Chapter Fourteen – Uniting
Sesshoumaru had informed his mother and uncle that he was going to return to the Western lands where he could tell his father the events that occurred. They understood and agreed to come along, Kagome then explained that they would be picking up her sister and lover on the way and offered them to go on ahead if they didn't wish to wait. They decided they would continue on and wishes the small group luck. Before they left Sesshoumaru sent Jaken and AhUn with them for protection the sake of Maru, he asked his mother to care for him as he would be in far more danger if he remained with he and Kagome for the time being. Of course the young pup did not take kindly to this but obeyed.
Sesshoumaru and Kagome were currently flying to the demon slayer village just after waving a small farewell to their blood relatives "I hope Maru will be alright" Kagome sighed
"You don't believe he'll be safe in my mother's care?" Sesshoumaru raised a silken brow
"No it's not that. He ran from us once and almost got eaten, do you believe he'll obey your mother if he gets grumpy?"
"Rai will keep him entertained and will be very cautious with him" Sesshoumaru then kissed Kagome's cheek "He'll be fine"
"I hope Sango and Bankotsu will be able to assist us, after all Sango may be pregnant"
"I can smell her from here, she's fit and healthy. There's is no child in her womb" As he said this the demon slayer village came into view
"Do you think the rest of the Band of Seven will aid us?" Kagome asked
"Well we can tempt Jakotsu by waving Inuyasha in his face and I'm sure the rest will want their revenge" They then descended into the village where they were greeted by Jakotsu and Renkotsu
"Prince Sesshoumaru Princess Kagome" Renkotsu bowed
"Oh my god it's Inuyasha's attractive older brother and Kagome" Jakotsu beamed as he ran off to the headman's hut "Big brother Inuyasha's sexy brother is here" Kagome burst out laughing as Sesshoumaru flexed his claws in annoyance
"Idiot" Renkotsu sighed "Please wait here, big brother shall be out momentarily" Just as he said this Bankotsu walked out with Sango at his side.
"Kagome it's so good to see you" Sango ran to her friend and pulled her into a hug "Where's my handsome nephew?"
"He's on his way home with Sesshoumaru's mother and uncle. We've come here to ask for you help" Kagome replied seriously
"What is it?"
"Naraku has a new companion, he's Sesshoumaru's uncle Phantom. The guy is completely ruthless and incredibly strong, we're going back to the palace to plan our attack on Naraku once and for all"
"Will you aid us" Sesshoumaru asked
"Yes we shall" Bankotsu nodded "I want my revenge on that bastard and so do my men"
"Inuyasha may be there too" Kagome said as she looked to her sister "And there's no doubt that he won't bring Miroku along. Are you sure you wish to help?"
"I'm not going to let a perverted monk get in the way of my revenge" Sango stated with a smile "But what of Kohaku, Shippo, Rin and our children?"
"There's a hidden cellar below the palace, Usagi will take the children down there and hide until the battle is over"
"I see" Sango nodded "Then let me just retrieve my weapons, Kirara and the children and we'll go" Sango then returned to the headman's hut just as two teenagers ran out and pounced on Kagome
"KAGOME" The miko hit the floor with the children on top of her
"Rin Shippo I've missed you guys" Kagome smiled as she wrapped her arms around them
"Prince Sesshoumaru" Rin beamed as she jumped up from Kagome and hugged her master "I've missed you my lord" Kagome then managed to shuffle Shippo off as she stood with the kitsune
"You two go pack and meet us by here in a few minutes" They both nodded and ran off in the direction of their rooms
"So this is the first time Naraku has struck in 5 years" Bankotsu stated more than asked "This means that he has most probably got a new body and is stronger than before"
"If he has grown in power he wouldn't had teamed up with my uncle" Sesshoumaru argued "Phantom is strong but my father is much stronger"
"You have a point there" Bankotsu then clapped his hands and the rest of the Band of Seven formed behind him "Naraku is back, we shall get our revenge and kill him once and for all"
"Did Naraku have this Phantom leave any messages when he appeared before you" Sango asked as she carried a little bundle out on her hip. The demon slayer was dressed in his fighting attire with Hirakotsu strapped to her back as she approached them
"Hello gorgeous" Kagome smiled as she took the bundle from Sango's arms
"Naraku did leave a message" Sesshoumaru replied "He said 'one will die'"
"If Naraku says one will die then one will die" Kohaku sighed as he walked out with Rin and Shippo at his side
"Be positive Kohaku" Sango smiled as she brushed the bangs from his eyes "You will not fight this battle, you will be with Usagi in the cellar with the children"
"You have a duty to protect your niece" Kagome added as she kissed the little girl in her arms "Ne Sessh, Sango's little one is 5 so how about we betroth her with Maru" She then looked down to Sango's daughter "What do ya say Chiyo?"
"Marry Maru?" Chiyo blushed
"Kagome this isn't the time" Sesshoumaru sighed
"And my little girl isn't going to marry anyone" Bankotsu laughed as he took Chiyo into his arms "She's going to be a nun"
"You wish" Sango mused "Shall we fly?"
"It would be faster" Sesshoumaru nodded
"Yeah and I want to get back to Maru as soon as possible" Kagome added
"Right so if Bankotsu, Chiyo and I fly on Kirara" Sango began
"I'll carry Rin and Kagome on my youkai cloud" Sesshoumaru suggested
"And since I can inflate I'll carry the six of the band of seven and Kohaku" Shippo stated
"Agreed" Everyone then went to their places and took off to the sky...
The palace of the Western lands came into view as everyone let out an exhausted sigh, well besides Kagome. She gasped. Concentrating Kagome made sure what she felt was certain when she grasped Sesshoumaru's haori "Sesshoumaru I can sense Naraku's tainted jewel!"
"Where?" Everyone heard Kagome's outburst and looked around for any signs of Naraku
"In...in the direction of the...palace..." She replied as Sesshoumaru let out an angry growl "I can't make out where the jewel is exactly but it's close"
"Calm down mate, he'll be fine" Sesshoumaru then turned to his allies "Land now"
"But we're not by the palace yet" Sango protested
"It's for the children" They then landed just a small distance from the palace when Sesshoumaru turned to the group "Kitsune take Chiyo, Kohaku and Rin to Totosai's. Explain that I sent you and that the neko shall be there shortly with Usagi and Maru" Shippo nodded and transformed once again. Rin took Chiyo into her own arms as Kohaku helped her onto Shippo
"Be careful" Rin smiled sadly "And don't die on us" Shippo then took to the sky and headed to his destination
"Why didn't you send them to the cellar like we planned?" Kagome asked annoyed
"Because if Naraku's in the area he may send the Saimyosho to spy on us and will find the cellar" He stated "We'll continue on foot so they don't pick up the neko's aura that quickly, I can hide mine but she can't hide hers" Without another word the group made their way to the palace. Kagome closed her eyes and tried to pick up any auras in the palace ahead, all she could sense was Inutaisho's, Yukiko's, Daichi's, Rai's, Usagi's, Jaken's, AhUn's, Maru's and the servants' and guards' "Do you sense anything sinister mate?"
"No everything is normal, I can't sense the jewel any more either"
"Then this could be a trap" Sesshoumaru caught Kagome's hand as they neared the palace gates
"Sesshoumaru" The Prince turned to find Inuyasha and Miroku running over to them "I picked up Naraku's scent from the village yesterday, it was heading in this direction but it just disappeared instantly"
"I could not sense his demonic aura at all though" Miroku added
"Inuyasha our uncle is back and is seeking revenge" Sesshoumaru stated "You've never met him, he hates our father and wishes for all our deaths. If you intend to join us be weary. You will not touch the girls either, that goes for you too monk" Miroku and Inuyasha nodded and they followed the rest of the group through the palace gates and to the entrance. They found the doors stained in blood as the palace guards lay dead beneath it
"Sesshoumaru" Kagome squeezed his hand
"There's..." He was cut off when his sensitive ears picked up a pained scream, a child's scream "Maru!?" Sesshoumaru released Kagome and kicked the large palace doors clean off their hinges. He ran straight in, past all the corpses of his servants and guards as he dove into the throne room. What he found scared even him "No..." Kagome and the rest of the gang ran in behind him as the miko let out a distressed cry
"MARU!!!" There lay the young Prince in the middle of throne room by Naraku's and Phantom's feet, he body was tainted in his own blood as he lay there motionless "No..." Kagome fell to her knees "...my baby..."
"Dad!" Inuyasha shouted as he actually looked around the room. Naraku's minions were standing all around with at least one of the royal family at their feet. They were all concious, well just about, besides Usagi. This made Sesshoumaru's rage increase as his eyes bled red as he unsheathed his sword
"I love it when he's angry" Phantom mused as he unsheathed his own sword "Come at me Sesshoumaru, come and avenge your pup's death" Sesshoumaru didn't need to be told, he let out an angered howl as he dived forward and engaged with his uncle...
Hey sorry this chapter's a little short but I've been suffering a little from reader's block. I'm not back on track and shall be adding much more detail in the next chapter
Reviews please :)
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