Hello all! Next chapter is here! A little later than I had hoped to post this but its almost double the amount I usually write! Thank you got all your wonderful reviews and encouragement! I really really appreciate any comments or reviews really helps motivate me!
Bonus info!
Nuriel is named after a fire angel not only because he has fire related attacks but my husband (who he is based on) has an angel name as well. :)
Velvidar: Vel means wolf and vidar just sounded cool although it also meant warrior. So basically wolf warrior.
Velvidar roughly 200 years older than Sesshomaru and has been with the west since his parents left the wolf tribe (his mother being a wolf yokai and his father a dog yokai).
He's also distantly related to Sesshomaru.
Hoped you liked the extra info!
-AnimeGirlMiranda
XxxxxxxX
Sango sighed as she washed the last dirty dish from breakfast and put it away. It had been a few days since Miroku left. Dragon Blood's army should be meeting the east soon.
She looked out her window to where to Kibo tree once stood. It had been a long couple of weeks.
Turning she went to drink some tea when she felt a pulse of power.
"What the ...?" Sango said turning and looking back out the window. "How in the world...!" She gasped as she raced out of her hut.
Once outside Kirara mewed at her and transformed when sensing her masters distress.
"Did you feel that too Kirara?" Sango asked.
Kirara nodded as she bent down for Sango to get on.
"It came from over there!" Sango said pointing then let her finger fall. She hadn't imagined it.
Kirara landed on the hill of the Kibo tree.
Sango looked up at the tree that somehow was back to where it had been. A faint pink glow surrounding it sparkling with the light.
Sango reaches out to touch it when Kirara growled at it and stepped back.
"Reiki? Kagome's?" Sango said allowed looking at the tree.
"No, that is not Kagome's reiki." Kikyo said walking up with Kaede who had been nearby.
"Ye know of who's it be Kikyo?" Kaede asked.
Kikyo touched the tree feeling the reiki tell her of how and why the Kibo tree had moved.
"Midoriko's reiki... it seems that it was her last will to move the tree back to its rightful place." Kikyo said frowning.
"Then she's?" Sango asked.
"Yes, she has once again left this earth." Kikyo said. Stroking the tree softly.
XxxxxxxxxxX
Sesshomaru walked with purpose out of his palace. Today he would meet up with the east. With only the rest of today left till Dragon Blood's attack. It was time he left to greet him.
"Jakken, take care of the castle affairs while I'm gone." Sesshomaru said to the small toad following him.
"Yes, my lord, of course my lord your faithful servant, Jakken, will not let you down!" Jakken responded.
Interrupting what would be a speech of his loyalty to his lord, Sesshomaru added. "And follow Inuyasha's orders."
"What?! But my lord..!" Jakken squawked.
Sesshomaru gracing Jakken with an icy stare shut him up.
"Ah! Yes my lord!" Jakken said bowing.
At Jakken's, agreement Sesshomaru promptly tuned out the rest of the babble Jakken was spewing.
"My lord!" Rin called waving and coming forward along with the other children.
"We wish you safe travels my lord." Hotaru said bowing with his sister.
Sesshomaru nodded at them and the two left as Sesshomaru's eyes landed on Rin and Shippo.
"I'll miss you lord Sesshomaru!" Rin said hugging his leg.
Sesshomaru laid his hand on her head.
"Be good Rin." He said. To which Rin nodded.
"Kill a few bad guys for me lord Sesshomaru!" Shippo said to Sesshoumaru's amusement.
"Hn." Sesshomaru said hand resting on the kits head a moment as well.
As Sesshomaru sent them off he noticed a familiar scent in the air.
Why was he near? Sesshomaru thought.
Before he could pounder any further on this, a commotion was happening just outside his castle grounds.
"What are you doing here?" Inuyasha all but yelled at the approaching figure.
Sesshomaru briskly went to the front gate where his sibling was loudly making a scene.
"Shut it dog breath I have to speak to your brother!" Koga yelled.
"And what must you speak with this one about?" Sesshomaru asked as he reached the wolf prince.
Sesshomaru eyes the wolf with mild surprise. Not only did Koga not often come to the west, especially unannounced, he also looked worse for wear. Something his brother had obviously missed.
Koga huffed a bit finally seeming to catch his breath. He was use to running but he had never run that far and fast for that long.
"It's Kagome..."
XxxxxxxxX
Sesshomaru walked into Dragon Blood's lair seeing Kagome chained up he growled dashing over to her.
"Kagome, are you ok?" Sesshomaru asked unlocking the cage and looking down at the miko.
"Sesshomaru?" Kagome blinked up at what appeared to be her savior. He had actually come!
"Yes?" Sesshomaru said unlocking her chains and helping her stand.
"But how...?" Kagome asked.
"Does it matter? Come here." Sesshomaru said pulling her to his chest.
"But I thought..." before Kagome could say anything else he was kissing her, hard.
Kagome shut her eyes for a moment breathing deeply through her nose. When he's scent washed over her. Blood and ash.
Kagome shoved him off her reiki flaring.
"You bastard!" Kagome spat wiping her mouth with her hand vigorously. Her reiki flashing for a moment revealing who really stood in front of her.
"Oh? What gave it away?" Dragon Blood said with Sesshoumaru's face.
Kagome growled at him before sitting back down in her cage. There was no point trying to escape the barrier he had around the cave drained her reiki as well as keeping her trapped.
"No answer?" Dragon Blood smirked.
Kagome refused to look at him. Even with the little reiki left she was surprised she hadn't known right away. She was too hopeful it seemed. Glancing as he now looked at her with loathing, she grimaced and looked away. He probably did that with Sesshoumaru's face just to taunt her she was sure.
"Hmmm maybe when the time comes I can be in this form." Dragon Blood mused rubbing his chin. "Wouldn't it hurt all the more to have your beloved dog torturing you?" He laughed "using you up then throwing you away?" Dragon Blood leered at her. "I guess we will find out soon yes?"
Laughing he turned back to himself and added. "Enjoy your last day in one piece priestess, tomorrow is the big day." He said with a smirk as he turned and left her to her thoughts.
Kagome shivered as he left. Bastard.
Kagome thought back to when she and Sesshoumaru had almost kissed in her time.
'She could almost smell him rich and wild like a forest during a thunderstorm. His breath warm like honey with a hint of vanilla.'
Nothing like blood and ash. And even after battling with him several times when blood and ash were present he never lost his wild scent.
Besides. Even if Sesshoumaru did come for her, she doubted he would do anything but rescue her then be done with it. He wouldn't kiss her. Not now.
"Sesshomaru..." Kagome whispered sadly looking down.
XxxxxxxX
Sesshomaru was livid. No beyond livid. There was not a word that described how angry his was.
He sped towards the east in his bubble thinking back on the last hour.
-flashback-
"Dragon Blood, he has Kagome." Koga said watching Sesshomaru as the great inu began to lose his 'cool'.
Sesshomaru eyes flashed red. "Explain." He said calmly. Too calmly.
"The real one showed up." Koga said. Then he explained all that had transpired.
"As soon as I was free from Midoriko's spell I raced here to tell you." Koga finished.
"Damn." Inuyasha swore as he slid a hand over his head ears flattening. This was not good. And judging by the way Sesshomaru was radiating malice, Dragon Blood was about to get his ass kicked something good.
A strangled growl ripped through Sesshomaru as a wave of youki crashed outward blowing everything but the earth itself away.
Picking himself back up from several yards away Inuyasha watched as his brother blasted off to the east.
-end of flash back-
Sesshomaru growled as he passed over a river. Animals everywhere running swiftly away as they felt his approach. Even the fish dove deeper to get away from the infuriated lord or the west.
In his haste, he had already gotten more than half way to Nuriel's palace.
Good he thought. The sooner he was there the sooner he could get ready to greet Dragon Blood with the horrid death he deserved.
XxxxxxxX
"Ada-Sama." Velvidar said to get the woman's attention. They were in the gardens enjoying a stroll.
Velvidar smiled when she turned to him. Although he hadn't known her very long the last 24 hours had made him sure of his next course of action.
Ada looked up at the yokai who had caught her fancy. She really liked him. She had done some digging between their time in meeting for the first time and now. She had wanted to find out more about the wolf and inu yokai before her. He was strong, honorable, kind and handsome. She blushed lightly as he smiled at her.
"In light of the upcoming battle I was hoping I could promise a promise." Velvidar said twinkle in his eye.
The demoness before him scrunch up her face a bit in confusion.
"Promise a promise?" Ada repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Well after we defeat the incoming army (Velvidar refused to think they would do any less) I wish to ask you something or promise something to you when all is over."
"So, your promising you will promise me something?" Ada said raising a delicate purple eyebrow.
Noticing the tell-tale signs of a certain lord he knew. Velvidar smiles warmly at her. It seemed her closeness with a certain inu family had rubbed off on her.
"To put simply yes." Velvidar said nodding.
Ada huffed. "Why can't you just tell me now?"
Velvidar's smile faltered. Although he was sure of their victory tomorrow he was not so sure of the outcome. Or in other words who would be there standing afterwards and who would have fallen in battle. Not that he would be defeated so easily, but he didn't want to tie Ada down if something were to happen.
He shrugged not giving her any signs of why not.
"Well then I promise that I might have a promise to return after the battle." Ada said with a smug smile but her shyness returning when Velvidar turned to face her.
"That would be most welcomed." Velvidar grasped her shoulders and placed a chase kiss on her forehead. Releasing her he paused, "might?"
Ada giggles at his prolonged catch of her wording. She promptly turned and walked away, hiding the blush from his kiss.
When Velvidar went to reach back out to stop her and question her further, he was push back by a spray of water. Whipping his eyes, he just saw a glimpse of Ada's glowing silver eyed when she disappeared with pulse of youki and another splash of water.
Velvidar shook his head flicking water off him. Shy yet coy what a mix he was getting himself into. He chuckled it was about time he had some fun.
XxxxxxxxX
Nuriel watched from a distance as his sister and Velvidar flirted. He narrowed eyes.
"What are you doing?" Raya asked eyebrow raised as she found her mate in a bush.
"Ah, Raya my love, how are you?" Nuriel stood abruptly hand behind his head laughing nervously.
"Fine.. and you haven't answered my question." Raya said hands on hips.
"Oh, you know, gardening." Nuriel said picking at the leaves on the bush.
"Uh huh." Rays said eyes glancing from him to where Velvidar and Ada had been standing.
Smiling Nuriel shrugged at being caught.
Raya rolled her eyes. "Don't you have better things to do?" She asked.
Nuriel was about to respond when a puff of smoke on his shoulder alerted him to his tiny fox friends appearance.
"Oh?" Nuriel asked looking towards the little white fox.
As the fox chirped its message Nuriel's eyes widened in surprise.
"Really?" Nuriel asked and with a responding chirp and nod from the tiny fox Nuriel turned towards Raya.
"Did you get that?" Nuriel asked.
Shaking her head no, Nuriel nodded and waved for her to follow him.
"Sesshomaru is on his way here." Nuriel said.
"Oh? Well good I figured he'd appear soon." Raya said.
"Well he has planned on leaving today but seems he is coming at quite a high-speed and..." Nuriel paused before opening the back door to his palace. "And he's projecting quite a bit of youki."
"Really how much?" Raya asked watching at the little fox sat on Nuriel's shoulder and spread its paws wide.
"Apparently, a lot." Nuriel said shaking his head. "And that's not all. The youki he's emitting is full of malice."
"Why? Sesshomaru is usually very fond of being incognito, not to mention he keeps his cool." Raya said.
"Well it appears something has happened for him to lose it." Nuriel frowned as they walked towards the front of the palace.
"Do you know ..?" Raya asked
"No..." Nuriel answered. No, he didn't know for sure but he had a sinking feeling it involved a certain miko he knew.
"What do you plan on doing about it?" Raya asked.
"I'm going to hopefully meet him before he enters sensing range and causes panic." Nuriel said leaning over and giving Raya a quick peak on the lips.
"I'll be back with the dog shortly." Nuriel said as he left the palace.
Nuriel transformed and sped off in the direction of the west.
XxxxxxxX
Sesshoumaru eyes narrowed. In front of him blocking his path was a giant black fox.
Irritated he stopped.
"What is it Nuriel?" Sesshomaru growled.
The black fox burst into red flames shrinking until the flames went out and Nuriel stood
in front of him.
"Shouldn't I be asking that?" Nuriel asked eyeing him.
"This one is not in the mood for games, fox." Sesshomaru growled out.
Sighing dramatically Nuriel shook his head.
"Back to talking in third person, something is definitely off." Sesshomaru usually was more casual in his speech with Nuriel especially alone.
"What has happened my friend?" Nuriel asked.
Sesshoumaru's eyes bled red thinking of the reason for his current rage.
"Dragon Blood has Kagome." Sesshomaru said with a growl hands bawled into fists.
"Oh shit." Nuriel swore.
"Indeed." Sesshoumaru said claws puncturing his skin as he spoke.
"We will get her back Sesshoumaru." Nuriel said. "Come on let's get to the palace."
Although Nuriel was worried and pissed at Dragon Blood, he tried to omit calming vibes to help Sesshoumaru. Much like what Sesshomaru did for him when Raya was missing.
It wasn't much but it seemed to help some. Even if Sesshomaru was still giving off the whole 'death and destruction
vibe' it was less than it had been. With him accompanying Sesshomaru as well his subjects shouldn't panic and think a Sesshoumaru is out for their blood at least.
Sesshoumaru opting to let Nuriel in his bubble the arrived in the East in a matter of minutes.
After landing, Nuriel spoke up to one of his guards to gather everyone together in front of the palace.
XxxxxxxX
Voices died out as Nuriel and Raya walked out of the palace doors.
Everyone young, old, warriors east and west were gathered in front of the palace.
Nuriel gazed around the crowd. Raya standing to his right.
Raya turned as her mate gathered his thoughts. He stood regal and proud in front of his people. His usual care free demeanor
gone. He looked every bit the Lord he was at this moment.
"Tomorrow marks the day we have been preparing for." Nuriel began eyes scanning the crowd. Velvidar and Ada standing off to the right. Sesshomaru off to left in the back corner. "Tomorrow we face the evil that has been wreaking havoc on our lands. The evil that threatens our family's and loved ones."
A mother hugged her kit close as her mate put his arm around her.
A grandfather held his growing grandson's shoulder. They would both be fighting come morning.
"The same evil that tried to take our Lady
from us." Nuriel said as Raya looked up to her mate.
"The same evil that took our last Lord and Lady and many of our people with them."
Murmurs spread softly through the crowd at this news. Not many had known Dragon Blood's part in that battle.
"One that got away that night has come back to take what he couldn't before."
"The East has been through many battles, the last was devastating on our people." Nuriel glanced around the crowd. "Some would say we won the war but lost the battle."
"This time will be different." Nuriel eyes hardened as he looked at as his people.
"This time we will be on the battle field waiting to meet them with their destruction!"
A few cheers came from the crowd as people clapped.
"This time we will win the War AND THE BATTLE!" Nuriel shouted out as lifted his hand into the air at his last word shooting out a wave of red fox fire into the sky.
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers.
As the sun set on the day before battle the sky was filled with all shades of fox fire and youki as the east and west promise the demise of Dragon Blood.
XxxxxxxX
"Follow me! All children, elderly, healers and those not battling tomorrow please follow me!" Ada called towards the crowd.
She was leading them to an underground cavern Nuriel built after their parents had died. The door that lead to the cavern in the back of their basement. The door itself looking nothing more than a bookcase. Pulling one certain book out lead to the cavern and their safety.
As Ada lead them through the barrier oohs and aahs were heard.
What they had made under their palace was a way to live peacefully for many years. The cave was filled with grass and plant life. A field of crops grew to one side. Several houses that could fit many comfortably stood just past the fields in the middle of the cave. On the other side stood a pin of cows and other live stalk. Past that a small forest with deer and other wildlife. And behind it all at the back was a waterfall that went into a river that ran throughout the cave watering the various plants and crops.
It was protected by a barrier of several different yokai's power. Nuriel's, Sesshoumaru's InuKimi's and herself. Each power doing something different.
Nuriel's hid whoever was inside. Once underground the path led to what looked like a dead end thanks to Nuriel. Not even smells or sound could be heard from outside the barrier.
Sesshoumaru's part of the barrier was a great deal of acid. Anyone wishing to harm the ones protected would get their skin melted off.
InuKimi's part was slightly different. Her part in the barrier was to keep the plant life growing and healthy without a real sun. She made a fake sun and moon in their cavern to grow things as well as to have a form of light.
Lastly Ada's part was the water. She had made the waterfall and river flow fresh and new continuously. Even without an outside source. At the end of the river it dead ended into the cavern wall and vanished. Much like the waterfall beginning appeared out of thin air.
Once everyone was in the barrier Ada left to close the door/bookcase.
"Didn't think I just send you off without a hearing a good luck from you did ya?" Nuriel said as he leaned up against the hall of the cavern.
"Or my mandatory sister hug!" Raya chirped smiling at her from Nuriel's side.
Ada smiled at them looking to the other side where Velvidar stood. And past that Sesshomaru looking at the bookcase door.
As Ada's eyes landed on him Sesshomaru turned to her and nodded at her.
"See you later Sesshoumaru." Ada called as he left. He raised a hand to wave briefly before shutting the door.
"A demon of so many words..." Raya said rolling her eyes as Nuriel laughed. "Now come here!"
Ada giggles as she hugged the smaller woman.
"Be safe." Ada whispered "and keep my brother from getting into too much trouble!" She added louder.
"Yea, yea, I'm such the trouble maker." Nuriel said exasperatedly stepping up and rubbing Ada's head.
"Well you are!" Ada said grinning up at him.
Nuriel rolled his eyes and dramatically fell onto Ada for a hug.
"So mean my little sister." Nuriel said limply as Ada and Raya laughed.
Straightening Nuriel looked at her for a moment seriously. "Take care of the East..." He said their eyes meeting. Ada nodded her promise shinned strong in her eyes.
Nuriel didn't have to say what the rest of his sentence was. It hung heavy in the air around them.
'...if we don't come back.'
After a moment of the group looking at each other, Nuriel's little fox appeared on his shoulder with a little puff of smoke.
"Time to go it would seem." Nuriel said looking at his small companion.
The tiny fox jumped off Nuriel's shoulder onto Ada's.
"Watch over her for me will ya?" Nuriel said patting Ada's head.
Ada smiled and nodded patting the fox on the head.
"See you later Ada." Raya said touching her arm gently before turning to leave with Nuriel.
"Remember our promise to promise." Velvidar said stepping up and placing his hand on her cheek.
Ada smiled. "I will. Just come back soon." She said.
Nodding Velvidar followed Nuriel and Raya out of the cavern and with a click of the door closing Ada prayed to the Kami's that they would all come back to her.
XxxxxxxxxxX
Only hours before dawn Nuriel was readying the army to get in positions around the palace.
Since the palace back was facing a mountain they only had to protect the other three sides.
To the right stood half of Nuriel's army lead by one of Nuriel's generals.
To the left Velvidar stood with a half of Sesshomaru's army.
In front the armies stood together Sesshomaru leading his and Nuriel and Raya theirs.
All was quiet as the group waited for Dragon Blood's army to appear.
It was if the sun knew what was to come as it rose and spread blood red rays of light across the field.
And with the light came the fall of shadows that spread with it.
A few hundred yards ahead Dragon Blood's army stepped out of the forest behind them.
Demons of all kinds nasty and mean stomped out in a line.
Lizards, snakes, bears, boars, oni and all matter of demons looked on eagerly at the fight to come. They snapped their teeth and growled as they waited for some signal.
Then he appeared.
Dragon Blood stepped out of the mist of demons red eyes shining and teeth gleaming as he grinned.
Then another Demon Blood emerged from the first. Then another. Three Dragon Blood's stood in front of the vast army now.
The first one smirked and pulled something from behind him to the front. With grunt and a curse, Kagome was pulled forward crashing into Dragon Blood's side.
She stood in chains that kept her reiki from helping her, her clothes worse for wear and her hair a mess. But unhurt.
"I believe I have something of yours that you might want back?" Dragon Blood called out.
Sesshomaru's eyes bled red at his words.
"Well you can have her back, but not until I have a little fun." Dragon Blood laughed. He smirked then plunged his razor- sharp nails into Kagome's arm.
She couldn't help the scream that came with it. Breathing hard she looked across the field all sound lost with a tremendous roar from Sesshoumaru.
"Let the fun begin." Dragon Blood crackle as his army ran forward ahead of him.
XxxxxxxxX