A/N: This is a SessKag fic, but it doesn't seem that way at first! It's IMPORTANT to note that this is set just BEFORE the Band of Seven arrives, and basically I totally warp canon after that. This is my very first fanfic, don't judge too hard orz
Bloodied Promises
Chapter 1
"Jaken."
A steady voice called, golden eyes focused on the darkness before him. The stampeding of small feet approached and the familiar smell of the demon carried through the light breeze.
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru?"
The panicked voice offered back, staring up at his lordship, who gave only the slight turn of his neck when speaking back to his accompaniment.
"Watch over Rin."
With that, the white-haired demon sprang away to God knows where, leaving the being known as Jaken clutching his staff and quietly cursing his temporary employment as a babysitter under his breath. He'd never complain in front of his master, oh no, but he could freely let his frustrations out when left alone with the sleeping human and two-headed dragon who also served as accompaniment for Sesshomaru. Where was he headed?
Why didn't his lordship ever tell the imp until he returned?
—
A pink glow emanated from the very top of the young boy's back. He watched from above the trees as the familiar woman and her band of demon-slayers strolled through the forest.
Saimyosho circled around his head. Kohaku hated the insects for one thing, but to be constantly watched by a higher power was truly what made him roll his eyes in anger and exasperation. It was dangerous to talk back— yet he knew that Naraku wasn't done with him, so for now, anything he did was technically "safe".
"The fragment is close now," the priestess began, group stopping short, and the fragment of crystal in his back already began to feel the tug of her purification powers. It would be best to retreat for now… "Only one. There."
The woman pointed directly at him. He was frozen in place. He scanned the faces of each person there, as well as the two demons— red demon, priestess, fox demon, monk, and—
A memory that felt like a bullet pierced through his mind, detailing the crying face of the demon slayer with the large weapon. She had said something to him just now, but the sound was drained from his ears and a piercing wail replaced it all. The boy's temples pounded and he pressed on them with the hand free from the tree, heart growing like a lump in his throat. His stomach fell heavy. Tears of sadness pricked at his eyes, yet he felt nothing but pain.
"Kohaku!"
Two voices fought in his head, one screaming his name, the other stating a command.
"Kill her."
Which was more important? Which does he respond to? The voices grew in his mind and the image of the crying woman became clearer. She was crying because he lie there dead.
The voices blended into one. His eyes which matched the woman's grew cold and all light escaped from them.
"Kill her,"
"Kohaku!"
Kill who? The priestess, or the demon slayer? That was for him to decide, and the true question was, which did he desire to see less?
His weapon laid at his side and he gripped the chain, spinning it in small, perfect circles just to the right of him. He could clearly see it— killing the priestess could mean and end to the pain in his heart and mind. The sharp weapon flew forth, slicing the branch in its way, leading to the woman in green.
Before any time to react was given, the chain dropped and fell back with a clang against the tree he was standing upon. There was no sickle at the end. It was just a chain.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, the savior demon found his way the the forest floor and landed with the utmost delicacy, earning a gasp across the band of significantly weaker fighters.
"Sesshomaru!"
The half-demon stared weakly at the rest of the chain in his brother's hand. Almost as if it was harming him to hold it, the golden-eyed dog demon dropped the severed weapon and began striding towards the group. Sango's fierce attitude drove her to completely ignore Sesshomaru. Pushing past his form, she watched as her brother dashed from tree-to-tree in order to make an escape.
"You drove my lead away," His expression remained dull and void of emotion despite being pushed. Kagome, still quaking in fear, stepped behind Inuyasha."…half-demon and human girl. It's because of you that I cannot track Naraku."
"I'm sor—"
"Don't apologize, Kagome!" A low growl grew in Inuyasha's throat. The nerve that this guy had! Blaming Kagome because some slave of Naraku attacked her. None of this was her fault! If anything, it was his fault for not being quick enough to save her."Kohaku keeps attacking Kagome, not the other way around! It's not like she could prevent this from happening!"
Miroku began to pull the beads off of his concealed palm. A quick gaze at Sesshomaru's hand which now oozed a green poison forced him to retreat behind Inuyasha again. Sango had already went after the freckled boy with Kirara. Shippo tugged at Kagome's knee-high sock, growling, but intimidated Sesshomaru about as much as a bunny would.
Kagome wished that she had gone with Sango as well. The evil aura around Sesshomaru's sword Tokijin grew and seemed to cry out for blood. It seemed alive.
"The boy is drawn to this human?"
Inuyasha grimaced as he realized he had let information escape his mouth. Kohaku being ordered to gather the shards Kagome had seemed most probable to the stronger demon. He explored the idea in his mind, wondering how he could use this to track the other half-demon called Naraku.
An idea finally came to mind.
"That's all I needed to know," Sesshomaru turned and began to walk back into the corner of the forest he came from. Inuyasha was actually glad that he was leaving. Fighting, for once, wasn't his aim right now.
"Kagome… I wasn't quick enough."
Inuyasha's hurt tone always pained the girl from the future to hear. It truly wasn't his fault— nobody could have expected that.
"I let Sesshomaru have all the glory, like he protects you. Keh! What a joke!"
It was comforting when Inuyasha went back to his arrogant self. That's when she knew he'd be alright.
Kagome stared at her companion with loving eyes. It was no question that she still truly loved him… it was written all over her face. Miroku felt terrible for her. While she stared at the half-demon, he was looking at the drifting soul collectors with such a look of hope and determination on his face...
—
Sango returned with no brother soon after.
"There's a great demonic energy coming from here," Miroku stared with furrowed brows at the castle before them. Inuyasha gripped Tessaiga, but let it go when he realized that it was a lie. Sango and Kagome let out a breathy sigh together. They knew the drill— look determined, "save the day", get a meal and shelter. After requesting his presence, Miroku met with a very old Lord and gave his best worried yet serious face. "Your lordship… a great evil enshrouds this home. I'd like to perform an exorcism as soon as possible." It was close to Kaede's village, which the half-demon found to be a great help, because he needed to "stop by". Inuyasha told nobody besides Miroku what his intentions were when he left for the village.
A feast was prepared in Miroku's honor after the mock exorcism. Nobody even bothered asking if there even was an actual demon that needed to be exorcised anymore— it'd been so long since anyone has slept inside. The only thing that concerned them now was getting a meal.
"Where's Inuyasha?"
An innocent question came from Kagome, lips practically sealed while she chewed the freshly cooked fish. Sango, also curious but too upset and confused to speak, looked in the monk's direction, awaiting an answer.
"He said… he saw Kikyo's soul collectors… and left for her." Miroku regretted saying so, but he knew he'd regret lying even more.
Kagome said nothing. Shippo stopped chewing and gazed up at her. She started towards the door until Sango quickly stood, attracting her attention back to the room. "Are you going back to your time?"
"No… I just wanna check on him." She turned to avoid letting her see the tears beginning to form.
"I'll go as well."
Sango and Kagome took Kirara to the village. A soul collector flew past them on their way, and they followed it into a section of the forest nearby. It disappeared, as if Kikyo knew they were coming. Kirara reverted to her previous form and hitched a ride on Sango's shoulder.
Inuyasha's voice carried through the trees, and they chased after it, until the two were found standing with orbs of light surrounding them both. The dog demon seemed angry.
"No, Kikyo! Stop saying I do! I don't love her!"
Kagome dropped to her knees. A twig underneath her cracked, and three sets of eyes stared at her, one sad, one emotionless, another full of shock and guilt.
Sango brought the girl upright again and had Kirara transform. Kagome's heart felt like it had completely sunk deep into her belly, down, down, and the words stabbed her like a knife, but what was worse was the feeling of strong hands gripping her shoulders and shaking her out of whatever type of trance she was in. It didn't work.
Sango's motherly instincts drew her to push Inuyasha back. She left a glare for Kikyo, pulling the girl who was still alive onto the demon cat, obviously furious. Kagome's brain ached. Her heart seemed to have melted away.
"A dead woman, you leave Kagome for a woman made of dirt!"
"Leave Kagome?! Sango! It's not like that!"
Kirara lept forward and bounded into the sky. Kagome's head rested on the other woman's back. Water seemed to fill her lungs and pour through her eyes.
"Sango! Kagome!"
His voice became distant like a fading memory. The two, engulfed in a sad silence, made it back to the castle. Kagome asked to be left alone and her friend had no problem doing just that. Her head in her hands, the human let Kikyo's words of each encounter they had run wild. How could Inuyasha love someone who insulted his friends, insulted him? She knew he didn't love her— they discussed that. But to hear him say those words…
"Human,"
A familiar voice surrounded Kagome. She stared up, seeing an almost completely white silhouette, and wiping her eyes, made it out to be Sesshomaru.
"Come with me."
Kagome blinked, in utter disbelief. "S-Sesshomaru…?"
