Chapter 21- Battle for Her Love
The ride to the arena had been in silence, the only sound was the faint music that played in the background. Kagome looked out the window at the riotous crowd. "They all came out for this one, didn't they?" She glared at the hoards of reporters.
"Ignore them. They are vermin, no better than street rats scavenging for garbage." Miroku advised.
Kagome missed the sympathetic look that Sango was giving her from across the limousine. She was far too preoccupied with thoughts of the impending battle. Her old life and her old self seemed like some faint memory. Everything had changed in a matter of weeks. She had found new friends that had proven their loyalty time and again in the brief period that she had known them. She had found her soul mate, strong and brave, and she had found the strength within her that she never imagined existed.
Kagome looked at Sesshomaru as the others piled out of the limousine and she heard the echo of some deep thought that perhaps, Sesshomaru had never meant for her to hear. "I have never known love, but I know that I love you." She pulled a deep breath into her lungs and watched him step out of the vehicle. His aura pulsed around him in a masculine display of power. The crowd parted to give him space as if they would be burned by the regal fury of his aura. Kagome watched as he ignored the hundreds of demons and turned to offer her his hand. She set her jaw in one final line of determination and reached out to grasp the strong hand in front of her.
Cameras clicked away and reporters shouted, but they didn't dare approach her as they had the last time. Kagome ignored the clatter of the questions and moved straight ahead. Her ears heard nothing but her own heart beat, and she didn't see a single person in the world besides Sesshomaru. The walk to the building was slow, almost methodical, as the taiyoukai set the pace. His every step seemed to have an agenda, his even glare enough to keep the crazed onlookers at bay; Kagome felt safe amidst the chaos.
The doors closed behind them, dulling the cacophony of the reporters and Kagome took a deep breath. She followed Sesshomaru and Sango as they parted from the rest. "Sango will show you to where you can prepare." Sesshomaru explained. The hallway came to a fork and Kagome turned to look up at Sesshomaru.
"This is where we part, isn't it?" She asked looking up at him.
"Yes, this is where I will leave you. I will see you on the field after my battle." Sesshomaru promised. Kagome's eyes welled up for a brief moment as he leaned down and kissed her gently. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly.
"I will be there." She promised as she pulled herself away. She watched the glorious figure descend the hallway before turning to make her way down to the opposite end.
Sango had remained silent until she reached a door at the end of the hall. "This is where you can prepare. I will show you where you will walk out when you are announced." She said stepping through the door. Kagome followed as Sango showed her a large door at the end of the room. "When the announcements upstairs start, you will hear it on the speaker over there." Sango pointed to the small speakers on the door. "When they call your, name the door will open, and then you can step out and walk to the center of the field."
Kagome nodded. "Sango, thanks for everything." Kagome said quietly.
"Thank me after you win." Sango smiled. "I'm not doing goodbyes today, so you had better wipe that worried look off your face and kick her ass!" Sango smiled.
Kagome couldn't help but smile at the words coming out of her friend's mouth. "Sango, such language!" Kagome teased.
"I am a human woman, remember?" Sango smiled and hugged her friend. "We'll be watching out for you." Sango reassured.
Kagome smiled as Sango closed the door behind her. The room was quiet. Kagome walked to a small futon and sat down. She concentrated every ounce of energy that she had on believing that she could truly do this. She had to win, for the first time in her life she felt like she had too much to lose if she didn't.
Sesshomaru paced at his end of the hallway. He had nothing to do to prepare for a fight with Kouga. He would tear him down in an instant if he wished, but no, Sesshomaru had decided long ago that a quick death was not what awaited the leader of the wolves. Kouga would suffer a thousand times over for what he had done, the pain that he had caused Kagome. His unrest was entirely because of worry for his mate. Desperately Sesshomaru tried to calm himself, but until he was watching Kagome stand over Miyu's body, he was sure that he would have no peace.
The click of the loudspeaker was like thunder in the quiet room. Kagome looked at the box as she heard Inu no Taisho's voice boom over the crowd. "A challenge has been made by Miyu of the Wolf tribe," The crowd roared loudly in support of the wolf demon, making Kagome shudder as Inu no Taisho continued "against Kagome of the Inu tribe." Kagome's heart skipped a beat as the great dog general announced the clan that backed her. She stood solemnly in front of the imposing door as it began to open. Her pounding heart drowned out the thunder of the stadium as she stepped out into the massive arena. Kagome fixed her eyes on the demoness in front of her and decided that if bloodshed was what her future people wanted, then she would give it to them.
Miyu was taller that she, with long dark brown hair. She had razor sharp cheekbones that were veiled by a perfect complexion. Kagome looked at the woman and found it hard to imagine any male not wanting her. They stood face to face glaring at one another. The woman was intimidating to say the least, decked out in her traditional warrior clothing. The lavish pelts and the ivory white armor fit well and Kagome had no doubt they had seen their fair share of battles. Her nerves were just about to get to her when she heard a strong whisper echo through her ears. I am here. I love you, Kagome. Kagome let her eyes glance to the box and settle on the glorious figure that was standing to the right of his father.
Miyu chuckled as the witnesses to the battle were announced. "Keep it all in the family. Even the little brother had to get in on this one." She smirked at the mention of InuYasha's name. Then her face turned to stone. "Listen human, this is your last chance. Drop to your knees here, forfeit this battle and I'll see to it that my brother gives you a comfortable life - as a slave of course."
Kagome's gaze turned to glare as she rested her eyes on the gloating wolf. "I'd rather die." Kagome hissed.
"Be careful what you wish for." The wolf mocked.
"Let the battle begin!" Inu no Taisho announced loudly.
Kagome threw a hand forward and produced a blazing barrier that Miyu crashed into. The wolf demon had fulfilled her expectations. She was thinking that it was going to be an easy battle and Kagome was determined to prove her wrong. Miyu leapt back, her flesh still steaming from where she had collided with the barrier.
"Ahh, so you really are a miko. I thought that stench was just the human in you." She spat at Kagome.
"Do you plan to talk your way through this battle?" Kagome questioned arrogantly before letting the barrier dissipate.
Miyu didn't respond she simply lunged at Kagome, drawing the sword from her hip. Kagome sidestepped as she erected another barrier. The wolf demoness was quick to back away before she met with it head on. "How many times do you think you can put that barrier up before you get exhausted?" She sneered at Kagome.
Kagome didn't answer she just let her hand drop and the barrier with it. Miyu stepped back, allowing herself more room to maneuver. She pulled a bone from the waist of her armor and threw it to the ground. A billowing cloud of smoke rose and a low growl echoed through the arena. As the dust settled it revealed a larger than life sized wolf, or rather, skeleton of a wolf. Its jaws snapped and dark purple drool hung from its rabid mouth.
Kagome watched the wolf eye her as if she were lunch, waiting for the right moment. After some crude command in what Kagome guessed was Miyu's native tongue the wolf lunged forward. The barrier that Kagome tossed up effortlessly sent it sprawling back into a pile of bones at Miyu's feet. "Your toys aren't amusing to me." Kagome informed her.
"Just testing to see if you are still using that parlor trick." Miyu shot back at her.
Kagome nearly laughed. "Would you prefer something a little flashier?" She questioned.
"What are you going to do, miko, pray for me?" Miyu mocked. She raced toward Kagome, sword drawn, and managed to catch her with the tip of the blade on Kagome's left arm. The blood rose quickly as Kagome threw up a barrier. She touched her arm and felt the slickness of her own blood. She looked at her fingers and confirmed her suspicion. She let her eyes fall from her enemy to the demon that was now on his feet in the royal box. She could sense his tension, feel his aura swell. He was worried, and that bothered her more than the pain that was starting to tear into her arm.
"That was a mistake." Kagome said smirking. Miyu was about to answer with some snotty comeback when Kagome let a blast of energy race from her fingers at Miyu. The demoness was sent barreling backwards.
"How's that for a parlor trick?" Kagome scoffed at the demoness as she crawled back to her feet. Miyu stood deathly still for a moment and eyed the priestess in front of her. Her furious eyes set, and her cheeks tainted with humiliation, left Kagome unsure of what to do. Kagome hoped that she would speak, give some indication of her intent, but there was only silence.
Sesshomaru stood a nervous watch over his mate. She had been toying with Miyu at first, allowing the wolf to test her abilities. Now, the game had become deadly serious. Sesshomaru could sense the wolf's rage and Kagome's uncertainty. Miyu had been humiliated, shown up, in front of demons from every tribe. Suddenly Miyu was sizing Kagome up as a real opponent, figuring out a way to get at her without getting purified. Sesshomaru fought the urge to reach out and warn her. Her racing thoughts echoed through his ears. The scent of her blood hung in the air nearly driving him to intervene, but something inside of him held him back.
Kagome's breath caught in her throat, was Miyu going to back down? Kagome waited desperately when she heard Sesshomaru's voice echo in her mind. "Do not underestimate your enemy. Simply because you haven't seen the full extent of his strength does not mean that he is not stronger than you are." Sesshomaru had told her that in the dojo. Kagome looked quickly from Sesshomaru to Miyu and understood. She weighed her options and decided that she would wait Miyu out, let her move first.
Seconds went by and Miyu still hadn't moved when suddenly she leapt high in the air. Her leg extended and she lunged forward, barrelling at Kagome with lightening speed. Kagome mumbled a quiet prayer as she held both hands in front of her and produced a violent crackling barrier. Miyu's speed betrayed her and she didn't have enough time to change course. The wolf collided painfully with the barrier letting out a sharp hiss as she leapt away.
Sesshomaru watched the sparkling light display as his mate repelled the wolf. His heart skipped a beat as she let the lights dim and fade. It was too soon, Miyu was too close. It was a fatal mistake, one that a trained warrior would never make, but Kagome wasn't a trained warrior. She was his mate and he was about to watch her be destroyed. He rose to his feet as his father's hand reached out and firmly held him in place. Miyu drew her sword and turned and a graceful pirouette. The blade cut through the air and closed in on Kagome's throat.
Kagome's heart raced as she realized an instant too late that she had let her guard down too soon. The sound of the blade slicing through the space between her and her opponent set her body into motion. She was left with time to do nothing more than fall backward, the blade missing her by millimeters. Kagome found herself sprawled on her back and before she could right herself she felt the tip of a blade press to her throat. She froze.
Miyu looked down at her victoriously. "Do you really wish to die, or does my previous offer sound more enticing?"
The vile smirk on the wolf demon's face turned Kagome's stomach. "Why? Tell me why?" She questioned, she had to know.
"I don't like humans. My brother may have a taste for you vile creatures, but I prefer my men powerful. Sesshomaru was destined to be mine until you came along."
Kagome laughed loudly. "He'll never mate you."
"Sesshomaru doesn't really have a choice. If he doesn't there will be an all out war."
"Sure, like he cares." Kagome bluffed.
Miyu's eyes turned to stone as she looked down at the bleeding miko. "So what is your decision? Will you be my brother's pet or do you prefer that I end your miserable life here and now?"
Kagome's eye narrowed and she gathered her strength. From the tips of her fingers she released a blazing pink ball of energy that struck Miyu head on, throwing her high into the air. Kagome let her hand go to the tiny droplet of blood on her throat where Miyu's sword had rested. So this is how it has to be. She thought to herself. There would be no mercy for her and she could afford to give none. She sent forth another dazzling lightshow that slammed into the rising wolf. Miyu fell to her hands and knees for a moment before throwing forth several bones from the waist of her armor. Before Kagome knew it there was a pack of snarling skeletal wolves surrounding her. She turned quickly to size them up as Miyu pulled herself to her feet.
Kagome watched as Miyu righted herself and then barked some foreign command at the pack of bloodthirsty monsters. Kagome's heart pounded as she realized that the pack had jumped into motion and she was left in the center of the hungry monsters, with nowhere to run. Her mind raced and she came up with only one thought before she knew it she had dropped to one knee and produced a glowing dome around her. The rabid pack had shied away at the last moment, saving themselves.
Miyu laughed. "Well let's just see how long you can keep that up. I'll just take a nap and let the wolves wait for you to come out.
Sesshomaru had heard the words that had been exchanged his ears were too sharp not to, and the awed silence of the crowd had made it even more simple. Kagome had been backed into a corner and now she had trapped herself there. He prayed that she could come up with something before she collapsed in the center of the arena. His stoic face veiled his concerned thoughts, but he was unsure of how much more he could bear to watch.
How the hell did I do this to myself again?! Kagome thought to herself angrily. If she dropped the dome the wolves would pounce before she could get an attack underway and if she stayed under here, her power would eventually fade. What an embarrassing way to die! Cower beneath a bubble for a couple of hours before it pops and your wolf food! Kagome scolded herself silently. Suddenly a possibility dawned on her as if out of nowhere. She had never tried it before, but it could work. If she could make the barrier bigger then she could back them away.
Kagome prayed silently for a moment before drawing in a deep breath and concentrating her energy. The dome slowly began to expand and the wolves stepped wearily back. Kagome looked around and watched as the pack started to stray further away. Miyu stood just outside the barrier looking annoyed. Kagome closed her eyes once again and drew in as much strength as she could and put it into the barrier. It swelled and pulsed backing Miyu further towards the outside of the arena. Kagome ignored the angered taunts from the wolf demon and continued on her mission.
Sesshomaru tilted the corner of his mouth in relieved surprise. The barrier that Kagome had put up was growing slowly larger, pulsing methodically around her. She didn't seem to be struggling as she had previously her will, solid as stone, seemed to drive her forward. Sesshomaru stood in a silent moment of pride before hearing InuYasha.
"Did you teach her how to do that?" He half joked.
Sesshomaru never took his eyes off the field as he answered. "No, InuYasha, she taught herself this one."
"Why the hell didn't she just do this before?"
"InuYasha, you always become angry when you are worried. It isn't healthy for your soul to do that, my son." Inu no Taisho lectured while watching the tiny miko prove his suspicions right. He glanced at Sesshomaru's ever stoic expression and caught the slightest hint of pride in his eyes. His son needed to see this; he needed to know that Kagome was special in more ways than just her kind heart, and lively personality.
"She better be careful that she doesn't swallow us all up with that thing!" InuYasha watched as the barrier widened and skewed to take up nearly half the field. Miyu and her wolves had widened their girth. The wolf demon seemed unsure of what to do. She had waited until the barrier was nearly unmanageable before realizing that Kagome was stronger than she had anticipated.
Sesshomaru didn't reply, but in his mind he had had that exact thought for a brief moment. It wouldn't do well for a battle to spill over into the stands. He hesitated to speak to her, but it couldn't be avoided. Kagome, be careful of the audience.
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Kagome heard the warning clearly and she raised her eyes to the booth where the three Inu men had risen to their feet as they watched the spectacle that began to unfold beneath. The wolves began attacking mindlessly as the free space in the arena dwindled. Miyu had backed herself into a far area where she released more wolves. The barriers crackled loudly as it was struck from all angles, but it continued to grow. The crowd seemed to be getting nervous as the barrier neared some of the edges of the oblong battlefield. Kagome was left with a decision. She could wait until her minions destroyed themselves with their repeated attacks, but then she would still have Miyu to deal with. The other option was to attack now, strike at her first, and try and overpower her while Kagome still had the strength to do it.
Kagome wondered how she would get to Miyu without having to battle through her rabid pack of monsters. She looked up at Sesshomaru, InuYasha and Inu no Taisho, Sango and Izaiyoi had joined the males and risen to their feet. Her eyes fell for the first time to the crowd around her. She saw for the first time the tens of thousands of demons that had come to watch the battle. Her heart pounded as she realized that not a single demon was in his seat; the entire arena was on its feet. She suddenly felt awkward kneeling in the center of thousands of demons and before she could stop herself she stood up.
Kagome wasn't sure if the gasp was her own or the crowds as she rose from bended knee. The barrier remained intact and she found herself, for the first time on her feet. Kagome didn't really know what faint thought was keeping the barrier going, but it didn't matter at that moment. She faced Miyu and fixed her eyes on the woman that stood haughtily before her. Kagome felt a hatred for someone like she had never thought possible. A seething, vile anger ignited a fire in her soul. The blood that ran down her arm and the worried faces of the people that cared about her was enough to send Kagome over the edge. She took a prideful first step towards the wolf and watched as Miyu's face dropped.
Sesshomaru watched the purposeful march toward Miyu, the barrier still protecting the space surrounding her. It was a dramatic moment even for him, and he couldn't help but wonder just what Kagome would do. The stone faced miko walked slowly as if she were stalking prey. She acted as if she was in no hurry, knowing that she had her prey cornered. It was a march that he himself had made many times in his life; he knew it well.
As Kagome neared the edge of the barrier, Miyu stepped forward, sword drawn and ready to strike. Kagome stopped at the edge of the barrier and stared hatefully at the demon before her. "Call off your wolves or I will purify this entire arena."
Miyu hesitated for a moment, but released a loud whistle and the snarling beasts turned into purple mist and returned to her, landing as a neat pile of bones that she tuck away in the pouch that hung at her side. "Now, come out and we will finish this. Sesshomaru is waiting." She smirked.
"I am going to take down this barrier, and you are going to surrender. If you don't, I promise you that your comrades will be carrying you off this battlefield." Kagome didn't know where the words came from, but she was sure that it was her that was saying them.
"We'll see about that." Miyu laughed.
"I warned you." Kagome stepped back and took a deep breath and released her hold on the barrier around her. It flickered and faded to the relief of the crowd.
A smile spread across Miyu's face as she ripped the sword from her hip and lunged at the miko that stood before her. Kagome seemed to react instantly and her hands rose before her palms out and a blazing white light blasted forward striking Miyu to the ground. The crowd gasped loudly and then watched as Kagome approached the wolf that lay writhing on the ground.
"Do you surrender, Miyu?" The wolf demon would never know it, but Kagome prayed that she would. She knew that if she needed to she could finish Miyu, but the human in her told her that to strike at someone who was now defenseless was cruel. She had never killed anything, let alone a person, be it human or demon, in her life and she didn't think she truly had the heart to ever do it.
The wolf demon writhed on the ground at Kagome's feet. "I will kill you one day." She promised.
"I take it that you are saying that today isn't the day then?" Kagome clarified.
Miyu grimaced in pain, too overcome with her injuries to even answer. She gave Kagome one last loathing glare before letting closing her eyes in an attempt to block out the pain.
Kagome had a million things to say to the demon that was doubled over in agony, but she kept silent. Her eyes rose to the stands where the thunderous applause filled the arena. She let them rest on the royal box and saw her new family cheering. Even her stoic mate was clapping his graceful hands. She turned and walked to the middle of the field as Inu no Taisho announced the winner of the battle. To Kagome's surprise the crowd responded loudly to her victory, proving that not all had been against her. The relief washed over her as she made her way off the field.
A life had been spared but the time for battles was not over. There would be no continued celebration until the day was through because Sesshomaru's fight with Kouga was up next.