Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

Unexpected Endeavors	By : Scottishfae Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Sessh?maru/Kagome > Sessh?maru/Kagome Views: 70550 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 33
- 34
- 35
Unexpected Endeavors
scottishfae
a/n: four more chapters left! sorry for the delay--Thor got my finger pretty bad and the only band-aids i had were giant ones. they prevented me from typing.
Arc 6: Narrative
Chapter 33: Culmination

Aiko dragged herself down the corridor. Another day over and another day of servitude to come. At least her indentureship had been amended: as soon as Kagome’s child was born, she would be allowed to return to her home and husband. Though the home had most definitely changed.

“Haru, let me go.”

The woman stopped in her spot. She was certain she just heard Kagome. She was in the servants quarters, nowhere the miko should be. Again, she heard her plea to Haru. Looking around, Aiko judged the best way to approach--even as a servant, she couldn’t allow a youkai to hurt a human.

Judging from the voices, they were a hallway over, so Aiko took off down the hallway she was in. She tried to hush her steps as best she could, being careful around perpendicular junctions. She began to become nervous when a third, more sinister voice was added to the mix.

Certain she was down far enough from where Kagome was being held, Aiko crossed the distance the other hallway. She peered down it carefully, jumping back when she saw three people exit a usually empty room. Haru was definitely holding the miko against her will.

Aiko watched again, waiting for them to clear the hall before taking down it herself. She stopped in the room to investigate first, but there was nothing in it. She followed them again--watching as they made their way to the woods.

“Yes, trust him, Kagome-chan--and watch as all your little friends die tonight.”

Aiko’s eyes widened as she listened to the second man. She took cover from whatever she could, but she was as close as she could get to the three without being noticed. She watched as the unknown man sealed them into a purple-lit barrier.

Knowing there was nothing she could do, Aiko carefully turned and ran. She didn’t like it, but she would have to rely on the Taiyoukai for help. Hopefully he was still in his study.

()

Inuyasha was walking down the hall--he couldn’t sleep, so he thought he might try to steal some sake from the kitchen. Miroku was always up for a nightcap and Haru usually joined them. He was heading to see if the other two men were awake. Triangular ears swished around at the sound of feet running. They were getting close. Taking a defensive posture, he waited until the person cleared the corner.

It was Aiko. He laughed at himself and relaxed again.

“Hey, stupid--slow down, you’ll wake everyone up.”

Her face sneered at him. “We need to get Sesshomaru-dono,” she yelled as she continued to run. “They’ve taken Kagome-chan.”

“Wait--what? Who’s taken Kagome?”

“Haru--and some other person.”

The hanyou’s claws flexed. “Was it a woman or a man?”

“Man.”

It had to be Naraku. “Sesshomaru is already in his chambers, go get him. Which way did they go?”

Aiko pointed east. “Tell him to meet me there. Any of our friends that you can wake will be helpful.”

She nodded and continued down the path.

It took Inuyasha only a second before he took off down towards his room. Going into a fight against Naraku without Tetsusaiga would be stupid. He just hoped it was the real one and not a puppet. This shit was getting old.

()()

The two brothers found each other quickly. Sesshomaru was stopped, giving orders to several of his high ranking officers and personal guards. He looked up as Inuyasha approached. “Good, you’ve arrived.”

“Let me guess, you’re trying to do a plan-of-attack instead of rescuing Kagome immediately. Do you know what Naraku could be doing to her?”

“Haru is with her; he will protect her until we get there.”

The hanyou gave him a doubtful look. “Seems to me he was the reason she got kidnapped to begin with.”

There was a scream off to the east followed by a fizzle of a miasma barrier. “That isn’t good,” Inuyasha said.

Sesshomaru agreed. “Remember your orders,” he barked to the men.

They bowed and the two brothers ran off to the east. They were swift and covered the area in no time. They stopped right outside the barrier--it was nearly invisible, but that hardly mattered as both brothers could easily sense it.

The scene they came across was not one they wanted to see.. Both Haru and Kagome were on the ground; she clutching her swollen stomach and Haru crumpled and unconscious. They were both covered in blood.

“Kagome!” Inuyasha cried, running forward.

The barrier stopped him, but again the hanyou tried. Kagome looked at them, her face was covered in dirt and blood, tracks of tears smearing it. She called for the two brothers. Again Inuyasha pushed against the barrier.

After he was thrown back the third time, Sesshomaru put his hand on his brother’s shoulder to stop him. “Save your energy.”

Naraku laughed. “Yes, save your energy. I want you two to be quite strong of mind as you watch her die.”

The Taiyoukai snarled. “I will give you only one warning, return her.”

“Warning? Laughable. You are in no position to do anything to me,” Naraku replied back. “I have your pet and your child, and neither of you can break through my barrier to rescue her. And each time you try, Inuyasha, a little of your body is infused with my miasma. Both of you have felt that pain before.”

Inuyasha looked skeptically at his brother. “He’s attacked you before?”

“Yes.”

“And you let him live?”

“I find he likes to give himself an exit route.”

Inuyasha snorted. He looked ahead and allowed his muscles to tense. Again Naraku teased them; goaded them to try and break his power--his barrier.

“Go?” the hanyou asked.

Sesshomaru nodded. “Go.”

The two brothers took off at full speed; both gathered their youki, hoping it would help.

The barrier flickered, hiss, and spat, but it didn’t fall. The two inuyoukai recoiled, stepping back.

“Okay, that didn’t work.”

“No, but his barrier isn’t as strong as he thinks it is.”

Naraku seemed to notice this as well; he stepped back and released more of his own ki into the protective shielding.

“Try again?” Inuyasha asked, looking up at the taller man.

“Do you have another plan?”

“Nope.”

The two men took off again. Their attack had less impact than before.

“Shit,” Inuyasha cursed.

His skin was starting to burn and itch from the poison. “When it becomes too much,” Sesshomaru said. “Stop.”

The hanyou snorted. “Are you going to stop?”

“Not until Kagome-chan is rescued.”

“Then neither am I.”

Again the two went for the barrier. It was a moment before they hit that a high wind picked up and another youki was sensed. It hit the barrier to the brother’s left just as they theirs did.

The sound of the shielding failing was akin to pouring water of a lava field. It hissed as the poison evaporated into the air. Three inuyoukai stared at a surprised Naraku, who was quickly backing up and trying to erase his presence with a cloud of his miasma.

He walked over to Kagome, kneeling at her side. She looked up at him. “I-I’m fine. It’s mostly Haru’s. Please, make sure he is okay.”

Inuyasha was standing behind him. He alternated looking at Kagome and then at Naraku’s fleeing form. “What’s our course of action now?”

The Taiyoukai had moved and now looked up from his spot next to Haru. The younger inuyoukai was alive, but only barely. Naraku had poisoned him and it was draining his life. “Mother, do you fight with us?”

She was by Haru’s side as well, brushing blood-matted hair out of his face. “No, I will stay with Haru.”

Sesshomaru nodded. “Please, protect Haru and Kagome-chan until help comes for them.”

Amaya looked up at him then her eyes flickered to the woman lying just a few steps away. “I cannot promise I will save that woman’s life over my son’s.”

Kagome gave a pained laugh. “I wouldn’t ask that of you anyway. Please, if you’re going to defeat Naraku, this is the time to do it. That isn’t a puppet.”

Sesshomaru hesitated for a second, conferring with Inuyasha through a glance. They both nodded and then stood. He gave his mother one last warning before taking off after Naraku.

()()()

“You would forfeit your life for Haru’s?” Amaya asked as she watched the two brothers leave.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Kagome answered. “But you’re his mother, I wouldn’t ask you to abandon him.”

Amaya gave a sad laugh and looked down at her son. “I abandoned him long ago.”

Kagome opened her mouth to say something but Kirara’s growl stopped her. The fire cat was coming quickly, MIroku, Sango, and Cho carried on her back.

As soon they touched ground, the three were at her side. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Haru needs your help,” she directed Cho.

The smaller inuyoukai ran to him, fussing over the man with worry.

“Is the baby alright,” Sango asked.

She was dressed for battle, but she looked afraid to leave her friend. “We’re fine. Go help Sesshomaru-dono, and Inuyasha. They’re fighting the real Naraku; they’ll need your help.”

Sango looked at Miroku who nodded. “We’ll go, but be careful Kagome-chan, don’t assume he doesn’t have people working for him that will come after you while we are distracted.”

“Do not worry, hoshi,” Amaya said. “She will be protected.”

Cho looked up, surprised. The former Lady met her gaze and challenged her to say anything. The youkia-witch didn’t. “Kagome, can you walk? We need to get Haru back to his chambers so he can be treated.”

“I may need some help getting up, but I should be able to make it.”

“Take Kirara,” Sango offered. “She can find me afterwards.”

Kagome thanked her friend. Sango helped her off the ground and onto the fire cat. Cho jumped on, but Amaya refused. She insisted on carrying Haru as it would be less strain on her and him. Cho agreed.

The two human warriors saw the group off before running to help their friends. It seemed the end-all battle with Naraku was finally at hand.

Miroku’s kizana itched.

()()()()

Shippo, Aiko, and handful of other humans and youkai greeted the returning group. Many of the youkai looked surprised to see Amaya among the four, but their comments were held as they saw the condition Haru was in.

Cho immediately began ordering servants and courtiers alike to various tasks. Aiko organized the humans to collect the necessary materials.

“Quickly, this way,” Cho instructed Amaya.

The two took off down the pathways. Kagome thanked Kirara before sending her off.

“Kagome, are you okay?” Shippo cried.

He ran to the woman but resisted jumping on her.

“I’m fine, Shippo-kun. Let’s follow Cho-san and Amaya-sama.”

The little kitsune nodded and the two started to follow. Kagome made it a few steps before she felt a searing pain run up her spine. Her arms immediately went to her lower back, her spine arching. Several of the courtiers were at her side in an instant.

“I-I’m fine,” she assured them. “I just hit the ground harder than I thought.”

“Please, be careful, Kagome-sama,” Honda, Sesshomaru’s economic advisor, said. “Sesshomaru-dono would not want you to strain yourself.”

She smiled at the youkai, he had been very kind to her ever since the court had moved. “Thank you, I will be. Just a little soreness--nothing to be worried over.”

Carefully, Kagome stretched out her body. The pain had gone.. She assured the people around her that she was okay, and then began waddling down the hall for Haru’s room.

When she got there things looked grim. Amaya was sitting with Haru’s head in her lap. The blood was being cleaned from his body by various human servants, with the former Lady taking it into her hands to clear his face and hair. He was too pale.

“He doesn’t look good,” Shippo said.

“No, he’s doesn’t,” Kagome agreed.

She walked into the room and sat at Haru’s left. Cho was across from her busy looking at wounds. She had a treasure trove of different balms and medicines. The fact that she hadn’t touched them wasn’t a good sign.

The small inuyoukai looked up at Kagome. She measured her up, noticing that Kagome seemed pale herself. “I’m almost afraid to ask,” Cho began. “Because I know you will say yes, but I’m afraid I will need your help.”

Kagome nodded. “How?”

“We need to remove the miasma from his system, and the only way to do is by purifying it.”

“But, I can’t. That part of me was sealed.”

“You should still be able to tap into a little of it--but it will be painful.”

“Will it hurt the baby?”

Cho shook her head. “Of course not; this far into the pregnancy the pup should be fine.”

“Should?”

“I will monitor the two of you carefully, if I feel that it becomes life threatening for either of you, I will make you stop,” Cho sighed. “I’m afraid this is our only chance, and getting another miko here is just not possible.”

“Of course I’ll do it, as long as the baby won’t be hurt.”

“I give you my word that nothing will happen to the pup--or you.”

Kagome gave her a small smile. “Tell me what I need to do.”

“Concentrate on the wound,” Cho began, reaching over and grabbing Kagome’s hands and putting them over one of Haru’s wounds. “Feel Naraku’s poison within his veins and concentrate.”

The miko closed her eyes and did as was told. The pale, pink light of her own ki began to appear at her palms. Kagome gritted her teeth. Radiating out in every direction, a blinding pain began. The pink faltered and Kagome crumpled down into herself. Shippo ran to her side.

“It’s too much,” Cho stated.

Kagome heaved in pain.

Amaya looked at the young woman. “Kagome, fight through the pain.”

She looked up at the other woman, her hands on her stomach.

“Please, save my son.”

Tears sprang anew at the sight of the desperate woman.. She sat back up, her body still humming with pain. She tried again. Reaching inside her mind, she began to feel the poison. “I-I think I have it,” she told Cho.

Sweat was coming down her face mixing with tears. Aiko came to sit by her side, mopping her face with a damp rag.

“Wrap your ki around it, Kagome. Isolate and grab it. Once you’re sure you have it, begin to draw it out.” Cho directed a servant to put a bucket next to the miko. “Put it in the pail beside you.”

Kagome nodded and began concentrating again. Her brows furrowed as she struggled to do her task. It was a lot easier said than done. Several attempts were made, until she finally cried out: “I got it!”

“Good, good--begin pulling it out--slowly.”

Again the miko concentrated. Extracting it ended up being a lot easier. The dark purple miasma was surrounded by a pink force. A servant held out the bucket for it to be deposited into.

Kagome sat back, a big smile on her face. Concentrating on the actual task made her forget about the worst part of the pain. Cho nodded, proud of the young woman. “Good job, but it’s not done yet. Move down here, we’ll begin again.”

She sighed; Kagome was hoping they were done. With Aiko’s help, she moved down a little so she was at his hip. A deep gash made white bone visible. “Don’t worry about the actual wounds,” Cho said. “That’s my part. You just work on the poison.”

“Okay, here we go again.”

Kagome concentrated and began again. The pain was worse this time, but she shoved it to the back of her head. Haru needed help.

()()()()()

Sesshomaru jumped back and out of the cloud of miasma. The group was having to take turns engaging Naraku simply because none of them could stay in the poison indefinitely. Already the humans were showing the strain of fighting within it.

“We need to try something different,” Miroku commented.

He was leaning fairly heavily on his staff. “I could probably clear some of this out with the kizana.”

“Don’t be stupid,” Inuyasha said. “That’s a death sentence.”

“Yeah, but could you two make it one for Naraku too?”

The Taiyoukai looked over at the monk. “I doubt that the Taijiya would appreciate or allow that sacrifice.”

“Then what are we doing to do?”

Sesshomaru assessed the battlefield. They had moved quite far from the estate, which was fine for him. It meant Kagome was safe. They had not gone far enough to meet his troops, however; they should be close--their orders being to flank Naraku to keep him from running.

“We need a way to clear a path to him.”

“If ever Koga was needed,” Inuyasha mumbled.

Sango came out of the miasma. She had her mask on, but it wasn’t enough. Her body shook as she coughed. Miroku ran to her and pulled her close to the others.

“Perhaps I could be of assistance?”

The group turned to see Kagura floating just above the ground on her feather. She looked relaxed but nervous.

“Why would you help us?” Inuyasha spat, his sword pointed straight at her.

“For my freedom. If you can kill him now, I can finally be free of him. But you will only have once chance for this--as soon as he realizes what I’ve done, I will not be able to do it again.”

Miroku and Sango eyed her carefully before looking at each other. They deferred the decision to the Taiyoukai.

“My troops should be closing in by now.”

“And they won’t be able to get to him either,” Kagura replied.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t speaking to you.” He looked at his brother. “If she can clear the miasma, you must lead the way. I will turn to the flank with my troops and bring them in there.”

Inuyasha grinned manically. “I like this idea.”

“Kill him. I will make sure he is in pieces as you do so.”

“Clear the area after that,” Miroku said. “I’ll take care of those ‘pieces.’”

The group agreed on the plan. “Well then, let’s go,” Sango announced.

Kagura was happy to oblige. She jumped from her feather and walked towards the miasma. She stood right beyond the slowly moving cloud. With the grace of her kind, she spun and allowed her wind attacks to take flight. The miasma didn’t dissipate completely, but it moved out of the way enough to reveal the person inside.

“Kagura!” he yelled.

“Go!” Sesshomaru commanded at the same time.

The group split before Naraku could do anything about the traitorous wind-witch.

“You should be thinking about me,” Inuyasha screamed.

The Hiraikotsu whipped by Inuyasha, Naraku dodged it and only had a brief moment to dodge the Tetsusaiga. Sharp claws bit down on his shoulder as Inuyasha deflected his movement by bouncing off the other hanyou. Naraku howled in pain as blood rushed from the deep gashes on his shoulder.

Inuyasha smirked. “Times up, Naraku.”

He rushed forward, Naraku stepping back. He dodged another attack and another.

“Why don’t you just stand still and accept your fate?” Inuyasha bristled.

“As if an idiot like you could take me out,” Naraku said. “First rule of combat, always be prepared to take the higher ground.”

“No, first rule of combat, don’t turn your back on your enemy.”

There was a loud crack behind Naraku before he fell to his knees screaming in pain. His left arm was severed at the wounded shoulder and lying next to him. Sesshomaru was standing behind him, acidic whip in hand.

Inuyasha didn’t waste a moment. He rushed forward. “Good-bye asshole,” he growled as he plunged Tetsusaiga into Naraku’s chest. Again he screamed, pushing at Inuyasha with dying strength.

“Stand back,” Sesshomaru ordered.

The hanyou gladly removed himself. Naraku tried to get up, but he crumpled over. Youkai of different sorts were beginning to escape as Naraku’s lifeforce began to fade.

There was another crack of the whip and the assumed head was taken off. It rolled toward Inuyasha, who kicked it closer to the oozing body.

“Out of the way,” Miroku yelled.

He had moved to the right to keep Sesshomaru’s army out of the destruction zone. Inuyasha gladly jumped to stand by Sango..

MIroku opened up his kizana; he watched as the wind picked up and everything in the area began to be sucked in. The lower demons and bits of Naraku easily were swept up. “Good-bye asshole,” Miroku said too.

The monk began to scream. Everyone in the area looked to Miroku as the last bit of Naraku was sucked up. He kept his hand in front of him the best he could as he began to waver from side to side.

“Miroku!” Sanga screamed.

She and Inuyasha ran towards him as he collapsed to the ground.

“Are you okay?” she said, bending down to look at him.

He had a giant smile on his face. He held both of his palms up--they were unmared.

“It’s gone?”

“It’s gone.”

Sango joined Miroku on the ground, enveloping him into a bone-crushing hug. He took the opportunity to use both of his hands, without any prayerbeads, to do something he had wanted to do for a while--he groped her butt with both palms open and wide.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. He jumped over his two, now bickering, friends and walked over to his brother. Sesshomaru was instructing squadrons to hunt down the bits of Naraku that hadn’t been sucked up and to destroy them. Another group was told to follow Kagura to liberate the remainder of prisoners. Kohaku was to be brought back immediately.

“Good job, little brother.”

“Thanks--you didn’t do so bad either.”

Sesshomaru took a deep breath. “Today feels like it should be a good day.”

Inuyasha looked around. “Hey, yeah--it is daytime again.”

The Taiyoukai laughed. He clapped his brother on the shoulder and began to walk back to the estate.

“Hey!” Miroku called.

He and Sango were just getting up. Inuyasha noticed that they were holding hands. “I think this calls for a party, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I think we’ve partied for less,” Inuyasha yelled back. “Let’s break out the good sake.”

Miroku cheered at that. He picked up Sango and swung her around. She laughed freely for the first time since the group had met her. When sat back down on the ground, they took off to catch up with the two brothers. Miroku all but tackled Inuyasha in a friendly half hug. Sango threw her arms over his shoulders.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?”

“What does?” Sesshomaru inquired.

Sango looked up at him. “To be free.”
- 33
- 34
- 35
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 Endeavors