Author's Rant

Lady A: Hey Everyone! Chapter 14: Aftermath has arrived. Now there is going to be a rather interesting Jaken moment, so just go with it.

Hiei: The fools are still speechless.

Lady A: *looks over at the two casts and sees that many of them are sporting the fish-out-of-water syndrome* Well damn, I didn't think it was that much of a shock.

Hiei: You expected them to move beyond their idiocy?

Lady A: Well it has been a few days, so yeah I guess so.

Hiei: Hn. Foolish woman. Never have high expectations from those fools. It will simply lead to disappointment.

Lady A: *sighs heavily* I guess you're right and here I thought I was brilliant. *pouts*

Hiei: *lifts her chin* You are an intelligent author…for a human, but those fools are unable to grasp your greatness.

Lady A: *smiles softly and kisses Hiei's cheek* You're so sweet.

Hiei: *blushes slightly* Quit speaking such frivolous nonsense, woman, and continue the story.

Lady A: *kisses his cheek once more* Sure thing, Sparky.

Hiei: *growls*

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any other shows I make references to so back off you crazy lawyers or I'll sick Sparky on you.

Hiei: *gives Lady A a dry look* I am not your attack dog, woman.

Lady A: *giggles* Good dog.

Chapter Fourteen: Aftermath

Sesshoumaru stared up at the sky, the rain soaking through his clothes, but he didn't care. He could still hear her scream in his mind. The last time she had screamed like that was when her soul was on the verge of shattering. He clenched his fists painfully in anger. He had failed. He, Sesshoumaru, Lord of the West, had failed to protect what was his. He was absolutely disgusted with himself. He had made a vow to protect his miko and those she cared for. He had broken his promise and he didn't know what to do to make it right.

He was barely aware of Jaken approaching and picking up the tear stones. His mind was elsewhere so it came as a shock when Jaken actually said something useful.

"With all due respect, milord, but stop staring at the sky and use the Tenseiga to revive the fallen princess!" Jaken snapped.

Sesshoumaru growled slightly at Jaken's tone, but then the imp's words sunk in. His eyes widened. Of course, he could use his father's fang to save the life of the child his miko loved. He would worry about Jaken's punishment later.

He moved quickly to the girl and unsheathed Tenseiga. It pulsed in his hand and he knew that the sword wanted to save the child as well. He saw the transparent figures of the servants of the Underworld. They were trying to remove the girl's soul, but the princess was fighting. It was obvious that the child had no intention of abandoning her body.

He raised Tenseiga and sliced through the Underworld's minions. He sheathed Tenseiga and knelt before the little girl, making certain that she could not see the carnage behind him. Sesshoumaru watched as color returned to the girl's face, her heart began to beat, and her once void eyes shined anew.

"Mister Lord?" Mimi asked hoarsely.

Sesshoumaru placed his hand on her cheek as her tears began to fall.

"I am here." He stated lifting the girl into his arms.

"Where is the pretty miko lady?" She asked her voice gaining strength.

They entered the castle and away from the carnage that was the garden.

"She has left the village." He answered extending his senses to locate a hot spring.

"Why?" She asked curling into him.

He located the sulfur scent of a spring and headed towards it.

"She killed the bandits that hurt you." He answered as he turned down another hallway.

"Is she mad at Mimi for being caught by the bad men and dying?" She asked crying again.

They entered the indoor hot spring.

"No. She is upset with herself." He answered lowering Mimi into the hot spring to get cleaned up.

The girl immediately began washing her hair and body, trying to get rid of the blood and mud.

"Why?" She asked rinsing herself of the shampoo and soap.

"She broke a promise to herself by killing the bandits." He answered retrieving a small kimono from the wardrobe along with a towel.

"What promise?" She asked as she got out the spring and began drying off.

"The promise never to kill. Now she feels broken inside." He answered helping her into the kimono, being mindful of his claws.

Mimi took Sesshoumaru's hand and he led her through the castle in search of her parents.

"Could Mister Lord fix the pretty miko lady? Mimi wants to say she's sorry and thank the pretty miko lady for getting rid of the bad men." Mimi asked looking at him expectantly.

Sesshoumaru stopped and looked down at Mimi. He remembered his miko's words.

'I will protect, I will defend, I will heal, but I will not take the life of another.'

He sighed inwardly. He knew that mikos had many duties; protection, defense, and healing among them, but he also knew that mikos have a duty to fight and slay evil. His eyes widened slightly. He had an idea on how to help his miko. Mimi tugged on his hand, still expecting an answer.

"I will 'fix' the miko and return her to the village." He answered.

Mimi smiled widely, her eyes bright and shining with hope.

Artimes hit ground with her fist causing a small fissure to appear. Her heart and mind were in chaos. The darkness within was trying to comfort her, but she wouldn't listen. She was in shambles and by some miracle had gotten cleaned up and dressed. She was wearing a long sleeved black shirt that was hanging off her shoulders, a strap on each shoulder to hold it in place. She was also wearing a black sleeveless leather jacket, a black skirt, and black boots.

She wasn't entirely aware of how she had gotten dressed or when she had braided her hair. Her mind was at war, trying to win the battle of dominance between light and darkness. Her darkness spoke again in an attempt to soothe her grief, but she pushed the darkness away.

She screamed as blades made of wind shot forth from her body and sliced the surrounding trees to ribbons. Electricity crackled around her body before shooting out in bursts catching some of the vegetation on fire. She kept moving further away of the village, away from the massacre she caused. She punched the ground again causing an even greater fissure to appear. She raised her hands in front of her and sent out blasts of fire and ice, trying desperately to gain control over her emotions, but she was lost. Her heart was screaming.

What the hell was she? She said she wouldn't kill, but then she did. What's worse is that she enjoyed it. She loved every second of pain she inflicted; every scream was like a serenade to her ears.

She remembered the warmth of their blood, how it cooled and dried on her skin. It was divine. The sick and twisted joy she felt as she ripped off their limbs and gouged out their internal organs. It was wrong, it was so wrong. She could see it in her mind, her photographic memory allowing for perfect recall and the immense pleasure of taking their lives nearly drove her insane.

Her darkness rose again, begging to let her help, but she refused. She slammed her fist into the ground once more, but this time the earth heaved and moaned as it gave way to the onslaught of her power. All of nature cried out to try and ease the miko's suffering, but she couldn't hear their cries as she ran further away from the village.

What the hell was she?

Sesshoumaru set off in search of his miko. Tinzo's family, as well as the villagers were all worried about Artimes. Many of them had heard her scream before she left and they were afraid for her. They wanted her to return so they could express their gratitude and make certain she was alright. Sesshoumaru had thought it would be difficult to locate her, but the line of destruction she had left in her wake was more than enough for him to track her.

He landed and raced through the battered landscape. It was clear that her emotions were in control when she was wreaking havoc after she left the village. It was very different from what he had found in the garden. There it had been precise, thought out, executed perfectly, but here it was haphazard, random, and completely chaotic.

He would have to be careful when he approached her or he would be on the receiving end of her powers. He found her in the middle of a small meadow, her back to him. He approached carefully and slowly, as to not provoke an attack.

"Hello Sesshoumaru." She said her voice filled with exhaustion and pain.

"Artimes." He replied reaching out to touch her shoulder.

She moved away.

"Don't. I don't want to hurt you too." She warned her voice filling with a chilling pain.

Sesshoumaru froze. He was uncertain of what to do. There were things that needed to be said, but she was close to bolting again or worse, losing herself completely. He was going to make a gamble which may or may not claim his life, but he had to try. He grasped her shoulder gently.

She whipped around, grabbed his throat, and lifted him into the air effortlessly. Her eyes were cold, ruthless, and a mixture of joy and pain swirled in their depths. It was then that he noticed her eyes were shifting colors. They were either sapphire blue or midnight blue. It was clear that she was locked in a war with herself. Her eyes were not glowing and he realized that even now she was trying to protect him from her powers. He watched helplessly as the light and dark sides of his miko fought to be in control. Finally, she dropped him and moved away.

"Leave." She ordered her hair covering her eyes.

He rose to his feet, but made no move to leave.

"I will not." He refused taking a step forward.

*Lime/Lemonish*

Vines appeared out of nowhere and wrapped around his neck, wrists, and ankles. He tried to break free, but soon realized that his youki had been suppressed. Somehow the vines were preventing him from accessing his youki. He was as weak as a human which was absolutely disgusting. He was now at the mercy of his miko and he had a feeling that he wasn't going to like where this was going. Artimes looked at him, her eyes a deep midnight blue. Her face was full of mischief and her eyes held a wicked gleam.

"Tisk, tisk, tisk." She said wagging her index finger from side to side.

She approached him slowly, her eyes like that of a predator.

"You have disobeyed your alpha, Sesshoumaru and therefore must be punished." She stated as she opened his haori.

Sesshoumaru knew exactly where this was leading and he was going to make certain that he did not succumb to his desire. He realized that Artimes's heart was in such chaos that it has unleashed her dark side, a side that was never meant to see the light. Unfortunately for him, he was at the mercy of her dark side and its desires, for that was where the more primitive and carnal desires resided.

He was broken out of his thoughts as she rubbed her hands across his bare chest and he bit back a groan. He would not add to his miko's suffering by allowing her to see how much he enjoyed this, but damn the woman had some wicked hands which were soon followed by an even more wicked mouth. She kissed trails up and down his neck and chest, allowing her hands to follow the trail with ghost like caresses. He pressed his lips together in an effort to remain silent.

"So this is not punishment enough then? Very well, I will do more." She stated while begin to stroke his groin.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, willing himself to stay focused while she untied his hakamas, letting them fall to the ground. She took hold of his erect member and he involuntarily bucked. She chuckled darkly, stroking his member slowly. He opened his eyes when she moved away and then deeply wished that he hadn't. She had removed her clothing and was pleasing herself a short distance away. Her soft moans were making his erection so hard that it was almost painful. Her moans soon became just shy of screams and she cried out his name when she climaxed and in doing so, he climaxed himself without any assistance.

Damn, he felt pathetic. He came by simply watching her. Deep in his mind, he wanted to touch her, to feel her, to be inside her, but he couldn't let himself succumb to his own desires. He had to stay strong, he had to…

His thoughts were interrupted once more when knelt in front of him. His eyes widened. She wouldn't, would she? No, he had to stop this. He had to stop this now. He strained against the vines, but to no avail. They wouldn't budge an inch. He felt her hands begin to stroke his member gently. She built up speed slowly, his pleasure rising. He growled and the vine around his neck tightened slightly.

"This is your punishment, Sesshoumaru. Never disobey me again." She stated before sliding his member into her mouth.

His head fell backwards as he felt her tongue licking the head of his shaft. She slid his member back into her mouth and began a very fast rhythm making him release a deep growl of pleasure. She moved up and down on his throbbing member like a professional and his mind began to haze over. Time held no meaning as she continued to pleasure him. He reached his peak many times. Every time he did, he erupted his seed into her mouth and she swallowed it all, licking up every last drop.

*End Lime/Lemonish*

Finally, she finished cleaning him up and redressed him. He was exhausted and he hung his head in shame. He had been too weak to resist her ministrations and growled inwardly at his own weakness. Within moments, his eyes closed and he let the darkness take him.

Artimes sighed heavily and watched Sesshoumaru sleep after his 'punishment'. She had gotten cleaned up and dressed again, but couldn't seem to stop smiling. She knew he needed a release, but damn, he actually came without her touching him. Poor guy had been sexually deprived.

She sat down on the ground and stared up at the sky. She thought about her awakening and growled inwardly. It wasn't supposed to happen like that. It was meant to be gradual so she could slowly merge with her light, but something went wrong and she was pushed to the surface forcefully.

'It was the Shikon.' Taizunga stated pulsing.

Artimes raised an eyebrow. She wasn't expecting the sword to be able to communicate with her.

'What about the Shikon?' She asked glancing over at Sesshoumaru.

'It severed the bond you shared with your light, so when your light was pushed beyond her emotional limits; there was nothing for her to draw strength from. The lack of stability forced you to awaken completely and take control. There had been so much damage to your soul that the Shikon had been able to sever the link without being noticed. Call it a parting gift from the jewel.' Taizunga explained spitting out the last part.

Artimes glared at the ground, her anger rising. Her body crackled with electricity. That damn jewel just couldn't be destroyed without leaving one last surprise.

'That jewel is like a fucking cockroach.' She thought bitterly.

Now she was going to have to convince not only her light but Sesshoumaru as well that she was not evil. She was simply the other half of the miko's soul forced to awaken because of the stupid jewel. She had no idea how to convince her light not to reject her, because she has been refusing to speak with her and has locked herself up tighter than Fort Knox. If she doesn't do something soon, then their soul will begin to shatter because the light cannot exist without the darkness. This was not her day…er…night.

Artimes sighed heavily. Just how was she to convince Lord Fluffy that she wasn't evil? Not like she really cared, she was more concerned about her light. Her light would be the greatest challenge. It was going to take a miracle to get her light back out.

'Sesshoumaru will bring her back.' Taizunga stated pulsing.

'And how, pray tell, will Fluffy-sama do that?' Artimes asked her voice laced with sarcasm.

The dog was hot; she'd give him that, but what he could possibly do to get her light back? Taizunga chuckled softly. She glared at the sword with pure venom.

'You will see. There is a reason why your light has such great faith in the taiyoukai.' It answered cryptically.

'You sound like Takia.' She replied scowling.

'Thank you.' It said happily.

'Hmph.' She replied rolling her eyes.

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes slowly. The first thing he noticed was that he was no longer bound by vines and his youki ran freely without hindrance. He was fully clothed, Tenseiga and Bakusaiga was at his waist. He heard a soft chuckling and looked up. Artimes was sitting on a boulder, her left leg lying flat out while her right was bent, her arm resting comfortably on her knee. Her eyes were not the usual sapphire blue, but a deep midnight blue. Her hair was braided down her back and she had a rather amused expression on her face.

"So you're finally awake, Fluffy." She commented smirking.

So her dark side was still in control? He couldn't understand how her personality could change so drastically. It was like she was a completely different person. As if reading his mind, Artimes chuckled again.

"I am indeed Artimes. I am simply the other half of her soul." She stated.

His eyes narrowed and she chuckled again. Artimes hopped off the boulder and walked over to him. He waited for her next move and he wasn't disappointed. She sat down on top of him and straddled him directly above his member. Though her eyes were cold and hard, she wore a softened expression on her face.

"Listen to me, Sesshoumaru. I am not evil. I am simply darkness. Every soul has two sides, a light and a dark, but Celestial Mikos are different. The two sides of the soul normally merge making them neither light nor dark." She explained.

"Normally?" He asked not liking where this is going.

Artimes smirked slightly.

"Caught onto that, huh?" She commented.

*Lemon*

He growled. A vine wrapped around his neck, silencing his growl and constricting his youki.

"Behave, my little puppy or I will have to punish you again." She threatened rubbing across his member for emphasis.

Sesshoumaru groaned inwardly. He was already becoming hard again from such a simple action. He was Sesshoumaru; certainly he had more control over his body than this? Sensing him struggling, Artimes grinded against his member, eliciting a moan from the taiyoukai. In an effort to stop the movement and regain his sanity, he grabbed her bottom, but without his youki enhanced strength, he could do nothing more but hold on.

Artimes smiled inwardly. Fluffy was ready for another round and although she had not intended for it to go that far, she thought what the hell, they both needed the release. While he was distracted, she untied his hakamas once more. In one swift motion, she lifted up, exposed his member, pulled her undies to the side, and slammed his erection deep inside herself.

Sesshoumaru gasped in both surprise and pleasure. His member throbbed in response to the sudden heat. The fire and tightness of her folds gripped his member fiercely. He tried to remove his hands but discovered they were encased in crystal, preventing their removal. She slowly began to pump his shaft up and down. She was wet, very wet and his member slid so easily.

He grit his teeth trying not succumb to his lust, but she started going faster and his breathing became more ragged. It was becoming increasingly difficult not to show how much he was enjoying the feeling of being inside her. She increased the power of her thrusts and he let out a deep guttural growl of pleasure.

Inside the crystal, his hands instinctively gripped her bottom harder causing her to moan in pleasure. Hearing her sounds of ecstasy made him buck against her. She cried out in surprise and he did it again. His mind hazed over, the pleasure overwhelming his logic.

Artimes felt when Sesshoumaru ceased struggling and she decided to release his hands from the crystal. The crystal shattered to dust. His response to that action was to grip her bottom harder and to plunge her deeper, hitting her core as he thrusted. By the Kamis this felt good, but she wanted more.

The vine constricting his youki released and his eyes bled red. His beast surged to the surface and was eager to please. Within moments, she was on her back and he was driving into her with his demonic speed and strength. She climaxed several times over the next hour. She could feel Sesshoumaru getting close to his own release.

She smirked as the vine wrapped his neck again forcing his beast back inside, but Sesshoumaru was still thrusting albeit slower. At the last second, he pulled out. She pushed him onto his back and quickly wrapped her lips around his shaft, sucking steadily, bringing him to his peak. He came hard while growling out her name and Artimes felt a swell of pride bubble up in her chest. She cleaned him up and proceeded to lay down on his chest. The duo drifted to sleep, exhausted from their love making.

*End Lemon*

Artimes awoke a few hours later and she felt like crap. Her body was screaming and it wasn't just from the sex. She carefully extracted herself from the sleeping inu taiyoukai. Her body protested greatly as she got clean and dressed. She was wearing the crimson outfit that mirrored her black one from earlier. She had always liked this style and often preferred it. She could care less for traditional crap.

It was painfully obvious that her body hadn't had enough time to recuperate its strength. Elemental powers were very draining when the body lacks the proper endurance training. The energy pathways were still new and hadn't had the time to truly settle yet. She did go a little overboard when she killed the bandits and her light went completely mental when she made a mad dash away from the village.

She sat on a rock near the river's edge and watched the water swirl and foam. She had gotten distracted earlier with Sesshoumaru. She still needed to convince him she wasn't evil. Then there was her light. Her light was buried so far within that it was ridiculous. Though she could see and hear everything she did, but she just flat out refused to listen. Plus her light wasn't happy with what she did with Sesshoumaru.

She truly did wonder if the sexy puppy could bring back her light. Taizunga seemed confident that he could. Why did her light have so much faith in him? Was it because of the dreams? She glared at the water. She didn't know what the dreams meant or why she was having them; not like it mattered anyways, she hadn't had any dreams similar to those for almost a month. Why did the dreams suddenly end? Did it mean that they were making their own fate now? At this point in her life, Artimes was really starting to hate fate.

A large cat with golden fur and glistening golden wings walked through the starry night. His golden eyes fell upon his silver haired friend who was currently clenching his fists in anger. He came along side him and sat down on his back paws.

"What troubles you, old friend?" The cat asked knowing full well what was on his friend's mind.

After all, his friend never moved from the viewing crystal where he watched over the Celestial Maiden.

"I am in no mood for your games, Keroberos." The man snapped.

Kero sighed heavily. Will he ever learn?

"You cannot help her, Yue. She must do this on her own." He stated.

Silver blue eyes cut over to him, a cold glare in their depths. Kero suppressed the urge to shiver. Yue was always so dramatic.

"I know that, but the jewel has interfered with destiny. It has severed the bond between light and darkness." He informed his eyes returning to the crystal.

Kero growled deeply, his golden eyes glowing from his anger. Damn, that jewel is going to ruin everything.

"The bond must be restored if she is to complete her destiny. But how?" Kero questioned.

Yue took on a thoughtful expression.

"A soul reader, perhaps?" He suggested crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Kero's eyes lit up as an idea popped into his mind. There was one soul reader who would be accepted by both light and darkness. He will have to work quickly.

"I know what to do. Leave everything to me, old friend." He stated turning to leave.

"I hope you know what you are doing, Keroberos, because I will not tolerate any harm coming to her as a result of your plan." Yue warned his tone carrying the promise of pain.

Kero shivered slightly, but did not respond. His plan will work, it had to. He knew how much his friend cared for the woman and he knew Yue's heart was breaking because he was trapped in the heavens and unable to help her. He raced away to put his plan into action. That woman had a great destiny; if he could get it back on track, that is.

Sesshoumaru awoke feeling sated and he growled inwardly. His physical lust had been appeased as well as his beast's. Why couldn't he resist her? Was he really that weak? Or was it simply that he was weak against her? He rose to his feet and straightened out his clothes and dusted himself off. He set off in search of Artimes and followed her scent.

He found her standing on a hill, staring at the stars. She looked to be deep in thought until she lowered her gaze to scowl at the ground. She seemed to be very upset about something. Sesshoumaru finally conceded that this woman was his miko, just a different side of his miko that he will have to learn about.

"What troubles you, little miko?" He asked coming up next to her.

She looked up at him, surprise evident on her face.

"You called me 'little miko'. You only call my light that." She answered looking away from him.

His eyes softened as he felt the sadness in her aura. Perhaps she was not so different from the miko he knew.

"You are my little miko. You will always be my little miko. No matter what form you take, that will never change." He stated turning her to face him.

She looked into his eyes, searching for something. What it was, she found her answer, because she smiled softly.

"I really thought it would take longer to convince you that I wasn't evil. You surprise me, Fluffy." She replied.

Did she have to call him Fluffy?

"Shall we continue our previous discussion?" He asked.

Artimes chuckled softly.

"And which discussion would that be? The one where we were talking with our mouths or the one where we were talking with our bodies?" She asked mischief dancing in her eyes.

His eyes widened slightly. This Artimes was far more direct than her light and much, much bolder.

"Both." He answered smoothly.

Artimes smirked and started laughing.

"Whoa there, puppy. I'm all for another round, but we have more pressing issues. Darkness and light are meant to merge gradually until they are one. Unfortunately, we have a problem. The merger cannot be completed." She informed.

"Why?" He asked.

Her aura flared with anger and her body began crackling with electricity. She looked him square in the eyes and he resisted the urge to retreat. Her eyes were blazing with rage and he had no idea why.

"Why?! The jewel! That's why! That blasted little gem severed the connection with my light, so when she was pushed beyond what she could handle, she couldn't draw on me for help. Instead I was forced to the surface and had to take care of things. I'm certain you took note of my coming out party in the garden. It's that damn jewel's fault that my light has locked herself in the deepest part of my mind and I can't get her out. She refuses to listen to me and all Taizunga could say was trust you. That you could get her out, where I couldn't. What's so special about you?! Why does she have so much faith in you?! Why can't I save my light?! Why…" She yelled.

She was cut off by Sesshoumaru's lips meeting hers. Her anger and rage melted away and her body stopped crackling with electricity. She opened her mouth in invitation and he accepted, delving deeper into the kiss. Their tongues battle for dominance, neither willing to submit. It finally became necessary for separation in order to breathe. She panted heavily until she got her breathing under control. Damn Fluffy for knowing the kill switch to her anger.

"How is the jewel responsible? It was destroyed at the temple." He commented.

She took a deep breath and tried to keep her anger in check.

"My soul was close to shattering when the jewel was being forced out. It knew what I would become since it had been in my soul for some time. It was easy to sever the bond then and Taizunga wouldn't have noticed until I was pushed to the surface. Without the connection, the two halves can't merge. Not like it really matters anyway. If my light continues to reject me then my soul will split in two and begin to crumble away until nothing is left but an empty shell." She answered.

Sesshoumaru contemplated everything she had said. The jewel is still causing trouble. Why couldn't it just be destroyed and leave his miko alone? Had she not suffered enough already because of that infernal gem? He sighed inwardly. Moreover, Taizunga believes he has the ability to restore his miko's light, but he had no idea how to accomplish that. Perhaps her darkness has an idea.

"How do we bring her back?" He asked.

"I have no clue. It would take a miracle. Some great shock or surprise; kinda like what happened when I was awakened. That's all I can think of since she refuses to talk to me." She answered shrugging.

A miracle? Luckily he knew exactly what to say.

"Can she hear me?" He asked.

She gave him a confused look but nodded her head in confirmation.

"Mimi is alive." He stated.

Her eyes widened and he watched as her eyes shifted from midnight blue to sapphire blue and back again.

"I used Tenseiga and brought her back to life." He continued.

Her eyes were shifting colors so quickly that it was almost a blur. She was almost there. She just needed one more push.

"She wishes to see you again. She wishes to apologize for being captured and killed by the bandits. She doesn't want you to be angry at her for dying." He informed.

Her eyes flashed to sapphire blue and stayed there.

"But it wasn't her fault! I'm the one who failed to protect her!" She yelled tears rolling down her face.

He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently.

"It was not you who failed, it was I." He countered.

"I don't understand." She replied her eyes filled with confusion.

"I made a vow to protect you and those you cared for and I failed. I knew how much you loved the princess and I failed to keep her safe. Do not blame yourself, little miko." He explained wiping the tears that fell from her eyes.

"How can I not? I made a vow never to kill and I did. Worse still, I enjoyed it and then I went and treated you like my own personal love slave. I'm a monster." She replied her tone quiet and filled with self-loathing.

He growled slightly.

"You are not a monster. Mikos do not just heal, protect, and defend, but they also fight and slay evil. As for being treated as a love slave, your dark side understood the need for physical release and we were both…hesitant." He stated.

"I still don't like how I degraded you like that and as for the bandits, I didn't actually kill them all. I let one go. His soul was still good." She replied.

"You're darkness is not evil, but simply another part of who you are. She is good just like you and she would never kill anyone whose soul was still pure. Also you cannot degrade me, my little miko. You are my alpha and you can do as you wish." He countered.

Artimes took on a thoughtful expression as he slid his hands to her shoulders.

"You enjoyed it, didn't you?" She asked her eyes lowering to the ground.

He lifted her chin until their eyes met.

"I would be lying if I said I did not and as you know, little miko, I do not lie." He answered.

He held back a smile as she blushed crimson. She opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off with his lips, his tongue diving into her mouth. He basked in her warmth and relished her sweet taste. She didn't fight, but instead melted into him, allowing him to lead. He pulled back and smiled softly.

"Why did you stop?" She asked her voice sounding so innocent.

He chuckled and she scowled at him.

"If we were to continue, little one, I would take you again." He stated boldly.

Her blush deepened and tried to find something else to look at.

"Oh." Was all she could say.

After a moment, she spoke again.

"We have to go back." She said quietly.

"Yes." He replied.

"They won't hate me, will they? I did make quite a mess in one of their gardens." She asked timidly.

"They do not hate you, little miko. They asked me to find you and return you to the village. They are very worried, none more so than Tinzo and his family." He answered.

"Then let's go back." She replied walking towards the village.

Sesshoumaru took his place by Artimes's side and together, they made their way towards the village.

Author's Rant

Lady A: Chapter 14: Aftermath is complete! I actually changed the ending of this chapter three times before settling on this one.

Hiei: You are a woman and you do change your mind a lot. There were many scenes that changed, expanded or was simply omitted.

Lady A: *shrugs* Author's prerogative, Sparky. This flowed better. So where is everyone?

Hiei: They are currently tormenting the inu taiyoukai about being the miko's love slave.

Lady A: Oh, that will not end well.

Sesshoumaru and Artimes: Bakusaiga! Celestial Strike! *several explosions are heard*

Lady A: Told you that wasn't going to end well.

Hiei: The fools tried to embarrass two of the most powerful people in the room, aside from myself.

Lady A: Is that why you are in here with me, so you were not be put in the line of fire?

Yukina: *pours tea for Lady A, Hiei, and herself* I convinced him to join us for tea. I hope that was alright, Lady A?

Lady A: That's fine, Yukina. I love the tea you make. It's absolutely superb and Sparky is welcome anytime, because he keeps the idiots away.

Yukina: What idiots?

Hiei: Three canines who don't know when to stop humping Lady A.

Lady A: *giggles*

Yukina: Perhaps you should neuter them.

Hiei and Lady A: *starts laughing*

Lady A: Anyways, Review my wonderful readers.

Hiei: Review or die by my blade.

Lady A: Will you stop threatening people?

Hiei: No.