Authors note: Hello again.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 10n: Plotting
Dark clouds of purple miasma covered an ancient home deep in the northern mountains. Its walls shook in with furry from the one who had hidden himself in its lowest depts. He had raged for hours now, killing many of the new servants he had made for himself. Kagura crouched in the corner, watching as the ugly mass that was his body slowly regenerated itself. Somehow she had escaped his wrath, even though she had been the bearer of bad news. "Tell me again." He looked her way after calming a bit, his blood red eyes appearing to blaze.
"They have mated." Kaugra sat up a little. "I saw the marks myself." She did not like the expression that came across his face. The grin spread sending shivers through her body.
"Perfect." His extra bits began to once more form into a whole being. "I wanted to have her for myself, and so I shall. They have only given me a bigger tool to use against them." No, he would not kill the half-breed or Kikyo, but trap them alive to witness the corruption of Kagome, feeding more despair into the darkening jewel.
"Kagome" Inuyasaha called, his voice slightly frantic. She had not been gone long and he could not sense any distress through their bond, but still worry ate at him.
She had not even gone far, just gathering herbs at the forests edge on their way back to the village. They had decided that a small break was needed in their hunt for both the jewel and Naraku. Kagome was also certain that Kikyo could go through the well and wished to see her family. She said that it would help her regroup, still having moments of paralyzing fear, but they were becoming less as time moved on.
It had been nearly three weeks since that wondrous day by the hot springs when they had finely became his for always. They had taken their time moving toward the village they called home, sending Miroku and his teasing along with Sango ahead of them so that they might have a little time by themselves. It had been heaven for him, but as before he wondered when someone would once more try to snatch away the happiness they had found in each other.
"You are hovering again." Kikyo said, coming from behind him, a slight smile on her face. He tended to be over protective of both of them, but Kagome especially. Not that she minded that, often finding herself trailing after the younger woman.
"Huh," he smirked, "weren't you getting water?" Her manner was more subtle, but she had been just as protective as him.
Kagome smiled at them from just inside the tree line. They had been her constant shields for the past few weeks. She knew that it could not go on like that, that she must learn to be strong on her own merit, but for now, it got her through. She absently rubbed her fingers over her fore arm. The words had long since faded until only the memory remained. Her love for Kikyo and Inuyasha had grown by leaps and bounds and when she was near them, she felt nothing but joy. Their every touch brought her farther and farther from that cold, damp cell. Every time the darkness tried to creep into her, they would bring the light with the warmth of their embrace.
True to form, Inuyasha's head turned in her direction, ears twitching to pick up any sound, his eyes searching the trees until they settled on the one next to her. Grinning anew, she picked up her basket and stepped from the shadows. "I'm fine." She told them, running her hand down Inuyasha's arm in comfort, keeping hold of his hand.
"You were gone awhile." Was his only comment, not ashamed of his need to be near her. Never again would he allow her to be taken from him, he would die first.
Shaking her head, she fell in step between them as they preferred. They were headed back to their campsite, ready to pack up and move on. They would reach the village before night fall. She was looking forward to seeing her son, Shippo and going to see her family across time, a mother's love always welcoming. Looking at the two beside her, she set her mind to wondering how she might lighten the mood between them, they were worrying too much and it was time to move past it.
"Okaasan!" Shippo came running as soon as he smelled them approaching the village. It had been the longest time he had been away from Kagome since she had found him and he knew that she would not allow him to go with them again until the monster Naraku was no more. He leapt into her arms making her laugh openly.
"Shippo!" She hugged him fiercely. She had missed him just as badly. It was a while before he moved first to Kikyo, then Inuyasha.
"Come on, you have to see!" He was so excited, he was jumping up and down where he stood.
"What is it?" Kikyo asked, amused at his antics.
"Come on, come on!" He took off ahead of them. Sharing a smile between them, they followed behind at a much slower pace. What came into view brought tears to Kagome's eyes. While they had been gone, their friends and family, having heard that they were mated, built them their own home on the outskirts of the village. It was far enough away that Inuyasha felt comfortable, but close enough they could see the village homes and come to their aid if it was needed. They had even provided bedding and cooking items for them.
Kagome hugged Kikyo, "Isn't it beautiful?" She was nearly giddy. Shippo even had his own bedroom. It felt like that moment when you left your parent's home and found that space you could call your own. Inuyasha also received a kiss before she began to look through their home.
Inuyasha watched her, his back propped against the door frame, sharing her joy. "I have not seen her this way in a long while." Kikyo said, laying her head against his chest as his arms came around her.
"She is beginning to heal." He was glad, of course, but soon she would start to push herself to face the fear that had nearly consumed her. Kagome was not one to back down when she decided something needed to be done. She had decided that she would gather the jewel shards and had tirelessly worked toward that goal. He felt in his heart, she had also decided that Naraku needed to die, more now than ever before. It would not take long before she would tirelessly seek him out. There was once a time he had tried to lock her away in the time she had come from, and he nearly felt the same desperation now to keep her safe, but it would do him little good to try. He could only be there for her when that moment came and cut the bastard into pieces before he put his filthy hands on her.
"Kikyo, you have to see this." She ran through, grabbing the older woman as she laughed. Inuyasha followed behind, a reluctant smile playing at his mouth. He was grateful to those of the village, though he would always be more comfortable outside, it had brought his new family happiness.
Kaugra stood outside the grounds of the grand palace, watching the evening lanterns being lit and wondering at her sanity. He had felt her presence and in turn she could feel him coming as his yoki put tremendous pressure on her empty chest. Was she really going to do this?
"Your stupidity is complete I see, wind sorceress." Came the cold voice from behind her. No matter how she watched for him, he always found a way to put her in a vulnerable position.
"Lord Sesshomaru." She turned toward him, fear very real at that moment. "I have come to lead you to your enemy. What he has planned is beyond cruel and I want nothing to do with it, even if he kills me."
"What has this to do with me? This one has no need of your help." Sesshomaru studied the woman in front of him.
"The things he has planned for your brother and his mates are horrid, why would it not concern you?"
"Mates?" He asked. Had she not known better, she would say her words had surprised him.
"Yes, the priestesses Kikyo and Kagome. Naraku was very angry at the loss of the powerful one. He said that she rivaled his jewel in power, nearly killing him with just the touch of her skin. He has become obsessed with possessing her."
"Kikyo is that strong?" He would not have thought it of her.
Kaugra shook her head. "No, the priestess Kagome. She purified most of his body when he tried to take her as torcher to the other. The light we saw that day was from her and she used no weapon. She is immensely powerful. Naraku is plotting to take the three of them, chaining your brother and Kikyo, using them to break her."
"Take this tale to my brother, lead him to Naraku." Sesshomaru turned from her, "And wind sorceress, do not come here again until I ask it of you." With that he was gone from her sight. Mind heavy with worry, she left to do as he bid her. Her options were limited now. It would not be long before Naraku discovered her intent and then she would truly be living on borrowed time, stolen from the whim of a madman.
Sesshomaru watched her go from the roof of the western palace. She had actually been helpful, not that he would ever say so. So his brother had two mates now, both strong, one extremely powerful. Despite their human heritage, he was slightly proud. Not only had he gotten both women to agree to mate with him, but had chosen wisely as well. He had decided that Inuyasha would be an asset to the west and now he brought more with him. A priestess that could kill with a touch was very valuable. It did not bear to mention that Rin would also be happy to have her friend close by. As for Kaugra of the wind, her action had surprised him. There was something about her that made him seek her out when she was close and he did not care for the feeling, but at least now she was being honorable.
Kikyo stood anxiously before the bone eaters well. "Are you sure about this Kagome?" she asked.
Kagome was tickled. She had never know Kikyo to seem flustered. She knew that the priestess wanted to go with them, but for some reason the well made her nervous. "positive." She got up on the wooden edge, then held her hand out with a smile. "Trust me." Her blue eyes sparkled in a way the older woman could not resist. She took her hand and they both dropped into the well together, blue light flooding its depts. Inuyasha grinned as he looked down into the empty well. It seemed Kagome was right again. He jumped down, following behind them.
Kaugra arrived just in time to see the flair of light behind him. Sitting down in the branches of a large tree, she settled in for a long wait. She only hoped that they would return in time for her to do them any good. Raising her head toward the sky, she took comfort in the wind as it swirled around her. "Please make it in time."
Authors note: Until next chapter, Laters!