Chapter 11: The End Of The Path And The Beginning Of A Fight

Sesshomaru noticed a room full of decoration. In the middle of the room was Kagome and a guy he thought to be Naraku. He looked hard as he listened to what was being said. He noticed that is was the words to start the mating ritual. He was to late to save his beloved for a torturous fate. Sesshomaru looked down to the ground and looked back up to notice there was a change in scenes. Next he saw Kagome giving birth. It was a painful deed to see but he notice in her eye she had given up life. He knew that it was only a matter of time before she passed on like his mother. One thing he noticed however was that the room looked familiar. He saw a man walking in with a smile on his face. "Aw how nice finally a male heir for my kingdom. That fool of a king thought that I would never attack this kingdom with his son gone and now nothing can stop my family to carry on even if their mother dies." All he was left hearing was laughter of the most sickening to the ears.

Suddenly Sesshomaru jolted awake from his sleep. He looked around and noticed he was back in the woods where he laid to rest for a bit. He sat for a moment thinking of the visions he was given. Knowing Kami he had no time to mess around. Time was short and if he didn't get to Kagome in time he would loose everything and watch a kingdom end in hell. This was starting to prove however more of being a pain to get through then a test of love. If it wasn't for the fact Sesshomaru loved Kagome so much and wanted her back in his arms he would not have sent out on this trip but when time came he would kill that bastard of a man.

Sesshomaru stood and started traveling once more down the last path to what he would hope to be the end to this test and finally end with Kagome in his arms once more. He did however look around and notice the surrounding change a little. It wasn't the same woods he was walking in just a few moments ago. It started getting dark, eerie, and cold. This made Sesshomaru's senses go on alert so nothing could sneak up on him.

With creaks and sounds all around and nothing sounding pleasant this made Sesshomaru hate where he was at. However he noticed that there was a cave up ahead where the path ended. He didn't waste any time, he proceeded through even becoming more aware. He looked at the walls however and noticed the picture and writing on it. The pictures looked familiar like it was a scene he once lived. As he went further however it hit him it was the time he spent with Kagome and the last time he saw her which was the ball. It pained him to think back to that night. It was part of her stepmothers fault for the way he treated her. If she was ready she would eventually tell him the truth of her past.

"So much tragedy happened that night to a worthless slave." Sesshomaru looked around to see where the voice was coming from. It sounded like the wench who caused the mess to begin with. "Who are you? You will show yourself to this Sesshomaru." The woman laughed with wickedness in her voice. "Why should I? The girl got what she deserved. Her mother caused me the nine kinds of hell. Now she is right where she belongs." "A place that not even you could be excepted in still. It seems as thought no matter what you do you will never be happy until you see your heir take her place in which she never will." "How dare you speak such words to me? You will never be able to understand you pampered brat." "I understand more then you know. You have to continue your jealous rage of the girl's mother on her just because she looks like her. So what did you do to kill her father so you could torture her and have your way?" "I never killed her father. I am innocent." Yura stepped into the light where Sesshomaru could see her.

Sesshomaru snared at her. He wanted so much to kill her right on the spot for lying to him. "You lie. You knew good and well how to get at someone who is dead even thought her daughter had nothing to do with it." "She looked like that bitch. It was her mother's fault my life ended in hell. Never once giving me a chance to show how great a woman I could be. Not to mention my parent giving her parents more praise for being full demon and successful. Even my brother got the same treatment. It's a curse to live this life when your family is demon and you're human. I was just as equal to that bitch but oh no I wasn't worthy because I was tainted for being human. I couldn't please my parents no matter what I did." "That is not her fault. Really you should blame your parents." "I did but it was a tragic accident they and my brother suffered." "You are one twisted woman. You deserve nothing but hell."

Yura laughed hysterically. "Young prince when ever shall you learn that once my daughter gets into the royal line that that is where I stop?" Her smile sent shivers down Sesshomaru's. "Your daughter will never be anything more then a princess worthy of nothing from my father but hard times and me to put up with." "Who said you would be a problem?" Sesshomaru smiled. "Because pathetic woman I am not stupid like you or your family and if you think you can bring me down then you got a major challenge on your hands now don't you?" Yura glared at Sesshomaru. She lung after him and in a fast movement, but was to slow for he moved. Yura watched him move but what she didn't prepare for was the wall she hit that was right behind where he stood. Sesshomaru turned quickly towards her and held her at sword point. "I told you foolish woman I am neither stupid nor pathetic like your family. I am one demon everyone fears no matter the strength. Now stay out of my way or your daughter may never make it to 'I DO'."

He turned and started to walk away. All Yura could do was smile and laugh at him. "We shall see little puppy." With that she disappeared into smoke but not in a known location. Sesshomaru picked up his pace to get out of the cave. He didn't care what it would take. All he knew was that Kagome was in trouble and if he knew better Yura was heading to her location to hurry the bastard or worse kill Kagome. Scenes started going through Sesshomaru's head again and on came nothing worse then a headache.

He finally however stopped when he notice a bright light ahead in the cave. He slowly approached with caution for he didn't know if this could be nothing more then another trap. As he got closer he noticed how ever that is was nothing more then a bottle, a dagger with a weird goldish red tinge to it, and a special ring that was last seen on his mother hand. He smiled as he picked up the ring and held it in his hand. "I do" was all the words that came from his lips as he looked to the ring and imagined how it would look on Kagome's hand. He couldn't wait to see her again and hold her, but the only thing that worried him the most was will she except him back for being the worse he has ever been to someone he loved.

He put the ring on his finger as not to loose it and picked up the dagger and bottle and put them safely in his clothes so they didn't cause any damage. He turned to look for a way out but noticed there was only the way he came. He started walking around the wall looking for a key, trigger, or charm of some sore to open to a new path. To his luck there was nothing. However a small glint caught his eye from the roof of the cave. When he looked up he noticed an opening in the top and saw nothing but clear skies. He angled himself properly and in a fast pace jumped till he finally reached the top and climbed out.

He notice thought once out that he was on the top of a very high cliff. He looked over the edge and noticed a huge valley that lay before him. He took this time to survey the land for a correct direction to go to find Kagome. However his search was short for he notice a dark, eerie, castle that looked out of place. He notice that there was a dark aura around it and a barrier that let nothing in or out. 'That must be where he is keeping her. Don't worry Kagome I am coming.' In a short moment you saw Sesshomaru and in the next wind blowing leaves.

(Naraku's Castle)

"Is she ready?" "Yes lord." "Good then prepare her. I waste not time taking her as mine." The servant bowed and walked off to go get Kagome ready. Naraku however was pulled away from business at hand when he sensed and all to know aura. He walked to the outside of the castle and notice Yura standing there waiting for him. "What do you want? You have no business here." "Hello to you too. I came to warn you to get the ritual started now. Sesshomaru is not far off and is on his way to get her." "Is that so? However will he break in to get her. After all the ritual will start soon and there will be nothing to worry about. As a matter of fact you can even sit here and watch if it will make you feel better." Yura narrowed her eye but nodded in agreement.

Naraku left Yura in the gardens and he went to prepare himself for the ritual. However to be on the safe side, he went ahead and sent a few men towards Sesshomaru to slow him down if not kill him. Nothing could stop him now he would soon be mated and stronger then any other male in the entire land.

Kagome was sitting looking out the window in her room. She had finished her lessons and now she knew that is was time for the worse part of her life to unfold. "I held out and for what? No one came to save me. I knew that this was it for me. I should have killed myself why I had the chance." She started crying as she kept looking out the window slowly letting go of the last hope she had.

The door opened as the servants came in and brought everything for her to get ready for the ritual. It started with her getting a cleansing bath that took a little time but not to much. She took a deep breath of her last freedom and followed after the servant who asked her to follow.

(Back to Sesshomaru)

Sesshomaru sensed some men coming towards him that were not there to greet him in warm welcoming. He didn't have time to waste with them and pulled his sword. In one word he screamed and out came a claw like mark that head towards the men that came after him. As he ran past he saw the men lying on the ground in a heap of blood. His guess was right about were Yura ran to and in any case Naraku knew he was coming and was going to speed thing up even faster. He saw the castle in the distance and was almost there. However he knew better then to show up to the door it would only set off the alarms. So he got as close as he could to see what would be the best way to get in.

However as Sesshomaru got closer and into a hiding spot, he noticed that there was a barrier around the castle that only let certain people in and out. 'There must be a special way to get in and out. Something like a special word or item.' Sesshomaru looked and studied the guards around the castle to see what they all had in common that they were wearing that stuck out. It took some time to look over but finally Sesshomaru saw the item. It was a fancy bracelet that didn't match the uniform at all and somewhat stuck out like a sore thumb. He noticed that one of the guards was walking his way to patrol the area. This was his only chance to get the bracelet and disguise himself so he can get in.

As the guard came closer in one swift move, Sesshomaru knocked out the guard without a sound coming from him. He dragged the guard off into the bushes and proceeded to dress in the uniform and put the bracelet on. He chanted a quick spell which changed his appearance to look like the guard and masked his sent. He walked out and stood there looking around like he was patrolling the area. He noticed that a guard gave him a signal and saw the other guards going in. He followed pursuit knowing that it must mean that the ceremony was starting soon.

As he got closer he noticed that other guard paid no attention to him. He followed them to a garden like area which was decorated for a mating ritual. He was happy that he wasn't late. Now all he had to do was wait for the right time to attack. He noticed Yura standing on the other side of the aisle looking for someone to come in. He did all he could to not draw her attention to him. However he noticed that Naraku entered and stopped by Yura. "See I told you there was nothing to worry about. That fool of a pup won't show." "You let your guard down so fast. What makes you think he won't show?" "I sent some guards out to stop him. Now if you will excuse me the ceremony is ready to begin."

Sesshomaru was standing towards the altar where they would be at. He overheard everything that Naraku had said to Yura. He saw Naraku approach the altar and turn waiting for someone to enter. When Sesshomaru looked back to where Naraku was looking he saw Kagome dressed in what he guessed what the ritual attire. He watched Kagome walk to Naraku with her head down but he noticed that she looked up and at everyone. When she looked to him he flashed his eyes gold then back under the mask hoping she caught it in time without giving himself away.

Kagome was dressed and ready to go down for a new life. She took all the last breaths of freedom she could get but to no hope it didn't make her feel any better. They enter the garden but all Kagome could do was walked with her head down. However in the pit of her stomach something told her to look up and around. As she did she looked at all the guards and when looking at the one that stood near Naraku she noticed for a split second that his eye changed to yellow then back to a brown color. In her head she smiled but she kept her emotions in check as to not give away that something was different. She guessed that he was waiting for the right time to attack.

Sesshomaru watched as she stood in front of the altar not once looking at Naraku. Sesshomaru knew that the time was coming soon to attack but what he wasn't looking forward to was all the guards that he would be fighting before he got to Naraku. Suddenly Sesshomaru heard a familiar voice in his head. ("Don't worry my young prince. We are here to help you out. Focus on only Naraku and don't worry about Kagome or Yura. Get Naraku first then go after Yura and leave the guards to us.") Sesshomaru closed his eye in acknowledgement. Naraku started the ritual. Sesshomaru however looked to the sky and saw a glint of light which in his mind he knew was the sign to attack now. In a fast movement Sesshomaru pulled the dagger and stab Naraku but to his surprise he didn't get a very good stab before Naraku moved.

Naraku started the ritual but soon knew something was wrong. However he wasn't fast enough to move when he felt a stabbing pain in his lower back where he was stabbed but not bad enough he couldn't fight. Naraku turned and noticed that a white haired demon was standing before him. He looked around and saw all the guards passed out on the ground. Yura was in shock that Sesshomaru was standing right there before them. She didn't even notice him enter. Kagome walked slowly away from the altar as to not get hurt or in the way. However Yura saw her move and in a slow not noticeable motion followed after her. 'She is not going to get away so easy. If she can't be mated to Naraku then she dies.'

Naraku looked at the man before him and guessed that this man was Sesshomaru. "Well well young prince it seems you are sneakier and smarter then I gave you credit for but this is where you end." Naraku took out his swords and attacked Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru said nothing but took out his sword in time to counter attack Naraku's move. While they fought however, Yura slipped away and into the shadows behind Kagome. She took out a dagger and was ready to stab her when Kagome turned and kicked Yura in her stomach. Kagome was not going to go easy by this woman. She had ruined everything she had and taken everything she ever loved away.

All three spirits watched on as both pups where in their own fight. All they could do was watch for they had interfered enough with the guards being passed out. They hoped that their pups would succeed because if not all would be lost and there would be nothing they could do. The fights continued on with both sides looking like hell.