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Unexpected Circumstance	By : Neptunesdemon Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 13382 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all its characters are not owned by me. I do not make any profit of of this, it is purely for entertainment.

Chapter List
- 30
- 31
- 32
Title: Unexpected Circumstance
Author: Neptunesdemon
Archive: Fanfiction net, Mpreg mailing list
Category: Mpreg, romance, drama
Pairings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru
Rating: PG-13 to R for violence and such.
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Yaoi, OOC, incest, OC, mpreg, DEATH OF CHARACTER!
Author's Note: I realize by now that I have to learn how to motivate myself to write my stuff faster than I am now. I swear I have ADHD, I can't stay focused on work, fanfics or schoolwork, longer than five minutes before I'm focusing on something else. I do apologize for this and I hope you all enjoy this chapter. WARNING: There is a DEATH OF A CHARACTER! No snarling and objecting just yet, my brain has a plan and I gotta stick too it. So, read on and I'll catch you at the author's note at the end of the chapter.
xoxoxoxox
"No!" It was a drawn out cry, riddled with fear and despair, Sesshomaru's knees buckling no matter how hard he fought to maintain himself.
Inuyasha was swearing up a storm beside him, as he caught his mate before he fell to the floor, but the older inukai was too lost in his misery to realize what was going on around him. His heart was threatening to overwork itself and his stomach was back and forth from feeling hollow to a dizzying nausea.
"My pup. . " He was whimpering, unaware that he was doing so, his voice strained and trembling. "My baby. . . he has my baby."
At this time, Minako was helping Inuyasha get the dazed and shivering youkai to a chair, the old monkey-demon worried that his state of shock could give his body a stress level high enough to harm the new pup again. If that were to happen, she was sure the pup would be lost this time. Hiromi had taken up the task of getting a cup of water, and rushing back to her son's side, gently cupping his cheek and trying to coax him to drink.
Sesshomaru was out of tune with what was going on around him. His vision was hazy, he was gulping in deep breaths, and stifling sobs that threatened to escape. He wasn't crying, but his youki's emotions were bleeding through and he couldn't help it. Inuyasha was busy calling his lover's name to try and snap him out of it, but it was to no avail. It didn't stop him from continuing to try.
"Sessh! Come on, damn it! Snap out of it!" Ignoring objection, he was shaking his mate a bit, hoping to bring him back to earth. "For fuck's sake, this won't get him back!"
"Let go of my son, hanyou!" Hiromi was snapping, pushing Inuyasha away. "What do you hope to gain by manhandling him!"
She ignored Inuyasha's snort and turned back to Sesshomaru, who was suddenly very still. His eyes were still unfocused, but his breathing had slowed and his muscles no longer trembled uncontrollably. She looked to Minako, who only nodded her head at the cup of water in the female inu-youkai's hand. Hiromi gently called her pup's name, lifting the cup to his lips with one hand, the other pushing his bangs up away from his face.
"Sesshomaru, please. Drink this. . . listen to mommy." She said, uncertain why she was talking to him as if he were a lost pup. Though, at the moment, he fit the part. "We're so sorry, dear. We'll get him back, but please, don't be sad."
"GET AWAY FROM ME!"
The three stumbled back, the ceramic cup shattering across the floor as Hiromi had dropped it in shock. Sesshomaru stood then, glare cutting across the three in the room, pants and tremors building again, but the effect of a completely different emotion.
"Sessh. . ." Inuyasha started slowly, taking the risk to move forward. He noticed the full-blooded youkai's claws curling as if ready to attack and he kept an eye on them; especially as they started to drip poison. "I know you're angry-"
Inuyasha stumbled back as his mate's stare landed on him, a chilling and burning anger all in one, radiating in waves off of the inukai. He had to rethink his strategy. From the look of things, Sesshomaru would probably slate his building rage on him before stopping to think about just who he was attacking.
"Now, Prince Sesshomaru." Minako began, able to stand up to the deadly gaze as it was turned to her, Sesshomaru's eyes now blood red. "If any is to deserve your wrath, it is myself or Naraku. But know this, he is not far. It has only been a few hours at most. There must be a way to find him."
The three left behind in the room could only wonder in stupor as to what had happened, as there was nothing but empty air where Sesshomaru had once been standing. The sound of cracking wood had them all looking to the suite doors and they caught a flash of white as the inukai prince disappeared out of sight around the corner.
Inuyasha and the two women observed the mangled door undeserving of such treatment before looking at each other, silently contemplating if it was best to go after him. As the screaming began, Inuyasha was the first to rush off, Hiromi on his tail and Minako taking up the rear.
They ran through the castle halls, following the sounds of screaming and panic, after the distressed inu-youkai. They were led to the wing of the castle that was housing their unwanted guests, both Minako and Inuyasha swearing as they realized where they were.
The urgency had Inuyasha sprinting ahead of the other two and rushing into one of the main suites where the snakes seemed to have been enjoying breakfast. He ignored the scrambling lesser nobility and servants of the hebi-youkai clan and searched out his mate, who was busy wreaking havoc and leaving destruction in his wake.
"Sesshomaru!" He called out, pushing a cowering male youkai out of his way to get closer to his brother.
"Lord Inuyasha!"
The call of his name had him pausing to find one of the elder youkai that had greeted him in the throne room with the princess and her chosen escort glaring at him, obviously one of the few more upset than scared.
"This is most unacceptable!" He was hissing out, forked tongue peeking out in a short jab as if to emphasize his distaste. "What behavior and treatment is this for a band of peace! And with the princess ill, it is highly disrespectful!"
"Stuff a cork in it, old man!" Inuyasha snapped back, the old snake yelping in horror at being talked to in such a way. "I'm trying to take care of it!"
"Where is she!"
At Sesshomaru's voice, Inuyasha looked in time to find his mate had set his sights on the area where the princess was holed up and sick. He was growling and running forward, leaping to close the distance faster than Sesshomaru could make it. He cut his lover off, the full-blooded youkai only striking out for him. Inuyasha accepted the blow and used it as an opportunity to grab hold of his mate and thrust him back against the wall of the hallway.
"Sesshomaru! Calm the fuck down!" He was growling out.
The elder of the two merely growled in answer and lifted his hands ready to claw at his mate's face to release him if need be. He was shocked to find those pressed to the wall on either side of his head, turning either way to find his mother and Minako each taking responsibility of holding his arms captive.
"Let go of me!" He was shouting, body twisting and jerking in unrestrained anger at having been stopped. "She has to be responsible! I know it! I'll kill them all!"
"Sessh, enough!" Inuyasha finally boomed, a warning growl trailing after his words.
Oddly enough it seemed to work, Sesshomaru stilling but glaring back daggers meant to harm as he panted, fury still raging through his veins. Hiromi looked to Inuyasha in mild shock, not having expected the authoritative aura that was now seeping free of the inu-hanyou and occupying the air around them.
"And just what did you think this would accomplish?" Minako was asking, her voice low so that the gathering serpents, some still shaken up from the event, wouldn't overhear. "Is this any way to behave? Especially so soon after a near misfortune. This is no way any one in your particular condition should be behaving!"
"Be calm, my son." Hiromi began before he could open his mouth in response. "We will deal with such matters in a suitable fashion."
"Very well." Sesshomaru muttered out, obviously not pleased with the decision.
The two females slowly released him, Inuyasha keeping his grip and carefully maneuvering so that he had a secure arm around his mate's waist. The three began to lead him back out of the guest quarters, snake youkai shuffling out of the way as they watched them leave, stupefied by what had transpired.
With nods of respect and soft-spoken apologies, Minako, Hiromi and Inuyasha finally made it out into the hallway. They only thought it safe to stop and talk again when they had round the bend leading to the hallway that crossed with the one leading to the guests' wing.
"My, what an eventful morning." Hiromi sighed, her hands straightening her kimono and hair, before she was looking up to Sesshomaru.
Her son was obviously still angry, the set of his jaw and steel gaze of his eyes giving him away. He was tense and had come none too willingly, having wanted to release said anger on an unsuspecting princess.
"I don't suppose we have any idea of just what we're to do now?" She questioned, Inuyasha merely scoffing.
"Well, for one, I think we should all just calm down." He said, distinctly looking at his near shaking mate, who was staring off angrily into space. "I'll think of something."
"He's in our home." Sesshomaru finally said, eyes still unfocused. "He took my son, my daughter and he is in my home!"
"And I suppose running about the palace like a maniac is any way to find him!" Minako snapped, wanting to smack the back of the youkai's head in hopes of bringing back his common sense. "Think, boy! If we just go provoking the enemy, he'll burrow deeper into the hole he's hiding in!"
"Besides, there's only one person who should know where he is and-"
"The witch." Sesshomaru mumbled out, interrupting Inuyasha's speech.
"Yes well-"
His breath was lost as he was delivered a blow hard enough to have his vision waver for quite a few moments, Inuyasha falling to his knees and losing his grip on his mate. Said mate took the opportunity to dart off, Hiromi screaming after him while Minako went to help a still wheezing Inuyasha.
"What the hell has gotten into that lad?" Minako snarled, Inuyasha pushing her away as he stood on his own.
"Kagura." He coughed and spluttered, trying his best to breathe normally again. It would seem that the inu-prince had cracked one of his ribs somehow. "He's going after Kagura. He'll kill her."
"This Kagura is important to us how?" Hiromi asked and Inuyasha finally was able to stand up straight, though he clenched his teeth in pain with every intake of breath.
"I've gotta stop him."
Without answering her question, Inuyasha shot off leaving the two matured, female youkai behind. The two looked to each other, Hiromi with an expressionless mask and Minako with a disgruntled look, before shooting off after the Daiyoukai. Today was going to be a hell of a day.
xoxoxoxox
Kagura couldn't decide on what she should do or what she could possibly say to get herself out of this mess. She should have never let her lust for revenge get in the way. Naraku probably would have been defeated, despite his best efforts, but she couldn't leave well enough alone.
Her cuffed hands wrung together in nervousness, suddenly feeling very unsettled. She didn't like just sitting here and waiting to see if the latest Daiyoukai and his mate had come to a decision on her fate. Time was running out, was all she could think, and it didn't help that she knew that whatever step Naraku took next would be a critical blow to the inukai. She couldn't say that she no longer hated the two brothers, but her need to aid even her own enemies against the one they shared was stronger.
She looked up at the morning sun, no longer early but still before noon, and couldn't help the sudden feeling to pace. With as much balance as she could muster, she was standing up, lucky that they didn't think to bind her feet as well. She began pacing, back and forth between the close walls of the relatively small cell she had been given.
She hadn't slept last night after Naraku's visit and had also been on the look out to see if Kohaku had been left behind to be the hanyou's eyes and keep a watch on her. Luckily enough, she hadn't felt his presence or Naraku's anywhere near her for the rest of the night. In fact, she had started to feel relieved as the sun rose, and that quickly changed, especially the longer she waited for Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.
She paused in her step, head snapping to the heavy wooden, and barred, door that enclosed her in the dungeon. The angry and murderous aura that was rushing her way had her blood running cold, and her body tensed, wanting to flee but knowing it was impossible. One of the inu brothers was very angry and she knew from the speed and force of the energy getting closer, that the anger was directed at her. It would seem that they had finally figured out what they wanted to do to her.
All the wind witch could do was face the door, backing away into the wall as if it would protect her from the wrath that was barreling in her direction. She tried her best not to show her fear through body language, and fit her face with a scowl of aggravation that she was accustomed to. If they were coming after her, she wanted to make sure that they didn't know what she was truly thinking or feeling.
Her facade was breaking as she nearly jumped out of her skin as the heavily bolted and reinforced door went slamming off of its hinges, cracking down the center and clattering to the floor useless. Her eyes widened at the sight of Sesshomaru standing in the door way, fangs elongated and eyes burning red, with his youkai marks far more pronounced and jagged across his face.
Her stomach seemed to drop in dread and her throat tightened in fear as she realized that her obvious outcome would be death. A deep growl rumbled free from the youkai's throat and Kagura watched as he began to inch closer. For the life of her, she couldn't move, but knew she had to do or say something; anything if it meant keeping her life.
She had barely begun to take in a breath to speak when the indescribable pain of a demon powered fist smashed into the right side of her face. She knew she sailed through the air before her left side was assaulted by the wall she collided into, her brain processes were muddled and dampened by the pain that was now throbbing throughout her face and skull.
She barely registered being grabbed by the fabric of her kimono, but she did feel the back hand to the left-side of her face, which she was fairly certain was bleeding from some sort of open gash by now. She could only whimper pathetically as she lifted by her hair alone, her voice not knowing how to work correctly as her mind and body tried to comprehend just what was happening, why it was happening and how she should react.
"Where is he?" Came the slow, growled words, long fingers equipped with poison-tipped claws wrapping around her throat.
They didn't close around tight to cut off her air supply just yet, but they did release poison which left a highly burning trail as it dripped down her neck and over her skin. She was struggling and trying to object, finding it hard to shake her head as she dangled by her hair.
She yelped as she was shaken like a rag doll, her neck threatening to snap and then pulled forward, closer to those snapping teeth and enraged, scowling face.
"Where is he?" He was asking again, this time much more forcefully and punctuating the sentence with nails breaking the skin of her neck. She writhed in agony, wondering just what the hell she could have been thinking to bring herself to the Western palace and think she would survive the visit. "Where did he take my pup!"
Holy hells, was all she could think as the words came from Sesshomaru's mouth. Naraku had managed to get a hold of his son and the newest prince of the West was pissed and trying to beat the answers out of her. It was just her luck that she had not the slightest clue as to where Naraku had gone or what he planned to do with the baby.
"I don't know." She strained out, and knew it was the wrong answer, realizing that her jaw was moving oddly and it pained her to talk.
She was gasping and choking for breath as the hand attempted to crush her windpipe with irreversible damage. Her legs were flailing and her cuffed hands feebly lifted to attempt scratching at the arm connected to her throat.
Star-bursts of colors she had never imagined before erupted in her vision as she was slammed against something cold and hard; the wall, the floor, she was sure it was either one. She was certain her lungs were ready to explode, a low ringing taking up in her ears and her vision having already faded, when she heard a warbled voice suddenly cry out in objection.
She was gasping heavily as the hand on her throat was suddenly gone and she could only cough and try to gulp in as much air as she could, suddenly aware of hands holding her under her shoulder. Oh, so she had been slammed to the ground had she? Her eyes came into focus and she saw an old saru-youkai hovering over her, as well as the ceiling behind her head. She was lying down and not too far away, there was a struggle going on.
Growls and barks flooded her ears, and she would have chanced looking if she didn't think it would hurt to do so. She winced as the old demon, prodded and poked at her face and then she was screaming out as those hands snapped her jaw back into place.
"Easy." Came the calm but stern demand. "It isn't broken, but dislocated is just as painful, yes?"
As a sharp yelp drew her attention, Kagura forced her head to turn against her muscles' protest, and was shocked to find Sesshomaru trapped in a bear-like lock, with Inuyasha's teeth buried in the back of his neck from behind. In front was a inu-youkai she had never seen before, female, her hands keeping the taller male's locked and crossed in front of him.
She was showing a set of teeth in warning and Sesshomaru was slowly beginning to calm, albeit reluctantly. She was lifted a bit more, but then lowered again to fully lay back, this time some of her given bedding underneath her head as a pillow.
"Are you proud, Prince Sesshomaru!" The old woman was snapping. "Are you satisfied with the damage you've caused her! No matter her ties or your suspicions, how useful is she to us in such a state! How useful would she be if she were dead!"
By now the three inu were calming themselves, Sesshomaru still obviously angry but no longer the youki infused version of himself. The female was no longer snarling, but was still panting from the effort of keeping the youkai in check. Inuyasha was no longer biting his mate, the older youkai having submitted for the moment, but he hadn't let him go from his seizing embrace. The hanyou was breathing as heavily as the other two, but in between breaths he was murmuring something heatedly to his mate, his scowl seeming to soften just a bit with every sentence.
The feeling of a cloth wiping against her raw, swelling face had Kagura wanting to object, but the old woman shushed her before she could even begin. A shadow fell over her, and Kagura was looking to the other side of her, looking up at the female inu-youkai who had made her way closer. It would seem that Inuyasha was capable of controlling the full-blooded, male youkai on his own and Kagura couldn't help but notice the resemblance between the newcomer and Sesshomaru.
"How bad is she hurt?" She asked, though her voice sounded as if she really couldn't care less of the answer.
"The swelling I can tend to, her jaw will be fine if she isn't a big talker, and the poison. . . well, you should know. It's not a full dose, and it was only a topical application; she'll live. She'll have quite a few scars for her effort, but she'll live."
The demon made a sound of contemplation, heavy with what sounded like disinterest, before she was looking back at Sesshomaru. Kagura let her attention focus on the youkai tending to her at that time, not concerned with what was going on on the other side of her cell.
Hiromi moved closer to her now calmer son, noting that he had reverted back to that shocked state of mind, his eyes unfocused but ruddy, as if holding back tears. Inuyasha's hold has significantly slackened and the hanyou was now resting his head on his mate's shoulder from behind, obviously uncertain of how to offer his conflicted mate any comfort.
"Who is this woman?" She was asking them.
Inuyasha and Sesshomaru looked to her at the same time, Inuyasha's head lifting and Sesshomaru's eyes coming back into focus. Her son's lips barely lifted in the faint resemblance of a snarl, where as Inuyasha wasn't so inclined to hold back his look of disdain.
"Naraku's bitch!" The words were surprisingly hissed out by her lone child.
"She's worse than that." Inuyasha added, glaring over at the throttled woman on the cold, stone ground. "She's been a thorn in my side since Naraku ever brought her into existence. She deserves to die."
"And yet you let her live." Hiromi stated. "Go so far as to stop your mate from ending said life."
Inuyasha had no words for that and Hiromi turned back to Minako and the odd female half broken on the floor. She had only heard of this Naraku and could only wonder if a hanyou, and one that was merely such by will and luck rather than genetics, could be so powerful. She thought of her physical spat with Inuyasha, and his recent displays of power, to know that it was indeed possible. It would seem that she had better take further notice of this Naraku's threat.
"Then she is useful." She was saying suddenly, looking back to Inuyasha over her shoulder. "Or else you would have let her perish."
She was walking closer to Kagura then, slowly kneeling beside the injured woman, her stare looking into red eyes that glared back at her with suspicion and distrust.
"I have no need to cause you further harm, creature." Hiromi said, hand reaching out to trace the raw burns that Sesshomaru's poison had left on her skin. "I have been told you are in alliance with my grandchild's sire, the same hanyou that has plotted his attack against the inu clan and waged war with the West. Is this true?"
Kagura merely tried her best to nod, and pushed past her aching jaw the words to let this demoness, obviously Sesshomaru's mother, know that she wanted to cut all ties.
"I came. . . to help. . . stop him. . ." She slowly worded, pausing to let most of the pain ease a bit. "Hate. . . him. . ."
Hiromi only stopped and stared at the woman for a few moments, before she was gently using her hands to look over most of the damage Sesshomaru had done. It was nothing that wouldn't heal, though she couldn't figure out if the female was human, or demon, or what. Nor did she know how long it would take to heal on its own. She'd have to use magic because she wanted the creature's help sooner than later.
"I can heal you but on one condition." She said, Kagura wanting to frown but feeling it would make the pain worse. "If I heal you, you are no longer your master's property. You will belong to the West and you will answer to me."
The wind witch would have said some choice words about not wanting to be any one else's bitch but figured out the unspoken ultimatum of the female inu's offer. If she didn't agree, she'd leave her wounded and let her son do as he pleased. She was offering, in a twisted way, protection from any further damage as a result of his wrath and she would be stupid not to take it.
She managed a nod, and Hiromi nodded in return before standing and looking down at Minako. The old saru raised a brow at her, asking without words just what she thought she was doing.
"Before my marriage, I had been taught inu healing magic." She explained with a shrug of one shoulder. "I continue to practice it and did so in secret, with Touga's blessing, when it was banned and thought unbecoming of my status. I can have her healed in an hour's time, and she will aid us in finding Kazue."
Minako said nothing to that and Hiromi turned back to Inuyasha and her child, Sesshomaru looking at her with an air of uncertainty. She ignored it, walking closer to him and straightening out his ruffled locks, before resting a hand on his shoulder in reassurance.
"What I ask you will be hard to do, especially after how you've trashed the guest quarters and was beside yourself. However, it must be done."
She nodded to Inuyasha, a sign that it was okay to release him, and the hanyou slowly did so, Sesshomaru pulling away slowly and straightening out his attire. Hiromi helped him, still amazed at how close she was actually becoming with her estranged son after having barely known him for centuries.
"You and your mate will head back to your chambers and will dress appropriately. I will arrange a small gathering of tea and refreshments, and there you two will formally apologize."
"I refuse." Sesshomaru quickly said and Hiromi merely scoffed.
"You do not, because if you do not apologize then you will do more harm than good. Let them think that we are willing to put our trust in them and put them at ease. Go, bathe, relax, and when you and your mate are prepared it will all be ready. We must keep up the illusion that we are unaware. Calm your anger for the time being. We will get your pup back. Trust in me, even if it's just this one. Hahaue promises; I will bring back our Kazue."
Sesshomaru could only look away, his jaw tightening with a mixture of emotions, while his hands clenched into fists. She was right to ask him to trust her promise. All through his childhood she had always promised that mommy would stay or mommy would see him more often, and she had never fulfilled any of those promises. Now it was difficult to even want to give her his trust again that she would see this promise through, especially as it pertained to his first born. He had made up his mind.
"If you break this one, you're no longer a part of me or my family." He said to her, not wanting to look at her. "If you can't keep it, then I as far as I'm concerned I have no mother and never did."
Hiromi was a bit hurt by the words, but she completely understood. She nodded, reaching up to turn Sesshomaru's face to look at her, her heart stopping as she saw the pain he tried to hide in his eyes.
"If I break this promise, I don't deserve you, my son." She told him, before she was looking to Inuyasha and blinking back tears. "Inuyasha-kun, make sure you both are dressed well. I'll deal with the hanyou's woman."
Inuyasha grunted a sound of agreement and then he was gently ushering his mate out of the room and down the hall. The two female demons that were left behind looked to each other, Minako standing with some effort before folding her hands in front of her and waiting for Hiromi to speak or move first.
After the first few minutes of silence, she figured that Hiromi wouldn't proceed, so she took the opportunity to draw out the information she wanted.
"Inu healing magic is not common practice of the royal family." Minako stated, Hiromi turning away as if it would stop the older demon's prodding. "In fact, it isn't practiced in the West at all, or by the shiro-inu branch of the inu-youkai line."
"That isn't true, it's still practiced by a few-"
"It is against inu tradition to practice Okinawan magic." Minako interrupted, and Hiromi peeked back at her from over her shoulder. "It is against Okinawan law to practice those magics outside of those borders or even teach it to those who are not descendant from the kuro-inu clan. How is it then, that a woman of shiro-inu heritage has such skill?"
Hiromi turned to fully face her, slowly walking closer to the saru before pulling up the large sleeve of her kimono to reveal a spot on her arm upper arm that was a bit off. With the other sleeve she began to wipe it, slowly revealing the dark ink of a tattoo; an ancient crest that Minako hadn't thought to see. Graceful lines were etched into Hiromi's skin, forming the kanji for the word black that meant more than it would seem.
"My grandmother didn't care about laws and tradition." Hiromi began, looking up to Minako's surprised face. "At least not the tradition of her husband. She married into the shiro-inu against her will, in an attempt to stop the endless feuds between brothers. She was forbidden her own ways once she was brought to the Western kingdom. She practiced in secret and she even tried to teach my mother, but she was more inclined to follow rules and catch a husband worth wanting. She cast the old ways aside and adopted shiro-inu tradition.
"So she taught me instead. When she died, I continued to teach myself from her books and journals and then my mother found out. She told my father and I was punished, taken away to be re-taught the proper ways. I did what they wanted, and detached myself from everyone I could. . . all except my grandmother's family, who would not take my cold shoulder as dismissal. I was, still am, family. They do not let go so easily. Then I was further entwined in a culture I was born into but not accustomed to, and I was married to Touga. I had hidden it from him but he was wounded in battle and I used it to heal him. I had thought he would alert the council of my disregard for royal law, but he encouraged it. Now that I think of it, I realize how foolish I was to treat him the way I did. He had a good heart, and he did deserve better than me. . ."
She lowered her sleeve to hide the kanji and looked down to Kagura, who had somewhere along the line fallen unconscious. She stiffened when she felt Minako's hands grab her by her arms and she looked back up at the saru, whose face was fitted with a deep frown.
"It is never too late, my dear, to start anew. The time to hide who you are is no more and Lord Touga had tried his best to show you that, from what I can tell." Minako said, one hand lifting to hold the inukai's face in a motherly way. "With Touga's untimely fall, the old ways began to crumble and with Inuyasha's rule a new order will begin. No more hiding, child. You are among family again who will accept you for who you truly are and not with what a set of stuffy standards have set."
"You don't need to comfort me like I'm a pup." Hiromi said, pulling free from Minako's hold. "Now enough talk. We'll take this creature to my rooms and we'll attend to her there."
Minako nodded and stepped back so that Hiromi could lift Kagura into her arms, surprised that the demon even did so without needing to be coaxed. She began following after the younger female as she started to leave but stopped as Hiromi turned back to her suddenly, her eyes studying the old woman for quite a while.
"Thank you, Minako-san." She was finally saying after a brief moment and Minako only gently smiled at her.
Then two were heading off for Hiromi's room to quickly heal the wounded woman so as to put her to work again.
xoxoxoxox
The walk back to their suite had been heavy with silence, Inuyasha not knowing if it was the right time to begin talking and Sesshomaru unwilling to speak as he was lost in his thoughts and despair. As Inuyasha slid the door open, Sesshomaru walked in, aimlessly walking until he found himself at a bench. He sat down, eyes focused on the floor and oblivious to the world around him. Inuyasha only sighed and closed the door behind him, looking around and noting that the servants had been by to clean up. He had to admire their speed and stealth, and was even grateful that he didn't have to worry about something trivial as tidying up at this point in time.
He headed over to the tea service that had been set out, and he quickly poured a cup before taking it over to Sesshomaru, who didn't seem at all focused on anything outside of his mind and his own thoughts.
"Here." He gently said, holding out the cup and succeeding in getting his mate's attention.
Sesshomaru slowly glanced up at Inuyasha, before he was looking down at the cup of tea that had been held out for him. He merely looked away again, eyes downcast and mind distracted. Inuyasha merely reached for his hand, taking the cup and physically placing it in the youkai's grip.
"Just drink it, damn it." Inuyasha gently snapped, Sesshomaru glaring up at him. "I'd offer you sake, but I can't with the kid and all."
He was gesturing towards Sesshomaru's stomach and the older inu-youkai's glare disappeared. He nodded his thanks and was then slowly sipping the tea, Inuyasha returning to pour the aforementioned sake for himself. He'd be sure to stop himself at one serving, he'd learned his lesson from his last run in with the alcoholic beverage.
"What if I can't get him back?"
Sesshomaru's sudden break from silence had Inuyasha turning back to look at him, his mate's eyes still emptily staring down at the floor.
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha questioned, knocking back the sake in one gulp. He welcomed the burn as it traveled down to his stomach and rested the cup down before turning to fully face his older brother.
"Kazue. . ." Sesshomaru further explained, eyes slowly looking back up at Inuyasha. "What if I don't get my son back? What if he hurts my baby?"
Striding closer, Inuyasha knelt in front of his mate, one hand grabbing hold of Sesshomaru's, the other reached up to cup his cheek.
"Sessh, I'll get him back. . . we'll get him back." Inuyasha reassured him, his tone and set of his face suggesting that there was no way he wasn't certain of his promise. "Even if I die trying, I will get our pup back."
Sesshomaru could only nod at that, not exactly sure how to react or what he could say in response to Inuyasha verbally claiming Kazue as his own. His youki was delighted and he figured he should be, too. However, fear would be a constant feeling until his little puppy was back in his arms.
"Come on." Inuyasha said, rising and gently pulling Sesshomaru with him. "We get this public apology over with, and we can focus on more important things."
Sesshomaru nodded, and allowed himself to be led into the bedroom. Once there, he sat on the bed and watched as Inuyasha opened up the wardrobe to pick out their clothes. His usual attire, complete with mokomoko-sama was laid out beside him, and Inuyasha busied himself with choosing out from the kimono and hakama sets in his own size that had finally been given to him.
"Inuyasha." Sesshomaru was calling, his mate stopping to look at him over his shoulder. "I can't accept your promise."
"What?" The hanyou asked, confused, turning back to look at Sesshomaru.
The elder youkai stared back at him, not having even moved to begin getting dressed or having put down the teacup that Inuyasha had given him outside in the living area of the suite.
"You said that you would bring Kazue back, even if it meant you'd perish." Sesshomaru repeated and Inuyasha was frowning further. "I can not accept that."
"Look, Sesshomaru, I don't think-"
"Promise me, you'll get him back and that I'll get you back as well."
The hanyou couldn't shake his confusion and he walked closer to his mate, who only watched him as he came closer.
"Well, I don't think you're really thinking about this." He began, Sesshomaru merely shaking his head. "Reasonable thinking says there's a chance I might die-"
"I don't care." Sesshomaru interrupted much to Inuyasha's surprise. "Just tell me that I'll have you both."
Inuyasha fell silent, unable to comprehend just what had suddenly brought this on, and not sure what to say or make of it. His eyes studied his mate a little longer and widened a bit as realization dawned on him.
"You're really scared, aren't you?" He was asking, Sesshomaru not responding. "Aren't you?"
"I'm not myself." Sesshomaru murmured softly. "And I don't care. I don't think I can hide behind my mask anymore. I'm terrified Inuyasha. And, even if I know you probably can't and won't keep it, I need you to promise me that you'll still be there when this is over."
Inuyasha couldn't help but gently take hold of his mate's face, leaning in as he tilted Sesshomaru's head up and placing a soft kiss to his lips. He pulled back to stare into golden eyes, not liking the sight of fear and uncertainty swarming in their depths, and he couldn't help but brush his thumbs over marked cheeks in comfort.
"You'll always have me." Inuyasha promised him, Sesshomaru's free hand reaching up to grip at one of his hands tightly in desperation. "I promise I'll always be there for you."
Sesshomaru only nodded, and then Inuyasha was coaxing him up and helping his mate get dressed. Then he was getting dressed himself, Sesshomaru helping him with the obi to return the favor. As he straightened out the shoulders of Inuyasha's kimono top, the hanyou couldn't help but stop and study his lover's face, knowing that there was a chance that this would be the last time that he saw it.
He didn't like it. He had grown fond of Sesshomaru's smile the few times he'd seen it since having reconciled and pushed aside their quarreling and hatred. He wanted another glimpse of it so that it stood out in his mind, just in case things did come to an end.
"Sessh." He wasn't sure of how to get that result, but he caught his brother's attention as Sesshomaru lifted his eyes to look at him. "I love you."
There was a long moment of silence, where the elder of the two merely studied his half-brother carefully, hands frozen in their tasks of straightening out the details of the hanyou's clothes. It drew out to a point where Inuyasha was becoming uncomfortable and he wondered if the demon would say the words again, or give him some kind of reaction. Anything.
His heart was relieved when he saw it, the simple tugging at the corners of Sesshomaru's mouth, a subtle smile that actually reached his eyes. It was genuine, it wasn't another mask.
"As you should." Sesshomaru said, his hands letting go of Inuyasha to look him over with a scrutinizing gaze. "We've come too far for you to feel otherwise, now."
His eyes were connecting with Inuyasha's again, and he offered the younger hanyou another smile.
"And I am sure you are aware of how I feel, I do not need to say it."
Inuyasha scoffed and rolled his eyes at that, "Well do it anyways."
"Very well." Sesshomaru said with an exaggerated huff of irritation. "I find myself inflicted with deep feelings for your person."
He was spinning and walking away before Inuyasha could object, which the hanyou did anyway.
"You jerk!" He was spouting, Sesshomaru looking back at him as he left the room.
Inuyasha eventually caught up to him, his arm latching around his mate's waist and Sesshomaru only chuckled at his brother's pouting face.
"Very well." He said as the two left their personal chambers altogether, knowing Hiromi would keep true to her word and set up the meeting. "I love you, as well."
And with hearing that, Inuyasha knew he would be able to die in peace, if that time were to come to pass.
xoxoxoxox
Kagura opened her eyes to find a different view other than the dungeon ceiling. For a second her mind pulled a blank, but the memories came flooding back. She had barely made it out alive back there. If it hadn't been for Inuyasha, the old saru and the inu-youkai's mother, she would have perished.
Her head turned to the side at the sound of movement, and she was met with the sight of the female inu-youkai grinding away at some medicine, face set in an impassive mask even though Kagura was sure that she was focusing on her task.
"Good to see you're awake." The female inukai said, never looking away from what she was doing. "You are mostly healed. I have managed to mend your broken bones. You are still bruised, but being sore is far more bearable than excruciating pain, yes?"
She finally looked to Kagura then, the wind witch merely nodding in response to her question. The inukai only blinked before turning back to whatever it was she was making. She stood from where she sat, a small table that sat next to the low-rise bed Kagura had been laid out on and headed for the brazier that was boiling some water in a kettle.
Hot water was poured into the bowl she had been working with and then she was carefully walking back to Kagura again. The brew was rested down momentarily and Kagura stiffened as the youkai helped her sit up, her muscles screaming in protest, tight and cramping.
"This will heal the rest." Hiromi announced, one arm continuing to support the woman as the other reached for the bowl of medicine. "It's infused with youkai energy so it is quite potent and will work quickly. Your healing could not be delayed. Your help is required sooner than we expected."
Kagura winced at the ugly greenish brown muck that was held in front of her face and she nearly refused it. However, she had agreed to help the royal family and she couldn't be of much help if she was bed ridden. Holding her breath she parted her lips and allowed the bowl to be tilted back so that the contents begin to pour into her mouth. Her gag was the initial reaction to the extremely bitter taste, her eyes clenching shut as if not looking at it would help the flavor. She was aware of the electric tingling that tickled her tongue and palette as she drank. It had to be the youkai energy that the dog demon had mentioned.
"An hour's time at the most should see you right, again." Hiromi was informing her as the last of it was swallowed. "We will then meet with my son and his mate properly, and discuss what actions we shall take."
"Why are you helping me?" Kagura unwittingly blurted out, upset she hadn't stopped herself.
Hiromi only looked at her with a bored stare, before she was resting the woman back and standing to return the bowl to the table she had been working at.
"Trust when I say it is not you that I am helping. However, through helping you I am ultimately helping my son, and that is why I am doing what I do." Hiromi answered, clearing up the workspace before she was centering her almost empty gaze back onto Kagura. How do you propose to offer your help?"
Kagura stopped for a moment, not exactly sure what to tell the inukai. She was sure the female had it already figured out what she wanted her to do, but she supposed she could play along with the illusion of her getting to pick for herself.
"I can lead you to him." She stated outright.
Hiromi scoffed and waved the idea aside, turning to begin gracefully pacing around the room, arms folded gently over her abdomen.
"That is far too direct and I can only assume he would be waiting for something like that. No, we must have you play a small part, while giving the impression that you are still under his rule."
The two were quiet again for the moment, Kagura amazed as the soreness in her muscles and limbs slowly began to fade until it was a mere irritant. She slowly sat up then, for the first time aware that she had been undressed down into her underclothes. Hiromi turned to the wardrobe then, and opened it, pulling out a kimono set that was clearly not Kagura's usual garb.
The inukai moved closer and laid it out before her, Kagura staring between her and the female demon in a look of sparse suspicion. The fabric of the clothes was obviously silk, she didn't need to touch it to know. Though the question was why was such expensive cloth being given to her and what exactly did it mean?
"I dress my servants well." Hiromi answered. "And let it be incentive to you. You stay loyal to the inukai and you shall reap the rewards. And yet, know that your life is mine until I see fit to release you."
She wasn't happy, but she could make due. Kagura nodded, standing from the bed stiffly, before taking the kimono into her hands. She was in awe for a few moments, never having been given the chance to truly appreciate such a thing under Naraku's spiteful eye. It was a beautiful color of pink and lavender, something to gently contrast with the paleness of her skin.
With Hiromi now seemingly more interested in the view of the garden outside her window, Kagura slipped the kimono on, and just in time. The knock at the door had the two women looking toward it, and Hiromi looked to Kagura expectantly, the wind witch merely sighing and crossing the room to slide the doors open.
"Is the Lady Hiromi in?" A servant was asking, a toad demon that looked at her warily and a bit uncertain of her presence.
"Yes, she is." Kagura responded, not exactly sure how she was to go about with this.
"I have a message for her."
"And what is that message?" Kagura questioned, the toad frowning stubbornly.
"It is a message that I must deliver only to the Lady Hiromi, and no one else!"
"Let him in." The inukai announced and Kagura stepped aside, snarling down at the demon who haughtily humphed as he walked by.
Hiromi watched him enter and then stop before her with a bow, holding out a sealed scroll and a satin pouch. She took both items and then sent the toad demon away, Kagura ignoring the wretched thing as it stuck its tongue out at her before scurrying off.
"Lock the door."
The order was followed and then Kagura was looking to the demon woman, who was now reading over the scroll, her face creased with a look of contemplation. When she was done, the scroll was tucked away into the folds of her kimono and she was peeking into the pouch, her face softening from its harsh look.
Kagura paused as sharp, golden eyes looked up at her then, not exactly sure what was bound to happen now.
"I must go." Hiromi announced. "You will stay here until I have returned. I don't need you out and about and giving my son a reason to be rid of you for good."
Kagura would have objected, if her memory didn't bring up the near-death beating that she had received earlier. She forced herself to stay silent, nodding at the inukai who was now putting on an outer robe obviously made for travel.
"I'll inform my son of my departure through a message when I am able." She announced, heading for the garden doors and sliding them open, Kagura shocked to see two dark-haired demons, ready and waiting. . . and dressed for war.
"If I do not return before the enemy strikes then you must send word. Travel southwest until I am found."
Kagura was only nodding again and watching as the woman trekked off, following after her and stopping at the garden doors. Her eyes widened a bit as she watched the inukai flying off into the open sky, not exactly sure what to do next.
The sound of a twig snapping caught her attention and she quickly averted her eyes to the shrubbery surrounding her. It didn't take her long before she was catching sight of blank eyes, and she ground her teeth in frustration.
"That devious rat!" She hissed out, reaching for her fan and finding it gone.
The sound of rustling alerted her that Kohaku was making his escape and she swore as she tried to figure out what she could do. Her hand was reaching for her hair then, relieved to find her feather was still there. Pulling it free, she rushed to take to the sky, unwilling to let the boy reach Naraku. She'd just have to deal with whatever consequences there were for not listening to the female inukai when the time came.
xoxoxoxox
Screams and cries of torture and death traveled throughout the air. Blood stained the ground, wounded and dead scattered about while from the sky arrows continued to rain down. A large group of ookami were able to escape, heading for the shelter of the trees or back for the mountains that they had traveled from.
Their escape was cut short as a rushing army of badger demons burst through the foliage, mercilessly cutting down man, woman and child. Terror and chaos grew heavy among the mass of victims, and in the center, their leader lay frozen, heart tearing and mind blank. He had long regained consciousness, but could do nothing more than stare up at the now blue sky.
In his mind, he begged for death, watching arrows fall and hoping that one would hit him. He heard the wailing of infant cubs and his mind was grasping at the image of his own two. Left behind, obviously in danger and their sire unable to do anything to save them. Hell, he couldn't even save those here or save himself for that matter.
Slowly he blinked, his eyes staring up at the passing clouds. There were more of them in the sky now, some large and soft-looking, the rest moving across the sky like wispy wraiths. At least, if he tried to drown out the screaming that surrounded him, he would be able to die with a peaceful picture in his mind.
He blinked then, aware that the wisp-like clouds seemed to be descending, and if he wasn't mistaken, there were glowing spots in each one. Had he the energy to frown, he would have as two glowing spots blinked back at him. Were those. . . eyes?
His mind was being forced to work again as the eyes were soon set in a face, one that was all too familiar. Silver hair, now loose and flowing over armored shoulders framed said face, and lips were moving, but Kouga could not make out what was being said.
Large, clawed hands were soon dragging him up, cradling the wolf-youkai leader as if he were a child. He was searched for any injuries and when none were found, Kouga was snapped back to reality in an instant as a heavy hand ripped over his face.
"Snap out of it, Lord Kouga!"
It was then he noticed the surrounding fog, and Kouga looked about to find their attackers dropping like flies, the screams in the background no longer of his dying pack. He was dragged to his feet, and Kouga felt as if his legs weren't up for the task. He was easily caught before he could fall, a strong arm around his waist keeping him up.
He looked again to his savior and helper, forcing his mouth to work properly, even as his voice came out a cracking and horrid sound.
"Shiro. . .git. . .sune." He was gasping out, his throat raw.
The kitsune only nodded, eyebrows knitted together in a deep frown. He threw Kouga's arm over his shoulder, so as to free one arm and drew his sword, the blade swinging into the dense fog. The shrieking cry of a badger demon dying was followed by the heavy thump of a body hitting the ground, and Kouga watched bewildered for a moment before looking up at the fox demon.
"We have to warn. . . . Inuyasha. My pup's. . . my mate. . ."
He couldn't stop the distressed cry at the thought of Ginta and the unmistakable feeling of wrongness between their bond.
"In due time, Lord Kouga." Shirogitsune stated, looking about for a place to get him out of harm's way. "There's work to be done here. My old kin shall get rid of the vermin and help your kin to safety, those that are still alive."
As he leaped into the trees to hide the ookami Alpha, a horde of silver-fox youkai slaughtered the attacking army while others ushered the surviving and wounded pack members to safety. As the fog began to lift, in the distance it wasn't hard to miss the falling army of lizard demons or the sky full of dragons.
xoxoxoxox
Sesshomaru tried his best not to glare and snarl at the hebi-youkai that bowed in parting as they left the tea room. The meeting his mother had drawn up was supposed to have been brief, however it had lasted an hour. He had managed to push out some semblance of an apology for his behavior. Of course, that was after several discreet nudges from his mate, who was none too happy with the situation himself. Nonetheless, he had managed and after mindless small talk over tea, the hebi were finally retreating to their assigned guest rooms.
Once they were gone, Sesshomaru could no longer contain himself, and the tea cup in his hand was crushed, a result of his stifled anger finally being released. Inuyasha only sighed as he looked at him, one hand rubbing over his face warily before he was scooting closer to his mate.
"It couldn't have been that bad." He murmured, trying his best to get the prince calm again.
"I have in my right mind to slay them all and be done with it." Sesshomaru muttered out, releasing the broken pieces of porcelain from his grip. "We know their talk of peace is worthless since there are armies marching to our doorstep."
"Look, we're doing all we can-"
"We must strike, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru interrupted, looking to his brother with a sharp stare that had Inuyasha stiffening. "Before they can do any further harm, before they deliver a blow that I can not recover from, we must strike."
"Hey, this waiting and being diplomatic thing was all your idea." Inuyasha reminded him, his brother only turning to look away from him. "We can't just start attacking now. They'll have the upper hand. I'm still waiting for word that we're supported. When I'm certain that I can resist a charging horde, then I'll make a move. For now, my hands are tied."
"My daughter is missing, my son is lost and may baby was taken from me." Sesshomaru muttered lowly, his arms wrapping about his middle. "I nearly lost your pup. . . I have to do something!"
"You don't have to prove yourself, Sessh." Inuyasha tried to explain, pulling his mate into his arms and hoping it offered some sort of comfort. "We're doing our best. As soon as Shirogitsune or even Kouga returns, I'll have more than enough to work with it. We'll find Rin and help Shippo become himself again. I'll get Kazue back and our pup will be born with nothing to worry about."
They were disturbed by the sound of the shoji door sliding open and the two looked up to find no one there. If it weren't for the sound of a mewl, the two would not have thought to look down. Kirara came bounding into the room, leaping into Sesshomaru's lap, the elder inukai easily receiving the now panting fire-cat.
"The taijiya's familiar?" He was contemplating out loud, his hands running through her fur, almost comforted by it. If it wasn't for the unmistakable sense of urgency coming from the creature it would have been helpful.
Kirara purred in enjoyment of the warm welcome, enjoying the petting for a moment before gently leaping out of Sesshomaru's lap and onto the floor in front of the West's recent Daiyoukai. She mewled at Inuyasha, tail flicking in agitation, the hanyou looking to her with a frown.
"Something's up." Inuyasha announced, eyes still watching Kirara as his brows knit together in a frown. The fire-neko was then running back to the doorway, grabbing up a small scroll from the floor and running back to drop it in the hanyou's lap. Inuyasha opened the scroll without much thought and read over the words only to frown deeper. "I think we should follow her."
"Indeed."
At the sound of a new voice, the two looked up to find Minako in the doorway. Her walking stick was held firmly in her grasp as she entered the room, eyes steadily watching between the two brothers.
"My old bones have grown restless." She muttered as she stopped in front of them, one of her hands reaching down to rub at a knee. "Something foul is afoot, and I believe it's just the beginning. We aren't waiting for war any longer, it's already here."
Inuyasha stood, helping Sesshomaru up as well, before he was bending down to pet Kirara on the head once more.
"Lead the way." He told the small fire-cat, who only mewled a response.
Then Kirara was shooting out the room and down the hall, Inuyasha looking back to where Sesshomaru was now offering the old saru some support.
"I'll follow her close, you two catch up."
Sesshomaru nodded and Minako waved him off, so he took his leave, full-speed after the sprinting neko-kai.
xoxoxoxox
Kagura carefully slinked around a corner, hidden in the shadow of the unusually dim hallway. She had followed Naraku's little puppet to a noble dwelling not too far off from the main palace. Badger demons were everywhere, and they all seemed on edge.
She had nearly lost him as he walked freely throughout the large palace-like building as she had to try her best to remain unseen. It was obvious from the way that no one gave him a second glance, besides the usual sneer of disgust at the sight of a human, that Naraku was settled here. Now as she watched Kohaku slip into a room, she hesitated, already feeling the slimy aura that was her unwanted master's.
Damn. She had forgotten that Naraku could sense her, too. She should have thought this through before hastily giving chase to the young taijiya. Though, she hadn't wanted the boy to even reach Naraku to alert him of what she was up to.
Now was not the time for regrets, she had to risk it and get closer, hoping that Naraku was too busy or too uninterested to come looking for her. Wishing she had her fan at this point in time, she carefully began to creep closer to the door, intending on at least listening in and seeing if she could catch snippets of anything Naraku had planned. She was fumbling for a hiding spot instead, slipping behind a stone statue of what had to be an old clan leader.
She held her breath as footsteps rushed by and then she was peeking out as there was knocking at the door. A few moments after, the door was sliding open, revealing Naraku in his false skin. There was a low exchange of words, an annoyed groan and a roll of his eyes from Naraku. . . or rather Kanaye, and then then two were off.
Kagura had to wonder if Naraku fully understood that he was leaving Kohaku behind with no instruction. Perhaps the boy had already gone again, leaving out of a window or something. She put the thought aside. She could handle Kohaku if he were still there and be gone before Naraku could return. She was now curious as to what was inside. With one last look to make sure the coast was clear, Kagura stealthily made it to the door, sliding it open enough for her to ease in and closing it behind her.
The first thing she did was gag, her left hand lifting to cover her nose and mouth with her sleeve. It had been a couple of days that she had gone without smelling the stench of death and rot that Naraku seemed to dwell in, and it would take some getting used to again. Her eyes carefully looked around, stilling as she found Kohaku crouching in front of another shoji screen that had to lead off to a bedroom.
He merely looked back at her with that same vacant stare as usual, head tilted to the side like an inquisitive puppy. She had to wonder if he was on guard, but thought that even Naraku wasn't as stupid as to leave Kohaku guarding anything important.
"What are you looking at?" She snapped as the teenager continued to stare back at her. "At least I'm not a mindless drone."
She scoffed as his head turned to the other side at her words and she turned away from him, looking about the room and stopping at the sight of ichor and fleshy masses everywhere. What in the hells had gone on in here? Her eyes caught the giant mass on the wall by the mantlepiece, and she frowned at it. Naraku only used this to tortuously drain a victim's life force into himself when he had time to spare, or he was bored and wanted to watch them slowly die.
The guttural groan caught her ear and she looked back to Kohaku, who was now leaning forward on his arms, still crouched but his position calling for her to give heed to him. With a sigh she turned to face him, watching as blank eyes looked off to a dark corner and she followed his gaze only to still in shock.
Mouth hanging open, and her hand pressed against said open mouth, Kagura couldn't help her reaction to the sight of the former Daiyoukai's child ward slumped in a motionless heap. Her skin was pale and bruised, hair disheveled and limp, lips blue and clothes torn and stained. She slowly made her way over, nothing in the way the child was laying giving her any glimmer of hope that she was alive. When she was closer, she knelt beside her, hesitant hands reaching out for the little girl.
"What did he do to you?" She was murmuring in a whispered tone.
Rin's head limply lolled back as she took to cradling the girl in her arms and across her lap, Kagura brushing back the loose hair from the pallid cheeks. She was cold, she was cruel, but this. . . this was. . . she had no words. It was with almost no expectancy of hearing one that Kagura pressed her ear to the girl's chest and listened. And then she was gasping, pulling back to cup the girl's cheek, tapping it to see if he could rouse her awake. It was no use, she was more dead than not and it would only be a miracle that brought her back to life.
She was looking back to the main shoji doors as the sickening presence of Naraku was suddenly drawing close, again. With no more hesitation, she grabbed Rin up, keeping her tight against her as she headed for the closest window. Jumping up, she perched a moment to look back at Kohaku, the undead puppet merely staring back at her with empty, murky eyes. He was too late to save and would be nothing more than a bag of dead flesh once Naraku was through with him. It was a pity, as disgusting as he was to her, Kagura had always seen herself setting the boy free once she had gotten her own freedom. There was nothing she could do, the taijiya was already lost.
Drawing her feather, she jumped onto it as it grew to its larger size and was soon soaring off back towards the main palace. She hoped that this Lady Hiromi was true to her word, because once Naraku had realized what she had done, he was going to have her hide.
xoxoxoxox
Inuyasha rounded the corner that Kirara had turned down and slid to a stop as the fire cat suddenly came to a halt. He watched the cat's fur stand on end and then she was hissing, causing the inu-hanyou to go on guard. His hand rested idly on Tetsusaiga's hilt and his eyes looked down the long hallway, waiting for whatever it was that Kirara had sensed.
He was taken aback as someone rounded another corner near the end of the hall, golden eyes widening in disbelief and his body nearly going limp. Kirara had stopped hissing, too, her head now tilted in an inquisitive manner as she watched the newcomer slowly walk forward.
Inuyasha could do nothing but stare dumbfounded, and that was how Sesshomaru and Minako found him, coming around into the hallway at a pace that was easier on the older demon. The two stopped at the sight of Inuyasha frozen still in the middle of the hallway, sharing a frown at his behavior. Minako gently pushed him toward him, so Sesshomaru went over to his mate, his hand resting on his shoulder but not succeeding in drawing the Daiyoukai's eyes.
"Inuyasha, what's come over. . . "
His words trailed off as his eyes had followed to where Inuyasha's were currently staring. His stomach dropped and his heart clenched in worry at the sight. He gripped onto Inuyasha tighter, suddenly feeling faint and was glad for the supporting hand that Inuyasha gave him.
"My lord and prince. I'm so sorry."
Sesshomaru could no longer stand it and he rushed forward, mind focused on the limp child that was hanging from his reluctant ally's arms.
"Rin." He was murmuring, sinking to the floor with the girl in his arms, voice riddled with disbelief and premature grief. "Rin. . .my Rin."
Inuyasha looked back at Kagura, who he could tell was far more afraid than she was showing, confused as to the entire situation. The witch merely lowered her gaze and took some steps back, her willingness to play the well-mannered servant a bit disturbing. He chose to ignore her for the time being, looking back to Sesshomaru who was now cradling the human girl to his chest, eyes misty and rocking back and forth.
"It's okay, Rin." He was mumbling, voice thick with the effort to hold back tears. "You can wake up. . .daddy's here. I'm here. . . daddy's here."
Inuyasha took one look at the girl and knew it was best he step in. Slowly and carefully, he made his way to his mate, kneeling behind him and gently taking hold of his arms. It hurt him to have to do this, but it was obvious that Sesshomaru's emotional state had flung him into a phase of denial.
"Sessh. . . you have to let go."
The body in his grasp stiffened and he wasn't the least bit surprised when Sesshomaru snatched away from him.
"No! Get away from me!" He was snapping, before he was pressing the palm of Rin's hand to his cheek. "Come on, Rin. Get up."
"She can't." Came Inuyasha's voice again, but he was thoroughly ignored.
"They can't hurt you anymore, I promise. Please wake up. . . please."
"She's not getting up, Sessh."
"Shut up!" He was screaming out, eyes looking back to burn a glare of anguish at his mate. "Just shut up!"
Inuyasha sighed, almost in defeat. At the touch on his arm, he looked to his left to find a serious-faced Minako, the old saru's eyes focused on the defeated form of the previous Daiyoukai.
"There is no denying it. . . the child is dead." Came the low words, low enough that Sesshomaru wouldn't hear. "This is the last thing he needed."
She was looking up at Kagura then, the witch stiffening at the sharp stare and Minako called her over with a crook of her finger. Slowly, and carefully, she made her way to the two demons waiting for her, coming to a halt and looking down at her feet instead of at them.
"Tell me, was she alive when you found her?" Minako asked, voice barely higher than a whisper.
"Barely." Kagura answered simply, looking up at the old monkey-demon. "I thought she would be able to find help here. I thought she would survive. . . it would seem I was wrong."
"A shame." Minako murmured, jaw setting in tension. "Inuyasha, bring her to me and see to your mate before you continue following Kirara."
The two women watched as Inuyasha gave a deep sigh, a nod, and then tentatively made his way to where his mate now sat making promises of gifts and sweets to the young girl if she would wake. They watched as Inuyasha drew close and whispered the unwanted words in his mate's ear.
"No!" Came the first objection and then it was followed by low murmurs from Inuyasha, which in turn was followed by more pleas of denial. "No, Inuaysha, no! She's right here, right in front of me! She can't be gone! Not Rin. . . please, Inuyasha! I can't lose her, too! Not my Rin!"
Minako swore under her breath at the mourning howl that echoed down the hall, the old demon shuffling closer to where Sesshomaru was once again clinging for dear life to the lifeless body, Inuyasha merely cradling his now sobbing mate in his arms. Kagura had never felt empathy such as this before, as she stood looking back at what was one of her most notorious enemies. Naraku had managed to do what he had most recently wanted to do; he had broken the most powerful demon of the lands. He had weakened him so much that he was now helpless.
Her throat clenched as she watched Sesshomaru cling to Inuyasha, a trembling, sobbing mess as Minako gently removed the girl's body from his arms. As the saru-youkai stood and turned to her, she tried her best to hide her now shaking hands, wanting to drown out the horrible sounds of mourning that were coming from the West's prince. As Minako stopped in front of her, she couldn't help but look down at the girl guiltily, wondering if she had gotten there sooner or reached back here faster if she would have had a chance.
"You have done more than enough, girl." Minako was stating, as if she could read Kagura's mind. "Inuyasha will bring his mate, you will go and find Kaori. Tell her she must guard the young kitsune with her life. I will begin preparing the child for funeral rites. When you have done what I have asked, return to Hiromi's wing and tell her of the news."
"Lady Hiromi has gone off on business she did not wish to disclose to me." She announced, voice hollow and empty, the way she felt on the inside now the longer she looked down at Rin.
Minako's look of shock went unnoticed, but the saru only held it for a moment. She was then nodding and looking behind her to where Inuyasha had appeared, carrying a still weeping Sesshomaru bridal-style and face marred with the shared pain of his mate's loss. It was his loss, too, he was beginning to really like the kid.
"There is much to do." Minako stated, looking down to where Kirara was rubbing against Inuyasha's leg, trying to give the demon lord some kind of comfort. "When Sesshomaru has settled, we'll need to go on as we were. Come, let us go."
As Minako began to lead the hanyou and two other demons off, Kagura watched them go, waiting until they were gone before heading off to find this Kaori person. She probably should have asked where to find her, but she was sure that a servant personally watching one of the adopted children of the royal family wouldn't be too hard to find.
xoxoxoxox
Sakuya could only seethe as her servant offered her a thousand apologies as he bowed close to the floor in front of her. Had she the will, she would have shown mercy, but her anger far exceeded the limit of her patience so she couldn't help but send a kick to his face. As blood splattered across the room from his busted lip and broken nose, Sakuya shed the form of the miko she had still been wearing, glad to be in her own skin again.
"How did she escape!" She demanded, serpentine eyes glaring with a rage that had been steadily building. "How could you let a mere human overpower you! You, a demon on the Southern hebi-youkai! A descendant of a line so ruthless and cut-throat that we are feared amongst many! How!"
The servant could only whimper, clutching his bleeding face with one hand while the other raised in a plea for mercy. It was ignored and another kick was sent, his head flying across the room and startling the few lower court nobles gathered in the room that it landed in front of them.
She had been in the middle of getting feedback of Sesshomaru's rampage through their wing when the servant had entered and given her the unwanted news. Now what the hell would she do? Surely, Inuyasha would find out what was done, and then her planning would have been for naught. No. There was no time to try and salvage anything now. There would be no more waiting.
"Send word to the army we have coming from the East." She looked to her fellow hebikai and enjoyed as they cowered away from her. "Our offer of peace has been refused and so we wage war! The West will fall to me and I shall have vengeance! Death to the Western Lands!"
It was hesitant but the words were soon repeated and went from timid repeating to full out cheering and roaring. Sakuya smiled as she looked about the room to her brethren, now riled and ready for battle and blood. The West was as good as hers.
xoxoxoxox
Inuyasha watched solemnly as Sesshomaru laid curled next to Rin's body, the girl having been washed and dressed in a pure-white kimono. Minako was off in the connecting room brewing tea, muttering to herself about wretches who steal innocent lives. As Sesshomaru traced his fingers over the pale cheeks, tears still falling from his eyes, Inuyasha found it too much to take.
Standing from the chair he had been seated in, he made is way over to the tatami that had been prepared for Rin's body. He laid himself on the opposite side of the girl, his hand reaching out to gently run through black locks, eyes locking with Sesshomaru's over Rin's head.
They spoke not a word, but the message was conveyed and Inuyasha nodded, before he was rising to sit up. He looked down at Rin one last time, leaning down to place a kiss to her forehead before he was leaning over to do the same to his mate.
Then he was standing and leaving the room, per his mate's wish, and he shut the screen door behind him. The gentle tap on his shoulder had him looking to Minako, who was looking worse for wear and holding out a steaming cup of tea for him.
"This, unfortunately, will be the first of many." She began, her words in reference to the obvious battles ahead of them and the casualties that will come because of it. "I only hope that we can manage to give her a decent funeral."
She lifted Inuyasha's hand then and placed the cup in it, not bothering to ask if he wanted it or not. Inuyasha looked down at it blankly before he was taking a sip from it, thankful as it burned his tongue. He was glad he could still feel, as he had been feeling numb all around. He heard a mew and couldn't help but look down, trying his best to smile at the neko now rubbing against his ankle. He bent down to pick her up in one hand, the other still holding his tea. As she was cradled in his arm, Kirara began purring and rubbing against the inu-hanyou, who was actually grateful for her form of comfort. He had never been partial to cats, call it the nature of a dog, but he found himself liking Kirara a lot more than he liked cats in general.
"I guess we should find Kagome, huh?" He asked the fire-cat who only meowed at him. "I'll take that as a yes."
He looked up to Minako, who only nodded and shooed him off without a word. She would have her hands full making sure that Sesshomaru's state didn't revert back to the ruthless rage that had nearly cost Kagura her life earlier. With a nod of his own, he was off himself, his pace a bit slow as he was feeling drained from the events.
He was aware by now that the news had spread throughout most of the castle. Servants bowed to him and gave him pitying looks. Others, obviously those that had actually taken a liking to the human child, openly held tears in their eyes. Nobles tried to stop him in the hall to give their condolences, but he waved them off, eager to get to Kagome and hope that she didn't have any more bad news for him.
As the two turned into the hall that held the suite where his traveling companions were staying, Kirara jumped out of his hand and ran down the hall, sitting in front of the door and waiting for him to reach it. He was barely six feet away when the smell of blood hit him, and he staggered in his steps as he realized that it was coming from the room.
He looked to Kirara, who didn't seem affected by it in the least, and he had to ponder what the hell was going on. His nostrils began to burn at the scent of poison in the air, and he gagged at the mixed scents. Kirara's nonchalance aside, something was wrong in there.
His eyes widened as a third scent hit him. . . . Sakuya. As a deadly growl tore from his throat, Inuyasha was pulling Tetsusaiga from his sheath and storming to the shoji screen door. Ignoring the fire-cat's concerned mew, he slid the screen back with a force that shattered it, startling the occupant inside.
His growl reverberated louder as red-flecked eyes looked down at the still body of Sango, the sprawled position of Miroku laying with a blade in his back and kneeling beside them was none other than the hypocrite who came to his doorstep vying for peace. Sakuya knelt in between his two fallen comrades, wide eyes looking up at him with a startled expression, obviously not having expected to be caught. Kagome was no where to be seen, but he could allow himself to think that she was laying hurt somewhere within the large suite as well.
"Inuyasha, wait!" The snake demon began, her hands held up in a pleading and submissive manner. "I can explain this. It's not what it looks like!"
"You can explain yourself in hell!" The hanyou roared out, both hands tightening about the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "You'll pay for this, you bitch! To hell with peace! Here and now, the West declares war!"
T.B.C.
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