Light of My Life

Light of My Life

Title: Light of My Life

Author: kazeko

Series: Inuyasha

Rating: R

Archive: Sesshoumaru/Kagome

Characters: Sesshoumaru/Kagome, Inuyasha/Koyama, Sango/Miroku

Summary: A powerful prophecy brings mortal enemies together, but prejudice may well tear them apart and spell the end of all inuyoukai.

Disclaimer: No ownership.

Chapter 12: To Weave a Spell

Kaori walked a little distance away from her siblings, sniffing through the flowers and small bushes growing in the field. Akihiko watched her depart, catching Shippo's arm and gesturing for the kitsune to follow. Shrugging, Shippo obeyed, already liking his new position in this pack of inuyoukai. He hoped that Kagome would let him stay when she became Lord Sesshoumaru's lover so that he could keep his new large family and never have to worry about being alone when his adopted mother died.

"Kaori, what are you looking for?"

Seeing that it was only Shippo, the Alpha Pup shrugged. "I do not know the name, but it is a low-growing herb with many heart-shaped leaves and tiny red flowers. It is partially enchanted, and it can alter a human's fertility cycle without changing her scent."

"Why do you need it?"

"I had not counted on Koyama's nose," was her cryptic reply. "I could overwhelm my grandmother for that long, but Koyama is beyond my blood and outside of my power. I was born for a purpose, for a prophecy, and I will not let Koyama's sense of smell ruin that prophecy. Ah, here it is." Kaori found her plant, harvesting many of the white-tipped green leaves and shoving them into a bag she had brought for just such a purpose. "I have a destiny, Shippo, that does not involve myself. The future of my pack and all inuyoukai depends on the Lover's Rights going correctly. If anything goes wrong, my life will have been for naught and we will all die."

Shippo watched her work for a moment, pondering the events of her short life. "So you chose Kagome to nurse you so that she and Sesshoumaru-sama would become close and go through with this ceremony?"

"Indeed."

"And that herb . . ."

Kaori locked eyes with the kit, her intense ice blue gaze freezing the child who was very much her senior in age and junior in powers. "You will give me your word that you will breathe nothing of this to my siblings, any human, the servants, or any member of my pack no matter how much you agree or disagree with my actions. This must happen, or we will go extinct."

"You have my word," Shippo whispered, a chill of foreboding passing through him.

Kaori nodded and walked deeper into the clearing, noting the servants watching her every move. They were only coyotes, so they could not hear her from so far away, and they worried that she might get herself into trouble. Kaori found a flat stone on the ground and placed her herb leaves on it, using another stone to begin grinding them into a fine mush. She directed Shippo to dry them out with his foxfire, filling her bag with the resultant powder.

Only when she was done did she speak again. "Koyama will have noted that Kagome nears the bottom of her fertility cycle in a few days, and Father will choose that time to complete the Rights. Mother's meddling this morning leads me to believe that she will find a way to separate Kagome from the pack unless something is done to Bind her to it. Something stronger than mere scent must change Kagome. Everyone thinks her powers will purify any child she conceives, but a miko's powers have always been guided by their emotions. She loves youkai, loves everyone, so only her lack of fertility can prevent the birth of a hanyou child. However, Father suspects as much and will ever prevent himself from releasing his seed into Kagome."

"What's so special about the Rights, then? Jaken took us away before we heard that part of the explanation."

"I know the answer already, though. During the Rights, Father must spill his seed and lock with Kagome. Only during the lock, or knot, can an inu or ookami impregnate another, and this will be the only time Father will lock with her. If she does not conceive on the night of the Rights, she never will."

Shippo's green eyes widened and he fell on his tail in shock. "Your herbs will make Kagome have a child!"

"If she does not have a child, Grandmother will find a way to have her ejected from the pack. I do not know the reason, but Kagome must stay a member of my pack so that all inuyoukai will survive into the future. Grandfather sought to fulfill this prophecy with Izayoi and Inuyasha, but it was never power that would change the course of fate. Only love and innocence can. I know no more than that, but this herb can get her to conceive without altering her scent on the night of the Rights. Koyama's nose will not be able to stop the conception. We must discover which night they plan to use. Mother Kagome must ingest this powder twenty-four hours before the Rights or all will be lost."

Shippo sat on the ground for a moment, considering Kaori's words. He wanted her to live, and he liked living with her and her brothers, but he wasn't sure if tricking Kagome was the right thing to do. Coming to a decision, he carefully took the bag of powder from Kaori, bowing his head. "Kirara was not excluded from their meeting. I will ask her to determine when the Rights will be held, and we can convince Mother Kagome to use the last of her ramen for some celebratory feast. Kirara can get this powder into her ramen without being detected, and she'll get pregnant."

Kaori smiled and kissed Shippo's forehead. "Thank you for helping me. Your promise did not include Kirara, since I know that she would not betray us, so you can tell her of our plan. My brothers, however, will not understand, so do not tell them."

"I won't."


Koyama nodded. "Five nights from now would be the best time to perform the Rights."

Sesshoumaru nodded and nuzzled Kagome, taking pleasure in her light blush. "We must find a safe clearing in which to perform it. The castle is too far away and it would be unwise to cease our pursuit of Naraku for any reason that he might perceive as weakness. Inuyasha, you will find the location."

The hanyou nodded, pulling Koyama into his arms. She grinned at the attention, Sango rolling her eyes as Miroku slowly groaned his way back to consciousness. Since he had missed most of the conversation involving the Rights, he would not know what he was forbidden to witness until after it was finished. Sesshoumaru had decided that it would be the best course of action concerning the houshi.

From her perch in a tree above the group, Kirara listened to the plans, unconcerned with the actions of the youkai in her pack. Yawning, she jumped down from her perch and wandered off in the direction she had seen Shippo and the pups go, hoping for a game or a sweet treat from her kitsune friend.


"Did you hear when they planned to do the Rights, Kirara?"

After hearing the kitsune's plan, the nekomata had reluctantly agreed to help him. "She said five days would be best."

"So in four nights we'll have to get Kagome to feed us ramen."

Kirara's ears perked up at that. "Ramen! Oooh!"

"It's the best thing. It comes individual, so we can put the powder only in Kagome's. She likes a different kind than Inuyasha and the others. I can distract her while you put the herbs in her cup before she pours in the hot water. It'll be pretty tricky, but I think you can pull it off."

Kirara nodded and sniffed the bag. "This stuff can make her pregnant?"

"Kaori says so. We won't know for a week or two if it worked. This way I can stay at the palace with all my new friends and Kagome won't ever have to go back to her time."

"I suppose it is a worthy cause to save the pups."

"Thanks, Kirara. I knew you would help me."


The group traveled quickly for three days, hunting for an abandoned outpost or village where Sesshoumaru and Kagome could rut in safety. The pups spent the time honing their hunting prowess, and Inuyasha spent the time strengthening his bond with his new mate. They slept away from the group every night, and Miroku managed to get Sango to leave with him, as well. The coyote sisters, feeling that the pups were unprotected, began to sleep with the rest of the group, taking turns guarding them. Satori was sulking, not speaking to humans or hanyou, determined to find a way to rid her family of the stain of humanity. Kagome slept curled in Sesshoumaru's arms, both unwilling to rut again until the night of the Rights. Kagome hoped that nothing would go wrong and that Naraku would not interfere. In order to keep their nemesis from learning of their plans, they did not speak of the Rights again, hoping that he would remain unaware until the bonding was complete. Despite his worry about Naraku, Sesshoumaru had a feeling that it was the right time to claim his little miko.

On the fourth night, as Kagome and the coyote sisters set about to prepare the camp, Inuyasha and Koyama returned from their scouting with good news.

Inuyasha plopped down beside the fire, pulling his mate close to him as Sango and Miroku took Rin and the youkai children down to the stream to wash up before their meal. "So, we found a village about a day's march from here. It'll be a hard walk, but I think exhaustion will keep the humans from interfering." He didn't say it, but Sesshoumaru knew he referred to Miroku.

"Indeed. Is there any word from the coyotes?"

The second part was directed at his mother, and the inu shook her head. She had been unusually quiet the last few days, and that worried Sesshoumaru, the taiyoukai certain that his mother was planning something that he would not like. "No, there is not. Senmei and Shishi called this morning, but the nearest coyote says there has been little luck finding the miko. One seemed hopeful that she had passed through a nearby village. They will contact the sisters in two nights' time."

"Very well. Then I suppose tomorrow night will be the perfect time for the Rights." The lord reached out and caught Kagome's hand, pulling the small woman into his lap and nuzzling her neck. The others in the group looked away, confused at the taiyoukai's strange new behavior and amused by his possessiveness toward Kagome. "Are you ready for this, little miko?"

"Yes, she breathed, shivering slightly. "Afterwards . . . I'll need to go home and tell my mother what's been going on. I'm sure she's been worried about me these past two months. I usually go home more frequently."

"That will be fine."

Shippo's squeal from the direction of the river signaled the return of the pups. Kaori and Shippo led the way as the eight children, Jaken, Sango, Kirara, and Miroku returned, seating themselves around the fire. Shippo jumped up when he saw his mother reaching into her bag, grabbing her hand and turning pleading green eyes up at her.

"Mama, do you have any ramen left? Kaori-tachi have never tasted it and I want them to before it's all gone."

Kagome smiled at the kit, hugging him to her before returning her attention to her bag. "I don't have a lot, Shippo. You pups will all have to share. It won't be enough for a full meal, even."

"That's okay! I just want them to try it. How many cups do you have?"

"Um . . . eight. Oh, that's not a lot at all." Kagome looked up from her bag. "Who would want one?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, nose scrunching at the thought of this human ramen nonsense. All of the children were interested, as well as the usual group, so Kagome decided that there would be enough. Koyama and the coyotes excused themselves to go hunt up more filling food, though not before Inuyasha offered her his ramen. Kagome smiled at the hanyou's words, knowing what such an offer meant to him. Setting out the ramen cups, Kagome realized that there was only one oriental flavored one, which was her and Shippo's favorite.

Ever the generous mother, Kagome handed Shippo that cup. "Here you go. You can have this one, Shippo."

"No, Mama! That's your favorite! Besides, I'm sharing with Kaori and I think she'll like chicken flavor better." Taking his chosen cup, Shippo also picked flavors for the other children to eat, giving Rin and Kichiro one of the two beef while the other four pups also got chicken. Inuyasha snagged the other beef, leaving shrimp for Sango and Kirara and the usual vegetarian for Miroku. Kagome handed Shippo the pot and watched him run down to the stream to fetch water, wondering why he was so eager to make ramen that night. He didn't want her to do anything. Sitting behind Kagome, pretending to clean her paws, Kirara stared at the cup of oriental ramen, sitting on the important pouch of herbs. If Shippo was right, she would get only one opportunity, and she had better make it count. The pups were depending on her.

Shippo put the water over the fire to boil, carefully opening each cup and lining them up to one side of the fire, opposite the youkai, beside his mother. Placement of the food was everything, as only the proper obstacles would let Kirara accomplish her task. On cue, Kichiro leaned over and nipped his sister, earning a sharp growl as Kaori reached over to hit him. The smaller pup yipped and jumped back, transforming into his inu form as he attempted to escape. Akihiko and Raiden joined Kaori in chasing their brother, jumping over their uncle and slamming into their father accidentally, earning a fierce growl that froze the trio.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sesshoumaru's glowing golden eyes ended the brief fight, Inuyasha rubbing his arm where one of the pups had grazed him. The three returned to their human forms as four of the boys lined up behind Kaori, Kichiro hiding behind his father.

"Kichiro never obeys me! I told him that playtime was over and that he should sit still while our friend Shippo makes us a treat, but he reached over and nipped me! I do not know what to do about him!"

Sesshoumaru sighed and pulled his daughter close, enveloping her in his calming scent. "Do not fret, daughter. All pups are rebellious, no matter how much they try to learn pack etiquette, but over time they will grow into their proper ranks and will no longer tax you." He turned to his youngest son, patting the boy on his head. Inuyasha and the humans watched the exchange curiously, all of their attention off the food and the boiling water. Kirara, sensing her opportunity, took the bag in her teeth and leaned over the nearest cup of ramen, emptying the contents into the oriental noodles. The powder was a pale greenish yellow color, so she dropped the bag on the ground, incinerating it with her fire powers, and reached into the cup, stirring the dried food.

Kagome sniffed at the scent of something burning, giggling when she spotted Kirara with her paw in the cup of oriental ramen. Carefully lifting the neko and hugging her briefly, Kagome handed her back to Sango. "Silly Kirara. That cup isn't the one with shrimp! Besides, it's not soft enough to eat until we put the water in!"

Kirara mewled, glancing up at Sango, who grinned. "She's always trying to get into the ramen. You can have some of mine, girl, as soon as Shippo finishes making it."

Sensing that the tension among the inuyoukai had faded, Shippo returned to his duties and carefully poured hot water into each of the ramen cups, smiling at the yellow powder in his mother's portion. It looked like his plan had worked.

The children gathered again, pairing up over tiny cups of ramen as Kagome handed out pairs of chopsticks. Everyone was finally settling down to eat, Sesshoumaru content to hold Kagome and run fingers through her hair, when a whirlwind of wild yips and growls announced the arrival of the last youkai the group was planning on seeing that evening. Inuyasha growled over his cup at Kouga, too interested in the ramen to fight, but still eager to have the ookami prince gone.

Kouga, however, was not interested in leaving. Before poor Kagome could get one bite of her food, Kouga had pulled her hand to his lips, placing the cup on the ground and smiling. An instant later, before anyone had a chance to take a breath, Sesshoumaru had Kouga pinned against a tree, claws buried in his throat, the inu's growl filling the woods. "Keep your dirty paws off what belongs to this Sesshoumaru."

Kouga nodded, landing on the ground in a heap and rubbing his neck. "What the hell? I pop in here for a quick visit and dog-breath's brother has me hanging from a tree!"

"Half-brother," Inuyasha corrected absent-mindedly. Deciding that the matter was closed, he returned to his meal and slurped up his soup, puppy ears twitching in contentment. Kagome sighed as Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around her, letting the miko eat her meal in peace. Shippo and the pups sent warning growls at the prone wolf before returning to their shared meals. Catching a hint from his master, Jaken moved closer to Kouga and held out his staff, glaring at the intruder and daring him to move.

The coyotes and Koyama returned with the main meal a little later, mostly fish. For some reason, the area was devoid of large animals, and Sesshoumaru guessed that whatever youkai decimated the nearby village had also frightened off most large prey. The group ate in silence, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha growling at Kouga every time he moved away from his tree. Koyama took pity on the ookami and handed him a pair of fish to munch on, also feeding Jaken and the coyote sisters. Satori retreated to her tree early, settling in to guard the camp overnight, the coyotes moving away to form a loose perimeter as Jaken and Ah-Un sat down beside Kouga, determined to watch him all night.

"Aww, come on Kagome! Certainly you won't let this stuffy lord and his servants keep me stuck over here all night? I came to see you, to help my woman with her search!"

Kagome touched Sesshoumaru, freezing his growl mid-throat. "Kouga, I appreciate the gesture, but I'm not your woman and I never have been. I'm Sesshoumaru's lover now, and I suggest that you stop calling me your woman before he hurts you."

Kouga's eyes widened as he settled against his chosen tree. Sesshoumaru let Kagome clean up from the meal before lifting her into his arms and leaping into the tree opposite Kouga. He purred and nuzzled the miko, lulling her into a relaxed sleep as the sun vanished from the sky, golden eyes glowing balefully at the wolf. Kouga dared not move from his spot even as Miroku and Sango bedded down not far away and the little toad nodded off. The pups and Shippo were old enough to sleep in trees, Rin still curled up with Ah-Un near Miroku and Sango, under the tree Inuyasha and Koyama chose. Kouga refused to sleep through that long night, half-afraid that the inu lord would kill him if he closed his eyes. Through that long night, the brash ookami and cold inu glared at each other across the clearing.


TBC