(A/N: Sorry for the cliffy but it just have to end there. I have a fixed length of chapter and it stopped right there. ANd if I didn't stop there, where would be the fun in that. I'm so glad a lot of people like this story and I'm sorry it's taking so long to update. To the one who told me to get someone to edit my work, I want to thank you. I heed your advice. And I want to thank my beta. MM, you rock! Thanks for the patience and the very fast editting! You're so great! To those who were asking if Sesshy is going to get his memories, he will. I'm not sure you're going to like how he will get it back but I have it all planned. Well, here's what you've been all waiting for. Hope you like it.)
CHAPTER 10: Let's get some action going
Sesshoumaru was fighting for control over his youkai. It was howling with rage inside him. The sight of their mate in danger at such condition could cause his beast to go completely out of control. They might accidentally hurt Kagome and their unborn pup. It was already a difficult situation. He looked at his beautiful mate.
Kagome was unconscious. She was wrapped in what looked like tree limbs so that her arms and feet were spread. Her head lolled to the side. Sesshoumaru looked back at the woman who stood near Kagome, laughing cruelly with her claws extended and poised at her throat. He snarled at the offending creature. "Let my mate go," he demanded in a harsh tone. The tight control on his youkai was slipping. Why do these things seem to keep happening to Kagome?
"What the Hell?!" InuYasha barked as he saw the wreckage of the room. He had sped to Sesshoumaru's chambers when he heard the scream. Sango, Miroku, Kaede, and the two terrified children followed the hanyou's abrupt arrival on the scene.
The woman laughed. "Aw, is Lord Sesshoumaru afraid that something will happen to his mate?" she taunted.
Who in the Hell are you?!" InuYasha demanded, agitated and very worried. Kaede had explained to the Inu-tachi that their friend's condition was delicate. He itched to use Tetsusaiga to get rid of this demoness but he refrained, knowing that he could very well hurt Kagome. He glanced at Sesshoumaru and found that his brother was also desperately struggling to control himself although it was evident that he wanted nothing else but to rip the demoness in front of them to shreds.
"You ask who I am?" the demoness sneered. Then her eyes hardened as she looked at Sesshoumaru. "I am Hotaru, Sesshoumaru's mate-to-be," she said proudly. "Until this filthy human tricked him into mating her! And now, I will get rid of her for Sesshoumaru."
"Touch her and you're dead," Sesshoumaru said in a deadly voice. He had somehow calmed his youkai a little but just barely. His fangs were still bared and his eyes were a deep crimson. Hatred radiated off of him in waves.
The demoness snarled at them. Her green eyes flashed dangerously. "You care for this filthy ningen?" she snarled viciously. What could this ningen have that she didin't? Hotaru was considered to be a beautiful demoness. She had captivated many male demons, enchanting them with her voluptuous form, luminous sea-green hair and bright green eyes. And she was powerful!
She looked at the human's small pale form and smirked when she saw that the wench was beginning to regain consciousness. "Good, she is waking. I want her to feel every pain I inflict on her puny carcass."
"Wh—what?" Kagome said groaning. She saw that she was elevated off the ground, held in a very uncomfortable position. Fear for her unborn pup caused her to struggle against her bindings. "Let me go!" She struggled, panic causing her mind to just focus on her struggles.
Sesshoumaru saw the fear in Kagome's eyes and saw the panic consuming her. "Kagome," he called, trying to soothe her but she could neither see nor hear him and just continued to struggle.
"Ooh! She's trying to get away!" Hotaru mocked. "How pathetic! Is this your mate? She can't even defend herself."
InuYasha was getting angrier by the minute. "Bitch! She's stronger than you!" he yelled in Kagome's defense. "Let her go or by Kami, I swear I will make your death a slow and painful one!"
Hotaru raised an eyebrow at the fuming InuYasha. "Now I remember you," she said. "You're Sesshoumaru's half-brother. Don't tell me you also care for this human? The great inu brothers are smitten with a mere human."
"Hotaru, for the last time, let my mate go," Sesshoumaru threatened. Kagome's struggles were starting to become frantic but the binds stayed
The demoness narrowed her eyes and tightened her hold on Kagome. Sesshoumaru began to worry when he saw Kagome's eyes start to glaze as the air was slowly squeezed out of her. He had always hated feeling helpless, but that was how he felt now. If he attacked, Hotaru could easily rip Kagome's throat out. His youkai started to struggle once again, desperate to save his mate.
"My pup," Kagome whispered before her eyes closed.
"NO!" InuYasha and the others screamed in unison. "Kagome!" InuYasha screamed in agony.
Hotaru laughed maniacally. "I didn't even have a hard time getting rid of her," she said disdainfully. "How boring!"
Sesshoumaru watched in horror as Kagome closed her eyes. He howled and let his youkai loose in his rage and sorrow. Charging at the one responsible for the loss of his mate and pup, his rage-fueled attack was halted by a barrier. He snarled and tried again but still the barrier remained.
"That's Kagome's barrier!" Kaede gasped when she felt Kagome's power.
Everyone looked on in confusion. Sesshoumaru had reverted back to his humanoid form and looked at his mate who seemed lifeless. How could she put a barrier at her state? He knew she was not dead yet but she was unconscious, her powers at a weakened state.
A soft pink light started to surround Kagome. Hotaru shrieked in agony as the binds holding the miko disintegrated and Kagome started to hover in the air. Her hair whipped around her as if caught in by a storm, the once black tresses a pale blue. She then opened her eyes and everyone stared in fascination. She looked like a goddess that came down to earth.
"You dare try to hurt my pup?" Kagome said in a voice that is laced with venom. "You will pay!" With those words, Kagome descended, approaching the female who had taken up a battle stance.
"So, you're still alive," she sneered. "You can't beat me."
Kagome raised her hands and the twin katanas that Sesshoumaru gave her came to her. "Give me your best shot, bitch," she said as she attacked.
"Kagome! Put down the barrier!" InuYasha shouted.
"No," Kagome said as she parried Hotaru's blows. "I am barely controlling my powers. I can't have you purified accidentally."
Sesshoumaru watched the battle progress. His mate's fighting style was similar to his own technique and she handled his twin katanas as if they were extensions of her limbs. "Kagome, put the barrier down," he commanded. He was puzzled at this turn of events. It was the first time he has seen her in a stance similar to his own.
"I am sorry, my lord," she said as she jumped away from Hotaru. "I can not do that. I do not want to endanger you and my friends."
Hotaru was becoming impatient. That bitch knew how to fight and she was using Sesshoumaru's twin katanas. "Pay attention to our fight!" she snarled viciously at Kagome, who smirked.
"As you wish," she said and began attacking brutally, her body and blades glowing a bright pink. Her speed and strength grew and she used them to continuously rain blows down on her opponent. When Hotaru briefly glanced at Sesshoumaru, Kagome took the opportunity and sliced her side. The demoness staggered backwards and clutched at her bleeding wound, glaring at Kagome who smirked. "Aw, did I hurt you?" she mocked.
"Bitch!" Hotaru screeched and Kagome's smile widened.
"I'll take that as a compliment," she replied insolently and prepared to attack.
Sesshoumaru would have been almost amused if it weren't for the fact that his pregnant mate was fighting against a very strong youkai. The delicacy of her pregnancy added to his worry. He tried once more to get past the barrier but it still rejected him.
"Kagome, take it easy," InuYasha said, concern evident in his face. "Just drop the barrier and let Sesshoumaru and me handle her. Your pregnancy is a little complicated."
That caught Kagome's attention. She kept her mind trained on Hotaru but listened intently to what InuYasha said. "What do you mean?" she asked at she parried against Hotaru.
"You are carrying a full demon, Kagome," Sesshoumaru answered. "You might hurt the pup with your powers."
Kagome paled, jumping back from Hotaru who smirked. Her barrier instantly disappeared. She immediately retracted her powers and felt the beginning of pain in her abdomen. Her eyes widened as tears gathered in her eyes. "Oh, Kami," she whispered desperately. "My pup." She went down and clutched her stomach, as if to protect her pup.
Hotaru saw her chance and attacked but Sesshoumaru and InuYasha had moved between her and Kagome.
"Sesshoumaru, go to your mate," InuYasha said and unsheathed Tetsusaiga. "I'll take care of this wench."
The demon lord nodded, moving to his mate. "What are you feeling?" he asked her, kneeling beside her pain-wracked form.
Kaede, Sango and Miroku were instantly beside them while InuYasha fended off Hotaru.
"She is in pain," Kaede said. "The use of her powers has upset the pup. You must let your youki flow into her to calm the pup. Otherwise, she may miscarry."
Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru let his youki flow to Kagome. He whimpered to calm the agitated pup. Soon, he felt Kagome relax against him. Lifting her up, he placed her outside the chamber and ordered Kaede to place a barrier around them. He then went back inside to deal with the insolent youkai.
"You dared harm my mate and my pup," Sesshoumaru said, his eyes bleeding red and his fangs elongating. He flexed his claws and watched in satisfaction as Hotaru's eyes widened in fear when the greenish glow of his poison was visible on them. "Now, you die!" In a flash, Sesshoumaru had Hotaru in a death grip. She was dangling from the floor by her throat. Sesshoumaru howled in victory as he dashed to the balcony and jumped out. He would be damned if he soiled his home with this wench's blood.
"Sesshoumaru," Hotaru said pleadingly. "I only did this so that we could be mated. How can you prefer that human over me?"
"Silence!" he snarled. "I never even considered mating you. For your insolence, you shall die."
"Sesshoumaru, stop!" Kagome yelled from the balcony of their room. "Let her go. Just make her promise not to come back. I don't want anyone to die needlessly. Please," she begged, her eyes watering.
The demon lord glanced at his mates agitated face and knew that killing Hotaru would upset her. "Be grateful that she spared your life," Sesshoumaru said to Hotaru and tossed her aside. "I don't want you to set foot on my lands. If I hear you tried to pull something like this, your life is forfeit." Hotaru edged away from the menace in his voice, turning on her heel and fleeing.
Kagome slumped at the balcony. The events had drained her. She smiled when she felt Sesshoumaru carefully pick her up. "Won't they let me rest for even a day?" she joked to reassure Sesshoumaru that she and the pup are fine. She felt him relax a little and she snuggled closer to him.
"You should have let me finish her," he said stoically.
She reached up and touched his cheek. "I just don't want anyone to die because of my mistake," she said sadly. "Thank you for not killing her."
He nodded and walked past the others. "We will sleep in another room while our chambers are being repaired," he said as he carried her towards another room.
"Okay," she agreed happily. "But can I please have a bath? I think I need it."
"We'll go together," he answered. "I'll take another one since I do not want that wench's stench on me."
Kagome blushed prettily as she thought of them bathing together. A look on his face told her that he was serious about it and she began to feel uncomfortable. Him and her. Her and him. Naked. Oh, man! She felt something stir inside her.
Sesshoumaru smirked when he smelled the faint scent of her arousal. "Your condition is quite delicate. I should assist you in your bath," he said casually and smelled the increase in her arousal. He saw her stiffen as her body temperature rose. "Do you not want me touching you?"
"It's not that," she said shyly. "Just that… I don't know," she finished lamely.
"Do not worry, I don't bite," he teased playfully.
Kagome looked at him and for that moment, she saw the playful Sesshoumaru that she missed. She relaxed and allowed a smile to grace her lips. "Of course you do," she said teasing back.
Sesshoumaru smirked at her and was pleased when she relaxed in his hold. He opened the doors to the indoor hot spring and let Kagome on her feet gently. She stood for a moment and he quirked his eyebrow at her hesitation. "Well?" he prompted her. He started to undress and watched as she turned her back and began to remove her clothes as well.
He could not help but stare at her as she removed her kimono. The sight of her slender curves caused his body to relax. She had creamy smooth skin and very shapely legs. Not being able to stop himself, he reached for her and turned her around. Her breasts were perfect, not overly large. He noticed the blush creeping up at her face when he looked her up and down. She had averted her eyes from his body but he took hold of her chin and forced her to look at him.
"You have nothing to be embarrassed about," he assured her. He looked at her soft pink lips and gave in to the desire to taste them. Their kiss started out tenderly. He nipped at her lips gently and coaxed her to open her mouth for him. With a moan of pleasure, she parted her mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck. He slipped his mouth in her mouth and felt her press closer to him. He groaned and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.
All too soon they needed air. Panting heavily, they sucked in gulps of air. "Let's get in the water," Sesshoumaru said huskily and picked Kagome up bridal style and immersed them both in the water.
Sesshoumaru started washing Kagome and she returned the gesture. Soon, their hands busied themselves with more interesting things as the room was filled with sounds of pleasure, punctuated by Kagome screaming Sesshoumaru's name his loud howls of conquest.
They remained wrapped in each other's arms as they came. Sesshoumaru's head rested against Kagome's neck while hers lay pillowed against a smooth stone. Soon, their breathing returned to normal. Sesshoumaru then looked at Kagome who was blushing furiously.
He smirked. "Still blushing?" he teased.
Kagome smirked back after recovering from her embarrassment. "And here you assured me that you don't bite," she teased back which made Sesshoumaru grin. Her eyes softened as she smiled. "I really love your smile, you know," she whispered tenderly.
He leaned over her and kissed her lips. "Now we need to get dressed," he whispered. "They might be wondering what's taking us so long."
"Oh. Right," Kagome said.
"Or maybe not," Sesshoumaru amended. "I'm sure everybody within a mile heard you scream."
Kagome blushed but tilted her chin up. "And I'm pretty sure the whole castle shook when you howled a while ago," she retorted.
Sesshoumaru smirked and helped Kagome out of the hot spring. He took a yellow kimono and handed it to his mate. He then donned on a black kimono and wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist as he led her to the dining room.
After dinner, they retired to their new quarters. It was luxurious and spacious but not even close to their original chambers. Sighing tiredly, Kagome went over to the bed and sat down.
Her thoughts returned to the meal and she blushed. As they entered, they felt the tension in the room. Kaede tried her best to act normal. Sango was looking at her lap, blushing a very deep shade of red. InuYasha was averting his eyes and a barely noticeable tinge on his cheeks could be seen. Miroku was leering at them knowingly while Shippo and Rin looked curiously at the adults around them who were acting so weird.
"How was your bath?" Miroku asked his voice laced with an underlying meaning.
Kagome blushed as she took her seat.
"Very refreshing," Sesshoumaru answered as he took his place.
Soon, everyone was occupied with the food. Kagome was thankful but quickly excused herself as soon as she was finished. Sesshoumaru who was also finished went after her.
"Relax, Kagome," Sesshoumaru said, moving closer to her. "You need to rest. You have had a long day."
"You bet I have," she muttered. Taking a sleeping kimono, she slipped behind the dressing screen to change.
She heard Sesshoumaru chuckle. "Still modest around me?" he teased. He felt relaxed with her presence and can't help but relax down when in his mate's presence. He poked his head around the screen and smirked when she whirled around, half-naked and playfully slapped him.
"Hentai," she muttered under her breath before completing her change. Her heart lifted at the way Sesshoumaru was acting. His unguarded side was emerging little by little.
Stepping past him, she walked to their bed. Moving to her side of the mattress, she settled and turned her back on him. She heard a rustling of clothing and decided to ignore it. Soon, Sesshoumaru's weight caused the bed to dip on his side. Kagome didn't move but she knew he was looking at her.
Hot breath on the nape of her neck caused Kagome to shiver and the fine hairs to stand on end. She turned towards Sesshoumaru when he gently tugged at her. She noticed that he was wearing only her necklace. He noticed her staring at it.
"You never take this off?" she asked as she touched the pendant.
Sesshoumaru looked at her. He had noticed that she had the other half of the pendant and that she never removes it also. "Just like you never take yours off," he answered calmly.
"Because I wanted to believe that while you had yours with you and I had mine with me, we are somehow connected," she answered truthfully.
Wrapping her small frame in his arms, he rested his chin on his head. He gave a small smile when he heard her sigh and snuggle closer. "I often wondered where it came from until I saw the one you were wearing," he said. "I have thought of taking it off. But I never got around to doing it."
He felt Kagome's arms return his embrace. "I'm glad," she said happily before her breathing evened out, signaling that she was already asleep.
"What did you say?" Naraku asked menacingly as he heard Kagura's news.
Kagura bowed her head and smirked. She really loved delivering bad news to Naraku. It delighted her every time she saw him angry or frustrated. "Kagome is mated to Lord Sesshoumaru. She is bearing his pup," she repeated the news she had received from the wind.
The evil hanyou's eyes narrowed in fury. His miko is now mated to the human-hating demon. And she is carrying the pup of the most arrogant demon! How did this happen? Her place was beside him, his mate, his queen.
Naraku began to pace. "Kikyou," he called as he stopped and turned towards the shoji door.
The undead miko came in. As usual, she was devoid of emotion as she walked in to stand directly in front of Naraku. Cool, emotionless eyes watched him, waiting to hear of his thoughts.
"Have you visited your beloved InuYasha?" Naraku asked.
"No," she answered shortly.
Naraku's brows furrowed. "And why is that?" he asked.
"Have you forgotten how you attacked them?" Kikyou asked coldly. "They are now staying in the Western Lands."
"You're afraid of Sesshoumaru?" Naraku sneered.
Kikyou's expression hardened. "He possesses the sword that could end my existence," she said coldly. "And he has already made it clear. I am not allowed on his lands."
Naraku laughed wickedly. "Poor Kikyou," he mocked. "Afraid of Sesshoumaru. Then what do you plan?"
Hatred flashed in Kikyou's eyes. "Don't concern your self," she said and walked away.
Naraku's eyes followed Kikyou's retreating form. She was once a very powerful miko. He also believed that Kagome was just her reincarnation, with less power then Kikyou. However, it seems that Kagome was more than just Kikyou's reincarnation. Her powers were greater, too strong for an ordinary miko.
Something about the girl did not seem right. And he would find out what it was. But first, he would have to have her.