"

"That's right! I'm glad you actually remembered me this time, Kouga." Ayame beamed down at him. "It's about time too! I was so worried about you when I heard how the Elders were making you chose a mate by the night of the full moon in order to keep your position as Lord of the Seven Wolf Tribes. I just knew that Kagome would never agree to it. So I thought...well naturally I assumed you had need of me. I came as quickly as I could. But it seems I didn't get here soon enough. Who did this to you?"

Kouga tried to sit up and pain shot through his entire body. "Ugh...that's not important...wha?" Kouga felt around his body to find that all his wounds had been cleaned and bandaged with long, clean strips of cloth. "Did you do this?"

"Yes, I licked and tended to your wounds." A slight blush crept across Ayame's cheeks.

Kouga's eyes widened at her admission. "I see."

"Kouga...I love you." Ayame blurted and quickly blushed and turned her head away. "I know you don't feel the same way about me. But...ever since that day long ago...the night of the Lunar Rainbow when I was but a child, and you saved me, promised me that if I was ever in trouble I just had to come to you...I never forgot that night Kouga. That night meant a lot to me. It was something that kept me going when I otherwise would have lost hope. Whenever things seemed impossible I thought of you and it gave me the strength to keep on fighting. I wanted to become strong, strong enough to win your love one day when I was old enough.

But then when I next saw you, you didn't remember your promise or me. It was like my world was coming to an end. And then how you claimed to love that human woman Kagome. And how you said you could only love a woman who had the ability to see shards of the Shikon Jewel...you remember how I vowed I would somehow gain that power and come back to you Kouga? To gain your love I would have done anything...well I traveled far and wide for many months trying to figure out how I would learn to do such a thing.

Deep down I knew it was impossible since it was a miko power, and holy, and a full demon like me could never pull off something such as sensing the jewel shards. But even so I kept on trying to find a way. For you Kouga. I just couldn't give up. That's when I came across a traveling miko, who was in trouble. She was being attacked by demons, more than even a powerful miko such as herself could handle. And for some reason she reminded me of your Kagome and I decided to help her since Kagome had been nothing but kind to me.

After I had saved her life the miko asked me if there was anything I wanted in return for having saved her. I shook my head saying the one thing I desired would be impossible to give me. When she asked me what it was and I told her she smiled...the strangest sort of smile, so empty. She then took my hands in hers and I felt a great surge of energy flow through me, changing me. I had never felt anything like it. When it was over I was out of breath, dizzy, and the miko was gone. She must have been extremely powerful to do whatever she did because Kouga...I can see them now. I can actually sense the jewel shards!"

"You can what?!" Kouga exclaimed interrupting her.

"I have the same ability as Kagome now." Ayame smiled. "So I thought...that now I might have a chance to win your love. I was on my way to find you when I heard of what the Elders were planning. I knew I just had to find you before maybe you and Kagome...I hoped I would reach you before that happened. Because I want you Kouga. I love you and want you for myself! Did Kagome...?"

"No," Kouga shook his head. "Kagome loves InuYasha."

Ayame brightened at his words. "So you haven't been able to find a mate yet?"

Kouga thought back to his despicable actions towards Isane and sighed. "No...and I don't deserve to."

"Wha?" Ayame questioned confused. "Of course you deserve to have a mate! You're the best demon I know Kouga! You're strong and powerful. And you would defend the members of your tribe with your own life. You're selfless and wonderful."

"You're wrong...I'm not worthy of your love Ayame. I did something horrible...I tried to force a woman to be my mate out of desperation. I didn't want to lose my position and so I...I did a horrible thing. It was she who did this to me. And I deserved it. I don't know what came over me. I feel awful...I hate myself. Ayame...you should just forget about me. You deserve someone better. From the very beginning I've treated you badly. I ignored a promise I remembered because of my newfound love for Kagome. I lied to you. I remembered that day long ago as well...although I have to admit I didn't recognize the beautiful woman you had become...you were so young back then."

Tears welled up in Ayame's eyes as she listened to Kouga's admission. "Oh Kouga...you're so stupid!"

Kouga blinked back at her in shock.

"You're so stupid Kouga! Do you think I could ever stop loving you! I'm sorry Kouga but you're stuck with me now whether you like it or not. I'm never leaving your side again! After all you have a promise to keep!"

"Ayame...?" Kouga's voice was thick with emotion.

Ayame nodded blinking away her tears and smiling. "Look over there, Kouga." Ayame pointed towards the moonlit sky.

Kouga looked up and gasped in surprise. There it was the Lunar Rainbow, it was just as it was that night so long ago when he had saved Ayame's life. It was beautiful.

"It's funny how we would meet again like this don't you think under this Lunar Rainbow? As if it was meant to be all along..." Ayame trailed off wistful.

Kouga looked back at the young wolf-girl who had bared her heart and soul to him. He was undeserving of her love, had always been. Why hadn't he realized it before? Was he really so pig-headed to not see the tremendous gift of her love that she so willingly offered him? How could he have taken something so beautiful, and pure for granted like that? He had truly been a fool, a blind fool all this time. True love was staring him in the face and he had turned away like an idiot.

Kouga stretched out a powerful hand to stroke Ayame's cheek. She turned back to him her eyes sparkling. She was so gorgeous...another thing he had failed to notice. Her lips were so pink and smooth. Kouga cupped her face gently in his hand and leaned in.

"May I?" He asked hesitantly.

"Oh, yes, Kouga..." Ayame murmured as Kouga pressed his lips against hers.

She was breathless by the time they pulled apart. "Ayame are you sure about this?"

"Yes, Kouga, I've wanted this my whole life. I wish to be your mate and have my life bound to yours forever and ever."

Kouga smirked, perhaps luck was smiling down upon him after all. He gently pushed back Ayame's hair to reveal the delicate curve of her neck. He then leaned over and kissed her there first sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine. He then sunk his teeth into her tender flesh and Ayame moaned in response, her back arching from the pleasure that was coursing through her body as she was bonded to Kouga. She was becoming one with him-mind, body, and soul.

Kouga lapped up the rest of her blood and smiled at her while licking his lips. He then began to place soft, butterfly kisses along the curve of her neck and came to nibble on her elvish ear. She was so beautiful and smelled like a grassy field in the morning, wet with dew, and lit by sunshine. He breathed in her wonderful scent and sighed content. His hands began to roam her body hesitantly tracing the curves of her fit form. Ayame just smiled back at him in pure bliss. When Kouga hesitated to bring his hands near her chest Ayame took his hands and guided him to undo her furry top.

Kouga removed it and gazed upon her lovely, exposed flesh. He leaned over and traced his tongue between her smooth, pale flesh and placed his mouth over her peak kissing her there until she moaned with pleasure. He then brought his lips back to Ayame's and kissed her in a heated passion. His hands fumbled to remove her fur-skirt before he ran a hand towards her heated core. He gently caressed her there, finding her moist with desire. His blood boiled with desire taking in her scent of arousal. Ayame brought a leg to wrap around his hips pushing him down closer to her.

His half-naked body was pressed hard against hers and she could feel his hardness pressing into her thigh. She smiled that she had been able to cause such a reaction in him. As their bare naked bodies pressed against each other, and Kouga's hands wandered over her precious flesh, her own hands wandered, careful not to touch any of his injuries, her touch was feathery, and light, and tantalizing to Kouga who shivered under her touch. He couldn't stand it any longer and gently spread her legs apart before thrusting himself into her to the hilt.

Ayame cried out as he filled her, finally she felt whole, complete, and not alone anymore. Kouga slowly began to move within her savoring the feeling of Ayame around him. Soon their passions were mounting as they were nearing the edge. Ayame could feel something building within her, a feeling that burned as bright as the stars overhead. Kouga could feel his own pleasure mounting as well and sighed in contentment as he spilled himself into her. He continued his ministrations until Ayame cried his name and saw more stars than were in the sky overhead, also finding her completion.

Kouga collapsed upon Ayame spent. His body trembling from the aftereffects of pleasure.

Ayame noticed this and looked up at Kouga with concern in her forest-green eyes. "Kouga are you alright? I didn't hurt you did I?"

"Ayame...no it's just I never thought it would feel that way. I'm so filled with emotion I...Ayame...I love you too. I'm so sorry it took me so long to realize it. I've been a fool."

"I forgive you idiot!" Ayame said brightly. "Of course, I can think of many, many ways that you can make it up to me. Although I never thought I'd enjoy making love to a mummy!" Ayame fingered Kouga's white bandages. There was a mischievous glint in her eye as she moved the bandaged Kouga off of her and straddled his hips pinning him to the ground.

"Ayame?" Kouga quirked an eyebrow at her amused.

"The night is young." Ayame grinned as she impaled herself upon his already stirring shaft. She then released her hair from the confines of her two pigtails and let her long amber-colored hair cascade over Kouga's naked body, tickling his skin, as she began to take them both into the heat of passions once more...

ooo

Sesshoumaru groaned as he was slowly coming back into consciousness. His head ached, his body ached, every part of him ached. What the hell had happened to him? He felt as though he had been torn apart only to be put back together again. Not a very fun time. Was he still alive he wondered? Where was he? The last thing he remembered was following Isane into the Stargate and upon finally reaching her she disappeared again, only to leave him in the sickening light that seemed to want to devour his demonic power and consume him.

Sesshoumaru slowly opened his eyes and wished he hadn't. Oh, how his head pounded. Once again too much light entered his vision. As Sesshoumaru's senses began to function properly again he realized he was on solid ground. Suddenly scents and sounds flooded his acute youkai senses and almost overwhelmed him to near passing out. He quickly narrowed his eyes to take in his surrounding. The sight that met him thoroughly surprised him. Most of the air was thick with mist but there was visibility enough to see that he was in some sort of strange, ancient city.

There were building of the like he had never seen before. Tall and towering and all made of stone. It seemed impossible that such structures could actually exist, could have possibly been constructed. A feat like that would be a great one even for a powerful youkai like himself. Once again he wondered where the hell he was. This place was so unlike any place he had ever seen before. Perhaps, it was a completely different place, another world. The thought shocked Sesshoumaru with how much sense it made. After all he had passed through some sort of portal...what did he expect.

It became clear to him that he had been transported to another world. But why? How? And where was Isane? He didn't have to long to think on this, however, as he sensed the energies of many powerful beings approaching him. He couldn't see them until they were a few feet away because of the mist. The figures that met him were all dressed in flowing robes of white. Wings of gold and red came out of their back, and Sesshoumaru noticed that many had either a crescent moon symbol upon their forehead or that of a blazing sun. Several carried staffs and some even had a sword hilt with no blade belted to their waist.

Who the hell were they? They reminded him of his mother...who had been a Priestess of Feng. But somehow this whole thing didn't bode well.

The Priests and Priestesses of the Order of the Sun and Moon surrounded Sesshoumaru on all sides making Sesshoumaru distrustful at once. He quickly stood to face them, one hand already poised over the hilt of his spare sword.

One came forward, an aged Priest, with a staff that held a large globe of red amber on the end. The symbol of a golden sun shone on his forehead, complete with squiggly lines for the rays. His hair was stark white and pulled back into a club. He eyed Sesshoumaru warily before speaking. "Why have you come here, Demon?" He said the last word with blatant disgust.

Sesshoumaru snarled, "I have simply come to claim what is mine."

The Priest raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly is that, Demon?"

"My possession, the woman Isane Rune. I believe that she arrived here before I."

There were several intakes of breath at his words.

"Foul demon!" One of the Priestesses cried but was hushed as the High Priest before Sesshoumaru raised a single, frail hand.

"Your possession you say?" The Priest narrowed his eyes threateningly at Sesshoumaru. "This woman...Isane Rune you named her. She wouldn't happen to wear the enchanted Noh Mask of the Goddess and wields the mystic sword Fenikkusu, forged from the claw of the Goddess herself?"

"That would be her." Sesshoumaru drawled.

"You, a demon, dare to lay claim to the Doorway? To the Chosen One that has finally returned to us after being lost to us these many moons. I, for one, do not believe you possess such a hold over her. She who bears the Mark of Eternal Sorrow is to remain here with us. And you...are to leave this holy place immediately before you can defile it anymore than you already have." Golden eyes flickering with a doubt, a thought, quickly set aside as they came to rest on the blue crescent moon on Sesshoumaru's forehead.

"I will do no such thing." Sesshoumaru growled. "You will return Isane to me or else." Sesshoumaru unsheathed his spare sword and in a flash the tip of his sword was pointed at the Priest's throat.

The Priest narrowed his eyes at Sesshoumaru, the lines around his aged eyes crinkled. "You dare threaten me, a High Priest of the Order of the Sun and Moon! A mere demon! I carry the holy blood of the Goddess within my veins, you have no chance of defeating me. I will only tell you this once more. Leave now and forever hold your peace or suffer the consequences."

"Never, I will not forsake Isane!" Sesshoumaru declared prepared to run the old Priest through. He was about to when he met with a resistance to his blade, however. Try as he might to cut the Priest's throat he could not move his sword an inch closer. A white light surrounded the Priest and Sesshoumaru knew he had formed a Barrier of Light. Sesshoumaru would not give up and summoned his youkai power to press harder against the barrier only to find himself flying backwards through the air.

Sesshoumaru hit the ground and slid backwards several feet before coming to a stop. He quickly stood prepared to face his opponents once more.

The other Priests and Priestesses now saw him as an enemy and many untied their strange sword hilts that held no blade. They then held the sword hilts in front of them and summoned their god-energy creating an actual blade of light by will. Others were prepared to use their staffs against him.

Sesshoumaru summoned his yoki, the evil demonic energy that flowed within his veins, and surrounded his spare sword with it until it was surrounded by a blue-tinged aura. He got into a fighting stance prepared to fight with everything he had regardless of the fact that he was grossly outnumbered. A youthful Priest wielding a Sword of Light was the first to attack him. The Priest lunged at Sesshoumaru and their swords met sending sparks into the air as light energy clashed against dark. The Priest's energy blade was glowing a bright white while Sesshoumaru's was pulsing a deep blue.

Sesshoumaru leapt backwards and prepared to attack the Priest this time. He feinted left and swung right, but the blade of the Priest was already there waiting for him. He was fast. Sesshoumaru had to admit he was slightly impressed. He hadn't fought a man of this caliber for quite some time. This would be fun. Sesshoumaru smiled. He then brought his sword high overhead intending on a downward swing. The Priest was ready for him and blocked the attack with ease.

Slash. Block. Slash. Block.

The two skilled fighters were locked in a graceful yet deadly dance of swords. Sesshoumaru went through forms that had become an inherent part of him. All those long years of hard training with his father, InuTaisho, were deeply engrained in him. His father had been a harsh taskmaster but it paid off in the end. Sesshoumaru's skill with a blade was almost flawless. His father had explained to him that the sword was to be an extension of himself, not just a weapon, but also a part of him. Once he was able to become one with his sword he would be invincible.

His father had also taught him about the honor of a swordsman. Honor that was to be his guide in life in whatever he did. To fight and conquer his enemies armed with honor and his sword alone. He would never stoop to underhanded tricks, would never kill an enemy when his back was turned, would never take advantage of the weak. This is how his code of honor had come to encompass women-it would be dishonorable to force himself upon, or harm a female because since a woman is weaker than a man, it would be taking advantage of weakness, and would therefore be cowardice. Only a cowardly man would take advantage and harm a woman, his father had explained to him.

And Sesshoumaru was no coward. He had come to live by his sword. For years his sword had been his only friend. He had been completely alone in the world for so long, but his sword was his one constant. But then when his father died and left him the Tenseiga he didn't know what to think. A sword could be a friend, a weapon, an extension of your soul, of the self, but how could he ever feel that way about such a useless sword. He hated the Tenseiga and was angered and confused as to why his father would gift him with such a sword when his brother, a half-breed no less, had been gifted with a truly exceptional sword. A sword that he saw would have been a great friend, but his brother had snatched it away from his grasp. A lost friend, a sword he didn't even have the power to wield. And where did that leave him?

Alone.

It seemed Sesshoumaru was destined to be alone.

Haruna had died. His mother soon after. And then his father had left him as well. He cared little for life after that, however, he had a promise to uphold.

"Sesshoumaru...promise me you will become stronger to protect your loved ones."

Sesshoumaru had promised his mother to do just that. He would become stronger until he deemed himself powerful enough to finally uncage his feelings and give his heart wings. To care for someone once again.

Unfortunately, things didn't work out as he had hoped. The barriers around his heart and soul had been tested earlier than he had anticipated when Rin had come into his life. And then began to crumble when he had fallen in love with Isane. And now he found that he wasn't strong enough to protect the ones he loved and cared about. This filled him with anger, despair, and even fear. Fear at this feeling of helplessness he would do better without.

But regardless of Sesshoumaru not being powerful enough he knew he had to keep on fighting. His pride wouldn't just let him role over and die. He would die fighting as a true warrior should. He may fail but at least he would give it his all, heart and soul.

The Priest, Sesshoumaru noted, was quite young, with his auburn locks tied back in a thick club down his back. A few strands had come lose during their fight, framing the Warrior Priest's face and highlighting his own golden eyes. But Sesshoumaru only pressed harder than before. Using a spurt of his yoki he let lose a blast of demonic energy towards the Priest. The Priest was forced backwards, his feet sliding on the solid earth. He was also distracted, the attack had caught him by surprise and Sesshoumaru didn't waste the opportunity that had been presented to him. He lunged forward and disarmed the priest.

"Flash!" Cried the voice of one of the young Priestesses.

The Sword of Light flew out of the Priest's hands and skidded across the ground. The Warrior Priest rubbed his wrist and looked chagrined. Sesshoumaru was about to attack the young Priest again when the young Priestess stood in his way. Sesshoumaru didn't like to fight women, however, if they were fighters he had to show them the proper respect after all. So instead of holding back he attacked the Priestess head on. Bringing his sword high overhead for a quick downward slash. The graceful Priestess simply raised her willow-wood staff, topped with a red crescent moon at the end.

The Priestess herself had a red crescent moon on her forehead, and had hair an orangey-red that reminded Sesshoumaru of his mother's. Her eyes were different though, a deep amber-red color. Her eyes were harsh, cold, and unfeeling. Sesshoumaru's sword came down and was met with a Barrier of Light. The white tinged light surrounded the Priestess yet Sesshoumaru kept pressing down upon it unable to admit defeat. He summoned his yoki and channeled it through the sword hoping to break through her barrier. Suddenly there was a bright flash of light...

"Lumina!" the Warrior Priest Flash bellowed.

Sesshoumaru looked down in shock to see that the blade of his sword had been broken into several pieces.

"Thanks the gods," Flash breathed upon seeing Lumina unharmed.

Sesshoumaru quickly jumped backwards, now on the defensive, swordless. Then he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. The fallen Sword of Light of the young priest. Sesshoumaru had no choice. He lunged for the sword picking it up and rolling as he hit the ground. From his crouching position on the ground he stood and held the sword hilt out in front of him. He tried to recall what he had seen the Priest do to summon the energy blade. Sesshoumaru tried to look deep within himself for the power needed to form such a blade. Closing his eyes he concentrated...

"But that's impossible! How can a mere demon summon a Blade of Light!"

"Unless...he's a descendent of the Gods."

"Look at the crescent moon upon his forehead marking him as one of Feng's chosen."

"No! He's still a demon and that makes him our enemy! He must be a Dark Priest from the Order of the Dark Moon and Shadowed Sun!"

"And he's here to take the Doorway and try to summon Darkness into the world!"

"He shall not be allowed to leave this place alive!"

"Wait." Came the voice of the young Priest Flash. "This is my fight. Spark, your sword."

"Sure thing, bro." A young man with short, silvery hair and red eyes agreed tossing his sword hilt to his brother. Spark had a round red sun on his forehead whereas his brother's sun was gold.

"Thanks!" Flash declared summoning the blade of light from the sword hilt. He then turned to face Sesshoumaru. "You ready?"

Sesshoumaru smirked. "I'm always ready."

"Alright then! Take this!" Flash cried as he unleashed a wave of holy god-energy at Sesshoumaru using his sword as a medium. The white light flew towards Sesshoumaru and the demon simply kept his sword raised allowing his own sword to absorb the attack. "Impressive." Flash assented. "However if you fail to absorb the holy energy with the sword your youkai body won't be able to take the holy energy. You will lose."

Sesshoumaru simply laughed.

"What's so funny? I must have missed something, since you're the one who shall be defeated!" Flash lunged at Sesshoumaru using lightning speed and their two swords of light clashed.

Again and again their blades of light clashed when Sesshoumaru saw an opening and took it. Flash barely managed to dodge the attack and Sesshoumaru's sword cut through the Warrior Priest's side wounding him. Flash smiled at the pain.

"Time to get serious!" Flash yelled holding the sword horizontally in front of him and beginning to summon the holy god-power. Sesshoumaru had watched Isane do a similar attack...very similar. "Try this on for size!" Flash unleashed the large energy ball towards Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru stood in place and let his Sword of Light cut through the blast as it hit him. The blast was so large however that lots of the energy as it was being ripped in half penetrated Sesshoumaru's body. Sesshoumaru's body was wracked with pain as holy energy invaded his body attacking his demonic side. Sesshoumaru sunk to one knee as he found his strength leaving him.

Flash raised an eyebrow at his opponent. "Had enough already?"

"I'm just getting warmed up." Sesshoumaru snarled forcing himself to stand once more. He could not be defeated...would not be defeated if only for Isane's sake. He still had to find her and get them the hell out of this strange place and away from these strange people. He had to win this fight...for her. He had to protect the one he loved, he had made a promise after all.

Sesshoumaru searched within him for the power and attacked once more.

The Warrior Priest was surprised that a demon was able to stand after such a large holy attack. He was definitely impressed and was actually having a lot of fun fighting the demon. Until he sensed something. It is said that when two skilled fighters face each other in battle, blade to blade, their souls commune. It is truly a way for one being to know the other. To speak with blows rather than words. And the Priest was surprised by what he was sensing from Sesshoumaru.

At first he thought Sesshoumaru had simply been fighting to protect himself or to kill his opponent, but that wasn't the case. The young Priest sensed that Sesshoumaru wasn't protecting himself but in fact protecting someone else...he was fighting to protect...who? The woman he had came to steal away from them? That had to be it. It was a startling realization. If it were true then perhaps this demon wasn't their enemy after all. Flash knew it would be hell to convince the others.

Sesshoumaru could feel that this accursed place was draining his yoki, purifying it and along with it went his stamina. He had never been short of breath in a fight but found that he was now. His opponent, the boy Flash, looked like he was just getting started and Sesshoumaru knew if he was going to win this fight he had to end it soon. Perhaps he would try an energy attack of his own. Summoning the god-power in the blood from his mother's side he prepared to unleash a wave of energy.

When he did Warrior Priest Flash countered it with his own energy attack. And soon the two were trying to overpower the other as the energy coursed between the two of them. But soon Sesshoumaru's energy was being pushed back.

'Dammit! Am I really to be defeated here, like this, in this strange place. Did I fail to protect her?'

'No, you haven't failed yet.' Flash's voice responded into Sesshoumaru's own mind. Flash summoned the last of his power to send at Sesshoumaru and the youkai could no longer hold out under such holy energy and was thrown backwards. The sword spinning from his grasp.

Several of the priests and priestesses cheered Flash's victory.

Flash slowly came to walk over to Sesshoumaru's fallen form and looked down at him. He raised his sword above his head...

"Do it." Sesshoumaru growled. "Finish me."

"Oh? So quick to die are you? But I thought you had someone to protect."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed at Flash. Had this Priest truly read his thoughts and entered his mind. "I have failed her."

"As I said before not yet." Flash said dissipating the energy from his sword and turning to the others. "Friends, this demon is not our enemy. He seeks to protect the Doorway not harm her."

There was low murmuring after that until...

"We should kill him anyways! If we let him get his dirty hands on the Doorway there's no telling what will happen to the world!"

"Yes kill him!"

"Kill the demon!"

"Silence!" Came the voice of High Priest. "This demon may or may not be our enemy. My son has seen through this demon's heart and if it is true and this demon wishes to protect the Doorway judgment must be passed by her and no other. It shall be left to the Doorway to decide the fate of this creature before us!"

"But High Priest Aton!-"

"I have spoken. Do you seek to disobey me?" The elder Priest's firm voice questioned. Silence met his words. "Take him to his quarters where he will await the time for his trial." A cruel smile formed on the Priest's face.

Sesshoumaru's bruised and battered body was picked up by two Warrior Priests and he was dragged away.

Sesshoumaru, in a half conscious state realized he was being taken somewhere. But where? It was getting colder and Sesshoumaru found they were surrounded by stone. Suddenly he was thrown into darkness and felt a cold stone floor beneath him. He then heard the sound of rusted bars moving and saw he was being confined in a prison cell. He had been taken to a dungeon. He was too weak to resist, his yoki being drained in this holy place.

'How dare they treat, This Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands in such a manner!' Sesshoumaru was thinking to himself before he saw something move in the shadows of his cell.

He was not alone...

ooo

To be continued...