Touga and Sesshomaru hadn't been able to keep the time and place from Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango. So the group of five had discussed plans. They didn't know exactly how the unsealing would go, but they planned to save her before that. A small but reliable group of special police forces had been put together by Touga, who insisted that the students would stay behind until they were needed to persuade Kagome not to sacrifice herself. Sango had supported Touga actually. The head of the Taisho family suspected that Kagome had told Sango something important in the letter. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru fought with his father to make him allow them to join the front lines, but he wouldn't. Touga could already imagine the hurt on Kagome's face when she would see them. His heart ached in his chest and he felt bad to ignore her bidding to stop trying to help her. He knew if his sons would stand with him instead of in the background, she would be even more torn. She had admitted in her letter that Sesshomaru was the one she loved, but couldn't be with. He knew his older son felt the same, and that was what made it difficult. The shared feelings would get in between their plan. The young ones had to stay back.
In the morning – about 12 hours before the unsealing – they all met at the Taisho house. All had a determined expression, only Sango showed slight remorse. But she had decided to go with them to prevent anything heartbreaking. Kagome had already lost her family, her beloved once. If she lost the ones she was sacrificing herself for right in front of her eyes, she would surely lose her mind.
"We will go over the plan once more." Touga tensely said as they sat down around the couch table. "You all will stay back. We will hide until they arrive and before the whole unsealing starts, try to steal Kagome from their grasps. You..."
Sesshomaru blended his voice out. He knew the plan by heart. His worries were with Kagome. What had that woman meant with bind her? Would Naraku dare and-... he couldn't even think of it without his blood boiling. That bastard hadn't only taken Kagome away from him, now he even tried to mate her?! That Sesshomaru wouldn't allow. He would save her and then he and Kagome could share their future. 'She won't sacrifice herself, she won't be lost to Naraku. She will return to me.' That were the only things he could think of. She needed to. He couldn't possible live without her. That it had needed something like this to make him realize was not good. But he was ready to fight for his love.
"Everything clear?" Touga asked sternly.
"Yes." all answered firmly.
"Then let's go. It is quite a way to go and we need to be there before the main actors."
he stood from the couch, breathing deeply as his group filed past him, to the cars outside.
'Kagome. We will be there to save you.' he only thought as he followed his waiting sons outside.
…
Kagome exited the house that had been her prison for the last two weeks calmly and without any expression. Naraku stood next to the car, smirking. As she came closer, he took her hand and kissed it.
"You look lovely, my goddess." he murmured.
She didn't react. She didn't even spare him a glance. She just walked to the car where Kagura held the door open and slightly bowed to her. Kagome inwardly grumbled about the egoistical man. He just had to put her into a dress kimono with five layers and high getas. His crest on her necklace stood out and was clearly visible. She had actually hoped to hide it beneath her clothing. But she kept her calm, neutral expression and gracefully entered the car.
Naraku followed her quickly, reprimanding Kagura to drive as safely and fast as possible.
"My dear Kagome, have you had enough time to consider my proposition?"
Kagome suppressed a shudder and looked out of the window as the car drove down the property, softly shaking her head.
"You've had a whole night to think about it." he said, grasping and squeezing her hand.
"It is just..." she broke off. "A hard decision to make."
"Of course." he gently said and his thumb caressed circles into her hand. "But it is the best for everyone."
She didn't respond and Naraku nodded. She had a hard time to give up her past. And although she was unbelievably selfless, she still had a hard time sacrificing herself for others. That's what he thought. And such intense commitment wasn't built up easy.
"I'll give you time until we arrive, dear. But please consider it."
He slowly let go of her hand as she inclined her head.
…
Time went by and Touga grew more nervous. Sesshomaru sat next to him in the shadows, Inuyasha in the back with the other students. "They should arrive soon." Touga whispered. "If they want to be on time."
Following his statement, a car drew close to the abandoned shrine. It was the same car Touga had seen Kagome leave in, and his fists clenched tight. They were there.
The woman who had brought them the messages climbed out of the driver's door and went to the back to open the door for the passengers. First, Naraku climbed out. He wore formal haori and hakama, which were black and violet. His hair was slightly bound back and he smirked as he looked at the shrine.
Then he extended a hand and Sesshomaru silently gasped.
Kagome took Naraku's hand and exited the car gracefully. Her expression was neutral, calm. Her eyes were lighter than before and she seemed more... radiant, beautiful. The kimono she wore was exquisite, complimenting her features. But what made him growl quietly and what made Touga hold him back was her necklace. She wore Naraku's crest. That meant she was his intended. Naraku hadn't marked her yet, she wasn't his mate yet, but he intended to.
Touga feared. He actually felt unreasonable fear cloud his heart. She looked... divine. Her expression was no mask. It was the divine calm. She had already changed quite a bit. The Kagome they had known was gone. She was already on the path to destiny.
Kagura bowed. "Lady Kagome, Lord Naraku."
Naraku waved her away and Kagura climbed back into the car and drove away. Then he held out his arm and Kagome calmly put her hand on his forearm, as he guided them towards the middle of the old shrine. She felt the power thrumming. And she felt Touga and his group. She felt Sesshomaru's anger and hurt and Touga's fear. But it was all far away. She didn't wonder how they knew. She didn't wonder why they had come. She didn't worry. She had a destiny. She had a role, a man to destroy. She had a place to go.
"Do you feel anything inside you change, dear Kagome?" Naraku asked as they came to a stop and he took both of her hands and caressed them.
..
Sesshomaru was snarling in earnest now. How dare he! How dare he touch Kagome like that!
Touga gave the sign to the special police force. They would go get her-
..
"And I have to remind you that your time is up. What is your response to my mating proposition, my goddess?"
