Prompt 7 Sadomasochism

Written for Live Journal's 30 Wounds challenge

Kaede is surprised at the extent of Miroku's injury. She asked what happened and when I tell her, her reaction was a blend of anger and shock. She gives Miroku a mixture of herbs for the pain and soon he was sleeping like a log. As I sit beside him, I replayed the events that led up to this point in my mind. My youki was all but demanding retribution from Kagome over Miroku's injury, it wanted blood for his pain and for once, the ningen in me wasn't opposed to the idea. However, as tempting as it is to rip the wench's limbs off one at a time, I know I have to find another way to deal with her.

In the midst of that line of thought, Kaede comes in to check on Miroku. When she's satisfied that he's resting peacefully she asks me to join her in the main room of her hut. I am reluctant to leave Miroku's side and she seems to realize this because she says, "The herbs I gave him will have him sleep for some time, Inuyasha. I assure you, he will be fine."

I narrow my eyes at her, she nods and I follow her out of the room. I take a seat in front of the fireplace and Kilala crawls in my lap. As I stroke the twin-tailed fire neko on the head, I thanked her again for her assistance. She mewls softly as she leans into my hand.

I let my thoughts wander and before I know it, a heaping bowl of stew is thrust in my face and when I had enough presence of mind to accept it, I did. The old priestess sits across from me with her own bowl and we eat in comfortable silence.

Once both bowls are empty and set aside Kaede clears her throat, which catches my attention, "I'm so sorry young Kagome has abused the power she has over ye my child. I was not aware of how often she used the beads for no valid reason. Once the truth behind my sister's death came to light I was hoping she would come to me and ask me to remove them," after a deep sigh she finishes up with, "It is apparent she has a bit more growing up to do."

"That's an understatement," I mumble causing Kaede to smile, "I'm ready to get this thing off, so you can start doing whatever you need to do when you're ready."

Immediately Kaede closes her eye, presses her index fingers together under her chin and begins chanting. Whatever she was saying caused my youki to bristle. As her chant wore on her words spilled forth faster and faster. The energy she's giving off has me fighting not to crawl out of my own skin. Just as her chant rises to a fevered pitch, she falls silent. I feel the damnable rosary around my neck tremble as if alive just before they separate and fall from my neck to lie in my lap like worthless baubles.

I'M FREE!

Free of spiritual dampening, for the first time in years, the inherent power within me pulsates and I feel renewed. After fifty years in an enchanted sleep and almost two suppressed by this rosary my youki is singing in relief. I sit here, basking in the glow of my own power, nearly overwhelmed by the feel of it. I had no idea that damned necklace had my power stifled to this extent.

When I finally come down from the exhilaration and open my eyes, I see Kaede smiling impishly at me, "Feeling better I take it?"

"Much…better doesn't even begin to describe it," I reply.

"Good," she says then the impish look she was wearing gives way to a much more serious expression, "What do ye have in mind for young Kagome?"

I shoot her a look and she continues.

"I am familiar with the ways of demons, Inuyasha. It is obvious that ye view Miroku as your mate, and her actions harmed and nearly killed him. There's no way ye will let her go unpunished for that."

There was a grave look of resignation combined with understanding on the old Miko's face. As much as part of me wanted to see Kagome suffer, I know that isn't the best thing to do. However, that does not mean I'll let her off easy either. I will make the rules for being a member of MY pack clear to her and if she doesn't like it she can leave.

When I tell Kaede this, the elderly woman nods and continues to sip on her tea. I had originally planned to speak with Miroku first, but I think I'll handle this while he's sleep. He needs rest, not more stress and drama. I ask Kaede how much longer he would be asleep and when she says it will be quite some time still I decide to wait at the edge of the village for the others to arrive. I didn't have to wait long before Sango appears riding on Kouga's back followed by Kagome on Shippou in his pink ball form.

Upon seeing me, Sango all but leaps off Kouga's back, rushes up to me and asks, "How is Houshi-sama?"

"He's fine…for now, Sango-chan, Kaede redressed his wounds and gave him something to help him sleep."

Relief washes over her face before she pulls me into a comforting hug, "And he will continue to be fine, my friend. He's a strong man and it will take a lot more than this to do him in."

I pull out of Sango's embrace just in time to see Kagome rolling her eyes. Before I can stop myself, I am directly in front of her fangs bared and growling. She tries to take a step back but I halt her movement by grabbing the front of her shirt and yanking her toward me.

"Listen to me girl and listen to me well."

"Let go of me, Inuyasha!"

I ignore her command and continue, "I and I alone lead this pack and if…"

"SIT BOY!" she yells and before the words are out of her mouth good, a smug look crosses her features, however, when nothing happens the look slides away leaving disbelief and shock in its place. I am more fed up with her in this instant than I can ever remember being since I've known her.

Hoisting the insufferable bitch in the air, I snarl, "Listen to me and listen well, wench. If harm like what you've inflicted on Miroku ever befalls a member of MY pack again, by your hands, I will enjoy ripping your limbs off one by one."

"Y...You don't mean that Inuyasha. You could never harm me."

Bringing her face nose to nose with mine I say, "Be foolish enough to try me and you'll find out," then with a flick of my wrist, I toss her a good ten feet and she lands hard on her rump behind Sango and Kouga.

Eyes wide and mouth agape she gathers herself up and scurries inside Kaede's hut. I have a feeling she won't receive the coddling she's likely looking for. If she speaks out of turn to the old priestess, she's liable to get put out. As it is, she's going to get quite the lecture over her abuse of power concerning the beads.

I turn and Kouga's standing behind me, arms folded across his chest smirking, "You did good Muttface. That's exactly what she needed." Somewhat stunned I shift my eyes to Sango to see where she stood with this.

"He's right Inu-san. Regardless of what she is accustomed to in her era, she needs to acknowledge things are different when she is here traveling with us."

Nodding Kouga says, "Even I know when I am with you guys you are the Alpha and our leader and I respect that."

Content with their answers I turn my attention to Shippou and beckon the runt to come with me. I will talk to him in private. I know Kouga explained some things to him but I need to make sure he truly understands what has transpired. The fox kit bounds up to me and we take off for the forest.

I hope our discussion will go well. All I can do is be honest and see where that leads me. Despite his antics at times Shippou is a smart kid, I'm sure he and I will be just fine.