Chapter 25 - The Bad End
Kagome's hands shook as she stared at the marble. This small, seemingly innocent trinket was going to rip her life apart, just like the shikon jewel.
Her hand trembled as her fingers closed around it.
She had to do this. This was a necessity she had to give, not a sacrifice. She couldn't place her happiness before children's lives, her friends or her mates. She just wished...
Kagome shook her head and tried to focus. Why was she shaking so badly? Maybe it was because even though this was the right thing to do...that didn't make it any easier to go through with it.
A sharp burst of youki slammed into the air, knocking the very branches of the trees and making them sway. Kagome gasped and nearly stumbled at the blast of energy, righting herself at the last minute.
"Was that-?" She broke off, voice faint.
Naraku's red eyes narrowed into slits as he surveyed the sky. "It seems Mr. Taisho has awakened. Perhaps now would be a good time to hasten things."
Kagome breathed out shakily, heart slamming in her chest. She'd wanted to do this without seeing him leave, without seeing the look of betrayal on his face once more. But he had to understand, this wasn't about her, it was about everyone's happiness and well-being.
With that in mind, Kagome focused, and tried to block everything out. Her reiki shield rose up around her, and she directed its power into the marble which began to glow brightly.
The ground trembled underneath her, and at first Kagome thought it was the game world being affected by the marble. When she heard a deafening roar that made birds burst out of their nests into flight, her heart thundered in her ears.
She couldn't tell if it was his youki ripping into the wind that made the noise, Sesshoumaru himself, or the blood singing in her veins and drumming in her head. She felt sick with fear, but she wasn't sure what she was afraid of now.
"I-I wish-"
Feeling the air grow warm and static, Naraku cursed under his breath and quickly turned on his heel. A dark form burst through the courtyard towards them, raw energy burning in its wake.
There was a flash of sunlight on a blade, and then pain.
Naraku grit his teeth, tasting blood as he stared into the cold, almost lifeless eyes of the Daiyouki. Naraku had luckily transformed his arm into a large talon, protecting himself from the attack that would have severed his head. Unfortunately Baksusaiga was now embedded deep into his arm and shoulder.
Those sharp, winter eyes turned from Naraku's to look at Kagome, who shuddered under the protection of her shield.
Naraku saw her hesitate and growled; "Get on with it wench! Don't just stand th-"
The blade twisted in his shoulder, and Naraku winced, before crying out as the sword ripped itself free from his body. He was then shoved aside to the ground, and Sesshoumaru leaped forward, his lips forming her name before he'd even thought to utter them.
"Kagome."
Her eyes opened wide as Sesshoumaru stood directly before her, a hairs breath away from the sparking barrier.
Kagome continued the wish, something vulnerable quaking her knees and hands. "I wish that everyone was- AH!"
She cried out as a force met with her shield, trying to break through. Sesshoumaru had sheathed his sword and plunged his claws into the barrier, his poison laying dormant in his fingers. He didn't want to risk hurting her.
"What the hell are you doing?! You'll burn yourself alive! Use your sword if you're going to try and break in!" Kagome yelled angrily. A part of her wondered why she wasn't trying to dissuade him from breaking the barrier, and was instead lecturing him on using his weapon.
"Baksusaiga might obliterate you if this one used it." His voice was low and even, but the strain was beginning to show on his features as his face darkened. His hand felt like it was on fire as heat licked at his flesh, ripping his skin.
His eyes locked on hers. "Kagome, we will find another way. Stop this foolishness." He could barely hear himself, barely think as agony pulsed from his burning hand. He grit his teeth, and tasted blood in his mouth.
Kagome looked down at the marble. It now glowed a bright red, pulsing with energy and flowing with life. Her hair began to pick up as a phantom wind lifted her locks from her shoulders. She felt dulled to all sensation except the feeling of power in her hand. Looking past the light and into his eyes, her heart gave a squeeze.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened and he lunged forward, his arm managing to break through to the other side. But the barrier remained, and his shoulder was now pressed against it, the burn of her holy powers singeing him blind with pain.
Despite the roar of blood in his ears, he heard her words clearly. "I wish that everyone was sent back where they came from."
The wind suddenly grew fierce as it lashed into Sesshoumaru's body, making him unbalanced. He heard a vague shout from behind him.
"Hey Sesshoumaru, Kagome! What the heck is going on?" Inuyasha yelled, holding onto Shippo, who rose into the air with the force of the wind.
Sesshoumaru ignored his brother and moved forward, releasing his youki so that it crashed against her shield. Kagome's eyes were unfocused, not noticing that his arm had broken through. Her reiki flowed into the marble, and Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome's skin became paler, as if she were being drained. His heart stuttered in alarm.
As he inched forward, his hand that was steaming with burns and ripped flesh managed to cover her own that was holding the marble.
Her blue eyes blinked, before focusing on him. She gasped in surprise and horror, and dropped the barrier, senses returning to her all at once. Kagome breathed heavily, tears stinging her eyes at the sight of his damaged flesh. She cried out, finding herself in his arms a moment later. Her hands held onto him, gripping his shirt tightly as she shook, the marble sapping her energy as it glowed before disappearing.
The wind gave a jolt, and Sesshoumaru's feet were lifted from the floor. Inuyasha yelled obscenities as Shippo held onto him, each of them flying up past the school. The air currents pulled them up towards the sky, where the pale pink of Kagome's reiki shield parted.
While suspended in the air, Kagome spotted Koga and Ayame, and a yell to her left signaled Miroku's presence. As she looked, her eyes landed on Souten, who gazed down forlornly at the buildings below.
"This won't work, it wont let you take me." She murmured into Sesshoumaru's ear, holding onto him despite her words.
His voice was clear and brook no argument. "You are coming with me."
The sky loomed closer, and soon Koga, with his arm wrapped around Ayame, ascended through the gap in the barrier. A moment later they both disappeared from sight.
Shippo yelled in panic, eyes wide. Souten gazed up fearfully, before looking at him. The two children shared a quiet moment, before their hands met in the air. They were soon dragged up through the sky as well, followed by a familiar woman Kagome hadn't noticed before then.
The fake mother turned to look at her, Mrs. Higurashi's concerned face ever present as she floated away almost mournfully. Kagome felt a tug in her heart. It was then Miroku's turn and Inuyasha followed suit, looking thoroughly confused.
When they disappeared, Sesshoumaru's arms tightened around Kagome, and she looked up at him. His eyes were blazing, filled with determination as they neared the gap. Her eyes squeezed shut as she hid her face in his neck, praying that it would let her through along with everyone else.
There was a moment where nothing happened, and she truly believed for one second that she was through.
Kagome was then roughly knocked back, and her eyes snapped open. Sesshoumaru was halfway through the barrier in the sky, his arm that was wrapped around Kagome remained on her side of the shield, keeping her in the air.
She lifted her hands in shock, finding resistance against her fingers. Despair choked her throat.
A shaky smile came to her lips as Kagome gathered her courage. "I-its alright Sesshoumaru, let go."
His loud growl ripped through the air, making her shudder. The Daiyoukai's eyes burned red. "I will not." He snarled.
The air currents were trying to force him away, and Sesshoumaru grit his teeth, curling his youki around him to try and pull the miko through. But the shield was like thick glass, unbreakable no matter how hard she pressed against it, and he soon felt his fingers slipping. The mating marks on each of their shoulders began to ache painfully as the barrier pushed them apart.
He stared into her blue eyes, something unfamiliar simmering to life in his bloodstream. He had never felt this much dread before, but now it pressed upon his shoulders, weighing him deep into the depths of her eyes.
"Let go." Kagome murmured, her voice far away, eyes glassy.
I will not leave you here alone. He wanted to say, but his lungs felt like they were on fire. He couldn't breathe with the force of his muted terror and disbelief, and he watched numbly as his hand was forced away by the wind. His claws scraped her flesh, before they were ripped aside.
Sesshoumaru's eyes stayed locked with hers, and something caved within his chest, spilling out into a deafening roar that threatened to shatter the barrier between the two worlds. But his body drifted away, and soon she was gone from his sight as everything faded to black.
OOO
All sensation was muted, as if he were in a dream. When he opened his eyes, Sesshoumaru winced and squinted. A bright light beckoned him closer, yet some hazy part of him bid he turn around, to look at the darkness behind him. But Sesshoumaru was weary, and his body ached. All he wanted to do was curl up and sleep somewhere. He could have hung in that senseless peace for a few more hours, but the light forced him onward, and he soon breathed fresh air into his lungs.
The blue sky towered above as a square of light as Sesshoumaru focused on the four walls around him. He jumped up easily, landing on the rim of the Bone Eaters Well. He frowned and stepped down, green grass cushioning his boots. Boots?
Sesshoumaru blinked, wondering why he'd expected something else. Odd. Naturally he'd be dressed in his traditional attire. His chest plate felt somewhat heavier than he remembered, but he ignored it as his mind began to clear.
With this new development came questions. Why was he standing in the middle of a clearing when he had no knowledge of getting there? His half brother and many of his companions were in the same clearing, looking disheveled and confused. He noticed that a lone Unmother demon was also with them, and thought it strange.
Sesshoumaru's frown deepened, his fingers twitching at his side. A sharp throb made him glance down at his hand, and his eyes widened slightly.
His flesh was burned, the wound licking a path past the cover of his sleeve. As he moved his arm, he smoothed his features to mask the wince that made him grit his teeth. It seemed the burn arched past his elbow, possibly up to his shoulder.
Sesshoumaru mentally sighed. It was his left arm again. Is it cursed to be forever maimed?
"Sesshoumaru? What the hell are you doing here?" Inuyasha muttered.
Hn, it seems the hanyou doesn't know anything about our currant circumstances either.
"I could ask you the same question half breed."
Inuyasha opened his mouth, but fell short on what to say. The group looked at each other uncertainly.
Sesshoumaru was about to leave and find Rin, since no answers seemed forthcoming here, but something restless was in his stomach. Irritation and worry gnawed at his insides, and he mentally shook himself. As he stepped forward however, his eyes seemed to automatically turn to the well in the clearing. A strong pulse of reiki energy was leaking out of it, and even stranger, he thought he sensed his own youki tangled in the aura.
Before he could think about it further, a shout caught his attention. "Lord Sesshoumaru! Shippo! Oh thank goodness you're safe!"
Rin ran into the clearing, throwing her arms around a confused Shippo. "W-what? Whats going on?" He blushed.
"You're back! I'm so happy you're all back!" She cried. Sesshoumaru was unnerved to sense actual tears coming from his ward. He noticed the old miko Kaede making her way towards them, along with the demon slayer.
He soon found himself in an uncomfortable position as Rin suddenly launched herself at him. He awkwardly patted the top of her head, and saw that the monk was equally as bewildered when his wife tackled him into a hug.
He looked down at his ward. "Rin, why are you distressed?"
Something tugged at his mind. Someone else was meant to ask these questions, someone else should be receiving a hug from Rin. His golden eyes turned towards the Bone-Eaters Well.
He didn't know why his thoughts suddenly turned towards the miko, but something tight grasped his heart at the thought and wouldn't let go.
Foolishness, he shook his head just as Rin turned and called out her name; "Kagome?"
At this, everyone in the clearing looked around for the absent miko.
Growing annoyed, Inuyasha piped up. "Alright what the hell is going on? We wake up here with no clue what happened and you're not making a lick of sense. Spit it out Rin!"
Miroku's staff hit the hanyou on the back of his head 'accidentally.' As Inuyasha yelled in annoyance, the monk turned to Rin with a kind look in his eyes. "What Inuyasha means to say is 'please would you explain what you know'? Do you know anything Sango?"
Sango hesitated, looking distraught, happy and miffed all at once. "You've been missing for a whole month, I think it'd be best if Rin explained." Miroku smiled gently at the sight of his wife's relieved tears, rubbing her back and not letting his hand stray for once.
Rin nodded shakily, her wide eyes still searching for the miko. "I-I don't understand why you don't remember. I cant believe even you don't remember, Shippo."
All eyes turned to Shippo, who held his hands up in panic. "What? I didn't do anything."
Rin shuffled on the spot, knowing that Sesshoumaru would be angry with her. But if Kagome wasn't there that meant only one thing. Her eyes rested on the well, and she summoned her courage.
"A-alright, I suppose I should start at the beginning."
Sesshoumaru gave a short nod, as did Kaede, and this reassured her. Taking a deep breath, Rin began. "It all started when Kohaku came to visit the village."
OOO
She was floating in a place between stunned and dazed, her eyes unseeing as they stared up at the sky above. The sensation of spiders legs running down her arm felt distant, the chilling effect it had on her, dulled.
This absence only lasted until the barrier in the sky finally closed. Then a soft, pleasant voice murmured in her ear. "It's just us now my dear."
Kagome jolted, realizing the spiders legs was his long, tangled hair brushing against her. She scrambled to get away, but realized at once that they were in the air, floating down from the sky.
"Now, now Kagome, is that any way to thank your rescuer? You would have fallen to your death had I not caught you." Naraku chuckled darkly, amused by the thought.
Kagome felt vile rise in her throat when she noticed his proximity, the fact that he was holding her. She tossed her head, voice full of venom. "You only want me alive to fuel the illusion. Without me there's no you."
Naraku's satisfied grin turned feral, stretching high across his face. "That's true, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy our time together. After all we'll be seeing allot of one another from now on. It'll be exactly as the shikon jewel wanted."
"W-what are you talking about?"
His red eyes gleamed as they locked on her. "Don't you remember? The jewel wanted us as its new hosts after I died. You were transported inside the jewel, where it wanted you to remain in the dark. Now we can hate and fight one another forever like Midoriko and the youkai before us."
His breath danced across her neck, making her shudder. "We will do all that and more, my dear."
They were near enough to the ground now that Kagome wouldn't be hurt if she dropped from his arms. Gritting her teeth, her eyes locked on the wound Sesshoumaru inflicted earlier. A spark of determination lit up her features as she quickly grabbed ahold of his clothing near his arm and shoulder.
Her hands tightened as reiki flared to life at her fingertips, before snapping into the body that held her. Naraku gave a cry of outrage as reiki singed his flesh, entering through the wound and leaving a burning trail of pain in its wake. He threw Kagome away from himself, and she landed in a heap on the ground, banging her elbow and scraping her knees.
Kagome stood up shakily, her eyes on his twisting body as he clutched at his arm, writhing in agony.
"If you think this is going to go exactly as you planned Naraku then you're sadly mistaken." She smiled with a false sense of bravado. "I'm not going to give up searching for a way to leave, but even if I do have to stay here forever, it won't be with you."
Naraku's eyes hooded as his expression darkened, his form still shaking with aftershocks of reiki. "Rejecting my offer was a foolish mistake. You could have made this so much easier, but naturally you chose the difficult path. It was the same with choosing Sesshoumaru."
"Sesshoumaru has nothing to do with this." She growled.
He slowly calmed, his face smoothing into his usual amused expression. "Now that's where you'd be correct my dear, the only thing that matters is you. Is that not so?"
Kagome frowned in confusion, wondering what sort of game he was playing. He chuckled, raising the hair on the back of her neck. "Forgive me, you're not aware of the joke are you?"
When she didn't respond, Naraku smirked and looked at the Love Meter beside him, trailing a hand lightly down its side. "The marble is similar to the shikon jewel in that it can grant desires. The desires are manifested but they are nothing more than illusions, intending to trap the users targets. However it can only grant the users wishes if they are inside the marble itself, so it transports its hosts inside the trinket, sometimes trapping inexperienced mikos forever by clouding their thoughts until they die." He said pleasantly as if they were talking about the weather.
"You are currently trapped inside the marble yourself. The world you see around you is a manifestation of your thoughts, so why would you assume this Love Meter is tailored towards my feelings, or that of Sesshoumarus?"
Kagome digested all this information slowly, before her eyes widened. "You...you don't mean-"
"Yes, right from the beginning, it was your thoughts and feelings that changed the level of the meters. When we spoke in the library, you made the Love Meter rise perfectly when I wanted, because you believed it was possible for me to have that much power. When our dear Mr. Taisho's meter rose, it was because you felt his feelings had changed based on something trivial you did. How naive. You've truly played your part beautifully though my dear."
Naraku smiled in pleasure seeing her frozen, horrified features. His red eyes narrowed in cruelty, deciding to rub salt in the wound. "I know you better than anyone, or rather the worst parts of you. Now tell me why I didn't interrupt your little tryst with Sesshoumaru last night, why would I not try to stop you? You must have wondered."
Kagome's head was reeling. She raised her blank eyes to meet his, lips parting slowly. "Because my feelings held us back...It-it was my fault we didn't win the game. "
Her heart squeezed in her chest. Had she not loved him enough? No, she'd never been happier than she had last night, she did love Sesshoumaru. But then, why didn't we win?
Naraku threw his head back and laughed, the sound jerking Kagome in alarm. She shivered, disgust and fear curling in her stomach at the sight of him so elated.
When he looked at her again, his chuckles began to die down, but his smirk refused to leave. "Ah, and that's why you're my perfect heroine. Your utter self doubt destroys you from the inside. It wasn't your love that held you back dear Kagome, you loved enough. It was those nagging thoughts in the back of your mind that made you lose the game."
She knew the reasons, they had hung over her heavily whenever she'd dared dreamed of a future with Sesshoumaru. Her self worth, her doubts, but one reason rang clear in her mind.
Her family.
She hadn't wanted to face the reality of leaving her mother, brother and grandfather behind. Mating Sesshoumaru had helped her overcome doubt, fears and worth, but leaving her family in the 21st century was a thought she'd avoided. Naraku had purposefully made the Unmother transform into her mother, just to keep the thought of her family in her head.
Kagome raised her eyes to his. She could feel the press of a handle against her lower back, concealed beneath her clothing. Naraku was close, she could use that.
She frowned in frustration. She wasn't in range to unsheathe and use it quick enough, he'd see her intent easily.
I have to wait for the right moment.
Naraku's hand was suddenly on her cheek, and Kagome flinched, automatically ripping herself away. He smiled sharply. "Do I repel you so much Kagome?"
"You've done countless horrible things and even killed Hojo, what the heck do you think?" She growled, stepping back.
He raised his arm, smirking with delight as it became a large, grotesque talon. "A pity, but you know, I don't need you conscious for this world to exist. It will continue turning so long as your heart beats, but you don't have to be in one piece for that to happen."
Kagome didn't even flinch. Her hand itched to hold a weapon but she held still, not yet.
"You still have the resolve to fight? I see, then let me indulge you in a sweet dream." Naraku uttered almost lovingly.
Kagome quickly jumped out of the way as he launched deformed claws at her, his sharp talons scraping into the ground. She ran, heading as fast as she could towards the archery pavilion, glad that the door was already open.
As soon as she ran into the building however, everything dropped away. The ground beneath her feet disappeared, and Kagome screamed as she fell into darkness.
OOO
Silence had descended on the group after hearing Rin's long winded story. The demons glanced at one another, quietly confirming that her scent held no trace of lies.
Sesshoumaru looked down at his ward. "You say that this marble should have freed the miko, why is she not here?"
She shook her head. "I don't know, if- if that's the case then maybe she didn't choose a man to win with."
Something strange took root in Sesshoumaru's heart, making him uneasy. Kaede interjected, her single eye watching the demon lord sternly. "Hmph, ye don't really believe that, do ye Rin?"
At this, Rin glanced away uncertainly, while Inuyasha crossed his arms. "What are you on about old hag?"
Kaede ignored the hanyou and kept her gaze on Sesshoumaru, but when he said nothing, she sighed. "Only that there may be a way to save Kagome."
The group perked up at this, each of them silently agreeing to do anything they could for the priestess.
"Tell us what we can do. Even without our memories there's got to be some way to help." Koga's fists clenched, worry creasing his brow.
Kaede beckoned them closer to the well where each of the demons could feel reiki energy pulsing inside. "The marble is currently inside the well itself, neither travelling to Kagomes time nor ours, it is merely suspended in time. Kagomes power has linked with that of the Bone-Eaters Well and the marbles, therefore any demons wishing to rescue Kagome must pass through intense holy powers to get to her."
Inuyasha found himself hesitating for a second, his eyes drawn to the midnight black hair on his shoulders. Only a few strands of white remained on his head, showing his weakened youki powers.
Shaking his head, he stepped forward. "Keh, that doesn't matter, I'll go."
Miroku frowned. "Don't be foolish Inuyasha, your demonic aura is so weak you're practically a human. We don't know if sending you inside the marble as you are now would help Kagome or hinder her."
Inuyasha spun on his heel, growling. "Like I care! She needs to get outta there and I'm gonna save her!"
Sesshoumaru watched his half brother quietly, wondering at the spark of frustration that raced through his bloodstream. His lips thinned as his teeth clenched, instincts screaming at him to act, to do something. But he couldn't understand what, because surely he didn't want to jump into the fray and save the miko. He frowned, finding the very idea ludicrous. He held a fondness for her that went beyond being allies, but she was not his.
He turned his golden eyes back to Inuyasha. Of course the whelp would save her, that was how it went. The heroic hanyou would bring her back, and she would love the fool as she had years ago. Pure and innocent mikos did not desire dark warlords such as he.
Ah, I have had this debate before. Sesshoumaru's fingers clenched into a tight fist. Denying the truth of his growing want of her had become second nature to the Daiyouki, but even admitting his desires meant nothing, changed nothing.
No, perhaps she is not Inuyasha's, but that does not change the fact that she could never be mine. With this thought in mind Sesshoumaru turned to leave, ignoring the sting he felt at the admission.
His eyes opened wide at the blinding burst of pain that stopped him in his tracks after only two steps away. In his mind he could picture the beast that lay beneath the surface of his skin, jaws opening wide and howling as it strained against chains of control. He breathed in deeply, closing his eyes and trying to focus. But it did no good, and as he wondered at the ache in his chest, the image of her face came to mind.
Flashback~
A reflection wavered in the dimly lit waters of the river. A kind face, framed with black hair that spilled down her shoulders, gazed back. The setting sun bathed her in an orange glow, and Sesshoumaru watched, transfixed, as she rose. Pale fingers clenched into a fist at his side. Naraku had been defeated three years ago, Rin had chosen to live in the village rather than follow him, and he had business elsewhere, yet he still found reasons to linger at the village.
Kagome approached the fire she'd made in the clearing and took the kettle off the boil. Shippo dozed nearby, while Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango had already returned home. It did not escape Sesshoumaru's notice that Kagome tried to make a camp for them, as if they were still pursing Naraku.
He waited, and was not disappointed when she approached him after preparing some tea. She bent to sit on her knees before him as he sat at the base of a tree, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Chamomile this time. Since I've exhausted the list of fancy ones for you, this will have to do, Mr. Tea Connoisseur."
Sesshoumaru accepted the tea, nodding his thanks. She always tried to give him a different tea each time. He supposed it was her own way of trying to include him even when he had nothing to do with their group.
However, this time was different. Golden eyes caught the way she hesitated, and he blinked in surprise when she stayed where she was. "Do you think... that in three years I'll be the same as them?"
Her eyes were unguarded, sad, and Sesshoumaru couldn't remember a time when she'd asked him something so personal and honest before. This was not how the routine went when they were alone, he would usually stay aloof and she'd quip about his cold personality.
Sesshoumaru frowned softly. She envied her friends, that much was obvious, but why come to him about it? "It is easier for some to bury the past than others. Do not dwell on it miko."
She blinked and when she raised her gaze to meet his, she gave a gentle smile that lit up her whole face. His heart quickened instantly. It had been a thoughtless act, provoked by thoughtless words, but Sesshoumaru found himself replaying that moment in his head long after she'd left.
But something about that smile had bothered the demon lord, and he realized that perhaps he should have given more thought to his words. Being a man of short conversation, he hadn't known what advice to offer. How annoying that he felt even a measure of guilt for a problem that was solely hers.
However, the feeling of discontentment stayed with Sesshoumaru, and it wasn't until he saw Kagome again did he realize why. She'd lied in the form of a smile, lied to none other than him the same way she had her friends.
Such a simple thing had made him realize the unthinkable. He'd noticed the miko Kagome. More than that, he'd noticed her pain, and felt an encompassing desire to rid her of it, and replace that smile with one of real happiness.
The most startling thing of all was that he wanted to be the one to do it.
End Flashback~
Threads of a memory came back to him suddenly, not just of that smile, but of the Bone-Eaters Well, the moment she'd jumped in with the marble. Sesshoumaru's breath shuddered out of him as sharp needles of pain bit into his skull. There was more, lurking in the back of his mind. He smelled her scent, and had the strangest sensation of soft hair running through his fingers. Then there was warmth, and gentle blue eyes looking up at him in the way he'd always longed for.
Impossible, he growled to himself. His thoughts were clouded because he was lacking youki, that was all.
"Look Dog Breath, I should go. I have more youki so it'll be a walk in the park." Said Koga, ignoring Inuyasha's protests.
"But if the marble drains youki and Kagome can't control it, maybe another reiki user should help her instead." Ayame reasoned, looking pointedly towards Miroku.
Shippo watched them, his heart squeezing with worry as Souten stood with him. He couldn't remember exactly, but he felt like he'd spoken to her before going into the marble.
Kaede shook her head at Ayame's theory. "That may not work, I believe the marble has become tuned to Kagome, and it may be that she has confused herself. Confusion has bred fear and uncertainty, and it is my belief that the one linked most deeply with her in the bonds of trust should go."
Everyone became quiet at this, glancing at each other. The old miko sighed heavily. "The man she chose to win with."
Their voices were a distant roar to Sesshoumaru, whose heart was pounding uncomfortably fast. He couldn't ignore this, this insane need to see her. I want to make sure she is safe...no it is more than that, what is this feeling? His instincts roared until he couldn't think straight, and he found his right arm reaching for his left shoulder, claws biting into material. A blinding surge of agony burst to life underneath his hand, and Sesshoumaru snarled, ripping his hankimono aside.
He fell silent. A familiar aura pulsed within the faint indent of teeth marks. Golden eyes grew wide as he sensed the undeniable feel and scent of her.
Questions raced through his mind, but at once he understood. He was marked as Kagome's mate, and somewhere in that well she held the same scar. She chose me? That pure, ridiculous miko let this Sesshoumaru claim her...
Surprise grew into hope and dare he admit it- bliss leaped in his heart.
"-don't know who the hell that is! Just let me pass and I'll damn do it!" Inuyasha was yelling, but Sesshoumaru wasn't listening.
He turned on his heel sharply and approached the well, catching Kaede's eye. She smiled as he passed, having suspected an attachment between the miko and demon for some time.
"Take heed my lord, you have little youki left. Going into the marble as ye are now may be unwise, so perhaps ye should wait and restore some strength." She warned, stopping him in his tracks.
Sesshoumaru's gaze slid back to her. "There is no time, Kagome has been left waiting long enough."
The group watched this exchange with their mouths agape. Only Rin seemed unfazed by Sesshoumaru's silent admission.
"You gotta be shitting me." Inuyasha growled, hand on Tetsusaiga even though he knew the blade wouldn't transform as he was now.
A slight sigh was the only indication of his annoyance. "I bare her mark." Sesshoumaru stated, a fierce desire to defend Kagome's claim overwhelming him. He didn't know what had happened between them or why they'd mated, but he would protect her even without that knowledge.
Koga chocked in shock, Ayame's eyes widened, while both Sango and Miroku shared a look.
"Right now, the best thing all of ye could do would be to offer some youki to the lord. He will need all he can in order to reach Kagome, and help her break free from the marble."
Kaede then beckoned Inuyasha and Miroku closer, speaking to them in hushed tones. Koga and Ayame approached Sesshoumaru awkwardly, both of them uncertain.
"Hey, get in line. I want to help too." Souten piped up, her hand already on Sesshoumaru's. "I cant remember what happened in that marble but that doesn't matter. Kagome needs help and I know she'd do the same for us." The thunder demon narrowed her eyes at the two wolves.
"What the- hey! You're just a kid! You don't need to give any energy-hey! Don't ignore me!" Koga yelled, but his words fell on deaf ears as Souten gave over her youki.
She would have kept going and given more, but her mind began to buzz, and soon Sesshoumaru pulled away. "You're assistance is appreciated." He murmured, eyes soft.
Ayame helped Souten sit down safely before rising to stand before the Daiyoukai. She and Koga put a hand on each of his shoulders before giving their youki, a frown marring their faces as a light buzzing sound echod in their minds. Sesshoumaru could feel much of his strength return as their engeries flowed in, but he soon sensed their fatigue and drew himself back.
Ayame leaned heavily on Koga as they knelt to the ground, and Sesshoumaru nodded his thanks. "The West will not forget."
Koga's eyes snapped to his, and the wolf prince smiled weakly. "Yeah well, the East appricates that. Now go save her."
As Sesshoumaru turned, not wanting to dely, he caught the scent of rotting flesh. He turned cold, assessing eyes to the Unmother who stumbled towards him.
"Please, my daughter. Will you save my daughter?"
"I do not have time to waste on you, wraith."
He frowned when she suddenly grabbed onto his sleeve, her face morphing into a random woman's panicked expression. "I-I need to help her, shes in trouble. Please, save my Kagome for me?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. "You were in the marble. How is it that you remember?"
The woman smiled warmly, and reached to touch the side of his face. "My daughter is very special, but her illusion wares off quickly. I think the marble told her many lies to keep her afraid, but she wont be scared anymore, because she will have you by her side."
He blinked in surprise when youki began to flow into him from her touch. The Unmother's brown eyes creased in pain, and when Sesshoumaru tried to move away, she suddenly gripped him tightly, forcing a large burst of energy to spiral into him.
"I thought Kagome would forget her family if she chose to be with you, but now I know...all a parent really wants for their child is happiness."
Sesshoumaru grabbed onto her hands and managed to push her away, severing the link. As he caught sight of her face however, he knew the low level demon had already given too much.
"She can find that with you...so I can let her go." The Unmother smiled brokenly, and with such love in her eyes that Sesshoumaru couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for letting her drain herself.
The mask finally slipped from her face, and the demon fell back, withering into dust and broken flesh as she met the floor.
Sesshoumaru stayed where he was a moment, before silently thanking the demoness.
When he approched Inuyasha and Kaede, he felt more subdued as he glanced at the well. This was the fate that Kagome wanted to save us from, this one is certain.
"If you're ready Lord Sesshoumaru, then we will begin." Said Kaede.
Sesshoumaru nodded, inwardly shuddering with the now urgent need to assure Kagome's safety.
OOO
Cool air brushed pleasantly against her face as Kagome opened her eyes. Lifting her head, she winced, feeling pain down her left side, as if she'd hit the floor heavily. Looking around her, the miko was startled to find she was in a familiar clearing. What? I can't be here I'm still in...I'm still...
Kagome clutched her head against a sharp ache in her skull.
"Miko." A smooth, velvet voice called out.
She looked up, and felt her heart instantly race at the sight of him. Worries were instantly forgotten as she stumbled to get up, tears in her eyes.
"S-sesshoumaru, you're here. I thought I was supposed to be somewhere else but I -I can't remember." She uttered, eyes squeezing shut.
Sesshoumaru walked closer, and she noticed he was wearing his traditional feudal era clothes. "Do not dwell on it miko, come here."
Kagome blinked at the sudden twist in her stomach. His words sounded familiar but something warned her not to accept his offered hand. After a moment, he took her hand from her side anyway and pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms around her waist.
She inhaled his familiar scent, leaning into his warmth and trying to convince her tense muscles to relax.
His hair slid down her arm, feeling strangely different to what she remembered. Instead of the silky strands that felt like water running along her skin there was the sensation of...spiders legs.
Kagomes eyes snapped open the moment his arms tightened around her. She pulled back enough to look at his face, but could only see Sesshoumaru's staring back at her as he smiled.
"Naraku." She spat.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes warmed. "You're mistaken, this is the face of your mate. It could not belong to anyone other than this Sesshoumaru."
Kagome growled and struggled to get free, finding herself silenced by the painfully gentle feel of his hand on her chin. He tilted her head to meet his gaze in such a familler gesture it made her heart break, his gaze was full of love.
Sesshoumaru then bent down until they were nose to nose. "I will make you fear and hate this face, until your nightmares replace him as the one you loathe most in the world."
He then pressed his lips roughly against hers, his hand tangling in her black hair. Kagome's eyes opened wide, and she summoned her powers, pushing herself free from his arms.
But even as she ran, the haunting sound of his laughter stayed with her, burying itself deep inside the fear in her heart.
ooo
So after some confusion I'm finally in Scotland with my sister. ^^ I haven't found a job yet, but here's hoping I do soon! Thank you as ever for the reviews! xxxxxxxxxxx