The Quest of Nyratar
Stronger than Strength
The golden rays of the rising sun penetrated the twilight sky, lighting the way to the East for the Ice Prince. He's limited on time—a night has passed since the delivery of the letter, it leaves him only a day and two nights to convince the miko to come with him into Nyratar. Sesshoumaru's lips twitched into a slight snarl. The thought of her travelling with him repulsed him to a degree—was he growing soft? Vicious rumors descended upon his status when Rin joined his pack and he vowed not to have another human follow in his grace.
"Impossible," Sesshoumaru scoffed. He wasn't weak. He doesn't have a weakness; he is the mighty Taiyoukai of the West after all. He only needs the company of the miko to save an alliance forged by his ancestors—it was out of duty and honor. He lulled in his thoughts until the edge of Inuyasha's Forest came into his view. 'Let's get this over with.' Sesshoumaru descended onto the forest floor and dissipated his ki cloud. Landing gracefully on his feet, he masked his scent and summoned his Youkai speed and sped towards Kaede's hut.
A distant sound grasped his attention—it sounded like a soft whimper. Sesshoumaru relaxed his hurried pace to a fast stride. The scent of human arousal soon penetrated the air around the forest. His eyebrow twitched in annoyance, 'Damn humans.' What annoyed him the most was that the scent was omitting strongly in the direction he was heading—he also detected the halfbreed's scent. He couldn't help but wonder if the miko finally gave in and succumb to his brother's advances.
Not bothering to change his direction, he continued forward to where the strong scent of sexual desire rested. He didn't care to change course simply because he didn't care if he runs into the couple rutting on the forest floor. He just needed the miko's assistance… and not anything else. The scent of sex danced around his nostrils—it was strong, and he was getting close. The soft whimpers escalated to loud grunts and moans of pleasure.
"More…!"
Sesshoumaru stopped in his tracks. 'That voice...' It a female's voice… it was… Curious, he sprinted into the clearing of the valley where he detected his brother.
"S-Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha gasped in surprise. He was caught. With inhuman speed he ripped himself away from the female human under him and adjusted his fire red robe bottom. "What the hell are you doing here?" He reached over for Tetsaiga.
Sesshoumaru glanced at the blushing female behind his brother. It doesn't take a genius to put one and two together, and apparently Inuyasha has traveled down a much different route he thought he would. "Where is the miko, Hanyou?"
Inuyasha growled, "What the hell do you want with my Kagome?" He took a step and readied himself in an attack position.
Sesshoumaru didn't bother to answer him. Was there a point to answer anyway? It was clear the female wasn't Kagome, if she wasn't here then she must be in Kaede's hut honing her power. He diverted his attention from Inuyasha and headed for Kaede's hut.
"I'm not going to let you get close to Kagome!" Inuyasha leaped into the air and began his assault. The female screamed in terror and grabbed her discarded clothes and ran towards the village. Sesshoumaru swiftly dodged Inuyasha's attack and let out an annoyed scoff.
"Inuyasha, this one has no time to deal with your stupidity." Sesshoumaru's claws dripped poison briefly before it formed into a deadly whip. Leaping into the air, he sent his whip after his brother to disarm him. Needless to say, it didn't take too many tries even if he was a somewhat formidable opponent. "Cease this insolence, whelp." Sesshoumar dashed forward and released a back kick into Inuyasha's torso.
Inuyasha groaned as the air in his lungs were knocked out of him, and he propelled backwards; crashing against a tree from the force of the kick. "Y… you bastard! Get out of here now! You have no business with her!"
Sesshoumaru's face remained stoic, his lips opened to speak. "Neither do you, brother. You have no business with her welfare after rutting with another female. Tell me, she doesn't know does she?" He smirked at Inuyasha's reaction. 'She doesn't know after all.'
"Shut up! You don't know anything!" Inuyasha growled and struggled to stand on his feet. Apparently his brother kicked him with more force than usual. 'Why does he care about Kagome?' Inuyasha dusted off the dirt off his robe and growled, "What do you want?"
"…" Sesshoumaru kept his silence. He has caught his brother in the act of cheating on the miko. He couldn't help but wonder whatever empowered his idiotic brother to do so, even if the miko was a human. "This one has a proposition for you, brother…" Maybe it wasn't so difficult in persuading the miko to come with him after all… Not if he can blackmail his brother in persuading her to go with him.
"I ain't interested in what you have to offer, Sesshoumaru. Just get out of my forest and leave us be," Inuyasha readied himself to attack once more.
"Tsk tsk tsk," Sesshoumaru smirked. This simple facial movement froze Inuyasha on his feet. Sesshoumaru watched with interest as his brother's ears twitched in curiousity… and fear. 'So… he does know what I'm going to offer him.' Sesshoumaru withdrew his poison whip and stood straight. "I need your miko to aid me in my journey to prevent a war."
"… and?" Inuyasha knew he cheated on Kagome—but he couldn't help himself. His sexual needs were usually taken care of by Kikyo when she was alive… but she's gone now. He couldn't bring himself to ask Kagome for such favors—because he was afraid of rejection and that she was always preoccupied with Kaede. Inuyasha sighed, he had to keep this a secret… even if it means he has to convince Kagome to go with Sesshoumaru for a few days. "How long?"
"This one must depart with the girl by the sunrise tomorrow if we travel by foot."
"That's not what I asked. How long will need her for?" Inuyasha grew impatient. Things may not look his way after all. Kagome may be gone for longer than expected.
"One week. More than enough of my time wasted with the miko," Sesshoumaru brushed a strand of his silver locks from his face with an uninterested movement. He saw his brother's hesitation and wondered if his brother will risk losing Kagome's trust over not trusting him. He mentally smirked, either way he was in a situation that will backfire on him. "You choose, brother. Convince her to come with me or she shall hear the news from me."
Inuyasha sputtered, "W-wait… How do I know you won't tell her when you're travelling with her?" He didn't want Kagome to know—ever. If she did, it'll be over for him… he didn't want to lose her.
"You dare question this Sesshoumaru's word, hanyou?" Sesshoumaru threatened with a menacing growl. "If I give you my word, I intend to keep it… unlike you, brother."
An awkward silence hung between them in the valley. Inuyasha seems as if he was debating the consequences of letting Kagome go, and not letting her go with him. 'I can't lose her…' He closed his amber color eyes and let out a troubled sigh, "Follow me."
"This Sesshoumaru, does not follow anyone." Sesshoumaru glowered in victory in the confines of his head. He walked ahead of Inuyasha, and followed the scent of the luscious lavender that grows stronger within the passing second. It seems the miko was looking for the halfbreed.
"Sesshoumaru-sama?" Kagome gasped when she saw the Ice Prince striding towards her. "What are you doing here? Are you looking for Rin again? Have you seen Inuyasha? I can't seem to find him anywhere."
"…" Sesshoumaru stared at the miko with an intense glare. 'She has grown…' Much like Rin, she has matured over the years when they were looking to dispel of the evil entity, Naraku. She no longer looked like a lost puppy following Inuyasha around. "He was… preoccupied in the forest," he hinted aloud. He knew Inuyasha could hear him, but it doesn't mean Kagome will understand what he was speaking of.
Inuyasha growled behind him. "Sesshoumaru," he threatened curtly. He brushed past his elder brother and greeted Kagome. "I thought I sensed a lesser demon out there Kagome," he reached over and pulled Kagome in a protective hug. 'I won't lose you to anyone…' He pulled back from the embrace and planted a soft kiss on her lips.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome glowered with happiness from the affection Inuyasha was showering her with. "Are you hurt?" She scanned over Inuyasha's body, looking for injuries but something caught her eye. "What's this?" She pointed at the moist stains above his pelvic area.
Inuyasha swallowed nervously, "Uhm…" He had no excuse for that. 'Damn it, I should've taken off all my clothes.'
"He was relieving himself when I ran into him," Sesshoumaru nonchalantly said and brushed past them and walked towards the direction where Rin was collecting flowers. He was disgusted by the scent of lies rolling off in waves off of Inuyasha. His words had two meanings to them, 'If she was smart, she would pick it up.'
Kagome blushed, "Oh… anyway, are you feeling better now Inuyasha? Does your stomach hurt?" She grabbed his hand and pulled him lightly towards the cottage where she has prepared a morning meal for them.
"Yes, I'm alright. I love you…" Inuyasha stopped in his tracks and pulled Kagome into his body for another embrace, with her back against his chest. He lowered his head and brushed his lips against the nape of her neck.
Kagome giggled and blushed, "What's with you today Inuyasha? You're being odd! Let's go eat!" She squeezed out of his embrace and jogged towards the hut.
"I won't lose you… even if I have to hide this for the rest of my life…" Inuyasha whispered softly while staring at her retrieving back. She was out of range to hear his words… but Sesshoumaru's keen hearing picked it up.
Sesshoumaru's eyes harden and glazed over with an icy tone, 'The hanyou wants to keep this a secret after all… I wonder if her loyalty to Inuyasha is stronger than his. You are a disgrace, Inuyasha.' His gaze was fixed on Kagome as she beckoned him to come into the hut to share their meal. "Come, Rin." He commanded to his previous ward and entered the small hut.
"Miko, I request your assistance in an utmost important matter. We will leave before tomorrow's sunrise," Sesshoumaru insisted as he entered the homely hut. He watched with interest as Kagome changed through her bounty of emotions.
Her eyes harden briefly in anger then wide, curious eyes questioned him, "Come again?" Kagome settled herself over the pot of savory smelling contents, trying to prevent the wave of questions from spilling out of her mouth.
"This one does not repeat himself," he tucked his hands into the sleeves of his kimono and stared at her with emotionless eyes. "Ready yourself for a week's worth of travelling gear. I prefer you leave with only a weapon and a few morsels of food."
"What makes you think I'll go with you?" Kagome raised her voice and tossed down her chopsticks into the pot without regard.
Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrows, "Surely, Miko… Wood is not part of your diet." He nodded towards the pot. Kagome gasped and quickly pinched the exposed ends of the wooden chopsticks and pulled them out of the pot.
"I'm not going. You haven't even told me why I have to go with you." Kagome continued to set up the prepared meal with faltering concentration.
"Kagome… go with him. It's something about preventing a war and it's only going to be a week," Inuyasha stepped into the hut and settled besides Kagome.
"But Inuyasha! I have to stay here and take care of Rin and Kaede!" Kagome protested vigorously. She shook her head and denied the offer. "I have unfinished business here." Inuyasha countered her comments, trying with great effort to persuade her to leave with his brother.
After minutes of trying to persuade an adamant Kagome, Sesshoumaru decided it was best to threaten her with an ultimatum—and he would very well act on his word. "Miko," He hissed loud enough for the couple to cease their bickering. There was annoyance plastered on his face, "You will come with me on this journey or this one gives you his word that I will remove Rin from your incompetent care, and thus cease her miko training."
"You wouldn't! She has great potential!" Kagome gave Sesshoumaru an incredulous gasp.
"This Sesshoumaru does not lie," he growled. 'They are a perfect match—both doubting my word. Incompetent fools.'
"Just start packing, Kagome… You'll only be gone a week. I'll take care of everything else. Sesshoumaru will make sure to return you safely here… wouldn't you Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha gently rubbed comforting circles on Kagome's back. Sesshoumaru nodded without a response to his insinuation. He would make sure the miko returned to the Island of Japan… whether he delivered her back here to this village is to be decided later on.
Kagome stared at Inuyasha intently, 'Why is he so adamant about me leaving with Sesshoumaru…?' She diverted her gaze to Sesshoumaru. She knew she had no reason to really fear him—he's saved her countless times during the past few years. But she was curious in why he needs her, her powers weren't completely trained. "Are… you okay with this Inuyasha?"
"Yeah…" He reached over and pulled Kagome into an embrace and glared at Sesshoumaru over her shoulder. 'You better keep your promise,' he mouthed to Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and remained still in his seated position, "We will depart tomorrow morning." He will keep silent of the situation he witnessed this morning, but he can't promise that she won't find out eventually. But he was enjoying this… blackmail he had over his brother. Sesshoumaru grinned in the presence of his brother and the miko, 'Blackmail is indeed stronger than strength.'
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JR- *Grins*Naughty Inuyasha…
