Chapter 25: Civil War

For the 9,742nd time Sesshomaru mentally cursed those responsible for his cursed state. Because of his diminutive size and his altered appearance he was stuck going to a snail's pace while chaos seized his compound. His legs were too short to go any faster than the waddle he currently maintained, his appearance had him labeled as an enemy in his own home so he had to be 'under guard' so he could neither move about independently nor send the one retainer who knew who he was away from him to check and report back on what was happening. The only good thing that the screaming had done was draw the attention of the other 6 guards who had shown up to help escort the 'prisoner' back to the large audience room, leaving Sharad free to at least convey what he was able to hear and feel to his lord.

"There is some serious fighting going on. There is so much youki everywhere that it's hard to determine what exactly. However, I think we might be under attack because there is a miko somewhere in the mix." Sharad said to the toad in front of him.

Sesshomaru's beast growled in his mind. Both Sesshomaru and his beast had known that she was somehow mixed up in the mess, undoubtedly at the center of it. But if Sharad still felt the priestess' powers that meant that she was still alive and fighting. Sesshomaru's heart and mind were equally split between fear for her safety and pride in her prowess.

As they finally reached the room that had been the initial site of the conflict Sesshomaru took a moment to process the state of his receiving hall and process the information that his eyes told him. There were two stages of fighting. The first was more or less centered around the door towards the back of the room which led to the study where the passage he had left Kagome in led to. How did she manage to open the passage? It should be impossible for any but… the masters … and mistresses of the West.

His chest constricted with new emotions. She was something truly amazing if the ancient spells on the House of the West recognized her claim to the authority and power therein. The revelation that it wasn't just his feelings that had changed towards her, but a deeper, magical change that the greater powers of the universe recognized – that left him speechless and grateful for the miracle he was blessed with.

Stupid, she not safe, yet. His beast growled a reminder of the current situation to its master. With a whine that showed it shared Sesshomaru's affection for the trouble magnet he added an unnecessary, Must hurry.

His eyes perused the room again quickly putting the last pieces of information into the puzzle. The first fight had left three guards and Rika on the ground reeking of human spiritual energy that even his depleted senses could smell. The second fight was much more confusing, it started further into the room and by the damage on the bodies it was clear that the demons had started fighting each other.

Sesshomaru's beast tried to sniff the air to get a better sense of what had happened and let out a roar of frustration and anger. He was walking into an unknown situation with so little information.

Sharad heard the unsubtle sniff and bubbly growl that the toad had made. Of course said toad had not realized it had made such an undignified noise and Sharad was not fool enough to point it out, but he could use it to try and serve his lord. His forked tongue flicked out several times in quick repetition. "Sorry, my lord, I am no dog. I can only relay that humans were in here and they left. Snakes are made for hunting prey not determining the multitude of scents that this room holds – and with the purifying energy still riding the air I'm even less effective…"

Sesshomaru glared at the snake for calling humans, at least this human, 'prey'. "Keep moving," he commanded both Sharad and himself, though Sharad interpreted the anger in his voice as displeasure at his lack of effectiveness. In fact, Sesshomaru was reprimanding himself more than the soldier; I cannot afford to be hung up on what I cannot do, I must work with what I can do. This Sesshomaru is better than this. Focus.

Yes, his beast calmed his rage and set its energy and focus on what it could glean from the bodies they passed at they followed the path of destruction. The beast focused on what its limited senses and sight allowed it and Sesshomaru's mind was racing to put the pieces of information together to form a probable scenario.

So it was little surprise when to Sesshomaru when they finally reached the inner courtyard to find Kagome surrounded by a dozen of his most loyal retainers being attacked by what seemed like the rest of his forces. Then he noticed that wasn't quite right, there were actually many skirmishes happening all over the yard as more new people joined the crowd and they apparently chose sides. There were also a fair number of would-be mediators trying to stop their friends from fighting one another.

She has been in my home for less than a day and there is a civil war, even Sesshomaru who had seen from Kagome's own memories the crazy situations that always seemed to surround her was shocked at the magnitude of the insanity he saw before him. If I'm being honest she would have led to it eventually – a human being adopted into one of the Great Houses – it was sure to sow the seeds of conflict…

His beast, able to sense the guilt his master was feeling at bringing the same conflict to the West as his father had growled and swiped a claw through Sesshomaru's mind. She is OURS. We chose. No other is worthy of our family. OUR FAMILY! Now-FIGHT FOR.

Sesshomaru smiled at the simplicity of his heart. His mind knew that there would be severe repercussions for his unprecedented actions, both personal and political, but his beast was correct, it was done, she was accepted and everyone would bend to his awesome will on the matter – and it was time to be getting to that bending…

His eyes took in every face and gave it to his beast to memorize in a flash so that when this was all done and over proper actions could be taken. Demons were clashing at demon speed, screaming insults and challenges, using both swords and claws. There were even a few scattered here and there in their true forms, a sign that the emotions that the fight invoked were deep and powerful ones. It was not limited to his soldiers; the staff had joined in and were just as bloody as the generals.

It had been approximately two seconds from the time he emerged on the scene for him to scan the battle twice. Finally he allowed himself to look where his eyes wanted to - looking at Kagome from across the courtyard turned war zone he could see that she was bleeding from several wounds, panting hard, and cradling something protectively in her left arm. Her right hand was held up, palm facing out with her fingers spread, and her eyes were searching for something, when she found it her hand would move to her new target. A quick flick of his eyes was almost impossible to make because all he wanted to do was watch her to make sure that she stayed standing until he made it to her side but he had to see what was keeping her from putting up a barrier to protect herself. Throughout the mayhem he saw small shields pop up to deflect potentially devastating blows. She was not protecting herself because she was too busy trying to protect everyone else. Not only was she protecting her protectors, he saw several shields pop up to protect those who were moving against her.

What is she thinking? He thought took half a second to confirm that she was in fact protecting everyone from everyone else. IDIOT!

Look at HER! His beast growled. LOOK!

Sesshomaru's skin was covered with goose bumps at the bad feeling in his gut as his eyes snapped to focus on her instantly at the demand and – was that fear? – in his beast's growl. A dog youkai on the verge of transforming managed to sneak up behind her and swipe a claw down her back leaving three long rips in her blouse that would be soaked with blood as soon as her beat again. He watched as she fell forward onto one knee, curled over the bundle in her arm. He was moving forward, on the verge of a would-be transformation of his own if he had had the capability, as he watched in horror as the dog stood poised to attack her undefended back.

Fear, pure unadultered fear filled his body. He had felt something close to panic when Rin had been kidnapped but it was nothing compared to this reaction. He knew that if she died in this instant something in him would break and would never be able to be put right again. He needed her to survive more than he needed it himself – and that was a revelation of a whole new sort. Someone else took precedent over not only his pride, life but also over the West.

This realization caused its own fear to bubble up – he was witness to the creation of his own weakness. Something that could be used to get him to do anything someone else wanted.

No, we do no bend to others. We are strong. They will fear challenging us. They will die slow, horrible if they so much as touch what is OURS! His beast's challenge echoed in his head. And again Sesshomaru had to bow to the wisdom of his instincts. It was a simple matter of being so strong and formidable that no one would – could think of using his family against him. Growing stronger had always been a goal of his, now it simple had true motivation to reach perfection.

I have heard that the battle field reveals a demon's true self but this is utter ridiculous. Another half second lost to the emotional rollercoaster of inner revelations and he was moving forward with purpose.

Sharad having taken in the scene as well, though with much less understanding, was waiting for some indication from his lord. Seeing him start for the miko, Sharad took action. He grabbed the toad and, with a grace that belongs only to creatures that lack legs, maneuvered around everyone in their path without ever leaving room for an attack. It was done at demon speed but everything was happening with that speed so a lot had happened in the center circle. Kyo had appeared and was defending against the raging dog youkai and Jaken was guarding the fallen miko's front and there were two more youkai, a soldier on the near side and a cleaver-wielding cook on the other on the far side of the now profusely bleeding miko. This close he could smell the blood that was already starting to form a small pool under her where it dripped down her skirt to fall to the ground.

The momentary relief that he felt was shattered as Sharad, having guessed the direction of his lord's intention had completely misinterpreted his intentions, moved in snake-quick across the remaining distance and struck down the soldier guarding Kagome's nearer flank. As he coiled his muscles for another lightning strike, this time directed at the perceived enemy, Sesshomaru heard a familiar voice draw Kagome's attention to the attack. In response, Kagome's cloudy eyes lifted and Sesshomaru was sure that it was her avatar that looked out. Kagome had already lost consciousness; it was pure instincts that were keeping her moving and thus alive at this point.

The avatar looked right past the oncoming threat and looked straight at Sesshomaru. She smiled with confidence in her eyes as if she were looking at salvation made flesh. He had seen that look on her face before – aimed at Inuyasha when he would jump to her side and fight with renewed vigor. Her face and body talked to him across the space, Ah, finally, you've come, I knew you'd come but what took so freakin' long. Tag, your it.

The instant he saw that smile, directed at him, giving him the feeling that the world revolved around the strange priestess, he understood his half brother in a way that he never had before. To have that smile directed at me I would do anything, too.

But then why did he hurt her heart so, his beast growled unforgiving. And Sesshomaru's heart hardened towards his sibling again. The beast purred as thoughts of violence and retribution reigned supreme again in both heart and mind.

"Kyo!" she screamed as the last of the light faded from her eyes that had never left Sesshomaru's. She fell over causing a new gush of blood to ooze out of her back that seemed to set the demons in the immediate area into a frenzy. Those that were defending knew that they were on the verge of losing that which they defended and redoubling their efforts while to opposing side could almost see their purpose completed and surged forward with a victorious shout.

XXX

Kyo, undoubtedly smelling her life seeping into the ground under them, turned his back on the still struggling dog youkai that had just finished its transformation into a two story brown dog. There was no parry that he could make from where he was that would deflect the blow that was falling on his mistress so he did the one thing that he could, he stepped in front of it. It was a good thing for him that the snake was aiming for a prone figure, it meant that young demon's fist went through his side just above his hip so the worst damage was a fist sized hole through a fairly inconsequential area, meaning he could still fight. He looked up with pure determination in his eye, he had just found this beautiful soul, one that had his lord's favor, and no one was going to get to her while he still breathed.

Kyo looked down just in time to see a very Jaken looking creature slip past his defenses. Damn, those little guys. They've so little youki that you don't even notice 'em in this kinda mess. However, he had a snake to take care of.

He looked over his shoulder at the bear youkai from the kitchen who had been at his back to alert him of the imp but the bear was currently occupying the brown dogs jaws and being shaken like a rag doll. However, bears are sturdy creatures and as Kyo turned back to his opponent he was sure that the loud snap he heard was the bear breaking the colonel's jaw.

That was the last thought that was able to spare. The snake had recovered from his failed strike and was ready to fight. Dang, when did the lower ranks get such a formidable demon?

XXX

Sesshomaru rushed past Kyo with a sense of gratitude that he could not express. She was alive but his beast, his heart, was not happy with all the blood that was still flowing from her wounds. Her miko powers had barely begun to stop the flow when she passed out, so it could have been worse but it certainly could have been better.

Suddenly there was a pair of white clothed legs standing in his way. Without consideration he let his poison claws rip at the obstacle, letting loose a bubbly gurgle of a growl only to fall forward and off balance as his hands met no resistance.

"Be calm, my son."

Sesshomaru heard the words but had moved past a point of reason as his instincts told him disregaurd this obstacle and move on to defend his fallen family member. He side-stepped the white billow but was faced with it again, and again as he side-stepped a second time. The anger and rage of his beast was starting to take more and more of his control, taking over their bodily movements. With his beast in control his movements became quicker, as if the excuse of physical limitation were no longer enough to contain it. And thus Sesshomaru's logical mind was only able to issue a small protest as he stepped through the obstacle, and an equally small question when it worked, all of which were ignored by the enraged beast rampaging through his mind.

The sight that greeted them on the other side of the apparition ripped an actual scream from his throat – Kagome was lying on her side curled protectively around and equally unconscious and similarly battered Rin. That Rin had come to harm within the walls of his castle was unthinkable.

Both of his halves went into a rage. Neither his instincts nor his logical mind could fathom a reason for Rin, the smallest and most vulnerable of his pack, to be injured within the safety of his home. The only thing that he could think of was destroying whoever had done her harm and betrayed him. He turned with tiny claws dripping green to take on any and all – no matter how impossible the feat was at the moment.

XXX

Seeing the death that was sure to come to his son at the hands of his ignorant retainers if things were able to continue as they were, he tried again to bring some sense back to the Western Lord. Words, even his words, were no longer effective with Sesshoamru's mindset. He remembered when his mate was taken from him, the instincts that controlled him. Even when his human lover was threatened, when there were no magical bonds tying them together, he was beyond words and reason. For a dai that has a new familial bond and an injured pack-pup in the midst of a battle focused on harming those vulnerable members…

Having experienced the instincts that influence dais the Inu no Taisho did the one thing that he thought might draw the demon lord's attention to him and get him to do what the ghost needed him to do. Inu no Taisho appeared before his son's rage filled eyes and stepped through the claw swipe, glad that he was incorporeal as the poison was a gift from his mother and even as her mate he was not immune to it. He moved to the two human females' side in an instant, noting happily that the beast in his son's eyes followed him. Now that he was close to them he slowly lowered himself towards the two and as expected his son moved without hesitation and surprising speed to intercept the hands that were descending towards his females. With little that he could do Sesshomaru simply threw his body over the faces of the females to stop that hand from touching them.

Suddenly, a tornado of reiki and youki blew up from the three forms lying on the ground.

A howl split the evening air in half demanding silence from all within hearing distance – which was very far indeed.

Every heart stopped at the earth shaking growl that followed.

Standing in their midst was the Great Dog General in all of his former glory, a monstrous beast larger than the courtyard itself. And he was not happy. His eyes were glowing red and his lip was curled back in a snarl showing teeth larger than any of the creatures standing below him. He lowered his head was so that it was held protectively over the two humans (and an imp that went unnoticed by most). The long hair along his spine stood on end and as some of the less seasoned combatants tried to flee the beast seemed to take offense that they dared move at all. The growl turned into a howl of rage that had no words, just the anger and outrage that was overwhelming his son's heart.

XXX

Sesshomaru had created a circuit of mythical proportions when he touched both the miko and the child. Rin was the vessel for holding his stolen youki and Kagome had almost as much power of her own and both were magically bond (pack and familial) to him now. Combining those facts and the magic that had called the dead to walk and work magic in the land of the living and the Inu no Taisho had been granted a physical manifestation powered by Sesshomaru's youki and Kagome's reiki, but all of them were bound very tightly at the moment so even Inu no Taisho was unable to be completely separate from the torrent of his son's emotions.

Thankfully the dais were not alone. Kagome, while slightly disoriented have Megoka to help her determine what needed to be done to calm the situation. First, protect. She took Rin's consciousness and wrapped it snuggly in her powers to protect her from the emotions and thoughts of the three adults. Once that was done she turned her focus to the other two. The chime of her inner voice called out to the two raging beasts. She called them with a firm voice and a flexing of wills that would make any alpha proud.

They came to heel at her call. Kagome and Sesshomaru were both about the same size but the Inu no Taisho was still monstrous. Millenia of existence had just made him more, but that did not intimidate Kagome's heart. She knew the man's sons and she knew that he was as they are – fierce but loyal, powerful but worthy, strong but controlled (when it suited their purpose). As the panting dogs came to her outstretched hands she held her left hand very steady for the mammoth beast to sniff while she used the right to pet and pull the smaller beast into her body to give the physical comfort she knew he wanted.

The larger beast, shaking off the influence of the rage, came up to the offered hand, sniffed and paused. He took another deeper breath of the appendage and slowly moved up her arm to her neck, snuffling all the way. She smelled like heaven and home. Sesshomaru had wrapped himself around the back of her body and it was the only thing that kept her up when the massive nose pressed into her stomach. Kagome opened her arms and her heart and embraced the monster.

Like his son, the Great Dog General fell to the love offered by a very unconventional human priestess. And in a land and a time where ancestors are a real influence on the living a second family bond that should be impossible (on several levels) was formed.

In the space where minds meet a white dog that was Sesshomaru's heart nuzzled the angel that was Kagome's heart of hearts and a massive ghost dog, much larger than either of the other two, curled his body around his children to add what comfort and protection he could.

XXX

In the real world, the ghost stared, red-eyed and panting as the rage eased its grip on his heart and peace took its place. His voice sounded in every head in the palace and even beyond to all of the demons that had come to the edge of Inuyasha's camp miles away. "These females are pack and more of the House of the West. Any who move against them move against the West. Any who move against the West shall die."

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Author's Note:

First, let me thank everyone who is still reading this story. The only thing that actually makes me sit down and type is the thought that there are others out there waiting to see what happens. I really am enjoying this story and don't think it's fair to keep it to myself. So, if you like it please let me know, it will help motivate me more.

Second, I know that excuses don't really help but I have two to offer for my extremely late update:

I was very busy with a full-time job, a part-time job and a full course load for my graduate studies. I have recently quit my part-time job so this should give me a bit more time to finish this story – which I do plan on doing.

I have actually written this chapter almost a dozen time for a total of over 10,000 words. It was never right so I kept redoing it. Finally I realized that I was trying to force the story into what I thought was an interesting development rather than just letting the story be what it was. I was trying to avoid civil war, really I was, but it was just where the story was meant to go. And as Sesshomaru pointed out Kagome being part of the family would have done it eventually, even if she's not a mate she has the authority of the House of the West – more so now with Papa's adopted her, too. Plus, if you remember the god who set this all in motion had a large scale, long term goal in this curse deally-bob that this kind of accents.

Third, I am going to try to finish this story up before it gets around to its year anniversary so I have until May. I am hoping that by telling you all this it will poke at my conscience as a promise I have made to the readers.

Again, thank you all for reading!