Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

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
- 32
- 33
- 34
Title: Unexpected Circumstance
Author: Neptunesdemon
Archive: Fanfiction net, Mpreg mailing list
Category: Mpreg, romance, drama
Pairings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru
Rating: R for violence and such.
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Yaoi, OOC, incest, OC, mpreg, DEATH!
Author's Note: Well, what can I say, the stories so much closer to the end that I hope you guys are relieved. I know I am, but mostly I am sad. With the damned delays I have updating you'd think I didn't enjoy writing this, but I did. I really did. Well, here's the second to last chapter before the epilogue. I hope you enjoy it.
xoxoxoxox
He couldn't help the feeling of pure enjoyment, pure pleasure, that sang through his veins as his hands tore through flesh. His fingers on his right hand closed over the pumping muscle and he couldn't help the roar of effort as he tore it free, red, glowing eyes reflecting a murderous glee as he looked down at the shocked youkai. Disbelieving eyes stared back at him as the body fell back, convulsing momentarily, before falling lax in death.
Sesshomaru growled as he crushed the now still organ in his grip, before shaking the pulpy mess free of his hand. His movement was quick as the same hand was swiping out, poison-tipped claws raking over a snake-youkai's face. The demon let out a shrieking hiss before dropping next to the previously killed badger demon to writhe in pain, transformed bottom half of his body swinging about wildly. The youkai was shrieking again as Tokijin pierced the scaled half, pinning him to the floor.
Wide, pain-riddled eyes looked up at the towering demon through a half-melted face and only saw the horrific smile in a brief moment before he was screaming out in death. Sesshomaru was actually chuckling as his fist crashed down and through the sternum of the hebi-youkai, his youki howling in victory.
His chuckling turned into a near hysteric laugh, but his youki reigned him in before he was standing and pulling Tokijin free. His sword lifted with his left hand, stopping the fall of a blade to his neck and his right hand moved easily, energy whip decapitating the attacking badger and three other snake demons that had tried to take the opportunity of him being distracted.
The desperate cry from behind him had him turning behind him as the other bodies fell to the floor. He sheathed Tokijin and reached out with both hands. They wrapped around a badger-youkai's neck, the demon coming to a stop and struggling to fight the iron-like grip. Sesshomaru only snarled, growl rumbling as his finger circled tighter, the badger demon's eyes bulging as his windpipe was crushed, face turning purple instantly.
STOP WASTING TIME! KILL HIM!
At his youki's demand, his hands shifted and the neck in his grasp was twisting. The loud and sickening crack was satisfying to hear and he threw the body away with a roar. He stood then, barely winded in the large drawing room he had made his way to, fighting badger and snakes alike. He had fought his way closer to where he last knew his mate to be and none who had stood before him had survived.
The whimper beside him had him snapping his head to the left and the young badger-youkai actually shrieked in fear as red eyes landed on him. Sesshomaru turned to face the creature with a growl, right hand glowing green, while the other drew Tokijin. As he began to slink closer, the badger demon halfheartedly lifted his sword, entire body trembling so badly that the weapon shook free of his hand.
He stumbled back and Sesshomaru followed, watching as the young demon began to actually cry, eyes widened in fear as his death slowly sauntered toward him. He was sobbing by the time Sesshomaru stood directly in front of him and his trembling knees could no longer support him. His hand reached to his weapons belt at his waist but Tokijin was pressing against his throat before he could think to pull even a dagger free.
"Tell me, how old are you?" Came the deep, growling question.
Confused, but still terrified, eyes looked up at the Western prince and he couldn't help the whimper of fear that escaped him as he took in the image. Tall and brooding, youki leaking and covered in blood and gore with a deadly sword raised to his enemy's neck: this was the Sesshomaru of legend and what he had grown up fearing. It was in no way the weak and apathetic picture that Lord Mujina's son had painted and now he was to lose his life. He supposed he would not gain so gruesome a death if he did as the youkai wanted and answered his simple question.
"O-one hundred an-and s-s-s-eventy nine." His voice trembled and he had looked down to the prince's feet, instincts telling him it was best to not look the inukai in the eye.
Too young.
The badger demon was wincing as the sword slowly pulled away, and his eyes wrenched shut as he waited for the sting of the steel slicing into his flesh to bring him death. He felt a sting alright, but it was to the flesh of his left cheek as he was struck by a heavy slap.
Eyes opened to stare disbelievingly up at the prince who was now glaring down at him, eyes normal but still menacing. The younger youkai cried out in shock and pain as his other cheek was slapped as well, head turning in the other direction. His hand lifted to cradle his right cheek and he chanced peeking back up at the youkai, who seemed even more livid than when he was killing off demons as if they were nothing more than flies.
"Stupid child!" The voice was booming. "You would let your parents lose a child for some heretic's folly! Get up!"
He was scrambling to stand, afraid to not do as told and was shrinking away as he came to his feet. He was merely grabbed by his ear, a disciplinary move and was led to the doors leading to the hall. He stumbled as Sesshomaru pushed him out of the room and into the hall, following him out and lifting Tokijin to point down it, towards the Northern gates.
"Discard you armor and Ishimaru's crest and return to your father!"
He began removing his armor and weapons, and the small band tied to his arm that held Ishimaru's crest. After Mujina's death, the old badger's crest had been done away with in recognition of their newest clan leader.
"My father is dead." He was mumbling, looking back into the room at the mangled corpses. "Killed by your hand."
Sesshomaru followed his gaze and sighed, knowing now that it truly hadn't been the boy's want to be here. His father's convincing must have been the extra push to have the obviously pubescent demon join the raiding army.
"And your mother?"
"She left with the first sign that Ishimaru meant to attack the Western palace. My father did not allow her to take me, only my sister."
"Then travel North and find her, again." He ordered, pointing Tokijn threateningly at the young cub. "If I find you here in battle again before you are of an age, I will not stay my hand! Return to your mother!"
The boy stood still for a moment, not exactly believing what was happening. Was this vision of unmerciful death actually sparing him? He was yelping as the flat of the blade came swatting down against his backside to get him moving.
"Go now!" Sesshomaru was demanding with another swat to the cub's rear end.
The boy was off then, rubbing his now sore end and disappearing down the body-littered hallway towards the Northern courtyard where hopefully there was no battle yet. He would easily slip by any of the palace's loyal guards as a civilian and be on his way.
Silly child. His youki sighed and Sesshomaru only humphed as he sheathed Tokijin again.
"I can not allow one so young to die for a cause he probably only understands through a curtain of someone else's hatred and unwillingness to accept change." He said heading off to where he could still hear the sounds of battle. The palace rocked as more cannonballs came crashing down, and he looked up as the walls around him began to crumble and fall. "Nor will I allow another to suffer the loss of a child as I have. It is a pain I do not wish to share."
Her body is safe in the underground passageways for now.
Sesshomaru agreed. As the palace had began crumbling and falling, he had took the time to head back to where Rin was kept so that she was moved. He would not allow her rest to be disrupted and had settled her underground in the hidden passageways that many youkai had used to escape the attack. When all was over, he would return for her.
He found himself looking up at the night sky as dust and debris settled, eyes looking at the stars in a calming manner before he was beginning to walk over part of his fallen home. He had no need to feel any way toward its state right now, as he and those loyal to him and his mate would surely rebuild it once this was over with it.
The unmistakable, deep roar of a bear youkai had him following the sound to where he could find Kuma. The old general was bound to be with his mate, as that was one of the last people Inuyasha was sure to be with. Who knew if he was running out of time to get him out of harm's way.
xoxoxoxox
Kagome tried her best to gulp in air as she hid behind a toppled pile of wall, her bow clutched tightly in her hands that had finally stopped trembling. The sounds of battle and dying youkai surrounded her but was drowned out by the heavy beat of her pulse pounding in her ear. Her heart was racing and her skin was flushed with sweat from the effort she had exerted.
She had never thought to live past the first kill she made. After Kuma had jumped from the second story, they had landed on top of some enemy demons, instantly killing them and Kuma had began his rampage. Paws swiping and teeth tearing into flesh. Kagome had managed to stay on for most of it, and had even manged to wound an enemy badger demon from her place atop his back.
It was short-lived as she was grabbed and pulled off of the demon by the tail end of a hebi-youkai. Her body went on auto-drive as she pulled an arrow free from her quiver and was aiming as she was pulled toward the gaping, unhinged jaw of her captor. The arrow flew and embedded into the back of the exposed palette and she was released.
She landed wrong but was easily up again and shooting another, piercing the snake through the throat and leaving it wounded enough to die. Then she realized what had happened and her adrenaline seemed to drain as her fear crept up on her. She realized that she was a human in the middle of a youkai war and that she was the easiest target out of all.
The battle cry of a raging demon had her turning to find three renegade badger-youkai charging her and she was reacting faster than she expected. With a deep breath she pulled her arrow from her quiver and pulled back on her bow. She released her breath and fired, the arrow piercing the skull of the one in the middle, which had the others beside him fumbling a bit, obviously shocked that she hadn't missed.
She took the opportunity and shot another, the one on her left gaining a new appendage sticking out the side of his neck, blood gushing from the hit to his artery. The third turned with new rage and Kagome carefully trekked back as she drew one more arrow and notched it. She waited, keeping calm by forcing herself to breath evenly, and then she saw it as the demon was close and was raising his sword.
She fired and the demon stopped in shock as an arrow hit him in his arm pit. In his rage he pulled it out, but was soon realizing his mistake. Blood was pouring as if he had opened a pump and he tried his best to stop it, paling quickly and falling to his knees. As his life drained from him in copious amounts, he looked up to the miko in disbelief. How could a human possibly have defeated him?
Kagome watched him fall, heaving a sigh and thankful that Kaede had tutored her in vital points of the body. And she was lucky that it applied to demons in their humanoid forms, as well. She also had to thank Sango and Minako's insistence that she practice her aim when they had learned about coming to the West. They were aware of the demon-kind's hostility toward humans and knew it best she knew to use her arrow with skill than by luck and basic shooting. She was eternally grateful for it all.
The hissing behind her had her freezing momentarily, and she turned to find a fully transformed hebi-youkai glaring down at her. She gulped, before turning to face it, knowing that she would probably be swallowed whole if she attempted to lift her hand for an arrow. She had to think of what was the best option. Luckily for her, she got her chance in the form of a transformed badger demon's jaw crushing down on what had to be the neck of the hebi-youkai. It was obvious this badger was playing for their team and she took the chance to run full speed and head for cover.
That was how she ended up hiding behind coverage and trying to think things through. She couldn't stay here forever, that much was known, but she had to catch her breath and gather her thoughts. The sound of a screeching monkey had her turning to peek over the top of her stone cover, and she gasped at the sight of Minako jumping down from the palace walls and into the fray. The old woman was nearly transformed herself, fangs long and face elongated like that of her monkey familiars. Old or not, she was duking it out with the best of them and winning. The miko winced as one of the snake demon's jaw became unhinged from a swing of the heavy, blunt end of the saru's walking stick turned weapon.
She was happy to see the old woman was alright, but that made her worry momentarily about Miroku and Sango. Had they been left unattended to? She supposed Minako would never do that and the absence of Kirara put her at ease. Her relief was short lived.
Her breath stopped and eyes widened as she watched youkai go flying by, propelled by a strong gust of wind. Once the air settled it was then she saw her. Landing without a care to the ground, and dressed in light armor, was Kagura. Her fan was wielded with the intent to do harm and as the feather was tucked away into her hair, Kagome watched her look towards Minako.
That had her standing without hesitation, pulling free an arrow and making sure to infuse it with purifying powers. She would take care of Naraku's henchwoman once and for all, using her distracted state to give her the upper hand.
"Minako move!"
At the call of her name, the saru looked up and found Kagome drawing back an arrow, aura around her alerting her that the young woman meant to do permanent damage. She followed the arrow's line of aim and swore. Kagome didn't know yet that Kagura was on their side.
It pained her to do it, but the leap was big enough to have her landing in front of the miko. Kagome paused in shock and Minako took the opportunity to snatch the arrow, only wincing at the burn the miko's powers dealt to her hand.
"Don't!" She cried, flinging the arrow to the ground. "She's one of us!"
"But she's-"
"No time to explain!" The saru was screeching, turning to head back into the fight. "Just trust what I say!"
The miko was looking back to Kagura then, eyes suspiciously glaring as the sorceress took down snake-youkai and enemy badger demons, before offering Kagome a smirk. Kagome clenched her jaw and tried her best to ignore the need to go against Minako's word and just take the shot anyway. She was running low on arrows, so it was best not to waste them.
Kagura, occupied with fighting herself, did notice the miko glaring at her after having been stopped from shooting her. As she disposed of two more demons, she stopped to look at the girl head on and offer her a smug smile. It was nice to know that she was a nuisance still, even though she knew that she wasn't against the teen girl at this point in time.
Her attention was distracted by the hebi-youki that was slithering at full speed for her, and she maneuvered her fan to manipulate the wind. A screeching scream came from the youkai as it was sliced by invisible blades and Kagura huffed as the pieces fell to the ground. Then she was crying out at the pain in her shoulder. She looked to her left, and found where she had been hit, her hand cradling the wound that was beginning to bleed. Something had hit her, but it had passed right by and wounded her rather than stay in its mark.
She was turning behind her at the sound of a body hitting the ground, and her eyes widened at the sight of the badger-youkai that now lay dead on the ground, arrow sticking out from its eye socket. She looked over her shoulder then at the miko, who was lowering her bow and fixing Kagura with a serious face of determination.
She had meant to hit Kagura, it was no accident: it was a warning. Fine, the witch would heed it, but there was no way that she would let the miko push her around. She only scoffed and stood, lowering her fan for now that this particular region had been cleared of enemy troops. Her feet carried her to the other-worlder, both their eyes locked on the other and chins set in stubborn refusal to submit to the other.
It was when she was a mere step away from the miko, that Minako appeared, landing beside them and holding out a hand between them.
"Enough of this!" She snapped, pushing the two apart. "This is not the place nor the time for your petty feuding. Your past interactions must be momentarily forgotten. There is a much bigger problem we must deal with. Now pull yourselves together!"
The two women stared each other down for a while longer, before Kagura was huffing and turning away, her fan snapping shut with a loud crack before tucking it away.
"Fine." She snapped, beginning to walk away towards the sound of more battle in the direction of the main place gates. "But I wont hesitate to retaliate if she dares to attempt attacking me, again."
"And I won't miss next time!" Kagome belted out, causing Kagura to spin back to face her with a sharp glare. "I don't know what leg you pulled to get yourself here and on Sesshomaru's good graces, but I don't trust you. I'll have my eye on you."
"Very well." Was all Kagura said, not finding it worth her effort to enter into a back and forth verbal fray with the young miko. "Watch me as you wish. Perhaps you'll learn something on how to do battle well."
With that she was gone, leaping into the air and riding her feather off towards the growing sounds of war. Kagome only growled to herself as she watched her go, vision red and body trembling. It was tempting to send a purified arrow into Kagura's back, but Minako had seemed way too serious to go against the saru's words. As if sensing her thoughts, Minako was laying a hand on her shoulder, which oddly enough calmed the human child down significantly.
"We all have our eye on her." She said gently, words soothing Kagome's anger and suspicion a bit more. "We need her, unfortunately. And, to be rid of her would mean having to deal with Lady Hiromi. She's not Naraku's bitch anymore. If she betrays us, I can assure you she won't be able to live to regret or enjoy it. Now come on, I'm sure we're needed elsewhere."
Kagome only sighed after a deep breath before she was nodding in agreement. Taking a few moments to collect some arrows out of now dead demons, she followed Minako through the results of combat. The amount of dead bodies was astounding, both enemies and allies alike, and she did her best to ignore it.
"I'll regret this later, but jump on." Minako said with a huff, finding their pace too slow. "At the rate you humans travel, we'll get there after everything's done."
Kagome hesitated, but was soon climbing onto the saru-youkai's back and holding on. She yelped as Minako shot up into the trees and was amazed that the old demon still had some moves in her. She'd compliment her later, as right now she was just hoping that while Minako jumped and swung from tree to tree she wouldn't drop back to the ground.
xoxoxoxox
Sitting in their temporary prison cell, a room guarded outside the doors by several badger demons on the second floor of the manor, the pack-mates that had traveled with Kouga to answer Inuyasha's call huddled together defeated. Akane was comforting her daughter who was still sniffling and calling out for her ojiisan. Not too far from them was Hakkaku, pale and breathing heavily as he lay on one of the tatami's given to them. He had been refused any medical attention for his wound, so Akane had done her best. Returning to basic instinct, she has licked at the wound to clean it before ripping large pieces of her kimono and tying a bandage as tight as she could keep the wound covered and close enough that it would start kitting together faster.
He had finally stopped bleeding, but was still in danger. With no medicine to give him strength and the only thing given to them so far a small pitcher of water and scraps of meat even scavengers left behind, Hakkaku was in danger of not making it through. The pups, which luckily enough were allowed to stay with Akane after much begging and pleading, began to yip softly. They called out for their birthing father and sire in vain, the twins in need of comfort and feeding.
The comfort she could offer them, but it had been years since she had needed to produce milk. And even though at one time, she would have been able to produce it in the absence of their birthing father so as not to have the poor things go hungry, that time had long past. With more soothing words to Yumi, she gently pulled away from her own child to go over to the baskets the two new-born pups were settled in.
She smiled down at them as their large blue eyes looked up at her, and she reached out for Yukio. The pup quieted a bit as he was lifted and Akane smiled down at him sadly, wishing that she could offer them more. Things would have been so much easier if Lord Kouga had returned sooner. Poor Prince Ginta was lost without him and now a slave to that wretched badger. She heard Hakkaku hissing in pain and she looked up to find Yumi changing the bandages, glad to see her daughter willing to fight past her grief.
It probably helped that the girl had an unmistakable attraction to the mohawked youkai. Before he had been slain, she and her father-in-law had been discussing approaching Hakkaku and convincing him that it was a good match. Though her face and eye was scarred from an old injury and her limp was more noticeable than not, Yumi was a beautiful female. She would proudly bare and raise any young for the right male, and Akane was certain it was Hakkaku.
She studied the two, her daughter gentle, caring and loving while Hakkaku was as grateful and respondent despite his pain. Sachiko's sudden crying had her drawn back to the pups, and she had no choice but to ask Yumi's help. Soon enough the two had a baby in each of their arms, Akane humming gently to soothe them both. Yukio was nodding off, but Sachiko was fussing, her small mouth looking to latch on and suckle for milk.
"Soon, little one." Yumi was softly cooing, gently bouncing the girl. "Mama will be back soon and will give you all the milk you want to fatten you up."
It was as if her words were foretelling, for as soon as she said them ,the shoji screens slid open and they looked up to see Ginta being led inside. His eyes were empty and dazed, body sagging in obvious defeat and tears flooding down his cheeks. Once he was in the room, the guards that had escorted him left, and the doors were locked behind them.
Akane watched as her prince merely stood there for the longest while, not exactly sure what to do or what had caused him to act in such a way.
"Prince Ginta?" Yumi called.
It didn't help, as the wolf prince didn't move. He stayed in his place, eyes staring blankly and face set in a look of disbelief and despair. Sachiko soon began voicing her displeasure of not being fed, and it was the one thing to get Ginta moving.
His head slowly turned to look at them, eyes focusing on the small pup in Yumi's arms that was now kicking and small arms flailing in an infantile tantrum. He didn't move, however. He merely stood and watched her, tears continuing to fall as the baby shrieked. Yumi slowly stood and made her way to him, holding Sachiko out for the prince and urging him to take her.
His hands slowly lifted, trembling heavily as he reached for her. Yumi was almost afraid to let her go, not sure if Ginta would drop her or not. As he took the child in his arms, Yumi could only watch wide-eyed as Ginta dropped to his knees and began bawling. His arms pulled his child close to his chest, face pressed against the child's small body as he was shaken by heavy sobs.
Unsure of what else to do, Akane rested Yukio back in his basket and went to her prince's side trying to calm and comfort him. Yumi had returned to Hakkaku, to convince him to stay put as the ookami had tried to move at Ginta's outburst, wanting to be by his good friend's side. He was too weak to fight Yumi's stern hands and Akane was doing well enough to quiet him.
As his sobs quieted some, the older wolf-demon gently cooed as if he were a pup himself, slowly rocking him and hoping to calm him enough to begin tending to Sachiko. She stopped as an icy chill ran down her spine at the words Ginta finally pushed out.
"He's going to kill them!" Ginta sobbed, face now pressed into the crook of Akane's neck. "He's going to kill my babies! He wants them to die!"
It was a lot of effort and very hard to convince him, but Akane managed. Twenty minutes later, Ginta was settled on a tatami, laying on his side as Sachiko lay beside him finally suckling. Yumi was doing her best to fix Ginta something to eat with their meager rations while her mother tended to the prince himself.
"He wants to take me as his mate." Ginta was croaking, voice tired and strained. "He won't keep Kouga's pups."
Akane's jaw tightened at the words, and she spat in disgust, hand stroking Ginta's head comfortingly.
"Damn a youkai who can't keep his word!" She was cursing, maneuvering to help switch pups, as Sachiko had released her birthing father's breast after having her fill. "What evil weighs his heart to kill two pups, barely two months old? What good will it do him? Besides, you are Lord Kouga's Beta and you are ookami. You will bare pups for no other."
"He says Kouga's dead." Ginta lamented, sobs beginning again. "My mate's already gone. And my children will follow him."
"Hush now, my prince!" Akane snapped, adjusting him so that Yukio could feed easily. "He hasn't fully severed your tie, merely hindered it!"
She was referring to the ugly, scarred mating mark, which had Ginta covering it with a shudder. He had shamed himself and his mate by allowing it to happen, and he hated to think that his pack-mates could see his betrayal in the scarring.
"Our Lord Kouga is alive and well." Akane said with conviction, her eyes staring down at Ginta. "Had he perished, you would have followed him and your pups would be orphans. You still live and so does he!"
Ginta looked up at her, wanting to believe her but his mind unwilling. His heart was another story and his youki was eager to convince him otherwise as well. He looked down to his son, whose small mouth was still latched to his breast and he couldn't help but want to lament that he could be losing his family.
"Ginta."
The soft, breathless call of his name had him looking up to where Hakkaku laid not far from him. His friend was on his back, flesh pale and clammy, body trembling from the effort to stay awake while his head was turned to look at him.
"B-believe. . . that he'll. . . come back for. . . you. H-he. . . l-loves-s you. Would n-n-never die. . . without you. . . by his. . . s-side. Call him. . . he'll come. . . I pro-promise."
It would seem that his words of inspiration took whatever energy he had left, because Hakkaku fell limp in unconsciousness after that, Yumi fussing over him in a sort of panic. She calmed once she realized he wasn't dead and Ginta thought over his words, fingers idly rubbing at the mutilated mating mark that sat at the juncture where his neck met his shoulder. It felt raw and mutant now, but beneath was the faint trace of connection his pack-mates were trying to convince him was still there. His stomach roiled as he could also feel the sickening affect of Ishimaru's tampering and knowing that if the demon had his way, the connection would get stronger.
Yukio sighed as he finally let go from the nipple he had been suckling on and Ginta looked down at his son, smiling as drowsy and satiated eyes looked up at him. Kouga's blue eyes stared back at him and he was happy to know his son would gain his sire's good looks. As he snuggled the pup closer to him to watch him fall asleep, he smile faded and was replaced with a stoic face. If Kouga was alive, Ginta knew he would come back, but he would not let him return to find his pups done away with.
"Akane." He called the older youkai in a whisper.
She was then looking up at him from where she was helping Yumi tend to Hakkaku.
"Yes, my prince?"
"Are we being guarded underneath the windows?" He was asking her, carefully moving so as not to wake his son as he sat up.
Akane frowned a bit at the question, watching as he was placing Yukio in his basket, beginning to wrap him tightly in his blankets and bedding. She missed when Yumi had stood and rushed to the window, carefully opening it and peeking down.
"They seem to be circling, my prince!" She said in low voice, excitedly. "Two guards at a time!"
"Time them and tell me how long it takes before another are close enough to make out movement."
"Badgers were never too good with their eyesight." Akane was murmuring, joining Yumi at the window. "But they have very good hearing, so keep your voice down Yumi. Whispers are best."
As the two timed the guards below, Ginta began to securely wrap Sachiko as his eyes watched the door where the guards where most definitely standing right outside of them. Sachiko's yip had him looking down at the baby girl, whose blue eyes drowsily looked up at him, and he merely smiled down at the pup as he bundled her up, beginning to hum so as to soothe her further.
It was working, luckily enough, so he continued to hum, even as he slowly and meticulously began to tear their given sheets. He didn't want them to hear the ripping and wonder what was happening, so he began to actually sing the lullaby. Yumi was left as lookout by the window and Akane joined Ginta to help him rip up the sheets.
"Every two minutes." She whispered, her hands beginning to braid the torn strips to make them stronger.
"More than enough time." Ginta whispered out quickly before returning to singing.
In another few minutes, they had both ripped and braided enough sheets and bedding to have make-shift rope. As he started to ready the pups' basket, he sent Akane to gather what was left of their measly meat and water, before he was calling Yumi back towards them. When the girl was settled next to her mother, Ginta began to tell them what he was planning.
"I need you two to take my pups and make it back to Kouga."
"My prince, you aren't surely thinking of staying behind!" Akane objected as quietly as possible. "You can't send your pups off without you!"
"They stay here and they die!" Ginta had to control himself from bursting into tears at the thought. "And even if Kouga has perished, I know that they'll have family with the pack. They have to live on! Yukio's the heir and Sachiko is our princess, the pack needs them to survive! You and Yumi-"
"And Hakkaku?" Yumi interrupted, wide eyes looking to Ginta in a pleading manner.
"He's far too injured to travel, he'll stay."
"Please, my prince, you go and I'll stay with him." Yumi pleaded, and Ginta's stern look and air of authority had her bowing her head.
"You'll both die if you stay behind. It's me Ishimaru wants. Besides, if I beg for it, I can try my best to have his life spared. You will go with your mother and help her protect my children."
"But I'm a worthless cripple-"
"Enough!" Ginta snapped, causing both mother and daughter to freeze in shock. "Yumi, since the day we came across you and your family, Kouga, Hakkaku and I were amazed by your resilience and strength to survive. You gave us hope that our clan, our pack, was not a dying breed. I know you can do this and you have to. Not only for me, but for Hakkaku as well. If you truly care for him, then save your life so that when the times comes, you two can share the rest of what remains together."
Akane was smiling happily, at what she could boldly take as Ginta's blessing and acceptance of Hakkaku's and Yumi's match, while her daughter was tearful. It wasn't sadness that urged her, and the girl suddenly sprung forward to hug onto her superior.
"Thank you, Prince Ginta." She nearly sobbed, Ginta hugging her back. "Thank you so much!"
"I know you'll make him happy and he will be a dutiful mate. But, we can't keep wasting time, go back to tracking the guards below, while I finish the preparations."
Yumi nodded, and was rushing back to the window and Akane and Ginta finished up the necessary steps. When they were ready, they tied a pack with the food to Yumi's back and decided to lower her first. Gathered by the window, Ginta and Akane tied her securely before helping her climb out. Then, carefully but not too slowly, they lowered her to the ground, Akane looking out for the circling guards. When she was lowered, they let the rope follow with her, so as not to leave any evidence in the room. The girl ran to the heavy shrubbery that served as a natural border and hid within it, while the two pulled back into the window to wait for the next pair of guards to pass.
When the coast was clear, Akane was lowered next and the mother joined her pup in the shrubs after she had touched the ground. Yukio was next, Ginta showering him with kisses and quick licks before slowly lowering his basket to a waiting Akane. Once she had received him, it was back to the bushes and letting the guards pass again. Ginta took the time to ready Sachiko and when it was time for her to be lowered, he paused as the pup began to wail. It startled the mostly white-haired wolf, and he had to signal Akane to go back into hiding and wait.
It took him a couple of minutes to quiet her and as he looked down at his daughter, he lifted a hand to run the back of a knuckle over her round cheeks. He stopped as a small hand grabbed a firm grip of his finger, and he offered her a sad smile.
"You're smart, aren't you?" He cooed, leaning closer to nuzzle her full head of black locks. "You know we have to separate, my eldest and wisest. If fate allows it, I will see you again and if not in this world, then the next."
The girl began to fuss again, but he soothed her to be quiet, kissing her forehead and lavishing the same attention on her that he had for her brother. Slowly, he pulled his finger away and tucked her small hand away before settling her into the basket.
"If I never meet you again, take care of Yukio. He'll be sensitive and he's your next leader. Always be there for each other."
The baby made a gurgling sound as if she were agreeing and Ginta smiled, before carrying her over to the window. When the timing was right, he lowered her carefully, vision blurring a bit as he started to tear up again. He watched carefully as they hid in the surrounding foliage for a final time as the guards came around. Then Ginta was watching, as with full speed and with as much will as they could muster, Akane and Yumi dashed off with his first and only children. His heart was beating heavily and quickly as he watched them grow farther and farther away, and when they finally disappeared into the dark shadows of the forest, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hey!"
It was short-lived as the voices below caught his attention, and wide eyes looked down to see if they had been seen running off. Eyes were looking up at him instead and he merely watched down at the guards who glared up at him.
"Back inside and stay away from the window!" One barked up at him, spear held out threateningly.
Ginta nodded and pulled back, closing the window with one final glance out into the distance. His heart and youki called out and he felt his soul rejoice at the strong pulse that overshadowed the taint that marred his mating mark and connection to Kouga. His mate was still alive and his pups were on their way from danger. He once again had hope.
"Now what we need is a miracle to save the West."
Hakkaku's groaning distracted him, and he thought it best to check on his friend. With nothing to do but wait, he figured he'd use his time best and tend to him. He owed the wolf-demon so much and he did promise Yumi that he'd make sure nothing happened to him.
xoxoxoxox
Hiromi stood calmly in her uncle's chariot as they soared through the night sky, her eyes set on their destination while behind them a trail of inu-youkai flew through the air. She was distracted by the sight of dragons flying in from the South and her hackles raised and muscles tensed. She did not forget just who had taken her husband's life and ryuukai had never earned her trust.
Her uncle felt her change in mood and looked to her calmly, amber eyes asking without words if they should attack. Hiromi merely shook her head, as she then caught the surrounding clouds and wisps of fog that the dragons were flying through. Kitsune-youkai. And the silver-fox clan at that. What on earth were they doing here?
"Take us down, I believe we're coming upon some unexpected allies." She announced, her uncle raising a brow.
"Ryuukai and kistune?"
"Yes, I know, but trust me."
It wasn't long before they had landed, her uncle's army behind them and before them a large band of dragon and fox demons. Further back she could see the huddled masses of wounded and weakened ookami, but no sign of the ookami lord. That is until he was pushing his way through, accompanied by Shirogitsune, and looking as if he had barely escaped death.
The older fox demon had him supported, his body unwilling to move but being forced to. With them came a female demon with an aura of power that Hiromi would secretly admire and a young dragon, dressed in the garb of a prince. She could tell he was not at his full strength, but the potential she could read was enough to give him some small inkling of her respect as an ally.
"Greetings." Came her uncle's deep voice. "It is an honor to meet with allies and I am grateful to thank you for your assistance. The clan of the inukai owe you all a great debt."
"There is no debt to be paid." The female kitsune announced, her voice a strong but soft and feminine tone. "It has been arranged."
"And I pay back a debt to Lord Inuyasha, who spared my life after attempting to battle him for his chosen." The younger dragon prince offered with a smile and bow. "I am Seiichiro of the East. My father sends me and my men to your aid in answer to Lord Inuyasha's call."
"And you?" Hiromi was questioning, looking to the despondent creature standing beside Shirogitsune.
"This is Lord Kouga, and with us what is left of his clan. Ishimaru had sent troops to attack him unaware and most of his army has perished, what remains are mostly civilians."
"The Lord of the Southern Wolf Clan." Hiromi stated, noting the look of a demon that had lost all. "I had met with your mate briefly, he and your pups are worthy of your stature."
"My. . . mate." Kouga nearly slurred out, unfocused eyes soon snapping up and burning red.
Shirogitsune fumbled back a bit by the sudden flare of youki and Kouga was howling out to the night sky, suddenly filled with renewed vigor, before his hand was closing over his mating mark.
"Ginta. . . he's alive. . . my pups. . ."
The faint cry of his name out in the distance had the lot of them looking toward the forest that marked the beginning of royal land. The unmistakable figures of youkai carrying bundles had them looking to Kouga for an explanation, as they were calling out to him.
Kouga stumbled forward and waited, his blue eyes widening as they drew closer. Hiromi watched carefully, but easily recognized the two women that had accompanied the prince when they had met in the halls of the palace. What on earth were they doing here?
"Lord Kouga!" The youngest greeted, out of breath and limping worse than usual. She easily thrust the basket she was carrying out to him, his hands reaching shakily before lifting the bundled form of his son into his arms.
He sobbed then, relief easing the turmoil inside of him and strengthening him once more. His heir was secure with him now and he looked up to find Akane cradling Sachiko in her basket, the infant wide awake and staring right at him. Her eyes had opened. He had only a moment to regret not being there for such a milestone, but eased some when even so young, he saw recognition in her eyes. It was a task, but soon he was cradling them both, Yukio soon blinking awake to look up at his sire as Sachiko babbled and gurgled softly.
"And Ginta?"
"It was he who sent us off." Akane answered, happy to see her lord was indeed well. Very much worse for wear but alive. She turned to Hiromi, offering a quick bow of the head, before making her announcement. "Ishimaru and the snake clan have come out of hiding. The Western Palace is under heavy attack."
She turned to Kouga again, not wanting to upset him but not wanting to keep any secrets from him.
"It was Ishimaru that used your mate to weaken you, and he thinks you dead. He had planned to slay your children and wishes to keep Ginta as his own."
"Like hell he'll take my Beta from me!" Kouga snapped, voice followed by a deep growl. "He'll rue the day he dared to lay hand or eyes on my mate!"
"Be still, ookami." Hiromi's uncle soothed, his hand carefully resting on the angered wolf's shoulder. "It is advised you stay here with your pups and clan, I will leave some men with you. We shall go and fight this Ishimaru and bring your mate to you. You have fulfilled your promise to the West and need do no more. Stay, rest, and tend to your kin."
"I agree." Shirogitsune said, Hiromi nodding as well. "Our numbers have grown that we will not ask you supply us any further. You will be thanked accordingly when the West has won."
He didn't want to comply, but he knew it the best thing to do. If Ishimaru truly intended to keep his mate, Ginta's life was not in danger. He despised the thought of leaving his mate with that disgrace to demon-kind, but with his children here and their birthing-father gone, they would need him.
"Very well, I will stay behind."
"Very good." Hiromi's uncle's voice boomed, deep and loud though not menacing at all.
It startled Kouga a bit, and it was only then he realized that he was actually staring at another inu-youkai. What was going on? He thought Inuyasha and his brother were the last in existence. His curiosity would have to be quelled later on, as the demon was signaling his larger army of even more inu-youkai. A couple hundred separated from the rest of the lines, and began guiding his pack to sufficient camping grounds, while the female kitsune and the dragon began moving their's out and towards the palace in the not too far distance.
As her uncle said his good-byes to Kouga and began moving on as well, Hiromi stayed behind, her golden eyes studying the wolf lord as he stood before her, pups still in his arms.
"The boy is your heir, is he not?" She said, Kouga looking to her and noticing she was looking directly at Yukio.
"Isn't it obvious?" He questioned and Hiromi huffed.
"It truly is not my place to say, but he shall not go without a mate. It may take some convincing, but I can have it arranged where your payment for your alliance is your son shall be wed to a class far higher than his own; inukai royalty."
"Gee, thanks." Kouga deadpanned, before he was adjusting his cubs in his arms. "My pups'll mate who they please. I'm grateful for the offer, but no thanks."
"We shall see how things play out. Though if you change your mind your son and my grand-daughter will be matched."
Kouga only scoffed as she began to leave. "Yeah, ok, lady. If you. . . wait. . . grand-daughter? Sesshomaru's pregnant, again?"
Hiromi only took to the sky on her graceful cloud and Kouga could only gawk as she left.
xoxoxoxox
Minako doubled over, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. She had long agreed with herself, she was far too old for this, and she needed some well deserved rest. A blast of wind temporarily cooled her off, while the demon the attack had been aiming for fell to the ground in pieces just beside her. She looked up with a nod of thanks to Kagura, and was then getting ready to warn the girl of the snake demon that was sneaking up behind her.
She barely opened her mouth when a glowing arrow struck the demon and caused it to burst into countless pieces of sparkling dust. The two looked to where Kagome stood with her bow still raised, kimono bloody and ripped, and had a large gash going down from the top of her outer thigh over the front and to the inside of her leg to stop by her knee.
Minako hobbled over to her, but the priestess merely shook her head to indicate it was nothing to worry over. Kagura drew closer, as well, winded and growing the least bit tired. These demons seemed endless, but luckily enough she and the other two women had done well enough to deal with what came after them.
A loud shriek had them looking up, and they all swore under their breath at the sight of her. Perched atop the burning remains of a cherry blossom tree, Sakuya glared down at them with malice and disgust, bitter face lit by the light of the surrounding flames and a sword in each hand, dressed for war.
"You may have escaped me once, priestess, but I will not allow you to a second time!" She screamed, her anger rising as she took in her fallen comrades. She refused to think that a mere human had killed any of her own. "For the men you have slain, I shall have your head and then I'll be rid of that wretched hanyou who stole my betrothed from me!"
She was screaming again as she jumped down, swords aimed for the human as she sailed down. Kagome reached for an arrow, but barely had time before a body was blocking hers. She gaped as the unmistakable figure of Kagura blocked her sight and the wind-sorceress was moving her fan with a loud shout of effort, blasting Sakuya back.
"Back off, bitch!" She snapped, readying herself as Sakuya righted herself. "I called dibs on the brat. You wanna fight her, you gotta get through me."
"You must be Naraku's whore!" Sakuya hissed, lower body transforming. "I'll do Naraku the favor and rid the earth of you!"
She was charging then, swords poised and ready, neat hair now loose and flying about. Kagura readied herself and Kagome was already pulling back an arrow, but Sakuya didn't get far. She was screeching in pain and rage as the heavy end of a walking stick came crashing down on to the top of her head. She fell and Minako easily jumped away, flipping backward and landing in a crouch between Kagura and Kagome.
"Are you so pathetic princess that you're being bested by an old monkey, a human and a reanimated witch?" Minako was taunting, straightening from her crouch. "Where's the ruthless bitch of rumor and lore?"
A screeching roar tore free from Sakuya as she hastily slithered forward, fangs elongated and eyes red. The three that faced her readied themselves but Sakuya gained the upper hand. With a hiss she was spitting towards them, dangerous poison flying through the air and causing them to scatter. Minako landed wrong and was crying out as she fell hard on her hip. Kagome unfortunately ripped her large gash open wider and Kagura landed well enough, but was struck by the tail end of Sakuya's body and sent flying into a pile of rubble.
"You'll all die for your insolence!" Sakuya was shouting at the top of her lungs, eyes focused on the human miko helplessly trying to stop the bleeding of her thigh. "Starting with you! I should have never spared your life!"
She was lunging then, fangs dripping venom, but was stunned at the blow that sent her sailing into a pile of flaming beams. She struggled a bit, screeching as the fire burned her clothes but manged to come out mostly unscathed. Red eyes looked to where Kagome still was and her vision bled red as she found none other than the Daiyoukai's bitch.
"Dare to touch the human wench, and your life is mine. Though it should not cause you to believe that your life will be spared, but to know that I will show you some form of a merciful death instead."
Sakuya only threw her head back and laughed, Sesshomaru's fangs gleaming as he snarled at the demon woman.
"You are worthless, Prince Sesshomaru. What power do you have now that you find yourself a breeding bitch to a stain on the youkai of legend and pride. You are no longer a match for me!"
"Did you think my strength connected to my title, foolish harlot!" Sesshomaru snapped, Tokijin drawn and tips of his claws glowing green. "Even now, with some of my power being used to nurture the pup within me, I will overcome you. For you see, I have skill and you are nothing more than the pompous offspring of a weakening clan!"
The only one who wasn't shocked by his words was Minako, but she was a bit taken aback that he had so willingly offered information he had tried so hard to hide.
"Disgusting! To think you could let that wretched creature's body enter yours! The two of you dear to spawn more despicable creatures! I'll rid the youkai race of such abominations!"
Sesshomaru was ready and easily warded off her blades as she met him to attack. The two were watched as they danced, Sakuya hissing and cursing all the while, where as Sesshomaru was growling and snarling as they fought. Tokijin moved in graceful arches and lines, sparks flying as their swords clanged together countless times.
The scream had Kagome looking to find Sakuya's arm go flying, the princess retreating momentarily to gape at the missing appendage in rage. Sesshomaru merely chuckled, the sound of it causing Kagome's heart and stomach to drop and her instincts telling her it was best to go. She had never seen this side of Sesshomaru and seeing him enjoy battle as true youkai did for once, was something she did not want to see again.
"You'll pay for that!" Sakuya's screeching promise was near hysterical, her eyes crazed and livid as she stared at Sesshomaru. "No hanyou's breeding bitch will overcome me!"
Sesshomaru calmly stared as she transformed then, growing larger than any of the snake youkai they had been fighting since the war had officially begun. He waited as the serpent's eyes stared down at him, the large, flared cobra head slowly lowering to stop mere inches from his face. She gave a hiss, green vapors leaking into the air, which Sesshomaru was careful not to breathe in but none the less he stood his ground.
"Are you so confident now, Sesshomaru?" The demon hissed, tail thrashing about and destroying the grounds even further. "Tell me, can you truly see yourself victorious still?"
"Shut up and fight!" Sesshomaru belted out, fist punching the underside of Sakuya's jaw. His words were eerily similar to what Inuyasha would have said and it was obvious the hanyou's ways were rubbing off on him. "And get out of my face!"
He was punching again, the hit hard enough to knock the giant snake back so that Sakuya was thrashing about on her back awhile trying to right herself. In the time it took her to ground herself, Sesshomaru had already moved and was piercing flesh with Tokijin. The changed princess was shrieking and thrashing again, head moving to swallow Sesshomaru.
She was unsuccessful, as she stopped short with her mouth gaping open. Sesshomaru stood, hands keeping her mouth pried apart with one hand wrapped around a top fang, the other a bottom, and his teeth gritting in pain as poison seeped through his skin. The princess tried to thrash and cause him to let go, but being pinned by a demon sword did not help her any, so she could barely shake her head.
Her high pitched screech was sounding again, as Sesshomaru made a sound of effort, before it was followed by the sickening, crunching sound of joints ripping. With her jaw unhinged and mouth hanging open, Sakuya pulled away flinging the inukai prince with a desperate toss of her head.
Sesshomaru landed, not too far from Minako, and the monkey-demon ignored her pain to reach the younger demon. She could smell the poison and quickly grabbed his hands, watching his skin turn black and purple, the veins in his arms tinging with the taint and slowly traveling up.
"Stupid boy!" She quietly hissed, jabbing at a pressure point with her thumb and causing his own venom to begin dripping from his claws. She maneuvered his fingers so that his own poison dripped into his wounded hands, before using the jagged remains of stone to cut a crude wound near the inner part of each elbow. "Let it flow, try to stop yourself from healing. If it circulates, your pup is gone with no way of saving it this time. You're not losing it again."
"She has to die!" He hissed out, sitting up and bearing the pain of his own poison now seeping into his tender flesh. "She's the reason he's here in the first place, I know it!"
"Prince Sesshomaru!"
At Kagura's yell, Sesshomaru glanced up and was barely rolling out of the way with Minako in his arms. The ground where he had been before was chewed up by a mangled mouth, and Sakuya hissed in anger to not gain the taste of blood on her tongue.
"You will die!" Sakuya was crazed now, youki leaking and nothing but the intent to murder her enemy in her eyes. She raised up again, hooded head arching back and ready to aim with precision.
Sesshomaru forced himself to stand, blocking the old saru from any harm and red, glowing eyes accepting the challenge that the hebi-youkai was issuing forth. Sakuya had barely began sailing forward when she was screeching as thousands of cuts were marked into the soft underside of her body, wind blades tearing her to near shreds.
Kagura came to stand beside the Daiyoukai's mate, her face set with a determination that she had never felt before. If getting this bitch out of the way was how she'd get to Naraku, then by all means, she would do her damnedest to get through here quickly.
He fan was raising again as Sakuya set herself up for another try at attack, but Kagome's purified arrow was faster. It landed dead center between Sakuya's eyes and the snake was soon thrashing about again, trying to remove it as her body began to glow the pinkish-white of Kagome's miko magic.
"Now, Prince Sesshomaru!" Minako was urging, Sesshomaru sprinting forward and climbing up the thrashing body to retrieve his sword that was still embedded in the flesh. "Kill her now!"
"NO!" Sakuya was screaming, eyes watching as Sesshomaru easily jumped into the air and toward her, Tokijin gripped in both hands and swinging for what counted as her neck in this form.
She could only scream her disbelief and regretful rage as the dog demon drew closer. It was with a victorious scream of his own that Sesshomaru guided the blade through flesh, cutting bone to then cut free through scales. Blood flew and sprayed, coating the demon prince in ichor and Sakuya's screaming head toppled away before her body burst into the usual lighted dust that Kagome's arrows left behind.
As her head rolled to a stop, Sesshomaru landed beside it, now amber eyes watching down at the large cobra-head that was finally quiet. With one last hiss, that burst as well, and Sesshomaru closed his eyes to breathe deep, sheathing away Tokijin and ready to focus on catching his bearings before continuing his search for Inuyasha.
"Prince Sesshomaru!"
It was the miko's voice this time, and he didn't bother to open his eyes as the girl was soon beside him, still bleeding but not willing to let it hinder her. It would seem he had underestimated his brother's human.
"Do not fret, miko. This Sesshomaru is well." He told her, opening his eyes to look at her and then up at Kagura who was helping Minako up from the ground. "I am somewhat remiss to say that I am impressed with you two."
"Oh just shut up and say thank you!" Minako snapped, Kagura laughing softly.
"I very much doubt that he will." The wind sorceress was saying, looking to Sesshomaru who merely snorted at her smirk. "Though I'm willing to wait as long as it takes."
"You will be waiting in vain."
The new voice had them freezing and Kagura was then grunting in pain, before looking down to find a wriggling tentacle breaking free of her abdomen. Kagome was screaming and Minako tried to grab her as she was pulled back and away from the three she had been with. Kagura gave a cry of pain as she was slammed to the ground, body piecing on a jagged beam of wood.
From the smoke and dust, Naraku's laughter echoed forward and Kagura gasped for breath as she turned her head to find the silhouette of the man she had betrayed. She supposed she wasn't surprised that he had gotten her in the end, but she couldn't be mad at herself for thinking that she would actually live on without him. Still, it had been nice to be her own person for once and not have to answer to the likes of this twisted maniac.
The miasma grew thicker around her, blotting out the image of Sesshomaru and the others but she could see the kumo-hanyou clearly as he drew closer to her, red eyes staring down at her with a satisfied look. He crouched beside her, hand reaching out to mockingly pet her hair and watch as she coughed up blood, body convulsing as it tried to hold on to life.
"Dear, Kagura." Naraku gently cooed, hand tracing down to her face and resting on her cheek. "Did you really think I would have let you slip away so easily? I'm disappointed in you, my sweet."
"You bastard." Kagura gurgled, blood bubbling past her lips and down her chin, her eyes never losing their malice. "May you rot in hell!"
Naraku couldn't help but grimace at the blood that was spat in his face, and he carefully wiped it away before snarling down at her.
"You first!" He hissed and Kagura was groaning as a tentacle pierced her heart.
With her vision fading, she watched Naraku disappear again and she was greeted with the night sky, the stars peeking out between the wisps of smoke of the burning Western Palace. At least, this was the last thing she saw and not Naraku's ugly mug.
Sesshomaru watched wide-eyed as Kagura appeared again as the miasma cleared, but her body was still by then and her eyes staring blankly up at the sky. Kagome, no longer screaming, watched as well confused as to why she felt so horrible to see the woman die. Slowly, Kagura's body began to fade away into purple smoke, mixing with that which was already rising into the air until all that was left behind was a single feather.
There was no sound, nothing but the crackling fire and distant noise of battle. No signs of Naraku remained, save the faint trace of his foul stench and the slimy feeling he always left behind. Was he near?
The feather billowed in the wind and Sesshomaru was moving forward of no will of his own, hand reaching out to catch it as it floated by. She had meant well and had kept her word, and this was the end she received. It seemed unfair, that one who chose to turn her life away from evil would be punished so. He closed his hand around the feather, before tucking it away. When the time would come, he would adorn it to Rin, so that what remained of Kagura could be properly tended to. She may have met him as a disgraceful whelp, but in her final moments, she had earned his respect and he would do well to honor her bravery and short-termed loyalty.
"She's gone." Kagome muttered, limping forward and looking about. "Just like that? Where's Naraku?"
"Skulking about here somewhere." Minako snorted, coming to Sesshomaru and resting a hand on his back. "We should move before he thinks to strike again. His only target at the moment seemed to be the Kagura. There's still battles to be fought."
"Kazue may be with him." Sesshomaru uttered and Minako only nodded.
"Yes, and when Naraku shows himself again, he can be dealt with accordingly." Minako pushed, trying to get him out of the area.
"Well, perhaps you should deal with me now."
Sesshomaru froze at the oily, sickening slickness of Naraku's voice, his youki growling as his heart thundered. He had never thought that he would be afraid of Naraku, never thought his skin would crawl when the hanyou made his appearance, but ever since that night long ago, he had even had nightmares of the fiend.
"Lovely, lovely, Sesshomaru." Naraku's voice was taunting him to turn and face him, and Sesshomaru wanted to refuse, but for the sake of his pride that the half-demon had nearly stripped away from him, he had to face him. "You are a sight to behold. And when you are finally, rightfully mine I will meticulously enjoy every inch of you."
His stomach rolled in nausea at what was being insinuated, but he turned to look at Naraku any way, only the head of the scourge peeping through the thick, rolling miasma that surrounded him.
"Your hands will never mar this skin again." Sesshomaru calmly replied, watching Naraku merely laugh at the words. "My body and my womb belongs to Inuyasha. It will only bear his fruit from his seed, no other."
Naraku's laughter stopped short at the words and glared angrily back at the full-blooded youkai, hating that he had lost the inukai to his most hated enemy. That could be fixed once Inuyasha was done away with, which he knew Ishimaru had plotted to do and was probably in the midst of carrying out said plot.
"That may be, but it was I that was your first." Naraku reminded him, enjoying the brief devastating moment of realization on Sesshomaru's face. "The first to take you and the first to impregnate you, a gift you can never give your mate."
"Enough!" Sesshomaru shouted, feeling the miko's movement behind him.
"It will be enough when I have you beneath me again!"
"Sesshomaru, duck!" Came Kagome's warning.
And he would have, too if he hadn't caught sight of a second shadow as the miasma started to fade. In his arms, Naraku was holding their son, and Sesshomaru's eyes widened before he was spinning and pushing the miko's hand so that her arrow was off its mark.
"What are you doing!" She nearly shrieked, not wanting to believe that Sesshomaru had wanted her to miss.
"No! He was Kazue!"
Kagome peeked around him to where Naraku now stood fully revealed and with Kazue in his arms, the pup playing with a lock of Naraku's hair and wrapped securely in a tentacle for added measure.
"Yes, we wouldn't want to hurt the baby now would we?" Naraku said with a chuckle, his posture triumphant as he stared at Sesshomaru. "Such a wonderful son we have, Sesshomaru. And such skill at any early age. Would you like to see?"
Sesshomaru couldn't help but think back to his nightmare, not wanting to know what dastardly deed Naraku planned on making his infant son perform. He could only watch, unable to move as Naraku coxed the boy to look up at him. And Sesshomaru nearly died as his baby smiled up at Naraku, and his heart nearly stopped at what happened next.
"Dada!"
Of all the words his son could have spoken for his first time, why did it have to be that and to the one person that did not deserve the title.
"Yes, that's right." Naraku confirmed, enjoying the look of horror he found in Sesshomaru's eyes as he turned to look at him. "Now, show mama your trick."
Sesshomaru couldn't help but stiffen further as Kazue turned to look at him, his infant's eyes now as blood red as his sire's, no longer flecked with gold. He squealed happily as he saw his birthing father, small arms reaching out in calling for him. But Sesshomaru could only step back, suddenly guiltily afraid of his own child.
He bumped into Minako, who gripped him tightly, her own body trembling in disbelief at the sight of the child, almost a stranger to them. Kagome stood helplessly lost, her arms having dropped and her bow threatening to fall from limp fingers.
Naraku only laughed as Kazue began to fuss, arms reaching out but having Sesshomaru only back away. His crying followed and Sesshomaru faltered, but didn't dare move closer. His youki was yowling within him, distraught that Sesshomaru would not go and comfort their pup, and yet just as reluctant to accept that something had changed in Kazue.
"What did you do to my baby?" Sesshomaru was murmuring, and Naraku only chuckled darkly.
"Teaching him how to be just like daddy, of course. Now, don't be shy, Sesshomaru or Kazue will be forced to make you come closer."
What on earth was the damned hanyou going on about? He was stumbling forward then, his eyes widening as he steadied himself. He looked back to Minako, who seemed just as confused and knew that he hadn't been pushed. Soon after, he was jerking forward again and he steadied himself once more, only to find himself being dragged forward by some unseen force.
He fought it, tooth and nail, managing to stumble back a good distance, but was soon falling back, dragged quickly along the ground and closer to his son and the boy's sire. Naraku was thoroughly enjoying it all, his laughter echoing loudly over Kazue's crying screams.
As he drew closer, Sesshomaru nearly panicked but he was stopped by a firm grip on his wrist and he looked up to where Minako was now struggling to hold on to him. She gave a cry as the force pulled stronger and Sesshomaru looked back to where Naraku stood, before his eyes settled on his son. Kazue. This was Kazue's doing.
"Think what else he can do if he's this strong now, my dear Sesshomaru."
The second grip on his other wrist had Sesshomaru looking up to find Kagome helping the saru, and he grit his teeth and forced himself to stand, the three fighting the pull together. Even with most of Sesshomaru's strength doing the fighting, they were slowly being pulled closer, inch by inch, Naraku's laughter merely getting louder and louder.
"Stop it." Sesshomaru uttered out softly, golden eyes looking up to the still crying Kazue. The boy was screeching by now, small face red and eyes streaming tears. "Please, Kazue. . . STOP IT!"
The sudden release had them toppling back and Sesshomaru looked up from his place on the ground to find Kazue quieting, large eyes looking back at him in recognition and wonder. Slowly, very slowly, gold began to bleed into the red, and Sesshomaru nearly began sobbing in joy to know that his son wasn't lost after all.
"Amazing isn't it?" Naraku was saying, eyes looking down at Sesshomaru as his hands pet his son's head. "A technique neither you or I share, and he's quite strong, too. We could do so many things and destroy so many that oppose us with this boy. Can you object to it now, Sesshomaru? Can you refuse me now with such a talented son in my possession! Together, we will rule the West and then all of Japan!"
"No!"
Heads were turning at the new voice and they found Ishimaru standing atop the outer palace wall, rust-colored eyes glaring at Naraku.
"The West is mine! Or have you forgotten?" He questioned, lips curling into a snarl. "Take your disgraced whore and do what you wish with the rest of the lands, but the West will remain in my grasp!"
At the insult, Sesshomaru regained his rage and he stood then, hand reaching for Tokijin as his feet drew him closer to where Ishimaru stood. The badger saw his movement and turned to look at him, holding a hand up to stop him.
"Not so fast, Sesshomaru." He warned, his other hand signaling behind and below him. Sesshomaru's eyes widened as two badger demons jumped up, each flanking a bound and struggling Inuyasha. . . a human Inuyasha. "One wrong move, and your mate dies."
It had him stopping, and Ishimaru scoffed but was pleased that he was compliant. His eyes returned to Naraku then, the dark hanyou glaring back at him in disdain.
"You must mean to keep your end of the bargain, Naraku." Ishimaru told him. "You have your whelp and in this situation, Sesshomaru will willingly go with you. So, it is in your best interest that you take what you came for and leave."
He jumped down, followed by the two soldiers with Inuyasha their prisoner, before he was drawing his sword and pointing it at Naraku, still holding the child in his arms.
"The West and its new leader no longer welcomes you!"
"You'll rule the West over my dead body!" Inuyasha was shouting, still trying to fight his binds.
"Ah, yes. That is why we've come, isn't it?" Ishimaru asked returning to Inuyasha and replacing one of the guards at his side. His sword lifted and pressed against the human's throat, before his eyes were connected with Sesshomaru's. "Before for you say goodbyes, have you any last words?"
"Over here!"
At the miko's shout, Ishimaru was unwillingly looking up and then his sword was dropping to the ground as his hand was struck. The guards with him stumbled in shock but was easily falling as each were hit with purified arrows, and Inuyasha dropped to the ground to be sure no stray arrows hit him by mistake.
Naraku watched and went on alert, realizing that he had foolishly disregarded the miko and saru. . . . the saru. . . where as she? The whistle had him looking up and his face was greeted by the blunt end of the old wench's walking stick. He staggered as he gave an infuriated cry, his grip on Kazue loosening. It was all she needed and Minako snatched the baby before leaping away, tentacles reaching for her but missing as she took to the now scorched trees, before settling up on the shingled roof of the still burning palace.
"No!" Naraku was screaming out, red eyes glaring up at her and Minako only smiled before disappearing with Kazue safely. He turned then to Ishimaru, who was now pulling the arrow free form his hand and his tentacles were reaching out with the intent to do permanent damage. "This is all your fault!"
He was screaming out as the wriggling masses fell to the ground and dissipated, his eyes looking to find Sesshomaru glaring back at him, Tokijin having cut through his extra limbs.
"I won't be afraid of you any more!" Sesshomaru was yelling, eyes bleeding red. "Fight me, Naraku! I have been running too long than I can stand to admit, I shall run no further!"
Naraku had no time to respond, as he had to dodge Sesshomaru's blows as fast as he was able. As the two fought, Inuyasha was being untied by Kagome and urging the miko to move faster. Once he was free, he stood ready to run into the fray but the miko stopped him and did her best to begin dragging him away from it.
"Let go of me, Kagome!" He ordered, dull teeth bared threateningly. "Sesshomaru needs me! He's-"
"Not the one that's human!" She reminded him, Inuyasha pausing to look down at the dull nails of his hands. "You go out there and you'll die! Sesshomaru will be just fine."
"But, you don't understand! He's-"
"Pregnant, I know." She said, Inuyasha not sure of how she had found out. "You have to believe that he'll be ok. He's the Sesshomaru, after all. Even Ishimaru and Naraku combined are no match for him."
"I know that, but I gotta stay, Kagome. He's my mate and carrying my pup." He was pleading with her, Kagome's face falling to a sorry expression. "I can't leave them. What if something happens?"
The howling in the near distance caught their attention and they both looked to the crumbling protective wall as if it would give an explanation. As the thunderous chanting of an army ready for battle echoed through the air, Inuyasha was in the lead to climbing over the rubble and soon they were both staring wide-eyed at the marching army coming from the South.
The attacking armies had frozen still as well, there depleting numbers suddenly no match to what was now approaching them. Inuyasha had to wonder if the coming troops were enemies, but the sight of Seiichiro had his face breaking into a grin so wide that if he actually owned a tail, he'd be wagging it. The dragon prince was flanked by two fox-demons, one Shirogitsune and the other a female he didn't recognize, but Inuyasha was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
"He actually showed up." Inuyasha muttered, and then he was looking to where Kagome was pointing to an army marching to the east.
"Whose army is that? Another enemy?" Kagome was asking, a little flustered.
Inuyasha was ready to run off and find out, human or not, but a glance up at the sky had his eyes widening and his mind nearly exploding with confusion.
"Inukai. . ." He whispered out, Kagome following his eyes to look up in the sky. She was gasping herself at the sight a two large transformed inukai, one pure-white and the other one nearly blending in with the night sky. "They're inukai."
The white inu-youkai was flying toward them and Inuyasha nearly toppled off his perch of crumbling wall as he followed its path right over their heads. The two humans watched, as the dog landed and took the attention of everyone, the fighting temporarily paused.
xoxoxoxox
Ishimaru had watched, somewhat dumfounded as he had been disregarded and Sesshomaru and Naraku began to battle amongst themselves. He had grit his teeth in anger and found his sword, throwing himself into the battle. He was not one to be ignored. He was the next ruler of the West, damn it! They would acknowledge him!
Soon all three were fighting, an intricate dance that had to be admired at another time. Ishimaru aimed his attacks at whomever was distracted at the time, while Naraku aimed for both enemy and false ally, and Sesshomaru was mostly on defense but held his own. Tokijin and his energy whip worked beautifully together, and when some one was too close his claws were just as dangerous as any other weapon. They carried on this way for quite some time, until the area they were fighting in became cast in shadow.
At once, they all stopped and looked up. Naraku only snarled as he caught sight of the large inukai, as if one and a half-breed weren't enough to deal with. Ishimaru actually stumbled back, eyes wide as he was reminded of the true size an inu-youkai could reach. He had once seen the last Inu no Taisho in his true form, but it had been so long ago that he had allowed his own disillusions to help him forget what he was facing. Sesshomaru was the only serene face, his golden eyes recognizing the large figure before anyone else.
As the large inukai landed, the ground trembled and then what remained standing of the palace shook as it released a loud howl. Sesshomaru felt his youki howl in response and then his eyes widened as he heard more travel over the sounds of war beyond the walls. It sounded like hundreds of others. Were there truly more? The inukai in front of them barked and Sesshomaru looked back to her, overwhelmed with what he was feeling and unable to recognize what it was. She had come back to him and kept her promise, she hadn't abandoned him again.
It was a few moments more, and Hiromi was standing in her humanoid form, her eyes glowing red and her inukai markings prominent and teeth bared. Her eyes were fixed on Naraku and she was growling then, sword drawing and body readying for a fight.
"And so I finally meet you, Naraku." She said, free hand drawing a wakizashi and pointing it at Ishimaru without bothering to look at him. "And you, traitor to West, you'll die beside your pathetic master."
"He is not my master!" Ishimaru raged, causing Hiromi to turn and look at him. "I am the master! The rightful ruler of the West!"
Hiromi only laughed, before making her way to him. "Come then, boy! We shall see if you are truly worthy of such a title!"
Ishimaru wasn't sure what hit him, and he staggered back to look down at his wounded abdomen, the smaller sword having had pierced him and a set of claw marks eating away at his skin. He screamed in rage as Hiromi laughed and then he was puling the sword free before he charged. His anger made his steps sloppy and his sword swung almost blindly, his stances clumsy. Hiromi was fluid grace and lightening fast movements, her sword cutting to wound but never to do more damage other than to hurt the badger's pride.
"Is this what your father left behind!" Hiromi continued to laugh, mocking him as she easily sidestepped every swing of his sword, before her sword came up to block his, and she grinned back at him too lost in the battle to worry about composure. Her red eyes glowed back at him with a mixture of pity and taunting, Ishimaru panting with the effort it took to push back. "Mujina must be shamefully mourning your pathetic actions from the heavens! I'll do him the favor and rid his line of such a disgrace!"
Ishimaru couldn't help but be pushed back as Hiromi broke away and then sent a kick square to the wound her first blade had left. The badger landed on his back, pain coursing through his middle and his lower back where he had landed. He lifted himself a bit, and raised his sword, only to have it swatted away as if it were nothing more than a toy. It had him shuffling away as Hiromi stepped closer. He was soon bumping into Naraku, who merely looked down at him with an uninterested face, and he scrambled to stand, holding into the hanyou's arm and pointing at the female youkai. Hiromi had stopped halfway, Sesshomaru now beside her, the two inukai demons resembling their animal counterparts waiting for the right moment to attack the prey they had cornered.
"Naraku, my friend." Ishimaru rushed, Naraku's brow raising at the term of endearment. "Help me. You assist me in defeating the flea-ridden taint of the West and I will not forget it. You will be justly rewarded for aiding the new Daiyoukai."
"Do you truly need my help, Ishimaru-kun?" The dark hanyou questioned slowly, Ishimaru's face twisting with confusion. "It comes with a very high price. I doubt that such a demon of your caliber is truly in need of any help to destroy such pitiful inukai."
"Just do as I say!" He belted out, face fitted with desperate rage. "I will pay any price! Name it!"
"Very well." Naraku chuckled, red eyes turning to the two inu-youkai that were watching and waiting patiently.
Ishimaru was soon laughing, enjoying that his victory was soon at hand. Naraku would help him rid the lands of those in his way and then he would be rid of the disgusting creature and left to rule the West. With the Ookami Lord's mate as his main breeding bitch and the last of the inukai dead, he would have it all.
His laughter was stopped short as he found his windpipe crushing, his hands raising to claw at the slimy appendage now wrapped about it. He was lifted into the air, pulled to face Naraku whose smiling face soon twisted into one of disgust.
"What are you doing!" He wheezed out, eyes widening as tentacles rammed through the open wound that the wakizashi had given him.
"Taking my pay, Ishimaru! Did I forget to mention it would cost you your life?" Naraku was then laughing as his tentacles continued to pierce at Ishimaru's flesh, the demon's energy and life being drawn into himself. "It's the price you pay for daring to think you could control me!"
With a final scream, Ishimaru was dying and Naraku's limbs were ripping him into multiple pieces, the hanyou merely laughing as the body parts rained over their make-shift battlefield. Hiromi and Sesshomaru readied themselves as the hanyou turned to face them, Hiromi shifting so that her pup was mostly behind her. She paused as Sesshomaru was resting a hand on her shoulder and gently moving her aside.
"Sesshomaru?"
"No, this is my fight, Hahaue." Sesshomaru told her, Hiromi looking up at her son and unwillingly lowering her sword. "You can no longer interfere."
"Very well, my son." She stated softly, her red eyes then glowering at Naraku. "But be quick. I can no longer stand to look upon him."
She was jumping out of the way, leaving Sesshomaru to face his demon and sire of his first-born. Naraku merely smiled at him, blood-red eyes giving him a determined stare while his tentacles slowly danced about him. Whatever wounds he had manged to get were now healed after having absorbed Ishimaru's essence and Sesshomaru knew that it would be a short while before he had Naraku hurting again.
His youki encouraged him, assuring him it would warn him when the stress level was too high for the pup. The Western Prince only hoped Naraku would be long dead before it came to that. He gripped Tokijin tighter in his hand, eyes refusing to look away from Naraku's stare and he forced himself to breathe easily. This was no nightmare. He would not let his fear overcome him. This was the real world and he would be sure to take control.
"I knew this day would come, pet." Naraku's vile words upset him, none more so then the creature calling him pet. "It was destined to be, from the very first night I fucked you. Come to me."
His rage built and Sesshomaru focused it so that his did not fall under its careless spell as Ishimaru had, he was too much of a honed warrior to allow it to happen.
"Very well." His voice was an even tone, but his rage was not missed. "Let us end this!"
xoxoxoxox
Kagome had stood by Inuyasha and watched as the huge dog-demon turned into Hiromi. Then they had watched her amuse Ishimaru, as she wasn't truly fighting him, before letting Naraku take care of the pesky problem for her. Now, Sesshomaru and Naraku were facing off, and Inuyasha couldn't keep still anymore.
"Wait, where are you going?" Kagome asked, grabbing onto his arm with both hands and trying to stop him.
She was stopped by the sudden light-headed feeling and she fell to her knees, vision blacking out as her mind showed her an image of a very big jewel-shard. Inuyasha had stopped as she fell, concerned eyes looking down at the miko as he knelt beside her.
"Kagome, what the hell?"
"There's a jewel-shard near by." She was telling him, head resting against him as the dizziness became worse. "It's powerful and very big. Naraku. . . I think it's in Naraku!"
Inuyasha swore and looked to where Naraku was now in the midst of fighting with his mate. The latter was holding his own, but Inuyasha saw that Sesshomaru was hiding his weariness. He was growing tired and weakening. He had been fighting non-stop since the attacks had started and it was only the night before that he had spent a lot of energy reviving their pup from near death. He couldn't not help his mate, human or not.
"Kagome, I know you think I shouldn't but I can't just stand and watch." He said in an apologetic tone, Kagome blinking up at him as if she could barely see him. "He's my mate. I'll die if something happens to him or my pup."
"Inuyasha. . . just. . . don't do anything stupid." Kagome sighed, hugging onto her friend before letting him slip out of her arms. She found herself clinging to his clothes tighter than she expected, as Inuyasha had to use a bit of force to pull away from her.
"I cant promise you that." Inuyasha said with a sad smile, Kagome looking up at him with dewy eyes. "People do stupid things for the ones they love."
Kagome could only smile sadly, tears flowing as she watched Inuyasha run off and she fought to stand on shaky legs.
"Goodbye, Inuyasha." She whispered out, a feeling in her heart telling her it was the last she would see of him.
xoxoxoxox
Minako sighed heavily as she walked north of the Western palace, heading for the hideaway that Sesshomaru had been sending all the civilians they came across to. Kazue was sleeping, head resting on her shoulder and thumb in his mouth. After having escaped with the puppy, she had decided it was best to back out. On her way, she had turned back three times, and she was fighting herself to return to Sesshomaru.
Truth be told, her sister had been right. She had never gotten so close to any of the males she had played nursemaid to, not so close that she was so scared to lose him. Her infant son from long ago passed through her mind, and she stopped momentarily to look back at the still burning remains of the Western palace. She couldn't lose her son again, whether if he was of her own blood or not.
"So, you decided to heed my warning."
She turned to find Chieko standing before her, her mad sister looking more sane than she was accustomed to. Minako shuffled forward and Chieko joined her, keeping step beside her. They traveled in silence for a bit, until Chieko rested a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"It's good you decided to let things go this way." The other saru-youkai said, her other hand reaching to groom through Minako's hair as they walked. "He'll need another mother for the years to come. At least now, you can be there for him as long as your life lasts."
Minako could only smile at that, her hand raising to pet at the sleeping Kazue's head.
"And how long do you suppose that will be?" It was best to start idle conversation, so as to not think of what was going on behind her.
"Oh, I don't know." Chieko said with a shrug. "Inuyasha plans for more than a daughter. You'll see three sons."
"But how many daughters?" She couldn't help but ask and Chieko only cackled, once again her mad self.
"That you'll have to find out on your own."
xoxoxoxox
Hiromi's mournful howl was hard to ignore, but Sesshomaru had more things to worry about, like the tentacle now buried in the center of his chest. His claws were slashing at it and cutting it away from his body, pulling what was left out of his chest and throwing it to the ground where it dissolved away.
Naraku was chuckling, circling the now panting prince, who was getting weaker by the second. Sesshomaru's youki was sharing what it could, but was too preoccupied with keeping his little one energized and alive. Things were looking grim and Sesshomaru could think of nothing to turn his luck around.
"How very tragic." Naraku said, circling and slowly closing in on the silver-haired youkai. "The great Sesshomaru, first-born to the mighty Lord Touga, at my mercy. Did I not tell you that you would fall before me? Now, give in, dear and I will be willing to let the creature growing in you survive past its first breath when you are mine."
"I'd rather die!" Sesshomaru proclaimed, making sure to keep the hanyou in his sight.
"Be careful what you wish for, Sesshomaru-kun." Naraku warned. "It just may come true!"
The two were at it again, Naraku's attacks now more calculated and Sesshomaru's defense a bit delayed. Hiromi could only watch from the sidelines, her and her son's honor-bound promise keeping her in place. She would intervene only at the last possible moment, even though her protective instincts were driving her mad. Her pup was still her pup, even now grown up and fighting his own battles, and she had already left him most of his life to his own devices. But she dared not move, if he truly needed her then he would call for her.
She was howling again as she watched Sesshomaru take a blow that had him reeling back, and her feet began moving for him, but sharp glowing eyes looked at her to tell her otherwise. Against her better judgment, she obeyed her son's command and quietly pleaded for him to stand again. Slowly, he was doing so and Hiromi's agitation lessened some. With Tokijin poised carefully, Sesshomaru was fighting again, and Hiromi watched with dread weighing heavy on her heart.
The sound of shuffling feet had her searching and she found a human she had never seen before running close to the wall. Her brows furrowed a bit and then she was gasping, stumbling back at the face she had never thought to see. She couldn't mistake it now, as the tell-tale frown of determination was the same, even though the features were somewhat that of a stranger's. Was that Inuyasha?
She looked up at the sky and saw no moon, receiving her explanation for why he was not himself. Then she was looking back to her now smaller shaped son-in-law, watching as he carefully climbed over debris and jumped over fire to reach his destination. Ishimaru's sword glimmered where it had landed and Hiromi knew his intentions. She had to stop him, there was a chance Ishimaru's sword was infused with demon magic that would harm Inuyasha in his vulnerable state.
The pained canine yelp, loud and unmistakably her baby had her turning back to Sesshomaru. Her eyes widened at the sight of her own wakizashi impaling his stomach. She screamed then, fearing for both her son and grandchild as Naraku laughed. She bent the rules and took Sesshomaru's canine whining as him calling to her and ran for Naraku, her sword drawing as she rushed forward, eyes flooded with tears she had rarely cried. But she was easily knocked aside by stray tentacles and then grabbed again, further flung into the distance and too far to return to her child in time.
Sesshomaru's eyes stared down at his abdomen in disbelief, his youki screaming within him before his eyes were looking up at Naraku. The dark hanyou loomed over him, red eyes beaming with delight and his mouth fitted with a wicked smile as he laughed.
"One move of my wrist and I can make it so that your womb will be worthless to anyone!" Naraku told him, Sesshomaru's jaw trembling in rage and hurt. "Now, I will not tell you again after this. Submit!"
Sesshomaru felt his will easily sliding away, his inner self too lost in despair to help him, and his body went limp. Tokijin fell from his hand and his eyes dulled. He would admit defeat. Naraku noticed and he leaned closer, one hand reaching out to lift Sesshomaru's face by his chin, hovering close to those lips he had never gotten to taste.
"Say it, my pet."
"I. . . " His throat clenched as he began, his youkai seeming to want to fight it but he ignored it, swallowed and tried again. "I. . . "
"SAY IT!" Naraku screamed, hand grabbing painfully onto the prince's chin, face enraged with his impatience.
Sesshomaru looked away then, not wanting to give the hanyou the satisfaction of looking him in the eyes as he admitted his defeat. That's when he saw him and his eyes widened, heart freezing at the sight of a human Inuyasha running along the top of the outer wall, demon sword gripped in both hands and face set in pain and determination. The youki magic was obviously burning the skin of his hands, but Inuyasha refused to let go.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" He was screaming, taking a leap and the sword rose above his head. "HE'S MINE!"
Naraku had heard but did not react in time, but soon he was screaming as a blade pierced his back and had him arching in pain, releasing Sesshomaru and the hilt of the small sword still buried in the inukai. He writhed as he suffered, Inuyasha clinging to his back, biting at his shoulders with dull teeth before pulling the sword free and raising it again. It came stabbing down through the hanyou's right shoulder and Naraku howled, before he managed to throw Inuyasha off.
Screaming in pain all the while, he pulled the sword free and flung it away, crazed eyes looking for his attacker as his darker than usual blood began to pool around him. He found Inuyasha, now trying to help Sesshomaru walk away and he voiced his rage in a single, bellowing roar, before sending a barrage of tentacles their way.
"Inuyasha!"
It was Kagome's voice and the now human turned to find Naraku's attack coming at full speed. Sesshomaru knew what he meant to do and tried to stop him, but his weakened state slowed him down.
Kagome was trying her best to fight her impending need to faint away, her eyes focusing on Naraku and honing in on the jewel-shard her powers were helping her see. She steadied her hand, aiming her arrow as much as her waning strength allowed and hoped that she would not be too late.
Inuyasha pushed Sesshomaru out of the way, careful of the small sword still sticking out of his mate as much as he could, before he was standing and facing Naraku. His body stood stanced as a human shield and Sesshomaru objected loudly, trying to scramble to his feet again to pull his mate to safety.
And then time stopped and all Sesshomaru heard was his mate's pained grunt and a long feminine scream. He flinched then, wide eyes not wanting to see as something wet and warm splattered over him and his body began to tremble as his mind realized what it was. Golden eyes focused then, looking up at Inuyasha, who was now jerking as the tentacles impaling him forcefully ripped free and Sesshomaru was gasping at the amount of blood that came pouring out after.
His eyes followed as Inuyasha fell to his knees, but his body was unable to move, his mind unable to comprehend what had happened, what was still happening. His youkai yowled in pain, causing his head to sing in anguish and then he realized what was happening as he felt his bond between him and Inuyasha weakening.
His mate was dying!
Kagome's enraged scream had him looking to the miko and he was beyond shock to find the young woman glowing, eyes a supernatural shade of white as her purified bow and arrow suddenly burst into bright, white flames. He watched as she released it, followed its trail and then Naraku was screaming again as it pierced his back and exited out from his chest, taking with it a large, dark jewel-shard.
The hanyou fell to his knees, hand trying to cover the gaping hole that was now there, still screaming in pain and rage. Blood-red eyes looked to Sesshomaru and with nothing more than one last bellowing cry, Naraku disappeared in a mass of miasma.
With the hanyou gone, Sesshomaru was suddenly aware of what was happening, and he pulled the sword from his body free, before crawling closer to Inuyasha, who had finally fallen over. Kagome was running over and reached just as Sesshomaru took his mate in his arms, cradling Inuyasha desperately and licking over his face hoping to rouse him.
The miko was sobbing, now looking much like herself as her hand rested atop a wound over Inuyasha's heart, pressing against it in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. Inuyasha's skin was too pale and his eyes were dulling, there was nothing they could do.
"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru was crying out, shaking the human body and panic growing as the bond kept slipping away. "Wake up! Don't go yet! Inuyasha, just wait!"
The weak cough had him shifting his mate so that blood left his mouth, freeing the passageway so that Inuyasha was taking weak, gurgling gasps. Teary eyes looked down at his younger brother, hoping against hope that this was something the hanyou would pull through from. He glanced up and nearly willed sunrise to come. If he were in his hanyou state, death wouldn't be imminent and Sesshomaru would not have to bear the pain of losing him.
"Sessh." It was so softly spoken that Sesshomaru nearly missed it, and he leaned forward eyes connecting with those whose life was slowly fading. "Pup. . "
Still alive. His youkai confirmed, and Sesshomaru took one of Inuyasha's now cold hands to press it against his stomach.
"Our pup's alive." His voice trembled. "She'll need you. You have to stay."
"Can't. . . keep her safe." He was wheezing out, eyes slowly closing. "Love her. . .love. . .you."
"No, Inuyasha!" He was begging, shaking his brother to keep him conscious. "No, no, no!"
He couldn't help the gasp of pain as he felt his bond finally snap and he was screaming against his will, arms clutching his mate close as Inuyasha breathed his last breath. Kagome turned away sobbing heavily as Sesshomaru continued to howl and scream in loss. His pain reverberated through the skies, pausing the fighting just beyond the walls and seeming to still even the air.
His soul was in turmoil, he felt empty, robbed of something he had expected to know for the rest of his life and as he howled into the night, Sesshomaru wished to die. His face pressed into Inuyasha's black locks and his body trembled with unbridled emotions, his lover's blood still spilling and staining his clothes and the ground underneath them.
The arms that wrapped around him made him pause and suddenly his screams were nothing more than sobs, as he felt a crying body press against him from behind. Hiromi was wounded but had forced herself to move, as she unable to not feel her pup's pain and she cried with him and for him. Her youkai reached out to soothe his, and mother and son shared a bond that she had barely cherished when Sesshomaru was an infant.
It was huddled together over a bleeding, human, Inuyasha that Shirogitsune found them, having bound off towards the palace after Sesshomaru's first bone-chilling cry. He stopped then, silver eyes sadly taking in the scene and closing his eyes to breathe in deeply. He heard as more followed behind him, and he decided to block off the scene to save Sesshomaru his privacy.
As he walked closer to the wide-eyed troops, he ordered them back before grabbing one and bringing him close.
"It pains me to have to burden you with this news and this duty, but it must be assigned to someone." He began, noting that the bear-demon was looking over his shoulder at the scene behind him. "You must spread the word to our allies. Find Lord Kouga a few miles south of here and I shall inform their kin that took off to fight on the palace's Eastern front. Let all know that the Lord of the West has died."
T.B.C.
- 32
- 33
- 34
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Unexpected Circumstance