ok heres the story i'm changing Nokomento's name
reason: a wonderful artist had this name for longer than i (i dnt want to be stealing) and i love this artist so!
sorry for the repost! my reviewers and watchers dnt have to re read.
Sakura's only bloom in blood
Summary: Naraku is dead but he's made one last incarnation…one so perfect, so sinister, he might be more vile than Naraku himself. With the group dispatched for good can kagome overcome his power by herself or will she ask for help from a cold demon lord?
Pairings include:
Sessh/Kag
Miro/San
Inu/Kik
Other characters
Renku: was kagome's guardian in object of my affection. I love him sooo much so I had to bring him back!!! Yay! Renku: large wolf slightly taller than kirara is a telepath meaning he can talk without moving his mouth in wolf form. Silver flames when he flies like kirara's orange ones(on his feet only not his tail).
HUMAN FORM: slim build muscular, black hair that reaches mid back. Silver eyes and harnesses the silver flame (the flames like kirara's only more powerful) he can fly!!! Has the power of a wizard too!!!!! HE HATES HIS HUMAN FORM!!! But uses it to train kagome and aid her when she's seriously injured.
Sukinomaru: it's a secrete! (bio at end of chap)(new name)
Chapter 1 Grass
Ebony tendrils drifted lazily in the breeze as its owner lay in the tall grasses humming softly. Fireflies buzzed around her, glowing and fading with a soft silent tune. Behind her a rather large wolf lay with its head draped across its front legs its ears would subconsciously turn with every soft and loud sound, and curled in his tail was a kit that was snoring slightly with his mouth slightly open. The wolf heard the faint cracking of leaves and twigs coming their way and growled to alert the girl. Kagome used her powers and found that it was only a human girl.
"It's ok Renku." The girl came through the bushes and stopped to regain her breath. Looking frantically around the small clearing, she noticed kagome and a wide grin spread across her face.
"Kagome!" the girl raced over to her and peered down on the girl lying in the grasses.
"Hey Rin." Kagome sat up and swept over her hair once removing stray grass blades. Rin sat beside her and looked behind her to the wolf and smiled. The wolf perked his ears towards her then laid his head back across his paws. Rin's fears of wolves had dissipated thanks to frequent visits to kagome and Renku. Kagome had been in the western lands for a month now and had only two weeks ago ran into Sesshomaru and his little group again. She was now looking at the young girl beside her. Rin had grown a lot. She was now 11 and her hair was longer and the once orange kimono was replaced by a slightly longer green one with grey leaves along the sleeves. Kagome smiled and placed her hand on Rin's head.
"So where's Sesshomaru Rin, and why are you not with Jaken?" rin frowned then pouted.
"Jaken was being mean to me so I ran away, I should head back though lord Sesshomaru might be worried." Kagome nodded and looked into the sky for the first time. She hadn't realized how dark it had gotten. The fireflies had long since gone and the cicadas were loud in her ear. She glanced back to Renku and saw his silver eyes gleam back at her.
"I don't want you going alone. I'll drop you off do you know where he is?" rin nodded quickly and jumped to her feet.
"Lord Sesshomaru is by the river!" kagome smiled and stood brushing the grass blades from her baggy cargos. She walked over to Renku and roused Shippo.
"Shippo I need you to wake up." The kit slowly opened his eyes and groggily stood allowing Renku to stand and shake his fur. Kagome mounted the wolf and mentioned for Rin to sit in front of her, shippo climbed on behind and upon instinct latched his arms around kagome's waist. Kagome glanced back to see him sleep again.
"Renku are you ready?" the wolf took a minute to sniff the air before replying.
'Sesshomaru is no longer by the river he has moved further away.' Kagome nodded.
"Then we'll meet him." Kagome then wrapped her arms around Rin. Renku quickly shot through the trees silently running close enough to the river. He spotted Sesshomaru up ahead with the imp beside him. He slowed to a trot then a complete stop as he now stood behind him.
Sesshomaru had sensed the miko and the wolf for days now and when Rin had suddenly disappeared he made no move to go after her. Rin's sent had always lead to the girls. He turned to face them and saw rin getting off the wolf and running his way.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" he gave a curt nod and Rin squeezed his waist then ran to Jaken. Sesshomaru fixed his gaze on the miko in front of him. She had been waving to rin. Her eyes had caught his and she smiled at him then.
"Good to see you again Sesshomaru- Sama." He nodded again and watched as Rin raced back to her before the wolf took off.
"Kagome! I have something for you!" Sesshomaru fixed his eyes on the flower rin gave kagome then he became curious as kagome bent the stem of the flower and wrapped it around her wrist and thanked Rin.
"Rin." Said girl ran by his side and smiled brightly at him. Kagome gave one last good by as the wolf turned and raced into the trees. They had been running through the night when kagome felt him stop and glance around.
"What is it Renku?" the wolf growled.
'We entered Inuyasha's forest two hours ago, he is following us.' Kagome tightened her grip on Renku's mane and bit her bottom lip.
'kagome.' she closed her eyes as memories from a year ago flashed through her head along with unwanted comments. Kagome cleared her mind and could faintly hear his footsteps as he drew closer.
"Take to the sky and head for the well." The wolf leaped into the sky leaving a streak of silver flames behind him. Kagome let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding. They landed in the well clearing at sun rise and kagome gently pried shippo's arms from her waist and slid from the wolf. Shippo woke a few minutes later and rubbed his eyes. With a yawn he got off Renku and looked around.
"Where are we kagome?" kagome sighed and turned to her son. She smiled lightly at how much he'd grown. He was now Rin's age a healthy young demon. He had long since grown out his puff ball ponytail it now reached the middle of his shoulders and his tail had began to look like an actual foxes tail.
"We are in Inuyasha's forest." Shippo turned to look fully at the well. Renku had been lying in front of it, kagome's bag sat beside him; he opened his eyes to look at the kit then closed them again. He nodded then went to kagome's side. Shippo now reached her elbows in height. Kagome walked over to her bag which was now black and sat her bow and arrows beside it. She sat down and sighed shippo had been sniffing the air for a while.
"What do you smell shippo?" he wrinkled his nose.
"Can't tell it's sent is complex…" he trailed off and turned to kagome.
"Like magic." Renku's head snapped up. Around his neck was an amulet that resembled a wolf's paw print with an amethyst oval in the center. It was a mark of power the highest amount of magical power. It was the mark of a wizard. Kagome glanced at the wolf. He had told her of his past. He was considered the most powerful in terms of wielding magic and spells, he was taught by tsukimori the lord of the east himself. Kagome had met him when the group was still together and carefree, four years ago when she was naïve and still in love, When she was helplessly lost in the woods. She had met him then when he was in his human form.
'Run.' She had been blindly running through the forest she screeched as the dragon pounded the ground in an attack to throw her into the air. She had heard voices up ahead and raced faster. She came to a hill and down below she saw 0demons training. It was a fairly steep hill but she would survive if she rolled. The dragon came crashing through the trees and alerted the demons down below. Kagome's eyes widened she screamed as he attacked she tumbled over the cliff and descended down the hill rolling through the grass. She had cut her arms trying to gain leverage. The dragon was hot on her tail. She gritted her teeth and planted her feet in the grass. She pulled out her single arrow and aimed. The dragon opened his mouth revealing five jewel shards it had. Kagome poured all of her power into the arrow and fired. She heard the voices down below and a shout to aid her. When she glanced to the dragon her eyes widened it was too close and it had begun to disintegrate. She'd be burned alive. Then there were arms wrapped around her.
"Are you hurt?" she shook her head. She saw as he held out his hand and it began to glow and she watched as the dragon shimmer then turned into a flock of white feathers as they blew past them. The person holding her leaped into the air and landed on the clearing below and set her down. Four other demons gathered around her.
"Look at this strange human." One with yellow hair stated.
"She is miko." Another one with green hair spoke.
"Stand aside." They moved and a demon with snow white hair stood in front of her. His eyes were lavender with specks of blue. She recognized him immediately. She bowed.
"Lord Tsukimori." He seemed taken back but smiled.
"A miko of knowledge how is it a dragon was chasing after you?" kagome frowned.
"I had been running away and it sorta followed…Gomen for barging in on your training." Tsukimori grinned.
"Not a problem if it wasn't for Renku here you would have been a goner." She turned to the one who saved her. He was well sculpted as his haori hung open. she saw he had mid back length jet black hair and two spiked tendrils of hair that hung loosely over his right eye which she saw were the most striking silver she had ever saw. She smiled at him and bowed.
"arigato." He nodded and handed her the shards.
"Kagome!" she turned in time to see a flash of red.
"Lady Kagome!" she turned to Tsukimori and nodded her thanks. Inuyasha came up on them and immediately grabbed her arm.
"What the hell were you doing?!" he growled out completely oblivious to the audience.
"I…I was…why do I have to explain myself to you!?" she bit back.
"It's not like you care what happens to your precious shard detector!" she threw the shards at him and stormed off to the other girl in the distance. Tsukimori was suddenly angered and stood in front of Inuyasha.
"Who the hell are you?!" Inuyasha yelled.
"I'm Tsukimori, lord of the east watch your mouth pup." He growled back.
"INUYASHA!" his ears flinched and the look of horror marred his face. Tsukimori took a step back half expecting the girl to attack.
"SIT!" he crashed landed into the ground. Kagome waved as they left.
She had been sitting on the lip of the well crying slightly when she felt the presence of another. Her head shot up and she was looking at the demon that saved her from the dragon months ago. Something was different about him now it was like his power was so strong she could practically smell it herself.
"You're" she noticed the amulet that hung around his neck and settled itself on his chest.
"Why do you put up with the half breed?" she wiped the tears.
"Because there is no other place for me."
"Then go on your own." She looked at him then.
"Why are you helping me? Why are you here?" he crossed his arms across his chest and turned silver eyes on her.
"Because I've surpassed my training and I've mastered my power. Have you?" her eyes widened.
"In such a short time?" he said nothing
"I see, well I guess you can stay." She smiled and he handed her another amulet one similar to his.
"This will keep a connection between us." She hesitantly placed it around her neck. He sat on the ground with his back to the well.
"Renku right? Tsukimori only just started training you…" she trailed off.
"I've already had the knowledge of magical power I just needed to learn how to channel that power. Tsukimori only taught me that, my sensei was of a greater being…one of another world completely." Kagome held the amulet in her hand.
"I…I want you to journey with me when I leave."
She smiled, that day at the well Renku had sat with her talking of his training with Tsukimori and how she had interrupted a very rigid summoning spell with her dragon buddy; she laughed and told him about everyone in the group and her shattering the jewel and their journey to find all the shards and to kill Naraku. He had also showed her his wolf form, and succeeded in turning Inuyasha into the cutest puppy she ever saw. From then on they had been inseparable.
"Kagome?" she snapped out of it and focused on shippo.
"I'm sorry shippo what was that?" he sighed.
"I said it's gone." she nodded and stood. So did Renku.
'Stay here.' She nodded and watched as he ran into the trees.
"Shippo, can you smell him?" Shippo sniffed the air then shook his head.
"No." she sighed, Renku returned carrying a rusted katana with a semi broken blade. Kagome took it from him and sighed.
"You want me to use this? Why can't you just make me a sword?" the wolf glared at her.
"You need to learn how to channel your power into different weapons so you'll never be without one you know that." kagome grunted and nodded. She had been at this training since last year shortly following Naraku's death. Renku transformed and stood tall before her. He held his hand out and it glowed as a sword began to materialize in his palm. It was long slender and curved up slightly. The hilt was covered in gold thread. At the base where the sword and hilt meet was a wolf's paw print carved in a light sheen of gold. Once it materialized he set the blade in the grass. The hilt reached his collar meaning the sword was huge in size.
"Form your sword." She nodded and closed her eyes. She concentrated her power and allowed it to flow into the broken sword. Her power swirled around it and the blade began to form. It was slender and sharp it looked similar to Tokijin except her blade was smaller and the hilt was covered in a white silk wrapping. She opened her eyes and took on a defensive stance.
"Take the offence kagome, attack me with a side attack." Kagome nodded and held the sword at her side. She started sprinting toward him allowing it to dust the ground. She gripped the sword tighter when she was nearly by his side she swung hard the sword coming up on his waist. A loud clanking of metal was heard as he deflected the attack with blinding speed. They held their stance.
"Good but you have to be faster. Try it again and this time, go for the left as well." She nodded and jumped back. Running again she attacked his right side only for him to deflect again then she turned and swung the sword in front of her and attacked his left, he deflected that with the palm of his hand.
"You're still to slow, try again." He released the sword and she jumped from him. The sun was low on the horizon clashes of metal on metal were heard from all around the forest. Kagome panted heavenly she finally had gotten it right. Renku smirked.
"Good job kagome now attack from above." Kagome nodded. Their training's usually last for days; kagome's endurance would be put to the test. Renku wasn't the kind to train her with breaks in between; he was just as harsh as Sesshomaru. She began running surprised she wasn't tired. She leaped into the air and held the sword high above her head. She brung it down hard and it clashed against Renku's sword. She saw him crack a smile and she retreated quickly.
"Good…now let's see you…" he grabbed the hilt of the sword and began walking, then very quickly he disappeared. Kagome took defensive, she looked around but she couldn't feel his aura. He's never done this before, he had warned her that their training would be different but she never thought he would actually attack. Her eyes widened when he was in front of her the huge sword advancing, she quickly defended and held her ground.
"…hit me." She gritted her teeth and swung her sword colliding with nothing but air. He materialized a few feet back.
"Very good reflexes. When the body is at its limit your true power comes forth." She nodded.
"again." He advanced and so did she, both swords meeting up in the center of the clearing. Shippo's nose twitched as he shot up, he had been sleeping through their training against the well. Now he sensed it, it was his sent and it was coming at a fairly fast rate, they wouldn't have a chance to escape and kagome isn't ready to face him. He jumped up.
"Kagome! He's here!" both fighters stopped in mid motion both swords barely an inch apart. Kagome felt his aura and how strong it had gotten. Then he was there standing in the clearing as well. The red fire rat haori flapped gently in the wind along with silver hair. Golden eyes flashed at her. Renku moved his sword to face him. Kagome only stood there with wide eyes.
"What the hell are you doing in my forest?" Renku saw his hand fly to rest on the hilt of tetsuiga. He would fight if he had to.
"Training." Renku said with an ease in his voice. Inuyasha growled and unsheathed Tetsuiga facing it toward Renku. Guilt was in his eyes but then anger replaced it.
"I thought I told you…" he ran for him and his sword met air.
"To never come back!" As he came up on kagome and swung his sword it clashed against Renku's his eyes hard and filled with anger.
"Move." Renku growled and pushed Inuyasha back and racing for him again his sword nearly slicing Inuyasha's ears off. Inuyasha ducked and lunged foreword fully intent on impaling him, his eyes widened as Renku dissipated in the form of mist. Inuyasha grunted as he slid against the ground. Renku had kicked him hard in the back. Renku glanced over to kagome and found that she had placed her bag on her shoulders and waved to him. It was time to go. Renku to another look at Inuyasha he was lifting himself off the ground. He quickly grabbed kagome and raced into the sky. Inuyasha was up within seconds.
"Oh no you don't." he raised his sword in the air and allowed the swirl of wind to surround it.
"WINDSCAR!" Renku gritted his teeth as he flew faster. Kagome was clutching his chest so hard her nails were biting into his flesh drawing blood, her lips were trembling and her eyes were wide. Renku could feel the heat on his back as Inuyasha backed up his first attack with another. They would be caught. Renku closed his eyes and concentrated as he came to a complete stop his body began to glow as the wind scar engulfed them.
Renku slid down the bark of a tree blood leaving a trail behind him. Kagome lay in his arms near death and motionless. Renku had used a transportation spell before the blunt of the attack was unleashed but he had never expected to come out so beaten. Inuyasha had grown stronger since their last run in. Renku looked down at kagome and hoped shippo had reached Tsukimori. Even though he had shielded her she was still hit. He was breathing hard and his beast threatened to come forth out of protection. This was the only time that he was beaten so badly especially from an attack of a sword. He would kill Inuyasha for this. He could smell kagome's blood and immediately checked for wounds. He saw that her arms were severely burned. No skin remained and they were blistering and bleeding. Her face had only a few scratches but she was winching and her fingers were twitching from the spasms in her arms. He growled low holding her close he tried to focus on gaining control when shippo came into the clearing panting from running. He focused on the red eyed Renku and held his breath.
"Shippo…go to the village….get some bandages and ointment if you can….go now." Shippo nodded and raced back into the forest. Renku stood and winched then slowly laid an unconscious kagome on the ground under a tree and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. Kagome had broken out into a sweat. He kneeled down and gently picked up her arm. She whimpered and slowly opened her eyes. Renku smiled then directed his attention back to her arm. He allowed his power to channel to her arm. She yelped at the pain.
"Try to be still kagome, I'm allowing my aura to heal the worst of It." she nodded, just as he finished with the other arm shippo returned.
"The elder said he refused to help demons." Renku took the stolen bandages and ointment from shippo and set them down.
"Don't worry about it, what you have here is enough." shippo took a seat beside kagome as Renku wrapped her entire arm starting from her elbow and ending at the tips of her fingers. He did this to the other arm as well. When he was done he moved in front of her.
"You won't be able to use your powers or wield a bow." She nodded and stood.
"We better get going." Renku nodded and bent down to allow Kagome on his back.
"You're not transforming?" she asked placing her hands on his shoulders.
"I have to dress your wounds." She nodded and climbed on. Renku then hooked his arms under her legs and glanced to shippo who strapped her bag over his shoulders. When shippo was ready he leaped into the air. The second after angered villagers stormed the area.
Sesshomaru was in his study preparing for the eastern lords arrival when the sent of blood drifted past his nose it was faint almost gone. He stood and walked to window. After sniffing the air again he leaped out the window. Mixed with the sent of blood was his brothers sent and the smell of power. The sent lead him to an open grass field; the surrounding trees were blown apart and had littered the grass. Golden eyes then shifted downward to the brown splotches, after a few seconds of confirmation he kneeled down and placed two fingers over the stain and allowed his poison to drip onto it. It did exactly what he was hoping for. It sizzled and smoked.
'Demon blood.' He stood and walked to an intact tree, he placed his hand over a deep scar in the bark, closing his eyes he focused on the small aura of power surrounding the tree. He stood back and directed his attention behind him.
"The wind scar." The wind blew again bringing the sent of fresh blood and ash with it. He formed his demonic cloud and flew back westward.
Renku landed and glanced around the area. They were deep in the west almost borderline with the south. He looked behind him to shippo who had just jumped down from the trees.
"So where are we?" shippo asked looking around. Renku sniffed the air.
"We are still in the west but if we continue to go north we'll be in the southern lands." Shippo nodded and looked at kagome. She was nestled in Renku's arms, her head on his chest. She still had a high fever and they had even worse problems her burns weren't healing. Shippo knew Renku was pushing himself he had taken the blunt of the attack. His back had been badly scorched by the Wind scar's double attack, which was why he was carrying kagome. Shippo could feel all the demons behind them that were following the sent of blood. He also knew that Renku knew, and wondered why he hasn't killed them yet. Renku let loose a growl and Shippo's fur stood. Something powerful was coming at a quick rate, something evil. Renku turned and gently placed kagome in Shippo's arms. He turned and formed his sword as Naraku revealed himself.
"It's good to finally see you again." Renku noticed something off about him. That's when he saw it, his eyes lack the power that they once had four years ago. Somehow he knew that this Naraku was a fake.
"Who are you?" Naraku only smiled and directed his attention to the slumbering kagome.
"Still as beautiful…but not nearly…" his eyes caught with Renku's. Renku saw the opportunity and attacked. Naraku unleashed a barrage of tentacles and smiled wickedly as Renku sliced through them. When he reached Naraku Renku raised his sword and brung it down. Naraku blocked and Renku attacked his side pleased when he heard the ripping of flesh. Renku jumped back when Naraku's skin began to drip off his face. Anger washed over Naraku as clumps of flesh from his cheek dropped onto his haori.
"Look at what you've done! You stupid animal, you destroyed my costume!" the flesh peeled fully away revealing flawless pale smooth skin and burning wild blue eyes.
"I was hoping to have a little more fun with you before I revealed myself." Black feathers surrounded him and he was covered in a black cocoon of feathers and when they blew away seconds later a new demon stood before them. Renku gripped his sword tighter. The demon in front of him had blazing orange hair that flowed down his back in layers and his marine blue eyes glinted with evil. On his forehead was a medium sized black feather. Renku didn't wait for his introduction, instead he charged and swung. His sword was blocked by the demons clawed hand. He tossed Renku's sword and twisted his arm behind his back. The mysterious demon brung his lips to Renku's ear.
"I haven't introduced myself…" his snake like tongue lashed out against his tipped ear.
"I'm Sukinomaru, Naraku's last and final incarnation." Renku growled and thrust the demon off him. He raced to his sword and by the time he had turned around to face him again, he was looking at himself. Shocked silver eyes met their counterpart. The imposter across from him smiled wickedly and he held his hand out. Renku watched somewhat amazed as his own sword formed in the demons hands. He heard him laugh.
"Surprised? Don't be, Naraku made me perfect, he graced me with the power to transform myself into any one and anything I come in contact with. I can mirror your attacks perfectly and throw them back at you with ten times that power." he charged just as Renku did. Clanks of metal were heard around the small field. Shippo looked down to the now awake kagome. She had awoke since Sukinomaru came from Naraku's flesh. She was now watching the battle with wide eyes. One of the Renku's noticed her and smiled. The battle stopped, kagome didn't know which was which both looked exactly the same. Then in the blink of her eyes the tearing sound of flesh was heard throughout the area. She looked on in horror as one of the Renku's slumped onto the other. She saw the other Renku smile and pull his sword from his gut. His eyes connected with hers as a thud was heard. Her face paled. It was her Renku that had gotten impaled. It was her Renku that laid on the ground a fine trail of crimson making its way to her, and it was his pale silver eyes that told her to run. The poser stood in front of her smiling.
"kagome." his hand shot out and wrapped around her neck. Shippo made a move but was knocked unconscious with the back of his sword. Turning his attention back to kagome silver eyes faded into blue, his hair slowly faded from black back to its original fire orange.
"The reason why Naraku created me…" he squeezed harder as her hands wrapped around his wrist in an attempt to free herself.
"My soul purpose on this filth called earth…" fierce blue eyes collided with hers and she knew then that she was going to die. Everything that Renku taught her was jumbled in her panic. Her eyes caught with the closed ones of Renku's and tears poured from her eyes.
"Is to end your pathetic life." She heard the sword raising. She closed her eyes and let her mind clear. The minute his sword was at her stomach she opened her eyes and released her power. He was blown back but used his sword to stop himself. Kagome held a hand to her neck to ease the pain then directed her attention to the demon. He had wiped some blood from the side of his lip.
"So you're not as weak as I thought." She was running out of time. She looked over to shippo and raced to him. She removed her pendant and placed it on his chest. She had to get to Renku; her only problem was that demon. He had been standing too close to her fallen friend.
"Sukinomaru right? Why do you want me dead?" she heard him laugh.
"It's simple really, it's Naraku's last wish and even though I despise the bastard, the least I can do being his last, is to fulfill his dying request." He ran for her but she blocked with a barrier and raced to Renku. She dropped to her knees.
"Renku! Please open your eyes, cast a spell, Renku!" Tears were once again cascading down her cheeks as Sukinomaru turned and ran her way. She saw him open his eyes by an inch.
"please." He closed his eyes and his amulet began to glow. They were incased in a pure white orb that joined with shippo's and disappeared before Sukinomaru had brung his sword down on kagome. Sukinomaru stood in the clearing with his head tilted up to the sky.
"So she managed to escape." A smirk graced his lips as he dropped the blood stained sword.
"At least I managed to wound her…and I had a taste of that wonderful wolf." He licked his lips as black wings sprang from his back. He took to the sky and headed into the southern lands.
They landed by a stream. Kagome whimpered and bit her bottom lip as she held Renku's head in her lap. Shippo had managed to bandage his wound but it refused to stop bleeding. Kagome closed her eyes and focused on her miko abilities. She opened her eyes shocked.
"My powers are gone." she looked down on her bandaged arms.
"What can we do?" her eyes slowly began to close as her body began to shut down. Shippo raced to her.
"Kagome? What's…" he saw the deepening red splotch on her shirt and cursed under his breath. He scented the air; there wasn't any human village near them. They were however close to the eastern lord's castle.
'He managed to come this far into the east; we are out of the west completely.' Shippo stood and picked up the amulet. Concentrating on his fox magic he formed an orb to the best of his abilities and flew in the direction of the eastern estate.
Tsukimori walked the halls in his estate calmly nodding to the maids as he went. His snow white hair had been pulled into a high ponytail. He stopped as one of his generals stopped in front of him and bowed.
"My lord there is something approaching the castle." Tsukimori nodded.
"Do you have any confirmation of what it is?" the general seemed to hesitate.
"The spy's informed me that it was an orb, it was moving at a medium speed directly for us." Tsukimori hardened his lavender eyes.
"Ready the outside troops and follow Me." once outside Tsukimori stood in front of the castle gates. The orb burst from the trees and floated in front of them.
"Are you the eastern lord?" the voice coming from the orb seemed warped and uneven. Tsukimori placed a hand over the hilt of his sword.
"yes." The general made a move but was stopped by Tsukimori's hand. The orb began to wobble and close in on itself. In a gust of wind it popped and its occupants were dropped out. Shippo shook his head and looked down at kagome and Renku. The sent of blood hit everyone in the area and they immediately stood down. Shippo raced to Tsukimori only to be stopped by the guard who grabbed both of his arms.
"Let go, they need help! Please you have to help my mother!" shippo growled and elbowed the guard in the stomach. When he dropped to the ground he raced to Tsukimori who stood his ground. Shippo then grabbed his sleeve.
"Please! You're the only one who can help, they'll die." Shippo slowly dropped his hand and walked back to kagome. Tsukimori walked over to them and surveyed the damage. The two adults were badly beaten. He focused his attention on the demon lying across the girl and shock crossed his face.
"Renku." The guards gasped.
"Take them in the castle, get Hariko now!" he shouted. He turned his attention to the trembling kit on the ground.
"Kit, on your feet." Shippo slowly stood and glanced at the blood stained ground.
"Do not look at the blood." Shippo raised his eyes to the lavender ones. Tsukimori placed his hand on shippo's shoulder.
"You did well, not many foxes can fuse their power with demon magic." Shippo nodded. Tsukimori turned.
"Do not worry they are fine now."
Sesshomaru landed his demonic cloud in front of the eastern estate, Ah Un landed behind him with Rin and Jaken on his back. The eastern lord put off his visit with him by five weeks and he wanted to know why. Tsukimori emerged from the castle and greeted him with a smile.
"Lord Sesshomaru! I was beginning to wonder when you would show." His voice became serious.
"There is something I want you to see." Sesshomaru followed behind Tsukimori after setting Rin in her room. They walked to the healer's hall and stopped outside of a door.
"They have come to my castle five weeks ago so near death that my healer refused to heal them." He slid the door open to reveal kagome sitting up in her bed glancing out the window. Renku had been on the other side of the room staring at her.
"Kagome-chan how are you fairing?" Sesshomaru's ears perked and his ears focused on her. Her blue eyes caught with his.
"Nice to see you again Sesshomaru-sama, tsukimori-san I'm fine." She smiled for only a split second before it slowly dropped and her hand came and rested on her bandaged arm.
"Kagome does it still hurt?" Renku asked attempting to sit up. Kagome saw this and slowly slid from her bed. Reaching out to steady herself she winched. When she reached Renku she placed her hand on his shoulder and laid him back down.
"I'll be fine it's only third degree burns." She smiled and stood and walked to Tsukimori and bowed.
"Thank you tsukimori-san for allowing us to recover at your castle." he smiled and directed her back to bed.
"Your arms aren't fully healed, rest kagome-chan I expect you to be available for dinner tonight." She smiled at him and nodded. After tsukimori slid the door closed he turned to Sesshomaru.
"They were attacked, once by your brother the other by an Incarnation." Sesshomaru nodded. The field he had came upon that day was the remains of their battle. They were walking past a window when something caught his eye. It was a flower. Tsukimori caught him and stopped.
"Those are demon flowers, commonly known as Sakurachi, they bloom in blood." Sesshomaru found interest in this bit of information.
"In blood you say?" Tsukimori nodded.
"The souls of kind hearted demons that have passed take over Sakura flowers, those Sakura flowers then absorb into the ground, when blood is spilt over them they bloom. They tend to take on four forms, demon blood blooms a flower that has a light blue stem and bright orange and red petals. Human blood tends to have a normal looking flower with bright yellow petals. A Hanyou's flower is odd in itself, its stem is bright pink and its petals range in different sizes and are blue with orange stripes. Miko and priest blood form a very beautiful flower. The stem is a deep magenta; its petals are large with a striking pink laced with black stripes." Sesshomaru nodded now fully interested.
"You seem to know a lot Tsukimori." Sesshomaru stated curtly.
"My mother used to grow them constantly." Tsukimori stated continuing to walk.
"Blood lust?" Tsukimori chuckled.
"You could put that way." The two continued on down the halls of the castle unaware of the unseen butterflies that floated across the windows.