Chapter four-A Family Tragedy
Sesshoumaru awoke around four in the morning, searching for the demon who had dared touch his mate. He beast struggled to be released at the thought of it.
He had already checked the dojo and the post, but still he hadn't found Maleek. He thought calmly, thinking of where he would be if he was Maleek. Sesshoumaru mused, he would probably already be dead, or have killed himself to spare himself from the pain he was about to put him through. Slowly he approached the quarters that belonged to the soldiers, every ranking soldier was bunked at this end of the palace, and each of them shared a room with another soldier, saving Sesshoumaru almost five hundred rooms he would have had to build. It helps also that seventy fire percent of his soldiers lived at home with their mates and pups.
Maleek's room opened with a slight creaking sound, Sesshoumaru mentally sighed, and these hinges really need to be oiled. Sesshoumaru didn't need to knock he knew that he, lord Sesshoumaru shouldn't have to lower himself in that way. It was his palace and he had a right to be where ever he wants to be in the palace, he didn't need to explain anything.
Sesshoumaru could hear sighs and moans coming from inside the room and decided if he wanted to save his eyes he would have to make his presences known. "General Maleek?" Sesshoumaru said coldly, knowing already that he was not in the room.
The other ranking general who had met in by the gate the night he brought in Kagome shuffled in the room. "Oh shit." He called softly, throwing the whores cloths back at her, while dressing in a few seconds flat. The general was at the door, facing Sesshoumaru with a slight nod of his head while the whore dressed her ugly self. "Lord Sesshoumaru, what a surprise." The wolf demon said, smiling and revealing his pearl white fangs.
Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow. "Obviously." He scanned the room and frowned, "general Valen you haven't seen general Maleek in the past twenty four hours have you?" Sesshoumaru asked calmly, receiving a thoughtful look from Valen.
Valen thought back to last night. "As a matter of fact milord I have. He was acting strange last night, smirking and telling me that he had just been demanded to check on the neighboring villages. When I asked him why he was packing he told me that he was planning on visiting an old friend." Valen shrugged, "I am sorry milord but he wouldn't tell me who his old friend was, may I ask what this is about?"
Sesshoumaru's brows burrowed together in frustration, so the demon had made his escape, lied to his partner and left his palace in search for refuge with an old friend of him. "You will be informed of it later. I want you and nine of your best soldiers to be ready for the meeting tomorrow midday. Meanwhile I suggest you spend your time with more important things." Sesshoumaru eyed the human woman standing in the room, blushing by his comment. She was trying to seduce him, swaying her hips as if she was the palace's personal fuck bunny. Valen clear his throat and nodded, moving in front of his play thing so that Sesshoumaru didn't have to look at her.
Sesshoumaru turned away and took a step forward and Valen went to close the door. "Valen!" Sesshoumaru called out. Still not looking back "I will be out of the palace until midday tomorrow. Your in charge if anything goes wrong or causes suspicions then you are to notify me immediately." Sesshoumaru added his cold voice to enforce the demand. Valen nodded, happy that he wasn't the second general anymore. I was obvious that Maleek did something that was against the demon law. Sesshoumaru still hadn't moved, thinking of the name of a deserving youki within his ranks. "And Valen, promote Hujari to general second in command, you are to be the first." With that Sesshoumaru left at a walk. He had minor things to take care of before he spent the day with his family.
Kagome opened her eyes and found that Sesshoumaru was no longer in the room. She sighed, it was to be expected, he was busy and she knew he wouldn't go back on his word. He would spend as much time with them as he could today.
Kagome looked at the sun that was rising in the sky. She judged by the height that it was relatively seven o'clock and time for breakfast. Nudging Annabel to wake her up Kagome heard the door open. Turning her head she smiled when she saw Sesshoumaru walk into the room, a servant walking away with a big smile on her face. "What was that all about?" Kagome questioned suspiciously.
Sesshoumaru looked at her innocently as he closed the door. "I don't know what your talking about." He looked over at his little pup. "She awake yet?"
Kagome shook her head and he let a small smile escape. Walking over to her calmly and helped her out of bed. Kagome realized that she wasn't dressed in the white dress anymore and blushed. Sesshoumaru smirked when she looked down and found herself in a soft pink kimono. "Did you-…" Kagome stuttered, "Um-…"
Sesshoumaru looked into her deep blue eyes. "Yes. Is that a problem?"
Kagome opened and closed her mouth like a fish. Mentally shaking herself, it wasn't as if he hadn't seen her naked before, she reminded herself, and they were mates. Kagome sighed it was just weird for her she was twenty now and she still didn't find that people seeing her naked was very comfortable. Kagome narrowed her eyes, "Did you stare?"
Sesshoumaru let out a small chuckle, surprising Kagome as well as himself. "Do you want me too?" he shot back, making Kagome blush once more. She turned around and walked off to the wardrobe, pulling out a pink kimono with green imprints and a green obi. Walking away until Sesshoumaru stopped her, taking a hold of her arm and taking the pieces of cloth from her. "Today you will wear what I want." He told her simply letting her follow him to his wardrobe he pulled out a white kimono, a crescent moon on the shoulder, the sleeves wrapped in a yellow color.
Kagome looked up at him in shock. "I had it made the other day when you and Annabel were off picking flowers." He told her, handing the cloth to her. He reached in his wardrobe and pulled out a small dagger. "If you need to protect yourself or Annabel don't be afraid to attempt to use this." Kagome opened her mouth to speak but Sesshoumaru put his finger on her lips. "I know you don't know how to use it and I will teach you soon enough." He added, answering her refusal. "Now go bath and get dressed, I will have Leda take care of Annabel." He kissed her forehead and went to the bed, shaking Annabel on the shoulder gently.
Kagome watched as Annabel's eyed opened in fear but Sesshoumaru placed a finger to his mouth and pointed to Kagome. Kagome nodded an Annabel calmed down, allowing Kagome to go for her bath.
When they had all dressed and eaten Kagome waited with Annabel as Sesshoumaru ran off to get one last thing. Something's never change Kagome mused. Annabel tugged on her kimono lightly, looking up into her mothers eyes.
"Mama, where are we going?" Annabel asked curious. She had forgiven Sesshoumaru because Kagome had told her too. Kagome knew that Annabel like him, she had to admit, she was surprised at the way Sesshoumaru was taking this. It was like he was waited his whole life to be apart of a family, the way he treated Annabel was…very father like. At first it had been that he was paying them back for what he had done to her, but now it was almost like there was something more.
Kagome stared blankly at her daughter until she heard grunting and groaning coming from behind her. Kagome twisted her head, staring at the two headed dragon that followed behind Sesshoumaru obediently. "I don't know Annabel." Kagome said simply, staring at Ah-Uh.
Annabel ran forward, excitement in her eyes as she saw the dragon. Sesshoumaru and Kagome watched as she ran straight into the dragon. Sesshoumaru stared at her in disbelief. She wasn't even scared of the dragon.
Annabel hugged the dragon as he lowered his head and stared at the little girl. Ah grunted softly, leaning down to nuzzle to girl who had showed him affection. Annabel laughed and stroked his muzzle like they were old friends, Uh looked at Sesshoumaru in a pleading matter grunting a sentence that Kagome couldn't make out. Sesshoumaru just nodded and looked back down at his pup. "Do you want him?" Sesshoumaru asked, revising Uh's question.
Annabel looked up at the demon lord and chewed on her bottom lip, looking back and forth between her mother and Sesshoumaru. "May I?"
Sesshoumaru nodded and picked her up, placing her on Ah-Uh's back. He motioned Kagome to come over, pulling her into his body as he formed his youki cloud. "Hold on." He told Annabel as Ah-Uh lifted off the ground. Annabel screamed in delight as she started to float on the demons back while Kagome clung to Sesshoumaru, her head buried in his chest too afraid to look down.
"Mama I'm flying!" Annabel exclaimed gleefully, looking at her terrified mother.
Kagome didn't lift her head, hiding herself from the fact that she was floating on a cloud. "That's great honey really." Kagome wasn't afraid of flying, she had done it all the time on Kirara, it was the fact that she knew that logically clouds weren't meant to hold you up in the air.
Sesshoumaru stared at Kagome who was clinging to him like she was about to plummet to her death she was…frightened Sesshoumaru mused. He lifted his head and continued to fly forward. The forest of Kagome's destroyed home underneath him. Kagome looked down, frowning at the sight she could see and terrified for the fact that she could see it. Sesshoumaru smiled inwardly at her reaction and suddenly dropped, the Kagome screamed as the small cloud fell straight down. She could feel herself start to lift off the cloud when Sesshoumaru had changed his mind and shot straight upwards again. Kagome lost all her breathe and held onto Sesshoumaru's cloths with a death grip.
Once Sesshoumaru was level with Ah-Uh again he found Annabel laughing at her mother. Kagome snapped her head up and stared angrily at Sesshoumaru, we was now looking straight ahead to his destination. "You ignorant youki, how could you use my fear as your amusement!" Kagome screamed, hurting his ears.
Sesshoumaru kept a straight face and looked at her. "Hn." Was all her said to her, fixing his stare to the village that lay ahead of him.
Annabel laughed and pointed at her mother. "Mama you looked so funny. You were screaming like you were falling to your death." Annabel pointed out, laughing as Ah-Uh chuckled beneath her. Kagome growled at the dragon, causing him to laugh harder.
He grunted his response carefully. "What are you going to do, come over here and hit me?" Uh chuckled out while Ah was trying to fly straight.
Kagome smirked at the dragon. "Maybe I will." She spoke in dog, easing her way out of Sesshoumaru's arms, to angry to be afraid. Uh stared at her carefully, watching as she crotched down earning a glance from Sesshoumaru, one of his eyebrows quirked.
Kagome prepared herself to jump when she felt the cloud she crotched on drop quickly, and then rise up just as quick. She clung to Sesshoumaru's leg quivering in fear of falling. Sesshoumaru shook his head and refocused on the approaching destination. "Behave yourselves." He stated coldly, making Annabel laugh even harder at the sight of her mother annoyed look as she still clung to his leg. "Were approaching, stand up." He looked at Kagome "Your going to make a fool of yourself."
Kagome did as he told her, watching in alarm as he landed beside a large tree. Kagome stared up at it then looked threw the forest, running as fast as she could until she came to a clearing, in the middle of it stood an old rotting well.
Kagome stood there enchanted, she was…home. Why did he bring her here? There was only pain and painful memories that welcomed her here now. She knelt down and gripped the old well with her claws. The well wouldn't work for her anymore, she was a full fledged demon and demons didn't belong in her time. She had given up everything, her family, her friends, and her life just so that she could have Annabel. At times she had wondered if it was worth it. Was the child of a rapist worth the loss of her time? She had made that decision so many years ago but it didn't erase the fact that she would never see her mother again. She would never see Souta go to high school or get a girl friend. She had lost all that.
Kagome heard her group approaching, tears still rolled down her cheeks and she didn't try to hold them back. How had Sesshoumaru known about her life? Or maybe he didn't and he just brought her back to the tree to spend time with her. Kagome shook her head, the moment Sesshoumaru had taken her beneath that tree it had stopped being special to her. It was something that had continued to plague her. When she found Inuyasha that had been a mistake, when she had sealed Inuyasha to the tree for the second time that had been a mistake, when Sesshoumaru had taken her…
Kagome turned to the family she had waiting for her. She watched Annabel take a step forward to comfort her mother, but Sesshoumaru stopped her, holding his hand out. He looked at Kagome apologetically, but Kagome knew he wanted it to happen. When Sesshoumaru had taken her, at first it had been a mistake, but it was a blessing. She was given a child, Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru, she was given a mate, and she was given a family.
Kagome stood and wiped off her face, walking over to the family fate had given her. She knelt down in front of Anne, holding out her hands, asking for a hug. Annabel stepped into her mothers embrace and gripped her as tight as she could. Her mother was everything to her. "I love you Anne." Kagome said slowly, rubbing her hand across her little girls back.
"I love you too mommy." Annabel said quietly. They embraced for a long while, Sesshoumaru and Ah-Uh stared at them, feeling their need to just hold each other. Something warmed Sesshoumaru's heart, Kagome had given up so much and asked for nothing in return and Annabel dreamed for so much but believed that others came first.
Kagome stepped away from Annabel and stood, smiling at her daughter as she thought of how much she had always wanted a child. She turned her attention to Sesshoumaru, the demon everyone came to believe was heartless, but Kagome found he had more of a heart then anyone she had ever met. Sure he was cold and killed thoughtlessly, but he cared for other, in his own way. He was misunderstanding, sure, everyone was, but deep inside he was just trying to find a way to show you he cared.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and settled her head on his chest. "Thank you Sesshoumaru." She whispered, feeling another tear roll down her cheek. He raised his hand up and brushed it aside, looking into Kagome's eyes. Kagome smiled, she knew was really the only 'your welcome' she was going to receive.
Kagome straightened up and released Sesshoumaru's neck, taking a deep breath to calm her emotions. "So what are we doing here Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked easily, really not understanding why they were standing so close to the village she had been banished from.
Sesshoumaru got a slightly annoyed look in his eyes. "I told you I am here to spend time with my family." Sesshoumaru stated simply, walking toward Kaede's village. Kagome stood frozen in stop, was he insane, did he not get the part that if she was to step inside the village her…their pups life would be threatened.
Sesshoumaru stopped, not hearing Kagome or Annabel following him. He turned around, facing them intently. "Are you coming?" He asked slowly, watching as Annabel was hiding behind her mother and Kagome was frozen to the spot. Sesshoumaru sighed and picked up Kagome bridal style, gripping her tightly as she squirmed under his hold. "Come Annabel." He told her softly, looking at the dragon that picked Annabel up by her kimono, careful not to rip it.
Kagome was freaking out, kicking and screaming the whole way. "Are you insane? Do you want to get Annabel killed? What the hell are you thinking that they are going to welcome me with open arms?" Kagome brought her hand across Sesshoumaru's face.
She stared at him stunned that she had just struck her mate and proud of herself for standing up for what she wanted to protect. Slowly Sesshoumaru put her down and looked at her. He didn't look angry, or even annoyed he looked kind of…sad. Kagome felt a wave of guilt as she looked at the ground, ashamed for what she had done. "I am sorry lord Sesshoumaru, please it's just I'm scared. I can't lose Annabel." Kagome said regrettably.
She looked up when she saw Sesshoumaru move away. He wasn't going to force her to go, it was her choice, but he has stood at ends with his brother too long. He knew what it was like to have a family and he wanted Inuyasha to have someone, at least to turn to.
"Sesshoumaru please-…" Kagome reached out her hand, trying to grab his, but he just stepped forward, ignoring her attempt to bargain. Kagome took a deep breath and looked at Ah-Uh. Kagome nodded, watching as the dragon set Annabel on the ground, nudging forward, telling her to go. Kagome gripped her little girls hand and walked slowly beside Ah-uh.
Annabel looked up at her mom who was unbelievable worried. "Don't worry mama, mister lord Sesshoumaru will protect us." Annabel said cheerfully, in attempt to put her mother's worries to rest. Kagome stopped walking and stared at her daughter.
Kagome nodded, Annabel was right, Sesshoumaru wouldn't let anything happen to her, and he defiantly wouldn't let anyone hard Annabel. "Your right." Kagome said absently, turning her gaze to the youki in front of them. "Sesshoumaru!" Kagome called out in defeat. "Wait up!"
Sesshoumaru stopped, pressing down a smile. He was glad that Anne still had trust in him. Maybe she could give some to her mother. He waited until they caught up with him, Anne was on the outside of the group walking rather slow, trying to keep up with the rest of them. Sesshoumaru stared at her as he walked down the hill, unsure of himself he grabbed her hand, gently at first, not wanting to hurt her, then he tightened his grip offering her reassurance. She may trust her mother and him, maybe even the stupid dragon, but the villagers. She was scared of them. They could harm her and her mother.
A growl came from beside them and Kagome and Sesshoumaru whirled to the side, staring at the very angry hanyou. "I told you not to come back you whore." His voice was full of hate and resentment. His eyes flashed red, but he didn't try to control it.
Sesshoumaru dropped Annabel's hand and growled at his little brother. "We come in peace little brother." Sesshoumaru stated coldly, watching as Inuyasha's eyes flashed between red and gold.
"I do not care, she is not welcomed here." Inuyasha pointed to Kagome and growled. "She is a traitor and a whore."
Annabel stared at the man who stood before her. His name was Inuyasha. He was her mommy's friend, the one her mommy had told her so many stories of. She let go of her mother's hand and stepped to the side, staring at the boy with cute ears on his head. "Are you Inuyasha?" Annabel asked softly. She had met him before, but he was different now. She had never seen him with purplish stripes on his face, of red eyes. Something was the matter with him, he needed help.
Kagome reached out for her daughter, but Annabel drew away, closer to Inuyasha. "Annabel come over here right now!" Kagome demanded, but Annabel shook her head.
Annabel looked into his golden eyes for several seconds before they turned red again. "My mommy always talked about you Inuyasha. She told me of the adventures that you two had together. You were her best friend, she told me so." Annabel stated proudly, not aware of the danger she was putting herself in. "I remember when I was born you were like my daddy." Annabel said sadly, she had always wanted a father. She wanted a little brother too so that she could play tag with and wrestle with.
Sesshoumaru stepped forward, take Annabel into his arms. "He is not himself Anne." Sesshoumaru said coldly, hating the fact that his brother didn't believe Kagome when she told him that she had been raped.
Inuyasha struggled with himself for a little while. "Your mother is a liar." Inuyasha said fiercely, his eyes red once more as he growled and launched himself at Annabel and Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru easily dodged his brother and unsheathed tokijin, placing Annabel on Ah-Uh. Annabel shook her head and slid off the dragon as Uh tried to grab her by the kimono. Annabel stood in front of Sesshoumaru, her face was angry. Her mother was not a liar. "My mama is not a liar and you know how I know?" Annabel yelled, walking closer to the hateful demon. "Because she still has the Shikon no tama and all she every wanted to do was give you one wish. You were her best friend and she said you deserved it!"
Sesshoumaru stared at the brave little girl. He never realized what had happened to the Shikon no tama when they destroyed Naraku. He hadn't cared, but he didn't realize that Kagome had it. He couldn't sense it on her at all.
Kagome stepped out and covers Annabel's mouth with her hand. "We'll go now." Kagome said easily, walking backwards, pulling Annabel backwards with her.
Sesshoumaru looked at here, steadily. "Is Annabel right Kagome? Do you have the sacred jewel?"
Kagome's face turned red. "Well I-…uh…"
Inuyasha lunged himself at Annabel again. He had sworn that if Kagome ever set foot in the village again he would kill his niece, as a punishment to Kagome as well as him.
Kagome threw Annabel into Sesshoumaru and took the attack, growling as she and Inuyasha wrestled on the ground. Inuyasha dug his nails into Kagome arm and Kagome kicked him off of her.
"Mama!" Annabel tried to run forward, but Sesshoumaru grabbed her and threw her on Ah-Uh's back. The dragon pushed off into the sky, leaving the grown ups on the ground.
Sesshoumaru grabbed Inuyasha by the throat and pulled him up into the air. "Never bring harm to my mate again." Sesshoumaru said threw gritted teeth. He knew his brother couldn't understand him, but it was worth saying it.
Kagome stood back, the pain from the attack fueled her anger. Her pup was in trouble and she wasn't going to stand for that. He was just like Maleek. All he wanted to do was bring harm to her and her family. Slowly Kagome's eyes bled red, anger pushed the transformation. Soon Kagome had a muzzled and paws. Fangs big enough to bite Inuyasha's head off. She dove at the two brothers who danced around in circles, trying to find an opening in the others defense. Kagome didn't care. She nudged Sesshoumaru off of his brother and trapped Inuyasha beneath her paws.
Kagome lowered her head till it was against Inuyasha's face. Letting out one long growl she put pressure on her paw, squishing the air out of Inuyasha's lungs. She could sense several other humans running towards her, only two among the group were demons, but Kagome didn't care anymore she wanted to show Inuyasha that no one threatened to kill her pup.
"Sesshoumaru?" Kaede's voice entered Kagome's mind, stopping her from killing Inuyasha right that second. Kagome lifted her head, watching the surrounding humans. She soon centered her vision on the old priestess and Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru watched in guilt as Kagome was about to kill his little brother.
Kaede looked up at her in horror. "Is that-…"
"Kagome." Sesshoumaru finished off her sentence. "Yes priestess." Sesshoumaru looked at Inuyasha's breathless body, Kagome followed his gaze. Inuyasha was unconscious underneath her. His eyes were closed. His body had no breath in it. Kagome backed up off of him and looked at his body. What had she done? Inuyasha was her best friend and she pretty much put him on his death bed. Lowering her head Kagome nudged his motionless form, but he didn't respond. Kagome whimpered in panic, changing into her humanoid form as quick as she could.
Ignoring everyone's stares as lowered herself to Inuyasha's body, shaking his shoulders lightly. "Inuyasha? Oh kami Inuyasha please answer me!" Kagome freaked, lowering her ear to his mouth. She counted to ten and didn't have any signs he was breathing. Kagome mentally rolled her eyes, well duh of course he wasn't. Kagome glanced up at Sesshoumaru with pleading eyes. "Please forgive me." Before Sesshoumaru could asked why Kagome pinched Inuyasha's nose and tilted his head back.
As she pressed her lips to his she could hear Sesshoumaru growl, but she ignored him. She gave breathed twice into Inuyasha's mouth and pressed on his chest thirty times. "Oh god oh god oh god please Inuyasha don't die on me." Kagome whispered before she gave to more initial breathes.
Kagome repeated the process several times, but he never came back to consciousness. She could feel the tears in her eyes spill over as she tried once more, praying that she could save him. "Twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty." Kagome said quietly out loud. Giving him two last breaths, she stared at him waiting for him to open his eyes.