Summary: This story is based on Episode 156 when Inuyasha and Co. go after the final shard at the border between the living and the afterlife. Sesshoumaru follows after Naraku to destroy him once and for all when he finds Inuyasha has dragged his mate there too...
Final Battle at the Graveside! Sesshoumaru VS Inuyasha
Chapter One – The Graveside
"Housenki why would you let Naraku claim your shard but not us?" Kagome asked "Don't you realize he is trying to destroy the world you once lived in?" Housenki the skull head youkai looked at Kagome
"Do not question me you human filth" He shot one of his spikes at Kagome who was on top of one of the skull birds, the bird quickly dodged but not fast enough. The spike slit her cheek and a small amount of blood began to slide down her face "The half breed is dead and if you continue to open your mouth you shall share his fate"
"I'm not DEAD" Inuyasha dived up from the mist and landed on another skull bird "How dare you hurt Kagome, Housenki it is hard to believe that you were once a great youkai in the land of the living" Inuyasha lifted his Tetsusaiga and shouted "WIND SCAR" The blast hit the departed youkai but had little effect
"Impossible" Miroku gasped
Naraku held the last shard in his hand and pieced his skin with it so that his thick crimson blood would taint it further, he began to smirk to himself when he saw Kagome's arrow come his way. A barrier suddenly appeared around him as he began to laugh at the miko "Your efforts are in vain, I cannot be slain by a mere human wench. But if it's a fight you want I'll be happy to oblige" Naraku then send an energy blast Kagome's way that destroyed the skull bird she was sitting on. She fell down into the mist screaming
"HELP ME"
"KAGOME" Sango screamed "Kirara after her" But before they could get any further Housenki attacked them
"I'll save her" Inuyasha shouted but Housenki stopped him too
"Do not try anything" Housenki ordered...
Meanwhile Sesshoumaru had just crossed into the border with Jaken who was clinging to his fur pelt, he heard someone scream which sounded all to familiar 'That sounded like Kagome's scream' He flew in direction of the scream which was down under the mist, he picked up her scent that was mixed with her blood 'Damn it' The young Prince cursed as he continued to look for her. He found her laying in the palm of one of his father's boned hands, he landed beside her and wasn't surprised to find her unconscious
"Kagome?" He called her gently "Kagome open your eyes" He ordered a little more firmer but nothing happened. He lifted her into his arms and stood
"Sesshoumaru..." She breathed as she slowly opened her eyes "H-how are you here?"
"I came to defeat Naraku but I didn't expect to find you here and injured" He growled
"I'm okay I've only got a scratch on my face, I'm slightly surprised to find there's no broken bones" She whispered "It's weird though, it's as if something slowed my fall"
"Perhaps the Gods do not wish your death yet" He said as he looked up at his father, he then held her bridal style and flew to where the battle was.
Inuyasha was fighting in rage thinking that he lost his best friend and like-sister, Sango was crying as she threw her Hirakotsu at Housenki, Miroku was throwing his sutras at Naraku trying to break the barrier and Shippo just cried at the thought of his dead surrogate mother
"Die half breed" Housenki shouted as he wrapped himself around Inuyasha and dragged the hanyou inside his father with himself as he made a hole. Sesshoumaru flew up in between Naraku and Kirara when he saw Inuyasha now standing in the gap of their father's armour/body. Sesshoumaru flew down to where his half brother was and landed, he then set Kagome down and punched Inuyasha in the face
"What was that for?" Inuyasha snapped
"How dare you a half demon disturb our father's final resting place and bring my mate to such a dangerous place" He growled. He then flew back into the battle as Jaken fell off the fur pelt and landed beside Kagome's feet. Kirara landed in the hole as Sango jumped off her and dived onto Kagome
"I thought I lost you" She cried
"I'm fine Sango" Kagome reassured as she hugged her back
Sesshoumaru landed upon a small amount of land opposite Naraku but in front of Inuyasha and Co. "Vermin" Sesshoumaru growled
"Prince Sesshoumaru" Naraku smiled "Always a pleasure to see you" He saw Sesshoumaru unsheathe his sword and smirked "If you wish to fight me out of this barrier then so be it" Naraku's tentacles then emerged from the barrier and flew Sesshoumaru's way
"Naraku today is the day you die" Sesshoumaru then raised his sword "Dragon Strike" The blast sliced the tentacles but miasma began to seep out and hit Sesshoumaru
"MILORD" Jaken squawked as his lord was engulfed in the smoke of the miasma. When all the smoke disappeared Sesshoumaru still stood there with not even a scratch on him, as all of this was happening Housenki had turned pure and was helping Inuyasha to strengthen his sword
"Naraku do you honestly believe I could be harmed by your pathetic miasma?" Sesshoumaru asked a little irritated
"Of course not Prince Sesshoumaru" Sesshoumaru then raised his sword once again "I would not do that as you shall put others in danger" Just as he said this he heard Kagome's scream
"AH the miasma's coming in" She quickly pulled out a quiver and purified the miasma with her bow "That was close"
"So Prince Sesshoumaru will you risk the life of the one you love or will you destroy me?" Naraku asked as his barrier left him completely "It is your choice" This time Sesshoumaru was the one who smirked
"Naraku I shall end your pathetic life now, DRAGON STRIKE" The blast hit Naraku full on who gasped in surprise and pain "Kagome now"
"Here goes" Kagome placed the arrow in her bow and aimed it at the dark hanyou "GO" She released the arrow that shot Naraku directly in the heart, Naraku's body crumpled into millions of different pieces as Kagome saw the last jewel shard floating amongst them "There's the last jewel shard" She shouted. She beckoned her hand towards it and the shard flew into her hands and immediately purified, Sesshoumaru landed beside Kagome as they all watched Naraku's broken body disappear
"Do you think he's dead?" Sango asked
"No" Miroku replied whilst looking at his cursed hand
Inuyasha however had still been training with Housenki who had just died passing the Adamant Barrage into the Tetsusaiga, the hanyou turned to the gang and smirked "Now let's go kill Naraku"
"Sorry Inuyasha but he got away again" Kagome said with a slight sigh. Inuyasha looked from her to Sesshoumaru to find him glaring at him
"What are you glaring for?" Inuyasha asked a little annoyed
"Why would you bring Kagome to such a dangerous place?" Sesshoumaru growled
"It's not as if I forced her to come, I would rather bring her here with me rather than leave her on her own"
"You could have always brought her to me"
"Well I didn't think about that did I?" Inuyasha snapped
"Alright break it up you two" Kagome interrupted "What matters is that we're all okay" Suddenly Myouga who had been hiding all though this jumped onto Inuyasha's shoulder
"Lord Inuyasha we must leave before we are sealed here for eternity" The old flea panicked
"But how Myouga?" Inuyasha asked
"The same way as Prince Sesshoumaru entered now hurry we must leave"
"It amazes me that you didn't leave by yourself Myouga" A voice echoed around them, suddenly The Great Dog Demon's body began to shake "Leave this body quickly"
"Kagome come here" Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome into his arms as Jaken grabbed his pelt once again "Inuyasha we must leave" Knowing his brother could not fly he grabbed Inuyasha by his collar and flew out of their father's body with Kirara following, Sesshoumaru set Inuyasha down on once of the skull birds along with Jaken as he kept his hold on Kagome
"Prince Sesshoumaru you recognized that voice too didn't you?" Myouga asked
"Yes" Suddenly the two inuyoukai's father's body disappeared before their eyes "We must leave"
"But Sesshoumaru...dad...his body..." Inuyasha stuttered
"Inuyasha we do not have time" Sesshoumaru interrupted "The gates will close any minute" They then flew to the exit
"The doors have closed" Kagome gasped as they got to the two massive stone doors "Are we stuck here?"
"No" Sesshoumaru then unsheathed Tenseiga and held it up to the double doors, the sword pulsed and the doors slowly began to open. They quickly flew through and landed on the other side, Sesshoumaru let Kagome down but kept firm grip of her hand "I do not want you travelling with Inuyasha any more, he's too reckless and almost killed you today"
"Sesshoumaru I have to continue collecting the jewel shards, I broke the Shikon no Tama and now it is my duty to repair it" Kagome stated
"You heard her Sesshoumaru so now you can leave" Inuyasha snorted
"Inuyasha sit" He then crashed to the floor "Don't act so cocky"
"You'll get killed if you continue to travel with him"
"Hey I'm a big girl" She mused "I'll be fine" He nodded and took her other hand so now he was holding them both
"Just call my name if you need me" She nodded and smiled
"When will I see you next?"
"Soon" He then released her and left the cave with Jaken following
"Awe I miss him already" Kagome sighed as she stretched "Gosh I'm tired"
"Let's go to Kaede's for the night, we'll make a fresh start tomorrow" Inuyasha said "Get on my back Kagome and we'll leave"
"Yeah okay" Kagome then climbed onto Inuyasha's back as Sango, Miroku and Shippo climbed onto Kirara. Myouga was still on Inuyasha's shoulder as they made their way to Kaede's village
"Lord Inuyasha I was surprised to hear your father speak to us back in that realm" Myouga said
"That voice was my old man's?" Inuyasha gapped "How could he speak if he's dead and why did his body disappear?"
"I...don't know my Lord"
"Maybe he's coming back to the land of the living" Kagome shrugged
"Maybe" By now they had arrived at Kaede's village and entered her hut
"Hey Kaede how are you?" Kagome asked as she kneeled down beside the old woman "We've missed you"
"I have missed ye too" The old woman smiled "Ye must be tired from thy journey, ye sit and I shall bring thy supper" She then stood and wandered into the back room to get her friends some refreshments, everyone sat in a circle and unwound
"What a day" Miroku breathed as he leaned against the wall
"It a relief we're all ok" Sango said seriously "And it's good that we didn't lose you today Kagome"
"And I'm glad that I'm still here with you guys" Kagome smiled as she stretched "I hope Sesshoumaru is alright, I mean I know how much he wants me with him but I can't until I've fulfilled my duty" Miroku then elbowed Inuyasha in the stomach as if implying him to say something
"Umm Kagome" The hanyou began "We all know how much I hate Sesshoumaru but if it'll make you happy he can travel with us" Kagome gapped at the hanyou
"Really?" Inuyasha nodded. He then found himself being tackled to the floor by his best friend "Thank you so much Inuyasha, you're the best friend I could ever ask for" She kissed his cheek over and over and squeezed the air out of his lungs
"Ok that's enough Kagome" Sango pulled her off Inuyasha and Shippo snickered at the poor hanyou, Kaede returned to with the food and Kagome blabbed out Inuyasha's proposal
"That's very selfless of ye Inuyasha, ye should be proud of thy self" Kaede said as she served everyone some rice "When will ye get thy brother?"
"I'm not going to go out of my way to find him" Inuyasha snorted but then saw Kagome's face drop "B-but if I pick up his scent I'll go get him" Kagome brightened back up and smiled warmly at her brother in-law? They all then finished their rice and Shippo was sent to bed along with Kirara
"So where to tomorrow?" Kagome asked
"As much as I hate to but we'll have to travel through the Eastern Lands tomorrow" Inuyasha sighed "You better hope that we don't find Sesshoumaru before Kouga, you know he will kill that mangy wolf if he touches you...actually let's find Sesshoumaru first" He grinned
"Inuyasha" Kagome scolded "Fight your own battles" There was a little silence when Sango began to question Kagome
"So Kagome what is this course thing you're doing in your time?"
"Well in my school you can pick a topic on what to do, I picked first aid. It'll come in handy here and I want to be a doctor when I graduate" She replied as she brushed her hair ready for bed "You know how reckless these men are"
"Does your family know about Sesshoumaru?"
"Yeah but it's too bad they couldn't meet him"
"Feh that's a good thing" Inuyasha snorted "You know Sesshoumaru hates humans especially ones that hang around and ask questions constantly, Souta would be dead as soon as he enters the house"
"Sesshoumaru wouldn't kill my family" Kagome protested "But I guess it is good that they don't meet, I could imagine Gramps trying to vanquish him; mom offering him every single scrap of food we have and Souta trying to drag him upstairs to go on the Wii"
"I hate that thing" Inuyasha huffed "That Wii thing, Souta always wins when we play it" The girls laughed as Miroku just scratched his head
"I'll leave ye to get some rest" Kaede said as she left for bed herself
"Goodnight" Kagome called "Right Sango, how about you and I go to the hot springs before bed?"
"Can't argue with you there" The girls then gathered their bathing supplies, left the hut and ran to the hot springs that was surrounded by trees
"Awe this is the life" Kagome sighed as she slipped into the spring with Sango following "So how are you and Miroku?"
"I don't love him any more" Sango whispered "His womanising is too much for me"
"Well is there anyone you like?" She saw Sango blush "Awe come on tell me please"
"Believe it or not...Inuyasha"
"OH MY GOD" Kagome beamed "You two would look so cute together"
"He doesn't love me though Kagome"
"And how do you know?"
"Well he's never showed it"
"Inuyasha isn't one to show his feelings, you know that" Kagome smiled "Does Miroku know of your feelings?"
"He knows I no longer love him" She replied "But I think he suspects" Sango splashed some water on her face and let out a breath "Have you and Sesshoumaru, you know" Kagome blushed and shook her head
"We've talked about it though, I hardly get to see him and it upsets me. I told him we'd...after Naraku's dead"
"Kagome we may never be able to kill Naraku" Sango sighed "It's now or never"
"I love him so much Sango and it kills me that I never see him" A tear fell from her eye and Sango hugged her
"You'll be in his arms soon Kagome" Kagome gave her friend a small smile. They then got out and got dressed. They were about to return to the hut when the trees began to rustle "Whose there?" Suddenly four kappa youkai jumped out of the trees, Sango cursed silently for not having her weapons
"What beautiful humans" One grinned "We're hungry and would love to eat you" They neared the girls who backed away slowly "Mine" The youkai all jumped on the girls who let out a terrified scream even though they knew full well that it would be too late by the time Inuyasha and Miroku came. The youkai suddenly felt themselves being sliced in two "AHHHH" The girls looked up to find Sesshoumaru hovering over them
"Sesshoumaru" Kagome cried. Sesshoumaru kneeled in front of them
"Are you injured?" Kagome dived into his arms just as Miroku and Inuyasha ran down to them
"What happened?" Sesshoumaru looked up at his half brother "What are you doing here Sesshoumaru?"
"Where were you when my mate and the demon slayer were being attacked?" Inuyasha's ears drooped
"Sorry girls" He breathed "And thanks for being here Sesshoumaru" He then saw Sango holding her leg "Is your leg injured Sango?" He kneeled beside her and examined her leg "One of the youkai must have slashed you, Sesshoumaru let's take them back to Kaede's hut" The young Prince nodded and gathered Kagome in his arms as Inuyasha did the same with Sango
"Lead the way Inuyasha" Sesshoumaru ordered. Kagome cuddled close to him and smirked at the crimson blush on Sango's face as Inuyasha held her. They then went to the hut with Miroku following with their belongings. When they reached the hut they set the girls down on their beds
"Sesshoumaru I need to talk to you" Inuyasha said "It's concerning you and Kagome" Sesshoumaru eyed his brother carefully and turned to Kagome
"I shall be back soon" He brushed his lips against her forehead and followed Inuyasha outside
"This way" He followed his hanyou brother to Goshinboku who then turned and sighed "Before I say anything I just want to let you know I'm doing this for Kagome"
"Very well continue"
"Kagome doesn't show it but I know she'd prefer to be with you, I've overheard her many times crying to Sango of how much she loves you and that she never sees you"
"What do you propose I do Inuyasha? You and I both know she will not leave you until she finishes finding the jewel shards"
"Join the group" He blurted out "You and your group"
"You're willing to do this for Kagome?" Inuyasha nodded "Then I accept your proposal"
"Let's make one thing clear I'm the leader..."
"To your group and I'll lead my own" Sesshoumaru interrupted "We'll travel together but we will not take orders from each other"
"Deal"
"Let's make it official Inuyasha" Sesshoumaru then slit the palm of his hand and Inuyasha followed suit, they joined hands and shook letting each other's blood mix in a truce "My companions are at my palace at the moment so we will retrieve them tomorrow"
"Fine, but we will go back to Kaede's for now" The youkai and hanyou then went back to the hut. When they entered they found Miroku asleep and the two girls giggling and whispering to each other "You better not be talking about me" Inuyasha growled
"Of course not" Sango smiled
"Yeah we have better things to do than talk about you" Kagome laughed and looked up at Sesshoumaru "Oh hey" She stood and caught his hand, squeezed it and felt warm liquid hit her own hand "Sesshoumaru you're bleeding, what happened?"
"It is just from Inuyasha and I, he offered me to join the group and I excepted. This is how youkai make deals"
"You accepted?" Kagome grinned as he nodded "Finally" She then dived on him and wrapped her legs around his waist, Sesshoumaru supported her by wrapping his arms around her waist as she giggled like the 15 year old school girl she was
"Kagome could you not cling to him like that..." Inuyasha said with an embarrassed blush "Your underwear is showing" Kagome screeched and Sesshoumaru quickly put her down as she had abused his ears
"Oh sorry Sesshoumaru" She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled to him. Inuyasha kneeled in front of Sango and examined her wounded leg
"It's just a scratch" He said as he gave her a small smile "Kagome pass me your bandages"
"What am I your maid?" Kagome huffed as she threw her first aid box at his head "Bullseye"
"Hey you stupid wench" Inuyasha growled
"Inuyasha do not call my mate such names" Sesshoumaru warned. The hanyou ignored his brother and bandaged Sango's leg
"Kirara will have to carry you around tomorrow and if she tires I'll carry you on my back" Sango blushed and nodded
"T-thanks Inuyasha"
"Uh...no problem" Inuyasha blushed back. Kagome saw the interaction between the two so she took her mate's hand and dragged him outside the hut
"Sesshoumaru you're a inuyoukai..."
"You're only realizing that now?" He asked with one silken eye brow risen
"No shut up" She said playfully as she slapped his arm "Before you rudely interrupted me I was going to ask if you could smell anything radiating off Inuyasha?"
"You mean beside that odour that implies he hardly bathes?" Kagome rolled her eyes at him "His scent spikes slightly when he talks to the demon slayer, he has an attraction for her"
"Well I know she feels for him and now you've told me that he feels for her" He saw a mischievous smirk grace her lips and sighed
"Kagome leave them be, do not interfere" She looked up at him and pouted
"But Sesshy" She stuck her bottom lip out
"What did you call me?" She gave him an evil grin and poked her tongue out "I'll punish you for that" He threw her against the hut, before she could protest his lips came into contact with hers, hard and rough. He shortly pulled away and she looked up at him through half lidded eyes "Are you going to call me such obscene names again?"
"Well if you don't kiss me like that then yeah"
"Don't worry my little miko there will be more of that in the near future" He saw her blush and chuckled "Is my mate blushing like a child?"
"No" She blushed even harder "Go on just pick on the 15 year old" She remarked sarcastically "That's your last" He kissed her once more "You're lucky I love you so much"
"As do I" He smirked
"Well will you help me?" She asked going off subject
"With what?"
"Will you ask Inuyasha about his feelings with Sango?"
"Kagome. Inuyasha and I don't get along, what makes you think he'll open up to me?"
"Well he always has a slip of the tongue, just bribe him with ramen or something" She gave him her best puppy dog eyes, he sighed and nodded
"Fine Kagome but I'm only doing this because you asked me"
"Thank you" She beamed as she pecked his lips
"You are such a spoilt brat"
"I'm not" She huffed then grinned "You just spoil me" And with that she dragged him back into the hut, Sesshoumaru sat against the wall as Kagome lay in his lap
"Hey where did you guys run off to?" Inuyasha was now sitting a little bit away from a sleeping Sango
"Only outside" Kagome yawned tiredly "'night Inuyasha"
"Goodnight Kagome" Inuyasha smiled. Kagome then decided to climb into Sesshoumaru's lap, wrap her arms around his waist and snuggle into his chest
"Goodnight Sesshoumaru" He whispered goodnight into her ear and kissed her forehead
"Sleep Kagome" Kagome's eyes slowly closed as she fell into a deep sleep. Myouga then crawled out from Inuyasha's collar and made his presence known
"Prince Sesshoumaru it will be an honour to have you travel with us" The old flea bowed
"You're still here?" Inuyasha gapped "Oh yeah there's no danger here"
"Master Inuyasha how could you say such a thing?" Myouga gasped pretending to be heart broken "Well anyway, do you believe your father will be returning to this time my Prince?"
"I am uncertain, if my father does decide to return we both know he will make an eye catching entrance. You are bound to remember that he is a show off"
"Yes quite so" Myouga mused "Tell me Prince Sesshoumaru, why is it that you have not taken over as King of Japan?"
"I am not of age and I have not been crowned King so it shall never happen"
"Oh I see" Myouga sighed "You're only a step away from power but cannot claim it as it hasn't been passed on to you, what a shame"
"I do not look for power any more so it does not bother me" The young Prince stated as he lazily wrapped a protective arm over his mate "Kagome is the only thing a care for now"
"Sesshoumaru promise me that you'll protect Kagome no matter what and will make her happy" Inuyasha looked into his brother's eyes almost pleading "I have broken her heart once before and I know you are the one repairing the damage but please do not shatter it any more than it is"
"Inuyasha, you and I both know how much I love her. Do not worry, she will always be happy with me" Inuyasha smiled and nodded
"Thanks"
"Tell me Inuyasha, have you found a mate yet?"
"Keh" That meant no in Inuyasha language
"Why not bind yourself with the demon slayer? She is quite a beauty and is very strong" He saw a small blush grace his brother's features and smirked
"What makes you think I like Sango like that?"
"Your scent did change when you were seeing to her wound earlier and you are blushing now"
"I AM NOT"
"Master Inuyasha please be quiet, you will wake the others" Myouga pleaded "You and I both know Kagome will sit you"
"Sit him?" Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, he had never seen Kagome's control over Inuyasha in such a way "What do you mean sit him?"
"Well Prince Sesshoumaru do you see the beads around Master Inuyasha's neck? Well Lady Kaede placed them around his neck and had Kagome put a spell on him, now every time Kagome says sit Master Inuyasha comes crashing to the floor. Though I have to say I think she abuses it sometimes"
"You think? Sometimes?" Inuyasha growled clenching his fist "She sits me even when she doesn't mean to and she's done it once when she was bored" Kagome stirred slightly in her sleep, Sesshoumaru couldn't help but smirk at her not-so-innocent mate
"Inuyasha...sit" She whispered in her dreams, Inuyasha crashed to the floor whilst Myouga jumped and landed on Kagome's shoulder
"Well that was amusing" Sesshoumaru smirked as Inuyasha pulled himself out of the ground and growled
"You know what she's your mate, she should take these off me and put them around your neck" Inuyasha shouted but luckily nobody woke
"Exactly Inuyasha I'm her mate and you're her pet" Inuyasha would have pounced on him if it weren't for Kagome laying in his lap "Now I believe we shall get some sleep, it is very long travelling from here to my palace" And with that all three males fell asleep...
Hey guys sorry I took so long to update, well here's my latest story
Please review